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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35096-8.txt b/35096-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2783f35 --- /dev/null +++ b/35096-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13608 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of No Surrender, by E. Werner + +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: No Surrender + +Author: E. Werner + +Translator: Christina Tyrrell + +Release Date: January 28, 2011 [EBook #35096] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NO SURRENDER *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + 1. Page scan source: + http://www.archive.org/details/nosurrender00wern + 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. + 3. The author's name E. Werner is a pseudonym for + Elisabeth Bürstenbinder. + + + + + + + + NO SURRENDER. + + + + + NO SURRENDER. + + + + FROM THE GERMAN OF + E. WERNER. + + + + BY + CHRISTINA TYRRELL. + + + + _A NEW EDITION_. + + + + + LONDON: + RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON, + Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen. + 1881. + + [_All Rights Reserved_.] + + + + + + + NO SURRENDER. + + + + + CHAPTER I. + + +The whole landscape lay in bright sunshine. Clear as a mirror gleamed +the broad smooth surface of the lake, faithfully reflecting the image +of the town which rose in picturesque beauty on its shores, whilst in +the distance, vividly distinct, appeared the jagged peaks and dazzling +summits of the snow-mountains. + +A suburb rich in villas and gardens lined the shore. In its midst stood +a pretty, detached habitation of modest aspect. It was a one-storied +cottage, by no means spacious, and showing signs of no special luxury +within or without. An open vine-traceried veranda formed well-nigh its +sole ornament; yet there was an air of refinement about the little +place, and it had a right friendly pleasant look, thanks to its fresh +white walls and green jalousies; while the surrounding garden, not very +large, truly, but highly cultivated, and stretching away to the border +of the lake, had a peculiar charm of its own, and greatly added to the +general attractiveness of the little country-house. + +In the veranda, which afforded ample protection from the sun's ardent +rays, and where, even at noonday, a certain degree of coolness might be +enjoyed, two gentlemen were pacing, talking as they walked. + +The elder of the two was a man of, it might be, about fifty years; but +old age seemed to have come upon him prematurely, for his form was bent +and his hair as grey as it could well be. The deeply-furrowed face, +too, bore evidence of bygone struggles, perhaps of sorrows and +sufferings of many kinds endured in the past, and the sharp, bitter +lines about the mouth gave a harsh and almost hostile expression to a +countenance which must once have been bright with ardour and +intelligence. In the eye alone there still blazed a fire which neither +years nor the hard experiences of life had had power to quench, and +which was in singular contrast with the silvered head and drooping +carriage. + +His companion was much younger; a man slender of build and of average +height, with features which, though not strictly regular, were yet in +the highest degree attractive, and grave, earnest blue eyes. His light +chestnut hair waved over a fine open forehead. There was that slight +paleness of complexion which tells not of sickliness, but of keen +intellectual activity and a constant mental strain; and the predominant +expression was one of quiet steadfastness, such as is but rarely +stamped on a face at seven or eight and twenty. There could hardly be a +sharper contrast than that afforded by these two men. + +"So you are really going to leave us already George?" asked the elder, +in a regretful tone. + +The young man smiled. + +"Already? I think I have made claim enough on your hospitality, Doctor. +When I came, I had no intention of staying on for weeks; but you +received me with such hearty kindness, I might have been some near and +dear relation, instead of a stranger who could only boast a college +friendship with your son. I shall never forget----" + +"Pray do not thank me for that which has been a pleasure to myself," +the Doctor interrupted him. "I only fear that at home you may have to +pay a penalty for the hospitality you have here enjoyed. To have stayed +at my house will be accounted a crime in Assessor Winterfeld--a crime +which will hardly meet with forgiveness. I have never concealed from +you the fact that your visit here is a venture which may compromise +your whole position." + +The ironical tone of this warning called up a transient flush to young +Winterfeld's brow, and accounted for the vivacity with which he +answered: + +"I think I have shown you that I am capable of maintaining my own +independence under all and any circumstances. My position, I should +hope, lays me under no obligation to avoid friendly relations which are +of a purely private nature." + +"You think not? I am convinced of the contrary. On your return we shall +see which of us is right. Remember this, George; you are under Baron +von Raven's régime." + +"I do not imagine that my chief troubles himself greatly about the +holiday excursions of his officials," said George, quietly. "He is +severe, inexorable even, in all matters relating to the service, but he +never interferes in our private concerns. That justice I must do +him, though I do not rank among his friends, I am, as you know, a +thorough-going opponent of the tendencies he represents, and therefore +personally opposed to himself; albeit, as his subordinate, I find +myself for the time being compelled to silence and obedience." + +"For the time being?" echoed the Doctor, sarcastically. "I tell you, he +means to teach you lasting silence and obedience, and if you do not +show yourself teachable he will crush and ruin you. That is his way, as +it is the way of all such despicable parvenus." + +George shook his head gravely, + +"You go too far. The Baron has many enemies, and I do not doubt that in +secret much hatred and bitterness are entertained towards him, but as +yet no one has ventured to speak his name with contempt." + +"Well, I venture it then," said the Doctor, with sudden vehemence; +"and, truly, not without good grounds." + +The young man looked at him in silence, then, after a pause of a +second, he laid his hand on his arm. + +"Dr. Brunnow, forgive me if I ask you a question which may, perhaps, +seem indiscreet. What is this matter between you and my chief? Whenever +his name is mentioned, you betray an amount of bitterness which cannot +possibly have its origin in mere political opposition. You seem to know +him intimately." + +Brunnow's lips twitched: + +"We were friends once," he answered, in a low voice; "young men +together." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed George. "You and----" + +"His Excellency Baron Arno von Raven, Governor of the Province of +R----, and closest friend and confidant of our present rulers," +completed the Doctor, laying a sharp, scornful emphasis on each word. +"That surprises you, does it not?" + +"Certainly. I had no notion of any such acquaintance between you." + +"How should you? it dates almost half a generation back. In those days +he was only plain Arno Raven, and as poor and unknown as myself. We +learned to know each other in stormy, troubled times, meeting in the +ranks of the party to which we both belonged. Raven with his splendid +talents and restless energy soon worked to the front, and became leader +of us all. We followed him with blind confidence--I more especially, +for I loved him as I have loved no human being since, not even my wife +or child. All the enthusiasm of my youth was lavished on him. He was +my hero, to whom I looked up with ardent admiration--my ideal, my +pride--until the day when he betrayed and deserted us all, when he +sacrificed honour to ambition, and sold himself body and soul to our +enemies, giving us up at the same time to perdition. They call me +'misanthropic,' those wise folk who have never had their illusions +rudely dispelled--who have never met despair face to face. If indeed I +am a misanthrope, my nature was warped to bitterness on that day when, +losing my friend, I lost with him all faith in mankind." + +He turned away in great agitation. Evidently the memory of that long +bygone event still shook the man's whole being to its depths. + +"So there is some foundation for those reports which hint at a dark +spot in the Baron's past," remarked George, thoughtfully. "I have heard +rumours and vague allusions, but no one ever appeared to have any +positive knowledge on the subject. The matter must always have escaped +publicity, for Raven is only known as the energetic, unyielding +representative of the government." + +"Renegades are ever the most untiring persecutors of the faith they +have abandoned," said Brunnow, gloomily; "and there was always a +dangerous element at work in Arno Raven, a fierce, consuming, +all-mastering ambition. This was his ruling passion, the true +mainspring of his actions; and this it was which finally brought about +his fall. His thoughts were constantly running on power and greatness +to be achieved in the future; he longed to govern, to command, cost +what it might, and he has obtained his heart's desire. His career is +absolutely unexampled. From poverty and obscurity he has risen step by +step from one dignity, from one high distinction to another. On +becoming the son-in-law of the minister whose acknowledged favourite he +had ever been, he was exalted to the rank of Baron, and at this moment +he is the well-nigh omnipotent governor of one of the principal +provinces of the land. He stands on the lofty pinnacle whereof he used +to dream; but I, whom he drove into prison and into banishment, who can +look back only on a weary course of years full of the most bitter +disappointments, and who, standing now on the threshold of old age, +have still to wrestle with the material cares of life--I would not +exchange my lowly lot for his greatness. He has paid for it a heavy +price--the price of his honour." + +The speaker was terribly agitated. He broke off, and, turning, strode a +few times up and down the veranda, striving to conquer his emotion. +After a while he came back to George, who was standing silent and full +of thought. + +"I have not touched on this subject for years," he began again; "but I +owed it to you to speak frankly. You are no blind, ductile instrument, +such as Raven requires, such as alone he suffers about him; and I fear +an hour may come when you will find yourself compelled to refuse him +obedience, if you wish to remain true to your principles, and to quit +yourself as an honourable man. What your after-fate may be beyond that +turning-point is indeed another question. Stand fast, George! Through +all the dislike and antagonism you nurture in your heart towards him, +there runs a subtle, secret vein of admiration for this man, and I can +understand it but too well. He has ever exercised a really magic +influence over all who have come into contact with him. You yourself +cannot altogether escape it, and for this reason I have thought it +necessary to enlighten you on the subject of Baron von Raven. You know +now what manner of man he is." + +"I thought so, I declare! There they are again in the thick of their +politics, or immersed in some other interminable debate," said a voice +behind them. "I have been hunting for you all over the house, George. +Good-morning, father." + +The speaker, who now stepped into the veranda, was, apparently, +George's junior by some years, but taller and of stronger build than +his friend--a fresh-looking, vigorous young man, with a frank open +face, clear eyes, and a plentiful crop of curly light hair. He cast one +scrutinizing glance at his father's face, still crimsoned by agitation, +and then went on: + +"You should not excite yourself so much with your discussions, father. +You know how injurious it is to you; moreover, you have been hard at +work already this morning, I see." + +So saying, he walked up to a table covered with books and papers, which +stood at a little distance, and began turning over some written pages. + +"Let that alone, Max," said his father, impatiently. "You will +disarrange the manuscript, and you take no interest in these abstruse +scientific studies." + +"Because I have no time for them," answered Max, quietly laying down +the papers. "A young assistant-surgeon at a hospital cannot sit all day +poring over his books. You know I have my hands pretty full." + +"Time might be found," remarked Brunnow. "What you lack is +inclination." + +"Well, inclination too, if you like. Practice is my study, and I dare +say it will get me on as far." + +"As far as your ambition takes you, no doubt." There was an +unmistakable slight in the father's tone. "You will very probably found +an extensive practice, and look on your calling altogether in the light +of a lucrative profession. I do not question it in the least." + +At this Max evidently had to fight down some rising irritation, but he +answered with tolerable calm: + +"I shall certainly found a practice of my own at the earliest +opportunity. You might have done the same twenty years ago, but you +preferred to write medical works which bring you in very little money, +and, at the best, only obtain recognition from some few choice spirits +among your colleagues. Tastes differ." + +"As our conception of life differs. You do not know what it means to +sacrifice yourself--to live for science." + +"I sacrifice myself for nobody," said Max, defiantly. "I intend +conscientiously to fulfil my duties in life, and shall think that, +in so doing, I have done enough. You have a fancy for useless +self-immolation, father. I have none." + +"Leave this incorrigible realist to his errors, Doctor," struck in +George, who from the irritated tone of both men began to fear a scene, +such as was not unfrequent between father and son. "I have long given +up all attempt to convert him. But now we will neither of us disturb +you any longer. Max promised to go for a walk with me to the wood this +morning, as soon as he returned." + +"Now, just at mid-day?" asked the Doctor, in surprise. "Why not go +later?" + +Some slight confusion was visible in young Winterfeld's face, but he +quickly mastered it. + +"Later on I have to pack up and make ready for my departure, and I +should like to take one last look at the lake and the mountains. It is +hard on me, I assure you, to go away and leave them." + +"That I believe," said Max, with a peculiar and rather malicious +intonation; but he relapsed into silence on meeting his friend's +half-angry, half-imploring glance. + +Brunnow seemed to attach no importance to the matter. He waved them a +hasty farewell, and went up to his writing-table again, while the two +young men strode through the garden, and, Max having opened the iron +gate, struck into the footpath which ran close to the border of the +lake. They went on some time in silence. George seemed grave and +thoughtful, and the young surgeon was evidently in a very ill-humour, +to which the recent conversation with his father and the approaching +departure of his friend may have conduced in equal shares. + +"So this is the last day you are to spend here!" he began at length; +"and what good can I have of it--what good have I had indeed of your +visit at all? Half the time you have passed with my father, declaiming +against the condition of our beloved country in general, and the +dictatorship of Baron von Raven in particular. When, after unheard-of +efforts, I have been so lucky as to withdraw you from the political +ground, you have abused my friendship in the most shameful manner, +making me stand sentry in the noonday glare, at a temperature of 86° +Fahrenheit. A most agreeable post, I must say!" + +"What a way of speaking!" said George, impatiently. "I merely asked +you----" + +"To keep watch that you should not be disturbed in your meetings--quite +accidental meetings, of course--with Fräulein von Harder. That is what +we, in plain English, call 'standing sentry!' How many such chance +encounters may you, with or without my co-operation as walking +gentleman, have enacted on this stage? Take care the mamma does not get +to hear of these sociable little rambles." + +"You know that my leave is out, and that I must start to-morrow," was +the rather curt reply. + +Max heaved a little sigh. + +"Ah, the interview is likely to last a tremendous time to-day, I see. +Don't be offended, old fellow. It may be very interesting to you to +swear eternal fidelity by the sun, moon, and stars, but, for an +outsider, the business is excessively tedious, particularly with such a +temperature as we have to-day. I may safely say it is the warmest proof +of friendship I ever gave a man in my life." + +Talking thus, they had reached the "wood," really nothing more than a +group of chestnut trees shading a stretch of meadow-land on the border +of the lake. It was a favourite and much frequented resort of the +townsfolk, for from thence might be had a splendid panoramic view of +the lovely sheet of water and the grand surrounding mountains. Now, at +noonday, the spot was quite solitary and deserted. George who had +hurried on before, stood still and gazed around expectantly, but in +vain. Max sauntered up slowly after him, and in his turn took a general +survey, but with no better result. Failing to discover a figure in the +distance, he sat down beneath one of the mightiest chestnut-trees, on a +grassy bank which formed a natural resting-place, and whence the finest +prospect might be enjoyed. Leaning back in the most comfortable +posture, he watched his friend with a mixture of raillery and +compassion, as the latter paced up and down, betraying in every look +and action his feverish uneasiness. + +"I say, George, what is to be the end of this love affair, this romance +of yours?" he began again, after a protracted silence. + +The other frowned. + +"How often have I begged you not to speak of it in that tone?" + +"Did I not express myself tenderly enough? There is plenty of romance +in your love, I should fancy. A young middle-class Government clerk +without fortune or prospects, and a high-born Baroness and future +heiress--secret meetings--prospective opposition of the whole family, +struggles and emotions _ad infinitum_. I congratulate you on all these +pleasant things. I should look on the business as an awkward one +myself, I know." + +"That I believe," said George, with a touch of sarcasm; "but, my dear +Max, you really are not competent to pronounce on such matters." + +"My nature being an out-and-out prosaic one," concluded Max, with +perfect equanimity. "Well, I can't say you there tell me anything new. +My father perpetually impresses on my mind the fact that I lack all +tendency to the ideal. He has conscientiously striven to impart to me +these more elevated views and notions, but unfortunately, it has not +answered. I do not belong to the class of 'highly organised natures,' +such as yourself, for instance. You are far more to my father's taste, +and I think he would not hesitate a moment could he adopt you in my +place." + +A smile passed over George's face. + +"If you agree to it, I have no objection." + +"Just try it," said Max, dryly. "He is exceptionally gracious to you, +because he happens to have taken a special fancy to you; but, in real +truth, he is within an ace of turning misanthrope and man-hater. +Nothing satisfies him. All his judgments are distorted, his views +tinged by that bitter irritability of spirit which he ascribes to an +unappeased yearning after the ideal, and that is the ground of the +incessant warfare between us. He cannot forgive me for finding myself +tolerably comfortable in this miserable, worthless world, with which he +himself is at perpetual loggerheads. In fact, matters between us are +growing more and more unbearable day by day." + +"You do your father an injustice," said George, soothingly. "The man +who has given up, as he has given up, home, standing, and freedom, to +that which he calls his ideal, has a right to apply a higher standard +to the world and to his fellow-creatures." + +"But I am not up to the higher standard, you see," declared the young +surgeon, testily. "You are much nearer the mark. This my father +detected at once, and sequestrated you to his own use accordingly. You +would sink wonderfully in his estimation though, if he could guess +that, in the very first days of your stay here, you committed the +boundless folly of falling in love." + +"Max, I beg of you," his friend broke in angrily; but Max was now +fairly under way, and was not to be stopped. + +"I repeat what I have said: it is folly," he asserted roundly. "You, +with your serious views of life, your unceasing toil, your ideal +aims--very superfluous things in reality, no doubt, but with you they +must be taken into account--and this perverse spoilt child--this +Gabrielle von Harder, who has been brought up in the midst of riches +and in the lap of luxury, and has been innoculated with all the +prejudices of her aristocratic caste! Do you really imagine that she +will ever have the smallest understanding for the things which interest +you? I tell you she will give you up directly the grave consequences of +this holiday idyll become apparent to her, and the influence of her +family makes itself felt. You will stake your all on this game, will +waste your best strength in struggling with the relations, only to be +sacrificed at last to some count or baron, who by birth will be a +suitable _parti_ for her young ladyship." + +"No, no," said George, with a burst of vehemence. "You hardly know +Gabrielle. You have never been in her company more than a few minutes +at a time, whilst I----" He stopped suddenly, then went on in a +softened voice--"I know well that there is a gap between us, a great +divergence besides that of outward circumstances, but she is so young, +she has hitherto seen life's sunny side only--and there are no limits +to my love for her." + +Max shrugged his shoulders in a way which plainly said that the last +reason appeared to him highly unsatisfactory. + +"Every man to his taste!" he said coolly. "This limitless love would +not exactly be mine, and, so far as I see, there is very little to be +gained by it. But"--he stood up--"it is time for me to go on duty, +for I see the flutter of a light garment out yonder near those +elder-bushes, and a glow on your countenance as though the seventh +heaven had opened to your delighted vision. George, do me one favour, I +entreat. Let not the fact altogether escape your mind that there is +such a thing as the noonday hour, and that ordinary mortals are +accustomed then to take a repast. An extremely unpractical idea of +yours, this rendezvous just in the middle of the day! I hope you will +not let me perish from starvation, as a reward for my self-denying +friendship." + +Having thus delivered himself. Max Brunnow beat a retreat. Young +Winterfeld hardly heard what he said. He was intently watching the +light slender figure of a girl who now approached from the outskirts of +the wood. She came swiftly and gracefully over the grass towards him, +and in a few minutes stood at his side. + +"Here I am, George. Have you been waiting long? It really seemed as if +I should not get away to-day unnoticed, and I very nearly gave up the +attempt altogether. But it would have been too cruel to let my knight +languish here in vain. I believe you would never, never have forgiven +me, if I had let you depart without a solemn farewell." + +George held fast the little hand, which after the first slight pressure +sought to withdraw itself, and there was a reproachful accent in his +voice, as he said: + +"Is this separation so light a thing to you, Gabrielle? Have you no +other words for me at parting than these teasing quips and jests?" + +The young lady looked up in surprise. + +"Separation? Parting? Why, we shall see each other again in a month." + +"In a month! Does that seem to you so short a time?" + +Gabrielle laughed. + +"It is just four times seven days. You must manage to live through them +in some way; but after that we shall be coming to R---- ourselves, you +know. You have a great deal to do with my guardian, have you not?" + +"With Baron von Raven? Certainly. I work in his bureaux, as you are +aware, and have to make reports to him from time to time." + +"I hardly know him," said Gabrielle, indifferently. "I have just seen +him now and again when he has come on a short visit to the capital, and +that is all. The last time was three years ago. On that occasion his +Excellency hardly deigned to notice me--treated me, in fact, exactly +like a child, though I was then quite fourteen. You may imagine that I +was in no way delighted at the prospect of living under his roof for +the future, until"--here she smiled roguishly--"until I made the +acquaintance of a certain George Winterfeld, and heard from him that he +had the privilege of being one of my guardian's secretaries." + +A strange look flitted across George's features, a look which seemed to +say he was of a different opinion as to the "privilege." + +"You deceive yourself if you build any hopes on that circumstance," he +replied gravely. "The intercourse I hold with the Baron is purely +official in its nature, and he well knows how to restrict it within the +narrowest possible limits. In all else I stand wide as the poles apart +from him. A young, middle-class man, holding as yet only a subordinate +government appointment, does not find admittance to the Governor's +circles, and can hardly venture to claim acquaintance with the Baroness +von Harder. There will be distance enough between us, even though I +come daily to the house in which you dwell. Here in this holiday +freedom we have had the chance of learning to know, to love each +other." + +"In reality, you owe it to our boat which struck on the sand-bank just +at the right time," put in Gabrielle. "Do you remember our first +meeting, George? To this day mamma believes that she was in deadly +peril, and looks on you as her deliverer, because you brought us +cleverly through the shallow water to land. She would hardly have +consented else to receive such frequent visits from one bearing your +plebeian name; but the man who has saved one's life must be an +exception, of course. If she did but know that her hero has already +made me a declaration of love!" + +The undisguised triumph expressed in the last words seemed to grate +upon the young man. He fixed his eyes on her countenance with a +scrutinising, anxious gaze. + +"And if the Baroness should hear of it, sooner or later, what would you +do?" + +"Present you to her in all due form as my future lord and master," +declared Gabrielle, with comic solemnity. "There would be an explosion, +of course: tears, reproaches, hysterics--mamma is a capital hand at all +these, but it comes to nothing. She invariably gives in at last, and I +get my own way." + +She said all this airily, carelessly, laughing gleefully as she spoke. +The thought of a catastrophe which would have filled any other maiden +with alarm, was, it appeared, positively diverting to the young +Baroness Harder. She had seated herself on the grassy mound, and taken +off her straw hat. The sunbeams, which here and there pierced through +the thick leafy canopy of the chestnut-trees, played on her luxuriant +fair hair and blooming face, whence a pair of great sparkling brown +eyes looked merrily forth into the world. The face, with its delicate, +pure outlines, was undoubtedly of fascinating loveliness, but it was +wanting in that soul-speaking depth of expression which gives to the +human countenance its highest charm. Beneath this radiant, beaming +gaiety, one might have sought in vain any token of graver, deeper +feeling. This want, however, hardly lessened the attractiveness of her +fresh beauty, for all about her breathed of rosy youth, of life's +happy, blossoming spring-time. She seemed the embodied reflection of +the landscape out yonder, sunny and light as herself. + +George looked at her with a singular mixture of vexation and +tenderness. + +"Gabrielle, you treat all this as so much sport, and seem to have no +idea of the troubles which menace us, of the battles we shall have to +fight!" + +"Is the thought of battle alarming to you?" + +"To me?" A flush mounted to the young man's brow. "I am ready to cope +with every difficulty, if only you will stand steadily by me. But you +mistake if you reckon on your mother's customary compliance in this +instance, when all her prejudices will be aroused, all her family +traditions evoked in opposition. And even if you should succeed in +winning her over, nothing will change your guardian's views. I know +him. He will never give his consent." + +Gabrielle leaned her fair head against the tree's mighty trunk, and +plucked carelessly at some blades of grass. + +"I do not care for his consent," she said. "I shall not allow him to +dictate to me one way or the other. Let him try to coerce me!" + +"No one will attempt to coerce you, but they will separate us," replied +George. "The very moment our love is discovered, our separation will be +decreed. I know it, and it is this knowledge alone which imposes +silence on me. You little guess how the secrecy, which has such a charm +for you, the continued anxious concealment, distresses and humiliates +me; how contrary it is to my whole nature. Now for the first time I +feel all the hardship of being poor and unknown." + +"What does it matter if you are poor?" asked Gabrielle, carelessly. "I +shall be very rich one day. Mamma is always telling me that I am to be +Uncle Raven's sole heiress." + +George was silent, setting his lips tightly as though to keep down some +bitter feeling. + +"Yes, you will be rich," he said at last; "you will be only too rich." + +"I really believe you mean it as a reproach," pouted the young lady, +with a highly ungracious look. + +"No; but it opens out one more gap between us. If you were in the same +position of life as myself, I might come to you fearlessly, and ask, +not for your hand at once, perhaps, but for your plighted faith, until +such time as I could offer you a home of your own. As it is, what would +Baron von Raven say, I wonder, if I ventured to propose to him for the +hand of his ward and presumptive heiress? He stands in your father's +place. You are under his authority." + +"Yes; but only until I come of age. In a few years, my lord's +guardianship and authority will expire together. Then I shall be free." + +"In a few years!" echoed George. "And what will be your feelings then?" + +There was such sorrowful apprehension in his words that Gabrielle +looked up half-frightened, half-offended. + +"George, do you doubt my love?" + +He clasped her hand tightly in his. + +"I have faith in you, my Gabrielle; trust me in return. I am not the +first man who has worked his way up, and I have always been taught to +look forward with confidence, and to depend on my own strength. I will +strain every nerve for your sake. You shall not be ashamed of your +choice." + +"Yes; you will have to make me the wife of an Excellency at least," +laughed Gabrielle. "I shall fully expect that you will become a +Governor or a Minister some day. Do you hear, George? No other title +will suit me." + +George suddenly dropped the hand which still rested in his own. He had, +no doubt, looked for some other answer to those fervent words which had +come from the very depths of his heart. + +"You do not understand me. How, indeed, should you know anything of the +serious, earnest side of life! No shadow has as yet crossed your path." + +"Oh, I can be serious enough," Gabrielle assured him. "Most uncommonly +serious. You do not know me, my real nature, thoroughly yet." + +"Possibly," said the young man, with a rush of bitterness. "In any +case, _I_ have not had power to arouse your deeper self." + +Gabrielle saw very well that he was hurt, but it did not please her to +notice his humour. She teased and jested on, giving full rein to her +high spirits, and indulging in all her wilful little ways, sure of her +influence which had often stood fiery tests, and which worked again +now. The cloud dispersed from George's brow. Anger and resentfulness +could not hold good before the chatter of those rosy lips, and when the +dear face looked up at him, roguish and smiling, it was all over with +his resistance--he smiled too. + +The clocks in the town on the opposite shore began to strike twelve. +The chimes rang out distinctly over the lake, warning the young people +that it was time to part. George raised his darling's hand to his lips, +and kissed it passionately. The near neighbourhood of the high-road and +of the adjacent country houses forbade any further mark of tenderness. +Gabrielle did indeed seem to take the parting lightly. For one moment a +shade fell over her, it is true, and a tear even glistened in her brown +eyes, but next minute all was bright and sunny again. She threw a last +kiss to her faithful lover, and hurried away. George's eyes followed +her until she disappeared from view. + +"Max is right," he said, dreamily. "We are ill-mated, this spoilt child +of fortune and I! Why must I love her, of all others, differing from me +as she does in all wherein we should be most united? Why, indeed? Ah, I +love her--and that is all the answer." + +In spite of his indignant repudiation of it, his friend's warning +seemed to have found an echo in the young man's breast; but what could +reason and reflection avail against the passion that had taken +possession of his whole being? He knew from experience that there was +no fighting against the charm which had taken him captive on their very +first meeting, and to which on each succeeding occasion he had +succumbed afresh. + + + + + CHAPTER II. + + +"Once more I entreat your Excellency to recall these harsh measures. We +cannot possibly make the town responsible for the acts of a few +individuals." + +"I too am of opinion that it is not necessary to proceed with such +rigour. It will not be difficult to trace out the guilty parties, and +to secure them." + +"Your Excellency should not attach such importance to the affair. It +really does not deserve it." + +The Governor, Baron von Raven, to whom all these remonstrances and +remarks were addressed, appeared but little moved by them. He answered +with cold politeness: + +"I am exceedingly sorry, gentlemen, to find myself in such direct +opposition to you in this matter, but I have formed this resolution +after mature consideration; besides which, you know that I never recall +a measure once decided on. My instructions will be carried out." + +The gentlemen assembled in the audience-room of the R---- +Government-house seemed to have been engaged in a long and animated +conference. They were all more or less excited, with the sole exception +of the Baron himself, who leaned back in his chair with an air of +imperturbable calm. + +"I should have thought that my voice, being that of the chief +magistrate of the town, would have carried some weight with it," said +he who had first spoken. "Particularly as on this occasion the +Superintendent of Police declares himself on our side." + +"Certainly," assented the official alluded to; adding, however, with +prudent reserve, "but I have filled my present post too short a time to +be thoroughly acquainted with the local concerns. His Excellency is, no +doubt, better qualified to judge than I am." + +"I only fear," began the third personage, who wore the uniform of a +colonel--"I only fear, Baron, that this severity may be misinterpreted, +that it may be construed into alarm for your own personal safety." + +A contemptuous smile played about the Baron's lips. + +"Make your mind easy," he replied. "They know me too well in R---- to +ascribe fear to me. That reproach will be spared me, I know, come what +may." + +He rose, thereby giving the signal for the breaking up of the +conference. + +Baron Arno von Raven, at six or seven and forty, might have been taken +as a type of mature and vigorous manhood. He was still in the plenitude +of his strength, physical and intellectual, and still, as was generally +admitted, of a most imposing presence. There was an air of command in +the very carriage of his tall and powerful form. His marked features, +on which haughtiness and an indomitable energy were plainly written, +could not now be styled handsome--they had indeed never been so--but +they were striking and characteristic in every line. The thick dark +hair was untinged with grey, except on the temples, where some silver +threads denoted that life's meridian was past. The dark eyes, so full +of fire, seemed, however, to tell another tale. They spoke of life in +all its pristine force and vigour; but there was a stern, +uncompromising look in them, and when they rested on any given object, +they seemed literally to transfix it. His bearing was one of quiet +dignity blended with proud reserve. Nothing in him betrayed a trace of +the parvenu. The man looked as though from his earliest years he had +had the habit of command. + +"This is not a question of myself," he said. "So long as abuse and +menaces were conveyed to me in anonymous letters, I simply consigned +them to the waste-paper basket, and thought no more of them; but if +bills containing threatening and seditious language are, openly and +before the eyes of all the world, to be pasted up on the walls of the +Government-house, if attempts are to be made to insult me when I drive +out, while the more respectable citizens demonstratively refrain from +interfering, it becomes my duty to take some serious steps in the +matter. I hold the highest post in this province. If I suffer these +misdemeanours, if I tolerate these offences directed against my person, +I thereby endanger the authority of the Government, which it is my +office to represent, and which I am bound to uphold under all +circumstances. I repeat, Mr. Mayor, that I regret to be under the +necessity of ordering certain police-regulations which may prove +irksome and vexatious, but the town has only itself to thank for them." + +"We know by experience that your Excellency does not allow any +considerations of public convenience to influence you in such cases," +said the Burgomaster, sharply. "I can do no more, therefore, than leave +with you the entire responsibility of such harsh proceedings--and with +this, I think, our interview may come to an end." + +The Baron bowed stiffly. + +"I do not know that I have ever sought to evade the responsibility of +my official acts. I certainly shall not do so in this instance. Good +morning, gentlemen." + +The Burgomaster and the Superintendent of Police left the room, and +walked together through the broad galleries towards the entrance-door. +The former, a grey-haired and somewhat choleric old gentleman, could +not help giving vent by the way to his long pent-up anger. + +"So with all our prayers, our remonstrances, and representations, we +have obtained nothing but this sovereign dictum, 'My orders will be +carried out,'" said he to his companion. "This famous phrase, a +favourite with his Excellency, seems to have had its effect even upon +you. Your opposition was silenced by it in an instant." + +The Superintendent of Police, a man much younger in years, with a keen, +cunning face and extremely polite manners, shrugged his shoulders, and +answered quietly: + +"The Baron is at the head of the administration, and as he has declared +that in any contingency he will cover me from all responsibility, +I----" + +"You do as he bids you," concluded the other. "After all, one cannot +wonder. It is not likely you should wish to share the fate of your +predecessor in office." + +"In any case, I hope to show myself more competent to fulfil the duties +of my post than he was." The answer was courteous, but decided. "So far +as I know, my predecessor was removed on account of incapacity." + +"You are much mistaken. He fell, because he was not agreeable to Baron +von Raven, because he occasionally took upon himself to have an +opposite opinion of his own. He had to give way, of course, before the +all-powerful will which has held arbitrary sway over us for so long. +The attitude assumed by our Governor to-day will have shown you better +than a month in office what the situation of affairs here really is, +and, if I am not mistaken, you have chosen your side already." + +The last words were spoken in a very pointed manner, but the +Superintendent seemed not to remark it. He only smiled affably by way +of reply; and as they had now reached the door of exit, the two +gentlemen parted company. + +Meanwhile the Baron and his third visitor had remained closeted +together. Colonel Wilten, commanding officer of the garrison stationed +at R----, was a man of right soldierly appearance, yet, notwithstanding +his natural advantages, enhanced as they were by his uniform and the +orders he wore, he could not bear comparison with the tall and stately +figure of his host in plain civilian attire. + +"You really should not proceed with too great severity, Baron," the +Colonel remarked, taking up the thread of the conversation when the +others had left. "These perpetual conflicts with the respectable +citizens are looked on with great disfavour in high quarters." + +"Do you suppose the conflicts are agreeable to me?" asked Raven. "But +in this case to forbear would be to show weakness, and that I hope, +will hardly be expected of me." + +The other shook his head dubiously. + +"You are aware that I have been absent, spending a few weeks in the +capital," he began anew. "During that time I mixed a good deal in +ministerial circles, and I must tell you, confidentially, that opinion +there is not favourable to you. You are in ill-odour." + +"I know it," said Raven, coldly. "I have not shown myself docile +enough, subservient enough to them; and, besides this, they cannot +forgive me my plebeian origin. To stay and hinder me in my career was +beyond their power; but there has never been any real cordiality +towards me in those quarters." + +"For which reason it behoves you to be prudent. Attempts are constantly +being made to undermine your position. There is talk of 'arbitrary +action,' of a 'tendency to encroachment;' and every measure adopted by +you is discussed and subjected to sharp, if not malignant criticism. Do +you apprehend no danger from all the intrigues which are being woven +against you?" + +"No, for I am too necessary in high places, and shall take good care to +remain so, notwithstanding my 'arbitrary action' and 'tendency to +encroachment.' I, better than any one, can estimate the difficulties of +my position here. They will not so easily find another man equal to the +task of governing this province, and especially this rebellious, +opposition-loving city of R----. But I thank you for the warning, +nevertheless; it accords perfectly with the advices I have myself +received." + +"Well, I thought I would give you a hint, at least," said the Colonel, +rising to go. "But now I must be leaving. You are expecting visitors +to-day, I hear." + +"My sister-in-law, Baroness Harder, and her daughter," replied the +Governor, accompanying his visitor to the door. "They have been +spending a part of the summer in Switzerland, and are to arrive here +to-day. I am expecting them every minute." + +"I had the pleasure of occasionally meeting the Baroness in the capital +some years ago," remarked the officer; "and I shall hope to renew the +acquaintance at an early date. Meanwhile, may I beg you to present my +best respects to the lady? Good-morning, Excellency." + +Half an hour later, a carriage rolled up beneath the portico of the +Government-house, and Baron von Raven came down the main staircase to +receive his guests. + +"My dear brother-in-law, what a pleasure it is to see you again at +last!" cried a lady seated in the carriage, stretching out her hand to +him with much animation and tender haste. + +"I bid you welcome, Matilda," said Raven, with his customary cool +politeness, as he opened the door and helped her to alight. "Have you +had a pleasant journey? It was rather disagreeably warm for +travelling." + +"Oh, terribly! The long drive has quite shattered my nerves. We had at +first intended to stay and rest a day in E----, but the longing to see +our dear uncle was so strong within us, we really _could_ not wait." + +The "dear uncle" received the compliment with great indifference. + +"You would have done wisely to make a halt at E----, certainly," he +said. "But where is the child Gabrielle?" + +That young lady, in the act of springing lightly from the carriage +without waiting for his aid, flushed scarlet with indignation at this +most insulting question. The Baron himself gave a slight start of +astonishment, and looked long and curiously at the "child," whom he had +not seen for full three years, and whose appearance now evidently took +him by surprise. But his astonishment and Gabrielle's consequent +triumph were of short duration. + +"I am glad to see you, Gabrielle," he said quietly, and, stooping, +touched her forehead with his lips. It was the same slight, formal +caress which he had formerly bestowed on the maiden of fourteen, and, +as he vouchsafed it, his stern, dark eyes rapidly surveyed her with one +single look, sharp and penetrating, as though he would at once read +the inmost workings of her mind. Then he offered his arm to his +sister-in-law to lead her upstairs, and left the young lady to follow +them. + +The Baroness launched into a torrent of pretty speeches and +affectionate inquiries, which met with monosyllabic answers alone. Her +flow of words, however, was not to be checked; it only ceased on their +reaching the wing wherein were situated the rooms destined to the +ladies' use. + +"These are your apartments, Matilda," said the Baron, pointing to the +open doors. "I hope they will be to your taste. This bell summons the +servants. Should anything be wanting to your comfort, I trust you will +let me know. I will now leave you for a while. You must both be +fatigued from your long journey, and require rest. We shall meet at +dinner." + +He went, visibly relieved at having accomplished the awkward and +troublesome task of welcoming his guests. Hardly had the door closed +behind him, when the Baroness, hastily throwing off her travelling +wraps, began to inspect her surroundings. The four rooms appointed to +their use were fitted up with great elegance, and even with an amount +of splendour. The furniture was very handsome, the curtains and carpets +being of the thickest and richest materials. In all things the habits +and convenience of high-bred visitors had been consulted, and regard +had been had to their every possible requirement. In short, there was +no fault to be found; and Madame von Harder came back from her tour of +inspection in an eminently contented frame of mind. + +Presently she noticed that her daughter was still standing in the +middle of the room they had first entered, not yet divested of her hat +and travelling-cloak. + +"Will you not take your things off, Gabrielle?" she asked. "What do you +think of the rooms? There will be comforts about us here, thank +Heaven! such as one is accustomed to. We shall prize them after all the +hardships of our long Swiss exile." + +Gabrielle paid no heed to the words. + +"Mamma, I don't like Uncle Raven," said she suddenly, with the utmost +decision. + +The tone was so unusual, in so sharp a contrast to the young lady's +habitual style, that her mother looked up in surprise. + +"Why, child, you have hardly seen him!" + +"Never mind, I don't like him. He treats us with an indifference, a +condescension which is absolutely offensive. I can't understand how you +could put up with such a reception!" + +"Nonsense, dear," said the Baroness, soothingly. "It is my +brother-in-law's natural manner to be formal and chary of speech. You +will get accustomed to it when you know him better, and grow fond of +him." + +"Never!" cried Gabrielle, vehemently. "How can you expect me ever to +grow fond of Uncle Arno, mamma? I have never heard anything but ill of +him. You always used to say he was a horrible tyrant; papa never spoke +of him except as a parvenu or adventurer, and yet neither of you +ventured to be anything but friendly to him, because---- + +"Hush, child!" interrupted her mother, looking round in alarm to see +that no one had overheard the treasonable words. "Have you forgotten +that we are quite dependent on your uncle's goodness? He is implacable +when he thinks himself insulted. You must never attempt to contradict +him." + +"Why did you all show him so much deference if he was only an +adventurer?" persisted Gabrielle, obstinately. "Why did grandpapa let +him marry his daughter? Why has he always been considered the leading +personage of the family? I can't understand it." + +"Nor I either!" exclaimed the Baroness, with a sigh. "The power that +man exercises has always been inexplicable to me, as was your +grandfather's predilection for him. He, with his plebeian name and his +position, at that time a very subordinate one, ought naturally to have +looked upon his admittance into our family as an immense privilege, as +an unmerited piece of good fortune, instead of which he took it exactly +as if it had been his due. No sooner had he established a footing in +our house than he began to govern every one in it, from my sister down +to the servants, who stood more in awe of him than of their own master. +He had my father so completely under his control that nothing was done +without his advice or assistance, and all the others he simply put down +extinguished. How he did it I cannot say--enough that it was so; and +not only in our family circle, in society and the political world he +rapidly gained surprising dominion. No one ventured to oppose or thwart +him." + +"Well, he will not extinguish me," cried the girl, with a defiant toss +of the head. "Oh, he thought he should frighten me with his great +solemn eyes which seem to bore one through and through, as though they +would read the most secret thoughts of one's heart; but I am not a bit +afraid of him. We shall see whether he can bend me to his will, whether +he will find me as pliable as he has found other people." + +The Baroness grew alarmed. She feared, with good reason, that this +exceedingly spoilt daughter, who ruled her mother in everything, and +was by no means accustomed to put a restraint on herself, would now +give the reins to her waywardness, and display it in her behaviour to +the Baron himself. She exhausted all her stock of arguments and +entreaties, but with no satisfactory result. + +Miss Gabrielle seemed to take a peculiar pleasure in roundly expressing +her defiance of her guardian, and showed herself in no way disposed to +abandon the warlike attitude she had at once taken up towards him. But +her serious mood had already spent itself, having lasted a most unusual +length of time. The old petulant gaiety returned in full force. + +"Mamma, I do believe you are in real earnest afraid of this old ogre of +an uncle," she cried, with a merry laugh. "Well, I am more valiant--I +shall beard the monster in his den, and I promise you he will not eat +me." + + + + + CHAPTER III. + + +The Government-house of R---- was an ancient castle, which for long +years had been the dwelling-place of a princely family, but which in +the ever-changing course of events had become the property of the +state, and now served as the seat of the provincial government and the +residence of its temporary head. The grand, spacious old edifice was +situated on a hill just outside the town, and, in spite of the prosaic +destiny which had overtaken it in these latter days, still preserved +much of its mediæval aspect. + +A most picturesque object was it, with its salient towers and +bay-windows, and its fine commanding site which overlooked all the +country round. The original ramparts and fortifications had, it is +true, long ago disappeared, surrendered to the march of modern +progress, but in their stead a perfect forest of noble trees had sprung +up, clothing the castle-hill, whence a broad and easy road led down to +the town. From the windows of the noble old château, which rose, proud +and stately, above the leafy crests, a full view might be had of the +city and the wide valley beneath, all circled in by mountains. + +The main body of the building was exclusively assigned to the +Governor's use, the upper part being inhabited by him, while his +bureaux, or "Chancellery," occupied the ground-floor. In the two +side-wings were situated the other public offices and the quarters of +such of the higher functionaries as were domiciled beneath its roof. +Notwithstanding these very practical arrangements, the interior of the +building, no less than the exterior, retained its antique character, +which, indeed, was ineffaceably stamped on every line of its +architecture. + +The vaulted chambers with their deep door and window recesses belonged +to the last century; long gloomy galleries and arched corridors met and +crossed in every direction; echoing stone staircases led from one story +to another, and the court and garden of the old stronghold were still +maintained in their primitive condition. The "Castle" as it was briefly +termed in all the neighbouring country, was, and had been from time +immemorial, the pride and ornament of the good city of R----. + +The present Governor had now filled the post for a long series of +years. Had it not been a fact well known that he was the son of a +subaltern official who had died early, leaving no fortune, his +middle-class origin would never have been suspected, for the appearance +he made in public and his style of living were as thoroughly +aristocratic as his manners and person. + +How it had come to pass that Raven had become the favourite of the then +all-powerful Minister, no one knew. That Minister's penetrating glance +had most probably detected rare ability in the young aspirant for +honours. + +Some pretended to know that there were other and secret reasons which +had combined with this: so much is sure, he was suddenly appointed +secretary to his Excellency, and in this new capacity acquired +opportunities of developing his talents which he had not possessed in +his former subordinate position. The secretary was soon promoted to be +his master's friend and confidant, was preferred and put forward on +every occasion, and even admitted into the great man's family circle. +The lower rungs of the official ladder were quickly climbed, and one +day society in the capital was astounded by the news, which at first +seemed to be too wonderful to be believed, that the Minister's elder +daughter was betrothed to the young newly-appointed Councillor. Shortly +afterwards the rank of Baron was conferred on the bridegroom expectant, +and therewith he was fairly launched on his career. + +The son-in-law of so influential a man found his way smoothed for him +in every direction, but it was not this alone which bore him aloft with +such dizzy speed. His really splendid abilities seemed only now to have +found, their proper field, and soon displayed themselves in a manner +which made all adventitious aid superfluous. A very few years later, +the "inexplicable" conduct of the Minister who, instead of opposing, +had favoured the _mésalliance_, became sufficiently intelligible. He +had taken his son-in-law's measure; he knew what was to be expected +from the young man's future, and it is certain that his daughter, as +Madame von Raven, played a far more brilliant part than her sister, who +married a nobleman of high lineage, but of utter personal +insignificance. + +When the Baron was nominated to the important and responsible post of +R----, he found matters there in a critical condition. The storm of +faction, which some years before had convulsed the whole land, had no +doubt spent itself for the time being, but signs were not wanting that +it was merely repressed, and not completely and finally laid. In +the ---- province especially, a perpetual ferment was kept up, and +great, populous R----, the chief city of that province, stood at the +head of the opposition which arrayed itself against the Government. +Several high officials, succeeding each other in rapid order, had +endeavoured in vain to put an end to this state of things; they lacked +either the necessary resolution or the necessary authority, and +confined themselves to half measures, which adjusted temporary +difficulties, but left the deeper discord strong and abiding as ever. +At length Raven was appointed head of the administration, and city and +province soon became aware that a firmer grasp was on the reins. The +new Governor went to work with an energy, and, at the same time, with a +reckless disregard of such persons and interests as stood in his way, +which raised a perfect storm against him. Appeals, protests, +expostulations and complaints flowed in to head-quarters in one +unceasing stream, but the Ministry knew too well the value of their +representative not to lend him full support. Another so placed might +have recoiled before the unbounded unpopularity which his proceedings +brought on him, have given way, vanquished by the difficulties and +vexations inherent to the situation--Raven remained at his post. He was +a man who in every circumstance of life sought, rather than avoided, a +contest, and the innate despotism of his nature here found ample room +for its development. He troubled himself little with considerations as +to whether the measures he judged necessary were strictly within legal +bounds, and met all the accusations freely hurled at him, all the +charges of absolutism and a violent abuse of power, with the one steady +reply: "My orders will be carried out!" In this way he at length +succeeded in reducing the rebellious elements to submission. Both city +and province came to see that it was impossible for them to carry on +the war against this man, who adopted as the rule and regulation of his +conduct, not their rights, but his own might. The times were not +propitious for open resistance. A period of severe reaction had set in, +and any active sedition would certainly have been nipped in the bud; so +the party of opposition submitted, reluctantly, indeed, and with an ill +grace, but still submitted; and the Governor, who had so brilliantly +accomplished his task, was loaded with honours. + +Years had passed since then. People had grown accustomed to the +despotic régime under which they lived, and had learned to regard the +Baron with that respect which an energetic, consistent character +compels even from its enemies. Moreover, to him was owing a series of +improvements which his keenest opponents could not see without +satisfaction. This man, whose political action had earned for him +hatred and mortal hostility, became in another sphere the benefactor of +the province committed to his charge. Indefatigable as its +representative when any occasion offered of defending its interests, he +was ever ready to introduce, or to support, such reforms as tended to +promote the public weal. His resolution and strong powers of +initiative, which had worked so banefully in one direction, grew most +beneficent when turned to pacific account. Foremost amongst the +advocates of any scheme likely to favour industrial enterprise, to +befriend the agriculturist, or in any way to enhance the general +prosperity, he attached many interests to himself, and thus in time +rallied partisans almost as numerous as his enemies. His administration +was a model of order, incorruptibility, and strict discipline, and +throughout the province were visible blooming evidences of the many +improvements he had planned with practical, sagacious insight, and +executed with a hand which never wavered in its purpose. + +The Governor lived in great style, for he possessed a considerable +fortune independently of his official income. His late father-in-law +had been very rich, and at his death the property had been divided +between his two daughters, Madame von Raven and the Baroness Harder. +The former lady's marriage had been one of those convenient matrimonial +arrangements so common in the upper ranks of society. Raven had been +guided in his choice simply and solely by calculation, but he never +forgot that this union had opened to him his career, and his wife had +at no time cause to complain of neglect or want of consideration on his +part; the affection, which was so signally absent, she did not miss. +Madame von Raven was a person of very moderate intelligence, and could +never have inspired any serious passion. She had accepted the hand of +her father's favourite, hearing it daily predicted that a great future +was in store for him, and this prophecy being fulfilled, she did not +feel that more was to be desired from life. Her husband responded +liberally to all her demands respecting a brilliant establishment and +elegant toilettes, and gave her an enviable position in society, so no +differences arose between them. They lived together on what is supposed +to be a very aristocratic footing, as much apart and as strange one to +the other as possible. This union, a pattern one in the eyes of the +world, but a childless, had been dissolved, about seven years before +the events here recorded, by Madame von Raven's death; and the Baron, +to whom the whole fortune descended by will, had taken to himself no +second wife. The proud man, whose brain was ever busy with his +ambitious plans and projects, had at no time been accessible to the +soft influences of love or to domestic joys; and he would in all +probability never have married, had not marriage been to him a +stepping-stone by which to mount. This motive no longer existing, he +did not think of burdening himself with fresh ties; and, as he was now +approaching his fiftieth year, his decision on the subject was +generally accepted as final. + +On the morning succeeding the arrival of Baroness Harder and her +daughter, the former lady was sitting with her brother-in-law in the +boudoir which formed part of her suite of rooms. The Baroness still +showed traces of beauty, which, however, had years ago bloomed and +faded. In the evening, perhaps, by the tempered lustre of wax-lights, +the numberless arts of the toilette might have produced a delusive +effect; but now, in the broad glare of day, the truth revealed itself +mercilessly to the eyes of the Governor as he sat opposite her. + +"I cannot spare you these details, Matilda," he said; "though I quite +understand how painful they must be to you. The matter must be +discussed between us once, at least. By your wish I undertook the +settlement of the Baron's affairs, so far as it was possible for me to +settle them at this distance. They proved to be in a state of absolute +chaos, and, even with the help afforded me by your solicitor, I had the +greatest difficulty in mastering their complications, I have at length +succeeded, and the result of my labours I communicated to you in +Switzerland." + +The Baroness pressed her handkerchief to her eyes. + +"A comfortless result!" she said. + +"But one not unexpected. There was, I regret to say, no possibility of +rescuing for you even a slender portion of your fortune. I advised you +to go abroad, because it would have been too mortifying to you to +witness the sale of your town-house and the breaking-up of your +establishment in the capital. In your absence, what was really an act +of necessity took the colour of a voluntary withdrawal from society, +and I have been careful that the true state of the case should not +transpire among your old intimate friends and associates. Happen what +may now, the honour of the name you and Gabrielle bear is safe. You +need fear no attack on it from any of the creditors." + +"I know that you have made great personal sacrifices," said Madame von +Harder. "My solicitor wrote me all the details. Arno, I thank you." + +With a touch of real feeling she held out her hand to him as she spoke, +but he waved it back so coldly that any warmer impulse in her was at +once checked. + +"I owed it to my father-in-law's memory to act as I have acted," he +replied. "His daughter and grandchild must always have a claim upon me, +and their name must, at any cost, be kept free from reproach. It was +these considerations which induced me to make the sacrifices, and no +sentimental feelings of any sort. Sentiment, indeed, could have no +ground for existence here, for, as you are aware, there was little +friendship between the Baron and myself." + +"I always deeply deplored the estrangement," said the Baroness, +fervently. "Of later years my husband sought in vain to bring about a +better understanding. It was you who persistently avoided any friendly +intercourse. Could he give you a higher proof of his esteem, of his +confidence, than to entrust to you that which he held most dear? On his +death-bed he named you Gabrielle's guardian." + +"That is to say, having ruined himself, he made over all responsibility +touching the future of his wife and child to me, whose constant enemy +he had been through life. I perfectly understand the value I ought to +set on that proof of his confidence." + +The Baroness had recourse to her handkerchief again. + +"Arno, you do not know how cruel your words are. Have you no pity, no +consideration for a heart-broken widow?" + +Raven made no reply, but his eyes travelled slowly over the lady's +elegant grey silk dress. She had promptly laid aside her mourning at +the expiration of the year's widowhood, knowing that black was +unbecoming to her. The unmistakable irony she now detected in her +brother-in-law's glance called up to her cheeks a slight flush of +anger, or of confusion, as she went on: + +"I am only just beginning to hold up my head a little. If you knew what +cares, what humiliations, preceded that last terrible catastrophe, what +losses unexpectedly befell us on all sides! Oh, it was too horrible!" + +A faint sarcastic smile flickered about the Baron's lips. He knew right +well that the husband's losses had overtaken him at the gaming-table, +and that the wife's one care and anxiety had been to eclipse all the +other ladies of the capital by the superior richness of her toilettes +and the handsome appointments of her equipages. At her father's death +the Baroness had inherited the property conjointly with her sister. Her +share had been squandered to the last penny, while Madame von Raven's +fortune remained intact in her husband's hands. + +"Enough!" he said, waiving the topic. "Let us say no more on this +disagreeable subject. I have offered you a home under my roof, and I am +glad that you have accepted the proposal. Since my wife's death, I have +been in some degree dependent on strangers, who preside well enough +over the establishment, but who cannot in all things fill the place of +the mistress of the house. You, Matilda, know how to entertain, and +like receptions, fêtes, dinners, and the like--now it is precisely in +regard to these matters that I have felt a want. Our interests +coincide, you see, and I have no doubt we shall be mutually satisfied +with each other." + +He spoke in his usual cool and measured tone. Evidently Baron von Raven +was not disposed to glory in the rôle of benefactor and deliverer, +though to these relatives of his he had really acted as both. He +treated the matter altogether from a business point of view. + +"I will do all in my power to meet your wishes," declared Madame von +Harder, following her brother-in-law's example as he rose and went up +to the window. + +He addressed a few further indifferent questions to her, asking whether +the arrangement of the rooms was to her taste, whether she received +proper attendance and had all she required, but he hardly listened to +the torrent of words with which the lady assured him that everything +was charming--delightful! + +His attention was fixed on a very different object. + +Just under the window of that boudoir was a little garden attached to +the door-keeper's lodge. In this garden Miss Gabrielle was walking, or +rather racing round and round after the door-keeper's two children, for +the walk had resolved itself into a wild chase at last. When the young +lady that morning undertook a short excursion "to see what the place +was like," as she expressed it to her mother, the place itself had but +little part in the interest she manifested. She knew that George +Winterfeld came daily to the Government-house, and it must be her task, +therefore, to arrange some plan for those frequent meetings which +George had declared to be impossible, or, at best, exceedingly +difficult. + +Miss Gabrielle did not adopt this view of the case, and her +reconnaissance was now directed to one end and aim, namely, to discover +precisely where the Baron's bureaux, in which the young official was +employed, were situated. On her way, however, she fell in with the +lodge-keeper's small seven-year-old boy and his little sister, and +quickly made friends with both. The bright, lively children returned +the young lady's advances with confiding alacrity, and these new +acquaintances soon drove all thoughts of her exploring expedition, and +alas! of him for whose sake it had been undertaken, entirely into the +background. + +She allowed the little ones to lead her into the small garden which was +attached to the lodge, and was entirely distinct from the Castle-garden +proper. She admired with them the shrubs and flower-beds, and the three +rapidly advanced in intimacy. In less than a quarter of an hour a game +was set on foot, accompanied by all the requisite noise, to which Miss +Gabrielle contributed fully as much as her young playmates. She bounded +after them over the beds, stimulating them to fresh efforts, and +provoking them to ever-renewed gaiety. + +Unbecoming as this no doubt was in a young lady of seventeen, and in +the Governor's niece, to an unprejudiced beholder the spectacle was +none the less charming. Every movement of the young girl's supple form +was marked by unconscious, natural grace. The slight figure, in its +white morning-dress, flitted like a sunbeam between the dusky trees. +Some of her luxuriant blond tresses had grown loose in the course of +her wild sport, and now fell over her shoulders in rich abundance, +while her merry laughter and the children's happy shouts were borne up +to the Castle windows. + +The Baroness, looking down from her point of observation, was struck +with horror at her daughter's indecorous conduct especially when she +became aware that Raven was intently following the scene below. What +must that haughty man, that severe stickler for etiquette, think +of the education of a young lady who could comport herself in this +free-and-easy manner before his eyes? The Baroness, apprehending some +of those stinging, sarcastic comments in which her brother-in-law was +wont to indulge, sought, as much as in her lay, to mitigate the ill +impression. + +"Gabrielle is wonderfully childish still at times," she lamented. "It +is impossible to make her understand that such babyish ways are highly +unsuitable in a young lady of her age. I almost dread her first +appearance in society--which had to be postponed a year in consequence +of her father's death. She is quite capable of behaving in that wild, +reckless way in a drawing-room." + +"Let the child be natural while she may," said the Baron, his eyes +still fixed on the group below. "She will learn soon enough to be a +lady of fashion. It would really be a pity to check her now; the girl +is a very sunbeam incarnate." + +The Baroness pricked up her ears. It was the first time she had ever +heard a speech at all genial from her brother-in-law's lips, or seen in +his eyes any expression other than that of icy reserve. He visibly took +pleasure in Gabrielle's high spirits, and the wise woman resolved to +seize the propitious moment, in order to clear up a point which lay +very near her heart. + +"Poor child, poor child!" she sighed, with well-simulated emotion. +"Dancing on so merrily through life, and little dreaming of the +serious, perhaps sorrowful, future in store for her! A well-born, +portionless girl! It is a bitter lot, and doubly bitter for one who, +like Gabrielle, has been brought up with great expectations. She will +find this out soon enough!" + +The man[oe]vre succeeded beyond all anticipation. Raven, whom in +general nothing would move, seemed for once to be in pliable mood, for +he turned round and said, in a quick, decided manner: + +"What do you mean by a 'sorrowful future,' Matilda? You know that I +have neither children nor relatives of my own. Gabrielle will be my +heiress, and therefore there can be no question of poverty for her." + +A gleam of triumph shone in the Baroness's eyes, as she thus obtained +the assurance she had long so ardently desired. + +"You have never declared your intentions," she remarked, concealing her +satisfaction with an effort: "and I, naturally, could not touch on such +a subject. Indeed, the whole matter was so foreign to my thoughts----" + +"Has it really never occurred to you to speculate on the chances of my +death, or on the will I might leave?" interrupted the Baron, giving +full play now to the sarcasm he had hitherto partially restrained. + +"My dear Arno, how can you imagine such a thing?" cried the lady, +deeply wounded. + +He paid no heed to this little outburst of indignation, but went on +quietly: + +"I trust that you have not spoken to Gabrielle on the subject"--he +little knew that it had been almost a daily topic--"I do not wish that +she should be taught to think of herself as an heiress; still less do I +wish that this girl of seventeen should make my will and my fortune the +objects of her calculations, as it is, of course, quite natural others +should do." + +The Baroness drew a deep sigh. + +"I meet with nothing but misconception from you. You even cast +suspicion on the promptings of a mother's love, and misjudge her who, +without fear or care for herself, trembles for the future of an only +child!" + +"Not at all," said Raven, impatiently; he was evidently weary of the +conversation. "You hear, I consider such anxiety natural, and therefore +I repeat the assurance I have just given you. My property having come +to me from my father-in-law, I intend that it shall one day descend to +his grandchild. Should Gabrielle, as is probable, marry during my +life-time, I shall provide for her dowry; at my death she will be, as I +have said, my _sole_ heiress." + +The emphasis he laid on the word proved to the Baroness that for +herself she had nothing to expect. Her daughter's future being assured, +however, she might look on her own as secure also, and thus her double +object was attained. The hardly-veiled contempt with which Raven +treated her, and which Gabrielle's fine instinct had detected in the +manner of his first welcome, was by Madame von Harder either unfelt +or unheeded. She had in her secret heart no more love for her +brother-in-law than he for her; and in returning sweet words and +gracious looks for his brusque curtness and indifference, she was +merely deferring to a stern necessity; but the perspective of taking +her place at the head of so brilliant an establishment, of shining in +R---- as the Governor's near relative, and, in this quality, of taking +precedence everywhere, soothed, and in a great measure reconciled her +to this necessity. + +A few minutes later Raven traversed the ante-room, which had the same +aspect as the adjoining boudoir, and, stopping a moment at the window, +cast one more glance below. + +"Sad that the child should have fallen to such parents, and have had +such a bringing-up!" he muttered. "How long will it be before Gabrielle +becomes a coquette like her mother, caring for nothing but dress, +intrigues, and society gossip? The pity of it!" + +As has already been said, the Governor's official quarters, whither he +now repaired, were situated on the basement floor of the Castle. He +transacted much of his business in his own private study, but would +frequently visit the bureaux of the various departments. The clerks +therein employed were never safe from a sudden and unforeseen descent +of the master, whose keen eyes descried the smallest irregularity. The +official who was so unlucky as to be surprised in any breach of the +regulations never escaped without a sharp reprimand from "the chief," +who, so far as possible, directed everything in person, and introduced +into his bureaux the same iron discipline which marked his general +administration. + +The business of the day had begun long before, and the clerks were all +in their places when the Baron entered, and slightly bowing, walked +through the offices. Some of the sections he merely passed through with +one brief inquisitorial glance around; in others he stopped, put a +question, made a remark, in several cases asking to look at a document. +His manner to his subordinates was cool and deliberate, but polite, and +the young men's faces showed in what awe they stood of the Governor's +frown. + +As the latter entered the last room of the series, an elderly +gentleman, who was at work there alone, rose respectfully from his +desk. + +Tall and meagre of person, with a face deeply lined, and a stiff, +unbending carriage, this individual bore himself with the grave dignity +of a judge. His grey hair was carefully brushed, not a wrinkle nor +speck of dust was visible on his black suit of clothes, while a broad +white neckcloth of portentous dimensions gave to its wearer a certain +peculiar solemnity of aspect. + +"Good-morning, Councillor," said the Baron, with more cordiality than +his manner usually showed, signing to the other to follow him into a +smaller side-office, where he generally received his officials in +single audience. "I am glad to see you back again. I missed you greatly +during the few days you were absent." + +Court-councillor Moser, chief clerk and head of the bureaucratic staff, +received this testimony to his indispensability with visible +satisfaction. + +"I hastened my return as much as possible," he replied. "Your +Excellency is aware that I only applied for leave in order to fetch my +daughter from the convent in which she has been educated. I had the +honour of presenting her to your Excellency yesterday, when we met in +the gallery." + +"It seems to me you have left the young lady rather too long under +spiritual guidance," remarked Raven; "she almost gives one the +impression of a nun herself. I am afraid this convent education has +completely spoiled her." + +The chief-clerk raised his eyebrows, and stared at his superior in +dismayed astonishment. + +"How does your Excellency mean?" + +"I mean spoiled her for worldly purposes," the Baron corrected himself, +a hardly perceptible smile hovering about his lips as he noticed the +consternation depicted in the other's face. + +"Ah! yes, indeed, there your Excellency is right"--the chief-clerk +never neglected an opportunity of giving the Governor his title, even +though he had to repeat it three times in a single sentence--"but my +Agnes's mind was never given to the things of this world, and she will +shortly renounce them altogether. She has resolved on taking the veil." + +The Baron had taken up some papers, and stood glancing over their +contents as he quietly pursued his conversation with the old gentleman, +the only official whom he admitted to anything like familiar terms. + +"Well, that is hardly surprising," he observed. "When a young girl is +left in a convent from the age of fourteen to that of seventeen, one +must be prepared for some such resolve. Does it meet with your +approval?" + +"It is hard for me to give up, once and for ever, my only child," said +the Councillor, solemnly. "Far be it from me, however, to place +hindrances in the way of so holy a vocation. I have given my consent. +My daughter is to spend some months at home, to see something of the +world before she enters on her novitiate in the convent where she has +hitherto been at school. The Reverend Mother wishes to avoid even the +slightest appearance of constraint." + +"The Reverend Mother is, no doubt, pretty sure of her pupil," observed +the Baron, with a touch of irony which happily escaped his hearer. +"Well, if it is the young lady's own desire, there is nothing to be +said against it; but I am sorry for you, who hoped to find in your +daughter a support for your old age, and who must now resign her to the +nuns." + +"To Heaven," emended the old gentleman, with a pious upward glance; "to +Heaven, before whose claims even a father's rights must necessarily +give place." + +"Of course, of course--and now to business. Is there anything of +importance on hand?" + +"The advices received from the Superintendent of Police----" + +"Yes, yes, I know. They are making a great disturbance in the town +about these new measures. They will have to submit to them. Anything +else?" + +"There is the full and detailed report to the Ministry which has +already been discussed. Whom does your Excellency appoint to draw it +up?" + +Raven considered a moment. + +"Assessor Winterfeld." + +"Assessor Winterfeld!" repeated the other, slowly, and with +dissatisfaction in his tone. + +"Yes; I should like to give him an opportunity of distinguishing +himself, or, at least, to bring him into notice. In spite of his youth, +he is one of the cleverest, most able men we have." + +"But not sound, your Excellency, very far indeed from sound. He has a +decided liberal tendency; he leans to the opposition----" + +"All the younger men do that," interrupted the Baron. "They are all +red-hot reformers, eager to set the world to rights, and they consider +it a proof of character to do a little in the way of opposition to the +Government of their country. These ideas tone down in the course of +time. Promotion generally works a cure in such cases, and I dare say +Assessor Winterfeld's will be no exception to the rule." + +The chief-clerk shook his head doubtfully. + +"So far as regards his abilities and many personal advantages, I fully +concur in the flattering opinion your Excellency has formed of him; but +certain things have come to my knowledge concerning the Assessor, +certain things which, I fear, indicate flagrant disloyalty on his part. +It is, I regret to say, established beyond all doubt that, on the +occasion of his last leave of absence, he formed in Switzerland the +most suspicious connections, and consorted with all kinds of Socialists +and dangerous revolutionary characters." + +"That I do not believe," said the Baron, decidedly. "Winterfeld is not +the man to hazard his future in so reckless and objectless a manner. +His is not one of those flighty romantic natures which are easily +assailable by such temptations. The story has another version, +probably. I will inquire into it. As regards the report, I abide by my +decision. May I ask you to send the Assessor to me?" + +The Councillor went, and a few minutes later George Winterfeld entered +the room. The young man knew that, in being chosen for the task now +before him, an honour was conferred on him above all his colleagues, +but the distinction seemed rather to weigh upon than to elate him. He +received his chief's instructions with quiet attention, grasped the +short, comprehensive directions fully, caught with apt intelligence the +several hints which the Governor thought well to give him, and proved +by a few pithy remarks that he had made himself thoroughly conversant +with the subject before him. Raven had too often to fight against the +dull-witted incapacity of his subordinates not to feel satisfaction at +being thus met half-way, some words now sufficing to convey his +meaning, whereas he was frequently obliged to stoop to long and +wearisome explanations. He was visibly well-pleased. The business in +hand was despatched in a comparatively short space of time, and George, +having noted down some memoranda of his instructions, only waited for +the signal of dismissal. + +"One thing more!" said the Baron, in no way changing the quiet, +business-like tone he had used throughout the interview. "You spent +some time in Switzerland, I believe, during your late leave of +absence." + +"Yes, your Excellency." + +"I am told you there sought out associates, or, at all events, formed +certain connections, unsuitable to a man holding your official +position. What is the truth of the matter?" + +The Baron's eyes rested on the young clerk with that keen searching +gaze so dreaded by those under his command. Winterfeld, however, showed +neither dismay nor embarrassment. + +"I sought out an old college friend in Z----," he replied, calmly; "and +at his warm instance stayed some weeks at his father's house, the +latter being, it is true, a political refugee." + +Raven frowned. + +"That was an act of imprudence I should not have expected from you. You +should have reflected that such a visit would naturally excite remark +and arouse suspicion." + +"It was a friendly visit, nothing more. I can give my word that it had +not the remotest reference to politics. This is simply and solely a +private affair." + +"No matter, you should take your position into consideration. A +friendship with the son of a man politically compromised might be +passed over as harmless, though it would hardly go to further your +advancement; but intimacy with his father and a prolonged sojourn at +his house should distinctly have been avoided. What is this gentleman's +name?" + +"Doctor Rudolph Brunnow." The words came in clear, steady tones from +George's lips, and now it was his turn to watch his interlocutor +narrowly. He saw a spasmodic contraction of the muscles--saw a +swift, sudden pallor overspread the stern features, while the lips +were tightly pressed together; but all this came and went with +lightning-speed. In the next instant the man's habitual self-control +prevailed. Accustomed at all times to show an impassive, impenetrable +front to those about him, he at once regained his usual perfect +composure. + +"Ah; indeed; Rudolph Brunnow!" he repeated slowly. + +"I do not know whether the name is familiar to your Excellency," George +hazarded, but quickly repented of his hasty speech. The Baron's eyes +met his, or rather, as Gabrielle expressed it, they bored him through +and through, seeking to read the secrets of his inmost heart. There was +a dark menace in that searching gaze that warned the young man to go no +step further. He felt as though he were standing on the verge of an +abyss. + +"You are an intimate friend of Dr. Brunnow's son," Raven began again, +after the pause of a second; "and therefore, in all probability, +intimate with the father also." + +"I only made the Doctor's acquaintance this summer, and though his +views are occasionally warped by a certain harshness and bitterness, I +found him an honourable and upright man, for whom I must entertain the +greatest esteem." + +"You would do wisely not to express your sentiments so openly," said +the Baron, with frigid displeasure. "You are the servant of a State +which has passed judgment on a certain class of political offenders, +and still inexorably condemns them. You ought not to, and must not, +consort familiarly with those who publicly proclaim themselves its +enemies. Your position imposes on you duties before which all mere +emotional feelings of friendship must give way. Remember that, Mr. +Winterfeld." + +George was silent. He understood that behind the icy calm of this +address there lay a threat; understood, too, that the threat was +levelled not at the official, but at the man who had been initiated +into the secrets of a past which Raven had probably believed long +buried and forgotten, and which now started up, phantom-like, before +his eyes. Painful as it might be, the remembrance had not power to move +the Baron for more than an instant. As he rose from his chair, and +slightly waved his hand in token of dismissal, the old unapproachable +haughtiness marked his bearing. + +"You are warned now. That which has passed shall be overlooked, +considered as a hasty error. That which you may do in future will be +done at your own risk and peril." + +George bowed in silence, and left the room. He felt now, as he had +often felt before, that Dr. Brunnow had been right in warning him +against the almost magic influence exercised by Raven over all who came +in contact with him. + +The young man, after the weighty disclosures which had been made to +him, had felt he was entitled to look down from a lofty height on the +traitor and the renegade; but the power to do so had gone from him as +he re-entered the charmed circle surrounding that master-mind. Disdain +could not hold its own before those eyes which so imperatively demanded +obedience and compelled respect; it glanced off scathless from the man +who carried his guilty head with so high and proud a mien, as though he +recognised no judge over him or his actions. + +Little as George allowed himself to be affected by the exalted position +and imperious bearing of his superior, just as little could he escape +the spell of that chief's intellectual ascendency. And yet he knew that +sooner or later a struggle must come between himself and the Baron, who +held in his hands Gabrielle's future, and, consequently, all his own +chances of happiness. The secret could not be kept for ever--and what +would happen when it should be known? + +The image of his love rose up before the young man's eyes--of his love, +of whom as yet he had caught no glimpse, though she had arrived the +evening before, and at that moment the same roof covered them--and by +its side appeared the iron inflexible countenance of him he had just +left. Now, for the first time, he divined how severe would be the +struggle by which he must hope to conquer all that he held dear in +life. + + + + + CHAPTER IV. + + +Some weeks had passed. Baroness Harder and her daughter had made and +received the necessary inauguratory visits, and the former lady had +observed with much satisfaction the respect and deference everywhere +shown them on the Governor's account. Still better pleased was she to +discover that her brother-in-law really required nothing further from +her than to play the hostess and dispense the hospitalities of the +Castle; no troublesome or unpalatable duties were imposed on her, as +she at first had feared might be the case. All care for, all the +responsibility of, the great and strictly-ordered household devolved, +now as before her coming, on an old major-domo who had filled the +office for many years, and who regulated and directed everything, +rendering account to his master alone. The Baron had probably had +too good an insight into the management which had obtained in his +sister-in-law's town establishment to grant her anything like +independent action in such matters. Socially and ostensibly, she +represented the mistress of the house, of which, in reality, she +was but the guest. Some women might have felt the position in which +she was thus placed a humiliating one, but a desire for domination +was as foreign to the Baroness's mind as a sense of duties to be +fulfilled. She was too superficial to understand either of these great +motive-powers. Affairs were shaping themselves in a far more +satisfactory manner than, after the catastrophe which followed her +husband's death, she had had a right to expect. She was living with her +daughter in the midst of luxury; the Baron had assigned to her a sum by +no means inconsiderable for her personal expenses; Gabrielle was his +acknowledged heiress. Taking all this into consideration, they might +well, she argued, bear the constraint which was the unavoidable result +of the situation. + +Gabrielle, too, had quickly grown accustomed to her new surroundings. +The grandeur and ceremony of the Government-house, the scrupulous +punctuality and strict etiquette which there prevailed, the boundless +respect and prompt service of the domestics, to whom the slightest +gesture of the master's hand was a command--all this astonished the +young lady, and impressed her with a certain awe. It certainly +presented a striking contrast to the household system she had seen at +work in her parents' city home, where the greatest external splendour +and the greatest internal disorder reigned together, where the servants +permitted to themselves all sorts of trickery and disrespectful +negligence, where the claims of family life were lost sight of in the +pursuit of pleasure. In later days, too, as the load of debt +accumulated, and the difficulties grew more and more pressing, there +had come violent scenes between Baron von Harder and his wife, scenes +in which each accused the other of extravagance, while the common +prodigal outlay went on unchecked. The half grown-up daughter was too +often a witness of these altercations. At once spoiled and neglected by +her parents, who liked to parade the pretty child, but, beyond this, +concerned themselves but little about her, she lacked all serious +training. Even the events of the last year, her father's death, and the +subsequent collapse of their fortunes, had passed over the young girl's +head, leaving scarcely a trace behind. Sorrow and pain seemed to have +no hold on that sunny, volatile nature. + +Sufficient judgment, however, Gabrielle did possess to see that the +existent order of things in this parvenu's house was far more fitting +and in better taste than that she had known at home, and she frequently +tormented her mother with remarks on the subject. + +The Baroness was sitting on the little sofa in her boudoir, turning +over the leaves of a fashion-book. A great reception was to be held at +the castle in the course of the next few days. The highly important +question of what dresses should be worn was now awaiting decision, and +both mother and daughter were zealously applying themselves to the +study which had such attractions for at least one of them. + +"Mamma," said Gabrielle, who was sitting by her mother, holding some +stray leaves of the fashion-book. "Uncle Arno declared yesterday that +these great parties were a troublesome duty, imposed on him by his +position. He does not take the smallest pleasure in them." + +The Baroness shrugged her shoulders. "He takes pleasure in nothing but +work. I never met with a man who gave himself so little rest and +recreation as my brother-in-law." + +"Rest?" repeated Gabrielle. "As if he even knew what it meant, or could +endure it if he did know! Quite early in the morning he is sitting at +his writing-table, and at midnight I often see a light in his study. +Now he is busy in his own bureaux, then in the other departments; after +that, he drives out, surveying improvements here and there, and +inspecting heaven knows what! In between these occupations he receives +all sorts of people, listens to reports, issues orders.... I really +believe he gets through more work himself than all his clerks put +together." + +"Yes, he was always a restless creature," assented the Baroness. "My +sister often assured me that it made her nervous even to think of the +unceasing whirl of activity in which her husband spent his days." + +Gabrielle leaned her head on her hand, and mused a little thoughtfully. + +"Mamma," she soon began again, "your sister's married life must have +been a very dull and tiresome one." + +"Tiresome? What makes you think so?" + +"Well, I only mean by what I hear in the Castle. My aunt lived in the +right wing, and my uncle in the left. Sometimes he would not go near +her rooms for weeks, and she never went to his. He had his own +carriages and servants, and she had hers. They each went and came as +they liked, without giving each other a thought. It must have been a +strange sort of life." + +"Oh, you are quite mistaken," replied her mother, who evidently saw +nothing very shocking in such a state of things. "It was a perfectly +happy marriage. My sister had never reason to complain of her husband, +who fulfilled her every wish. She, fortunate being, was never subjected +to the harsh words, to the scenes, which in later years, I had +constantly to endure." + +"Yes, you and papa were always quarrelling, that is true," said +Gabrielle, naïvely. "Uncle Arno never did that, I am sure; but he took +no interest in his wife, though he can take an interest in everything +else, even in my schooling. It was very rude of him to say, a little +while ago, in your presence, that he thought my education very +deficient and neglected, and that it was easy to see at a glance I had +always been left to maids and governesses." + +"I am, unfortunately, accustomed to such inconsiderate, unkind speeches +from him," declared the Baroness, with a sigh, which, however, did not +for a moment interrupt her close examination of a pattern before her. +"If I submit to them, I make the sacrifice simply and solely with a +view to your future, my child." + +Her daughter did not seem particularly moved by this proof of maternal +solicitude. + +"I was catechised like a little school-girl," she grumbled on. "He +worried me so with his questions and cross-questions, that I got quite +confused at last, and then he shrugged his shoulders and decreed that I +should begin taking lessons again. Take lessons at seventeen! He will +have masters out from the town for me, he says; but I shall just tell +him pointblank that it is not necessary, and he need not trouble +himself about the matter." + +The mother looked up from her fashion-plates. + +"For Heaven's sake, do nothing of the kind. As it is, you seem to live +in a state of continual rebellion to your guardian, and I often tremble +with fear lest you should rouse his anger with your pertness and +obstinacy. So far, I must say, he has put up with your conduct with +wonderful patience, he who could never brook a contrary word!" + +"I would a great deal rather he grew angry," said Gabrielle, +petulantly. "I can't endure him to smile down at me from that great +height, as if I were too insignificant a child to annoy or aggravate +him--he invariably does smile in that way when I attempt it--and when +he is so gracious as to kiss my forehead, I feel as if I should like to +run away from the place." + +"Gabrielle, I do beg of you----" + +"It is of no use, mamma, I can't help it. Whenever I come near Uncle +Arno, I have a feeling as though I must defend myself, defend myself +with all my might and main against something--something there is about +him. I don't know what it is, but it worries and vexes me. I cannot +behave to him as to other people. I cannot, and what is more, I will +not!" + +The young lady's last words were uttered in a tone of spirited +defiance. She took up her hat and parasol from the table, and prepared +to depart. + +"Where are you going?" asked her mother. + +"Only into the garden for half an hour. It is too hot here in these +rooms." + +The Baroness protested. She wished to have the grave question of the +toilette settled first, but Gabrielle seemed to have lost all interest +in it for that day, and was, besides, too much accustomed to follow the +bent of her own caprices even to heed the objection. Next minute she +hurried away. + +The garden lay at the back of the Castle, and was bounded by its walls +on one side, while on the other it stretched away to the edge of the +steeply-sloping hill. The high fortification-walls, which had formerly +closed it in on this side also, had been taken down, and were now +replaced by a low parapet completely clothed in ivy. A full, free view +could thus be had of the surrounding country. Below lay the valley, +here widening to its fullest breadth, and displaying to the eye of the +spectator its picturesque sites and varied beauties. The Castle-mount +was famed for its prospect far and wide. The garden itself still bore +traces of those long-bygone times when it had served as pleasance to +the mediæval stronghold. Somewhat narrow, somewhat dusky, and very +limited in space, it was neither bright with sunshine nor gay with +flowers. + +One rarer charm, however, it could boast. Majestic ancient limes shaded +its walks, and altogether screened it from view; not even from the +Castle windows could it be overlooked. Gravely the great trees stood, +considering the younger generation which had sprung up on and about the +former ramparts, clustering down the hill-sides, and adorning them with +their slender stems and fresh tender green. Those leafy giants, the +limes, had struck root in the soil more than a century before; their +grand old trunks had weathered many a storm, and the mighty branches +which formed their crests were interwoven in one vast thick canopy, +through which but few sunbeams pierced their way. + +The whole space beneath lay in broad, deep shade. Hardly a flower +throve in this dim retreat, but under foot was a pleasant stretch of +lawn dotted here and there by clumps of bushes, from the midst of which +came the low plash and murmur of a fountain. This fountain was in the +taste of the last century, and ornamented with old weather-beaten +statues, representing, in fantastic fashion, sprites and water-nymphs. +Dark, damp moss covered their stony heads and arms supporting shells, +from each of which a bright jet of water shot aloft, to fall in a +million diamond-drops into the great basin below. Here, too, the grey +stones were carpeted with a close mossy velvet which gave a singularly +deep colouring to the crystal-clear water. The Nixies' Well, as it was +called from the figures which adorned it, dated from the Castle's +earliest times, and still played a certain rôle in the traditions of +the country-side. + +An old legend had attributed some healing power to the spring, and, +notwithstanding the fact that the old mountain-fortress had been +transformed into a most prosaic official residence, a superstitious +belief in that legend was still firmly rooted in the mind of the +people. Water was fetched thence on certain days of the year, and +employed as a preventive against sickness and as a remedy in various +ailments, to the supreme disgust of the Governor, who had done his best +on several occasions to put an end to the folly. He had even ordered +the Castle-garden, which had hitherto been accessible to the public, to +be closed, and forbidden the admittance to it of any stranger. This +prohibition, however, had a contrary effect to that desired. The people +adhered obstinately to their superstition, and clung more tenaciously +than ever to the object of it. The servants of the household were moved +by prayers, or bribed by presents, to tolerate in secret that which +they dared not openly allow. The Castle-fountain retained its old +reputation, and its waters were venerated as almost holy, though, to be +sure, the divinities to whom it had been consecrated were pagan enough +in their outward semblance. + +Gabrielle too had heard of these things, had heard of them from the +Baron himself, who frequently alluded to the subject with angry +ridicule; and it might possibly be that lurking spirit of rebellion +against her guardian, so dreaded by her mother, which led the young +lady to select this as her favourite spot. To-day again she sought it, +but neither the Nixies' Well nor the noble prospect spreading out +yonder on the unenclosed side of the garden had power to chain her +attention. Gabrielle was out of humour, and she had some cause for +discontent. After the boundless liberty she had enjoyed at Z----, the +strict formal etiquette of the Government-house galled and irritated +her. She could not reconcile herself to it; the less that this +etiquette was an insuperable obstacle to the frequent meetings with +George Winterfeld on which she had counted. + +Here in R----, the young people were completely separated. With the +exception of a chance encounter now and again, always in the presence +of witnesses, they were fain to content themselves with a casual +glimpse of each other at a distance, with some little secret signal, as +when George would pass beneath the window and furtively wave his hand +to a slender, white-robed figure above. He had attempted to approach +her. His previous acquaintance with them justifying the step, he had +paid a visit to the ladies. The Baroness would have had no objection to +receive the agreeable young man, as she had received him previously, +but Raven gave her very decidedly to understand that he did not desire +anything like intimacy between the ladies of his family and one of his +young clerks who could have no claim to such a distinction. So the +visit was accepted, but no invitation to repeat it was given, and thus +the attempt proved abortive. + +True, it was impatience, rather than actual trouble of mind, which made +Gabrielle rebel against the restraint everywhere surrounding her. Since +the Baron had so calmly deposed her to the rank of a child, she had +missed George's tender and yet passionate homage, which formerly she +had accepted as a thing of course. _He_ never thought her education +deficient and neglected, _he_ never catechised her, or expected her to +take wearisome lessons, as did her guardian, who clearly did not know +how young ladies of her age ought to be treated. In George's estimation +she was faultless; the one woman to be adored; he was happy when she +just blew a kiss to him from afar.... And yet she was angry with George +too. Why did he not try more to break through the barriers which +separated them? Why did he remain at so respectful a distance? Why, at +least, did he not write to her? The young girl was too childish and +inexperienced to do justice to that feeling of delicate consideration +which made her lover shrink from anything likely to cast the least +shadow on her, which made him endure silence and separation rather than +venture on any step that might imperil her good name. + +"Well, Gabrielle, are you trying to fathom the secrets of the Nixies' +Well?" said a voice, suddenly. + +She looked quickly round. Baron von Raven stood before her--he must +just have stepped out from among the bushes. It was a most unusual +thing for him to set foot in the garden--he had neither time nor +inclination for solitary walks. Some special motive must have brought +him here to-day, for he went straight up to the fountain, and began to +examine it carefully on every side. + +"Well, Uncle Arno, I should think you ought to be better acquainted +with the secrets than I am," retorted Gabrielle, laughing. "I am still +a stranger in the land, and you have lived at the Castle ever so long." + +"Do you think I have had time to listen to these nursery-tales?" + +The contemptuous tone in which he spoke jarred on the girl, she hardly +knew why. "Did you never care for such nursery-tales, not even as a +boy?" + +"Not even as a boy. I had something better to think of even then." + +Gabrielle looked up at him. That proud, stern face, with its expression +of sombre earnest, certainly did not give the idea that its owner could +ever have known or cared for the fairy world of youth. + +"Nevertheless, my visit to-day is to the Nixies' Well," he went on. "I +have given orders to have the fountain pulled down and the spring +stopped; but I wanted to see first how it was likely to affect the +ground, and what precautions should be taken." + +Gabrielle turned upon him in alarm and indignation. + +"The fountain is to be destroyed? Why?" + +"Because I am tired at length of all the folly connected with it. The +absurd superstition is not to be uprooted. In spite of my strict orders +to the contrary, water is constantly being fetched from the well, and +thus the preposterous delusion is kept alive. It is high time to put an +end to it, and that can only be accomplished by doing away with the +object to which the superstition clings. I am sorry that one of the +Castle's notable old curiosities should have to fall a sacrifice--but +no matter, the sacrifice must be made." + +"But you will be robbing the garden of its chief ornament," cried +Gabrielle. "It is the sparkle and murmur of the fountain which gives to +the place its greatest charm. And that silver-clear water is to be +driven down into the earth? It is a shame, Uncle Arno, and I won't see +it done." + +Raven, who was still busy closely inspecting the fountain, turned his +head slowly towards her. + +"You won't see it done?" he asked, looking at her sharply, but not with +the threatening imperious frown wherewith he was accustomed to crush +contradiction in the bud; there was even the faintest flicker of a +smile about his lips. "Then, of course, I shall have no alternative but +to recall the order I have given ... it would be the first time such a +thing ever happened to me! Do you really suppose, child, that I shall +give up a resolve of mine in deference to your romantic fancies?" + +Again there came that superior, half-derisive, half-pitying smile which +Gabrielle hated, and the word 'child' which was equally abhorrent to +her. Deeply wounded in her dignity as a maiden of seventeen, she +preferred to make no answer, but contented herself with casting at her +guardian a look eloquent with indignation. + +"You are behaving as though the demolition of the fountain were a +personal affront to yourself," said the Baron. "I see you still +preserve your childish respect for the old hobgoblin stories, and are +in right earnest afraid of the nixies and the phantom-folk." + +"I wish the nixies would avenge the contempt now shown them and the +intended destruction of their home," said Gabrielle, in a tone which +was meant to be playful, but which vibrated with real anger. "The +chastisement would not fall on me." + +"But on me, you think," said Raven, sarcastically. "No, no; make your +mind easy, child. It is only your poetic, moonlight natures which are +exposed to these things. The nixies' charm would utterly fail if tried +on me." + +They were standing close to the fountain's edge. The water fell with a +soft monotonous plash and ripple out of the stone shells down into the +basin below. Suddenly a breezy gust diverted the course of the jet, +dashing its spray in a sparkling shower at once over the Baron and +Gabrielle. The girl sprang back with a cry. Raven stood quietly where +he was. + +"That caught us both," said he. "The nixies seem to be impartial in +their favours. They stretch forth their dripping arms to friend and foe +alike." + +Gabrielle had retreated to the garden-seat, and was busy wiping the +glittering drops from her dress with her handkerchief. His raillery +irritated her beyond all telling, and yet she hardly knew what answer +to make. Had any one else so spoken to her, she would have found some +gay repartee, would have turned the accident into a joke, and made it a +pretext for merry banter. But now she could not do this. The Baron's +jests were always caustic. It was irony at most which now and then +gleamed in his face, and caused the wonted gravity of his features to +relax. + +With a rapid movement he shook off the drops wherewith he too was +plentifully besprinkled, and drew near the garden-seat in his turn, +adding: + +"I am sorry to have to spoil your favourite spot, but, as regards the +fountain, the edict has gone forth. You will have to make the best of +it." + +Gabrielle cast a sorrowful look at the shining, falling water. Its +dreamy murmur had possessed a mysterious attraction for her from the +very first day. She was almost ready to cry, as she answered: + +"I know you do not care how your orders vex and distress other people, +and that it is quite useless for me to ask a favour of you. You never +listen to petitions of any sort." + +Raven crossed his arms quietly and looked down at her. + +"Ah! you have found that out already?" + +"Yes; and nobody ever thinks of coming to you with one. They are all +afraid of you--the servants, your clerks, mamma even--every one but +me." + +"You are not afraid?" + +"No!" + +The answer came boldly and resolutely from the young lady's lips. She +seemed to have reassumed her warlike attitude, and to have determined +this time on exasperating the dreaded guardian--but in vain. He +remained perfectly calm, and appeared rather amused than offended at +his ward's spirit of contradiction. + +"It is fortunate your mother is not here," he remarked. "She would be a +prey to the keenest anxiety, and quite despair of the perverse young +head which will not bend to necessity, as she herself does with +admirable self-abnegation. You should take example by her." + +"Oh, yes! mamma is docility itself where you are concerned," cried +Gabrielle, growing more and more excited; "and she expects the same +from me. But I will not play the hypocrite, and I cannot like you. +Uncle Arno, for you are not good to us, and never have been good to us. +Your very reception of us when we came was so humiliating that I should +have been glad to go away again at once; and since then you have daily +and hourly let us feel that we are dependent on you. You treat my +mother with a disrespect which often makes me go hot with indignation. +You speak in a slighting way of my papa, who is dead and cannot defend +himself, and you behave to me as though I were a sort of toy not to be +thought of seriously. You have taken us in, and we live in your Castle, +where everything is much grander and finer than in my own home, but I +would far rather be away in our Swiss exile, as mamma calls it--in our +little house by the lake, which was so simple and modest, where we had +barely what was necessary, but where, at least, we were free from you +and your tyranny. Mamma insists on it I must bear it, because you are +rich, and because my future depends on your favour. But I do not want +your money; I do not care about being your heiress. I should like to go +away from here; the sooner the better!" + +She had sprung up from her seat and stood facing him, glowing with +passionate excitement, one little foot firmly planted in advance, her +head thrown back, her eyes brimming with tears of anger and of +mortification; but there was more in this stormy outbreak than +the mere defiance of a wayward child. Every word betrayed intense and +deeply-wounded feelings; and there was, indeed, but too much truth in +the accusation she thus boldly launched at her guardian. + +Raven had uttered no syllable of interruption. He had stood immovable, +his gaze riveted on her face; but now, as she ceased speaking, and, +drawing a long breath, pressed her hands on her bosom, while a torrent +of hot tears burst from her eyes, he stooped down suddenly and said, +with great earnestness: + +"Do not cry, Gabrielle. To you, at least, I have been unjust. I own +it." + +Gabrielle's tears were stayed. Now only, as reflection succeeded to +excitement, did she realise all the imprudence of her words. She had +surely counted on an outbreak of swift, fierce wrath; and, in its +stead, there met her this inexplicable calm. She stood, mute and almost +abashed, looking to the ground. + +"So you do not want my money?" went on the Baron. "How do you know what +my intention may be with regard to it? I have never made any +communication to you on the subject, to my knowledge; yet the topic +would appear to have been well discussed between you and your mother." + +The young girl flushed crimson. + +"I do not know ... we never----" + +"Do not attempt to deny it, child. You are as little versed in +falsehood as in mercenary calculation, or you would never have adopted +such an attitude towards me, I am not angry with you for it. I can +forgive open defiance. Hypocrisy and systematic scheming I could not +have forgiven you at your age. Thank God, the faulty education has not +done so much harm as I feared." + +He took her hand quietly, as though nothing unusual had happened, drew +her down on to the bench, and seated himself by her. + +Gabrielle made a little attempt to move away from him. + +"Stay! you must allow me to meet your declaration of war with an answer +in due form," said the Baron. "Your mother will not share in the +hostilities; at least, not openly. I am sure she has enjoined it on you +as a duty to be amiable and gracious in your manner towards the +parvenu." + +"What do you mean?" asked the girl, in confusion. + +"Well, the term cannot be unfamiliar to you. It was, I believe, the +special designation accorded to me in your father's house." + +This time Gabrielle bravely met the look which rested on her face. + +"I know my parents had no love for you," she answered. "How could they? +You had never been anything but hostile to them." + +"I to them, or they to me? but no matter, it comes to the same. These +are things whereof you, Gabrielle, are not yet qualified to judge. You +have no notion what it is for a man holding an inferior position, such +as mine then was, to enter an eminently aristocratic family and the +high social sphere in which that family moved. In those circles I had +then, and have had since, but one friend, your grandfather. With every +one else I had to win my place by force of conquest; and there are but +two ways to this end. Either the aspirant must bow his head and meekly +submit to all such humiliations as are showered on a parvenu--he must +either show himself deeply sensible of the honour conferred on him, and +content himself with being tolerated--and to this my nature was not +suited--or he must boldly usurp the master's place, assert an authority +over the whole clique, show them there is a power mightier than that of +their genealogies, and set his heel on all their prejudices and +arrogant pretensions. Then _they_ learn to bow before him. As a rule, +it is far easier to govern and keep men under than is generally +supposed. You must know how to overawe them. Therein lies the whole +secret of success." + +Gabrielle shook her head slightly. + +"These are hard principles." + +"They result from my experience of the world, and I have thirty years' +advantage over you in this respect. Do you think I never had my grand +ideals, my dreams, and my enthusiasm? Do you think my heart was never +fired with all the ardent imaginings of youth? But these things die out +as we advance in life. I could not carry my dreams with me into such a +career as mine. They hold you to the ground; it was my wish to mount, +and I have mounted. Truly, I had to pay a high price for my chance--too +high a price, perhaps; but no matter, I have attained my end." + +"And has it made you happy?" The question came almost involuntarily +from the young girl's lips. + +Raven shrugged his shoulders. + +"Happy? Life is a struggle, not a state of beatitude. One must throw +one's adversary, or be thrown--there is no third issue. You, indeed, +look on all this with other eyes as yet. To you, life is still one long +summer day, bright as the light shining out yonder. You still believe +that far away in the glistening distance, over those blue mountains, +there lies a paradise of joy and content. You are mistaken, child. The +golden sun shines down on endless sorrow and misery, and over beyond +the blue mountains is nothing but the toilsome road from the cradle to +the grave, the long route we diversify with so much strife and hatred. +Life is only one great battle to be fought every day afresh: men are +but puppets to be governed--and despised." + +There was an indescribable hardness and harshness is his words, but +there was in them also all the decision and energy proper to the man. +He was enouncing a dogma which had become to him indisputable. The +bitterness of spirit pervading his profession of faith escaped, indeed, +in a great measure his girlish hearer, who listened half amazed, half +indignant--listened and wondered. + +"But, finally, there comes a time when the everlasting combat sickens," +Raven went on; "when a man comes to ask himself whether, after all, the +once dreamed-of greatness were worth the stake of all he possessed, +when he counts the sum of victories achieved by constant wrestling and +unremitting exertions, and, counting them, grows heartily weary of the +game he has played so long. I am weary of it often--very weary!" + +He leaned back, and gazed out into the distance. There was gloomy care +in his look, and the deep weariness of which he spoke re-echoed in his +voice. Gabrielle was silent, greatly embarrassed by the serious turn +the conversation had taken, and feeling herself led away into quite +unknown paths. Hitherto she had seen in her guardian the master +only--the master, iron of will and inaccessible to sentiment. His +behaviour towards herself had been marked by the mere indulgent +condescension with which a man stoops to a child's range of ideas. He +had never spoken to her in any but the half-kindly, half-jesting manner +he had assumed to-day on first meeting her. + +For the first time this taciturn, rigidly reserved nature expanded in a +moment of self-forgetfulness. Gabrielle looked down into a depth +whereof she had not dreamed; but instinctively she felt that she must +not move, must not conjure up the strong emotions stirring below the +surface. + +A long pause followed. The two looked out silently at the broad +landscape lying before them in the warm light of a mellow August day. +The month had nearly run its course, and summer seemed before her +departure to be shedding all her bountiful stores of loveliness over +the earth. Resplendent sunshine steamed over the ancient city spread at +the foot of the Castle-hill, flooded the pasture-lands and fields, +gleamed on the hamlets which dotted the country far and near, and +sparkled in the ripples of the river winding its way majestically +through the valley. + +Enclosing this valley stood the circling hills, some with softly +modulated lines, some rising boldly, jagged and rugged, with their +stretches of green meadow and dark patches of forest, out from which, +here and there, a pilgrim's shrine shone whitely, or a ruined fortress, +grey with age, reared its crumbling walls. In the far distance, half +veiled in blue mist, rose the grander mountains, a noble background +bounding the horizon, and over all the azure sky smiled serene and +gracious, and the great sea of ether was filled with a golden haze. It +was one of those days when the earth lies bathed in light, so saturated +with warmth and brilliant in beauty, that it would seem as though the +world's wide compass held naught else than sunshine, glorious sunshine. + +No stronger contrast could have been found than this beaming landscape +without, and the deep cool shade of the Castle-garden, buried in its +sombre quiet. The mighty crests of the limes, with their closely-woven +boughs, shed a sort of mild green twilight on the space below, and from +beneath the tall trees came the monotonous plash of the fountain. In +unvarying alternation the crystal column rose on high, splintered into +a thousand fragments, and sank to earth again. Occasionally a ray of +light, straying into this retired nook, would strike the falling spray, +transforming it into a shower of diamonds, but next moment the glory +was gone. All lay in cool shadow again, and through the misty veil of +water the grey figures of the sirens, with their long serpent hair and +stony features, looked spectrally forth. + +The still, sultry noon seemed to have hushed all Nature into dreamy +repose. Not a bird fluttered, not a leaf stirred; from the Nixies' Well +alone came a mysterious murmur, breaking the deep stillness. Thus +from time immemorial had the spring rippled and babbled here on the +Castle-hill; for more than a century now, clad in the stone vesture +into which it had been forced, had this faithful companion fulfilled +its duty, quickening the solitude, enlivening the sequestered retreat +of the Castle-garden. Over its head had swept all the hurricanes which +the old fortress had braved of yore--the hurricanes of war, the stormy, +violent times of battle and strife, of victory and defeat. Following on +these had come a period of splendour and greatness, during which the +ancient stronghold had disappeared, and in its place a princely mansion +had arisen. All this the ever-flowing fount had witnessed. Historic +events had befallen; generations had come and gone, until, at length, a +new era had dawned--the era of modern progress, changing, modifying, +ordering all afresh. To this puissant influence everything had +yielded--save only and except the sacred spring, fenced around by a +rampart of legend and superstition. But now its turn, too, had come. +The old statues, which had so long protectingly surrounded it, were to +fall, and the bubbling water was to be driven from the cheery light of +day down into the dark earth beneath, there to be held captive for +evermore. + +Were its import a complaint, or a tale of whispered memories, that +dreamy murmur exercised a strange fascination over the grave, unbending +man, who had never known the musings of solitude or its poetic +inspirations, and over the youthful blooming maiden at his side, who, +with laughing lips and a merry heart, had hitherto fluttered joyously +on her course, unheeding, ignorant of life's earnest. All the fierce +wrestling and striving on the one hand, all the happy childish fancies +on the other, were resolved, as it were, into some nameless strange +sensation, half sweet, half troubled, which held the two in thraldom. +So, as they sat listening to the ripple and purl of the water, +unvarying, and yet so melodious, the outer world with its shining +vistas and wealth of golden warmth receded farther and farther from +view, until at length it vanished altogether. Then dim shadows grew up +round the pair, a cool watery film gathered round them, and they were +drawn down, down into vague mysterious depths, where no sound of life +penetrated, where all battling and fierce longing, all happiness and +sorrow, died away into one deep, deep dream; and through their +dreaming, as from some immeasurable distance, they could still hear the +faint spirit-singing of the spring. + +In the city below, the bells rang out the noonday hour. The clear +resonant chimes were borne up to the Castle-hill, and at their sound +all the strange fantasies evoked by the eerie murmur of the water +melted away. Raven looked up as though he had been suddenly, roughly +awakened, and Gabrielle rose quickly, and, with a movement almost akin +to flight, hurried to the ivy-kirtled parapet, where, bending forwards, +she stood listening to the distant carillon. The sound came distinctly +to her through the still air, as on that day by the lake-shore when she +and George ... Gabrielle did not follow out the thought. Why did +George's name force itself all at once on her memory, striking her as +with a reproach? Why did his image suddenly appear before her--that +resolute face which seemed to say it would guard and maintain his +rights? On that last occasion, when, in a laughing, jesting humour, she +had taken leave of him, the bells had said nothing to her. To-day, at +the remembrance of them, a quick sharp pang shot through her, a +warning, as it were, not again to let herself be enticed out of +the bright familiar sunshine into unknown depths, a hint of some +dimly-foreseen danger, now weaving its meshes round her. She was seized +by a vague, unaccountable alarm. The Baron had risen too. He came up to +where she stood. + +"You have taken flight?" he said slowly. "From what? From me, perhaps?" + +Gabrielle tried to smile, and to master the uneasiness which possessed +her, as she replied: + +"From the murmur of the Nixies' Well. It has such a weird, ghostly +sound at this noontide hour." + +"And yet you have chosen this spot as your favourite haunt?" + +"Well, the fountain has now lived its life. Tomorrow, perhaps, by your +command, the garden will have been turned into a wilderness, a chaos of +stones and earth, and ..." + +"Little do I care whether my orders distress other people or not?" +completed Raven, as she paused. "It may be so--but, Gabrielle, are you +really so fond of this spring? Would it positively distress you to see +it stopped?" + +"Yes," said Gabrielle, in a low voice, looking up at him. Her lips +uttered no word of entreaty; but her eyes besought him earnestly, +pleading for the doomed fountain. + +Raven was silent. For some minutes he stood by her without speaking. +Then he began again: + +"I frightened you just now with my harsh views of life, but no one says +you must share them. I forgot for a moment that youth has a right to +dream, and that it would be cruel to rob you of the privilege. Keep +your faith still in the golden far-off future, in the promise of the +blue mountains. You may yet put gentle confidence in the world and in +mankind; it is little likely you will ever incur their hostility and +hatred." + +His voice was veiled and wonderfully soft, and all austerity had +vanished from his look, as it rested half sadly on the young girl's +countenance; but Arno Raven was not one to be long influenced by such +emotions; and, indeed, it seemed that no chance of yielding to them was +to be afforded him, for at this moment steps were heard approaching, +and, as they turned, the lodge-keeper, accompanied by an elderly man--a +mechanic, apparently--entered the garden. They stopped on perceiving +the Governor, and uncovered respectfully. + +Raven's mildness had already vanished. He had quickly shaken off the +unwonted mood. + +"What is it?" he asked, in the curt, authoritative tone habitual to +him. + +"Your Excellency has given orders that the Nixies' Well should be +broken up, and the spring stopped," answered the master-mason. "It was +to be done today, and my men will be here in half an hour or so. I only +wanted to see beforehand whether there would be any difficulty, and if +the work was likely to take up much time." + +The Baron glanced at the fountain, and then at Gabrielle standing by +his side. There was the hardly perceptible delay of a second, and then +he pronounced his decree: + +"Send your people away. The work is not to be done." + +"What! your Excellency?" asked the mason, in astonishment. + +"The demolition of the fountain would injure the garden. It is to +remain. I will take other measures." + +A wave of the hand dismissed the two men. They, of course, ventured on +no reply, but surprise was plainly written on their countenances as +they left the garden. It was the first time an order so +circumstantially given by the Governor himself had ever been withdrawn. + +Raven had stepped to the edge of the basin, and was watching the +constant falling shower. Gabrielle had remained in her place by the +parapet, but now she drew near slowly, hesitatingly--presently, with a +sudden movement, she held out both hands to him. + +"Thank you--oh, thank you!" + +He smiled, not with his usual sardonic smile. A ray of sunshine seemed +to flit across his face, as he took the offered hands, and, gently +raising Gabrielle's head, stooped to kiss her brow. + +There was nothing unusual in this. He was in the habit of thus saluting +her when she appeared at breakfast and wished him "Good-morning," and +hitherto she had received his caress most unconcernedly; while he, her +guardian, had but in cool, grave fashion made use of his 'fatherly +rights.' + +To-day, for the first time, the young girl involuntarily sought to +evade it; and Raven felt that the hand he held in his own trembled a +little. He drew himself up suddenly, without having touched her +forehead with his lips, and dropped her hand. + +"You are right," he said, in a troubled voice. "There is a magic in the +Nixies' Well. Let us go." + +They turned away. Behind them the spring babbled and murmured, the +fountain plashed, throwing its white veil of spray ever on high. That +cruel doom of destruction was averted now. The beseeching prayer of +those brown eyes, and the glittering tears which stood in them, had +saved the well. + +Perhaps at this moment the cold, stern man, who had long passed the +prime of life, may have felt that his boast had been premature, that +not even he in his strength was entirely proof against "the nixies' +charm." + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + +George Winterfeld sat at his writing-table in his own room. He looked +worn, and almost ill. The transient freshness of tint called up by his +holiday excursion had long since vanished, and the natural pallor, +which had even then been noticeable on the young man's finely cut and +intellectual features, had visibly increased. He was, indeed, apt to +exact too much of his working powers. The duties of his position made +considerable demands on his time, yet in every leisure-hour at his +disposal he devoted himself with feverish zeal to such studies as were +likely to advance him in his career. + +George often worked at the expense of his health; he was urged on by a +nobler spur than ambition. Every step he took forward lessened the gap +between himself and the woman he loved, and, though possessed of all +becoming modesty, he was yet too sensible of his own abilities and his +own worth not to cherish an assured hope that one day that gap would be +filled up. + +His colleagues, who for the most part contented themselves with getting +through the business which fell to them in office-hours, knew nothing +of the Assessor's quiet, unceasing toil. He never alluded to it. The +chief's penetrating eye alone had discovered with what a fund of +perseverance, with what genuine talent the young clerk was gifted, +though as yet he had had but small opportunity of turning his gifts to +active account. + +George always worked best in the morning hours. He was sitting to-day +bent over a volume of jurisprudence, and so immersed in its arid +contents that he did not notice the opening of the outer door which +gave access to his apartments. It was only when he heard a familiar +voice say: "Don't trouble yourself. I can find my way to Mr. Winterfeld +alone," that he started up from his book, just as the newcomer entered. + +"Good-morning, George, old fellow. Here I am, you see." + +"Max! Is it possible? What brings you to R----? How did you come here?" +cried George, in joyful surprise, hurrying to meet his friend. + +"I came straight from home," replied the latter, returning his friend's +greeting with equal heartiness. "I only reached the hotel half an hour +ago, and came up to see you immediately." + +"But why not write me a few lines? Did you wish to take me by +surprise?" + +"No, not that; the journey was rather a surprise to myself; for, my +dear fellow, I am not brought here by any sentimental feelings of +friendship, as you may possibly flatter yourself, but by a most real +and practical matter of business, arising from our succession to some +property. But, in the first place, how are you? You are looking pale, +as is but natural to a man who sits brooding in the early morning over +his books. George, you are incorrigible." + +George laughed, pushed away the hand that was stretched out to feel his +pulse, and drew his friend to the sofa. + +"Lay aside the doctor for the nonce," said he. "I am perfectly well. So +it is some succession-business which brings you here. Have riches +peradventure overtaken you?" + +"Not riches, exactly," said Max. "It is only a matter of a very modest +fortune left by a cousin of ours who owned a small estate in the +neighbourhood of R----. I had some acquaintance with him. He had +quarrelled with my father out and out, on account of the latter's +political past; but now he has died without a will or direct heirs, +and my father, as next of kin, has received a summons from the +R---- tribunal to make good his claims. This he cannot do in person. +You know that he may not set foot in his native land without risking a +return to his old quarters in that fortified place which he quitted by +the somewhat unusual conveyance of a ladder of ropes. The sentence +formerly pronounced on him still hangs over his head, so he has sent me +as his representative." + +"You have full authority to act?" put in the Assessor. + +"Unlimited; but there will be plenty of quibbles and delays, +notwithstanding. My father's flight and protracted absence will +complicate matters, and my notorious Socialist name will hardly +predispose the judicial mind to any special affability towards me. +Foreseeing all this, I have taken a rather long leave and I intend to +stay in R---- until the business is settled. I count much on your legal +advice and assistance." + +"I am altogether at your service. The first thing for you to do, +however, is to give up your rooms at the hotel, and to come here to +me." + +"With your permission, I shall decline doing that," said Max, drily. + +"Why?" + +"Because I don't wish to bring you into trouble with your superiors. +Can you give me your word of honour that the visit you paid us this +summer passed unremarked, that it has called down on you no word of +blame?" + +George looked down. + +"Well, I certainly was favoured with some rather sharp observations +from the chief; but there are bounds even to his jurisdiction and to +the regard I owe to my position. I do not mean to offer up to it my +friends and private connections." + +"You need not do so," returned the young surgeon; "but there is no +occasion to go out of your way to challenge a conflict. You know I have +not a very high opinion of gratuitous sacrifices, and the invitation +you are now so kind as to give me comes under that head. No use to +argue, George. I shall remain at the hotel. You will compromise +yourself quite sufficiently in the eyes of all loyal citizens by owning +me as a friend at all." + +The refusal was expressed in so decided a tone that George saw it would +be useless to insist; so he yielded the point. + +"Well, let me congratulate you on coming in to the fortune, at all +events," he said. "Though it be not a very considerable one, it will, I +suppose, be of importance to you." + +"Certainly; I am especially glad on my father's account. He can now +devote himself to his beloved science undisturbed by those material +cares which have hitherto held the front rank. I, too, gain by it my +much-desired independence. I should long ago have resigned my post at +the hospital had it not been necessary to provide for our household an +assured income which can henceforth be dispensed with. I shall set to +work to establish a practice now and marry." + +"You are thinking of marrying?" asked George, in some astonishment. + +"Of course I am. A man must have a wife. It is necessary to his +comfort." + +"But whom do you mean to marry?" + +"Ah! that I don't know yet. When I have installed myself in a place of +my own, I shall hold a review, make my choice, and lead home my bride." + +"Some daughter of Switzerland, I presume?" + +"Beyond a doubt. I think very highly of the solid good sense and +practical virtues of the Swiss, though it may be there is a little lack +of polish about them at times. Moreover, I don't want any tender +over-refinement in my wife. Married people should be cut out on the +same pattern." + +"Well, you seem to have gone thoroughly into it," laughed George, "I +dare say you have made out a regular programme, enumerating all the +qualities your future wife is to possess. So let us hear. Clause No. +I?" + +"Money," said Max, laconically. "Ah! yes; that rouses your sentimental +feelings to revolt again. Money is indispensable. Second desideratum, +practical domestic education. Third, fine robust health. A doctor, who +is knocking about all day among all sorts of maladies, does not want to +have to prescribe at home. Fourth----" + +"For heaven's sake stop!" interrupted his friend. "I believe there are +a dozen _sine quâ non_. Love does not figure among them, I suppose?" + +"Love comes after marriage," replied the young surgeon, confidently, +"at least, with rational people; and the unions which answer best are +those based on the solid grounds of reason and common sense. When, +after a mature consideration of character and circumstances, I find +that my programme fits, I shall make my offer at once, and get married; +and therewith all is said." + +George smiled rather sadly as he laid his hand on his friend's arm. + +"My dear Max, I know very well for whom your sermon is intended. +Unfortunately, it can avail nothing. You will not understand this until +some passion, springing up in your own breast, dashes through all your +clauses at a stroke, and upsets your conclusions." + +"A minute, please. Mine is no romantic nature. I leave romance to +certain other people of my acquaintance. By-the-bye, how is your little +affair progressing? May I expect again to fill the part of confidant, +and, when occasion offers, to resume my former functions as sentinel? I +am at your orders." + +George sighed. + +"No, Max, there is no question of that. I hardly ever see Gabrielle, +and have only spoken to her once in her mother's presence. The Governor +has built up around his house such a rampart of haughty reserve and +exclusiveness, it is impossible to break through it." + +"Poor old fellow! the melancholy of your appearance becomes explicable +to me. Well, you see the consequences of taking these things too +seriously. My programme and my clauses, at which you jeer in a most +uncalled-for manner, protect me from such misadventures." + +George looked at his watch. + +"Excuse me, I must be off to the Chancellery. Our office-hours begin +early; but after three o'clock I am at liberty, and I will look you up +immediately. Shall I go with you to the hotel?" + +The young surgeon preferred to bear his friend company on his way to +the bureau, so the two set out together. They walked through the +streets, chatting as they went, and at the foot of the hill they came +upon Councillor Moser. This gentleman had his quarters at the +Government-house itself, but he was in the habit of taking a +constitutional in the morning before office-hours commenced, and from +this exercise he was now returning. He advanced slowly, with his usual +stiff and solemn mien, his chin well buried in his white cravat, and +returned his subordinate's greeting with an affable but dignified bow. + +"You are looking tired, Mr. Winterfeld," he observed, in a benevolent +tone. "His Excellency himself has noticed it. His Excellency is of +opinion that you work too sedulously, and that you will undermine your +health by such assiduous study. There may be too much even of a good +thing. You should not apply too closely." + +"That is what I am always preaching to my friend," put in Max; "but in +vain. This very morning, at an untimely hour, I found him poring over +his books, and had literally to hunt him from them. He throws all my +prescriptions to the wind." + +"You are a member of the Faculty, sir?" asked the Councillor, evidently +expecting that this stranger should be presented to him. + +"My friend, Dr. Brunnow," said George; "Mr. Councillor Moser." + +The chief-clerk suddenly rose out from the depths of his white +neckcloth. + +"Brunnow--Brunnow?" he repeated. + +"Is the name familiar to you, Councillor?" asked Max, innocently. + +All benevolence had vanished from the old gentleman's face. It +expressed something akin to horror as he replied sharply: + +"The name was well known in former times, first in connection with the +rebellion, then with the courts of justice. Finally, it was brought +into people's mouths by the escape from a fortified place of a +political prisoner who bore it. I trust you stand in no relationship to +the Dr. Brunnow to whom I allude." + +"In the very closest," said the young surgeon, with a most polite bow. +"That Dr. Brunnow is my father." + +The Councillor recoiled a step, as though to guarantee himself against +any chance contact. Then he turned his back on the young man, and +concentrated all his ire and indignation on George. + +"Mr. Assessor Winterfeld," he began in a withering tone, "there are +officials, clever and competent officials even, who do not, or will +not, recognise the first and most sacred duty imposed on them by their +service, the duty of loyalty to the state. Are you acquainted with any +such?" + +George was a little embarrassed. + +"I really do not quite understand your drift----" + +"Well, I am acquainted with some of that order, and I pity them, for +they are, in general, but the victims of false teaching and evil +example." + +The young clerk frowned. He was, it is true, pretty well accustomed to +such philippics from his superior; but now, in his friend's presence, +he chafed at the implied reproof, feeling the awkwardness of the +situation. So he answered with some heat: + +"You may feel convinced that I understand my duties. Beyond this----" + +"Yes, yes. I am aware that all young men are born reformers, and that +they consider it a proof of character to try a little opposition," +interrupted Moser, who dearly loved, in season and out of season, to +make use of his chiefs words, which were to him as so many oracular +utterances. "But it is a dangerous game, for opposition leads on to +revolution, and revolution"--the chief-clerk shuddered--"is a horrible +thing!" + +"A most horrible thing, Councillor," said Max, emphatically. + +"You think so?" asked Moser, somewhat disconcerted by this unexpected +adhesion. + +"Certainly; and I think, too, that it is well you should make this +appeal to my friend's conscience. I myself have often told him he is +not loyal as he should be." + +The Councillor stood as though petrified on hearing these words, which +were delivered with imperturbable gravity. He was about to answer, when +suddenly his chin disappeared into his cravat again, and he assumed a +reverential attitude. + +"His Excellency!" said he, under his breath, respectfully taking off +his hat. + +And, looking round, they really saw the Governor, coming from the +Castle, and going on foot towards the town. On reaching the spot where +they stood, he returned the gentlemen's greeting in his cool, measured +fashion, took a rapid survey of young Brunnow, and then addressed +himself to Moser: + +"It is fortunate I meet you, my dear sir. There is something I wish to +say to you. Bear me company for a few minutes, will you?" + +The Councillor joined his chief, and the two went on towards the town, +while the young men pursued their journey up the hill. + +"So that is your despot, is it?" asked Max, as soon as they were out of +hearing. "The much-abused, much-dreaded Raven! He is of an imposing +presence, that I must allow him. A bearing and dignity that would not +ill become a prince; and then that lordly glance with which he took my +measure! One can see the man knows how to command." + +"And how to oppress," added George, bitterly. "We have had a fresh +proof of it lately. The whole city is in a state of ferment on account +of the extraordinary new police regulations he has saddled upon it. He +means to repress by force the opposition which is daily growing more +active, and now threatens to become really troublesome. This last step +of his is a flagrant affront to the whole body of citizens." + +"And the good townsfolk of R---- take it quietly?" + +George cast a prudent glance around. The road was clear, and their +conversation safe from curious ears, yet the young man lowered his +voice as he answered: + +"What can they do? Rebel against their ruler, the chosen delegate of +the Government? That would entail most serious consequences. I often +think, perhaps all that is wanting is to make our Ministers aware of +the true state of the case, to acquaint them with all the arbitrary +proceedings, the acts of tyranny whereby their representative has +abused the full powers conferred on him. Were this openly done, they +must let him fall." + +"Or silence the inconvenient monitor instead. It would not be the first +time such a thing has happened; and this Raven does not look as if he +would easily let himself be thrown. He would, at least, drag down his +enemies with him in his fall." + +"And yet, sooner or later, it must come to that," said George, +resolutely. "A brave man will one day be found." + +The young surgeon started, and looked searchingly into his friend's +face. + +"You will not be he, I should hope. Don't be a fool, George, and enter +the lists alone in behalf of others. It may cost you your position, +your living; and, besides, have you forgotten that the Baron is your +adored Gabrielle's guardian? If you rouse his anger, he has at his +disposal the means of destroying all your hopes of happiness." + +"That he will do in any case," returned George moodily. "He will +assuredly try to get his ward married brilliantly and speedily; and +when he finds that I am the obstacle to the success of his plans there +are hardly any limits to the antagonism I may expect from him." + +"And, most decidedly, he is not one whom it will be easy to fight," +remarked Max. "I understand that you hate him in his double capacity." + +"Hate? I admire much in him, and in one sense the city and province owe +him a debt of gratitude. Thanks to his energy, numberless new resources +have been opened out, dormant powers have been aroused and made to +subserve the public good; but every aspiration towards a greater +freedom he has stifled with an iron hand. The cruel period of reaction, +which has weighed on us so long, is indebted to him for some of its +worst triumphs." + +"It is coming to an end," observed Max. + +"Yes, thank God, it is coming to an end. The old system is shaken to +its foundations, and its upholders are endeavouring to trim their +course wisely, so as to save all that may yet be saved. Raven +alone holds to the past with rigid consistency. Not the smallest +concession--not the most trifling compromise can be wrung from him, and +he will not listen to the warning voices which sound even in his ears. +Is this wilful blindness, or firmness of character?" + +"Firmness of character in a renegade?" + +George looked down thoughtfully. Suddenly he said: + +"Max, there are times when I would rather doubt your father's word than +ascribe a dishonourable action to my chief. Ambition, passion, might +lead him to commit a crime; but base, low treachery to his friends! +There is not a trait in the man which does not contradict the charge." + +"And yet he was guilty of such treachery. Do you think my father would +pass this rigorous judgment on the hero he once worshipped without +ample proofs? But, indeed, are they needed? Is not the career of this +Arno Raven proof enough in itself? He was once an enthusiastic champion +of liberty. What is he now?" + +"You are right; and yet ... Let us say no more of this. We are at the +Castle." + +They had, indeed, by this time reached the Government-house, where they +must separate. An appointment was hastily made for the afternoon, then +George betook himself to the Chancellery, and Max, who was in no hurry +to return to the town, strolled about, inspecting the Castle, which was +one of the principal sights of R----, and an object of interest to all +strangers. The young surgeon, it is true, cared very little for +architectural curiosities or the antique Romantic style of art; but the +Castle interested him on account of its present inhabitants. He +sauntered through the galleries and passages as far as they were +accessible; then, turning at length to retrace his steps, he lost his +way, and, instead of re-issuing at the main entrance, wandered into one +of the side wings. He only remarked his error on finding himself in a +corridor which evidently led to an inhabited dwelling. Just as he was +about to turn and go back, a door opened, and an elderly woman looked +out. + +"Ah, you are there, Doctor," said she, gladly. "Pray come in. My young +lady is ready, and expecting you." + +"Expecting me?" asked Max, astonished at the welcome. + +"Surely. You are the doctor, are not you?" + +"Well, I am that, certainly." + +"Come in then, please. I will let the young lady know." Saying which, +the woman, apparently a superior sort of housekeeper, vanished, and Max +remained alone in the outer room she had constrained him to enter. + +"Now this I call luck," said he to himself, under his breath. "I no +sooner set foot in R----, than a practice tumbles unexpectedly into my +lap. We shall see what course the matter takes." + +For this he had not long to wait. After a few minutes the woman came +back, and ushered him into a pleasant, comfortably-furnished parlour. A +young lady rose from her place by the window, and came towards him. + +She was a very young girl, perhaps about sixteen or seventeen years of +age, tall and slender, but fragile, almost sickly in appearance. +Transparently pale of complexion, her face, though not beautiful, was +delicate and prepossessing. Dark shadows encircled her eyes, and there +was hardly a trace of colour in the cheeks or lips. Her costume was of +almost exaggerated simplicity, and quite conventual in its cut and +fashion. The black dress, unrelieved by the slightest ornament, was +fastened high in the neck and closely at the wrists. A square of black +lace completely covered her head, so that only a narrow band of the +smoothly coiled dark hair was to be seen. Very timid and embarrassed in +manner, she stood before the physician with downcast eyes, saying not a +word. + +"You wish for medical advice, Fräulein?" asked Max at length, having +waited in vain for her to speak. "I am at your service." + +At the sound of his voice, the girl raised a pair of dark, expressive +eyes, but quickly lowered them again, and drew back a step in evident +alarm. Even her more mature companion seemed, on closer investigation, +somewhat startled and uneasy at the doctor's youthful appearance. She +did not budge an inch from her charge's side. + +"My father wishes me to consult a physician," the young lady now made +answer, in a low, soft-toned voice. "It is not really necessary, for I +do not feel exactly ill." + +"But you are right-down ill," interrupted the elder woman, who +evidently considered herself more as one of the family than as a +domestic. "And now the Councillor says he insists on your seeing some +one." + +"The Councillor? Councillor Moser?" asked Max, a light breaking in upon +him. By a sort of intuition, he guessed to whose house chance had led +him. + +"Yes. Has he not been with you?" + +"He was with me about ten minutes before I came here," declared the +young man, with difficulty repressing a strong inclination to laugh. + +He recalled to mind the look of horror with which the worthy Councillor +had shrunk from him on hearing his father's name. Under any other +circumstances he would at once have cleared up the misunderstanding; +but now he thought of the old gentleman who had treated him so +ungraciously; how wrathful he would be, were he to discover, under his +own roof, this scion of Socialists and demagogues! Max determined to +stand his ground, come what might. + +"You look very far from well, however, Fräulein," he went on, taking +her hand, and attentively feeling her pulse. "Will you allow me to put +a few questions to you?" + +The examination began. When Max had a case before him, he became simply +and solely the doctor, and forgot all else in his study of its peculiar +phenomena. His questions were short, comprehensive, clear. He wasted no +words, and never wandered from the subject in hand. Gradually his young +patient seemed to gain confidence. She grew more at ease, more explicit +in her answers, and ceased looking up anxiously at her protectress each +time she spoke. At last the examination came to an end, and Max +appeared satisfied with the result. + +"I do not see any grounds for serious apprehension. Your ailments +are in a great degree nervous, due, perhaps, originally to mental +over-excitement, and aggravated by want of air and exercise." + +"That is what I say," broke in the housekeeper, who was evidently +accustomed to put in her oar on every occasion. "Fräulein Agnes takes +no exercise; she never goes out in the open air at all, except in the +morning to early mass. I have always said that so much praying and +penance and fasting----" + +"Christine!" interrupted the young girl, imploringly. + +"Yes, yes, the doctor must be told everything," rejoined Christine. "My +young lady overdoes it with her piety, Doctor. She is on her knees all +day long." + +"That is bad; you must leave that off," said the young surgeon, +dictatorially. + +Fräulein Agnes looked up at him with a scared expression. + +"Doctor!" + +"And the daily attendance at early mass as well. That must certainly be +discontinued," pursued Max, speaking with the same prompt decision, and +unheeding her attempt at remonstrance. "You have every reason to guard +against taking cold, and the mornings are beginning to be cool and +autumnal. As to fasting, I forbid it once for all. It is as bad as +poison to a person in your condition." + +"But, Doctor!" said the girl, a second time, and again her protest +found no hearing. Max was not to be diverted from his point. + +"Now, on the other hand, I prescribe a long walk every day, but at +noon, when the sun is bright and warm--as much air and exercise as +possible, and a little amusement too, something to vary the thoughts. +The winter gaieties will be setting in soon. I would advise you not to +dance too much." + +Agnes started back three steps at least, thus emulating her father's +late hasty retreat. + +"Dance!" she repeated, in absolute dismay. "Dance!" + +"Yes, why not? All young ladies are fond, of dancing, are they not? You +do not want to be an exception to the rule, I suppose?" + +"I have never danced," she replied quickly, and with as much decision +of tone as her soft voice would admit of. "I have always kept aloof +from worldly amusements. They are sinful, and I detest them." + +"Well, well, you should try them before you make up your mind," said +the doctor, kindly. "But such advice hardly comes within my +professional competence. I will give you a prescription for the +present, and see you again in the course of a few days. Have you paper +and pen and ink at hand?" + +Christine brought the necessary implements, and he sat down to write. +Agnes had taken refuge by the window, where she stood with folded +palms, and a look of consternation on her pale face. When the +prescription was finished. Max came up to her again, and +unceremoniously disengaged the folded hands to feel her pulse once +more. + +"Yes; now follow my instructions carefully, and there will, I hope, be +an improvement before long. Good-morning, Fräulein." + +So saying, he left the room. Christine closed the entrance-door behind +him, and then came back. + +"He knows what he is about," said she. "He orders and dictates as +though no one else had a right to say a word here. What do you think of +the doctor, Fräulein?" + +"I think him very irreligious," declared the young lady, emphatically. + +"Ah, yes; none of your medical men are over-pious," remarked Christine. + +"And so young!" went on Agnes, in a tone which implied the weightiest +accusation. + +"I expected to see an older man myself, but he looks clever, and he +certainly is very punctual. He had promised to be here at nine, and on +the stroke of nine there he was outside in the corridor. I can't think +where your papa is! Something must have happened to detain him, for he +wished to be present at the interview." + +"The doctor said he had spoken to my father. Do you think I ought to +take the medicine, Christine?" + +"Of course you must take it. That is what we had the doctor here for. I +like him, in spite of that bearish way of his. You mind what I say. +Miss Agnes--he will set you all to rights again." + +It remained doubtful whether Agnes herself shared this opinion. She had +taken up the prescription, and was reading it. After a while she laid +the paper down, and said, with a little shake of the head: + +"I only wish he were not so irreligious!" + +Max, going down the steps, met an elderly gentleman coming up. This +personage wore gold spectacles, carried a stick with a gold knob, and +had about him an air of great importance. The young surgeon stopped, +and looked after him. + +"I would wager my head that is my worthy colleague on his way to pay +the promised visit. Now he will rack his brains to discover who can +have been interfering with his practice, and snapping up a patient +before his very nose. And then the wrath of that quintessence of +loyalty, the solemn old Councillor, when he hears the story, and sees +my name on the prescription! It would be worth something to get a look +at his face. I wish I could introduce myself to him in my new capacity +as his family doctor." + +The mischievous wish was to be fulfilled. At the foot of the +Castle-hill Max met the Councillor, who, as in duty bound, had +accompanied 'his Excellency' to his destination, and was now on his +road back. No sooner did he catch a glimpse of Brunnow, that 'scion of +Socialists and demagogues,' than he endeavoured to turn aside, and thus +avoid the undesirable meeting. Max, however, went straight up to him. + +"I am glad to have the chance of speaking to you again, Councillor. I +have just come from your daughter." + +This time the old gentleman's face emerged most suddenly from the folds +of his white cravat. + +"From my daughter?" he repeated. + +"Yes, from Fräulein Moser. I can give you the comforting assurance that +the young lady's condition need inspire no serious apprehension, though +she will require great care and attention. The nervous system is out of +order, certainly, but----" + +"Sir, allow me to ask how you came to see my daughter?" vociferated the +Councillor. + +"But this will yield to proper treatment," continued Max, quite +undisturbed. "For the present I have prescribed a remedy from which I +hope the best results, and in a few days I will call in and see the +young lady again." + +"But I never asked for your attendance," protested the Councillor, +whose head was in a whirl. He could make nothing of the other's +astounding communication. + +"Excuse me, I was called in. Ask Frau Christine. As I said before, I +hope great things from the medicine, and I will look in again the day +after to-morrow. No thanks, pray, Councillor; it affords me the +greatest pleasure. My compliments to your daughter. Good-morning." + +Councillor Moser stood for some seconds rigid and motionless as a +statue; then he charged at full speed up the hill to his own dwelling, +there to seek a solution of the mystery, while the young doctor +laughingly went on his way towards the town. + + + + + CHAPTER VI. + + +The whole first story of the Government-house was brilliantly lighted +up. A great reception was annually held there on the occasion of the +Sovereign's birthday, when all the notabilities of the town and country +around were wont to flock to the Castle. This year the usual levée was +to be followed by a ball, an innovation mainly due to the presence of +Baroness Harder and her daughter, and one which met with the decided +approbation of all the feminine world of R----. + +It was too early as yet for the arrival of the guests, but the +state-apartments were resplendent with light, and the servants, having +put the finishing-touch to their preparations, had withdrawn to their +posts in the ante-chambers and hall. Gabrielle had dressed more quickly +than her mother; that lady was still severely exercising her maid's +patience by perpetually finding some fresh thing in her attire which +needed alteration or improvement. So the young Baroness, knowing how +useless it would be to wait, came on alone to a small salon, the first +of a long suite of rooms only thrown open on the occasion of great +ceremonies. + +A conspicuous ornament of this salon was a picture in a richly-gilt +frame, well set off by the dark velvet hangings. It represented the +Baron's deceased consort, and was the work of a celebrated artist. Not +even the painter's cunning hand, however, had been able to endow those +rather pleasing, but insipid and unmeaning features with any special +interest; a certain aristocratic dignity of bearing, and an extreme +elegance in the toilette and accessories, were all that might for a +moment captivate attention. An observer of this portrait, calling to +mind the Baron's striking appearance, so full of character and power, +would feel intuitively how great must have been the intellectual +distance between husband and wife, how impossible any mutual attraction +or real companionship. + +Gabrielle had paused before this picture, and was still considering it, +when a door at the farther end of the long suite of rooms, which gave +access to the Governor's private apartments, opened, and Raven himself +appeared. He was in full dress to-day, in honour of the occasion, and +his handsome court-suit with the broad ribbon on his breast lent +additional stateliness to his figure, as he walked through the rooms +slowly with his accustomed proud and lofty mien. + +"Why, Gabrielle, dressed already! What are you doing there, wrapt in +meditation before that picture?" + +There was audible dissatisfaction in the tone in which the last words +were spoken. Gabrielle did not notice it. She answered: + +"I was wondering to see my aunt's portrait here. Could you not find a +place for it in your own rooms?" + +"No," was the short, but decided reply. + +"But these salons are not opened many times during the year. Why do you +not hang the picture in your study?" + +"Why should I?" asked the Baron, coldly. "Your aunt never came there. I +had her portrait brought to the drawing-room, which is certainly its +most fitting place. Well, what do you think of the state-apartments at +the Castle? It is the first time you have seen them fully lighted up." + +This sudden diversion proved how irksome to him had been the previous +topic. Without more ado, he took Gabrielle's arm, led her away from her +aunt's portrait, and began a tour of inspection through the rooms, +pointing out and explaining many objects of interest. The folding-doors +were all thrown back, so that the eye could wander at will throughout +the long and glittering vista. A princely residence, indeed, the +Governor could boast, and the grave and somewhat antique style of +decoration was in keeping with the architectural taste of the building. +The rich ornamentation of walls and ceilings, the deep window-niches +and high marble fire-places, dated from the Castle's earlier times. +They had been left untouched; but to them had been associated costly +damask or satin hangings, heavy velvet curtains, rich gilding, all of +which, illuminated by innumerable wax-lights, produced a really +dazzling effect. + +The young Baroness Harder was not one to remain unimpressed by such a +scene. She perfectly revelled in the bright surroundings, as, with a +heart brimming over with gladness and expectation, she tripped along by +her guardian's side. She had very quickly regained all her old ease of +manner in her intercourse with him. That strange hour by the 'Nixies' +Well' had long since been forgotten, together with the transient +seriousness it had called forth. Like a dream, its influences had come +upon her; swiftly and traceless as a dream they had vanished again from +her mind. On that sunny ground nothing approaching a shadow could for +any length of time hold its own. Gabrielle certainly felt that during +the last few days the Baron had treated her with unwonted gentleness +and indulgence. He had even determined on giving this ball, in order +that, as he said, certain restless little feet might have a chance of +dancing themselves weary. It was an unheard-of concession from him, who +looked on all festive gatherings at the Castle as so many onerous +duties imposed on him by etiquette, so many drawbacks to his position; +but the young lady was too accustomed to be spoiled by her parents and +all about her, to be struck with any special surprise at the favour +shown her. She met her guardian's kindness, as she had previously met +his stern reserve, with the petulance and whimsical caprice of a child. +Today the thought of the coming fête drove all else into the +background. Sparkling and overflowing with all sorts of droll and merry +conceits, the clear ripple of her laughter broke again and again on the +solemn stillness of those stately galleries. + +Raven was grave and silent as usual; but he listened to her chatter +with visible satisfaction, and his eyes were fixed, as though +unconsciously, on the blooming young creature hanging on his arm and +looking up at him with happy, beaming, radiant eyes. Gabrielle had +never appeared more lovely than on this evening in her cloud-like white +ball-dress, twined here and there with flowery wreaths, and with a +garland of blossoms daintily set on her fair head. So fascinating was +her charm, so dewy-fresh her youthful grace and beauty, she might have +been one of the airy mischievous elves of the legend quickened into +life and come hither to disport itself. In the sea of light which +streamed through the halls, she was the culminating point of +brightness. + +They had finished their round, and arrived at the principal +reception-room, which was adorned with the portraits of divers +historical and princely personages. A dazzling chandelier lit up the +splendid, but as yet untenanted, space, which, in spite of its festive +decorations, was almost awesome in its stillness and emptiness. No +sound was to be heard but the Baron's echoing step and the rustle of +his companion's dress. + +"It is like being in an enchanted castle," said Gabrielle, playfully. +"We are the only living creatures amid all this sleeping splendour. I +had no idea you had so many fine things at your disposal, Uncle Arno. +It must be grand to feel one's self the master of such a place." + +The Baron cast a general, highly indifferent glance around, as he +replied: + +"You think there is something very enviable in that, no doubt. I myself +have never attached much importance to these adjuncts of my position." + +"Nor to this, either?" + +Gabrielle pointed to the ribbon on his breast. The order the Baron wore +was one of the highest in the land, and was conferred only in very +exceptional cases. + +"Nor to this either," said Raven, quietly; "though I would not +willingly renounce the one or the other. External splendour should mark +the seat of power. To the generality of men, greatness is embodied in +these outward symbols; they should, therefore, be taken into due +account. I have never lost sight of this, but my efforts have been +directed to other aims." + +"Which you have attained, like everything else in life." + +The Baron was silent for a few seconds. His eyes rested with an +enigmatical expression on the young girl's face. At length he answered +her: + +"I have attained much--not everything." + +"Do you want to mount still higher?" asked Gabrielle, in naïve +surprise. + +He smiled. "No; this time I should like to retrograde twenty years." + +"But, tell me, why?" + +"That I might be young again. I have felt sometimes of late that ... I +am growing old." + +The young Baroness pointed jestingly to a great panelled mirror +opposite them: + +"Look there, Uncle Arno, and dare to talk again of being old!" + +Raven followed the direction of her hand. There in the clear glass he +saw the distinct reflection of his image, the tall commanding figure, +in all the vigorous maturity of manly strength. He inspected it with a +certain satisfaction, not untinged by a slight secret uneasiness. + +"And yet I am close upon fifty," he said slowly. "Do you know that, +Gabrielle?" + +"Of course I do. But why lay such stress on it? You certainly do not +feel as yet any of the premonitory signs of age." + +"For which very reason I am sometimes tempted to forget the fact, and +this, under given circumstances, may be dangerous. You should be the +last to encourage me in such a weakness." + +Raven broke off suddenly as he met the girl's wondering, questioning +gaze; his speech was evidently quite unintelligible to her. He turned +away from the mirror, and went on in a lighter tone: + +"So you like living here with me, at the Castle?" + +"Certainly, when all is bright and gay, as it is this evening," +declared Gabrielle. "But in the daytime the Castle often seems to me +very dismal and dull. These high-vaulted ceilings, these deep recesses +and massive pillars, keep the whole place in shade, and your study is +the very gloomiest room I know. The great heavy curtains shut out every +ray of sunlight." + +"The sun disturbs me when I am at work," explained the Baron. + +The young lady tossed her head pettishly: "But, dear me, man does not +live for work alone." + +"There are natures--mine, for instance--to which work is a positive +want, an absolute necessity. A butterfly, such as you, cannot +understand this. It flies and flutters about in the sunshine, gleaming +with a thousand hues--to perish when the first sharp touch brushes the +many-coloured dust from its wings. Pleasant enough, but very +transitory, this gay butterfly existence!" + +There was something of the old sarcastic ring in his voice as he spoke +the last words. Gabrielle assumed a highly-offended expression of +countenance. + +"Oh, so you think I am only a sort of gaily-painted, frivolous moth, +Uncle Arno?" + +"I think it would be unjust to require of you that you should meet +suffering, or face struggles of any kind," said Raven, more gravely. +"Beings of your order are created for the sunshine, and can exist in no +other element. Work and the battle of life must be left to me, and to +such as me. To be a sunbeam, and to cheer and lighten the darkness of +others, is a vocation, too, in its way. You are quite right, it is +foolish inexorably to exclude the brightness for fear lest it should +blind one. Why should not autumn, for once, be gilded by its golden +rays?" + +He had stooped down, and was looking deep into the young girl's eyes, +when a side door was noisily opened, and Baroness Harder rustled over +the threshold. Raven quickly drew himself erect, casting a glance that +was anything but friendly at his sister-in-law, who, happily, did not +observe it. She was at that moment passing the great mirror in the +wall, and taking in it a last general review of her appearance. The +lady had profited by her brother-in-law's liberality in no sparing +fashion. Her rich toilette had but one fault: it was a thought too +overladen to be in perfect taste. The costly satin train was almost +lost to view beneath the velvet and lace which covered it. A whole +parterre of flowers adorned her hair, and on her neck and arms sparkled +the diamonds which Raven's generosity had rescued from the wreck of the +Harder fortunes. All that the many arts of the toilette can effect had +been accomplished, and with their aid and assistance the Baroness might +this evening have made good her claim to be considered a beautiful +woman, had it not been for the youthful, blooming daughter at her side. +Before the grace and freshness of that seventeen-year-old maiden, no +artificial charm could hold its own; and, by force of contrast, the +mother appeared that which, in point of fact, she really was, a faded, +middle-aged lady. + +"Excuse me for keeping you waiting," said she, approaching her +brother-in-law with her wonted sweetness of manner. "I did not know you +were already in the drawing-room, Arno; and none of the guests have +arrived as yet. I hope Gabrielle has been amusing you in my absence." + +Raven made no reply. He was visibly annoyed by the interruption. + +"Our visitors will be here shortly," he remarked, after a while; and, +indeed, scarcely had he spoken the words, when the first carriage drove +up. + +The Baron offered his arm to his sister-in-law to lead her to her place +at the upper end of the room, and, as they went, he glanced with keen +scrutiny from mother to daughter. + +"Gabrielle does not resemble you in the least, Matilda," he said +suddenly, and his tone betrayed a secret satisfaction. + +"Do you think not?" said the Baroness, who would probably have +preferred to hear a contrary opinion expressed. "It may be that she is +more like her father----" + +"She does not bear the smallest resemblance to her father either," +interrupted Raven. "I do not see that she has inherited a single trait +from either of her parents--thank God!" he added to himself. + +The Baroness was silent, looking aggrieved, though she could not have +caught the offensive words which concluded his speech. There was no +denying the fact that Gabrielle possessed neither the Harder features +nor those of her mother's family. She was as unlike both parents as she +could possibly be. + +The first arrivals now appeared, and were soon followed by others. +Carriage after carriage rolled up to the portico of the +Government-house, and the rooms gradually began to fill. So numerous +had been the invitations issued, that the spacious apartments were +hardly large enough to contain the brilliant assembly which soon +thronged them. Most of the gentlemen were in civilian dress, but +interspersed among the black coats was many a handsome uniform; while +the ladies, some in splendid, all in bright apparel, bloomed gay as any +flower-garden. The heads of the magistrature, the commandant and +officers of the garrison, and those of the neighbouring fortress, were +there _au grand complet_, as was also the entire bureaucratic staff, +and indeed all who in the social circles of R---- could lay claim to a +good position or to any sort of distinction. + +The occasion being an official one, it was a matter of course that the +invitations should be accepted, and for this reason the burgomaster and +the other gentlemen of the corporation had put in an appearance +notwithstanding the conflict pending between them and the Governor, a +conflict which daily grew to greater proportions, and increased in +intensity. + +Baron von Raven seemed to-day altogether to ignore the existing +dissensions. He received these guests, as he received all the others, +with finished politeness; but still with that cool reserve of manner +which was peculiar to him, and which ever drew about him a sort of +invisible barrier. + +Baroness Harder at his side did the honours of the house, noting with +much satisfaction that she and her daughter were pre-eminently the +objects of general interest. The two ladies had hitherto been but +little seen in the world of R----, where the autumn gaieties were only +just beginning. This was their first formal introduction to the society +of the city which was henceforth to be their home. Strangers still to +the majority of those present, their close relationship to the Governor +assigned to them at once the most prominent place, and it was but +natural that they should form a centre of attraction round which all +converged. + +While the elder lady received those attentions and marks of deference +which fall by right to the lady of the house, her daughter's grace and +beauty were achieving triumph upon triumph. The young Baroness was +constantly surrounded, courted and admired; the younger men, in +particular, fairly besieging her with entreaties for the promise of a +dance during the evening. + +Now and then Raven would cast a glance over at the groups ever +forming and re-forming round his charming ward; but the smile on his +lips was rather forced. He saw with what pleasure, and with what +self-possession, she accepted the homage done her on all sides. + +Such flattering triumphs were indeed the best means of whiling away the +time; they helped to assuage the impatience with which Gabrielle looked +for the approach of one familiar figure, while endless new faces +defiled before her, and strange, unknown names were buzzed into her +ears. + +George Winterfeld had been in the rooms for some time, but as yet she +had hardly exchanged a word with him. When, on his entrance, he had +come up to pay his respects to her mother and herself, the Colonel had +arrived at the same instant, wishing to introduce his two sons, and had +at once claimed the ladies' attention for himself and the young +officers. + +Some personages of high rank, also numbering among the intimates of the +Castle, had joined the circle; and the young clerk, feeling quite +isolated and a stranger in their midst, was forced to withdraw, lest he +might appear importunate. Since then he had found no means of +approaching Gabrielle. She had remained close to her mother and +guardian, taking part with them in the reception of the guests; but now +he must hesitate no longer; the first strains of music were already +sounding, and George, who was determined at any risk to have a few +words with his love during the course of the evening, threw off his +attitude of reserve. He drew near, and begged the young Baroness Harder +to accord him a dance. + +Gabrielle had foreseen this, and had taken care to keep at least one +free. She promptly consented. The Baron, who was talking to Councillor +Moser, heard her reply. He turned round, and looked at the two in +surprise. + +"I thought you had not a dance at your disposal," said he. "Have you +really one free?" + +"Fräulein von Harder has been so kind as to promise me the second +waltz," declared George. + +The Baron frowned. + +"Indeed, Gabrielle? If I mistake not, you refused that dance to Colonel +Wilten's son." + +"Certainly I did. I had already promised it to Mr. Winterfeld." + +"Oh!" said Raven, slowly. "Well, he who is first in the field assuredly +has the best right. Baron Wilten will deplore his mischance in arriving +too late." + +As he spoke thus, he scanned Gabrielle's face with a keen investigating +glance; then, turning from her, his look riveted itself on George. At +this moment the cavalier who had been fortunate enough to secure the +young lady's promise for the first dance came up and offered her his +arm. George bowed, and stepped back. There was a movement among the +company. The younger portion of it streamed off towards the ball-room, +while the elders dispersed through the adjoining salons. The great +drawing-room grew comparatively empty, and Baroness von Harder was just +thinking of leaving her post in it, when her brother-in-law came up to +her. + +"You know something of Assessor Winterfeld?" he said in a low tone. + +The Baroness nodded assent. + +"I have told you that we made his acquaintance in Switzerland this +summer." + +"Did he often come to your house?" + +"Pretty often. I was always pleased to receive him, and should have +continued to see him here, if you had not expressed so decided a wish +to the contrary." + +"I do not desire to admit the young clerks to my private circle," +replied the Baron, curtly; "and I cannot understand, Matilda, how, in +the retirement in which you were then supposed to be living, you could +grant the first stranger you met an entrance to your house, and allow +him perfect freedom of intercourse with your daughter." + +"Oh, it was quite an exceptional case," pleaded the Baroness. "The +Assessor had rendered us a signal service one day when we were in +danger on the lake. You know that he----" + +"Brought you and Gabrielle through the shallow water to land without +the smallest difficulty," concluded Raven. "Yes, I know that; and I do +not doubt that he has taken advantage of this slight service, which any +fisher-boy could have rendered you, to pose as your deliverer, not +altogether unsuccessfully, it would seem. Gabrielle has just accorded +him a dance which she had refused to young Baron Wilten, and which, in +all probability, she had held in reserve for Mr. Winterfeld. This +familiarity may be accounted for, no doubt, by the previous +acquaintanceship; but it is a proceeding which I, nevertheless, +consider most improper. The promise she has given cannot be recalled; +but I beg of you to see that Gabrielle does not dance more than once +with this young man. I most decidedly object to it." + +There was suppressed, but very evident anger in his tone. The Baroness +was rather surprised at his displaying so much irritation, which the +occasion hardly seemed to warrant; but she hastened to assure him that +she would speak to her daughter, and then took the arm offered her by +Colonel Wilten, who had come to lead her to the ball-room. + +The Baron sauntered through the other rooms, where much animated +conversation was going on. Joining first one group and then another, he +would enter into a discussion here, make a few passing remarks there, +or merely exchange amenities with some guest he had not hitherto +welcomed. With the Burgomaster he chatted amicably, making no allusion +to the differences existing between them. Pleasant and affable in his +manner to a few, condescending to others, polite to all, he was +familiar with none. He bore himself with the ease and quiet assurance +of one who is accustomed to occupy the first place, and assumes the +lead as a matter of course--a position which all those about him had +long tacitly accepted. + +"One would fancy we were the guests of our Sovereign himself, and not +of his representative," said the Burgomaster to the Superintendent of +Police, as the two met. "Upon my word, the airs his Excellency is +pleased to give himself on these occasions are ineffable, but they +would be more becoming in a monarch than in the governor of a province. +Have you been honoured yet with gracious speech and royal dismissal?" + +The person addressed smiled his usual ready smile, taking no notice of +the other's caustic tone. + +"I am really surprised to see you here," he replied. "From the hostile +attitude you and the other members of the corporation have lately +adopted towards the Governor, I was afraid you might collectively +decline the invitation." + +"How could we?" asked the Burgomaster, with some heat. "The fête is +given in honour of our Sovereign. Had we refused to take part in it, +our absence would have been looked upon as a demonstration against the +throne; it would have laid us open to misconstruction of the worst +kind, and we are particularly anxious to avoid giving offence in those +high quarters. The Baron knows very well that it was this consideration +alone which brought us here. We should not be likely to come to a ball +given in his honour." + +"On your side, you should not push matters too far," advised his +companion. "You must know Baron von Raven pretty well by this time. +There is no yielding, no compromise to be expected from him." + +"And from us still less. We intend to stand firmly by our rights, and +the future will show whether a Governor, who takes up such an attitude +towards us, can permanently hold his own." + +"He will hold his own, that is certain," said the Superintendent, +decidedly. "You have nothing to hope there. His influence in high +places is boundless." + +The Burgomaster started, and cast a scrutinising look at the speaker. + +"You seem to be very well informed on the subject. True, you came to us +from the capital, and have no doubt friends and connections there." + +"No, not that," replied the other, coolly repelling the insinuation. +"But it appears to me that the Baron's line of conduct shows +sufficiently how sure he feels of his position, and how all-powerful he +knows his influence to be in certain regions. You would do better not +to provoke any open rupture between the town and him. A catastrophe can +very well be avoided, even yet." + +So saying, he went off. The Burgomaster looked after him with a grim +frown of displeasure. + +"Yes, yes," he muttered; "avoid a catastrophe at any cost, so that my +friend the Superintendent may be able to preserve the neutrality of +which he makes such a show. He has positively contrived to pose as the +Governor's obedient servant, and at the same time to pass himself off +in the town as the amiable, moderate man who seeks to mediate, and only +obeys his chief because he must. I would rather by far have an open +enemy such as Raven; with him one knows at least what one has to +expect, but these neutrals, who speak fair to both parties, and mean +honourable by neither--I, for my part, have no faith in them." + +Meanwhile, in the ball-room, dancing was being pursued with much +spirit, and the couples were already forming for the second waltz. +Gabrielle was at the height of enjoyment, and fluttered from one dance +to another without rest or respite. She delighted in the amusement at +all times, and now drank in, in greedy draughts, the incense offered +her on all sides. She lent a willing ear to the flattery and +reverential homage of her partners, and never noticed with what a +grave, reproachful gaze George's eyes followed her, as she thus +accepted all their tributes with airy playful coquetry. + +When at last he came to her to remind her of her promise and lead her +out among the dancers, she gave him her hand with a bright smile +indicative of perfect content. + +"Your young ward is really a charming creature," said Colonel Wilten to +his host, who had strolled into the ball-room, and, an unusual +proceeding on his part, stayed looking on at the dance. "I only fear +your Excellency will not keep her long. Some gay cavalier will be +coming to take her from you." + +"Bah!" answered Raven, with a touch of impatience. "There can be no +question of that at present. Gabrielle is little more than a child." + +The Colonel laughed. + +"Our young ladies are not children at seventeen. Fräulein von Harder +would decidedly protest against such a notion. Just observe how +gracefully she floats along with her partner. The sunny style of beauty +peculiar to her shines with wonderful effect this evening. Positively, +I envy you your fatherly rights where that sweet girl is concerned." + +Fatherly rights! The words seemed to jar on the Baron. A deep frown +gathered on his brow as, without replying, he watched every movement of +the young couple, who now absorbed all his attention. + +Wilten had not spoken quite at random. He had remarked the assiduous +court his eldest son was paying to the young Baroness, who, as +presumptive heiress to her guardian, would certainly be a brilliant +match. The Colonel would, decidedly, have had no objection to relieve +the latter of his fatherly rights. A daughter-in-law so rich and +handsome would have been right welcome to him, and it occurred to him +he might by a few words clear the way towards so desirable a +consummation. But his hints passed unnoticed, and for the present he +was fain to let the subject drop. + +"I was speaking just now to the Superintendent of Police," he began +again. "He thinks there is nothing to be apprehended; but he has taken +all the necessary precautionary measures, in case of any disturbances +in the town to-day." + +"To-day! why to-day particularly?" asked Raven, absently, and still +pursuing his observations. + +"Well, a general holiday gives occasion for all sorts of meetings, +especially among the lower orders, and in the present irritated state +of public opinion this is a fact not to be overlooked. When heads are +heated, trouble may come of such gatherings." + +The conversation did not appear to possess much interest for the +Governor. He hardly listened, being visibly engaged with other +thoughts. + +"Do you think so?" he replied indifferently. + +The Colonel looked at him in surprise. + +"Why, Baron, you should know it better than another. We were discussing +the matter only yesterday, and it is, unfortunately, no secret that the +popular excitement is directed against you in a very special manner. +Councillor Moser tells me you have lately received another threatening +letter." + +Raven shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. + +"I have half-a-dozen of them in my waste-paper basket. Their authors +ought to have discovered by this time that such absurdities make no +impression on me." + +Wilten glanced around. They were standing at the end of the long +gallery, and at that moment no one was near enough to overhear their +words. The Colonel went on in a low tone: + +"You should not, however, absolutely challenge danger. It is most +imprudent for you to go into the town on foot and unaccompanied, no +measures being taken to ensure your safety. I wanted to speak to your +Excellency about it before, to beg you to desist from such ventures. We +do not know whether the mob may not be systematically incited to +violence. The whole burgher class is leagued together against you." + +"So much the better," said Raven, mechanically, his eyes still riveted +on one particular spot in the scene before them. + +The Colonel gave a little start of surprise. + +"Your Excellency?" + +The movement recalled the Baron to himself. He turned quickly to his +interlocutor. + +"Pardon me, I am somewhat absent. I ... I hardly followed you. What +were we saying?" + +"I was begging you to have more regard for your personal safety." + +"Ah! yes. You must excuse my inattention. A man, who is daily called on +to give his mind to a hundred different matters, has some difficulty in +shaking off the cobwebs, even on a festive occasion like the present." + +"Really, the load of work you take on yourself is quite too heavy," +observed the Colonel. "The most enduring strength must break down at +last beneath such a constant strain. Look at those enviable young +people yonder, who have no suspicion as yet of all these cares. They +dance, and laugh, and chatter, and are happy among themselves." + +"And are happy among themselves," repeated Raven. "Just so." + +Deep bitterness lay in his words, and yet no brighter or more animated +scene than the one before them could well have presented itself. The +handsome, spacious room flooded with light, the gaily-sounding music, +and the blooming, youthful crowd swiftly moving to its cadence; surely +there was nothing here to arouse a bitter or a gloomy thought! Just +then Gabrielle flew by with her partner. The Colonel was right. Never +had her beauty shone so radiantly, never had it produced so triumphant +an effect as now, when, yielding herself heart and soul to the pleasure +of the dance, she sparkled in a very effervescence of happy excitement. +The clear stream of light from a thousand sconces, the joyous music, +the handsome rooms with their festive decorations--these were the +surroundings, this the frame which best suited her figure; here she +found her true element, wherein she freely breathed, and her glowing +cheeks and bright eyes showed how entrancing to this neophyte were the +delights of her first ball. Her whole being seemed transfigured, +illumined with radiant contentment, as she floated by in George's arms. +He, too, appeared to have forgotten the world about him, to have lost +count of all else in the joy of seeing his dear one again, in the bliss +of feeling her so near. + +Infinite happiness beamed in his eyes as they passed on, her arm +resting on his, her breath fanning his cheek; those eyes spoke but too +plainly the secret of his heart. The young people were at this moment +so supremely blest that they forgot all caution, and a keen observer +might easily divine that the light shining in their faces was kindled +by something other than the mere intoxication of the waltz. The +romantic glamour of a first love was about them, encircling them with +its bright aureole. + +That keen observer was nigh at hand. Raven still kept his place at the +end of the room. A knot of gentlemen had gathered round him and the +Colonel, and he was apparently entering with zest into their +conversation; but his eyes, as by some fascination, remained fixed on +the dancers. As he looked, his gaze grew ever more ardent, more +piercing, and it must have had in it some magnetic power of attraction, +for, when Gabrielle came round a second time, she turned her head +slowly, moved as it were by some mysterious influence, towards the spot +where he stood. + +For a moment her guardian's eyes met hers. Suddenly a deep glow spread +over the young girl's face, and the Baron's features lighted up with +one fiery, menacing flash. Then he turned away with a quick, impatient +movement. + +This dance was followed by a long pause destined for the taking of +refreshments. The company left the ball-room, where the heat was +becoming intolerable, and sought the buffet and adjoining cool +retreats, dispersing at will through the various apartments, and +breaking up into merry, chattering groups. + +Now at length came the long-looked-for moment when George and Gabrielle +might hope to exchange some words in private, free, unconstrained +words, such as they had not yet been able to address to each other. +Hitherto the eyes of the assembled company had been on them, making +familiar speech impossible. + +A distant boudoir, untenanted for the time being--though a lively hum +of voices told of neighbours in the adjoining room--served as the +desired refuge. Thither the young Baroness Harder and Assessor +Winterfeld repaired, and, standing opposite each other by the +fire-place, entered into what to a chance intruder would have seemed a +quiet, commonplace conversation, though, in truth, that low-spoken +dialogue differed widely from the conventional talk current in society. + +"So at last we have one minute alone together," whispered George, +passionately; "the first that has been accorded to us for weeks! I +fancied it would be easier to feel you near, and yet beyond my reach." + +"Yes, you were right," said Gabrielle, in the same low tone. "We are +very, very far apart here, though you daily come to the Castle. I +always hoped you would find some means of breaking through the barriers +which separate us." + +"Have I not tried to the best of my ability? You know how your mother +met my overtures. She received me kindly enough when I called, but she +was careful not to let fall a word which could be construed into an +invitation to repeat the visit. I cannot force myself into a house +where I am clearly told that my presence is not wanted." + +A slight frown gathered on the young lady's fair brow. + +"That was not mamma's fault. She would have welcomed you now as +willingly as formerly. It was my guardian who prevented her inviting +you. I got mamma to tell him of your call, and of our previous +acquaintance, because I----" + +"Because you dared not." + +"I dare anything that is possible," asserted Gabrielle, with some +irritation; "but to hold out under Uncle Arno's look, when one has +anything to conceal from him, is just impossible, and it is of no use +attempting it. Well, he pronounced most decidedly against the intended +invitation. No personal offence to you was meant, for, of course, he +has not the faintest suspicion of any understanding between us; but he +will not allow any intercourse between us and the younger officials +employed in his bureaux--so we had to submit." + +"I was sure of it," said George. "I know my chief. He and his must +remain inaccessible to all whom he considers beneath him. Well, there +is this to be said, not even his despotic will can separate us much +more completely than we have been separated during the last few weeks. +I have never seen you but from a distance, and when, at last, we do +meet, as tonight, we are forced to keep up an appearance of coldness +and indifference. I have to look on while you are courted and made much +of, to see every one able to approach you but myself. I, who have the +first and sole right to you, am condemned to silence and the reserve of +a stranger. Gabrielle, I can bear it no longer." + +Gabrielle raised her eyes to his face. A bewitching smile played round +the corners of her dimpled mouth, as she replied: + +"I do not think the 'stranger' is so much to be pitied. He knows very +well that I am his, and his alone." + +"On a ball-night such as this you certainly are not mine," replied +George, rather bitterly. "You are given to the gaiety and the dance and +the homage paid you on all sides. You belong to anything and everyone +rather than to me. All the time that passed before that waltz, I was +striving to meet your glance. Surrounded by your admirers, you had no +eyes for me." + +The reproach struck home, wounding by its very justice; but the young +lady was not accustomed to reproaches in this quarter, and she thought +it very cruel and unfair that he should try to spoil her pleasure. The +smile vanished from her lips, giving way to a most ungracious +expression of countenance, and she was about to utter a sharp retort +when Lieutenant Wilten appeared in the doorway. + +"Fräulein von Harder," he said, hastening to her. "You are missed in +the ball-room. His Excellency and the Baroness have both been inquiring +for you. I volunteered to look for you. Will you accept my escort back +to your anxious friends?" + +Under other circumstances Gabrielle would have let this intruder feel +how unwelcome he was; but now she was angry, justly offended, as she +thought, and not at all disposed to take the offence patiently--so she +bowed her head coldly to George, and accepted the young Baron's arm +with great affability of manner. The Lieutenant led her from the room, +casting, as he went, a triumphant glance back at the discomfited rival +left behind. + +George looked after the pair with angry knitted brows. This childish +revenge wounded him more than he cared to confess to himself, and again +the old tormenting doubt arose within him--the doubt as to whether it +were right for him to withdraw this charming but most superficial young +creature from the glittering sphere for which she seemed created, and +to link her existence to that of an earnest patient worker. True, +Gabrielle's love gave him a right to possess her, but--did she love +him? Was she really capable of a deep and abiding sentiment? or was her +fancy for him a mere caprice, playful and transient as became her gay, +butterfly nature? Suppose she were to be unhappy at his side, or he to +make the miserable discovery that the wife of his bosom could meet his +ardent love, and reward his sacrifices, only with the inconstancy and +waywardness of a child? Perhaps they would both pay for this short +day-dream with a whole life-time of misery and regret! + +The young man passed his hand quickly across his brow. He would not +listen to the whispered monitions of reason, so utterly at variance +with the passionate throbbings of his heart. With a great effort he +shook himself free from these torturing thoughts, and was about to +leave the room when Councillor Moser came in, accompanied by the +Superintendent of Police. The former, in honour of the day, wore a +brand-new neck-cloth of snowy whiteness, but of such prodigious +dimensions that he could hardly move his head in it, a circumstance +which lent additional stiffness to his bearing and solemnity to his +mien. The two were holding some animated discussion, but on catching +sight of Assessor Winterfeld they ceased speaking so abruptly that that +gentleman divined he had been the subject of their conversation. This +idea was confirmed by the keen glance with which the Superintendent +measured the young official from head to foot, while the Councillor +walked straight up to him, and without a word of preface, addressed him +as follows: + +"I am glad to meet you here, Assessor. I have to request you to +undertake a commission for me." + +George bowed slightly. + +"With pleasure. I am at your service." + +"Your friend. Dr. Brunnow"--the Councillor accentuated his words, as +though some dread and weighty accusation were conveyed in each--"your +friend. Dr. Brunnow, has, without my knowledge or desire, assumed the +office of my family physician. He has listened to an invalid's +statements, has given prescriptions, and even threatened me with a +renewal of his visit. I did not at first comprehend how the matter had +come about----" + +"It was all a misunderstanding," interrupted George. "Max told me of +it. He really believed that medical advice was required from him, and +he had no notion into whose house an odd chance had led him." + +"Well, he knows now," said Moser, emphatically; "and I must ask you to +tell him, once for all, that I should not dream of applying for advice +to a doctor bearing so compromised a name, to one whose father is an +avowed enemy to the State. Tell him to choose for his revolutionary +intrigues some other scene than the house of Councillor Moser, who has +ever made it his proud boast that he is surpassed by none in loyalty to +his most gracious Sovereign. There are men, gentlemen in the service, +who might take example by his line of conduct. It would be well for +themselves, for society, and for the State, were they to share the +views I have expressed." + +With these words the Councillor inclined his head, or rather attempted +to do so, for his neckcloth imposed limits on his will, and +majestically left the room, sublimely conscious of having, in a +figurative sense, crushed and slain his adversary. The Superintendent, +who had throughout been a silent listener, now drew near. + +"You seem to be in disgrace with our loyal friend," he remarked, in a +jesting tone. "He was giving me a long account of your dangerous and +treasonable connections. I hope----" + +"The Councillor is in error," interposed George, with quiet +distinctness. "The connection with which he reproaches me is a +perfectly harmless college friendship, bearing no relation whatever to +politics. I can assure you that my friend, who is here solely on a +matter of business--to make good his claim to some property he has +lately inherited--and who by a droll mistake found his way the other +day into the Mosers' dwelling, has no thought of carrying on +revolutionary intrigues either there or elsewhere, and that he will not +give you the slightest motive to take an interest in his person." + +The Superintendent laughed. + +"So much the better. The Councillor grows quite alarming at times +through excess of loyalty. He sees ghosts and spectres at every turn. +Could he but guess that his own chief was once the comrade and friend +of this very Dr. Brunnow, whom he stigmatises as an enemy to the State! +You, probably, are not unaware of this fact?" + +"I am aware of it, certainly," said George, taken aback by the +question. The police-officer's intimate acquaintance with circumstances +so remote surprised him greatly. + +"How these early friends get separated! How strangely and widely do +their paths in life differ!" remarked the other. "The Governor, Baron +Arno von Raven, and a refugee living in exile, no contrast could well +be greater! It is said, I believe, that the Baron himself entertained +rather extravagant political views in his youth." + +He paused, apparently expecting an answer, but none came. Assessor +Winterfeld listened in silence. + +"I have even heard it asserted that Herr von Raven was in some way +mixed up with that trial which resulted in the imprisonment of Dr. +Brunnow and his associates. None but vague rumours have reached me, +however. You, I dare say, are better informed through your friend and +his father." + +"Not at all--we have never gone into the subject. But, if the Baron had +chanced to be connected with the trial in any way, the fact could +easily be ascertained through the official reports of the case." + +The Superintendent cast a glance at the young man which seemed to say: +"If that were so, I should hardly be wasting my time and pains on so +stiff-necked a person as yourself." He replied aloud: + +"The Baron's name is not mentioned in the official documents. If he +really had anything to do with the business, all accounts were settled +between himself and his future father-in-law, the Minister. He must +have fully exonerated himself from blame in the latter's estimation, +for the brilliant fortunes which have attended him throughout his +career date from that precise time." + +"Very probably," assented George, with cool reserve; "but these events, +which happened fully twenty years ago, must be more familiar to you +than to me. You, I should suppose, were then entering on your +professional duties, whilst I was still a mere child." + +The Superintendent saw that here there was no inclination to enlighten +him, that from this source he should not get the information he +required. He gave up the attempt, and when they had exchanged a few +unimportant remarks, the two gentlemen parted. + +Only once again during the evening did George find an opportunity of +speaking to Gabrielle, or rather, she herself it was who gave him the +opportunity. As he stood looking on at the cotillon, taking no part in +it, she fluttered up to him, light and airy as any sylph, and led him +to the dance. While they were making the tour of the room, their eyes +met. The moodiness had melted from his face, and about her lips there +played again the captivating smile which his words had lately scared +away. + +"Must I not enjoy myself? Are you still jealous?" whispered Gabrielle, +with a delicious mixture of roguishness and penitence. George would not +have been young or in love, could he have withstood that smile and that +appeal. He was already convinced that he had done wrong to reproach +his darling with her radiant gaiety. She was so innocently happy in +it--and, in spite of her caprices and wilful ways, had not this +beaming, joy-loving child found her way to his very heart of hearts? + +"My Gabrielle!" was all he said, but infinite tenderness lay in the +softly-spoken words. A slight pressure from her hand answered his. The +reconciliation was sealed. + +So the hours flew by, and the ball took the brilliant course usual to +such assemblies. Midnight had long passed when the guests departed, and +the great galleries grew empty once more. Baroness Harder, well +satisfied with the part she had played on the occasion, was about to +retire to her own room. She had taken leave of her brother-in-law, and +had turned to give some directions to the servants, when Gabrielle in +her turn approached to bid her guardian goodnight. Raven saw that she +meant to give him her hand, but he remained immovable, with folded +arms, and there was a look of cold severity on his features, as he +addressed her in a low tone. + +"I have made a singular discovery this evening, Gabrielle. There +appears to be a degree of familiarity between you and Assessor +Winterfeld which is highly unbecoming. It is not compatible with his +position, nor with yours in my house. I will venture to hope that in +permitting him such freedom you have been misled by inexperience alone; +but you will have to give me an explanation of this. I must know how +far your acquaintance with this gentleman has really gone." + +Again a crimson flush suffused the girl's face, deep as the glow which +had dyed it some time before when she had met her guardian's accusing +glance during that waltz; but this most unwonted tone from his mouth +aroused her temper and her defiance. She drew herself up with a +resolute air. + +"If you wish it. Uncle Arno----" + +"Not now," he interrupted, with a wave of the hand. "It is too late +to-night, and I do not wish that your mother should be present at our +interview. I shall expect to see you in my study to-morrow morning +early, and you will then have the kindness to answer such questions as +I shall put to you. Good-night." + +He turned away without offering her his hand or waiting for a reply, +and walked to the farther end of the room. Gabrielle stood still in +mute consternation. It was the first time the Baron had displayed +harshness towards herself, and for the first time she began to realise +that the matter would not blow over so lightly as in her gay optimism +she had hitherto hoped. + +A catastrophe was imminent, inevitable: thus she pondered; and only +when her mother called her did she start from her reverie and hasten to +the Baroness's side. + +Raven watched her as she went. His lips were firmly set, as though in +repressed anger or pain, and a dark thundercloud lay on his brow. + +"I must know the truth," he muttered. "But, after all, what will it +amount to? Mere childish folly, some travelling episode invested by +both with all necessary romance, and in the course of a few weeks to be +utterly forgotten. No matter, I will take care that such looks are not +translated into words, and that an end is put to the affair in time." + + + + + CHAPTER VII. + + +The next morning broke grey and cloudy. It heralded in a wet, cold +September day, which told unmistakably that summer's opulent splendour +was a thing of the past, and that autumn's chill reign had commenced. A +fine drizzling rain was falling: the mountains were shrouded in thick +mist, and in the Castle-garden the wind was chasing the first leaves +from the trees. + +Baron von Raven sat alone in his study. A middle-sized room, with a +lofty ceiling and one large bay-window framed in a deep recess, this +study certainly did produce a gloomy impression. It was not less +handsomely fitted up than the other apartments of the Castle; but here +the prevailing grandeur was toned down to a style of severe simplicity. +In the costly panelling of the walls, in the heavy sculptured oak +furniture, and in the rich brocade of the curtains, the same subdued +shades of colour were preserved; and the antique black marble +chimneypiece was in harmony with the appointments of the room, from +which all showy effects were rigorously excluded. The bureau, with its +load of papers and parchments, the books ranged round the walls--a +library wherein every branch of knowledge was represented--and the +maps, plans, and drawings distributed about on the different tables, +gave a fair idea of the numberless interests here claiming attention, +of the vast aggregate of business constantly despatched. It was not a +comfortable room to dwell in, nor one suited to rest or repose. +Everything in it told of work--of grave, incessant occupation. + +Raven generally got through a good deal of business in the morning +hours; but to-day he set at his writing-table, resting his head on his +hand, and cast not so much as a glance at the pile of letters and +memorials, of reports and schedules, before him. His countenance wore +the pallor born of a sleepless night, and its austerity of expression +was more striking than usual; otherwise his features were as of bronze +in their perfect immobility. + +Immersed in sombre thought, he did not even look up as the study-door +opened. A servant, whom he had sent to the Baroness's apartments to +summon his ward to him, entered, and announced that the young lady +would be with his Excellency immediately. + +A few minutes later, Gabrielle followed the messenger, and, coming into +the study, closed the door behind her. She wore a plain white morning +dress, the simplicity of which became her well, and even in the grey +uncertain light of that autumn day her brightness shone undimmed. Last +night's ball had left no trace behind. Her elastic youth knew as yet +neither languor nor lassitude. The girl's face was blooming and fresh +as ever, its colour being, perhaps, at this moment a little heightened +by excitement, for there was no mistaking the nature of the interview +she had now to undergo. With the entrance of that slender white figure, +a sunbeam had stolen into the gloomy room: all at once it seemed to +grow lighter and more cheerful. + +The Baron himself must have had some sense of this. He rose, and +advanced a few paces to meet his visitor. At sight of her, his features +relaxed from their set sternness, and his voice, though very grave, was +not harsh, as he addressed her: + +"I have several questions to put to you, Gabrielle. My words last night +will have prepared you for them; and I shall expect to hear from you in +reply the truth, and the whole truth." + +He put forward a chair for her, and seated himself opposite her. The +young lady's attitude bespoke confidence rather than timidity. It had, +of course, become manifest to her that the tactics by which she +prevailed in any dispute with her mother would not here stand her in +stead; that she could not hope to carry her point by open defiance, or +by a few tears; but she had resolved to avow her love boldly, and to +show herself strong, heroic even, in its defence. + +The Baron, she knew, doubted her firmness with an incredulity fixed, +and to the full as insulting, as that professed by George; and, +strangely enough, she felt a far greater satisfaction in convicting her +guardian of his error, than in raising her lover's estimate of her +character. At this moment the romance of the situation was uppermost in +her mind, outweighing any anxiety as to the issue of the impending +conflict. + +"My questions concern Assessor Winterfeld," began the Baron. "Your +mother tells me you met him in Switzerland. He frequently came to your +house, and you probably held much free and unconstrained intercourse +with him." + +"Yes," said Gabrielle, somewhat disconcerted. The matter was not taking +a dramatic turn at present. Her guardian spoke in the most tranquil of +tones. + +"Have you often seen or spoken to him, since you came to R----?" + +"Twice only--the day he called on mamma, and last night at the ball." + +"On no other occasion?" + +"No." + +The Baron drew a deep breath of relief. + +"This young man evidently pays you a degree of attention which +oversteps the bounds of ordinary gallantry," he continued; "and you +seem not only to suffer, but to encourage it." + +Gabrielle was silent. + +"I expect an answer, Gabrielle." + +She looked up. There was no sign of fear in her face. It spoke rather +of open rebellion. + +"And if that were the case?" she asked. + +"It would be high time to put an end to such childish nonsense," Raven +answered sharply. "You must know very well that nothing serious could +ever come of it." + +The young lady tossed her fair head with an offended, yet a most +resolute air. Now came the decisive moment; now was the time to show +her heroism, and to inspire her guardian with respect. He had no idea +as yet how grave the matter in question was. He treated it as a silly, +passing fancy. + +"It is not mere childish nonsense," she replied, with the utmost +decision. "George Winterfeld loves me." + +The Baron's eye flashed fire. He rose quickly, and folded his arms on +his breast, as though to compel himself to be calm; but his voice was +low and menacing as he answered her: + +"Oh, oh! he has told you this already? Last night, perhaps, during your +waltz?" + +"He told me long ago, in Switzerland, that he loved me." + +Raven laughed out loud--a short, harsh laugh. + +"I suspected it, I vow," he said, with bitter sarcasm. "So you two were +acting through a romance under your mother's eyes, she having no +faintest notion of it the while. Well, it is what one might expect from +her. But it is less easy to deceive me. If you intended that, you +should have guarded your looks better; they were far too eloquent +yesterday evening. I can make many excuses for you, Gabrielle, on +account of your youth and inexperience--a few sentimental phrases +suffice to turn the head of a girl of seventeen; but this romantic +trifling is too dangerous for me to permit it to go on longer. I shall +remind Assessor Winterfeld of the barriers which separate him from the +Baroness Harder--from my niece, and that in a way which will impress +itself on his memory. Henceforward you will neither see nor speak to +him. I forbid this folly, once for all." + +He strove in vain to preserve his sarcastic tone; the terrible +irritation which lay behind would break through at times. Gabrielle, +indeed, did not remark this; she heard only the scornful derision of +his words. The girl was prepared for reproaches, for an outbreak of +fierce anger on the part of her guardian, for she knew how his pride +would revolt against such a union; but, instead of wrathfully +upbraiding her, he treated George and herself as a pair of naughty +children, who must be duly punished for the fault they had committed. +He spoke in the most contemptuous tone of 'trifling' and of +'sentimental phrases,' and thought that, by launching his edict, he +could at one stroke destroy the happiness of two grown-up persons. This +was too much. The young lady now rose in her turn, vibrating with +indignation. + +"You cannot do that, Uncle Arno," she said vehemently. "George has a +claim on me which he will certainly vindicate. He has my word--my +promise. I am betrothed to him." + +She had made her confession boldly, unhesitatingly; and now she paused, +waiting for the coming storm, but none came. Raven replied not a word. +A grey pallor overspread his face, and his hand grasped convulsively +the back of a great arm-chair that was near him, while he gazed with a +strange, fixed look at Gabrielle. + +She stood before him silent and confused. It was not exactly fear which +possessed her, but rather a secret, inexplicable dread growing up +within her beneath that gaze, a vague presentiment of coming evil, +against which she struggled in vain. + +After a minute's pause, the Baron spoke again: + +"This matter has certainly gone further than I supposed; and you have +considered you were doing right in keeping it a secret from your mother +and myself?" + +"We feared we should be parted if our attachment were known," answered +Gabrielle, in a low voice. + +"Oh! And what do you imagine will happen now?" + +"I do not know; but I am determined I will keep my word to George, come +what may, for I love him." + +This word at length let loose the fury of the storm hitherto held in +check. With a movement of rage. Raven dashed the chair aside, and +strode up to the young girl. + +"And you dare to say that to me?" he broke out. "You dare, without my +knowledge and consent, to enter into an engagement which you know I +shall decidedly oppose--to defy me openly? You build on the indulgent +kindness I have shown you up to this time. It is at an end from to-day. +Do not challenge me too far, Gabrielle; you may bitterly repent it. I +have means of bringing a perverse, rebellious child to reason--means I +shall unsparingly use against both you and him. Winterfeld shall answer +to me for this surreptitious love-making, for the sweet speeches with +which he has befooled you into giving a promise--a promise which is +null and void, seeing that you are not free to dispose of yourself as +yet. He courts in you the presumptive heiress, and calculates that +through her he shall attain to wealth and influence. He may find +himself deceived. I alone have to decide as to your future, which is +altogether in my hands. Your lot in life depends on me, and if I accord +to you a brilliant position, I shall expect implicit obedience in +return. At no time, and under no circumstances, can there be a question +of such a marriage. I refuse my consent, and you must perforce bend to +my will." + +Gabrielle had recoiled a step before this fierce outburst, but +nevertheless she met it bravely. The "child" possessed more stability, +more strength of purpose, than Raven supposed. She was not to be +intimidated by his imperious words or threatening looks. + +"You have no rights over me, except those of a guardian, and they will +expire at my majority," she replied, with most unusual energy. "My +future and my position in life concern George alone. I shall accept the +lot that he can offer me, whatever it may be. No calculating thought +has ever entered his mind with regard to me. George's affection----" + +The Baron stamped furiously. + +"George, and nothing but George! I forbid you to speak so of this +Winterfeld in my presence. You will never be his wife--never, I tell +you--at least, while I live." + +The young girl drew herself erect. She was indignant at, rather than +daunted by, his extreme vehemence. "Uncle Arno, you are horribly, +cruelly unjust. You----" + +Suddenly she stopped. Her eyes met his, and the ardent consuming fire +in them seemed to scorch her with its intense glow. It was not the +blaze of hatred, nor of anger. There was suffering in that look, +fierce, wild pain stimulated almost to madness. Gabrielle pressed both +hands on her bosom. She felt as though breath and consciousness were +forsaking her; then, vivid as lightning, with a blinding, stupefying +shock, the truth flashed upon her. She grew deadly pale, and caught at +the back of the chair as though for support. + +This movement of hers in some measure restored the Baron to himself. He +saw the great paleness which overspread her features, and attributed it +in some measure to fear aroused by his violence. This man, accustomed +to the severest self-control, had, probably for the first time in his +life, allowed himself to be carried beyond bounds. He felt this, and by +a supreme effort of his will endeavoured to master his agitation. A +deep and painful silence followed; a silence which weighed on both, but +which neither ventured to break. Raven had gone up to the window, and, +with his fevered brow pressed against the panes, remained gazing out +into the misty landscape. Gabrielle still stood motionless in her +place. + +"I have alarmed you with my vehemence," said the Baron at last, without +turning round. "Such matters require to be discussed quietly, and we +are neither of us in a fitting frame of mind just now. To-morrow, later +on, perhaps----Leave me, Gabrielle." + +She obeyed, walking with bowed head to the door, but there she paused. +Again, as on the preceding evening, she felt, without seeing it, the +look which rested on her; and again, as then, she was constrained by +some mysterious attraction to meet that look. Raven had, indeed, +turned, and was following her with his eyes. + +"One thing more," he said--his voice was completely under control now, +but it had a dull unnatural sound--"not a word, not a line to him. I +will speak to him myself." + +Gabrielle left the room, and returned to her mother's apartments. The +Baroness, who was a late riser, had but just completed her morning +toilet. On going into the breakfast-room, she missed her daughter, who +was generally there before her, and was about to inquire of the +servants as to the reason of her absence when the young girl herself +appeared. + +"Why, child, where have you been all this time? Not out of doors, I +hope, in such miserable weather. You would take a dreadful cold, +wandering about in that light morning dress. But you look quite pale +and disturbed! Has anything happened?" + +"No, mamma," said her daughter, in a low, half-stifled voice. + +The Baroness looked at her with concern. + +"You are not well, I am sure. You were overheated with dancing +yesterday evening, when we went through those cold corridors. Take a +little hot tea, dear--it will do you good." + +Gabrielle declined the offered cup. + +"No, thank you, mamma. I would rather go back to my room, and try and +rest a little." + +"But your uncle is accustomed to see you here at breakfast-time." + +"Tell him I am not well. He will not miss me to-day. I _cannot_ stay." + +With these words she left the room. The Baroness remained alone, +wondering not a little at her daughter's sudden fit of reserve, which +was as strange to her as the white wan look on that blooming face. At +this moment the Baron's valet entered with a message from his +Excellency, who begged to be excused--he would not appear at breakfast +that morning. Madame von Harder shook her head at this announcement; +but she was not gifted with any special powers of combination, and +moreover she knew nothing of the interview which had taken place in her +brother-in-law's study. It did not occur to her, therefore, to connect +the two circumstances. She thought no more of the matter, but sat down +to table, a little put out at having to breakfast alone. + +In the Chancellery the Governor's appearance was that day looked for in +vain. It was his custom to go there early in the morning, but on this +occasion he remained shut up in his study, and allowed the most +necessary business to be transacted by Councillor Moser. The +Councillor, who had some pressing matters to submit to his chief's +notice, came back from an audience with an important mien, and the +tidings that his Excellency was by no means graciously disposed that +morning. This was true enough. The Baron had listened to the various +communications to him with great impatience and visible absence of +mind, had given the needful instructions in a hurried manner most +unusual to him, and had dismissed the worthy Councillor as speedily as +possible. That gentleman, who always claimed to know more than others, +hinted at weighty Government despatches recently received, and all the +clerks put their heads together, and indulged in endless speculations +and conjectures. + +Half an hour later. Assessor Winterfeld was summoned to the Governor. +There was nothing remarkable in this, as he had to take in his report +in the course of the morning, and the fact of his being sent for before +the appointed hour could easily be explained by the numerous pressing +calls on the Baron's time. + +The young man, therefore, obeyed the summons with unsuspicious +alacrity. He entered the cabinet, his head full of the statement he had +prepared, set his papers in order, and waited for the signal to begin. + +"We will leave that," said Raven. "The report can stand over for +to-day. I have other matters to discuss with you." + +George looked up in astonishment, and only then became aware of his +chiefs altered attitude. The dignified calm with which that personage +was wont to receive his officials had stiffened into freezing hauteur. + +He stood leaning against the bureau, and eyed the young man before him +from head to foot, as though he then saw him for the first time, +scanning his features with a severe, unerring scrutiny which seemed to +pierce him through and through. Undisguised hostility was expressed in +that steady, frowning gaze, as it was, indeed, in the Baron's whole +bearing. + +George saw this at a glance, and at once understood the words which had +struck him as enigmatical. He understood that he alone was the object +of the Baron's displeasure, and guessed what had provoked it. The +long-looked-for catastrophe had come at last, and the young man braced +himself to face it with quiet resolution. + +"I have this morning had an interview with my ward, Baroness Harder, in +which your name was mentioned," began the Governor. "No explanations +are required from you. I already know what has happened, and I must +call you to account for the manner in which you have misled that young +lady, causing her to fail most unpardonably in the sincerity and +respect she owes to her family." + +George cast down his eyes. His quick sense of honour allowed the +reproach as well-founded. + +"I have possibly erred in remaining silent until now," he replied. "My +only excuse lies in the fact that my position has not yet qualified me +to prefer my suit openly." + +"Indeed? I should have thought that such an obstacle in the way of your +suit would also have prohibited a declaration of your sentiments." + +"Had it been premeditated, certainly; but, your Excellency, that was +not the case. In an unguarded moment my secret escaped me: only when it +had found utterance, when my words had been accepted, did reflection +regain the upper hand; and then I was forced to confess to myself that +for the present I could advance no grounds entitling me to approach +Baroness Harder as a suitor for her daughter's hand." + +"It is well you make the admission yourself," remarked the Baron, with +withering scorn. "I should otherwise have been under the necessity of +making the fact clear to you. If Fräulein von Harder has made you +promises, they, naturally, count for nothing, having been given without +my knowledge or her mother's; and it would be simply absurd for you to +build on them. Romantic notions should be left to the domain of +romance. I regret that my niece should have lent an ear to such +extravagant folly, but you will hardly expect me to deal with it as a +matter calling for serious consideration." + +The young man's face began to flush beneath this contemptuous +treatment, and the rising irritation within him betrayed itself in his +voice, as he answered: + +"I do not know that an earnest and pure affection, which has been +tarnished by no unworthy thought, which has held its object as some +high and sacred thing apart, should be met by derision only. I have +kept it a secret so far, and have caused Fräulein von Harder to do so +likewise, because I knew that time and much continuous labour on my +part were needed to remove the obstacles that stand in my path, because +I foresaw that every effort would be made to separate us. In that alone +am I culpable. My conduct in that respect may deserve blame, but those +who have had experience of love will not judge me too harshly. I own I +was not prepared to find our mutual attachment treated as mere romantic +folly." + +"And what do you expect me to think of it?" asked Raven, ironically. +"It seems to me you have every reason to be grateful to me for adopting +this view of the case, as it alone admits of a lenient judgment. If I +knew that you and Gabrielle were seriously contemplating the +possibility of a union----" He paused, but the look which completed the +sentence was significant enough, and fraught with evil presage. + +"Would your Excellency have preferred that we should be attached +without contemplating a lifelong union?" asked George, quietly. + +"Mr. Winterfeld, you forget yourself," thundered the Baron. "The blame +of this secret understanding lies not with my niece, but with you. That +young girl was not in a position to measure its importance, or rightly +to estimate the situation. You were fully able to do both, and were +aware of the barriers which stood between you; it is with you, +therefore, I must now reckon. You are one of my youngest clerks, +without name or rank, without fortune or prospects. By what right do +you venture to aspire to the hand of the young Baroness Harder, who is +accustomed to all the luxuries of life, and who has a claim to move in +circles widely remote from yours?" + +"By the same right as that whereon Baron von Raven relied, when, under +circumstances in all respects similar, he sued for the hand of the +Minister's daughter, who subsequently became his wife--by right of my +confidence in the future." + +Raven bit his lip. "It appears to be with you a foregone conclusion +that in point of success your career will resemble mine. It is rather +venturesome on your part to place yourself thus boldly on a par with +me. Besides, the comparison does not hold good. I was one of the +Minister's most intimate friends long before I became his son-in-law. I +knew that he favoured my suit, and had assured myself of his consent +before I addressed his daughter. That is the only honourable course to +pursue in such matters. Mark what I say, Mr. Winterfeld." + +"Your Excellency, no doubt, acted more correctly, and with more +deliberation; but--I loved Gabrielle!" + +A furious gleam shot from the Baron's eyes, as he turned them on the +audacious offender who dared to remind him that his own marriage had +been one of calculation. + +"I must beg of you, in my presence, to give the Baroness Harder her +fitting title," said he, in his sharpest tone. "As to the +disinterestedness of your affection, were you unaware of the fact that +my niece is generally looked upon as my heiress?" + +"No; but I supposed that any dispositions to that effect would be +reversed in the event of the young Baroness's marrying without her +guardian's consent." + +"The supposition was correct. And you are really selfish enough to rob +the girl you profess to love of all the advantages bestowed on her by +birth and fortune? You would condemn her to an existence which would be +nothing but one long series of sacrifices? A most noble and +disinterested love, truly! Fortunately, Gabrielle Harder is not the +heroine required for such an idyl; and I will take care that she does +not become the victim of a youthful error, which she would expiate with +swift and bitter repentance." + +George was silent. That was the sore spot with him. He had often felt, +as the Baron said, that Gabrielle was the last woman in the world for +such abnegation as this "idyl" demanded. + +"Let us make an end of this," said Raven, drawing himself up, and +waving his hand imperiously. "I cannot concede to my niece a right to +dispose of her future without my knowledge or consent, and I decline to +enter into a discussion respecting wishes and hopes, which are, for me, +simply non-existent. You know that a guardian's powers are unlimited as +a father's, and you are bound to submit to my decision. I shall expect +that you, as a man of honour, will abstain from any attempt to carry on +this clandestine understanding, which is calculated to injure the young +lady's fame, and has already disturbed her relations with her family. +Open intercourse I, naturally, prohibit from this date. You will give +me your word that you will in no way seek to communicate with my ward +in secret." + +"If I am allowed once more to see and speak to Baroness Harder, even +though it be in the presence of her mother." + +"No." + +"Then I cannot give the required promise." + +"Reflect well, Assessor. Remember who it is you are braving," warned +the Baron, and there was unmistakable menace in his tone. + +The young man's fine clear eyes met those of his chief fearlessly, yet +the sombre fire smouldering in these latter was of a nature to make him +pause and reflect. The two men stood face to face, like wrestlers, +measuring each other's strength before the struggle. The younger, calm +and resolute; the elder, vibrating in every nerve with terrible +agitation. + +"I brave only a harsh and unjust sentence," said George, taking up the +last words, "Your Excellency decrees our separation, and we must yield +to the sentence, having no arms wherewith to defend ourselves; but to +refuse us an interview--the last, probably, for years--is, I repeat it, +both harsh and unjust. I do not know how Fräulein von Harder may be +worked upon, in what manner my silence and reserve may be interpreted +to her. I must, at least, tell her, once for all, that I maintain my +right to her hand, and that I will spare no exertion to deserve it. +This I shall attempt to say by letter or by word of mouth, with or +without your Excellency's leave." + +He bowed and went, not waiting for the usual signal of dismissal. Raven +threw himself into a chair. The interview had taken an unexpected +course. His intercourse with Winterfeld had hitherto been simply +official. He had always considered him to be talented and clever in his +profession, without ascribing to him any very extraordinary merit--the +difference of position precluded all close contact and deeper interest. +To-day, for the first time, they had met, not as superior and +subaltern, but as man to man; and to-day the Baron had discovered that +behind that modest demeanour and that mild, clear brow, there lay +concealed an energy equal to his own. + +He was accustomed to break down all resistance by the sheer might of +his imposing word and presence, but on this occasion that might and all +the prestige of his exalted station had been summoned to his aid in +vain. He had succeeded neither in abasing nor in intimidating his +adversary; in more than one respect he must acknowledge him as his +peer. Gabrielle had bestowed her love on no unworthy object; this was +the secret trouble which gnawed at the man's heart, as he lay back +brooding in his chair. He would have given much really to be able to +look on this attachment as a piece of youthful folly, and to tear the +two asunder in the name of reason and common sense. Now there remained +to him only that miserable pretext of rank and fortune, and his own +case might be cited to show how easily these obstacles are surmounted +when an energetic will sets itself to break them down; though, with +him, the incentive to action had been of another and a lower order. + +That most beautiful and sacred privilege of youth, a spontaneous, +soaring passion, heedless of hindrances, and oblivious of worldly +possibilities, Arno Raven had never enjoyed, or cared to enjoy. He had +put from him the dream of love and happiness, while love and happiness +were the just appanage of his years; his ambitious plans left him no +time to indulge in dreaming. Now, in the autumn of his life, the fair +vision rose before him, golden, ethereal, spreading about him its soft, +delusive shimmer, taking his best strength captive, until he suddenly +awoke, and found himself in the presence of a stern, cruel reality. +Youth yearns after youth, and the middle-aged man, at the very zenith +of his success and greatness, looked from his lonely height on the +waste desolate tract around. Perhaps in this hour he would have given +his hardly-won success and all the sweets of power only to be young +again. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + +Dr. Max Brunnow learned from his friend's mouth the sentence of +banishment passed on him by Councillor Moser; he treated the whole +subject, however, with most unbecoming levity. + +"I positively should have gone again," he said, laughing. "That +excellent old gentleman, with his bureaucratic majesty of demeanour and +his prodigious cravat, is a sight worth seeing, and the girl is really +in want of rational medical advice; I can understand that 'the most +loyal subject of his most gracious Majesty' should banish my father's +son from the precincts of his home, but it is a pity my practice in +R---- should be thus summarily brought to an end. It promised to be, if +not remunerative, at least amusing." + +Another case soon came under the young man's notice, which, though even +less likely to be lucrative, provided in an unhoped-for degree the +"amusement" here so ruthlessly denied him. George had begged his friend +to visit the wife of a poor law-writer who occasionally copied for the +Assessor, and for whom the latter had often obtained employment in the +Government bureaux. The wife had long been suffering from some wasting +disease. The doctor called in to her came but seldom, declared with a +shrug of the shoulders that there was not much to be done, and finally +ceased his visits altogether, the family being in impoverished +circumstances and quite unable to pay his fees. Max at once responded +to his friend's appeal, and went next day to the cottage indicated to +him as the patient's dwelling, which was situated in the suburb lying +at the foot of the Castle-hill. + +A little girl about ten years of age opened the door, and admitted the +young surgeon to a scantily-furnished room. Two younger children ceased +from their play to stare at the strange gentleman with big eyes of +astonishment; the mother, wrapped in blankets and supported by pillows, +sat in an old arm-chair. Max was going straight up to the invalid when +he paused suddenly, seeing at her side a young lady with pale cheeks +and smoothly-braided hair, attired in a dark, nun-like dress. She was +reading aloud from a volume she held in her hand, its gilt edges and +the cross on the cover unmistakably denoting a prayer-book. The young +lady was Councillor Moser's daughter. She ceased reading, and rose in +some confusion on recognising the new-comer. + +"Good-morning, Fräulein," said Max, quietly. "Excuse my disturbing you, +but mine is a doctor's errand to an invalid, and this time I really am +the person expected, and no mistake." + +The young girl crimsoned to the temples, and drew back. She made no +reply. Dr. Brunnow now introduced himself to the sick woman, who was +prepared for his visit. He began at once to question her as to her +symptoms, in order to ascertain the precise stage the malady had +reached. He went to work in no specially mild or considerate manner, +not attempting consolation, or even giving any decided hope or +encouragement; but his brief, clear remarks, and prompt, definite +instructions, inspired confidence, and produced on his patient a +remarkably soothing effect. + +Meanwhile Agnes Moser had remained in the background, busying herself +with the children. She seemed hardly to know whether she ought to go or +stay, but at length determined on the former course. She put on her +hat, and took leave of the invalid, who expressed her warm and earnest +thanks for the girl's kindness. But if Agnes thought so to escape +further intercourse with Dr. Brunnow, she was mistaken. With a few +brief parting words he enjoined strict attention to his instructions, +promised to return the following day, and then, with the utmost +coolness and easy serenity, followed the girl as she went out. + +"So I am not to look on you as my patient any longer, Fräulein?" he +began, as soon as they were out of doors. "Your father seems to +attribute to me all the blame of a misunderstanding for which I really +was not responsible. He had me informed in the most unequivocal terms +that he did not desire a renewal of my visit." + +Agnes cast down her eyes in painful embarrassment. + +"I beg your pardon, Dr. Brunnow; the fault was mine alone. Pray believe +that it is no want of confidence in your professional skill which +induces my father to decline your advice. There are, I believe, other +grounds----" + +"Political grounds!" interrupted Max, with undisguised irony. +"Councillor Moser detests the revolutionary name I bear; he insists +upon seeing in me a socialist and a demagogue. Far be it from me to +impose my counsels on him or on you, but I should like to ask the fate +of my prescription. You made no use of it, I suppose." + +"Oh yes," replied Agnes, in a low voice. "I took the medicine." + +"With any good result?" + +"Yes. I feel better since I began it." + +"I am glad to hear that. But how does my worthy colleague, who is now +treating you, approve of your taking another doctor's advice?" + +"No one is treating me just at present," confessed the young girl. "Dr. +Helm, who was originally sent for, took the mistake that had occurred +in very ill part. I suppose I was rather embarrassed and at a loss what +to do when he called, for he withdrew at once on finding that a +prescription had already been given, and he received the excuses my +father has since made him very coolly indeed. As I felt better the very +day after I began your medicine, I thought--well, I have just gone on +following your instructions." + +"Keep to that," said Max, dryly. "There can be nothing treasonable in a +bottle of medicine. The Councillor himself must admit so much." + +They had now reached the Castle-hill, and Agnes stopped, confidently +expecting that her companion would here leave her; but he merely +remarked, "You are going through the Castle-hill gardens, I suppose. +That is my way too," and remained by her side, looking as though it +were the most simple and natural thing in the world for him to bear her +company. + +The young girl glanced timidly and anxiously up at him. Her shyness +would not allow her to decline his escort, so she resigned herself to +the inevitable, and they walked on together. + +"As regards my present patient," the young surgeon recommenced; "her +condition is precarious no doubt, but not altogether hopeless. Perhaps +we may yet be able to preserve her to her family. From the poor woman's +expressions of gratitude, I gather that you have already made her +frequent visits." + +"We heard of the family's distressed circumstances," answered Agnes. +"The husband occasionally does some work for the Chancellery, and my +father knows him to be industrious and deserving; so I determined I +would go and see the invalid, to give her, at least, some spiritual +consolation." + +"Spiritual consolation is quite superfluous at present," said Max, in +his rough way. "Strong beef-tea and nourishing wine would be of a great +deal more use." + +Fräulein Agnes seemed inclined to execute one of those rapid retreats +which at their first meeting had marked her horror of his impious +speeches; but on this occasion she thought better of it, and held her +ground. There was even a spice of sharpness in her gentle low-toned +voice, as she answered: + +"I have provided for such wants as well, and will continue to do so to +the extent of my ability; but it seemed to me urgently necessary that +this sick woman should be prepared for the Heaven which may shortly +open its gates to her." + +"Rather a singular occupation for a young lady of your years," remarked +Max. "At your age it is usual to prefer the things of this world, and +to leave heavenly joys to take care of themselves." + +Agnes was evidently offended at his jesting manner. Her accustomed +gentleness forsook her for a moment, and she answered in rather an +angry tone: + +"I have already renounced the world, and such pious offices are only a +preparation for my future vocation. In a few months I am to take the +veil." + +Max stopped abruptly, and looked at her in amazement. + +"My dear young lady, this won't do at all!" he cried suddenly. + +"Dr. Brunnow, I must beg of you----" interrupted the young girl, +warningly; but Dr. Brunnow was not deterred by this protest against his +unwarrantable interference. + +"I tell you this won't do at all," he repeated decidedly. "You are in +ill health, of a very delicate constitution, and you need the greatest +care if you wish to get permanently cured. Cloister-life, with its +severe regulations, its retirement, and all the fatigue and excitement +of prayer and penance which make up its daily routine, is utterly +unsuited to a person of your temperament. The result to you would +infallibly be a pulmonary complaint--consumption--death!" + +The young doctor delivered this speech with oracular solemnity, as +though he in person would be called on to dispense the threatened fate, +and his words did not fail in their effect, Agnes looked at him with a +scared expression of countenance; then she bowed her head resignedly, +and said in an almost inaudible voice: + +"I did not think my illness was so serious." + +"It is not serious, if you will lead a sensible and natural life," said +Max, quite wrathfully; "but convent-life is the climax of all that is +unnatural and absurd, and you would assuredly fall a victim to it +before many years were over." + +Agnes considered whether it would not become her speedily and at once +to fly from this doctor, whose impiety was becoming more and more +manifest; but she determined to cast one last searching glance into the +depths of his depravity before going, so she asked in her turn: + +"You hate all monasteries and convents?" + +"It is my vocation to combat all the plagues and ills that afflict +suffering humanity," replied the young surgeon, with malicious +sincerity. + +"And you hate religion as well?" + +"Well, that depends upon what you call by that name. Convents and +religion are very different things, you know." + +This was too much for the nun-elect. She hastened her steps, in order +to escape from so dangerous a neighbourhood; but she gained nothing by +this strategy. Max immediately fell into her pace, and they continued +side by side as before. + +"You are of a contrary opinion, of course," he went on, no reply from +her being forthcoming; "but you have been brought up in a different way +of thinking, and amid different surroundings from those to which I am +accustomed. As for me, I should like to see all convents----" + +"Swept from the face of the earth," put in the young girl, in a +tremulous voice. + +"Not exactly that," said practical Max. "It would be a pity to demolish +so many handsome buildings, and their inhabitants might be turned to +some useful account. The nuns, for instance, one might marry off." + +"Marry off the nuns!" repeated Agnes, staring at the speaker in +petrified horror and amazement. + +"Yes; why not?" he asked, with perfect equanimity. "I don't suppose +there would be much chance of opposition on their part. It really would +be a capital thing to oblige all the nuns to enter into matrimony." + +Agnes must have felt some vague fear that the fate with which her +future sisters in the faith were menaced might suddenly overtake +herself, for now she fairly began to run--in vain, for Max ran also. + +"The notion is not so dreadful as you fancy. Every sensible person gets +married, and the great majority find it answer. It is really +unpardonable to instil into a young girl's mind such a horror of things +which come as a matter of course, and which---- Yes, Fräulein, we must +stop a minute now and rest. I have no breath left. Thank God, your +lungs are still as sound as a bell, or they could not have stood that +rapid charge." + +Agnes stopped likewise, for she too was panting for breath. Her cheeks, +usually so pale, were rosy now with the exertion, and the bright colour +suited her delicate little face most admirably. Dr. Brunnow perceived +this, but it did not tend to soften his mood. On the contrary, he +frowned reprovingly as he caught the girl's wrist, and proceeded to +feel her pulse. + +"Why heat yourself in this most unnecessary manner? I told you you were +to be careful and to avoid fatigue. You will go home slowly now, and I +must beg that when you go out for a walk you will choose some warmer +covering than this thin mantle. Persevere with the medicine I +prescribed for you, and, for the rest, I can only repeat my former +instructions--air, exercise, cheerful occupation for the mind. Will you +follow out all this punctually?" + +"Yes," whispered Agnes, altogether intimidated by the tone of command +assumed by the young doctor, who, despite her father's august +prohibition, still played the part of family physician, and who held +her little hand so firmly in his while speaking. + +"I shall depend on your promise. As to my patient down yonder, we can +share the treatment between us. Prepare the woman for the next world by +all means, if you wish. I will do what I can to keep her in this as +long as possible, and I think her husband and children will be grateful +to me for it. I wish you good-morning, Fräulein." + +With that he took off his hat, bowed, and, turning, struck off into the +road which led to the town, while Agnes pursued her way home. Obedient +to the command laid upon her, she walked slowly at the regulation pace; +but, inwardly, her spirit revolted against this Dr. Brunnow. He +certainly was a dreadful person, without religion, without principles +of any sort, sneering at the most sacred things, and so rough and +unfeeling in his manner withal! But, indeed, what could one expect from +the son of a man who had wished to upset Church and State, and who had +communicated to his children the same pernicious tendencies? The +Councillor had related to his daughter the story of the exile's crimes, +painting them in the blackest colours. She was altogether of his +opinion that both Brunnows, father and son, were to be held in +abhorrence; at the same time, she resolved to pay a visit to the sick +woman on the morrow. It was obviously her duty to counteract, so far as +in her lay, the influence of this doctor, who might, possibly, cure his +patients, restoring them to bodily health, but who, while so doing, +endangered their souls' salvation by declaring all spiritual +consolation to be quite "superfluous." + + + + + CHAPTER IX. + + +Baroness Harder and the Governor were closeted in solemn conclave. In +the course of their interview Raven had made his sister-in-law fully +aware of the relations existing between Gabrielle and Assessor +Winterfeld, and the Baroness was almost beside herself with anger and +indignation on hearing the news. She had really not had the slightest +suspicion of how matters stood. It had never occurred to her that the +young plebeian, fortuneless Assessor could raise his eyes to her +daughter, still less that the girl could encourage so misplaced an +affection. Gabrielle's future had ever been associated in her mother's +mind with the idea of wealth and a brilliant position. Such a union as +that now in question seemed to her as absurd as impossible, and she +broke into a torrent of indignant complaint touching her daughter's +giddy conduct, and the "mad presumption" of that young man, who +supposed he had only to stretch out his hand to secure a Baroness +Harder for himself. + +Raven listened some time in sombre silence, but at length he cut short +the exasperated lady's flow of words. + +"Enough of these lamentations, Matilda. They will not alter the past by +one jot. You, of all people, have least the right to lose your temper +over this business, for the mischief occurred under your very eyes. The +fact that it went so far as a declaration, that the two ever came to an +understanding, argues a most unpardonable negligence on your part. Some +steps must now be taken in the matter, and this is the point I wish to +discuss with you." + +"Ah, what a comfort it is that I have you at my side!" cried +the Baroness, who, on principle and consistently, ignored her +brother-in-law's attacks on herself. "I know that I have always given +way too much to Gabrielle, and now she thinks she may behave to me as +she likes. You, fortunately, have more authority over her. Act with +firmness and severity, Arno. I myself implore it of you. Bounds must be +set to the insolence of that young man; his pretensions must be +checked. I will endeavour to make my daughter understand how completely +she has forgotten herself and her station in life in listening to such +proposals." + +"There must be no reproaches," said the Baron, decidedly. "Gabrielle +has already heard from me the view you and I take of the matter. +Remonstrance and worry will only drive her to more and more determined +resistance. Besides, this attachment of hers is not so absurd, nor the +young man so wholly insignificant, as you suppose. On the contrary, I +consider that the affair is very serious, and calls for immediate and +energetic action. I hope it may yet be time for this to avail." + +"Oh, that it certainly will--certainly!" chimed in Madame von +Harder. "It is impossible that my childish, volatile Gabrielle should +be so deeply, so seriously attached. She has been led away by the +impressions of the moment, has had her head turned by all the romantic +love-speeches she has heard. Young girls of her age are so apt to mix +up the nonsense they read in novels with the affairs of real life. She +will come to her senses by-and-by, and will see how foolishly she has +acted." + +"I hope so," said Raven; "and to bring this about, I have already taken +measures to prevent any meeting between the two in future. It is for +you to see that there is no interchange of letters, and I am persuaded, +Matilda, that you will know how to withstand such prayers and tears as +may be used to soften you, and that you will be guided solely by a +regard for your daughter's future. You understand, of course, that my +present intentions will not be carried into effect unless her conduct +meets with my approval, unless her marriage is one that I can sanction. +I am not inclined to reward an open opposition to my wishes by making a +will in her favour, still less am I disposed to help Mr. Winterfeld to +wealth and distinction by means of my fortune. Gabrielle is far too +young and inexperienced to take such consideration into proper account. +All the circumstances of the case are clearly before you, however, and +therefore I feel sure of your co-operation." + +The Baron was pursuing the wisest of tactics in pronouncing this most +unequivocal threat. He was fully aware of Gabrielle's unlimited power +over her mother, and of that lady's feebleness of character. Madame von +Harder would often condemn in strong terms one day that to which on the +morrow, by tears or by defiance, she would be brought to consent. His +menace would prevent any weakness of this sort, and would, he felt +certain, transform this foolishly indulgent mother into her daughter's +most wary and vigilant guardian. The Baroness had turned quite pale at +the bare mention of any possible alteration in the will. + +"I shall fulfil my duty as a mother to the uttermost point," said she, +solemnly. "Rest assured that I shall not allow myself to be deceived a +second time." + +The Baron stood up. + +"And now I wish to see Gabrielle. She has kept her room since yesterday +on the plea of illness, but I know that is only a pretext to avoid me. +Tell her that I am waiting for her here." + +The Baroness complied with her brother-in-law's request. She went, and +a few minutes later returned in her daughter's company. + +"May I ask you to leave us for a short time, Matilda?" said Raven. + +"You wish----" + +"I wish you to leave me and Gabrielle alone for a quarter of an hour." + +The Baroness was hardly able to conceal her mortification. Beyond all +doubt she had the first and best right to be present at the coming +scene between judge and culprit, and yet the Baron, with that utter +disregard for her feelings which he always showed, now sent her away, +and reserved to himself alone the important decision, disrespectfully +ignoring her maternal claims. If the lady had not cherished so lively a +fear of her brother-in-law, she would this time have rebelled against +his will; but his tone and general bearing seemed to say that to-day, +even less than on other days, would he brook contradiction; so she +submitted, or rather, as she expressed it to herself, in anguish of +heart she yielded to his cruel tyranny. + +The Baron remained alone with Gabrielle, She lingered at the farther +end of the room, and he waited in vain for her to approach. + +"Gabrielle!" + +She advanced now a few steps, but stopped in evident timidity and +distrust. Raven went up to her. + +"Are you afraid of me?" he asked. + +She shook her head negatively. + +"Then why do you shrink from me? Why are you so shy and silent? Have I +really been so harsh to you that you wish to avoid me?" + +"I have really been unwell," replied Gabrielle, in a low voice. + +The Baron scanned the youthful countenance before him, which was, +indeed, far less rosy and fresh than usual. A shadow lay on it, a trace +of some lurking trouble or anxiety very foreign to the wonted +expression of that bright, sunny face. + +Raven took the young girl's hand. He felt that it trembled and sought +to disengage itself from his grasp; but he held it notwithstanding, +held it firmly, yet without any friendly pressure, and his voice was +cold and quiet as he spoke. + +"I know what alarmed you at our last interview. Dissimulation would be +useless, I feel; but you have nothing more to fear--it is over already. +I require from you the sacrifice of a youthful inclination, and I must, +first of all, show you by example how such sentiments may be overcome. +I have been tempted occasionally to lose sight of the difference +existing between your years and mine. You have recalled to me in time +that youth willingly consorts with youth alone, and I thank you for the +reminder. Forget that which was revealed to you in an unguarded moment. +Nothing shall occur to alarm you again. I have fought down graver and +deeper troubles, and I am accustomed to subordinate my feelings to my +will. The dream is over, for I have determined that over it must be." + +As he spoke, Gabrielle had raised her eyes to his face, and they still +dwelt there, full of timid, doubting inquiry, but she made no answer. +Her hand slid unresistingly to her side as he released it. + +"And now take confidence in me again, child," continued Raven. "If I am +severe to you in this matter of your love, believe that I am moved only +by a sense of my duty as a guardian responsible for the welfare of an +inexperienced young girl committed to his charge. Will you promise +this?" + +"Yes, Uncle Arno." Lingeringly, and with an accent of strange +constraint, the name came from the young girl's lips. The old freedom +and self-possession with which she had hitherto approached her "Uncle +Arno" was gone, never to return. + +"I have spoken to Assessor Winterfeld," Raven began again; "and have +made known to him that I refuse, in the most decided manner, my consent +to your engagement. This decision is irrevocable, for I know that such +a union would, after the first fleeting illusions were dissipated, be +productive of much care and bitter regret to you, and for your sake I +must and will prevent it. You have been brought up with aristocratic +notions, and with habits suitable to your rank; you are accustomed to +wealth and luxury, and will never feel at home in another sphere. At +the best, Winterfeld could only offer you the most simple domestic life +and very moderate means. Such a marriage would entail on you a dreary, +obscure existence, and daily, hourly privations, for you must +necessarily leave behind you those comforts which have been so dear, so +indispensable to you hitherto. There may be in the world characters +strong enough to brave all this, boldly to enter on a course of +ceaseless, unwearying self-abnegation. You are not equal to such +heroism: to endure it you would need to transform your whole nature; +and I have let the Assessor feel what egotism he would be guilty of, +were he to require such sacrifices from you." + +"He only asks me to endure them for a few years," interposed Gabrielle. +"George Winterfeld is but at the beginning of his career. He will work +his way up, as you yourself have done." + +Raven shrugged his shoulders. + +"It may be, or it may be not. He certainly is not one of those men who +take fortune by storm; he will, at best, conquer, win success by +persistent quiet labour. But for this long years are needed, and above +all, he must be free, independent, as he is at present. Family cares, +and the thousand ties and considerations with which they shackle a man, +would leave him no space for the development of his talents and of his +ambitious projects. He would fall into the every-day routine of one who +works only to live, and, so falling, would be lost to all higher aims. +In this fate you, of course, would be involved. You do not realise what +it is to be dependent for your living on a sum hardly greater than that +which now defrays the expenses of your toilet. I must save you from a +practical experience of that most painful of ideals--love in a +cottage." + +A tear glistened in Gabrielle's eye as her guardian thus, with steady, +unsparing hand, drew the picture of her future lot; but she defended +her position courageously. + +"You have no faith left in any ideal," said she. "You told me yourself +that you looked on this world, and all men in it, with contempt. We +still believe in love and happiness, and therefore they may be in store +for us. George never thought of proposing to me to marry him at once. +He knows that is impossible; but in four years I shall be of age, and +he will have attained to a higher position. Then I shall be his wife, +and no one will have the right to separate us, nobody in the world." + +She spoke rapidly, and with a hurried, passionate intensity very new to +her; but the old obstinate defiance had died out of her voice. This was +not rebellion; it was rather a half-unconscious, anxious striving +against that strange sensation she had once tried to express in words, +confessing to her mother that there was about the Baron some subtle, +secret influence which troubled her, and against which she felt she +must defend herself at all hazards. To-day she sought a refuge and a +shield in her love for George, and this undefinable sense of danger it +was which lent such warmth and eagerness to her words. + +A bitter smile played about Raven's lips. + +"You appear to have most precise knowledge as to the extent of my +authority," he replied. "It has, no doubt, been sufficiently explained +to you--we study law to some purpose! Well, let the matter stand over +until you come of age. If you then repeat to me the words you have +spoken to-day, I shall make no further attempt to stop you, though from +that day forth our roads will lie apart. Until then, however, no hasty +promise, no imaginary fetters, shall bind you; and to this end it is +necessary that Winterfeld should be kept at a distance. Meanwhile, you +are absolutely free, free to accept the suit of any one whose rank in +life and personal advantages entitle him to approach you. I shall not +refuse to sanction any equal match--that is what I wished to say to +you." + +He spoke gravely and quietly. There was no unsteadiness in his voice, +not the slightest quiver about his lips, to betray how much the +engagement cost him. He had determined that the dream should be over, +and Arno Raven looked a man strong enough to make good his word. This +disciplinarian governed himself with a dominion as despotic as that he +exercised over others. Neither to his passions nor to his enemies would +he make surrender. + +He opened the door of the adjoining room, where the Baroness was +sitting. That lady, to her great vexation, had been unable to catch a +word of the interview, owing to the thickness of the _portières_, which +effectually stifled every sound. + +"We have done, Matilda," said the Baron. "I now give over your daughter +to your charge; but, once again, no reproaches--I will not have them. +Good-morning, Gabrielle." + + + + + CHAPTER X. + + +"Now I really am beginning to lose patience," said Max Brunnow, coming +in to his friend's rooms. "I think the whole world has taken up +Councillor Moser's notion that I must necessarily be a dangerous +character, because I bear the name of Brunnow. I am regarded on all +sides with suspicion, or with most respectful attention, according to +the party feeling of those present. There is, I grieve to say, no +possibility of convincing these good people that I am a peaceful +follower of the healing art, that I have no thought of stirring up +revolutions or upsetting governments; but am, on the contrary, largely +endowed with all the qualities which go to the making of a good +citizen. No one will credit this, and, by an evil chance, here I find +myself, with my ominous family name, transported into the midst of this +agitated, highly-wrought city of R----, which is constantly making +convulsive attempts to shake off its Governor, and generally conducting +itself in the most outrageously restive manner. His Excellency, +however, sits firm in the saddle, and at every plunge of the rebellious +steed drives his spurs more deeply into its flanks. He is a match for +all of you." + +Winterfeld sat leaning back in the sofa-corner. Quite contrary to his +wont, he welcomed his friend neither by word nor gesture. He hardly +listened to his speech, but said now, in a dull low voice: + +"I am glad you have come, Max. I was just thinking of going over to you +to tell you a piece of news." + +Max became attentive. + +"What is the matter? Has anything disagreeable happened to you?" + +"Yes. I am leaving R----, probably for good." + +"Leaving R----? The deuce! What is the meaning of this? Do you wish to +go?" + +"I do not wish, I am obliged, I have this morning received information +that I am transferred to the capital, to the Ministry of the Interior." + +"To the Ministry?" repeated Max. "Does that mean promotion, or----" + +"No; it is a stroke of policy on the part of the Governor," broke out +George, bitterly. "I am to be sent out of Gabrielle's way; any future +meeting between us is to be made impossible. Raven gave me notice that +he should use his power unsparingly. He has lost no time in keeping his +word." + +"You believe that this transfer originated with your chief?" asked the +young doctor, who was as grave as his friend by this time. + +"It is his work, there can be no doubt of that. He is influential +enough to get me pushed into one of the vacancies there, particularly +if it is done under colour of helping forward a striving young official +whom he wishes to befriend. I know there has never been any question of +my removal hitherto. It came upon me like a thunderclap. But I ought, +indeed, to have known the Baron. He does not merely threaten, he +strikes home. I have been visited with no outward mark of his +displeasure since our last interview. He has rather avoided direct +intercourse with me; but when it has been necessary to address a few +words to me, he has always spoken in a cool, business-like tone, making +no allusion to that which had passed between us. + +"In just the same cool, business-like manner, he this morning announced +to me my new appointment. He even added a few flattering words +respecting a report drawn up by me which had been sent in to +head-quarters, and which, no doubt, afforded him a pretext to bring the +thing about. It is looked on as a special distinction, and my +colleagues are congratulating me on the brilliant prospects opening out +before me in the capital." + +"They are right there," remarked Max, who, now that the first surprise +was over, began, as usual, to take a practical view of the matter. +"Your chief may have had personal motives for acting as he has done, +but he has not rendered you such a bad service in getting you +introduced to the Ministry. That is the stage whereon he made his own +_début_. What should hinder you from emulating his brilliant career?" + +"What good will it do me?" cried George, vehemently, springing to his +feet. "What good will it do me to struggle and fight and work my way up +yonder, while here I am being robbed of all that gives me hope in the +future and makes life dear? I know that I shall lose Gabrielle if she +remains here for years exposed to all the hostile influences which are +arrayed against us. A nature such as hers cannot hold out long under +circumstances so cruelly adverse; and to lose her is more than I can +bear." + +The young doctor had tranquilly taken possession of the sofa-corner, +and was contemplating his friend with wonderment. This agitation in one +usually so collected and sober-minded was a phenomenon he apparently +could not understand. + +"You are half distraught, old fellow," he said. "What does Fräulein von +Harder say to this separation? Has she been informed of your removal?" + +"I do not know. All communication is cut off between us; but, before I +leave, I must see and speak to her again. I must, cost what it may. If +I can find no other means, I will go straight to Baroness Harder and +force her to grant me a parting interview with my betrothed." + +Max shrugged his shoulders. + +"No offence, George, but that is an insane idea. The Baroness is, +beyond a doubt, completely under her brother-in-law's influence, and +you are not likely to obtain anything from him by defiance. Let us +consider the matter calmly and rationally. In the first place, when +must you start?" + +"In the course of a few days. They have taken good care, of course, to +appoint me to a post which must be filled immediately. It is absolutely +necessary that I should enter on my functions at once." + +"There is no time to lose, then. By-the-bye, you were at Councillor +Moser's rooms a little while ago, I think?" + +"Yes; I took him over some deeds I had had here at home." + +Max reflected. + +"Very well; that gives you a pretext to do it a second time. Take the +thickest blue-book you can hunt up in your Chancellery, if you like; +only mind you miss the august Councillor, that is the main point." + +George, who had been pacing uneasily up and down the room, stopped in +surprise. + +"What can you possibly mean?" + +"A little patience--I have a most superior plan. Fräulein Agnes Moser +is acquainted with the young Baroness--the acquaintance is slight, it +is true: the Councillor has presented his daughter to the ladies, and +the two girls have seen and spoken to each other several times." + +"But how do you know all this?" interrupted George. "You have only seen +Fräulein Moser once, I believe, on the occasion of your celebrated +visit." + +"I beg your pardon. I see and speak to her almost every day at the +cottage of the patient I am now treating by your desire. She exerts +herself for the sick woman's spiritual welfare, while I devote my +efforts to her bodily cure. This division of labour works admirably." + +"But you have never said a syllable to me about it." + +"Why should I? You are in love, and people in that condition lose all +interest in rational matters." + +The malicious intent of this speech escaped George, who was absorbed by +the prospect of meeting Gabrielle. + +"And you think this young girl, who, as I hear, has been brought up in +a nunnery on the strictest conventual principles, will lend herself to +be a go-between?" he asked. + +"Ah, it will be a deuce of a work to bring her to it, no doubt," +answered the young doctor, reflectively; "but never mind, I will make +the attempt. If nothing else answers, I will allow myself to be +converted in due form; then she will be so taken up with the idea of +saving my soul and fitting me for heaven, that she will consent to +anything. Be it made known to you, therefore, that my conversion is +imminent." + +George was forced to smile, in spite of his cares. + +"Poor Max!" he said compassionately. + +"I say, George," said Brunnow, quite gravely, "that is another of those +preconceived notions which people adopt without knowing why. They fancy +the process of conversion must necessarily be dismal and tedious; but, +I assure you, it is a mistake. Under certain circumstances it may be +agreeable enough. I tell you I positively feel a void when I don't go +down to my patient's house, where the proselytising business is carried +on." + +"By your patient?" + +"Nonsense! By Agnes Moser. Up to the present time she has considered me +a hardened reprobate, and, of course, she abhors me in consequence; +nevertheless we have got on together pretty fairly. The saintly +mildness, for instance, which nearly drove me wild at first, has almost +disappeared, thanks to my treatment. She can show quite a pretty little +temper of her own now, and we frequently quarrel in the most edifying +and delightful manner." + +George turned a scrutinising gaze on his friend's face. + +"Max," said he, abruptly, "so far as I am aware, Councillor Moser has +no private fortune." + +"What in the world has that to do with me?" + +"Well, I was thinking of your marriage programme--'Clause No. +I--Money.'" + +Dr. Brunnow jumped up from his sofa-corner, and stared at his friend in +astonishment. + +"What can you be thinking of? Agnes Moser is going to be a nun." + +"So I have heard; and a convent education would hardly go well with +the easy, comfortable sort of life you hope to lead after marriage. +Over-refinement in a wife would be rather in your way, and as to the +practical qualities of a housewife and the robust health----" + +"It is not needful that I should hear all this from your sage lips. I +know it well enough without being told," broke out Max, in a rage. +"Really, I cannot understand how you can draw inferences so unfounded. +You fancy everybody must be in love, because you and your Gabrielle are +romantically attached. We are not thinking of such folly, but that is +the reward one gets for trying to help a friend in need. The purest +intentions are suspected. Agnes Moser and I--ridiculous!" + +Winterfeld had some trouble in smoothing his friend's ruffled feathers, +but succeeded at length. The doctor condescended to forget the absurd +suggestion which had affronted him, and promised his help in the +present emergency. Shortly after this he went away, taking his +accustomed road to his patient's house. + +The sick woman found herself in excellent case, thanks to the zeal with +which she was tended in two distinct ways. Her doctor's treatment met +with a success on which he himself at first had hardly dared to count. +A most decided change for the better had taken place in her condition. +There was good reason now to hope for her complete restoration to +health, and to-day the invalid had been able to enjoy the warm +sunshine, sitting for half an hour in the little garden which +surrounded the cottage. + +In this small enclosure Dr. Brunnow and Fräulein Moser were pacing, +very amicably as it appeared. A certain intimacy had sprung up between +the two during the few weeks of their acquaintance, the unreserve and +freedom from constraint which marked their intercourse being mainly +based on the conviction entertained by both that neither cared in the +least for the other. Agnes, indeed, cherished a serious intention of +rescuing the young surgeon from the slough of worldliness and unbelief +in which he was plunged, and the more unsuccessful her efforts to that +end appeared, the more persistently did she renew them. That there +might be peril for herself in this work of redemption, never occurred +to her. The dangers to which her heart might possibly one day be +exposed from masculine seductions had been represented to her in the +guise of flattery, of polite attentions, of sweet insinuating speeches. +Had she detected any approach to these, she would have taken fright, +and have withdrawn in the utmost haste; but from first to last Dr. +Brunnow had shown himself rough and altogether regardless of her +feelings. He could even, on occasions, be absolutely rude; and it was +to this trust-inspiring characteristic alone he owed it that the young +girl held his company to be devoid of danger. + +As regarded himself, he was certainly not in love; at least, the +indignation with which he had protested against such a supposition was +perfectly real and unfeigned. His marriage programme, as is known, +contained many practical clauses, but no allusion to the unpractical +sentimentality of love. As Agnes Moser answered to this programme +neither morally nor physically, there could, of course, be no question +of any inclination towards her on his part. + +The young doctor had, certainly, signal good luck with the cases under +his treatment, for Agnes too had revived wonderfully in the course of +the last few weeks, an improvement evidently to be attributed to the +conscientious manner in which she followed his medical advice. A faint +tinge of pink coloured the cheeks that were so pale formerly, her eye +was brighter, her carriage more erect, and she had lost much of her +excessive timidity, where the doctor was concerned at least. His +impiety and her proselytising zeal were so often brought into contact, +and the two were so frequently immersed in discussions on the most +interesting of all themes, that of necessity they grew to be on a more +familiar footing. To-day, again, the young lady had discoursed long and +earnestly to her companion, striving to make clear to him the error of +his ways; but no traces of contrition were visible on the sinner's +countenance: it beamed, on the contrary, with an expression of content +such as these theological disquisitions invariably produced in him. + +"Well, now I must ask you to lend your attention for a moment to the +things of this earth," he said, taking advantage of a pause in the +lecture. "But the matter I am about to consult you on is a secret which +I must rely on you to keep discreetly, whether you grant the request I +am going to make to you or not." + +The girl opened wide eyes of astonishment on hearing this solemn +preface. She promised silence, however, and listened eagerly for what +should follow. + +"You know Fräulein Gabrielle von Harder," went on Max; "and my friend, +Assessor Winterfeld, is not quite a stranger to you, I believe. I have +heard, indeed, from his own lips that he has had the pleasure of +calling on you once at home." + +"Yes, I remember. He came to see papa." + +"Well, the young Baroness Harder and the Assessor are in love with each +other." + +"In love!" repeated Agnes, with mingled surprise and confusion. The +subject of the conversation seemed to her to verge on impropriety. + +"Head over ears in love," said Max, emphatically. "The young lady's +guardian, Baron von Raven, and her mother, the Baroness Harder, oppose +their marriage, however, on the grounds that George Winterfeld can +offer his future wife neither rank nor fortune. As for me, I have from +the first been the guardian angel of this attachment." + +"You, Doctor?" asked the girl, surveying the "guardian angel" with a +look eminently critical. + +"You think there is nothing very angelic about me?" asked Max, in his +turn. + +"I think that, under any circumstances, it is sinful to cherish an +affection of which one's parents disapprove," was the somewhat tart +reply. + +"You don't understand these things, Fräulein," observed Max, +instructively. "People do not think of their parents when they fall in +love, and the young couple in this case have right on their side. What +is to be done when, from sheer prejudice and all manner of external +considerations, the parents and guardians set themselves to sunder two +closely wedded hearts?" + +"There is but one course for them--to submit and obey," declared Agnes, +with a solemnity which gave her for a moment a certain resemblance to +her father. + +"Those are very antiquated notions," said Max, impatiently. "On the +contrary, they must rebel and get married in spite of everything." + +Truly, Fräulein Agnes had made very remarkable progress during the last +few weeks. She no longer opposed to the doctor's reprehensible speeches +a pained and resigned silence. Having really, as he said, developed a +very fair spirit of her own, she proceeded to make use of her new +acquisition, and replied with some asperity: + +"That is, I do not doubt, the advice you have given to your friend." + +"Not at all. I have enough to do, on the contrary, to keep him within +due bounds. Well, to be brief--Winterfeld is leaving R---- in a day or +two, and they go so far as to refuse him a parting interview with his +betrothed. He must and will see her once more to bid her farewell. +Fräulein Agnes----" the speaker here made a long and most effective +pause--"it is an elevating thing to be the guardian angel of a pure, +true love. I ought to know. I have played the part long enough." + +"What is it you really mean, Doctor?" asked the girl, some faint +suspicion dawning within her; and she began to walk very fast as she +spoke. + +"I will explain to you what I mean," said Max, quickening his pace to +suit hers. + +Agnes stopped. She knew by experience that it would be futile to run +away; this incorrigible doctor was swift of foot, and could keep up +with any pace; so she yielded to his will, and listened. + +"You told me that the young Baroness Harder had called on you once," +proceeded Max. "If this were to occur again, and if, at the same time. +Assessor Winterfeld were accidentally to----" + +"Without Madame von Harder's knowledge?" exclaimed Agnes, indignantly. +"Never!" + +"But just reflect a moment----" + +"Never. It would be wrong, it would be sinful. No one but you would +ever have thought of such a plan; but I will not be your accomplice, +that I will not!" + +Fräulein Agnes was crimson with excitement and indignation; the +rebuking glance she shot at Dr. Brunnow was so keen that his eyes +should have quailed before it; but Max was a hardened offender. He +looked at the girl with unequivocal satisfaction. + +"Just see the little vixen," he said to himself. "I knew very well that +all the saintly submission and lamb-like patience were only learned by +rote. Get this confounded convent and its teachings once fairly into +the background, and a very tolerable little specimen of nature comes to +light. I must alter my tactics.--So you will not consent?" he added +aloud. + +"No!" declared Agnes, in a tone which conveyed twenty protests. + +Max put on a look of dejected resignation. + +"Then the evil must take its course. I have tried, by every means in my +power, to keep my friend from any desperate step, and I hoped, by your +help, I might succeed in obtaining for him, at least, a farewell +meeting with his betrothed. If he is to be robbed of this last +consolation, I will not answer for the consequences. It is more than +likely he will take his own life." + +"He will not do that," said Agnes, but there was a little secret +uneasiness in her tone. + +"Unfortunately I have cause to dread such a catastrophe. As for +Fräulein von Harder, she will, I fear, not survive his death. The grief +and anguish to which she will be exposed will kill her." + +"Can people really die of grief?" asked the girl, who by this time had +grown visibly anxious. + +"I have seen several such cases in the course of my practice," declared +the unscrupulous doctor, falsely; "and I have no doubt that a fresh one +will now be added to the list. The Baroness and Herr von Raven will +repent of their harshness when it is too late, and you too, Fräulein, +you will regret the decision you have now taken, for it lay in your +power to preserve two breaking hearts from despair." + +Agnes listened with deep commiseration, but also with ever-increasing +amazement. She had not believed the doctor possessed so much feeling. +That gentleman now fairly launched into a strain of touching pathos, +and seeing, not a little to his own surprise, the distinguished success +it met with, had recourse to a bold stroke for his final effect. The +suicide and the death from affliction, neither of which were at present +even in contemplation, he unhesitatingly adopted in his argument as +accomplished facts. + +"And I must live to see this cruel consummation!" he said, with +profound melancholy. "I, who had hoped to lead my friend and his bride +to the altar!" + +"You would hardly have done that, I think, in any case," put in the +young lady. "You told me yourself that you never went to church." + +"I will in future, if only this misfortune may be averted," declared +Max. "Besides, weddings are exceptions." + +Fräulein Agnes pricked up her ears at the first part of this speech. +She was far too zealous in the work of conversion not at once to grasp +the opportunity thus offered her. + +"Do you mean that seriously?" she asked hastily. "Will you really go to +church?" + +"Will you grant my request, and for one short quarter of an hour take +on yourself the _rôle_ of guardian angel?" + +Agnes deliberated. + +It was, no doubt, grievously wrong to favour a meeting prohibited alike +by mother and guardian; but, on the other hand, here was a soul to be +saved, a brand to be plucked from the burning: this last consideration +outweighed all minor scruples. The jesuitical principle, that the end +justifies the means, was once more brought into mischievous action. + +"It is Sunday to-morrow," said the girl, slowly. "If you will go to +high mass in the cathedral----" + +"I will go to early mass," put in Max, who had a vague idea that this +was generally the shorter ceremony. + +"To high mass!" said Agnes, dictatorially. She had, it seemed, taken a +lesson from the doctor himself; this was just the tone in which he was +in the habit of issuing his orders. The young diplomatist evidently +half distrusted him; at all events, she meant to make sure of the +attendance at church before pledging herself to the counter-obligation. +"To the full service," she added, "sermon and all, from beginning to +end." + +Max heaved a deep sigh. + +"If there is no help for it .... well, heaven's will be done--so be +it!" + +This pious ejaculation rejoiced Agnes's heart. She now felt confident +that the sermon would fully accomplish the work she had commenced; that +the seeds of the true faith would be planted in the soil she had so +laboriously tilled, and prepared for its reception; and, in the +effervescence of her joy at the prospect, she held out the tips of her +fingers to the adversary, who had now become her ally. Of this overture +she, however, quickly repented her; for, like the overreaching +personage of the proverb, Max at once seized the whole hand, which he +pressed and shook in the heartiest manner possible. + +Next morning, as the cathedral bells were ringing, Councillor Moser, +giving his arm to his daughter, walked with slow and stately steps down +to the church, there to take his accustomed place. The devout old +gentleman's attention was, of course, exclusively given to the sacred +ritual; he therefore did not notice that Agnes, instead of sitting as +usual in reverent meditation and with downcast eyes, was on this +occasion restless and disturbed, glancing around half anxiously, half +expectantly, as though in search of some one. She had not long to seek, +for, but a few paces from her, and in close vicinity to the pulpit, +stood Dr. Brunnow, also, as it seemed, expectantly on the watch. + +Two pairs of eyes seeking each other so persistently must of necessity +meet ere long. When this happened, and Max saw how the pale delicate +face lighted up with joyful surprise, and flushed rosy-red at sight of +him; when he caught the earnest grateful look of those dark eyes, which +had never seemed to him so expressive as to-day, he thought neither of +his programme nor of its numerous clauses--he thought only that this +visit to church was not without its decided gratifications; and he sat +down with a resolute air which plainly announced his intention of +hearing out the whole sermon from beginning to end. + +So he listened to the homily, whether with a reverent mind, or not, +must remain an open question; on the other hand, it cannot be denied +that his presence in the sacred edifice altogether disturbed the +devotions of one of the most assiduous worshippers. It really would +have been hard to decide how much was gained to the cause, or which of +the two had undergone conversion. + +On the afternoon of that same Sunday the projected interview between +the lovers took place. Chance favoured it in an unhoped-for degree. +Councillor Moser had accepted a colleague's invitation, and was away in +the town. Frau Christine had also gone out, so there was no need even +to think of a pretext. A visit from Gabrielle to Agnes Moser, and +Winterfeld's call at the house of his superior, who was unfortunately +from home, were occurrences so natural that the coincidence between +them might well pass for accidental. + +"Forgive me for having recourse to these means," said George, hastily, +so soon as he found himself alone with Gabrielle. "I really had no +alternative, and I told the Baron plainly that, notwithstanding his +prohibition, I should make an attempt to see and speak to you again. I +come to say good-bye, perhaps for years." + +Gabrielle turned very pale, and her eyes searched the speaker's face +with an expression of alarm. + +"For God's sake, tell me--what has happened?" + +"There has been no action on my part that need cause you uneasiness. +The hand which so inexorably sunders us is your guardian's. He +yesterday announced to me my transferment to the capital, and to the +Ministry, our head-quarters. You see how far his influence reaches, and +how skilfully he uses it in order to part us two." + +"No, no; you must not go!" cried Gabrielle, in great distress, clinging +to him as though for protection. "You must not leave me now, George. Do +not, do not leave me alone just now!" + +"Why not now particularly?" he asked, in surprise. + +"Do they worry and torment you on my account? But, indeed, I might have +known it. Raven is hard and unfeeling to the verge of cruelty, when he +wishes to crush down opposition. You are persecuted with reproaches, +with suspicions and threats, are you not, Gabrielle? They are doing all +in their power to break your resistance, is it not so? Speak, I must +know the truth." + +The young girl shook her head with a faint negative gesture. + +"No, no; you are mistaken. There is no question of that. Since the day +he made known to me his decision as final and irrevocable, my guardian +has never mentioned your name; and he has obliged mamma to be silent +too, to cease the storm of reproaches with which she assailed me at +first; but he just overlooks me, passes me by with frigid indifference, +and I.... Oh, George, is not it possible for you to stay near me?" + +"I cannot," said George, with difficulty restraining his own deep +emotion. "I must obey the call--it is quite impossible for me to resist +it. Under other circumstances, I should have hailed this change with +joy. It opens to me far brighter prospects than any I could have hoped +for here in R----, where the immense ascendency exercised on all sides +by the Baron keeps down individual effort, and stifles independent +thought; but I know only too well that this so-called promotion has but +one end in view: to defraud me of my highest, my best possession, to +rob me of your love, and to part us for ever. Your guardian has +summoned to his aid two mighty allies--time and distance. Perhaps they +may help him to the victory yet." + +"Never!" exclaimed Gabrielle, passionately. "The victory shall never be +his. I have given you a promise, and I will keep my word." + +George did not notice the anxious distress which again involuntarily +betrayed itself in her tone. He only heard the resolute words, the +unwonted assertion of will; and, in spite of the parting now so +imminent, a ray of happiness illumined his features. He had so feared +he might find his love as childishly careless and indifferent to the +separation as on that former occasion when she had seemed in no way to +enter into or comprehend his grief. What joy to see that she too was +moved by the news of his departure, that she strove earnestly, eagerly, +to keep him near her! The spontaneous promise she now gave him filled +him with a delight he had never before experienced. Almost mastered by +his emotion, he stooped and kissed her hand. + +"I thank you, my love," he said fervently; "but you are strangely +changed since last we met. Where is my Gabrielle's sunny brightness, +the smile which was ever ready to chase the tears from her eyes? You +said to me once in jest. 'You do not know me thoroughly yet;' and, +truly, I did not do you full justice then. The present moment brings +that home to me." + +The young girl remained silent. Her rosy lips had, indeed, lost their +trick of smiling. They seemed to close firmly upon, and keep down, some +secret sorrow which was not to find utterance in words. + +"Forgive me, if I failed to read you aright," continued George, with +ever-increasing tenderness; "I acknowledge it, I have had my doubts. I +have looked forward with fear and trembling to the inevitable collision +with your family. Now I see that you too can feel profoundly, now I +believe in you fully and completely; I believe that you will be +constant in your love, even though a Baron von Raven, armed with all +his high authority, should do his best to come between us." + +Gabrielle started at these last words, and raised her downcast eyes to +his face. The look was one George could not decipher--a look of mingled +anxiety, pain, and touching appeal; but next moment all this was +drowned in a rush of tears which could no longer be withheld. + +"My poor Gabrielle!" whispered the young man, bending over her; "you +are so little used to care and trouble; and to think that it should be +my fate, mine! to bring them on you. But we were prepared, you know, to +make a fight for our love. Now the time for the struggle has come. We +must endure and conquer. Perhaps Herr von Raven may one day repent +having played Providence in this manner. He is sending out one more +enemy into the world, and not so insignificant a one as he supposes." + +Gabrielle's tears were stayed now. She drew her hand away from him. + +"You are--you are enemies now?" she asked. + +"I have long been Raven's opponent. Do not ask me why. I will not +accuse your guardian and relative to you. The charges against him must +be brought before another forum. But, believe me, he has challenged +hatred and enmity in many quarters. He has so used his power that it +has proved baneful to all beneath his rule, and will, assuredly, one +day prove baneful to himself. It is a mistake on his part to thrust me +thus, with his own hand, forth from the magic circle that surrounds his +person, far from the fascination which has held me, as it holds so many +others, in chains, and from which I could not escape, though I felt it +crippled my strength and relaxed my will. Dr. Brunnow did not warn me +in vain against the magnetic influence of that strange man. It has +often beguiled me into admiring there where I should have condemned. +But now the spell is broken. Yonder, in the great city, I shall be +released from the ties which have hitherto bound me to the superior +officer under whose immediate orders I stood." + +"What do you mean?" asked Gabrielle, uneasily. "I do not understand +your allusions." + +"It is not meet you should," said George, firmly; "but promise me one +thing. Whatever you may hear, believe that no personal enmity, no base +desire for revenge, has prompted me to action. Long ago I resolved I +would take up the glove against the Governor of our province, for taken +up it must be; and there was no one else who ventured to enter the +lists with the omnipotent Raven. I had my arms ready. Then I learned to +know you. I heard that the man I was intending to fight to the death +held my life's happiness in his hands--and my courage failed me. It may +have been cowardly and wrong, but I should like to see the man who in +my place would have acted differently, who would have had nerve, +himself, at a single blow, to destroy life's fair promise, and all the +bright hopes which had just blossomed for him. Now they are blighted. +Your guardian, with unnecessary harshness, has refused me your hand, +has refused me even a glimmer of hope in the future--he who, when he +paid his court to the great Minister's daughter, had no more to offer +than I have! Was it strange that we parted as open enemies? For the +time to come, I will be guided by that alone which I deem duty. And +now--farewell!" + +Gabrielle held him back. + +"George, you cannot, must not leave me so--not with these vague menaces +which distress me unspeakably. What are you thinking of doing? I must +and will know." + +"Do not ask me to speak more openly," said the young man, in gentle but +decided tones. "For your own sake, I will not make you privy to my +intentions. You are not free, as I am. You must remain here under the +same roof with your guardian; you are thrown into daily intercourse +with him. It would be a constant burden on you, were you to share even +in thought in any----" + +"In any plot against him?" cried Gabrielle; and there was so strange, +so vibrating a ring in her voice, that George started. + +"Against Baron von Raven, you mean?" he asked slowly. "You do not +suspect me of anything dishonourable?" + +"No, no; but I fear ... for you ... for us all!" + +"Set your mind at rest I shall fight with my visor up, and shall speak +in the name of hundreds who dare not speak for themselves. The Governor +of R---- may return such answer as he sees fit. He has power on his +side; his voice will be heard before any other: but if I have all the +danger, I have also right on mine. And now let us say good-bye. If I +can possibly manage it, you shall have news of me from the capital; +but, though no single line should reach you, you know that all my +thoughts are given to you, that you inspire my every effort, and that I +will never renounce my claim to your hand, unless I hear from your own +lips that you have given me up." + +He clasped her in his arms for the first time since the day on which he +had made to her the avowal of his love. The parting was a bitter one. +He would not prolong the painful moment--a few fervent words +passionately whispered, a last pressure of the hand, then George tore +himself away from her, and left the room. + +Gabrielle sank on to a seat, and hid her face in her hands. Tear after +tear trickled slowly through her fingers; but her low, half-suppressed +weeping was not provoked by the grief of that separation alone. There +was another secret, unspoken sorrow shadowing the girl's soul, a great +preoccupation which threatened to efface from her memory all that had +come before. George had spoken truly. He had not hitherto read +Gabrielle aright; but if her deeper nature were now stirring within +her, revealing itself in word and look, he was not the magician whose +spell had called it forth. + + + + + CHAPTER XI. + + +Life at the Castle during the last few weeks had been anything but +agreeable. To be sure, things had outwardly taken their usual course. +The family met and talked at table, and fulfilled all their social +duties; but the former easy, familiar intercourse had given place to a +stiff reserve and constraint, which weighed heavily on each separate +member of the party. The Baroness, shallow-minded and superficial as +ever, was, perhaps, the least affected by it. She could not understand +how an insignificant, fleeting love-affair, which, after all, was +nothing more than a piece of childish folly, should have so deep and +lasting an influence on her brother-in-law's humour. To her thinking, a +complete end had been put to the matter by the Baron's decided refusal, +and by Winterfeld's departure from R----. There could be no doubt that +Gabrielle would now listen to reason. The mother had, as she supposed, +an unfailing resource at her disposal, one which would speedily drive +that romantic youthful fancy into the background. Lieutenant Wilten's +admiration for the young Baroness was growing day by day more evident, +and but little encouragement was needed to embolden him to press his +suit openly. + +Ever since the night of the ball, when Colonel Wilten had remarked how +much his eldest son was taken by the appearance and manners of +Gabrielle von Harder, that gentleman had held tenaciously to the idea +of bringing about a marriage between the two. As Raven had shown +himself impervious to the slight hints he had let fall on the subject, +the Colonel had recourse to the lady of the house, whom he found far +more amenable, and quite disposed to favour his wishes. There was not, +indeed, much to be urged against the match, which was one to satisfy a +more requiring mother than the Baroness. The Wiltens came of a good old +house, and were connected by blood, or by alliance, with some of the +foremost families of the land. They were not rich, certainly, but this +want would be supplied by Gabrielle's dowry and future fortune, in +case, as might confidently be expected, the Baron should give his +consent to the marriage. Albert von Wilten was a good-looking young +officer, whose uniform became him exceedingly well, and who rode and +danced to perfection. He was a model partner and an agreeable +companion, and he appeared to be sincerely attached to Gabrielle. In +short, he possessed all the qualities which Madame von Harder desired +in her future son-in-law; and the Colonel and his wife, to both of whom +the presumptive heiress of Baron von Raven seemed a most desirable +connection, were diligent in their attentions to mother and daughter. + +The Baroness began by sounding her brother-in-law. She soon made the +unpleasant discovery that Gabrielle, by her rebellious wilfulness and +obstinacy, had altogether trifled away the kindly feeling which her +guardian had formerly entertained towards her. This was very evident, +for he listened to the proposed scheme with icy indifference; +declaring, indeed, that he had no objection to offer, but that he must +decline to interfere, and leave the matter entirely to the Baroness's +generalship. On the other hand, that lady obtained the comforting +assurance that, as Baroness Wilten, her daughter would remain in +undiminished possession of all the advantages secured to her by her +guardian's will. This did away with any lingering hesitation, Gabrielle +herself was to know nothing of the plan. She seemed to like the young +officer, but was rather cool and reserved in her manner towards him, +and evidently attached no serious importance to the homage he paid her. +She, therefore, readily consented to accompany her mother when the +latter accepted an invitation to the Wiltens' country-house, which was +situated some miles from the town, at the foot of the mountains. The +Colonel's wife, whose health was delicate, generally spent the summer +there. She had not yet returned to town, and as there was still a +prospect of a few fine, sunny autumn days, Lieutenant Wilten never +rested until he obtained from the ladies the promise of a visit. He, of +course, at once applied for leave, in order to be with them during +their sojourn in the country; and the Colonel, too, managed to get free +of the duties of his service for a short space. The matter was thus set +in train, and it was agreed that the rest should be left to the young +people themselves. + +The Baron, who was included in the invitation, excused himself on the +plea of the pressure of business. Besides, he said, he felt it +necessary to remain at his post on account of the uneasiness still +prevailing in the town. So the ladies set out on their expedition +alone, and Gabrielle breathed freely as the carriage rolled out from +the portico of the Government-house. She, poor girl, had suffered most +from the experiences of the last few weeks, yet Raven had kept his +word. Not a look, not a word, had recalled to her that "unguarded +moment" which she was to forget, as he seemed to have forgotten it. + +George Winterfeld's name had not passed his lips since the day on which +he had informed her that the Assessor had left R---- to enter on his +new post in the distant capital; but since then the Baron himself had +become more reserved and unapproachable than ever. He governed and +ordered everything with his accustomed promptness and energy; but +between him and Gabrielle a great cleft seemed to have opened, +rendering all friendly communication impossible. He was frigid as ice +in his behaviour to her; thus it came about that she grasped eagerly at +the chance now offered her of escaping for a while from the life in +common which was every day growing more unendurable. Raven, too, seemed +to desire a separation, for he at once concurred in the plan, and +expressed no disapproval when his sister-in-law thought fit to prolong +her absence for a full fortnight. + +On the last day of their _villeggiatura_, the Governor drove out to the +Wiltens' country-seat to fetch the ladies home. But the Baroness had +taken cold, and, the weather being raw and inclement, could not venture +to undertake so long a drive. She had decided on staying the night, and +returning to town the following day with Colonel Wilten and his wife. +It was arranged, however, that Gabrielle should avail herself of her +guardian's escort. Raven, who had come over in the morning, wished to +start again directly after dinner, and Colonel Wilten in vain sought to +detain him. + +"I cannot stop," said the Baron, as the two talked together, pacing the +garden-room the while. "In the present state of affairs it would not do +for me to leave the town for more than a few hours. Even for this short +absence I had to take my precautions, leaving word that I was to be +sent for should anything happen." + +"Is the situation so critical, then?" asked the Colonel, who had been +out of town for the last week. + +"Critical?" Raven shrugged his shoulders. "There is rather more +brawling and noise than usual, and every now and then we have an +attempt at a riot; the good citizens, in short, are sufficiently giving +me to understand the dislike entertained by them towards my person and +government. I have had one or two apostles of liberty, who were +decreeing my deposition in open assembly, arrested, and hold them +safely under lock and key. The whole city is in a state of sedition in +consequence. The burgomaster came up to me himself to demand the +release of the prisoners, 'in the name of justice.' I was obliged to +make known to that gentleman that my patience is at length exhausted, +and that I shall now proceed with more vigour than I have hitherto +cared to display." + +In spite of their ironical inflection, his words betrayed deep +irritation and annoyance. Wilten, too, had grown serious. + +"The ferment has been going on for months," he observed. "If the +outbreak, which is always threatening, has been avoided so far, we owe +it to the tact and discretion of the police authorities--of the +Superintendent, in particular." + +"He and his officials will be powerless soon in face of this growing +agitation. The Superintendent is too fond of half-measures for me to +put my trust in him. No matter what orders I give, I am met with a +great show of ready compliance and prompt adhesion; but when it comes +to executing my orders, there are endless difficulties and delays, and +we make no progress at all. I am glad you are coming back to town +tomorrow; but for that, I must have asked you to shorten your leave. +You are the commandant of the garrison, and there is no saying how soon +strong arguments may be needed." + +"Your Excellency would do well to avoid any violent measures," said the +Colonel, impressively. "Once taken, they cannot be retracted, and you +know my despatches----" + +"Instruct you to place the troops of the garrison at my disposal." + +"No; they only instruct me to lend you assistance in case of extreme +necessity," replied the Colonel, a little irritated at the other's +imperious tone; "and at army head-quarters it is earnestly desired that +such a necessity may be avoided. It is really rather difficult to draw +a line, to say where your responsibility ends and mine begins. I should +hesitate to interfere in this early stage of affairs." + +"That is natural," said Raven, curtly. "You are a soldier, and +accustomed to submit to discipline. My position has always permitted me +to retain my freedom of action and independence. Nevertheless, you may +rest assured that I shall do all in my power to save you from any such +dilemma." + +"Let us hope that it will not come to the worst," struck in the +Colonel, who had no desire to excite the other's anger. Wilten was +counting a good deal just now on the Baron's friendly feeling, and, +foreseeing that this topic of conversation might give rise to fresh +unpleasantness, he let it drop, and passed to another which lay very +near his heart. + +"Well, I shall return to my post to-morrow, certainly," he began again. +"Albert has been back in town for more than a week. It was hard on him +to tear himself away at the call of duty. He lies bound hand and foot, +a captive to the charms of a certain young lady." + +Raven was silent. He stopped, accidentally, as it were, by the window +which opened on to the balcony, and, turning slightly away, looked out +into the garden. + +"I may take it for granted, I think, that my son's wishes and hopes are +no secret to you now," continued Wilten. "In these wishes my wife +and I most cordially share. If we may reckon on your support in the +matter----" + +"Has Lieutenant Wilten declared himself as yet?" interrupted the Baron, +still preserving the same attitude. + +"Not yet. We fancied there was a little reserve in Fräulein von +Harder's manner to him, and Albert had not the courage to speak out. He +will call on you in the course of the next few days. May he hope that +you will favour his cause? A father's good word is often a powerful +aid." + +"A father's good word!" repeated Raven, his voice grating with harshest +irony. + +"Well, or his who stands in the father's place. The Baroness is of +opinion also, that your counsels will have great weight with her +daughter." + +Raven passed his hand across his brow, and turned slowly round to face +the speaker. + +"When Lieutenant Wilten has communicated with me, I will acquaint +Gabrielle with his proposal, and ask for her answer; but I neither can +nor will attempt to influence my ward." + +"Of course not, of course not," replied the Colonel; "but, next to the +young lady's consent, her guardian's approval is, naturally, the first +thing to be thought of. The Baroness has led my son to hope that he may +count on you." + +"I have already told my sister-in-law that I have no objection to +offer," said the Baron, whose lips twitched, as though he were enduring +an inward martyrdom, albeit his voice retained its wonted calm. "But +the decision must rest solely and entirely with Gabrielle. If her +mother chooses to throw her influence into the scale, she can do so. I, +personally, shall not interfere." + +The Colonel seemed surprised and a little offended at this very cool +reception of his overtures, but he ascribed the other's ungenial manner +to the annoying occurrences in the town, which had evidently ruffled +his temper. + +"I can well understand that your head is full of other things just +now," he half apologised; "but when a hot-headed young fellow of my +Albert's stamp falls in love, he does not stay to inquire whether time +and circumstances are favourable to his suit; he cannot be induced to +sit down soberly and wait. But to come back to where we started. Would +it not be better to leave the ladies here awhile? R---- is not a very +pleasant place of residence just in these difficult times, and my wife +would gladly prolong her sojourn in the country if it would be any +convenience to her dear visitors." + +"Thanks, no," declined Raven. "It shall not be said that my relations +remain absent from the town because I hold the situation to be +seriously menacing. Some such reports have arisen already, and it is +high time they should be refuted." + +Colonel Wilten saw that this ground was untenable, so he yielded. The +previous arrangements as to the journey therefore held good, and a few +hours later the Baron set out in Gabrielle's company on his return to +the town, leaving the remaining trio to follow at their ease. + +It was a cool and rather stormy autumn day, with heavy showers of rain +and glimpses of sunshine alternating. The heaviest downpour had, +however, ceased about noon, and the sun, already declining to its rest, +struggled still for the mastery, breaking through the dark clouds with +which the sky was covered. In spite of the uninviting weather, Raven, +as was his wont, had driven out in an open carriage, and the handsome +horses, celebrated throughout the province for their swiftness and the +beauty of their proportions, almost flew along the road with the light +britzska. Its occupants were very silent during the greater part of the +drive. The Baron seemed absorbed in his own thoughts, and Gabrielle sat +mutely gazing out at the country through which they passed. The wind +blew keenly down from the hills, and the girl drew her mantle more +closely about her shoulders. Raven noticed the movement. + +"You are cold," he said; "I should have remembered that you are not +accustomed to drive in an open carriage in such weather. I will have +the hood put up." + +He would have at once given the coachman the order, but Gabrielle +stopped him. + +"No, thank you. I prefer even this chill keen air to a close carriage. +My cloak protects me perfectly." + +"As you like." + +Raven stooped, drew up a rug which had slipped to their feet, and +wrapped it round his companion's slender form. Then she said, in a low +and almost timid voice: + +"Uncle Arno, I have a request to make to you." + +"I am listening," he replied laconically. + +"If this close intercourse with Colonel Wilten's family is to be kept +up in town, let me be dispensed from sharing in it." + +"Why?" + +"Because, during our stay in the country, I have discovered that mamma +was following out a premeditated plan in accepting that invitation--a +plan which you favour." + +"I favour nothing," said Raven, coldly. "Your mother is guided by her +own wishes, and acts on her own responsibility. I take no part in the +matter." + +"But they will ask for your decision," returned Gabrielle. "At least, +mamma hinted to me that Albert von Wilten would shortly apply to you +with a request which----" + +"Which will concern you," concluded Raven, as she paused. "That seems +probable certainly, but you alone can decide thereupon. I shall refer +him to you for an answer." + +"Spare us both that," interposed the girl, hastily. "It would be as +mortifying to him to take a refusal from my lips as it would be painful +for me to speak it." + +"You have made up your mind, then, to decline his offer?" + +She looked up at him with great reproachful eyes. + +"Can you ask me? You know that I have given my word to another." + +"And you know that I do not recognise that promise, given in haste, as +a pledge which is to bind you. 'I have given my word to another.' A +little while ago it was, 'I love another!'" + +The observation must have struck home, for Gabrielle's face was +suffused with a deep crimson blush, and she evaded a direct reply. + +"Albert von Wilten was an object of indifference to me before," she +answered; "since I have found out that his suit is to be pressed upon +me, I have taken a dislike to him. I will never be his wife." + +The Baron drew a long deep breath which seemed to expand his chest; but +he replied, in the icy tone he had maintained throughout the +conversation: + +"I shall neither compel nor persuade you to make a choice. If, indeed, +you are firmly resolved to refuse young Wilten, it will, no doubt, be +better that his proposal should not be made. I will give the Colonel to +understand that there is no hope for him. It shall be done to-morrow." + +Raven leaned back in his seat, and the former silence set in again. +Gabrielle nestled more closely into her corner; she, who in the old +days could not have sat for the space of a quarter of an hour without +breaking forth into a flow of merry chatter, now showed no inclination +whatever to renew the conversation. A mighty change had come over the +girl, a change which could not be said exactly to date from George's +departure; before that, long before, there had arisen within her an +enigmatic unknown something against which she had battled from the +first, and which she had so long taken for the constraint of shyness +and fear. This strange new state of mind had nothing in common with the +joyous, happy sensation which had warmed her heart like sunshine when +George first confessed his love to her, when with all the fervour of +his heart he prayed for her love in return, and she, smiling and +flushing with pleasure and excitement, spoke the word he pleaded for. +Often enough she recalled the memory of that hour, fleeing to it as to +some protecting influence--sometimes it would happen that she called on +it in vain. At such moments George's image, which she strove firmly to +grasp and to retain, would recede into the background, fading gradually +away. If separation and absence were alone to blame for this, why did +not absence work a like effect with regard to that other figure which +rose before her, grave and sombre, ever more and more distinctly in +proportion as the former vision waned? During the whole of the past +fortnight that face had been with Gabrielle. + +Neither the flattering homage paid her by the young officer, nor the +thought of her absent lover, had had power to scare away the one +remembrance which by degrees was usurping absolute sway over her mind +and feelings. It was as though some sorcerer's spell had cast the young +girl's whole nature into bonds. The old merry light-heartedness, the +wilful high spirits, the childish caprices--all these had vanished, and +in their place had come dim, problematic sensations more nearly akin to +pain than pleasure; a constant flux and reflux of emotions which +Gabrielle did not understand, but which troubled her exceedingly. She +still wrestled half unconsciously against this dread unknown; for as +yet she did not divine, _would_ not divine the nature of the peril +which menaced her youthful attachment and George's happiness; she only +felt that both were in danger, and that the danger did not come from +without. + +Swiftly, steadily, the carriage rolled on its way towards the town, +which still lay at some considerable distance, all wreathed around in +mist. The broad valley and its encircling hills were already robed in +russet, for here, among the mountains, autumn entered on its dominion +earlier than out in the open plain. As yet the trees and bushes stood +clothed in all their wealth of leaves, but their fresh verdure had long +ago disappeared. Everywhere nature had decked herself in rich and +varied hues, ranging from darkest brown to brightest ochre, with here +and there a flame of brilliant red or a dash of purple, deluding the +eye with the semblance of flowers still blooming in among the thickets; +though, in truth, there was nothing here but dying foliage sending +forth one last bright gleam of colour before it fell a prey to the +chill wind now rustling through the forests, and sweeping with its +cutting blasts over the bare fields and pastures. The river, swollen +with the late rains, rushed in mad haste on its course, its dark and +turgid torrent rolling onwards with a low, sullen roar. The mountains +had wrapped themselves in their veil of mist, which, tattered in places +and fluttering, would now enshroud, and now reveal, the jagged peaks +above. Lower down, among the wooded hills, the clouds pursued their +fantastic evolutions, rising out of the deep vaporous ravines and +sinking from view again in endless unrest; while, in the west, the sun +slowly declined, camped around by a dark phalanx of storm-cloud which +the great orb illumined with a ruddy glow, but which even it was +powerless to break. + +This same landscape had once presented a very different aspect to the +two who were now sitting side by side, mute and reserved as strangers. +Then the valley had lain before them flooded in sunlight, bright with a +golden haze, its blue mountains and glistening distances telling of a +"Paradise" beyond; while from beneath the cool deep shade of the limes +came the sparkle of the fountain and the mysterious rippling murmur of +its waters, calling up those sweet, dangerous dream-visions! To-day the +only sound heard was the low roar of the river, as they drove along its +banks. The horizon was masked in thick fog; the mountains, all girt +around with clouds, looked down menacingly, and the sun, bereft of its +warmth and radiance, burned with a lurid fire, staining the sky a deep +blood-red, as it flamed its parting greeting to the earth. + +The Baron's eyes were moodily fixed on the setting sun and the great +masses of cloud striving together for the mastery. At length, with a +strong effort, as it seemed, he roused himself from his thoughts, and +broke the long silence. + +"The sky denotes a storm," he said, turning to his young companion; +"but it will probably not come upon us until night, and I hope we shall +be safely housed in R---- before dusk." + +"They say the town is very disturbed just now," observed Gabrielle, +with an anxious, inquiring look up at her companion, which, however, he +did not appear to notice. + +"There have been some rather noisy demonstrations of late, certainly," +he replied. "But the troubles are not of a serious nature, and will +soon be over. You need feel no uneasiness." + +"But they say that this movement is directed principally, if not +entirely, against you," continued Gabrielle, in a faltering voice. + +Raven frowned. + +"Who says that?" + +"Colonel Wilten often lets fall hints on the subject. Is it true that +you have so many enemies in the town?" + +"I never have been popular in R----," explained the Baron, with perfect +equanimity. "In the first days of my appointment, the duty devolved on +me of stifling the germs of a revolution then in active preparation. I +succeeded; but success in such matters generally breeds hostility. Well +do I know what hatred to my person the measures to which I had to +resort at that time provoked, and how obstinately the people still +persist in regarding me as an oppressor, notwithstanding all that I +have done for the city and the province. We have lived in a state of +constant warfare; but so far I have always had the upper hand, and I +mean to preserve it in this instance." + +Gabrielle thought of George's enigmatic words, of which she had as yet +found no solution. He had so resolutely evaded her urgent appeal for an +explanation, and the parting had come so quickly, so unexpectedly; but +a few minutes had been allowed them for their stolen leave-taking, then +the young man, with a great effort of will, had torn himself away, +leaving Gabrielle a prey to torturing anxiety. Conjectures as to his +meaning, harassing fears and doubts, still racked her brain. Of one +thing, however, she felt certain--the Baron was in some way menaced, +and she resolved to warn him at all hazards. + +"But you stand quite alone against a multitude," she said. "You cannot +tell, cannot even guess what they may be plotting against you in +secret. Suppose there should be danger in store for you!" + +Raven looked at her with an expression of undisguised astonishment. + +"How long have you taken an interest in such matters? They were +formerly as far from your ken as night from day." + +The young girl tried to smile. + +"I have learned so much of late that was once beyond my ken. But I am +now alluding to some very decided hints----" + +"Which have reached you?" + +"Yes." + +The Baron started. He flashed upon her the old piercing, inquisitorial +look peculiar to him, and asked abruptly: + +"You are in communication with the capital?" + +"I have not received a single line, not a sign of life from thence." + +"No?" said Raven, more mildly. "I fancied so, because Assessor +Winterfeld has entered on his new duties at the Ministry of the +Interior, where he will no doubt meet with sympathisers, with many who +will share in his opinion that I am a tyrant unequalled in the annals +of history. I cannot take it amiss from the young man personally that +he should indulge in such views, for I was forced to assume an attitude +towards him which fairly entitles him to hate me and to revenge himself +on me, supposing revenge to be within his power." + +"He will never do anything ungenerous or base," said Gabrielle. + +The Baron smiled disdainfully. + +"I can assure you that I attach very little weight to Mr. Winterfeld's +ill-will or opposition. I have had more powerful enemies than him, and +have managed to get the better of them. But if the hints of which you +speak do not emanate from the capital, I can only suppose that the +silly rumours which are buzzed from mouth to mouth in R---- have found +their way out to the Wiltens' country-seat. They rest on no practical +foundation whatever. I do not doubt that the malcontents have every +inclination to do me a hurt, but they will be too wise to proceed to +deeds of violence. They know well enough that I am their match, and +able to meet any attack made upon me. If the situation had really been +so full of peril, I should not have allowed you and your mother to +return. I must ask you to discontinue your drives for the next few +days, but it will not be for any length of time, I hope; and, in any +case, at the Castle, in the Governor's house, you will be safe from the +popular excesses, should any such occur." + +"But you will not be safe!" cried Gabrielle, her anxiety breaking down +the barrier of her timidity at last. "The Colonel declares that you +expose yourself recklessly to every danger, and never listen to a +warning of any sort." + +Raven turned his grave, dark eyes slowly upon her. + +"Well, that concerns myself alone, I think, unless--unless it be that +you feel anxiety on my account." + +She dared not reply in words; but the answer might be read in her eyes, +which met his with an imploring, beseeching look. The Baron bent down +to her, and there was a thrill of breathless expectation in his voice +as he repeated: + +"Speak, Gabrielle; are you anxious about me?" + +"Yes," came trembling from her lips. It was but a single word, yet it +wrought a marvellous effect. + +Again Gabrielle saw his whole face kindle as with a blaze of light, met +the ardent gaze which had struck her dumb once before; and the flame of +that mighty up-springing passion melted the panoply of ice in which the +proud man had wrapped himself. One moment sufficed to destroy the +barriers which the self-control of weeks had laboriously built up. The +dream was _not_ over. The sudden fire in his eyes flashed out his +secret. + +Close to them the river ran with a loud and angry murmur, while out +yonder in the autumnal forests the wind rustled and blew with sharper, +stronger blasts. The wall of cloud, which rose more and more +threateningly in the west, parted, and once again the red sun shone out +clear and full. For a few seconds, mountains, woods, and stream +appeared bathed in a purple light; a transfiguring glory streamed over +the earth, and the whole broad valley glowed in supernatural splendour. +For a few seconds only--then the great disc sank out of sight, the +glory died away, and there remained nothing but the darkening autumn +landscape with, overhead, the heavy masses of storm-cloud, and far away +in the distant horizon a lingering crimson flush. A half-melancholy, +half-weird aspect came over the scene, and all Nature thrilled with a +presentiment of winter and of death. + +"During the last few weeks, you too have thought me a tyrant, no +doubt," said Raven, in a low voice, carefully subdued, though every +word vibrated with his inward agitation. "Perhaps one day you will +thank me for guarding you from the fault of over-precipitation. You +were ignorant of your own heart and feelings, and yet you wished to +bind yourself for life. Winterfeld was the first man who approached you +after you ceased to be a child, the first who ventured to speak to you +words of love, and you shut your eyes and dreamed that you too loved, +conjuring up the phantom of that which never existed. It was a childish +illusion--nothing more." + +"No, no," said Gabrielle, anxiously disclaiming the charge, and +attempting to free her hand--attempting in vain, for the Baron held it +as in a vice, as he answered: + +"You feel the truth of what I say. Do not strive against it. A promise +may be recalled, an engagement cancelled by mutual consent----" + +"Never!" exclaimed the girl, passionately. "I love George, him alone, +and no one else. I mean to be his wife." + +Raven let her hand drop. The gleam in his eyes died out, and the old +icy mask covered his features once more. There was hardness and +infinite bitterness in his voice as he replied: + +"Lay aside, then, in future all care and anxiety for me. I will have +none of them." + +They drove on in silence, no further word being exchanged between them. +The evening shadows fell gradually; the mountains were altogether lost +to view, and the mists hovering over the meadows grew denser and +denser. Dusk had fairly set in, when at length R---- was reached; but +there was still light enough to distinguish objects at some little +distance. + +The carriage had passed through the outlying suburb, and had turned +into the broad high-road leading to the Castle. At the other extremity +of this road was situated one of the largest squares, or open places, +of the town. This square now seemed to be the scene of some tumult; for +from thence the shouts and cries of an angry multitude were borne over, +and, in spite of the growing darkness, surging crowds might be seen +thronging the broad space. The Baron started as the first sounds struck +on his ear. He leaned far out of the carriage, and looked keenly back +in the direction whence they proceeded; then he cast a quick, uneasy +glance at his companion. + +"This comes inopportunely," he muttered. "I should have done better to +have left you with your mother." + +"What is the matter yonder? Is there any danger?" asked Gabrielle, +turning very pale. + +She remembered Colonel Wilten's remarks, how he had deplored the +hardihood with which the Governor would risk his safety on such +occasions. Raven saw her alarm, but ascribed it to fear on her own +account. + +"There would seem to be a turbulent meeting yonder before the State +prison," he answered. "I presumed, from general appearances, that the +peace would not be broken to-day, or I should not have driven out from +the town. But do not be in the least uneasy, you shall be exposed to no +danger. I shall have to leave you; but----" + +"Oh, for Heaven's sake, stay with me!" cried Gabrielle. "Where would +you go?" + +"Whither my duty calls me--to the scene of action." + +"And I?" + +"You must go home alone. No one will molest you. Stop, Joseph." + +The coachman obediently drew rein, and Raven rose from his seat. + +"Joseph, you will take Fräulein von Harder home to the Castle at once, +and as quickly as possible. There is no danger; the road is perfectly +clear." + +He opened the carriage-door, but the girl clung to his arm desperately. + +"Do not leave me alone. Take me with you at least, if you must go." + +"Nonsense!" said Raven, freeing his arm from her grasp. "You drive on +to the Castle. I will come directly the disturbance is quelled, and the +place quiet again." + +He alighted, and turned to close the door; but in a moment Gabrielle +had sprung out too, and now stood by him in the road. + +"Gabrielle!" the Baron exclaimed, and there was impatient annoyance in +his tone, mingled with real alarm. + +But the girl only nestled more closely to his side. + +"I will not let you go into the danger alone. I am afraid of nothing, +of nothing in the world when you are with me. Let us go together." + +Again Raven's eye blazed, and this time in the joyful flash there was +swift, passionate triumph. + +"You cannot accompany me," he said, in that strangely subdued tone +which Gabrielle had heard but once from his lips--once only by the +Nixies' Well. "You must understand that I cannot take you into the +midst of that excited crowd, where I should have no possible means of +protecting you. It is not the first time I have encountered such +scenes. I know how to curb men's passions, but my wonted energy would +fail me, were I to think that you were exposed to any danger. Promise +me to return quietly home and to wait for me there. I ask this of you, +Gabrielle. You will not make it hard for me to do my duty." + +He took her in his arms, and lifted her into the carriage. Gabrielle +offered no resistance. She knew full well that no woman could or should +trust herself to the mercies of that wild, riotous mob--nothing but the +mortal anxiety she was enduring would have suggested the thought to +her. This anxiety was now so legibly stamped on her features that even +Raven's firmness wavered. He felt he must tear himself away at once, if +he would not yield to the mute prayer of those beseeching eyes. + +"I must go," he said hastily. "Good-bye for the present. I shall not be +long away." + +He closed the carriage-door sharply, and signed to the coachman to +drive on. Gabrielle, bending out, saw the tall figure turn and stride +away with rapid steady steps in the direction of the square. Then the +horses pulled with a will, and the carriage flew with redoubled speed +on its way towards the Castle. + + + + + CHAPTER XII. + + +More than an hour had gone by, and the Governor had not yet returned. +The household at the Castle was growing uneasy at his prolonged +absence, for the coachman, on reaching home with the young Baroness, +had reported that his master had betaken himself to the scene of the +disturbances. + +It was, of course, well known at the Government-house that the town was +astir, but no detailed intelligence of what was going on had found its +way thither; for the servants had, once for all, received instructions +not to leave the Castle in the event of any such occurrence, and none +of the officials who had their residence there cared to venture into +the tumult. Councillor Moser alone had chanced to go down into the town +that afternoon, and had, no doubt, been detained by the rioting. He had +given no sign as yet, and was probably waiting until such time as order +should be restored, and he could traverse the streets in safety. + +The Baron's study was already lighted up. The clear flame of the lamp +suspended from its ceiling illuminated every corner of the room, which +yet maintained its grave and sombre aspect. One spot only, the deep +recess of the great bay-window, lay in shadow; and there, half hidden +by the heavy curtains, stood Gabrielle. The girl could not endure +to-day to remain in her mother's apartments, which lay on the other +side of the house. She had never hitherto entered her guardian's study +without special permission or summons from him; but now she sought it, +remembering that its window commanded a fine view of the city below. +The gathering darkness soon narrowed in the range of vision; indeed, +the Castle lay too far from the centre of the town for the keenest +eyes, even in daylight, to observe what was going on there; but from +this point the watcher could, at least, overlook some part of the +lighted road which led up the Castle-hill, and could catch sight of any +approaching figures in the distance--so reasoned Gabrielle, and +remained steadily at her post. + +Very unlike the Gabrielle Harder of the old days, truly, this pale, +mute maiden, leaning against the window-frame with hands convulsively +clasped, and gazing out as though her eager eyes must penetrate the +growing darkness. This anxious, despairing vigil consummated the silent +work of the last few weeks. It took from her, once and for ever, the +old childish dream, destroyed the illusion by which she had so long +deceived herself and others. In and about her all had been sunshine, +until the moment when a single glance had discovered to her the depths +of a passion new to her experience. In that moment the first shadow +fell on her path, a shadow that had darkened it ever since. The bright +"butterfly" nature which once fluttered heedlessly on its way, +unmindful of care or sorrow, vanished when the sunshine faded from her +life; and beneath the spell of that magic gaze a new being arose, an +ardent, impassioned young creature who was to take her share of the +struggle and pain which form humanity's sad heritage. As Gabrielle +waited, trembling for a life she knew to be in peril, she came to +understand what that life was to her--all that in this terrible hour +she had at stake. It was useless longer to seek to delude herself. + +The second hour was creeping by. Half of it had already passed, and +still no sign, no news of the Governor, Gabrielle had opened the +window, hoping to hear the sound of the carriage which, as she +expected, would bring him; but the road lay solitary and deserted, and +the flame of the gas-lights flickered uneasily, and sometimes almost +died out beneath the fierce gusts of wind, which was rising to a +hurricane. + +At last the longed-for sound was heard; not the roll of +carriage-wheels, certainly, but the voices and tread of several persons +now becoming dimly visible through the obscurity. They came on nearer +and nearer, and a half-suppressed cry of joy escaped Gabrielle's lips. +She had recognised Raven's figure advancing towards the Castle in the +company of some half-dozen gentlemen; and a few minutes later the party +stepped into the circle of light surrounding the portico. + +"I thank you, gentlemen," said the Governor, coming to a halt. "You see +it was quite unnecessary to enforce your escort on me. There has been +no attempt to molest us on our road. As I told you, the tumult has +spent itself--for to-night." + +"Yes; but nothing save your Excellency's timely appearance would have +dispersed the rioters,"--this in the impressive voice of Councillor +Moser, who was standing next his chief. "They were about to storm the +gaol and to set the prisoners free when you came up so unexpectedly--so +providentially, I may say. I saw with admiration how your Excellency, +by mere authority of word and look, tamed that rebellious mob, and +reduced the rioters to order--a result which the Superintendent here, +with his whole staff of police to back him, had vainly striven to +obtain." + +The Superintendent, who formed one of the group, seemed to take this +observation in rather ill part; for he replied, with a spice of +unmistakable spitefulness: + +"Well, you were in a good position at your window, no doubt, to see how +matters went, besides having the satisfaction of feeling yourself in +perfect security, while Baron von Raven and I were in the thick of the +fight." + +"I saw that it would be impossible for me to reach his Excellency's +side," declared the Councillor; "otherwise I should have----" + +"No, no," the Baron interrupted him; "that would have been a most +unnecessary venture on your part, whereas the Superintendent and I were +only fulfilling our duty. Well, we have settled as to the measures to +be taken. I hope they will suffice to preserve order during the night. +Colonel Wilten will be back to-morrow, and I shall confer with him at +once, and decide on some means of preventing any recurrence of such +scenes. If, contrary to our previsions, any disturbance should occur, +have the goodness to let me know. Good-evening, gentlemen." + +He bowed slightly to his companions, and stepped into the hall. +Gabrielle closed the window gently. She meant to leave the study at +once--the Baron should not find her there--but it was too late for a +retreat. He must have mounted the stairs in great haste, for already +his steps might be heard in one of the adjoining rooms, and his voice +asking: + +"What? Fräulein von Harder is not in her apartments?" + +"The Baroness is in your Excellency's study, and has been waiting there +for more than an hour," a servant replied. + +No comment was made to this, but the step approached at a quickened +pace; the door was thrown open, and Raven appeared. His first glance +fell on Gabrielle, who had come out from the window, and now stood +before him, trembling in every limb. He guessed why she had chosen to +wait for him there. In an instant he was at her side. + +"T was going over to your rooms, when they told me you were here;" he +spoke in a breathless, hurried tone. "I could not possibly send any +news to tranquillise you. The riot is only just quelled. All is quiet +for the moment. I came up here at once." + +Gabrielle tried to answer him, but her voice forsook her. She could not +force a sound from her lips. Raven looked at the fair, pale face, on +which the torture of the last few hours was but too legibly written. He +made a movement, as though to draw her to his side, but as yet the +habit of self-mastery prevailed. The arm he had raised fell to his +side, his chest heaved, and he drew a deep, deep breath. + +"And now, Gabrielle, repeat to me the words you spoke a while ago in +the carriage, the words with which you repelled me." + +"What words?" asked Gabrielle, in painful embarrassment. + +"Tell me again the untruth, by the help of which you tried to deceive +both yourself and me. Look me in the face, and repeat to me that you +love Winterfeld, and are determined to be his. If you can do that, you +shall never again be troubled by a word from me. But say it, say it out +plainly." + +The girl drew back. "Oh, let me go! I--I--oh, let me go, for Heaven's +sake!" + +"No, I will not let you go, Gabrielle!" broke out Raven, passionately. +"The tale must be told, once for all. I must now put into words that +secret which you have long known, the secret which has been mine since +I first looked into those sunny, childish eyes. Soon, very soon after +that, I heard from your own lips that you loved another. I felt that a +man thirty years your senior, with hair showing streaks of grey, would +incur the terrible curse of ridicule, if he confessed to you his +ardent, unreciprocated attachment, and I, by Heaven! I vowed none +should ridicule me. But to-day I saw that you trembled for my safety, +that you would have rushed into the danger yourself only to remain at +my side--and now you do not dare repeat those words, because you feel +they convey a lie which would cost us both all our future happiness. +Now, at last, let things be made clear between us. I love you, +Gabrielle, and I have fought against my love, calling to my aid all my +strength and all my pride. The dream _should_ be over, I said, and the +presumptuous word has cost me dearly. When I meant forcibly to subdue +and crush out the passion within me, it rose with tenfold, irresistible +might, and taught me to know its power. I behaved towards you with +harsh, cold reserve, wrapping myself in it as in a mantle. I sought a +rescue in separation, in my work, in the battle I am ever waging with +all the hostile elements arrayed against me--in vain! I had torn myself +from you, but your image was ever present with me, in my dreams, as in +my waking hours. It forced itself in upon me here, as I sat at work; it +followed me into stirring scenes without, when all the faculties of +mind and brain had need to be at full stretch; and when I faced my +opponents in the struggle, it gleamed on me like a ray of light through +the stormy clouds surrounding me, and compelled my heart, my mind to +turn to you--it has conquered my every feeling, every thought. You must +be mine, or I must let you go from me for ever. Any third course would +bring destruction on us both. Answer me, Gabrielle. Say, whom do you +love? For whom did your heart beat so anxiously a little while ago, and +what thought aroused the apprehension and tenderness I read in your +looks? Speak; I await your decision." + +He stood before her, pale and eager, as though the verdict were to be +one of life or death. Gabrielle listened in a sort of stupor to this +passionate outbreak, which found but too ready an echo in her own +heart. Raven was faithfully describing her own experience. She, too, +had fought and wrestled with her love; she, too, had sought to fly from +a power so strong that no escape was possible. Before the glowing +lava-stream of words which burst with one great throe of Nature from +the innermost heart of this man, usually so cold and so constrained, +all the fairy fabrics vanished which a young girl's fancy had built up, +all her childish conceptions of love and life; and with them went the +foolish dream which she had once thought would fill her whole +existence. It had been but a day-dream, a dim visionary foreshadowing +of that which now took form and being. Gabrielle had awakened. She +looked a genuine passion full in the face, and if she felt that so +volcanic a nature, with its sombre depths and smouldering fires, was +calculated to destroy rather than to bless, she no longer quaked before +it. The thing she had hitherto called happiness paled and disappeared +like some thin phantom before the fierce incandescent glow of this +man's fervour. + +The young girl made one last attempt to cling valiantly to the past. + +"George ... he loves me--trusts me. He will be so utterly miserable, if +I forsake him!" + +"Do not speak his name!" cried Raven, his eye sparkling with furious +enmity. "Do not remind me that this man alone stands between me and my +felicity. Ill might betide him through it. Woe to him if he should try +to hold you to your hasty promise! I should free you by fair means or +by foul. What is this Winterfeld to you? What can you be to him? He may +love you after his own fashion, but he would drag you down to a +commonplace existence, and give you a commonplace affection, nothing +more. If he loses you, he will overcome the pain of it; will seek +consolation in his plans for advancement, in his work, in other ties. +Such passionless natures do not know what despair is--nothing brings +them out of their groove; they, steadily and dutifully, keep on their +way. I"--here the Baron's tone sank to a lower diapason; the look of +hate died out of his face, and his stern voice grew milder and milder, +until at length it melted to a great softness--"I have never loved, +have never known such sweet hopes or bright illusions. In the continual +striving after power and greatness, I seem to have missed all real +happiness, a thirst for which has now, so late, arisen within me. Now, +in the autumn of my life, the veil is rent asunder, and I can see all +that I have lost, lost without once tasting it. Has all chance of it +gone from me for ever? Do you fear the gap of years which intervenes +between us? I cannot bring you youth, my child. That is past; but the +great passion of a man's mature soul is far stronger, more intense and +more enduring than the fancy of any youthful enthusiast. It dies out +only with his life. Say that you will be mine, and I will encompass you +with love, will make you my idol. I will accept any challenge for your +sake, and will come to you victorious from every struggle. All pain and +sorrow shall be averted from your head; if really a storm is +threatening, it shall not touch, shall not come nigh you; my arms are +strong enough to protect the woman I love. You shall be the sunbeam to +brighten my life, to brighten and to beautify it I have striven hard +and achieved much, but no ray of happiness has gleamed upon me; and now +that I have seen it shining in my path, I cannot close my eyes and shut +it out. Gabrielle, be my wife, my joy, my one delight and treasure!" + +A boundless tenderness was in his words. His stormy, fiery vehemence +had melted gradually into tones of pathetic pleading, and he spoke in +low tremulous accents, such as surely never yet had come from Arno +Raven's lips; and as he pleaded, he clasped his arm tighter and tighter +round the slender form at his side, and drew her gently, but +irresistibly, towards him. Gabrielle yielded passively. Again, as once +before by the murmuring spring, a trance had fallen upon her--a trance +half sweet, half troubling, holding her senses in thrall--and again, as +then, she let herself be drawn unresistingly out of the bright +sunlight, wherein she had hitherto breathed, down, down into unknown +depths. It seemed to her that she had no choice but to drift deeper and +deeper, and that, with him, supported by his arm, it was blessedness +enough so to drift, leaving all, all behind. + +A knock at the door startled Gabrielle and the Baron, and brought them +back to reality. It had, no doubt, been repeated several times without +obtaining a response, for it was unusually loud and sharp, and struck +like a clanging dissonance on the harmony of their short-lived +happiness. + +"What is it?" asked Raven, with a start. "I will not be disturbed now." + +"I beg pardon, your Excellency," said the servant's voice without. "A +courier has just arrived from the capital. He has orders to deliver his +despatches to your Excellency in person, and asks to be admitted +immediately." + +The Baron slowly relaxed his hold on the young girl. + +"Thus am I awakened from my love-dreams!" he said bitterly. "They +cannot grant me even a quarter of an hour's respite. It would seem that +love and dreams are forbidden fruit to me; that the thought of them +even is forbidden me.--The courier must wait a few minutes," he added +aloud. "I will send for him." + +The servant retired. Raven turned to Gabrielle again, but stopped, in +concern and surprise, as he caught sight of her face. + +"What ails you?" he said. "You have suddenly turned so deadly pale. It +is only some important message from the capital which is to fall into +no hands but mine; some official matter, nothing more. It might have +come at a more opportune time, truly." + +Gabrielle had indeed turned very white. That knock, coming just at the +moment when the decisive "yes" was hovering on her lips, thrilled her +as the portent of some coming evil. She herself knew not why, at that +announcement, her thoughts flew back to George and to his words at +parting. He was living in the capital now. A pang shot through her. Was +there some plot on foot to injure the Baron? + +"I will go," she said hastily. "You must receive this courier. Let me +go." + +Raven clasped her in his arms again. + +"And will you leave me without giving me an answer? Am I still to live +on, doubting and fearing lest that other should come between us again? +You shall go, but speak first the one word I long for. It will take but +a second to say it. Only one word, 'yes!' I will not keep you longer." + +"Give me till to-morrow," the girl besought with piteous, pathetic +entreaty. "Do not ask me to decide now, do not force my consent from +me. Give me till to-morrow, Arno, I implore you!" + +A flash of joy lighted up the Baron's features as, for the first time, +he heard her pronounce his name without the adjunct of that formal word +which recalled the relation and the guardian. Quickly and fervently he +pressed his lips to her brow. + +"It shall be so. I will force nothing from you. I will believe the +language of your eyes alone, and content myself with that. Until +to-morrow, then, for one short night, farewell, my Gabrielle!" + +He walked with her through the adjoining room to a door which opened on +the corridor, and the young girl went hastily out. Before she had +reached the end of the passage, a bell sounded in the Baron's study, +the signal for the courier to appear. Truly, Arno Raven had but little +leisure to devote to his love-dreams. He was inexorably, ruthlessly +summoned back to the hard reality of this prosaic world. + +Gabrielle shut herself in her own room. As yet, the decisive word had +not been spoken, but her choice was already made. The hours she had +just lived through had broken down the bridge connecting her with the +past--there could be no going back now. If George himself had appeared +before her to assert and to maintain his rights, it would have availed +nothing; it was too late--he had lost her. Where the young lover, +despite his earnestness and enthusiasm, had failed, the elder man, with +his tardily-aroused, but even on that account more glowing passion, +triumphantly succeeded. Arno Raven had drawn the girl's whole soul to +himself; there was no room in her heart now for another. Raven alone +held sway over Gabrielle's thoughts and feelings, and reigned supreme +in her dreams when, long after midnight, she sank into a brief uneasy +slumber. George's image never once rose before her. Even during her +sleep her brain was busy with the events of the last few hours, which +passed in a strange fantastic medley confusedly before her. + +One single figure occupied the foreground. Interwoven with the thought +of _him_ came the memory of that drive through the darkening twilight +of the autumn evening. She saw it all: the varied landscape with its +misty outlines; overhead a sky charged with storm-cloud; and yonder on +the western horizon the flaming, fiery sunset. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII. + + +"It is perfectly unprecedented! Such a thing was never heard of! I +cannot believe my own eyes! This undermines all government, saps the +foundations of all authority, shakes the very pillars of the State. It +is horrible--horrible!" + +Thus, in a burst of noble pathos, did the Councillor unburthen himself +of his pent-up indignation, addressing the Superintendent of Police, +who was just coming down the stairs from an interview with the +Governor. + +"Do you mean the disturbances in the town?" asked the latter, with a +slight and rather scornful smile. "Yes, it was rather noisy down there +last night, certainly." + +"Who is thinking of the town?" cried the Councillor. "Those +disturbances go for nothing. It is the mere rioting of a mob, which can +be subjugated, which will be subjugated, by military aid, if necessary. +But when revolutionary ideas invade official circles--when men, whose +business it is to represent and to support the Government, attack it in +such a way as this, there is an end to all order. Who would have +thought it of Assessor Winterfeld! A young man who has been looked on +as a model to the whole Civil Service! I, indeed, have always had my +suspicions of him. His questionable loyalty, his bias in favour of the +Opposition, his treasonable connections, have long inspired uneasiness +in my mind; and on several occasions I have expressed as much to his +Excellency, but he would not listen. He had a predilection for the +Assessor. Quite lately even, by getting him transferred to the capital, +he opened to this favoured subaltern the most brilliant prospects; and +now the traitor rewards him by the blackest ingratitude." + +"Ah, you are alluding to Winterfeld's pamphlet!" said the +Superintendent. "Have you had the book in your hands already? Why, it +can only have reached R---- this morning." + +"I got it accidentally, from a colleague who had just received it. A +most abominable composition! It is open rebellion, sir--open rebellion! +There are things in it addressed to his Excellency--things ... Well, I +don't know how such a work came to be printed and circulated. Have you +taken no steps to suppress it?" + +"I have no orders and no motive for doing so," declared the +Superintendent, whose coolness formed a strange contrast to Moser's +indignant excitement. "The pamphlet was brought out in the capital, and +there was not time, I suppose, to prevent its circulation. Besides, +such unpalatable publications are no longer suppressed in a summary +manner, as was the custom formerly. Times have changed. As to this +brochure, I am quite of your opinion. I doubt if a more virulent attack +has ever been made on a statesman holding office under the Crown." + +"And it comes from a member of the Service, from one who has worked +under my eyes, in my bureaux!" cried the Councillor, in despair. "But +he has been seduced, led astray. I always told him that his connection +with that clique of Swiss Socialists would bring him to ruin. I know +who is at the bottom of the whole business--who is alone to blame for +this scandal. It is that Dr. Brunnow who has been staying here for +weeks, under pretext of settling some succession business, and who has +not yet taken his departure." + +"Because in his case there has been even more than the usual +circumlocution. Endless difficulties have been raised touching this +matter of his reversion. The gentlemen of the law-courts have, with +rather unnecessary severity, let him feel the drawbacks under which he +labours in being his father's son and, for the time being, +representative. Finding this, he set upon them a little while ago, and +subjected them to so drastic a treatment, that they were quite taken +aback, and now really seem as if they meant to hasten on the affair. +You have a prejudice against the young doctor, Councillor. He is not +such a bad fellow as you think." + +"This Brunnow is a most dangerous man," said the Councillor, all his +wonted solemnity returning to him with this topic. "I knew it from the +first day I saw him, and my instinct in such matters is infallible. +Since he has been in our midst, we have had these troubles in the town, +open resistance to the appointed authorities; and now comes this +printed assault on his Excellency. I hold to my opinion: this man came +to R---- with the intention of setting the city, the province, ay, the +whole land in a blaze of insurrection." + +"Why not say the whole of Europe, while you are about it!" exclaimed +the Superintendent, impatiently. "You are completely mistaken. Merely +on account of the name he bears, we have kept an eye on the young man, +and I can assure you he has not given the slightest cause for any such +suspicions. He has entered into no political relations here, and took +part neither directly nor indirectly in the late disturbances; he just +simply attends to his own private affairs. If I, as head of the police, +can bear him this testimony, you may, I think, admit and put faith in +it." + +"But he is the son of an old revolutionary democrat," persisted the +Councillor; "and he is an intimate friend of Assessor Winterfeld's." + +"What does that prove? His father was once an intimate friend of the +Governor here." + +"Wh--what?" cried Moser, starting back. "His Excellency Baron von Raven +and that man Rudolph Brunnow----" + +"Were university chums, bosom friends even. I have it from the best +source. I suppose you are not going to accuse Baron von Raven of +socialist, revolutionary tendencies. But my time is limited, I must be +off. Good-morning, Councillor." + +So saying, the Superintendent turned his back on the worthy Councillor, +who was standing dazed with surprise, and left the Government-house. On +his way to the town he encountered the Burgomaster. + +"You come from the Castle?" asked the latter. "Have you seen the +Governor? What has he determined on doing?" + +The other shrugged his shoulders. + +"What he threatened yesterday--he will proceed with the utmost rigour. +If there is any repetition of the riots, the troops will be called out. +All the necessary preparations are made. Precisely as I was leaving, +Colonel Wilten came in to consult with him personally on the subject, +and there can be no doubt as to the result of the conference. You know +the Baron. He will recoil from no measures which may effect his +purpose." + +"This must not be," said the Burgomaster, uneasily. "The popular +exasperation is so great that any display of military force would only +add fuel to the flame. There would be resistance and bloodshed. I had +made up my mind not to set foot in the Castle again, unless absolutely +compelled to go there; but now I think I must make one last attempt to +dissuade them from any extreme course." + +"I would advise you not to go," returned the Superintendent. "I can +tell you beforehand, you will get nothing by it. The Baron is not in a +forbearing mood to-day. He has had news which will ruffle his temper +for weeks to come." + +"I know," put in the other. "Assessor Winterfeld's pamphlet. I received +it from the capital this morning." + +"What, you have heard of it too? Well, I must say they have lost no +time in circulating the book. They seem to have feared it might be +suppressed, and to have done what they could to forestall the edict. I +think there were no grounds for the apprehension, however. It looks +very much as though in high places the intention were to let the matter +take its course." + +"Really; and what says Raven to all this? The attack can hardly have +come upon him unawares. He must have received some hint of what was +brewing." + +"I am afraid he received no hint whatever. His whole manner betrays the +fact that he has been taken by surprise. He wraps himself in his usual +reserve, but he cannot altogether conceal that he is perturbed and +frightfully irritated. My allusions to the matter in question were met +so ungraciously that I thought it better to drop the subject. It is +really an unprecedented attack, and an outrageously imprudent one +into the bargain. When such opinions are to be disseminated among the +people, they are generally given to the public in an anonymous form. +The author lets the first fury of the storm wear itself out before he +gives his name; he allows himself to be sought out and divined, and +only emerges from his retirement when obliged or encouraged so to do. +But the Assessor signs in full, and leaves no doubt to the world in +general, and the Governor in particular, as to who is the assailant. I +can't think how he has found courage to challenge his whilom chief in +this manner. He throws down the gauntlet to him in the face of the +whole country--the book is one long accusation from beginning to end." + +"And from beginning to end it is one long truth," answered the +Burgomaster, warmly. "This young man puts us all to shame. What he has +now ventured to do, should have been done long ago. When the resistance +of a whole city proves fruitless, when all appeals to the Government +fail, the dispute should be brought before the forum of public opinion, +and there decided. Winterfeld has been clear-sighted enough to see +this, and courageous enough to speak the first word. Now that the way +has been thrown open for them, all will be ready to follow him." + +"Yes, but he is hazarding his position and very livelihood on the die," +remarked the Superintendent. "This pamphlet of his goes too far, and +brilliantly as it is written, its author will have to smart for it. +Raven is not the man to allow himself to be insulted and attacked with +impunity. This bold knight-errant may find himself worsted in the +tourney. He may fall a victim to his own audacity." + +"Or he may at a blow demolish the Governor's supremacy. But, however +the affair may end, it is sure to make a tremendous sensation; and here +in R---- it will be the spark to fire the powder-train." + +"I am afraid so too," assented the police magnate. "It stands to reason +that the Baron will go all lengths now, in order to remain master of +the situation. Well, whatever he may do, will be done at his own risk +and peril." + +While the two gentlemen thus discoursed, going on their way together, +the conference, to which allusion had been made, was being pursued +between the Governor and Colonel Wilten, in the former's private study. +The topic under discussion must have been one of importance, for the +Colonel looked exceedingly grave. Raven was, to all appearance, +unmoved; the ashy paleness of his countenance and the deep furrows of +his knitted brow alone betrayed that some unusually disturbing +influence had been at work. His bearing and speech were, as ever, +perfectly assured and under control. + +"The thing is settled," he said. "You will hold the troops in readiness +for an immediate intervention, and you will proceed unsparingly, should +resistance be offered. I will take the responsibility and all the +possible consequences on myself." + +"If it must be ... it must," replied the Colonel. "You know my +scruples, and I do not disguise from you that, in case of any +difficulty arising, I shall leave the responsibility of this step with +you." + +"I hold myself answerable, solely and entirely. This rebellious city of +R---- must be reduced to submission, be the cost what it may. It is now +more than ever incumbent on me to uphold my authority. It must not be +thought for a moment that the mischievous blow which has been directed +against me has had power to slacken my rein." + +"What blow?" asked the Colonel. + +"You have not heard the latest news from the capital?" + +"No; as you are aware, I have only been back in town a few hours." + +Raven rose, and paced rapidly up and down the room. When he returned +and stood before the Colonel, his agitation could be read in his +features, in spite of all his efforts to keep it down. + +"I recommend you, then, to read Assessor Winterfeld's pamphlet," he +said, in a tone which was meant to be only sarcastic, but which +vibrated with fierce anger. "He feels himself appointed to denounce me +to the country at large as a despot who regards neither law nor +justice, who has become a scourge, a pestilent source of harm, to the +province committed to his charge. A long list of crimes is therein +imputed to me; abuse of power, arbitrary action, illegal violence, and +all the usual catchwords. It really is worth while to read the precious +composition, if only to marvel at the presumption with which one of the +youngest and lowliest of my subalterns ventures to arraign his chief. +So far, only a chosen few have cognisance of this brochure; to-morrow, +the whole town will ring with it." + +"But why do you take it so quietly?" exclaimed the Colonel. "These +things do not spring up in a day, of themselves. You must have been +prepared for it--have had news of what was coming." + +"Oh yes; the news reached me yesterday evening, just about the time +that the book was being hawked about the streets of the capital, and +when many copies of it were on their way hither. The same courier +brought me an assurance of the Minister's 'sincere regret' that it had +not been possible to prevent the publication; the matter had now gone +too far for suppression." + +"That is strange!" said Wilten, in surprise. + +"More than strange. They are generally well informed at head-quarters +as to all that is in the press, and they do not readily suffer anything +to appear that is likely to prove dangerous. With the work in question, +there could have been no difficulty. They had only to consider the +insults offered to me as levelled at the Government, and to suppress +the entire edition. But it seems that the will so to act was wanting, +and as they feared that I should energetically insist on such a course +being pursued, they purposely left me in complete ignorance of the +matter, and only warned me when it was too late for the intimation to +be of use." + +The Colonel looked down meditatively. + +"You have few friends in the capital and at court--I told you so months +ago. There are constant intrigues on foot against you there, and no +stone is left unturned to damage your credit and undermine your +influence. If a fitting instrument has been found ready to hand ... +Assessor Winterfeld is engaged at the Ministry now, I think?" + +"Yes," said the Baron, bitterly. "I opened its doors to him. I myself +sent my denunciator to the capital." + +"They have got hold of the young man at once, it being known that he +came direct from your Chancellery. Perhaps he only contributes his +name, and the onslaught really comes from a far different quarter." + +Raven shook his head moodily. + +"He is no instrument in the hands of others; he acts spontaneously, and +the scheme cannot have been concocted in the few weeks which have +elapsed since he left R----. The book is the result of much thought and +labour. It has taken months, perhaps years, to prepare. Here in my own +bureaux, under my very eyes, the plan of it has been sketched out and +designed. Every word shows that it has been slowly, carefully written." + +"And the Assessor never betrayed himself to you or any one?" asked +Wilten. "He must have had associates, confidential friends." + +The Baron's lips worked, and his eyes were fixed on the window-recess +from which Gabrielle had yesterday stepped forth to welcome him. + +"One of his confidants I know, at least," he said; "and that one shall +render account to me. As to the young man himself--well, we shall see +later on. There can be but one manner of settling such a matter between +us two. Just at present I have to reckon with other enemies. It is of +little consequence that an Assessor Winterfeld should rise up in +virtuous indignation, and declare me a tyrant and my tenure of office a +public calamity--others have done this before him. But that he should +venture to cry it aloud in the ears of all the world, that such a +venture should be tolerated, perhaps encouraged--this is what gives a +serious colour, a certain importance, to the affair. I shall at once +demand ample satisfaction from the Government, which is attacked with +me and in my person; and should they show signs of refusing it, I shall +know how to bring them to reason. It is not the first time I have had +to set a plain alternative before these gentlemen. I have frequently +found it necessary to clear the air a little by some sharp, decided +action when the intrigues became too annoying to be borne in silence." + +"You take too grave a view of the matter," said the Colonel, +reassuringly; "and it is strange in you, who generally meet every +attack with absolute, unruffled calm. Why do you now allow yourself to +be irritated by mere lies and calumnies?" + +The Baron drew himself up proudly. + +"Who says they are lies? The animus which pervades the book is stamped +on every page, but it does not contain palpable untruths, and I have no +intention of calling in question one of the facts adduced against me. I +am ready to answer for my acts, but only to those who are entitled to +require an account from me, and not to the first man who may feel +disposed to sit in judgment on me and my proceedings. To him and to his +fellows, I shall give the one answer they deserve." + +At this point of the conversation they were interrupted. A report was +brought in to the Governor, which the Superintendent of Police had just +sent over from the town. Colonel Wilten rose to depart. + +"I will go and see that the measures we have agreed upon are taken at +once. The Baroness arrived safely, I hope? She came with us to town, +but declined our escort up to the Castle. And how is Fräulein von +Harder? She must have seen something of the rioting last night." + +"I do not know," said Raven shortly, almost roughly. "I have not seen +her to-day, and I was too busy to receive my sister-in-law in person. I +shall go over to them a little later." + +He gave his hand to the Colonel, who, after a few parting words, left +the room, while the Baron returned to his writing-table, on which last +night's despatches still lay, and began a letter to the Minister. + +Baroness Harder had reached the Castle some hours previously, and had +been received by her daughter alone, a circumstance which had given +umbrage to the lady. It argued, she said, great disrespect on her +brother-in-law's part that he could not tear himself away from his +business, for a few minutes at least, to welcome her. And to this other +annoyances were added. The cold from which she had been suffering for +several days past had been increased by the drive through the morning +air. Madame von Harder declared herself to be very ill, and at once +retired to her bedroom to get a little rest, giving orders that she was +on no account to be disturbed--this to the intense relief of her +daughter, who was thus again left free to pursue her troubled thoughts. + +Gabrielle had, indeed, hardly been able to conceal from her mother the +agitation and anxiety which were consuming her. The Baron had not shown +himself all day; he had even sent in an excuse at breakfast-time. She +knew that, in consequence of last night's events, he had been +incessantly occupied from early morning, that special messengers had +pressed on each other's heels, and that audiences and conferences +without respite were being held in his study; but she knew also that, +in spite of everything, he would find time, must find time, to come to +her, if only for a few minutes. "Until to-morrow." The words, spoken +with passionate tenderness, still rang in her ears. The morning had +come; all the forenoon had passed. Raven did not appear; he sent no +word, no line, and a very mountain-load of care seemed to weigh on the +young girl's heart. What could have happened? + +Twelve o'clock struck. Gabrielle was sitting alone in her mother's +little boudoir, when at length she really heard, in the anteroom, the +quick steady steps which a hundred times that morning she had heard in +fancy. She drew a deep breath, and listened with a beating heart. Her +cheeks, so pale a minute before, were dyed now a deep crimson. Anxiety, +care, apprehension, all were forgotten in this moment, as the door +opened and the Baron came in. + +"I wish to speak to you," he said briefly, without any preface. "Are we +alone?" + +Gabrielle bent her head affirmatively. Her impulse had been to hasten +towards him; but she stopped, confounded by his tone, which grated +oddly, harshly on her ear. Now, looking more closely, she saw the +strange change that had come over his features. This was not the Arno +Raven who had yesterday held her in his arms and poured out to her the +tale of his love, with an ardour and a passion which had metamorphosed +the man's whole being, inspiring her with warmth and tenderness. To-day +he stood before her gloomy, reserved, icily severe. The lips which had +given utterance to those fervent, loving words were firmly set; in the +dark, rigid countenance no trace could be seen of the play of feeling +which had yesterday irradiated it, and the eyes flashed fiercely, +menacingly, as they met the young girl's timid gaze. + +"You expected me earlier, perhaps," went on the Baron. "I had need of +some time to make myself acquainted with certain--certain +communications which had reached me, and I felt that our present +interview would come soon enough. It is unnecessary for me to enter +into explanations, for, though not generally familiar with my official +concerns, on this occasion you probably know as well as I do what has +occurred." + +"I? No," said Gabrielle, with failing breath. "How should I know?" + +"Do you mean to deny it? But of this we will speak later. In the first +place, I must ask what led you to enter on this miserable comedy, the +farcical part of which was reserved for me? Beware, Gabrielle. As I +told you yesterday, I have but little talent for such a _rôle_. The man +who is duped and betrayed is only ridiculous while he patiently endures +it. I am not inclined to do this. The sorry game you have played with +me will be fraught with danger both to yourself and to another." + +"But what do you mean? I do not understand you," cried the girl, whose +distress was momentarily increasing. + +Raven came close up to her, and fixed a keen, searching gaze on her +countenance. + +"What was the meaning of those warning words which you whispered to me +yesterday, as we drove home? How did you know that I was in any way +threatened, and why did you start and turn deadly pale when that +courier from the capital was announced? Speak; I insist upon an +answer." + +Gabrielle listened with growing consternation. She began to suspect +whither these questions tended, but was quite in the dark as to the +event that had prompted them. Raven must have seen that she did not +understand him, for he drew the pamphlet from his breast-pocket and +threw it on the table. + +"This little book will perhaps help your memory. It is the most +contumelious, the most astounding attack which has ever been made upon +me. You probably read it in an unfinished state; it has, no doubt, been +completed, perfected in the capital, in the Ministerial bureaux. Do not +look at me as though I were speaking in some foreign tongue. This name, +which stands on the title-page, is, I think, not unknown to you." + +Gabrielle had taken up the pamphlet mechanically. Her eye fell on the +page mentioned, on the name inscribed thereon. She started: "From +George? He has kept his word!" + +"Kept his word?" repeated Raven, with a bitter laugh. "So you had his +word for it. You were his confidante, his confederate? But, indeed, how +could I doubt it for an instant? It was clear from the first--clear as +the noonday sun." + +The young girl was too stunned and confused to defend herself with +skill or energy. The unfortunate exclamation which had escaped her +could but confirm the Baron in his suspicion that she had been an +accomplice. + +"I had a presentiment of some coming evil," she replied, summoning up +all her courage; "but I knew nothing decided. I thought----" + +Raven did not let her finish. He grasped her hand, and held it tightly. + +"Had you really no suspicion that there was some scheme on foot to +injure me? Were the hints you let fall yesterday purely accidental and +devoid of any special aim? Did it not occur to you, when those +despatches were brought in upon us in hot haste, that perhaps 'some one +had kept his word?' Look me in the face, and say it was not so. I will +try to believe you." + +Gabrielle was silent. She could not answer in the negative, and the +thought that, in truth, she had known of George's intention, at least, +robbed her of her presence of mind. The low words which the young man +had spoken when parting from her acquired a fatal importance now; they +weighed on the young girl, and seemed to crush her with a sense of +guilt. + +Raven's eyes had never quitted her face. His fingers slowly relaxed; he +let her hand fall, and stepped back. + +"So you knew it," he said; "and with that knowledge you stood quietly +by and saw me wrestle with a senseless passion; saw me finally succumb +to the weakness. You allowed me to believe that my affection was +returned, and so pricked me on to madness, while secretly you were +counting the days and hours to the time when the blow--the mortal blow, +as you fancied, should strike me. Certain of a future triumph, you +could yesterday let me fold you to my breast and speak to you words of +love. By Heaven! it is too much, too much!" + +His voice was still constrained and low, but something in it foretold +the coming outbreak. + +Gabrielle felt herself powerless, defenceless, against his accusations. +She made an attempt, however, to meet and refute them. + +"Hear me, Arno. You are mistaken. I have not deceived you, nor betrayed +you. If I knew anything----" + +"Say no more!" he interrupted her, with terrible vehemence. "I will +hear nothing. I know enough. Your silence just now spoke more plainly +than words. Justify your conduct to him, to your 'George;' confess to +him that you could not keep his secret to the last moment. He will +perhaps forgive you. The warning would, any way, have come too late. +This I will own, I did him an injustice in declaring him to be a +commonplace person, not above the ordinary run of men. Evidently he is +not afraid to leave accustomed grooves, to undertake feats which no one +has ventured on before him, and which no one, I think, in future will +care to emulate. He may possibly make his way with it, this young +Assessor whom yesterday nobody knew, and whose name will to-morrow be +in everybody's mouth, simply because he has had the audacity to whet +his sword and attack me. But he will pay dearly for the notoriety, I +give you my word for that. As yet I have never feared a foe, nor shrunk +from a contest, and this onslaught would have moved me as little as the +rest. The thought that you were in league with him, that you--_you_ had +betrayed me, this, and only this, it is which has procured my enemies +the satisfaction and triumph of seeing me for once thrown off my +balance." + +His voice faltered a little as he spoke the last words. Through the +man's fierce wrath at seeing himself, as he believed, wounded in his +love as in his honour, came the sharp quivering pang of an exceeding +bitter pain. At this tone Gabrielle forgot all else. She flew to him, +laid her two hands on his arm, and would have spoken, have implored; +but it was useless. With a rough, angry movement he freed himself, +thrusting her from him. + +"Go! I have been a fool, I own, but the illusion is dispelled now. I +will not let myself be lured on a second time by those eyes, which have +lied to me once with their feigned anxiety and tenderness. Tell your +George he has not well reflected what it is to challenge me to single +combat. He will soon make the experience. Between us two all is over, +now and for ever!" + +He went. The door fell to behind him with a crash, and Gabrielle +remained alone. She looked down at the pamphlet lying on the table, at +the name printed thereon, but saw neither. Echoing and re-echoing +through her mind in dismal iteration came those last cruel words. Ah, +yes; all was over now, now and for ever! + +The fears entertained that fresh disturbances might break out in the +town were but too speedily realised. All the military measures had been +taken in the most ostensible manner possible, it being hoped that they +would intimidate the population; they had, however, a contrary effect, +and only served to increase the general bitter animosity against the +Governor. A low ferment of discontent had been going on for months; but +the popular demonstrations of ill-feeling had only assumed a serious +character within the last few days. Signs of the hostile spirit +prevailing throughout the city had not been wanting, but there had +previously been no attempt at open insurrection. People in R---- had so +long been accustomed to bow to the Governor's will, it was not easy for +them to shake off the habit. Moreover, the Baron's temper was pretty +accurately known. It was felt that neither weakness nor concessions +were to be expected from him--so for weeks the citizens contented +themselves with grumbling and murmuring their dissatisfaction. The +energetic inflexible mind in authority over them exerted its wonted +sway. So far, Raven had restrained the threatening elements, and held +the storm in check. By his personal intervention he had quelled a riot +and dispersed the rebellious masses; but, even in that hour of apparent +success, it had been made evident to him that his power was on the +wane. + +Things now seemed to have reached a crisis. Much exasperation was felt +at the arrests which had been made by the Baron's order some days +before, and at the extreme harshness and rigour with which the +offenders were treated. By this incident the long-smouldering fire was +fanned to a flame. A tumult was raised with a view to release the +captives, and when the attempt failed, and the Governor still opposed +to all the popular protests and all the importunate clamouring the same +unvarying resolute answer, the agitation, which had been temporarily +allayed, broke out afresh with redoubled force. + +Evening had come again. The Government-house was in a state of turmoil +and excitement. Every door, even to the main entrance, was barred and +guarded. The panic-stricken servants thronged the corridors and +staircases, and outside, before the long line of windows, glittered a +file of bayonets. A strong detachment of troops was stationed round the +Castle-hill, the soldiers having arrived in time to secure the +Governor's residence from attack. The roads leading to it had been +cleared, and the crowd driven back; but the uproar in the neighbouring +streets had increased proportionably, and at any moment a collision +between the armed force and the populace might be expected. + +The Governor's apartments were the focus of all the busy movement. +Messages flowed in one upon the other; police officers and orderlies +came and went. Councillor Moser had hurried to the side of his chief, +who was to him a stronghold and rock of defence in every time of +danger. Lieutenant Wilten, appointed to command the Castle garrison, +was with the Baron, and an ambassador from the insurgent camp was also +present--the worthy Burgomaster, who had come up the hill, resolved on +making that last attempt which in the morning he had been induced to +forego. + +Raven himself stood cool and unmoved in the midst of all this hurry and +commotion. He listened to the reports and gave his orders, not for an +instant disturbed from his perfect equanimity; but those about him had +never seen his face so hard, so rigidly set, as on this evening. The +stormy passages of the last four-and-twenty hours had, no doubt, helped +to grave that harsh inexorable expression on his features; but whatever +internal struggles he might have fought through, whatever he might have +suffered since the preceding evening, to all bystanders he was the same +haughty imperturbable Baron von Raven, in whose armour there was no +joint, from whom those shafts glanced innocuously which would have +shattered the strength of ordinary men. + +"For the last time I beg, I demand of you to abstain from these extreme +measures. There is yet time--as yet no blood has been shed. In another +quarter of an hour it may be too late. It is said you have given orders +that no mercy is to be shown. I cannot, will not believe this." + +"Am I to allow the castle to be taken by a _coup de main_?" the Baron +interrupted him. "Am I to wait until the entrance is stormed and I am +insulted here in my own apartments? I think I have sufficiently shown +how distasteful it is to me to take precautions for my own personal +safety, but I have to answer for the safety of others, and, above all, +I have to guard the Government-house from any chance of attack. This is +my simple duty, and I intend to perform it." + +"We have here to do with a mere demonstration; there is no question of +an attack," declared the Burgomaster. "But no matter; you say the +Castle must be protected and the crowds driven back. Well, this has +been done; the Castle-hill is lined with troops--let that suffice. The +agitation down yonder is perfectly harmless, and will die out of +itself, if left a free course." + +"Colonel Wilten will clear the streets," said Raven, coldly. "Should +resistance be offered, he will resort to arms." + +"That would lead to incalculable trouble. All the outlets to the Castle +road are beset by the military; the people are hedged in on every side, +and could not take to flight. Do not let it come to this, your +Excellency. Hundreds of lives are at stake." + +"The order and safety of the town are at stake, and they may no longer +remain at the mercy of this rabble." There was an uncompromising, +determined ring in the Baron's voice. "I have dallied long enough, +postponing this measure. Now it has been decided on, and will be +carried into execution. If the streets are cleared at once, without +opposition, there is no reason for uneasiness; in the opposite case, +the consequences must be on the heads of the insurgents." + +At this moment the door was opened, and the Superintendent of police +came in. + +"Well, how goes it?" + +"I have withdrawn my men from the principal centres," replied the +functionary addressed. "We can do no more. The excitement is increasing +every minute; it seems they mean to resist. I have just had some +wounded men brought up to the Castle. There was no possibility of +getting them transported to the town. They must be taken in here for +the present." + +"How is it there are wounded already?" asked the Burgomaster. "Ten +minutes ago, when I came up the hill, there had been no collision with +the troops." + +"These casualties occurred some time ago, before the soldiers were +called out, while we were bearing the brunt alone. Two of my men got +very roughly handled then, and, unfortunately, a third person was +injured, one in no way concerned in the row, a doctor who had come to +the rescue and applied bandages to the wounded. He had finished his +work and was going off, when one of the stones, which were falling +thick and fast, struck him and felled him to the earth. It is that Dr. +Brunnow of whom we were speaking this morning," added the +Superintendent, turning to Councillor Moser. + +"Who?" asked Raven, quickly. He had caught the last words. + +"A young doctor who has been staying here for the last few weeks. Max +Brunnow by name. His father lives in Switzerland, whither he had to fly +for political motives. He took a prominent part in the last +revolution." + +The Superintendent let fall these remarks in an easy and, apparently, +pointless manner; but as he spoke, he kept a vigilant watch on the +Baron. He alone saw the almost imperceptible change of colour, and +heard the slight tremour of emotion in the question: + +"Is the young man's wound serious?" + +"I fear so--perhaps even mortal. He lies in a state of unconsciousness. +The stone struck him on the head." + +"Every attention shall be given to the wounded man;" the Baron stepped +towards the door, but bethought himself, and paused. The Burgomaster's +look of surprise, and the keen, observant glance of the lynx-eyed +Superintendent, no doubt reminded him that this sudden show of sympathy +on his part was in too glaring contrast to that indifference to the +loss of human life he had hitherto manifested. "I will myself give all +needful orders," he added slowly, and laid his hand on the bell. + +"The major-domo has already made every arrangement, and has shown the +utmost thoughtfulness. It is unnecessary that you should trouble +yourself, your Excellency." + +The Baron walked up to the window in silence. Why was the name of his +old friend and companion recalled to his memory just at this moment? +Was he to take it as a warning, a reminder that he himself, Arno Raven, +had once belonged to those rebels whom he now declared himself ready to +shoot down? A long pause followed, during which many critical minutes +sped by. + +"I will return to the town," said the Burgomaster breaking the silence +at length. "Am I to take those words as your Excellency's final +decision?" + +The Baron turned. The shade of some inward conflict was on his face, as +he replied: + +"Colonel Wilten has the command in the town. I cannot interfere with +his plans. The military arrangements rest with him." + +"But the Colonel acts under your instructions. A word from you, and he +will refrain from active intervention, at least. Speak the word. We are +all waiting for it, earnestly desiring it." + +Again some seconds passed. Deep furrows gathered on Raven's brow as he +stood thinking. Suddenly he drew himself up and called the young +officer to him. + +"Lieutenant Wilten, can you leave your post here at the Castle for a +quarter of an hour? I would ask you to go over to your father +yourself." + +He paused and listened. From the town there came a sound, distant but +not to be mistaken--the crackle of firearms. + +"Good God! those are shots!" cried Councillor Moser, starting up in +terror, while the two men at his side hurried to the window. + +The darkness prevented their seeing anything, but sight was superfluous +in this case. A second, a third time came the sharp, quick, cracking +sound--then all was still. + +"The message would be useless now," said the young officer in a low +voice, addressing the Baron. "They have opened fire already." + +Raven answered not a syllable. He stood motionless, leaning with his +hand on the table, his eyes directed towards the window; but, a minute +later, as the other two came back from thence, he turned to the +Burgomaster and said: + +"You see it is too late. I cannot interfere now, if I would." + +"I see," said the old man, with trenchant bitterness. "There is blood +now between you and us, so all discussion is at an end. I have not a +word more to say." + + + + + CHAPTER XIV. + + +If ever any one had cause to ruminate on the strange sport of destiny, +that person surely was Councillor Moser; for wayward chance had played +him as sorry a trick as could well be imagined. He, the most faithful +subject of a most gracious sovereign, the incarnation of loyalty, the +sworn foe of every revolutionary and democratic tendency, had lived to +see the son of a traitor to King and State lodged beneath his roof, +admitted to the sanctuary of his home--while, bitterest reflection of +all, to the imprudent and overhasty conduct of his own daughter must he +ascribe the calamity which had overtaken him. + +There was no denying the fact that Agnes Moser had alone been to blame +for what had happened, though, no doubt, she had been actuated by the +most pious motives. Agnes had always looked on the short space of time +which she was to spend in her father's house before entering on her +chosen vocation, simply as an interval of preparation for the life that +was to follow. The law-writer's sick wife was by no means the only +person on whom she had bestowed her care and attention. Wherever +comfort and consolation were needed, in the Castle itself or its +immediate neighbourhood, there would be found this young girl, so +rarely seen at other times, ready, in her quiet self-sacrificing way, +to relieve the suffering and afflicted; and what, in another case, +might have appeared singular and excited remark, was from her received +as a matter of course. It was generally known that Councillor Moser's +daughter was to take the veil; the sanctity of the future nun was about +her, and this, added to her constant willingness to render help where +help was needed, procured for her from all the dwellers in the Castle a +degree of respect but seldom accorded to a maiden of seventeen. It +seemed perfectly natural, therefore, that when the wounded men were +brought up to the Castle, Fräulein Moser should take her part in the +work of succour, and her proposal to have Dr. Brunnow, whose case was +by far the worst, carried to her father's room, where she could attend +to him herself, met with prompt and cordial acceptance. The Governor +had given orders that every care and attention were to be shown the +injured men, and more especially the young doctor, who had so nearly +lost his life in the exercise of his professional duty, and surely he +could be entrusted to no better hands than these. His precarious +condition would oblige him to remain at the Castle for the present, +whilst the two policemen, whose injuries were of a less serious nature, +might be transported to the town on the following day. The major-domo +caught at the chance of fulfilling his master's instructions so +precisely. He gave his warm support to the plan which the young lady's +feelings of Christian charity had suggested, and he had the +satisfaction of finding that the Baron, when informed of the +arrangement, appeared well pleased and spoke his full approval. + +But the Councillor was by no means so satisfied with the position of +affairs. He worked himself into a fury on seeing this treasonable +patient installed in his home, and insisted on his immediate removal. +Here, however, he was met by a resistance as decided as his own. For +the first time in her life the gentle, quiet Agnes displayed an +unyielding obstinacy, refusing absolutely to obey her father in this +matter; and as that determined person, Frau Christine, declared herself +on the side of her young mistress, Moser was out-voted and vanquished. +He was given to understand that a man so dangerously ill could not be +moved without risk to his life, and that he who turned him out of doors +would incur the guilt of manslaughter; and the Councillor at length +seemed to grasp the truth of this reasoning, but it did not lessen his +despair. Early the next morning he rushed over to his chief to +communicate the dreadful tidings, and to protest in the most solemn +manner against any supposition of complicity on his part; but, in lieu +of the hoped-for decree which should free him from the presence of his +unwelcome guest, he was advised to acquiesce in and sanction his +daughter's proceedings, of which the Baron himself seemed thoroughly to +approve. Raven promised to shield the Councillor from any doubts on the +score of his loyalty, and even declared that he would send round his +own physician to the patient. It was incumbent on them, he said, to +show all interest in the young doctor, who had behaved with so much +courage and proper feeling. The Councillor was fain to submit to this +high authority, but he did so with a heavy heart. He could not forgive +his daughter for allowing herself thus to be led into extremes by her +charitable sentiments and her pity for her suffering fellow-creatures; +and though he was powerless to alter the accomplished fact, he viewed +it every day with increasing abhorrence and indignation. + +On the third morning after Max Brunnow's accident, the doctor who was +attending him called to pay his usual professional visit. He was a +small, spare man, with flaxen hair, mild-looking eyes, and a very +gentle voice. On coming in, he met the master of the house, who was on +the point of leaving for his office, and a short conference took place +between the two gentlemen. + +"No, Councillor, I have little, I may say no, hope of saving our +patient. He is in a bad way--a very bad way. We must hold ourselves +prepared for the worst." + +"You have not seen him to-day," said the Councillor. "My daughter tells +me he has passed a very quiet night." + +The little doctor shrugged his shoulders. + +"Ah, weakness--coma! There was great loss of blood, and after the +violent traumatic fever, extreme exhaustion was sure to follow. I tell +you, in my opinion, he will not rally." + +"I am sorry to hear it," said the Councillor. Before the dread shadow +of Death his rancour yielded, and compassion gained the upper hand. +"And my daughter will be sorry too. She has taken all the nursing on +herself, and has zealously kept watch by the sick-bed. I fear, indeed, +that Agnes is overtaxing her strength, for I have never seen her look +so pale. I had really to insist this morning--to compel her to go and +take some rest after sitting up all night." + +"Yes, Fräulein Moser is an admirable nurse. She has all the zeal and +devotion necessary for her future vocation, and I am persuaded that her +life will be fruitful of blessing to others. In this case, however, her +exertions will soon be at an end. I fear the poor fellow's hours are +numbered. He will hardly last through the day." + +With a melancholy shake of the head, he took his leave, and went off to +see his patient. The Councillor remained behind, looking very blank and +melancholy also, but from quite another cause. A fresh trouble was +coming on him. There was to be a death in the house now, after these +two long days of care and anxiety. And how shocking it would be to see +in the papers: "The son of that Dr. Brunnow, whose name is notorious in +connection with the late revolution, died on such a day in R----, at +the house of Councillor Moser. His death was occasioned by injuries +received in a street riot." Those wretched papers always made these +announcements in a dry, matter-of-fact manner, without a word of +explanation or amplification. The Councillor cast an appealing glance +to Heaven. He, the most dutiful, the most conscientious of officials, +to be exposed to such a fate! His head drooped dolefully over his white +neckcloth as he at length set out on his way to the Chancellery. + +Meanwhile the physician had betaken himself to the sick-room. He +entered with the cautious, noiseless step with which it seems natural +to approach the dying. Frau Christine, who had relieved her young +mistress for a short time, sat by the bedside. The doctor exchanged a +few words with her in a whisper, and then sent her to fetch fresh +compresses. Going up to the bed, he bent over the patient, who suddenly +awoke and opened his eyes, apparently in possession of full +consciousness. + +"How do you feel yourself, my dear sir?" asked the little doctor, in a +very gentle tone. + +"Pretty well, thank you," replied the sick man, whose roving eyes +seemed to be seeking something. "What has been the matter with me?" + +"You have been badly wounded; but make your mind easy--I will do all +that can be done. You are in good hands." + +Max, having searched the whole room without finding what he sought, now +turned his attention to the speaker, and calmly surveyed him. + +"A colleague, I presume?" said he. "Whom have I the honour----" + +"My name is Berndt," replied his brother practitioner. "His Excellency +the Governor, who has shown the greatest sympathy for you during your +illness, would have sent his own physician. My distinguished friend, +Dr. ----, is, however, unfortunately indisposed himself, so I, as his +assistant, have undertaken the case. But you must not talk, nor, above +all, move; answer my questions by signs if you find it difficult to +speak. You are low and exhausted, and require the utmost----" + +He stopped aghast, for the condemned man, having pulled himself +together with a vigorous jerk, sat bolt upright, and asked, in a voice +which was anything but faint: + +"What has become of my nurse? She used to stay with me always." + +"Fräulein Moser, do you mean? She has gone to get a little rest, after +having watched by your bedside all night. You have indeed been nursed +with devoted care. That young lady is an angel of mercy." + +"Mercy?" repeated Max, with protracted emphasis. "Yes, as you say, a +too intimate acquaintance with the pavement of your agreeable town has +thrown me on the mercy of mankind. Confounded misuse of paving-stones +to shy them at people's heads!" + +"Do not excite yourself, my dear colleague," implored Dr. Berndt, +gently. "No agitation, I beg. Quiet, rest, and the greatest caution! +But now that you are yourself again, is there no wish, no desire you +would like to express?" + +His face said plainly that he expected nothing less than a last will or +dying bequest. + +Ignoring such subjects, however, the patient replied with perfect +equanimity: "Certainly; I have the most pressing wish and desire for +something to eat." + +"To eat!" asked the doctor, in surprise. "To eat! Well, if you like, we +may try a little beef-tea." + +"A little won't do," said Max. "I shall want a great deal; but I think +I would rather have something a trifle more substantial than beef-tea. +A steak, now--in fact, I could eat two." + +"Dear, dear, dear!" exclaimed the little Esculapius, laying his fingers +on the sick man's pulse, for he began to think his patient was +delirious. But Max drew away his hand impatiently. + +"Don't make such a fuss about that crack in my head-piece. It will be +well in a week. I know my constitution." + +Dr. Berndt looked with commiseration at this poor deluded creature, who +had so little knowledge of his situation. + +"You mistake your condition, my friend. You are very ill, +notwithstanding this flicker of vitality. You have lain two whole days +prostrated by a violent fever." + +"That is no reason why I should not feel very well on the third, when +the fever has left me. Flicker of vitality! Do you really imagine I am +in danger?" + +"I do not imagine it--it is a fact," said Dr. Berndt, a little piqued. +"Seriously, I fear----" + +"You need not fear anything at all," interrupted Max. "I have not the +smallest intention of going over to the majority at present. But now, +have the goodness to tell me exactly how I have been treated." + +This clinging to life, so bluntly expressed by a patient on whom he had +passed sentence of death without recall, seemed to disconcert the +doctor extremely. He was silent, and looked flustered. It was only when +the question was reiterated in a louder key, and with audible +impatience, that he vouchsafed the desired details, and related, with +much self-complacency, the various measures he had adopted to rescue +the sick man from the jaws of death. + +Max listened rather disdainfully. + +"My respected colleague, you might have done better," said he, in his +rough, outspoken way. "I don't approve of violent remedies. I never +have recourse to them in slight cases, but let Nature act, doing what I +can to assist her." + +"But this was not a slight case," cried the little doctor, who, in +spite of his mild temper, was beginning to get angry. "I tell you, your +condition was a most precarious one. It is so still, indeed, as you +will find when this momentary excitement is over." + +"And I tell you that I am doing very well," cried Max, still louder; +"and that there is not the smallest prospect of any danger. I am a +decided opponent of this method of treatment. I consider it useless, +injurious even. You may thank God that my robust constitution has held +out under these experiments, otherwise you would have had the death of +a brother practitioner on your conscience." + +Dr. Berndt grew purple with indignation. + +"I follow the method of my friend. Dr. ----, Professor of Therapeutics, +and consulting-physician to his Excellency. The professor is one of our +first authorities. He holds a most important position at the University +here, and his system is attended with marvellous success." + +The little doctor raised his mild voice to as loud and shrill a pitch +as possible, but in vain, for Max with his strong lungs quite +overpowered him. + +"I don't care a rap for the Professor of Therapeutics. We have far +greater authorities at our University of Z----, and our success is +infinitely more marvellous. But we do not cling to tradition and +routine, like you gentlemen here in this patriarchal R----." + +Hereupon the two medical men fell into a professional dispute, which +grew so violent that Frau Christine hurried in from the next room, in +alarm. But, on crossing the threshold, she stopped, petrified with +astonishment at the sight which met her view. Dr. Brunnow, who, +according to all rule and precedent, should have lain calmly on his +death-bed, sat upright, gesticulating, and pouring forth volley after +volley of argument on his colleague, raking him with the fire of his +proofs and refutations; while the colleague himself, who, ten minutes +before, had, as it were, stolen into the room on tiptoe, so fearful was +he of disturbing the dying man, now stood before his patient in a state +of violent excitement, and fought with both arms in the air, whilst he +in vain sought to stem that torrent of speech and put in a word in his +turn. Failing altogether in this, he seized his hat at last in a rage, +and cried: + +"If you know everything so much better than anyone else, treat yourself +in future, if you please. I shall let the Governor know your precise +state, and shall at the same time tell his Excellency that I have never +yet met with such a patient--a man who yesterday lay at death's door, +and who to-day flings the grossest insults at me and at the whole +body of the faculty here. You are right, sir. Such a constitution as +yours is unique. You put every diagnosis to shame. I wish you a +good-morning." + +So saying, he left the room tempestuously. Frau Christine, who had not +understood a word of the business, stared after him in astonishment, +and then went up to the invalid for an explanation. + +"Goodness me, what is the matter? What has happened? The doctor is +running away in a perfect fury, and you----" + +"Let him run," said Max, leaning back composedly. "That man and brother +is bent on making of me a candidate for heaven. He has very nearly +killed me with his stupid proceedings. Now I will take my treatment +into my own hands, and set about it at once, too. Dear Frau Christine, +I do beg of you, in the most earnest and affectionate manner, bring me +something to eat." + +It might be about an hour later that Agnes Moser, after a short +interval of rest, of which she stood but too much in need, prepared +again to take her place by the bedside whence during the last few days +she had hardly stirred. Meanwhile Dr. Brunnow had followed out his own +prescription with an exactitude which left nothing to be desired, much +to the delight of Frau Christine, who thought the doctor showed great +discernment in his mode of treatment. But in vain did she preach to him +to try and get a little sleep. Max declared that he did not want to +sleep, and occupied himself exclusively with watching the door through +which Agnes must enter. When in the short space of a quarter of an hour +he presumed to ask three times where his nurse was, and what she could +be doing, Christine grew somewhat irritated. She looked the patient +sternly in the face, and said, without any beating about the bush: + +"What's all this that is going on between you and Fräulein Agnes, +Doctor? There is something underneath, something hidden; I have seen +that a long while." + +Max preferred to make no answer; but this availed him little. The +housekeeper went on, in her blunt, straightforward way: + +"Don't trouble yourself to try and impose on me. I have not been in and +out of this room all these days for nothing. Do you think I have not +seen how the poor child has been fretting, and the change that came +over you whenever Agnes went near you? I know all about it, I assure +you; you won't deceive me." + +"Frau Christine, what a wonderfully wise woman you are!" said the young +doctor. "You sit there and tell me things which three days ago I did +not so much as guess at, and of which Fräulein Agnes is now as ignorant +as I was. But, unfortunately, you are right. Nemesis has overtaken me. +I am hopelessly, head over ears, in love." + +Christine nodded. "I have known that ever so long. But what is to come +of it? I have not worried myself much about the matter so far, because +Dr. Berndt made so sure you were going to die, and that would have +ended everything; but now it seems there is no likelihood of your +popping off at present----" + +"No likelihood at all," interpolated the patient. + +"Well, then, I should like to ask what is to become of you and my young +lady?" + +"What is to become of us? Why, a married couple, to be sure. What else +should become of us?" + +Contrary to Max's expectation, Frau Christine did not appear shocked or +horrified at this answer. Though a Catholic herself, she was the widow +of a Protestant, and during the course of her married life she had +imbibed many heretical notions; among these figured a strong dislike to +convents and the conventual system. The girl's determination to +withdraw from the world had never found favour in her sight; in her +opinion, a myrtle-wreath would become her young mistress far better +than a nun's veil. She was far, therefore, from disapproving of the +scheme so boldly proposed by Dr. Brunnow, who had taken her fancy from +the first. Nevertheless, she shook her head gravely: + +"There will never be any question of that. Have you forgotten that +Fräulein Agnes is going into a convent?" + +"Oh, that plan will come to nothing," decided Max. "She is not +in yet, and I will take care she does not go in. But--this is most +important--you must not tell your young lady that I am better, nor say +a word to her about my discussion with the doctor, and the excellent +appetite I have since developed. I will tell her all that myself." + +Christine looked rather startled at receiving these instructions. + +"Doctor, you will not be so unscrupulous as to go and act a part with +that poor child?" she asked. + +"I am horribly unscrupulous in such matters," declared the doctor, with +sweet, equable frankness. "Besides, all I ask of you is to keep silence +until I have spoken to Fräulein Agnes. We'll settle the rest +afterwards." + +The required promise could not be given, for at this juncture Agnes +came in. She did, indeed, look very pale, and the anxious inquiring +look she turned on Christine told her utter despondency. With a +noiseless step she went up to the sick man's bed, and, bending over +him, asked in a trembling voice how he felt. + +That prudent youth. Dr. Brunnow, took good care not to display the fine +animation which his late medical discussion had called forth in a +manner surprising as it was satisfactory. He thought fit, by way of +answer, feebly to hold out his hand to the young girl. Max was well +aware that in his supposed danger he had a most powerful ally, and as, +according to his own confession, he was horribly unscrupulous, he did +not hesitate an instant to take advantage of the situation. + +Frau Christine thought he was acting abominably, but she was too well +disposed towards the secret design which prompted this abominable +conduct to rise in open revolt against it. She merely reported, +therefore, that Dr. Berndt had called, but had left no new +instructions, and seized the first opportunity of hurrying from the +room and leaving the young people together. + +Agnes had re-assumed her functions as nurse. + +"Take your medicine now," she begged. "Dr. Berndt directed me to give +it regularly. He only wrote this new prescription yesterday evening." + +"Dr. Berndt gives me up for lost," replied Max, "so it is quite useless +for me to take his physic." + +"No, no; don't think that," entreated Agnes, soothingly, her anxious +face belying her words. "He only said that your illness might take a +dangerous turn----" + +"I spoke to him myself this morning," interrupted the young doctor, +"and heard his sentence from his own lips. He believes my wounds to be +mortal." + +Agnes set down the medicine bottle, and hid her face in her hands. +Presently he heard a half-stifled sob. + +"Agnes, would it grieve you if I were to die?" + +The question came in a remarkably soft and tender tone from Dr. +Brunnow's lips--mildness and tenderness not being among that +gentleman's ordinary characteristics. He received no answer, but the +sobs grew louder, more passionate. Taking the girl's hands, he drew +them gently from her face all deluged in tears, and went on: + +"I think I have betrayed so much to you, that you need not hesitate to +confess those tears are falling for me. It is only within the last few +days, since I have been under your care, that I have known how matters +really stood with me, or, may I say, with us both?" + +The girl had sunk on her knees by the bedside and buried her face in +the pillows. For all reply she wept more bitterly and despairingly than +ever, but she offered no resistance when the sick man put his arm +round her and drew her gently to him. And then followed a wonderful +event--Max Brunnow, throwing overboard his programme with its many +clauses, launched into a fervent, heart-stirring declaration of love, a +declaration which had but one defect--in form and vivacity of +expression it was such as no dying lips could have uttered. + +Poor Agnes was far too agitated to think of this; and moreover Dr. +Berndt had so impressed upon her the utter hopelessness of the case, +that she dared not admit to herself even the possibility of recovery. +She took the patient's animation for the excitement of fever, and truly +believed that she was witnessing the last transient flicker of life's +flame--the gleam which precedes its final extinction. + +"I shall never forget you," she sobbed. "What in life I never should +have owned to you, now in the presence of death I may confess--my love +is endless, unspeakable; it will reach beyond the grave. It is no sin +to think of a departed one, and to send messages on the wings of +prayer--this I shall do daily, when the quiet convent walls have shut +me in for ever." + +Earnest and touching as were her accents, this confession hardly +satisfied Max. He had not the smallest wish to be worshipped as a +departed spirit, and communications with the other world were by no +means to his taste. + +"It would be so, in case of my death," he said; "but what if I should +live, after all?" Agnes raised her dark, tearful eyes, with an +expression of the utmost perplexity. She had evidently not thought of +this. "I believe that would not quite suit you," cried Max, +resentfully. + +"Not suit me? Oh, how can you say so! Why," cried the young girl, with +a burst of feeling, "I would willingly give my life to save yours, if +that were possible!" + +"You shall not be asked to give your life," declared Max, whose +conscience smote him as he saw how true and deep was the poor girl's +grief. "All you will have to give up is a foolish idea which would make +us both miserable were you to cling to it. Agnes, you are mistaken in +thinking my condition a hopeless one. I have, in fact, hardly been in +danger at all; and this morning any doubt as to my recovery has +altogether disappeared. If I left you in error a quarter of an hour +longer than was necessary, I did so because I was determined, at any +cost, to obtain from you an avowal of your affection. As a +convalescent, I well knew I should sigh for it in vain, but now you +have spoken your confession, and I shall hold you to your word. It will +be quite useless to go back--to try and recall what you have said. You +may refuse me a hundred times, it will make no difference. In spite of +all and everything, you will be my wife." + +Agnes started up. "Never. You must not think of that. I have given +myself to a religious life. I must return to the convent very shortly." + +"Not if I know it," answered the young doctor, stoutly. "The convent +people have no voice in the matter. Happily, you are quite free as yet; +you have taken no vows." + +"I have taken vows mentally, to myself I have promised the abbess and +my confessor, and this promise is as binding as an oath taken at the +altar." + +"I have no objection whatever to your taking an oath before the altar," +remarked Max, "but I must be present on the occasion, and swear myself +in at the same time, as is usual at nuptial ceremonies. If the lady +abbess and our friend the confessor attempt to interfere, they will +have to deal with me. I shall soon settle them. I'll make such a stir +among the whole spiritual community, that----" + +"For Heaven's sake, do not be so violent!" implored the girl, with deep +anxiety. "This excitement may be most hurtful, may be fatal to you. +Do--do compose yourself, I entreat you!" + +"We two must come to a clear understanding first," declared Dr. +Brunnow, in his old dictatorial way. Then he poured forth on Agnes a +torrent of argument, of reasons irrefutable, such as he had lately +showered on his unfortunate colleague, proving to her, clear as day, +that she was his betrothed now, and that, come what might, she must one +day be his wife, until the poor girl, quite bewildered and stupefied, +began at last to think he was right, and the matter really stood as he +put it. It would indeed have required a more energetic nature than hers +to offer effectual resistance here, when this moribund, of whom a last +leave had just been taken, whose memory was to have been cherished +beyond the grave, and with whom spiritual communion alone was +henceforth to be held, suddenly rallied, made an unexpected sortie in +the shape of a most earthly offer of marriage, and fairly took by storm +the fortress which refused to capitulate. Agnes still wept, it is true, +and still said No, no, it could never be, she would go back to the +convent; but when Max, unheeding this, took her in his arms and kissed +her, she bore it with docility, and the young man himself seemed to +entertain no doubt whatever of his victory, for he murmured _sotto +voce_, and drawing a long breath, "Well, we have managed that business +successfully, thanks to the remarkable stupidity of my worthy +colleague. Blessings on the old blockhead!" + + + + + CHAPTER XV. + + +Dr. Brunnow was, unfortunately, soon to learn from experience that the +quality he vaunted in his colleague may, under given circumstances, +lead to serious complications. The day passed by quickly enough, and, +in spite of all the excitement he had gone through, the patient found +himself in such excellent case that even Agnes, in whose mind grave +doubt had lingered, began to believe in the fact of his safety. + +Evening was drawing on apace, and it was quite dusk out of doors when +Agnes came in, carrying a carefully-shaded lamp, and informed Max that +an elderly gentleman, a certain Dr. Franz, had just arrived, and after +inquiring minutely and with much interest as to the state of his, Dr. +Brunnow's, health, had begged to be allowed to see him. He called, he +said, at the request of a professional friend, and was anxious +personally to convince himself of the well-being of the patient, to +whom he sent a written message. + +Max took the card, on which a few words were pencilled. + +"Dr. Franz? I suppose my respected colleague cannot get over this +morning's astounding resurrection, and means to have an official report +of the case drawn up in due form. I will give the gentleman----" + +Suddenly he stopped. As his eye fell on the handwriting, he started +violently, and an expression of alarm came over his features, while his +fingers closed convulsively on the card. Agnes, who had raised the +lamp-shade to enable him to read it, was struck by the change in him. + +"What is it, dear?" she asked, "Do you know this Dr. Franz?" + +In spite of the convent education, they had got so far as this +caressing little epithet "dear" in the course of the day. + +"Yes, I have known him some time," said Max, collecting himself with an +effort--try as he would, however, he could not speak with quite his +wonted steadiness. "I will see him, certainly, at once; and do me a +favour, Agnes. Leave us together while he is here, and take care that +we are not disturbed." + +Agnes looked a little puzzled. Max had hardly let her stir from his +side during the day, and now he was sending her from him. Fortunately, +the light was too subdued for her to notice the young man's suppressed +agitation; she quieted herself with the thought that, no doubt, +a medical consultation was to be held, and went away to tell the +new-comer he was expected. + +The stranger, a grey-haired man of meagre form and stooping gait, at +once obeyed the summons. On entering, he closed the door of the +sick-room quickly behind him, and hurried up to the invalid, who had +raised himself in his bed, and stretched out both hands to his visitor. + +"Father! For God's sake, what brought you here? How could you run such +a risk?" + +For all answer, Dr. Rudolph Brunnow put his arm round his son's +shoulders, and scanned his features with a careful, anxious scrutiny. + +"You are better? They told me so outside. Thank God!" + +"But how did you hear of my accident?" questioned Max. "You were not to +have been told until it was all happily over. I did not want to cause +you useless anxiety." + +"I received a telegram from your doctor, yesterday. He communicated to +me that you were badly wounded and in a critical condition. I was to +hold myself prepared for the worst. An hour later I was on the road +hither, and I reached this town by the next express." + +"A confounded old fool!" burst out Max, in a fury. "Is it not enough +that he has tormented me and all the people about me with this rubbish, +that now he must bring you here, too? If I could have guessed it, this +morning, I would have taken him to book in another fashion." + +Dr. Brunnow looked at his son in speechless amazement. Then he heaved a +deep-drawn sigh of relief. + +"Well, if you can fulminate in that manner, things cannot be so very +bad, I fancy. I feared to find you in a very different state. How was +the danger so speedily averted?" + +"There never was any danger. A good deal of fever, a little weakness +through loss of blood, that was all. But now tell me, father----" + +"By-and-by. I must look at this wound first myself" interrupted his +father, still visibly agitated. "I shall not be easy until I have +satisfied myself with my own eyes." + +He took off the bandage, and began to examine the appearance of the +wound. During this investigation his brow cleared, and at length he +said, with a little shake of the head: + +"You are right. The wound is deep, and may have produced some serious +symptoms at first, but it is not one involving danger to life, I don't +understand your surgeon." + +"Heaven have mercy on the patient who falls into his hands!" said Max, +emphatically. "But notwithstanding that unlucky telegram, I cannot +think how you could resolve on coming to this place. You know that you +are under a ban--that the old sentence is still in force. Directly they +recognise you, you will be arrested, and imprisoned in the citadel +again." + +"Do not make yourself uneasy," replied his father. "There is no fear +whatever of discovery. I am staying at an inn in one of the suburbs +under an assumed name; besides, I am quite a stranger to this town. No +one here is personally acquainted with me except ...."--a cloud came +over his face--"except the Governor, and it is not likely I shall meet +him. We have both of us good reasons to avoid each other." + +"No matter; with every hour you spend here, you are incurring fresh +risk to your freedom, your life. Did not you think of all this when you +undertook the journey?" + +"No," returned Brunnow, his voice faltering with deep emotion. "I heard +that my only son lay at death's door, and I said to myself that, as a +professional man, I might possibly find a way to save him. I had no +time to think of anything else." + +Max clasped his father's hand tightly, and tears glistened in his eyes, +as he answered: + +"I did not think you set so much value on my life, father. Forgive me +if I have sometimes doubted your affection for me. I have not deserved +that you should sacrifice yourself in this way. I have caused you worry +and care enough with my obstinacy, which has long refused to bend to +any authority." + +His father stopped him. + +"Let that be, Max," said he, with a wave of the hand. "We will forget +all that has come between us hitherto. The terrible anxiety of the last +four-and-twenty hours has taught me what it would be to lose the one +source of happiness, the one hope which remains to me in life. Do not +accuse yourself. I, too, have been unjust. I have never been willing to +understand that your nature is so differently constituted to mine, you +cannot think on all points as I do. But I trust this hour will have +shown you what you are to your father, in spite of any little +misunderstandings. Only get strong again, then all will be well." + +He stooped, and pressed his lips to his son's forehead--a mark of +tenderness which had long been out of use between them. Since his +childhood. Max had received no such caress from his father; he +responded to it with the heartiest warmth. + +"You shall not have to complain of your stubborn son, the 'realist,' +again," he said in a low voice. "I shall never forget, father, all that +you have risked in my behalf. But now, promise me to leave again at +once. You have convinced yourself that I am in no sort of danger. A +real peril, however, exists for you so long as you are on this side the +border. I entreat you once again, return as quickly as possible." + +"I will start to-morrow morning," declared Brunnow; "but I shall come +up again early to see you before I go. No remonstrances, Max. Do not +distress yourself with needless anxiety. I tell you, discovery is out +of the question. But now I will leave you. You are greatly in want of +rest, and have had far more excitement than is good for you in your +condition." + +"Bah! it won't do me any harm. I have a first-rate constitution," +replied Max, reflecting that he had that day gone through a lively +professional skirmish and a betrothal without detriment to his health. +He preferred, however, to say nothing to his father of his love-affairs +for the present, so he chose another topic. + +"You must have been not a little surprised to have to come and look me +up here at the Government-house?" + +"That I certainly was; and the name of Councillor Moser, who, as I +hear, is an official connected with the Chancellery, was quite +unfamiliar to me. I suppose you have made the gentleman's acquaintance +during your stay here, and have come to be on friendly terms with him." + +"Well, I can't say we are exactly on friendly terms," said his son, +dryly. "This Councillor is a splendid specimen of the loyal, orthodox +type, the very ideal of a bureaucrat. He has a nervous attack whenever +he hears the word 'revolution;' and on the first day of our +acquaintance he closed his doors on me because I bear a name to which, +in his opinion, the stigma of treason attaches." + +"We have the more cause for gratitude that, notwithstanding his +prejudices, he has received you into his house. We are both under a +deep obligation to him. Unfortunately, I cannot tender him my thanks in +person----" + +"Don't think of such a thing, for Heaven's sake! He scents a rebel a +mile off; and though he does not know you, his instinct of loyalty +would infallibly warn him that a traitor was near at hand." + +"Max, do not speak in such a tone of the man who has accorded to you +hospitality and attention," said Brunnow, reprovingly. "You are still +the same old Max, I see. But it must be owned you have a stalwart frame +and a robust constitution, which would astonish more experienced +people than this Esculapius of yours. Though the injury presents no +actual danger, it is serious enough to deprive any ordinary patient of +a fancy for conversation, and here are you indulging in quips at the +expense of your host!" + +Max thought to himself that he owed his welcome to that house to other +influences than the generosity of its master. He did not explain this, +however; but with very natural anxiety again urged his father to go, +and to use every possible precaution to ensure his safety. Dr. Brunnow, +who himself saw that a longer stay in the sick-room must excite +surprise, yielded to his son's wish. He took a hasty but affectionate +leave of the young man, and went. + +Passing through the apartments occupied by the Moser family, he was met +in the outer anteroom by Councillor Moser himself. That gentleman +approached the stranger in his calm, solemn manner, and said +inquiringly: + +"Dr. Franz, I believe?" + +Brunnow bowed consent. + +"That is my name; and I probably have the pleasure of speaking to +Councillor Moser?" + +"Precisely," replied that personage, with a stiff inclination of the +head. "My daughter tells me that you are a physician, and that you have +called at Dr. Berndt's request. I should like to hear from you whether +what the women say is correct. I am told that the patient's condition +has greatly improved during the course of the day, and that there is +now every hope of recovery. From what I gathered from your colleague +this morning, I should say this is most unlikely--impossible, in fact." + +"All danger is indeed over," said the other. "I have no doubt whatever +that Dr. Brunnow's life will be spared. He owes his safety, of course, +in a great measure to the prompt succour and devoted care he has +received in your house. You must have been put to great inconvenience +on his account during the last few days." + +"Yes, indeed, to very considerable inconvenience," sighed the +Councillor, who hardly knew whether to rejoice or to feel wrathful that +the dreaded catastrophe had been averted, that there was to be no death +in the house, after all. It would be just as bad to read in the papers: +"The son of that Dr. Brunnow, whose name is so well known in connection +with the late rebellion, has happily recovered from the effects of his +severe injuries. He has throughout his illness been carefully tended at +the house of Councillor Moser." + +Brunnow, for his part, regarded with looks full of interest this old +gentleman who appeared so perplexed and concerned. Knowing nothing of +Agnes's independent action, he attributed the kind treatment his son +had experienced to the Councillor himself; and judging by the hints Max +had given of his host's character, he saw in Moser a man who, in a +moment of need, had risen superior to all personal considerations, and +had magnanimously come to the rescue of a political enemy. + +"Dr. Brunnow," said he, speaking from the overflowing gratitude of a +father's heart--"Dr. Brunnow will, I trust, soon be able himself to +express to you his deep sense of your kindness; in the meantime, allow +me, as his old friend, to address you in his name. I--we thank you, +sir--thank you most heartily for that which you have done." + +"It was a Christian duty," asserted the Councillor, agreeably flattered +by these words, which so plainly betokened real and deep emotion; "a +duty I should in any case have fulfilled; still, it is gratifying to +find that one's good offices are appreciated by those to whom they have +been tendered." + +"Believe me, we appreciate them fully, thoroughly. We know all that a +man in your position, and holding your opinions, must have had to +combat in the exercise of your charity. You have acted with noble +self-abnegation." + +So saying, and carried away by his feelings, he held out his hand to +the old gentleman. + +Poor Councillor Moser! That instinct of loyalty so vaunted by Max +played him false at this moment. No inward voice warned him of his +error as he took that attainted hand, and gave it a friendly pressure. +It was so pleasant to meet at length with some one who knew how +properly to estimate his conduct in this fatal business. Agnes and Frau +Christine behaved as though it had all been a matter of course, but +this stranger took a truer view of the case, and thereby at once gained +for himself the Councillor's highest esteem. + +"Will you not come into the parlour for a few minutes?" he said. "I +shall be glad----" + +"Thank you, no," answered Brunnow, remembering, rather late, that it +would not do for him to show too marked an interest, or to be too +demonstrative in his gratitude. "I cannot possibly stay longer--I have +another professional visit to make. But I will come round to-morrow +morning early to see the patient, if you will permit me." + +"With the greatest pleasure!" cried the Councillor. "I shall be +delighted to see you again, sir. Pray be careful. The passage is but +imperfectly lighted." + +He had opened the door for his guest himself, but the latter stood +irresolute. + +"Must I take the stairs to the right or the left in order to reach the +entrance? I came in hurriedly, and did not notice the way." + +"I will accompany you," said Moser, courteously. "It is so easy to lose +one's self among all these corridors and turnings when one is not well +acquainted with them. I will take you as far as the main entrance." + +Dr. Brunnow, who really could not have found his way alone, and for +whom it was most undesirable to wander to and fro in these courts and +galleries, accepted the offer, and they walked down the corridor +together. This corridor connected the side wing, in which Mr. Moser's +apartments were situated, with the main building, and led direct to the +great hall of the Castle. Here, on either side, were doors giving +ingress to the Chancellery and the various bureaux, and here was the +foot of the grand staircase, which led up to the Governor's private +dwelling above. + +The two gentlemen had just stepped out of the dim corridor into the +brightly-lighted hall, when Brunnow gave a great start and turned +precipitately, almost as though he would have retraced his steps. It +was too late. He and his companion stood close before the Governor. + +The Baron appeared to have only just arrived. His carriage was still +before the door, and he himself was talking to the Superintendent of +Police, who was about to take his leave. A cloud lay on Raven's brow, +but it cleared a little as he caught sight of the Councillor. +Interrupting the conversation in which he was engaged, he asked of the +new-comer, with evident interest: + +"Is this true, Councillor, that I hear from Berndt? Young Dr. Brunnow +is declared to be out of danger? Coming after the previous unfavourable +reports, I must say the news surprised me very much." + +"I am as much astonished as your Excellency," the Councillor assured +him. "I could not believe it at first, but the statement has been +confirmed to me in another quarter--by this gentleman here, Dr. Franz, +a friend of the patient's, who has just left him." + +Raven turned to the stranger, who was standing a little aside, and whom +he had not yet observed. The full light from the great chandelier fell +on the tall, bent form. For a few seconds the Baron stood motionless, +rooted to the ground, while his eyes rested with a piercing gaze on the +face before him. Then a sudden pallor overspread his features, and he +pressed his lips tightly together, as though to keep back the +exclamation which sought to escape them. + +But Raven's discomposure was of short duration. Next minute his +self-command had returned to him; indeed, a movement on the +Superintendent's part quickly recalled to his mind the fact that he was +watched. He quietly waited until the Councillor had finished what he +had to say, and then addressed himself to that gentleman's companion. + +"It would be a pleasure to me to hear you confirm so favourable an +opinion," he said. "I had sent round my own physician to the patient, +but, unfortunately, the doctor himself fell ill on the first day of the +treatment, and had to abandon the case to his deputy. The bulletin I +received from Dr. Berndt this morning was so vague that I think I must +ask you to supplement it by a few details. Not here in the vestibule, +of course. Will you come in with me for two or three minutes?" + +Brunnow was less accustomed than the Baron to dissimulate his feelings; +and though he succeeded in controlling his voice and features +generally, his eyes glowed with a look half of pain, half of enmity, as +they rested on the speaker. + +"Does your Excellency take so strong an interest in this young doctor?" +he returned. + +"Unquestionably. Both I and the Superintendent of Police here"--Raven +laid a slight but perceptible emphasis on the word, as he indicated the +person named--"are under an obligation to him. You have probably heard +how this accident came about. Having hastened to the assistance of this +gentleman, some of whose officers had been injured, he was wounded +while rendering to them medical aid. You will understand, therefore, +that some detailed account of his condition will be very acceptable to +me." + +Brunnow understood the hint. He saw the vigilant look in the eyes of +the Superintendent, who was listening with quiet and, apparently, +merely casual attention to the short dialogue, keeping a sharp watch on +the Baron and himself the while. He understood all the danger of his +position; still he hesitated a moment, struggling, as it were, with +himself. + +"I am at your service," he said at length, laconically. + +"Will you come with me, then?" + +Raven turned, and took leave of the other gentlemen briefly; then with +the doctor he mounted the stairs which led to his own private +apartments. + +"Who is that gentleman, may I ask?" said the Superintendent, looking +after the pair as they disappeared from view. + +"A most agreeable person," replied the Councillor, with an important +air; "a colleague of Dr. Brunnow's, and a very near friend, I should +suppose, for he seems to take a great interest in him." + +"Oh, oh, a friend of Dr. Brunnow's! I thought the young man had no +friends or acquaintances here, now that Assessor Winterfeld has left. +Has the gentleman--Dr. Franz, I think you said--paid frequent visits to +the patient?" + +"No; he came to-day for the first time, but he is to call again +to-morrow. I must say he thanked me most warmly for my disinterested +kindness, and alluded in very delicate terms to the embarrassments +which the presence--the involuntary presence, it is true--of the young +man in my house must have brought upon me. An instance of the noblest +self-abnegation he styled my conduct in this matter. An exceedingly +agreeable person, and a clever doctor too; I could see that at a +glance. My instinct in such matters rarely deceives me." + +"That I can well believe," returned the Superintendent, about whose +lips there played a smile half derisive, half pitying. "This +exceedingly agreeable person seems to have found as prompt favour in +the Governor's eyes as in yours. It is not the Baron's way, in general, +to introduce a complete stranger to his private apartments in this +unceremonious manner. Perhaps he was not sorry to withdraw this Dr. +Franz from my society." + +"Why should he wish that?" asked the Councillor, unsuspiciously. "His +Excellency merely desires to obtain some reliable information as to Dr. +Brunnow's state." + +"Of course; and I have no doubt such information will be amply afforded +him. Good evening, Councillor. Don't push the abnegation business too +far. They may be asking too much of you one of these days." + +With this piece of advice the Superintendent went off, and the +Councillor, to whom his words were as Greek, shook his head with +dignified gravity at the other's light speech; then, secure beneath the +ægis of his infallible instinct, he returned to his own dwelling. The +Governor and his companion had meanwhile reached the upper story, and +entered the former's apartments. Raven impatiently signed to the +servants to withdraw, gave brief orders that he was on no pretext to be +disturbed, and shut himself in his study with Brunnow. + +As yet, no word had been exchanged between them, and even now that they +were quite alone, silence still reigned for a minute or two. It almost +seemed as though each shrank from speaking the first word. After an +interval of more than twenty years, the former friends stood face to +face. In the old days they had been adolescents, fired with all the +enthusiasm, replete with the vigour of youth; now they met as men who +since that time had severally lived through half a generation--the one +still in the prime of strength and manhood, with the tall commanding +figure and proud bearing which bespeak the habit of authority, his +thick dark hair showing no silver threads, his stern rigid countenance +no mark of age--and, as a contrast, the other! Barely a year his +companion's senior, and yet to all appearances an old man, with the +grey head and stooping form of advanced years, and a face deeply lined +with the furrows of care and suffering. In the eyes alone there +sparkled a gleam of the old fire, the last lingering trace of a +long-bygone time. + +"Rudolph!" said the Baron, at length. His tone betrayed mighty, +well-nigh uncontrollable emotion, and he moved forward as though he +would have approached his old friend; but the latter drew back, and +asked in an icy tone: + +"What may your Excellency wish of me?" + +Raven frowned. "Why such words between us? Will you not recognise me? I +knew you at once, by your eyes. You are still the same man, though +altered in much, in almost everything." His look travelled slowly over +Brunnow's face and figure as he spoke. The other smiled a smile of +intense bitterness. + +"I have grown old before my time. A man does not wear well in exile, +when each day is spent in battling with the petty cares and miseries of +life. Baron von Raven has come better through the fight. Such pitiful +grievances do not attain to the height on which your Excellency +stands." + +"Once more I beg of you to drop this tone, Rudolph," said the Baron, +earnestly. "I know all that lies between us, and I have no thought of +seeking a reconciliation which I feel to be impossible. We are foes +now--so be it; but it is a paltry vengeance on your part to insist with +such scornful emphasis on a title to which I attach as little +importance as you yourself can do. However we may stand towards each +other, to you I must still be Arno Raven. Call me by the name which has +been familiar to you." + +Brunnow stood silent, with a moody, downcast look. + +"I can divine what has brought you hither," went on Raven; "but even +such a motive hardly excuses the temerity of the step. You are fully +aware of the risk you run on this side the border, and your son is out +of danger." + +"But yesterday I believed him to be on his deathbed. My own safety +could not be thought of at such a time. I felt I must hasten to him at +all hazards." + +The Baron made no reply to this; perhaps he told himself that in a like +case he would not have acted differently. + +"You understand why I insisted on your coming with me," he continued, +after a pause. "There were witnesses to our meeting. The Superintendent +of Police had his eye upon us. I almost think some suspicion was +already dawning in his mind. It was necessary to crush this in the bud; +and a lengthened interview with me will serve you as a sort of +guarantee." + +"No doubt; it would naturally be supposed that the Governor of +R---- would at once give over any suspicious person into the hands of +the police. I was prepared for that when you recognised me." + +"Moderate your tone, Rudolph," said Raven, warningly; but the other +went on unmoved: + +"And I really do not know to what caprice I owe my rescue. But to be +candid, Arno, I had a longing to meet you once more face to face, else +I would rather have given myself up to that man's myrmidons than have +followed you." + +Raven bit his lip. + +"Since our parting you have so boldly and openly proclaimed yourself my +enemy that I ought to have been prepared for some such attitude on your +part. You will remember, however, that in our young days I never +submitted to an insult, and in the course of years my temper has not +grown more enduring in this respect. So do not misuse your temporary +advantages, or forget that your position bars me from seeking +satisfaction. Let me, at least, feel that I may continue to address you +without loss of dignity." + +These words made little or no impression on Brunnow. His manner was, if +possible, more hostile than before, as he replied: + +"I see you have not unlearned the tone of command. I remember it of +old. Even in those days the man who sought to rise in revolt against +your will yielded in the end, cowed by that sovereign mien. As for me, +though truly mine is no slavish nature, I gave myself up to you body +and soul. I worshipped you with a blind worship; I followed +whithersoever you led, for the goal before you must, I thought, be the +highest and best--until one day my idol crumbled to dust, fell +shattered to the ground. Do not try to exercise the old power over me. +I bent to you only while I believed in you. That is over and past long +ago; but you, in whom ambition has ever usurped the place of a heart, +you little guess all that I lost when that faith went from me." + +A long oppressive pause ensued. Raven had turned away, and stood some +minutes in silence. At length he said: + +"If once you loved me, you hate me now all the more intensely." + +"True," was the short, energetic reply. + +"I have proofs of it," continued Raven. "But a short time ago I was +marvelling how one of my youngest subalterns had found courage to hurl +insults at me openly, in the face of all the world. I forgot that he +had been in your school. Of course! Winterfeld was staying at your +house; he is your son's friend and yours. Well, he has shown himself an +apt scholar. The thrusts he essays against me betray the master who +instructed him." + +"You are mistaken. George Winterfeld is displaying his own +powers--admirable powers, certainly, which astonish myself. He kept his +secret from me, as from others, and the book, which he forwarded to me +two days ago, took me altogether by surprise. But I do not deny that my +heart endorses every word that stands in it, and there are thousands +who will agree with me. Beware, Arno! He is the first who ventures to +defy the omnipotent Baron von Raven; this is the first storm menacing +your high estate. Others will follow in its wake, and they will shake +and undermine the ground on which you stand, until it trembles and +yawns beneath your feet, and you will sink to depths great as the +height to which you have risen." + +"You think so?" asked the Baron, disdainfully. "You should know me +better. I may be overthrown, and in my fall mortally injure myself and +crush others. To sink would in this case imply a craven surrender, and +that is not in my nature. Besides, we have not reached that point yet. +I know all the enmities which this attack will let loose upon me; my +foes have long waited for some such occasion; but they shall not taste +the triumph of seeing me abandon a position which I have so long +maintained and will never voluntarily quit. Men do not readily forgive +success such as I have achieved." + +"It was dearly bought," said Brunnow, coldly. "You paid for it with +your honour." + +"Rudolph!" thundered the Baron, with terrible vehemence. + +"With your honour, I repeat it. Must I remind you of the day when our +association was betrayed, our papers seized, ourselves arrested and +cast into prison? Must I name to you the traitor to whom we owed all +this, and who was arrested with us, merely as a matter of form? I and +the others were put on our trial, and sentenced to long years of +captivity, from which fate a foolhardy escape alone delivered me. After +a short imprisonment that traitor was set at liberty, no charge being +preferred against him. Weathering the storm which cost his friends and +fellow-thinkers their freedom and their means of existence, Arno Raven +emerged from it as the secretary, the familiar, the future son-in-law +of the Minister in power, and commenced his brilliant career in the +service of the cause he had sworn to combat with all his strength. That +was the end of our dreams of liberty, of all our youthful hopes and +illusions." + +Every drop of blood had receded from the Baron's face. His breast +heaved with a short, quick, panting movement, and his hands were +clenched convulsively. + +"And if I tell you now that this so-called treachery was nothing more +than an imprudent act, an unhappy error of judgment, for which I have +bitterly, cruelly atoned? If I tell you that you yourselves, with your +over-hasty condemnation, your mad mistrust, drove me into the ranks of +your enemies?" + +"I make answer that you have forfeited all claim to be believed." + +"Do not provoke me further, Rudolph," panted Raven. "You know that I +would have borne so much from no other man. I have given you my word, +and you must believe me." + +"No, Arno." Brunnow's voice was hard and contemptuous. "Had you at the +time I was pining in prison, when I could not understand, would not +understand, that you had been the traitor--had you then stepped before +me and spoken as you have spoken now, your word would have had more +weight with me than the testimony of the whole world--than the +clearest, most convincing proofs. The two decades which lie between now +and then have taught me another lesson. Baron von Raven, whose name +heads the list of the enemies and persecutors of that cause to which he +once consecrated his life; the Governor of R----, whose iron despotic +will sets all justice, both abstract and legal, at defiance, who but a +few days since shot down the people in whose ranks he once stood--this +man I utterly decline to believe." + +He at whom these crushing accusations were hurled stood sombre and +silent, his eyes fixed on the ground, his features working with some +strong emotion; but whether it were shame, anger, or grief which moved +him, who should say? As Brunnow spoke the last words, however, he +suddenly drew himself up to his full height, and his eyes flashed with +the old haughty, unbending spirit, as he answered in a harsh tone: + +"It is useless, then, to waste another word on the subject. My +explanations had reference to that first catastrophe alone. You decline +to hear them--well and good, there is an end of the matter. What has +come since then has come by my own deliberate choice and resolution. +How I may have been driven to make such a choice need not be considered +now. I allege no extenuating circumstances; enough, I have acted of my +own free will, and I am ready to answer for my deeds and their +consequences. Since the day when that great gap opened between us, our +ways have lain so far apart that it would be useless now for us to +attempt to understand the current which has borne us on. What can an +idealist conceive of ambition and the desire for power? Perhaps to you +it may appear as the germ of a crime, for the very idea of it is based +on the subjection of others. I was not created to linger out my life in +exile, to console myself for all my shipwrecked hopes and wasted +energies with the thought that I had remained true to my ideal. Condemn +me if you will: I do not recognise you as my judge." + +No reply followed. After a moment's silence, Brunnow turned to go, +still without speaking. Raven stepped before him, barring the way. + +"What does this mean?" asked the Doctor. "You have said it; we have +done with each other; any further word between us would be superfluous. +Let me go." + +"Not yet; we have to think of your safety. You will start at once on +your return journey?" + +"I shall not leave till to-morrow. I have promised my son to see him +again." + +"This is a very unnecessary delay," said the Baron. "You have convinced +yourself that, as regards your son's health, there is nothing now to +fear; danger will continue to exist for you until you have re-crossed +the frontier. An express leaves at midnight. Remain here in my house +until that hour, and then you shall be taken in my carriage to the +station. Whatever suspicions may be abroad, no one will, in that case, +venture to molest you." + +"And if, later on, it were found out that the Governor himself had +helped a rebel and an escaped prisoner on his road?" + +"That is my business. I shall be well able to defend myself." + +"I thank you," said Brunnow, in a trenchant tone. "I shall stay +to-morrow, and shall then go to the station without the cover of the +Raven baronial livery. You will easily understand that I prefer even a +possible risk to your protection." + +"Rudolph, be reasonable," warned the Baron. "This unhappy obstinacy may +cost your freedom." + +"What matters it to you? We are enemies, are we not? more bitter +enemies than ever from this hour. We shall hardly meet again in this +life, but think of my words, Arno. As yet you stand secure on the giddy +height to which you have climbed; as yet you look down disdainfully on +the dangers now gathering around you. A day will come when the +foundations, whereon your power rests, will rock and reel, when all the +world will fail you, and then"--here Brunnow's bent form was drawn +erect with a certain majesty--"then you will see that it is of some +worth to have kept one's faith in one's best hopes and aspirations. The +testimony of my conscience has sustained me. You will have no stay, +when the glittering edifice of your ambition crashes to the ground. You +have been false to yourself. Farewell." + +He turned and went. Raven stood, moody and motionless, looking after +him. + +"False to myself!" he repeated, in a low voice. "Even so--he is right." + + + + + CHAPTER XVI. + + +All was quiet in the town. The "energetic measures" had produced their +effect, although they had not been carried into execution with such +disastrous rigour as at first appeared. Colonel Wilten knew very well +that, notwithstanding the Governor's high standing and authority, some +portion of the responsibility would rest with him. On the troops being +called out, he gave orders, therefore, that at the word of command the +first round should be fired, not among the crowds assembled, but in the +air. He counted on the blind panic which would ensue when it was found +that recourse would be had to arms, and he was not deceived in his +reckoning. The first discharge produced boundless fear and confusion, +which were still further increased by the gathering darkness. None had +sufficient calm and self-possession to note what had really happened. A +wild tumult arose, but there was no attempt at the resistance which had +been expected and feared. For one brief moment the masses swayed to and +fro without plan or method, then all turned to seek refuge in flight. +The Colonel had foreseen this, and had taken his precautions that a way +should be opened for the fugitives to escape. A detachment of soldiers +succeeded, without any very serious difficulty, in dispersing the +dense crowds, and driving them back. Once broken up, they could not +re-assemble, as all the central points of the town were occupied by the +troops. After some hours, order was restored, and, thanks to the +prudence and moderation of the commanding officer, this happy result +was attained without bloodshed. Wounds and injuries enough had been +inflicted in the press and crush of that hurried flight, but there had +been no actual battle, and yet the military intervention had produced +the desired effect. The more turbulent party in the town was +intimidated; there was no repetition of the riots, and during the +ensuing days the public peace had not been disturbed. Authority had +once more triumphed, and the Governor still preserved the upper hand. + +On the morning following his interview with Rudolph Brunnow, the Baron +paid a visit to his sister-in-law's apartments. Madame von Harder's +cold had been attended with serious consequences. She was ill, or, at +least, declared herself to be so, and since her return to town had +hardly left her bed. The Baron sent over regularly every morning to +inquire after her health. He had seen neither her nor Gabrielle during +the last few days, for the young girl had taken advantage of the +pretext afforded her by her mother's illness, and had refrained from +appearing at table. Since that sad, stormy interview, a meeting had +thus been avoided. + +The Baroness was lying on the sofa in the pose of a languid invalid, +when her brother-in-law entered. He took no notice of Gabrielle, who +was in the room, but went straight up to her mother, and asked, in the +cold indifferent tone of one who is using a mere formula, how she felt +that morning. + +"Oh, I have gone through so much during all these terrible days!" +sighed the Baroness. "I feel very ill indeed. The excitement and horror +of that dreadful evening when they threatened to storm the Castle was +too much for me." + +"I expressly sent you word that every precaution had been taken to +ensure the safety of the Castle," said Raven, impatiently. "You never +would have been in danger, in any case. The popular demonstration was +aimed at me, and me alone." + +"But the noise, the advance of the troops, the firing in the town!" +complained the lady. "It all had the most terrible effect on my nerves. +How I wish I had complied with Colonel Wilten's wish, and had remained +a few days longer in the country. But, indeed, as things now stand, +that would be out of the question. Gabrielle is torturing me to death +with her wilfulness and obstinacy. She declares now decidedly that +she will not marry young Baron Wilten, and threatens to tell him so +point-blank, if I let him come to her with an offer." + +Raven took a rapid survey of the young girl, who sat at some distance +from them, pale and silent, leaning her head on her hand; but even now +he did not address her. + +"It places me in the most embarrassing predicament," went on the +Baroness. "I have given the Colonel positive assurances which cannot +possibly be recalled. He and his son will be furious. Gabrielle says +she has already spoken to you on the subject, Arno. Do you really +approve of her conduct in this matter?" + +"I?" asked the Baron, coldly. "I have renounced all pretension to +influence your daughter." + +"Good Heavens! what has happened?" asked the Baroness, starting up in +alarm. "Has Gabrielle been showing you her stubbornness and self-will? +I hope--I trust----" + +"Let us not talk of it," said the Baron, cutting short her effusive +speech. "This affair with Wilten must be settled by me, certainly. My +own position towards the Colonel demands it. He would never forgive me +if I were to allow his son to incur the humiliation of a refusal, where +he confidently expects to be favourably received. I must say, the fault +is altogether yours, Matilda. You will remember that I have held myself +aloof from your plans from the first. You should have made sure of your +daughter's consent before you committed yourself to positive promises. +But now this matter must be discussed and decided. I am going over to +see Wilten now, and during our conference I will take an opportunity of +letting him know Gabrielle's answer. But to the subject which brought +me hither. You are unwell?" + +"Indeed I am--very unwell!" breathed the Baroness, faintly, sinking +back in her cushions with an air of utter exhaustion. + +"Well, I have a proposal to make to you. The doctor talks of nervous +symptoms, and recommends change of air, particularly as the autumn here +with us is often rough and inclement. Besides this, in the present +state of affairs, there can be no thought of receptions or any social +gatherings for some time to come. I would, therefore, advise you to +accept the invitation you have received from your friend, the Countess +Selteneck, of which you were lately speaking to me, and with your +daughter to go and spend a few weeks in the capital." + +Gabrielle, who had listened to the conversation, taking no part in it, +started violently at the last words, and an involuntary exclamation +escaped her lips. + +"Yes," said Raven, turning towards her for the first time, and speaking +with caustic irony; "I know that my scheme will meet your views." + +The girl made no reply; but the Baroness's languid features acquired +sudden animation. + +"What, you approve of this visit?" she asked. "I do not deny that a +short stay in the capital would be agreeable to me--that it would be +pleasant to see my old friends and acquaintances again; but my regard +for your wishes, my duties as the mistress of your house----" + +"Need not bind you in this case," interposed the Baron. "I repeat to +you that, under the present circumstances, entertainments are out of +the question. We cannot say with certainty that there will be no +renewal of the disturbances; and I should be sorry to expose you a +second time to the perils of so much terror and excitement. I would, +therefore, beg of you to make your preparations for the journey as +speedily as possible. When you return, you will find us all peaceful +and settled, I hope." + +"I will comply with your wishes in this as in all else," declared the +Baroness, to whom, in the present case, compliance was remarkably easy. +"We shall very soon be ready to start; and I hope the change may be +beneficial to Gabrielle, as well as to myself. She has grown so pale +and listless of late, I am really beginning to fear for her health." + +Raven appeared not to hear this last remark. He rose to go. + +"So that is settled. Whatever you may require for your trip is at your +disposal. But now I must leave you, Matilda. The carriage is waiting +for me below." + +He shook hands with his sister-in-law, and went. Hardly had the door +closed upon him, when Madame von Harder exclaimed, with great vivacity: + +"Well, your uncle has had a sensible idea at last! I was afraid he +would expect us to remain in this wretched city, where one is not sure +of one's life, and where one cannot even drive out without fear of +being insulted by the people. I only wonder that Arno deigns to notice +my nerves or the doctor's advice at all. He is generally so hard and +unfeeling in these matters; don't you think so, Gabrielle?" + +"I think he is anxious to get rid of us now, at any price," replied +Gabrielle, without turning her head. + +"Well, yes," said the Baroness, suavely. "He must see that R---- is not +a very agreeable place of sojourn just now, especially for ladies. I +had something of this in my mind when I mentioned the Countess's +invitation to him. I half hoped he would assent to it; but he then +preserved an obstinate silence, so I did not venture to pursue the +subject. How I long to see the capital again, and to renew my old +connections there! Say what you will, this R---- is provincial, after +all, in spite of the grand city-airs which the town gives itself. But +now, in the first place, we must look over what we have to wear. Come, +child, and let us consider what has to be done." + +"Spare me that, mamma!" prayed the young girl, in a low, weary tone. "I +am not in the humour for it now. Decide what you think best. I shall be +quite satisfied with anything you do." + +The Baroness looked at her daughter in unmitigated astonishment; such +indifference passed the bounds of all belief. + +"Not in the humour for it? Gabrielle, what has come to you? I +noticed the change in you some time ago, when we were staying in the +country; but now, during the last few days, you have grown so strange, +I really can hardly recognise my own daughter. Something must have +passed between you and your uncle during that drive home, I am +afraid--something you are keeping back from me. He is evidently angry +with you; he scarcely looked at you just now. When will you learn to +show him the necessary respect and consideration?" + +"You hear, he is sending us away," said Gabrielle, with a great, bitter +rush of feeling. "He wishes to be alone if a danger threatens, if a +misfortune overtakes him--quite, quite alone!" + +"I do not understand you," declared her mother, pettishly. "What should +threaten your uncle? He has put down the attempts at revolt with a +strong hand, and there will be an end of them, I fancy; but if things +should come to the worst, he has the troops to protect him." + +Gabrielle was silent. She had not thought of any specific danger, but, +inexperienced as she was in all the serious affairs of life, she +divined that an open attack, such as Winterfeld's, would not pass by +without leaving its mark, and felt, as it were, a prescience of some +coming storm. She and her mother were to be sheltered from it, +evidently. In no plainer language could the Baron have told her that +all was really over between them. Was he not sending her to the +capital, where George now lived, where a meeting with him could easily +be managed? The harshness and violence with which Raven had formerly +opposed this union had caused the girl far less pain than this +voluntary withdrawal of all resistance on his part. He was showing her +that he had ceased to protest, that he left her free to act as she +pleased; and she knew him too well to cherish any hope that he would +soften towards and pardon the woman whom he believed to have betrayed +him. Perhaps Gabrielle might have sought to convince him of his error, +to show him what injustice his cruel suspicions did her; but his icy +look and manner scared her from him. That look told her that her words +would find no credence, and at this thought her proud spirit rose in +arms. Was she again to endure the degradation of finding her defence +unheard, herself repulsed, as had happened once before? Never! never! + +The Baroness was very far from divining her daughter's train of +thought; she did not even remember that Assessor Winterfeld was living +in the metropolis, still less that he had been sent thither expressly +to prevent any intercourse between him and the Governor's heiress. The +lady had weightier matters to occupy her just now. Finding Gabrielle +insensible to the claims of the great "toilette" question, she rang for +her maid, and at once engaged with her in a long and elaborate +consultation. It was notable what a vivifying effect the prospect of +this journey had on the Baroness's system. Her illness and languor +seemed suddenly to have disappeared. She gave the necessary +instructions with an eagerness and animation which already augured the +best results from the prescribed "change of air." + +On leaving his sister-in-law, the Baron had himself at once driven over +to Colonel Wilten's quarters. He had always been on friendly terms with +the commandant of the garrison, and latterly there had been an increase +of cordiality, on the Wiltens' part at least, for the family were bent +on securing an alliance between the eldest hope of their house and the +young Baroness Harder. + +To-day, however, there was a something unusual in the Colonel's manner +and reception of his visitor, a certain constraint which he did his +best to conceal by talking with more fluency than was his wont. The +Baron did not heed this. His mind was busy with other thoughts, and he +was not disposed to attach importance to such trifles. He was about to +turn the conversation to those measures of public safety which were +still to some extent in the hands of the military, when Wilten +forestalled him, and said rather hurriedly: + +"Have you received further intelligence from the capital yet? You are, +no doubt, expecting an answer relative to that Winterfeld pamphlet." + +The Baron's brow clouded over very noticeably at this question, and +there was a pause of some seconds before he responded. + +"Yes," he said at length. "The answer reached me this morning." + +"Well?" asked the Colonel, eagerly. + +Raven leaned back in his chair, and replied in a tone wherein irony and +bitterness were equally blended: + +"Our friends in the capital appear to have lost sight of the fact that, +as their representative, I have acted in their name, and that through +long years they have seconded me in all my acts to the best of their +ability. You were right in warning me against the intrigues at +head- quarters, which were secretly undermining me. I see now how +hollow is the ground on which I stand. A few months ago they would not +have dared to give me such an answer." + +"What: they have not tried to hint----" the Colonel stopped; he did not +like to finish the phrase. + +"They have hinted much--in the most courteous form, naturally, and with +an unusually lavish expenditure of fair words--but the meaning remains +the same. I think it would not be disagreeable to the gentlemen in +office yonder, if I were to make my bow and withdraw from the scene. I +am a stumbling-block in the way of several persons there, and they, of +course, seek to profit by any attack upon me. At present, however, I am +not inclined to make room for them." + +Colonel Wilten remained silent, and studied the carpet diligently. + +"The late events in this city have also given rise to serious +differences of opinion," continued Raven. "There has been a constant +interchange of despatches on the subject. They cannot be made to +understand that the intervention of the troops was necessary, and +preach to me of the heavy responsibility incurred, of the exasperated +state of public feeling, and more in the same style. I reply simply +that these matters cannot be judged from a distance. I am on the spot, +and know what is necessary; and were the disturbances to break out +afresh, I should do exactly as I have done." + +Again there stole over the Colonel's features that look of constraint +which had gradually disappeared during the course of the conversation. + +"That would hardly be possible," he remarked. "It is true that the +popular excitement is greater than we at first supposed, and I told you +some time ago that the Government are anxious to avoid all military +interference." + +"It is not what the Government desire, but what is necessary," declared +the Baron, with the curt, abrupt speech which with him was a sure sign +of great irritation. + +"We will hope, then, that the necessity will not recur," said Wilten; +"for I am unfortunately ... I should have ... in a word, I should be +compelled to refuse co-operation, your Excellency." + +Raven started, and turned a flashing glance on the speaker. + +"What does this mean, Colonel? You know that I have unlimited +authority. I can assure you that it has been in no way restricted." + +"I do not for a moment suppose it has; but my powers have been +curtailed. In future I am to take my instructions from army +head-quarters alone." + +"You have received counter-orders?" asked the Baron, quickly. + +"Yes," was the reply, given with some hesitation. + +"When?" + +"Yesterday." + +"May I see the despatch?" + +"I am sorry--it is of a private nature." + +Raven turned away, and went up to the window. When he looked round, +after the lapse of several minutes, his face was almost livid in its +pallor. + +"This means that my hands are to be tied completely. If there is any +renewal of the riots, and the police are not strong enough to suppress +them, I am powerless, and the town is to be given over to the mercy of +the mob." + +Wilten shrugged his shoulders. + +"I am a soldier, and must obey, as your Excellency knows." + +"Assuredly you must obey--that I quite see." + +Another uncomfortable pause followed. The Colonel seemed to be thinking +how he could effect a diversion; but Raven forestalled him. + +"As the matter now stands, the conference I wished to hold with you +becomes superfluous," he said, with enforced calm. "No excuses, pray. I +can well conceive that it is very painful to you personally, but you +cannot alter the circumstances, so let us say no more on the subject. I +wanted to speak to you also on a little matter of private business. You +gave me to understand some time ago, that your son was likely to come +to me with a request. Lieutenant Wilten has not declared himself as +yet, and in these troubled, excited times it would hardly have been +possible for him to do so." + +"Quite impossible," assented the Colonel. "I pointed out to Albert that +it would argue a want of proper feeling on his part, were he to trouble +you with such matters at a time when you have so much to contend with. +He admitted the justice of what I said. Besides, he is leaving us +to-morrow." + +"So suddenly?" asked Raven, in surprise. + +"He is going to M---- on a mission connected with the service, and will +probably remain there some weeks," returned the Colonel, who was +growing visibly embarrassed beneath the Baron's severe scrutiny. "I had +originally intended to send another officer, but I cannot dispense with +his assistance now; and my son, as the youngest on my staff, can be +most easily spared. So the matter we were speaking of can rest for the +present. Later on, when Albert returns, we can take it up again." + +There were hard, bitter lines about Raven's mouth as he answered: + +"On the contrary, I wish this matter to be settled at once, and for +ever. My sister-in-law regrets to find that she is not in a position to +satisfy the hopes which she encouraged the young Baron to entertain. +She has now convinced herself that her daughter does not possess that +amount of affection for your son which would dispose her to enter into +this marriage; and neither Madame von Harder nor I will exercise the +slightest constraint on Gabrielle----" + +"Oh! by no means. We would never consent to that," interrupted Wilten, +eagerly. "No constraint, no persuasion in these matters! It will be +hard for me, of course, to give up the plan I have so long cherished, +and my son will be in despair. But if he may not hope that his +affection will be returned, it is better he should know the truths and +try to conquer his attachment. I will talk to him seriously on the +subject." + +"Do so," said the Baron, whom neither the other's ready zeal, nor his +deep-drawn breath of relief, had escaped. "I am persuaded that you will +find in him an obedient and tractable son." + +He turned to go. The Colonel accompanied him politely to the door, and +would have given his hand at parting as usual, but Raven passed by him +with a cool, ceremonious bow, and left the room. Outside, on the +stairs, he stopped a moment and glanced towards the door that had just +closed, saying to himself under his breath: + +"So it has come to this already! They wish to break off all connection +with me. The news Wilten has received must have been strange news +indeed!" + +As the Governor issued from the house and was about to enter his +carriage, which waited before the door, he caught sight of the +Superintendent of Police, who was coming up the street, and who +quickened his steps on perceiving him. + +"I was just going up to see your Excellency," said he, bowing +respectfully. "I thought I should find you at the Castle." + +"I am now returning thither," replied Raven, pointing to the carriage. +"May I ask you to accompany me?" + +The Superintendent accepted the invitation, and both gentlemen entered +the carriage, which started at once on its way to the Castle. The Baron +listened in silence to the other's talk. He was moody and abstracted, +chafing inwardly at the first humiliation openly laid upon him. So far +they had left him free scope, had invested him with an unlimited +authority such as no Governor before him had possessed; and now, at the +present juncture, when he was more than ever in want of this authority, +he suddenly found himself checked, his course of action impeded, his +hands bound. They were taking from him the support whereon he had +relied, the powerful ally whom he had once called to his aid, and on +whom now he was forced in some measure to depend. They were purposely +leaving him alone to face the struggle with the rebellious city. Raven +was not at a loss to interpret this symptom. + +The Superintendent had been speaking of some unimportant incidents +which had occurred the preceding day. Now he went on to say: "But I +have a communication to make which will surprise your Excellency. You +take an interest in young Dr. Brunnow?" + +Raven grew attentive. + +"Certainly. What of him?" + +"Nothing personally, though I am sorry to say the matter in question +touches him very nearly. You remember the gentleman who was introduced +to us the other evening by Councillor Moser as Dr. Franz? You had even, +I think, some lengthened conversation with him afterwards. Did nothing +in his manner strike you as peculiar?" + +The Baron drew himself up quickly. The allusion sufficed to show him +that his suspicion had been well-founded, and that danger to Brunnow +was impending. It was imperatively necessary to show a calm front, in +order, if it were yet possible, to avert a catastrophe. Raven summoned +up all his self-possession, and answered with a cold, imperturbable +"No." + +"Well, my attention was attracted to him at once," said the +Superintendent. "Even during those few short minutes doubts occurred to +me, doubts which were subsequently strengthened by some remarks the +Councillor inadvertently let fall. So I thought it advisable to set +some inquiries on foot. Now that there are so few strangers in the +town, it was no difficult matter to find out where the pretended Dr. +Franz had put up. He had arrived a couple of hours before at an inn in +the suburbs, had displayed great solicitude in speaking of the young +doctor, asking many questions about him in an agitated manner, and had +then hurried off to see him. The trunk, which had been imprudently left +at the inn, bore the ticket Z---- as the station of departure. There +were other very suspicious circumstances in support of the evidence--in +short, no doubt now exists that we have to do with Rudolph Brunnow, the +father of the wounded man." + +All these statements were delivered in the cool, business-like tone +used by the Superintendent throughout the interview, and Raven +endeavoured to preserve the same appearance of indifference as he +replied: + +"That is, at present, merely an assumption of yours, which will require +confirmation. You cannot take any steps against this stranger on such +evidence." + +"We have the confirmation already," said the Superintendent. "When +arrested, Dr. Brunnow admitted his name." + +"When arrested!" exclaimed the Baron. "You have proceeded to arrest him +without informing me of the matter--without giving me the slightest +intimation?" + +The police-officer stared at him in well-feigned astonishment. + +"Your Excellency, I really do not understand. So far as I am aware, +such measures are entirely within my competence. Had I known that you +desired to be previously informed, I should, of course, have seen that +a communication was made to you." + +Raven clenched his right hand, crushing the glove he held in it. + +"And I should certainly have dissuaded you from taking such a step. +Have you thought of the excitement this arrest will produce, and of its +inevitable consequences? Precisely now, when the Government is bent on +adopting conciliatory measures, on creating a diversion, when +everything depends on its being popular, and the Ministers are shaping +their course with scrupulous care, in order to avoid a conflict--this +is not the time to drag before the public old, half-forgotten +reminiscences of the rebellion." + +The Superintendent shrugged his shoulders. + +"I have done my duty, nothing more. Dr. Brunnow was sentenced to a long +term of imprisonment; this punishment he evaded by taking flight. He +knew that on his return he would become amenable to the law. He came +notwithstanding this, and he must take the consequences." + +"I should have thought you had held your position long enough to know +that the letter of the law must sometimes be sacrificed to the +expediency of the moment," said Raven, with rising anger. "Why did this +fugitive return? Public opinion will unmistakably side with the man +who, in his anxiety for his only son, in the hope that by his medical +skill he might be the means of saving that son's life, set his own +danger at naught, risked everything and came; Brunnow will be raised to +a martyr's pedestal, and will obtain sympathy throughout the land. Do +you think this will be agreeable to us? You chose to act on a mere +suspicion of your own, and you will meet with little thanks from +head-quarters." + +These words were spoken with a vehemence which made them almost +offensive; but the Superintendent replied coolly and politely: + +"Well, we must wait and see. I acted to the best of my judgment, and I +regret that the course I have taken does not meet with your +approbation. I was the less prepared for censure from your Excellency +that you have always condemned the lukewarm attitude of the Government, +and the fear they evince of provoking a conflict as weakness, whilst +the line of action your Excellency is now pursuing in this town proves +that you reckon on energetic and unsparing measures alone for success." + +The Baron bit his lip. He felt that he had allowed himself to be +carried too far. Turning the conversation, he said: + +"So Dr. Brunnow at once avowed his name?" + +"Yes; he seemed disconcerted at first, when his arrest was made known +to him, but he soon recovered himself, and made no attempt at denial. +It would indeed have been perfectly useless. I have taken care that the +news of what has occurred shall not reach his son at present--at least +the Councillor has promised to be silent. The poor Councillor! he +almost fell down in a fainting-fit when I disclosed to him who the +_soi-disant_ Dr. Franz really was. After having all his life sedulously +avoided anything like disloyal contact, he is now being drawn into the +most questionable connections, and that without any fault of his own." + +"You will at least, I hope, show your prisoner every consideration," +said Raven, unheeding the last remark. "The motive that brought him +here, and his son's noble conduct at the time of the riot, entitle him +to some favour at your hands." + +"Doubtless," assented the Superintendent. "Dr. Brunnow will have +nothing to complain of. He is, as a temporary measure, confined in a +room in the city prison, and I have been careful that in all the +arrangements a due regard should be had to his comfort. Of course, +he must be strictly guarded. There might be an attempt at evasion +again--or at a rescue." + +Raven's eyes were fixed full on his companion's face. The derisive +smile lurking about the officer's lips told the Baron that his former +relations with the prisoner were no longer a secret, and that the blow +was directed less against Brunnow than against himself. To what end +this hostile step had been taken, he did not then immediately divine; +but the Superintendent of Police was not the man to be guilty of +over-precipitation, or to do anything which would bring upon him a +serious responsibility. He always knew very well what he was about. + +"Evasion! rescue!" repeated Raven, scornfully. "It is too late for +that, I fancy." + +"I hope so too, but I will not neglect the necessary precautions. One +can never know what connections these refugees may have, or how far +their secret influence may extend. This was the communication I had to +make; now I need not take up your Excellency's time any longer. We +shall soon be passing my office. Might I ask to be set down there? I +shall, as usual, find a deluge of work awaiting me, no doubt." + +A few minutes later, the carriage stopped before the police-bureau, and +the head of that department took a most affable leave of the Baron, who +then drove on to the Castle. At length the respite of a few minutes' +solitude was granted him. So many successive blows had fallen on him +since the morning. First the Minister's letter, then the disclosure +made by Colonel Wilten, now the news of Brunnow's arrest. More and more +menacing were the signs of the times, and Rudolph's prophecy was +perhaps nearer its fulfilment than he himself had imagined. The ground +beneath the great man's feet began to quake and to give way; and for +the first time he looked down from his vertiginous height, measuring +how great the fall might perchance be--but Arno Raven was not one to +quail before such thoughts. The proud, determined look on his face +showed that he was not disposed to yield a step, that he was ready to +confront any danger that might rise up before him. Though perils should +surround him on all sides, there would be no surrender. Thus, with the +undaunted spirit and strong will which had borne him through so many +trials, he advanced to meet the approaching storm. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII. + + +There was a lonely, desolate air about the Castle in these days. +Baroness Harder and her daughter had left for the capital, and if the +elder lady, with her caprices, her requiring temper, and other not very +amiable characteristics, was not painfully missed by the household, the +absence of the younger, who had won all hearts to herself, was +sincerely deplored. With her, sunshine had come into the house. During +the few short months of her stay there, she had filled the great sombre +spaces with light and animation, quickening and brightening their +lifeless splendour. During this period Raven himself had become so much +milder of mood, so much more accessible, that at times it was difficult +to recognise in him the severe, imperious master who never unbent, and +whose slightest words were as law. Now Gabrielle's rooms were closed +and darkened, and every one about the place, from the venerable +major-domo to the lowest housemaid, felt the void she had left behind. + +Baron von Raven alone seemed insensible to the change; at least, he +never in any way alluded to it, and it was well known that he had +little time to give to his home or family affairs. All about him were +accustomed to see their master grave, taciturn, and unmoved by passing +events. Thus he still appeared, and yet every soul about the house knew +that a tempest was fast gathering over his head. It had long ceased to +be a secret. + +There had been no renewal of the disturbances in the town during the +course of the last few weeks; and the Superintendent, with his staff of +police, had easily put down the slight ebullitions of feeling which +would now and then occur. The lower classes of the population had been +intimidated; to the more enlightened reflection had come. It was felt +that nothing would be achieved by violence. The Burgomaster used all +his influence to prevent a recurrence of the previous scenes. +Experience had taught him that in such a contest the reins would soon +slip from his hands, that the rougher, more dangerous elements forcing +themselves to the surface, the movement, legitimate in the outset, +would degenerate into a mere common rebellion against all law and +order. On either side a warning had been received, and it had borne +fruit. The struggle was not abandoned; it grew, on the contrary, in +force and intensity, though carried on in quieter fashion; and now the +city of R---- had the satisfaction of hearing that an echo of its +discontent had sounded in the capital, an echo which quickly spread +throughout the land. Winterfeld's pamphlet had produced a great +sensation, a far greater, indeed, than its author had ever reckoned on, +for it found acceptance in influential quarters, where no one, and +least of all the Assessor, would have expected it to be tolerated. + +In these higher circles Raven was by no means beloved. A man who had +raised himself from the more modest ranks of the middle classes to one +of the highest offices of the State, he had naturally aroused against +himself the envy and ill-will of those whom he had overtaken and left +far behind him in the race; and his proud, imperious bearing, the +merciless contempt with which he exposed and thrust aside incapacity +and meanness, wheresoever placed, did not tend to increase his +popularity. Among his competitors there were but too many who viewed +the success he had achieved, the high position he now held, as a +robbery committed on themselves, an infringement of their own peculiar +privileges; who could not brook the haughty composure which never +deserted him, even in the presence of the most exalted personages, and +who were only waiting their opportunity to inflict on this _parvenu_ +the humiliations which, in their opinion, he so richly deserved. +Hitherto their shafts had glanced harmlessly from the Baron's armour. +The Government had warmly supported him, had loaded him with +distinctions and honours, and had kept silence on the subject of his +arbitrary encroachments, which were perfectly well known to every man +in office. For this post of R----, the Ministers were in want of just +such a representative, of one who, like Raven, would with rigid +consistency and unsparing energy make his authority felt, and who would +keep in check the rebellious discontent which leavened the province. +The Governor had been indispensable, and this fact outweighed all other +considerations, and counteracted all the influences which were at work +against him. + +But times had changed. During the last twelve months, especially, a +revolution of opinion had come about, which threatened to overturn the +present system. Some of its upholders, staunch hitherto, now tried to +trim their sails, and to steer with the new current; others prepared to +abdicate, and, with all outward honour and dignity, to retire from the +stage where their parts were played out. They had one and all, friends +and connections, who were of service to them in the crisis. Arno Raven +stood perfectly alone; and the dragon of spite he had provoked now +reared its head and turned its poisonous fangs against him. + +At any other time, a pamphlet such as Winterfeld's would have been +instantly suppressed, and its author would have paid for his audacity +with the loss of his position; now the work, with its accusatory +eloquence, was eagerly turned to account--made to serve as an arm +against the object of their hatred; and the young official, who had +furnished the welcome opportunity, was raised to hero-rank. George's +name, altogether unknown but a little while before, was now in +everybody's mouth. He himself was sought, made much of, admired for his +courage in boldly speaking out that which, of course, every one had +known. People said the brochure was really admirably written, that it +evinced unusual knowledge and talent, and bore the stamp of a clear, +incorruptible judgment--and, indeed, the book was completely devoid of +the acrimony which would have lowered it to the level of a diatribe. +The Governor's great qualities were thoroughly recognised; anything +like a personal attack was carefully avoided. The entire accusation +rested on facts; but these facts were demonstrated with such clearness +and precision, and subjected to so incisive a criticism, that some +answer to the charges must, it was thought, necessarily follow. + +To the R---- province and its chief town, these printed pages had been, +as the Burgomaster expressed it, as a spark in a powder-barrel; for +they gave form and substance to the universal feeling, setting it forth +in the most pointed and striking terms. The crippling fear, the dread +of the Governor's omnipotence, was shaken: it was seen that he was +assailable, vulnerable, like other mortals; and all the bitterness, so +long cherished against him, now broke out with tempestuous violence. No +one gave a thought to the benefits the town and province had reaped +from the Baron's vigorous administration. Not a voice was raised to +recall them to mind. Hatred of the despotic yoke, beneath which the +people had so long sighed, spoke loudly and alone; and, as often +happens in this world, those who had been bound to the Governor by +interest, and had ranked among his partisans, were, now that it could +be done with impunity, the first to cast a stone at him. + +Most men, so situated, would have retired, have voluntarily vacated a +place it seemed now impossible to hold. A recommendation to resign was, +indeed half hinted to the Baron from the capital; but his pride +revolted against such a step. To yield, now that compulsion was being +tried--to flee, as it were, from his enemies, routed by their +denunciations and attacks, was out of the question. He knew that to go +at such a moment would be to recognise his defeat. To those half-hints +from the capital, he had, therefore, returned the haughty answer that +he had assuredly no intention of remaining at his post for any length +of time; but that, before relinquishing it, he would see the fight out, +overthrow his enemies, and silence their tongues, as he had done on +first coming to R----, when a similar storm had burst upon him--then he +would go, and not before. Perhaps the Baron would have shown himself +less obstinate, had the signal for the general onslaught been given by +any other than George Winterfeld. The thought of owing his fall to the +man whom of all men he most ardently hated, as standing between himself +and Gabrielle, made Raven desperate, and robbed him of his wonted +clearness of judgment. + +It was, indeed, by no means certain, as yet, what the issue of the +struggle would be. As yet, the Baron stood firm, though the ground +beneath him heaved, and seemed to menace his fall. He could allege that +all he had done had been done with the full authorisation and support +of the Government; and the Ministers hesitated to abandon thus, at a +moment's notice, the man who had so long acted in their name. The +weakness and half-heartedness, which Raven had so often condemned, +again came to light. The attack upon him had been tolerated, secretly +favoured; but now that he unexpectedly stood his ground, they ventured +neither to give him up nor heartily to espouse his cause. + +Public attention was so engrossed by this all-absorbing topic, that +other matters receded into the background. This was the case even with +the arrest of Dr. Brunnow, who was still confined in the R---- city +prison; though, on the first tidings of it, the event had been much +talked of, and had created a painful impression. It was known, of +course, that the law demanded the recapture of an escaped prisoner; +still, people thought it hard and cruel that a father who had hurried +to his son's sick-bed should atone for the step by years of captivity, +especially as so long a period had intervened since the original +sentence had been pronounced. + +One forenoon, at rather an early hour, the Superintendent presented +himself in person at the prisoner's door. There was, however, nothing +official in his bearing or manner of salutation, which were simply +courteous and affable, as though nothing more than a mere ordinary call +were intended. + +"I have come to announce to you a visit from your son, Doctor," he +began. "You have, I believe, been kept regularly informed as to his +state of health, and are aware that he is now well enough to undertake +the short drive without incurring any risk. He will be with you about +twelve o'clock. I could not refuse myself the gratification of bringing +you the news." + +"You are most kind," replied Brunnow, politely, but laconically and +with visible reserve. + +"I wished, at the same time, to assure myself that my instructions had +been duly carried out," continued the Superintendent. "I trust that +every alleviation has been afforded you of which a state of confinement +admits. Pray say if you have any complaint to make." + +"Certainly not. On the contrary, I am curious to know to whom, or to +what, I owe the unwonted attention which has been paid to my comfort +since the first moment of my coming hither." + +"Well, principally, no doubt, to the peculiar circumstances attending +your arrest. Respect is felt for a father's anxiety on his son's +behalf." + +"Is that the sole reason, think you?" asked the Doctor, with a keen +glance at his visitor. "I know, from my previous experience of state +prisons, how little such personal considerations are taken into +account. My acquaintance with them has taught me another and a sadder +lesson." + +"Things have changed," remarked the Superintendent, suavely, not +noticing the other's bitterness of tone. "Years have come and gone +since the time of which you speak, years which may react favourably on +your future fate." + +"I knew what I risked in returning, and cherish no illusions as to my +fate," Brunnow answered, almost brusquely. "You have probably come to +prepare me for my removal to the citadel." + +"You are mistaken. Nothing has as yet been decided with respect to a +change in your quarters. That surprises you? Well, it is strange, +certainly, that the decision should be so long delayed. I myself accept +it as of good augury. I should not like to awaken in you any premature +hopes, but it is, of course, possible that, having regard to the very +peculiar circumstances of your case, a pardon may be granted." + +Brunnow looked up quickly. + +"You think----" + +"I can advance nothing beyond my own personal impression," the other +hastened to add. "But I think there is a favourable feeling towards you +in high places. Perhaps all may depend on your taking suitable steps +yourself. I am convinced that a petition for pardon would not be +rejected, could you bring yourself to present one." + +"No," said Brunnow, with the absolute decision of one whose mind is +made up. + +"Reflect, Doctor, your freedom may depend on it. One word from you +might, perhaps, turn the scale." + +"No matter, I will not sue for mercy. That word would be a confession +of guilt I do not acknowledge; and for my liberty's sake even, I will +not abjure the principles which have guided me through life. They may +accord me a pardon or not, at their will. I will never appeal to them +to show clemency." + +The Superintendent inwardly cursed "the old rebel's high-flown folly +and obstinacy." A petition for pardon would have smoothed the way for +the concession which it was resolved should now be made to public +opinion--unfortunately, he did not see his way to obtain it. Having +failed in the first part of his mission, the Superintendent passed to +the second division. Here, too, he naturally avoided speaking _ex +officio_, but maintained the same easy tone, pursuing, as it were, a +private conversation, innocent of all secret purpose. + +"Well, that is a matter for your consideration alone," he returned; +"but you render it harder for your friends to help you, and most +unusual exertions are being made in your behalf." + +"By whom?" asked the Doctor, in amazement. "I have no friends who +possess the smallest influence in Ministerial circles." + +"You are better off in that respect than you suppose. Were you really +not aware that the Governor himself is leaving no stone unturned to +secure your pardon?" + +"Arno Raven--indeed?" said Brunnow, slowly. + +"Yes, Baron von Raven. It was he who, on hearing of your arrest, +enjoined on me that the greatest consideration should be shown you." + +Brunnow was silent. The Superintendent, having waited in vain for a +reply, went on after a short pause: + +"And he continues to interest himself for you. It is natural that the +fate of one who was his friend in early youth should touch him nearly." + +The Doctor looked surprised. + +"Is that known here already? His Excellency the Governor would hardly +be likely to mention it." + +"Not he himself, certainly. You will easily conceive that a man in the +Baron's position cannot openly avow youthful connections which are +strangely at variance with the tendencies and principles he has always +professed." + +"With the principles he has professed in later years, you mean," +Brunnow's voice rang out sharp and scornful. "His earlier tendencies +were more in harmony with the connections of which you speak." + +"You are not prepared to assert, I suppose, that Herr von Raven knew +anything of the political vagaries for which you were indicted?" asked +the Superintendent, with a smile which was intended to irritate, and +fulfilled its purpose. Brunnow began to grow excited. + +"I do not merely assert that he knew of them, but that he shared our +views to the fullest extent," he replied hastily. + +"Yes, I remember, he was suspected at the time," remarked the other, +with the same incredulous smile. "But that was calumny, nothing else. +The Baron must have cleared himself fully and entirely, for he was set +at liberty, and was even accorded, as an indemnity for the imprisonment +he had wrongfully undergone, the post of secretary to the Minister then +at the head of the Government." + +"It was the price of his treachery," broke out the Doctor, who had no +suspicion that he was being systematically goaded on to greater anger +and bitterness, and who could no longer restrain himself. "It was the +first rung of the ladder by which he has mounted to his present +eminence. He bought his advancement with his friends' ruin, with the +sacrifice of his convictions and his honour." + +"Doctor, Doctor, moderate your language," counselled the police-agent, +roused, apparently, to indignation. "This is a terrible accusation +which you are bringing against the Governor. There must be an error +here, or a misstatement of facts." + +"A misstatement!" cried Brunnow, with a fiery outburst of passion. "I +tell you it is the truth, sir--but you naturally believe the Baron von +Raven to be incapable of such conduct. You prefer to look on me as a +liar, a slanderer." + +"I did not wish to suggest anything of the kind, but I must say I +seriously doubt whether you would care to repeat the speech you have +just made in the presence of others." + +"I would, if necessary, repeat it before the whole world. I would cast +it in Raven's teeth again, as I have once already----" Brunnow stopped +suddenly. The over-eager expression on his listener's face struck him, +and told him to reflect. He did not finish his sentence, but turned +away with a wrathful, impatient movement. + +"You were saying----" prompted the Superintendent. + +"Nothing--nothing at all," was the stubborn reply. + +"I really do not understand you. If the matter stands as you have put +it, you have no reason whatever to wish to spare the Governor." + +"I do not wish to spare him," said Brunnow, sternly. "But I will not +turn informer against the man I once named friend. If I had desired to +use those weapons against him, I could have done so long ago. My shafts +would strike more surely, and with deadlier aim, than any in a +Winterfeld's quiver, for mine are steeped in poison--the very reason +which would prevent my using them." + +"These are noble sentiments, very noble sentiments, no doubt, but I +think----" + +"Pray do not let us pursue the subject further!" the Doctor +interrupted. "Why drag these long-forgotten matters before the light of +day? Let the buried past rest in its grave." + +This sudden diversion was, certainly, not to the Superintendent's +taste. He would willingly have continued the conversation, but he saw +that he should get nothing more out of the prisoner. After all, his +main object was achieved. He knew now what he had wished to know: he +therefore brought himself, without too violent an effort, to speak of +other things, and after chatting a while on general topics, took his +leave. Brunnow looked after him uneasily, as he went. + +"Did he come here merely to induce me to send in a petition, or was I +being cross-questioned on Raven's account? I almost fear so. That +police-fellow's eager attention and desire to hear more looked +suspicious. I wish I had not let myself be led away to speak so openly +before him." + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII. + + +It was evening, but, in spite of the lateness of the hour and the +chilly inclement autumn weather, the streets of the capital were yet +alive with all the busy restless movement which characterises a great +city. Carriages rolled hither and thither in every direction, +pedestrians hustled each other on the pavement and before the +brightly-lighted shops, and it was only in the more aristocratic +quarter, which lay a little aside from the main streets and chief +arteries of traffic, that a certain stately peace and quiet reigned +supreme. + +In the room which she was at present occupying in the Selteneck +mansion, Gabrielle Harder sat alone, buried in one of those deep +troubled reveries which so often came upon her now, and which +threatened to transform the bright vivacious girl into a dreamy, +pensive heroine. She was in full dress, for she was going with her +party to the opera that evening; but as she lay back in her arm-chair, +heedlessly crushing the dainty laces on her dress, her thoughts were +evidently far from the amusements of the hour. + +If anything could have diverted Gabrielle from her unwonted sadness, it +would have been this visit to the capital, where she and her mother had +been most graciously received. The Countess Selteneck was an old and +intimate friend of the Baroness. She had been a frequent visitor at the +Harders' house in the old days, and since the Baron's death had +remained in constant correspondence with his widow. The pleasure felt +by the ladies on meeting again was great and mutual, and the Countess, +who had no children of her own, indulged and spoiled her friend's sweet +daughter in every imaginable way. + +The Baroness, on her arrival in town, came to hear of the attack which +had been made upon Raven, but she was far too superficial to appreciate +the real importance of the well-directed blow, which, in her eyes, was +a mere passing annoyance, such as the rioting in R---- for instance. It +never, in the remotest degree, occurred to her to suppose that the +Baron's position might be imperilled by what had happened. His affairs, +indeed, only interested her in so far as her own future might be +involved in them. Madame von Harder did not pretend to the slightest +sympathy or affection for her brother-in-law. She feared him, and that +was all. Indignant she was, no doubt, at the "audacious impertinence of +that Winterfeld," seeing in the young man's conduct only an act of +revenge for the discomfiture he had met with, but she never for a +moment doubted that the Baron would visit the rash offender with the +chastisement which was his due. For the rest, she saw no reason why she +should torment herself with all these tiresome, disagreeable matters, +which would be set at rest long before she returned home. The autumn +fashions, the evening parties, and the performances at the opera, were +far more interesting, and, as she thought, better worth her attention. + +That her daughter would not dream of renewing her engagement to the +Assessor after the affront which the latter had put on the head of her +family, this wise lady took for granted. All her care was given to +preventing a meeting between the two, which was not difficult. George +did not mix in the Selteneck circles; and here, amid these strange +surroundings, Gabrielle was never left alone. She had, indeed, made no +attempt to inform the young man of her presence in town, trembling at +the very thought of a meeting with him. How could she approach George, +while her heart was beating high with love for another man? Though so +much had lately come between herself and Arno, she could not forget; +not even his harshness and injustice could banish his image from her +mind, and the knowledge that some danger threatened him served to +quicken her affection. Gabrielle was better able than her mother to +estimate the true bearings of the case. For weeks she had followed the +course of events with feverish interest. She, who at other times never +opened a paper, now sought with avidity every notice affecting the +Baron, and caught at every remark made in conversation which bore on +the one subject that engrossed her thoughts. Winterfeld's book, with +its long list of charges, had set before the young girl's eyes Raven's +true portrait, which she was forced to recognise as a faithful +likeness, had displayed to her the darker side of his character--while, +as opposed to it, George's figure rose before her, so pure and +steadfast and nobly courageous in the sacrifice of his entire future +and prospects to that which he deemed duty. But of what avail all this? +Gabrielle's whole soul went back to the sombre, despotic man, who had +won her to himself. In imagination she stood by his side through the +fight; for his sake she grew anxious and apprehensive of the issue, +while a feeling of bitterness rose up within her against George, for +was it not he who had been the first to assail, to insult the man she +loved? + +The clock on the mantelpiece chiming the hour awoke Gabrielle from her +dreams, and reminded her that it was time to prepare for the drive to +the theatre. Throwing a light cloak round her shoulders, she drew on +her gloves, and went down to the drawing-room, where her mother and +Countess Selteneck were already awaiting her. + +Countess Selteneck was of about the same age as the Baroness, but +looked considerably younger, precisely, perhaps, because she gave +herself far less trouble to preserve a youthful appearance. Though not +beautiful, she captivated by her prepossessing manners, and a certain +air of calm intelligence which inspired confidence and respect. Both +ladies were in full evening dress. + +"I can understand how much you must suffer from the constraint, and +from the general position of affairs in your brother-in-law's house, +Matilda," the Countess remarked; "but what will not a woman endure for +her child's sake? Gabrielle's whole future is in his hands, and as his +heiress she will one day have an almost princely fortune at her +disposal. Your brother-in-law has given you decided promises on this +head, I presume?" + +"Oh, certainly," replied the Baroness. "He spoke to me on the subject +soon after I arrived at his house, but I am afraid this unfortunate +business with Assessor Winterfeld has called the whole matter in +question again." + +"There is something very winning and agreeable about the Assessor, I +must say," observed the Countess, changing the theme. "I think I +mentioned to you that I met him some weeks ago at a soirée, where, +truth to tell, he was the cynosure of interest." + +"Assessor Winterfeld the cynosure of interest?" asked the Baroness, +half incredulous, half disdainful. + +"Certainly. He has become a sort of celebrity, and enjoys special +protection at the Ministry, so they tell me. He is received in the best +circles, and is distinguished wherever he goes." + +"Why, this is incredible!" exclaimed Madame von Harder. "They are bound +in duty to punish an affront put upon the Governor of R----. They +cannot possibly reward and distinguish the aggressor." + +"But so it is, nevertheless; and I fear it is done purposely, out of +opposition to the Baron. I really do not see, Matilda, why the +Assessor's offer should have appeared so outrageous an absurdity to you +and to your brother-in-law. Instead of giving him his _congé_, and +thereby driving him to this desperate step, you should have held out +some hope to him." + +"Held out hope to him!" repeated the Baroness. "My dear Theresa, think +what you are saying. He is a man of no birth." + +"That is not an insuperable obstacle," declared the Countess, a +worldly-wise practical woman, who took such prejudices of rank into +little account, and who was evidently prepossessed by George's manner +and appearance. "What were brevets of nobility invented for? Raven was +a commoner himself when your sister first engaged herself to him." + +"That was an exceptional case, and Assessor Winterfeld----" + +"Will be every whit as successful. You need not look so astonished, +Matilda; I am only expressing the general belief. After this first +stroke--a bold one, certainly, which has turned the eyes of the country +upon him--he need not fear being overlooked. Had he, in addition to his +other advantages, married into a noble old family such as yours, the +road to eminence would have been clear before him--ay, to eminence +equal to that attained by the successful Baron von Raven." + +Madame von Harder had grown very thoughtful. She was accustomed to rely +on the judgment of this friend, who was intellectually her superior, +and the Countess's words brought Winterfeld before her in quite a new +light. Very little was wanting to revive the old predilection which, in +the early days of their acquaintance, she had cherished for George. + +The entrance of Count Selteneck here put an end to the conversation. He +was to accompany the ladies to the opera, but had been out to pay a +visit from which he had just returned. Some indifferent questions and +replies were interchanged, then the Countess remarked that it must be +time to start, and would have rung for the carriage, but her husband +stopped her. + +"One moment, Theresa," he said carelessly. "There is a trifling matter +I want to discuss with you first. The Baroness will kindly excuse us +for a few minutes?" + +The Baroness begged them not to think of her, and the Count stepped +into the adjoining room with his wife. + +"What has happened?" asked the latter, uneasily. + +"I have heard some news which will affect Madame von Harder very +painfully. It concerns her brother-in-law, von Raven." + +He had closed the drawing-room door; but to this smaller outer salon +there was a second entrance, masked only by a heavy curtain. Close to +this the speakers were standing at the very moment that Gabrielle was +about to enter on her way to the drawing-room. She caught the last +words and the Baron's name, and that sufficed to chain her to the spot +where she stood. Hidden behind the _portière_, she listened in +breathless suspense. + +"The Governor has not given in his resignation, I hope?" asked the +Countess. + +"There is no question of that now," said Selteneck. "If it were so, he +would only be sharing the fate of many high officers of State, who +temporarily retire from the scene of action. The news I have just +heard at my brother's is of so grave a nature that, should it be +confirmed--and we had it direct from the Ministry--the Baron will, +politically speaking, have lived his day." + +The Countess looked up at her husband with an expression of shocked +surprise. He went on in a carefully subdued tone, which, however, was +quite audible to Gabrielle's ears: + +"The leading journal of R---- has published an article containing a +series of damning charges against the Governor. It has often been +hinted vaguely that Raven himself was not quite a stranger to the last +revolutionary movement; but then, how many allowed themselves to be led +away at that time! These ideas are a form of youthful extravagance to +which no weight is attached, so long as they remain mere intangible +ideas; but in this article it is stated that Raven was a member, a +leader even, of the association with which Dr. Brunnow--the same whose +recapture created such a sensation lately--was connected, and as the +reputed head of which that person was condemned. It is further stated +that Raven betrayed his friends in the most dishonourable manner, +giving up all their papers, and thus furnishing documentary proofs. His +admittance to the Ministry was, they say, the price of this infamous +action. The accusation is couched in terms so decided and outspoken +that it is difficult to doubt its veracity. The testimony of Dr. +Brunnow himself is appealed to, as corroborative evidence." + +"And what is Raven's answer to all this?" interposed the Countess, +hastily. + +"He declares it to be absolutely and altogether a lie. The duty of +self-defence requires this from him, of course; but of counter proofs +there is no mention as yet. If he does not succeed in clearing up this +business, and cleansing himself from all suspicion, his part is played +out." + +"Poor Matilda!" exclaimed the Countess. + +The Count shrugged his shoulders. + +"Shall we keep the knowledge of what is going on from her for a time?" +"No," replied the Countess, "She will learn it tomorrow from the +papers. It will be best to tell her all." + +The two agreed that the intended visit to the opera should be given up, +and went back to the drawing-room together. + +Gabrielle's face was ashy white as she left her place of concealment, +and returned to her own room. She did not for a moment deceive herself +as to the importance of the tidings she had just heard. The instinct of +love gave her a better insight into Raven's character than the most +experienced judge of human actions might have had. She knew that the +Baron was equal to any contest, strong enough to bear any stroke of +Fate, except that which should come in the guise of shame and +humiliation, and of this nature was the blow now levelled at him by his +enemies. + +While Countess Selteneck was communicating to the Baroness the painful +intelligence, the young girl sat down to her writing-table, and +rapidly, with feverish haste, traced some lines on a sheet of +letter-paper. This note, which contained but a few words, she folded, +and addressed to Assessor Winterfeld at the Ministry. It would surely +find him there, she knew. It contained simply the news of her presence +in town, and a request that George would come and see her on the +following day at the Seltenecks' house; that was all. + +In the afternoon of the following day, George Winterfeld entered the +Countess's drawing-room. Gabrielle came in a few minutes later, and +George hastened to greet her with impetuous joy. + +"Gabrielle, my darling, so we meet again at last!" + +In his transport of delight he did not notice that her hand lay +motionless in his, giving no pressure in return, and that all the +answer he received to his tender greeting was a faint, sad smile. He +went on, still joyously excited: + +"But what does all this mean? I thought you were far away in R----, and +only now hear that you are in town, living close by me. And what am I +to think of the little note which summoned me hither? Does your mother +know of the invitation?" + +"No," said Gabrielle, in decided accents, that sounded strangely from +her lips. "She has driven out with Countess Selteneck; but I mean to +tell her when she comes back that I asked you to come, and why. She +would not have given her consent to this interview, and I felt that I +_must_ speak to you." + +George looked at her in some astonishment. It had not formerly been +Gabrielle's way to proceed thus with plan and resolution. + +"I, too, longed inexpressibly to see you again," he replied. "There was +no possibility of sending you news of me. I cannot keep up any +communication with the Governor's house, especially against his will. +You know, I suppose, on what footing I stand towards him now?" + +"I had to hear of it--from others. Your vague hints at parting were +utterly unintelligible to me. You left me quite in the dark, and +allowed the truth to break upon me unawares." + +George understood the reproach. + +"Forgive me," he entreated earnestly. "It was entirely on your account +that I was silent. I could not make a confidante of you--could not let +you share in the knowledge of a project which was to turn against your +guardian and host. Are you angry with me for what I have done? You +little know how fierce were the struggles I went through before I could +resolve on taking that step." + +"It has brought you good luck!"--there was a singular, almost a +scornful inflection in the girl's voice. "It has raised you from +obscurity to fame at a stroke. Your name is now in everybody's mouth." + +Winterfeld's handsome face clouded over. + +"It troubles me sorely that my fame, as you call it, should spring from +such a cause. I certainly never counted on this species of success. You +surely do not doubt the truth of what I said to you at parting? You do +not doubt me when I say that no personal feeling of revenge spurred me +on against the Baron, that the pamphlet, of which you have heard, was +commenced before we knew each other? I was prepared for the worst +consequences, for I knew the adversary I was provoking. My position, +probably my whole future, was at stake, but it had become necessary to +cripple the tyrannical power of a man whom none ventured to defy. I +resolved to attempt it, and I was ready to accept the issue, whatever +it might be. But no matter ever took a more unexpected turn than this +of mine. I have been shielded and supported, and the Governor's cause +has been abandoned. I had no suspicion of the mighty current of opinion +that had set in against him in those very circles where most I feared +opposition." + +He had spoken clearly and quietly, but there was in his eyes an uneasy, +pained inquiry which his lips did not frame. He could not understand +his love. She stood before him so cold and strange, giving no sign of +sympathy. Not a word of tenderness fell from her now, on meeting him +after a separation of weeks. Instead of holding the sweet converse +natural to lovers on such an occasion, they were discussing things +which once lay worlds apart from Gabrielle, but which now seemed to +monopolise her interest. What could have happened to change her thus? + +"One more question, George," she began again. "This last attack, this +shameful calumny which the newspapers have published--have you had any +part in this?" + +"No; the sudden disclosure took me as much by surprise as anyone, and I +do not know how it originated. I do not war with anonymous +communications which refer to a long-bygone past. If I had wished to +make use of these facts, the Governor's fall would long ago have been +assured, for I knew them some months back." + +"The facts!" broke out Gabrielle. "The whole story is a lie. How can +you doubt it for an instant?" + +"They are facts," said the young man, gravely, "I heard them from the +mouth of a man who was reluctant enough to raise his voice against his +former friend--I mean Max Brunnow's father." + +"Whoever says it, I tell you it is calumny!" cried Gabrielle, with +flashing eyes. "Arno is incapable of a dishonourable action; he never +has committed one. He declares this tale to be false, and, though the +whole world should be of one voice to accuse him, I will believe his +word, and his alone!" + +"Arno? You will believe him, and him alone?" repeated George, slowly. +"What ... what does this mean?" + +"Every one is deserting him now," Gabrielle went on, with passionate +vehemence. "Troubles are coming upon him from all sides. While he was +great and powerful, no one ventured to raise a finger against him; but +since you gave the signal for the onset, he has been persecuted and +slandered by all his enemies, and hounded, as they hoped, to his ruin. +But, seeing that in spite of them all he holds his ground, they have +recourse now to their last resource, and seek to wound him mortally in +his honour. Oh, I know only too well why he sent me away! He divined +what was coming; he wished to be alone in his fall!" + +George had grown deadly pale. His eyes were fixed anxiously on the +girl's fair face, all glowing with excitement. Her vehemence betrayed +too much, and the young man's heart thrilled with a great dread. He +felt that his dream of happiness was over. + +"What has taken place between you and the Baron?" he asked. "It is not +so that a girl defends her guardian, her relative. You might have +spoken so of me, had I been exposed to any danger. What has happened +during this separation of ours, Gabrielle? No, I cannot believe it. You +cannot ... cannot love this Raven?" + +She made no answer, but sank on to a chair, and, hiding her face in her +hands, broke into loud and passionate weeping. For some minutes a +direful silence reigned, broken only by Gabrielle's sobs. George stood +motionless. This discovery came upon him too abruptly, too +unexpectedly. + +"It is so, then," he said at length, in a very low voice. "And he ... +yes, now I understand his hatred of me, his fierce anger on hearing of +our engagement. This is why he parted us so inexorably; this was why he +took from me all hope of ever possessing you. That he would take your +love itself from me, I never, never could have believed." + +Gabrielle dried her tears, and rose. + +"Forgive me, George. I feel how cruel a wrong I have done you, but I +cannot help it. I did not know what love was when I gave you my +promise. The knowledge came to me when I met Arno, and now it would be +treachery to withhold the truth from you any longer. I fought against +it, so long as it was possible to fight; yesterday even I doubted and +vacillated. Then this news reached me, and all my doubts were at an +end. I know now where my rightful place is, and nothing shall move me +from it--but, first, I had to tell you all. Release me from that +promise, I implore you. I cannot keep it." + +The young man stood before her, rigid and pale with the fierce conflict +of emotions. + +"Was it for this you called me hither--to tell me this?" + +"Yes," was the answer, hardly audible. + +"You are free the instant you desire it," said George, with profound +bitterness. "I swore to you that no power on earth should move me to +renounce my hopes until I should hear from your own lips that you gave +me up. I have heard it now. Good-bye." + +He turned and walked to the door. Gabrielle rushed after him, and laid +her hand on his arm. + +"Do not go from me so, George. Say you forgive me. Do not part from me +in ill-feeling and bitterness. I cannot bear that you should be angry +with me." + +It was the old sweet tone, which had so often worked with captivating +power. It arrested the young man's steps even now, and as the lovely +tear-bedewed face was raised to him with anxious pleading in the dark +eyes, his wounded pride was silenced, and the deep affection of his +heart welled up within him once more. + +"Must I lose you?" he asked, in a voice tremulous with excessive +emotion. "Think, Gabrielle, think--do not sacrifice our love, all our +life's happiness so hastily. Raven's passion has misled and blinded +you. He has the secret of drawing hearts to him as with a magic spell, +but he would never, never make a woman happy. You, with your bright +sunny temperament, would fade away by that man's side, would pine away +and die. You do not know him, child; he is not worthy of your love." + +Gabrielle gently freed herself from his embrace. + +"Do you think it is my own happiness I am seeking? No; what I wish is +to be at Arno's side when all are forsaking him, to share his fate--his +disgrace, if it must be. That is the only happiness I look for, and of +that, at least, no one shall deprive me!" + +There was infinite, pathetic tenderness in her words. George's gaze +rested sorrowfully, regretfully on the youthful creature who had so +quickly learned all a woman's devotion and self-sacrifice. Thus, thus +he had dreamily pictured to himself his Gabrielle, in those early days +when he had set the joyous merry-hearted child on a pedestal and +worshipped her as the ideal of his life! dreamily only, it must be +owned, for there had been no true hope in his heart that she would ever +soar to such a height. Now his ideal stood embodied before him; and +now, in the self-same moment, he learned that she was lost to him for +ever. + +"Let us part, then," he said, calling up all his self-control. "You are +right. With so absorbing a passion in your heart for another, you could +not be my wife. After the avowal you have just made, I should have +released you without any entreaty on your part. Do not weep, Gabrielle. +I have no ill-feeling towards you; I reproach you with nothing. All my +enmity is for him who has robbed me of you. You were the joy, the very +life of my life. How I shall bear to live on, now that you have left +me, I know not. Farewell." + +He drew her to him once again, once again he pressed his lips to hers, +and then hurried from the house he had entered with such high hopes, +now all fatally shattered and wrecked. Gabrielle remained alone, +weeping no longer, but with a dull unspeakable aching within her +breast, a thrilling sense of pain and loss. She felt that, with +George's love, the best and noblest part of her life had gone from her. + + + + + CHAPTER XIX. + + +"Well, thank God this wretched business has come to a satisfactory end +at last. It made me desperate to think I was the cause of it. I +congratulate you with all my heart on your release, father." + +So saying, Max Brunnow warmly embraced his father, who replied with a +half smile: + +"It was not an altogether unexpected solution of the question. I +received a pretty plain hint some time ago from the Superintendent +himself." + +"But the press has worked valiantly in your behalf," said Max. "All the +papers clamoured for a pardon, and from the very first day the public +eagerly espoused your cause." + +This conversation took place in the apartments formerly inhabited by +Assessor Winterfeld, which that gentleman, on his sudden departure from +R----, had made over to his friend. On his recovery, Max had returned +to these quarters, and had this morning brought home to them his +father, whose release from imprisonment now filled him with joy. +The notice of Brunnow's liberation, an act of clemency confidently +expected by the nation at large, had been received with general and +loudly-expressed satisfaction. In high places it had been agreed to +overlook the Doctor's obstinacy, which would not stoop to a petition, +would not allow him to move hand or foot in his own behalf--a full and +free pardon had been vouchsafed to him. Nevertheless he had the +appearance of being depressed and careworn; he was very pale, and +evidently ill in mind and body. + +Max, on the other hand, was absolutely his own old self. His vigorous +constitution had, as he prophesied, enabled him rapidly to recover from +the effects of his accident, of which the fresh scar on his forehead +was now the sole reminder. One change was noticeable in him, however. +The young man's manner to his father, somewhat curt, formerly, and +unsympathetic, was now marked by an affectionate and respectful +deference. He felt deeply the proof of devotion his father had given +him, and Brunnow, for his part, had grown aware how dear his son really +was to his paternal heart. That hour in the sick-room had transformed +the cold and distant relations existing between the two, had roused +within them genuine affection, and brought about a thorough +understanding. + +"But now to other matters," said Max, changing the subject. "I have a +confession to make to you. Look at me well, father. Do you remark +nothing extraordinary about me?" + +Brunnow inspected him from head to foot with some curiosity. + +"No; only that you have got well with extraordinary promptitude. I +remark nothing else." + +Max drew himself up with much dignity, took a step forward, threw out +his chest, and announced with complacency, "I am an engaged man." + +"An engaged man? You?" repeated the Doctor, in surprise. + +"Yes; I have sustained the character some weeks now. There has been +too much at stake for us all of late, I could not worry you with my +love-affairs. But now that you are safe and at liberty, I must ask for +your approval and consent. You already know my future wife--I mean +Councillor Moser's daughter." + +"What, not the young girl who gave me my information as to your state +of health? Impossible!" + +"Why impossible? Does not Agnes please you?" + +"I did not say so, but that delicate white maiden with those dreamy +dark eyes cannot surely be to your taste. And then her strange nun-like +dress! I took her for a sister of mercy who had been called in to nurse +you." + +"She wants to go into a convent, she says," declared Max. "I shall have +to fight a round battle with the lady abbess, the father confessor, and +half-a-dozen reverends, before we two are joined together in +matrimony." + +"But, Max!" interrupted his father. + +"Agnes is extremely delicate, sickly even," went on Max; "but there is +nothing really serious the matter with her--mere nervous excitement. I +shall soon make her hearty, or what am I a doctor for? She knows +nothing about housekeeping, unfortunately." + +"Well, as you are carrying out your marriage programme so faithfully," +put in Brunnow, in a jesting tone, "how does it stand with the first, +the principal clause--with the fortune you declared to be +indispensable?" + +The young surgeon looked a little disconcerted. + +"Bah! I have found out that is not necessary. Do you think I can't +provide for my wife and my home expenses? I certainly cannot reckon on +any fortune here." + +"Well, I must say you go very consistently to work," exclaimed his +father. "All this is in direct contradiction to the views you have +hitherto expressed. What has come to you, my good fellow?" + +Max heaved a deep sigh. + +"I don't know; but I believe the germ of idealism is sprouting in me. +You have all your life been striving in vain to convert me. Agnes +managed it in a few weeks; and as you have always found me painfully +deficient in sentiment, I hope you will be enchanted at the change." + +The Doctor appeared anything but enchanted. He looked on his son's +conversion to idealistic doctrines with evident distrust. + +"But, Max," he said, shaking his head, "this won't do at all. A young +girl, brought up with convent notions, inclined to religious +enthusiasm, the daughter of a bureaucrat of the purest water--how can +you transplant this tender plant into our midst? how can you accustom +her to our ways and habits of thought? Reflect----" + +"I don't mean to reflect--I mean to get married," interrupted Max. +"Everything you can say in the way of objection, I have said to myself +a hundred times, or more; but it has never been of any good. I must +have Agnes--and have her I will, if I am driven to take all the +obstacles, our papa the Councillor and his white cravat included, by +storm!" + +"Ah, yes, the Councillor!" interposed Brunnow. "What does he say to +this business?" + +"Nothing at present, because he knows nothing at all about it. As a +matter of course, I could not ask him for his daughter's hand while you +were incarcerated as an offender against the State. But now I shall +delay my suit no longer. He will kick me out at once, or at least he +will manifest the gracious intention of so doing; but it is not an easy +thing to make me quit a position I desire to maintain. I can stand my +ground as well as anyone. You need not look so grave, father. I assure +you, when you get to know Agnes, you will admit this engagement of mine +is the best piece of business I ever did in my life." + +The Doctor was forced to smile, in spite of himself. + +"We will wait and see; but if, as seems probable, you have to encounter +any lengthened resistance from the father of your betrothed, I shall +hardly see much of her on this occasion. I start for home the day after +to-morrow." + +"Oh, do give up that notion, I beg of you," insisted Max. "Why not wait +until I can accompany you? Our law business is now happily over; but +there is still much to be settled. For instance, a purchaser has come +forward for our cousin's estate, and it would be far better that he +should discuss the details with you personally." + +"No, no," returned Brunnow, parrying the argument. "You have full +authority to act, and are much better qualified to settle these +practical matters than I am, I want to get away as soon as possible." + +"Upon my word, father, I do not understand you," declared Max. "You +have sighed so long for your native land, and now that it is open to +you once again, you seem absolutely to fly from it." + +Brunnow was sitting with his head wearily resting on his two hands. The +look of pain in his careworn face was more striking than ever, as he +replied: + +"I have become a stranger in my own land. And do you think it would be +agreeable to me to be called on for my testimony as to Raven's past, to +which these disclosures have directed public attention? I must answer, +if I were asked; and I will not be interrogated on the subject--at all +events, not here." + +"Why not?" asked Max. "You have always expressed yourself in the +bitterest terms with regard to the Baron and his pernicious mode of +government: you have spoken of his fall as a necessity of the times; +and now, when, according to all appearances, this fall is imminent, you +will not lend a hand to hasten it!" + +"Say no more. Max," said the Doctor, sadly. "You do not know how hard a +thing it is to have to aim a mortal blow at the man who was once a +well-beloved friend. I hoped Winterfeld would have carried his point; +but I should have known Arno Raven better. He held his ground, clever +as was the adversary--held it to his own undoing. At that time it was +open to him to yield, to retire; now he falls--falls disgraced and +branded as a traitor! This, to a nature such as his, is to die a +thousand deaths. I"--here Brunnow rose impetuously--"I will not be the +one to deal out the last stroke. Let those who began the work go +through with it to the bitter end. I have made up my mind to start the +day after to-morrow." + +Max insisted no further. + +"It will be some weeks before I am able to follow you, I expect," he +observed, after a pause. "I shall not leave R---- until our engagement +is ratified and officially made known--until I have secured the +Councillor's consent, and can feel sure that Agnes is safe from all +worrying interference on the part of her spiritual guardians. But, in +the first place, may I count on your support and approval?" + +He held out his hand to his father, who took it in his own, and +responded cordially without a moment's hesitation. + +"I have only seen your affianced wife once; but the very fact that her +appearance then charmed and interested me, made me think it impossible +you should have been attracted towards her. Our tastes have hitherto +differed so widely. Any doubt on my part springs from this alone: I see +so great a difference of character and education. If you think you can +overcome these difficulties, my son ... all I wish is to know that you +are happy." + +A warm pressure of the hand confirmed these words; and Max cried +triumphantly: + +"Now I will go to the Councillor, and drive that most loyal subject of +a most gracious sovereign to distraction, by suggesting myself, a +rampant demagogue, as a son-in-law. I may leave you alone for an hour, +father? You need rest, after all the congratulations and the +demonstrations of sympathy with which you have been overpowered all the +morning. Good-bye for the present. I am off to run a tilt at my future +father-in-law." + +Unsuspicious of the coming evil, Councillor Moser sat at home in his +parlour, reading the papers. They spoiled the flavour of his coffee, +and disturbed his rest. The Councillor read, of course, only the +Ministerial journals; but even they could no longer dissemble the +terrible fact that the State was in a bad way--hopelessly drifting +further and further down the steep decline of Liberalism. + +And, worst of all, there stared him in the face the R---- news, which +now held a permanent place in the columns of the leading papers. Moser +had long noticed, with astonishment and dismay, that the whole official +press, instead of energetically taking up the cudgels in behalf of the +Governor of R----, adopted with regard to this affair a very lukewarm +and indifferent tone; but its attitude now, in the presence of the late +occurrences, passed all bounds of belief. No vigorous defence of the +Baron, no indignation at the shameful calumny, no word as to a +chastisement to be inflicted on that lying journal. Mention was made of +the "late incredible charges," a hope expressed that the Governor would +be able successfully to rebut them; tacked to this came an insinuation +that, should he not purge himself from all taint and suspicion, his +dismissal would become inevitable--thus the possibility of the alleged +guilt was admitted. Immediately below this article appeared the +intelligence that Dr. Rudolph Brunnow, formerly convicted of +treasonable proceedings, had received a full and free pardon, and would +that day be restored to liberty. + +The Councillor, on reading this, fell into a train of gloomy thought. + +For some time past the notion of retiring on his pension had occupied +his mind. He had served the State honourably for well-nigh forty years, +and had thereby satisfied his sense of duty. His daughter, too, the +only pledge of a marriage contracted late in life, and speedily +dissolved by death, was about to leave him, to enter on her novitiate. +He himself was getting on in years, and needed rest. His position, once +his greatest pride, afforded him no satisfaction now. The new spirit +breathing through the land invaded even the sacred places of the +Chancellery. As yet the Baron's hand grasped the reins tightly; but +Moser thought with affright of what would happen were that firm hand to +relax its hold. He believed no single word of the lies now scattered +broadcast. Raven could, and must, utterly silence these malignant +tongues; but, after the treatment he had met with from the Government, +it was hardly likely he would consent to remain in office. The +Councillor felt that he, too, had had his day, and was quite resolved +to imitate his chief's example, should the latter tender his +resignation. + +Moser was roused from his meditations by the opening of a door. + +Christine announced "Dr. Brunnow," and that gentleman quickly followed +in person. + +The Councillor rose and bowed to his visitor, with stiff politeness. + +"I hope you have not misconstrued my conduct in remaining a whole +fortnight without calling on you," began Max, when the first +ceremonious words of greeting had been spoken, and he had taken the +seat offered him. "It was solely out of consideration to you and your +position, you understand. Now that my father----" + +"I am already informed of his liberation," interrupted the Councillor, +with all his usual rigid formality. "Our most gracious sovereign has +been pleased to pardon." + +"Yes; and so all the past is wiped out, and just as if it had never +been," said Max, with deft and logical inference. "As for my father, he +will certainly not make much use of the permission to remain in his +native land." + +"No?" asked Moser, visibly relieved by the tidings. The thought that he +had bestowed a friendly pressure on the hand of that attainted man +weighed upon his conscience. + +"No; he returns to Switzerland, which has become to him a second home," +replied the young surgeon. "We shall continue to live there; but, in +the first place, I feel impelled to reiterate to you my thanks for all +the kindness I received in your house. I shall never forget it." + +The Councillor nodded graciously. These proffered thanks were but right +and proper in his eyes. + +"So you come to take leave?" he asked. "I am rejoiced to see you are +completely restored to health and strength; and my daughter, too, will +be delighted, I am sure, when I inform her of it." + +The information was not precisely needed, for Agnes knew very well how +matters stood with her former patient. Since he had left her father's +roof, she had met him regularly at the house of their common +_protégeé_, the law-writer's wife. The latter had now in a great +measure recovered from her serious illness, and was no longer in need +of medical or spiritual aid; but physician and ministering friend +continued their visits with a fidelity which was really touching. + +"I owe your daughter most special thanks," replied Max. "To her alone, +to her devoted care, I am indebted for my happy recovery. You will +allow me, therefore, to address to you one request bearing special +reference to Fräulein Agnes?" + +Moser nodded a second time. He was inclined to grant the request; the +young man would doubtless sue for permission to take leave of Agnes +personally. + +But Max rose from his chair, and said point-blank, without any +ceremonious preface: + +"I come to sue for your daughter's hand." + +The Councillor, about to nod a third assent, stopped suddenly, and sat +with open mouth. For the first instant he really did not understand +what the other had said; then he rose in his turn, not hastily, but +with slow solemnity. His gaunt figure grew taller and taller as it +emerged from the depths of his armchair, seeming gradually to become +more gaunt and more uncanny, until he stood at his full height, and +looked down over his white neckcloth with a scathing gaze at the young +surgeon. + +"I--I believe I did not hear aright," said the old gentleman, at +length. "You were saying----" + +"I am asking for your daughter's hand in marriage," replied Max, with +equanimity. + +"Are you out of your senses?" asked Moser, still in bewildered +amazement; for though this strange thing was repeated, his mind refused +to grasp it. + +"Not at all. I am in a perfectly normal condition," Max affirmed, and +then went on in the same breath, without giving his listener time to +collect his wits: "As for my proposal, it is based on our sincere +mutual affection. I have already obtained your daughter's promise. +Agnes has given me her hand and heart, conditionally, of course, +on your consent, for which I now formally ask, entertaining the +pleasing hope that it will not be denied me, that my betrothed's +father will deign to accept me as his son. Allow me, then, my dear +father-in-law----" + +He advanced towards the Councillor with open arms, but by an agile +rebound the latter saved himself from the intended embrace. + +That terrible word "father-in-law" had roused him from his torpor. The +position was evidently not to be taken on a first assault. + +"You are speaking seriously of a marriage?" he cried--"of a marriage +with my daughter, whose vocation for a religious life you well know. +You, the son of a political offender, of a convicted rebel, dare to +make such a suggestion?" + +"My dear sir, I am not seeking a State appointment, but a wife," urged +the young surgeon, in self-defence. "I really do not see why you should +be so horrified at my offer." + +"What, you ask the reason? Your father, sir, wished to overthrow the +Government of his country." + +"Well, I had nothing to do with it; I could not very well be +implicated, as at the time of that affair I was just about four years +of age. Besides, these are old stories long buried and forgotten. My +father has been amnestied." + +"Once a rebel, always a rebel," declared the Councillor, emphatically. +"An amnesty can avert punishment. It cannot efface the past." + +Max assumed a look of indignation. + +"Is it possible, Councillor Moser, that I hear this from your lips? +You, who have ever boasted of being our sovereign's most loyal subject, +now refuse to recognise that sovereign's edict? His gracious Majesty +has pardoned, you say yourself. It is his will that the past should +be effaced and forgotten; but you will not accept this decision; you +would abrogate the royal prerogative; you rise up in revolt against +the authority of the reigning prince! Why, this is opposition, +rebellion--to put it plainly, treason itself." + +This wonderful chain of argument was developed with so much fluency and +assurance that the Councillor had no time to put in a word, or to +reflect on its intrinsic value. He was flustered and disconcerted. +Casting a hopeless glance at the speaker, he said at length, in rather +a small voice: + +"Do you really think so?" + +"It is my unalterable conviction. But to return to my offer of +marriage." + +"Not a word more on the subject," interrupted Moser. "To speak of it is +an insult. My daughter is the betrothed of Heaven." + +"I beg your pardon, she is my betrothed," asserted Max, manfully. +"Heaven can wait, I can't. After fifty years of conjugal happiness, I +have no objection to surrender Agnes to a higher lot. Until then, I +claim her as mine, and mine alone." + +"Do you mean to turn my child's sacred vocation into ridicule?" +exclaimed the old gentleman, kindling to fresh wrath. "I have long +known you to be an infidel, an atheist, a----" his voice forsook him, +he panted for breath, and grasped at his neckcloth with both hands. + +"Do not excite yourself in this manner," said the young doctor, +warningly. "These violent fits of emotion are most dangerous at your +age, and to a man of your temperament. They are calculated to produce +congestion--apoplexy!" + +Moser's long, meagre frame seemed to give the direct lie to this +assumption, but Dr. Brunnow did not stick at such trifles. He went on +calmly: + +"Let me add that, to one of your peculiar constitution, it would be an +incalculable benefit to have a doctor for a son-in-law, one who would +watch over his father-in-law's health with the utmost care. As I said +before, you must not excite yourself." + +"It is you who excite me!" cried the Councillor, stung to distraction +by this repeated mention of the objectionable relationship. "It is you +who will bring on me an apoplectic attack with your detestable +suggestions. I feel quite ill now; the blood is all mounting to my +head. I want air." + +So saying, he sank back in his arm-chair, and clutched at his cravat +again. Max kindly came to his assistance, and loosened the knot. + +"We will take off this white monstrosity," said he, "you'll feel easier +then. I have an infallible remedy against congestions, and I will +prescribe it for you at once. These seizures are serious; we must be +careful." + +Moser gave a melancholy glance at his beloved white cravat, now in the +sacrilegious hands of the doctor, who folded it neatly together before +laying it on the table. With that "white monstrosity" all the old +gentleman's vehemence seemed to have gone from him; the allusion to +apoplexy had made him anxious. He looked on quietly while his tormentor +went up to the writing-table, wrote a prescription for a harmless +composing draught, and then returned to him, holding the paper. + +"Six drops in a glass of water," he said impressively. + +"How often?" growled the Councillor. + +"Three times a day." + +"Thank you." + +"Don't mention it, pray." + +The Councillor hoped and expected that this irrepressible suitor would +now deliver him from his presence; but he was soon undeceived. Instead +of taking his leave, the young man drew forward a chair, and sat down +opposite him. + +"So I may reckon on your consent to my marriage with your daughter?" +Max began again. + +Moser would have blazed forth anew, but he thought of the tendency to +apoplexy and the necessity of avoiding all excitement, and therefore +replied with all the calm he could command: + +"No; a thousand times no! I do not believe that Agnes can so far forget +herself as to entertain an affection for you. She has, of her own free +will, chosen a religious life. She is an obedient daughter, a pious +Catholic." + +"And will, I am sure, make an excellent wife," wound up Max. "Besides, +after all, I am a Catholic myself." + +Moser folded his hands. + +"Ah, what sort of one?" he groaned. + +"I only mean that the religion need not be an obstacle. My position, I +must confess, is rather a modest one at present; but it may satisfy a +wife who has not very soaring pretentions. As for my character and +habits, my father-in-law----" + +"For Heaven's sake, let me have no more of your father-in-law. I will +not endure it. You are an impertinent, a most obnoxious person." + +"You will get used to me in time," said the young surgeon, consolingly. +"I may come again to-morrow, may I not, to see my betrothed?" + +The old gentleman made no reply, fearing to prolong the interview. His +one object was to rid the house of this tormenting nuisance. To-morrow +he would shut himself in, and see his doors well bolted. Max himself +seemed to understand that he had gone far enough for one day, for he +now moved to take his departure, turning to fire a parting shot as he +reached the door. + +"Councillor Moser!" + +"Well, what more do you want?" asked the old gentleman, despairingly. + +"When you talk over this business with Agnes, be sure and avoid all +undue excitement. You know the danger of it. Six drops of the medicine +in a glass of water three times a day, and, above all things, quiet and +composure. I should be miserable if any accident were to happen to so +near and dear a relation." + +Then he really went. The Councillor sank back in his arm-chair, utterly +spent. Now only, on being left alone, did he fully comprehend the +glaring nature of the affront put upon him, and he could not even allow +free vent to his just and righteous anger; he must be on his guard +against violent emotions and apoplectic fits. + +Dr. Brunnow had not left the house so promptly as its master supposed. +He was at this moment standing outside in the anteroom with his arm +round Agnes's waist, quite as a thing of course, and as though he had +received official recognition as her future husband. The girl was +anxiously questioning him, wishing to hear exactly what course the +interview had taken, and what answer her father had made. + +"Well, he says 'no,' so far," Max had to confess; "but set your mind +perfectly at rest--he will say 'yes' before he has done. I did not +expect the fortress would capitulate all at once. It must be invested, +besieged in due form. On the whole, I am satisfied with the result of +this first attack. Breaches have been made in the fortifications, and +to-morrow I shall advance my posts." + +"Ah, Max," whispered Agnes, with her eyes full of tears, "what troubles +we have before us! My courage fails me when I think of all the +difficulties. I shall never overcome them." + +"No more you need. To overcome them is my business," said Max, +encouragingly. "I shall stay here until it is all settled and the +wedding-day fixed. Your father must be allowed time now to grow +accustomed to the idea; meanwhile, I shall, in the most humble and +deferential terms, signify the fact of our engagement to the lady +abbess and his reverence the confessor, the two of whom you stand in +such great awe." + +Agnes shuddered. + +"Some portion of the storm you will have to meet," continued Max; "but +the chief brunt of it I will take on myself. Steady, little Agnes--show +a brave front. I give you my word that your father will voluntarily and +cordially give us his blessing." + +With these words and a kiss, he took leave of his betrothed. + + + + + CHAPTER XX. + + +On the morning of the following day, Baron von Raven sat, as usual, +busily occupied in his study, when it was announced to him that the +Superintendent of Police requested an audience. This functionary came +but rarely to the Castle in these days. For one thing, order being now +completely re-established in the town, there was no longer any +necessity for perpetual messages to, and conferences with, the +Governor; moreover, since the affair of Brunnow's arrest. Raven had +received him with such marked coldness, that the police officer avoided +as much as possible all meetings with his Excellency. Now, however, it +had become necessary to discuss some official regulations. He therefore +repaired to the Government-house, was admitted to Raven's presence, and +at once laid before him the matter in hand, which was despatched by +both gentlemen as briefly, and in as business-like a tone, as possible. + +The Superintendent preserved his accustomed suavity of manner, though, +taking his cue from the Governor, he assumed a certain degree of +reserve. No allusion to recent events did this wary individual permit +to himself. The Baron's attitude was loftier, haughtier than ever; but +there was something in the proud man's look that suggested a strange +parallel, that recalled the hunted stag, which, feeling its strength +exhausted and its end approaching, gathers together its last remaining +energies, and turns at bay to face the pursuers. The undaunted spirit +still visible in his every feature was perhaps no longer the sign of +conscious power, but only the outcome of despair. + +One part of the conversation had been brought to a conclusion. Speaking +of the measures which it had lately fallen to his province to carry +out, the Superintendent alluded to the release of Dr. Brunnow. The +Baron interrupted him, asking: + +"When was Brunnow set at liberty?" + +"Yesterday at noon." + +"Indeed?" remarked Raven, laconically. + +"I hear the Doctor intends to leave this city tomorrow," went on the +Superintendent. "He will return at once to Switzerland, where he +intends to spend the remaining years of his life." + +"He is right," said the Baron. "A man who has lived so many years in +exile can seldom or never feel at home again in his native land. The +adopted country generally prevails over the old." + +He spoke indifferently, as though his remarks applied to some stranger, +of whose pardon he had accidentally heard. The Superintendent was not +duped by this assumed composure, but, in spite of his keen powers of +observation, he had not succeeded in piercing the ramparts with which +this guarded and taciturn nature had fenced itself around, or to +discover what position the Baron meant to take up with regard to the +accusations lately brought against him. + +A servant came in, bringing to the Governor a despatch which had just +arrived from the capital--a great official document. Raven signed to +the man to withdraw, and broke the seal, saying carelessly: + +"You will excuse me for a minute?" + +"Pray do not let me be any restraint, your Excellency," replied the +Superintendent, politely; but, as he spoke, his eyes travelled with a +peculiar curious gaze from the letter to its recipient. + +Raven unfolded the despatch. Hardly had he cast a glance at its +contents when he started violently. His face grew livid, and his right +hand, closing on the paper, crushed it convulsively. A quiver of rage, +or of pain, shook his mighty frame, and for a moment it seemed as +though his emotion would master him. + +"I hope you have received no unpleasant news," asked the police +officer, with a well-feigned accent of sympathy. + +The Baron looked up. He fixed his stern, searching eyes on the face of +the man before him, whose _rôle_, since the circumstances of Brunnow's +arrest, he had perfectly divined, and on whose features he now detected +a slight derisive flicker, which showed his visitor was already +acquainted with the contents of the document. That restored his +strength, and brought back his composure. + +"Surprising news, to say the least," he answered, laying the despatch +aside. "But there will be time to attend to that later on. Pray proceed +with what you were saying." + +The other hesitated. This wonderful self-command produced a certain +effect on him. He had seen with his own eyes that the blow had struck +home, but all further satisfaction was denied him. The wound should not +bleed in his presence. The injured man pressed his hand on the spot, +and stood erect as before. Was the haughty, stubborn spirit, the +arrogance of this Raven, never to be broken? + +"We have discussed the principal topics under notice," replied the +Superintendent, with a certain embarrassment. "If you have other claims +on your time, I will not detain you." + +"Go on, I beg!" The Baron's voice was low, but very steady. + +The Superintendent saw that any show of forbearance would be looked on +as an insult. He therefore took up the thread of their former +conversation. The remarks made by Raven, as he concluded his report, +were perfectly apt and to the point, but they were spoken mechanically, +and his manner, too, was mechanical as he rose from his chair when the +Superintendent prepared to depart. + +"Your Excellency has no other recommendations to make to me?" + +"No; I can only recommend you to follow out your instructions as +punctually as hitherto. In that case, some recognition of your services +will surely follow." + +The other thought fit to feign bewilderment. + +"I do not understand your Excellency. To what instructions do you +allude?" + +"To those you received before leaving the capital, when, together with +the official duties of your service, a special surveillance was +committed to you." + +"Ah! the surveillance of the town, you mean? I think, in that respect, +I have done my duty. Besides, the troubles are over now, and all that +is at an end." + +"Exactly," replied Raven, with a contemptuous smile; "and all relations +between us at an end, too, as you will readily understand." + +Without wasting another word on him, he turned his back on his visitor, +and walked up to the window. This might well have been construed into +an insult, but it did not suit the Superintendent's policy to take +offence; that might lead to unpleasant consequences. He took leave, +therefore, with a courteous bow, which was not returned, and left the +room. + +Once outside, he drew a breath of relief. It had been disagreeable to +him to find that the Baron saw through him and accurately judged his +line of conduct, the more disagreeable that he had no cause to look on +the Governor as a personal enemy. He had merely acted in the discharge +of "his mission" in ferreting out all that related to Raven's past, and +in securing the living key to that past, Dr. Brunnow, so that the +secret unearthed at last might safely be published to the world. With +such sophistical arguments he easily consoled himself for the equivocal +part he had played towards the Baron from first to last, the more +easily that his acting had been successful and altogether achieved its +aim. + +Raven was left alone. He stood before his writing-table, and once again +read through the fatal despatch. It signified to him his dismissal from +office, and was worded in curt, almost offensive terms. No explanation, +no defence was required from this man against whom such heavy charges +had been brought. Time, indeed, had not been allowed him to explain or +to vindicate himself. He was condemned unheard. It was not even left +open to him to resign, the usual expedient in such cases. He was +dismissed summarily, in a manner which could leave no doubt in the +public mind that the Government took the side of the accusers, and +considered that the case had been proved against their representative. +The Baron dashed the paper from him, and paced the room in a fierce, +mute conflict of emotions. His lips twitched, and a fiery light gleamed +in his eyes. + +All at once he stopped, as though a sudden thought had flashed upon +him, and went slowly up to a side-table on which stood a box of small +dimensions. A slight pressure on the spring caused the lid to fly open, +and displayed a brace of elaborately-chased pistols. The Baron took one +out and examined it carefully, to convince himself that it was in +perfect order. For some minutes he held the pistol in his hand, gazing +down at it lost in moody thought; then he laid it back in its place +again, and drew himself up quickly. + +"No," he said, under his breath; "that would pass for cowardice, for an +avowal of guilt. Some other way must be found. They shall, at least, +not have that triumph." + +He threw down the lid of the box, and turning away, began again the +silent, restless pacing to and fro, the sombre brooding search for a +plan at all points suitable. A solution must be found. + +Meanwhile Dr. Brunnow, in his son's rooms, was busily preparing for his +departure, now irrevocably fixed for the morrow. Max had left him to +prosecute the "siege" he had commenced on the preceding day. He was +again a visitor at Councillor Moser's dwelling, and again employing all +his batteries of argument to prove to the old gentleman what a +distinguished, and in all respects desirable, son-in-law the latter +would obtain in Dr. Max Brunnow. Neither locks nor bolts could avail +against the persistency of this undaunted suitor. + +His father let him take his way. He knew Max well, and felt sure that +the young man would eventually be victorious. Had he followed his own +wishes, he would have started on his return journey that same day, but +the promise he had given his son bound him to remain twenty-four hours +longer. The ground he walked on seemed to scorch his feet; he longed to +be away, and all the congratulations, the marks of sympathy lavished on +him on his release, seemed but to make his stay still more distasteful +to him. + +Brunnow had just finished a letter, telling of his speedy return home, +and was about to ring and confide it to the maid to post, when the +latter came running in unsummoned, and announced breathlessly: + +"Doctor, Doctor, his Excellency the Governor!" + +"Who?" asked Brunnow, absently, closing the envelope. + +"His Excellency, sir, the Governor." + +Brunnow turned quickly. His look fell on the Baron, who had followed +the servant and was standing in the anteroom. Raven entered now, and +said ceremoniously: + +"May I ask for a few minutes' conversation with you, Dr. Brunnow?" + +"I am at your Excellency's service," replied Brunnow, warned by the +amazement on the maid's face that he must show no signs of +perturbation. He gave the girl his letter, and sent her away. When they +were left together. Raven dropped his assumed formality of tone. + +"My coming surprises you. Are we alone?" + +"Yes; my son is out." + +"I am glad to hear it, for this present interview of ours brooks no +witnesses. Will you have the kindness to close the door securely, so +that we may not be interrupted?" + +The Doctor silently complied. He drew the bolt on the entrance door, +and then returned to the inner room. His uneasy glance seemed to ask +the import of this singular, this most unlooked-for visit. The two men +stood a few seconds face to face, silent, but with hostility in the +attitude of each, as at their first meeting. + +The Baron spoke first. + +"You hardly expected to see me here?" + +"I really do not know what errand can bring the Governor of +R---- beneath this roof," was the answer. + +"I am Governor no longer," said Raven, coldly. + +Brunnow turned on him a quick, scrutinising gaze. + +"You have given in your resignation?" he asked. + +"I am leaving my post," the other answered, in an agitated voice. +"Before I quit the town, however, I wish to obtain some information as +to that article in the newspaper which refers so minutely to events in +my past life. You are, I think, the person most likely to afford me +this information, and therefore I come to you." + +The Doctor turned away. "That article did not emanate from me," he +said, after a short pause. + +"That may be, but, in any case, you prompted it. We two are now the +last survivors of those who were implicated in that catastrophe. The +others are dead, or have been altogether lost sight of. You alone were +in a position to make those disclosures." + +Brunnow was silent. He remembered but too well the inconsiderate words +which the Superintendent's wily man[oe]uvre had wrested from him, and +which had since been published throughout the length and breadth of the +land. + +"I only wonder that you did not turn your knowledge of these +occurrences to account sooner," went on Raven; "you, or the others who +shared it." + +"You can answer that question yourself," said Brunnow. "We lacked +evidence. If we ourselves were profoundly convinced of your guilt, that +was our affair alone. The world requires proofs, tangible proofs, and +these we could not produce. Why no voice has been raised against you +before this, you ask? No one knows better than you that, in those +arbitrary times, which, it is to be hoped, are now for ever past and +gone, every inconvenient voice was hushed and stifled. Then Arno Raven +rapidly acquired influence, became the friend and favourite of the +Minister, whom he was shortly to call father. Later on, as Baron von +Raven, he was the most powerful stay and support of the Government, to +whom he had become indispensable. No accusation against such a man +would have been admitted; it would at once have been stigmatised as a +lie, a calumnious lie, and suppressed as such. We all knew this, and +the knowledge kept the others silent, I was not withheld by these +considerations alone. I ... had no desire to accuse you, and have none +now. Some admissions made by me during my confinement--admissions which +were, I fear, purposely extracted from me--may have served as a basis +for the present revelations. The Superintendent of Police has certainly +had to do with the business. He is your enemy." + +"No, he is simply a spy," said Raven, contemptuously; "and, therefore, +I do not think of calling him to account. It was no duty of his, +moreover, to keep back information which you had communicated to him. +The information came from you, and to you I look for satisfaction." + +Brunnow started back. "Satisfaction? From me? What do you mean?" + +"What can I mean? It seems to me no explanation is necessary. There is +but one way of wiping out an insult such as you have offered me. You +will not refuse me this atonement, I suppose?" + +Not a syllable escaped the Doctor's lips. + +"On our first meeting after a lapse of years," pursued the other, "you +spoke to me words which made my blood boil in my veins. You were then a +proscribed man, who had hastened to his son's sick-bed; every hour you +spent here was fraught with danger. That was no fitting moment to +demand an explanation. Now you are free--so name your time and arms." + +"A duel between us!" exclaimed Brunnow. "No, Arno, you cannot exact +this!" + +"I insist on it. You will accept my challenge?" + +"No." + +"Rudolph, I tell you, you will accept it." + +"And, once again, I say no. Any other man I will fight, if necessary, +but not you." + +A deep furrow gathered between the Baron's knitted brows; but he knew +this friend of his youth, knew that, in spite of those grey hairs, the +man before him was still the old Hotspur whose fiery temper, once +thoroughly aroused, would silence reflection and overleap all bounds. +All that was needed was to find the vulnerable spot. + +"I did not think you had turned coward since we parted," said Raven, +with simulated scorn. + +That told. The Doctor started up in anger, and his eye sparkled +ominously. + +"Unsay that word!" he cried. "You know well that I am no coward. I have +no need to prove that to you now." + +"I unsay nothing," declared Raven. "You have brought a disgraceful +charge against me, have repeated it in the presence of a stranger, who, +as you were well aware, would give it publicity, and now you seek to +escape the consequences of your act. Call it what you like--I call it +cowardice." + +Brunnow's self-command went from him altogether, as the fateful word +was thus hurled at him a second time. + +"Stop, Arno," he panted; "I will not bear this." + +The Baron remained quite unmoved. Not a muscle of his face quivered. He +stood, inflexible in his icy calm, goading his adversary on, step by +step, to the requisite pitch of madness. + +"This, then, is your revenge?" he continued, in a contemptuous tone. +"For twenty years you have stayed your hand. While I was great and +powerful, you did not venture to strike; but a man nearing his fall is +a safer, an easier target. Winterfeld, at least, was an honourable foe. +He attacked me, certainly, but it was in open combat; he met me face to +face. You prefer to shoot from under ambush, calling strangers to help +you in the work. You had no hesitation in supplying the police and the +newspapers with weapons against me, but when it comes to facing me and +the arm which shall avenge the dishonour done me, your courage fails +you. Verily, Rudolph, I should not have believed you capable of such +mean and pitiful conduct!" + +"Enough!" Brunnow interposed, in a half-stifled voice. "Not a word +more--I accept your challenge." His breast heaved with a quick +convulsive movement. He had grown deadly pale, and his whole frame +shook with emotion. He leaned for support against the back of the chair +nearest him. Something like compassion gleamed in the Baron's eye, pity +for the man he had wrought up to such extreme agitation, before whom he +had placed so terrible an alternative; but there was no trace of any +such weakness in his voice, as he replied: + +"Good. I will request Colonel Wilten, the commandant of the garrison +here, to act as my second. He will arrange the necessary preliminaries +with any gentleman you may name as yours." + +Brunnow merely bowed his head in assent. The Baron took his hat from +the table, and then went up to the Doctor again. + +"One thing more, Rudolph," he said, slowly. "This is to me a matter of +deadly earnest. As you will feel, seeing the injury you have done me, +this duel must be to the death between us. I shall expect that it be +not turned into a comedy. It might seem good to you to fire in the air. +Do not compel me to repeat before our seconds that which I have said to +you here. I give you my word I shall take that course, should your aim +be purposely misdirected." + +Brunnow drew himself up, and his eyes blazed with fierce, passionate +hatred. + +"Do not fear," he said. "The words you have spoken to-day have been as +the death-knell to our past. Any lingering reminiscences of youth are +buried from henceforth. You are right. A duel between us two must be to +the death. I, too, know how to avenge an imputation on my honour." + +"To-morrow, then, we meet. I will go now and seek the Colonel." + +He drew back the bolt from the door, and left the room, drawing a deep, +deep breath, as though a load had fallen from him. Then, with a rapid, +steady step, he walked away in the direction of Colonel Wilten's house. + + + + + CHAPTER XXI. + + +Late autumn is wont to be a rough, inclement season in the +neighbourhood of mountains, and this year, in and about R----, it had +not belied its character; but now, at its close. Nature seemed by a +supreme effort to rouse all her dying energies. The past days had been +unusually clear and mild, so that the months appeared to have travelled +back in their course. The earth fell to dreaming one last brief dream +of sunshine and summer breezes, before it surrendered itself to grim +Winter's icy chains. + +It was afternoon now. Baron von Raven sat at his writing-table, engaged +in looking through his papers. For some time past, his testamentary +arrangements had been made; but there was still much to set in order. +Colonel Wilten had promptly responded to the call made upon him. Though +he no longer considered an alliance with Raven's family desirable for +his son, the constraint and coolness which had lately, since their +explanation, existed between himself and the Baron, had been annoying +and painful to him; and he seized with alacrity this occasion of +rendering the latter a service. He promised to settle all the necessary +details, and to come round himself, and report as to what had been +agreed upon regarding the duel, which was, if possible, to take place +early on the following morning. + +Raven had just finished a letter, which he folded and addressed to +"Doctor Rudolph Brunnow." The lines on his gloomy brow grew deeper +still, as with sure and steady strokes he traced the name on the paper. + +"Would that I could have spared you, Rudolph!" he muttered. "The +remembrance of this fatal hour will be with you to your dying day. I +know it--but there was no alternative." + +He laid the letter aside, and again took up the pen; but this time it +was less obedient to the hand that wielded it. Some minutes elapsed +before he wrote the first few lines; then he stopped suddenly--began +anew--hesitated once more, and finally tore up the sheet. Why leave a +farewell, every word of which must be barbed with bitterness? The +letter would only be a standing reproach to her for whom it was +intended. + +The Baron threw down his pen, and rested his head on his hand. Not +without reason had he dreaded the moment when the one great passion of +his life, which had betrayed him into a passing weakness, but which he +had resolutely driven from him far into the background, should break +the restraining dykes, and rush in upon him again with its swift, +strong current. He had maintained a perfectly calm demeanour during the +last few hours--though hatred, indignation, and deeply mortified pride +were at their fierce work with him; he had gone into the minutiæ of his +affairs, arranging everything with his customary exactitude; but now +all was in order--all was finished, except ... Lo! with a rush, the +tide of long pent-up passion returned upon him with all its old +irresistible force, and before it the strong man's composure gave way. + +It was no soft or tender emotion which filled his breast. Arno Raven +was not one easily to give up what he desired, or lightly to forgive +where he believed himself wronged. He, of his own free will, had +decreed the separation--had sent Gabrielle from him; and he did not +repent it. No half-measures suited him. "Let it be this, or that," had +been his motto through life; so now he would have absolute and +undivided possession of his love, or he preferred to lose her +altogether. Well, he had lost her--given her over to another who could +rally to his aid the mighty influences of youth and a first love. + +The Baron never doubted that the connection with Winterfeld had been +renewed in the capital. The tyrannical guardian, who had so long stood +between the young people, separating them, had now stepped back, +leaving them free to draw together again; and the Baroness was far too +weak, too wanting in character, to oppose any lasting resistance +to her daughter's wishes, when no longer fettered by fear of her +brother-in-law. Besides, Winterfeld's position had changed. He had +risen in a most unexpected manner, and would surely rise further--thus +the great barrier to the marriage was withdrawn. All was going the +natural, appointed course, which he, in his madness, had sought to +check and stay. How, indeed, could such a young creature as Gabrielle +understand, far less return, a passion so profound, so all-absorbing as +his? It had dazzled her, perhaps, had flattered her vanity, to find +herself the object of his love; but there could be no question of any +deeper feeling on her part--and, a choice being offered her, the +blooming maiden, standing on the threshold of life, naturally turned to +him who could bring youth as his dowry, who could set before her a long +vista of happy years. That gay, sunny being had neither part nor lot in +his destiny. The thought of her was altogether out of keeping with this +dark hour of defeat, when a man's shattered honour lay in ruins about +him, a man's life hung upon a thread. + +The fine, but short, autumn day was fast declining, and the rays of the +setting sun sought and found their way into the study. Through the deep +bay window came a broad, golden stream of light, filling the sombre +room with a strange transfiguring gleam. Raven's look rested moodily on +the brilliant flood. So had the sunbeam glanced across his life, +gilding, glorifying all for a brief space, to disappear suddenly, +leaving him again to loneliness and darkness. In vain he tried to free +himself from the remembrance, to stifle it by bitter reasoning--in +vain! by every road his thoughts travelled back to Gabrielle; every +object about him seemed to suggest her name--his mind was full of her. +He had resolved to have done with the past, with the world, with life; +but this wild, overpowering longing for the only being he had ever +loved, chained him to the existence he was preparing to quit. A sigh, +so deep as to be almost a groan, burst from his labouring breast. He +was alone now, and needed not the mask of proud impassible calm. To +have preserved it longer would have exceeded all human strength. He +pressed his hand to his burning brow, and closed his eyes. + +Some time went by, and he still sat on, absorbed in his gloomy +brooding; then the door opened gently, almost inaudibly, and as gently +closed again. Raven did not notice it, and did not stir, until the +rustle of a woman's dress close at hand startled him. He turned, and a +great spasm passed across his face; but the exclamation he would have +uttered died on his lips, and he gazed with speechless amazement, +almost with awe, at the vision before him, which could only be a +creation of his disordered fancy. Opposite him, in the full stream of +light, stood Gabrielle, motionless, surrounded by an aureole of golden +rays, as though in verity she were but an apparition called up by the +earnest, passionate craving of a despairing heart, a phantom which +would next minute vanish mysteriously as it had come. + +The Baron had risen. + +"Can it--can it be you?" he asked at length, and his breath came short +and quick. "I thought you were far away." + +"I left town this morning," replied the young girl, in a low voice. "I +have only just arrived. They told me you were here in your room." + +Raven did not answer. His eyes were still riveted on the fair tender +face, as though even yet he could not believe in the reality of her +presence. Yes, she was there indeed! how, wherefore, he did not at +present think of inquiring. Gabrielle seemed to misinterpret his +silence. She stood in the same spot, timid and anxious, not venturing +to approach him. At last she took courage, and drew slowly nearer. + +"Will you repulse me again now, Arno, when I tell you that you were +wrong in suspecting me? I should have spoken long ago, but you put me +from you so roughly, so harshly. You would not even hear me--that +roused my pride. I would not beg for the confidence you refused me. +I"--she stood close by his side now, and looked pleadingly into his +face--"I knew nothing of that attack upon you. Only, when he was going +away, George told me there would soon be open war between you and him. +I pressed in vain for some explanation. He would give me none, and a +few minutes later we had to part. Since that day, not a word, not a +syllable on the subject reached me, until you yourself held up the book +before my eyes. If I had had the slightest suspicion of what was +coming, you would have heard of it. I never betrayed you, Arno, believe +me." + +Truth rang in those accents, shone in her face. Raven caught her hand +with a quick movement. Still with the same expression of eager, intense +anxiety, he drew her to him, and, without uttering a word, looked into +her eyes, which, through their glistening dew, met his fearlessly. This +silent, piercing scrutiny lasted some seconds; then the Baron stooped +suddenly, and pressed his lips to the girl's brow. + +"No, you are true," he said, with a deep long breath. "I believe you." + +His hand clasped hers more firmly. He now remarked that Gabrielle was +still in her travelling dress; she had merely thrown off her hat and +cloak before coming in to him. As yet, however, he was far from +divining how matters really stood. His next question proved this. + +"Where is your mother, and what has caused this speedy return? I did +not expect you for several weeks." + +A deep crimson blush slowly mantled to the girl's cheeks. + +"Mamma stayed behind. I could hardly make her consent to my coming. She +only yielded when she saw there was no possibility of keeping me away, +I came by myself, with only our old servant as escort." + +Raven followed her words with breathless eagerness. A dim presentiment +of boundless, inexpressible happiness stole over him; but at the same +moment the old shadow crept between them. + +"And Winterfeld?" he asked, in a keen, incisive tone. + +Gabrielle's eyes fell, and her voice trembled as she answered: + +"I have been forced to give him great pain, to cut him to the heart," +she answered; "but it was right he should learn the truth before I left +to come to you. George knows it all now; he knows to whom my love, my +whole love, is given. He has released me--I am free----" + +She could not finish. Arno had drawn her close, close to his breast. +She felt his arms round her, felt the pressure of his lips on hers, and +everything else, even to the remembrance of George's pain, melted away, +drowned in the exceeding sweetness of that moment. At length Raven +raised his head, and, still holding her to him, said: + +"But what brought you to me at this precise time? Why did you hasten? +You do not, cannot know what has happened." + +Smiling through her tears, Gabrielle looked up at him. + +"I only heard that fresh trouble was menacing, and I wanted to be with +you." + +"I wanted to be with you!" the words were simply, naturally spoken, but +Raven understood the entire, the infinite devotion they expressed. He +gazed down in silence on the young creature, whom but a short time +before he had so bitterly accused, whom he had denounced as fickle and +unstable of purpose, but who now resolutely tore asunder all +restraining ties, to hasten to his side and share his fate. Through the +deep night which encompassed him, irradiating all the gloom, came a +flash of ineffable joy and triumph at finding himself so loved. + +The golden stream of light faded gradually as the sun sank lower and +lower. A few solitary rays still strayed into the room; but, little by +little, these too vanished, and the space was filled with a faint rosy +shimmer, a reflection from the gorgeous evening sky without. Arno and +Gabrielle paid no heed to it. He had drawn her to his side, and was +speaking in low, earnest tones, but not of downfall or of danger. For +them such things existed not; they gave them not a thought. For the +first time their hearts frankly met, no shadow, no misunderstanding +interposing between them; for the first time they could be all in all +to each other. Past and future were dissolved in this one +consciousness; they loved, and in their love were infinitely blest. + +"Colonel Wilten waits on your Excellency." A servant, coming in, made +this dry, formal announcement. + +Raven looked up as though he had been roused from a dream. He passed +his hand across his brow. + +"Colonel Wilten?" he repeated slowly. "Ah, true. I had forgotten that." + +Gabrielle's attention was at once aroused. + +"Must you see the Colonel to-night?" she asked, seized, as it were, by +some vague foreboding. "The reception-hours were over long ago." + +The Baron stood up. The radiant expression which had illumined his face +was gone now. + +"I expected him. There are matters it is necessary for us to +discuss. Ask the Colonel to have the kindness to wait for me in the +drawing-room. I will be with him directly." + +The servant withdrew. + +"I must leave you, Gabrielle. You little know what it costs me to part +from you, even for a moment," he said, in an agitated voice; "but the +affair which brings Wilten to the Castle must be settled at once, if I +wish to have my evening free. Then we shall be alone together, and no +one shall disturb us. Come, I will take you to your room." + +He passed her arm through his, and led her through the library and +across the corridor over to the opposite wing. A few minutes later he +entered the drawing-room where the Colonel awaited him. Their interview +was of short duration. Scarcely a quarter of an hour later Wilten left +the Castle, and the Baron returned to his study, sitting down once more +to his writing-table. He had said truly. It cost him a cruel pang to +lose sight of Gabrielle, even for a few minutes, and yet he now +remained absent from her a full hour. She could not be there at his +side while he wrote to her that farewell letter. + +The unexpected arrival of the young Baroness had caused some surprise +at the Castle, especially as she came without her mother; but the old +retainer, who had accompanied her, soon vouchsafed the necessary +information. His Excellency had, by letter, summoned his ward and +sister-in-law to him. Unfortunately, the latter had had a slight return +of her illness, and was still too unwell to undertake the journey, so +she sent the young lady on first, and would follow herself in the +course of a few days. The Baroness, finding it impossible to detain her +daughter, had imagined this pretext to give colour to the strange +proceeding. She herself was really unwell; the news she had heard from +Countess Selteneck had brought on one of her nervous attacks. This +precluded any thought of her travelling, to the intense relief of +Gabrielle, who well knew how unwelcome her mother would be to Raven at +such a time. She accepted the pretext with all docility, and this +simple, natural explanation found credence both at the house she was +leaving and at the Castle. + +Evening had now fully closed in. Gabrielle was still alone in her room, +counting the minutes until Arno's return. Colonel Wilten's visit +awakened no special surprise in her mind, for, before her departure, +conferences between him and the Baron had been of very frequent +occurrence. She had opened the window, and was leaning dreamily +forward, looking out, when at length the longed-for step sounded at her +door. She flew to meet her visitor, and he clasped her to him as though +that brief hour had been as a separation of years. + +"Now I am free," said the Baron, coming in; "altogether free, my +Gabrielle. Now I am yours, and yours alone." + +Gabrielle looked up at him. His countenance was paler than usual, but +it wore an expression of grave, deep calm. + +"The Colonel brought you no bad news?" she asked apprehensively. + +"No: only some necessary information," replied Raven, very quietly, but +withdrawing at once from the circle illumined by the lamp, and going up +to the young girl at the window. + +The air without was cool, but mild as on a spring evening, and the +country around lay bathed in bright moonlight. + +"I opened the window," said Gabrielle; "the room seemed so close, and +it is such a beautiful evening." + +"Yes, most beautiful," repeated the Baron, gazing out, apparently lost +in thought. Then, turning suddenly to his young companion: "You are +right," he said; "there is a stifling, oppressive feeling indoors +to-day. I myself feel a longing for the open air, where one can breathe +more freely. Shall we go down into the garden?" + +Gabrielle at once assented. The Baron took a shawl which was lying on +the sofa, and wrapped it carefully about her slender figure. Then they +left the room together. + +The Castle-garden was still and solitary as ever, but its summer glory +had long departed from it. The thick canopy of leaves, which had +enclosed it in deep shade, was fast thinning. The mighty limes stood +half bare, stripped of their foliage, and the moonlight fell full and +clear on the stretch of greensward at their feet. The Nixies' Well +babbled and rippled on; the fountain splashed and threw aloft its white +veil of spray; and the two, to whom the voice of its waters had +whispered so fateful a message, stood once again by its brink, within +reach of its glittering shower. + +Raven looked down at his companion with mingled tenderness and +melancholy. + +"The nixies' vengeance has overtaken me, after all," he said, in a low +tone. "Why did I venture to jest at them and their magic spell? I have +not visited the place since that day; but to-night I seemed drawn to it +irresistibly. I felt I must see the fountain once again." + +Gabrielle started at his last words. + +"Once again? What do you mean, Arno? Why do you say that?" + +Her words were eager, prompted by a quick, anxious misgiving. + +Arno smiled, and passed his hand caressingly over the girl's fair hair. + +"You must not be so timorous. I only mean that shortly, in the course +of a few days, I shall leave the Castle and this town. The blow you +believed to be impending has fallen on me, my child. This morning I +ceased to be Governor of the province." + +"So they have driven you to the last extremity," said Gabrielle, sadly. +"You have resigned?" + +"No; I am dismissed." + +The Baron's lips twitched, but he could bring himself now to speak the +word which was fraught with such profound humiliation. + +"Dismissed!" repeated Gabrielle, "without your seeking it? Why, that +is----" + +"An insult," concluded Raven, as she hesitated. "Or a condemnation, as +you like to take it. It is usual, if only for appearance's sake, to +allow a fallen man the faculty of retiring; but even this favour has +been denied me." + +"And what will you do now?" asked Gabrielle, after a pause. + +"Nothing," replied the Baron, coldly. "My public career is at an end. I +shall go to one of my estates in the country, and there--live on." + +"Will that be possible to you, Arno? You once told me that to work and +to rule were as the necessary conditions of your being, that you could +not endure an aimless existence, the monotonous round of an every-day +life." + +"I shall learn to endure them perhaps. One has so much to learn in this +world. At all events, I must try." + +"And I shall go with you," whispered Gabrielle, with the fervour of a +great love. "I shall stay with you, always and always." + +"Yes, always." + +Again Raven smiled, but he avoided meeting Gabrielle's eye. He put his +arm round her gently, and drew her to the seat near the fountain. Over +this seat the tallest of the limes, still decked in half its wealth of +leaves, cast its shadow; here the tale-telling moonlight would not +reveal every varying expression of feature. The Baron could no longer +meet those anxious, watchful eyes. They were dangerous--keen with the +instinct of love, they might pierce through any mask; and yet there was +a something which must yet, for a short season, be masked and hidden +from them. + +Arno sat for a while silent by Gabrielle's side. The great peace +surrounding him soothed his weary spirit after all the tempests, all +the din of the last few months. In his heart, too, the storm had spent +itself. So long as it had been possible to fight, and to defend +himself, he had remained in the arena, steady, strong, and to all +appearance unmoved. How it had really been with him during that +terrible time, when the two ruling passions of his life, pride and +ambition, had been daily wounded, racked by a thousand mortifications, +he alone knew. Now the battle and the strife were over, and the calm of +a final, irrevocable resolve took from the remembrance of the past its +deepest sting. + +"Gabrielle, you have asked me nothing yet as to the cause of my +overthrow," the Baron said, at length; "and yet you know the charges +brought against me. Do you believe them?" + +"Why should I ask? Of course, I knew at once the tale was false--a +false and wicked calumny." + +"So you, at least, believe in me," said Raven, with a deep breath of +relief. + +"I have never for an instant doubted you. But why do you bear the +accusation in silence? Why do you not meet and utterly crush it? Even +for your own sake you are bound to repel so foul a charge." + +"I have publicly declared the statement which has been given to the +world to be absolutely devoid of truth. You see how my word has been +believed. I can no more bring forward proofs than they can who accuse +me. One man, and only one, could have cleared me entirely, and he has +long been in his grave. That man was your grandfather." + +"My grandfather!" said Gabrielle, in surprise. "He died when I was +quite a child, but I have always heard from my parents that you were +his favourite and his confidential friend." + +Raven mused awhile in silence. Then he went on: + +"His was an exceptional nature. Perhaps that was why we understood each +other so well, for I myself have never accepted common prejudices for +the rule and guidance of my life. He, indeed, was born to the eminence +I had laboriously to attain. An aristocrat through and through, he yet +possessed sufficient impartiality to recognise talent and force of +character wherever he found them, or however they might be employed. I, +above all, have cause to know this. It was no small thing for the proud +and wealthy nobleman, for the all-powerful Minister to accord his +daughter's hand to a young middle-class official who had yet to win for +himself a name and a position. Your grandfather was well aware, indeed, +that I should not fail to win these, and to no other man of my social +status would he have given his daughter in marriage. To him I owe all +my subsequent success. To the day of his death he was to me a father +and a true friend, and yet I would that he had let me go my own way, +that his hand had not forcibly diverted the course of my life. It led +me upwards to the dreamed-of height, but the price I had to pay for its +help was too onerous, too great." + +He paused, and gazed away into the misty distance. Gabrielle laid her +hand on his arm entreatingly. + +"Arno, I have long felt that there is some bitter memory in your life, +and I know it has come through some misfortune, and no fault. Will you +not open your heart to me now? I think I have a right to hear the +tale." + +"You have a right," said Raven, gravely, "and you shall hear it." + +He put his arm round her shoulder, and drew her nearer to him. + +"You know that I come of plain burgher stock. The early death of my +parents taught me betimes to think and act for myself. I entered the +service of the State, and had to work my way up from the lowest grade. +When the whole land was swept by a storm of revolution, and the capital +itself was in a state of armed insurrection, of open rebellion against +the Government, I was chained to my desk in a remote provincial town, +and so prevented from taking part in a movement with which my +convictions led me to sympathise. The very next year, as chance would +have it, I was transferred to the capital; I was thus brought into +closer contact with my chief, who had lately come into office, and was +about to inaugurate that period of reaction which has since followed. +He must have perceived that I was not to be weighed in the same scale +with his other officials, for he showed a decided preference for me, +and I felt that I and my work were being watched with special +attention. As yet, however, no opportunity of distinguishing myself +occurred. In the capital I fell in again with Rudolph Brunnow, my old +and intimate university friend. Though the revolutionary movement +itself had been quelled, the land was still in a state of ferment; and +as the factious elements, now kept down with a strong hand, could no +longer agitate their designs openly, they met and pursued their work in +secret. I was drawn into these circles, to which my political +convictions had long inclined me, by Brunnow, who was an enthusiastic +reformer. He was at the head of a secret association of which I now +became a member. We believed in Utopias, impossibilities, and chimeras, +which could have no lasting existence in real life; but, foolish as was +our creed, we would have died rather than abandon it." + +Raven paused a moment. These recollections seemed to move him greatly. + +"Then came the catastrophe," he went on, speaking now with more +animation. "We were suspected and watched, though we ourselves had no +idea of it, until the Minister himself took action against us. He must +have supposed that I was in some way connected with the band, for one +day he sent for me, and called me to account, though by no means as an +offender whom he was anxious to convict. He talked to me in a kind, +almost a paternal manner, and that disarmed me. At that time I was not +well enough acquainted with him to be aware how inexorable, +irreconcilable an opponent of the revolution he was at heart. Like many +others, I allowed myself to be deceived by the moderation he displayed +at the outset. I was so far carried away as to avow my political views, +and to defend them--to defend them to him! + +"It was a grave error, and one that has cost me dear. No word fell from +my lips regarding the secret I was bound to keep; the Minister, indeed, +made no attempt to extract a confession of it from me. He knew me, and +was well aware that neither threat nor promise could induce me to act a +perfidious part; but my ardent enthusiasm, my imprudent championship of +Liberal ideas, were enough to put the experienced statesman on the +right track. He dismissed me with apparent friendliness, but I had +hardly reached my home when I was arrested, my papers were seized, and +every chance of communicating with my comrades was cut off from me. +Rudolph, who was known as my intimate friend, was the next victim. At +his lodgings was found the correspondence relating to our association, +and in it a key was had to the whole business. Four others of our band +shared our fate. The blow fell so unexpectedly that none had time to +escape. + +"The charge against us was one of high treason, and we might hold +ourselves prepared for any fate. After a short interval I was again +conducted to the Minister's presence. He informed me that I was +released from confinement. He had, he said, convinced himself that I +had been led astray, that I had merely been the dupe of Brunnow and his +confederates, and offered to overlook what had passed, if I would give +him my word of honour to break once for all with the revolutionary +party. I stared at my chief in stunned amazement. Did he really not +know how I stood towards this secret society, or was he intentionally +ignoring the offence? My name, it was true, had nowhere figured in its +records. Rudolph was esteemed our leader, but so keen-sighted and +discerning a man as the Minister must be conscious that the passive, +subordinate part of a lowly recruit was foreign to my whole character. +I did not then divine that he purposely shut his eyes, in order to +pardon. I decidedly refused to give the promise required of me, +declaring that I would not abjure my principles, and was ready to share +the fate of my friends. + +"The Minister preserved his imperturbable calm, and repeated the offer +he had made. + +"'I will give you a month for reflection,' he said. 'I have too good an +opinion of you, I am too hopeful as regards your future, to allow you +to ruin yourself with these wild Socialist intrigues. Your head can +render better service to the State than by weaving endless, fruitless +conspiracies in prison or in exile. You are not the first man who has +recognised his error, and become in after-times the zealous opponent of +the cause he once defended, and the very pertinacity and defiance with +which you now put from you the proffered means of rescue, prove to me +that I may take on myself the responsibility of readmitting you to the +service, if you make up your mind to come back as one of ours. As yet +no one has accused you, and it depends entirely upon yourself whether +the charge against you shall be withdrawn. The few documents which +might be compromising to you are in my hands, and will be destroyed +directly I have your word. I shall expect to hear your decision in a +month from this time. For the present, you are free, and have the +choice between an honourable, possibly a brilliant, career, and ruin." + +"And you chose----?" asked Gabrielle. + +"No," replied Raven, bitterly. "In reality, no choice was left me. They +had taken care I should be spared the pain of making one. My first +endeavour was to find out how much was really lost to our cause, and +how much might yet be saved. I sought out my friends, and met with a +reception for which I was utterly unprepared. 'Treason,' they cried, on +seeing me. 'Treason,' saluted my ears, wherever I showed myself. Hate, +indignation, abhorrence--the whole gamut was run through. At first, I +did not understand the meaning of it all--too soon it was made +intelligible to me. In their eyes I was the traitor who had brought +about the discovery. My official position, the evident favour shown me +by my chief, had already given rise to some distrust--now it was clear +as day. I had been the Minister's tool and spy. I had disclosed, had +sold to him the secrets of our society. My own arrest, they concluded, +was nothing but a blind, a concerted plan by which I was to be +withdrawn from the vengeance of those whom I had betrayed, and my +prompt liberation showed beyond a doubt that I was in league with the +enemy, I now found that my chief's magnanimity had not been so complete +as I had supposed. He had taken his precautions before setting me at +liberty, and had thus definitively shut me out from the ranks of the +'wild reformers.' + +"At first I stood bewildered by the terrible accusation, then with +indignant vehemence I made my protest. Openly avowing my imprudence, +the only crime of which I had been guilty, I gave a circumstantial +account of my interview with the Minister--in vain, my words were +received as so many mere evasive shifts. I was judged, and against +their sentence there was no appeal. One man alone would perhaps have +believed me--Rudolph Brunnow. He was the principal sufferer, the one on +whom the blow had fallen most heavily; and yet, had I been able to +confront him, to look him in the face, and say: 'It is a lie, Rudolph. +I am no traitor!' he would have given me his hand, and together we +should have fought down the calumny. But he was in prison--beyond my +reach. I gave the others my word of honour. They answered that I had no +honour to lose, and even refused me all satisfaction for the gross +insult. These men, baited, persecuted, irritated to madness, were not +capable of forming an unbiased judgment, and I fear that their +suspicions were purposely directed against me. This, indeed, I have +never learned for a fact; but the pardon, which was soon afterwards +granted me, set the seal on my supposed ignominy and my disgrace. + +"A month later I was with the Minister again. I had tried every means +in my power to clear myself from the shameful suspicion, and had +failed. I was still shunned, proscribed by the members of my own party, +thrust out from their midst--and now I resolved in my turn to cast them +from me. Up to this time I had been blameless. A last resource was +still left to me. I could have quitted my native land, and have begun a +new life elsewhere, accepting exile, in order to remain true to my +principles--as Rudolph did later on, when he regained his freedom. Such +a course would in time have vindicated my character, though years might +have elapsed first; but I never had any great sympathy with the heroism +which seeks a martyr's fate. On the one hand, I saw exile with all its +bitterness and privations; on the other I was promised a career which +was likely to satisfy, and more than satisfy, my ambition. The late +events had destroyed my illusions. I now knew exactly what would be +demanded of me, were I to accept my chief's proposal; but my whole soul +rose in arms against those who had condemned me without a hearing. The +insults I had endured, the injustice of my former friends, drove me +straight into the enemy's camp. I knew that the price of my new +position would be the renunciation of my principles--yet I broke with +my past, and gave the required promise." + +The Baron's voice vibrated strangely; his quick, short breathing +betrayed the emotion these painful reminiscences aroused within him. +Gabrielle hung on his words in a great tension of suspense; but she did +not venture to interrupt the story. He had withdrawn his arm from her +now; and when he spoke again, it was in a dull, hollow tone. + +"From that time forth my career is known to you and to the world. I +became the Minister's secretary, became his confidential friend, and, +finally, his son-in-law. His potent influence overcame all the +obstacles which stand in the path of a nameless commoner struggling +upwards, and when once the road was clear before me, I had only to +exert the natural powers I possessed. That in this new life I had to +bury and disown my past was a thing of course. I had known that it +would be so, and it is not in my nature to make half-resolves, or +lamely to perform that which I have decided on. Moreover, by +temperament I was inclined to despotic action. Power and authority had +ever possessed for me a singular fascination. Now I tasted both, and +the brilliant, the almost unexampled success of my career, helped me to +vanquish old memories more easily than I had expected. The constant +influence of my father-in-law, whom I sincerely revered, that of the +circle in which I lived, did the rest. I must go onwards, without +looking back--and onwards I went. The way was steep, and led over the +ruins of former shrines, but I reached the goal. I have lived great and +honoured--to end in this way!" + +"But it is only a lie, a wicked calumny which has brought about your +fall!" broke in Gabrielle, "This must and shall be clearly shown." + +Raven shook his head gloomily. + +"Can I compel that belief which the world does not willingly accord me? +I have already heard from Rudolph Brunnow's mouth that I have forfeited +all claim to confidence. He, indeed, can meet any charge with an +unruffled brow; no defence set up by him would pass unnoticed, for his +past, his whole life testifies for him--mine condemns me. The man who +has abjured his convictions may also have betrayed his friends. The +curse of that fatal hour, wherein I proved untrue to myself, weighs on +me now, and makes me powerless to refute the calumny which works my +fall." + +"And who are they who turn against you?" cried Gabrielle, with a burst +of indignation. "The very men for whom you have toiled, for whom you +have sacrificed all. Oh, the base ingratitude!" + +"Ingratitude! Have I the right to look for gratitude at their hands?" +asked Raven, with quiet, bitter meaning. "No bond of confidence has +existed between us. They had need of me to work out their plans, and I +had need of them as stepping-stones by which to mount. It has been one +continual state of warfare, a perpetual balancing of our respective +strength. I have often let them feel the power of the hated _parvenu_; +now that the power is in their hands, they overturn me--I could expect +nothing else; but I feel now that Rudolph was right. It is worth +something to have kept one's faith in one's self, in the better, higher +part of one's nature. The man who stands and falls by his principles +can endure reverses; but he who has given the best energies of his life +to a cause which was never his at heart, which in his inmost soul he +must condemn and despise, has no anchor, no stay in the hour of +misfortune." + +"And I?" asked Gabrielle, reproachfully. "Am I nothing?" + +"Ah yes, you, my darling!" cried the Baron, with passionate tenderness. +"Your love is the one thing left to me. But for you, I could not have +endured this fate." + +"Will you be able to endure it?" asked the young girl, apprehensively. +"Ah, Arno, I feel as though it will hardly be in my power to reconcile +you to a lot which will lack all that really constitutes your life. You +will pine and waste away in solitude, even though I share it with you." + +"Let us talk no more of this now," said Raven, gently parrying her +question. "We will speak of it later on. I have drawn the veil from my +past; it was right that you should know both it and me thoroughly. But +now we have had enough of these gloomy recollections. They shall no +longer come between us and the happiness of this hour." + +He drew himself up quickly, as though by an effort he would cast all +troubling thoughts from him for awhile. And truly it was very +beautiful, this quiet hour in the moonlit garden. The half-stripped +trees, the widowed earth, bereft of flowers and perfumes, seemed to win +back their long-lost charm in the mystic light which spread its mild +glamour over the scene, veiling the ravages caused by the late storms, +and investing it with a calm, transcendent beauty. + +Dreamily still lay the Castle-garden, and the broad landscape out +beyond it. The prospect, indeed, no longer stretched, beaming and +definite, in the radiant clearness of a summer day. Now the valley +slept half hidden in its shimmering depths. At the foot of the +Castle-hill the city lamps burned steadily, and its roofs and towers +rose, white and glittering, aloft into the pure night air. The foremost +mountain summits stood forth plainly discernible, their jagged peaks +detached, as it were, from the dark masses beneath; farther off, the +lines grew hazier, softer, and the remoter heights were altogether lost +in the blueish nebulous distance. Infinite peace rested on all the +woods, the hills, the valleys around, as they lay bathed in the silvery +flood. Below in the valleys, on the meadows, through the fields, the +rolling mists furled and unfurled themselves, a sparkling gleam here +and there betokening a bend in the river. High overhead arched the +great vault of heaven in all its starry splendour, while everywhere, +over earth and sky, was drawn a thin transparent film, a tissue of mist +and moonbeam, toning down the picture, lending to it a soft dream-like +enchantment. It was a scene of wondrous beauty, of deep, unutterable +calm. + +Up here too, in the garden, the curling mists crept over the grass, and +here too the fitful moonbeams wove their fantastic imagery. Under their +influence the grey moss-grown figures about the Nixies' Well seemed to +grow into life, to move to and fro behind their humid screen of falling +water. The fountain, struck in full by the chaste stream of light from +above, rose and sank again in shining sheets of silver rain. +Intermingled with its plash and murmur came those voices which are +heard only in the stillness of the night, strange, unfamiliar voices, +mysterious as the night itself The wind was hushed. No faintest breeze +stirred the air, and yet from time to time a low whisper arose, and was +wafted on and on, until, like a breath from spirit-land, it swept by +and was gone. + +The evening was so mild and clear, one might have dreamed that spring +had come again; and, truly, the dream that was now filling Raven's mind +was gracious as any May-morning--a late-timed, short-lived dream, no +doubt, but concentrating in its brief space all the blessedness which +earth can give; so, in passionate heart-stirring words, he swore to the +fair young creature he held in his arms, to the woman who had taught +him to know both love and happiness. Had any unseen, unsuspected +spectator looked on Raven, listened to his impassioned accents, such an +one would have understood that this man, despite his years, despite his +sternness and reserve, despite all the darker side of his nature, must +surely carry off the palm, must win the day against all others where +his intenser feelings were engaged, where his heart was set on victory. +All the long pent-up ardour and tenderness flamed up in him anew; every +word, every look, told of a passion which, in its power and depth, +could have fired no youthful breast, a passion such as only a strong +man in his maturity could conceive. This Gabrielle felt, as, closely +nestling to his side, her head resting on his shoulder, she looked up +at him with a happy smile. Those gloomy, distressing forebodings of an +hour ago could not hold good before the magic of his voice and +presence; and through the music of his words, distinctly audible, came +the rippling of the spring, singing on the sweet, monotonous melody to +which they had listened in the birth-hour of their love. That land of +Eden, which once seemed to lie far off in the glistening distance, away +beyond the blue mountains, was not there, but here around them. +Paradise had opened, and received them within its gates. It was an hour +of pure and perfect bliss, such as comes but once in a life-time, but +then outweighs all the joys and sorrows which fill the years from the +cradle to the grave. + +Slowly the clocks in the town below chimed the hour of eleven. The +Baron shuddered slightly at this warning. Then he rose quickly, as by a +strong and resolute effort. + +"We must go back to the Castle," he said. "The night air is growing +cool, and you need rest after your rapid and fatiguing journey. Come, +Gabrielle." + +She made no opposition, but, passing her hand through his arm, moved +away with him. They went by the Nixies' Well, and left the garden. The +door closed upon them, shutting out the moonlight and the peace. That +happy hour had run its sands; the bright May-dream was over. + +They entered the Castle. Upstairs in the corridor, which led to Madame +von Harder's apartment, the Baron suddenly halted. Could it be that his +iron strength of will was failing him at last? His being was torn and +shaken to its very depths by the great agony of that parting, but +Gabrielle's questions, full of a vague foreboding, had not fallen on +his ears in vain. He knew that the least imprudence on his part would +betray all, and would bring on her unnecessary anguish and suspense. +The blow must fall--better it should strike her unawares. + +"Good-night," said Gabrielle, all unsuspectingly, giving him her hand. +"We shall meet again tomorrow." + +"To-morrow!" repeated Raven, with profound significance. "Ay ... +surely." + +He raised the young girl's head gently, so that the light from the +hanging lamps fell full upon it, and looked into the fair face now +again brightened by the rosy flush of happiness, into the clear, sunny +eyes--looked long and deeply, as though he would grave the image on his +brain for ever. Then he bent down, and kissed her. + +"Good-bye, my Gabrielle--good-night!" + +Gabrielle softly freed herself from his arms, and left him. On the +threshold of her room she stopped, and waved him a last farewell; then +she closed the door behind her. Arno stood motionless, his eyes fixed +on the door through which the "sunbeam" of his life had vanished. His +voice quivered, as he said, in a low tone: + +"Poor child, what an awakening is in store for you!" + + + + + CHAPTER XXII. + + +The next morning broke dull and gloomy, clouded by the thick fog which +late autumn often brings in its train. It was still very early, and +only just light without, when Colonel Wilten entered the Castle. He +came on foot, and was at once shown into the Baron's private study by a +servant who had previously received his instructions. Raven appeared +immediately. He was quite ready, but his features bore no trace of a +past vigil, or a restless night. He had, indeed, slept profoundly up to +the moment when his servant had called him. On coming in, he advanced +to greet the Colonel with his usual self-possession and quiet gravity. +Some few observations were exchanged having reference to the fog, the +drive before them, the place and hour of meeting--then Raven drew out +the key of his writing-table, and gave it to the Colonel. + +"I must ask you, in case of my death, to take on yourself the first and +most necessary arrangements," he said. "My papers will be found in +order. There, in that compartment, lies my will, with a few personal +memoranda which I yesterday noted down. There you will also find a +letter which I beg you to forward without delay to its address. It is +directed to Dr. Rudolph Brunnow." + +"To your adversary of to-day?" asked the Colonel, in astonishment. + +"Yes. It contains an explanation which I owe him, but which cannot be +given before the duel. He will find it there in writing--but now, one +thing more." The Baron paused a moment, and then slowly drew a second +letter from his breast pocket. "These lines are destined for my ward, +Gabrielle von Harder. I should wish, however, that she might be in some +measure prepared before receiving them, or the news of any ... accident +... the shock to her would be terrible. I will ask you, therefore, to +place this letter in her hands yourself; but to go to work with +prudence, with extreme prudence. A tender young creature like Gabrielle +needs care. If the intelligence were imparted to her too brusquely, too +suddenly, it might kill her." + +Wilten had some difficulty in concealing his surprise at this speech, +which was a half-confession. He began to understand why his son's suit +had not been more warmly countenanced. + +"I have your promise?" asked the Baron. + +"In case of your death, the young Baroness Harder shall receive the +letter from my own hands, and I myself will break the news to her with +every precaution in my power. I give you my word." + +"I thank you," said Raven, visibly relieved. "And now it is time we +should set out. My carriage is waiting below. May I ask you to drive +round alone to the back of the Castle-hill, where I will join you? I +wish to avoid drawing attention to this unusually early journey, and +prefer not to go out by the principal entrance. I will come through the +Castle-garden." + +This arrangement struck Wilten as odd, but he assented to it in +silence. Raven rang for his hat and coat, and when his valet had +brought both, the two gentlemen left the room together, separating +below at the foot of the staircase. + +As the Baron crossed the Castle-yard, he met Councillor Moser, who was +just coming out of his dwelling, and who appeared much surprised at +seeing his chief abroad at this unwonted hour. Raven stopped. + +"What, Councillor? On foot so early?" + +"I was only looking out at the weather, your Excellency," explained the +Councillor. "I am in the habit of taking a constitutional in the +morning, but when I see this cold, damp fog I prefer to remain at +home." + +"You do well," rejoined the Baron. "The weather is not inviting." + +"And yet your Excellency is going out?" hazarded Moser. + +"On a necessary errand which cannot be delayed. Good-morning, and +good-bye." + +So saying, the Baron held out his hand, which the old gentleman took +reverentially, but in some confusion. He had often received marks of +the kindly feeling entertained towards him by his chief, but had never +been honoured by any such approach to familiarity. This unwonted +friendliness encouraged the Councillor to speak words he had long +pondered in his heart. + +"If I may be allowed a question," he began timidly. "They are saying +... there was a report in the town yesterday evening that your +Excellency is intending to retire from office. Is it true? Are you +really leaving?" + +"Yes, I am going," said Raven, with quiet decision; "and going very +shortly." + +The Councillor's head drooped sorrowfully. + +"In that case, I shall not remain here myself," he replied in a low +voice. "I have long thought of asking to be relieved from my duties." + +The Baron looked at him in silence. The old man's fidelity touched him. +Moser alone had stood by him, true and staunch to the last; he alone +had held to his allegiance, unshaken by the attacks, refusing to be +misled by all the calumnies. + +"Go back into the house, my dear sir," said Raven, kindly. "You will +take cold out here in the chill morning air, lightly clad as you are. +Once more, adieu." + +Again he took the old man's hand, pressing it this time with a quick, +warm pressure; then he went on his way. + +The Councillor stood looking after him. He, who habitually had such a +horror of taking cold, forgot now that he was bare-headed and without +an overcoat. That shake of the hand had bewildered him, and the "adieu" +sounded so strangely in his ears. He felt as if he must hurry after his +chief and put another question to him, just to look in his face and +hear his voice once more, and the thought of the impropriety he should +be committing alone prevented him. Not until the Baron had passed out +of sight did he return to his dwelling; a deep sigh escaped his breast +as he mounted the stairs. It had come, then! The Governor had actually +tendered his resignation! + +Meanwhile Raven walked with slow steps through the Castle-garden. He +had not been able to resist the desire he felt to enter it once again, +and the visit involved little or no delay. A small door in the wall +gave direct communication with the Castle-hill, a footpath leading down +thence towards the town. The Governor had always used this mode of +egress when he wished that his appearance at any particular place +should be a surprise, and so preferred not to quit the Castle by the +principal entrance, and to pass the sentry-posts. He would in all +probability arrive below simultaneously with the carriage, which had to +make a considerable round by the high-road. + +At the Nixies' Well the Baron lingered a few minutes. What had become +of the bright moonlit Eden of yesterday evening? All was now closely +wrapped in the morning mist. The grass, slightly frosted over, +glistened white with rime. The mighty limes, with their sparse foliage, +loomed, weird and dark, through the screen of vapour, and the drooping +branches strewed the ground with their wet and faded leaves. The +nixies' fountain still murmured on, but its shining shower was now +transformed into a mere dismal, colourless rain, which dripped +incessantly over the grey weather-beaten statues at the base; there was +something unspeakably sad in its constant, weary monotony. The +transfiguring light, which had glorified all with its splendour, had +disappeared, and stern reality stood revealed--autumn in its dreariest +aspect, autumn cheerless and desolate. + +Raven drew his cloak more closely about him; the morning wind pierced +with an icy chill. He turned to the parapet whence the broad prospect +could generally best be seen. So recently as yesterday the valley had +lain there, dim, but mysteriously lovely in the magic moonlight sheen; +now the vast space was filled with seething masses of grey mist. Here +and there one of the city towers emerged vaguely, piercing the dense +clouds; but the valley, the mountains and distant horizon were +altogether shrouded from view. The Baron's gaze wandered over the city, +which had so long obeyed his rule, to lose itself in the surging sea of +fog at his feet. What was its secret? What lay hidden beyond? A golden +sunlit morrow, or grey cycles of endless gloom? + +One last look up at the Castle--but a fleeting glance, for Gabrielle's +room was on the other side of the building, and her windows could not +be seen from hence--then Raven opened the small door in the garden-wall +and stepped out into the open country. He arrived at the foot of the +hill just as the carriage reached that spot. A minute later he was +seated at Colonel Wilten's side, and soon the town and Castle lay far +behind them. + +Swiftly they travelled on, past the steaming meadows, by the bank of +the brawling, fast-flowing river, onwards towards the mountains. In +half an hour the goal was reached; they arrived at the skirt of the +forests which covered the hill-sides. Here the Baron and his companion +alighted, and pursued their way on foot to the appointed place of +meeting. The adversary's party was already on the ground. It consisted +of Dr. Brunnow, his second, and his son, who, it had been agreed, was +to render any medical assistance which might be required. A silent +greeting was exchanged, a short parley followed between the seconds, +then those gentlemen proceeded to make the necessary preparations. + +Max stood by his father, whose pale face and haggard eyes told of a +sleepless night, and who in vain strove to hide his feverish agitation. +His lips were tightly set, and the hand his son held twitched every now +and then with a nervous quiver. + +"Compose yourself, father," Max whispered; "your hand is so unsteady, +you will hardly be able to press the trigger." + +"No fear, I shall be able," replied the Doctor, in the same subdued +voice, glancing at the pistols, which were at that moment being loaded +by the seconds. + +"Colonel Wilten's attention is already attracted this way," said Max, +significantly. "Will you let him think that you are thus agitated by +fear of a bullet?" + +Brunnow gave an angry start. + +"True," he said. "The strangers present cannot guess what is passing +within me. They shall not, at least, take me for a coward." + +He made an effort to collect himself, and succeeded in assuming a +calmer demeanour; but he avoided glancing towards the spot where the +Baron stood. In his usual haughty attitude, with a look of cold +determination on his features, Raven, quite unmoved, awaited the coming +event. + +The mists began gradually to disperse; already the mountain summits and +the villages on the higher lands came in sight. The sun must just have +risen, for the whole eastern horizon was suffused with a red glow; as +yet, however, the rays were not intense enough to fight a way through +the thick vapour. The town still lay shrouded in its moist white veil; +but the Castle on the heights was visible now, shadowy, indeed, and in +a sort of mirage, but growing every minute more clear and definite. +There Gabrielle slept in peaceful ignorance, dreaming of the morrow and +the felicity to come; while here the momentous die was cast which was +to decide her fate. + +Colonel Wilten now declared that all was ready, and the combatants +stepped on to the ground. Raven stood well erect, his eye clear and +full, the hand which held his pistol absolutely steady, as though +certain of its aim. Brunnow's composure was evidently forced, and +sustained by a great effort. Though the approach of the decisive +moment, and the fear of misinterpretation, in some measure restored +firmness to his bearing, his hand shook visibly as he levelled the +deadly weapon at the breast of the friend he had once so ardently +loved. + +Wilten gave the signal. The two shots crashed forth together; and, for +a moment, both adversaries stood upright, facing each other. Then one +man dropped his weapon, pressed his hand to his breast, took a step +back, and fell, without uttering a sound. + +Arno Raven lay stretched on the ground, and the white rime on the grass +around him grew dark with a deep-red stain. + +Max hastily assured himself that his father was unhurt, and then +hurried to the side of the wounded man, whom the Colonel was already +endeavouring to succour. Brunnow stood motionless, clutching his +pistol, and gazing over with fixed, vacant eyes at the group opposite +him. The gentleman who had acted as his second came up to him and +spoke. + +"What is the meaning of this?" he asked, in a low voice. "Was it not +the Baron who challenged you? He fired in the air." + +The word seemed to dispel the torpor which paralysed Brunnow. He threw +down his pistol, and rushed over to the others. + +"Arno!" he cried, with an exceeding bitter cry of despair. Max was +attempting to staunch the blood; but his father thrust him violently +aside, as though he alone had a right to that place, tore from him the +handkerchief, and pressed it to the wound. The young man withdrew in +silence, signing to the Colonel and his father's second, who were +looking on at the scene in surprise and concern, to step aside with +him. + +"Can you give the Baron no assistance?" asked the Colonel, in a +half-whisper. + +"There is none to be given," replied Max. "My first glance at the wound +showed me it was mortal. It is only a question of a few minutes, and my +father will do what is necessary. I beg of you to leave him alone with +the dying man." + +"Of the two shots, one only could have proved fatal," said Brunnow's +second, meaningly. + +The Colonel nodded. + +"I saw it too. Raven averted his pistol at the last moment. Strange!" + +The three men looked at each other in silence. They began to divine for +what reasons this duel had been provoked; but none gave utterance to +his thoughts. They felt that at yonder spot, where the adversary knelt +by the side of his fallen foe, a scene was being enacted which had +nothing in common with the ordinary circumstances of a duel; and, +respecting the young doctor's request, they remained reverentially at a +distance. + +Brunnow had passed one arm round the wounded man, whose head lay on his +breast, and supported him, while with the other hand he pressed the +handkerchief to the bleeding part. Whether it were the pain of this +touch, or the bitter cry "Arno!" which brought him back to +consciousness, Raven opened his eyes and made a faint, deprecatory +gesture. + +"Let that be," he said. "You aimed well. I was sure of it." + +"Arno, why have you done this thing to me?" groaned Brunnow. "Must it +be my hand, none but mine? Oh! I see now, I understand why you drove me +to it." + +There was such anguish in his tone that it affected even the dying man. +He tried to hold out his hand to the speaker. + +"Forgive me, Rudolph," he said, but half audibly. "Do not reproach +yourself. I thank you." + +His voice forsook him, but with a supreme effort he raised himself, and +his roving eyes seemed to search for something in the distance, Brunnow +supported him, striving with mortal anxiety to stem the flow of blood, +the red life-stream which his own hand had let loose; yet his science +told him that here no exertions could avail to succour or to save. + +Suddenly the sun broke through the veil of mist. Yonder, on the +heights, stood the Castle, illuminated by the morning splendour. Its +walls and towers gleamed in the rosy flood, and its windows flashed +swift lightning greetings over to the valley beneath. Arno's eyes were +fixed intently on one spot; his last look was for the "sunbeam" which +even now sent a bright message to him from thence. In another moment +the picture paled, the shining vision receded farther and farther from +view. Dark shadows gathered about the dying man. Before his dimmed eyes +came as the eddy of cool water closing in upon him, and he was drawn +down, down into mysterious, glimmering depths where all earthly sounds +were hushed, where all the striving and the strife, the happiness and +sorrow of life, died away into one long continuous dream; while, +intermingling with this dream, there ran ever an unvarying far-off +murmur, the low spirit-singing of a spring borne faintly below from +some immeasurable distance. + +Brunnow laid the dead man gently down. He himself would have risen, but +his strength abandoned him, and he sank unconscious to the ground +beside the lifeless body of the comrade, the friend of his youth. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII. + + +A new era had dawned upon the land. The last four years had wrought +many changes, and had left but little remaining of the old régime. The +once persecuted and oppressed Liberal party now stood at the head of +affairs, and with this complete reversal of the situation a revolution +of opinion had come about in every sphere of official activity. + +Tendencies which had once been combated and repressed were now free to +develop themselves in the broad light of day, and these altered +circumstances had naturally introduced a new set of men into the arena. + +Among those whom the political current of the day had swiftly raised to +a prominent position was George Winterfeld. As Ministerial Councillor +he already filled a post of unusual importance for a man of his years. +The Governor who now administered the affairs of the R---- province +was, in all respects, the opposite of his predecessor. Liberal in his +opinions, mild and forbearing in action, innocent of any leaning to +that despotism which had once ruled the land with a rod of iron, he +was, it must be added, quite incapable of resolute, energetic action, +the need of which would at times still make itself felt. + +Immediately after the catastrophe recorded in the last chapter, Brunnow +had left the town, yielding to his son's earnest solicitations. Max +implored him not to run the risk of a fresh imprisonment, to which his +share in the late duel had rendered him liable, and which, to a man of +his advanced years, broken by recent events, might probably prove +fatal. + +The Doctor had, as is known, previously resolved on leaving his native +land for ever; so, before the news of the duel was bruited in the town, +he quietly departed, returning to his haven in Switzerland. Thence he +published to the world a statement, emphatically worded, clearing the +memory of his late friend. In this statement he declared that for years +he had lived under an erroneous impression which Raven's last +disclosures had completely dispelled. Those accusations, so pregnant of +disaster, had been untrue, and had done the dead man a cruel wrong. +This testimony from the antagonist by whose hand the Baron had fallen, +naturally carried great weight, though the matter was no more +susceptible of proof now than it had been previously. Death took up the +pleading for the defence, and, as is usual in such cases, won the day. +That credence which would have been refused the living man, was +accorded to the dead; and it was currently reported that with his dying +breath the Governor of R---- had declared the shameful charge against +him to be a calumny and a lie. + +Raven had provided largely for his servants; with the exception, +however, of their ample legacies, his whole fortune was bequeathed to +his ward, the young Baroness Harder. After Arno's death, Gabrielle had +been prostrated by a long and terrible illness, from which she but very +slowly recovered. Since that time she had been living with her mother +in the capital, where the rich heiress was, of course, besieged by +suitors, to none of whom she inclined a willing ear. She seemed, +indeed, to put the idea of marriage far from her, to the despair of the +Baroness, who would often exhaust all her powers of eloquence in the +vain hope of bringing her daughter round to her views. Gabrielle had +lately come of age, and was now absolute mistress of her property. It +was, therefore, in her mother's opinion, high time that she should make +a choice. + +Councillor Moser had retired from his post four years ago. The death of +his chief had been a great blow to him, and had gone far towards +inducing him to carry out his long-cherished project. Another motive, +however, combined with this. A man could not, he felt, with dignified +consistency, remain in the service of the State when an alliance had +been contracted between a member of his family and the son of a +reactionary demagogue. This misfortune had really overtaken the unhappy +Councillor. He had struggled against it long and manfully, but to no +purpose. Max Brunnow gave him no peace until he yielded. That +irrepressible wooer appeared regularly, day after day, always ready to +assure his dear father-in-law of the delight he felt at their future +connection, and of his profound conviction that no better son-in-law +than himself was to be found the wide world over. If the old gentleman +flew into a rage, this unscrupulous doctor menaced him with apoplexy, +and prescribed a composing draught. If he forbade his unwelcome guest +the house. Max declared that he could not live without seeing his +betrothed, and came next day an hour earlier. At length the Councillor +resigned himself to his fate. He was one of those, who, if a thing be +constantly repeated to them, come in the end to believe in it. Forced +now to hear, day by day, that this son-in-law was excellent as he was +unavoidable, he at last allowed himself to be converted, and accepted +both propositions as conveying incontrovertible facts. + +The "spiritual guardians" were rather more difficult to deal with. They +naturally refused to recognise the betrothal, and invoked heaven and +the powers of darkness to their aid in opposing it. They menaced the +bridegroom-elect with the pains of eternal punishment; he, in his turn, +menaced them with the press, and declared he would take the whole town +into his confidence, and relate in all the papers how they were trying +to tear his bride from him, in order to incarcerate her in a convent +against her will. This caused them to reflect. The Governor's fall had +plainly shown the power of newspaper articles. + +It was judged prudent to yield. The enemy retreated, and Max, +triumphant, remained master of the field. He was wise enough to hasten +on the wedding as much as possible, and a month or two later he carried +his young wife off to Switzerland. Brunnow, now possessed of +independent means, thanks to the property he had recently inherited, +insisted that his son and daughter-in-law should make his house their +home for the present, as Max, absorbed by the strategy of his rapid +campaign, had not found time to establish a practice of his own before +marriage. The young man set himself diligently to work to regain lost +time, and met with much success in his profession; nevertheless, the +family remained domiciled under one common roof. + +The relations between father and son had undergone a complete change +since that scene by the latter's sick-bed; and if ever any little +difference threatened to arise, Agnes stepped in, and soon made all +straight by her gentle mediation, the young wife having very speedily +won her father-in-law's whole heart to herself. The Councillor still +lived on in R----, under the sceptre of Christine; but this state of +things seemed to suit him, and he travelled southwards regularly once a +year to pay his daughter a visit. + +Summer had come round again. The lake and the town on its shores lay +bathed in bright sunshine; the mountains, wreathed around in thin mist, +rose half shadowy in the distance. Rudolph Brunnow's house, once so +small and unpretending, was much more handsome of aspect now. The +garden had been nearly doubled in size by purchase of the adjacent lots +of ground, and the dwelling-house itself had been rebuilt and +considerably enlarged, room now being required in it for two families. +Young Dr. Brunnow was in the habit of going his rounds in the morning, +but on this particular day his patients looked for him in vain. Max +stood idly in the garden, talking to a guest who had arrived half an +hour before. + +"Come with me now, George, that I may have you to myself a little," +said he, urgently. "If my father gets hold of you, he will not let you +out of his hands again, and I consider your visit is to me in the first +place. It was a surprise! I had no idea you were in Switzerland." + +"I came on an official errand," replied George; "a mission to our +embassy at B----. My business there was settled more quickly than I +expected, and I could not refuse myself the pleasure of looking in upon +you on my return journey." + +The last four years had wrought but little change in Winterfeld. He had +grown somewhat more manly, more matured, and his carriage, always calm +and assured, had gained in dignity. The former transparent pallor of +his complexion had long since yielded to the brighter tint of health; +but his brow, once so clear, was clouded by a shadow, and the beautiful +blue eyes, which in the old days had been grave only, were sombre now, +gloomy even, in their expression. This man of two-and-thirty, so +fortunate in his position and prospects, seemed to carry about with him +some secret care which took all zest from life. Max Brunnow's +appearance, on the other hand, completely bore out his assertion that +he found himself very comfortable in this good-for-nothing world, and +amply testified to the fact that Agnes had quickly learned to excel in +all matronly virtues. + +"I say, George," asked Max, in the course of their conversation, "how +long is it to be before you are Minister?" + +George laughed. + +"A good many years, probably. As a preliminary, I am now Ministerial +Councillor." + +"And the right hand of the men in office, the soul of the present +administration. Oh, we are well up here as to all that is going on in +the capital. My father-in-law keeps me exactly informed on the subject. +The good city of R---- still does a little in the opposition line, the +result, probably, of long habit. The new Governor is Liberal to the +backbone, and tolerance itself. They cannot find any real fault with +him, and this, of course, is aggravating to them." + +"They miss the mighty personal influence which Raven exercised, and +which compelled admiration even from his enemies," said George. "The +present Governor is honest and well-meaning, but he is not a man of +extraordinary mark, and is, perhaps, hardly equal to so important and +responsible a post. So the Councillor still lives on in R----. I +thought he would migrate at last, in order to be near his daughter." + +"The bare notion was an insult," laughed Max, "You imagined that my +father-in-law, the very quintessence of loyalty, would accord to a +pitiful republic the honour of possessing him as a citizen? No, he will +live and die under the wing of his most gracious sovereign. To tell the +truth, I doubt whether things would always go smoothly, were the old +gentleman and my father to be constantly in presence. They are too +strongly in contrast ever to agree thoroughly." + +Winterfeld glanced back at the house. + +"Max, it struck me that your father was looking very worn and aged." + +Max shook his head. + +"He cannot get over Raven's death. I thought time would assuage his +grief--but no! As a medical man, I may not conceal from myself the fact +that he is going from us. I know the symptoms well." + +He spoke sadly, and George's face too wore a troubled look. + +"He cannot put from him the memory of one he loved so well," said the +latter. "The remembrance is wearing him away. I can understand that." + +"Yes, you appear to me to be on that road yourself," exclaimed the +young doctor. "Last time we met, I was not allowed to say a word on the +subject, but now you look even more melancholy and gloomily interesting +than then. So out with it--confess." + +George shook his head. + +"Spare me, Max. You know I am incorrigible; moreover, on this point I +think you hardly understand me." + +"How should I? A hardened realist like myself cannot be admitted into +the sanctuary of your inmost feelings!" + +Winterfeld frowned, and turned away, but Max went on, quite +undisturbed: + +"This anxious hesitation and avoidance of a happiness which by a bold +stroke you might yet secure, this overstrained delicacy of feeling, +these doubts and scruples, will last until you find yourself +forestalled by another less delicate than yourself, and then for a +second time you will wear the willow. Yes, I see my words offend you, +but I tell you this--whereas, and seeing that, you cannot get the +better of this unreasonable love of yours, you must marry. The thing is +as clear as day." + +"Your experience would naturally lead you to suggest such a course," +said George, with a forced smile. "You have made trial of the remedy +with the happiest result. Your wife is a charming creature." + +"Yes, she does honour to my treatment, does she not?" + +Chatting thus, they had completed the round of the garden, and now +again approached the house. In the veranda sat Dr. Brunnow and his +daughter-in-law, who was reading the newspaper to him. The Doctor was +certainly much aged, and it was not difficult to see that he was ill +both in body and mind. His former irritability had vanished, and had +given place to a sort of dull apathy which but rarely kindled with a +gleam of the old passionate fire. Agnes, on the other hand, had +developed into a blooming young woman, uniting with all her own +gentleness of aspect a certain new dignity of look and bearing. A boy +of about two years was playing at his mother's feet. Directly he caught +sight of the gentlemen, he rose to his feet, and, still with a rather +tottering gait, ran forward to meet his father. Max cleared the steps +at a bound, and threw the child high in the air. + +"Look at this young man," he cried, with paternal pride, holding the +sturdy, rosy-cheeked youngster towards his friend. Then he turned to +his wife, "George will stay with us to-day, dear," he said. "He must +set out on his journey again to-morrow, I am sorry to say--but until +then he will be our guest. Will you see that all is made ready for +him?" + +The young wife was indeed charming in her manner, as she turned, and in +gracious words expressed to her husband's friend the pleasure his visit +gave her. Then she rose, wishing, she said, to make sure that the spare +room was in perfect order. + +"I will take the boy with me," she observed. "He is accustomed to have +an hour's nap at noon. You will carry him up to his bedroom for me, +Max, will you not?" + +"I must stay with George," replied her husband. "The young one must +learn to get upstairs by himself. He is big enough." + +"As you like, dear," said Agnes, with sweet and ready acquiescence; +"but Rudolph is so used to be carried by you. He will cry, if you won't +do as he wants." + +"He has that from his mother," said Max. + +With unruffled serenity the young wife stooped and took the child in +her arms. He was a strong, vigorous boy, but no very great weight. His +mother, however, seemed to find him too heavy for her, for she had to +stop at the door to take breath, casting a rather reproachful glance +behind her, as she did so. In a second Max was at her side. + +"How often have I told you not to over-exert yourself in this manner?" +said he, in the old dictatorial tone. "Give me the child. I will take +him upstairs." + +So saying, he relieved her of the boy, and actually carried him up to +the first floor, which was reserved for the young couple's use. Agnes +mildly bent her head and followed, submitting, as was her wont, to her +husband's will in all things. + +George looked after them, a faint, derisive smile hovering about his +lips. + +"Take warning by my son, and draw out no programme with reference to +your future marriage," said the elder Brunnow. "A woman upsets all your +plans and all your reckoning with a breath." + +The words were intended playfully, but the speaker's eyes were fixed +with an earnest scrutiny on the young man he addressed. + +George shook his head. + +"My future marriage?" he repeated. "I shall never marry. You know my +resolve full well." + +"Yes, but I have always combated it. At your age, one cannot bid a +final adieu to happiness, and you especially are not made to stand +alone. Ambition will never fill your life. You need family, domestic +ties." + +Winterfeld made no reply. He leaned forward on the veranda railings, +and looked out at the lake. The doctor laid his hand on his shoulder. + +"George, does the old wound still bleed?" + +George turned round. In the sorrowful eyes which met his, he recognised +a kindred spirit. + +"There are wounds which never close," he replied. "I cannot, perhaps, +make such passionate demonstration of my feelings as some, but when I +once give myself heart and soul, my attachment knows no change. I could +not put it from me, even if I would." + +"Have you seen Gabrielle lately?" asked Brunnow, after a pause. + +"Yes, too often for my peace. I am now constantly thrown into the +society which she frequents, and in the capital unexpected meetings are +almost inevitable. I come upon her sometimes in the midst of a +brilliant assembly, and we are both forced calmly to face the +situation, though we would gladly fly from each other, were it +possible. It would have been better for me, had I never seen her since +the day I lost her. These constant meetings stir up the memories of the +past within me, and rob me of my composure and self-command. I suffer +horribly under it, I assure you." + +"So it was chance alone that directed your steps here? It is as I +suspected." + +Winterfeld looked at the Doctor in astonishment. + +"I have explained to you that I came to Switzerland on an official +mission, and wished to take you and Max by surprise." + +"Max has not told you then that the ladies von Harder are here?" + +"Who is here?" ejaculated George. "Gabrielle?" + +"With her mother. They have been living in that villa yonder for the +last few weeks. The Baroness is somewhat out of health, and has put +herself in the hands of one of our most celebrated physicians. There +has, of course, been no sort of communication between us and the two +ladies. I need not tell you what memories would restrain Gabrielle from +setting foot in the house in which I dwell." + +"It is well that I leave to-morrow," said George, in an agitated tone. +"Perhaps I might not have been spared the pain of a meeting even here, +and here, in this place where the few happy days of my love were spent, +I really could not have borne it." + +"Will you not make some attempt to end this estrangement? Think, +George, the happiness of your whole life is at stake. In your place, I +would accept this strange coincidence as a hint from Destiny, and once +again put the decisive question. Your position and, still more, the +future which lies before you, guarantee you against any mortification, +though the girl to whom you proffer your suit be a rich heiress. You +had less to lay in the balance formerly, when you boldly declared your +love to the Baroness Harder." + +"I was loved then in return," cried George, with a rush of bitterness; +"or, at least, I fancied so. Now we have between us that hour of +parting in which my foolish dream was dispelled for ever. Gabrielle, +certainly, would not wish to call it up again. I have often seen by her +shy, anxious avoidance of me how she feared I might seek to approach +her." + +"That very fear should have encouraged you," interposed Brunnow. "Those +who are quite indifferent to us, we pass by coldly and without remark. +If you really will not venture----" + +"Never," George interrupted him, with some vehemence. "Shall I come +before her to hear from her mouth a second time that her heart is given +to another, that even beyond the grave that other preserves his rights, +that she knows, loves none but him? I have borne it once, and that is +enough. Let us speak now of other matters. Dr. Brunnow. You see I am +not calm enough to pursue this subject." + +Brunnow was silent. The conversation was here put an end to, for Max +came in and laid forcible hands on his friend again. The Doctor left +the two alone, and retired to his study. For a good quarter of an hour, +he there paced in silence up and down, lost in meditation; then he took +up his hat, and, passing out, left the house. + +The villa now inhabited by Madame von Harder and her daughter was much +handsomer in appearance, and more sumptuously furnished, than the +modest chalet which had served them as a residence on the occasion of +their former visit. + +The Baroness now thought it imperatively necessary to live at all times +in a style befitting their rank; she clung to this satisfaction which +she had once so painfully missed, and Gabrielle yielded to her entirely +as regarded external things. Carriages and servants had therefore, of +course, followed in their train, and Madame von Harder had just driven +out on an excursion to the town, leaving her daughter at home alone. + +Gabrielle stood on the terrace which fronted the lake. Yes, that was +she, that slender figure with fair hair, clad in a light summer dress. +The fresh sweet face had lost nothing of its fascinating charm, but the +charm itself was changed. The old happy buoyancy, the radiant +brightness had vanished, gone with the saucy, childish merriment which +once laughed in those sunny brown eyes--but, in lieu of them, the face +had gained the one thing which had been wanting to it: intensity of +expression. Whether it lay in the sorrowful lines about her mouth, +which not even a smile could altogether chase away, or in the shadow +hiding in those deep dark eyes--small matter, it was there, and the +soul, which spoke in it, idealised, perfected her whole being. + +Leaning slightly forward against the balustrade, Gabrielle gazed out at +the landscape, dreamily absorbed in thought. She turned half +impatiently, as a servant appeared, and presented a card. + +Hardly had she glanced at it when she grew very pale, and the card +trembled in her hands. + +"The gentleman begs that he may be allowed to see the Baroness on an +urgent matter of business," reported the servant. + +"Show the gentleman in," she answered, and left the terrace to receive +her visitor. + +In another minute Dr. Brunnow entered the drawing-room. + +For a few seconds the two stood silently face to face. They met now for +the first time, and yet each knew as much of the other as if they had +been intimately acquainted for years. The bent, elderly man and the +blooming young maiden, strangers to each other personally, were united +by one common tie; a name, a dead man's name, formed an invisible link +between them. + +The Doctor bowed, and stepped nearer. Gabrielle involuntarily shrank +from him. He saw it, and stopped. + +"You hardly expected that I should ever approach you, Fräulein von +Harder," he began. "I do so at the risk of being repulsed. My name +must, I know, have an ominous sound in your ears." + +Gabrielle stood before him, by a great effort compelling herself to be +calm. The colour had not yet returned to her cheeks, and her voice +shook audibly as she replied: + +"Your coming certainly takes me by surprise, Dr. Brunnow. I did not +think my presence would ever be sought by the man who----" + +"At whose hand Arno Raven met his death," completed Brunnow. "You are +right to recoil from him who caused that death, but, believe me, my +dear young lady, I would rather have turned the deadly weapon against +my own breast than have seen him fall." + +"He forced the duel on you?" asked the girl, in a low voice. "I have +long suspected it." + +"Yes, forced it on me in a way which left me no alternative. Had I +known ... but his pistol was so steadily levelled at me, how could I +guess that at the decisive moment he would avert its aim? My hand +shook, and sought so to direct its shot as only to wound. This very +agitation proved fatal--my bullet pierced the heart of my former +friend!" + +Gabrielle shivered, but the weary, concentrated pain in his voice +disarmed her. + +"Arno bore you no ill-will," she replied. "But a few hours before his +death, he related to me all his past; and then I learned what you had +really been to him--as much, perhaps, as he to you." + +"And yet he could require that of me!" said Brunnow, with mournful +bitterness. "He desired to die; but why should he choose my hand to do +the deed? Was I not the friend of old days--the friend of his youth? +That was hard--harder even than my distrust of him had deserved. He +must have known what a load he was laying on me for the rest of my +life--ay, a crushing load! And, I tell you, it is killing me!" + +Gabrielle looked into the old man's pale face, deeply lined and +furrowed by grief; which said more plainly than any words what he had +suffered, and was still suffering. She felt how profoundly her lost +Arno was mourned--how fervently he had been loved, and this broke down +all the barriers between them. Trembling with emotion, she stretched +out both hands to the old man. + +"I knew that here I should be understood," he said, taking her hands in +his. "Arno loved you; that was enough for me." + +His eyes rested on the girl's fair features, as though he were +searching in them for some trace of the past. + +"I come with a request," he began, after a short silence--"with a +petition which perhaps no one else could address to you without +wounding your feelings. I have let you see what Arno was to me; you +will not, therefore, misconstrue the motives which brought me here, I +will tell them to you briefly. My son has a friend----" + +Gabrielle started. She drew away her hands. + +"A friend whom you know--to whom you were once attached. That first +love yielded before a more ardent, mightier passion. To my mind, this +needs neither to be explained nor justified. Better than anyone do I +know how irresistibly Arno could draw to himself those whom he wished +to enchain. But now he is dead--and you are free. Does no voice within +you speak a word for the early love of your youth?" + +"My heart has never ceased to speak for him. It grieved when we were +torn apart; yet I sacrificed him and his happiness--I had no choice, +indeed, but to sacrifice them, for another voice spoke more loudly +within me. I cannot forget Arno." + +"Forget!" repeated Brunnow, with emphasis. "No, you cannot forget him; +and no other man can you love as you have loved him. I believe that +fully." + +"No other," said Gabrielle, firmly; "and that is why I never can be +George's wife." + +"Must we always think of our own happiness?" asked Brunnow, sadly. "Is +it not a great thing to make others happy? Winterfeld is at my son's +house. Chance has brought him to us; he had no idea of your being here +until I told him of it. Then his silence and reserve gave way, and I +had a glimpse into the depths of his love, which is still ardent and +faithful as ever. He will never find consolation in other ties. I +know him--he will go through life a lonely man; and, amid all the +success that awaits him, will feel only the emptiness, the void which +that cruel parting from you left with him. You are young still, +Gabrielle--you have your whole life before you. Devote that life to +him--he is worthy of it." + +She turned from him hastily. + +"No more!" she said. "Spare me these recollections. If you speak in +George's name----" + +"He knows nothing of my being here," interrupted the Doctor. "On the +contrary, he would have held me back. Do not suppose that George will +ever again come to you with his suit spontaneously; he rejects such an +idea with vehemence--and he is right. You once sent him away. It is for +you to call him back." + +Greatly agitated, torn by conflicting emotions, Gabrielle pressed both +hands on her bosom, as though forcibly to keep down some rising +feeling. "I cannot--cannot. And George would not accept the poor +affection I have now to offer him." + +"He will accept it, for he is one of those unselfish beings who give +more than they receive." + +Gabrielle raised her eyes to the speaker. They were full of a grave, +sad reproach. + +"And you can speak these words to me? You, Arno's friend, can wish to +put another in his place?" + +"No, by Heaven, not that!" cried Brunnow, with a flash of the old fire. +"His place shall remain to him. No Winterfeld can rob him of that. +These noble spotless characters, who quietly pursue their path through +life, to whom no shadow of blame attaches, we admire and set on high. +Natures such as Arno's are not created to dispense happiness. They cast +over all they love a shade from the cloud which covers them; yet it is +better worth to suffer with and for them--to share their fate, than to +be serenely happy at the ideally good man's side. You yourself have +felt something of this, Gabrielle--have you not?" + +The old glow suddenly flamed from the ashes. Brunnow's bent form was +drawn erect as he spoke these words with passionate warmth, and for a +moment the bright enthusiasm of youth kindled in his eyes again. +Gabrielle leaned her head on his shoulder, and wept--wept as though her +heart would break. + +"And now, do not let me go from you without an answer," said the +Doctor, after a pause. "I have so seldom in my life brought happiness +to those about me, that I would fain do so once before I depart hence, +and my time here is growing short. May I give George any hope? Will you +see him again?" + +"I will try," she said faintly. + +The proceedings of the Brunnow family that afternoon were decidedly +peculiar. In the first place, the Doctor called his son into his study, +and a strictly private conference took place between them. The subject +discussed seemed to produce a most exhilarating effect on Max, for he +caught his father in his arms and gave him a vigorous hug, such as he +had once threatened to bestow on his papa-in-law, the Councillor. +Directly after this the young surgeon held a parley, likewise strictly +private, with his wife in their own sitting-room, and from this +interview the pair came back somewhat fluttered and excited. Then +Madame Agnes disappeared, and was lost to sight for some time, during +which interval Max took possession of his friend, not stirring from his +side an inch. Under other circumstances, George would have perceived +that something unusual was going on; but the news he had heard that +morning had greatly disturbed him, and he had some difficulty in +preserving his usual outward composure. Unfortunately, Max showed no +sympathy whatever with his friend's interesting melancholy, though he +was well aware of its cause. On the contrary, he tormented the unhappy +lover with all sorts of questions and suggestions, and dragged him out +at last under some crudely imagined pretext into the garden again. + +"But what should I go to the summer-house now for?" asked George, +almost impatiently. "I was in there this morning, admiring the +prospect." + +"Well, there is an arrangement of my father's you have got to admire +now, an arrangement made simply and entirely in your honour. My father +has shown himself practical for once in a way. Come along with me, +you'll be surprised." + +The summer-house, a small pavilion perched on the edge of the lake, +certainly offered a glorious prospect. + +"There are ladies inside," said Winterfeld, as they approached the tiny +building. + +"Some callers on my wife, I suppose," replied Max, indifferently. "Ah! +there is Agnes." + +Madame Agnes did, indeed, at this juncture appear on the scene, and +exchanged a look of intelligence with her husband, who at once executed +a man[oe]uvre simple as it was adroit. He let his unsuspecting friend +walk on before him, then, without more ado, gave him a sudden push over +the threshold and pulled the door to behind him. Then he turned to his +wife in triumph. + +"There they are in the trap, and if George does not come out of that an +affianced husband, may the Lord have mercy on him. Now the great point +is to prevent their being disturbed. It is highly derogatory for a +married man and the head of a family to stand sentinel while a +love-declaration is in progress, but, in consideration of the very +peculiar circumstances, I will once more condescend to the task. Go +into the house, Agnes, and tell my father it has succeeded +magnificently." + +While Agnes went off to discharge her commission, a brief but most +comprehensive scene was being enacted in the pavilion. + +"Gabrielle!" cried George, and moved hastily forwards, as though he +would have rushed up to her; then, bethinking himself, he stopped +short. "Baroness Harder!" + +"George!" said Gabrielle, with gentle reproach in her tone. + +"Forgive me; I did not know--could not guess---- What brought you +here?" + +Gabrielle cast down her eyes without speaking; but in her silence there +was an encouragement, and George understood it. + +"What brought you to this place?" he repeated, with passionate +insistence. "Gabrielle, speak. Did you know I was here?" + +"Yes," was the low, but steady answer. + +George stood by her now, but as yet he did not even take her hand. + +"How am I to interpret that?" he asked, all the old tenderness surging +up within him as he searched her face eagerly for his answer. "This is +not our first meeting since the day that we became strangers to each +other, but I have always read in your eyes that strangers we were to +remain. May I, dare I, hope at length to read another verdict in them?" + +Yes, those eyes told another tale, as she raised them to him now with +frank, sweet entreaty. + +"George," said Gabrielle, earnestly, "I gave you great pain once. You +know what divided us, what has held us apart for years. I then +destroyed all your hopes of happiness. You made no complaint, had no +word of reproach for me, and yet it was a hard trial, and you suffered +cruelly. I would fain give back some of the lost brightness to your +life. Tell me, have I still the power?" + +Ah, could she ask? The fervour with which George clasped his beloved to +his heart spoke the reply before his lips could frame it. Again his +arms were round her; again she listened to his words of love, as she +had listened years before. In those early days she had, indeed, known +nothing of the keen, surpassing joy she had since tasted, when, folded +to Arno's breast, she had, as it were, been lifted to the very pinnacle +of human bliss--when, in a few short hours, she had lived through a +life-time of felicity--alas! quickly to be plunged into a very abyss of +woe, and taught the lesson of life's misery. + +Bitter had been the trial through which she had passed; but once again +a warm, cheering ray fell on her path, like sunshine. Gabrielle would +have been no true woman if it had not gladdened her heart to find +herself thus truly, faithfully loved, and it is a well-established +truth that happiness bestowed on another brings its reward to the +giver! + +Without, the landscape lay flooded in sunlight--the broad gleaming +lake, the blue mountains in the distance, all sparkling in the noonday +beams. Even so before the plighted pair the unclouded future stretched +rich in hope and fair in promise, a long series of gladsome, happy +days. All around was so sunny and bright and clear--and yet in this +hour of her betrothal a shade fell on Gabrielle. Was there magic in the +air about her? Faint rumours reached her ears, whispered messages +telling of a moonlight night, and borne over from a distance, there +came to her the even sound of flowing water, the low rippling murmur of +a spring. + +For a moment all the golden sunshine vanished, blotted out by a tear. + +Gabrielle felt that life and love were given back to her, but, +remembering the price paid, she felt too that love, life, and happiness +were dearly bought! + + + + THE END. + + + + * * * * * + + BILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS AND ELECTROTYPERS, GUILDFORD. + _J. D.. & Co._ + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of No Surrender, by E. 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Werner"> +<meta name="Publisher" content="Richard Bentley and Son"> +<meta name="Date" content="1881"> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> +<style type="text/css"> +body {margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; background-color:#FFFFFF;} + + + +p.normal {text-indent:.25in; text-align: justify;} +p.center {text-align:center; margin-top:9pt;} + + +p.right {text-align:right; margin-right:20%;} + +p.continue {text-indent: 0in; margin-top:9pt;} +.text10 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:10%; margin-right:0px; font-size:90%;} +.text20 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:20%; margin-right:0px; font-size:90%;} + +.t0 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0px;} +.t1 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:1em; margin-right:0px;} +.t2 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0px;} +.t3 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:3em; margin-right:0px;} +.t4 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:4em; margin-right:0px;} +.t5 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5em; margin-right:0px;} +.t6 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:6em; margin-right:0px;} +.t7 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:7em; margin-right:0px;} +.t8 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8em; margin-right:0px;} + +.quote {font-size:90%; margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:24pt} +.dateline {text-align:right; font-size:90%; margin-right:10%; margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:24pt} + +h1,h2,h3,h4,h5 {text-align: center;} + +span.sc {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:100%;} +span.sc2 {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:90%;} + +hr.W10 {width:10%; margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:12pt; + color:black;} + +hr.W20 {width:20%; margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:12pt; + color:black;} + +hr.W50 {width:50%; margin-top:12pt; color:black;} +hr.W90 {width:90%; margin-top:12pt; color:black;} + +p.hang1 {margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em;} +p.hang2 {margin-left:1em; text-indent:0em;} + +.poem { + margin-top: 24pt; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + text-align: left; + margin-bottom: 24pt + } + .poem .stanza { + margin : 1em 0; + margin-top:24pt; + } + +</style> + +</head> + +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of No Surrender, by E. Werner + +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: No Surrender + +Author: E. Werner + +Translator: Christina Tyrrell + +Release Date: January 28, 2011 [EBook #35096] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NO SURRENDER *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + +</pre> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Notes:<br> + +1. Page scan source: http://www.archive.org/details/nosurrender00wern<br> + +2. The author's name E. Werner is a pseudonym for +Elisabeth Bürstenbinder.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>NO SURRENDER.</h2> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>NO SURRENDER.</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h5>FROM THE GERMAN OF</h5> +<h3>E. WERNER.</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h5>BY</h5> +<h3>CHRISTINA TYRRELL.</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h4><i>A NEW EDITION</i>.</h4> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h4>LONDON:<br> +RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON,<br> +Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen.<br> +1881.</h4> + +<p class="center">[<i>All Rights Reserved</i>.]</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>NO SURRENDER.</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The whole landscape lay in bright sunshine. Clear as a mirror gleamed +the broad smooth surface of the lake, faithfully reflecting the image +of the town which rose in picturesque beauty on its shores, whilst in +the distance, vividly distinct, appeared the jagged peaks and dazzling +summits of the snow-mountains.</p> + +<p class="normal">A suburb rich in villas and gardens lined the shore. In its midst stood +a pretty, detached habitation of modest aspect. It was a one-storied +cottage, by no means spacious, and showing signs of no special luxury +within or without. An open vine-traceried veranda formed well-nigh its +sole ornament; yet there was an air of refinement about the little +place, and it had a right friendly pleasant look, thanks to its fresh +white walls and green jalousies; while the surrounding garden, not very +large, truly, but highly cultivated, and stretching away to the border +of the lake, had a peculiar charm of its own, and greatly added to the +general attractiveness of the little country-house.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the veranda, which afforded ample protection from the sun's ardent +rays, and where, even at noonday, a certain degree of coolness might be +enjoyed, two gentlemen were pacing, talking as they walked.</p> + +<p class="normal">The elder of the two was a man of, it might be, about fifty years; but +old age seemed to have come upon him prematurely, for his form was bent +and his hair as grey as it could well be. The deeply-furrowed face, +too, bore evidence of bygone struggles, perhaps of sorrows and +sufferings of many kinds endured in the past, and the sharp, bitter +lines about the mouth gave a harsh and almost hostile expression to a +countenance which must once have been bright with ardour and +intelligence. In the eye alone there still blazed a fire which neither +years nor the hard experiences of life had had power to quench, and +which was in singular contrast with the silvered head and drooping +carriage.</p> + +<p class="normal">His companion was much younger; a man slender of build and of average +height, with features which, though not strictly regular, were yet in +the highest degree attractive, and grave, earnest blue eyes. His light +chestnut hair waved over a fine open forehead. There was that slight +paleness of complexion which tells not of sickliness, but of keen +intellectual activity and a constant mental strain; and the predominant +expression was one of quiet steadfastness, such as is but rarely +stamped on a face at seven or eight and twenty. There could hardly be a +sharper contrast than that afforded by these two men.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you are really going to leave us already George?" asked the elder, +in a regretful tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man smiled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Already? I think I have made claim enough on your hospitality, Doctor. +When I came, I had no intention of staying on for weeks; but you +received me with such hearty kindness, I might have been some near and +dear relation, instead of a stranger who could only boast a college +friendship with your son. I shall never forget----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pray do not thank me for that which has been a pleasure to myself," +the Doctor interrupted him. "I only fear that at home you may have to +pay a penalty for the hospitality you have here enjoyed. To have stayed +at my house will be accounted a crime in Assessor Winterfeld--a crime +which will hardly meet with forgiveness. I have never concealed from +you the fact that your visit here is a venture which may compromise +your whole position."</p> + +<p class="normal">The ironical tone of this warning called up a transient flush to young +Winterfeld's brow, and accounted for the vivacity with which he +answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think I have shown you that I am capable of maintaining my own +independence under all and any circumstances. My position, I should +hope, lays me under no obligation to avoid friendly relations which are +of a purely private nature."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You think not? I am convinced of the contrary. On your return we shall +see which of us is right. Remember this, George; you are under Baron +von Raven's régime."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not imagine that my chief troubles himself greatly about the +holiday excursions of his officials," said George, quietly. "He is +severe, inexorable even, in all matters relating to the service, but he +never interferes in our private concerns. That justice I must do +him, though I do not rank among his friends, I am, as you know, a +thorough-going opponent of the tendencies he represents, and therefore +personally opposed to himself; albeit, as his subordinate, I find +myself for the time being compelled to silence and obedience."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For the time being?" echoed the Doctor, sarcastically. "I tell you, he +means to teach you lasting silence and obedience, and if you do not +show yourself teachable he will crush and ruin you. That is his way, as +it is the way of all such despicable parvenus."</p> + +<p class="normal">George shook his head gravely,</p> + +<p class="normal">"You go too far. The Baron has many enemies, and I do not doubt that in +secret much hatred and bitterness are entertained towards him, but as +yet no one has ventured to speak his name with contempt."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I venture it then," said the Doctor, with sudden vehemence; +"and, truly, not without good grounds."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man looked at him in silence, then, after a pause of a +second, he laid his hand on his arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dr. Brunnow, forgive me if I ask you a question which may, perhaps, +seem indiscreet. What is this matter between you and my chief? Whenever +his name is mentioned, you betray an amount of bitterness which cannot +possibly have its origin in mere political opposition. You seem to know +him intimately."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow's lips twitched:</p> + +<p class="normal">"We were friends once," he answered, in a low voice; "young men +together."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Impossible!" exclaimed George. "You and----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"His Excellency Baron Arno von Raven, Governor of the Province of +R----, and closest friend and confidant of our present rulers," +completed the Doctor, laying a sharp, scornful emphasis on each word. +"That surprises you, does it not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly. I had no notion of any such acquaintance between you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How should you? it dates almost half a generation back. In those days +he was only plain Arno Raven, and as poor and unknown as myself. We +learned to know each other in stormy, troubled times, meeting in the +ranks of the party to which we both belonged. Raven with his splendid +talents and restless energy soon worked to the front, and became leader +of us all. We followed him with blind confidence--I more especially, +for I loved him as I have loved no human being since, not even my wife +or child. All the enthusiasm of my youth was lavished on him. He was +my hero, to whom I looked up with ardent admiration--my ideal, my +pride--until the day when he betrayed and deserted us all, when he +sacrificed honour to ambition, and sold himself body and soul to our +enemies, giving us up at the same time to perdition. They call me +'misanthropic,' those wise folk who have never had their illusions +rudely dispelled--who have never met despair face to face. If indeed I +am a misanthrope, my nature was warped to bitterness on that day when, +losing my friend, I lost with him all faith in mankind."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned away in great agitation. Evidently the memory of that long +bygone event still shook the man's whole being to its depths.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So there is some foundation for those reports which hint at a dark +spot in the Baron's past," remarked George, thoughtfully. "I have heard +rumours and vague allusions, but no one ever appeared to have any +positive knowledge on the subject. The matter must always have escaped +publicity, for Raven is only known as the energetic, unyielding +representative of the government."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Renegades are ever the most untiring persecutors of the faith they +have abandoned," said Brunnow, gloomily; "and there was always a +dangerous element at work in Arno Raven, a fierce, consuming, +all-mastering ambition. This was his ruling passion, the true +mainspring of his actions; and this it was which finally brought about +his fall. His thoughts were constantly running on power and greatness +to be achieved in the future; he longed to govern, to command, cost +what it might, and he has obtained his heart's desire. His career is +absolutely unexampled. From poverty and obscurity he has risen step by +step from one dignity, from one high distinction to another. On +becoming the son-in-law of the minister whose acknowledged favourite he +had ever been, he was exalted to the rank of Baron, and at this moment +he is the well-nigh omnipotent governor of one of the principal +provinces of the land. He stands on the lofty pinnacle whereof he used +to dream; but I, whom he drove into prison and into banishment, who can +look back only on a weary course of years full of the most bitter +disappointments, and who, standing now on the threshold of old age, +have still to wrestle with the material cares of life--I would not +exchange my lowly lot for his greatness. He has paid for it a heavy +price--the price of his honour."</p> + +<p class="normal">The speaker was terribly agitated. He broke off, and, turning, strode a +few times up and down the veranda, striving to conquer his emotion. +After a while he came back to George, who was standing silent and full +of thought.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have not touched on this subject for years," he began again; "but I +owed it to you to speak frankly. You are no blind, ductile instrument, +such as Raven requires, such as alone he suffers about him; and I fear +an hour may come when you will find yourself compelled to refuse him +obedience, if you wish to remain true to your principles, and to quit +yourself as an honourable man. What your after-fate may be beyond that +turning-point is indeed another question. Stand fast, George! Through +all the dislike and antagonism you nurture in your heart towards him, +there runs a subtle, secret vein of admiration for this man, and I can +understand it but too well. He has ever exercised a really magic +influence over all who have come into contact with him. You yourself +cannot altogether escape it, and for this reason I have thought it +necessary to enlighten you on the subject of Baron von Raven. You know +now what manner of man he is."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought so, I declare! There they are again in the thick of their +politics, or immersed in some other interminable debate," said a voice +behind them. "I have been hunting for you all over the house, George. +Good-morning, father."</p> + +<p class="normal">The speaker, who now stepped into the veranda, was, apparently, +George's junior by some years, but taller and of stronger build than +his friend--a fresh-looking, vigorous young man, with a frank open +face, clear eyes, and a plentiful crop of curly light hair. He cast one +scrutinizing glance at his father's face, still crimsoned by agitation, +and then went on:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should not excite yourself so much with your discussions, father. +You know how injurious it is to you; moreover, you have been hard at +work already this morning, I see."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, he walked up to a table covered with books and papers, which +stood at a little distance, and began turning over some written pages.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let that alone, Max," said his father, impatiently. "You will +disarrange the manuscript, and you take no interest in these abstruse +scientific studies."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because I have no time for them," answered Max, quietly laying down +the papers. "A young assistant-surgeon at a hospital cannot sit all day +poring over his books. You know I have my hands pretty full."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Time might be found," remarked Brunnow. "What you lack is +inclination."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, inclination too, if you like. Practice is my study, and I dare +say it will get me on as far."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As far as your ambition takes you, no doubt." There was an +unmistakable slight in the father's tone. "You will very probably found +an extensive practice, and look on your calling altogether in the light +of a lucrative profession. I do not question it in the least."</p> + +<p class="normal">At this Max evidently had to fight down some rising irritation, but he +answered with tolerable calm:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall certainly found a practice of my own at the earliest +opportunity. You might have done the same twenty years ago, but you +preferred to write medical works which bring you in very little money, +and, at the best, only obtain recognition from some few choice spirits +among your colleagues. Tastes differ."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As our conception of life differs. You do not know what it means to +sacrifice yourself--to live for science."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I sacrifice myself for nobody," said Max, defiantly. "I intend +conscientiously to fulfil my duties in life, and shall think that, +in so doing, I have done enough. You have a fancy for useless +self-immolation, father. I have none."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leave this incorrigible realist to his errors, Doctor," struck in +George, who from the irritated tone of both men began to fear a scene, +such as was not unfrequent between father and son. "I have long given +up all attempt to convert him. But now we will neither of us disturb +you any longer. Max promised to go for a walk with me to the wood this +morning, as soon as he returned."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now, just at mid-day?" asked the Doctor, in surprise. "Why not go +later?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Some slight confusion was visible in young Winterfeld's face, but he +quickly mastered it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Later on I have to pack up and make ready for my departure, and I +should like to take one last look at the lake and the mountains. It is +hard on me, I assure you, to go away and leave them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I believe," said Max, with a peculiar and rather malicious +intonation; but he relapsed into silence on meeting his friend's +half-angry, half-imploring glance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow seemed to attach no importance to the matter. He waved them a +hasty farewell, and went up to his writing-table again, while the two +young men strode through the garden, and, Max having opened the iron +gate, struck into the footpath which ran close to the border of the +lake. They went on some time in silence. George seemed grave and +thoughtful, and the young surgeon was evidently in a very ill-humour, +to which the recent conversation with his father and the approaching +departure of his friend may have conduced in equal shares.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So this is the last day you are to spend here!" he began at length; +"and what good can I have of it--what good have I had indeed of your +visit at all? Half the time you have passed with my father, declaiming +against the condition of our beloved country in general, and the +dictatorship of Baron von Raven in particular. When, after unheard-of +efforts, I have been so lucky as to withdraw you from the political +ground, you have abused my friendship in the most shameful manner, +making me stand sentry in the noonday glare, at a temperature of 86° +Fahrenheit. A most agreeable post, I must say!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a way of speaking!" said George, impatiently. "I merely asked +you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To keep watch that you should not be disturbed in your meetings--quite +accidental meetings, of course--with Fräulein von Harder. That is what +we, in plain English, call 'standing sentry!' How many such chance +encounters may you, with or without my co-operation as walking +gentleman, have enacted on this stage? Take care the mamma does not get +to hear of these sociable little rambles."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know that my leave is out, and that I must start to-morrow," was +the rather curt reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">Max heaved a little sigh.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, the interview is likely to last a tremendous time to-day, I see. +Don't be offended, old fellow. It may be very interesting to you to +swear eternal fidelity by the sun, moon, and stars, but, for an +outsider, the business is excessively tedious, particularly with such a +temperature as we have to-day. I may safely say it is the warmest proof +of friendship I ever gave a man in my life."</p> + +<p class="normal">Talking thus, they had reached the "wood," really nothing more than a +group of chestnut trees shading a stretch of meadow-land on the border +of the lake. It was a favourite and much frequented resort of the +townsfolk, for from thence might be had a splendid panoramic view of +the lovely sheet of water and the grand surrounding mountains. Now, at +noonday, the spot was quite solitary and deserted. George who had +hurried on before, stood still and gazed around expectantly, but in +vain. Max sauntered up slowly after him, and in his turn took a general +survey, but with no better result. Failing to discover a figure in the +distance, he sat down beneath one of the mightiest chestnut-trees, on a +grassy bank which formed a natural resting-place, and whence the finest +prospect might be enjoyed. Leaning back in the most comfortable +posture, he watched his friend with a mixture of raillery and +compassion, as the latter paced up and down, betraying in every look +and action his feverish uneasiness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I say, George, what is to be the end of this love affair, this romance +of yours?" he began again, after a protracted silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">The other frowned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How often have I begged you not to speak of it in that tone?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did I not express myself tenderly enough? There is plenty of romance +in your love, I should fancy. A young middle-class Government clerk +without fortune or prospects, and a high-born Baroness and future +heiress--secret meetings--prospective opposition of the whole family, +struggles and emotions <i>ad infinitum</i>. I congratulate you on all these +pleasant things. I should look on the business as an awkward one +myself, I know."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I believe," said George, with a touch of sarcasm; "but, my dear +Max, you really are not competent to pronounce on such matters."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My nature being an out-and-out prosaic one," concluded Max, with +perfect equanimity. "Well, I can't say you there tell me anything new. +My father perpetually impresses on my mind the fact that I lack all +tendency to the ideal. He has conscientiously striven to impart to me +these more elevated views and notions, but unfortunately, it has not +answered. I do not belong to the class of 'highly organised natures,' +such as yourself, for instance. You are far more to my father's taste, +and I think he would not hesitate a moment could he adopt you in my +place."</p> + +<p class="normal">A smile passed over George's face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you agree to it, I have no objection."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just try it," said Max, dryly. "He is exceptionally gracious to you, +because he happens to have taken a special fancy to you; but, in real +truth, he is within an ace of turning misanthrope and man-hater. +Nothing satisfies him. All his judgments are distorted, his views +tinged by that bitter irritability of spirit which he ascribes to an +unappeased yearning after the ideal, and that is the ground of the +incessant warfare between us. He cannot forgive me for finding myself +tolerably comfortable in this miserable, worthless world, with which he +himself is at perpetual loggerheads. In fact, matters between us are +growing more and more unbearable day by day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do your father an injustice," said George, soothingly. "The man +who has given up, as he has given up, home, standing, and freedom, to +that which he calls his ideal, has a right to apply a higher standard +to the world and to his fellow-creatures."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I am not up to the higher standard, you see," declared the young +surgeon, testily. "You are much nearer the mark. This my father +detected at once, and sequestrated you to his own use accordingly. You +would sink wonderfully in his estimation though, if he could guess +that, in the very first days of your stay here, you committed the +boundless folly of falling in love."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Max, I beg of you," his friend broke in angrily; but Max was now +fairly under way, and was not to be stopped.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I repeat what I have said: it is folly," he asserted roundly. "You, +with your serious views of life, your unceasing toil, your ideal +aims--very superfluous things in reality, no doubt, but with you they +must be taken into account--and this perverse spoilt child--this +Gabrielle von Harder, who has been brought up in the midst of riches +and in the lap of luxury, and has been innoculated with all the +prejudices of her aristocratic caste! Do you really imagine that she +will ever have the smallest understanding for the things which interest +you? I tell you she will give you up directly the grave consequences of +this holiday idyll become apparent to her, and the influence of her +family makes itself felt. You will stake your all on this game, will +waste your best strength in struggling with the relations, only to be +sacrificed at last to some count or baron, who by birth will be a +suitable <i>parti</i> for her young ladyship."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no," said George, with a burst of vehemence. "You hardly know +Gabrielle. You have never been in her company more than a few minutes +at a time, whilst I----" He stopped suddenly, then went on in a +softened voice--"I know well that there is a gap between us, a great +divergence besides that of outward circumstances, but she is so young, +she has hitherto seen life's sunny side only--and there are no limits +to my love for her."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max shrugged his shoulders in a way which plainly said that the last +reason appeared to him highly unsatisfactory.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Every man to his taste!" he said coolly. "This limitless love would +not exactly be mine, and, so far as I see, there is very little to be +gained by it. But"--he stood up--"it is time for me to go on duty, +for I see the flutter of a light garment out yonder near those +elder-bushes, and a glow on your countenance as though the seventh +heaven had opened to your delighted vision. George, do me one favour, I +entreat. Let not the fact altogether escape your mind that there is +such a thing as the noonday hour, and that ordinary mortals are +accustomed then to take a repast. An extremely unpractical idea of +yours, this rendezvous just in the middle of the day! I hope you will +not let me perish from starvation, as a reward for my self-denying +friendship."</p> + +<p class="normal">Having thus delivered himself. Max Brunnow beat a retreat. Young +Winterfeld hardly heard what he said. He was intently watching the +light slender figure of a girl who now approached from the outskirts of +the wood. She came swiftly and gracefully over the grass towards him, +and in a few minutes stood at his side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here I am, George. Have you been waiting long? It really seemed as if +I should not get away to-day unnoticed, and I very nearly gave up the +attempt altogether. But it would have been too cruel to let my knight +languish here in vain. I believe you would never, never have forgiven +me, if I had let you depart without a solemn farewell."</p> + +<p class="normal">George held fast the little hand, which after the first slight pressure +sought to withdraw itself, and there was a reproachful accent in his +voice, as he said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is this separation so light a thing to you, Gabrielle? Have you no +other words for me at parting than these teasing quips and jests?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady looked up in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Separation? Parting? Why, we shall see each other again in a month."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In a month! Does that seem to you so short a time?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle laughed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is just four times seven days. You must manage to live through them +in some way; but after that we shall be coming to R---- ourselves, you +know. You have a great deal to do with my guardian, have you not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"With Baron von Raven? Certainly. I work in his bureaux, as you are +aware, and have to make reports to him from time to time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hardly know him," said Gabrielle, indifferently. "I have just seen +him now and again when he has come on a short visit to the capital, and +that is all. The last time was three years ago. On that occasion his +Excellency hardly deigned to notice me--treated me, in fact, exactly +like a child, though I was then quite fourteen. You may imagine that I +was in no way delighted at the prospect of living under his roof for +the future, until"--here she smiled roguishly--"until I made the +acquaintance of a certain George Winterfeld, and heard from him that he +had the privilege of being one of my guardian's secretaries."</p> + +<p class="normal">A strange look flitted across George's features, a look which seemed to +say he was of a different opinion as to the "privilege."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You deceive yourself if you build any hopes on that circumstance," he +replied gravely. "The intercourse I hold with the Baron is purely +official in its nature, and he well knows how to restrict it within the +narrowest possible limits. In all else I stand wide as the poles apart +from him. A young, middle-class man, holding as yet only a subordinate +government appointment, does not find admittance to the Governor's +circles, and can hardly venture to claim acquaintance with the Baroness +von Harder. There will be distance enough between us, even though I +come daily to the house in which you dwell. Here in this holiday +freedom we have had the chance of learning to know, to love each +other."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In reality, you owe it to our boat which struck on the sand-bank just +at the right time," put in Gabrielle. "Do you remember our first +meeting, George? To this day mamma believes that she was in deadly +peril, and looks on you as her deliverer, because you brought us +cleverly through the shallow water to land. She would hardly have +consented else to receive such frequent visits from one bearing your +plebeian name; but the man who has saved one's life must be an +exception, of course. If she did but know that her hero has already +made me a declaration of love!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The undisguised triumph expressed in the last words seemed to grate +upon the young man. He fixed his eyes on her countenance with a +scrutinising, anxious gaze.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And if the Baroness should hear of it, sooner or later, what would you +do?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Present you to her in all due form as my future lord and master," +declared Gabrielle, with comic solemnity. "There would be an explosion, +of course: tears, reproaches, hysterics--mamma is a capital hand at all +these, but it comes to nothing. She invariably gives in at last, and I +get my own way."</p> + +<p class="normal">She said all this airily, carelessly, laughing gleefully as she spoke. +The thought of a catastrophe which would have filled any other maiden +with alarm, was, it appeared, positively diverting to the young +Baroness Harder. She had seated herself on the grassy mound, and taken +off her straw hat. The sunbeams, which here and there pierced through +the thick leafy canopy of the chestnut-trees, played on her luxuriant +fair hair and blooming face, whence a pair of great sparkling brown +eyes looked merrily forth into the world. The face, with its delicate, +pure outlines, was undoubtedly of fascinating loveliness, but it was +wanting in that soul-speaking depth of expression which gives to the +human countenance its highest charm. Beneath this radiant, beaming +gaiety, one might have sought in vain any token of graver, deeper +feeling. This want, however, hardly lessened the attractiveness of her +fresh beauty, for all about her breathed of rosy youth, of life's +happy, blossoming spring-time. She seemed the embodied reflection of +the landscape out yonder, sunny and light as herself.</p> + +<p class="normal">George looked at her with a singular mixture of vexation and +tenderness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gabrielle, you treat all this as so much sport, and seem to have no +idea of the troubles which menace us, of the battles we shall have to +fight!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is the thought of battle alarming to you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To me?" A flush mounted to the young man's brow. "I am ready to cope +with every difficulty, if only you will stand steadily by me. But you +mistake if you reckon on your mother's customary compliance in this +instance, when all her prejudices will be aroused, all her family +traditions evoked in opposition. And even if you should succeed in +winning her over, nothing will change your guardian's views. I know +him. He will never give his consent."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle leaned her fair head against the tree's mighty trunk, and +plucked carelessly at some blades of grass.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not care for his consent," she said. "I shall not allow him to +dictate to me one way or the other. Let him try to coerce me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No one will attempt to coerce you, but they will separate us," replied +George. "The very moment our love is discovered, our separation will be +decreed. I know it, and it is this knowledge alone which imposes +silence on me. You little guess how the secrecy, which has such a charm +for you, the continued anxious concealment, distresses and humiliates +me; how contrary it is to my whole nature. Now for the first time I +feel all the hardship of being poor and unknown."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does it matter if you are poor?" asked Gabrielle, carelessly. "I +shall be very rich one day. Mamma is always telling me that I am to be +Uncle Raven's sole heiress."</p> + +<p class="normal">George was silent, setting his lips tightly as though to keep down some +bitter feeling.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you will be rich," he said at last; "you will be only too rich."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I really believe you mean it as a reproach," pouted the young lady, +with a highly ungracious look.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; but it opens out one more gap between us. If you were in the same +position of life as myself, I might come to you fearlessly, and ask, +not for your hand at once, perhaps, but for your plighted faith, until +such time as I could offer you a home of your own. As it is, what would +Baron von Raven say, I wonder, if I ventured to propose to him for the +hand of his ward and presumptive heiress? He stands in your father's +place. You are under his authority."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; but only until I come of age. In a few years, my lord's +guardianship and authority will expire together. Then I shall be free."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In a few years!" echoed George. "And what will be your feelings then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was such sorrowful apprehension in his words that Gabrielle +looked up half-frightened, half-offended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"George, do you doubt my love?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He clasped her hand tightly in his.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have faith in you, my Gabrielle; trust me in return. I am not the +first man who has worked his way up, and I have always been taught to +look forward with confidence, and to depend on my own strength. I will +strain every nerve for your sake. You shall not be ashamed of your +choice."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; you will have to make me the wife of an Excellency at least," +laughed Gabrielle. "I shall fully expect that you will become a +Governor or a Minister some day. Do you hear, George? No other title +will suit me."</p> + +<p class="normal">George suddenly dropped the hand which still rested in his own. He had, +no doubt, looked for some other answer to those fervent words which had +come from the very depths of his heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not understand me. How, indeed, should you know anything of the +serious, earnest side of life! No shadow has as yet crossed your path."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, I can be serious enough," Gabrielle assured him. "Most uncommonly +serious. You do not know me, my real nature, thoroughly yet."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Possibly," said the young man, with a rush of bitterness. "In any +case, <i>I</i> have not had power to arouse your deeper self."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle saw very well that he was hurt, but it did not please her to +notice his humour. She teased and jested on, giving full rein to her +high spirits, and indulging in all her wilful little ways, sure of her +influence which had often stood fiery tests, and which worked again +now. The cloud dispersed from George's brow. Anger and resentfulness +could not hold good before the chatter of those rosy lips, and when the +dear face looked up at him, roguish and smiling, it was all over with +his resistance--he smiled too.</p> + +<p class="normal">The clocks in the town on the opposite shore began to strike twelve. +The chimes rang out distinctly over the lake, warning the young people +that it was time to part. George raised his darling's hand to his lips, +and kissed it passionately. The near neighbourhood of the high-road and +of the adjacent country houses forbade any further mark of tenderness. +Gabrielle did indeed seem to take the parting lightly. For one moment a +shade fell over her, it is true, and a tear even glistened in her brown +eyes, but next minute all was bright and sunny again. She threw a last +kiss to her faithful lover, and hurried away. George's eyes followed +her until she disappeared from view.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Max is right," he said, dreamily. "We are ill-mated, this spoilt child +of fortune and I! Why must I love her, of all others, differing from me +as she does in all wherein we should be most united? Why, indeed? Ah, I +love her--and that is all the answer."</p> + +<p class="normal">In spite of his indignant repudiation of it, his friend's warning +seemed to have found an echo in the young man's breast; but what could +reason and reflection avail against the passion that had taken +possession of his whole being? He knew from experience that there was +no fighting against the charm which had taken him captive on their very +first meeting, and to which on each succeeding occasion he had +succumbed afresh.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"Once more I entreat your Excellency to recall these harsh measures. We +cannot possibly make the town responsible for the acts of a few +individuals."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I too am of opinion that it is not necessary to proceed with such +rigour. It will not be difficult to trace out the guilty parties, and +to secure them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Excellency should not attach such importance to the affair. It +really does not deserve it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Governor, Baron von Raven, to whom all these remonstrances and +remarks were addressed, appeared but little moved by them. He answered +with cold politeness:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am exceedingly sorry, gentlemen, to find myself in such direct +opposition to you in this matter, but I have formed this resolution +after mature consideration; besides which, you know that I never recall +a measure once decided on. My instructions will be carried out."</p> + +<p class="normal">The gentlemen assembled in the audience-room of the R---- +Government-house seemed to have been engaged in a long and animated +conference. They were all more or less excited, with the sole exception +of the Baron himself, who leaned back in his chair with an air of +imperturbable calm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should have thought that my voice, being that of the chief +magistrate of the town, would have carried some weight with it," said +he who had first spoken. "Particularly as on this occasion the +Superintendent of Police declares himself on our side."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly," assented the official alluded to; adding, however, with +prudent reserve, "but I have filled my present post too short a time to +be thoroughly acquainted with the local concerns. His Excellency is, no +doubt, better qualified to judge than I am."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only fear," began the third personage, who wore the uniform of a +colonel--"I only fear, Baron, that this severity may be misinterpreted, +that it may be construed into alarm for your own personal safety."</p> + +<p class="normal">A contemptuous smile played about the Baron's lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Make your mind easy," he replied. "They know me too well in R---- to +ascribe fear to me. That reproach will be spared me, I know, come what +may."</p> + +<p class="normal">He rose, thereby giving the signal for the breaking up of the +conference.</p> + +<p class="normal">Baron Arno von Raven, at six or seven and forty, might have been taken +as a type of mature and vigorous manhood. He was still in the plenitude +of his strength, physical and intellectual, and still, as was generally +admitted, of a most imposing presence. There was an air of command in +the very carriage of his tall and powerful form. His marked features, +on which haughtiness and an indomitable energy were plainly written, +could not now be styled handsome--they had indeed never been so--but +they were striking and characteristic in every line. The thick dark +hair was untinged with grey, except on the temples, where some silver +threads denoted that life's meridian was past. The dark eyes, so full +of fire, seemed, however, to tell another tale. They spoke of life in +all its pristine force and vigour; but there was a stern, +uncompromising look in them, and when they rested on any given object, +they seemed literally to transfix it. His bearing was one of quiet +dignity blended with proud reserve. Nothing in him betrayed a trace of +the parvenu. The man looked as though from his earliest years he had +had the habit of command.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is not a question of myself," he said. "So long as abuse and +menaces were conveyed to me in anonymous letters, I simply consigned +them to the waste-paper basket, and thought no more of them; but if +bills containing threatening and seditious language are, openly and +before the eyes of all the world, to be pasted up on the walls of the +Government-house, if attempts are to be made to insult me when I drive +out, while the more respectable citizens demonstratively refrain from +interfering, it becomes my duty to take some serious steps in the +matter. I hold the highest post in this province. If I suffer these +misdemeanours, if I tolerate these offences directed against my person, +I thereby endanger the authority of the Government, which it is my +office to represent, and which I am bound to uphold under all +circumstances. I repeat, Mr. Mayor, that I regret to be under the +necessity of ordering certain police-regulations which may prove +irksome and vexatious, but the town has only itself to thank for them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We know by experience that your Excellency does not allow any +considerations of public convenience to influence you in such cases," +said the Burgomaster, sharply. "I can do no more, therefore, than leave +with you the entire responsibility of such harsh proceedings--and with +this, I think, our interview may come to an end."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron bowed stiffly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know that I have ever sought to evade the responsibility of +my official acts. I certainly shall not do so in this instance. Good +morning, gentlemen."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Burgomaster and the Superintendent of Police left the room, and +walked together through the broad galleries towards the entrance-door. +The former, a grey-haired and somewhat choleric old gentleman, could +not help giving vent by the way to his long pent-up anger.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So with all our prayers, our remonstrances, and representations, we +have obtained nothing but this sovereign dictum, 'My orders will be +carried out,'" said he to his companion. "This famous phrase, a +favourite with his Excellency, seems to have had its effect even upon +you. Your opposition was silenced by it in an instant."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent of Police, a man much younger in years, with a keen, +cunning face and extremely polite manners, shrugged his shoulders, and +answered quietly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Baron is at the head of the administration, and as he has declared +that in any contingency he will cover me from all responsibility, +I----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do as he bids you," concluded the other. "After all, one cannot +wonder. It is not likely you should wish to share the fate of your +predecessor in office."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In any case, I hope to show myself more competent to fulfil the duties +of my post than he was." The answer was courteous, but decided. "So far +as I know, my predecessor was removed on account of incapacity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are much mistaken. He fell, because he was not agreeable to Baron +von Raven, because he occasionally took upon himself to have an +opposite opinion of his own. He had to give way, of course, before the +all-powerful will which has held arbitrary sway over us for so long. +The attitude assumed by our Governor to-day will have shown you better +than a month in office what the situation of affairs here really is, +and, if I am not mistaken, you have chosen your side already."</p> + +<p class="normal">The last words were spoken in a very pointed manner, but the +Superintendent seemed not to remark it. He only smiled affably by way +of reply; and as they had now reached the door of exit, the two +gentlemen parted company.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile the Baron and his third visitor had remained closeted +together. Colonel Wilten, commanding officer of the garrison stationed +at R----, was a man of right soldierly appearance, yet, notwithstanding +his natural advantages, enhanced as they were by his uniform and the +orders he wore, he could not bear comparison with the tall and stately +figure of his host in plain civilian attire.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You really should not proceed with too great severity, Baron," the +Colonel remarked, taking up the thread of the conversation when the +others had left. "These perpetual conflicts with the respectable +citizens are looked on with great disfavour in high quarters."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you suppose the conflicts are agreeable to me?" asked Raven. "But +in this case to forbear would be to show weakness, and that I hope, +will hardly be expected of me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The other shook his head dubiously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are aware that I have been absent, spending a few weeks in the +capital," he began anew. "During that time I mixed a good deal in +ministerial circles, and I must tell you, confidentially, that opinion +there is not favourable to you. You are in ill-odour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know it," said Raven, coldly. "I have not shown myself docile +enough, subservient enough to them; and, besides this, they cannot +forgive me my plebeian origin. To stay and hinder me in my career was +beyond their power; but there has never been any real cordiality +towards me in those quarters."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For which reason it behoves you to be prudent. Attempts are constantly +being made to undermine your position. There is talk of 'arbitrary +action,' of a 'tendency to encroachment;' and every measure adopted by +you is discussed and subjected to sharp, if not malignant criticism. Do +you apprehend no danger from all the intrigues which are being woven +against you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, for I am too necessary in high places, and shall take good care to +remain so, notwithstanding my 'arbitrary action' and 'tendency to +encroachment.' I, better than any one, can estimate the difficulties of +my position here. They will not so easily find another man equal to the +task of governing this province, and especially this rebellious, +opposition-loving city of R----. But I thank you for the warning, +nevertheless; it accords perfectly with the advices I have myself +received."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I thought I would give you a hint, at least," said the Colonel, +rising to go. "But now I must be leaving. You are expecting visitors +to-day, I hear."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My sister-in-law, Baroness Harder, and her daughter," replied the +Governor, accompanying his visitor to the door. "They have been +spending a part of the summer in Switzerland, and are to arrive here +to-day. I am expecting them every minute."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I had the pleasure of occasionally meeting the Baroness in the capital +some years ago," remarked the officer; "and I shall hope to renew the +acquaintance at an early date. Meanwhile, may I beg you to present my +best respects to the lady? Good-morning, Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">Half an hour later, a carriage rolled up beneath the portico of the +Government-house, and Baron von Raven came down the main staircase to +receive his guests.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My dear brother-in-law, what a pleasure it is to see you again at +last!" cried a lady seated in the carriage, stretching out her hand to +him with much animation and tender haste.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I bid you welcome, Matilda," said Raven, with his customary cool +politeness, as he opened the door and helped her to alight. "Have you +had a pleasant journey? It was rather disagreeably warm for +travelling."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, terribly! The long drive has quite shattered my nerves. We had at +first intended to stay and rest a day in E----, but the longing to see +our dear uncle was so strong within us, we really <i>could</i> not wait."</p> + +<p class="normal">The "dear uncle" received the compliment with great indifference.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You would have done wisely to make a halt at E----, certainly," he +said. "But where is the child Gabrielle?"</p> + +<p class="normal">That young lady, in the act of springing lightly from the carriage +without waiting for his aid, flushed scarlet with indignation at this +most insulting question. The Baron himself gave a slight start of +astonishment, and looked long and curiously at the "child," whom he had +not seen for full three years, and whose appearance now evidently took +him by surprise. But his astonishment and Gabrielle's consequent +triumph were of short duration.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad to see you, Gabrielle," he said quietly, and, stooping, +touched her forehead with his lips. It was the same slight, formal +caress which he had formerly bestowed on the maiden of fourteen, and, +as he vouchsafed it, his stern, dark eyes rapidly surveyed her with one +single look, sharp and penetrating, as though he would at once read +the inmost workings of her mind. Then he offered his arm to his +sister-in-law to lead her upstairs, and left the young lady to follow +them.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness launched into a torrent of pretty speeches and +affectionate inquiries, which met with monosyllabic answers alone. Her +flow of words, however, was not to be checked; it only ceased on their +reaching the wing wherein were situated the rooms destined to the +ladies' use.</p> + +<p class="normal">"These are your apartments, Matilda," said the Baron, pointing to the +open doors. "I hope they will be to your taste. This bell summons the +servants. Should anything be wanting to your comfort, I trust you will +let me know. I will now leave you for a while. You must both be +fatigued from your long journey, and require rest. We shall meet at +dinner."</p> + +<p class="normal">He went, visibly relieved at having accomplished the awkward and +troublesome task of welcoming his guests. Hardly had the door closed +behind him, when the Baroness, hastily throwing off her travelling +wraps, began to inspect her surroundings. The four rooms appointed to +their use were fitted up with great elegance, and even with an amount +of splendour. The furniture was very handsome, the curtains and carpets +being of the thickest and richest materials. In all things the habits +and convenience of high-bred visitors had been consulted, and regard +had been had to their every possible requirement. In short, there was +no fault to be found; and Madame von Harder came back from her tour of +inspection in an eminently contented frame of mind.</p> + +<p class="normal">Presently she noticed that her daughter was still standing in the +middle of the room they had first entered, not yet divested of her hat +and travelling-cloak.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you not take your things off, Gabrielle?" she asked. "What do you +think of the rooms? There will be comforts about us here, thank +Heaven! such as one is accustomed to. We shall prize them after all the +hardships of our long Swiss exile."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle paid no heed to the words.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma, I don't like Uncle Raven," said she suddenly, with the utmost +decision.</p> + +<p class="normal">The tone was so unusual, in so sharp a contrast to the young lady's +habitual style, that her mother looked up in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, child, you have hardly seen him!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never mind, I don't like him. He treats us with an indifference, a +condescension which is absolutely offensive. I can't understand how you +could put up with such a reception!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nonsense, dear," said the Baroness, soothingly. "It is my +brother-in-law's natural manner to be formal and chary of speech. You +will get accustomed to it when you know him better, and grow fond of +him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never!" cried Gabrielle, vehemently. "How can you expect me ever to +grow fond of Uncle Arno, mamma? I have never heard anything but ill of +him. You always used to say he was a horrible tyrant; papa never spoke +of him except as a parvenu or adventurer, and yet neither of you +ventured to be anything but friendly to him, because----</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hush, child!" interrupted her mother, looking round in alarm to see +that no one had overheard the treasonable words. "Have you forgotten +that we are quite dependent on your uncle's goodness? He is implacable +when he thinks himself insulted. You must never attempt to contradict +him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why did you all show him so much deference if he was only an +adventurer?" persisted Gabrielle, obstinately. "Why did grandpapa let +him marry his daughter? Why has he always been considered the leading +personage of the family? I can't understand it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nor I either!" exclaimed the Baroness, with a sigh. "The power that +man exercises has always been inexplicable to me, as was your +grandfather's predilection for him. He, with his plebeian name and his +position, at that time a very subordinate one, ought naturally to have +looked upon his admittance into our family as an immense privilege, as +an unmerited piece of good fortune, instead of which he took it exactly +as if it had been his due. No sooner had he established a footing in +our house than he began to govern every one in it, from my sister down +to the servants, who stood more in awe of him than of their own master. +He had my father so completely under his control that nothing was done +without his advice or assistance, and all the others he simply put down +extinguished. How he did it I cannot say--enough that it was so; and +not only in our family circle, in society and the political world he +rapidly gained surprising dominion. No one ventured to oppose or thwart +him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, he will not extinguish me," cried the girl, with a defiant toss +of the head. "Oh, he thought he should frighten me with his great +solemn eyes which seem to bore one through and through, as though they +would read the most secret thoughts of one's heart; but I am not a bit +afraid of him. We shall see whether he can bend me to his will, whether +he will find me as pliable as he has found other people."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness grew alarmed. She feared, with good reason, that this +exceedingly spoilt daughter, who ruled her mother in everything, and +was by no means accustomed to put a restraint on herself, would now +give the reins to her waywardness, and display it in her behaviour to +the Baron himself. She exhausted all her stock of arguments and +entreaties, but with no satisfactory result.</p> + +<p class="normal">Miss Gabrielle seemed to take a peculiar pleasure in roundly expressing +her defiance of her guardian, and showed herself in no way disposed to +abandon the warlike attitude she had at once taken up towards him. But +her serious mood had already spent itself, having lasted a most unusual +length of time. The old petulant gaiety returned in full force.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma, I do believe you are in real earnest afraid of this old ogre of +an uncle," she cried, with a merry laugh. "Well, I am more valiant--I +shall beard the monster in his den, and I promise you he will not eat +me."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The Government-house of R---- was an ancient castle, which for long +years had been the dwelling-place of a princely family, but which in +the ever-changing course of events had become the property of the +state, and now served as the seat of the provincial government and the +residence of its temporary head. The grand, spacious old edifice was +situated on a hill just outside the town, and, in spite of the prosaic +destiny which had overtaken it in these latter days, still preserved +much of its mediæval aspect.</p> + +<p class="normal">A most picturesque object was it, with its salient towers and +bay-windows, and its fine commanding site which overlooked all the +country round. The original ramparts and fortifications had, it is +true, long ago disappeared, surrendered to the march of modern +progress, but in their stead a perfect forest of noble trees had sprung +up, clothing the castle-hill, whence a broad and easy road led down to +the town. From the windows of the noble old château, which rose, proud +and stately, above the leafy crests, a full view might be had of the +city and the wide valley beneath, all circled in by mountains.</p> + +<p class="normal">The main body of the building was exclusively assigned to the +Governor's use, the upper part being inhabited by him, while his +bureaux, or "Chancellery," occupied the ground-floor. In the two +side-wings were situated the other public offices and the quarters of +such of the higher functionaries as were domiciled beneath its roof. +Notwithstanding these very practical arrangements, the interior of the +building, no less than the exterior, retained its antique character, +which, indeed, was ineffaceably stamped on every line of its +architecture.</p> + +<p class="normal">The vaulted chambers with their deep door and window recesses belonged +to the last century; long gloomy galleries and arched corridors met and +crossed in every direction; echoing stone staircases led from one story +to another, and the court and garden of the old stronghold were still +maintained in their primitive condition. The "Castle" as it was briefly +termed in all the neighbouring country, was, and had been from time +immemorial, the pride and ornament of the good city of R----.</p> + +<p class="normal">The present Governor had now filled the post for a long series of +years. Had it not been a fact well known that he was the son of a +subaltern official who had died early, leaving no fortune, his +middle-class origin would never have been suspected, for the appearance +he made in public and his style of living were as thoroughly +aristocratic as his manners and person.</p> + +<p class="normal">How it had come to pass that Raven had become the favourite of the then +all-powerful Minister, no one knew. That Minister's penetrating glance +had most probably detected rare ability in the young aspirant for +honours.</p> + +<p class="normal">Some pretended to know that there were other and secret reasons which +had combined with this: so much is sure, he was suddenly appointed +secretary to his Excellency, and in this new capacity acquired +opportunities of developing his talents which he had not possessed in +his former subordinate position. The secretary was soon promoted to be +his master's friend and confidant, was preferred and put forward on +every occasion, and even admitted into the great man's family circle. +The lower rungs of the official ladder were quickly climbed, and one +day society in the capital was astounded by the news, which at first +seemed to be too wonderful to be believed, that the Minister's elder +daughter was betrothed to the young newly-appointed Councillor. Shortly +afterwards the rank of Baron was conferred on the bridegroom expectant, +and therewith he was fairly launched on his career.</p> + +<p class="normal">The son-in-law of so influential a man found his way smoothed for him +in every direction, but it was not this alone which bore him aloft with +such dizzy speed. His really splendid abilities seemed only now to have +found, their proper field, and soon displayed themselves in a manner +which made all adventitious aid superfluous. A very few years later, +the "inexplicable" conduct of the Minister who, instead of opposing, +had favoured the <i>mésalliance</i>, became sufficiently intelligible. He +had taken his son-in-law's measure; he knew what was to be expected +from the young man's future, and it is certain that his daughter, as +Madame von Raven, played a far more brilliant part than her sister, who +married a nobleman of high lineage, but of utter personal +insignificance.</p> + +<p class="normal">When the Baron was nominated to the important and responsible post of +R----, he found matters there in a critical condition. The storm of +faction, which some years before had convulsed the whole land, had no +doubt spent itself for the time being, but signs were not wanting that +it was merely repressed, and not completely and finally laid. In +the ---- province especially, a perpetual ferment was kept up, and +great, populous R----, the chief city of that province, stood at the +head of the opposition which arrayed itself against the Government. +Several high officials, succeeding each other in rapid order, had +endeavoured in vain to put an end to this state of things; they lacked +either the necessary resolution or the necessary authority, and +confined themselves to half measures, which adjusted temporary +difficulties, but left the deeper discord strong and abiding as ever. +At length Raven was appointed head of the administration, and city and +province soon became aware that a firmer grasp was on the reins. The +new Governor went to work with an energy, and, at the same time, with a +reckless disregard of such persons and interests as stood in his way, +which raised a perfect storm against him. Appeals, protests, +expostulations and complaints flowed in to head-quarters in one +unceasing stream, but the Ministry knew too well the value of their +representative not to lend him full support. Another so placed might +have recoiled before the unbounded unpopularity which his proceedings +brought on him, have given way, vanquished by the difficulties and +vexations inherent to the situation--Raven remained at his post. He was +a man who in every circumstance of life sought, rather than avoided, a +contest, and the innate despotism of his nature here found ample room +for its development. He troubled himself little with considerations as +to whether the measures he judged necessary were strictly within legal +bounds, and met all the accusations freely hurled at him, all the +charges of absolutism and a violent abuse of power, with the one steady +reply: "My orders will be carried out!" In this way he at length +succeeded in reducing the rebellious elements to submission. Both city +and province came to see that it was impossible for them to carry on +the war against this man, who adopted as the rule and regulation of his +conduct, not their rights, but his own might. The times were not +propitious for open resistance. A period of severe reaction had set in, +and any active sedition would certainly have been nipped in the bud; so +the party of opposition submitted, reluctantly, indeed, and with an ill +grace, but still submitted; and the Governor, who had so brilliantly +accomplished his task, was loaded with honours.</p> + +<p class="normal">Years had passed since then. People had grown accustomed to the +despotic régime under which they lived, and had learned to regard the +Baron with that respect which an energetic, consistent character +compels even from its enemies. Moreover, to him was owing a series of +improvements which his keenest opponents could not see without +satisfaction. This man, whose political action had earned for him +hatred and mortal hostility, became in another sphere the benefactor of +the province committed to his charge. Indefatigable as its +representative when any occasion offered of defending its interests, he +was ever ready to introduce, or to support, such reforms as tended to +promote the public weal. His resolution and strong powers of +initiative, which had worked so banefully in one direction, grew most +beneficent when turned to pacific account. Foremost amongst the +advocates of any scheme likely to favour industrial enterprise, to +befriend the agriculturist, or in any way to enhance the general +prosperity, he attached many interests to himself, and thus in time +rallied partisans almost as numerous as his enemies. His administration +was a model of order, incorruptibility, and strict discipline, and +throughout the province were visible blooming evidences of the many +improvements he had planned with practical, sagacious insight, and +executed with a hand which never wavered in its purpose.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Governor lived in great style, for he possessed a considerable +fortune independently of his official income. His late father-in-law +had been very rich, and at his death the property had been divided +between his two daughters, Madame von Raven and the Baroness Harder. +The former lady's marriage had been one of those convenient matrimonial +arrangements so common in the upper ranks of society. Raven had been +guided in his choice simply and solely by calculation, but he never +forgot that this union had opened to him his career, and his wife had +at no time cause to complain of neglect or want of consideration on his +part; the affection, which was so signally absent, she did not miss. +Madame von Raven was a person of very moderate intelligence, and could +never have inspired any serious passion. She had accepted the hand of +her father's favourite, hearing it daily predicted that a great future +was in store for him, and this prophecy being fulfilled, she did not +feel that more was to be desired from life. Her husband responded +liberally to all her demands respecting a brilliant establishment and +elegant toilettes, and gave her an enviable position in society, so no +differences arose between them. They lived together on what is supposed +to be a very aristocratic footing, as much apart and as strange one to +the other as possible. This union, a pattern one in the eyes of the +world, but a childless, had been dissolved, about seven years before +the events here recorded, by Madame von Raven's death; and the Baron, +to whom the whole fortune descended by will, had taken to himself no +second wife. The proud man, whose brain was ever busy with his +ambitious plans and projects, had at no time been accessible to the +soft influences of love or to domestic joys; and he would in all +probability never have married, had not marriage been to him a +stepping-stone by which to mount. This motive no longer existing, he +did not think of burdening himself with fresh ties; and, as he was now +approaching his fiftieth year, his decision on the subject was +generally accepted as final.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the morning succeeding the arrival of Baroness Harder and her +daughter, the former lady was sitting with her brother-in-law in the +boudoir which formed part of her suite of rooms. The Baroness still +showed traces of beauty, which, however, had years ago bloomed and +faded. In the evening, perhaps, by the tempered lustre of wax-lights, +the numberless arts of the toilette might have produced a delusive +effect; but now, in the broad glare of day, the truth revealed itself +mercilessly to the eyes of the Governor as he sat opposite her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot spare you these details, Matilda," he said; "though I quite +understand how painful they must be to you. The matter must be +discussed between us once, at least. By your wish I undertook the +settlement of the Baron's affairs, so far as it was possible for me to +settle them at this distance. They proved to be in a state of absolute +chaos, and, even with the help afforded me by your solicitor, I had the +greatest difficulty in mastering their complications, I have at length +succeeded, and the result of my labours I communicated to you in +Switzerland."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness pressed her handkerchief to her eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A comfortless result!" she said.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But one not unexpected. There was, I regret to say, no possibility of +rescuing for you even a slender portion of your fortune. I advised you +to go abroad, because it would have been too mortifying to you to +witness the sale of your town-house and the breaking-up of your +establishment in the capital. In your absence, what was really an act +of necessity took the colour of a voluntary withdrawal from society, +and I have been careful that the true state of the case should not +transpire among your old intimate friends and associates. Happen what +may now, the honour of the name you and Gabrielle bear is safe. You +need fear no attack on it from any of the creditors."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know that you have made great personal sacrifices," said Madame von +Harder. "My solicitor wrote me all the details. Arno, I thank you."</p> + +<p class="normal">With a touch of real feeling she held out her hand to him as she spoke, +but he waved it back so coldly that any warmer impulse in her was at +once checked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I owed it to my father-in-law's memory to act as I have acted," he +replied. "His daughter and grandchild must always have a claim upon me, +and their name must, at any cost, be kept free from reproach. It was +these considerations which induced me to make the sacrifices, and no +sentimental feelings of any sort. Sentiment, indeed, could have no +ground for existence here, for, as you are aware, there was little +friendship between the Baron and myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I always deeply deplored the estrangement," said the Baroness, +fervently. "Of later years my husband sought in vain to bring about a +better understanding. It was you who persistently avoided any friendly +intercourse. Could he give you a higher proof of his esteem, of his +confidence, than to entrust to you that which he held most dear? On his +death-bed he named you Gabrielle's guardian."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is to say, having ruined himself, he made over all responsibility +touching the future of his wife and child to me, whose constant enemy +he had been through life. I perfectly understand the value I ought to +set on that proof of his confidence."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness had recourse to her handkerchief again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arno, you do not know how cruel your words are. Have you no pity, no +consideration for a heart-broken widow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven made no reply, but his eyes travelled slowly over the lady's +elegant grey silk dress. She had promptly laid aside her mourning at +the expiration of the year's widowhood, knowing that black was +unbecoming to her. The unmistakable irony she now detected in her +brother-in-law's glance called up to her cheeks a slight flush of +anger, or of confusion, as she went on:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am only just beginning to hold up my head a little. If you knew what +cares, what humiliations, preceded that last terrible catastrophe, what +losses unexpectedly befell us on all sides! Oh, it was too horrible!"</p> + +<p class="normal">A faint sarcastic smile flickered about the Baron's lips. He knew right +well that the husband's losses had overtaken him at the gaming-table, +and that the wife's one care and anxiety had been to eclipse all the +other ladies of the capital by the superior richness of her toilettes +and the handsome appointments of her equipages. At her father's death +the Baroness had inherited the property conjointly with her sister. Her +share had been squandered to the last penny, while Madame von Raven's +fortune remained intact in her husband's hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Enough!" he said, waiving the topic. "Let us say no more on this +disagreeable subject. I have offered you a home under my roof, and I am +glad that you have accepted the proposal. Since my wife's death, I have +been in some degree dependent on strangers, who preside well enough +over the establishment, but who cannot in all things fill the place of +the mistress of the house. You, Matilda, know how to entertain, and +like receptions, fêtes, dinners, and the like--now it is precisely in +regard to these matters that I have felt a want. Our interests +coincide, you see, and I have no doubt we shall be mutually satisfied +with each other."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke in his usual cool and measured tone. Evidently Baron von Raven +was not disposed to glory in the rôle of benefactor and deliverer, +though to these relatives of his he had really acted as both. He +treated the matter altogether from a business point of view.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will do all in my power to meet your wishes," declared Madame von +Harder, following her brother-in-law's example as he rose and went up +to the window.</p> + +<p class="normal">He addressed a few further indifferent questions to her, asking whether +the arrangement of the rooms was to her taste, whether she received +proper attendance and had all she required, but he hardly listened to +the torrent of words with which the lady assured him that everything +was charming--delightful!</p> + +<p class="normal">His attention was fixed on a very different object.</p> + +<p class="normal">Just under the window of that boudoir was a little garden attached to +the door-keeper's lodge. In this garden Miss Gabrielle was walking, or +rather racing round and round after the door-keeper's two children, for +the walk had resolved itself into a wild chase at last. When the young +lady that morning undertook a short excursion "to see what the place +was like," as she expressed it to her mother, the place itself had but +little part in the interest she manifested. She knew that George +Winterfeld came daily to the Government-house, and it must be her task, +therefore, to arrange some plan for those frequent meetings which +George had declared to be impossible, or, at best, exceedingly +difficult.</p> + +<p class="normal">Miss Gabrielle did not adopt this view of the case, and her +reconnaissance was now directed to one end and aim, namely, to discover +precisely where the Baron's bureaux, in which the young official was +employed, were situated. On her way, however, she fell in with the +lodge-keeper's small seven-year-old boy and his little sister, and +quickly made friends with both. The bright, lively children returned +the young lady's advances with confiding alacrity, and these new +acquaintances soon drove all thoughts of her exploring expedition, and +alas! of him for whose sake it had been undertaken, entirely into the +background.</p> + +<p class="normal">She allowed the little ones to lead her into the small garden which was +attached to the lodge, and was entirely distinct from the Castle-garden +proper. She admired with them the shrubs and flower-beds, and the three +rapidly advanced in intimacy. In less than a quarter of an hour a game +was set on foot, accompanied by all the requisite noise, to which Miss +Gabrielle contributed fully as much as her young playmates. She bounded +after them over the beds, stimulating them to fresh efforts, and +provoking them to ever-renewed gaiety.</p> + +<p class="normal">Unbecoming as this no doubt was in a young lady of seventeen, and in +the Governor's niece, to an unprejudiced beholder the spectacle was +none the less charming. Every movement of the young girl's supple form +was marked by unconscious, natural grace. The slight figure, in its +white morning-dress, flitted like a sunbeam between the dusky trees. +Some of her luxuriant blond tresses had grown loose in the course of +her wild sport, and now fell over her shoulders in rich abundance, +while her merry laughter and the children's happy shouts were borne up +to the Castle windows.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness, looking down from her point of observation, was struck +with horror at her daughter's indecorous conduct especially when she +became aware that Raven was intently following the scene below. What +must that haughty man, that severe stickler for etiquette, think +of the education of a young lady who could comport herself in this +free-and-easy manner before his eyes? The Baroness, apprehending some +of those stinging, sarcastic comments in which her brother-in-law was +wont to indulge, sought, as much as in her lay, to mitigate the ill +impression.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gabrielle is wonderfully childish still at times," she lamented. "It +is impossible to make her understand that such babyish ways are highly +unsuitable in a young lady of her age. I almost dread her first +appearance in society--which had to be postponed a year in consequence +of her father's death. She is quite capable of behaving in that wild, +reckless way in a drawing-room."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let the child be natural while she may," said the Baron, his eyes +still fixed on the group below. "She will learn soon enough to be a +lady of fashion. It would really be a pity to check her now; the girl +is a very sunbeam incarnate."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness pricked up her ears. It was the first time she had ever +heard a speech at all genial from her brother-in-law's lips, or seen in +his eyes any expression other than that of icy reserve. He visibly took +pleasure in Gabrielle's high spirits, and the wise woman resolved to +seize the propitious moment, in order to clear up a point which lay +very near her heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Poor child, poor child!" she sighed, with well-simulated emotion. +"Dancing on so merrily through life, and little dreaming of the +serious, perhaps sorrowful, future in store for her! A well-born, +portionless girl! It is a bitter lot, and doubly bitter for one who, +like Gabrielle, has been brought up with great expectations. She will +find this out soon enough!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The manœvre succeeded beyond all anticipation. Raven, whom in +general nothing would move, seemed for once to be in pliable mood, for +he turned round and said, in a quick, decided manner:</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean by a 'sorrowful future,' Matilda? You know that I +have neither children nor relatives of my own. Gabrielle will be my +heiress, and therefore there can be no question of poverty for her."</p> + +<p class="normal">A gleam of triumph shone in the Baroness's eyes, as she thus obtained +the assurance she had long so ardently desired.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have never declared your intentions," she remarked, concealing her +satisfaction with an effort: "and I, naturally, could not touch on such +a subject. Indeed, the whole matter was so foreign to my thoughts----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has it really never occurred to you to speculate on the chances of my +death, or on the will I might leave?" interrupted the Baron, giving +full play now to the sarcasm he had hitherto partially restrained.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My dear Arno, how can you imagine such a thing?" cried the lady, +deeply wounded.</p> + +<p class="normal">He paid no heed to this little outburst of indignation, but went on +quietly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I trust that you have not spoken to Gabrielle on the subject"--he +little knew that it had been almost a daily topic--"I do not wish that +she should be taught to think of herself as an heiress; still less do I +wish that this girl of seventeen should make my will and my fortune the +objects of her calculations, as it is, of course, quite natural others +should do."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness drew a deep sigh.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I meet with nothing but misconception from you. You even cast +suspicion on the promptings of a mother's love, and misjudge her who, +without fear or care for herself, trembles for the future of an only +child!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all," said Raven, impatiently; he was evidently weary of the +conversation. "You hear, I consider such anxiety natural, and therefore +I repeat the assurance I have just given you. My property having come +to me from my father-in-law, I intend that it shall one day descend to +his grandchild. Should Gabrielle, as is probable, marry during my +life-time, I shall provide for her dowry; at my death she will be, as I +have said, my <i>sole</i> heiress."</p> + +<p class="normal">The emphasis he laid on the word proved to the Baroness that for +herself she had nothing to expect. Her daughter's future being assured, +however, she might look on her own as secure also, and thus her double +object was attained. The hardly-veiled contempt with which Raven +treated her, and which Gabrielle's fine instinct had detected in the +manner of his first welcome, was by Madame von Harder either unfelt +or unheeded. She had in her secret heart no more love for her +brother-in-law than he for her; and in returning sweet words and +gracious looks for his brusque curtness and indifference, she was +merely deferring to a stern necessity; but the perspective of taking +her place at the head of so brilliant an establishment, of shining in +R---- as the Governor's near relative, and, in this quality, of taking +precedence everywhere, soothed, and in a great measure reconciled her +to this necessity.</p> + +<p class="normal">A few minutes later Raven traversed the ante-room, which had the same +aspect as the adjoining boudoir, and, stopping a moment at the window, +cast one more glance below.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sad that the child should have fallen to such parents, and have had +such a bringing-up!" he muttered. "How long will it be before Gabrielle +becomes a coquette like her mother, caring for nothing but dress, +intrigues, and society gossip? The pity of it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">As has already been said, the Governor's official quarters, whither he +now repaired, were situated on the basement floor of the Castle. He +transacted much of his business in his own private study, but would +frequently visit the bureaux of the various departments. The clerks +therein employed were never safe from a sudden and unforeseen descent +of the master, whose keen eyes descried the smallest irregularity. The +official who was so unlucky as to be surprised in any breach of the +regulations never escaped without a sharp reprimand from "the chief," +who, so far as possible, directed everything in person, and introduced +into his bureaux the same iron discipline which marked his general +administration.</p> + +<p class="normal">The business of the day had begun long before, and the clerks were all +in their places when the Baron entered, and slightly bowing, walked +through the offices. Some of the sections he merely passed through with +one brief inquisitorial glance around; in others he stopped, put a +question, made a remark, in several cases asking to look at a document. +His manner to his subordinates was cool and deliberate, but polite, and +the young men's faces showed in what awe they stood of the Governor's +frown.</p> + +<p class="normal">As the latter entered the last room of the series, an elderly +gentleman, who was at work there alone, rose respectfully from his +desk.</p> + +<p class="normal">Tall and meagre of person, with a face deeply lined, and a stiff, +unbending carriage, this individual bore himself with the grave dignity +of a judge. His grey hair was carefully brushed, not a wrinkle nor +speck of dust was visible on his black suit of clothes, while a broad +white neckcloth of portentous dimensions gave to its wearer a certain +peculiar solemnity of aspect.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-morning, Councillor," said the Baron, with more cordiality than +his manner usually showed, signing to the other to follow him into a +smaller side-office, where he generally received his officials in +single audience. "I am glad to see you back again. I missed you greatly +during the few days you were absent."</p> + +<p class="normal">Court-councillor Moser, chief clerk and head of the bureaucratic staff, +received this testimony to his indispensability with visible +satisfaction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hastened my return as much as possible," he replied. "Your +Excellency is aware that I only applied for leave in order to fetch my +daughter from the convent in which she has been educated. I had the +honour of presenting her to your Excellency yesterday, when we met in +the gallery."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It seems to me you have left the young lady rather too long under +spiritual guidance," remarked Raven; "she almost gives one the +impression of a nun herself. I am afraid this convent education has +completely spoiled her."</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-clerk raised his eyebrows, and stared at his superior in +dismayed astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How does your Excellency mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I mean spoiled her for worldly purposes," the Baron corrected himself, +a hardly perceptible smile hovering about his lips as he noticed the +consternation depicted in the other's face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! yes, indeed, there your Excellency is right"--the chief-clerk +never neglected an opportunity of giving the Governor his title, even +though he had to repeat it three times in a single sentence--"but my +Agnes's mind was never given to the things of this world, and she will +shortly renounce them altogether. She has resolved on taking the veil."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron had taken up some papers, and stood glancing over their +contents as he quietly pursued his conversation with the old gentleman, +the only official whom he admitted to anything like familiar terms.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, that is hardly surprising," he observed. "When a young girl is +left in a convent from the age of fourteen to that of seventeen, one +must be prepared for some such resolve. Does it meet with your +approval?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is hard for me to give up, once and for ever, my only child," said +the Councillor, solemnly. "Far be it from me, however, to place +hindrances in the way of so holy a vocation. I have given my consent. +My daughter is to spend some months at home, to see something of the +world before she enters on her novitiate in the convent where she has +hitherto been at school. The Reverend Mother wishes to avoid even the +slightest appearance of constraint."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Reverend Mother is, no doubt, pretty sure of her pupil," observed +the Baron, with a touch of irony which happily escaped his hearer. +"Well, if it is the young lady's own desire, there is nothing to be +said against it; but I am sorry for you, who hoped to find in your +daughter a support for your old age, and who must now resign her to the +nuns."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To Heaven," emended the old gentleman, with a pious upward glance; "to +Heaven, before whose claims even a father's rights must necessarily +give place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, of course--and now to business. Is there anything of +importance on hand?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The advices received from the Superintendent of Police----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, yes, I know. They are making a great disturbance in the town +about these new measures. They will have to submit to them. Anything +else?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is the full and detailed report to the Ministry which has +already been discussed. Whom does your Excellency appoint to draw it +up?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven considered a moment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Assessor Winterfeld."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Assessor Winterfeld!" repeated the other, slowly, and with +dissatisfaction in his tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; I should like to give him an opportunity of distinguishing +himself, or, at least, to bring him into notice. In spite of his youth, +he is one of the cleverest, most able men we have."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But not sound, your Excellency, very far indeed from sound. He has a +decided liberal tendency; he leans to the opposition----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"All the younger men do that," interrupted the Baron. "They are all +red-hot reformers, eager to set the world to rights, and they consider +it a proof of character to do a little in the way of opposition to the +Government of their country. These ideas tone down in the course of +time. Promotion generally works a cure in such cases, and I dare say +Assessor Winterfeld's will be no exception to the rule."</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-clerk shook his head doubtfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So far as regards his abilities and many personal advantages, I fully +concur in the flattering opinion your Excellency has formed of him; but +certain things have come to my knowledge concerning the Assessor, +certain things which, I fear, indicate flagrant disloyalty on his part. +It is, I regret to say, established beyond all doubt that, on the +occasion of his last leave of absence, he formed in Switzerland the +most suspicious connections, and consorted with all kinds of Socialists +and dangerous revolutionary characters."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I do not believe," said the Baron, decidedly. "Winterfeld is not +the man to hazard his future in so reckless and objectless a manner. +His is not one of those flighty romantic natures which are easily +assailable by such temptations. The story has another version, +probably. I will inquire into it. As regards the report, I abide by my +decision. May I ask you to send the Assessor to me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor went, and a few minutes later George Winterfeld entered +the room. The young man knew that, in being chosen for the task now +before him, an honour was conferred on him above all his colleagues, +but the distinction seemed rather to weigh upon than to elate him. He +received his chief's instructions with quiet attention, grasped the +short, comprehensive directions fully, caught with apt intelligence the +several hints which the Governor thought well to give him, and proved +by a few pithy remarks that he had made himself thoroughly conversant +with the subject before him. Raven had too often to fight against the +dull-witted incapacity of his subordinates not to feel satisfaction at +being thus met half-way, some words now sufficing to convey his +meaning, whereas he was frequently obliged to stoop to long and +wearisome explanations. He was visibly well-pleased. The business in +hand was despatched in a comparatively short space of time, and George, +having noted down some memoranda of his instructions, only waited for +the signal of dismissal.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One thing more!" said the Baron, in no way changing the quiet, +business-like tone he had used throughout the interview. "You spent +some time in Switzerland, I believe, during your late leave of +absence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am told you there sought out associates, or, at all events, formed +certain connections, unsuitable to a man holding your official +position. What is the truth of the matter?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron's eyes rested on the young clerk with that keen searching +gaze so dreaded by those under his command. Winterfeld, however, showed +neither dismay nor embarrassment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I sought out an old college friend in Z----," he replied, calmly; "and +at his warm instance stayed some weeks at his father's house, the +latter being, it is true, a political refugee."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven frowned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was an act of imprudence I should not have expected from you. You +should have reflected that such a visit would naturally excite remark +and arouse suspicion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was a friendly visit, nothing more. I can give my word that it had +not the remotest reference to politics. This is simply and solely a +private affair."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter, you should take your position into consideration. A +friendship with the son of a man politically compromised might be +passed over as harmless, though it would hardly go to further your +advancement; but intimacy with his father and a prolonged sojourn at +his house should distinctly have been avoided. What is this gentleman's +name?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doctor Rudolph Brunnow." The words came in clear, steady tones from +George's lips, and now it was his turn to watch his interlocutor +narrowly. He saw a spasmodic contraction of the muscles--saw a +swift, sudden pallor overspread the stern features, while the lips +were tightly pressed together; but all this came and went with +lightning-speed. In the next instant the man's habitual self-control +prevailed. Accustomed at all times to show an impassive, impenetrable +front to those about him, he at once regained his usual perfect +composure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah; indeed; Rudolph Brunnow!" he repeated slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know whether the name is familiar to your Excellency," George +hazarded, but quickly repented of his hasty speech. The Baron's eyes +met his, or rather, as Gabrielle expressed it, they bored him through +and through, seeking to read the secrets of his inmost heart. There was +a dark menace in that searching gaze that warned the young man to go no +step further. He felt as though he were standing on the verge of an +abyss.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are an intimate friend of Dr. Brunnow's son," Raven began again, +after the pause of a second; "and therefore, in all probability, +intimate with the father also."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only made the Doctor's acquaintance this summer, and though his +views are occasionally warped by a certain harshness and bitterness, I +found him an honourable and upright man, for whom I must entertain the +greatest esteem."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You would do wisely not to express your sentiments so openly," said +the Baron, with frigid displeasure. "You are the servant of a State +which has passed judgment on a certain class of political offenders, +and still inexorably condemns them. You ought not to, and must not, +consort familiarly with those who publicly proclaim themselves its +enemies. Your position imposes on you duties before which all mere +emotional feelings of friendship must give way. Remember that, Mr. +Winterfeld."</p> + +<p class="normal">George was silent. He understood that behind the icy calm of this +address there lay a threat; understood, too, that the threat was +levelled not at the official, but at the man who had been initiated +into the secrets of a past which Raven had probably believed long +buried and forgotten, and which now started up, phantom-like, before +his eyes. Painful as it might be, the remembrance had not power to move +the Baron for more than an instant. As he rose from his chair, and +slightly waved his hand in token of dismissal, the old unapproachable +haughtiness marked his bearing.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are warned now. That which has passed shall be overlooked, +considered as a hasty error. That which you may do in future will be +done at your own risk and peril."</p> + +<p class="normal">George bowed in silence, and left the room. He felt now, as he had +often felt before, that Dr. Brunnow had been right in warning him +against the almost magic influence exercised by Raven over all who came +in contact with him.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man, after the weighty disclosures which had been made to +him, had felt he was entitled to look down from a lofty height on the +traitor and the renegade; but the power to do so had gone from him as +he re-entered the charmed circle surrounding that master-mind. Disdain +could not hold its own before those eyes which so imperatively demanded +obedience and compelled respect; it glanced off scathless from the man +who carried his guilty head with so high and proud a mien, as though he +recognised no judge over him or his actions.</p> + +<p class="normal">Little as George allowed himself to be affected by the exalted position +and imperious bearing of his superior, just as little could he escape +the spell of that chief's intellectual ascendency. And yet he knew that +sooner or later a struggle must come between himself and the Baron, who +held in his hands Gabrielle's future, and, consequently, all his own +chances of happiness. The secret could not be kept for ever--and what +would happen when it should be known?</p> + +<p class="normal">The image of his love rose up before the young man's eyes--of his love, +of whom as yet he had caught no glimpse, though she had arrived the +evening before, and at that moment the same roof covered them--and by +its side appeared the iron inflexible countenance of him he had just +left. Now, for the first time, he divined how severe would be the +struggle by which he must hope to conquer all that he held dear in +life.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Some weeks had passed. Baroness Harder and her daughter had made and +received the necessary inauguratory visits, and the former lady had +observed with much satisfaction the respect and deference everywhere +shown them on the Governor's account. Still better pleased was she to +discover that her brother-in-law really required nothing further from +her than to play the hostess and dispense the hospitalities of the +Castle; no troublesome or unpalatable duties were imposed on her, as +she at first had feared might be the case. All care for, all the +responsibility of, the great and strictly-ordered household devolved, +now as before her coming, on an old major-domo who had filled the +office for many years, and who regulated and directed everything, +rendering account to his master alone. The Baron had probably had +too good an insight into the management which had obtained in his +sister-in-law's town establishment to grant her anything like +independent action in such matters. Socially and ostensibly, she +represented the mistress of the house, of which, in reality, she +was but the guest. Some women might have felt the position in which +she was thus placed a humiliating one, but a desire for domination +was as foreign to the Baroness's mind as a sense of duties to be +fulfilled. She was too superficial to understand either of these great +motive-powers. Affairs were shaping themselves in a far more +satisfactory manner than, after the catastrophe which followed her +husband's death, she had had a right to expect. She was living with her +daughter in the midst of luxury; the Baron had assigned to her a sum by +no means inconsiderable for her personal expenses; Gabrielle was his +acknowledged heiress. Taking all this into consideration, they might +well, she argued, bear the constraint which was the unavoidable result +of the situation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle, too, had quickly grown accustomed to her new surroundings. +The grandeur and ceremony of the Government-house, the scrupulous +punctuality and strict etiquette which there prevailed, the boundless +respect and prompt service of the domestics, to whom the slightest +gesture of the master's hand was a command--all this astonished the +young lady, and impressed her with a certain awe. It certainly +presented a striking contrast to the household system she had seen at +work in her parents' city home, where the greatest external splendour +and the greatest internal disorder reigned together, where the servants +permitted to themselves all sorts of trickery and disrespectful +negligence, where the claims of family life were lost sight of in the +pursuit of pleasure. In later days, too, as the load of debt +accumulated, and the difficulties grew more and more pressing, there +had come violent scenes between Baron von Harder and his wife, scenes +in which each accused the other of extravagance, while the common +prodigal outlay went on unchecked. The half grown-up daughter was too +often a witness of these altercations. At once spoiled and neglected by +her parents, who liked to parade the pretty child, but, beyond this, +concerned themselves but little about her, she lacked all serious +training. Even the events of the last year, her father's death, and the +subsequent collapse of their fortunes, had passed over the young girl's +head, leaving scarcely a trace behind. Sorrow and pain seemed to have +no hold on that sunny, volatile nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">Sufficient judgment, however, Gabrielle did possess to see that the +existent order of things in this parvenu's house was far more fitting +and in better taste than that she had known at home, and she frequently +tormented her mother with remarks on the subject.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness was sitting on the little sofa in her boudoir, turning +over the leaves of a fashion-book. A great reception was to be held at +the castle in the course of the next few days. The highly important +question of what dresses should be worn was now awaiting decision, and +both mother and daughter were zealously applying themselves to the +study which had such attractions for at least one of them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma," said Gabrielle, who was sitting by her mother, holding some +stray leaves of the fashion-book. "Uncle Arno declared yesterday that +these great parties were a troublesome duty, imposed on him by his +position. He does not take the smallest pleasure in them."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness shrugged her shoulders. "He takes pleasure in nothing but +work. I never met with a man who gave himself so little rest and +recreation as my brother-in-law."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rest?" repeated Gabrielle. "As if he even knew what it meant, or could +endure it if he did know! Quite early in the morning he is sitting at +his writing-table, and at midnight I often see a light in his study. +Now he is busy in his own bureaux, then in the other departments; after +that, he drives out, surveying improvements here and there, and +inspecting heaven knows what! In between these occupations he receives +all sorts of people, listens to reports, issues orders.... I really +believe he gets through more work himself than all his clerks put +together."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he was always a restless creature," assented the Baroness. "My +sister often assured me that it made her nervous even to think of the +unceasing whirl of activity in which her husband spent his days."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle leaned her head on her hand, and mused a little thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma," she soon began again, "your sister's married life must have +been a very dull and tiresome one."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Tiresome? What makes you think so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I only mean by what I hear in the Castle. My aunt lived in the +right wing, and my uncle in the left. Sometimes he would not go near +her rooms for weeks, and she never went to his. He had his own +carriages and servants, and she had hers. They each went and came as +they liked, without giving each other a thought. It must have been a +strange sort of life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, you are quite mistaken," replied her mother, who evidently saw +nothing very shocking in such a state of things. "It was a perfectly +happy marriage. My sister had never reason to complain of her husband, +who fulfilled her every wish. She, fortunate being, was never subjected +to the harsh words, to the scenes, which in later years, I had +constantly to endure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you and papa were always quarrelling, that is true," said +Gabrielle, naïvely. "Uncle Arno never did that, I am sure; but he took +no interest in his wife, though he can take an interest in everything +else, even in my schooling. It was very rude of him to say, a little +while ago, in your presence, that he thought my education very +deficient and neglected, and that it was easy to see at a glance I had +always been left to maids and governesses."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am, unfortunately, accustomed to such inconsiderate, unkind speeches +from him," declared the Baroness, with a sigh, which, however, did not +for a moment interrupt her close examination of a pattern before her. +"If I submit to them, I make the sacrifice simply and solely with a +view to your future, my child."</p> + +<p class="normal">Her daughter did not seem particularly moved by this proof of maternal +solicitude.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was catechised like a little school-girl," she grumbled on. "He +worried me so with his questions and cross-questions, that I got quite +confused at last, and then he shrugged his shoulders and decreed that I +should begin taking lessons again. Take lessons at seventeen! He will +have masters out from the town for me, he says; but I shall just tell +him pointblank that it is not necessary, and he need not trouble +himself about the matter."</p> + +<p class="normal">The mother looked up from her fashion-plates.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Heaven's sake, do nothing of the kind. As it is, you seem to live +in a state of continual rebellion to your guardian, and I often tremble +with fear lest you should rouse his anger with your pertness and +obstinacy. So far, I must say, he has put up with your conduct with +wonderful patience, he who could never brook a contrary word!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would a great deal rather he grew angry," said Gabrielle, +petulantly. "I can't endure him to smile down at me from that great +height, as if I were too insignificant a child to annoy or aggravate +him--he invariably does smile in that way when I attempt it--and when +he is so gracious as to kiss my forehead, I feel as if I should like to +run away from the place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gabrielle, I do beg of you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is of no use, mamma, I can't help it. Whenever I come near Uncle +Arno, I have a feeling as though I must defend myself, defend myself +with all my might and main against something--something there is about +him. I don't know what it is, but it worries and vexes me. I cannot +behave to him as to other people. I cannot, and what is more, I will +not!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady's last words were uttered in a tone of spirited +defiance. She took up her hat and parasol from the table, and prepared +to depart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where are you going?" asked her mother.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only into the garden for half an hour. It is too hot here in these +rooms."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness protested. She wished to have the grave question of the +toilette settled first, but Gabrielle seemed to have lost all interest +in it for that day, and was, besides, too much accustomed to follow the +bent of her own caprices even to heed the objection. Next minute she +hurried away.</p> + +<p class="normal">The garden lay at the back of the Castle, and was bounded by its walls +on one side, while on the other it stretched away to the edge of the +steeply-sloping hill. The high fortification-walls, which had formerly +closed it in on this side also, had been taken down, and were now +replaced by a low parapet completely clothed in ivy. A full, free view +could thus be had of the surrounding country. Below lay the valley, +here widening to its fullest breadth, and displaying to the eye of the +spectator its picturesque sites and varied beauties. The Castle-mount +was famed for its prospect far and wide. The garden itself still bore +traces of those long-bygone times when it had served as pleasance to +the mediæval stronghold. Somewhat narrow, somewhat dusky, and very +limited in space, it was neither bright with sunshine nor gay with +flowers.</p> + +<p class="normal">One rarer charm, however, it could boast. Majestic ancient limes shaded +its walks, and altogether screened it from view; not even from the +Castle windows could it be overlooked. Gravely the great trees stood, +considering the younger generation which had sprung up on and about the +former ramparts, clustering down the hill-sides, and adorning them with +their slender stems and fresh tender green. Those leafy giants, the +limes, had struck root in the soil more than a century before; their +grand old trunks had weathered many a storm, and the mighty branches +which formed their crests were interwoven in one vast thick canopy, +through which but few sunbeams pierced their way.</p> + +<p class="normal">The whole space beneath lay in broad, deep shade. Hardly a flower +throve in this dim retreat, but under foot was a pleasant stretch of +lawn dotted here and there by clumps of bushes, from the midst of which +came the low plash and murmur of a fountain. This fountain was in the +taste of the last century, and ornamented with old weather-beaten +statues, representing, in fantastic fashion, sprites and water-nymphs. +Dark, damp moss covered their stony heads and arms supporting shells, +from each of which a bright jet of water shot aloft, to fall in a +million diamond-drops into the great basin below. Here, too, the grey +stones were carpeted with a close mossy velvet which gave a singularly +deep colouring to the crystal-clear water. The Nixies' Well, as it was +called from the figures which adorned it, dated from the Castle's +earliest times, and still played a certain rôle in the traditions of +the country-side.</p> + +<p class="normal">An old legend had attributed some healing power to the spring, and, +notwithstanding the fact that the old mountain-fortress had been +transformed into a most prosaic official residence, a superstitious +belief in that legend was still firmly rooted in the mind of the +people. Water was fetched thence on certain days of the year, and +employed as a preventive against sickness and as a remedy in various +ailments, to the supreme disgust of the Governor, who had done his best +on several occasions to put an end to the folly. He had even ordered +the Castle-garden, which had hitherto been accessible to the public, to +be closed, and forbidden the admittance to it of any stranger. This +prohibition, however, had a contrary effect to that desired. The people +adhered obstinately to their superstition, and clung more tenaciously +than ever to the object of it. The servants of the household were moved +by prayers, or bribed by presents, to tolerate in secret that which +they dared not openly allow. The Castle-fountain retained its old +reputation, and its waters were venerated as almost holy, though, to be +sure, the divinities to whom it had been consecrated were pagan enough +in their outward semblance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle too had heard of these things, had heard of them from the +Baron himself, who frequently alluded to the subject with angry +ridicule; and it might possibly be that lurking spirit of rebellion +against her guardian, so dreaded by her mother, which led the young +lady to select this as her favourite spot. To-day again she sought it, +but neither the Nixies' Well nor the noble prospect spreading out +yonder on the unenclosed side of the garden had power to chain her +attention. Gabrielle was out of humour, and she had some cause for +discontent. After the boundless liberty she had enjoyed at Z----, the +strict formal etiquette of the Government-house galled and irritated +her. She could not reconcile herself to it; the less that this +etiquette was an insuperable obstacle to the frequent meetings with +George Winterfeld on which she had counted.</p> + +<p class="normal">Here in R----, the young people were completely separated. With the +exception of a chance encounter now and again, always in the presence +of witnesses, they were fain to content themselves with a casual +glimpse of each other at a distance, with some little secret signal, as +when George would pass beneath the window and furtively wave his hand +to a slender, white-robed figure above. He had attempted to approach +her. His previous acquaintance with them justifying the step, he had +paid a visit to the ladies. The Baroness would have had no objection to +receive the agreeable young man, as she had received him previously, +but Raven gave her very decidedly to understand that he did not desire +anything like intimacy between the ladies of his family and one of his +young clerks who could have no claim to such a distinction. So the +visit was accepted, but no invitation to repeat it was given, and thus +the attempt proved abortive.</p> + +<p class="normal">True, it was impatience, rather than actual trouble of mind, which made +Gabrielle rebel against the restraint everywhere surrounding her. Since +the Baron had so calmly deposed her to the rank of a child, she had +missed George's tender and yet passionate homage, which formerly she +had accepted as a thing of course. <i>He</i> never thought her education +deficient and neglected, <i>he</i> never catechised her, or expected her to +take wearisome lessons, as did her guardian, who clearly did not know +how young ladies of her age ought to be treated. In George's estimation +she was faultless; the one woman to be adored; he was happy when she +just blew a kiss to him from afar.... And yet she was angry with George +too. Why did he not try more to break through the barriers which +separated them? Why did he remain at so respectful a distance? Why, at +least, did he not write to her? The young girl was too childish and +inexperienced to do justice to that feeling of delicate consideration +which made her lover shrink from anything likely to cast the least +shadow on her, which made him endure silence and separation rather than +venture on any step that might imperil her good name.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Gabrielle, are you trying to fathom the secrets of the Nixies' +Well?" said a voice, suddenly.</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked quickly round. Baron von Raven stood before her--he must +just have stepped out from among the bushes. It was a most unusual +thing for him to set foot in the garden--he had neither time nor +inclination for solitary walks. Some special motive must have brought +him here to-day, for he went straight up to the fountain, and began to +examine it carefully on every side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Uncle Arno, I should think you ought to be better acquainted +with the secrets than I am," retorted Gabrielle, laughing. "I am still +a stranger in the land, and you have lived at the Castle ever so long."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think I have had time to listen to these nursery-tales?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The contemptuous tone in which he spoke jarred on the girl, she hardly +knew why. "Did you never care for such nursery-tales, not even as a +boy?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not even as a boy. I had something better to think of even then."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle looked up at him. That proud, stern face, with its expression +of sombre earnest, certainly did not give the idea that its owner could +ever have known or cared for the fairy world of youth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nevertheless, my visit to-day is to the Nixies' Well," he went on. "I +have given orders to have the fountain pulled down and the spring +stopped; but I wanted to see first how it was likely to affect the +ground, and what precautions should be taken."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle turned upon him in alarm and indignation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The fountain is to be destroyed? Why?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because I am tired at length of all the folly connected with it. The +absurd superstition is not to be uprooted. In spite of my strict orders +to the contrary, water is constantly being fetched from the well, and +thus the preposterous delusion is kept alive. It is high time to put an +end to it, and that can only be accomplished by doing away with the +object to which the superstition clings. I am sorry that one of the +Castle's notable old curiosities should have to fall a sacrifice--but +no matter, the sacrifice must be made."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you will be robbing the garden of its chief ornament," cried +Gabrielle. "It is the sparkle and murmur of the fountain which gives to +the place its greatest charm. And that silver-clear water is to be +driven down into the earth? It is a shame, Uncle Arno, and I won't see +it done."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven, who was still busy closely inspecting the fountain, turned his +head slowly towards her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You won't see it done?" he asked, looking at her sharply, but not with +the threatening imperious frown wherewith he was accustomed to crush +contradiction in the bud; there was even the faintest flicker of a +smile about his lips. "Then, of course, I shall have no alternative but +to recall the order I have given ... it would be the first time such a +thing ever happened to me! Do you really suppose, child, that I shall +give up a resolve of mine in deference to your romantic fancies?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Again there came that superior, half-derisive, half-pitying smile which +Gabrielle hated, and the word 'child' which was equally abhorrent to +her. Deeply wounded in her dignity as a maiden of seventeen, she +preferred to make no answer, but contented herself with casting at her +guardian a look eloquent with indignation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are behaving as though the demolition of the fountain were a +personal affront to yourself," said the Baron. "I see you still +preserve your childish respect for the old hobgoblin stories, and are +in right earnest afraid of the nixies and the phantom-folk."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish the nixies would avenge the contempt now shown them and the +intended destruction of their home," said Gabrielle, in a tone which +was meant to be playful, but which vibrated with real anger. "The +chastisement would not fall on me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But on me, you think," said Raven, sarcastically. "No, no; make your +mind easy, child. It is only your poetic, moonlight natures which are +exposed to these things. The nixies' charm would utterly fail if tried +on me."</p> + +<p class="normal">They were standing close to the fountain's edge. The water fell with a +soft monotonous plash and ripple out of the stone shells down into the +basin below. Suddenly a breezy gust diverted the course of the jet, +dashing its spray in a sparkling shower at once over the Baron and +Gabrielle. The girl sprang back with a cry. Raven stood quietly where +he was.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That caught us both," said he. "The nixies seem to be impartial in +their favours. They stretch forth their dripping arms to friend and foe +alike."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle had retreated to the garden-seat, and was busy wiping the +glittering drops from her dress with her handkerchief. His raillery +irritated her beyond all telling, and yet she hardly knew what answer +to make. Had any one else so spoken to her, she would have found some +gay repartee, would have turned the accident into a joke, and made it a +pretext for merry banter. But now she could not do this. The Baron's +jests were always caustic. It was irony at most which now and then +gleamed in his face, and caused the wonted gravity of his features to +relax.</p> + +<p class="normal">With a rapid movement he shook off the drops wherewith he too was +plentifully besprinkled, and drew near the garden-seat in his turn, +adding:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry to have to spoil your favourite spot, but, as regards the +fountain, the edict has gone forth. You will have to make the best of +it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle cast a sorrowful look at the shining, falling water. Its +dreamy murmur had possessed a mysterious attraction for her from the +very first day. She was almost ready to cry, as she answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know you do not care how your orders vex and distress other people, +and that it is quite useless for me to ask a favour of you. You never +listen to petitions of any sort."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven crossed his arms quietly and looked down at her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! you have found that out already?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; and nobody ever thinks of coming to you with one. They are all +afraid of you--the servants, your clerks, mamma even--every one but +me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are not afraid?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The answer came boldly and resolutely from the young lady's lips. She +seemed to have reassumed her warlike attitude, and to have determined +this time on exasperating the dreaded guardian--but in vain. He +remained perfectly calm, and appeared rather amused than offended at +his ward's spirit of contradiction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is fortunate your mother is not here," he remarked. "She would be a +prey to the keenest anxiety, and quite despair of the perverse young +head which will not bend to necessity, as she herself does with +admirable self-abnegation. You should take example by her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, yes! mamma is docility itself where you are concerned," cried +Gabrielle, growing more and more excited; "and she expects the same +from me. But I will not play the hypocrite, and I cannot like you. +Uncle Arno, for you are not good to us, and never have been good to us. +Your very reception of us when we came was so humiliating that I should +have been glad to go away again at once; and since then you have daily +and hourly let us feel that we are dependent on you. You treat my +mother with a disrespect which often makes me go hot with indignation. +You speak in a slighting way of my papa, who is dead and cannot defend +himself, and you behave to me as though I were a sort of toy not to be +thought of seriously. You have taken us in, and we live in your Castle, +where everything is much grander and finer than in my own home, but I +would far rather be away in our Swiss exile, as mamma calls it--in our +little house by the lake, which was so simple and modest, where we had +barely what was necessary, but where, at least, we were free from you +and your tyranny. Mamma insists on it I must bear it, because you are +rich, and because my future depends on your favour. But I do not want +your money; I do not care about being your heiress. I should like to go +away from here; the sooner the better!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She had sprung up from her seat and stood facing him, glowing with +passionate excitement, one little foot firmly planted in advance, her +head thrown back, her eyes brimming with tears of anger and of +mortification; but there was more in this stormy outbreak than +the mere defiance of a wayward child. Every word betrayed intense and +deeply-wounded feelings; and there was, indeed, but too much truth in +the accusation she thus boldly launched at her guardian.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven had uttered no syllable of interruption. He had stood immovable, +his gaze riveted on her face; but now, as she ceased speaking, and, +drawing a long breath, pressed her hands on her bosom, while a torrent +of hot tears burst from her eyes, he stooped down suddenly and said, +with great earnestness:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not cry, Gabrielle. To you, at least, I have been unjust. I own +it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle's tears were stayed. Now only, as reflection succeeded to +excitement, did she realise all the imprudence of her words. She had +surely counted on an outbreak of swift, fierce wrath; and, in its +stead, there met her this inexplicable calm. She stood, mute and almost +abashed, looking to the ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you do not want my money?" went on the Baron. "How do you know what +my intention may be with regard to it? I have never made any +communication to you on the subject, to my knowledge; yet the topic +would appear to have been well discussed between you and your mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl flushed crimson.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know ... we never----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not attempt to deny it, child. You are as little versed in +falsehood as in mercenary calculation, or you would never have adopted +such an attitude towards me, I am not angry with you for it. I can +forgive open defiance. Hypocrisy and systematic scheming I could not +have forgiven you at your age. Thank God, the faulty education has not +done so much harm as I feared."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took her hand quietly, as though nothing unusual had happened, drew +her down on to the bench, and seated himself by her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle made a little attempt to move away from him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stay! you must allow me to meet your declaration of war with an answer +in due form," said the Baron. "Your mother will not share in the +hostilities; at least, not openly. I am sure she has enjoined it on you +as a duty to be amiable and gracious in your manner towards the +parvenu."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean?" asked the girl, in confusion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, the term cannot be unfamiliar to you. It was, I believe, the +special designation accorded to me in your father's house."</p> + +<p class="normal">This time Gabrielle bravely met the look which rested on her face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know my parents had no love for you," she answered. "How could they? +You had never been anything but hostile to them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I to them, or they to me? but no matter, it comes to the same. These +are things whereof you, Gabrielle, are not yet qualified to judge. You +have no notion what it is for a man holding an inferior position, such +as mine then was, to enter an eminently aristocratic family and the +high social sphere in which that family moved. In those circles I had +then, and have had since, but one friend, your grandfather. With every +one else I had to win my place by force of conquest; and there are but +two ways to this end. Either the aspirant must bow his head and meekly +submit to all such humiliations as are showered on a parvenu--he must +either show himself deeply sensible of the honour conferred on him, and +content himself with being tolerated--and to this my nature was not +suited--or he must boldly usurp the master's place, assert an authority +over the whole clique, show them there is a power mightier than that of +their genealogies, and set his heel on all their prejudices and +arrogant pretensions. Then <i>they</i> learn to bow before him. As a rule, +it is far easier to govern and keep men under than is generally +supposed. You must know how to overawe them. Therein lies the whole +secret of success."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle shook her head slightly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"These are hard principles."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They result from my experience of the world, and I have thirty years' +advantage over you in this respect. Do you think I never had my grand +ideals, my dreams, and my enthusiasm? Do you think my heart was never +fired with all the ardent imaginings of youth? But these things die out +as we advance in life. I could not carry my dreams with me into such a +career as mine. They hold you to the ground; it was my wish to mount, +and I have mounted. Truly, I had to pay a high price for my chance--too +high a price, perhaps; but no matter, I have attained my end."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And has it made you happy?" The question came almost involuntarily +from the young girl's lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Happy? Life is a struggle, not a state of beatitude. One must throw +one's adversary, or be thrown--there is no third issue. You, indeed, +look on all this with other eyes as yet. To you, life is still one long +summer day, bright as the light shining out yonder. You still believe +that far away in the glistening distance, over those blue mountains, +there lies a paradise of joy and content. You are mistaken, child. The +golden sun shines down on endless sorrow and misery, and over beyond +the blue mountains is nothing but the toilsome road from the cradle to +the grave, the long route we diversify with so much strife and hatred. +Life is only one great battle to be fought every day afresh: men are +but puppets to be governed--and despised."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was an indescribable hardness and harshness is his words, but +there was in them also all the decision and energy proper to the man. +He was enouncing a dogma which had become to him indisputable. The +bitterness of spirit pervading his profession of faith escaped, indeed, +in a great measure his girlish hearer, who listened half amazed, half +indignant--listened and wondered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, finally, there comes a time when the everlasting combat sickens," +Raven went on; "when a man comes to ask himself whether, after all, the +once dreamed-of greatness were worth the stake of all he possessed, +when he counts the sum of victories achieved by constant wrestling and +unremitting exertions, and, counting them, grows heartily weary of the +game he has played so long. I am weary of it often--very weary!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He leaned back, and gazed out into the distance. There was gloomy care +in his look, and the deep weariness of which he spoke re-echoed in his +voice. Gabrielle was silent, greatly embarrassed by the serious turn +the conversation had taken, and feeling herself led away into quite +unknown paths. Hitherto she had seen in her guardian the master +only--the master, iron of will and inaccessible to sentiment. His +behaviour towards herself had been marked by the mere indulgent +condescension with which a man stoops to a child's range of ideas. He +had never spoken to her in any but the half-kindly, half-jesting manner +he had assumed to-day on first meeting her.</p> + +<p class="normal">For the first time this taciturn, rigidly reserved nature expanded in a +moment of self-forgetfulness. Gabrielle looked down into a depth +whereof she had not dreamed; but instinctively she felt that she must +not move, must not conjure up the strong emotions stirring below the +surface.</p> + +<p class="normal">A long pause followed. The two looked out silently at the broad +landscape lying before them in the warm light of a mellow August day. +The month had nearly run its course, and summer seemed before her +departure to be shedding all her bountiful stores of loveliness over +the earth. Resplendent sunshine steamed over the ancient city spread at +the foot of the Castle-hill, flooded the pasture-lands and fields, +gleamed on the hamlets which dotted the country far and near, and +sparkled in the ripples of the river winding its way majestically +through the valley.</p> + +<p class="normal">Enclosing this valley stood the circling hills, some with softly +modulated lines, some rising boldly, jagged and rugged, with their +stretches of green meadow and dark patches of forest, out from which, +here and there, a pilgrim's shrine shone whitely, or a ruined fortress, +grey with age, reared its crumbling walls. In the far distance, half +veiled in blue mist, rose the grander mountains, a noble background +bounding the horizon, and over all the azure sky smiled serene and +gracious, and the great sea of ether was filled with a golden haze. It +was one of those days when the earth lies bathed in light, so saturated +with warmth and brilliant in beauty, that it would seem as though the +world's wide compass held naught else than sunshine, glorious sunshine.</p> + +<p class="normal">No stronger contrast could have been found than this beaming landscape +without, and the deep cool shade of the Castle-garden, buried in its +sombre quiet. The mighty crests of the limes, with their closely-woven +boughs, shed a sort of mild green twilight on the space below, and from +beneath the tall trees came the monotonous plash of the fountain. In +unvarying alternation the crystal column rose on high, splintered into +a thousand fragments, and sank to earth again. Occasionally a ray of +light, straying into this retired nook, would strike the falling spray, +transforming it into a shower of diamonds, but next moment the glory +was gone. All lay in cool shadow again, and through the misty veil of +water the grey figures of the sirens, with their long serpent hair and +stony features, looked spectrally forth.</p> + +<p class="normal">The still, sultry noon seemed to have hushed all Nature into dreamy +repose. Not a bird fluttered, not a leaf stirred; from the Nixies' Well +alone came a mysterious murmur, breaking the deep stillness. Thus +from time immemorial had the spring rippled and babbled here on the +Castle-hill; for more than a century now, clad in the stone vesture +into which it had been forced, had this faithful companion fulfilled +its duty, quickening the solitude, enlivening the sequestered retreat +of the Castle-garden. Over its head had swept all the hurricanes which +the old fortress had braved of yore--the hurricanes of war, the stormy, +violent times of battle and strife, of victory and defeat. Following on +these had come a period of splendour and greatness, during which the +ancient stronghold had disappeared, and in its place a princely mansion +had arisen. All this the ever-flowing fount had witnessed. Historic +events had befallen; generations had come and gone, until, at length, a +new era had dawned--the era of modern progress, changing, modifying, +ordering all afresh. To this puissant influence everything had +yielded--save only and except the sacred spring, fenced around by a +rampart of legend and superstition. But now its turn, too, had come. +The old statues, which had so long protectingly surrounded it, were to +fall, and the bubbling water was to be driven from the cheery light of +day down into the dark earth beneath, there to be held captive for +evermore.</p> + +<p class="normal">Were its import a complaint, or a tale of whispered memories, that +dreamy murmur exercised a strange fascination over the grave, unbending +man, who had never known the musings of solitude or its poetic +inspirations, and over the youthful blooming maiden at his side, who, +with laughing lips and a merry heart, had hitherto fluttered joyously +on her course, unheeding, ignorant of life's earnest. All the fierce +wrestling and striving on the one hand, all the happy childish fancies +on the other, were resolved, as it were, into some nameless strange +sensation, half sweet, half troubled, which held the two in thraldom. +So, as they sat listening to the ripple and purl of the water, +unvarying, and yet so melodious, the outer world with its shining +vistas and wealth of golden warmth receded farther and farther from +view, until at length it vanished altogether. Then dim shadows grew up +round the pair, a cool watery film gathered round them, and they were +drawn down, down into vague mysterious depths, where no sound of life +penetrated, where all battling and fierce longing, all happiness and +sorrow, died away into one deep, deep dream; and through their +dreaming, as from some immeasurable distance, they could still hear the +faint spirit-singing of the spring.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the city below, the bells rang out the noonday hour. The clear +resonant chimes were borne up to the Castle-hill, and at their sound +all the strange fantasies evoked by the eerie murmur of the water +melted away. Raven looked up as though he had been suddenly, roughly +awakened, and Gabrielle rose quickly, and, with a movement almost akin +to flight, hurried to the ivy-kirtled parapet, where, bending forwards, +she stood listening to the distant carillon. The sound came distinctly +to her through the still air, as on that day by the lake-shore when she +and George ... Gabrielle did not follow out the thought. Why did +George's name force itself all at once on her memory, striking her as +with a reproach? Why did his image suddenly appear before her--that +resolute face which seemed to say it would guard and maintain his +rights? On that last occasion, when, in a laughing, jesting humour, she +had taken leave of him, the bells had said nothing to her. To-day, at +the remembrance of them, a quick sharp pang shot through her, a +warning, as it were, not again to let herself be enticed out of +the bright familiar sunshine into unknown depths, a hint of some +dimly-foreseen danger, now weaving its meshes round her. She was seized +by a vague, unaccountable alarm. The Baron had risen too. He came up to +where she stood.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have taken flight?" he said slowly. "From what? From me, perhaps?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle tried to smile, and to master the uneasiness which possessed +her, as she replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"From the murmur of the Nixies' Well. It has such a weird, ghostly +sound at this noontide hour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet you have chosen this spot as your favourite haunt?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, the fountain has now lived its life. Tomorrow, perhaps, by your +command, the garden will have been turned into a wilderness, a chaos of +stones and earth, and ..."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Little do I care whether my orders distress other people or not?" +completed Raven, as she paused. "It may be so--but, Gabrielle, are you +really so fond of this spring? Would it positively distress you to see +it stopped?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," said Gabrielle, in a low voice, looking up at him. Her lips +uttered no word of entreaty; but her eyes besought him earnestly, +pleading for the doomed fountain.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven was silent. For some minutes he stood by her without speaking. +Then he began again:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I frightened you just now with my harsh views of life, but no one says +you must share them. I forgot for a moment that youth has a right to +dream, and that it would be cruel to rob you of the privilege. Keep +your faith still in the golden far-off future, in the promise of the +blue mountains. You may yet put gentle confidence in the world and in +mankind; it is little likely you will ever incur their hostility and +hatred."</p> + +<p class="normal">His voice was veiled and wonderfully soft, and all austerity had +vanished from his look, as it rested half sadly on the young girl's +countenance; but Arno Raven was not one to be long influenced by such +emotions; and, indeed, it seemed that no chance of yielding to them was +to be afforded him, for at this moment steps were heard approaching, +and, as they turned, the lodge-keeper, accompanied by an elderly man--a +mechanic, apparently--entered the garden. They stopped on perceiving +the Governor, and uncovered respectfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven's mildness had already vanished. He had quickly shaken off the +unwonted mood.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it?" he asked, in the curt, authoritative tone habitual to +him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Excellency has given orders that the Nixies' Well should be +broken up, and the spring stopped," answered the master-mason. "It was +to be done today, and my men will be here in half an hour or so. I only +wanted to see beforehand whether there would be any difficulty, and if +the work was likely to take up much time."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron glanced at the fountain, and then at Gabrielle standing by +his side. There was the hardly perceptible delay of a second, and then +he pronounced his decree:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Send your people away. The work is not to be done."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! your Excellency?" asked the mason, in astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The demolition of the fountain would injure the garden. It is to +remain. I will take other measures."</p> + +<p class="normal">A wave of the hand dismissed the two men. They, of course, ventured on +no reply, but surprise was plainly written on their countenances as +they left the garden. It was the first time an order so +circumstantially given by the Governor himself had ever been withdrawn.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven had stepped to the edge of the basin, and was watching the +constant falling shower. Gabrielle had remained in her place by the +parapet, but now she drew near slowly, hesitatingly--presently, with a +sudden movement, she held out both hands to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you--oh, thank you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He smiled, not with his usual sardonic smile. A ray of sunshine seemed +to flit across his face, as he took the offered hands, and, gently +raising Gabrielle's head, stooped to kiss her brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was nothing unusual in this. He was in the habit of thus saluting +her when she appeared at breakfast and wished him "Good-morning," and +hitherto she had received his caress most unconcernedly; while he, her +guardian, had but in cool, grave fashion made use of his 'fatherly +rights.'</p> + +<p class="normal">To-day, for the first time, the young girl involuntarily sought to +evade it; and Raven felt that the hand he held in his own trembled a +little. He drew himself up suddenly, without having touched her +forehead with his lips, and dropped her hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right," he said, in a troubled voice. "There is a magic in the +Nixies' Well. Let us go."</p> + +<p class="normal">They turned away. Behind them the spring babbled and murmured, the +fountain plashed, throwing its white veil of spray ever on high. That +cruel doom of destruction was averted now. The beseeching prayer of +those brown eyes, and the glittering tears which stood in them, had +saved the well.</p> + +<p class="normal">Perhaps at this moment the cold, stern man, who had long passed the +prime of life, may have felt that his boast had been premature, that +not even he in his strength was entirely proof against "the nixies' +charm."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">George Winterfeld sat at his writing-table in his own room. He looked +worn, and almost ill. The transient freshness of tint called up by his +holiday excursion had long since vanished, and the natural pallor, +which had even then been noticeable on the young man's finely cut and +intellectual features, had visibly increased. He was, indeed, apt to +exact too much of his working powers. The duties of his position made +considerable demands on his time, yet in every leisure-hour at his +disposal he devoted himself with feverish zeal to such studies as were +likely to advance him in his career.</p> + +<p class="normal">George often worked at the expense of his health; he was urged on by a +nobler spur than ambition. Every step he took forward lessened the gap +between himself and the woman he loved, and, though possessed of all +becoming modesty, he was yet too sensible of his own abilities and his +own worth not to cherish an assured hope that one day that gap would be +filled up.</p> + +<p class="normal">His colleagues, who for the most part contented themselves with getting +through the business which fell to them in office-hours, knew nothing +of the Assessor's quiet, unceasing toil. He never alluded to it. The +chief's penetrating eye alone had discovered with what a fund of +perseverance, with what genuine talent the young clerk was gifted, +though as yet he had had but small opportunity of turning his gifts to +active account.</p> + +<p class="normal">George always worked best in the morning hours. He was sitting to-day +bent over a volume of jurisprudence, and so immersed in its arid +contents that he did not notice the opening of the outer door which +gave access to his apartments. It was only when he heard a familiar +voice say: "Don't trouble yourself. I can find my way to Mr. Winterfeld +alone," that he started up from his book, just as the newcomer entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-morning, George, old fellow. Here I am, you see."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Max! Is it possible? What brings you to R----? How did you come here?" +cried George, in joyful surprise, hurrying to meet his friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I came straight from home," replied the latter, returning his friend's +greeting with equal heartiness. "I only reached the hotel half an hour +ago, and came up to see you immediately."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But why not write me a few lines? Did you wish to take me by +surprise?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, not that; the journey was rather a surprise to myself; for, my +dear fellow, I am not brought here by any sentimental feelings of +friendship, as you may possibly flatter yourself, but by a most real +and practical matter of business, arising from our succession to some +property. But, in the first place, how are you? You are looking pale, +as is but natural to a man who sits brooding in the early morning over +his books. George, you are incorrigible."</p> + +<p class="normal">George laughed, pushed away the hand that was stretched out to feel his +pulse, and drew his friend to the sofa.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Lay aside the doctor for the nonce," said he. "I am perfectly well. So +it is some succession-business which brings you here. Have riches +peradventure overtaken you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not riches, exactly," said Max. "It is only a matter of a very modest +fortune left by a cousin of ours who owned a small estate in the +neighbourhood of R----. I had some acquaintance with him. He had +quarrelled with my father out and out, on account of the latter's +political past; but now he has died without a will or direct heirs, +and my father, as next of kin, has received a summons from the +R---- tribunal to make good his claims. This he cannot do in person. +You know that he may not set foot in his native land without risking a +return to his old quarters in that fortified place which he quitted by +the somewhat unusual conveyance of a ladder of ropes. The sentence +formerly pronounced on him still hangs over his head, so he has sent me +as his representative."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have full authority to act?" put in the Assessor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Unlimited; but there will be plenty of quibbles and delays, +notwithstanding. My father's flight and protracted absence will +complicate matters, and my notorious Socialist name will hardly +predispose the judicial mind to any special affability towards me. +Foreseeing all this, I have taken a rather long leave and I intend to +stay in R---- until the business is settled. I count much on your legal +advice and assistance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am altogether at your service. The first thing for you to do, +however, is to give up your rooms at the hotel, and to come here to +me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With your permission, I shall decline doing that," said Max, drily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because I don't wish to bring you into trouble with your superiors. +Can you give me your word of honour that the visit you paid us this +summer passed unremarked, that it has called down on you no word of +blame?"</p> + +<p class="normal">George looked down.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I certainly was favoured with some rather sharp observations +from the chief; but there are bounds even to his jurisdiction and to +the regard I owe to my position. I do not mean to offer up to it my +friends and private connections."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You need not do so," returned the young surgeon; "but there is no +occasion to go out of your way to challenge a conflict. You know I have +not a very high opinion of gratuitous sacrifices, and the invitation +you are now so kind as to give me comes under that head. No use to +argue, George. I shall remain at the hotel. You will compromise +yourself quite sufficiently in the eyes of all loyal citizens by owning +me as a friend at all."</p> + +<p class="normal">The refusal was expressed in so decided a tone that George saw it would +be useless to insist; so he yielded the point.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, let me congratulate you on coming in to the fortune, at all +events," he said. "Though it be not a very considerable one, it will, I +suppose, be of importance to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; I am especially glad on my father's account. He can now +devote himself to his beloved science undisturbed by those material +cares which have hitherto held the front rank. I, too, gain by it my +much-desired independence. I should long ago have resigned my post at +the hospital had it not been necessary to provide for our household an +assured income which can henceforth be dispensed with. I shall set to +work to establish a practice now and marry."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are thinking of marrying?" asked George, in some astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course I am. A man must have a wife. It is necessary to his +comfort."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But whom do you mean to marry?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! that I don't know yet. When I have installed myself in a place of +my own, I shall hold a review, make my choice, and lead home my bride."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Some daughter of Switzerland, I presume?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Beyond a doubt. I think very highly of the solid good sense and +practical virtues of the Swiss, though it may be there is a little lack +of polish about them at times. Moreover, I don't want any tender +over-refinement in my wife. Married people should be cut out on the +same pattern."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, you seem to have gone thoroughly into it," laughed George, "I +dare say you have made out a regular programme, enumerating all the +qualities your future wife is to possess. So let us hear. Clause No. +I?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Money," said Max, laconically. "Ah! yes; that rouses your sentimental +feelings to revolt again. Money is indispensable. Second desideratum, +practical domestic education. Third, fine robust health. A doctor, who +is knocking about all day among all sorts of maladies, does not want to +have to prescribe at home. Fourth----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For heaven's sake stop!" interrupted his friend. "I believe there are +a dozen <i>sine quâ non</i>. Love does not figure among them, I suppose?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Love comes after marriage," replied the young surgeon, confidently, +"at least, with rational people; and the unions which answer best are +those based on the solid grounds of reason and common sense. When, +after a mature consideration of character and circumstances, I find +that my programme fits, I shall make my offer at once, and get married; +and therewith all is said."</p> + +<p class="normal">George smiled rather sadly as he laid his hand on his friend's arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My dear Max, I know very well for whom your sermon is intended. +Unfortunately, it can avail nothing. You will not understand this until +some passion, springing up in your own breast, dashes through all your +clauses at a stroke, and upsets your conclusions."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A minute, please. Mine is no romantic nature. I leave romance to +certain other people of my acquaintance. By-the-bye, how is your little +affair progressing? May I expect again to fill the part of confidant, +and, when occasion offers, to resume my former functions as sentinel? I +am at your orders."</p> + +<p class="normal">George sighed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Max, there is no question of that. I hardly ever see Gabrielle, +and have only spoken to her once in her mother's presence. The Governor +has built up around his house such a rampart of haughty reserve and +exclusiveness, it is impossible to break through it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Poor old fellow! the melancholy of your appearance becomes explicable +to me. Well, you see the consequences of taking these things too +seriously. My programme and my clauses, at which you jeer in a most +uncalled-for manner, protect me from such misadventures."</p> + +<p class="normal">George looked at his watch.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me, I must be off to the Chancellery. Our office-hours begin +early; but after three o'clock I am at liberty, and I will look you up +immediately. Shall I go with you to the hotel?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young surgeon preferred to bear his friend company on his way to +the bureau, so the two set out together. They walked through the +streets, chatting as they went, and at the foot of the hill they came +upon Councillor Moser. This gentleman had his quarters at the +Government-house itself, but he was in the habit of taking a +constitutional in the morning before office-hours commenced, and from +this exercise he was now returning. He advanced slowly, with his usual +stiff and solemn mien, his chin well buried in his white cravat, and +returned his subordinate's greeting with an affable but dignified bow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are looking tired, Mr. Winterfeld," he observed, in a benevolent +tone. "His Excellency himself has noticed it. His Excellency is of +opinion that you work too sedulously, and that you will undermine your +health by such assiduous study. There may be too much even of a good +thing. You should not apply too closely."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is what I am always preaching to my friend," put in Max; "but in +vain. This very morning, at an untimely hour, I found him poring over +his books, and had literally to hunt him from them. He throws all my +prescriptions to the wind."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a member of the Faculty, sir?" asked the Councillor, evidently +expecting that this stranger should be presented to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My friend, Dr. Brunnow," said George; "Mr. Councillor Moser."</p> + +<p class="normal">The chief-clerk suddenly rose out from the depths of his white +neckcloth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Brunnow--Brunnow?" he repeated.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is the name familiar to you, Councillor?" asked Max, innocently.</p> + +<p class="normal">All benevolence had vanished from the old gentleman's face. It +expressed something akin to horror as he replied sharply:</p> + +<p class="normal">"The name was well known in former times, first in connection with the +rebellion, then with the courts of justice. Finally, it was brought +into people's mouths by the escape from a fortified place of a +political prisoner who bore it. I trust you stand in no relationship to +the Dr. Brunnow to whom I allude."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In the very closest," said the young surgeon, with a most polite bow. +"That Dr. Brunnow is my father."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor recoiled a step, as though to guarantee himself against +any chance contact. Then he turned his back on the young man, and +concentrated all his ire and indignation on George.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Assessor Winterfeld," he began in a withering tone, "there are +officials, clever and competent officials even, who do not, or will +not, recognise the first and most sacred duty imposed on them by their +service, the duty of loyalty to the state. Are you acquainted with any +such?"</p> + +<p class="normal">George was a little embarrassed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I really do not quite understand your drift----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I am acquainted with some of that order, and I pity them, for +they are, in general, but the victims of false teaching and evil +example."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young clerk frowned. He was, it is true, pretty well accustomed to +such philippics from his superior; but now, in his friend's presence, +he chafed at the implied reproof, feeling the awkwardness of the +situation. So he answered with some heat:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You may feel convinced that I understand my duties. Beyond this----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, yes. I am aware that all young men are born reformers, and that +they consider it a proof of character to try a little opposition," +interrupted Moser, who dearly loved, in season and out of season, to +make use of his chiefs words, which were to him as so many oracular +utterances. "But it is a dangerous game, for opposition leads on to +revolution, and revolution"--the chief-clerk shuddered--"is a horrible +thing!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A most horrible thing, Councillor," said Max, emphatically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You think so?" asked Moser, somewhat disconcerted by this unexpected +adhesion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; and I think, too, that it is well you should make this +appeal to my friend's conscience. I myself have often told him he is +not loyal as he should be."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor stood as though petrified on hearing these words, which +were delivered with imperturbable gravity. He was about to answer, when +suddenly his chin disappeared into his cravat again, and he assumed a +reverential attitude.</p> + +<p class="normal">"His Excellency!" said he, under his breath, respectfully taking off +his hat.</p> + +<p class="normal">And, looking round, they really saw the Governor, coming from the +Castle, and going on foot towards the town. On reaching the spot where +they stood, he returned the gentlemen's greeting in his cool, measured +fashion, took a rapid survey of young Brunnow, and then addressed +himself to Moser:</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is fortunate I meet you, my dear sir. There is something I wish to +say to you. Bear me company for a few minutes, will you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor joined his chief, and the two went on towards the town, +while the young men pursued their journey up the hill.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So that is your despot, is it?" asked Max, as soon as they were out of +hearing. "The much-abused, much-dreaded Raven! He is of an imposing +presence, that I must allow him. A bearing and dignity that would not +ill become a prince; and then that lordly glance with which he took my +measure! One can see the man knows how to command."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And how to oppress," added George, bitterly. "We have had a fresh +proof of it lately. The whole city is in a state of ferment on account +of the extraordinary new police regulations he has saddled upon it. He +means to repress by force the opposition which is daily growing more +active, and now threatens to become really troublesome. This last step +of his is a flagrant affront to the whole body of citizens."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the good townsfolk of R---- take it quietly?"</p> + +<p class="normal">George cast a prudent glance around. The road was clear, and their +conversation safe from curious ears, yet the young man lowered his +voice as he answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"What can they do? Rebel against their ruler, the chosen delegate of +the Government? That would entail most serious consequences. I often +think, perhaps all that is wanting is to make our Ministers aware of +the true state of the case, to acquaint them with all the arbitrary +proceedings, the acts of tyranny whereby their representative has +abused the full powers conferred on him. Were this openly done, they +must let him fall."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Or silence the inconvenient monitor instead. It would not be the first +time such a thing has happened; and this Raven does not look as if he +would easily let himself be thrown. He would, at least, drag down his +enemies with him in his fall."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet, sooner or later, it must come to that," said George, +resolutely. "A brave man will one day be found."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young surgeon started, and looked searchingly into his friend's +face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will not be he, I should hope. Don't be a fool, George, and enter +the lists alone in behalf of others. It may cost you your position, +your living; and, besides, have you forgotten that the Baron is your +adored Gabrielle's guardian? If you rouse his anger, he has at his +disposal the means of destroying all your hopes of happiness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That he will do in any case," returned George moodily. "He will +assuredly try to get his ward married brilliantly and speedily; and +when he finds that I am the obstacle to the success of his plans there +are hardly any limits to the antagonism I may expect from him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And, most decidedly, he is not one whom it will be easy to fight," +remarked Max. "I understand that you hate him in his double capacity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hate? I admire much in him, and in one sense the city and province owe +him a debt of gratitude. Thanks to his energy, numberless new resources +have been opened out, dormant powers have been aroused and made to +subserve the public good; but every aspiration towards a greater +freedom he has stifled with an iron hand. The cruel period of reaction, +which has weighed on us so long, is indebted to him for some of its +worst triumphs."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is coming to an end," observed Max.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, thank God, it is coming to an end. The old system is shaken to +its foundations, and its upholders are endeavouring to trim their +course wisely, so as to save all that may yet be saved. Raven +alone holds to the past with rigid consistency. Not the smallest +concession--not the most trifling compromise can be wrung from him, and +he will not listen to the warning voices which sound even in his ears. +Is this wilful blindness, or firmness of character?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Firmness of character in a renegade?"</p> + +<p class="normal">George looked down thoughtfully. Suddenly he said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Max, there are times when I would rather doubt your father's word than +ascribe a dishonourable action to my chief. Ambition, passion, might +lead him to commit a crime; but base, low treachery to his friends! +There is not a trait in the man which does not contradict the charge."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet he was guilty of such treachery. Do you think my father would +pass this rigorous judgment on the hero he once worshipped without +ample proofs? But, indeed, are they needed? Is not the career of this +Arno Raven proof enough in itself? He was once an enthusiastic champion +of liberty. What is he now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right; and yet ... Let us say no more of this. We are at the +Castle."</p> + +<p class="normal">They had, indeed, by this time reached the Government-house, where they +must separate. An appointment was hastily made for the afternoon, then +George betook himself to the Chancellery, and Max, who was in no hurry +to return to the town, strolled about, inspecting the Castle, which was +one of the principal sights of R----, and an object of interest to all +strangers. The young surgeon, it is true, cared very little for +architectural curiosities or the antique Romantic style of art; but the +Castle interested him on account of its present inhabitants. He +sauntered through the galleries and passages as far as they were +accessible; then, turning at length to retrace his steps, he lost his +way, and, instead of re-issuing at the main entrance, wandered into one +of the side wings. He only remarked his error on finding himself in a +corridor which evidently led to an inhabited dwelling. Just as he was +about to turn and go back, a door opened, and an elderly woman looked +out.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, you are there, Doctor," said she, gladly. "Pray come in. My young +lady is ready, and expecting you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Expecting me?" asked Max, astonished at the welcome.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Surely. You are the doctor, are not you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I am that, certainly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come in then, please. I will let the young lady know." Saying which, +the woman, apparently a superior sort of housekeeper, vanished, and Max +remained alone in the outer room she had constrained him to enter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now this I call luck," said he to himself, under his breath. "I no +sooner set foot in R----, than a practice tumbles unexpectedly into my +lap. We shall see what course the matter takes."</p> + +<p class="normal">For this he had not long to wait. After a few minutes the woman came +back, and ushered him into a pleasant, comfortably-furnished parlour. A +young lady rose from her place by the window, and came towards him.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was a very young girl, perhaps about sixteen or seventeen years of +age, tall and slender, but fragile, almost sickly in appearance. +Transparently pale of complexion, her face, though not beautiful, was +delicate and prepossessing. Dark shadows encircled her eyes, and there +was hardly a trace of colour in the cheeks or lips. Her costume was of +almost exaggerated simplicity, and quite conventual in its cut and +fashion. The black dress, unrelieved by the slightest ornament, was +fastened high in the neck and closely at the wrists. A square of black +lace completely covered her head, so that only a narrow band of the +smoothly coiled dark hair was to be seen. Very timid and embarrassed in +manner, she stood before the physician with downcast eyes, saying not a +word.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You wish for medical advice, Fräulein?" asked Max at length, having +waited in vain for her to speak. "I am at your service."</p> + +<p class="normal">At the sound of his voice, the girl raised a pair of dark, expressive +eyes, but quickly lowered them again, and drew back a step in evident +alarm. Even her more mature companion seemed, on closer investigation, +somewhat startled and uneasy at the doctor's youthful appearance. She +did not budge an inch from her charge's side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My father wishes me to consult a physician," the young lady now made +answer, in a low, soft-toned voice. "It is not really necessary, for I +do not feel exactly ill."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you are right-down ill," interrupted the elder woman, who +evidently considered herself more as one of the family than as a +domestic. "And now the Councillor says he insists on your seeing some +one."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Councillor? Councillor Moser?" asked Max, a light breaking in upon +him. By a sort of intuition, he guessed to whose house chance had led +him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes. Has he not been with you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He was with me about ten minutes before I came here," declared the +young man, with difficulty repressing a strong inclination to laugh.</p> + +<p class="normal">He recalled to mind the look of horror with which the worthy Councillor +had shrunk from him on hearing his father's name. Under any other +circumstances he would at once have cleared up the misunderstanding; +but now he thought of the old gentleman who had treated him so +ungraciously; how wrathful he would be, were he to discover, under his +own roof, this scion of Socialists and demagogues! Max determined to +stand his ground, come what might.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You look very far from well, however, Fräulein," he went on, taking +her hand, and attentively feeling her pulse. "Will you allow me to put +a few questions to you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The examination began. When Max had a case before him, he became simply +and solely the doctor, and forgot all else in his study of its peculiar +phenomena. His questions were short, comprehensive, clear. He wasted no +words, and never wandered from the subject in hand. Gradually his young +patient seemed to gain confidence. She grew more at ease, more explicit +in her answers, and ceased looking up anxiously at her protectress each +time she spoke. At last the examination came to an end, and Max +appeared satisfied with the result.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not see any grounds for serious apprehension. Your ailments +are in a great degree nervous, due, perhaps, originally to mental +over-excitement, and aggravated by want of air and exercise."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is what I say," broke in the housekeeper, who was evidently +accustomed to put in her oar on every occasion. "Fräulein Agnes takes +no exercise; she never goes out in the open air at all, except in the +morning to early mass. I have always said that so much praying and +penance and fasting----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Christine!" interrupted the young girl, imploringly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, yes, the doctor must be told everything," rejoined Christine. "My +young lady overdoes it with her piety, Doctor. She is on her knees all +day long."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is bad; you must leave that off," said the young surgeon, +dictatorially.</p> + +<p class="normal">Fräulein Agnes looked up at him with a scared expression.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doctor!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the daily attendance at early mass as well. That must certainly be +discontinued," pursued Max, speaking with the same prompt decision, and +unheeding her attempt at remonstrance. "You have every reason to guard +against taking cold, and the mornings are beginning to be cool and +autumnal. As to fasting, I forbid it once for all. It is as bad as +poison to a person in your condition."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Doctor!" said the girl, a second time, and again her protest +found no hearing. Max was not to be diverted from his point.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now, on the other hand, I prescribe a long walk every day, but at +noon, when the sun is bright and warm--as much air and exercise as +possible, and a little amusement too, something to vary the thoughts. +The winter gaieties will be setting in soon. I would advise you not to +dance too much."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes started back three steps at least, thus emulating her father's +late hasty retreat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dance!" she repeated, in absolute dismay. "Dance!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, why not? All young ladies are fond, of dancing, are they not? You +do not want to be an exception to the rule, I suppose?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have never danced," she replied quickly, and with as much decision +of tone as her soft voice would admit of. "I have always kept aloof +from worldly amusements. They are sinful, and I detest them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, well, you should try them before you make up your mind," said +the doctor, kindly. "But such advice hardly comes within my +professional competence. I will give you a prescription for the +present, and see you again in the course of a few days. Have you paper +and pen and ink at hand?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Christine brought the necessary implements, and he sat down to write. +Agnes had taken refuge by the window, where she stood with folded +palms, and a look of consternation on her pale face. When the +prescription was finished. Max came up to her again, and +unceremoniously disengaged the folded hands to feel her pulse once +more.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; now follow my instructions carefully, and there will, I hope, be +an improvement before long. Good-morning, Fräulein."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, he left the room. Christine closed the entrance-door behind +him, and then came back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He knows what he is about," said she. "He orders and dictates as +though no one else had a right to say a word here. What do you think of +the doctor, Fräulein?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think him very irreligious," declared the young lady, emphatically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, yes; none of your medical men are over-pious," remarked Christine.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And so young!" went on Agnes, in a tone which implied the weightiest +accusation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I expected to see an older man myself, but he looks clever, and he +certainly is very punctual. He had promised to be here at nine, and on +the stroke of nine there he was outside in the corridor. I can't think +where your papa is! Something must have happened to detain him, for he +wished to be present at the interview."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The doctor said he had spoken to my father. Do you think I ought to +take the medicine, Christine?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course you must take it. That is what we had the doctor here for. I +like him, in spite of that bearish way of his. You mind what I say. +Miss Agnes--he will set you all to rights again."</p> + +<p class="normal">It remained doubtful whether Agnes herself shared this opinion. She had +taken up the prescription, and was reading it. After a while she laid +the paper down, and said, with a little shake of the head:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only wish he were not so irreligious!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Max, going down the steps, met an elderly gentleman coming up. This +personage wore gold spectacles, carried a stick with a gold knob, and +had about him an air of great importance. The young surgeon stopped, +and looked after him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would wager my head that is my worthy colleague on his way to pay +the promised visit. Now he will rack his brains to discover who can +have been interfering with his practice, and snapping up a patient +before his very nose. And then the wrath of that quintessence of +loyalty, the solemn old Councillor, when he hears the story, and sees +my name on the prescription! It would be worth something to get a look +at his face. I wish I could introduce myself to him in my new capacity +as his family doctor."</p> + +<p class="normal">The mischievous wish was to be fulfilled. At the foot of the +Castle-hill Max met the Councillor, who, as in duty bound, had +accompanied 'his Excellency' to his destination, and was now on his +road back. No sooner did he catch a glimpse of Brunnow, that 'scion of +Socialists and demagogues,' than he endeavoured to turn aside, and thus +avoid the undesirable meeting. Max, however, went straight up to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad to have the chance of speaking to you again, Councillor. I +have just come from your daughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">This time the old gentleman's face emerged most suddenly from the folds +of his white cravat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"From my daughter?" he repeated.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, from Fräulein Moser. I can give you the comforting assurance that +the young lady's condition need inspire no serious apprehension, though +she will require great care and attention. The nervous system is out of +order, certainly, but----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sir, allow me to ask how you came to see my daughter?" vociferated the +Councillor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But this will yield to proper treatment," continued Max, quite +undisturbed. "For the present I have prescribed a remedy from which I +hope the best results, and in a few days I will call in and see the +young lady again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I never asked for your attendance," protested the Councillor, +whose head was in a whirl. He could make nothing of the other's +astounding communication.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me, I was called in. Ask Frau Christine. As I said before, I +hope great things from the medicine, and I will look in again the day +after to-morrow. No thanks, pray, Councillor; it affords me the +greatest pleasure. My compliments to your daughter. Good-morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">Councillor Moser stood for some seconds rigid and motionless as a +statue; then he charged at full speed up the hill to his own dwelling, +there to seek a solution of the mystery, while the young doctor +laughingly went on his way towards the town.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The whole first story of the Government-house was brilliantly lighted +up. A great reception was annually held there on the occasion of the +Sovereign's birthday, when all the notabilities of the town and country +around were wont to flock to the Castle. This year the usual levée was +to be followed by a ball, an innovation mainly due to the presence of +Baroness Harder and her daughter, and one which met with the decided +approbation of all the feminine world of R----.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was too early as yet for the arrival of the guests, but the +state-apartments were resplendent with light, and the servants, having +put the finishing-touch to their preparations, had withdrawn to their +posts in the ante-chambers and hall. Gabrielle had dressed more quickly +than her mother; that lady was still severely exercising her maid's +patience by perpetually finding some fresh thing in her attire which +needed alteration or improvement. So the young Baroness, knowing how +useless it would be to wait, came on alone to a small salon, the first +of a long suite of rooms only thrown open on the occasion of great +ceremonies.</p> + +<p class="normal">A conspicuous ornament of this salon was a picture in a richly-gilt +frame, well set off by the dark velvet hangings. It represented the +Baron's deceased consort, and was the work of a celebrated artist. Not +even the painter's cunning hand, however, had been able to endow those +rather pleasing, but insipid and unmeaning features with any special +interest; a certain aristocratic dignity of bearing, and an extreme +elegance in the toilette and accessories, were all that might for a +moment captivate attention. An observer of this portrait, calling to +mind the Baron's striking appearance, so full of character and power, +would feel intuitively how great must have been the intellectual +distance between husband and wife, how impossible any mutual attraction +or real companionship.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle had paused before this picture, and was still considering it, +when a door at the farther end of the long suite of rooms, which gave +access to the Governor's private apartments, opened, and Raven himself +appeared. He was in full dress to-day, in honour of the occasion, and +his handsome court-suit with the broad ribbon on his breast lent +additional stateliness to his figure, as he walked through the rooms +slowly with his accustomed proud and lofty mien.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, Gabrielle, dressed already! What are you doing there, wrapt in +meditation before that picture?"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was audible dissatisfaction in the tone in which the last words +were spoken. Gabrielle did not notice it. She answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was wondering to see my aunt's portrait here. Could you not find a +place for it in your own rooms?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," was the short, but decided reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But these salons are not opened many times during the year. Why do you +not hang the picture in your study?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why should I?" asked the Baron, coldly. "Your aunt never came there. I +had her portrait brought to the drawing-room, which is certainly its +most fitting place. Well, what do you think of the state-apartments at +the Castle? It is the first time you have seen them fully lighted up."</p> + +<p class="normal">This sudden diversion proved how irksome to him had been the previous +topic. Without more ado, he took Gabrielle's arm, led her away from her +aunt's portrait, and began a tour of inspection through the rooms, +pointing out and explaining many objects of interest. The folding-doors +were all thrown back, so that the eye could wander at will throughout +the long and glittering vista. A princely residence, indeed, the +Governor could boast, and the grave and somewhat antique style of +decoration was in keeping with the architectural taste of the building. +The rich ornamentation of walls and ceilings, the deep window-niches +and high marble fire-places, dated from the Castle's earlier times. +They had been left untouched; but to them had been associated costly +damask or satin hangings, heavy velvet curtains, rich gilding, all of +which, illuminated by innumerable wax-lights, produced a really +dazzling effect.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Baroness Harder was not one to remain unimpressed by such a +scene. She perfectly revelled in the bright surroundings, as, with a +heart brimming over with gladness and expectation, she tripped along by +her guardian's side. She had very quickly regained all her old ease of +manner in her intercourse with him. That strange hour by the 'Nixies' +Well' had long since been forgotten, together with the transient +seriousness it had called forth. Like a dream, its influences had come +upon her; swiftly and traceless as a dream they had vanished again from +her mind. On that sunny ground nothing approaching a shadow could for +any length of time hold its own. Gabrielle certainly felt that during +the last few days the Baron had treated her with unwonted gentleness +and indulgence. He had even determined on giving this ball, in order +that, as he said, certain restless little feet might have a chance of +dancing themselves weary. It was an unheard-of concession from him, who +looked on all festive gatherings at the Castle as so many onerous +duties imposed on him by etiquette, so many drawbacks to his position; +but the young lady was too accustomed to be spoiled by her parents and +all about her, to be struck with any special surprise at the favour +shown her. She met her guardian's kindness, as she had previously met +his stern reserve, with the petulance and whimsical caprice of a child. +Today the thought of the coming fête drove all else into the +background. Sparkling and overflowing with all sorts of droll and merry +conceits, the clear ripple of her laughter broke again and again on the +solemn stillness of those stately galleries.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven was grave and silent as usual; but he listened to her chatter +with visible satisfaction, and his eyes were fixed, as though +unconsciously, on the blooming young creature hanging on his arm and +looking up at him with happy, beaming, radiant eyes. Gabrielle had +never appeared more lovely than on this evening in her cloud-like white +ball-dress, twined here and there with flowery wreaths, and with a +garland of blossoms daintily set on her fair head. So fascinating was +her charm, so dewy-fresh her youthful grace and beauty, she might have +been one of the airy mischievous elves of the legend quickened into +life and come hither to disport itself. In the sea of light which +streamed through the halls, she was the culminating point of +brightness.</p> + +<p class="normal">They had finished their round, and arrived at the principal +reception-room, which was adorned with the portraits of divers +historical and princely personages. A dazzling chandelier lit up the +splendid, but as yet untenanted, space, which, in spite of its festive +decorations, was almost awesome in its stillness and emptiness. No +sound was to be heard but the Baron's echoing step and the rustle of +his companion's dress.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is like being in an enchanted castle," said Gabrielle, playfully. +"We are the only living creatures amid all this sleeping splendour. I +had no idea you had so many fine things at your disposal, Uncle Arno. +It must be grand to feel one's self the master of such a place."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron cast a general, highly indifferent glance around, as he +replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You think there is something very enviable in that, no doubt. I myself +have never attached much importance to these adjuncts of my position."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nor to this, either?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle pointed to the ribbon on his breast. The order the Baron wore +was one of the highest in the land, and was conferred only in very +exceptional cases.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nor to this either," said Raven, quietly; "though I would not +willingly renounce the one or the other. External splendour should mark +the seat of power. To the generality of men, greatness is embodied in +these outward symbols; they should, therefore, be taken into due +account. I have never lost sight of this, but my efforts have been +directed to other aims."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which you have attained, like everything else in life."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron was silent for a few seconds. His eyes rested with an +enigmatical expression on the young girl's face. At length he answered +her:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have attained much--not everything."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you want to mount still higher?" asked Gabrielle, in naïve +surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">He smiled. "No; this time I should like to retrograde twenty years."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, tell me, why?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I might be young again. I have felt sometimes of late that ... I +am growing old."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Baroness pointed jestingly to a great panelled mirror +opposite them:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Look there, Uncle Arno, and dare to talk again of being old!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven followed the direction of her hand. There in the clear glass he +saw the distinct reflection of his image, the tall commanding figure, +in all the vigorous maturity of manly strength. He inspected it with a +certain satisfaction, not untinged by a slight secret uneasiness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet I am close upon fifty," he said slowly. "Do you know that, +Gabrielle?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course I do. But why lay such stress on it? You certainly do not +feel as yet any of the premonitory signs of age."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For which very reason I am sometimes tempted to forget the fact, and +this, under given circumstances, may be dangerous. You should be the +last to encourage me in such a weakness."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven broke off suddenly as he met the girl's wondering, questioning +gaze; his speech was evidently quite unintelligible to her. He turned +away from the mirror, and went on in a lighter tone:</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you like living here with me, at the Castle?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, when all is bright and gay, as it is this evening," +declared Gabrielle. "But in the daytime the Castle often seems to me +very dismal and dull. These high-vaulted ceilings, these deep recesses +and massive pillars, keep the whole place in shade, and your study is +the very gloomiest room I know. The great heavy curtains shut out every +ray of sunlight."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The sun disturbs me when I am at work," explained the Baron.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady tossed her head pettishly: "But, dear me, man does not +live for work alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There are natures--mine, for instance--to which work is a positive +want, an absolute necessity. A butterfly, such as you, cannot +understand this. It flies and flutters about in the sunshine, gleaming +with a thousand hues--to perish when the first sharp touch brushes the +many-coloured dust from its wings. Pleasant enough, but very +transitory, this gay butterfly existence!"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was something of the old sarcastic ring in his voice as he spoke +the last words. Gabrielle assumed a highly-offended expression of +countenance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, so you think I am only a sort of gaily-painted, frivolous moth, +Uncle Arno?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think it would be unjust to require of you that you should meet +suffering, or face struggles of any kind," said Raven, more gravely. +"Beings of your order are created for the sunshine, and can exist in no +other element. Work and the battle of life must be left to me, and to +such as me. To be a sunbeam, and to cheer and lighten the darkness of +others, is a vocation, too, in its way. You are quite right, it is +foolish inexorably to exclude the brightness for fear lest it should +blind one. Why should not autumn, for once, be gilded by its golden +rays?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He had stooped down, and was looking deep into the young girl's eyes, +when a side door was noisily opened, and Baroness Harder rustled over +the threshold. Raven quickly drew himself erect, casting a glance that +was anything but friendly at his sister-in-law, who, happily, did not +observe it. She was at that moment passing the great mirror in the +wall, and taking in it a last general review of her appearance. The +lady had profited by her brother-in-law's liberality in no sparing +fashion. Her rich toilette had but one fault: it was a thought too +overladen to be in perfect taste. The costly satin train was almost +lost to view beneath the velvet and lace which covered it. A whole +parterre of flowers adorned her hair, and on her neck and arms sparkled +the diamonds which Raven's generosity had rescued from the wreck of the +Harder fortunes. All that the many arts of the toilette can effect had +been accomplished, and with their aid and assistance the Baroness might +this evening have made good her claim to be considered a beautiful +woman, had it not been for the youthful, blooming daughter at her side. +Before the grace and freshness of that seventeen-year-old maiden, no +artificial charm could hold its own; and, by force of contrast, the +mother appeared that which, in point of fact, she really was, a faded, +middle-aged lady.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me for keeping you waiting," said she, approaching her +brother-in-law with her wonted sweetness of manner. "I did not know you +were already in the drawing-room, Arno; and none of the guests have +arrived as yet. I hope Gabrielle has been amusing you in my absence."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven made no reply. He was visibly annoyed by the interruption.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our visitors will be here shortly," he remarked, after a while; and, +indeed, scarcely had he spoken the words, when the first carriage drove +up.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron offered his arm to his sister-in-law to lead her to her place +at the upper end of the room, and, as they went, he glanced with keen +scrutiny from mother to daughter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gabrielle does not resemble you in the least, Matilda," he said +suddenly, and his tone betrayed a secret satisfaction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think not?" said the Baroness, who would probably have +preferred to hear a contrary opinion expressed. "It may be that she is +more like her father----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"She does not bear the smallest resemblance to her father either," +interrupted Raven. "I do not see that she has inherited a single trait +from either of her parents--thank God!" he added to himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness was silent, looking aggrieved, though she could not have +caught the offensive words which concluded his speech. There was no +denying the fact that Gabrielle possessed neither the Harder features +nor those of her mother's family. She was as unlike both parents as she +could possibly be.</p> + +<p class="normal">The first arrivals now appeared, and were soon followed by others. +Carriage after carriage rolled up to the portico of the +Government-house, and the rooms gradually began to fill. So numerous +had been the invitations issued, that the spacious apartments were +hardly large enough to contain the brilliant assembly which soon +thronged them. Most of the gentlemen were in civilian dress, but +interspersed among the black coats was many a handsome uniform; while +the ladies, some in splendid, all in bright apparel, bloomed gay as any +flower-garden. The heads of the magistrature, the commandant and +officers of the garrison, and those of the neighbouring fortress, were +there <i>au grand complet</i>, as was also the entire bureaucratic staff, +and indeed all who in the social circles of R---- could lay claim to a +good position or to any sort of distinction.</p> + +<p class="normal">The occasion being an official one, it was a matter of course that the +invitations should be accepted, and for this reason the burgomaster and +the other gentlemen of the corporation had put in an appearance +notwithstanding the conflict pending between them and the Governor, a +conflict which daily grew to greater proportions, and increased in +intensity.</p> + +<p class="normal">Baron von Raven seemed to-day altogether to ignore the existing +dissensions. He received these guests, as he received all the others, +with finished politeness; but still with that cool reserve of manner +which was peculiar to him, and which ever drew about him a sort of +invisible barrier.</p> + +<p class="normal">Baroness Harder at his side did the honours of the house, noting with +much satisfaction that she and her daughter were pre-eminently the +objects of general interest. The two ladies had hitherto been but +little seen in the world of R----, where the autumn gaieties were only +just beginning. This was their first formal introduction to the society +of the city which was henceforth to be their home. Strangers still to +the majority of those present, their close relationship to the Governor +assigned to them at once the most prominent place, and it was but +natural that they should form a centre of attraction round which all +converged.</p> + +<p class="normal">While the elder lady received those attentions and marks of deference +which fall by right to the lady of the house, her daughter's grace and +beauty were achieving triumph upon triumph. The young Baroness was +constantly surrounded, courted and admired; the younger men, in +particular, fairly besieging her with entreaties for the promise of a +dance during the evening.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now and then Raven would cast a glance over at the groups ever +forming and re-forming round his charming ward; but the smile on his +lips was rather forced. He saw with what pleasure, and with what +self-possession, she accepted the homage done her on all sides.</p> + +<p class="normal">Such flattering triumphs were indeed the best means of whiling away the +time; they helped to assuage the impatience with which Gabrielle looked +for the approach of one familiar figure, while endless new faces +defiled before her, and strange, unknown names were buzzed into her +ears.</p> + +<p class="normal">George Winterfeld had been in the rooms for some time, but as yet she +had hardly exchanged a word with him. When, on his entrance, he had +come up to pay his respects to her mother and herself, the Colonel had +arrived at the same instant, wishing to introduce his two sons, and had +at once claimed the ladies' attention for himself and the young +officers.</p> + +<p class="normal">Some personages of high rank, also numbering among the intimates of the +Castle, had joined the circle; and the young clerk, feeling quite +isolated and a stranger in their midst, was forced to withdraw, lest he +might appear importunate. Since then he had found no means of +approaching Gabrielle. She had remained close to her mother and +guardian, taking part with them in the reception of the guests; but now +he must hesitate no longer; the first strains of music were already +sounding, and George, who was determined at any risk to have a few +words with his love during the course of the evening, threw off his +attitude of reserve. He drew near, and begged the young Baroness Harder +to accord him a dance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle had foreseen this, and had taken care to keep at least one +free. She promptly consented. The Baron, who was talking to Councillor +Moser, heard her reply. He turned round, and looked at the two in +surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought you had not a dance at your disposal," said he. "Have you +really one free?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fräulein von Harder has been so kind as to promise me the second +waltz," declared George.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron frowned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed, Gabrielle? If I mistake not, you refused that dance to Colonel +Wilten's son."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly I did. I had already promised it to Mr. Winterfeld."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh!" said Raven, slowly. "Well, he who is first in the field assuredly +has the best right. Baron Wilten will deplore his mischance in arriving +too late."</p> + +<p class="normal">As he spoke thus, he scanned Gabrielle's face with a keen investigating +glance; then, turning from her, his look riveted itself on George. At +this moment the cavalier who had been fortunate enough to secure the +young lady's promise for the first dance came up and offered her his +arm. George bowed, and stepped back. There was a movement among the +company. The younger portion of it streamed off towards the ball-room, +while the elders dispersed through the adjoining salons. The great +drawing-room grew comparatively empty, and Baroness von Harder was just +thinking of leaving her post in it, when her brother-in-law came up to +her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know something of Assessor Winterfeld?" he said in a low tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness nodded assent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have told you that we made his acquaintance in Switzerland this +summer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did he often come to your house?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pretty often. I was always pleased to receive him, and should have +continued to see him here, if you had not expressed so decided a wish +to the contrary."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not desire to admit the young clerks to my private circle," +replied the Baron, curtly; "and I cannot understand, Matilda, how, in +the retirement in which you were then supposed to be living, you could +grant the first stranger you met an entrance to your house, and allow +him perfect freedom of intercourse with your daughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, it was quite an exceptional case," pleaded the Baroness. "The +Assessor had rendered us a signal service one day when we were in +danger on the lake. You know that he----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Brought you and Gabrielle through the shallow water to land without +the smallest difficulty," concluded Raven. "Yes, I know that; and I do +not doubt that he has taken advantage of this slight service, which any +fisher-boy could have rendered you, to pose as your deliverer, not +altogether unsuccessfully, it would seem. Gabrielle has just accorded +him a dance which she had refused to young Baron Wilten, and which, in +all probability, she had held in reserve for Mr. Winterfeld. This +familiarity may be accounted for, no doubt, by the previous +acquaintanceship; but it is a proceeding which I, nevertheless, +consider most improper. The promise she has given cannot be recalled; +but I beg of you to see that Gabrielle does not dance more than once +with this young man. I most decidedly object to it."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was suppressed, but very evident anger in his tone. The Baroness +was rather surprised at his displaying so much irritation, which the +occasion hardly seemed to warrant; but she hastened to assure him that +she would speak to her daughter, and then took the arm offered her by +Colonel Wilten, who had come to lead her to the ball-room.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron sauntered through the other rooms, where much animated +conversation was going on. Joining first one group and then another, he +would enter into a discussion here, make a few passing remarks there, +or merely exchange amenities with some guest he had not hitherto +welcomed. With the Burgomaster he chatted amicably, making no allusion +to the differences existing between them. Pleasant and affable in his +manner to a few, condescending to others, polite to all, he was +familiar with none. He bore himself with the ease and quiet assurance +of one who is accustomed to occupy the first place, and assumes the +lead as a matter of course--a position which all those about him had +long tacitly accepted.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One would fancy we were the guests of our Sovereign himself, and not +of his representative," said the Burgomaster to the Superintendent of +Police, as the two met. "Upon my word, the airs his Excellency is +pleased to give himself on these occasions are ineffable, but they +would be more becoming in a monarch than in the governor of a province. +Have you been honoured yet with gracious speech and royal dismissal?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The person addressed smiled his usual ready smile, taking no notice of +the other's caustic tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am really surprised to see you here," he replied. "From the hostile +attitude you and the other members of the corporation have lately +adopted towards the Governor, I was afraid you might collectively +decline the invitation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How could we?" asked the Burgomaster, with some heat. "The fête is +given in honour of our Sovereign. Had we refused to take part in it, +our absence would have been looked upon as a demonstration against the +throne; it would have laid us open to misconstruction of the worst +kind, and we are particularly anxious to avoid giving offence in those +high quarters. The Baron knows very well that it was this consideration +alone which brought us here. We should not be likely to come to a ball +given in his honour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"On your side, you should not push matters too far," advised his +companion. "You must know Baron von Raven pretty well by this time. +There is no yielding, no compromise to be expected from him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And from us still less. We intend to stand firmly by our rights, and +the future will show whether a Governor, who takes up such an attitude +towards us, can permanently hold his own."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will hold his own, that is certain," said the Superintendent, +decidedly. "You have nothing to hope there. His influence in high +places is boundless."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Burgomaster started, and cast a scrutinising look at the speaker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to be very well informed on the subject. True, you came to us +from the capital, and have no doubt friends and connections there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, not that," replied the other, coolly repelling the insinuation. +"But it appears to me that the Baron's line of conduct shows +sufficiently how sure he feels of his position, and how all-powerful he +knows his influence to be in certain regions. You would do better not +to provoke any open rupture between the town and him. A catastrophe can +very well be avoided, even yet."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, he went off. The Burgomaster looked after him with a grim +frown of displeasure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, yes," he muttered; "avoid a catastrophe at any cost, so that my +friend the Superintendent may be able to preserve the neutrality of +which he makes such a show. He has positively contrived to pose as the +Governor's obedient servant, and at the same time to pass himself off +in the town as the amiable, moderate man who seeks to mediate, and only +obeys his chief because he must. I would rather by far have an open +enemy such as Raven; with him one knows at least what one has to +expect, but these neutrals, who speak fair to both parties, and mean +honourable by neither--I, for my part, have no faith in them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, in the ball-room, dancing was being pursued with much +spirit, and the couples were already forming for the second waltz. +Gabrielle was at the height of enjoyment, and fluttered from one dance +to another without rest or respite. She delighted in the amusement at +all times, and now drank in, in greedy draughts, the incense offered +her on all sides. She lent a willing ear to the flattery and +reverential homage of her partners, and never noticed with what a +grave, reproachful gaze George's eyes followed her, as she thus +accepted all their tributes with airy playful coquetry.</p> + +<p class="normal">When at last he came to her to remind her of her promise and lead her +out among the dancers, she gave him her hand with a bright smile +indicative of perfect content.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your young ward is really a charming creature," said Colonel Wilten to +his host, who had strolled into the ball-room, and, an unusual +proceeding on his part, stayed looking on at the dance. "I only fear +your Excellency will not keep her long. Some gay cavalier will be +coming to take her from you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bah!" answered Raven, with a touch of impatience. "There can be no +question of that at present. Gabrielle is little more than a child."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel laughed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our young ladies are not children at seventeen. Fräulein von Harder +would decidedly protest against such a notion. Just observe how +gracefully she floats along with her partner. The sunny style of beauty +peculiar to her shines with wonderful effect this evening. Positively, +I envy you your fatherly rights where that sweet girl is concerned."</p> + +<p class="normal">Fatherly rights! The words seemed to jar on the Baron. A deep frown +gathered on his brow as, without replying, he watched every movement of +the young couple, who now absorbed all his attention.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilten had not spoken quite at random. He had remarked the assiduous +court his eldest son was paying to the young Baroness, who, as +presumptive heiress to her guardian, would certainly be a brilliant +match. The Colonel would, decidedly, have had no objection to relieve +the latter of his fatherly rights. A daughter-in-law so rich and +handsome would have been right welcome to him, and it occurred to him +he might by a few words clear the way towards so desirable a +consummation. But his hints passed unnoticed, and for the present he +was fain to let the subject drop.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was speaking just now to the Superintendent of Police," he began +again. "He thinks there is nothing to be apprehended; but he has taken +all the necessary precautionary measures, in case of any disturbances +in the town to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To-day! why to-day particularly?" asked Raven, absently, and still +pursuing his observations.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, a general holiday gives occasion for all sorts of meetings, +especially among the lower orders, and in the present irritated state +of public opinion this is a fact not to be overlooked. When heads are +heated, trouble may come of such gatherings."</p> + +<p class="normal">The conversation did not appear to possess much interest for the +Governor. He hardly listened, being visibly engaged with other +thoughts.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think so?" he replied indifferently.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel looked at him in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, Baron, you should know it better than another. We were discussing +the matter only yesterday, and it is, unfortunately, no secret that the +popular excitement is directed against you in a very special manner. +Councillor Moser tells me you have lately received another threatening +letter."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven shrugged his shoulders contemptuously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have half-a-dozen of them in my waste-paper basket. Their authors +ought to have discovered by this time that such absurdities make no +impression on me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilten glanced around. They were standing at the end of the long +gallery, and at that moment no one was near enough to overhear their +words. The Colonel went on in a low tone:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You should not, however, absolutely challenge danger. It is most +imprudent for you to go into the town on foot and unaccompanied, no +measures being taken to ensure your safety. I wanted to speak to your +Excellency about it before, to beg you to desist from such ventures. We +do not know whether the mob may not be systematically incited to +violence. The whole burgher class is leagued together against you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So much the better," said Raven, mechanically, his eyes still riveted +on one particular spot in the scene before them.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel gave a little start of surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Excellency?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The movement recalled the Baron to himself. He turned quickly to his +interlocutor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pardon me, I am somewhat absent. I ... I hardly followed you. What +were we saying?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was begging you to have more regard for your personal safety."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! yes. You must excuse my inattention. A man, who is daily called on +to give his mind to a hundred different matters, has some difficulty in +shaking off the cobwebs, even on a festive occasion like the present."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really, the load of work you take on yourself is quite too heavy," +observed the Colonel. "The most enduring strength must break down at +last beneath such a constant strain. Look at those enviable young +people yonder, who have no suspicion as yet of all these cares. They +dance, and laugh, and chatter, and are happy among themselves."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And are happy among themselves," repeated Raven. "Just so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Deep bitterness lay in his words, and yet no brighter or more animated +scene than the one before them could well have presented itself. The +handsome, spacious room flooded with light, the gaily-sounding music, +and the blooming, youthful crowd swiftly moving to its cadence; surely +there was nothing here to arouse a bitter or a gloomy thought! Just +then Gabrielle flew by with her partner. The Colonel was right. Never +had her beauty shone so radiantly, never had it produced so triumphant +an effect as now, when, yielding herself heart and soul to the pleasure +of the dance, she sparkled in a very effervescence of happy excitement. +The clear stream of light from a thousand sconces, the joyous music, +the handsome rooms with their festive decorations--these were the +surroundings, this the frame which best suited her figure; here she +found her true element, wherein she freely breathed, and her glowing +cheeks and bright eyes showed how entrancing to this neophyte were the +delights of her first ball. Her whole being seemed transfigured, +illumined with radiant contentment, as she floated by in George's arms. +He, too, appeared to have forgotten the world about him, to have lost +count of all else in the joy of seeing his dear one again, in the bliss +of feeling her so near.</p> + +<p class="normal">Infinite happiness beamed in his eyes as they passed on, her arm +resting on his, her breath fanning his cheek; those eyes spoke but too +plainly the secret of his heart. The young people were at this moment +so supremely blest that they forgot all caution, and a keen observer +might easily divine that the light shining in their faces was kindled +by something other than the mere intoxication of the waltz. The +romantic glamour of a first love was about them, encircling them with +its bright aureole.</p> + +<p class="normal">That keen observer was nigh at hand. Raven still kept his place at the +end of the room. A knot of gentlemen had gathered round him and the +Colonel, and he was apparently entering with zest into their +conversation; but his eyes, as by some fascination, remained fixed on +the dancers. As he looked, his gaze grew ever more ardent, more +piercing, and it must have had in it some magnetic power of attraction, +for, when Gabrielle came round a second time, she turned her head +slowly, moved as it were by some mysterious influence, towards the spot +where he stood.</p> + +<p class="normal">For a moment her guardian's eyes met hers. Suddenly a deep glow spread +over the young girl's face, and the Baron's features lighted up with +one fiery, menacing flash. Then he turned away with a quick, impatient +movement.</p> + +<p class="normal">This dance was followed by a long pause destined for the taking of +refreshments. The company left the ball-room, where the heat was +becoming intolerable, and sought the buffet and adjoining cool +retreats, dispersing at will through the various apartments, and +breaking up into merry, chattering groups.</p> + +<p class="normal">Now at length came the long-looked-for moment when George and Gabrielle +might hope to exchange some words in private, free, unconstrained +words, such as they had not yet been able to address to each other. +Hitherto the eyes of the assembled company had been on them, making +familiar speech impossible.</p> + +<p class="normal">A distant boudoir, untenanted for the time being--though a lively hum +of voices told of neighbours in the adjoining room--served as the +desired refuge. Thither the young Baroness Harder and Assessor +Winterfeld repaired, and, standing opposite each other by the +fire-place, entered into what to a chance intruder would have seemed a +quiet, commonplace conversation, though, in truth, that low-spoken +dialogue differed widely from the conventional talk current in society.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So at last we have one minute alone together," whispered George, +passionately; "the first that has been accorded to us for weeks! I +fancied it would be easier to feel you near, and yet beyond my reach."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you were right," said Gabrielle, in the same low tone. "We are +very, very far apart here, though you daily come to the Castle. I +always hoped you would find some means of breaking through the barriers +which separate us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have I not tried to the best of my ability? You know how your mother +met my overtures. She received me kindly enough when I called, but she +was careful not to let fall a word which could be construed into an +invitation to repeat the visit. I cannot force myself into a house +where I am clearly told that my presence is not wanted."</p> + +<p class="normal">A slight frown gathered on the young lady's fair brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was not mamma's fault. She would have welcomed you now as +willingly as formerly. It was my guardian who prevented her inviting +you. I got mamma to tell him of your call, and of our previous +acquaintance, because I----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because you dared not."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I dare anything that is possible," asserted Gabrielle, with some +irritation; "but to hold out under Uncle Arno's look, when one has +anything to conceal from him, is just impossible, and it is of no use +attempting it. Well, he pronounced most decidedly against the intended +invitation. No personal offence to you was meant, for, of course, he +has not the faintest suspicion of any understanding between us; but he +will not allow any intercourse between us and the younger officials +employed in his bureaux--so we had to submit."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was sure of it," said George. "I know my chief. He and his must +remain inaccessible to all whom he considers beneath him. Well, there +is this to be said, not even his despotic will can separate us much +more completely than we have been separated during the last few weeks. +I have never seen you but from a distance, and when, at last, we do +meet, as tonight, we are forced to keep up an appearance of coldness +and indifference. I have to look on while you are courted and made much +of, to see every one able to approach you but myself. I, who have the +first and sole right to you, am condemned to silence and the reserve of +a stranger. Gabrielle, I can bear it no longer."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle raised her eyes to his face. A bewitching smile played round +the corners of her dimpled mouth, as she replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not think the 'stranger' is so much to be pitied. He knows very +well that I am his, and his alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"On a ball-night such as this you certainly are not mine," replied +George, rather bitterly. "You are given to the gaiety and the dance and +the homage paid you on all sides. You belong to anything and everyone +rather than to me. All the time that passed before that waltz, I was +striving to meet your glance. Surrounded by your admirers, you had no +eyes for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The reproach struck home, wounding by its very justice; but the young +lady was not accustomed to reproaches in this quarter, and she thought +it very cruel and unfair that he should try to spoil her pleasure. The +smile vanished from her lips, giving way to a most ungracious +expression of countenance, and she was about to utter a sharp retort +when Lieutenant Wilten appeared in the doorway.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fräulein von Harder," he said, hastening to her. "You are missed in +the ball-room. His Excellency and the Baroness have both been inquiring +for you. I volunteered to look for you. Will you accept my escort back +to your anxious friends?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Under other circumstances Gabrielle would have let this intruder feel +how unwelcome he was; but now she was angry, justly offended, as she +thought, and not at all disposed to take the offence patiently--so she +bowed her head coldly to George, and accepted the young Baron's arm +with great affability of manner. The Lieutenant led her from the room, +casting, as he went, a triumphant glance back at the discomfited rival +left behind.</p> + +<p class="normal">George looked after the pair with angry knitted brows. This childish +revenge wounded him more than he cared to confess to himself, and again +the old tormenting doubt arose within him--the doubt as to whether it +were right for him to withdraw this charming but most superficial young +creature from the glittering sphere for which she seemed created, and +to link her existence to that of an earnest patient worker. True, +Gabrielle's love gave him a right to possess her, but--did she love +him? Was she really capable of a deep and abiding sentiment? or was her +fancy for him a mere caprice, playful and transient as became her gay, +butterfly nature? Suppose she were to be unhappy at his side, or he to +make the miserable discovery that the wife of his bosom could meet his +ardent love, and reward his sacrifices, only with the inconstancy and +waywardness of a child? Perhaps they would both pay for this short +day-dream with a whole life-time of misery and regret!</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man passed his hand quickly across his brow. He would not +listen to the whispered monitions of reason, so utterly at variance +with the passionate throbbings of his heart. With a great effort he +shook himself free from these torturing thoughts, and was about to +leave the room when Councillor Moser came in, accompanied by the +Superintendent of Police. The former, in honour of the day, wore a +brand-new neck-cloth of snowy whiteness, but of such prodigious +dimensions that he could hardly move his head in it, a circumstance +which lent additional stiffness to his bearing and solemnity to his +mien. The two were holding some animated discussion, but on catching +sight of Assessor Winterfeld they ceased speaking so abruptly that that +gentleman divined he had been the subject of their conversation. This +idea was confirmed by the keen glance with which the Superintendent +measured the young official from head to foot, while the Councillor +walked straight up to him, and without a word of preface, addressed him +as follows:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad to meet you here, Assessor. I have to request you to +undertake a commission for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">George bowed slightly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"With pleasure. I am at your service."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your friend. Dr. Brunnow"--the Councillor accentuated his words, as +though some dread and weighty accusation were conveyed in each--"your +friend. Dr. Brunnow, has, without my knowledge or desire, assumed the +office of my family physician. He has listened to an invalid's +statements, has given prescriptions, and even threatened me with a +renewal of his visit. I did not at first comprehend how the matter had +come about----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was all a misunderstanding," interrupted George. "Max told me of +it. He really believed that medical advice was required from him, and +he had no notion into whose house an odd chance had led him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, he knows now," said Moser, emphatically; "and I must ask you to +tell him, once for all, that I should not dream of applying for advice +to a doctor bearing so compromised a name, to one whose father is an +avowed enemy to the State. Tell him to choose for his revolutionary +intrigues some other scene than the house of Councillor Moser, who has +ever made it his proud boast that he is surpassed by none in loyalty to +his most gracious Sovereign. There are men, gentlemen in the service, +who might take example by his line of conduct. It would be well for +themselves, for society, and for the State, were they to share the +views I have expressed."</p> + +<p class="normal">With these words the Councillor inclined his head, or rather attempted +to do so, for his neckcloth imposed limits on his will, and +majestically left the room, sublimely conscious of having, in a +figurative sense, crushed and slain his adversary. The Superintendent, +who had throughout been a silent listener, now drew near.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to be in disgrace with our loyal friend," he remarked, in a +jesting tone. "He was giving me a long account of your dangerous and +treasonable connections. I hope----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Councillor is in error," interposed George, with quiet +distinctness. "The connection with which he reproaches me is a +perfectly harmless college friendship, bearing no relation whatever to +politics. I can assure you that my friend, who is here solely on a +matter of business--to make good his claim to some property he has +lately inherited--and who by a droll mistake found his way the other +day into the Mosers' dwelling, has no thought of carrying on +revolutionary intrigues either there or elsewhere, and that he will not +give you the slightest motive to take an interest in his person."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent laughed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So much the better. The Councillor grows quite alarming at times +through excess of loyalty. He sees ghosts and spectres at every turn. +Could he but guess that his own chief was once the comrade and friend +of this very Dr. Brunnow, whom he stigmatises as an enemy to the State! +You, probably, are not unaware of this fact?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am aware of it, certainly," said George, taken aback by the +question. The police-officer's intimate acquaintance with circumstances +so remote surprised him greatly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How these early friends get separated! How strangely and widely do +their paths in life differ!" remarked the other. "The Governor, Baron +Arno von Raven, and a refugee living in exile, no contrast could well +be greater! It is said, I believe, that the Baron himself entertained +rather extravagant political views in his youth."</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused, apparently expecting an answer, but none came. Assessor +Winterfeld listened in silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have even heard it asserted that Herr von Raven was in some way +mixed up with that trial which resulted in the imprisonment of Dr. +Brunnow and his associates. None but vague rumours have reached me, +however. You, I dare say, are better informed through your friend and +his father."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all--we have never gone into the subject. But, if the Baron had +chanced to be connected with the trial in any way, the fact could +easily be ascertained through the official reports of the case."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent cast a glance at the young man which seemed to say: +"If that were so, I should hardly be wasting my time and pains on so +stiff-necked a person as yourself." He replied aloud:</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Baron's name is not mentioned in the official documents. If he +really had anything to do with the business, all accounts were settled +between himself and his future father-in-law, the Minister. He must +have fully exonerated himself from blame in the latter's estimation, +for the brilliant fortunes which have attended him throughout his +career date from that precise time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very probably," assented George, with cool reserve; "but these events, +which happened fully twenty years ago, must be more familiar to you +than to me. You, I should suppose, were then entering on your +professional duties, whilst I was still a mere child."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent saw that here there was no inclination to enlighten +him, that from this source he should not get the information he +required. He gave up the attempt, and when they had exchanged a few +unimportant remarks, the two gentlemen parted.</p> + +<p class="normal">Only once again during the evening did George find an opportunity of +speaking to Gabrielle, or rather, she herself it was who gave him the +opportunity. As he stood looking on at the cotillon, taking no part in +it, she fluttered up to him, light and airy as any sylph, and led him +to the dance. While they were making the tour of the room, their eyes +met. The moodiness had melted from his face, and about her lips there +played again the captivating smile which his words had lately scared +away.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must I not enjoy myself? Are you still jealous?" whispered Gabrielle, +with a delicious mixture of roguishness and penitence. George would not +have been young or in love, could he have withstood that smile and that +appeal. He was already convinced that he had done wrong to reproach +his darling with her radiant gaiety. She was so innocently happy in +it--and, in spite of her caprices and wilful ways, had not this +beaming, joy-loving child found her way to his very heart of hearts?</p> + +<p class="normal">"My Gabrielle!" was all he said, but infinite tenderness lay in the +softly-spoken words. A slight pressure from her hand answered his. The +reconciliation was sealed.</p> + +<p class="normal">So the hours flew by, and the ball took the brilliant course usual to +such assemblies. Midnight had long passed when the guests departed, and +the great galleries grew empty once more. Baroness Harder, well +satisfied with the part she had played on the occasion, was about to +retire to her own room. She had taken leave of her brother-in-law, and +had turned to give some directions to the servants, when Gabrielle in +her turn approached to bid her guardian goodnight. Raven saw that she +meant to give him her hand, but he remained immovable, with folded +arms, and there was a look of cold severity on his features, as he +addressed her in a low tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have made a singular discovery this evening, Gabrielle. There +appears to be a degree of familiarity between you and Assessor +Winterfeld which is highly unbecoming. It is not compatible with his +position, nor with yours in my house. I will venture to hope that in +permitting him such freedom you have been misled by inexperience alone; +but you will have to give me an explanation of this. I must know how +far your acquaintance with this gentleman has really gone."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again a crimson flush suffused the girl's face, deep as the glow which +had dyed it some time before when she had met her guardian's accusing +glance during that waltz; but this most unwonted tone from his mouth +aroused her temper and her defiance. She drew herself up with a +resolute air.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you wish it. Uncle Arno----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not now," he interrupted, with a wave of the hand. "It is too late +to-night, and I do not wish that your mother should be present at our +interview. I shall expect to see you in my study to-morrow morning +early, and you will then have the kindness to answer such questions as +I shall put to you. Good-night."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned away without offering her his hand or waiting for a reply, +and walked to the farther end of the room. Gabrielle stood still in +mute consternation. It was the first time the Baron had displayed +harshness towards herself, and for the first time she began to realise +that the matter would not blow over so lightly as in her gay optimism +she had hitherto hoped.</p> + +<p class="normal">A catastrophe was imminent, inevitable: thus she pondered; and only +when her mother called her did she start from her reverie and hasten to +the Baroness's side.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven watched her as she went. His lips were firmly set, as though in +repressed anger or pain, and a dark thundercloud lay on his brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must know the truth," he muttered. "But, after all, what will it +amount to? Mere childish folly, some travelling episode invested by +both with all necessary romance, and in the course of a few weeks to be +utterly forgotten. No matter, I will take care that such looks are not +translated into words, and that an end is put to the affair in time."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The next morning broke grey and cloudy. It heralded in a wet, cold +September day, which told unmistakably that summer's opulent splendour +was a thing of the past, and that autumn's chill reign had commenced. A +fine drizzling rain was falling: the mountains were shrouded in thick +mist, and in the Castle-garden the wind was chasing the first leaves +from the trees.</p> + +<p class="normal">Baron von Raven sat alone in his study. A middle-sized room, with a +lofty ceiling and one large bay-window framed in a deep recess, this +study certainly did produce a gloomy impression. It was not less +handsomely fitted up than the other apartments of the Castle; but here +the prevailing grandeur was toned down to a style of severe simplicity. +In the costly panelling of the walls, in the heavy sculptured oak +furniture, and in the rich brocade of the curtains, the same subdued +shades of colour were preserved; and the antique black marble +chimneypiece was in harmony with the appointments of the room, from +which all showy effects were rigorously excluded. The bureau, with its +load of papers and parchments, the books ranged round the walls--a +library wherein every branch of knowledge was represented--and the +maps, plans, and drawings distributed about on the different tables, +gave a fair idea of the numberless interests here claiming attention, +of the vast aggregate of business constantly despatched. It was not a +comfortable room to dwell in, nor one suited to rest or repose. +Everything in it told of work--of grave, incessant occupation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven generally got through a good deal of business in the morning +hours; but to-day he set at his writing-table, resting his head on his +hand, and cast not so much as a glance at the pile of letters and +memorials, of reports and schedules, before him. His countenance wore +the pallor born of a sleepless night, and its austerity of expression +was more striking than usual; otherwise his features were as of bronze +in their perfect immobility.</p> + +<p class="normal">Immersed in sombre thought, he did not even look up as the study-door +opened. A servant, whom he had sent to the Baroness's apartments to +summon his ward to him, entered, and announced that the young lady +would be with his Excellency immediately.</p> + +<p class="normal">A few minutes later, Gabrielle followed the messenger, and, coming into +the study, closed the door behind her. She wore a plain white morning +dress, the simplicity of which became her well, and even in the grey +uncertain light of that autumn day her brightness shone undimmed. Last +night's ball had left no trace behind. Her elastic youth knew as yet +neither languor nor lassitude. The girl's face was blooming and fresh +as ever, its colour being, perhaps, at this moment a little heightened +by excitement, for there was no mistaking the nature of the interview +she had now to undergo. With the entrance of that slender white figure, +a sunbeam had stolen into the gloomy room: all at once it seemed to +grow lighter and more cheerful.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron himself must have had some sense of this. He rose, and +advanced a few paces to meet his visitor. At sight of her, his features +relaxed from their set sternness, and his voice, though very grave, was +not harsh, as he addressed her:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have several questions to put to you, Gabrielle. My words last night +will have prepared you for them; and I shall expect to hear from you in +reply the truth, and the whole truth."</p> + +<p class="normal">He put forward a chair for her, and seated himself opposite her. The +young lady's attitude bespoke confidence rather than timidity. It had, +of course, become manifest to her that the tactics by which she +prevailed in any dispute with her mother would not here stand her in +stead; that she could not hope to carry her point by open defiance, or +by a few tears; but she had resolved to avow her love boldly, and to +show herself strong, heroic even, in its defence.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron, she knew, doubted her firmness with an incredulity fixed, +and to the full as insulting, as that professed by George; and, +strangely enough, she felt a far greater satisfaction in convicting her +guardian of his error, than in raising her lover's estimate of her +character. At this moment the romance of the situation was uppermost in +her mind, outweighing any anxiety as to the issue of the impending +conflict.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My questions concern Assessor Winterfeld," began the Baron. "Your +mother tells me you met him in Switzerland. He frequently came to your +house, and you probably held much free and unconstrained intercourse +with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," said Gabrielle, somewhat disconcerted. The matter was not taking +a dramatic turn at present. Her guardian spoke in the most tranquil of +tones.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you often seen or spoken to him, since you came to R----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Twice only--the day he called on mamma, and last night at the ball."</p> + +<p class="normal">"On no other occasion?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron drew a deep breath of relief.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This young man evidently pays you a degree of attention which +oversteps the bounds of ordinary gallantry," he continued; "and you +seem not only to suffer, but to encourage it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle was silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I expect an answer, Gabrielle."</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked up. There was no sign of fear in her face. It spoke rather +of open rebellion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And if that were the case?" she asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It would be high time to put an end to such childish nonsense," Raven +answered sharply. "You must know very well that nothing serious could +ever come of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady tossed her fair head with an offended, yet a most +resolute air. Now came the decisive moment; now was the time to show +her heroism, and to inspire her guardian with respect. He had no idea +as yet how grave the matter in question was. He treated it as a silly, +passing fancy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not mere childish nonsense," she replied, with the utmost +decision. "George Winterfeld loves me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron's eye flashed fire. He rose quickly, and folded his arms on +his breast, as though to compel himself to be calm; but his voice was +low and menacing as he answered her:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, oh! he has told you this already? Last night, perhaps, during your +waltz?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He told me long ago, in Switzerland, that he loved me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven laughed out loud--a short, harsh laugh.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I suspected it, I vow," he said, with bitter sarcasm. "So you two were +acting through a romance under your mother's eyes, she having no +faintest notion of it the while. Well, it is what one might expect from +her. But it is less easy to deceive me. If you intended that, you +should have guarded your looks better; they were far too eloquent +yesterday evening. I can make many excuses for you, Gabrielle, on +account of your youth and inexperience--a few sentimental phrases +suffice to turn the head of a girl of seventeen; but this romantic +trifling is too dangerous for me to permit it to go on longer. I shall +remind Assessor Winterfeld of the barriers which separate him from the +Baroness Harder--from my niece, and that in a way which will impress +itself on his memory. Henceforward you will neither see nor speak to +him. I forbid this folly, once for all."</p> + +<p class="normal">He strove in vain to preserve his sarcastic tone; the terrible +irritation which lay behind would break through at times. Gabrielle, +indeed, did not remark this; she heard only the scornful derision of +his words. The girl was prepared for reproaches, for an outbreak of +fierce anger on the part of her guardian, for she knew how his pride +would revolt against such a union; but, instead of wrathfully +upbraiding her, he treated George and herself as a pair of naughty +children, who must be duly punished for the fault they had committed. +He spoke in the most contemptuous tone of 'trifling' and of +'sentimental phrases,' and thought that, by launching his edict, he +could at one stroke destroy the happiness of two grown-up persons. This +was too much. The young lady now rose in her turn, vibrating with +indignation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You cannot do that, Uncle Arno," she said vehemently. "George has a +claim on me which he will certainly vindicate. He has my word--my +promise. I am betrothed to him."</p> + +<p class="normal">She had made her confession boldly, unhesitatingly; and now she paused, +waiting for the coming storm, but none came. Raven replied not a word. +A grey pallor overspread his face, and his hand grasped convulsively +the back of a great arm-chair that was near him, while he gazed with a +strange, fixed look at Gabrielle.</p> + +<p class="normal">She stood before him silent and confused. It was not exactly fear which +possessed her, but rather a secret, inexplicable dread growing up +within her beneath that gaze, a vague presentiment of coming evil, +against which she struggled in vain.</p> + +<p class="normal">After a minute's pause, the Baron spoke again:</p> + +<p class="normal">"This matter has certainly gone further than I supposed; and you have +considered you were doing right in keeping it a secret from your mother +and myself?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"We feared we should be parted if our attachment were known," answered +Gabrielle, in a low voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! And what do you imagine will happen now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know; but I am determined I will keep my word to George, come +what may, for I love him."</p> + +<p class="normal">This word at length let loose the fury of the storm hitherto held in +check. With a movement of rage. Raven dashed the chair aside, and +strode up to the young girl.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you dare to say that to me?" he broke out. "You dare, without my +knowledge and consent, to enter into an engagement which you know I +shall decidedly oppose--to defy me openly? You build on the indulgent +kindness I have shown you up to this time. It is at an end from to-day. +Do not challenge me too far, Gabrielle; you may bitterly repent it. I +have means of bringing a perverse, rebellious child to reason--means I +shall unsparingly use against both you and him. Winterfeld shall answer +to me for this surreptitious love-making, for the sweet speeches with +which he has befooled you into giving a promise--a promise which is +null and void, seeing that you are not free to dispose of yourself as +yet. He courts in you the presumptive heiress, and calculates that +through her he shall attain to wealth and influence. He may find +himself deceived. I alone have to decide as to your future, which is +altogether in my hands. Your lot in life depends on me, and if I accord +to you a brilliant position, I shall expect implicit obedience in +return. At no time, and under no circumstances, can there be a question +of such a marriage. I refuse my consent, and you must perforce bend to +my will."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle had recoiled a step before this fierce outburst, but +nevertheless she met it bravely. The "child" possessed more stability, +more strength of purpose, than Raven supposed. She was not to be +intimidated by his imperious words or threatening looks.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have no rights over me, except those of a guardian, and they will +expire at my majority," she replied, with most unusual energy. "My +future and my position in life concern George alone. I shall accept the +lot that he can offer me, whatever it may be. No calculating thought +has ever entered his mind with regard to me. George's affection----"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron stamped furiously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"George, and nothing but George! I forbid you to speak so of this +Winterfeld in my presence. You will never be his wife--never, I tell +you--at least, while I live."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl drew herself erect. She was indignant at, rather than +daunted by, his extreme vehemence. "Uncle Arno, you are horribly, +cruelly unjust. You----"</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly she stopped. Her eyes met his, and the ardent consuming fire +in them seemed to scorch her with its intense glow. It was not the +blaze of hatred, nor of anger. There was suffering in that look, +fierce, wild pain stimulated almost to madness. Gabrielle pressed both +hands on her bosom. She felt as though breath and consciousness were +forsaking her; then, vivid as lightning, with a blinding, stupefying +shock, the truth flashed upon her. She grew deadly pale, and caught at +the back of the chair as though for support.</p> + +<p class="normal">This movement of hers in some measure restored the Baron to himself. He +saw the great paleness which overspread her features, and attributed it +in some measure to fear aroused by his violence. This man, accustomed +to the severest self-control, had, probably for the first time in his +life, allowed himself to be carried beyond bounds. He felt this, and by +a supreme effort of his will endeavoured to master his agitation. A +deep and painful silence followed; a silence which weighed on both, but +which neither ventured to break. Raven had gone up to the window, and, +with his fevered brow pressed against the panes, remained gazing out +into the misty landscape. Gabrielle still stood motionless in her +place.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have alarmed you with my vehemence," said the Baron at last, without +turning round. "Such matters require to be discussed quietly, and we +are neither of us in a fitting frame of mind just now. To-morrow, later +on, perhaps----Leave me, Gabrielle."</p> + +<p class="normal">She obeyed, walking with bowed head to the door, but there she paused. +Again, as on the preceding evening, she felt, without seeing it, the +look which rested on her; and again, as then, she was constrained by +some mysterious attraction to meet that look. Raven had, indeed, +turned, and was following her with his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One thing more," he said--his voice was completely under control now, +but it had a dull unnatural sound--"not a word, not a line to him. I +will speak to him myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle left the room, and returned to her mother's apartments. The +Baroness, who was a late riser, had but just completed her morning +toilet. On going into the breakfast-room, she missed her daughter, who +was generally there before her, and was about to inquire of the +servants as to the reason of her absence when the young girl herself +appeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, child, where have you been all this time? Not out of doors, I +hope, in such miserable weather. You would take a dreadful cold, +wandering about in that light morning dress. But you look quite pale +and disturbed! Has anything happened?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, mamma," said her daughter, in a low, half-stifled voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness looked at her with concern.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are not well, I am sure. You were overheated with dancing +yesterday evening, when we went through those cold corridors. Take a +little hot tea, dear--it will do you good."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle declined the offered cup.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, thank you, mamma. I would rather go back to my room, and try and +rest a little."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But your uncle is accustomed to see you here at breakfast-time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Tell him I am not well. He will not miss me to-day. I <i>cannot</i> stay."</p> + +<p class="normal">With these words she left the room. The Baroness remained alone, +wondering not a little at her daughter's sudden fit of reserve, which +was as strange to her as the white wan look on that blooming face. At +this moment the Baron's valet entered with a message from his +Excellency, who begged to be excused--he would not appear at breakfast +that morning. Madame von Harder shook her head at this announcement; +but she was not gifted with any special powers of combination, and +moreover she knew nothing of the interview which had taken place in her +brother-in-law's study. It did not occur to her, therefore, to connect +the two circumstances. She thought no more of the matter, but sat down +to table, a little put out at having to breakfast alone.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the Chancellery the Governor's appearance was that day looked for in +vain. It was his custom to go there early in the morning, but on this +occasion he remained shut up in his study, and allowed the most +necessary business to be transacted by Councillor Moser. The +Councillor, who had some pressing matters to submit to his chief's +notice, came back from an audience with an important mien, and the +tidings that his Excellency was by no means graciously disposed that +morning. This was true enough. The Baron had listened to the various +communications to him with great impatience and visible absence of +mind, had given the needful instructions in a hurried manner most +unusual to him, and had dismissed the worthy Councillor as speedily as +possible. That gentleman, who always claimed to know more than others, +hinted at weighty Government despatches recently received, and all the +clerks put their heads together, and indulged in endless speculations +and conjectures.</p> + +<p class="normal">Half an hour later. Assessor Winterfeld was summoned to the Governor. +There was nothing remarkable in this, as he had to take in his report +in the course of the morning, and the fact of his being sent for before +the appointed hour could easily be explained by the numerous pressing +calls on the Baron's time.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man, therefore, obeyed the summons with unsuspicious +alacrity. He entered the cabinet, his head full of the statement he had +prepared, set his papers in order, and waited for the signal to begin.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will leave that," said Raven. "The report can stand over for +to-day. I have other matters to discuss with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">George looked up in astonishment, and only then became aware of his +chiefs altered attitude. The dignified calm with which that personage +was wont to receive his officials had stiffened into freezing hauteur.</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood leaning against the bureau, and eyed the young man before him +from head to foot, as though he then saw him for the first time, +scanning his features with a severe, unerring scrutiny which seemed to +pierce him through and through. Undisguised hostility was expressed in +that steady, frowning gaze, as it was, indeed, in the Baron's whole +bearing.</p> + +<p class="normal">George saw this at a glance, and at once understood the words which had +struck him as enigmatical. He understood that he alone was the object +of the Baron's displeasure, and guessed what had provoked it. The +long-looked-for catastrophe had come at last, and the young man braced +himself to face it with quiet resolution.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have this morning had an interview with my ward, Baroness Harder, in +which your name was mentioned," began the Governor. "No explanations +are required from you. I already know what has happened, and I must +call you to account for the manner in which you have misled that young +lady, causing her to fail most unpardonably in the sincerity and +respect she owes to her family."</p> + +<p class="normal">George cast down his eyes. His quick sense of honour allowed the +reproach as well-founded.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have possibly erred in remaining silent until now," he replied. "My +only excuse lies in the fact that my position has not yet qualified me +to prefer my suit openly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed? I should have thought that such an obstacle in the way of your +suit would also have prohibited a declaration of your sentiments."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Had it been premeditated, certainly; but, your Excellency, that was +not the case. In an unguarded moment my secret escaped me: only when it +had found utterance, when my words had been accepted, did reflection +regain the upper hand; and then I was forced to confess to myself that +for the present I could advance no grounds entitling me to approach +Baroness Harder as a suitor for her daughter's hand."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is well you make the admission yourself," remarked the Baron, with +withering scorn. "I should otherwise have been under the necessity of +making the fact clear to you. If Fräulein von Harder has made you +promises, they, naturally, count for nothing, having been given without +my knowledge or her mother's; and it would be simply absurd for you to +build on them. Romantic notions should be left to the domain of +romance. I regret that my niece should have lent an ear to such +extravagant folly, but you will hardly expect me to deal with it as a +matter calling for serious consideration."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man's face began to flush beneath this contemptuous +treatment, and the rising irritation within him betrayed itself in his +voice, as he answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know that an earnest and pure affection, which has been +tarnished by no unworthy thought, which has held its object as some +high and sacred thing apart, should be met by derision only. I have +kept it a secret so far, and have caused Fräulein von Harder to do so +likewise, because I knew that time and much continuous labour on my +part were needed to remove the obstacles that stand in my path, because +I foresaw that every effort would be made to separate us. In that alone +am I culpable. My conduct in that respect may deserve blame, but those +who have had experience of love will not judge me too harshly. I own I +was not prepared to find our mutual attachment treated as mere romantic +folly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what do you expect me to think of it?" asked Raven, ironically. +"It seems to me you have every reason to be grateful to me for adopting +this view of the case, as it alone admits of a lenient judgment. If I +knew that you and Gabrielle were seriously contemplating the +possibility of a union----" He paused, but the look which completed the +sentence was significant enough, and fraught with evil presage.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Would your Excellency have preferred that we should be attached +without contemplating a lifelong union?" asked George, quietly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mr. Winterfeld, you forget yourself," thundered the Baron. "The blame +of this secret understanding lies not with my niece, but with you. That +young girl was not in a position to measure its importance, or rightly +to estimate the situation. You were fully able to do both, and were +aware of the barriers which stood between you; it is with you, +therefore, I must now reckon. You are one of my youngest clerks, +without name or rank, without fortune or prospects. By what right do +you venture to aspire to the hand of the young Baroness Harder, who is +accustomed to all the luxuries of life, and who has a claim to move in +circles widely remote from yours?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"By the same right as that whereon Baron von Raven relied, when, under +circumstances in all respects similar, he sued for the hand of the +Minister's daughter, who subsequently became his wife--by right of my +confidence in the future."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven bit his lip. "It appears to be with you a foregone conclusion +that in point of success your career will resemble mine. It is rather +venturesome on your part to place yourself thus boldly on a par with +me. Besides, the comparison does not hold good. I was one of the +Minister's most intimate friends long before I became his son-in-law. I +knew that he favoured my suit, and had assured myself of his consent +before I addressed his daughter. That is the only honourable course to +pursue in such matters. Mark what I say, Mr. Winterfeld."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Excellency, no doubt, acted more correctly, and with more +deliberation; but--I loved Gabrielle!"</p> + +<p class="normal">A furious gleam shot from the Baron's eyes, as he turned them on the +audacious offender who dared to remind him that his own marriage had +been one of calculation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must beg of you, in my presence, to give the Baroness Harder her +fitting title," said he, in his sharpest tone. "As to the +disinterestedness of your affection, were you unaware of the fact that +my niece is generally looked upon as my heiress?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; but I supposed that any dispositions to that effect would be +reversed in the event of the young Baroness's marrying without her +guardian's consent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The supposition was correct. And you are really selfish enough to rob +the girl you profess to love of all the advantages bestowed on her by +birth and fortune? You would condemn her to an existence which would be +nothing but one long series of sacrifices? A most noble and +disinterested love, truly! Fortunately, Gabrielle Harder is not the +heroine required for such an idyl; and I will take care that she does +not become the victim of a youthful error, which she would expiate with +swift and bitter repentance."</p> + +<p class="normal">George was silent. That was the sore spot with him. He had often felt, +as the Baron said, that Gabrielle was the last woman in the world for +such abnegation as this "idyl" demanded.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us make an end of this," said Raven, drawing himself up, and +waving his hand imperiously. "I cannot concede to my niece a right to +dispose of her future without my knowledge or consent, and I decline to +enter into a discussion respecting wishes and hopes, which are, for me, +simply non-existent. You know that a guardian's powers are unlimited as +a father's, and you are bound to submit to my decision. I shall expect +that you, as a man of honour, will abstain from any attempt to carry on +this clandestine understanding, which is calculated to injure the young +lady's fame, and has already disturbed her relations with her family. +Open intercourse I, naturally, prohibit from this date. You will give +me your word that you will in no way seek to communicate with my ward +in secret."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I am allowed once more to see and speak to Baroness Harder, even +though it be in the presence of her mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I cannot give the required promise."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Reflect well, Assessor. Remember who it is you are braving," warned +the Baron, and there was unmistakable menace in his tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man's fine clear eyes met those of his chief fearlessly, yet +the sombre fire smouldering in these latter was of a nature to make him +pause and reflect. The two men stood face to face, like wrestlers, +measuring each other's strength before the struggle. The younger, calm +and resolute; the elder, vibrating in every nerve with terrible +agitation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I brave only a harsh and unjust sentence," said George, taking up the +last words, "Your Excellency decrees our separation, and we must yield +to the sentence, having no arms wherewith to defend ourselves; but to +refuse us an interview--the last, probably, for years--is, I repeat it, +both harsh and unjust. I do not know how Fräulein von Harder may be +worked upon, in what manner my silence and reserve may be interpreted +to her. I must, at least, tell her, once for all, that I maintain my +right to her hand, and that I will spare no exertion to deserve it. +This I shall attempt to say by letter or by word of mouth, with or +without your Excellency's leave."</p> + +<p class="normal">He bowed and went, not waiting for the usual signal of dismissal. Raven +threw himself into a chair. The interview had taken an unexpected +course. His intercourse with Winterfeld had hitherto been simply +official. He had always considered him to be talented and clever in his +profession, without ascribing to him any very extraordinary merit--the +difference of position precluded all close contact and deeper interest. +To-day, for the first time, they had met, not as superior and +subaltern, but as man to man; and to-day the Baron had discovered that +behind that modest demeanour and that mild, clear brow, there lay +concealed an energy equal to his own.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was accustomed to break down all resistance by the sheer might of +his imposing word and presence, but on this occasion that might and all +the prestige of his exalted station had been summoned to his aid in +vain. He had succeeded neither in abasing nor in intimidating his +adversary; in more than one respect he must acknowledge him as his +peer. Gabrielle had bestowed her love on no unworthy object; this was +the secret trouble which gnawed at the man's heart, as he lay back +brooding in his chair. He would have given much really to be able to +look on this attachment as a piece of youthful folly, and to tear the +two asunder in the name of reason and common sense. Now there remained +to him only that miserable pretext of rank and fortune, and his own +case might be cited to show how easily these obstacles are surmounted +when an energetic will sets itself to break them down; though, with +him, the incentive to action had been of another and a lower order.</p> + +<p class="normal">That most beautiful and sacred privilege of youth, a spontaneous, +soaring passion, heedless of hindrances, and oblivious of worldly +possibilities, Arno Raven had never enjoyed, or cared to enjoy. He had +put from him the dream of love and happiness, while love and happiness +were the just appanage of his years; his ambitious plans left him no +time to indulge in dreaming. Now, in the autumn of his life, the fair +vision rose before him, golden, ethereal, spreading about him its soft, +delusive shimmer, taking his best strength captive, until he suddenly +awoke, and found himself in the presence of a stern, cruel reality. +Youth yearns after youth, and the middle-aged man, at the very zenith +of his success and greatness, looked from his lonely height on the +waste desolate tract around. Perhaps in this hour he would have given +his hardly-won success and all the sweets of power only to be young +again.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Max Brunnow learned from his friend's mouth the sentence of +banishment passed on him by Councillor Moser; he treated the whole +subject, however, with most unbecoming levity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I positively should have gone again," he said, laughing. "That +excellent old gentleman, with his bureaucratic majesty of demeanour and +his prodigious cravat, is a sight worth seeing, and the girl is really +in want of rational medical advice; I can understand that 'the most +loyal subject of his most gracious Majesty' should banish my father's +son from the precincts of his home, but it is a pity my practice in +R---- should be thus summarily brought to an end. It promised to be, if +not remunerative, at least amusing."</p> + +<p class="normal">Another case soon came under the young man's notice, which, though even +less likely to be lucrative, provided in an unhoped-for degree the +"amusement" here so ruthlessly denied him. George had begged his friend +to visit the wife of a poor law-writer who occasionally copied for the +Assessor, and for whom the latter had often obtained employment in the +Government bureaux. The wife had long been suffering from some wasting +disease. The doctor called in to her came but seldom, declared with a +shrug of the shoulders that there was not much to be done, and finally +ceased his visits altogether, the family being in impoverished +circumstances and quite unable to pay his fees. Max at once responded +to his friend's appeal, and went next day to the cottage indicated to +him as the patient's dwelling, which was situated in the suburb lying +at the foot of the Castle-hill.</p> + +<p class="normal">A little girl about ten years of age opened the door, and admitted the +young surgeon to a scantily-furnished room. Two younger children ceased +from their play to stare at the strange gentleman with big eyes of +astonishment; the mother, wrapped in blankets and supported by pillows, +sat in an old arm-chair. Max was going straight up to the invalid when +he paused suddenly, seeing at her side a young lady with pale cheeks +and smoothly-braided hair, attired in a dark, nun-like dress. She was +reading aloud from a volume she held in her hand, its gilt edges and +the cross on the cover unmistakably denoting a prayer-book. The young +lady was Councillor Moser's daughter. She ceased reading, and rose in +some confusion on recognising the new-comer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-morning, Fräulein," said Max, quietly. "Excuse my disturbing you, +but mine is a doctor's errand to an invalid, and this time I really am +the person expected, and no mistake."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl crimsoned to the temples, and drew back. She made no +reply. Dr. Brunnow now introduced himself to the sick woman, who was +prepared for his visit. He began at once to question her as to her +symptoms, in order to ascertain the precise stage the malady had +reached. He went to work in no specially mild or considerate manner, +not attempting consolation, or even giving any decided hope or +encouragement; but his brief, clear remarks, and prompt, definite +instructions, inspired confidence, and produced on his patient a +remarkably soothing effect.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile Agnes Moser had remained in the background, busying herself +with the children. She seemed hardly to know whether she ought to go or +stay, but at length determined on the former course. She put on her +hat, and took leave of the invalid, who expressed her warm and earnest +thanks for the girl's kindness. But if Agnes thought so to escape +further intercourse with Dr. Brunnow, she was mistaken. With a few +brief parting words he enjoined strict attention to his instructions, +promised to return the following day, and then, with the utmost +coolness and easy serenity, followed the girl as she went out.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So I am not to look on you as my patient any longer, Fräulein?" he +began, as soon as they were out of doors. "Your father seems to +attribute to me all the blame of a misunderstanding for which I really +was not responsible. He had me informed in the most unequivocal terms +that he did not desire a renewal of my visit."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes cast down her eyes in painful embarrassment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon, Dr. Brunnow; the fault was mine alone. Pray believe +that it is no want of confidence in your professional skill which +induces my father to decline your advice. There are, I believe, other +grounds----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Political grounds!" interrupted Max, with undisguised irony. +"Councillor Moser detests the revolutionary name I bear; he insists +upon seeing in me a socialist and a demagogue. Far be it from me to +impose my counsels on him or on you, but I should like to ask the fate +of my prescription. You made no use of it, I suppose."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh yes," replied Agnes, in a low voice. "I took the medicine."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With any good result?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes. I feel better since I began it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad to hear that. But how does my worthy colleague, who is now +treating you, approve of your taking another doctor's advice?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No one is treating me just at present," confessed the young girl. "Dr. +Helm, who was originally sent for, took the mistake that had occurred +in very ill part. I suppose I was rather embarrassed and at a loss what +to do when he called, for he withdrew at once on finding that a +prescription had already been given, and he received the excuses my +father has since made him very coolly indeed. As I felt better the very +day after I began your medicine, I thought--well, I have just gone on +following your instructions."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Keep to that," said Max, dryly. "There can be nothing treasonable in a +bottle of medicine. The Councillor himself must admit so much."</p> + +<p class="normal">They had now reached the Castle-hill, and Agnes stopped, confidently +expecting that her companion would here leave her; but he merely +remarked, "You are going through the Castle-hill gardens, I suppose. +That is my way too," and remained by her side, looking as though it +were the most simple and natural thing in the world for him to bear her +company.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl glanced timidly and anxiously up at him. Her shyness +would not allow her to decline his escort, so she resigned herself to +the inevitable, and they walked on together.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As regards my present patient," the young surgeon recommenced; "her +condition is precarious no doubt, but not altogether hopeless. Perhaps +we may yet be able to preserve her to her family. From the poor woman's +expressions of gratitude, I gather that you have already made her +frequent visits."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We heard of the family's distressed circumstances," answered Agnes. +"The husband occasionally does some work for the Chancellery, and my +father knows him to be industrious and deserving; so I determined I +would go and see the invalid, to give her, at least, some spiritual +consolation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Spiritual consolation is quite superfluous at present," said Max, in +his rough way. "Strong beef-tea and nourishing wine would be of a great +deal more use."</p> + +<p class="normal">Fräulein Agnes seemed inclined to execute one of those rapid retreats +which at their first meeting had marked her horror of his impious +speeches; but on this occasion she thought better of it, and held her +ground. There was even a spice of sharpness in her gentle low-toned +voice, as she answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have provided for such wants as well, and will continue to do so to +the extent of my ability; but it seemed to me urgently necessary that +this sick woman should be prepared for the Heaven which may shortly +open its gates to her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rather a singular occupation for a young lady of your years," remarked +Max. "At your age it is usual to prefer the things of this world, and +to leave heavenly joys to take care of themselves."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes was evidently offended at his jesting manner. Her accustomed +gentleness forsook her for a moment, and she answered in rather an +angry tone:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have already renounced the world, and such pious offices are only a +preparation for my future vocation. In a few months I am to take the +veil."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max stopped abruptly, and looked at her in amazement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My dear young lady, this won't do at all!" he cried suddenly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dr. Brunnow, I must beg of you----" interrupted the young girl, +warningly; but Dr. Brunnow was not deterred by this protest against his +unwarrantable interference.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I tell you this won't do at all," he repeated decidedly. "You are in +ill health, of a very delicate constitution, and you need the greatest +care if you wish to get permanently cured. Cloister-life, with its +severe regulations, its retirement, and all the fatigue and excitement +of prayer and penance which make up its daily routine, is utterly +unsuited to a person of your temperament. The result to you would +infallibly be a pulmonary complaint--consumption--death!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young doctor delivered this speech with oracular solemnity, as +though he in person would be called on to dispense the threatened fate, +and his words did not fail in their effect, Agnes looked at him with a +scared expression of countenance; then she bowed her head resignedly, +and said in an almost inaudible voice:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not think my illness was so serious."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not serious, if you will lead a sensible and natural life," said +Max, quite wrathfully; "but convent-life is the climax of all that is +unnatural and absurd, and you would assuredly fall a victim to it +before many years were over."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes considered whether it would not become her speedily and at once +to fly from this doctor, whose impiety was becoming more and more +manifest; but she determined to cast one last searching glance into the +depths of his depravity before going, so she asked in her turn:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You hate all monasteries and convents?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is my vocation to combat all the plagues and ills that afflict +suffering humanity," replied the young surgeon, with malicious +sincerity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you hate religion as well?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, that depends upon what you call by that name. Convents and +religion are very different things, you know."</p> + +<p class="normal">This was too much for the nun-elect. She hastened her steps, in order +to escape from so dangerous a neighbourhood; but she gained nothing by +this strategy. Max immediately fell into her pace, and they continued +side by side as before.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are of a contrary opinion, of course," he went on, no reply from +her being forthcoming; "but you have been brought up in a different way +of thinking, and amid different surroundings from those to which I am +accustomed. As for me, I should like to see all convents----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Swept from the face of the earth," put in the young girl, in a +tremulous voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not exactly that," said practical Max. "It would be a pity to demolish +so many handsome buildings, and their inhabitants might be turned to +some useful account. The nuns, for instance, one might marry off."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Marry off the nuns!" repeated Agnes, staring at the speaker in +petrified horror and amazement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; why not?" he asked, with perfect equanimity. "I don't suppose +there would be much chance of opposition on their part. It really would +be a capital thing to oblige all the nuns to enter into matrimony."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes must have felt some vague fear that the fate with which her +future sisters in the faith were menaced might suddenly overtake +herself, for now she fairly began to run--in vain, for Max ran also.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The notion is not so dreadful as you fancy. Every sensible person gets +married, and the great majority find it answer. It is really +unpardonable to instil into a young girl's mind such a horror of things +which come as a matter of course, and which---- Yes, Fräulein, we must +stop a minute now and rest. I have no breath left. Thank God, your +lungs are still as sound as a bell, or they could not have stood that +rapid charge."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes stopped likewise, for she too was panting for breath. Her cheeks, +usually so pale, were rosy now with the exertion, and the bright colour +suited her delicate little face most admirably. Dr. Brunnow perceived +this, but it did not tend to soften his mood. On the contrary, he +frowned reprovingly as he caught the girl's wrist, and proceeded to +feel her pulse.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why heat yourself in this most unnecessary manner? I told you you were +to be careful and to avoid fatigue. You will go home slowly now, and I +must beg that when you go out for a walk you will choose some warmer +covering than this thin mantle. Persevere with the medicine I +prescribed for you, and, for the rest, I can only repeat my former +instructions--air, exercise, cheerful occupation for the mind. Will you +follow out all this punctually?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," whispered Agnes, altogether intimidated by the tone of command +assumed by the young doctor, who, despite her father's august +prohibition, still played the part of family physician, and who held +her little hand so firmly in his while speaking.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall depend on your promise. As to my patient down yonder, we can +share the treatment between us. Prepare the woman for the next world by +all means, if you wish. I will do what I can to keep her in this as +long as possible, and I think her husband and children will be grateful +to me for it. I wish you good-morning, Fräulein."</p> + +<p class="normal">With that he took off his hat, bowed, and, turning, struck off into the +road which led to the town, while Agnes pursued her way home. Obedient +to the command laid upon her, she walked slowly at the regulation pace; +but, inwardly, her spirit revolted against this Dr. Brunnow. He +certainly was a dreadful person, without religion, without principles +of any sort, sneering at the most sacred things, and so rough and +unfeeling in his manner withal! But, indeed, what could one expect from +the son of a man who had wished to upset Church and State, and who had +communicated to his children the same pernicious tendencies? The +Councillor had related to his daughter the story of the exile's crimes, +painting them in the blackest colours. She was altogether of his +opinion that both Brunnows, father and son, were to be held in +abhorrence; at the same time, she resolved to pay a visit to the sick +woman on the morrow. It was obviously her duty to counteract, so far as +in her lay, the influence of this doctor, who might, possibly, cure his +patients, restoring them to bodily health, but who, while so doing, +endangered their souls' salvation by declaring all spiritual +consolation to be quite "superfluous."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Baroness Harder and the Governor were closeted in solemn conclave. In +the course of their interview Raven had made his sister-in-law fully +aware of the relations existing between Gabrielle and Assessor +Winterfeld, and the Baroness was almost beside herself with anger and +indignation on hearing the news. She had really not had the slightest +suspicion of how matters stood. It had never occurred to her that the +young plebeian, fortuneless Assessor could raise his eyes to her +daughter, still less that the girl could encourage so misplaced an +affection. Gabrielle's future had ever been associated in her mother's +mind with the idea of wealth and a brilliant position. Such a union as +that now in question seemed to her as absurd as impossible, and she +broke into a torrent of indignant complaint touching her daughter's +giddy conduct, and the "mad presumption" of that young man, who +supposed he had only to stretch out his hand to secure a Baroness +Harder for himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven listened some time in sombre silence, but at length he cut short +the exasperated lady's flow of words.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Enough of these lamentations, Matilda. They will not alter the past by +one jot. You, of all people, have least the right to lose your temper +over this business, for the mischief occurred under your very eyes. The +fact that it went so far as a declaration, that the two ever came to an +understanding, argues a most unpardonable negligence on your part. Some +steps must now be taken in the matter, and this is the point I wish to +discuss with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, what a comfort it is that I have you at my side!" cried +the Baroness, who, on principle and consistently, ignored her +brother-in-law's attacks on herself. "I know that I have always given +way too much to Gabrielle, and now she thinks she may behave to me as +she likes. You, fortunately, have more authority over her. Act with +firmness and severity, Arno. I myself implore it of you. Bounds must be +set to the insolence of that young man; his pretensions must be +checked. I will endeavour to make my daughter understand how completely +she has forgotten herself and her station in life in listening to such +proposals."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There must be no reproaches," said the Baron, decidedly. "Gabrielle +has already heard from me the view you and I take of the matter. +Remonstrance and worry will only drive her to more and more determined +resistance. Besides, this attachment of hers is not so absurd, nor the +young man so wholly insignificant, as you suppose. On the contrary, I +consider that the affair is very serious, and calls for immediate and +energetic action. I hope it may yet be time for this to avail."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, that it certainly will--certainly!" chimed in Madame von +Harder. "It is impossible that my childish, volatile Gabrielle should +be so deeply, so seriously attached. She has been led away by the +impressions of the moment, has had her head turned by all the romantic +love-speeches she has heard. Young girls of her age are so apt to mix +up the nonsense they read in novels with the affairs of real life. She +will come to her senses by-and-by, and will see how foolishly she has +acted."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope so," said Raven; "and to bring this about, I have already taken +measures to prevent any meeting between the two in future. It is for +you to see that there is no interchange of letters, and I am persuaded, +Matilda, that you will know how to withstand such prayers and tears as +may be used to soften you, and that you will be guided solely by a +regard for your daughter's future. You understand, of course, that my +present intentions will not be carried into effect unless her conduct +meets with my approval, unless her marriage is one that I can sanction. +I am not inclined to reward an open opposition to my wishes by making a +will in her favour, still less am I disposed to help Mr. Winterfeld to +wealth and distinction by means of my fortune. Gabrielle is far too +young and inexperienced to take such consideration into proper account. +All the circumstances of the case are clearly before you, however, and +therefore I feel sure of your co-operation."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron was pursuing the wisest of tactics in pronouncing this most +unequivocal threat. He was fully aware of Gabrielle's unlimited power +over her mother, and of that lady's feebleness of character. Madame von +Harder would often condemn in strong terms one day that to which on the +morrow, by tears or by defiance, she would be brought to consent. His +menace would prevent any weakness of this sort, and would, he felt +certain, transform this foolishly indulgent mother into her daughter's +most wary and vigilant guardian. The Baroness had turned quite pale at +the bare mention of any possible alteration in the will.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall fulfil my duty as a mother to the uttermost point," said she, +solemnly. "Rest assured that I shall not allow myself to be deceived a +second time."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron stood up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now I wish to see Gabrielle. She has kept her room since yesterday +on the plea of illness, but I know that is only a pretext to avoid me. +Tell her that I am waiting for her here."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness complied with her brother-in-law's request. She went, and +a few minutes later returned in her daughter's company.</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I ask you to leave us for a short time, Matilda?" said Raven.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You wish----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish you to leave me and Gabrielle alone for a quarter of an hour."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness was hardly able to conceal her mortification. Beyond all +doubt she had the first and best right to be present at the coming +scene between judge and culprit, and yet the Baron, with that utter +disregard for her feelings which he always showed, now sent her away, +and reserved to himself alone the important decision, disrespectfully +ignoring her maternal claims. If the lady had not cherished so lively a +fear of her brother-in-law, she would this time have rebelled against +his will; but his tone and general bearing seemed to say that to-day, +even less than on other days, would he brook contradiction; so she +submitted, or rather, as she expressed it to herself, in anguish of +heart she yielded to his cruel tyranny.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron remained alone with Gabrielle, She lingered at the farther +end of the room, and he waited in vain for her to approach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gabrielle!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She advanced now a few steps, but stopped in evident timidity and +distrust. Raven went up to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you afraid of me?" he asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">She shook her head negatively.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then why do you shrink from me? Why are you so shy and silent? Have I +really been so harsh to you that you wish to avoid me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have really been unwell," replied Gabrielle, in a low voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron scanned the youthful countenance before him, which was, +indeed, far less rosy and fresh than usual. A shadow lay on it, a trace +of some lurking trouble or anxiety very foreign to the wonted +expression of that bright, sunny face.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven took the young girl's hand. He felt that it trembled and sought +to disengage itself from his grasp; but he held it notwithstanding, +held it firmly, yet without any friendly pressure, and his voice was +cold and quiet as he spoke.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know what alarmed you at our last interview. Dissimulation would be +useless, I feel; but you have nothing more to fear--it is over already. +I require from you the sacrifice of a youthful inclination, and I must, +first of all, show you by example how such sentiments may be overcome. +I have been tempted occasionally to lose sight of the difference +existing between your years and mine. You have recalled to me in time +that youth willingly consorts with youth alone, and I thank you for the +reminder. Forget that which was revealed to you in an unguarded moment. +Nothing shall occur to alarm you again. I have fought down graver and +deeper troubles, and I am accustomed to subordinate my feelings to my +will. The dream is over, for I have determined that over it must be."</p> + +<p class="normal">As he spoke, Gabrielle had raised her eyes to his face, and they still +dwelt there, full of timid, doubting inquiry, but she made no answer. +Her hand slid unresistingly to her side as he released it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now take confidence in me again, child," continued Raven. "If I am +severe to you in this matter of your love, believe that I am moved only +by a sense of my duty as a guardian responsible for the welfare of an +inexperienced young girl committed to his charge. Will you promise +this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Uncle Arno." Lingeringly, and with an accent of strange +constraint, the name came from the young girl's lips. The old freedom +and self-possession with which she had hitherto approached her "Uncle +Arno" was gone, never to return.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have spoken to Assessor Winterfeld," Raven began again; "and have +made known to him that I refuse, in the most decided manner, my consent +to your engagement. This decision is irrevocable, for I know that such +a union would, after the first fleeting illusions were dissipated, be +productive of much care and bitter regret to you, and for your sake I +must and will prevent it. You have been brought up with aristocratic +notions, and with habits suitable to your rank; you are accustomed to +wealth and luxury, and will never feel at home in another sphere. At +the best, Winterfeld could only offer you the most simple domestic life +and very moderate means. Such a marriage would entail on you a dreary, +obscure existence, and daily, hourly privations, for you must +necessarily leave behind you those comforts which have been so dear, so +indispensable to you hitherto. There may be in the world characters +strong enough to brave all this, boldly to enter on a course of +ceaseless, unwearying self-abnegation. You are not equal to such +heroism: to endure it you would need to transform your whole nature; +and I have let the Assessor feel what egotism he would be guilty of, +were he to require such sacrifices from you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He only asks me to endure them for a few years," interposed Gabrielle. +"George Winterfeld is but at the beginning of his career. He will work +his way up, as you yourself have done."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It may be, or it may be not. He certainly is not one of those men who +take fortune by storm; he will, at best, conquer, win success by +persistent quiet labour. But for this long years are needed, and above +all, he must be free, independent, as he is at present. Family cares, +and the thousand ties and considerations with which they shackle a man, +would leave him no space for the development of his talents and of his +ambitious projects. He would fall into the every-day routine of one who +works only to live, and, so falling, would be lost to all higher aims. +In this fate you, of course, would be involved. You do not realise what +it is to be dependent for your living on a sum hardly greater than that +which now defrays the expenses of your toilet. I must save you from a +practical experience of that most painful of ideals--love in a +cottage."</p> + +<p class="normal">A tear glistened in Gabrielle's eye as her guardian thus, with steady, +unsparing hand, drew the picture of her future lot; but she defended +her position courageously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have no faith left in any ideal," said she. "You told me yourself +that you looked on this world, and all men in it, with contempt. We +still believe in love and happiness, and therefore they may be in store +for us. George never thought of proposing to me to marry him at once. +He knows that is impossible; but in four years I shall be of age, and +he will have attained to a higher position. Then I shall be his wife, +and no one will have the right to separate us, nobody in the world."</p> + +<p class="normal">She spoke rapidly, and with a hurried, passionate intensity very new to +her; but the old obstinate defiance had died out of her voice. This was +not rebellion; it was rather a half-unconscious, anxious striving +against that strange sensation she had once tried to express in words, +confessing to her mother that there was about the Baron some subtle, +secret influence which troubled her, and against which she felt she +must defend herself at all hazards. To-day she sought a refuge and a +shield in her love for George, and this undefinable sense of danger it +was which lent such warmth and eagerness to her words.</p> + +<p class="normal">A bitter smile played about Raven's lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You appear to have most precise knowledge as to the extent of my +authority," he replied. "It has, no doubt, been sufficiently explained +to you--we study law to some purpose! Well, let the matter stand over +until you come of age. If you then repeat to me the words you have +spoken to-day, I shall make no further attempt to stop you, though from +that day forth our roads will lie apart. Until then, however, no hasty +promise, no imaginary fetters, shall bind you; and to this end it is +necessary that Winterfeld should be kept at a distance. Meanwhile, you +are absolutely free, free to accept the suit of any one whose rank in +life and personal advantages entitle him to approach you. I shall not +refuse to sanction any equal match--that is what I wished to say to +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke gravely and quietly. There was no unsteadiness in his voice, +not the slightest quiver about his lips, to betray how much the +engagement cost him. He had determined that the dream should be over, +and Arno Raven looked a man strong enough to make good his word. This +disciplinarian governed himself with a dominion as despotic as that he +exercised over others. Neither to his passions nor to his enemies would +he make surrender.</p> + +<p class="normal">He opened the door of the adjoining room, where the Baroness was +sitting. That lady, to her great vexation, had been unable to catch a +word of the interview, owing to the thickness of the <i>portières</i>, which +effectually stifled every sound.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have done, Matilda," said the Baron. "I now give over your daughter +to your charge; but, once again, no reproaches--I will not have them. +Good-morning, Gabrielle."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"Now I really am beginning to lose patience," said Max Brunnow, coming +in to his friend's rooms. "I think the whole world has taken up +Councillor Moser's notion that I must necessarily be a dangerous +character, because I bear the name of Brunnow. I am regarded on all +sides with suspicion, or with most respectful attention, according to +the party feeling of those present. There is, I grieve to say, no +possibility of convincing these good people that I am a peaceful +follower of the healing art, that I have no thought of stirring up +revolutions or upsetting governments; but am, on the contrary, largely +endowed with all the qualities which go to the making of a good +citizen. No one will credit this, and, by an evil chance, here I find +myself, with my ominous family name, transported into the midst of this +agitated, highly-wrought city of R----, which is constantly making +convulsive attempts to shake off its Governor, and generally conducting +itself in the most outrageously restive manner. His Excellency, +however, sits firm in the saddle, and at every plunge of the rebellious +steed drives his spurs more deeply into its flanks. He is a match for +all of you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Winterfeld sat leaning back in the sofa-corner. Quite contrary to his +wont, he welcomed his friend neither by word nor gesture. He hardly +listened to his speech, but said now, in a dull low voice:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad you have come, Max. I was just thinking of going over to you +to tell you a piece of news."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max became attentive.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter? Has anything disagreeable happened to you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes. I am leaving R----, probably for good."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leaving R----? The deuce! What is the meaning of this? Do you wish to +go?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not wish, I am obliged, I have this morning received information +that I am transferred to the capital, to the Ministry of the Interior."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To the Ministry?" repeated Max. "Does that mean promotion, or----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; it is a stroke of policy on the part of the Governor," broke out +George, bitterly. "I am to be sent out of Gabrielle's way; any future +meeting between us is to be made impossible. Raven gave me notice that +he should use his power unsparingly. He has lost no time in keeping his +word."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You believe that this transfer originated with your chief?" asked the +young doctor, who was as grave as his friend by this time.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is his work, there can be no doubt of that. He is influential +enough to get me pushed into one of the vacancies there, particularly +if it is done under colour of helping forward a striving young official +whom he wishes to befriend. I know there has never been any question of +my removal hitherto. It came upon me like a thunderclap. But I ought, +indeed, to have known the Baron. He does not merely threaten, he +strikes home. I have been visited with no outward mark of his +displeasure since our last interview. He has rather avoided direct +intercourse with me; but when it has been necessary to address a few +words to me, he has always spoken in a cool, business-like tone, making +no allusion to that which had passed between us.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In just the same cool, business-like manner, he this morning announced +to me my new appointment. He even added a few flattering words +respecting a report drawn up by me which had been sent in to +head-quarters, and which, no doubt, afforded him a pretext to bring the +thing about. It is looked on as a special distinction, and my +colleagues are congratulating me on the brilliant prospects opening out +before me in the capital."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are right there," remarked Max, who, now that the first surprise +was over, began, as usual, to take a practical view of the matter. +"Your chief may have had personal motives for acting as he has done, +but he has not rendered you such a bad service in getting you +introduced to the Ministry. That is the stage whereon he made his own +<i>début</i>. What should hinder you from emulating his brilliant career?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What good will it do me?" cried George, vehemently, springing to his +feet. "What good will it do me to struggle and fight and work my way up +yonder, while here I am being robbed of all that gives me hope in the +future and makes life dear? I know that I shall lose Gabrielle if she +remains here for years exposed to all the hostile influences which are +arrayed against us. A nature such as hers cannot hold out long under +circumstances so cruelly adverse; and to lose her is more than I can +bear."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young doctor had tranquilly taken possession of the sofa-corner, +and was contemplating his friend with wonderment. This agitation in one +usually so collected and sober-minded was a phenomenon he apparently +could not understand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are half distraught, old fellow," he said. "What does Fräulein von +Harder say to this separation? Has she been informed of your removal?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know. All communication is cut off between us; but, before I +leave, I must see and speak to her again. I must, cost what it may. If +I can find no other means, I will go straight to Baroness Harder and +force her to grant me a parting interview with my betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No offence, George, but that is an insane idea. The Baroness is, +beyond a doubt, completely under her brother-in-law's influence, and +you are not likely to obtain anything from him by defiance. Let us +consider the matter calmly and rationally. In the first place, when +must you start?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In the course of a few days. They have taken good care, of course, to +appoint me to a post which must be filled immediately. It is absolutely +necessary that I should enter on my functions at once."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is no time to lose, then. By-the-bye, you were at Councillor +Moser's rooms a little while ago, I think?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; I took him over some deeds I had had here at home."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max reflected.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well; that gives you a pretext to do it a second time. Take the +thickest blue-book you can hunt up in your Chancellery, if you like; +only mind you miss the august Councillor, that is the main point."</p> + +<p class="normal">George, who had been pacing uneasily up and down the room, stopped in +surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What can you possibly mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A little patience--I have a most superior plan. Fräulein Agnes Moser +is acquainted with the young Baroness--the acquaintance is slight, it +is true: the Councillor has presented his daughter to the ladies, and +the two girls have seen and spoken to each other several times."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But how do you know all this?" interrupted George. "You have only seen +Fräulein Moser once, I believe, on the occasion of your celebrated +visit."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon. I see and speak to her almost every day at the +cottage of the patient I am now treating by your desire. She exerts +herself for the sick woman's spiritual welfare, while I devote my +efforts to her bodily cure. This division of labour works admirably."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you have never said a syllable to me about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why should I? You are in love, and people in that condition lose all +interest in rational matters."</p> + +<p class="normal">The malicious intent of this speech escaped George, who was absorbed by +the prospect of meeting Gabrielle.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you think this young girl, who, as I hear, has been brought up in +a nunnery on the strictest conventual principles, will lend herself to +be a go-between?" he asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, it will be a deuce of a work to bring her to it, no doubt," +answered the young doctor, reflectively; "but never mind, I will make +the attempt. If nothing else answers, I will allow myself to be +converted in due form; then she will be so taken up with the idea of +saving my soul and fitting me for heaven, that she will consent to +anything. Be it made known to you, therefore, that my conversion is +imminent."</p> + +<p class="normal">George was forced to smile, in spite of his cares.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Poor Max!" he said compassionately.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I say, George," said Brunnow, quite gravely, "that is another of those +preconceived notions which people adopt without knowing why. They fancy +the process of conversion must necessarily be dismal and tedious; but, +I assure you, it is a mistake. Under certain circumstances it may be +agreeable enough. I tell you I positively feel a void when I don't go +down to my patient's house, where the proselytising business is carried +on."</p> + +<p class="normal">"By your patient?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nonsense! By Agnes Moser. Up to the present time she has considered me +a hardened reprobate, and, of course, she abhors me in consequence; +nevertheless we have got on together pretty fairly. The saintly +mildness, for instance, which nearly drove me wild at first, has almost +disappeared, thanks to my treatment. She can show quite a pretty little +temper of her own now, and we frequently quarrel in the most edifying +and delightful manner."</p> + +<p class="normal">George turned a scrutinising gaze on his friend's face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Max," said he, abruptly, "so far as I am aware, Councillor Moser has +no private fortune."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What in the world has that to do with me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I was thinking of your marriage programme--'Clause No. +I--Money.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Brunnow jumped up from his sofa-corner, and stared at his friend in +astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What can you be thinking of? Agnes Moser is going to be a nun."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So I have heard; and a convent education would hardly go well with +the easy, comfortable sort of life you hope to lead after marriage. +Over-refinement in a wife would be rather in your way, and as to the +practical qualities of a housewife and the robust health----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not needful that I should hear all this from your sage lips. I +know it well enough without being told," broke out Max, in a rage. +"Really, I cannot understand how you can draw inferences so unfounded. +You fancy everybody must be in love, because you and your Gabrielle are +romantically attached. We are not thinking of such folly, but that is +the reward one gets for trying to help a friend in need. The purest +intentions are suspected. Agnes Moser and I--ridiculous!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Winterfeld had some trouble in smoothing his friend's ruffled feathers, +but succeeded at length. The doctor condescended to forget the absurd +suggestion which had affronted him, and promised his help in the +present emergency. Shortly after this he went away, taking his +accustomed road to his patient's house.</p> + +<p class="normal">The sick woman found herself in excellent case, thanks to the zeal with +which she was tended in two distinct ways. Her doctor's treatment met +with a success on which he himself at first had hardly dared to count. +A most decided change for the better had taken place in her condition. +There was good reason now to hope for her complete restoration to +health, and to-day the invalid had been able to enjoy the warm +sunshine, sitting for half an hour in the little garden which +surrounded the cottage.</p> + +<p class="normal">In this small enclosure Dr. Brunnow and Fräulein Moser were pacing, +very amicably as it appeared. A certain intimacy had sprung up between +the two during the few weeks of their acquaintance, the unreserve and +freedom from constraint which marked their intercourse being mainly +based on the conviction entertained by both that neither cared in the +least for the other. Agnes, indeed, cherished a serious intention of +rescuing the young surgeon from the slough of worldliness and unbelief +in which he was plunged, and the more unsuccessful her efforts to that +end appeared, the more persistently did she renew them. That there +might be peril for herself in this work of redemption, never occurred +to her. The dangers to which her heart might possibly one day be +exposed from masculine seductions had been represented to her in the +guise of flattery, of polite attentions, of sweet insinuating speeches. +Had she detected any approach to these, she would have taken fright, +and have withdrawn in the utmost haste; but from first to last Dr. +Brunnow had shown himself rough and altogether regardless of her +feelings. He could even, on occasions, be absolutely rude; and it was +to this trust-inspiring characteristic alone he owed it that the young +girl held his company to be devoid of danger.</p> + +<p class="normal">As regarded himself, he was certainly not in love; at least, the +indignation with which he had protested against such a supposition was +perfectly real and unfeigned. His marriage programme, as is known, +contained many practical clauses, but no allusion to the unpractical +sentimentality of love. As Agnes Moser answered to this programme +neither morally nor physically, there could, of course, be no question +of any inclination towards her on his part.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young doctor had, certainly, signal good luck with the cases under +his treatment, for Agnes too had revived wonderfully in the course of +the last few weeks, an improvement evidently to be attributed to the +conscientious manner in which she followed his medical advice. A faint +tinge of pink coloured the cheeks that were so pale formerly, her eye +was brighter, her carriage more erect, and she had lost much of her +excessive timidity, where the doctor was concerned at least. His +impiety and her proselytising zeal were so often brought into contact, +and the two were so frequently immersed in discussions on the most +interesting of all themes, that of necessity they grew to be on a more +familiar footing. To-day, again, the young lady had discoursed long and +earnestly to her companion, striving to make clear to him the error of +his ways; but no traces of contrition were visible on the sinner's +countenance: it beamed, on the contrary, with an expression of content +such as these theological disquisitions invariably produced in him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, now I must ask you to lend your attention for a moment to the +things of this earth," he said, taking advantage of a pause in the +lecture. "But the matter I am about to consult you on is a secret which +I must rely on you to keep discreetly, whether you grant the request I +am going to make to you or not."</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl opened wide eyes of astonishment on hearing this solemn +preface. She promised silence, however, and listened eagerly for what +should follow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know Fräulein Gabrielle von Harder," went on Max; "and my friend, +Assessor Winterfeld, is not quite a stranger to you, I believe. I have +heard, indeed, from his own lips that he has had the pleasure of +calling on you once at home."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I remember. He came to see papa."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, the young Baroness Harder and the Assessor are in love with each +other."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In love!" repeated Agnes, with mingled surprise and confusion. The +subject of the conversation seemed to her to verge on impropriety.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Head over ears in love," said Max, emphatically. "The young lady's +guardian, Baron von Raven, and her mother, the Baroness Harder, oppose +their marriage, however, on the grounds that George Winterfeld can +offer his future wife neither rank nor fortune. As for me, I have from +the first been the guardian angel of this attachment."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You, Doctor?" asked the girl, surveying the "guardian angel" with a +look eminently critical.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You think there is nothing very angelic about me?" asked Max, in his +turn.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think that, under any circumstances, it is sinful to cherish an +affection of which one's parents disapprove," was the somewhat tart +reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You don't understand these things, Fräulein," observed Max, +instructively. "People do not think of their parents when they fall in +love, and the young couple in this case have right on their side. What +is to be done when, from sheer prejudice and all manner of external +considerations, the parents and guardians set themselves to sunder two +closely wedded hearts?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is but one course for them--to submit and obey," declared Agnes, +with a solemnity which gave her for a moment a certain resemblance to +her father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Those are very antiquated notions," said Max, impatiently. "On the +contrary, they must rebel and get married in spite of everything."</p> + +<p class="normal">Truly, Fräulein Agnes had made very remarkable progress during the last +few weeks. She no longer opposed to the doctor's reprehensible speeches +a pained and resigned silence. Having really, as he said, developed a +very fair spirit of her own, she proceeded to make use of her new +acquisition, and replied with some asperity:</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is, I do not doubt, the advice you have given to your friend."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all. I have enough to do, on the contrary, to keep him within +due bounds. Well, to be brief--Winterfeld is leaving R---- in a day or +two, and they go so far as to refuse him a parting interview with his +betrothed. He must and will see her once more to bid her farewell. +Fräulein Agnes----" the speaker here made a long and most effective +pause--"it is an elevating thing to be the guardian angel of a pure, +true love. I ought to know. I have played the part long enough."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it you really mean, Doctor?" asked the girl, some faint +suspicion dawning within her; and she began to walk very fast as she +spoke.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will explain to you what I mean," said Max, quickening his pace to +suit hers.</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes stopped. She knew by experience that it would be futile to run +away; this incorrigible doctor was swift of foot, and could keep up +with any pace; so she yielded to his will, and listened.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You told me that the young Baroness Harder had called on you once," +proceeded Max. "If this were to occur again, and if, at the same time. +Assessor Winterfeld were accidentally to----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Without Madame von Harder's knowledge?" exclaimed Agnes, indignantly. +"Never!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But just reflect a moment----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never. It would be wrong, it would be sinful. No one but you would +ever have thought of such a plan; but I will not be your accomplice, +that I will not!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Fräulein Agnes was crimson with excitement and indignation; the +rebuking glance she shot at Dr. Brunnow was so keen that his eyes +should have quailed before it; but Max was a hardened offender. He +looked at the girl with unequivocal satisfaction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just see the little vixen," he said to himself. "I knew very well that +all the saintly submission and lamb-like patience were only learned by +rote. Get this confounded convent and its teachings once fairly into +the background, and a very tolerable little specimen of nature comes to +light. I must alter my tactics.--So you will not consent?" he added +aloud.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!" declared Agnes, in a tone which conveyed twenty protests.</p> + +<p class="normal">Max put on a look of dejected resignation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then the evil must take its course. I have tried, by every means in my +power, to keep my friend from any desperate step, and I hoped, by your +help, I might succeed in obtaining for him, at least, a farewell +meeting with his betrothed. If he is to be robbed of this last +consolation, I will not answer for the consequences. It is more than +likely he will take his own life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will not do that," said Agnes, but there was a little secret +uneasiness in her tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Unfortunately I have cause to dread such a catastrophe. As for +Fräulein von Harder, she will, I fear, not survive his death. The grief +and anguish to which she will be exposed will kill her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can people really die of grief?" asked the girl, who by this time had +grown visibly anxious.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have seen several such cases in the course of my practice," declared +the unscrupulous doctor, falsely; "and I have no doubt that a fresh one +will now be added to the list. The Baroness and Herr von Raven will +repent of their harshness when it is too late, and you too, Fräulein, +you will regret the decision you have now taken, for it lay in your +power to preserve two breaking hearts from despair."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes listened with deep commiseration, but also with ever-increasing +amazement. She had not believed the doctor possessed so much feeling. +That gentleman now fairly launched into a strain of touching pathos, +and seeing, not a little to his own surprise, the distinguished success +it met with, had recourse to a bold stroke for his final effect. The +suicide and the death from affliction, neither of which were at present +even in contemplation, he unhesitatingly adopted in his argument as +accomplished facts.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I must live to see this cruel consummation!" he said, with +profound melancholy. "I, who had hoped to lead my friend and his bride +to the altar!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You would hardly have done that, I think, in any case," put in the +young lady. "You told me yourself that you never went to church."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will in future, if only this misfortune may be averted," declared +Max. "Besides, weddings are exceptions."</p> + +<p class="normal">Fräulein Agnes pricked up her ears at the first part of this speech. +She was far too zealous in the work of conversion not at once to grasp +the opportunity thus offered her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you mean that seriously?" she asked hastily. "Will you really go to +church?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you grant my request, and for one short quarter of an hour take +on yourself the <i>rôle</i> of guardian angel?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes deliberated.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was, no doubt, grievously wrong to favour a meeting prohibited alike +by mother and guardian; but, on the other hand, here was a soul to be +saved, a brand to be plucked from the burning: this last consideration +outweighed all minor scruples. The jesuitical principle, that the end +justifies the means, was once more brought into mischievous action.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is Sunday to-morrow," said the girl, slowly. "If you will go to +high mass in the cathedral----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will go to early mass," put in Max, who had a vague idea that this +was generally the shorter ceremony.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To high mass!" said Agnes, dictatorially. She had, it seemed, taken a +lesson from the doctor himself; this was just the tone in which he was +in the habit of issuing his orders. The young diplomatist evidently +half distrusted him; at all events, she meant to make sure of the +attendance at church before pledging herself to the counter-obligation. +"To the full service," she added, "sermon and all, from beginning to +end."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max heaved a deep sigh.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If there is no help for it .... well, heaven's will be done--so be +it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">This pious ejaculation rejoiced Agnes's heart. She now felt confident +that the sermon would fully accomplish the work she had commenced; that +the seeds of the true faith would be planted in the soil she had so +laboriously tilled, and prepared for its reception; and, in the +effervescence of her joy at the prospect, she held out the tips of her +fingers to the adversary, who had now become her ally. Of this overture +she, however, quickly repented her; for, like the overreaching +personage of the proverb, Max at once seized the whole hand, which he +pressed and shook in the heartiest manner possible.</p> + +<p class="normal">Next morning, as the cathedral bells were ringing, Councillor Moser, +giving his arm to his daughter, walked with slow and stately steps down +to the church, there to take his accustomed place. The devout old +gentleman's attention was, of course, exclusively given to the sacred +ritual; he therefore did not notice that Agnes, instead of sitting as +usual in reverent meditation and with downcast eyes, was on this +occasion restless and disturbed, glancing around half anxiously, half +expectantly, as though in search of some one. She had not long to seek, +for, but a few paces from her, and in close vicinity to the pulpit, +stood Dr. Brunnow, also, as it seemed, expectantly on the watch.</p> + +<p class="normal">Two pairs of eyes seeking each other so persistently must of necessity +meet ere long. When this happened, and Max saw how the pale delicate +face lighted up with joyful surprise, and flushed rosy-red at sight of +him; when he caught the earnest grateful look of those dark eyes, which +had never seemed to him so expressive as to-day, he thought neither of +his programme nor of its numerous clauses--he thought only that this +visit to church was not without its decided gratifications; and he sat +down with a resolute air which plainly announced his intention of +hearing out the whole sermon from beginning to end.</p> + +<p class="normal">So he listened to the homily, whether with a reverent mind, or not, +must remain an open question; on the other hand, it cannot be denied +that his presence in the sacred edifice altogether disturbed the +devotions of one of the most assiduous worshippers. It really would +have been hard to decide how much was gained to the cause, or which of +the two had undergone conversion.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the afternoon of that same Sunday the projected interview between +the lovers took place. Chance favoured it in an unhoped-for degree. +Councillor Moser had accepted a colleague's invitation, and was away in +the town. Frau Christine had also gone out, so there was no need even +to think of a pretext. A visit from Gabrielle to Agnes Moser, and +Winterfeld's call at the house of his superior, who was unfortunately +from home, were occurrences so natural that the coincidence between +them might well pass for accidental.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forgive me for having recourse to these means," said George, hastily, +so soon as he found himself alone with Gabrielle. "I really had no +alternative, and I told the Baron plainly that, notwithstanding his +prohibition, I should make an attempt to see and speak to you again. I +come to say good-bye, perhaps for years."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle turned very pale, and her eyes searched the speaker's face +with an expression of alarm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For God's sake, tell me--what has happened?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There has been no action on my part that need cause you uneasiness. +The hand which so inexorably sunders us is your guardian's. He +yesterday announced to me my transferment to the capital, and to the +Ministry, our head-quarters. You see how far his influence reaches, and +how skilfully he uses it in order to part us two."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no; you must not go!" cried Gabrielle, in great distress, clinging +to him as though for protection. "You must not leave me now, George. Do +not, do not leave me alone just now!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not now particularly?" he asked, in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do they worry and torment you on my account? But, indeed, I might have +known it. Raven is hard and unfeeling to the verge of cruelty, when he +wishes to crush down opposition. You are persecuted with reproaches, +with suspicions and threats, are you not, Gabrielle? They are doing all +in their power to break your resistance, is it not so? Speak, I must +know the truth."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl shook her head with a faint negative gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no; you are mistaken. There is no question of that. Since the day +he made known to me his decision as final and irrevocable, my guardian +has never mentioned your name; and he has obliged mamma to be silent +too, to cease the storm of reproaches with which she assailed me at +first; but he just overlooks me, passes me by with frigid indifference, +and I.... Oh, George, is not it possible for you to stay near me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot," said George, with difficulty restraining his own deep +emotion. "I must obey the call--it is quite impossible for me to resist +it. Under other circumstances, I should have hailed this change with +joy. It opens to me far brighter prospects than any I could have hoped +for here in R----, where the immense ascendency exercised on all sides +by the Baron keeps down individual effort, and stifles independent +thought; but I know only too well that this so-called promotion has but +one end in view: to defraud me of my highest, my best possession, to +rob me of your love, and to part us for ever. Your guardian has +summoned to his aid two mighty allies--time and distance. Perhaps they +may help him to the victory yet."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never!" exclaimed Gabrielle, passionately. "The victory shall never be +his. I have given you a promise, and I will keep my word."</p> + +<p class="normal">George did not notice the anxious distress which again involuntarily +betrayed itself in her tone. He only heard the resolute words, the +unwonted assertion of will; and, in spite of the parting now so +imminent, a ray of happiness illumined his features. He had so feared +he might find his love as childishly careless and indifferent to the +separation as on that former occasion when she had seemed in no way to +enter into or comprehend his grief. What joy to see that she too was +moved by the news of his departure, that she strove earnestly, eagerly, +to keep him near her! The spontaneous promise she now gave him filled +him with a delight he had never before experienced. Almost mastered by +his emotion, he stooped and kissed her hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, my love," he said fervently; "but you are strangely +changed since last we met. Where is my Gabrielle's sunny brightness, +the smile which was ever ready to chase the tears from her eyes? You +said to me once in jest. 'You do not know me thoroughly yet;' and, +truly, I did not do you full justice then. The present moment brings +that home to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl remained silent. Her rosy lips had, indeed, lost their +trick of smiling. They seemed to close firmly upon, and keep down, some +secret sorrow which was not to find utterance in words.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forgive me, if I failed to read you aright," continued George, with +ever-increasing tenderness; "I acknowledge it, I have had my doubts. I +have looked forward with fear and trembling to the inevitable collision +with your family. Now I see that you too can feel profoundly, now I +believe in you fully and completely; I believe that you will be +constant in your love, even though a Baron von Raven, armed with all +his high authority, should do his best to come between us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle started at these last words, and raised her downcast eyes to +his face. The look was one George could not decipher--a look of mingled +anxiety, pain, and touching appeal; but next moment all this was +drowned in a rush of tears which could no longer be withheld.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My poor Gabrielle!" whispered the young man, bending over her; "you +are so little used to care and trouble; and to think that it should be +my fate, mine! to bring them on you. But we were prepared, you know, to +make a fight for our love. Now the time for the struggle has come. We +must endure and conquer. Perhaps Herr von Raven may one day repent +having played Providence in this manner. He is sending out one more +enemy into the world, and not so insignificant a one as he supposes."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle's tears were stayed now. She drew her hand away from him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are--you are enemies now?" she asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have long been Raven's opponent. Do not ask me why. I will not +accuse your guardian and relative to you. The charges against him must +be brought before another forum. But, believe me, he has challenged +hatred and enmity in many quarters. He has so used his power that it +has proved baneful to all beneath his rule, and will, assuredly, one +day prove baneful to himself. It is a mistake on his part to thrust me +thus, with his own hand, forth from the magic circle that surrounds his +person, far from the fascination which has held me, as it holds so many +others, in chains, and from which I could not escape, though I felt it +crippled my strength and relaxed my will. Dr. Brunnow did not warn me +in vain against the magnetic influence of that strange man. It has +often beguiled me into admiring there where I should have condemned. +But now the spell is broken. Yonder, in the great city, I shall be +released from the ties which have hitherto bound me to the superior +officer under whose immediate orders I stood."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean?" asked Gabrielle, uneasily. "I do not understand +your allusions."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not meet you should," said George, firmly; "but promise me one +thing. Whatever you may hear, believe that no personal enmity, no base +desire for revenge, has prompted me to action. Long ago I resolved I +would take up the glove against the Governor of our province, for taken +up it must be; and there was no one else who ventured to enter the +lists with the omnipotent Raven. I had my arms ready. Then I learned to +know you. I heard that the man I was intending to fight to the death +held my life's happiness in his hands--and my courage failed me. It may +have been cowardly and wrong, but I should like to see the man who in +my place would have acted differently, who would have had nerve, +himself, at a single blow, to destroy life's fair promise, and all the +bright hopes which had just blossomed for him. Now they are blighted. +Your guardian, with unnecessary harshness, has refused me your hand, +has refused me even a glimmer of hope in the future--he who, when he +paid his court to the great Minister's daughter, had no more to offer +than I have! Was it strange that we parted as open enemies? For the +time to come, I will be guided by that alone which I deem duty. And +now--farewell!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle held him back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"George, you cannot, must not leave me so--not with these vague menaces +which distress me unspeakably. What are you thinking of doing? I must +and will know."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not ask me to speak more openly," said the young man, in gentle but +decided tones. "For your own sake, I will not make you privy to my +intentions. You are not free, as I am. You must remain here under the +same roof with your guardian; you are thrown into daily intercourse +with him. It would be a constant burden on you, were you to share even +in thought in any----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In any plot against him?" cried Gabrielle; and there was so strange, +so vibrating a ring in her voice, that George started.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Against Baron von Raven, you mean?" he asked slowly. "You do not +suspect me of anything dishonourable?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no; but I fear ... for you ... for us all!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Set your mind at rest I shall fight with my visor up, and shall speak +in the name of hundreds who dare not speak for themselves. The Governor +of R---- may return such answer as he sees fit. He has power on his +side; his voice will be heard before any other: but if I have all the +danger, I have also right on mine. And now let us say good-bye. If I +can possibly manage it, you shall have news of me from the capital; +but, though no single line should reach you, you know that all my +thoughts are given to you, that you inspire my every effort, and that I +will never renounce my claim to your hand, unless I hear from your own +lips that you have given me up."</p> + +<p class="normal">He clasped her in his arms for the first time since the day on which he +had made to her the avowal of his love. The parting was a bitter one. +He would not prolong the painful moment--a few fervent words +passionately whispered, a last pressure of the hand, then George tore +himself away from her, and left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle sank on to a seat, and hid her face in her hands. Tear after +tear trickled slowly through her fingers; but her low, half-suppressed +weeping was not provoked by the grief of that separation alone. There +was another secret, unspoken sorrow shadowing the girl's soul, a great +preoccupation which threatened to efface from her memory all that had +come before. George had spoken truly. He had not hitherto read +Gabrielle aright; but if her deeper nature were now stirring within +her, revealing itself in word and look, he was not the magician whose +spell had called it forth.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Life at the Castle during the last few weeks had been anything but +agreeable. To be sure, things had outwardly taken their usual course. +The family met and talked at table, and fulfilled all their social +duties; but the former easy, familiar intercourse had given place to a +stiff reserve and constraint, which weighed heavily on each separate +member of the party. The Baroness, shallow-minded and superficial as +ever, was, perhaps, the least affected by it. She could not understand +how an insignificant, fleeting love-affair, which, after all, was +nothing more than a piece of childish folly, should have so deep and +lasting an influence on her brother-in-law's humour. To her thinking, a +complete end had been put to the matter by the Baron's decided refusal, +and by Winterfeld's departure from R----. There could be no doubt that +Gabrielle would now listen to reason. The mother had, as she supposed, +an unfailing resource at her disposal, one which would speedily drive +that romantic youthful fancy into the background. Lieutenant Wilten's +admiration for the young Baroness was growing day by day more evident, +and but little encouragement was needed to embolden him to press his +suit openly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ever since the night of the ball, when Colonel Wilten had remarked how +much his eldest son was taken by the appearance and manners of +Gabrielle von Harder, that gentleman had held tenaciously to the idea +of bringing about a marriage between the two. As Raven had shown +himself impervious to the slight hints he had let fall on the subject, +the Colonel had recourse to the lady of the house, whom he found far +more amenable, and quite disposed to favour his wishes. There was not, +indeed, much to be urged against the match, which was one to satisfy a +more requiring mother than the Baroness. The Wiltens came of a good old +house, and were connected by blood, or by alliance, with some of the +foremost families of the land. They were not rich, certainly, but this +want would be supplied by Gabrielle's dowry and future fortune, in +case, as might confidently be expected, the Baron should give his +consent to the marriage. Albert von Wilten was a good-looking young +officer, whose uniform became him exceedingly well, and who rode and +danced to perfection. He was a model partner and an agreeable +companion, and he appeared to be sincerely attached to Gabrielle. In +short, he possessed all the qualities which Madame von Harder desired +in her future son-in-law; and the Colonel and his wife, to both of whom +the presumptive heiress of Baron von Raven seemed a most desirable +connection, were diligent in their attentions to mother and daughter.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness began by sounding her brother-in-law. She soon made the +unpleasant discovery that Gabrielle, by her rebellious wilfulness and +obstinacy, had altogether trifled away the kindly feeling which her +guardian had formerly entertained towards her. This was very evident, +for he listened to the proposed scheme with icy indifference; +declaring, indeed, that he had no objection to offer, but that he must +decline to interfere, and leave the matter entirely to the Baroness's +generalship. On the other hand, that lady obtained the comforting +assurance that, as Baroness Wilten, her daughter would remain in +undiminished possession of all the advantages secured to her by her +guardian's will. This did away with any lingering hesitation, Gabrielle +herself was to know nothing of the plan. She seemed to like the young +officer, but was rather cool and reserved in her manner towards him, +and evidently attached no serious importance to the homage he paid her. +She, therefore, readily consented to accompany her mother when the +latter accepted an invitation to the Wiltens' country-house, which was +situated some miles from the town, at the foot of the mountains. The +Colonel's wife, whose health was delicate, generally spent the summer +there. She had not yet returned to town, and as there was still a +prospect of a few fine, sunny autumn days, Lieutenant Wilten never +rested until he obtained from the ladies the promise of a visit. He, of +course, at once applied for leave, in order to be with them during +their sojourn in the country; and the Colonel, too, managed to get free +of the duties of his service for a short space. The matter was thus set +in train, and it was agreed that the rest should be left to the young +people themselves.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron, who was included in the invitation, excused himself on the +plea of the pressure of business. Besides, he said, he felt it +necessary to remain at his post on account of the uneasiness still +prevailing in the town. So the ladies set out on their expedition +alone, and Gabrielle breathed freely as the carriage rolled out from +the portico of the Government-house. She, poor girl, had suffered most +from the experiences of the last few weeks, yet Raven had kept his +word. Not a look, not a word, had recalled to her that "unguarded +moment" which she was to forget, as he seemed to have forgotten it.</p> + +<p class="normal">George Winterfeld's name had not passed his lips since the day on which +he had informed her that the Assessor had left R---- to enter on his +new post in the distant capital; but since then the Baron himself had +become more reserved and unapproachable than ever. He governed and +ordered everything with his accustomed promptness and energy; but +between him and Gabrielle a great cleft seemed to have opened, +rendering all friendly communication impossible. He was frigid as ice +in his behaviour to her; thus it came about that she grasped eagerly at +the chance now offered her of escaping for a while from the life in +common which was every day growing more unendurable. Raven, too, seemed +to desire a separation, for he at once concurred in the plan, and +expressed no disapproval when his sister-in-law thought fit to prolong +her absence for a full fortnight.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the last day of their <i>villeggiatura</i>, the Governor drove out to the +Wiltens' country-seat to fetch the ladies home. But the Baroness had +taken cold, and, the weather being raw and inclement, could not venture +to undertake so long a drive. She had decided on staying the night, and +returning to town the following day with Colonel Wilten and his wife. +It was arranged, however, that Gabrielle should avail herself of her +guardian's escort. Raven, who had come over in the morning, wished to +start again directly after dinner, and Colonel Wilten in vain sought to +detain him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot stop," said the Baron, as the two talked together, pacing the +garden-room the while. "In the present state of affairs it would not do +for me to leave the town for more than a few hours. Even for this short +absence I had to take my precautions, leaving word that I was to be +sent for should anything happen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is the situation so critical, then?" asked the Colonel, who had been +out of town for the last week.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Critical?" Raven shrugged his shoulders. "There is rather more +brawling and noise than usual, and every now and then we have an +attempt at a riot; the good citizens, in short, are sufficiently giving +me to understand the dislike entertained by them towards my person and +government. I have had one or two apostles of liberty, who were +decreeing my deposition in open assembly, arrested, and hold them +safely under lock and key. The whole city is in a state of sedition in +consequence. The burgomaster came up to me himself to demand the +release of the prisoners, 'in the name of justice.' I was obliged to +make known to that gentleman that my patience is at length exhausted, +and that I shall now proceed with more vigour than I have hitherto +cared to display."</p> + +<p class="normal">In spite of their ironical inflection, his words betrayed deep +irritation and annoyance. Wilten, too, had grown serious.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The ferment has been going on for months," he observed. "If the +outbreak, which is always threatening, has been avoided so far, we owe +it to the tact and discretion of the police authorities--of the +Superintendent, in particular."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He and his officials will be powerless soon in face of this growing +agitation. The Superintendent is too fond of half-measures for me to +put my trust in him. No matter what orders I give, I am met with a +great show of ready compliance and prompt adhesion; but when it comes +to executing my orders, there are endless difficulties and delays, and +we make no progress at all. I am glad you are coming back to town +tomorrow; but for that, I must have asked you to shorten your leave. +You are the commandant of the garrison, and there is no saying how soon +strong arguments may be needed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Excellency would do well to avoid any violent measures," said the +Colonel, impressively. "Once taken, they cannot be retracted, and you +know my despatches----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Instruct you to place the troops of the garrison at my disposal."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; they only instruct me to lend you assistance in case of extreme +necessity," replied the Colonel, a little irritated at the other's +imperious tone; "and at army head-quarters it is earnestly desired that +such a necessity may be avoided. It is really rather difficult to draw +a line, to say where your responsibility ends and mine begins. I should +hesitate to interfere in this early stage of affairs."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is natural," said Raven, curtly. "You are a soldier, and +accustomed to submit to discipline. My position has always permitted me +to retain my freedom of action and independence. Nevertheless, you may +rest assured that I shall do all in my power to save you from any such +dilemma."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us hope that it will not come to the worst," struck in the +Colonel, who had no desire to excite the other's anger. Wilten was +counting a good deal just now on the Baron's friendly feeling, and, +foreseeing that this topic of conversation might give rise to fresh +unpleasantness, he let it drop, and passed to another which lay very +near his heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I shall return to my post to-morrow, certainly," he began again. +"Albert has been back in town for more than a week. It was hard on him +to tear himself away at the call of duty. He lies bound hand and foot, +a captive to the charms of a certain young lady."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven was silent. He stopped, accidentally, as it were, by the window +which opened on to the balcony, and, turning slightly away, looked out +into the garden.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I may take it for granted, I think, that my son's wishes and hopes are +no secret to you now," continued Wilten. "In these wishes my wife +and I most cordially share. If we may reckon on your support in the +matter----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has Lieutenant Wilten declared himself as yet?" interrupted the Baron, +still preserving the same attitude.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not yet. We fancied there was a little reserve in Fräulein von +Harder's manner to him, and Albert had not the courage to speak out. He +will call on you in the course of the next few days. May he hope that +you will favour his cause? A father's good word is often a powerful +aid."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A father's good word!" repeated Raven, his voice grating with harshest +irony.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, or his who stands in the father's place. The Baroness is of +opinion also, that your counsels will have great weight with her +daughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven passed his hand across his brow, and turned slowly round to face +the speaker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When Lieutenant Wilten has communicated with me, I will acquaint +Gabrielle with his proposal, and ask for her answer; but I neither can +nor will attempt to influence my ward."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course not, of course not," replied the Colonel; "but, next to the +young lady's consent, her guardian's approval is, naturally, the first +thing to be thought of. The Baroness has led my son to hope that he may +count on you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have already told my sister-in-law that I have no objection to +offer," said the Baron, whose lips twitched, as though he were enduring +an inward martyrdom, albeit his voice retained its wonted calm. "But +the decision must rest solely and entirely with Gabrielle. If her +mother chooses to throw her influence into the scale, she can do so. I, +personally, shall not interfere."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel seemed surprised and a little offended at this very cool +reception of his overtures, but he ascribed the other's ungenial manner +to the annoying occurrences in the town, which had evidently ruffled +his temper.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can well understand that your head is full of other things just +now," he half apologised; "but when a hot-headed young fellow of my +Albert's stamp falls in love, he does not stay to inquire whether time +and circumstances are favourable to his suit; he cannot be induced to +sit down soberly and wait. But to come back to where we started. Would +it not be better to leave the ladies here awhile? R---- is not a very +pleasant place of residence just in these difficult times, and my wife +would gladly prolong her sojourn in the country if it would be any +convenience to her dear visitors."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thanks, no," declined Raven. "It shall not be said that my relations +remain absent from the town because I hold the situation to be +seriously menacing. Some such reports have arisen already, and it is +high time they should be refuted."</p> + +<p class="normal">Colonel Wilten saw that this ground was untenable, so he yielded. The +previous arrangements as to the journey therefore held good, and a few +hours later the Baron set out in Gabrielle's company on his return to +the town, leaving the remaining trio to follow at their ease.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was a cool and rather stormy autumn day, with heavy showers of rain +and glimpses of sunshine alternating. The heaviest downpour had, +however, ceased about noon, and the sun, already declining to its rest, +struggled still for the mastery, breaking through the dark clouds with +which the sky was covered. In spite of the uninviting weather, Raven, +as was his wont, had driven out in an open carriage, and the handsome +horses, celebrated throughout the province for their swiftness and the +beauty of their proportions, almost flew along the road with the light +britzska. Its occupants were very silent during the greater part of the +drive. The Baron seemed absorbed in his own thoughts, and Gabrielle sat +mutely gazing out at the country through which they passed. The wind +blew keenly down from the hills, and the girl drew her mantle more +closely about her shoulders. Raven noticed the movement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are cold," he said; "I should have remembered that you are not +accustomed to drive in an open carriage in such weather. I will have +the hood put up."</p> + +<p class="normal">He would have at once given the coachman the order, but Gabrielle +stopped him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, thank you. I prefer even this chill keen air to a close carriage. +My cloak protects me perfectly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you like."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven stooped, drew up a rug which had slipped to their feet, and +wrapped it round his companion's slender form. Then she said, in a low +and almost timid voice:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Uncle Arno, I have a request to make to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am listening," he replied laconically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If this close intercourse with Colonel Wilten's family is to be kept +up in town, let me be dispensed from sharing in it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because, during our stay in the country, I have discovered that mamma +was following out a premeditated plan in accepting that invitation--a +plan which you favour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I favour nothing," said Raven, coldly. "Your mother is guided by her +own wishes, and acts on her own responsibility. I take no part in the +matter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But they will ask for your decision," returned Gabrielle. "At least, +mamma hinted to me that Albert von Wilten would shortly apply to you +with a request which----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which will concern you," concluded Raven, as she paused. "That seems +probable certainly, but you alone can decide thereupon. I shall refer +him to you for an answer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Spare us both that," interposed the girl, hastily. "It would be as +mortifying to him to take a refusal from my lips as it would be painful +for me to speak it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have made up your mind, then, to decline his offer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked up at him with great reproachful eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you ask me? You know that I have given my word to another."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you know that I do not recognise that promise, given in haste, as +a pledge which is to bind you. 'I have given my word to another.' A +little while ago it was, 'I love another!'"</p> + +<p class="normal">The observation must have struck home, for Gabrielle's face was +suffused with a deep crimson blush, and she evaded a direct reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Albert von Wilten was an object of indifference to me before," she +answered; "since I have found out that his suit is to be pressed upon +me, I have taken a dislike to him. I will never be his wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron drew a long deep breath which seemed to expand his chest; but +he replied, in the icy tone he had maintained throughout the +conversation:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall neither compel nor persuade you to make a choice. If, indeed, +you are firmly resolved to refuse young Wilten, it will, no doubt, be +better that his proposal should not be made. I will give the Colonel to +understand that there is no hope for him. It shall be done to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven leaned back in his seat, and the former silence set in again. +Gabrielle nestled more closely into her corner; she, who in the old +days could not have sat for the space of a quarter of an hour without +breaking forth into a flow of merry chatter, now showed no inclination +whatever to renew the conversation. A mighty change had come over the +girl, a change which could not be said exactly to date from George's +departure; before that, long before, there had arisen within her an +enigmatic unknown something against which she had battled from the +first, and which she had so long taken for the constraint of shyness +and fear. This strange new state of mind had nothing in common with the +joyous, happy sensation which had warmed her heart like sunshine when +George first confessed his love to her, when with all the fervour of +his heart he prayed for her love in return, and she, smiling and +flushing with pleasure and excitement, spoke the word he pleaded for. +Often enough she recalled the memory of that hour, fleeing to it as to +some protecting influence--sometimes it would happen that she called on +it in vain. At such moments George's image, which she strove firmly to +grasp and to retain, would recede into the background, fading gradually +away. If separation and absence were alone to blame for this, why did +not absence work a like effect with regard to that other figure which +rose before her, grave and sombre, ever more and more distinctly in +proportion as the former vision waned? During the whole of the past +fortnight that face had been with Gabrielle.</p> + +<p class="normal">Neither the flattering homage paid her by the young officer, nor the +thought of her absent lover, had had power to scare away the one +remembrance which by degrees was usurping absolute sway over her mind +and feelings. It was as though some sorcerer's spell had cast the young +girl's whole nature into bonds. The old merry light-heartedness, the +wilful high spirits, the childish caprices--all these had vanished, and +in their place had come dim, problematic sensations more nearly akin to +pain than pleasure; a constant flux and reflux of emotions which +Gabrielle did not understand, but which troubled her exceedingly. She +still wrestled half unconsciously against this dread unknown; for as +yet she did not divine, <i>would</i> not divine the nature of the peril +which menaced her youthful attachment and George's happiness; she only +felt that both were in danger, and that the danger did not come from +without.</p> + +<p class="normal">Swiftly, steadily, the carriage rolled on its way towards the town, +which still lay at some considerable distance, all wreathed around in +mist. The broad valley and its encircling hills were already robed in +russet, for here, among the mountains, autumn entered on its dominion +earlier than out in the open plain. As yet the trees and bushes stood +clothed in all their wealth of leaves, but their fresh verdure had long +ago disappeared. Everywhere nature had decked herself in rich and +varied hues, ranging from darkest brown to brightest ochre, with here +and there a flame of brilliant red or a dash of purple, deluding the +eye with the semblance of flowers still blooming in among the thickets; +though, in truth, there was nothing here but dying foliage sending +forth one last bright gleam of colour before it fell a prey to the +chill wind now rustling through the forests, and sweeping with its +cutting blasts over the bare fields and pastures. The river, swollen +with the late rains, rushed in mad haste on its course, its dark and +turgid torrent rolling onwards with a low, sullen roar. The mountains +had wrapped themselves in their veil of mist, which, tattered in places +and fluttering, would now enshroud, and now reveal, the jagged peaks +above. Lower down, among the wooded hills, the clouds pursued their +fantastic evolutions, rising out of the deep vaporous ravines and +sinking from view again in endless unrest; while, in the west, the sun +slowly declined, camped around by a dark phalanx of storm-cloud which +the great orb illumined with a ruddy glow, but which even it was +powerless to break.</p> + +<p class="normal">This same landscape had once presented a very different aspect to the +two who were now sitting side by side, mute and reserved as strangers. +Then the valley had lain before them flooded in sunlight, bright with a +golden haze, its blue mountains and glistening distances telling of a +"Paradise" beyond; while from beneath the cool deep shade of the limes +came the sparkle of the fountain and the mysterious rippling murmur of +its waters, calling up those sweet, dangerous dream-visions! To-day the +only sound heard was the low roar of the river, as they drove along its +banks. The horizon was masked in thick fog; the mountains, all girt +around with clouds, looked down menacingly, and the sun, bereft of its +warmth and radiance, burned with a lurid fire, staining the sky a deep +blood-red, as it flamed its parting greeting to the earth.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron's eyes were moodily fixed on the setting sun and the great +masses of cloud striving together for the mastery. At length, with a +strong effort, as it seemed, he roused himself from his thoughts, and +broke the long silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The sky denotes a storm," he said, turning to his young companion; +"but it will probably not come upon us until night, and I hope we shall +be safely housed in R---- before dusk."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They say the town is very disturbed just now," observed Gabrielle, +with an anxious, inquiring look up at her companion, which, however, he +did not appear to notice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There have been some rather noisy demonstrations of late, certainly," +he replied. "But the troubles are not of a serious nature, and will +soon be over. You need feel no uneasiness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But they say that this movement is directed principally, if not +entirely, against you," continued Gabrielle, in a faltering voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven frowned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who says that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Colonel Wilten often lets fall hints on the subject. Is it true that +you have so many enemies in the town?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I never have been popular in R----," explained the Baron, with perfect +equanimity. "In the first days of my appointment, the duty devolved on +me of stifling the germs of a revolution then in active preparation. I +succeeded; but success in such matters generally breeds hostility. Well +do I know what hatred to my person the measures to which I had to +resort at that time provoked, and how obstinately the people still +persist in regarding me as an oppressor, notwithstanding all that I +have done for the city and the province. We have lived in a state of +constant warfare; but so far I have always had the upper hand, and I +mean to preserve it in this instance."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle thought of George's enigmatic words, of which she had as yet +found no solution. He had so resolutely evaded her urgent appeal for an +explanation, and the parting had come so quickly, so unexpectedly; but +a few minutes had been allowed them for their stolen leave-taking, then +the young man, with a great effort of will, had torn himself away, +leaving Gabrielle a prey to torturing anxiety. Conjectures as to his +meaning, harassing fears and doubts, still racked her brain. Of one +thing, however, she felt certain--the Baron was in some way menaced, +and she resolved to warn him at all hazards.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you stand quite alone against a multitude," she said. "You cannot +tell, cannot even guess what they may be plotting against you in +secret. Suppose there should be danger in store for you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven looked at her with an expression of undisguised astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How long have you taken an interest in such matters? They were +formerly as far from your ken as night from day."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl tried to smile.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have learned so much of late that was once beyond my ken. But I am +now alluding to some very decided hints----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which have reached you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron started. He flashed upon her the old piercing, inquisitorial +look peculiar to him, and asked abruptly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are in communication with the capital?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have not received a single line, not a sign of life from thence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No?" said Raven, more mildly. "I fancied so, because Assessor +Winterfeld has entered on his new duties at the Ministry of the +Interior, where he will no doubt meet with sympathisers, with many who +will share in his opinion that I am a tyrant unequalled in the annals +of history. I cannot take it amiss from the young man personally that +he should indulge in such views, for I was forced to assume an attitude +towards him which fairly entitles him to hate me and to revenge himself +on me, supposing revenge to be within his power."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will never do anything ungenerous or base," said Gabrielle.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron smiled disdainfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can assure you that I attach very little weight to Mr. Winterfeld's +ill-will or opposition. I have had more powerful enemies than him, and +have managed to get the better of them. But if the hints of which you +speak do not emanate from the capital, I can only suppose that the +silly rumours which are buzzed from mouth to mouth in R---- have found +their way out to the Wiltens' country-seat. They rest on no practical +foundation whatever. I do not doubt that the malcontents have every +inclination to do me a hurt, but they will be too wise to proceed to +deeds of violence. They know well enough that I am their match, and +able to meet any attack made upon me. If the situation had really been +so full of peril, I should not have allowed you and your mother to +return. I must ask you to discontinue your drives for the next few +days, but it will not be for any length of time, I hope; and, in any +case, at the Castle, in the Governor's house, you will be safe from the +popular excesses, should any such occur."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you will not be safe!" cried Gabrielle, her anxiety breaking down +the barrier of her timidity at last. "The Colonel declares that you +expose yourself recklessly to every danger, and never listen to a +warning of any sort."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven turned his grave, dark eyes slowly upon her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, that concerns myself alone, I think, unless--unless it be that +you feel anxiety on my account."</p> + +<p class="normal">She dared not reply in words; but the answer might be read in her eyes, +which met his with an imploring, beseeching look. The Baron bent down +to her, and there was a thrill of breathless expectation in his voice +as he repeated:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Speak, Gabrielle; are you anxious about me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," came trembling from her lips. It was but a single word, yet it +wrought a marvellous effect.</p> + +<p class="normal">Again Gabrielle saw his whole face kindle as with a blaze of light, met +the ardent gaze which had struck her dumb once before; and the flame of +that mighty up-springing passion melted the panoply of ice in which the +proud man had wrapped himself. One moment sufficed to destroy the +barriers which the self-control of weeks had laboriously built up. The +dream was <i>not</i> over. The sudden fire in his eyes flashed out his +secret.</p> + +<p class="normal">Close to them the river ran with a loud and angry murmur, while out +yonder in the autumnal forests the wind rustled and blew with sharper, +stronger blasts. The wall of cloud, which rose more and more +threateningly in the west, parted, and once again the red sun shone out +clear and full. For a few seconds, mountains, woods, and stream +appeared bathed in a purple light; a transfiguring glory streamed over +the earth, and the whole broad valley glowed in supernatural splendour. +For a few seconds only--then the great disc sank out of sight, the +glory died away, and there remained nothing but the darkening autumn +landscape with, overhead, the heavy masses of storm-cloud, and far away +in the distant horizon a lingering crimson flush. A half-melancholy, +half-weird aspect came over the scene, and all Nature thrilled with a +presentiment of winter and of death.</p> + +<p class="normal">"During the last few weeks, you too have thought me a tyrant, no +doubt," said Raven, in a low voice, carefully subdued, though every +word vibrated with his inward agitation. "Perhaps one day you will +thank me for guarding you from the fault of over-precipitation. You +were ignorant of your own heart and feelings, and yet you wished to +bind yourself for life. Winterfeld was the first man who approached you +after you ceased to be a child, the first who ventured to speak to you +words of love, and you shut your eyes and dreamed that you too loved, +conjuring up the phantom of that which never existed. It was a childish +illusion--nothing more."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no," said Gabrielle, anxiously disclaiming the charge, and +attempting to free her hand--attempting in vain, for the Baron held it +as in a vice, as he answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You feel the truth of what I say. Do not strive against it. A promise +may be recalled, an engagement cancelled by mutual consent----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never!" exclaimed the girl, passionately. "I love George, him alone, +and no one else. I mean to be his wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven let her hand drop. The gleam in his eyes died out, and the old +icy mask covered his features once more. There was hardness and +infinite bitterness in his voice as he replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Lay aside, then, in future all care and anxiety for me. I will have +none of them."</p> + +<p class="normal">They drove on in silence, no further word being exchanged between them. +The evening shadows fell gradually; the mountains were altogether lost +to view, and the mists hovering over the meadows grew denser and +denser. Dusk had fairly set in, when at length R---- was reached; but +there was still light enough to distinguish objects at some little +distance.</p> + +<p class="normal">The carriage had passed through the outlying suburb, and had turned +into the broad high-road leading to the Castle. At the other extremity +of this road was situated one of the largest squares, or open places, +of the town. This square now seemed to be the scene of some tumult; for +from thence the shouts and cries of an angry multitude were borne over, +and, in spite of the growing darkness, surging crowds might be seen +thronging the broad space. The Baron started as the first sounds struck +on his ear. He leaned far out of the carriage, and looked keenly back +in the direction whence they proceeded; then he cast a quick, uneasy +glance at his companion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This comes inopportunely," he muttered. "I should have done better to +have left you with your mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter yonder? Is there any danger?" asked Gabrielle, +turning very pale.</p> + +<p class="normal">She remembered Colonel Wilten's remarks, how he had deplored the +hardihood with which the Governor would risk his safety on such +occasions. Raven saw her alarm, but ascribed it to fear on her own +account.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There would seem to be a turbulent meeting yonder before the State +prison," he answered. "I presumed, from general appearances, that the +peace would not be broken to-day, or I should not have driven out from +the town. But do not be in the least uneasy, you shall be exposed to no +danger. I shall have to leave you; but----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, for Heaven's sake, stay with me!" cried Gabrielle. "Where would +you go?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whither my duty calls me--to the scene of action."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must go home alone. No one will molest you. Stop, Joseph."</p> + +<p class="normal">The coachman obediently drew rein, and Raven rose from his seat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Joseph, you will take Fräulein von Harder home to the Castle at once, +and as quickly as possible. There is no danger; the road is perfectly +clear."</p> + +<p class="normal">He opened the carriage-door, but the girl clung to his arm desperately.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not leave me alone. Take me with you at least, if you must go."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nonsense!" said Raven, freeing his arm from her grasp. "You drive on +to the Castle. I will come directly the disturbance is quelled, and the +place quiet again."</p> + +<p class="normal">He alighted, and turned to close the door; but in a moment Gabrielle +had sprung out too, and now stood by him in the road.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gabrielle!" the Baron exclaimed, and there was impatient annoyance in +his tone, mingled with real alarm.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the girl only nestled more closely to his side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will not let you go into the danger alone. I am afraid of nothing, +of nothing in the world when you are with me. Let us go together."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again Raven's eye blazed, and this time in the joyful flash there was +swift, passionate triumph.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You cannot accompany me," he said, in that strangely subdued tone +which Gabrielle had heard but once from his lips--once only by the +Nixies' Well. "You must understand that I cannot take you into the +midst of that excited crowd, where I should have no possible means of +protecting you. It is not the first time I have encountered such +scenes. I know how to curb men's passions, but my wonted energy would +fail me, were I to think that you were exposed to any danger. Promise +me to return quietly home and to wait for me there. I ask this of you, +Gabrielle. You will not make it hard for me to do my duty."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took her in his arms, and lifted her into the carriage. Gabrielle +offered no resistance. She knew full well that no woman could or should +trust herself to the mercies of that wild, riotous mob--nothing but the +mortal anxiety she was enduring would have suggested the thought to +her. This anxiety was now so legibly stamped on her features that even +Raven's firmness wavered. He felt he must tear himself away at once, if +he would not yield to the mute prayer of those beseeching eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must go," he said hastily. "Good-bye for the present. I shall not be +long away."</p> + +<p class="normal">He closed the carriage-door sharply, and signed to the coachman to +drive on. Gabrielle, bending out, saw the tall figure turn and stride +away with rapid steady steps in the direction of the square. Then the +horses pulled with a will, and the carriage flew with redoubled speed +on its way towards the Castle.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">More than an hour had gone by, and the Governor had not yet returned. +The household at the Castle was growing uneasy at his prolonged +absence, for the coachman, on reaching home with the young Baroness, +had reported that his master had betaken himself to the scene of the +disturbances.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was, of course, well known at the Government-house that the town was +astir, but no detailed intelligence of what was going on had found its +way thither; for the servants had, once for all, received instructions +not to leave the Castle in the event of any such occurrence, and none +of the officials who had their residence there cared to venture into +the tumult. Councillor Moser alone had chanced to go down into the town +that afternoon, and had, no doubt, been detained by the rioting. He had +given no sign as yet, and was probably waiting until such time as order +should be restored, and he could traverse the streets in safety.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron's study was already lighted up. The clear flame of the lamp +suspended from its ceiling illuminated every corner of the room, which +yet maintained its grave and sombre aspect. One spot only, the deep +recess of the great bay-window, lay in shadow; and there, half hidden +by the heavy curtains, stood Gabrielle. The girl could not endure +to-day to remain in her mother's apartments, which lay on the other +side of the house. She had never hitherto entered her guardian's study +without special permission or summons from him; but now she sought it, +remembering that its window commanded a fine view of the city below. +The gathering darkness soon narrowed in the range of vision; indeed, +the Castle lay too far from the centre of the town for the keenest +eyes, even in daylight, to observe what was going on there; but from +this point the watcher could, at least, overlook some part of the +lighted road which led up the Castle-hill, and could catch sight of any +approaching figures in the distance--so reasoned Gabrielle, and +remained steadily at her post.</p> + +<p class="normal">Very unlike the Gabrielle Harder of the old days, truly, this pale, +mute maiden, leaning against the window-frame with hands convulsively +clasped, and gazing out as though her eager eyes must penetrate the +growing darkness. This anxious, despairing vigil consummated the silent +work of the last few weeks. It took from her, once and for ever, the +old childish dream, destroyed the illusion by which she had so long +deceived herself and others. In and about her all had been sunshine, +until the moment when a single glance had discovered to her the depths +of a passion new to her experience. In that moment the first shadow +fell on her path, a shadow that had darkened it ever since. The bright +"butterfly" nature which once fluttered heedlessly on its way, +unmindful of care or sorrow, vanished when the sunshine faded from her +life; and beneath the spell of that magic gaze a new being arose, an +ardent, impassioned young creature who was to take her share of the +struggle and pain which form humanity's sad heritage. As Gabrielle +waited, trembling for a life she knew to be in peril, she came to +understand what that life was to her--all that in this terrible hour +she had at stake. It was useless longer to seek to delude herself.</p> + +<p class="normal">The second hour was creeping by. Half of it had already passed, and +still no sign, no news of the Governor, Gabrielle had opened the +window, hoping to hear the sound of the carriage which, as she +expected, would bring him; but the road lay solitary and deserted, and +the flame of the gas-lights flickered uneasily, and sometimes almost +died out beneath the fierce gusts of wind, which was rising to a +hurricane.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last the longed-for sound was heard; not the roll of +carriage-wheels, certainly, but the voices and tread of several persons +now becoming dimly visible through the obscurity. They came on nearer +and nearer, and a half-suppressed cry of joy escaped Gabrielle's lips. +She had recognised Raven's figure advancing towards the Castle in the +company of some half-dozen gentlemen; and a few minutes later the party +stepped into the circle of light surrounding the portico.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, gentlemen," said the Governor, coming to a halt. "You see +it was quite unnecessary to enforce your escort on me. There has been +no attempt to molest us on our road. As I told you, the tumult has +spent itself--for to-night."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; but nothing save your Excellency's timely appearance would have +dispersed the rioters,"--this in the impressive voice of Councillor +Moser, who was standing next his chief. "They were about to storm the +gaol and to set the prisoners free when you came up so unexpectedly--so +providentially, I may say. I saw with admiration how your Excellency, +by mere authority of word and look, tamed that rebellious mob, and +reduced the rioters to order--a result which the Superintendent here, +with his whole staff of police to back him, had vainly striven to +obtain."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent, who formed one of the group, seemed to take this +observation in rather ill part; for he replied, with a spice of +unmistakable spitefulness:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, you were in a good position at your window, no doubt, to see how +matters went, besides having the satisfaction of feeling yourself in +perfect security, while Baron von Raven and I were in the thick of the +fight."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I saw that it would be impossible for me to reach his Excellency's +side," declared the Councillor; "otherwise I should have----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no," the Baron interrupted him; "that would have been a most +unnecessary venture on your part, whereas the Superintendent and I were +only fulfilling our duty. Well, we have settled as to the measures to +be taken. I hope they will suffice to preserve order during the night. +Colonel Wilten will be back to-morrow, and I shall confer with him at +once, and decide on some means of preventing any recurrence of such +scenes. If, contrary to our previsions, any disturbance should occur, +have the goodness to let me know. Good-evening, gentlemen."</p> + +<p class="normal">He bowed slightly to his companions, and stepped into the hall. +Gabrielle closed the window gently. She meant to leave the study at +once--the Baron should not find her there--but it was too late for a +retreat. He must have mounted the stairs in great haste, for already +his steps might be heard in one of the adjoining rooms, and his voice +asking:</p> + +<p class="normal">"What? Fräulein von Harder is not in her apartments?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Baroness is in your Excellency's study, and has been waiting there +for more than an hour," a servant replied.</p> + +<p class="normal">No comment was made to this, but the step approached at a quickened +pace; the door was thrown open, and Raven appeared. His first glance +fell on Gabrielle, who had come out from the window, and now stood +before him, trembling in every limb. He guessed why she had chosen to +wait for him there. In an instant he was at her side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"T was going over to your rooms, when they told me you were here;" he +spoke in a breathless, hurried tone. "I could not possibly send any +news to tranquillise you. The riot is only just quelled. All is quiet +for the moment. I came up here at once."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle tried to answer him, but her voice forsook her. She could not +force a sound from her lips. Raven looked at the fair, pale face, on +which the torture of the last few hours was but too legibly written. He +made a movement, as though to draw her to his side, but as yet the +habit of self-mastery prevailed. The arm he had raised fell to his +side, his chest heaved, and he drew a deep, deep breath.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now, Gabrielle, repeat to me the words you spoke a while ago in +the carriage, the words with which you repelled me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What words?" asked Gabrielle, in painful embarrassment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Tell me again the untruth, by the help of which you tried to deceive +both yourself and me. Look me in the face, and repeat to me that you +love Winterfeld, and are determined to be his. If you can do that, you +shall never again be troubled by a word from me. But say it, say it out +plainly."</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl drew back. "Oh, let me go! I--I--oh, let me go, for Heaven's +sake!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I will not let you go, Gabrielle!" broke out Raven, passionately. +"The tale must be told, once for all. I must now put into words that +secret which you have long known, the secret which has been mine since +I first looked into those sunny, childish eyes. Soon, very soon after +that, I heard from your own lips that you loved another. I felt that a +man thirty years your senior, with hair showing streaks of grey, would +incur the terrible curse of ridicule, if he confessed to you his +ardent, unreciprocated attachment, and I, by Heaven! I vowed none +should ridicule me. But to-day I saw that you trembled for my safety, +that you would have rushed into the danger yourself only to remain at +my side--and now you do not dare repeat those words, because you feel +they convey a lie which would cost us both all our future happiness. +Now, at last, let things be made clear between us. I love you, +Gabrielle, and I have fought against my love, calling to my aid all my +strength and all my pride. The dream <i>should</i> be over, I said, and the +presumptuous word has cost me dearly. When I meant forcibly to subdue +and crush out the passion within me, it rose with tenfold, irresistible +might, and taught me to know its power. I behaved towards you with +harsh, cold reserve, wrapping myself in it as in a mantle. I sought a +rescue in separation, in my work, in the battle I am ever waging with +all the hostile elements arrayed against me--in vain! I had torn myself +from you, but your image was ever present with me, in my dreams, as in +my waking hours. It forced itself in upon me here, as I sat at work; it +followed me into stirring scenes without, when all the faculties of +mind and brain had need to be at full stretch; and when I faced my +opponents in the struggle, it gleamed on me like a ray of light through +the stormy clouds surrounding me, and compelled my heart, my mind to +turn to you--it has conquered my every feeling, every thought. You must +be mine, or I must let you go from me for ever. Any third course would +bring destruction on us both. Answer me, Gabrielle. Say, whom do you +love? For whom did your heart beat so anxiously a little while ago, and +what thought aroused the apprehension and tenderness I read in your +looks? Speak; I await your decision."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood before her, pale and eager, as though the verdict were to be +one of life or death. Gabrielle listened in a sort of stupor to this +passionate outbreak, which found but too ready an echo in her own +heart. Raven was faithfully describing her own experience. She, too, +had fought and wrestled with her love; she, too, had sought to fly from +a power so strong that no escape was possible. Before the glowing +lava-stream of words which burst with one great throe of Nature from +the innermost heart of this man, usually so cold and so constrained, +all the fairy fabrics vanished which a young girl's fancy had built up, +all her childish conceptions of love and life; and with them went the +foolish dream which she had once thought would fill her whole +existence. It had been but a day-dream, a dim visionary foreshadowing +of that which now took form and being. Gabrielle had awakened. She +looked a genuine passion full in the face, and if she felt that so +volcanic a nature, with its sombre depths and smouldering fires, was +calculated to destroy rather than to bless, she no longer quaked before +it. The thing she had hitherto called happiness paled and disappeared +like some thin phantom before the fierce incandescent glow of this +man's fervour.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl made one last attempt to cling valiantly to the past.</p> + +<p class="normal">"George ... he loves me--trusts me. He will be so utterly miserable, if +I forsake him!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not speak his name!" cried Raven, his eye sparkling with furious +enmity. "Do not remind me that this man alone stands between me and my +felicity. Ill might betide him through it. Woe to him if he should try +to hold you to your hasty promise! I should free you by fair means or +by foul. What is this Winterfeld to you? What can you be to him? He may +love you after his own fashion, but he would drag you down to a +commonplace existence, and give you a commonplace affection, nothing +more. If he loses you, he will overcome the pain of it; will seek +consolation in his plans for advancement, in his work, in other ties. +Such passionless natures do not know what despair is--nothing brings +them out of their groove; they, steadily and dutifully, keep on their +way. I"--here the Baron's tone sank to a lower diapason; the look of +hate died out of his face, and his stern voice grew milder and milder, +until at length it melted to a great softness--"I have never loved, +have never known such sweet hopes or bright illusions. In the continual +striving after power and greatness, I seem to have missed all real +happiness, a thirst for which has now, so late, arisen within me. Now, +in the autumn of my life, the veil is rent asunder, and I can see all +that I have lost, lost without once tasting it. Has all chance of it +gone from me for ever? Do you fear the gap of years which intervenes +between us? I cannot bring you youth, my child. That is past; but the +great passion of a man's mature soul is far stronger, more intense and +more enduring than the fancy of any youthful enthusiast. It dies out +only with his life. Say that you will be mine, and I will encompass you +with love, will make you my idol. I will accept any challenge for your +sake, and will come to you victorious from every struggle. All pain and +sorrow shall be averted from your head; if really a storm is +threatening, it shall not touch, shall not come nigh you; my arms are +strong enough to protect the woman I love. You shall be the sunbeam to +brighten my life, to brighten and to beautify it I have striven hard +and achieved much, but no ray of happiness has gleamed upon me; and now +that I have seen it shining in my path, I cannot close my eyes and shut +it out. Gabrielle, be my wife, my joy, my one delight and treasure!"</p> + +<p class="normal">A boundless tenderness was in his words. His stormy, fiery vehemence +had melted gradually into tones of pathetic pleading, and he spoke in +low tremulous accents, such as surely never yet had come from Arno +Raven's lips; and as he pleaded, he clasped his arm tighter and tighter +round the slender form at his side, and drew her gently, but +irresistibly, towards him. Gabrielle yielded passively. Again, as once +before by the murmuring spring, a trance had fallen upon her--a trance +half sweet, half troubling, holding her senses in thrall--and again, as +then, she let herself be drawn unresistingly out of the bright +sunlight, wherein she had hitherto breathed, down, down into unknown +depths. It seemed to her that she had no choice but to drift deeper and +deeper, and that, with him, supported by his arm, it was blessedness +enough so to drift, leaving all, all behind.</p> + +<p class="normal">A knock at the door startled Gabrielle and the Baron, and brought them +back to reality. It had, no doubt, been repeated several times without +obtaining a response, for it was unusually loud and sharp, and struck +like a clanging dissonance on the harmony of their short-lived +happiness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it?" asked Raven, with a start. "I will not be disturbed now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg pardon, your Excellency," said the servant's voice without. "A +courier has just arrived from the capital. He has orders to deliver his +despatches to your Excellency in person, and asks to be admitted +immediately."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron slowly relaxed his hold on the young girl.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thus am I awakened from my love-dreams!" he said bitterly. "They +cannot grant me even a quarter of an hour's respite. It would seem that +love and dreams are forbidden fruit to me; that the thought of them +even is forbidden me.--The courier must wait a few minutes," he added +aloud. "I will send for him."</p> + +<p class="normal">The servant retired. Raven turned to Gabrielle again, but stopped, in +concern and surprise, as he caught sight of her face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What ails you?" he said. "You have suddenly turned so deadly pale. It +is only some important message from the capital which is to fall into +no hands but mine; some official matter, nothing more. It might have +come at a more opportune time, truly."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle had indeed turned very white. That knock, coming just at the +moment when the decisive "yes" was hovering on her lips, thrilled her +as the portent of some coming evil. She herself knew not why, at that +announcement, her thoughts flew back to George and to his words at +parting. He was living in the capital now. A pang shot through her. Was +there some plot on foot to injure the Baron?</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will go," she said hastily. "You must receive this courier. Let me +go."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven clasped her in his arms again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And will you leave me without giving me an answer? Am I still to live +on, doubting and fearing lest that other should come between us again? +You shall go, but speak first the one word I long for. It will take but +a second to say it. Only one word, 'yes!' I will not keep you longer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Give me till to-morrow," the girl besought with piteous, pathetic +entreaty. "Do not ask me to decide now, do not force my consent from +me. Give me till to-morrow, Arno, I implore you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">A flash of joy lighted up the Baron's features as, for the first time, +he heard her pronounce his name without the adjunct of that formal word +which recalled the relation and the guardian. Quickly and fervently he +pressed his lips to her brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It shall be so. I will force nothing from you. I will believe the +language of your eyes alone, and content myself with that. Until +to-morrow, then, for one short night, farewell, my Gabrielle!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He walked with her through the adjoining room to a door which opened on +the corridor, and the young girl went hastily out. Before she had +reached the end of the passage, a bell sounded in the Baron's study, +the signal for the courier to appear. Truly, Arno Raven had but little +leisure to devote to his love-dreams. He was inexorably, ruthlessly +summoned back to the hard reality of this prosaic world.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle shut herself in her own room. As yet, the decisive word had +not been spoken, but her choice was already made. The hours she had +just lived through had broken down the bridge connecting her with the +past--there could be no going back now. If George himself had appeared +before her to assert and to maintain his rights, it would have availed +nothing; it was too late--he had lost her. Where the young lover, +despite his earnestness and enthusiasm, had failed, the elder man, with +his tardily-aroused, but even on that account more glowing passion, +triumphantly succeeded. Arno Raven had drawn the girl's whole soul to +himself; there was no room in her heart now for another. Raven alone +held sway over Gabrielle's thoughts and feelings, and reigned supreme +in her dreams when, long after midnight, she sank into a brief uneasy +slumber. George's image never once rose before her. Even during her +sleep her brain was busy with the events of the last few hours, which +passed in a strange fantastic medley confusedly before her.</p> + +<p class="normal">One single figure occupied the foreground. Interwoven with the thought +of <i>him</i> came the memory of that drive through the darkening twilight +of the autumn evening. She saw it all: the varied landscape with its +misty outlines; overhead a sky charged with storm-cloud; and yonder on +the western horizon the flaming, fiery sunset.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"It is perfectly unprecedented! Such a thing was never heard of! I +cannot believe my own eyes! This undermines all government, saps the +foundations of all authority, shakes the very pillars of the State. It +is horrible--horrible!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Thus, in a burst of noble pathos, did the Councillor unburthen himself +of his pent-up indignation, addressing the Superintendent of Police, +who was just coming down the stairs from an interview with the +Governor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you mean the disturbances in the town?" asked the latter, with a +slight and rather scornful smile. "Yes, it was rather noisy down there +last night, certainly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who is thinking of the town?" cried the Councillor. "Those +disturbances go for nothing. It is the mere rioting of a mob, which can +be subjugated, which will be subjugated, by military aid, if necessary. +But when revolutionary ideas invade official circles--when men, whose +business it is to represent and to support the Government, attack it in +such a way as this, there is an end to all order. Who would have +thought it of Assessor Winterfeld! A young man who has been looked on +as a model to the whole Civil Service! I, indeed, have always had my +suspicions of him. His questionable loyalty, his bias in favour of the +Opposition, his treasonable connections, have long inspired uneasiness +in my mind; and on several occasions I have expressed as much to his +Excellency, but he would not listen. He had a predilection for the +Assessor. Quite lately even, by getting him transferred to the capital, +he opened to this favoured subaltern the most brilliant prospects; and +now the traitor rewards him by the blackest ingratitude."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, you are alluding to Winterfeld's pamphlet!" said the +Superintendent. "Have you had the book in your hands already? Why, it +can only have reached R---- this morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I got it accidentally, from a colleague who had just received it. A +most abominable composition! It is open rebellion, sir--open rebellion! +There are things in it addressed to his Excellency--things ... Well, I +don't know how such a work came to be printed and circulated. Have you +taken no steps to suppress it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no orders and no motive for doing so," declared the +Superintendent, whose coolness formed a strange contrast to Moser's +indignant excitement. "The pamphlet was brought out in the capital, and +there was not time, I suppose, to prevent its circulation. Besides, +such unpalatable publications are no longer suppressed in a summary +manner, as was the custom formerly. Times have changed. As to this +brochure, I am quite of your opinion. I doubt if a more virulent attack +has ever been made on a statesman holding office under the Crown."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And it comes from a member of the Service, from one who has worked +under my eyes, in my bureaux!" cried the Councillor, in despair. "But +he has been seduced, led astray. I always told him that his connection +with that clique of Swiss Socialists would bring him to ruin. I know +who is at the bottom of the whole business--who is alone to blame for +this scandal. It is that Dr. Brunnow who has been staying here for +weeks, under pretext of settling some succession business, and who has +not yet taken his departure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because in his case there has been even more than the usual +circumlocution. Endless difficulties have been raised touching this +matter of his reversion. The gentlemen of the law-courts have, with +rather unnecessary severity, let him feel the drawbacks under which he +labours in being his father's son and, for the time being, +representative. Finding this, he set upon them a little while ago, and +subjected them to so drastic a treatment, that they were quite taken +aback, and now really seem as if they meant to hasten on the affair. +You have a prejudice against the young doctor, Councillor. He is not +such a bad fellow as you think."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This Brunnow is a most dangerous man," said the Councillor, all his +wonted solemnity returning to him with this topic. "I knew it from the +first day I saw him, and my instinct in such matters is infallible. +Since he has been in our midst, we have had these troubles in the town, +open resistance to the appointed authorities; and now comes this +printed assault on his Excellency. I hold to my opinion: this man came +to R---- with the intention of setting the city, the province, ay, the +whole land in a blaze of insurrection."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not say the whole of Europe, while you are about it!" exclaimed +the Superintendent, impatiently. "You are completely mistaken. Merely +on account of the name he bears, we have kept an eye on the young man, +and I can assure you he has not given the slightest cause for any such +suspicions. He has entered into no political relations here, and took +part neither directly nor indirectly in the late disturbances; he just +simply attends to his own private affairs. If I, as head of the police, +can bear him this testimony, you may, I think, admit and put faith in +it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But he is the son of an old revolutionary democrat," persisted the +Councillor; "and he is an intimate friend of Assessor Winterfeld's."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does that prove? His father was once an intimate friend of the +Governor here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wh--what?" cried Moser, starting back. "His Excellency Baron von Raven +and that man Rudolph Brunnow----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Were university chums, bosom friends even. I have it from the best +source. I suppose you are not going to accuse Baron von Raven of +socialist, revolutionary tendencies. But my time is limited, I must be +off. Good-morning, Councillor."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, the Superintendent turned his back on the worthy Councillor, +who was standing dazed with surprise, and left the Government-house. On +his way to the town he encountered the Burgomaster.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You come from the Castle?" asked the latter. "Have you seen the +Governor? What has he determined on doing?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The other shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What he threatened yesterday--he will proceed with the utmost rigour. +If there is any repetition of the riots, the troops will be called out. +All the necessary preparations are made. Precisely as I was leaving, +Colonel Wilten came in to consult with him personally on the subject, +and there can be no doubt as to the result of the conference. You know +the Baron. He will recoil from no measures which may effect his +purpose."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This must not be," said the Burgomaster, uneasily. "The popular +exasperation is so great that any display of military force would only +add fuel to the flame. There would be resistance and bloodshed. I had +made up my mind not to set foot in the Castle again, unless absolutely +compelled to go there; but now I think I must make one last attempt to +dissuade them from any extreme course."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would advise you not to go," returned the Superintendent. "I can +tell you beforehand, you will get nothing by it. The Baron is not in a +forbearing mood to-day. He has had news which will ruffle his temper +for weeks to come."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know," put in the other. "Assessor Winterfeld's pamphlet. I received +it from the capital this morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What, you have heard of it too? Well, I must say they have lost no +time in circulating the book. They seem to have feared it might be +suppressed, and to have done what they could to forestall the edict. I +think there were no grounds for the apprehension, however. It looks +very much as though in high places the intention were to let the matter +take its course."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really; and what says Raven to all this? The attack can hardly have +come upon him unawares. He must have received some hint of what was +brewing."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am afraid he received no hint whatever. His whole manner betrays the +fact that he has been taken by surprise. He wraps himself in his usual +reserve, but he cannot altogether conceal that he is perturbed and +frightfully irritated. My allusions to the matter in question were met +so ungraciously that I thought it better to drop the subject. It is +really an unprecedented attack, and an outrageously imprudent one +into the bargain. When such opinions are to be disseminated among the +people, they are generally given to the public in an anonymous form. +The author lets the first fury of the storm wear itself out before he +gives his name; he allows himself to be sought out and divined, and +only emerges from his retirement when obliged or encouraged so to do. +But the Assessor signs in full, and leaves no doubt to the world in +general, and the Governor in particular, as to who is the assailant. I +can't think how he has found courage to challenge his whilom chief in +this manner. He throws down the gauntlet to him in the face of the +whole country--the book is one long accusation from beginning to end."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And from beginning to end it is one long truth," answered the +Burgomaster, warmly. "This young man puts us all to shame. What he has +now ventured to do, should have been done long ago. When the resistance +of a whole city proves fruitless, when all appeals to the Government +fail, the dispute should be brought before the forum of public opinion, +and there decided. Winterfeld has been clear-sighted enough to see +this, and courageous enough to speak the first word. Now that the way +has been thrown open for them, all will be ready to follow him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, but he is hazarding his position and very livelihood on the die," +remarked the Superintendent. "This pamphlet of his goes too far, and +brilliantly as it is written, its author will have to smart for it. +Raven is not the man to allow himself to be insulted and attacked with +impunity. This bold knight-errant may find himself worsted in the +tourney. He may fall a victim to his own audacity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Or he may at a blow demolish the Governor's supremacy. But, however +the affair may end, it is sure to make a tremendous sensation; and here +in R---- it will be the spark to fire the powder-train."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am afraid so too," assented the police magnate. "It stands to reason +that the Baron will go all lengths now, in order to remain master of +the situation. Well, whatever he may do, will be done at his own risk +and peril."</p> + +<p class="normal">While the two gentlemen thus discoursed, going on their way together, +the conference, to which allusion had been made, was being pursued +between the Governor and Colonel Wilten, in the former's private study. +The topic under discussion must have been one of importance, for the +Colonel looked exceedingly grave. Raven was, to all appearance, +unmoved; the ashy paleness of his countenance and the deep furrows of +his knitted brow alone betrayed that some unusually disturbing +influence had been at work. His bearing and speech were, as ever, +perfectly assured and under control.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The thing is settled," he said. "You will hold the troops in readiness +for an immediate intervention, and you will proceed unsparingly, should +resistance be offered. I will take the responsibility and all the +possible consequences on myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If it must be ... it must," replied the Colonel. "You know my +scruples, and I do not disguise from you that, in case of any +difficulty arising, I shall leave the responsibility of this step with +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hold myself answerable, solely and entirely. This rebellious city of +R---- must be reduced to submission, be the cost what it may. It is now +more than ever incumbent on me to uphold my authority. It must not be +thought for a moment that the mischievous blow which has been directed +against me has had power to slacken my rein."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What blow?" asked the Colonel.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have not heard the latest news from the capital?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; as you are aware, I have only been back in town a few hours."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven rose, and paced rapidly up and down the room. When he returned +and stood before the Colonel, his agitation could be read in his +features, in spite of all his efforts to keep it down.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I recommend you, then, to read Assessor Winterfeld's pamphlet," he +said, in a tone which was meant to be only sarcastic, but which +vibrated with fierce anger. "He feels himself appointed to denounce me +to the country at large as a despot who regards neither law nor +justice, who has become a scourge, a pestilent source of harm, to the +province committed to his charge. A long list of crimes is therein +imputed to me; abuse of power, arbitrary action, illegal violence, and +all the usual catchwords. It really is worth while to read the precious +composition, if only to marvel at the presumption with which one of the +youngest and lowliest of my subalterns ventures to arraign his chief. +So far, only a chosen few have cognisance of this brochure; to-morrow, +the whole town will ring with it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But why do you take it so quietly?" exclaimed the Colonel. "These +things do not spring up in a day, of themselves. You must have been +prepared for it--have had news of what was coming."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh yes; the news reached me yesterday evening, just about the time +that the book was being hawked about the streets of the capital, and +when many copies of it were on their way hither. The same courier +brought me an assurance of the Minister's 'sincere regret' that it had +not been possible to prevent the publication; the matter had now gone +too far for suppression."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is strange!" said Wilten, in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"More than strange. They are generally well informed at head-quarters +as to all that is in the press, and they do not readily suffer anything +to appear that is likely to prove dangerous. With the work in question, +there could have been no difficulty. They had only to consider the +insults offered to me as levelled at the Government, and to suppress +the entire edition. But it seems that the will so to act was wanting, +and as they feared that I should energetically insist on such a course +being pursued, they purposely left me in complete ignorance of the +matter, and only warned me when it was too late for the intimation to +be of use."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel looked down meditatively.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have few friends in the capital and at court--I told you so months +ago. There are constant intrigues on foot against you there, and no +stone is left unturned to damage your credit and undermine your +influence. If a fitting instrument has been found ready to hand ... +Assessor Winterfeld is engaged at the Ministry now, I think?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," said the Baron, bitterly. "I opened its doors to him. I myself +sent my denunciator to the capital."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They have got hold of the young man at once, it being known that he +came direct from your Chancellery. Perhaps he only contributes his +name, and the onslaught really comes from a far different quarter."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven shook his head moodily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is no instrument in the hands of others; he acts spontaneously, and +the scheme cannot have been concocted in the few weeks which have +elapsed since he left R----. The book is the result of much thought and +labour. It has taken months, perhaps years, to prepare. Here in my own +bureaux, under my very eyes, the plan of it has been sketched out and +designed. Every word shows that it has been slowly, carefully written."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the Assessor never betrayed himself to you or any one?" asked +Wilten. "He must have had associates, confidential friends."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron's lips worked, and his eyes were fixed on the window-recess +from which Gabrielle had yesterday stepped forth to welcome him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One of his confidants I know, at least," he said; "and that one shall +render account to me. As to the young man himself--well, we shall see +later on. There can be but one manner of settling such a matter between +us two. Just at present I have to reckon with other enemies. It is of +little consequence that an Assessor Winterfeld should rise up in +virtuous indignation, and declare me a tyrant and my tenure of office a +public calamity--others have done this before him. But that he should +venture to cry it aloud in the ears of all the world, that such a +venture should be tolerated, perhaps encouraged--this is what gives a +serious colour, a certain importance, to the affair. I shall at once +demand ample satisfaction from the Government, which is attacked with +me and in my person; and should they show signs of refusing it, I shall +know how to bring them to reason. It is not the first time I have had +to set a plain alternative before these gentlemen. I have frequently +found it necessary to clear the air a little by some sharp, decided +action when the intrigues became too annoying to be borne in silence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You take too grave a view of the matter," said the Colonel, +reassuringly; "and it is strange in you, who generally meet every +attack with absolute, unruffled calm. Why do you now allow yourself to +be irritated by mere lies and calumnies?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron drew himself up proudly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who says they are lies? The animus which pervades the book is stamped +on every page, but it does not contain palpable untruths, and I have no +intention of calling in question one of the facts adduced against me. I +am ready to answer for my acts, but only to those who are entitled to +require an account from me, and not to the first man who may feel +disposed to sit in judgment on me and my proceedings. To him and to his +fellows, I shall give the one answer they deserve."</p> + +<p class="normal">At this point of the conversation they were interrupted. A report was +brought in to the Governor, which the Superintendent of Police had just +sent over from the town. Colonel Wilten rose to depart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will go and see that the measures we have agreed upon are taken at +once. The Baroness arrived safely, I hope? She came with us to town, +but declined our escort up to the Castle. And how is Fräulein von +Harder? She must have seen something of the rioting last night."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know," said Raven shortly, almost roughly. "I have not seen +her to-day, and I was too busy to receive my sister-in-law in person. I +shall go over to them a little later."</p> + +<p class="normal">He gave his hand to the Colonel, who, after a few parting words, left +the room, while the Baron returned to his writing-table, on which last +night's despatches still lay, and began a letter to the Minister.</p> + +<p class="normal">Baroness Harder had reached the Castle some hours previously, and had +been received by her daughter alone, a circumstance which had given +umbrage to the lady. It argued, she said, great disrespect on her +brother-in-law's part that he could not tear himself away from his +business, for a few minutes at least, to welcome her. And to this other +annoyances were added. The cold from which she had been suffering for +several days past had been increased by the drive through the morning +air. Madame von Harder declared herself to be very ill, and at once +retired to her bedroom to get a little rest, giving orders that she was +on no account to be disturbed--this to the intense relief of her +daughter, who was thus again left free to pursue her troubled thoughts.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle had, indeed, hardly been able to conceal from her mother the +agitation and anxiety which were consuming her. The Baron had not shown +himself all day; he had even sent in an excuse at breakfast-time. She +knew that, in consequence of last night's events, he had been +incessantly occupied from early morning, that special messengers had +pressed on each other's heels, and that audiences and conferences +without respite were being held in his study; but she knew also that, +in spite of everything, he would find time, must find time, to come to +her, if only for a few minutes. "Until to-morrow." The words, spoken +with passionate tenderness, still rang in her ears. The morning had +come; all the forenoon had passed. Raven did not appear; he sent no +word, no line, and a very mountain-load of care seemed to weigh on the +young girl's heart. What could have happened?</p> + +<p class="normal">Twelve o'clock struck. Gabrielle was sitting alone in her mother's +little boudoir, when at length she really heard, in the anteroom, the +quick steady steps which a hundred times that morning she had heard in +fancy. She drew a deep breath, and listened with a beating heart. Her +cheeks, so pale a minute before, were dyed now a deep crimson. Anxiety, +care, apprehension, all were forgotten in this moment, as the door +opened and the Baron came in.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish to speak to you," he said briefly, without any preface. "Are we +alone?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle bent her head affirmatively. Her impulse had been to hasten +towards him; but she stopped, confounded by his tone, which grated +oddly, harshly on her ear. Now, looking more closely, she saw the +strange change that had come over his features. This was not the Arno +Raven who had yesterday held her in his arms and poured out to her the +tale of his love, with an ardour and a passion which had metamorphosed +the man's whole being, inspiring her with warmth and tenderness. To-day +he stood before her gloomy, reserved, icily severe. The lips which had +given utterance to those fervent, loving words were firmly set; in the +dark, rigid countenance no trace could be seen of the play of feeling +which had yesterday irradiated it, and the eyes flashed fiercely, +menacingly, as they met the young girl's timid gaze.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You expected me earlier, perhaps," went on the Baron. "I had need of +some time to make myself acquainted with certain--certain +communications which had reached me, and I felt that our present +interview would come soon enough. It is unnecessary for me to enter +into explanations, for, though not generally familiar with my official +concerns, on this occasion you probably know as well as I do what has +occurred."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I? No," said Gabrielle, with failing breath. "How should I know?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you mean to deny it? But of this we will speak later. In the first +place, I must ask what led you to enter on this miserable comedy, the +farcical part of which was reserved for me? Beware, Gabrielle. As I +told you yesterday, I have but little talent for such a <i>rôle</i>. The man +who is duped and betrayed is only ridiculous while he patiently endures +it. I am not inclined to do this. The sorry game you have played with +me will be fraught with danger both to yourself and to another."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But what do you mean? I do not understand you," cried the girl, whose +distress was momentarily increasing.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven came close up to her, and fixed a keen, searching gaze on her +countenance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What was the meaning of those warning words which you whispered to me +yesterday, as we drove home? How did you know that I was in any way +threatened, and why did you start and turn deadly pale when that +courier from the capital was announced? Speak; I insist upon an +answer."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle listened with growing consternation. She began to suspect +whither these questions tended, but was quite in the dark as to the +event that had prompted them. Raven must have seen that she did not +understand him, for he drew the pamphlet from his breast-pocket and +threw it on the table.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This little book will perhaps help your memory. It is the most +contumelious, the most astounding attack which has ever been made upon +me. You probably read it in an unfinished state; it has, no doubt, been +completed, perfected in the capital, in the Ministerial bureaux. Do not +look at me as though I were speaking in some foreign tongue. This name, +which stands on the title-page, is, I think, not unknown to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle had taken up the pamphlet mechanically. Her eye fell on the +page mentioned, on the name inscribed thereon. She started: "From +George? He has kept his word!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Kept his word?" repeated Raven, with a bitter laugh. "So you had his +word for it. You were his confidante, his confederate? But, indeed, how +could I doubt it for an instant? It was clear from the first--clear as +the noonday sun."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl was too stunned and confused to defend herself with +skill or energy. The unfortunate exclamation which had escaped her +could but confirm the Baron in his suspicion that she had been an +accomplice.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I had a presentiment of some coming evil," she replied, summoning up +all her courage; "but I knew nothing decided. I thought----"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven did not let her finish. He grasped her hand, and held it tightly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Had you really no suspicion that there was some scheme on foot to +injure me? Were the hints you let fall yesterday purely accidental and +devoid of any special aim? Did it not occur to you, when those +despatches were brought in upon us in hot haste, that perhaps 'some one +had kept his word?' Look me in the face, and say it was not so. I will +try to believe you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle was silent. She could not answer in the negative, and the +thought that, in truth, she had known of George's intention, at least, +robbed her of her presence of mind. The low words which the young man +had spoken when parting from her acquired a fatal importance now; they +weighed on the young girl, and seemed to crush her with a sense of +guilt.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven's eyes had never quitted her face. His fingers slowly relaxed; he +let her hand fall, and stepped back.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you knew it," he said; "and with that knowledge you stood quietly +by and saw me wrestle with a senseless passion; saw me finally succumb +to the weakness. You allowed me to believe that my affection was +returned, and so pricked me on to madness, while secretly you were +counting the days and hours to the time when the blow--the mortal blow, +as you fancied, should strike me. Certain of a future triumph, you +could yesterday let me fold you to my breast and speak to you words of +love. By Heaven! it is too much, too much!"</p> + +<p class="normal">His voice was still constrained and low, but something in it foretold +the coming outbreak.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle felt herself powerless, defenceless, against his accusations. +She made an attempt, however, to meet and refute them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hear me, Arno. You are mistaken. I have not deceived you, nor betrayed +you. If I knew anything----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Say no more!" he interrupted her, with terrible vehemence. "I will +hear nothing. I know enough. Your silence just now spoke more plainly +than words. Justify your conduct to him, to your 'George;' confess to +him that you could not keep his secret to the last moment. He will +perhaps forgive you. The warning would, any way, have come too late. +This I will own, I did him an injustice in declaring him to be a +commonplace person, not above the ordinary run of men. Evidently he is +not afraid to leave accustomed grooves, to undertake feats which no one +has ventured on before him, and which no one, I think, in future will +care to emulate. He may possibly make his way with it, this young +Assessor whom yesterday nobody knew, and whose name will to-morrow be +in everybody's mouth, simply because he has had the audacity to whet +his sword and attack me. But he will pay dearly for the notoriety, I +give you my word for that. As yet I have never feared a foe, nor shrunk +from a contest, and this onslaught would have moved me as little as the +rest. The thought that you were in league with him, that you--<i>you</i> had +betrayed me, this, and only this, it is which has procured my enemies +the satisfaction and triumph of seeing me for once thrown off my +balance."</p> + +<p class="normal">His voice faltered a little as he spoke the last words. Through the +man's fierce wrath at seeing himself, as he believed, wounded in his +love as in his honour, came the sharp quivering pang of an exceeding +bitter pain. At this tone Gabrielle forgot all else. She flew to him, +laid her two hands on his arm, and would have spoken, have implored; +but it was useless. With a rough, angry movement he freed himself, +thrusting her from him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go! I have been a fool, I own, but the illusion is dispelled now. I +will not let myself be lured on a second time by those eyes, which have +lied to me once with their feigned anxiety and tenderness. Tell your +George he has not well reflected what it is to challenge me to single +combat. He will soon make the experience. Between us two all is over, +now and for ever!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He went. The door fell to behind him with a crash, and Gabrielle +remained alone. She looked down at the pamphlet lying on the table, at +the name printed thereon, but saw neither. Echoing and re-echoing +through her mind in dismal iteration came those last cruel words. Ah, +yes; all was over now, now and for ever!</p> + +<p class="normal">The fears entertained that fresh disturbances might break out in the +town were but too speedily realised. All the military measures had been +taken in the most ostensible manner possible, it being hoped that they +would intimidate the population; they had, however, a contrary effect, +and only served to increase the general bitter animosity against the +Governor. A low ferment of discontent had been going on for months; but +the popular demonstrations of ill-feeling had only assumed a serious +character within the last few days. Signs of the hostile spirit +prevailing throughout the city had not been wanting, but there had +previously been no attempt at open insurrection. People in R---- had so +long been accustomed to bow to the Governor's will, it was not easy for +them to shake off the habit. Moreover, the Baron's temper was pretty +accurately known. It was felt that neither weakness nor concessions +were to be expected from him--so for weeks the citizens contented +themselves with grumbling and murmuring their dissatisfaction. The +energetic inflexible mind in authority over them exerted its wonted +sway. So far, Raven had restrained the threatening elements, and held +the storm in check. By his personal intervention he had quelled a riot +and dispersed the rebellious masses; but, even in that hour of apparent +success, it had been made evident to him that his power was on the +wane.</p> + +<p class="normal">Things now seemed to have reached a crisis. Much exasperation was felt +at the arrests which had been made by the Baron's order some days +before, and at the extreme harshness and rigour with which the +offenders were treated. By this incident the long-smouldering fire was +fanned to a flame. A tumult was raised with a view to release the +captives, and when the attempt failed, and the Governor still opposed +to all the popular protests and all the importunate clamouring the same +unvarying resolute answer, the agitation, which had been temporarily +allayed, broke out afresh with redoubled force.</p> + +<p class="normal">Evening had come again. The Government-house was in a state of turmoil +and excitement. Every door, even to the main entrance, was barred and +guarded. The panic-stricken servants thronged the corridors and +staircases, and outside, before the long line of windows, glittered a +file of bayonets. A strong detachment of troops was stationed round the +Castle-hill, the soldiers having arrived in time to secure the +Governor's residence from attack. The roads leading to it had been +cleared, and the crowd driven back; but the uproar in the neighbouring +streets had increased proportionably, and at any moment a collision +between the armed force and the populace might be expected.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Governor's apartments were the focus of all the busy movement. +Messages flowed in one upon the other; police officers and orderlies +came and went. Councillor Moser had hurried to the side of his chief, +who was to him a stronghold and rock of defence in every time of +danger. Lieutenant Wilten, appointed to command the Castle garrison, +was with the Baron, and an ambassador from the insurgent camp was also +present--the worthy Burgomaster, who had come up the hill, resolved on +making that last attempt which in the morning he had been induced to +forego.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven himself stood cool and unmoved in the midst of all this hurry and +commotion. He listened to the reports and gave his orders, not for an +instant disturbed from his perfect equanimity; but those about him had +never seen his face so hard, so rigidly set, as on this evening. The +stormy passages of the last four-and-twenty hours had, no doubt, helped +to grave that harsh inexorable expression on his features; but whatever +internal struggles he might have fought through, whatever he might have +suffered since the preceding evening, to all bystanders he was the same +haughty imperturbable Baron von Raven, in whose armour there was no +joint, from whom those shafts glanced innocuously which would have +shattered the strength of ordinary men.</p> + +<p class="normal">"For the last time I beg, I demand of you to abstain from these extreme +measures. There is yet time--as yet no blood has been shed. In another +quarter of an hour it may be too late. It is said you have given orders +that no mercy is to be shown. I cannot, will not believe this."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Am I to allow the castle to be taken by a <i>coup de main</i>?" the Baron +interrupted him. "Am I to wait until the entrance is stormed and I am +insulted here in my own apartments? I think I have sufficiently shown +how distasteful it is to me to take precautions for my own personal +safety, but I have to answer for the safety of others, and, above all, +I have to guard the Government-house from any chance of attack. This is +my simple duty, and I intend to perform it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have here to do with a mere demonstration; there is no question of +an attack," declared the Burgomaster. "But no matter; you say the +Castle must be protected and the crowds driven back. Well, this has +been done; the Castle-hill is lined with troops--let that suffice. The +agitation down yonder is perfectly harmless, and will die out of +itself, if left a free course."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Colonel Wilten will clear the streets," said Raven, coldly. "Should +resistance be offered, he will resort to arms."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That would lead to incalculable trouble. All the outlets to the Castle +road are beset by the military; the people are hedged in on every side, +and could not take to flight. Do not let it come to this, your +Excellency. Hundreds of lives are at stake."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The order and safety of the town are at stake, and they may no longer +remain at the mercy of this rabble." There was an uncompromising, +determined ring in the Baron's voice. "I have dallied long enough, +postponing this measure. Now it has been decided on, and will be +carried into execution. If the streets are cleared at once, without +opposition, there is no reason for uneasiness; in the opposite case, +the consequences must be on the heads of the insurgents."</p> + +<p class="normal">At this moment the door was opened, and the Superintendent of police +came in.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, how goes it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have withdrawn my men from the principal centres," replied the +functionary addressed. "We can do no more. The excitement is increasing +every minute; it seems they mean to resist. I have just had some +wounded men brought up to the Castle. There was no possibility of +getting them transported to the town. They must be taken in here for +the present."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How is it there are wounded already?" asked the Burgomaster. "Ten +minutes ago, when I came up the hill, there had been no collision with +the troops."</p> + +<p class="normal">"These casualties occurred some time ago, before the soldiers were +called out, while we were bearing the brunt alone. Two of my men got +very roughly handled then, and, unfortunately, a third person was +injured, one in no way concerned in the row, a doctor who had come to +the rescue and applied bandages to the wounded. He had finished his +work and was going off, when one of the stones, which were falling +thick and fast, struck him and felled him to the earth. It is that Dr. +Brunnow of whom we were speaking this morning," added the +Superintendent, turning to Councillor Moser.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who?" asked Raven, quickly. He had caught the last words.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A young doctor who has been staying here for the last few weeks. Max +Brunnow by name. His father lives in Switzerland, whither he had to fly +for political motives. He took a prominent part in the last +revolution."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent let fall these remarks in an easy and, apparently, +pointless manner; but as he spoke, he kept a vigilant watch on the +Baron. He alone saw the almost imperceptible change of colour, and +heard the slight tremour of emotion in the question:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is the young man's wound serious?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I fear so--perhaps even mortal. He lies in a state of unconsciousness. +The stone struck him on the head."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Every attention shall be given to the wounded man;" the Baron stepped +towards the door, but bethought himself, and paused. The Burgomaster's +look of surprise, and the keen, observant glance of the lynx-eyed +Superintendent, no doubt reminded him that this sudden show of sympathy +on his part was in too glaring contrast to that indifference to the +loss of human life he had hitherto manifested. "I will myself give all +needful orders," he added slowly, and laid his hand on the bell.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The major-domo has already made every arrangement, and has shown the +utmost thoughtfulness. It is unnecessary that you should trouble +yourself, your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron walked up to the window in silence. Why was the name of his +old friend and companion recalled to his memory just at this moment? +Was he to take it as a warning, a reminder that he himself, Arno Raven, +had once belonged to those rebels whom he now declared himself ready to +shoot down? A long pause followed, during which many critical minutes +sped by.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will return to the town," said the Burgomaster breaking the silence +at length. "Am I to take those words as your Excellency's final +decision?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron turned. The shade of some inward conflict was on his face, as +he replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Colonel Wilten has the command in the town. I cannot interfere with +his plans. The military arrangements rest with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the Colonel acts under your instructions. A word from you, and he +will refrain from active intervention, at least. Speak the word. We are +all waiting for it, earnestly desiring it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again some seconds passed. Deep furrows gathered on Raven's brow as he +stood thinking. Suddenly he drew himself up and called the young +officer to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Lieutenant Wilten, can you leave your post here at the Castle for a +quarter of an hour? I would ask you to go over to your father +yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused and listened. From the town there came a sound, distant but +not to be mistaken--the crackle of firearms.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good God! those are shots!" cried Councillor Moser, starting up in +terror, while the two men at his side hurried to the window.</p> + +<p class="normal">The darkness prevented their seeing anything, but sight was superfluous +in this case. A second, a third time came the sharp, quick, cracking +sound--then all was still.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The message would be useless now," said the young officer in a low +voice, addressing the Baron. "They have opened fire already."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven answered not a syllable. He stood motionless, leaning with his +hand on the table, his eyes directed towards the window; but, a minute +later, as the other two came back from thence, he turned to the +Burgomaster and said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You see it is too late. I cannot interfere now, if I would."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I see," said the old man, with trenchant bitterness. "There is blood +now between you and us, so all discussion is at an end. I have not a +word more to say."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">If ever any one had cause to ruminate on the strange sport of destiny, +that person surely was Councillor Moser; for wayward chance had played +him as sorry a trick as could well be imagined. He, the most faithful +subject of a most gracious sovereign, the incarnation of loyalty, the +sworn foe of every revolutionary and democratic tendency, had lived to +see the son of a traitor to King and State lodged beneath his roof, +admitted to the sanctuary of his home--while, bitterest reflection of +all, to the imprudent and overhasty conduct of his own daughter must he +ascribe the calamity which had overtaken him.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was no denying the fact that Agnes Moser had alone been to blame +for what had happened, though, no doubt, she had been actuated by the +most pious motives. Agnes had always looked on the short space of time +which she was to spend in her father's house before entering on her +chosen vocation, simply as an interval of preparation for the life that +was to follow. The law-writer's sick wife was by no means the only +person on whom she had bestowed her care and attention. Wherever +comfort and consolation were needed, in the Castle itself or its +immediate neighbourhood, there would be found this young girl, so +rarely seen at other times, ready, in her quiet self-sacrificing way, +to relieve the suffering and afflicted; and what, in another case, +might have appeared singular and excited remark, was from her received +as a matter of course. It was generally known that Councillor Moser's +daughter was to take the veil; the sanctity of the future nun was about +her, and this, added to her constant willingness to render help where +help was needed, procured for her from all the dwellers in the Castle a +degree of respect but seldom accorded to a maiden of seventeen. It +seemed perfectly natural, therefore, that when the wounded men were +brought up to the Castle, Fräulein Moser should take her part in the +work of succour, and her proposal to have Dr. Brunnow, whose case was +by far the worst, carried to her father's room, where she could attend +to him herself, met with prompt and cordial acceptance. The Governor +had given orders that every care and attention were to be shown the +injured men, and more especially the young doctor, who had so nearly +lost his life in the exercise of his professional duty, and surely he +could be entrusted to no better hands than these. His precarious +condition would oblige him to remain at the Castle for the present, +whilst the two policemen, whose injuries were of a less serious nature, +might be transported to the town on the following day. The major-domo +caught at the chance of fulfilling his master's instructions so +precisely. He gave his warm support to the plan which the young lady's +feelings of Christian charity had suggested, and he had the +satisfaction of finding that the Baron, when informed of the +arrangement, appeared well pleased and spoke his full approval.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the Councillor was by no means so satisfied with the position of +affairs. He worked himself into a fury on seeing this treasonable +patient installed in his home, and insisted on his immediate removal. +Here, however, he was met by a resistance as decided as his own. For +the first time in her life the gentle, quiet Agnes displayed an +unyielding obstinacy, refusing absolutely to obey her father in this +matter; and as that determined person, Frau Christine, declared herself +on the side of her young mistress, Moser was out-voted and vanquished. +He was given to understand that a man so dangerously ill could not be +moved without risk to his life, and that he who turned him out of doors +would incur the guilt of manslaughter; and the Councillor at length +seemed to grasp the truth of this reasoning, but it did not lessen his +despair. Early the next morning he rushed over to his chief to +communicate the dreadful tidings, and to protest in the most solemn +manner against any supposition of complicity on his part; but, in lieu +of the hoped-for decree which should free him from the presence of his +unwelcome guest, he was advised to acquiesce in and sanction his +daughter's proceedings, of which the Baron himself seemed thoroughly to +approve. Raven promised to shield the Councillor from any doubts on the +score of his loyalty, and even declared that he would send round his +own physician to the patient. It was incumbent on them, he said, to +show all interest in the young doctor, who had behaved with so much +courage and proper feeling. The Councillor was fain to submit to this +high authority, but he did so with a heavy heart. He could not forgive +his daughter for allowing herself thus to be led into extremes by her +charitable sentiments and her pity for her suffering fellow-creatures; +and though he was powerless to alter the accomplished fact, he viewed +it every day with increasing abhorrence and indignation.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the third morning after Max Brunnow's accident, the doctor who was +attending him called to pay his usual professional visit. He was a +small, spare man, with flaxen hair, mild-looking eyes, and a very +gentle voice. On coming in, he met the master of the house, who was on +the point of leaving for his office, and a short conference took place +between the two gentlemen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Councillor, I have little, I may say no, hope of saving our +patient. He is in a bad way--a very bad way. We must hold ourselves +prepared for the worst."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have not seen him to-day," said the Councillor. "My daughter tells +me he has passed a very quiet night."</p> + +<p class="normal">The little doctor shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, weakness--coma! There was great loss of blood, and after the +violent traumatic fever, extreme exhaustion was sure to follow. I tell +you, in my opinion, he will not rally."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry to hear it," said the Councillor. Before the dread shadow +of Death his rancour yielded, and compassion gained the upper hand. +"And my daughter will be sorry too. She has taken all the nursing on +herself, and has zealously kept watch by the sick-bed. I fear, indeed, +that Agnes is overtaxing her strength, for I have never seen her look +so pale. I had really to insist this morning--to compel her to go and +take some rest after sitting up all night."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Fräulein Moser is an admirable nurse. She has all the zeal and +devotion necessary for her future vocation, and I am persuaded that her +life will be fruitful of blessing to others. In this case, however, her +exertions will soon be at an end. I fear the poor fellow's hours are +numbered. He will hardly last through the day."</p> + +<p class="normal">With a melancholy shake of the head, he took his leave, and went off to +see his patient. The Councillor remained behind, looking very blank and +melancholy also, but from quite another cause. A fresh trouble was +coming on him. There was to be a death in the house now, after these +two long days of care and anxiety. And how shocking it would be to see +in the papers: "The son of that Dr. Brunnow, whose name is notorious in +connection with the late revolution, died on such a day in R----, at +the house of Councillor Moser. His death was occasioned by injuries +received in a street riot." Those wretched papers always made these +announcements in a dry, matter-of-fact manner, without a word of +explanation or amplification. The Councillor cast an appealing glance +to Heaven. He, the most dutiful, the most conscientious of officials, +to be exposed to such a fate! His head drooped dolefully over his white +neckcloth as he at length set out on his way to the Chancellery.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile the physician had betaken himself to the sick-room. He +entered with the cautious, noiseless step with which it seems natural +to approach the dying. Frau Christine, who had relieved her young +mistress for a short time, sat by the bedside. The doctor exchanged a +few words with her in a whisper, and then sent her to fetch fresh +compresses. Going up to the bed, he bent over the patient, who suddenly +awoke and opened his eyes, apparently in possession of full +consciousness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How do you feel yourself, my dear sir?" asked the little doctor, in a +very gentle tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pretty well, thank you," replied the sick man, whose roving eyes +seemed to be seeking something. "What has been the matter with me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have been badly wounded; but make your mind easy--I will do all +that can be done. You are in good hands."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max, having searched the whole room without finding what he sought, now +turned his attention to the speaker, and calmly surveyed him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A colleague, I presume?" said he. "Whom have I the honour----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My name is Berndt," replied his brother practitioner. "His Excellency +the Governor, who has shown the greatest sympathy for you during your +illness, would have sent his own physician. My distinguished friend, +Dr. ----, is, however, unfortunately indisposed himself, so I, as his +assistant, have undertaken the case. But you must not talk, nor, above +all, move; answer my questions by signs if you find it difficult to +speak. You are low and exhausted, and require the utmost----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He stopped aghast, for the condemned man, having pulled himself +together with a vigorous jerk, sat bolt upright, and asked, in a voice +which was anything but faint:</p> + +<p class="normal">"What has become of my nurse? She used to stay with me always."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fräulein Moser, do you mean? She has gone to get a little rest, after +having watched by your bedside all night. You have indeed been nursed +with devoted care. That young lady is an angel of mercy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mercy?" repeated Max, with protracted emphasis. "Yes, as you say, a +too intimate acquaintance with the pavement of your agreeable town has +thrown me on the mercy of mankind. Confounded misuse of paving-stones +to shy them at people's heads!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not excite yourself, my dear colleague," implored Dr. Berndt, +gently. "No agitation, I beg. Quiet, rest, and the greatest caution! +But now that you are yourself again, is there no wish, no desire you +would like to express?"</p> + +<p class="normal">His face said plainly that he expected nothing less than a last will or +dying bequest.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ignoring such subjects, however, the patient replied with perfect +equanimity: "Certainly; I have the most pressing wish and desire for +something to eat."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To eat!" asked the doctor, in surprise. "To eat! Well, if you like, we +may try a little beef-tea."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A little won't do," said Max. "I shall want a great deal; but I think +I would rather have something a trifle more substantial than beef-tea. +A steak, now--in fact, I could eat two."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dear, dear, dear!" exclaimed the little Esculapius, laying his fingers +on the sick man's pulse, for he began to think his patient was +delirious. But Max drew away his hand impatiently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't make such a fuss about that crack in my head-piece. It will be +well in a week. I know my constitution."</p> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Berndt looked with commiseration at this poor deluded creature, who +had so little knowledge of his situation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You mistake your condition, my friend. You are very ill, +notwithstanding this flicker of vitality. You have lain two whole days +prostrated by a violent fever."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is no reason why I should not feel very well on the third, when +the fever has left me. Flicker of vitality! Do you really imagine I am +in danger?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not imagine it--it is a fact," said Dr. Berndt, a little piqued. +"Seriously, I fear----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You need not fear anything at all," interrupted Max. "I have not the +smallest intention of going over to the majority at present. But now, +have the goodness to tell me exactly how I have been treated."</p> + +<p class="normal">This clinging to life, so bluntly expressed by a patient on whom he had +passed sentence of death without recall, seemed to disconcert the +doctor extremely. He was silent, and looked flustered. It was only when +the question was reiterated in a louder key, and with audible +impatience, that he vouchsafed the desired details, and related, with +much self-complacency, the various measures he had adopted to rescue +the sick man from the jaws of death.</p> + +<p class="normal">Max listened rather disdainfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My respected colleague, you might have done better," said he, in his +rough, outspoken way. "I don't approve of violent remedies. I never +have recourse to them in slight cases, but let Nature act, doing what I +can to assist her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But this was not a slight case," cried the little doctor, who, in +spite of his mild temper, was beginning to get angry. "I tell you, your +condition was a most precarious one. It is so still, indeed, as you +will find when this momentary excitement is over."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I tell you that I am doing very well," cried Max, still louder; +"and that there is not the smallest prospect of any danger. I am a +decided opponent of this method of treatment. I consider it useless, +injurious even. You may thank God that my robust constitution has held +out under these experiments, otherwise you would have had the death of +a brother practitioner on your conscience."</p> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Berndt grew purple with indignation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I follow the method of my friend. Dr. ----, Professor of Therapeutics, +and consulting-physician to his Excellency. The professor is one of our +first authorities. He holds a most important position at the University +here, and his system is attended with marvellous success."</p> + +<p class="normal">The little doctor raised his mild voice to as loud and shrill a pitch +as possible, but in vain, for Max with his strong lungs quite +overpowered him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't care a rap for the Professor of Therapeutics. We have far +greater authorities at our University of Z----, and our success is +infinitely more marvellous. But we do not cling to tradition and +routine, like you gentlemen here in this patriarchal R----."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hereupon the two medical men fell into a professional dispute, which +grew so violent that Frau Christine hurried in from the next room, in +alarm. But, on crossing the threshold, she stopped, petrified with +astonishment at the sight which met her view. Dr. Brunnow, who, +according to all rule and precedent, should have lain calmly on his +death-bed, sat upright, gesticulating, and pouring forth volley after +volley of argument on his colleague, raking him with the fire of his +proofs and refutations; while the colleague himself, who, ten minutes +before, had, as it were, stolen into the room on tiptoe, so fearful was +he of disturbing the dying man, now stood before his patient in a state +of violent excitement, and fought with both arms in the air, whilst he +in vain sought to stem that torrent of speech and put in a word in his +turn. Failing altogether in this, he seized his hat at last in a rage, +and cried:</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you know everything so much better than anyone else, treat yourself +in future, if you please. I shall let the Governor know your precise +state, and shall at the same time tell his Excellency that I have never +yet met with such a patient--a man who yesterday lay at death's door, +and who to-day flings the grossest insults at me and at the whole +body of the faculty here. You are right, sir. Such a constitution as +yours is unique. You put every diagnosis to shame. I wish you a +good-morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, he left the room tempestuously. Frau Christine, who had not +understood a word of the business, stared after him in astonishment, +and then went up to the invalid for an explanation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Goodness me, what is the matter? What has happened? The doctor is +running away in a perfect fury, and you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let him run," said Max, leaning back composedly. "That man and brother +is bent on making of me a candidate for heaven. He has very nearly +killed me with his stupid proceedings. Now I will take my treatment +into my own hands, and set about it at once, too. Dear Frau Christine, +I do beg of you, in the most earnest and affectionate manner, bring me +something to eat."</p> + +<p class="normal">It might be about an hour later that Agnes Moser, after a short +interval of rest, of which she stood but too much in need, prepared +again to take her place by the bedside whence during the last few days +she had hardly stirred. Meanwhile Dr. Brunnow had followed out his own +prescription with an exactitude which left nothing to be desired, much +to the delight of Frau Christine, who thought the doctor showed great +discernment in his mode of treatment. But in vain did she preach to him +to try and get a little sleep. Max declared that he did not want to +sleep, and occupied himself exclusively with watching the door through +which Agnes must enter. When in the short space of a quarter of an hour +he presumed to ask three times where his nurse was, and what she could +be doing, Christine grew somewhat irritated. She looked the patient +sternly in the face, and said, without any beating about the bush:</p> + +<p class="normal">"What's all this that is going on between you and Fräulein Agnes, +Doctor? There is something underneath, something hidden; I have seen +that a long while."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max preferred to make no answer; but this availed him little. The +housekeeper went on, in her blunt, straightforward way:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't trouble yourself to try and impose on me. I have not been in and +out of this room all these days for nothing. Do you think I have not +seen how the poor child has been fretting, and the change that came +over you whenever Agnes went near you? I know all about it, I assure +you; you won't deceive me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Frau Christine, what a wonderfully wise woman you are!" said the young +doctor. "You sit there and tell me things which three days ago I did +not so much as guess at, and of which Fräulein Agnes is now as ignorant +as I was. But, unfortunately, you are right. Nemesis has overtaken me. +I am hopelessly, head over ears, in love."</p> + +<p class="normal">Christine nodded. "I have known that ever so long. But what is to come +of it? I have not worried myself much about the matter so far, because +Dr. Berndt made so sure you were going to die, and that would have +ended everything; but now it seems there is no likelihood of your +popping off at present----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No likelihood at all," interpolated the patient.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, I should like to ask what is to become of you and my young +lady?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is to become of us? Why, a married couple, to be sure. What else +should become of us?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Contrary to Max's expectation, Frau Christine did not appear shocked or +horrified at this answer. Though a Catholic herself, she was the widow +of a Protestant, and during the course of her married life she had +imbibed many heretical notions; among these figured a strong dislike to +convents and the conventual system. The girl's determination to +withdraw from the world had never found favour in her sight; in her +opinion, a myrtle-wreath would become her young mistress far better +than a nun's veil. She was far, therefore, from disapproving of the +scheme so boldly proposed by Dr. Brunnow, who had taken her fancy from +the first. Nevertheless, she shook her head gravely:</p> + +<p class="normal">"There will never be any question of that. Have you forgotten that +Fräulein Agnes is going into a convent?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, that plan will come to nothing," decided Max. "She is not +in yet, and I will take care she does not go in. But--this is most +important--you must not tell your young lady that I am better, nor say +a word to her about my discussion with the doctor, and the excellent +appetite I have since developed. I will tell her all that myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Christine looked rather startled at receiving these instructions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doctor, you will not be so unscrupulous as to go and act a part with +that poor child?" she asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am horribly unscrupulous in such matters," declared the doctor, with +sweet, equable frankness. "Besides, all I ask of you is to keep silence +until I have spoken to Fräulein Agnes. We'll settle the rest +afterwards."</p> + +<p class="normal">The required promise could not be given, for at this juncture Agnes +came in. She did, indeed, look very pale, and the anxious inquiring +look she turned on Christine told her utter despondency. With a +noiseless step she went up to the sick man's bed, and, bending over +him, asked in a trembling voice how he felt.</p> + +<p class="normal">That prudent youth. Dr. Brunnow, took good care not to display the fine +animation which his late medical discussion had called forth in a +manner surprising as it was satisfactory. He thought fit, by way of +answer, feebly to hold out his hand to the young girl. Max was well +aware that in his supposed danger he had a most powerful ally, and as, +according to his own confession, he was horribly unscrupulous, he did +not hesitate an instant to take advantage of the situation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau Christine thought he was acting abominably, but she was too well +disposed towards the secret design which prompted this abominable +conduct to rise in open revolt against it. She merely reported, +therefore, that Dr. Berndt had called, but had left no new +instructions, and seized the first opportunity of hurrying from the +room and leaving the young people together.</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes had re-assumed her functions as nurse.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take your medicine now," she begged. "Dr. Berndt directed me to give +it regularly. He only wrote this new prescription yesterday evening."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dr. Berndt gives me up for lost," replied Max, "so it is quite useless +for me to take his physic."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no; don't think that," entreated Agnes, soothingly, her anxious +face belying her words. "He only said that your illness might take a +dangerous turn----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I spoke to him myself this morning," interrupted the young doctor, +"and heard his sentence from his own lips. He believes my wounds to be +mortal."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes set down the medicine bottle, and hid her face in her hands. +Presently he heard a half-stifled sob.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Agnes, would it grieve you if I were to die?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The question came in a remarkably soft and tender tone from Dr. +Brunnow's lips--mildness and tenderness not being among that +gentleman's ordinary characteristics. He received no answer, but the +sobs grew louder, more passionate. Taking the girl's hands, he drew +them gently from her face all deluged in tears, and went on:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think I have betrayed so much to you, that you need not hesitate to +confess those tears are falling for me. It is only within the last few +days, since I have been under your care, that I have known how matters +really stood with me, or, may I say, with us both?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl had sunk on her knees by the bedside and buried her face in +the pillows. For all reply she wept more bitterly and despairingly than +ever, but she offered no resistance when the sick man put his arm +round her and drew her gently to him. And then followed a wonderful +event--Max Brunnow, throwing overboard his programme with its many +clauses, launched into a fervent, heart-stirring declaration of love, a +declaration which had but one defect--in form and vivacity of +expression it was such as no dying lips could have uttered.</p> + +<p class="normal">Poor Agnes was far too agitated to think of this; and moreover Dr. +Berndt had so impressed upon her the utter hopelessness of the case, +that she dared not admit to herself even the possibility of recovery. +She took the patient's animation for the excitement of fever, and truly +believed that she was witnessing the last transient flicker of life's +flame--the gleam which precedes its final extinction.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall never forget you," she sobbed. "What in life I never should +have owned to you, now in the presence of death I may confess--my love +is endless, unspeakable; it will reach beyond the grave. It is no sin +to think of a departed one, and to send messages on the wings of +prayer--this I shall do daily, when the quiet convent walls have shut +me in for ever."</p> + +<p class="normal">Earnest and touching as were her accents, this confession hardly +satisfied Max. He had not the smallest wish to be worshipped as a +departed spirit, and communications with the other world were by no +means to his taste.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It would be so, in case of my death," he said; "but what if I should +live, after all?" Agnes raised her dark, tearful eyes, with an +expression of the utmost perplexity. She had evidently not thought of +this. "I believe that would not quite suit you," cried Max, +resentfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not suit me? Oh, how can you say so! Why," cried the young girl, with +a burst of feeling, "I would willingly give my life to save yours, if +that were possible!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You shall not be asked to give your life," declared Max, whose +conscience smote him as he saw how true and deep was the poor girl's +grief. "All you will have to give up is a foolish idea which would make +us both miserable were you to cling to it. Agnes, you are mistaken in +thinking my condition a hopeless one. I have, in fact, hardly been in +danger at all; and this morning any doubt as to my recovery has +altogether disappeared. If I left you in error a quarter of an hour +longer than was necessary, I did so because I was determined, at any +cost, to obtain from you an avowal of your affection. As a +convalescent, I well knew I should sigh for it in vain, but now you +have spoken your confession, and I shall hold you to your word. It will +be quite useless to go back--to try and recall what you have said. You +may refuse me a hundred times, it will make no difference. In spite of +all and everything, you will be my wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes started up. "Never. You must not think of that. I have given +myself to a religious life. I must return to the convent very shortly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not if I know it," answered the young doctor, stoutly. "The convent +people have no voice in the matter. Happily, you are quite free as yet; +you have taken no vows."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have taken vows mentally, to myself I have promised the abbess and +my confessor, and this promise is as binding as an oath taken at the +altar."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no objection whatever to your taking an oath before the altar," +remarked Max, "but I must be present on the occasion, and swear myself +in at the same time, as is usual at nuptial ceremonies. If the lady +abbess and our friend the confessor attempt to interfere, they will +have to deal with me. I shall soon settle them. I'll make such a stir +among the whole spiritual community, that----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Heaven's sake, do not be so violent!" implored the girl, with deep +anxiety. "This excitement may be most hurtful, may be fatal to you. +Do--do compose yourself, I entreat you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"We two must come to a clear understanding first," declared Dr. +Brunnow, in his old dictatorial way. Then he poured forth on Agnes a +torrent of argument, of reasons irrefutable, such as he had lately +showered on his unfortunate colleague, proving to her, clear as day, +that she was his betrothed now, and that, come what might, she must one +day be his wife, until the poor girl, quite bewildered and stupefied, +began at last to think he was right, and the matter really stood as he +put it. It would indeed have required a more energetic nature than hers +to offer effectual resistance here, when this moribund, of whom a last +leave had just been taken, whose memory was to have been cherished +beyond the grave, and with whom spiritual communion alone was +henceforth to be held, suddenly rallied, made an unexpected sortie in +the shape of a most earthly offer of marriage, and fairly took by storm +the fortress which refused to capitulate. Agnes still wept, it is true, +and still said No, no, it could never be, she would go back to the +convent; but when Max, unheeding this, took her in his arms and kissed +her, she bore it with docility, and the young man himself seemed to +entertain no doubt whatever of his victory, for he murmured <i>sotto +voce</i>, and drawing a long breath, "Well, we have managed that business +successfully, thanks to the remarkable stupidity of my worthy +colleague. Blessings on the old blockhead!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Brunnow was, unfortunately, soon to learn from experience that the +quality he vaunted in his colleague may, under given circumstances, +lead to serious complications. The day passed by quickly enough, and, +in spite of all the excitement he had gone through, the patient found +himself in such excellent case that even Agnes, in whose mind grave +doubt had lingered, began to believe in the fact of his safety.</p> + +<p class="normal">Evening was drawing on apace, and it was quite dusk out of doors when +Agnes came in, carrying a carefully-shaded lamp, and informed Max that +an elderly gentleman, a certain Dr. Franz, had just arrived, and after +inquiring minutely and with much interest as to the state of his, Dr. +Brunnow's, health, had begged to be allowed to see him. He called, he +said, at the request of a professional friend, and was anxious +personally to convince himself of the well-being of the patient, to +whom he sent a written message.</p> + +<p class="normal">Max took the card, on which a few words were pencilled.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dr. Franz? I suppose my respected colleague cannot get over this +morning's astounding resurrection, and means to have an official report +of the case drawn up in due form. I will give the gentleman----"</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly he stopped. As his eye fell on the handwriting, he started +violently, and an expression of alarm came over his features, while his +fingers closed convulsively on the card. Agnes, who had raised the +lamp-shade to enable him to read it, was struck by the change in him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it, dear?" she asked, "Do you know this Dr. Franz?"</p> + +<p class="normal">In spite of the convent education, they had got so far as this +caressing little epithet "dear" in the course of the day.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I have known him some time," said Max, collecting himself with an +effort--try as he would, however, he could not speak with quite his +wonted steadiness. "I will see him, certainly, at once; and do me a +favour, Agnes. Leave us together while he is here, and take care that +we are not disturbed."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes looked a little puzzled. Max had hardly let her stir from his +side during the day, and now he was sending her from him. Fortunately, +the light was too subdued for her to notice the young man's suppressed +agitation; she quieted herself with the thought that, no doubt, +a medical consultation was to be held, and went away to tell the +new-comer he was expected.</p> + +<p class="normal">The stranger, a grey-haired man of meagre form and stooping gait, at +once obeyed the summons. On entering, he closed the door of the +sick-room quickly behind him, and hurried up to the invalid, who had +raised himself in his bed, and stretched out both hands to his visitor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father! For God's sake, what brought you here? How could you run such +a risk?"</p> + +<p class="normal">For all answer, Dr. Rudolph Brunnow put his arm round his son's +shoulders, and scanned his features with a careful, anxious scrutiny.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are better? They told me so outside. Thank God!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But how did you hear of my accident?" questioned Max. "You were not to +have been told until it was all happily over. I did not want to cause +you useless anxiety."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I received a telegram from your doctor, yesterday. He communicated to +me that you were badly wounded and in a critical condition. I was to +hold myself prepared for the worst. An hour later I was on the road +hither, and I reached this town by the next express."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A confounded old fool!" burst out Max, in a fury. "Is it not enough +that he has tormented me and all the people about me with this rubbish, +that now he must bring you here, too? If I could have guessed it, this +morning, I would have taken him to book in another fashion."</p> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Brunnow looked at his son in speechless amazement. Then he heaved a +deep-drawn sigh of relief.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, if you can fulminate in that manner, things cannot be so very +bad, I fancy. I feared to find you in a very different state. How was +the danger so speedily averted?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There never was any danger. A good deal of fever, a little weakness +through loss of blood, that was all. But now tell me, father----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"By-and-by. I must look at this wound first myself" interrupted his +father, still visibly agitated. "I shall not be easy until I have +satisfied myself with my own eyes."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took off the bandage, and began to examine the appearance of the +wound. During this investigation his brow cleared, and at length he +said, with a little shake of the head:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right. The wound is deep, and may have produced some serious +symptoms at first, but it is not one involving danger to life, I don't +understand your surgeon."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Heaven have mercy on the patient who falls into his hands!" said Max, +emphatically. "But notwithstanding that unlucky telegram, I cannot +think how you could resolve on coming to this place. You know that you +are under a ban--that the old sentence is still in force. Directly they +recognise you, you will be arrested, and imprisoned in the citadel +again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not make yourself uneasy," replied his father. "There is no fear +whatever of discovery. I am staying at an inn in one of the suburbs +under an assumed name; besides, I am quite a stranger to this town. No +one here is personally acquainted with me except ...."--a cloud came +over his face--"except the Governor, and it is not likely I shall meet +him. We have both of us good reasons to avoid each other."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter; with every hour you spend here, you are incurring fresh +risk to your freedom, your life. Did not you think of all this when you +undertook the journey?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," returned Brunnow, his voice faltering with deep emotion. "I heard +that my only son lay at death's door, and I said to myself that, as a +professional man, I might possibly find a way to save him. I had no +time to think of anything else."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max clasped his father's hand tightly, and tears glistened in his eyes, +as he answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not think you set so much value on my life, father. Forgive me +if I have sometimes doubted your affection for me. I have not deserved +that you should sacrifice yourself in this way. I have caused you worry +and care enough with my obstinacy, which has long refused to bend to +any authority."</p> + +<p class="normal">His father stopped him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let that be, Max," said he, with a wave of the hand. "We will forget +all that has come between us hitherto. The terrible anxiety of the last +four-and-twenty hours has taught me what it would be to lose the one +source of happiness, the one hope which remains to me in life. Do not +accuse yourself. I, too, have been unjust. I have never been willing to +understand that your nature is so differently constituted to mine, you +cannot think on all points as I do. But I trust this hour will have +shown you what you are to your father, in spite of any little +misunderstandings. Only get strong again, then all will be well."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stooped, and pressed his lips to his son's forehead--a mark of +tenderness which had long been out of use between them. Since his +childhood. Max had received no such caress from his father; he +responded to it with the heartiest warmth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You shall not have to complain of your stubborn son, the 'realist,' +again," he said in a low voice. "I shall never forget, father, all that +you have risked in my behalf. But now, promise me to leave again at +once. You have convinced yourself that I am in no sort of danger. A +real peril, however, exists for you so long as you are on this side the +border. I entreat you once again, return as quickly as possible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will start to-morrow morning," declared Brunnow; "but I shall come +up again early to see you before I go. No remonstrances, Max. Do not +distress yourself with needless anxiety. I tell you, discovery is out +of the question. But now I will leave you. You are greatly in want of +rest, and have had far more excitement than is good for you in your +condition."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bah! it won't do me any harm. I have a first-rate constitution," +replied Max, reflecting that he had that day gone through a lively +professional skirmish and a betrothal without detriment to his health. +He preferred, however, to say nothing to his father of his love-affairs +for the present, so he chose another topic.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must have been not a little surprised to have to come and look me +up here at the Government-house?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I certainly was; and the name of Councillor Moser, who, as I +hear, is an official connected with the Chancellery, was quite +unfamiliar to me. I suppose you have made the gentleman's acquaintance +during your stay here, and have come to be on friendly terms with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I can't say we are exactly on friendly terms," said his son, +dryly. "This Councillor is a splendid specimen of the loyal, orthodox +type, the very ideal of a bureaucrat. He has a nervous attack whenever +he hears the word 'revolution;' and on the first day of our +acquaintance he closed his doors on me because I bear a name to which, +in his opinion, the stigma of treason attaches."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have the more cause for gratitude that, notwithstanding his +prejudices, he has received you into his house. We are both under a +deep obligation to him. Unfortunately, I cannot tender him my thanks in +person----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't think of such a thing, for Heaven's sake! He scents a rebel a +mile off; and though he does not know you, his instinct of loyalty +would infallibly warn him that a traitor was near at hand."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Max, do not speak in such a tone of the man who has accorded to you +hospitality and attention," said Brunnow, reprovingly. "You are still +the same old Max, I see. But it must be owned you have a stalwart frame +and a robust constitution, which would astonish more experienced +people than this Esculapius of yours. Though the injury presents no +actual danger, it is serious enough to deprive any ordinary patient of +a fancy for conversation, and here are you indulging in quips at the +expense of your host!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Max thought to himself that he owed his welcome to that house to other +influences than the generosity of its master. He did not explain this, +however; but with very natural anxiety again urged his father to go, +and to use every possible precaution to ensure his safety. Dr. Brunnow, +who himself saw that a longer stay in the sick-room must excite +surprise, yielded to his son's wish. He took a hasty but affectionate +leave of the young man, and went.</p> + +<p class="normal">Passing through the apartments occupied by the Moser family, he was met +in the outer anteroom by Councillor Moser himself. That gentleman +approached the stranger in his calm, solemn manner, and said +inquiringly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dr. Franz, I believe?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow bowed consent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is my name; and I probably have the pleasure of speaking to +Councillor Moser?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Precisely," replied that personage, with a stiff inclination of the +head. "My daughter tells me that you are a physician, and that you have +called at Dr. Berndt's request. I should like to hear from you whether +what the women say is correct. I am told that the patient's condition +has greatly improved during the course of the day, and that there is +now every hope of recovery. From what I gathered from your colleague +this morning, I should say this is most unlikely--impossible, in fact."</p> + +<p class="normal">"All danger is indeed over," said the other. "I have no doubt whatever +that Dr. Brunnow's life will be spared. He owes his safety, of course, +in a great measure to the prompt succour and devoted care he has +received in your house. You must have been put to great inconvenience +on his account during the last few days."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, indeed, to very considerable inconvenience," sighed the +Councillor, who hardly knew whether to rejoice or to feel wrathful that +the dreaded catastrophe had been averted, that there was to be no death +in the house, after all. It would be just as bad to read in the papers: +"The son of that Dr. Brunnow, whose name is so well known in connection +with the late rebellion, has happily recovered from the effects of his +severe injuries. He has throughout his illness been carefully tended at +the house of Councillor Moser."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow, for his part, regarded with looks full of interest this old +gentleman who appeared so perplexed and concerned. Knowing nothing of +Agnes's independent action, he attributed the kind treatment his son +had experienced to the Councillor himself; and judging by the hints Max +had given of his host's character, he saw in Moser a man who, in a +moment of need, had risen superior to all personal considerations, and +had magnanimously come to the rescue of a political enemy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dr. Brunnow," said he, speaking from the overflowing gratitude of a +father's heart--"Dr. Brunnow will, I trust, soon be able himself to +express to you his deep sense of your kindness; in the meantime, allow +me, as his old friend, to address you in his name. I--we thank you, +sir--thank you most heartily for that which you have done."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was a Christian duty," asserted the Councillor, agreeably flattered +by these words, which so plainly betokened real and deep emotion; "a +duty I should in any case have fulfilled; still, it is gratifying to +find that one's good offices are appreciated by those to whom they have +been tendered."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Believe me, we appreciate them fully, thoroughly. We know all that a +man in your position, and holding your opinions, must have had to +combat in the exercise of your charity. You have acted with noble +self-abnegation."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, and carried away by his feelings, he held out his hand to +the old gentleman.</p> + +<p class="normal">Poor Councillor Moser! That instinct of loyalty so vaunted by Max +played him false at this moment. No inward voice warned him of his +error as he took that attainted hand, and gave it a friendly pressure. +It was so pleasant to meet at length with some one who knew how +properly to estimate his conduct in this fatal business. Agnes and Frau +Christine behaved as though it had all been a matter of course, but +this stranger took a truer view of the case, and thereby at once gained +for himself the Councillor's highest esteem.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you not come into the parlour for a few minutes?" he said. "I +shall be glad----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you, no," answered Brunnow, remembering, rather late, that it +would not do for him to show too marked an interest, or to be too +demonstrative in his gratitude. "I cannot possibly stay longer--I have +another professional visit to make. But I will come round to-morrow +morning early to see the patient, if you will permit me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With the greatest pleasure!" cried the Councillor. "I shall be +delighted to see you again, sir. Pray be careful. The passage is but +imperfectly lighted."</p> + +<p class="normal">He had opened the door for his guest himself, but the latter stood +irresolute.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must I take the stairs to the right or the left in order to reach the +entrance? I came in hurriedly, and did not notice the way."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will accompany you," said Moser, courteously. "It is so easy to lose +one's self among all these corridors and turnings when one is not well +acquainted with them. I will take you as far as the main entrance."</p> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Brunnow, who really could not have found his way alone, and for +whom it was most undesirable to wander to and fro in these courts and +galleries, accepted the offer, and they walked down the corridor +together. This corridor connected the side wing, in which Mr. Moser's +apartments were situated, with the main building, and led direct to the +great hall of the Castle. Here, on either side, were doors giving +ingress to the Chancellery and the various bureaux, and here was the +foot of the grand staircase, which led up to the Governor's private +dwelling above.</p> + +<p class="normal">The two gentlemen had just stepped out of the dim corridor into the +brightly-lighted hall, when Brunnow gave a great start and turned +precipitately, almost as though he would have retraced his steps. It +was too late. He and his companion stood close before the Governor.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron appeared to have only just arrived. His carriage was still +before the door, and he himself was talking to the Superintendent of +Police, who was about to take his leave. A cloud lay on Raven's brow, +but it cleared a little as he caught sight of the Councillor. +Interrupting the conversation in which he was engaged, he asked of the +new-comer, with evident interest:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is this true, Councillor, that I hear from Berndt? Young Dr. Brunnow +is declared to be out of danger? Coming after the previous unfavourable +reports, I must say the news surprised me very much."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am as much astonished as your Excellency," the Councillor assured +him. "I could not believe it at first, but the statement has been +confirmed to me in another quarter--by this gentleman here, Dr. Franz, +a friend of the patient's, who has just left him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven turned to the stranger, who was standing a little aside, and whom +he had not yet observed. The full light from the great chandelier fell +on the tall, bent form. For a few seconds the Baron stood motionless, +rooted to the ground, while his eyes rested with a piercing gaze on the +face before him. Then a sudden pallor overspread his features, and he +pressed his lips tightly together, as though to keep back the +exclamation which sought to escape them.</p> + +<p class="normal">But Raven's discomposure was of short duration. Next minute his +self-command had returned to him; indeed, a movement on the +Superintendent's part quickly recalled to his mind the fact that he was +watched. He quietly waited until the Councillor had finished what he +had to say, and then addressed himself to that gentleman's companion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It would be a pleasure to me to hear you confirm so favourable an +opinion," he said. "I had sent round my own physician to the patient, +but, unfortunately, the doctor himself fell ill on the first day of the +treatment, and had to abandon the case to his deputy. The bulletin I +received from Dr. Berndt this morning was so vague that I think I must +ask you to supplement it by a few details. Not here in the vestibule, +of course. Will you come in with me for two or three minutes?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow was less accustomed than the Baron to dissimulate his feelings; +and though he succeeded in controlling his voice and features +generally, his eyes glowed with a look half of pain, half of enmity, as +they rested on the speaker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Does your Excellency take so strong an interest in this young doctor?" +he returned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Unquestionably. Both I and the Superintendent of Police here"--Raven +laid a slight but perceptible emphasis on the word, as he indicated the +person named--"are under an obligation to him. You have probably heard +how this accident came about. Having hastened to the assistance of this +gentleman, some of whose officers had been injured, he was wounded +while rendering to them medical aid. You will understand, therefore, +that some detailed account of his condition will be very acceptable to +me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow understood the hint. He saw the vigilant look in the eyes of +the Superintendent, who was listening with quiet and, apparently, +merely casual attention to the short dialogue, keeping a sharp watch on +the Baron and himself the while. He understood all the danger of his +position; still he hesitated a moment, struggling, as it were, with +himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am at your service," he said at length, laconically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you come with me, then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven turned, and took leave of the other gentlemen briefly; then with +the doctor he mounted the stairs which led to his own private +apartments.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who is that gentleman, may I ask?" said the Superintendent, looking +after the pair as they disappeared from view.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A most agreeable person," replied the Councillor, with an important +air; "a colleague of Dr. Brunnow's, and a very near friend, I should +suppose, for he seems to take a great interest in him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, oh, a friend of Dr. Brunnow's! I thought the young man had no +friends or acquaintances here, now that Assessor Winterfeld has left. +Has the gentleman--Dr. Franz, I think you said--paid frequent visits to +the patient?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; he came to-day for the first time, but he is to call again +to-morrow. I must say he thanked me most warmly for my disinterested +kindness, and alluded in very delicate terms to the embarrassments +which the presence--the involuntary presence, it is true--of the young +man in my house must have brought upon me. An instance of the noblest +self-abnegation he styled my conduct in this matter. An exceedingly +agreeable person, and a clever doctor too; I could see that at a +glance. My instinct in such matters rarely deceives me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I can well believe," returned the Superintendent, about whose +lips there played a smile half derisive, half pitying. "This +exceedingly agreeable person seems to have found as prompt favour in +the Governor's eyes as in yours. It is not the Baron's way, in general, +to introduce a complete stranger to his private apartments in this +unceremonious manner. Perhaps he was not sorry to withdraw this Dr. +Franz from my society."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why should he wish that?" asked the Councillor, unsuspiciously. "His +Excellency merely desires to obtain some reliable information as to Dr. +Brunnow's state."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course; and I have no doubt such information will be amply afforded +him. Good evening, Councillor. Don't push the abnegation business too +far. They may be asking too much of you one of these days."</p> + +<p class="normal">With this piece of advice the Superintendent went off, and the +Councillor, to whom his words were as Greek, shook his head with +dignified gravity at the other's light speech; then, secure beneath the +ægis of his infallible instinct, he returned to his own dwelling. The +Governor and his companion had meanwhile reached the upper story, and +entered the former's apartments. Raven impatiently signed to the +servants to withdraw, gave brief orders that he was on no pretext to be +disturbed, and shut himself in his study with Brunnow.</p> + +<p class="normal">As yet, no word had been exchanged between them, and even now that they +were quite alone, silence still reigned for a minute or two. It almost +seemed as though each shrank from speaking the first word. After an +interval of more than twenty years, the former friends stood face to +face. In the old days they had been adolescents, fired with all the +enthusiasm, replete with the vigour of youth; now they met as men who +since that time had severally lived through half a generation--the one +still in the prime of strength and manhood, with the tall commanding +figure and proud bearing which bespeak the habit of authority, his +thick dark hair showing no silver threads, his stern rigid countenance +no mark of age--and, as a contrast, the other! Barely a year his +companion's senior, and yet to all appearances an old man, with the +grey head and stooping form of advanced years, and a face deeply lined +with the furrows of care and suffering. In the eyes alone there +sparkled a gleam of the old fire, the last lingering trace of a +long-bygone time.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rudolph!" said the Baron, at length. His tone betrayed mighty, +well-nigh uncontrollable emotion, and he moved forward as though he +would have approached his old friend; but the latter drew back, and +asked in an icy tone:</p> + +<p class="normal">"What may your Excellency wish of me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven frowned. "Why such words between us? Will you not recognise me? I +knew you at once, by your eyes. You are still the same man, though +altered in much, in almost everything." His look travelled slowly over +Brunnow's face and figure as he spoke. The other smiled a smile of +intense bitterness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have grown old before my time. A man does not wear well in exile, +when each day is spent in battling with the petty cares and miseries of +life. Baron von Raven has come better through the fight. Such pitiful +grievances do not attain to the height on which your Excellency +stands."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Once more I beg of you to drop this tone, Rudolph," said the Baron, +earnestly. "I know all that lies between us, and I have no thought of +seeking a reconciliation which I feel to be impossible. We are foes +now--so be it; but it is a paltry vengeance on your part to insist with +such scornful emphasis on a title to which I attach as little +importance as you yourself can do. However we may stand towards each +other, to you I must still be Arno Raven. Call me by the name which has +been familiar to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow stood silent, with a moody, downcast look.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can divine what has brought you hither," went on Raven; "but even +such a motive hardly excuses the temerity of the step. You are fully +aware of the risk you run on this side the border, and your son is out +of danger."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But yesterday I believed him to be on his deathbed. My own safety +could not be thought of at such a time. I felt I must hasten to him at +all hazards."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron made no reply to this; perhaps he told himself that in a like +case he would not have acted differently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You understand why I insisted on your coming with me," he continued, +after a pause. "There were witnesses to our meeting. The Superintendent +of Police had his eye upon us. I almost think some suspicion was +already dawning in his mind. It was necessary to crush this in the bud; +and a lengthened interview with me will serve you as a sort of +guarantee."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No doubt; it would naturally be supposed that the Governor of +R---- would at once give over any suspicious person into the hands of +the police. I was prepared for that when you recognised me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Moderate your tone, Rudolph," said Raven, warningly; but the other +went on unmoved:</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I really do not know to what caprice I owe my rescue. But to be +candid, Arno, I had a longing to meet you once more face to face, else +I would rather have given myself up to that man's myrmidons than have +followed you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven bit his lip.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Since our parting you have so boldly and openly proclaimed yourself my +enemy that I ought to have been prepared for some such attitude on your +part. You will remember, however, that in our young days I never +submitted to an insult, and in the course of years my temper has not +grown more enduring in this respect. So do not misuse your temporary +advantages, or forget that your position bars me from seeking +satisfaction. Let me, at least, feel that I may continue to address you +without loss of dignity."</p> + +<p class="normal">These words made little or no impression on Brunnow. His manner was, if +possible, more hostile than before, as he replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I see you have not unlearned the tone of command. I remember it of +old. Even in those days the man who sought to rise in revolt against +your will yielded in the end, cowed by that sovereign mien. As for me, +though truly mine is no slavish nature, I gave myself up to you body +and soul. I worshipped you with a blind worship; I followed +whithersoever you led, for the goal before you must, I thought, be the +highest and best--until one day my idol crumbled to dust, fell +shattered to the ground. Do not try to exercise the old power over me. +I bent to you only while I believed in you. That is over and past long +ago; but you, in whom ambition has ever usurped the place of a heart, +you little guess all that I lost when that faith went from me."</p> + +<p class="normal">A long oppressive pause ensued. Raven had turned away, and stood some +minutes in silence. At length he said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"If once you loved me, you hate me now all the more intensely."</p> + +<p class="normal">"True," was the short, energetic reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have proofs of it," continued Raven. "But a short time ago I was +marvelling how one of my youngest subalterns had found courage to hurl +insults at me openly, in the face of all the world. I forgot that he +had been in your school. Of course! Winterfeld was staying at your +house; he is your son's friend and yours. Well, he has shown himself an +apt scholar. The thrusts he essays against me betray the master who +instructed him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are mistaken. George Winterfeld is displaying his own +powers--admirable powers, certainly, which astonish myself. He kept his +secret from me, as from others, and the book, which he forwarded to me +two days ago, took me altogether by surprise. But I do not deny that my +heart endorses every word that stands in it, and there are thousands +who will agree with me. Beware, Arno! He is the first who ventures to +defy the omnipotent Baron von Raven; this is the first storm menacing +your high estate. Others will follow in its wake, and they will shake +and undermine the ground on which you stand, until it trembles and +yawns beneath your feet, and you will sink to depths great as the +height to which you have risen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You think so?" asked the Baron, disdainfully. "You should know me +better. I may be overthrown, and in my fall mortally injure myself and +crush others. To sink would in this case imply a craven surrender, and +that is not in my nature. Besides, we have not reached that point yet. +I know all the enmities which this attack will let loose upon me; my +foes have long waited for some such occasion; but they shall not taste +the triumph of seeing me abandon a position which I have so long +maintained and will never voluntarily quit. Men do not readily forgive +success such as I have achieved."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was dearly bought," said Brunnow, coldly. "You paid for it with +your honour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rudolph!" thundered the Baron, with terrible vehemence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"With your honour, I repeat it. Must I remind you of the day when our +association was betrayed, our papers seized, ourselves arrested and +cast into prison? Must I name to you the traitor to whom we owed all +this, and who was arrested with us, merely as a matter of form? I and +the others were put on our trial, and sentenced to long years of +captivity, from which fate a foolhardy escape alone delivered me. After +a short imprisonment that traitor was set at liberty, no charge being +preferred against him. Weathering the storm which cost his friends and +fellow-thinkers their freedom and their means of existence, Arno Raven +emerged from it as the secretary, the familiar, the future son-in-law +of the Minister in power, and commenced his brilliant career in the +service of the cause he had sworn to combat with all his strength. That +was the end of our dreams of liberty, of all our youthful hopes and +illusions."</p> + +<p class="normal">Every drop of blood had receded from the Baron's face. His breast +heaved with a short, quick, panting movement, and his hands were +clenched convulsively.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And if I tell you now that this so-called treachery was nothing more +than an imprudent act, an unhappy error of judgment, for which I have +bitterly, cruelly atoned? If I tell you that you yourselves, with your +over-hasty condemnation, your mad mistrust, drove me into the ranks of +your enemies?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I make answer that you have forfeited all claim to be believed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not provoke me further, Rudolph," panted Raven. "You know that I +would have borne so much from no other man. I have given you my word, +and you must believe me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Arno." Brunnow's voice was hard and contemptuous. "Had you at the +time I was pining in prison, when I could not understand, would not +understand, that you had been the traitor--had you then stepped before +me and spoken as you have spoken now, your word would have had more +weight with me than the testimony of the whole world--than the +clearest, most convincing proofs. The two decades which lie between now +and then have taught me another lesson. Baron von Raven, whose name +heads the list of the enemies and persecutors of that cause to which he +once consecrated his life; the Governor of R----, whose iron despotic +will sets all justice, both abstract and legal, at defiance, who but a +few days since shot down the people in whose ranks he once stood--this +man I utterly decline to believe."</p> + +<p class="normal">He at whom these crushing accusations were hurled stood sombre and +silent, his eyes fixed on the ground, his features working with some +strong emotion; but whether it were shame, anger, or grief which moved +him, who should say? As Brunnow spoke the last words, however, he +suddenly drew himself up to his full height, and his eyes flashed with +the old haughty, unbending spirit, as he answered in a harsh tone:</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is useless, then, to waste another word on the subject. My +explanations had reference to that first catastrophe alone. You decline +to hear them--well and good, there is an end of the matter. What has +come since then has come by my own deliberate choice and resolution. +How I may have been driven to make such a choice need not be considered +now. I allege no extenuating circumstances; enough, I have acted of my +own free will, and I am ready to answer for my deeds and their +consequences. Since the day when that great gap opened between us, our +ways have lain so far apart that it would be useless now for us to +attempt to understand the current which has borne us on. What can an +idealist conceive of ambition and the desire for power? Perhaps to you +it may appear as the germ of a crime, for the very idea of it is based +on the subjection of others. I was not created to linger out my life in +exile, to console myself for all my shipwrecked hopes and wasted +energies with the thought that I had remained true to my ideal. Condemn +me if you will: I do not recognise you as my judge."</p> + +<p class="normal">No reply followed. After a moment's silence, Brunnow turned to go, +still without speaking. Raven stepped before him, barring the way.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does this mean?" asked the Doctor. "You have said it; we have +done with each other; any further word between us would be superfluous. +Let me go."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not yet; we have to think of your safety. You will start at once on +your return journey?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall not leave till to-morrow. I have promised my son to see him +again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is a very unnecessary delay," said the Baron. "You have convinced +yourself that, as regards your son's health, there is nothing now to +fear; danger will continue to exist for you until you have re-crossed +the frontier. An express leaves at midnight. Remain here in my house +until that hour, and then you shall be taken in my carriage to the +station. Whatever suspicions may be abroad, no one will, in that case, +venture to molest you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And if, later on, it were found out that the Governor himself had +helped a rebel and an escaped prisoner on his road?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is my business. I shall be well able to defend myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you," said Brunnow, in a trenchant tone. "I shall stay +to-morrow, and shall then go to the station without the cover of the +Raven baronial livery. You will easily understand that I prefer even a +possible risk to your protection."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rudolph, be reasonable," warned the Baron. "This unhappy obstinacy may +cost your freedom."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What matters it to you? We are enemies, are we not? more bitter +enemies than ever from this hour. We shall hardly meet again in this +life, but think of my words, Arno. As yet you stand secure on the giddy +height to which you have climbed; as yet you look down disdainfully on +the dangers now gathering around you. A day will come when the +foundations, whereon your power rests, will rock and reel, when all the +world will fail you, and then"--here Brunnow's bent form was drawn +erect with a certain majesty--"then you will see that it is of some +worth to have kept one's faith in one's best hopes and aspirations. The +testimony of my conscience has sustained me. You will have no stay, +when the glittering edifice of your ambition crashes to the ground. You +have been false to yourself. Farewell."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned and went. Raven stood, moody and motionless, looking after +him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"False to myself!" he repeated, in a low voice. "Even so--he is right."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">All was quiet in the town. The "energetic measures" had produced their +effect, although they had not been carried into execution with such +disastrous rigour as at first appeared. Colonel Wilten knew very well +that, notwithstanding the Governor's high standing and authority, some +portion of the responsibility would rest with him. On the troops being +called out, he gave orders, therefore, that at the word of command the +first round should be fired, not among the crowds assembled, but in the +air. He counted on the blind panic which would ensue when it was found +that recourse would be had to arms, and he was not deceived in his +reckoning. The first discharge produced boundless fear and confusion, +which were still further increased by the gathering darkness. None had +sufficient calm and self-possession to note what had really happened. A +wild tumult arose, but there was no attempt at the resistance which had +been expected and feared. For one brief moment the masses swayed to and +fro without plan or method, then all turned to seek refuge in flight. +The Colonel had foreseen this, and had taken his precautions that a way +should be opened for the fugitives to escape. A detachment of soldiers +succeeded, without any very serious difficulty, in dispersing the +dense crowds, and driving them back. Once broken up, they could not +re-assemble, as all the central points of the town were occupied by the +troops. After some hours, order was restored, and, thanks to the +prudence and moderation of the commanding officer, this happy result +was attained without bloodshed. Wounds and injuries enough had been +inflicted in the press and crush of that hurried flight, but there had +been no actual battle, and yet the military intervention had produced +the desired effect. The more turbulent party in the town was +intimidated; there was no repetition of the riots, and during the +ensuing days the public peace had not been disturbed. Authority had +once more triumphed, and the Governor still preserved the upper hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">On the morning following his interview with Rudolph Brunnow, the Baron +paid a visit to his sister-in-law's apartments. Madame von Harder's +cold had been attended with serious consequences. She was ill, or, at +least, declared herself to be so, and since her return to town had +hardly left her bed. The Baron sent over regularly every morning to +inquire after her health. He had seen neither her nor Gabrielle during +the last few days, for the young girl had taken advantage of the +pretext afforded her by her mother's illness, and had refrained from +appearing at table. Since that sad, stormy interview, a meeting had +thus been avoided.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness was lying on the sofa in the pose of a languid invalid, +when her brother-in-law entered. He took no notice of Gabrielle, who +was in the room, but went straight up to her mother, and asked, in the +cold indifferent tone of one who is using a mere formula, how she felt +that morning.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, I have gone through so much during all these terrible days!" +sighed the Baroness. "I feel very ill indeed. The excitement and horror +of that dreadful evening when they threatened to storm the Castle was +too much for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I expressly sent you word that every precaution had been taken to +ensure the safety of the Castle," said Raven, impatiently. "You never +would have been in danger, in any case. The popular demonstration was +aimed at me, and me alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the noise, the advance of the troops, the firing in the town!" +complained the lady. "It all had the most terrible effect on my nerves. +How I wish I had complied with Colonel Wilten's wish, and had remained +a few days longer in the country. But, indeed, as things now stand, +that would be out of the question. Gabrielle is torturing me to death +with her wilfulness and obstinacy. She declares now decidedly that +she will not marry young Baron Wilten, and threatens to tell him so +point-blank, if I let him come to her with an offer."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven took a rapid survey of the young girl, who sat at some distance +from them, pale and silent, leaning her head on her hand; but even now +he did not address her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It places me in the most embarrassing predicament," went on the +Baroness. "I have given the Colonel positive assurances which cannot +possibly be recalled. He and his son will be furious. Gabrielle says +she has already spoken to you on the subject, Arno. Do you really +approve of her conduct in this matter?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I?" asked the Baron, coldly. "I have renounced all pretension to +influence your daughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good Heavens! what has happened?" asked the Baroness, starting up in +alarm. "Has Gabrielle been showing you her stubbornness and self-will? +I hope--I trust----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us not talk of it," said the Baron, cutting short her effusive +speech. "This affair with Wilten must be settled by me, certainly. My +own position towards the Colonel demands it. He would never forgive me +if I were to allow his son to incur the humiliation of a refusal, where +he confidently expects to be favourably received. I must say, the fault +is altogether yours, Matilda. You will remember that I have held myself +aloof from your plans from the first. You should have made sure of your +daughter's consent before you committed yourself to positive promises. +But now this matter must be discussed and decided. I am going over to +see Wilten now, and during our conference I will take an opportunity of +letting him know Gabrielle's answer. But to the subject which brought +me hither. You are unwell?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed I am--very unwell!" breathed the Baroness, faintly, sinking +back in her cushions with an air of utter exhaustion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I have a proposal to make to you. The doctor talks of nervous +symptoms, and recommends change of air, particularly as the autumn here +with us is often rough and inclement. Besides this, in the present +state of affairs, there can be no thought of receptions or any social +gatherings for some time to come. I would, therefore, advise you to +accept the invitation you have received from your friend, the Countess +Selteneck, of which you were lately speaking to me, and with your +daughter to go and spend a few weeks in the capital."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle, who had listened to the conversation, taking no part in it, +started violently at the last words, and an involuntary exclamation +escaped her lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," said Raven, turning towards her for the first time, and speaking +with caustic irony; "I know that my scheme will meet your views."</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl made no reply; but the Baroness's languid features acquired +sudden animation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What, you approve of this visit?" she asked. "I do not deny that a +short stay in the capital would be agreeable to me--that it would be +pleasant to see my old friends and acquaintances again; but my regard +for your wishes, my duties as the mistress of your house----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Need not bind you in this case," interposed the Baron. "I repeat to +you that, under the present circumstances, entertainments are out of +the question. We cannot say with certainty that there will be no +renewal of the disturbances; and I should be sorry to expose you a +second time to the perils of so much terror and excitement. I would, +therefore, beg of you to make your preparations for the journey as +speedily as possible. When you return, you will find us all peaceful +and settled, I hope."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will comply with your wishes in this as in all else," declared the +Baroness, to whom, in the present case, compliance was remarkably easy. +"We shall very soon be ready to start; and I hope the change may be +beneficial to Gabrielle, as well as to myself. She has grown so pale +and listless of late, I am really beginning to fear for her health."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven appeared not to hear this last remark. He rose to go.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So that is settled. Whatever you may require for your trip is at your +disposal. But now I must leave you, Matilda. The carriage is waiting +for me below."</p> + +<p class="normal">He shook hands with his sister-in-law, and went. Hardly had the door +closed upon him, when Madame von Harder exclaimed, with great vivacity:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, your uncle has had a sensible idea at last! I was afraid he +would expect us to remain in this wretched city, where one is not sure +of one's life, and where one cannot even drive out without fear of +being insulted by the people. I only wonder that Arno deigns to notice +my nerves or the doctor's advice at all. He is generally so hard and +unfeeling in these matters; don't you think so, Gabrielle?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think he is anxious to get rid of us now, at any price," replied +Gabrielle, without turning her head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, yes," said the Baroness, suavely. "He must see that R---- is not +a very agreeable place of sojourn just now, especially for ladies. I +had something of this in my mind when I mentioned the Countess's +invitation to him. I half hoped he would assent to it; but he then +preserved an obstinate silence, so I did not venture to pursue the +subject. How I long to see the capital again, and to renew my old +connections there! Say what you will, this R---- is provincial, after +all, in spite of the grand city-airs which the town gives itself. But +now, in the first place, we must look over what we have to wear. Come, +child, and let us consider what has to be done."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Spare me that, mamma!" prayed the young girl, in a low, weary tone. "I +am not in the humour for it now. Decide what you think best. I shall be +quite satisfied with anything you do."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness looked at her daughter in unmitigated astonishment; such +indifference passed the bounds of all belief.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not in the humour for it? Gabrielle, what has come to you? I +noticed the change in you some time ago, when we were staying in the +country; but now, during the last few days, you have grown so strange, +I really can hardly recognise my own daughter. Something must have +passed between you and your uncle during that drive home, I am +afraid--something you are keeping back from me. He is evidently angry +with you; he scarcely looked at you just now. When will you learn to +show him the necessary respect and consideration?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You hear, he is sending us away," said Gabrielle, with a great, bitter +rush of feeling. "He wishes to be alone if a danger threatens, if a +misfortune overtakes him--quite, quite alone!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not understand you," declared her mother, pettishly. "What should +threaten your uncle? He has put down the attempts at revolt with a +strong hand, and there will be an end of them, I fancy; but if things +should come to the worst, he has the troops to protect him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle was silent. She had not thought of any specific danger, but, +inexperienced as she was in all the serious affairs of life, she +divined that an open attack, such as Winterfeld's, would not pass by +without leaving its mark, and felt, as it were, a prescience of some +coming storm. She and her mother were to be sheltered from it, +evidently. In no plainer language could the Baron have told her that +all was really over between them. Was he not sending her to the +capital, where George now lived, where a meeting with him could easily +be managed? The harshness and violence with which Raven had formerly +opposed this union had caused the girl far less pain than this +voluntary withdrawal of all resistance on his part. He was showing her +that he had ceased to protest, that he left her free to act as she +pleased; and she knew him too well to cherish any hope that he would +soften towards and pardon the woman whom he believed to have betrayed +him. Perhaps Gabrielle might have sought to convince him of his error, +to show him what injustice his cruel suspicions did her; but his icy +look and manner scared her from him. That look told her that her words +would find no credence, and at this thought her proud spirit rose in +arms. Was she again to endure the degradation of finding her defence +unheard, herself repulsed, as had happened once before? Never! never!</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness was very far from divining her daughter's train of +thought; she did not even remember that Assessor Winterfeld was living +in the metropolis, still less that he had been sent thither expressly +to prevent any intercourse between him and the Governor's heiress. The +lady had weightier matters to occupy her just now. Finding Gabrielle +insensible to the claims of the great "toilette" question, she rang for +her maid, and at once engaged with her in a long and elaborate +consultation. It was notable what a vivifying effect the prospect of +this journey had on the Baroness's system. Her illness and languor +seemed suddenly to have disappeared. She gave the necessary +instructions with an eagerness and animation which already augured the +best results from the prescribed "change of air."</p> + +<p class="normal">On leaving his sister-in-law, the Baron had himself at once driven over +to Colonel Wilten's quarters. He had always been on friendly terms with +the commandant of the garrison, and latterly there had been an increase +of cordiality, on the Wiltens' part at least, for the family were bent +on securing an alliance between the eldest hope of their house and the +young Baroness Harder.</p> + +<p class="normal">To-day, however, there was a something unusual in the Colonel's manner +and reception of his visitor, a certain constraint which he did his +best to conceal by talking with more fluency than was his wont. The +Baron did not heed this. His mind was busy with other thoughts, and he +was not disposed to attach importance to such trifles. He was about to +turn the conversation to those measures of public safety which were +still to some extent in the hands of the military, when Wilten +forestalled him, and said rather hurriedly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you received further intelligence from the capital yet? You are, +no doubt, expecting an answer relative to that Winterfeld pamphlet."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron's brow clouded over very noticeably at this question, and +there was a pause of some seconds before he responded.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," he said at length. "The answer reached me this morning."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well?" asked the Colonel, eagerly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven leaned back in his chair, and replied in a tone wherein irony and +bitterness were equally blended:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Our friends in the capital appear to have lost sight of the fact that, +as their representative, I have acted in their name, and that through +long years they have seconded me in all my acts to the best of their +ability. You were right in warning me against the intrigues at +head- quarters, which were secretly undermining me. I see now how +hollow is the ground on which I stand. A few months ago they would not +have dared to give me such an answer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What: they have not tried to hint----" the Colonel stopped; he did not +like to finish the phrase.</p> + +<p class="normal">"They have hinted much--in the most courteous form, naturally, and with +an unusually lavish expenditure of fair words--but the meaning remains +the same. I think it would not be disagreeable to the gentlemen in +office yonder, if I were to make my bow and withdraw from the scene. I +am a stumbling-block in the way of several persons there, and they, of +course, seek to profit by any attack upon me. At present, however, I am +not inclined to make room for them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Colonel Wilten remained silent, and studied the carpet diligently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The late events in this city have also given rise to serious +differences of opinion," continued Raven. "There has been a constant +interchange of despatches on the subject. They cannot be made to +understand that the intervention of the troops was necessary, and +preach to me of the heavy responsibility incurred, of the exasperated +state of public feeling, and more in the same style. I reply simply +that these matters cannot be judged from a distance. I am on the spot, +and know what is necessary; and were the disturbances to break out +afresh, I should do exactly as I have done."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again there stole over the Colonel's features that look of constraint +which had gradually disappeared during the course of the conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That would hardly be possible," he remarked. "It is true that the +popular excitement is greater than we at first supposed, and I told you +some time ago that the Government are anxious to avoid all military +interference."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not what the Government desire, but what is necessary," declared +the Baron, with the curt, abrupt speech which with him was a sure sign +of great irritation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will hope, then, that the necessity will not recur," said Wilten; +"for I am unfortunately ... I should have ... in a word, I should be +compelled to refuse co-operation, your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven started, and turned a flashing glance on the speaker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does this mean, Colonel? You know that I have unlimited +authority. I can assure you that it has been in no way restricted."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not for a moment suppose it has; but my powers have been +curtailed. In future I am to take my instructions from army +head-quarters alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have received counter-orders?" asked the Baron, quickly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," was the reply, given with some hesitation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yesterday."</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I see the despatch?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry--it is of a private nature."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven turned away, and went up to the window. When he looked round, +after the lapse of several minutes, his face was almost livid in its +pallor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This means that my hands are to be tied completely. If there is any +renewal of the riots, and the police are not strong enough to suppress +them, I am powerless, and the town is to be given over to the mercy of +the mob."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilten shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am a soldier, and must obey, as your Excellency knows."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Assuredly you must obey--that I quite see."</p> + +<p class="normal">Another uncomfortable pause followed. The Colonel seemed to be thinking +how he could effect a diversion; but Raven forestalled him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As the matter now stands, the conference I wished to hold with you +becomes superfluous," he said, with enforced calm. "No excuses, pray. I +can well conceive that it is very painful to you personally, but you +cannot alter the circumstances, so let us say no more on the subject. I +wanted to speak to you also on a little matter of private business. You +gave me to understand some time ago, that your son was likely to come +to me with a request. Lieutenant Wilten has not declared himself as +yet, and in these troubled, excited times it would hardly have been +possible for him to do so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite impossible," assented the Colonel. "I pointed out to Albert that +it would argue a want of proper feeling on his part, were he to trouble +you with such matters at a time when you have so much to contend with. +He admitted the justice of what I said. Besides, he is leaving us +to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So suddenly?" asked Raven, in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is going to M---- on a mission connected with the service, and will +probably remain there some weeks," returned the Colonel, who was +growing visibly embarrassed beneath the Baron's severe scrutiny. "I had +originally intended to send another officer, but I cannot dispense with +his assistance now; and my son, as the youngest on my staff, can be +most easily spared. So the matter we were speaking of can rest for the +present. Later on, when Albert returns, we can take it up again."</p> + +<p class="normal">There were hard, bitter lines about Raven's mouth as he answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"On the contrary, I wish this matter to be settled at once, and for +ever. My sister-in-law regrets to find that she is not in a position to +satisfy the hopes which she encouraged the young Baron to entertain. +She has now convinced herself that her daughter does not possess that +amount of affection for your son which would dispose her to enter into +this marriage; and neither Madame von Harder nor I will exercise the +slightest constraint on Gabrielle----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh! by no means. We would never consent to that," interrupted Wilten, +eagerly. "No constraint, no persuasion in these matters! It will be +hard for me, of course, to give up the plan I have so long cherished, +and my son will be in despair. But if he may not hope that his +affection will be returned, it is better he should know the truths and +try to conquer his attachment. I will talk to him seriously on the +subject."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do so," said the Baron, whom neither the other's ready zeal, nor his +deep-drawn breath of relief, had escaped. "I am persuaded that you will +find in him an obedient and tractable son."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned to go. The Colonel accompanied him politely to the door, and +would have given his hand at parting as usual, but Raven passed by him +with a cool, ceremonious bow, and left the room. Outside, on the +stairs, he stopped a moment and glanced towards the door that had just +closed, saying to himself under his breath:</p> + +<p class="normal">"So it has come to this already! They wish to break off all connection +with me. The news Wilten has received must have been strange news +indeed!"</p> + +<p class="normal">As the Governor issued from the house and was about to enter his +carriage, which waited before the door, he caught sight of the +Superintendent of Police, who was coming up the street, and who +quickened his steps on perceiving him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was just going up to see your Excellency," said he, bowing +respectfully. "I thought I should find you at the Castle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am now returning thither," replied Raven, pointing to the carriage. +"May I ask you to accompany me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent accepted the invitation, and both gentlemen entered +the carriage, which started at once on its way to the Castle. The Baron +listened in silence to the other's talk. He was moody and abstracted, +chafing inwardly at the first humiliation openly laid upon him. So far +they had left him free scope, had invested him with an unlimited +authority such as no Governor before him had possessed; and now, at the +present juncture, when he was more than ever in want of this authority, +he suddenly found himself checked, his course of action impeded, his +hands bound. They were taking from him the support whereon he had +relied, the powerful ally whom he had once called to his aid, and on +whom now he was forced in some measure to depend. They were purposely +leaving him alone to face the struggle with the rebellious city. Raven +was not at a loss to interpret this symptom.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent had been speaking of some unimportant incidents +which had occurred the preceding day. Now he went on to say: "But I +have a communication to make which will surprise your Excellency. You +take an interest in young Dr. Brunnow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven grew attentive.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly. What of him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing personally, though I am sorry to say the matter in question +touches him very nearly. You remember the gentleman who was introduced +to us the other evening by Councillor Moser as Dr. Franz? You had even, +I think, some lengthened conversation with him afterwards. Did nothing +in his manner strike you as peculiar?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron drew himself up quickly. The allusion sufficed to show him +that his suspicion had been well-founded, and that danger to Brunnow +was impending. It was imperatively necessary to show a calm front, in +order, if it were yet possible, to avert a catastrophe. Raven summoned +up all his self-possession, and answered with a cold, imperturbable +"No."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, my attention was attracted to him at once," said the +Superintendent. "Even during those few short minutes doubts occurred to +me, doubts which were subsequently strengthened by some remarks the +Councillor inadvertently let fall. So I thought it advisable to set +some inquiries on foot. Now that there are so few strangers in the +town, it was no difficult matter to find out where the pretended Dr. +Franz had put up. He had arrived a couple of hours before at an inn in +the suburbs, had displayed great solicitude in speaking of the young +doctor, asking many questions about him in an agitated manner, and had +then hurried off to see him. The trunk, which had been imprudently left +at the inn, bore the ticket Z---- as the station of departure. There +were other very suspicious circumstances in support of the evidence--in +short, no doubt now exists that we have to do with Rudolph Brunnow, the +father of the wounded man."</p> + +<p class="normal">All these statements were delivered in the cool, business-like tone +used by the Superintendent throughout the interview, and Raven +endeavoured to preserve the same appearance of indifference as he +replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is, at present, merely an assumption of yours, which will require +confirmation. You cannot take any steps against this stranger on such +evidence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have the confirmation already," said the Superintendent. "When +arrested, Dr. Brunnow admitted his name."</p> + +<p class="normal">"When arrested!" exclaimed the Baron. "You have proceeded to arrest him +without informing me of the matter--without giving me the slightest +intimation?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The police-officer stared at him in well-feigned astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Excellency, I really do not understand. So far as I am aware, +such measures are entirely within my competence. Had I known that you +desired to be previously informed, I should, of course, have seen that +a communication was made to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven clenched his right hand, crushing the glove he held in it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I should certainly have dissuaded you from taking such a step. +Have you thought of the excitement this arrest will produce, and of its +inevitable consequences? Precisely now, when the Government is bent on +adopting conciliatory measures, on creating a diversion, when +everything depends on its being popular, and the Ministers are shaping +their course with scrupulous care, in order to avoid a conflict--this +is not the time to drag before the public old, half-forgotten +reminiscences of the rebellion."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have done my duty, nothing more. Dr. Brunnow was sentenced to a long +term of imprisonment; this punishment he evaded by taking flight. He +knew that on his return he would become amenable to the law. He came +notwithstanding this, and he must take the consequences."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should have thought you had held your position long enough to know +that the letter of the law must sometimes be sacrificed to the +expediency of the moment," said Raven, with rising anger. "Why did this +fugitive return? Public opinion will unmistakably side with the man +who, in his anxiety for his only son, in the hope that by his medical +skill he might be the means of saving that son's life, set his own +danger at naught, risked everything and came; Brunnow will be raised to +a martyr's pedestal, and will obtain sympathy throughout the land. Do +you think this will be agreeable to us? You chose to act on a mere +suspicion of your own, and you will meet with little thanks from +head-quarters."</p> + +<p class="normal">These words were spoken with a vehemence which made them almost +offensive; but the Superintendent replied coolly and politely:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, we must wait and see. I acted to the best of my judgment, and I +regret that the course I have taken does not meet with your +approbation. I was the less prepared for censure from your Excellency +that you have always condemned the lukewarm attitude of the Government, +and the fear they evince of provoking a conflict as weakness, whilst +the line of action your Excellency is now pursuing in this town proves +that you reckon on energetic and unsparing measures alone for success."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron bit his lip. He felt that he had allowed himself to be +carried too far. Turning the conversation, he said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"So Dr. Brunnow at once avowed his name?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; he seemed disconcerted at first, when his arrest was made known +to him, but he soon recovered himself, and made no attempt at denial. +It would indeed have been perfectly useless. I have taken care that the +news of what has occurred shall not reach his son at present--at least +the Councillor has promised to be silent. The poor Councillor! he +almost fell down in a fainting-fit when I disclosed to him who the +<i>soi-disant</i> Dr. Franz really was. After having all his life sedulously +avoided anything like disloyal contact, he is now being drawn into the +most questionable connections, and that without any fault of his own."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will at least, I hope, show your prisoner every consideration," +said Raven, unheeding the last remark. "The motive that brought him +here, and his son's noble conduct at the time of the riot, entitle him +to some favour at your hands."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doubtless," assented the Superintendent. "Dr. Brunnow will have +nothing to complain of. He is, as a temporary measure, confined in a +room in the city prison, and I have been careful that in all the +arrangements a due regard should be had to his comfort. Of course, +he must be strictly guarded. There might be an attempt at evasion +again--or at a rescue."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven's eyes were fixed full on his companion's face. The derisive +smile lurking about the officer's lips told the Baron that his former +relations with the prisoner were no longer a secret, and that the blow +was directed less against Brunnow than against himself. To what end +this hostile step had been taken, he did not then immediately divine; +but the Superintendent of Police was not the man to be guilty of +over-precipitation, or to do anything which would bring upon him a +serious responsibility. He always knew very well what he was about.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Evasion! rescue!" repeated Raven, scornfully. "It is too late for +that, I fancy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope so too, but I will not neglect the necessary precautions. One +can never know what connections these refugees may have, or how far +their secret influence may extend. This was the communication I had to +make; now I need not take up your Excellency's time any longer. We +shall soon be passing my office. Might I ask to be set down there? I +shall, as usual, find a deluge of work awaiting me, no doubt."</p> + +<p class="normal">A few minutes later, the carriage stopped before the police-bureau, and +the head of that department took a most affable leave of the Baron, who +then drove on to the Castle. At length the respite of a few minutes' +solitude was granted him. So many successive blows had fallen on him +since the morning. First the Minister's letter, then the disclosure +made by Colonel Wilten, now the news of Brunnow's arrest. More and more +menacing were the signs of the times, and Rudolph's prophecy was +perhaps nearer its fulfilment than he himself had imagined. The ground +beneath the great man's feet began to quake and to give way; and for +the first time he looked down from his vertiginous height, measuring +how great the fall might perchance be--but Arno Raven was not one to +quail before such thoughts. The proud, determined look on his face +showed that he was not disposed to yield a step, that he was ready to +confront any danger that might rise up before him. Though perils should +surround him on all sides, there would be no surrender. Thus, with the +undaunted spirit and strong will which had borne him through so many +trials, he advanced to meet the approaching storm.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">There was a lonely, desolate air about the Castle in these days. +Baroness Harder and her daughter had left for the capital, and if the +elder lady, with her caprices, her requiring temper, and other not very +amiable characteristics, was not painfully missed by the household, the +absence of the younger, who had won all hearts to herself, was +sincerely deplored. With her, sunshine had come into the house. During +the few short months of her stay there, she had filled the great sombre +spaces with light and animation, quickening and brightening their +lifeless splendour. During this period Raven himself had become so much +milder of mood, so much more accessible, that at times it was difficult +to recognise in him the severe, imperious master who never unbent, and +whose slightest words were as law. Now Gabrielle's rooms were closed +and darkened, and every one about the place, from the venerable +major-domo to the lowest housemaid, felt the void she had left behind.</p> + +<p class="normal">Baron von Raven alone seemed insensible to the change; at least, he +never in any way alluded to it, and it was well known that he had +little time to give to his home or family affairs. All about him were +accustomed to see their master grave, taciturn, and unmoved by passing +events. Thus he still appeared, and yet every soul about the house knew +that a tempest was fast gathering over his head. It had long ceased to +be a secret.</p> + +<p class="normal">There had been no renewal of the disturbances in the town during the +course of the last few weeks; and the Superintendent, with his staff of +police, had easily put down the slight ebullitions of feeling which +would now and then occur. The lower classes of the population had been +intimidated; to the more enlightened reflection had come. It was felt +that nothing would be achieved by violence. The Burgomaster used all +his influence to prevent a recurrence of the previous scenes. +Experience had taught him that in such a contest the reins would soon +slip from his hands, that the rougher, more dangerous elements forcing +themselves to the surface, the movement, legitimate in the outset, +would degenerate into a mere common rebellion against all law and +order. On either side a warning had been received, and it had borne +fruit. The struggle was not abandoned; it grew, on the contrary, in +force and intensity, though carried on in quieter fashion; and now the +city of R---- had the satisfaction of hearing that an echo of its +discontent had sounded in the capital, an echo which quickly spread +throughout the land. Winterfeld's pamphlet had produced a great +sensation, a far greater, indeed, than its author had ever reckoned on, +for it found acceptance in influential quarters, where no one, and +least of all the Assessor, would have expected it to be tolerated.</p> + +<p class="normal">In these higher circles Raven was by no means beloved. A man who had +raised himself from the more modest ranks of the middle classes to one +of the highest offices of the State, he had naturally aroused against +himself the envy and ill-will of those whom he had overtaken and left +far behind him in the race; and his proud, imperious bearing, the +merciless contempt with which he exposed and thrust aside incapacity +and meanness, wheresoever placed, did not tend to increase his +popularity. Among his competitors there were but too many who viewed +the success he had achieved, the high position he now held, as a +robbery committed on themselves, an infringement of their own peculiar +privileges; who could not brook the haughty composure which never +deserted him, even in the presence of the most exalted personages, and +who were only waiting their opportunity to inflict on this <i>parvenu</i> +the humiliations which, in their opinion, he so richly deserved. +Hitherto their shafts had glanced harmlessly from the Baron's armour. +The Government had warmly supported him, had loaded him with +distinctions and honours, and had kept silence on the subject of his +arbitrary encroachments, which were perfectly well known to every man +in office. For this post of R----, the Ministers were in want of just +such a representative, of one who, like Raven, would with rigid +consistency and unsparing energy make his authority felt, and who would +keep in check the rebellious discontent which leavened the province. +The Governor had been indispensable, and this fact outweighed all other +considerations, and counteracted all the influences which were at work +against him.</p> + +<p class="normal">But times had changed. During the last twelve months, especially, a +revolution of opinion had come about, which threatened to overturn the +present system. Some of its upholders, staunch hitherto, now tried to +trim their sails, and to steer with the new current; others prepared to +abdicate, and, with all outward honour and dignity, to retire from the +stage where their parts were played out. They had one and all, friends +and connections, who were of service to them in the crisis. Arno Raven +stood perfectly alone; and the dragon of spite he had provoked now +reared its head and turned its poisonous fangs against him.</p> + +<p class="normal">At any other time, a pamphlet such as Winterfeld's would have been +instantly suppressed, and its author would have paid for his audacity +with the loss of his position; now the work, with its accusatory +eloquence, was eagerly turned to account--made to serve as an arm +against the object of their hatred; and the young official, who had +furnished the welcome opportunity, was raised to hero-rank. George's +name, altogether unknown but a little while before, was now in +everybody's mouth. He himself was sought, made much of, admired for his +courage in boldly speaking out that which, of course, every one had +known. People said the brochure was really admirably written, that it +evinced unusual knowledge and talent, and bore the stamp of a clear, +incorruptible judgment--and, indeed, the book was completely devoid of +the acrimony which would have lowered it to the level of a diatribe. +The Governor's great qualities were thoroughly recognised; anything +like a personal attack was carefully avoided. The entire accusation +rested on facts; but these facts were demonstrated with such clearness +and precision, and subjected to so incisive a criticism, that some +answer to the charges must, it was thought, necessarily follow.</p> + +<p class="normal">To the R---- province and its chief town, these printed pages had been, +as the Burgomaster expressed it, as a spark in a powder-barrel; for +they gave form and substance to the universal feeling, setting it forth +in the most pointed and striking terms. The crippling fear, the dread +of the Governor's omnipotence, was shaken: it was seen that he was +assailable, vulnerable, like other mortals; and all the bitterness, so +long cherished against him, now broke out with tempestuous violence. No +one gave a thought to the benefits the town and province had reaped +from the Baron's vigorous administration. Not a voice was raised to +recall them to mind. Hatred of the despotic yoke, beneath which the +people had so long sighed, spoke loudly and alone; and, as often +happens in this world, those who had been bound to the Governor by +interest, and had ranked among his partisans, were, now that it could +be done with impunity, the first to cast a stone at him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Most men, so situated, would have retired, have voluntarily vacated a +place it seemed now impossible to hold. A recommendation to resign was, +indeed half hinted to the Baron from the capital; but his pride +revolted against such a step. To yield, now that compulsion was being +tried--to flee, as it were, from his enemies, routed by their +denunciations and attacks, was out of the question. He knew that to go +at such a moment would be to recognise his defeat. To those half-hints +from the capital, he had, therefore, returned the haughty answer that +he had assuredly no intention of remaining at his post for any length +of time; but that, before relinquishing it, he would see the fight out, +overthrow his enemies, and silence their tongues, as he had done on +first coming to R----, when a similar storm had burst upon him--then he +would go, and not before. Perhaps the Baron would have shown himself +less obstinate, had the signal for the general onslaught been given by +any other than George Winterfeld. The thought of owing his fall to the +man whom of all men he most ardently hated, as standing between himself +and Gabrielle, made Raven desperate, and robbed him of his wonted +clearness of judgment.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was, indeed, by no means certain, as yet, what the issue of the +struggle would be. As yet, the Baron stood firm, though the ground +beneath him heaved, and seemed to menace his fall. He could allege that +all he had done had been done with the full authorisation and support +of the Government; and the Ministers hesitated to abandon thus, at a +moment's notice, the man who had so long acted in their name. The +weakness and half-heartedness, which Raven had so often condemned, +again came to light. The attack upon him had been tolerated, secretly +favoured; but now that he unexpectedly stood his ground, they ventured +neither to give him up nor heartily to espouse his cause.</p> + +<p class="normal">Public attention was so engrossed by this all-absorbing topic, that +other matters receded into the background. This was the case even with +the arrest of Dr. Brunnow, who was still confined in the R---- city +prison; though, on the first tidings of it, the event had been much +talked of, and had created a painful impression. It was known, of +course, that the law demanded the recapture of an escaped prisoner; +still, people thought it hard and cruel that a father who had hurried +to his son's sick-bed should atone for the step by years of captivity, +especially as so long a period had intervened since the original +sentence had been pronounced.</p> + +<p class="normal">One forenoon, at rather an early hour, the Superintendent presented +himself in person at the prisoner's door. There was, however, nothing +official in his bearing or manner of salutation, which were simply +courteous and affable, as though nothing more than a mere ordinary call +were intended.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have come to announce to you a visit from your son, Doctor," he +began. "You have, I believe, been kept regularly informed as to his +state of health, and are aware that he is now well enough to undertake +the short drive without incurring any risk. He will be with you about +twelve o'clock. I could not refuse myself the gratification of bringing +you the news."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are most kind," replied Brunnow, politely, but laconically and +with visible reserve.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wished, at the same time, to assure myself that my instructions had +been duly carried out," continued the Superintendent. "I trust that +every alleviation has been afforded you of which a state of confinement +admits. Pray say if you have any complaint to make."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly not. On the contrary, I am curious to know to whom, or to +what, I owe the unwonted attention which has been paid to my comfort +since the first moment of my coming hither."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, principally, no doubt, to the peculiar circumstances attending +your arrest. Respect is felt for a father's anxiety on his son's +behalf."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is that the sole reason, think you?" asked the Doctor, with a keen +glance at his visitor. "I know, from my previous experience of state +prisons, how little such personal considerations are taken into +account. My acquaintance with them has taught me another and a sadder +lesson."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Things have changed," remarked the Superintendent, suavely, not +noticing the other's bitterness of tone. "Years have come and gone +since the time of which you speak, years which may react favourably on +your future fate."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I knew what I risked in returning, and cherish no illusions as to my +fate," Brunnow answered, almost brusquely. "You have probably come to +prepare me for my removal to the citadel."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are mistaken. Nothing has as yet been decided with respect to a +change in your quarters. That surprises you? Well, it is strange, +certainly, that the decision should be so long delayed. I myself accept +it as of good augury. I should not like to awaken in you any premature +hopes, but it is, of course, possible that, having regard to the very +peculiar circumstances of your case, a pardon may be granted."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow looked up quickly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You think----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can advance nothing beyond my own personal impression," the other +hastened to add. "But I think there is a favourable feeling towards you +in high places. Perhaps all may depend on your taking suitable steps +yourself. I am convinced that a petition for pardon would not be +rejected, could you bring yourself to present one."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," said Brunnow, with the absolute decision of one whose mind is +made up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Reflect, Doctor, your freedom may depend on it. One word from you +might, perhaps, turn the scale."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter, I will not sue for mercy. That word would be a confession +of guilt I do not acknowledge; and for my liberty's sake even, I will +not abjure the principles which have guided me through life. They may +accord me a pardon or not, at their will. I will never appeal to them +to show clemency."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent inwardly cursed "the old rebel's high-flown folly +and obstinacy." A petition for pardon would have smoothed the way for +the concession which it was resolved should now be made to public +opinion--unfortunately, he did not see his way to obtain it. Having +failed in the first part of his mission, the Superintendent passed to +the second division. Here, too, he naturally avoided speaking <i>ex +officio</i>, but maintained the same easy tone, pursuing, as it were, a +private conversation, innocent of all secret purpose.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, that is a matter for your consideration alone," he returned; +"but you render it harder for your friends to help you, and most +unusual exertions are being made in your behalf."</p> + +<p class="normal">"By whom?" asked the Doctor, in amazement. "I have no friends who +possess the smallest influence in Ministerial circles."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are better off in that respect than you suppose. Were you really +not aware that the Governor himself is leaving no stone unturned to +secure your pardon?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arno Raven--indeed?" said Brunnow, slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Baron von Raven. It was he who, on hearing of your arrest, +enjoined on me that the greatest consideration should be shown you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow was silent. The Superintendent, having waited in vain for a +reply, went on after a short pause:</p> + +<p class="normal">"And he continues to interest himself for you. It is natural that the +fate of one who was his friend in early youth should touch him nearly."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Doctor looked surprised.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is that known here already? His Excellency the Governor would hardly +be likely to mention it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not he himself, certainly. You will easily conceive that a man in the +Baron's position cannot openly avow youthful connections which are +strangely at variance with the tendencies and principles he has always +professed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With the principles he has professed in later years, you mean," +Brunnow's voice rang out sharp and scornful. "His earlier tendencies +were more in harmony with the connections of which you speak."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are not prepared to assert, I suppose, that Herr von Raven knew +anything of the political vagaries for which you were indicted?" asked +the Superintendent, with a smile which was intended to irritate, and +fulfilled its purpose. Brunnow began to grow excited.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not merely assert that he knew of them, but that he shared our +views to the fullest extent," he replied hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I remember, he was suspected at the time," remarked the other, +with the same incredulous smile. "But that was calumny, nothing else. +The Baron must have cleared himself fully and entirely, for he was set +at liberty, and was even accorded, as an indemnity for the imprisonment +he had wrongfully undergone, the post of secretary to the Minister then +at the head of the Government."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was the price of his treachery," broke out the Doctor, who had no +suspicion that he was being systematically goaded on to greater anger +and bitterness, and who could no longer restrain himself. "It was the +first rung of the ladder by which he has mounted to his present +eminence. He bought his advancement with his friends' ruin, with the +sacrifice of his convictions and his honour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doctor, Doctor, moderate your language," counselled the police-agent, +roused, apparently, to indignation. "This is a terrible accusation +which you are bringing against the Governor. There must be an error +here, or a misstatement of facts."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A misstatement!" cried Brunnow, with a fiery outburst of passion. "I +tell you it is the truth, sir--but you naturally believe the Baron von +Raven to be incapable of such conduct. You prefer to look on me as a +liar, a slanderer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not wish to suggest anything of the kind, but I must say I +seriously doubt whether you would care to repeat the speech you have +just made in the presence of others."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I would, if necessary, repeat it before the whole world. I would cast +it in Raven's teeth again, as I have once already----" Brunnow stopped +suddenly. The over-eager expression on his listener's face struck him, +and told him to reflect. He did not finish his sentence, but turned +away with a wrathful, impatient movement.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You were saying----" prompted the Superintendent.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing--nothing at all," was the stubborn reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I really do not understand you. If the matter stands as you have put +it, you have no reason whatever to wish to spare the Governor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not wish to spare him," said Brunnow, sternly. "But I will not +turn informer against the man I once named friend. If I had desired to +use those weapons against him, I could have done so long ago. My shafts +would strike more surely, and with deadlier aim, than any in a +Winterfeld's quiver, for mine are steeped in poison--the very reason +which would prevent my using them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"These are noble sentiments, very noble sentiments, no doubt, but I +think----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pray do not let us pursue the subject further!" the Doctor +interrupted. "Why drag these long-forgotten matters before the light of +day? Let the buried past rest in its grave."</p> + +<p class="normal">This sudden diversion was, certainly, not to the Superintendent's +taste. He would willingly have continued the conversation, but he saw +that he should get nothing more out of the prisoner. After all, his +main object was achieved. He knew now what he had wished to know: he +therefore brought himself, without too violent an effort, to speak of +other things, and after chatting a while on general topics, took his +leave. Brunnow looked after him uneasily, as he went.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did he come here merely to induce me to send in a petition, or was I +being cross-questioned on Raven's account? I almost fear so. That +police-fellow's eager attention and desire to hear more looked +suspicious. I wish I had not let myself be led away to speak so openly +before him."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">It was evening, but, in spite of the lateness of the hour and the +chilly inclement autumn weather, the streets of the capital were yet +alive with all the busy restless movement which characterises a great +city. Carriages rolled hither and thither in every direction, +pedestrians hustled each other on the pavement and before the +brightly-lighted shops, and it was only in the more aristocratic +quarter, which lay a little aside from the main streets and chief +arteries of traffic, that a certain stately peace and quiet reigned +supreme.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the room which she was at present occupying in the Selteneck +mansion, Gabrielle Harder sat alone, buried in one of those deep +troubled reveries which so often came upon her now, and which +threatened to transform the bright vivacious girl into a dreamy, +pensive heroine. She was in full dress, for she was going with her +party to the opera that evening; but as she lay back in her arm-chair, +heedlessly crushing the dainty laces on her dress, her thoughts were +evidently far from the amusements of the hour.</p> + +<p class="normal">If anything could have diverted Gabrielle from her unwonted sadness, it +would have been this visit to the capital, where she and her mother had +been most graciously received. The Countess Selteneck was an old and +intimate friend of the Baroness. She had been a frequent visitor at the +Harders' house in the old days, and since the Baron's death had +remained in constant correspondence with his widow. The pleasure felt +by the ladies on meeting again was great and mutual, and the Countess, +who had no children of her own, indulged and spoiled her friend's sweet +daughter in every imaginable way.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness, on her arrival in town, came to hear of the attack which +had been made upon Raven, but she was far too superficial to appreciate +the real importance of the well-directed blow, which, in her eyes, was +a mere passing annoyance, such as the rioting in R---- for instance. It +never, in the remotest degree, occurred to her to suppose that the +Baron's position might be imperilled by what had happened. His affairs, +indeed, only interested her in so far as her own future might be +involved in them. Madame von Harder did not pretend to the slightest +sympathy or affection for her brother-in-law. She feared him, and that +was all. Indignant she was, no doubt, at the "audacious impertinence of +that Winterfeld," seeing in the young man's conduct only an act of +revenge for the discomfiture he had met with, but she never for a +moment doubted that the Baron would visit the rash offender with the +chastisement which was his due. For the rest, she saw no reason why she +should torment herself with all these tiresome, disagreeable matters, +which would be set at rest long before she returned home. The autumn +fashions, the evening parties, and the performances at the opera, were +far more interesting, and, as she thought, better worth her attention.</p> + +<p class="normal">That her daughter would not dream of renewing her engagement to the +Assessor after the affront which the latter had put on the head of her +family, this wise lady took for granted. All her care was given to +preventing a meeting between the two, which was not difficult. George +did not mix in the Selteneck circles; and here, amid these strange +surroundings, Gabrielle was never left alone. She had, indeed, made no +attempt to inform the young man of her presence in town, trembling at +the very thought of a meeting with him. How could she approach George, +while her heart was beating high with love for another man? Though so +much had lately come between herself and Arno, she could not forget; +not even his harshness and injustice could banish his image from her +mind, and the knowledge that some danger threatened him served to +quicken her affection. Gabrielle was better able than her mother to +estimate the true bearings of the case. For weeks she had followed the +course of events with feverish interest. She, who at other times never +opened a paper, now sought with avidity every notice affecting the +Baron, and caught at every remark made in conversation which bore on +the one subject that engrossed her thoughts. Winterfeld's book, with +its long list of charges, had set before the young girl's eyes Raven's +true portrait, which she was forced to recognise as a faithful +likeness, had displayed to her the darker side of his character--while, +as opposed to it, George's figure rose before her, so pure and +steadfast and nobly courageous in the sacrifice of his entire future +and prospects to that which he deemed duty. But of what avail all this? +Gabrielle's whole soul went back to the sombre, despotic man, who had +won her to himself. In imagination she stood by his side through the +fight; for his sake she grew anxious and apprehensive of the issue, +while a feeling of bitterness rose up within her against George, for +was it not he who had been the first to assail, to insult the man she +loved?</p> + +<p class="normal">The clock on the mantelpiece chiming the hour awoke Gabrielle from her +dreams, and reminded her that it was time to prepare for the drive to +the theatre. Throwing a light cloak round her shoulders, she drew on +her gloves, and went down to the drawing-room, where her mother and +Countess Selteneck were already awaiting her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Countess Selteneck was of about the same age as the Baroness, but +looked considerably younger, precisely, perhaps, because she gave +herself far less trouble to preserve a youthful appearance. Though not +beautiful, she captivated by her prepossessing manners, and a certain +air of calm intelligence which inspired confidence and respect. Both +ladies were in full evening dress.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can understand how much you must suffer from the constraint, and +from the general position of affairs in your brother-in-law's house, +Matilda," the Countess remarked; "but what will not a woman endure for +her child's sake? Gabrielle's whole future is in his hands, and as his +heiress she will one day have an almost princely fortune at her +disposal. Your brother-in-law has given you decided promises on this +head, I presume?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, certainly," replied the Baroness. "He spoke to me on the subject +soon after I arrived at his house, but I am afraid this unfortunate +business with Assessor Winterfeld has called the whole matter in +question again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is something very winning and agreeable about the Assessor, I +must say," observed the Countess, changing the theme. "I think I +mentioned to you that I met him some weeks ago at a soirée, where, +truth to tell, he was the cynosure of interest."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Assessor Winterfeld the cynosure of interest?" asked the Baroness, +half incredulous, half disdainful.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly. He has become a sort of celebrity, and enjoys special +protection at the Ministry, so they tell me. He is received in the best +circles, and is distinguished wherever he goes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, this is incredible!" exclaimed Madame von Harder. "They are bound +in duty to punish an affront put upon the Governor of R----. They +cannot possibly reward and distinguish the aggressor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But so it is, nevertheless; and I fear it is done purposely, out of +opposition to the Baron. I really do not see, Matilda, why the +Assessor's offer should have appeared so outrageous an absurdity to you +and to your brother-in-law. Instead of giving him his <i>congé</i>, and +thereby driving him to this desperate step, you should have held out +some hope to him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Held out hope to him!" repeated the Baroness. "My dear Theresa, think +what you are saying. He is a man of no birth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is not an insuperable obstacle," declared the Countess, a +worldly-wise practical woman, who took such prejudices of rank into +little account, and who was evidently prepossessed by George's manner +and appearance. "What were brevets of nobility invented for? Raven was +a commoner himself when your sister first engaged herself to him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was an exceptional case, and Assessor Winterfeld----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will be every whit as successful. You need not look so astonished, +Matilda; I am only expressing the general belief. After this first +stroke--a bold one, certainly, which has turned the eyes of the country +upon him--he need not fear being overlooked. Had he, in addition to his +other advantages, married into a noble old family such as yours, the +road to eminence would have been clear before him--ay, to eminence +equal to that attained by the successful Baron von Raven."</p> + +<p class="normal">Madame von Harder had grown very thoughtful. She was accustomed to rely +on the judgment of this friend, who was intellectually her superior, +and the Countess's words brought Winterfeld before her in quite a new +light. Very little was wanting to revive the old predilection which, in +the early days of their acquaintance, she had cherished for George.</p> + +<p class="normal">The entrance of Count Selteneck here put an end to the conversation. He +was to accompany the ladies to the opera, but had been out to pay a +visit from which he had just returned. Some indifferent questions and +replies were interchanged, then the Countess remarked that it must be +time to start, and would have rung for the carriage, but her husband +stopped her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One moment, Theresa," he said carelessly. "There is a trifling matter +I want to discuss with you first. The Baroness will kindly excuse us +for a few minutes?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness begged them not to think of her, and the Count stepped +into the adjoining room with his wife.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What has happened?" asked the latter, uneasily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have heard some news which will affect Madame von Harder very +painfully. It concerns her brother-in-law, von Raven."</p> + +<p class="normal">He had closed the drawing-room door; but to this smaller outer salon +there was a second entrance, masked only by a heavy curtain. Close to +this the speakers were standing at the very moment that Gabrielle was +about to enter on her way to the drawing-room. She caught the last +words and the Baron's name, and that sufficed to chain her to the spot +where she stood. Hidden behind the <i>portière</i>, she listened in +breathless suspense.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Governor has not given in his resignation, I hope?" asked the +Countess.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is no question of that now," said Selteneck. "If it were so, he +would only be sharing the fate of many high officers of State, who +temporarily retire from the scene of action. The news I have just +heard at my brother's is of so grave a nature that, should it be +confirmed--and we had it direct from the Ministry--the Baron will, +politically speaking, have lived his day."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess looked up at her husband with an expression of shocked +surprise. He went on in a carefully subdued tone, which, however, was +quite audible to Gabrielle's ears:</p> + +<p class="normal">"The leading journal of R---- has published an article containing a +series of damning charges against the Governor. It has often been +hinted vaguely that Raven himself was not quite a stranger to the last +revolutionary movement; but then, how many allowed themselves to be led +away at that time! These ideas are a form of youthful extravagance to +which no weight is attached, so long as they remain mere intangible +ideas; but in this article it is stated that Raven was a member, a +leader even, of the association with which Dr. Brunnow--the same whose +recapture created such a sensation lately--was connected, and as the +reputed head of which that person was condemned. It is further stated +that Raven betrayed his friends in the most dishonourable manner, +giving up all their papers, and thus furnishing documentary proofs. His +admittance to the Ministry was, they say, the price of this infamous +action. The accusation is couched in terms so decided and outspoken +that it is difficult to doubt its veracity. The testimony of Dr. +Brunnow himself is appealed to, as corroborative evidence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what is Raven's answer to all this?" interposed the Countess, +hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He declares it to be absolutely and altogether a lie. The duty of +self-defence requires this from him, of course; but of counter proofs +there is no mention as yet. If he does not succeed in clearing up this +business, and cleansing himself from all suspicion, his part is played +out."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Poor Matilda!" exclaimed the Countess.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Count shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Shall we keep the knowledge of what is going on from her for a time?" +"No," replied the Countess, "She will learn it tomorrow from the +papers. It will be best to tell her all."</p> + +<p class="normal">The two agreed that the intended visit to the opera should be given up, +and went back to the drawing-room together.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle's face was ashy white as she left her place of concealment, +and returned to her own room. She did not for a moment deceive herself +as to the importance of the tidings she had just heard. The instinct of +love gave her a better insight into Raven's character than the most +experienced judge of human actions might have had. She knew that the +Baron was equal to any contest, strong enough to bear any stroke of +Fate, except that which should come in the guise of shame and +humiliation, and of this nature was the blow now levelled at him by his +enemies.</p> + +<p class="normal">While Countess Selteneck was communicating to the Baroness the painful +intelligence, the young girl sat down to her writing-table, and +rapidly, with feverish haste, traced some lines on a sheet of +letter-paper. This note, which contained but a few words, she folded, +and addressed to Assessor Winterfeld at the Ministry. It would surely +find him there, she knew. It contained simply the news of her presence +in town, and a request that George would come and see her on the +following day at the Seltenecks' house; that was all.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the afternoon of the following day, George Winterfeld entered the +Countess's drawing-room. Gabrielle came in a few minutes later, and +George hastened to greet her with impetuous joy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gabrielle, my darling, so we meet again at last!"</p> + +<p class="normal">In his transport of delight he did not notice that her hand lay +motionless in his, giving no pressure in return, and that all the +answer he received to his tender greeting was a faint, sad smile. He +went on, still joyously excited:</p> + +<p class="normal">"But what does all this mean? I thought you were far away in R----, and +only now hear that you are in town, living close by me. And what am I +to think of the little note which summoned me hither? Does your mother +know of the invitation?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," said Gabrielle, in decided accents, that sounded strangely from +her lips. "She has driven out with Countess Selteneck; but I mean to +tell her when she comes back that I asked you to come, and why. She +would not have given her consent to this interview, and I felt that I +<i>must</i> speak to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">George looked at her in some astonishment. It had not formerly been +Gabrielle's way to proceed thus with plan and resolution.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I, too, longed inexpressibly to see you again," he replied. "There was +no possibility of sending you news of me. I cannot keep up any +communication with the Governor's house, especially against his will. +You know, I suppose, on what footing I stand towards him now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I had to hear of it--from others. Your vague hints at parting were +utterly unintelligible to me. You left me quite in the dark, and +allowed the truth to break upon me unawares."</p> + +<p class="normal">George understood the reproach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forgive me," he entreated earnestly. "It was entirely on your account +that I was silent. I could not make a confidante of you--could not let +you share in the knowledge of a project which was to turn against your +guardian and host. Are you angry with me for what I have done? You +little know how fierce were the struggles I went through before I could +resolve on taking that step."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It has brought you good luck!"--there was a singular, almost a +scornful inflection in the girl's voice. "It has raised you from +obscurity to fame at a stroke. Your name is now in everybody's mouth."</p> + +<p class="normal">Winterfeld's handsome face clouded over.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It troubles me sorely that my fame, as you call it, should spring from +such a cause. I certainly never counted on this species of success. You +surely do not doubt the truth of what I said to you at parting? You do +not doubt me when I say that no personal feeling of revenge spurred me +on against the Baron, that the pamphlet, of which you have heard, was +commenced before we knew each other? I was prepared for the worst +consequences, for I knew the adversary I was provoking. My position, +probably my whole future, was at stake, but it had become necessary to +cripple the tyrannical power of a man whom none ventured to defy. I +resolved to attempt it, and I was ready to accept the issue, whatever +it might be. But no matter ever took a more unexpected turn than this +of mine. I have been shielded and supported, and the Governor's cause +has been abandoned. I had no suspicion of the mighty current of opinion +that had set in against him in those very circles where most I feared +opposition."</p> + +<p class="normal">He had spoken clearly and quietly, but there was in his eyes an uneasy, +pained inquiry which his lips did not frame. He could not understand +his love. She stood before him so cold and strange, giving no sign of +sympathy. Not a word of tenderness fell from her now, on meeting him +after a separation of weeks. Instead of holding the sweet converse +natural to lovers on such an occasion, they were discussing things +which once lay worlds apart from Gabrielle, but which now seemed to +monopolise her interest. What could have happened to change her thus?</p> + +<p class="normal">"One more question, George," she began again. "This last attack, this +shameful calumny which the newspapers have published--have you had any +part in this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; the sudden disclosure took me as much by surprise as anyone, and I +do not know how it originated. I do not war with anonymous +communications which refer to a long-bygone past. If I had wished to +make use of these facts, the Governor's fall would long ago have been +assured, for I knew them some months back."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The facts!" broke out Gabrielle. "The whole story is a lie. How can +you doubt it for an instant?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are facts," said the young man, gravely, "I heard them from the +mouth of a man who was reluctant enough to raise his voice against his +former friend--I mean Max Brunnow's father."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whoever says it, I tell you it is calumny!" cried Gabrielle, with +flashing eyes. "Arno is incapable of a dishonourable action; he never +has committed one. He declares this tale to be false, and, though the +whole world should be of one voice to accuse him, I will believe his +word, and his alone!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arno? You will believe him, and him alone?" repeated George, slowly. +"What ... what does this mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Every one is deserting him now," Gabrielle went on, with passionate +vehemence. "Troubles are coming upon him from all sides. While he was +great and powerful, no one ventured to raise a finger against him; but +since you gave the signal for the onset, he has been persecuted and +slandered by all his enemies, and hounded, as they hoped, to his ruin. +But, seeing that in spite of them all he holds his ground, they have +recourse now to their last resource, and seek to wound him mortally in +his honour. Oh, I know only too well why he sent me away! He divined +what was coming; he wished to be alone in his fall!"</p> + +<p class="normal">George had grown deadly pale. His eyes were fixed anxiously on the +girl's fair face, all glowing with excitement. Her vehemence betrayed +too much, and the young man's heart thrilled with a great dread. He +felt that his dream of happiness was over.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What has taken place between you and the Baron?" he asked. "It is not +so that a girl defends her guardian, her relative. You might have +spoken so of me, had I been exposed to any danger. What has happened +during this separation of ours, Gabrielle? No, I cannot believe it. You +cannot ... cannot love this Raven?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She made no answer, but sank on to a chair, and, hiding her face in her +hands, broke into loud and passionate weeping. For some minutes a +direful silence reigned, broken only by Gabrielle's sobs. George stood +motionless. This discovery came upon him too abruptly, too +unexpectedly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is so, then," he said at length, in a very low voice. "And he ... +yes, now I understand his hatred of me, his fierce anger on hearing of +our engagement. This is why he parted us so inexorably; this was why he +took from me all hope of ever possessing you. That he would take your +love itself from me, I never, never could have believed."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle dried her tears, and rose.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forgive me, George. I feel how cruel a wrong I have done you, but I +cannot help it. I did not know what love was when I gave you my +promise. The knowledge came to me when I met Arno, and now it would be +treachery to withhold the truth from you any longer. I fought against +it, so long as it was possible to fight; yesterday even I doubted and +vacillated. Then this news reached me, and all my doubts were at an +end. I know now where my rightful place is, and nothing shall move me +from it--but, first, I had to tell you all. Release me from that +promise, I implore you. I cannot keep it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man stood before her, rigid and pale with the fierce conflict +of emotions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was it for this you called me hither--to tell me this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," was the answer, hardly audible.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are free the instant you desire it," said George, with profound +bitterness. "I swore to you that no power on earth should move me to +renounce my hopes until I should hear from your own lips that you gave +me up. I have heard it now. Good-bye."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned and walked to the door. Gabrielle rushed after him, and laid +her hand on his arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not go from me so, George. Say you forgive me. Do not part from me +in ill-feeling and bitterness. I cannot bear that you should be angry +with me."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was the old sweet tone, which had so often worked with captivating +power. It arrested the young man's steps even now, and as the lovely +tear-bedewed face was raised to him with anxious pleading in the dark +eyes, his wounded pride was silenced, and the deep affection of his +heart welled up within him once more.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must I lose you?" he asked, in a voice tremulous with excessive +emotion. "Think, Gabrielle, think--do not sacrifice our love, all our +life's happiness so hastily. Raven's passion has misled and blinded +you. He has the secret of drawing hearts to him as with a magic spell, +but he would never, never make a woman happy. You, with your bright +sunny temperament, would fade away by that man's side, would pine away +and die. You do not know him, child; he is not worthy of your love."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle gently freed herself from his embrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think it is my own happiness I am seeking? No; what I wish is +to be at Arno's side when all are forsaking him, to share his fate--his +disgrace, if it must be. That is the only happiness I look for, and of +that, at least, no one shall deprive me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was infinite, pathetic tenderness in her words. George's gaze +rested sorrowfully, regretfully on the youthful creature who had so +quickly learned all a woman's devotion and self-sacrifice. Thus, thus +he had dreamily pictured to himself his Gabrielle, in those early days +when he had set the joyous merry-hearted child on a pedestal and +worshipped her as the ideal of his life! dreamily only, it must be +owned, for there had been no true hope in his heart that she would ever +soar to such a height. Now his ideal stood embodied before him; and +now, in the self-same moment, he learned that she was lost to him for +ever.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us part, then," he said, calling up all his self-control. "You are +right. With so absorbing a passion in your heart for another, you could +not be my wife. After the avowal you have just made, I should have +released you without any entreaty on your part. Do not weep, Gabrielle. +I have no ill-feeling towards you; I reproach you with nothing. All my +enmity is for him who has robbed me of you. You were the joy, the very +life of my life. How I shall bear to live on, now that you have left +me, I know not. Farewell."</p> + +<p class="normal">He drew her to him once again, once again he pressed his lips to hers, +and then hurried from the house he had entered with such high hopes, +now all fatally shattered and wrecked. Gabrielle remained alone, +weeping no longer, but with a dull unspeakable aching within her +breast, a thrilling sense of pain and loss. She felt that, with +George's love, the best and noblest part of her life had gone from her.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"Well, thank God this wretched business has come to a satisfactory end +at last. It made me desperate to think I was the cause of it. I +congratulate you with all my heart on your release, father."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, Max Brunnow warmly embraced his father, who replied with a +half smile:</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was not an altogether unexpected solution of the question. I +received a pretty plain hint some time ago from the Superintendent +himself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the press has worked valiantly in your behalf," said Max. "All the +papers clamoured for a pardon, and from the very first day the public +eagerly espoused your cause."</p> + +<p class="normal">This conversation took place in the apartments formerly inhabited by +Assessor Winterfeld, which that gentleman, on his sudden departure from +R----, had made over to his friend. On his recovery, Max had returned +to these quarters, and had this morning brought home to them his +father, whose release from imprisonment now filled him with joy. +The notice of Brunnow's liberation, an act of clemency confidently +expected by the nation at large, had been received with general and +loudly-expressed satisfaction. In high places it had been agreed to +overlook the Doctor's obstinacy, which would not stoop to a petition, +would not allow him to move hand or foot in his own behalf--a full and +free pardon had been vouchsafed to him. Nevertheless he had the +appearance of being depressed and careworn; he was very pale, and +evidently ill in mind and body.</p> + +<p class="normal">Max, on the other hand, was absolutely his own old self. His vigorous +constitution had, as he prophesied, enabled him rapidly to recover from +the effects of his accident, of which the fresh scar on his forehead +was now the sole reminder. One change was noticeable in him, however. +The young man's manner to his father, somewhat curt, formerly, and +unsympathetic, was now marked by an affectionate and respectful +deference. He felt deeply the proof of devotion his father had given +him, and Brunnow, for his part, had grown aware how dear his son really +was to his paternal heart. That hour in the sick-room had transformed +the cold and distant relations existing between the two, had roused +within them genuine affection, and brought about a thorough +understanding.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But now to other matters," said Max, changing the subject. "I have a +confession to make to you. Look at me well, father. Do you remark +nothing extraordinary about me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow inspected him from head to foot with some curiosity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; only that you have got well with extraordinary promptitude. I +remark nothing else."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max drew himself up with much dignity, took a step forward, threw out +his chest, and announced with complacency, "I am an engaged man."</p> + +<p class="normal">"An engaged man? You?" repeated the Doctor, in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; I have sustained the character some weeks now. There has been +too much at stake for us all of late, I could not worry you with my +love-affairs. But now that you are safe and at liberty, I must ask for +your approval and consent. You already know my future wife--I mean +Councillor Moser's daughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What, not the young girl who gave me my information as to your state +of health? Impossible!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why impossible? Does not Agnes please you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not say so, but that delicate white maiden with those dreamy +dark eyes cannot surely be to your taste. And then her strange nun-like +dress! I took her for a sister of mercy who had been called in to nurse +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"She wants to go into a convent, she says," declared Max. "I shall have +to fight a round battle with the lady abbess, the father confessor, and +half-a-dozen reverends, before we two are joined together in +matrimony."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Max!" interrupted his father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Agnes is extremely delicate, sickly even," went on Max; "but there is +nothing really serious the matter with her--mere nervous excitement. I +shall soon make her hearty, or what am I a doctor for? She knows +nothing about housekeeping, unfortunately."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, as you are carrying out your marriage programme so faithfully," +put in Brunnow, in a jesting tone, "how does it stand with the first, +the principal clause--with the fortune you declared to be +indispensable?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young surgeon looked a little disconcerted.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bah! I have found out that is not necessary. Do you think I can't +provide for my wife and my home expenses? I certainly cannot reckon on +any fortune here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I must say you go very consistently to work," exclaimed his +father. "All this is in direct contradiction to the views you have +hitherto expressed. What has come to you, my good fellow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Max heaved a deep sigh.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't know; but I believe the germ of idealism is sprouting in me. +You have all your life been striving in vain to convert me. Agnes +managed it in a few weeks; and as you have always found me painfully +deficient in sentiment, I hope you will be enchanted at the change."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Doctor appeared anything but enchanted. He looked on his son's +conversion to idealistic doctrines with evident distrust.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Max," he said, shaking his head, "this won't do at all. A young +girl, brought up with convent notions, inclined to religious +enthusiasm, the daughter of a bureaucrat of the purest water--how can +you transplant this tender plant into our midst? how can you accustom +her to our ways and habits of thought? Reflect----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't mean to reflect--I mean to get married," interrupted Max. +"Everything you can say in the way of objection, I have said to myself +a hundred times, or more; but it has never been of any good. I must +have Agnes--and have her I will, if I am driven to take all the +obstacles, our papa the Councillor and his white cravat included, by +storm!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, yes, the Councillor!" interposed Brunnow. "What does he say to +this business?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing at present, because he knows nothing at all about it. As a +matter of course, I could not ask him for his daughter's hand while you +were incarcerated as an offender against the State. But now I shall +delay my suit no longer. He will kick me out at once, or at least he +will manifest the gracious intention of so doing; but it is not an easy +thing to make me quit a position I desire to maintain. I can stand my +ground as well as anyone. You need not look so grave, father. I assure +you, when you get to know Agnes, you will admit this engagement of mine +is the best piece of business I ever did in my life."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Doctor was forced to smile, in spite of himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will wait and see; but if, as seems probable, you have to encounter +any lengthened resistance from the father of your betrothed, I shall +hardly see much of her on this occasion. I start for home the day after +to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, do give up that notion, I beg of you," insisted Max. "Why not wait +until I can accompany you? Our law business is now happily over; but +there is still much to be settled. For instance, a purchaser has come +forward for our cousin's estate, and it would be far better that he +should discuss the details with you personally."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no," returned Brunnow, parrying the argument. "You have full +authority to act, and are much better qualified to settle these +practical matters than I am, I want to get away as soon as possible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Upon my word, father, I do not understand you," declared Max. "You +have sighed so long for your native land, and now that it is open to +you once again, you seem absolutely to fly from it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow was sitting with his head wearily resting on his two hands. The +look of pain in his careworn face was more striking than ever, as he +replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have become a stranger in my own land. And do you think it would be +agreeable to me to be called on for my testimony as to Raven's past, to +which these disclosures have directed public attention? I must answer, +if I were asked; and I will not be interrogated on the subject--at all +events, not here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not?" asked Max. "You have always expressed yourself in the +bitterest terms with regard to the Baron and his pernicious mode of +government: you have spoken of his fall as a necessity of the times; +and now, when, according to all appearances, this fall is imminent, you +will not lend a hand to hasten it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Say no more. Max," said the Doctor, sadly. "You do not know how hard a +thing it is to have to aim a mortal blow at the man who was once a +well-beloved friend. I hoped Winterfeld would have carried his point; +but I should have known Arno Raven better. He held his ground, clever +as was the adversary--held it to his own undoing. At that time it was +open to him to yield, to retire; now he falls--falls disgraced and +branded as a traitor! This, to a nature such as his, is to die a +thousand deaths. I"--here Brunnow rose impetuously--"I will not be the +one to deal out the last stroke. Let those who began the work go +through with it to the bitter end. I have made up my mind to start the +day after to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max insisted no further.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It will be some weeks before I am able to follow you, I expect," he +observed, after a pause. "I shall not leave R---- until our engagement +is ratified and officially made known--until I have secured the +Councillor's consent, and can feel sure that Agnes is safe from all +worrying interference on the part of her spiritual guardians. But, in +the first place, may I count on your support and approval?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He held out his hand to his father, who took it in his own, and +responded cordially without a moment's hesitation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have only seen your affianced wife once; but the very fact that her +appearance then charmed and interested me, made me think it impossible +you should have been attracted towards her. Our tastes have hitherto +differed so widely. Any doubt on my part springs from this alone: I see +so great a difference of character and education. If you think you can +overcome these difficulties, my son ... all I wish is to know that you +are happy."</p> + +<p class="normal">A warm pressure of the hand confirmed these words; and Max cried +triumphantly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now I will go to the Councillor, and drive that most loyal subject of +a most gracious sovereign to distraction, by suggesting myself, a +rampant demagogue, as a son-in-law. I may leave you alone for an hour, +father? You need rest, after all the congratulations and the +demonstrations of sympathy with which you have been overpowered all the +morning. Good-bye for the present. I am off to run a tilt at my future +father-in-law."</p> + +<p class="normal">Unsuspicious of the coming evil, Councillor Moser sat at home in his +parlour, reading the papers. They spoiled the flavour of his coffee, +and disturbed his rest. The Councillor read, of course, only the +Ministerial journals; but even they could no longer dissemble the +terrible fact that the State was in a bad way--hopelessly drifting +further and further down the steep decline of Liberalism.</p> + +<p class="normal">And, worst of all, there stared him in the face the R---- news, which +now held a permanent place in the columns of the leading papers. Moser +had long noticed, with astonishment and dismay, that the whole official +press, instead of energetically taking up the cudgels in behalf of the +Governor of R----, adopted with regard to this affair a very lukewarm +and indifferent tone; but its attitude now, in the presence of the late +occurrences, passed all bounds of belief. No vigorous defence of the +Baron, no indignation at the shameful calumny, no word as to a +chastisement to be inflicted on that lying journal. Mention was made of +the "late incredible charges," a hope expressed that the Governor would +be able successfully to rebut them; tacked to this came an insinuation +that, should he not purge himself from all taint and suspicion, his +dismissal would become inevitable--thus the possibility of the alleged +guilt was admitted. Immediately below this article appeared the +intelligence that Dr. Rudolph Brunnow, formerly convicted of +treasonable proceedings, had received a full and free pardon, and would +that day be restored to liberty.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor, on reading this, fell into a train of gloomy thought.</p> + +<p class="normal">For some time past the notion of retiring on his pension had occupied +his mind. He had served the State honourably for well-nigh forty years, +and had thereby satisfied his sense of duty. His daughter, too, the +only pledge of a marriage contracted late in life, and speedily +dissolved by death, was about to leave him, to enter on her novitiate. +He himself was getting on in years, and needed rest. His position, once +his greatest pride, afforded him no satisfaction now. The new spirit +breathing through the land invaded even the sacred places of the +Chancellery. As yet the Baron's hand grasped the reins tightly; but +Moser thought with affright of what would happen were that firm hand to +relax its hold. He believed no single word of the lies now scattered +broadcast. Raven could, and must, utterly silence these malignant +tongues; but, after the treatment he had met with from the Government, +it was hardly likely he would consent to remain in office. The +Councillor felt that he, too, had had his day, and was quite resolved +to imitate his chief's example, should the latter tender his +resignation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Moser was roused from his meditations by the opening of a door.</p> + +<p class="normal">Christine announced "Dr. Brunnow," and that gentleman quickly followed +in person.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor rose and bowed to his visitor, with stiff politeness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope you have not misconstrued my conduct in remaining a whole +fortnight without calling on you," began Max, when the first +ceremonious words of greeting had been spoken, and he had taken the +seat offered him. "It was solely out of consideration to you and your +position, you understand. Now that my father----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am already informed of his liberation," interrupted the Councillor, +with all his usual rigid formality. "Our most gracious sovereign has +been pleased to pardon."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; and so all the past is wiped out, and just as if it had never +been," said Max, with deft and logical inference. "As for my father, he +will certainly not make much use of the permission to remain in his +native land."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No?" asked Moser, visibly relieved by the tidings. The thought that he +had bestowed a friendly pressure on the hand of that attainted man +weighed upon his conscience.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; he returns to Switzerland, which has become to him a second home," +replied the young surgeon. "We shall continue to live there; but, in +the first place, I feel impelled to reiterate to you my thanks for all +the kindness I received in your house. I shall never forget it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor nodded graciously. These proffered thanks were but right +and proper in his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you come to take leave?" he asked. "I am rejoiced to see you are +completely restored to health and strength; and my daughter, too, will +be delighted, I am sure, when I inform her of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The information was not precisely needed, for Agnes knew very well how +matters stood with her former patient. Since he had left her father's +roof, she had met him regularly at the house of their common +<i>protégeé</i>, the law-writer's wife. The latter had now in a great +measure recovered from her serious illness, and was no longer in need +of medical or spiritual aid; but physician and ministering friend +continued their visits with a fidelity which was really touching.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I owe your daughter most special thanks," replied Max. "To her alone, +to her devoted care, I am indebted for my happy recovery. You will +allow me, therefore, to address to you one request bearing special +reference to Fräulein Agnes?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Moser nodded a second time. He was inclined to grant the request; the +young man would doubtless sue for permission to take leave of Agnes +personally.</p> + +<p class="normal">But Max rose from his chair, and said point-blank, without any +ceremonious preface:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I come to sue for your daughter's hand."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor, about to nod a third assent, stopped suddenly, and sat +with open mouth. For the first instant he really did not understand +what the other had said; then he rose in his turn, not hastily, but +with slow solemnity. His gaunt figure grew taller and taller as it +emerged from the depths of his armchair, seeming gradually to become +more gaunt and more uncanny, until he stood at his full height, and +looked down over his white neckcloth with a scathing gaze at the young +surgeon.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I--I believe I did not hear aright," said the old gentleman, at +length. "You were saying----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am asking for your daughter's hand in marriage," replied Max, with +equanimity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you out of your senses?" asked Moser, still in bewildered +amazement; for though this strange thing was repeated, his mind refused +to grasp it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all. I am in a perfectly normal condition," Max affirmed, and +then went on in the same breath, without giving his listener time to +collect his wits: "As for my proposal, it is based on our sincere +mutual affection. I have already obtained your daughter's promise. +Agnes has given me her hand and heart, conditionally, of course, +on your consent, for which I now formally ask, entertaining the +pleasing hope that it will not be denied me, that my betrothed's +father will deign to accept me as his son. Allow me, then, my dear +father-in-law----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He advanced towards the Councillor with open arms, but by an agile +rebound the latter saved himself from the intended embrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">That terrible word "father-in-law" had roused him from his torpor. The +position was evidently not to be taken on a first assault.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are speaking seriously of a marriage?" he cried--"of a marriage +with my daughter, whose vocation for a religious life you well know. +You, the son of a political offender, of a convicted rebel, dare to +make such a suggestion?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My dear sir, I am not seeking a State appointment, but a wife," urged +the young surgeon, in self-defence. "I really do not see why you should +be so horrified at my offer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What, you ask the reason? Your father, sir, wished to overthrow the +Government of his country."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I had nothing to do with it; I could not very well be +implicated, as at the time of that affair I was just about four years +of age. Besides, these are old stories long buried and forgotten. My +father has been amnestied."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Once a rebel, always a rebel," declared the Councillor, emphatically. +"An amnesty can avert punishment. It cannot efface the past."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max assumed a look of indignation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is it possible, Councillor Moser, that I hear this from your lips? +You, who have ever boasted of being our sovereign's most loyal subject, +now refuse to recognise that sovereign's edict? His gracious Majesty +has pardoned, you say yourself. It is his will that the past should +be effaced and forgotten; but you will not accept this decision; you +would abrogate the royal prerogative; you rise up in revolt against +the authority of the reigning prince! Why, this is opposition, +rebellion--to put it plainly, treason itself."</p> + +<p class="normal">This wonderful chain of argument was developed with so much fluency and +assurance that the Councillor had no time to put in a word, or to +reflect on its intrinsic value. He was flustered and disconcerted. +Casting a hopeless glance at the speaker, he said at length, in rather +a small voice:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you really think so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is my unalterable conviction. But to return to my offer of +marriage."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not a word more on the subject," interrupted Moser. "To speak of it is +an insult. My daughter is the betrothed of Heaven."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon, she is my betrothed," asserted Max, manfully. +"Heaven can wait, I can't. After fifty years of conjugal happiness, I +have no objection to surrender Agnes to a higher lot. Until then, I +claim her as mine, and mine alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you mean to turn my child's sacred vocation into ridicule?" +exclaimed the old gentleman, kindling to fresh wrath. "I have long +known you to be an infidel, an atheist, a----" his voice forsook him, +he panted for breath, and grasped at his neckcloth with both hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not excite yourself in this manner," said the young doctor, +warningly. "These violent fits of emotion are most dangerous at your +age, and to a man of your temperament. They are calculated to produce +congestion--apoplexy!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Moser's long, meagre frame seemed to give the direct lie to this +assumption, but Dr. Brunnow did not stick at such trifles. He went on +calmly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me add that, to one of your peculiar constitution, it would be an +incalculable benefit to have a doctor for a son-in-law, one who would +watch over his father-in-law's health with the utmost care. As I said +before, you must not excite yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is you who excite me!" cried the Councillor, stung to distraction +by this repeated mention of the objectionable relationship. "It is you +who will bring on me an apoplectic attack with your detestable +suggestions. I feel quite ill now; the blood is all mounting to my +head. I want air."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, he sank back in his arm-chair, and clutched at his cravat +again. Max kindly came to his assistance, and loosened the knot.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We will take off this white monstrosity," said he, "you'll feel easier +then. I have an infallible remedy against congestions, and I will +prescribe it for you at once. These seizures are serious; we must be +careful."</p> + +<p class="normal">Moser gave a melancholy glance at his beloved white cravat, now in the +sacrilegious hands of the doctor, who folded it neatly together before +laying it on the table. With that "white monstrosity" all the old +gentleman's vehemence seemed to have gone from him; the allusion to +apoplexy had made him anxious. He looked on quietly while his tormentor +went up to the writing-table, wrote a prescription for a harmless +composing draught, and then returned to him, holding the paper.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Six drops in a glass of water," he said impressively.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How often?" growled the Councillor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Three times a day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't mention it, pray."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor hoped and expected that this irrepressible suitor would +now deliver him from his presence; but he was soon undeceived. Instead +of taking his leave, the young man drew forward a chair, and sat down +opposite him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So I may reckon on your consent to my marriage with your daughter?" +Max began again.</p> + +<p class="normal">Moser would have blazed forth anew, but he thought of the tendency to +apoplexy and the necessity of avoiding all excitement, and therefore +replied with all the calm he could command:</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; a thousand times no! I do not believe that Agnes can so far forget +herself as to entertain an affection for you. She has, of her own free +will, chosen a religious life. She is an obedient daughter, a pious +Catholic."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And will, I am sure, make an excellent wife," wound up Max. "Besides, +after all, I am a Catholic myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Moser folded his hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, what sort of one?" he groaned.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only mean that the religion need not be an obstacle. My position, I +must confess, is rather a modest one at present; but it may satisfy a +wife who has not very soaring pretentions. As for my character and +habits, my father-in-law----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For Heaven's sake, let me have no more of your father-in-law. I will +not endure it. You are an impertinent, a most obnoxious person."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will get used to me in time," said the young surgeon, consolingly. +"I may come again to-morrow, may I not, to see my betrothed?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The old gentleman made no reply, fearing to prolong the interview. His +one object was to rid the house of this tormenting nuisance. To-morrow +he would shut himself in, and see his doors well bolted. Max himself +seemed to understand that he had gone far enough for one day, for he +now moved to take his departure, turning to fire a parting shot as he +reached the door.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Councillor Moser!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, what more do you want?" asked the old gentleman, despairingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"When you talk over this business with Agnes, be sure and avoid all +undue excitement. You know the danger of it. Six drops of the medicine +in a glass of water three times a day, and, above all things, quiet and +composure. I should be miserable if any accident were to happen to so +near and dear a relation."</p> + +<p class="normal">Then he really went. The Councillor sank back in his arm-chair, utterly +spent. Now only, on being left alone, did he fully comprehend the +glaring nature of the affront put upon him, and he could not even allow +free vent to his just and righteous anger; he must be on his guard +against violent emotions and apoplectic fits.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dr. Brunnow had not left the house so promptly as its master supposed. +He was at this moment standing outside in the anteroom with his arm +round Agnes's waist, quite as a thing of course, and as though he had +received official recognition as her future husband. The girl was +anxiously questioning him, wishing to hear exactly what course the +interview had taken, and what answer her father had made.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, he says 'no,' so far," Max had to confess; "but set your mind +perfectly at rest--he will say 'yes' before he has done. I did not +expect the fortress would capitulate all at once. It must be invested, +besieged in due form. On the whole, I am satisfied with the result of +this first attack. Breaches have been made in the fortifications, and +to-morrow I shall advance my posts."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, Max," whispered Agnes, with her eyes full of tears, "what troubles +we have before us! My courage fails me when I think of all the +difficulties. I shall never overcome them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No more you need. To overcome them is my business," said Max, +encouragingly. "I shall stay here until it is all settled and the +wedding-day fixed. Your father must be allowed time now to grow +accustomed to the idea; meanwhile, I shall, in the most humble and +deferential terms, signify the fact of our engagement to the lady +abbess and his reverence the confessor, the two of whom you stand in +such great awe."</p> + +<p class="normal">Agnes shuddered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Some portion of the storm you will have to meet," continued Max; "but +the chief brunt of it I will take on myself. Steady, little Agnes--show +a brave front. I give you my word that your father will voluntarily and +cordially give us his blessing."</p> + +<p class="normal">With these words and a kiss, he took leave of his betrothed.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XX.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">On the morning of the following day, Baron von Raven sat, as usual, +busily occupied in his study, when it was announced to him that the +Superintendent of Police requested an audience. This functionary came +but rarely to the Castle in these days. For one thing, order being now +completely re-established in the town, there was no longer any +necessity for perpetual messages to, and conferences with, the +Governor; moreover, since the affair of Brunnow's arrest. Raven had +received him with such marked coldness, that the police officer avoided +as much as possible all meetings with his Excellency. Now, however, it +had become necessary to discuss some official regulations. He therefore +repaired to the Government-house, was admitted to Raven's presence, and +at once laid before him the matter in hand, which was despatched by +both gentlemen as briefly, and in as business-like a tone, as possible.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent preserved his accustomed suavity of manner, though, +taking his cue from the Governor, he assumed a certain degree of +reserve. No allusion to recent events did this wary individual permit +to himself. The Baron's attitude was loftier, haughtier than ever; but +there was something in the proud man's look that suggested a strange +parallel, that recalled the hunted stag, which, feeling its strength +exhausted and its end approaching, gathers together its last remaining +energies, and turns at bay to face the pursuers. The undaunted spirit +still visible in his every feature was perhaps no longer the sign of +conscious power, but only the outcome of despair.</p> + +<p class="normal">One part of the conversation had been brought to a conclusion. Speaking +of the measures which it had lately fallen to his province to carry +out, the Superintendent alluded to the release of Dr. Brunnow. The +Baron interrupted him, asking:</p> + +<p class="normal">"When was Brunnow set at liberty?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yesterday at noon."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed?" remarked Raven, laconically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hear the Doctor intends to leave this city tomorrow," went on the +Superintendent. "He will return at once to Switzerland, where he +intends to spend the remaining years of his life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is right," said the Baron. "A man who has lived so many years in +exile can seldom or never feel at home again in his native land. The +adopted country generally prevails over the old."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke indifferently, as though his remarks applied to some stranger, +of whose pardon he had accidentally heard. The Superintendent was not +duped by this assumed composure, but, in spite of his keen powers of +observation, he had not succeeded in piercing the ramparts with which +this guarded and taciturn nature had fenced itself around, or to +discover what position the Baron meant to take up with regard to the +accusations lately brought against him.</p> + +<p class="normal">A servant came in, bringing to the Governor a despatch which had just +arrived from the capital--a great official document. Raven signed to +the man to withdraw, and broke the seal, saying carelessly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will excuse me for a minute?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pray do not let me be any restraint, your Excellency," replied the +Superintendent, politely; but, as he spoke, his eyes travelled with a +peculiar curious gaze from the letter to its recipient.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven unfolded the despatch. Hardly had he cast a glance at its +contents when he started violently. His face grew livid, and his right +hand, closing on the paper, crushed it convulsively. A quiver of rage, +or of pain, shook his mighty frame, and for a moment it seemed as +though his emotion would master him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hope you have received no unpleasant news," asked the police +officer, with a well-feigned accent of sympathy.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron looked up. He fixed his stern, searching eyes on the face of +the man before him, whose <i>rôle</i>, since the circumstances of Brunnow's +arrest, he had perfectly divined, and on whose features he now detected +a slight derisive flicker, which showed his visitor was already +acquainted with the contents of the document. That restored his +strength, and brought back his composure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Surprising news, to say the least," he answered, laying the despatch +aside. "But there will be time to attend to that later on. Pray proceed +with what you were saying."</p> + +<p class="normal">The other hesitated. This wonderful self-command produced a certain +effect on him. He had seen with his own eyes that the blow had struck +home, but all further satisfaction was denied him. The wound should not +bleed in his presence. The injured man pressed his hand on the spot, +and stood erect as before. Was the haughty, stubborn spirit, the +arrogance of this Raven, never to be broken?</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have discussed the principal topics under notice," replied the +Superintendent, with a certain embarrassment. "If you have other claims +on your time, I will not detain you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go on, I beg!" The Baron's voice was low, but very steady.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Superintendent saw that any show of forbearance would be looked on +as an insult. He therefore took up the thread of their former +conversation. The remarks made by Raven, as he concluded his report, +were perfectly apt and to the point, but they were spoken mechanically, +and his manner, too, was mechanical as he rose from his chair when the +Superintendent prepared to depart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Excellency has no other recommendations to make to me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I can only recommend you to follow out your instructions as +punctually as hitherto. In that case, some recognition of your services +will surely follow."</p> + +<p class="normal">The other thought fit to feign bewilderment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not understand your Excellency. To what instructions do you +allude?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To those you received before leaving the capital, when, together with +the official duties of your service, a special surveillance was +committed to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! the surveillance of the town, you mean? I think, in that respect, +I have done my duty. Besides, the troubles are over now, and all that +is at an end."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Exactly," replied Raven, with a contemptuous smile; "and all relations +between us at an end, too, as you will readily understand."</p> + +<p class="normal">Without wasting another word on him, he turned his back on his visitor, +and walked up to the window. This might well have been construed into +an insult, but it did not suit the Superintendent's policy to take +offence; that might lead to unpleasant consequences. He took leave, +therefore, with a courteous bow, which was not returned, and left the +room.</p> + +<p class="normal">Once outside, he drew a breath of relief. It had been disagreeable to +him to find that the Baron saw through him and accurately judged his +line of conduct, the more disagreeable that he had no cause to look on +the Governor as a personal enemy. He had merely acted in the discharge +of "his mission" in ferreting out all that related to Raven's past, and +in securing the living key to that past, Dr. Brunnow, so that the +secret unearthed at last might safely be published to the world. With +such sophistical arguments he easily consoled himself for the equivocal +part he had played towards the Baron from first to last, the more +easily that his acting had been successful and altogether achieved its +aim.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven was left alone. He stood before his writing-table, and once again +read through the fatal despatch. It signified to him his dismissal from +office, and was worded in curt, almost offensive terms. No explanation, +no defence was required from this man against whom such heavy charges +had been brought. Time, indeed, had not been allowed him to explain or +to vindicate himself. He was condemned unheard. It was not even left +open to him to resign, the usual expedient in such cases. He was +dismissed summarily, in a manner which could leave no doubt in the +public mind that the Government took the side of the accusers, and +considered that the case had been proved against their representative. +The Baron dashed the paper from him, and paced the room in a fierce, +mute conflict of emotions. His lips twitched, and a fiery light gleamed +in his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">All at once he stopped, as though a sudden thought had flashed upon +him, and went slowly up to a side-table on which stood a box of small +dimensions. A slight pressure on the spring caused the lid to fly open, +and displayed a brace of elaborately-chased pistols. The Baron took one +out and examined it carefully, to convince himself that it was in +perfect order. For some minutes he held the pistol in his hand, gazing +down at it lost in moody thought; then he laid it back in its place +again, and drew himself up quickly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," he said, under his breath; "that would pass for cowardice, for an +avowal of guilt. Some other way must be found. They shall, at least, +not have that triumph."</p> + +<p class="normal">He threw down the lid of the box, and turning away, began again the +silent, restless pacing to and fro, the sombre brooding search for a +plan at all points suitable. A solution must be found.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile Dr. Brunnow, in his son's rooms, was busily preparing for his +departure, now irrevocably fixed for the morrow. Max had left him to +prosecute the "siege" he had commenced on the preceding day. He was +again a visitor at Councillor Moser's dwelling, and again employing all +his batteries of argument to prove to the old gentleman what a +distinguished, and in all respects desirable, son-in-law the latter +would obtain in Dr. Max Brunnow. Neither locks nor bolts could avail +against the persistency of this undaunted suitor.</p> + +<p class="normal">His father let him take his way. He knew Max well, and felt sure that +the young man would eventually be victorious. Had he followed his own +wishes, he would have started on his return journey that same day, but +the promise he had given his son bound him to remain twenty-four hours +longer. The ground he walked on seemed to scorch his feet; he longed to +be away, and all the congratulations, the marks of sympathy lavished on +him on his release, seemed but to make his stay still more distasteful +to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow had just finished a letter, telling of his speedy return home, +and was about to ring and confide it to the maid to post, when the +latter came running in unsummoned, and announced breathlessly:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doctor, Doctor, his Excellency the Governor!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who?" asked Brunnow, absently, closing the envelope.</p> + +<p class="normal">"His Excellency, sir, the Governor."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow turned quickly. His look fell on the Baron, who had followed +the servant and was standing in the anteroom. Raven entered now, and +said ceremoniously:</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I ask for a few minutes' conversation with you, Dr. Brunnow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am at your Excellency's service," replied Brunnow, warned by the +amazement on the maid's face that he must show no signs of +perturbation. He gave the girl his letter, and sent her away. When they +were left together. Raven dropped his assumed formality of tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My coming surprises you. Are we alone?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; my son is out."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad to hear it, for this present interview of ours brooks no +witnesses. Will you have the kindness to close the door securely, so +that we may not be interrupted?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Doctor silently complied. He drew the bolt on the entrance door, +and then returned to the inner room. His uneasy glance seemed to ask +the import of this singular, this most unlooked-for visit. The two men +stood a few seconds face to face, silent, but with hostility in the +attitude of each, as at their first meeting.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron spoke first.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You hardly expected to see me here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I really do not know what errand can bring the Governor of +R---- beneath this roof," was the answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am Governor no longer," said Raven, coldly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow turned on him a quick, scrutinising gaze.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have given in your resignation?" he asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am leaving my post," the other answered, in an agitated voice. +"Before I quit the town, however, I wish to obtain some information as +to that article in the newspaper which refers so minutely to events in +my past life. You are, I think, the person most likely to afford me +this information, and therefore I come to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Doctor turned away. "That article did not emanate from me," he +said, after a short pause.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That may be, but, in any case, you prompted it. We two are now the +last survivors of those who were implicated in that catastrophe. The +others are dead, or have been altogether lost sight of. You alone were +in a position to make those disclosures."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow was silent. He remembered but too well the inconsiderate words +which the Superintendent's wily manœuvre had wrested from him, and +which had since been published throughout the length and breadth of the +land.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only wonder that you did not turn your knowledge of these +occurrences to account sooner," went on Raven; "you, or the others who +shared it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You can answer that question yourself," said Brunnow. "We lacked +evidence. If we ourselves were profoundly convinced of your guilt, that +was our affair alone. The world requires proofs, tangible proofs, and +these we could not produce. Why no voice has been raised against you +before this, you ask? No one knows better than you that, in those +arbitrary times, which, it is to be hoped, are now for ever past and +gone, every inconvenient voice was hushed and stifled. Then Arno Raven +rapidly acquired influence, became the friend and favourite of the +Minister, whom he was shortly to call father. Later on, as Baron von +Raven, he was the most powerful stay and support of the Government, to +whom he had become indispensable. No accusation against such a man +would have been admitted; it would at once have been stigmatised as a +lie, a calumnious lie, and suppressed as such. We all knew this, and +the knowledge kept the others silent, I was not withheld by these +considerations alone. I ... had no desire to accuse you, and have none +now. Some admissions made by me during my confinement--admissions which +were, I fear, purposely extracted from me--may have served as a basis +for the present revelations. The Superintendent of Police has certainly +had to do with the business. He is your enemy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, he is simply a spy," said Raven, contemptuously; "and, therefore, +I do not think of calling him to account. It was no duty of his, +moreover, to keep back information which you had communicated to him. +The information came from you, and to you I look for satisfaction."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow started back. "Satisfaction? From me? What do you mean?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What can I mean? It seems to me no explanation is necessary. There is +but one way of wiping out an insult such as you have offered me. You +will not refuse me this atonement, I suppose?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Not a syllable escaped the Doctor's lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"On our first meeting after a lapse of years," pursued the other, "you +spoke to me words which made my blood boil in my veins. You were then a +proscribed man, who had hastened to his son's sick-bed; every hour you +spent here was fraught with danger. That was no fitting moment to +demand an explanation. Now you are free--so name your time and arms."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A duel between us!" exclaimed Brunnow. "No, Arno, you cannot exact +this!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I insist on it. You will accept my challenge?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rudolph, I tell you, you will accept it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And, once again, I say no. Any other man I will fight, if necessary, +but not you."</p> + +<p class="normal">A deep furrow gathered between the Baron's knitted brows; but he knew +this friend of his youth, knew that, in spite of those grey hairs, the +man before him was still the old Hotspur whose fiery temper, once +thoroughly aroused, would silence reflection and overleap all bounds. +All that was needed was to find the vulnerable spot.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did not think you had turned coward since we parted," said Raven, +with simulated scorn.</p> + +<p class="normal">That told. The Doctor started up in anger, and his eye sparkled +ominously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Unsay that word!" he cried. "You know well that I am no coward. I have +no need to prove that to you now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I unsay nothing," declared Raven. "You have brought a disgraceful +charge against me, have repeated it in the presence of a stranger, who, +as you were well aware, would give it publicity, and now you seek to +escape the consequences of your act. Call it what you like--I call it +cowardice."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow's self-command went from him altogether, as the fateful word +was thus hurled at him a second time.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stop, Arno," he panted; "I will not bear this."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron remained quite unmoved. Not a muscle of his face quivered. He +stood, inflexible in his icy calm, goading his adversary on, step by +step, to the requisite pitch of madness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This, then, is your revenge?" he continued, in a contemptuous tone. +"For twenty years you have stayed your hand. While I was great and +powerful, you did not venture to strike; but a man nearing his fall is +a safer, an easier target. Winterfeld, at least, was an honourable foe. +He attacked me, certainly, but it was in open combat; he met me face to +face. You prefer to shoot from under ambush, calling strangers to help +you in the work. You had no hesitation in supplying the police and the +newspapers with weapons against me, but when it comes to facing me and +the arm which shall avenge the dishonour done me, your courage fails +you. Verily, Rudolph, I should not have believed you capable of such +mean and pitiful conduct!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Enough!" Brunnow interposed, in a half-stifled voice. "Not a word +more--I accept your challenge." His breast heaved with a quick +convulsive movement. He had grown deadly pale, and his whole frame +shook with emotion. He leaned for support against the back of the chair +nearest him. Something like compassion gleamed in the Baron's eye, pity +for the man he had wrought up to such extreme agitation, before whom he +had placed so terrible an alternative; but there was no trace of any +such weakness in his voice, as he replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good. I will request Colonel Wilten, the commandant of the garrison +here, to act as my second. He will arrange the necessary preliminaries +with any gentleman you may name as yours."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow merely bowed his head in assent. The Baron took his hat from +the table, and then went up to the Doctor again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One thing more, Rudolph," he said, slowly. "This is to me a matter of +deadly earnest. As you will feel, seeing the injury you have done me, +this duel must be to the death between us. I shall expect that it be +not turned into a comedy. It might seem good to you to fire in the air. +Do not compel me to repeat before our seconds that which I have said to +you here. I give you my word I shall take that course, should your aim +be purposely misdirected."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow drew himself up, and his eyes blazed with fierce, passionate +hatred.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not fear," he said. "The words you have spoken to-day have been as +the death-knell to our past. Any lingering reminiscences of youth are +buried from henceforth. You are right. A duel between us two must be to +the death. I, too, know how to avenge an imputation on my honour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To-morrow, then, we meet. I will go now and seek the Colonel."</p> + +<p class="normal">He drew back the bolt from the door, and left the room, drawing a deep, +deep breath, as though a load had fallen from him. Then, with a rapid, +steady step, he walked away in the direction of Colonel Wilten's house.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Late autumn is wont to be a rough, inclement season in the +neighbourhood of mountains, and this year, in and about R----, it had +not belied its character; but now, at its close. Nature seemed by a +supreme effort to rouse all her dying energies. The past days had been +unusually clear and mild, so that the months appeared to have travelled +back in their course. The earth fell to dreaming one last brief dream +of sunshine and summer breezes, before it surrendered itself to grim +Winter's icy chains.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was afternoon now. Baron von Raven sat at his writing-table, engaged +in looking through his papers. For some time past, his testamentary +arrangements had been made; but there was still much to set in order. +Colonel Wilten had promptly responded to the call made upon him. Though +he no longer considered an alliance with Raven's family desirable for +his son, the constraint and coolness which had lately, since their +explanation, existed between himself and the Baron, had been annoying +and painful to him; and he seized with alacrity this occasion of +rendering the latter a service. He promised to settle all the necessary +details, and to come round himself, and report as to what had been +agreed upon regarding the duel, which was, if possible, to take place +early on the following morning.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven had just finished a letter, which he folded and addressed to +"Doctor Rudolph Brunnow." The lines on his gloomy brow grew deeper +still, as with sure and steady strokes he traced the name on the paper.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Would that I could have spared you, Rudolph!" he muttered. "The +remembrance of this fatal hour will be with you to your dying day. I +know it--but there was no alternative."</p> + +<p class="normal">He laid the letter aside, and again took up the pen; but this time it +was less obedient to the hand that wielded it. Some minutes elapsed +before he wrote the first few lines; then he stopped suddenly--began +anew--hesitated once more, and finally tore up the sheet. Why leave a +farewell, every word of which must be barbed with bitterness? The +letter would only be a standing reproach to her for whom it was +intended.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron threw down his pen, and rested his head on his hand. Not +without reason had he dreaded the moment when the one great passion of +his life, which had betrayed him into a passing weakness, but which he +had resolutely driven from him far into the background, should break +the restraining dykes, and rush in upon him again with its swift, +strong current. He had maintained a perfectly calm demeanour during the +last few hours--though hatred, indignation, and deeply mortified pride +were at their fierce work with him; he had gone into the minutiæ of his +affairs, arranging everything with his customary exactitude; but now +all was in order--all was finished, except ... Lo! with a rush, the +tide of long pent-up passion returned upon him with all its old +irresistible force, and before it the strong man's composure gave way.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was no soft or tender emotion which filled his breast. Arno Raven +was not one easily to give up what he desired, or lightly to forgive +where he believed himself wronged. He, of his own free will, had +decreed the separation--had sent Gabrielle from him; and he did not +repent it. No half-measures suited him. "Let it be this, or that," had +been his motto through life; so now he would have absolute and +undivided possession of his love, or he preferred to lose her +altogether. Well, he had lost her--given her over to another who could +rally to his aid the mighty influences of youth and a first love.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron never doubted that the connection with Winterfeld had been +renewed in the capital. The tyrannical guardian, who had so long stood +between the young people, separating them, had now stepped back, +leaving them free to draw together again; and the Baroness was far too +weak, too wanting in character, to oppose any lasting resistance +to her daughter's wishes, when no longer fettered by fear of her +brother-in-law. Besides, Winterfeld's position had changed. He had +risen in a most unexpected manner, and would surely rise further--thus +the great barrier to the marriage was withdrawn. All was going the +natural, appointed course, which he, in his madness, had sought to +check and stay. How, indeed, could such a young creature as Gabrielle +understand, far less return, a passion so profound, so all-absorbing as +his? It had dazzled her, perhaps, had flattered her vanity, to find +herself the object of his love; but there could be no question of any +deeper feeling on her part--and, a choice being offered her, the +blooming maiden, standing on the threshold of life, naturally turned to +him who could bring youth as his dowry, who could set before her a long +vista of happy years. That gay, sunny being had neither part nor lot in +his destiny. The thought of her was altogether out of keeping with this +dark hour of defeat, when a man's shattered honour lay in ruins about +him, a man's life hung upon a thread.</p> + +<p class="normal">The fine, but short, autumn day was fast declining, and the rays of the +setting sun sought and found their way into the study. Through the deep +bay window came a broad, golden stream of light, filling the sombre +room with a strange transfiguring gleam. Raven's look rested moodily on +the brilliant flood. So had the sunbeam glanced across his life, +gilding, glorifying all for a brief space, to disappear suddenly, +leaving him again to loneliness and darkness. In vain he tried to free +himself from the remembrance, to stifle it by bitter reasoning--in +vain! by every road his thoughts travelled back to Gabrielle; every +object about him seemed to suggest her name--his mind was full of her. +He had resolved to have done with the past, with the world, with life; +but this wild, overpowering longing for the only being he had ever +loved, chained him to the existence he was preparing to quit. A sigh, +so deep as to be almost a groan, burst from his labouring breast. He +was alone now, and needed not the mask of proud impassible calm. To +have preserved it longer would have exceeded all human strength. He +pressed his hand to his burning brow, and closed his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Some time went by, and he still sat on, absorbed in his gloomy +brooding; then the door opened gently, almost inaudibly, and as gently +closed again. Raven did not notice it, and did not stir, until the +rustle of a woman's dress close at hand startled him. He turned, and a +great spasm passed across his face; but the exclamation he would have +uttered died on his lips, and he gazed with speechless amazement, +almost with awe, at the vision before him, which could only be a +creation of his disordered fancy. Opposite him, in the full stream of +light, stood Gabrielle, motionless, surrounded by an aureole of golden +rays, as though in verity she were but an apparition called up by the +earnest, passionate craving of a despairing heart, a phantom which +would next minute vanish mysteriously as it had come.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron had risen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can it--can it be you?" he asked at length, and his breath came short +and quick. "I thought you were far away."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I left town this morning," replied the young girl, in a low voice. "I +have only just arrived. They told me you were here in your room."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven did not answer. His eyes were still riveted on the fair tender +face, as though even yet he could not believe in the reality of her +presence. Yes, she was there indeed! how, wherefore, he did not at +present think of inquiring. Gabrielle seemed to misinterpret his +silence. She stood in the same spot, timid and anxious, not venturing +to approach him. At last she took courage, and drew slowly nearer.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you repulse me again now, Arno, when I tell you that you were +wrong in suspecting me? I should have spoken long ago, but you put me +from you so roughly, so harshly. You would not even hear me--that +roused my pride. I would not beg for the confidence you refused me. +I"--she stood close by his side now, and looked pleadingly into his +face--"I knew nothing of that attack upon you. Only, when he was going +away, George told me there would soon be open war between you and him. +I pressed in vain for some explanation. He would give me none, and a +few minutes later we had to part. Since that day, not a word, not a +syllable on the subject reached me, until you yourself held up the book +before my eyes. If I had had the slightest suspicion of what was +coming, you would have heard of it. I never betrayed you, Arno, believe +me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Truth rang in those accents, shone in her face. Raven caught her hand +with a quick movement. Still with the same expression of eager, intense +anxiety, he drew her to him, and, without uttering a word, looked into +her eyes, which, through their glistening dew, met his fearlessly. This +silent, piercing scrutiny lasted some seconds; then the Baron stooped +suddenly, and pressed his lips to the girl's brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, you are true," he said, with a deep long breath. "I believe you."</p> + +<p class="normal">His hand clasped hers more firmly. He now remarked that Gabrielle was +still in her travelling dress; she had merely thrown off her hat and +cloak before coming in to him. As yet, however, he was far from +divining how matters really stood. His next question proved this.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where is your mother, and what has caused this speedy return? I did +not expect you for several weeks."</p> + +<p class="normal">A deep crimson blush slowly mantled to the girl's cheeks.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma stayed behind. I could hardly make her consent to my coming. She +only yielded when she saw there was no possibility of keeping me away, +I came by myself, with only our old servant as escort."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven followed her words with breathless eagerness. A dim presentiment +of boundless, inexpressible happiness stole over him; but at the same +moment the old shadow crept between them.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And Winterfeld?" he asked, in a keen, incisive tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle's eyes fell, and her voice trembled as she answered:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have been forced to give him great pain, to cut him to the heart," +she answered; "but it was right he should learn the truth before I left +to come to you. George knows it all now; he knows to whom my love, my +whole love, is given. He has released me--I am free----"</p> + +<p class="normal">She could not finish. Arno had drawn her close, close to his breast. +She felt his arms round her, felt the pressure of his lips on hers, and +everything else, even to the remembrance of George's pain, melted away, +drowned in the exceeding sweetness of that moment. At length Raven +raised his head, and, still holding her to him, said:</p> + +<p class="normal">"But what brought you to me at this precise time? Why did you hasten? +You do not, cannot know what has happened."</p> + +<p class="normal">Smiling through her tears, Gabrielle looked up at him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only heard that fresh trouble was menacing, and I wanted to be with +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wanted to be with you!" the words were simply, naturally spoken, but +Raven understood the entire, the infinite devotion they expressed. He +gazed down in silence on the young creature, whom but a short time +before he had so bitterly accused, whom he had denounced as fickle and +unstable of purpose, but who now resolutely tore asunder all +restraining ties, to hasten to his side and share his fate. Through the +deep night which encompassed him, irradiating all the gloom, came a +flash of ineffable joy and triumph at finding himself so loved.</p> + +<p class="normal">The golden stream of light faded gradually as the sun sank lower and +lower. A few solitary rays still strayed into the room; but, little by +little, these too vanished, and the space was filled with a faint rosy +shimmer, a reflection from the gorgeous evening sky without. Arno and +Gabrielle paid no heed to it. He had drawn her to his side, and was +speaking in low, earnest tones, but not of downfall or of danger. For +them such things existed not; they gave them not a thought. For the +first time their hearts frankly met, no shadow, no misunderstanding +interposing between them; for the first time they could be all in all +to each other. Past and future were dissolved in this one +consciousness; they loved, and in their love were infinitely blest.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Colonel Wilten waits on your Excellency." A servant, coming in, made +this dry, formal announcement.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven looked up as though he had been roused from a dream. He passed +his hand across his brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Colonel Wilten?" he repeated slowly. "Ah, true. I had forgotten that."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle's attention was at once aroused.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must you see the Colonel to-night?" she asked, seized, as it were, by +some vague foreboding. "The reception-hours were over long ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron stood up. The radiant expression which had illumined his face +was gone now.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I expected him. There are matters it is necessary for us to +discuss. Ask the Colonel to have the kindness to wait for me in the +drawing-room. I will be with him directly."</p> + +<p class="normal">The servant withdrew.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must leave you, Gabrielle. You little know what it costs me to part +from you, even for a moment," he said, in an agitated voice; "but the +affair which brings Wilten to the Castle must be settled at once, if I +wish to have my evening free. Then we shall be alone together, and no +one shall disturb us. Come, I will take you to your room."</p> + +<p class="normal">He passed her arm through his, and led her through the library and +across the corridor over to the opposite wing. A few minutes later he +entered the drawing-room where the Colonel awaited him. Their interview +was of short duration. Scarcely a quarter of an hour later Wilten left +the Castle, and the Baron returned to his study, sitting down once more +to his writing-table. He had said truly. It cost him a cruel pang to +lose sight of Gabrielle, even for a few minutes, and yet he now +remained absent from her a full hour. She could not be there at his +side while he wrote to her that farewell letter.</p> + +<p class="normal">The unexpected arrival of the young Baroness had caused some surprise +at the Castle, especially as she came without her mother; but the old +retainer, who had accompanied her, soon vouchsafed the necessary +information. His Excellency had, by letter, summoned his ward and +sister-in-law to him. Unfortunately, the latter had had a slight return +of her illness, and was still too unwell to undertake the journey, so +she sent the young lady on first, and would follow herself in the +course of a few days. The Baroness, finding it impossible to detain her +daughter, had imagined this pretext to give colour to the strange +proceeding. She herself was really unwell; the news she had heard from +Countess Selteneck had brought on one of her nervous attacks. This +precluded any thought of her travelling, to the intense relief of +Gabrielle, who well knew how unwelcome her mother would be to Raven at +such a time. She accepted the pretext with all docility, and this +simple, natural explanation found credence both at the house she was +leaving and at the Castle.</p> + +<p class="normal">Evening had now fully closed in. Gabrielle was still alone in her room, +counting the minutes until Arno's return. Colonel Wilten's visit +awakened no special surprise in her mind, for, before her departure, +conferences between him and the Baron had been of very frequent +occurrence. She had opened the window, and was leaning dreamily +forward, looking out, when at length the longed-for step sounded at her +door. She flew to meet her visitor, and he clasped her to him as though +that brief hour had been as a separation of years.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now I am free," said the Baron, coming in; "altogether free, my +Gabrielle. Now I am yours, and yours alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle looked up at him. His countenance was paler than usual, but +it wore an expression of grave, deep calm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Colonel brought you no bad news?" she asked apprehensively.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No: only some necessary information," replied Raven, very quietly, but +withdrawing at once from the circle illumined by the lamp, and going up +to the young girl at the window.</p> + +<p class="normal">The air without was cool, but mild as on a spring evening, and the +country around lay bathed in bright moonlight.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I opened the window," said Gabrielle; "the room seemed so close, and +it is such a beautiful evening."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, most beautiful," repeated the Baron, gazing out, apparently lost +in thought. Then, turning suddenly to his young companion: "You are +right," he said; "there is a stifling, oppressive feeling indoors +to-day. I myself feel a longing for the open air, where one can breathe +more freely. Shall we go down into the garden?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle at once assented. The Baron took a shawl which was lying on +the sofa, and wrapped it carefully about her slender figure. Then they +left the room together.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Castle-garden was still and solitary as ever, but its summer glory +had long departed from it. The thick canopy of leaves, which had +enclosed it in deep shade, was fast thinning. The mighty limes stood +half bare, stripped of their foliage, and the moonlight fell full and +clear on the stretch of greensward at their feet. The Nixies' Well +babbled and rippled on; the fountain splashed and threw aloft its white +veil of spray; and the two, to whom the voice of its waters had +whispered so fateful a message, stood once again by its brink, within +reach of its glittering shower.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven looked down at his companion with mingled tenderness and +melancholy.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The nixies' vengeance has overtaken me, after all," he said, in a low +tone. "Why did I venture to jest at them and their magic spell? I have +not visited the place since that day; but to-night I seemed drawn to it +irresistibly. I felt I must see the fountain once again."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle started at his last words.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Once again? What do you mean, Arno? Why do you say that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Her words were eager, prompted by a quick, anxious misgiving.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arno smiled, and passed his hand caressingly over the girl's fair hair.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must not be so timorous. I only mean that shortly, in the course +of a few days, I shall leave the Castle and this town. The blow you +believed to be impending has fallen on me, my child. This morning I +ceased to be Governor of the province."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So they have driven you to the last extremity," said Gabrielle, sadly. +"You have resigned?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I am dismissed."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron's lips twitched, but he could bring himself now to speak the +word which was fraught with such profound humiliation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dismissed!" repeated Gabrielle, "without your seeking it? Why, that +is----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"An insult," concluded Raven, as she hesitated. "Or a condemnation, as +you like to take it. It is usual, if only for appearance's sake, to +allow a fallen man the faculty of retiring; but even this favour has +been denied me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what will you do now?" asked Gabrielle, after a pause.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing," replied the Baron, coldly. "My public career is at an end. I +shall go to one of my estates in the country, and there--live on."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will that be possible to you, Arno? You once told me that to work and +to rule were as the necessary conditions of your being, that you could +not endure an aimless existence, the monotonous round of an every-day +life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall learn to endure them perhaps. One has so much to learn in this +world. At all events, I must try."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I shall go with you," whispered Gabrielle, with the fervour of a +great love. "I shall stay with you, always and always."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, always."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again Raven smiled, but he avoided meeting Gabrielle's eye. He put his +arm round her gently, and drew her to the seat near the fountain. Over +this seat the tallest of the limes, still decked in half its wealth of +leaves, cast its shadow; here the tale-telling moonlight would not +reveal every varying expression of feature. The Baron could no longer +meet those anxious, watchful eyes. They were dangerous--keen with the +instinct of love, they might pierce through any mask; and yet there was +a something which must yet, for a short season, be masked and hidden +from them.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arno sat for a while silent by Gabrielle's side. The great peace +surrounding him soothed his weary spirit after all the tempests, all +the din of the last few months. In his heart, too, the storm had spent +itself. So long as it had been possible to fight, and to defend +himself, he had remained in the arena, steady, strong, and to all +appearance unmoved. How it had really been with him during that +terrible time, when the two ruling passions of his life, pride and +ambition, had been daily wounded, racked by a thousand mortifications, +he alone knew. Now the battle and the strife were over, and the calm of +a final, irrevocable resolve took from the remembrance of the past its +deepest sting.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gabrielle, you have asked me nothing yet as to the cause of my +overthrow," the Baron said, at length; "and yet you know the charges +brought against me. Do you believe them?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why should I ask? Of course, I knew at once the tale was false--a +false and wicked calumny."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So you, at least, believe in me," said Raven, with a deep breath of +relief.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have never for an instant doubted you. But why do you bear the +accusation in silence? Why do you not meet and utterly crush it? Even +for your own sake you are bound to repel so foul a charge."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have publicly declared the statement which has been given to the +world to be absolutely devoid of truth. You see how my word has been +believed. I can no more bring forward proofs than they can who accuse +me. One man, and only one, could have cleared me entirely, and he has +long been in his grave. That man was your grandfather."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My grandfather!" said Gabrielle, in surprise. "He died when I was +quite a child, but I have always heard from my parents that you were +his favourite and his confidential friend."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven mused awhile in silence. Then he went on:</p> + +<p class="normal">"His was an exceptional nature. Perhaps that was why we understood each +other so well, for I myself have never accepted common prejudices for +the rule and guidance of my life. He, indeed, was born to the eminence +I had laboriously to attain. An aristocrat through and through, he yet +possessed sufficient impartiality to recognise talent and force of +character wherever he found them, or however they might be employed. I, +above all, have cause to know this. It was no small thing for the proud +and wealthy nobleman, for the all-powerful Minister to accord his +daughter's hand to a young middle-class official who had yet to win for +himself a name and a position. Your grandfather was well aware, indeed, +that I should not fail to win these, and to no other man of my social +status would he have given his daughter in marriage. To him I owe all +my subsequent success. To the day of his death he was to me a father +and a true friend, and yet I would that he had let me go my own way, +that his hand had not forcibly diverted the course of my life. It led +me upwards to the dreamed-of height, but the price I had to pay for its +help was too onerous, too great."</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused, and gazed away into the misty distance. Gabrielle laid her +hand on his arm entreatingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arno, I have long felt that there is some bitter memory in your life, +and I know it has come through some misfortune, and no fault. Will you +not open your heart to me now? I think I have a right to hear the +tale."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have a right," said Raven, gravely, "and you shall hear it."</p> + +<p class="normal">He put his arm round her shoulder, and drew her nearer to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know that I come of plain burgher stock. The early death of my +parents taught me betimes to think and act for myself. I entered the +service of the State, and had to work my way up from the lowest grade. +When the whole land was swept by a storm of revolution, and the capital +itself was in a state of armed insurrection, of open rebellion against +the Government, I was chained to my desk in a remote provincial town, +and so prevented from taking part in a movement with which my +convictions led me to sympathise. The very next year, as chance would +have it, I was transferred to the capital; I was thus brought into +closer contact with my chief, who had lately come into office, and was +about to inaugurate that period of reaction which has since followed. +He must have perceived that I was not to be weighed in the same scale +with his other officials, for he showed a decided preference for me, +and I felt that I and my work were being watched with special +attention. As yet, however, no opportunity of distinguishing myself +occurred. In the capital I fell in again with Rudolph Brunnow, my old +and intimate university friend. Though the revolutionary movement +itself had been quelled, the land was still in a state of ferment; and +as the factious elements, now kept down with a strong hand, could no +longer agitate their designs openly, they met and pursued their work in +secret. I was drawn into these circles, to which my political +convictions had long inclined me, by Brunnow, who was an enthusiastic +reformer. He was at the head of a secret association of which I now +became a member. We believed in Utopias, impossibilities, and chimeras, +which could have no lasting existence in real life; but, foolish as was +our creed, we would have died rather than abandon it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven paused a moment. These recollections seemed to move him greatly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then came the catastrophe," he went on, speaking now with more +animation. "We were suspected and watched, though we ourselves had no +idea of it, until the Minister himself took action against us. He must +have supposed that I was in some way connected with the band, for one +day he sent for me, and called me to account, though by no means as an +offender whom he was anxious to convict. He talked to me in a kind, +almost a paternal manner, and that disarmed me. At that time I was not +well enough acquainted with him to be aware how inexorable, +irreconcilable an opponent of the revolution he was at heart. Like many +others, I allowed myself to be deceived by the moderation he displayed +at the outset. I was so far carried away as to avow my political views, +and to defend them--to defend them to him!</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was a grave error, and one that has cost me dear. No word fell from +my lips regarding the secret I was bound to keep; the Minister, indeed, +made no attempt to extract a confession of it from me. He knew me, and +was well aware that neither threat nor promise could induce me to act a +perfidious part; but my ardent enthusiasm, my imprudent championship of +Liberal ideas, were enough to put the experienced statesman on the +right track. He dismissed me with apparent friendliness, but I had +hardly reached my home when I was arrested, my papers were seized, and +every chance of communicating with my comrades was cut off from me. +Rudolph, who was known as my intimate friend, was the next victim. At +his lodgings was found the correspondence relating to our association, +and in it a key was had to the whole business. Four others of our band +shared our fate. The blow fell so unexpectedly that none had time to +escape.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The charge against us was one of high treason, and we might hold +ourselves prepared for any fate. After a short interval I was again +conducted to the Minister's presence. He informed me that I was +released from confinement. He had, he said, convinced himself that I +had been led astray, that I had merely been the dupe of Brunnow and his +confederates, and offered to overlook what had passed, if I would give +him my word of honour to break once for all with the revolutionary +party. I stared at my chief in stunned amazement. Did he really not +know how I stood towards this secret society, or was he intentionally +ignoring the offence? My name, it was true, had nowhere figured in its +records. Rudolph was esteemed our leader, but so keen-sighted and +discerning a man as the Minister must be conscious that the passive, +subordinate part of a lowly recruit was foreign to my whole character. +I did not then divine that he purposely shut his eyes, in order to +pardon. I decidedly refused to give the promise required of me, +declaring that I would not abjure my principles, and was ready to share +the fate of my friends.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Minister preserved his imperturbable calm, and repeated the offer +he had made.</p> + +<p class="normal">"'I will give you a month for reflection,' he said. 'I have too good an +opinion of you, I am too hopeful as regards your future, to allow you +to ruin yourself with these wild Socialist intrigues. Your head can +render better service to the State than by weaving endless, fruitless +conspiracies in prison or in exile. You are not the first man who has +recognised his error, and become in after-times the zealous opponent of +the cause he once defended, and the very pertinacity and defiance with +which you now put from you the proffered means of rescue, prove to me +that I may take on myself the responsibility of readmitting you to the +service, if you make up your mind to come back as one of ours. As yet +no one has accused you, and it depends entirely upon yourself whether +the charge against you shall be withdrawn. The few documents which +might be compromising to you are in my hands, and will be destroyed +directly I have your word. I shall expect to hear your decision in a +month from this time. For the present, you are free, and have the +choice between an honourable, possibly a brilliant, career, and ruin."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you chose----?" asked Gabrielle.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," replied Raven, bitterly. "In reality, no choice was left me. They +had taken care I should be spared the pain of making one. My first +endeavour was to find out how much was really lost to our cause, and +how much might yet be saved. I sought out my friends, and met with a +reception for which I was utterly unprepared. 'Treason,' they cried, on +seeing me. 'Treason,' saluted my ears, wherever I showed myself. Hate, +indignation, abhorrence--the whole gamut was run through. At first, I +did not understand the meaning of it all--too soon it was made +intelligible to me. In their eyes I was the traitor who had brought +about the discovery. My official position, the evident favour shown me +by my chief, had already given rise to some distrust--now it was clear +as day. I had been the Minister's tool and spy. I had disclosed, had +sold to him the secrets of our society. My own arrest, they concluded, +was nothing but a blind, a concerted plan by which I was to be +withdrawn from the vengeance of those whom I had betrayed, and my +prompt liberation showed beyond a doubt that I was in league with the +enemy, I now found that my chief's magnanimity had not been so complete +as I had supposed. He had taken his precautions before setting me at +liberty, and had thus definitively shut me out from the ranks of the +'wild reformers.'</p> + +<p class="normal">"At first I stood bewildered by the terrible accusation, then with +indignant vehemence I made my protest. Openly avowing my imprudence, +the only crime of which I had been guilty, I gave a circumstantial +account of my interview with the Minister--in vain, my words were +received as so many mere evasive shifts. I was judged, and against +their sentence there was no appeal. One man alone would perhaps have +believed me--Rudolph Brunnow. He was the principal sufferer, the one on +whom the blow had fallen most heavily; and yet, had I been able to +confront him, to look him in the face, and say: 'It is a lie, Rudolph. +I am no traitor!' he would have given me his hand, and together we +should have fought down the calumny. But he was in prison--beyond my +reach. I gave the others my word of honour. They answered that I had no +honour to lose, and even refused me all satisfaction for the gross +insult. These men, baited, persecuted, irritated to madness, were not +capable of forming an unbiased judgment, and I fear that their +suspicions were purposely directed against me. This, indeed, I have +never learned for a fact; but the pardon, which was soon afterwards +granted me, set the seal on my supposed ignominy and my disgrace.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A month later I was with the Minister again. I had tried every means +in my power to clear myself from the shameful suspicion, and had +failed. I was still shunned, proscribed by the members of my own party, +thrust out from their midst--and now I resolved in my turn to cast them +from me. Up to this time I had been blameless. A last resource was +still left to me. I could have quitted my native land, and have begun a +new life elsewhere, accepting exile, in order to remain true to my +principles--as Rudolph did later on, when he regained his freedom. Such +a course would in time have vindicated my character, though years might +have elapsed first; but I never had any great sympathy with the heroism +which seeks a martyr's fate. On the one hand, I saw exile with all its +bitterness and privations; on the other I was promised a career which +was likely to satisfy, and more than satisfy, my ambition. The late +events had destroyed my illusions. I now knew exactly what would be +demanded of me, were I to accept my chief's proposal; but my whole soul +rose in arms against those who had condemned me without a hearing. The +insults I had endured, the injustice of my former friends, drove me +straight into the enemy's camp. I knew that the price of my new +position would be the renunciation of my principles--yet I broke with +my past, and gave the required promise."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron's voice vibrated strangely; his quick, short breathing +betrayed the emotion these painful reminiscences aroused within him. +Gabrielle hung on his words in a great tension of suspense; but she did +not venture to interrupt the story. He had withdrawn his arm from her +now; and when he spoke again, it was in a dull, hollow tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"From that time forth my career is known to you and to the world. I +became the Minister's secretary, became his confidential friend, and, +finally, his son-in-law. His potent influence overcame all the +obstacles which stand in the path of a nameless commoner struggling +upwards, and when once the road was clear before me, I had only to +exert the natural powers I possessed. That in this new life I had to +bury and disown my past was a thing of course. I had known that it +would be so, and it is not in my nature to make half-resolves, or +lamely to perform that which I have decided on. Moreover, by +temperament I was inclined to despotic action. Power and authority had +ever possessed for me a singular fascination. Now I tasted both, and +the brilliant, the almost unexampled success of my career, helped me to +vanquish old memories more easily than I had expected. The constant +influence of my father-in-law, whom I sincerely revered, that of the +circle in which I lived, did the rest. I must go onwards, without +looking back--and onwards I went. The way was steep, and led over the +ruins of former shrines, but I reached the goal. I have lived great and +honoured--to end in this way!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is only a lie, a wicked calumny which has brought about your +fall!" broke in Gabrielle, "This must and shall be clearly shown."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven shook his head gloomily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can I compel that belief which the world does not willingly accord me? +I have already heard from Rudolph Brunnow's mouth that I have forfeited +all claim to confidence. He, indeed, can meet any charge with an +unruffled brow; no defence set up by him would pass unnoticed, for his +past, his whole life testifies for him--mine condemns me. The man who +has abjured his convictions may also have betrayed his friends. The +curse of that fatal hour, wherein I proved untrue to myself, weighs on +me now, and makes me powerless to refute the calumny which works my +fall."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And who are they who turn against you?" cried Gabrielle, with a burst +of indignation. "The very men for whom you have toiled, for whom you +have sacrificed all. Oh, the base ingratitude!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ingratitude! Have I the right to look for gratitude at their hands?" +asked Raven, with quiet, bitter meaning. "No bond of confidence has +existed between us. They had need of me to work out their plans, and I +had need of them as stepping-stones by which to mount. It has been one +continual state of warfare, a perpetual balancing of our respective +strength. I have often let them feel the power of the hated <i>parvenu</i>; +now that the power is in their hands, they overturn me--I could expect +nothing else; but I feel now that Rudolph was right. It is worth +something to have kept one's faith in one's self, in the better, higher +part of one's nature. The man who stands and falls by his principles +can endure reverses; but he who has given the best energies of his life +to a cause which was never his at heart, which in his inmost soul he +must condemn and despise, has no anchor, no stay in the hour of +misfortune."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I?" asked Gabrielle, reproachfully. "Am I nothing?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah yes, you, my darling!" cried the Baron, with passionate tenderness. +"Your love is the one thing left to me. But for you, I could not have +endured this fate."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you be able to endure it?" asked the young girl, apprehensively. +"Ah, Arno, I feel as though it will hardly be in my power to reconcile +you to a lot which will lack all that really constitutes your life. You +will pine and waste away in solitude, even though I share it with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let us talk no more of this now," said Raven, gently parrying her +question. "We will speak of it later on. I have drawn the veil from my +past; it was right that you should know both it and me thoroughly. But +now we have had enough of these gloomy recollections. They shall no +longer come between us and the happiness of this hour."</p> + +<p class="normal">He drew himself up quickly, as though by an effort he would cast all +troubling thoughts from him for awhile. And truly it was very +beautiful, this quiet hour in the moonlit garden. The half-stripped +trees, the widowed earth, bereft of flowers and perfumes, seemed to win +back their long-lost charm in the mystic light which spread its mild +glamour over the scene, veiling the ravages caused by the late storms, +and investing it with a calm, transcendent beauty.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dreamily still lay the Castle-garden, and the broad landscape out +beyond it. The prospect, indeed, no longer stretched, beaming and +definite, in the radiant clearness of a summer day. Now the valley +slept half hidden in its shimmering depths. At the foot of the +Castle-hill the city lamps burned steadily, and its roofs and towers +rose, white and glittering, aloft into the pure night air. The foremost +mountain summits stood forth plainly discernible, their jagged peaks +detached, as it were, from the dark masses beneath; farther off, the +lines grew hazier, softer, and the remoter heights were altogether lost +in the blueish nebulous distance. Infinite peace rested on all the +woods, the hills, the valleys around, as they lay bathed in the silvery +flood. Below in the valleys, on the meadows, through the fields, the +rolling mists furled and unfurled themselves, a sparkling gleam here +and there betokening a bend in the river. High overhead arched the +great vault of heaven in all its starry splendour, while everywhere, +over earth and sky, was drawn a thin transparent film, a tissue of mist +and moonbeam, toning down the picture, lending to it a soft dream-like +enchantment. It was a scene of wondrous beauty, of deep, unutterable +calm.</p> + +<p class="normal">Up here too, in the garden, the curling mists crept over the grass, and +here too the fitful moonbeams wove their fantastic imagery. Under their +influence the grey moss-grown figures about the Nixies' Well seemed to +grow into life, to move to and fro behind their humid screen of falling +water. The fountain, struck in full by the chaste stream of light from +above, rose and sank again in shining sheets of silver rain. +Intermingled with its plash and murmur came those voices which are +heard only in the stillness of the night, strange, unfamiliar voices, +mysterious as the night itself The wind was hushed. No faintest breeze +stirred the air, and yet from time to time a low whisper arose, and was +wafted on and on, until, like a breath from spirit-land, it swept by +and was gone.</p> + +<p class="normal">The evening was so mild and clear, one might have dreamed that spring +had come again; and, truly, the dream that was now filling Raven's mind +was gracious as any May-morning--a late-timed, short-lived dream, no +doubt, but concentrating in its brief space all the blessedness which +earth can give; so, in passionate heart-stirring words, he swore to the +fair young creature he held in his arms, to the woman who had taught +him to know both love and happiness. Had any unseen, unsuspected +spectator looked on Raven, listened to his impassioned accents, such an +one would have understood that this man, despite his years, despite his +sternness and reserve, despite all the darker side of his nature, must +surely carry off the palm, must win the day against all others where +his intenser feelings were engaged, where his heart was set on victory. +All the long pent-up ardour and tenderness flamed up in him anew; every +word, every look, told of a passion which, in its power and depth, +could have fired no youthful breast, a passion such as only a strong +man in his maturity could conceive. This Gabrielle felt, as, closely +nestling to his side, her head resting on his shoulder, she looked up +at him with a happy smile. Those gloomy, distressing forebodings of an +hour ago could not hold good before the magic of his voice and +presence; and through the music of his words, distinctly audible, came +the rippling of the spring, singing on the sweet, monotonous melody to +which they had listened in the birth-hour of their love. That land of +Eden, which once seemed to lie far off in the glistening distance, away +beyond the blue mountains, was not there, but here around them. +Paradise had opened, and received them within its gates. It was an hour +of pure and perfect bliss, such as comes but once in a life-time, but +then outweighs all the joys and sorrows which fill the years from the +cradle to the grave.</p> + +<p class="normal">Slowly the clocks in the town below chimed the hour of eleven. The +Baron shuddered slightly at this warning. Then he rose quickly, as by a +strong and resolute effort.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We must go back to the Castle," he said. "The night air is growing +cool, and you need rest after your rapid and fatiguing journey. Come, +Gabrielle."</p> + +<p class="normal">She made no opposition, but, passing her hand through his arm, moved +away with him. They went by the Nixies' Well, and left the garden. The +door closed upon them, shutting out the moonlight and the peace. That +happy hour had run its sands; the bright May-dream was over.</p> + +<p class="normal">They entered the Castle. Upstairs in the corridor, which led to Madame +von Harder's apartment, the Baron suddenly halted. Could it be that his +iron strength of will was failing him at last? His being was torn and +shaken to its very depths by the great agony of that parting, but +Gabrielle's questions, full of a vague foreboding, had not fallen on +his ears in vain. He knew that the least imprudence on his part would +betray all, and would bring on her unnecessary anguish and suspense. +The blow must fall--better it should strike her unawares.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-night," said Gabrielle, all unsuspectingly, giving him her hand. +"We shall meet again tomorrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To-morrow!" repeated Raven, with profound significance. "Ay ... +surely."</p> + +<p class="normal">He raised the young girl's head gently, so that the light from the +hanging lamps fell full upon it, and looked into the fair face now +again brightened by the rosy flush of happiness, into the clear, sunny +eyes--looked long and deeply, as though he would grave the image on his +brain for ever. Then he bent down, and kissed her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-bye, my Gabrielle--good-night!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle softly freed herself from his arms, and left him. On the +threshold of her room she stopped, and waved him a last farewell; then +she closed the door behind her. Arno stood motionless, his eyes fixed +on the door through which the "sunbeam" of his life had vanished. His +voice quivered, as he said, in a low tone:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Poor child, what an awakening is in store for you!"</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The next morning broke dull and gloomy, clouded by the thick fog which +late autumn often brings in its train. It was still very early, and +only just light without, when Colonel Wilten entered the Castle. He +came on foot, and was at once shown into the Baron's private study by a +servant who had previously received his instructions. Raven appeared +immediately. He was quite ready, but his features bore no trace of a +past vigil, or a restless night. He had, indeed, slept profoundly up to +the moment when his servant had called him. On coming in, he advanced +to greet the Colonel with his usual self-possession and quiet gravity. +Some few observations were exchanged having reference to the fog, the +drive before them, the place and hour of meeting--then Raven drew out +the key of his writing-table, and gave it to the Colonel.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must ask you, in case of my death, to take on yourself the first and +most necessary arrangements," he said. "My papers will be found in +order. There, in that compartment, lies my will, with a few personal +memoranda which I yesterday noted down. There you will also find a +letter which I beg you to forward without delay to its address. It is +directed to Dr. Rudolph Brunnow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To your adversary of to-day?" asked the Colonel, in astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes. It contains an explanation which I owe him, but which cannot be +given before the duel. He will find it there in writing--but now, one +thing more." The Baron paused a moment, and then slowly drew a second +letter from his breast pocket. "These lines are destined for my ward, +Gabrielle von Harder. I should wish, however, that she might be in some +measure prepared before receiving them, or the news of any ... accident +... the shock to her would be terrible. I will ask you, therefore, to +place this letter in her hands yourself; but to go to work with +prudence, with extreme prudence. A tender young creature like Gabrielle +needs care. If the intelligence were imparted to her too brusquely, too +suddenly, it might kill her."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilten had some difficulty in concealing his surprise at this speech, +which was a half-confession. He began to understand why his son's suit +had not been more warmly countenanced.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have your promise?" asked the Baron.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In case of your death, the young Baroness Harder shall receive the +letter from my own hands, and I myself will break the news to her with +every precaution in my power. I give you my word."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you," said Raven, visibly relieved. "And now it is time we +should set out. My carriage is waiting below. May I ask you to drive +round alone to the back of the Castle-hill, where I will join you? I +wish to avoid drawing attention to this unusually early journey, and +prefer not to go out by the principal entrance. I will come through the +Castle-garden."</p> + +<p class="normal">This arrangement struck Wilten as odd, but he assented to it in +silence. Raven rang for his hat and coat, and when his valet had +brought both, the two gentlemen left the room together, separating +below at the foot of the staircase.</p> + +<p class="normal">As the Baron crossed the Castle-yard, he met Councillor Moser, who was +just coming out of his dwelling, and who appeared much surprised at +seeing his chief abroad at this unwonted hour. Raven stopped.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What, Councillor? On foot so early?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was only looking out at the weather, your Excellency," explained the +Councillor. "I am in the habit of taking a constitutional in the +morning, but when I see this cold, damp fog I prefer to remain at +home."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do well," rejoined the Baron. "The weather is not inviting."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet your Excellency is going out?" hazarded Moser.</p> + +<p class="normal">"On a necessary errand which cannot be delayed. Good-morning, and +good-bye."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, the Baron held out his hand, which the old gentleman took +reverentially, but in some confusion. He had often received marks of +the kindly feeling entertained towards him by his chief, but had never +been honoured by any such approach to familiarity. This unwonted +friendliness encouraged the Councillor to speak words he had long +pondered in his heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I may be allowed a question," he began timidly. "They are saying +... there was a report in the town yesterday evening that your +Excellency is intending to retire from office. Is it true? Are you +really leaving?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I am going," said Raven, with quiet decision; "and going very +shortly."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor's head drooped sorrowfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In that case, I shall not remain here myself," he replied in a low +voice. "I have long thought of asking to be relieved from my duties."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baron looked at him in silence. The old man's fidelity touched him. +Moser alone had stood by him, true and staunch to the last; he alone +had held to his allegiance, unshaken by the attacks, refusing to be +misled by all the calumnies.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go back into the house, my dear sir," said Raven, kindly. "You will +take cold out here in the chill morning air, lightly clad as you are. +Once more, adieu."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again he took the old man's hand, pressing it this time with a quick, +warm pressure; then he went on his way.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Councillor stood looking after him. He, who habitually had such a +horror of taking cold, forgot now that he was bare-headed and without +an overcoat. That shake of the hand had bewildered him, and the "adieu" +sounded so strangely in his ears. He felt as if he must hurry after his +chief and put another question to him, just to look in his face and +hear his voice once more, and the thought of the impropriety he should +be committing alone prevented him. Not until the Baron had passed out +of sight did he return to his dwelling; a deep sigh escaped his breast +as he mounted the stairs. It had come, then! The Governor had actually +tendered his resignation!</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile Raven walked with slow steps through the Castle-garden. He +had not been able to resist the desire he felt to enter it once again, +and the visit involved little or no delay. A small door in the wall +gave direct communication with the Castle-hill, a footpath leading down +thence towards the town. The Governor had always used this mode of +egress when he wished that his appearance at any particular place +should be a surprise, and so preferred not to quit the Castle by the +principal entrance, and to pass the sentry-posts. He would in all +probability arrive below simultaneously with the carriage, which had to +make a considerable round by the high-road.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the Nixies' Well the Baron lingered a few minutes. What had become +of the bright moonlit Eden of yesterday evening? All was now closely +wrapped in the morning mist. The grass, slightly frosted over, +glistened white with rime. The mighty limes, with their sparse foliage, +loomed, weird and dark, through the screen of vapour, and the drooping +branches strewed the ground with their wet and faded leaves. The +nixies' fountain still murmured on, but its shining shower was now +transformed into a mere dismal, colourless rain, which dripped +incessantly over the grey weather-beaten statues at the base; there was +something unspeakably sad in its constant, weary monotony. The +transfiguring light, which had glorified all with its splendour, had +disappeared, and stern reality stood revealed--autumn in its dreariest +aspect, autumn cheerless and desolate.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven drew his cloak more closely about him; the morning wind pierced +with an icy chill. He turned to the parapet whence the broad prospect +could generally best be seen. So recently as yesterday the valley had +lain there, dim, but mysteriously lovely in the magic moonlight sheen; +now the vast space was filled with seething masses of grey mist. Here +and there one of the city towers emerged vaguely, piercing the dense +clouds; but the valley, the mountains and distant horizon were +altogether shrouded from view. The Baron's gaze wandered over the city, +which had so long obeyed his rule, to lose itself in the surging sea of +fog at his feet. What was its secret? What lay hidden beyond? A golden +sunlit morrow, or grey cycles of endless gloom?</p> + +<p class="normal">One last look up at the Castle--but a fleeting glance, for Gabrielle's +room was on the other side of the building, and her windows could not +be seen from hence--then Raven opened the small door in the garden-wall +and stepped out into the open country. He arrived at the foot of the +hill just as the carriage reached that spot. A minute later he was +seated at Colonel Wilten's side, and soon the town and Castle lay far +behind them.</p> + +<p class="normal">Swiftly they travelled on, past the steaming meadows, by the bank of +the brawling, fast-flowing river, onwards towards the mountains. In +half an hour the goal was reached; they arrived at the skirt of the +forests which covered the hill-sides. Here the Baron and his companion +alighted, and pursued their way on foot to the appointed place of +meeting. The adversary's party was already on the ground. It consisted +of Dr. Brunnow, his second, and his son, who, it had been agreed, was +to render any medical assistance which might be required. A silent +greeting was exchanged, a short parley followed between the seconds, +then those gentlemen proceeded to make the necessary preparations.</p> + +<p class="normal">Max stood by his father, whose pale face and haggard eyes told of a +sleepless night, and who in vain strove to hide his feverish agitation. +His lips were tightly set, and the hand his son held twitched every now +and then with a nervous quiver.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Compose yourself, father," Max whispered; "your hand is so unsteady, +you will hardly be able to press the trigger."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No fear, I shall be able," replied the Doctor, in the same subdued +voice, glancing at the pistols, which were at that moment being loaded +by the seconds.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Colonel Wilten's attention is already attracted this way," said Max, +significantly. "Will you let him think that you are thus agitated by +fear of a bullet?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow gave an angry start.</p> + +<p class="normal">"True," he said. "The strangers present cannot guess what is passing +within me. They shall not, at least, take me for a coward."</p> + +<p class="normal">He made an effort to collect himself, and succeeded in assuming a +calmer demeanour; but he avoided glancing towards the spot where the +Baron stood. In his usual haughty attitude, with a look of cold +determination on his features, Raven, quite unmoved, awaited the coming +event.</p> + +<p class="normal">The mists began gradually to disperse; already the mountain summits and +the villages on the higher lands came in sight. The sun must just have +risen, for the whole eastern horizon was suffused with a red glow; as +yet, however, the rays were not intense enough to fight a way through +the thick vapour. The town still lay shrouded in its moist white veil; +but the Castle on the heights was visible now, shadowy, indeed, and in +a sort of mirage, but growing every minute more clear and definite. +There Gabrielle slept in peaceful ignorance, dreaming of the morrow and +the felicity to come; while here the momentous die was cast which was +to decide her fate.</p> + +<p class="normal">Colonel Wilten now declared that all was ready, and the combatants +stepped on to the ground. Raven stood well erect, his eye clear and +full, the hand which held his pistol absolutely steady, as though +certain of its aim. Brunnow's composure was evidently forced, and +sustained by a great effort. Though the approach of the decisive +moment, and the fear of misinterpretation, in some measure restored +firmness to his bearing, his hand shook visibly as he levelled the +deadly weapon at the breast of the friend he had once so ardently +loved.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wilten gave the signal. The two shots crashed forth together; and, for +a moment, both adversaries stood upright, facing each other. Then one +man dropped his weapon, pressed his hand to his breast, took a step +back, and fell, without uttering a sound.</p> + +<p class="normal">Arno Raven lay stretched on the ground, and the white rime on the grass +around him grew dark with a deep-red stain.</p> + +<p class="normal">Max hastily assured himself that his father was unhurt, and then +hurried to the side of the wounded man, whom the Colonel was already +endeavouring to succour. Brunnow stood motionless, clutching his +pistol, and gazing over with fixed, vacant eyes at the group opposite +him. The gentleman who had acted as his second came up to him and +spoke.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the meaning of this?" he asked, in a low voice. "Was it not +the Baron who challenged you? He fired in the air."</p> + +<p class="normal">The word seemed to dispel the torpor which paralysed Brunnow. He threw +down his pistol, and rushed over to the others.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arno!" he cried, with an exceeding bitter cry of despair. Max was +attempting to staunch the blood; but his father thrust him violently +aside, as though he alone had a right to that place, tore from him the +handkerchief, and pressed it to the wound. The young man withdrew in +silence, signing to the Colonel and his father's second, who were +looking on at the scene in surprise and concern, to step aside with +him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you give the Baron no assistance?" asked the Colonel, in a +half-whisper.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There is none to be given," replied Max. "My first glance at the wound +showed me it was mortal. It is only a question of a few minutes, and my +father will do what is necessary. I beg of you to leave him alone with +the dying man."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of the two shots, one only could have proved fatal," said Brunnow's +second, meaningly.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Colonel nodded.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I saw it too. Raven averted his pistol at the last moment. Strange!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The three men looked at each other in silence. They began to divine for +what reasons this duel had been provoked; but none gave utterance to +his thoughts. They felt that at yonder spot, where the adversary knelt +by the side of his fallen foe, a scene was being enacted which had +nothing in common with the ordinary circumstances of a duel; and, +respecting the young doctor's request, they remained reverentially at a +distance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow had passed one arm round the wounded man, whose head lay on his +breast, and supported him, while with the other hand he pressed the +handkerchief to the bleeding part. Whether it were the pain of this +touch, or the bitter cry "Arno!" which brought him back to +consciousness, Raven opened his eyes and made a faint, deprecatory +gesture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let that be," he said. "You aimed well. I was sure of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arno, why have you done this thing to me?" groaned Brunnow. "Must it +be my hand, none but mine? Oh! I see now, I understand why you drove me +to it."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was such anguish in his tone that it affected even the dying man. +He tried to hold out his hand to the speaker.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forgive me, Rudolph," he said, but half audibly. "Do not reproach +yourself. I thank you."</p> + +<p class="normal">His voice forsook him, but with a supreme effort he raised himself, and +his roving eyes seemed to search for something in the distance, Brunnow +supported him, striving with mortal anxiety to stem the flow of blood, +the red life-stream which his own hand had let loose; yet his science +told him that here no exertions could avail to succour or to save.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly the sun broke through the veil of mist. Yonder, on the +heights, stood the Castle, illuminated by the morning splendour. Its +walls and towers gleamed in the rosy flood, and its windows flashed +swift lightning greetings over to the valley beneath. Arno's eyes were +fixed intently on one spot; his last look was for the "sunbeam" which +even now sent a bright message to him from thence. In another moment +the picture paled, the shining vision receded farther and farther from +view. Dark shadows gathered about the dying man. Before his dimmed eyes +came as the eddy of cool water closing in upon him, and he was drawn +down, down into mysterious, glimmering depths where all earthly sounds +were hushed, where all the striving and the strife, the happiness and +sorrow of life, died away into one long continuous dream; while, +intermingling with this dream, there ran ever an unvarying far-off +murmur, the low spirit-singing of a spring borne faintly below from +some immeasurable distance.</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow laid the dead man gently down. He himself would have risen, but +his strength abandoned him, and he sank unconscious to the ground +beside the lifeless body of the comrade, the friend of his youth.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">A new era had dawned upon the land. The last four years had wrought +many changes, and had left but little remaining of the old régime. The +once persecuted and oppressed Liberal party now stood at the head of +affairs, and with this complete reversal of the situation a revolution +of opinion had come about in every sphere of official activity.</p> + +<p class="normal">Tendencies which had once been combated and repressed were now free to +develop themselves in the broad light of day, and these altered +circumstances had naturally introduced a new set of men into the arena.</p> + +<p class="normal">Among those whom the political current of the day had swiftly raised to +a prominent position was George Winterfeld. As Ministerial Councillor +he already filled a post of unusual importance for a man of his years. +The Governor who now administered the affairs of the R---- province +was, in all respects, the opposite of his predecessor. Liberal in his +opinions, mild and forbearing in action, innocent of any leaning to +that despotism which had once ruled the land with a rod of iron, he +was, it must be added, quite incapable of resolute, energetic action, +the need of which would at times still make itself felt.</p> + +<p class="normal">Immediately after the catastrophe recorded in the last chapter, Brunnow +had left the town, yielding to his son's earnest solicitations. Max +implored him not to run the risk of a fresh imprisonment, to which his +share in the late duel had rendered him liable, and which, to a man of +his advanced years, broken by recent events, might probably prove +fatal.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Doctor had, as is known, previously resolved on leaving his native +land for ever; so, before the news of the duel was bruited in the town, +he quietly departed, returning to his haven in Switzerland. Thence he +published to the world a statement, emphatically worded, clearing the +memory of his late friend. In this statement he declared that for years +he had lived under an erroneous impression which Raven's last +disclosures had completely dispelled. Those accusations, so pregnant of +disaster, had been untrue, and had done the dead man a cruel wrong. +This testimony from the antagonist by whose hand the Baron had fallen, +naturally carried great weight, though the matter was no more +susceptible of proof now than it had been previously. Death took up the +pleading for the defence, and, as is usual in such cases, won the day. +That credence which would have been refused the living man, was +accorded to the dead; and it was currently reported that with his dying +breath the Governor of R---- had declared the shameful charge against +him to be a calumny and a lie.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raven had provided largely for his servants; with the exception, +however, of their ample legacies, his whole fortune was bequeathed to +his ward, the young Baroness Harder. After Arno's death, Gabrielle had +been prostrated by a long and terrible illness, from which she but very +slowly recovered. Since that time she had been living with her mother +in the capital, where the rich heiress was, of course, besieged by +suitors, to none of whom she inclined a willing ear. She seemed, +indeed, to put the idea of marriage far from her, to the despair of the +Baroness, who would often exhaust all her powers of eloquence in the +vain hope of bringing her daughter round to her views. Gabrielle had +lately come of age, and was now absolute mistress of her property. It +was, therefore, in her mother's opinion, high time that she should make +a choice.</p> + +<p class="normal">Councillor Moser had retired from his post four years ago. The death of +his chief had been a great blow to him, and had gone far towards +inducing him to carry out his long-cherished project. Another motive, +however, combined with this. A man could not, he felt, with dignified +consistency, remain in the service of the State when an alliance had +been contracted between a member of his family and the son of a +reactionary demagogue. This misfortune had really overtaken the unhappy +Councillor. He had struggled against it long and manfully, but to no +purpose. Max Brunnow gave him no peace until he yielded. That +irrepressible wooer appeared regularly, day after day, always ready to +assure his dear father-in-law of the delight he felt at their future +connection, and of his profound conviction that no better son-in-law +than himself was to be found the wide world over. If the old gentleman +flew into a rage, this unscrupulous doctor menaced him with apoplexy, +and prescribed a composing draught. If he forbade his unwelcome guest +the house. Max declared that he could not live without seeing his +betrothed, and came next day an hour earlier. At length the Councillor +resigned himself to his fate. He was one of those, who, if a thing be +constantly repeated to them, come in the end to believe in it. Forced +now to hear, day by day, that this son-in-law was excellent as he was +unavoidable, he at last allowed himself to be converted, and accepted +both propositions as conveying incontrovertible facts.</p> + +<p class="normal">The "spiritual guardians" were rather more difficult to deal with. They +naturally refused to recognise the betrothal, and invoked heaven and +the powers of darkness to their aid in opposing it. They menaced the +bridegroom-elect with the pains of eternal punishment; he, in his turn, +menaced them with the press, and declared he would take the whole town +into his confidence, and relate in all the papers how they were trying +to tear his bride from him, in order to incarcerate her in a convent +against her will. This caused them to reflect. The Governor's fall had +plainly shown the power of newspaper articles.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was judged prudent to yield. The enemy retreated, and Max, +triumphant, remained master of the field. He was wise enough to hasten +on the wedding as much as possible, and a month or two later he carried +his young wife off to Switzerland. Brunnow, now possessed of +independent means, thanks to the property he had recently inherited, +insisted that his son and daughter-in-law should make his house their +home for the present, as Max, absorbed by the strategy of his rapid +campaign, had not found time to establish a practice of his own before +marriage. The young man set himself diligently to work to regain lost +time, and met with much success in his profession; nevertheless, the +family remained domiciled under one common roof.</p> + +<p class="normal">The relations between father and son had undergone a complete change +since that scene by the latter's sick-bed; and if ever any little +difference threatened to arise, Agnes stepped in, and soon made all +straight by her gentle mediation, the young wife having very speedily +won her father-in-law's whole heart to herself. The Councillor still +lived on in R----, under the sceptre of Christine; but this state of +things seemed to suit him, and he travelled southwards regularly once a +year to pay his daughter a visit.</p> + +<p class="normal">Summer had come round again. The lake and the town on its shores lay +bathed in bright sunshine; the mountains, wreathed around in thin mist, +rose half shadowy in the distance. Rudolph Brunnow's house, once so +small and unpretending, was much more handsome of aspect now. The +garden had been nearly doubled in size by purchase of the adjacent lots +of ground, and the dwelling-house itself had been rebuilt and +considerably enlarged, room now being required in it for two families. +Young Dr. Brunnow was in the habit of going his rounds in the morning, +but on this particular day his patients looked for him in vain. Max +stood idly in the garden, talking to a guest who had arrived half an +hour before.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come with me now, George, that I may have you to myself a little," +said he, urgently. "If my father gets hold of you, he will not let you +out of his hands again, and I consider your visit is to me in the first +place. It was a surprise! I had no idea you were in Switzerland."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I came on an official errand," replied George; "a mission to our +embassy at B----. My business there was settled more quickly than I +expected, and I could not refuse myself the pleasure of looking in upon +you on my return journey."</p> + +<p class="normal">The last four years had wrought but little change in Winterfeld. He had +grown somewhat more manly, more matured, and his carriage, always calm +and assured, had gained in dignity. The former transparent pallor of +his complexion had long since yielded to the brighter tint of health; +but his brow, once so clear, was clouded by a shadow, and the beautiful +blue eyes, which in the old days had been grave only, were sombre now, +gloomy even, in their expression. This man of two-and-thirty, so +fortunate in his position and prospects, seemed to carry about with him +some secret care which took all zest from life. Max Brunnow's +appearance, on the other hand, completely bore out his assertion that +he found himself very comfortable in this good-for-nothing world, and +amply testified to the fact that Agnes had quickly learned to excel in +all matronly virtues.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I say, George," asked Max, in the course of their conversation, "how +long is it to be before you are Minister?"</p> + +<p class="normal">George laughed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A good many years, probably. As a preliminary, I am now Ministerial +Councillor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the right hand of the men in office, the soul of the present +administration. Oh, we are well up here as to all that is going on in +the capital. My father-in-law keeps me exactly informed on the subject. +The good city of R---- still does a little in the opposition line, the +result, probably, of long habit. The new Governor is Liberal to the +backbone, and tolerance itself. They cannot find any real fault with +him, and this, of course, is aggravating to them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They miss the mighty personal influence which Raven exercised, and +which compelled admiration even from his enemies," said George. "The +present Governor is honest and well-meaning, but he is not a man of +extraordinary mark, and is, perhaps, hardly equal to so important and +responsible a post. So the Councillor still lives on in R----. I +thought he would migrate at last, in order to be near his daughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The bare notion was an insult," laughed Max, "You imagined that my +father-in-law, the very quintessence of loyalty, would accord to a +pitiful republic the honour of possessing him as a citizen? No, he will +live and die under the wing of his most gracious sovereign. To tell the +truth, I doubt whether things would always go smoothly, were the old +gentleman and my father to be constantly in presence. They are too +strongly in contrast ever to agree thoroughly."</p> + +<p class="normal">Winterfeld glanced back at the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Max, it struck me that your father was looking very worn and aged."</p> + +<p class="normal">Max shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He cannot get over Raven's death. I thought time would assuage his +grief--but no! As a medical man, I may not conceal from myself the fact +that he is going from us. I know the symptoms well."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke sadly, and George's face too wore a troubled look.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He cannot put from him the memory of one he loved so well," said the +latter. "The remembrance is wearing him away. I can understand that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you appear to me to be on that road yourself," exclaimed the +young doctor. "Last time we met, I was not allowed to say a word on the +subject, but now you look even more melancholy and gloomily interesting +than then. So out with it--confess."</p> + +<p class="normal">George shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Spare me, Max. You know I am incorrigible; moreover, on this point I +think you hardly understand me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How should I? A hardened realist like myself cannot be admitted into +the sanctuary of your inmost feelings!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Winterfeld frowned, and turned away, but Max went on, quite +undisturbed:</p> + +<p class="normal">"This anxious hesitation and avoidance of a happiness which by a bold +stroke you might yet secure, this overstrained delicacy of feeling, +these doubts and scruples, will last until you find yourself +forestalled by another less delicate than yourself, and then for a +second time you will wear the willow. Yes, I see my words offend you, +but I tell you this--whereas, and seeing that, you cannot get the +better of this unreasonable love of yours, you must marry. The thing is +as clear as day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your experience would naturally lead you to suggest such a course," +said George, with a forced smile. "You have made trial of the remedy +with the happiest result. Your wife is a charming creature."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, she does honour to my treatment, does she not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Chatting thus, they had completed the round of the garden, and now +again approached the house. In the veranda sat Dr. Brunnow and his +daughter-in-law, who was reading the newspaper to him. The Doctor was +certainly much aged, and it was not difficult to see that he was ill +both in body and mind. His former irritability had vanished, and had +given place to a sort of dull apathy which but rarely kindled with a +gleam of the old passionate fire. Agnes, on the other hand, had +developed into a blooming young woman, uniting with all her own +gentleness of aspect a certain new dignity of look and bearing. A boy +of about two years was playing at his mother's feet. Directly he caught +sight of the gentlemen, he rose to his feet, and, still with a rather +tottering gait, ran forward to meet his father. Max cleared the steps +at a bound, and threw the child high in the air.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Look at this young man," he cried, with paternal pride, holding the +sturdy, rosy-cheeked youngster towards his friend. Then he turned to +his wife, "George will stay with us to-day, dear," he said. "He must +set out on his journey again to-morrow, I am sorry to say--but until +then he will be our guest. Will you see that all is made ready for +him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young wife was indeed charming in her manner, as she turned, and in +gracious words expressed to her husband's friend the pleasure his visit +gave her. Then she rose, wishing, she said, to make sure that the spare +room was in perfect order.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will take the boy with me," she observed. "He is accustomed to have +an hour's nap at noon. You will carry him up to his bedroom for me, +Max, will you not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must stay with George," replied her husband. "The young one must +learn to get upstairs by himself. He is big enough."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you like, dear," said Agnes, with sweet and ready acquiescence; +"but Rudolph is so used to be carried by you. He will cry, if you won't +do as he wants."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He has that from his mother," said Max.</p> + +<p class="normal">With unruffled serenity the young wife stooped and took the child in +her arms. He was a strong, vigorous boy, but no very great weight. His +mother, however, seemed to find him too heavy for her, for she had to +stop at the door to take breath, casting a rather reproachful glance +behind her, as she did so. In a second Max was at her side.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How often have I told you not to over-exert yourself in this manner?" +said he, in the old dictatorial tone. "Give me the child. I will take +him upstairs."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, he relieved her of the boy, and actually carried him up to +the first floor, which was reserved for the young couple's use. Agnes +mildly bent her head and followed, submitting, as was her wont, to her +husband's will in all things.</p> + +<p class="normal">George looked after them, a faint, derisive smile hovering about his +lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take warning by my son, and draw out no programme with reference to +your future marriage," said the elder Brunnow. "A woman upsets all your +plans and all your reckoning with a breath."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words were intended playfully, but the speaker's eyes were fixed +with an earnest scrutiny on the young man he addressed.</p> + +<p class="normal">George shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"My future marriage?" he repeated. "I shall never marry. You know my +resolve full well."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, but I have always combated it. At your age, one cannot bid a +final adieu to happiness, and you especially are not made to stand +alone. Ambition will never fill your life. You need family, domestic +ties."</p> + +<p class="normal">Winterfeld made no reply. He leaned forward on the veranda railings, +and looked out at the lake. The doctor laid his hand on his shoulder.</p> + +<p class="normal">"George, does the old wound still bleed?"</p> + +<p class="normal">George turned round. In the sorrowful eyes which met his, he recognised +a kindred spirit.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There are wounds which never close," he replied. "I cannot, perhaps, +make such passionate demonstration of my feelings as some, but when I +once give myself heart and soul, my attachment knows no change. I could +not put it from me, even if I would."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you seen Gabrielle lately?" asked Brunnow, after a pause.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, too often for my peace. I am now constantly thrown into the +society which she frequents, and in the capital unexpected meetings are +almost inevitable. I come upon her sometimes in the midst of a +brilliant assembly, and we are both forced calmly to face the +situation, though we would gladly fly from each other, were it +possible. It would have been better for me, had I never seen her since +the day I lost her. These constant meetings stir up the memories of the +past within me, and rob me of my composure and self-command. I suffer +horribly under it, I assure you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So it was chance alone that directed your steps here? It is as I +suspected."</p> + +<p class="normal">Winterfeld looked at the Doctor in astonishment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have explained to you that I came to Switzerland on an official +mission, and wished to take you and Max by surprise."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Max has not told you then that the ladies von Harder are here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who is here?" ejaculated George. "Gabrielle?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"With her mother. They have been living in that villa yonder for the +last few weeks. The Baroness is somewhat out of health, and has put +herself in the hands of one of our most celebrated physicians. There +has, of course, been no sort of communication between us and the two +ladies. I need not tell you what memories would restrain Gabrielle from +setting foot in the house in which I dwell."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is well that I leave to-morrow," said George, in an agitated tone. +"Perhaps I might not have been spared the pain of a meeting even here, +and here, in this place where the few happy days of my love were spent, +I really could not have borne it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you not make some attempt to end this estrangement? Think, +George, the happiness of your whole life is at stake. In your place, I +would accept this strange coincidence as a hint from Destiny, and once +again put the decisive question. Your position and, still more, the +future which lies before you, guarantee you against any mortification, +though the girl to whom you proffer your suit be a rich heiress. You +had less to lay in the balance formerly, when you boldly declared your +love to the Baroness Harder."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was loved then in return," cried George, with a rush of bitterness; +"or, at least, I fancied so. Now we have between us that hour of +parting in which my foolish dream was dispelled for ever. Gabrielle, +certainly, would not wish to call it up again. I have often seen by her +shy, anxious avoidance of me how she feared I might seek to approach +her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That very fear should have encouraged you," interposed Brunnow. "Those +who are quite indifferent to us, we pass by coldly and without remark. +If you really will not venture----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never," George interrupted him, with some vehemence. "Shall I come +before her to hear from her mouth a second time that her heart is given +to another, that even beyond the grave that other preserves his rights, +that she knows, loves none but him? I have borne it once, and that is +enough. Let us speak now of other matters. Dr. Brunnow. You see I am +not calm enough to pursue this subject."</p> + +<p class="normal">Brunnow was silent. The conversation was here put an end to, for Max +came in and laid forcible hands on his friend again. The Doctor left +the two alone, and retired to his study. For a good quarter of an hour, +he there paced in silence up and down, lost in meditation; then he took +up his hat, and, passing out, left the house.</p> + +<p class="normal">The villa now inhabited by Madame von Harder and her daughter was much +handsomer in appearance, and more sumptuously furnished, than the +modest chalet which had served them as a residence on the occasion of +their former visit.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Baroness now thought it imperatively necessary to live at all times +in a style befitting their rank; she clung to this satisfaction which +she had once so painfully missed, and Gabrielle yielded to her entirely +as regarded external things. Carriages and servants had therefore, of +course, followed in their train, and Madame von Harder had just driven +out on an excursion to the town, leaving her daughter at home alone.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle stood on the terrace which fronted the lake. Yes, that was +she, that slender figure with fair hair, clad in a light summer dress. +The fresh sweet face had lost nothing of its fascinating charm, but the +charm itself was changed. The old happy buoyancy, the radiant +brightness had vanished, gone with the saucy, childish merriment which +once laughed in those sunny brown eyes--but, in lieu of them, the face +had gained the one thing which had been wanting to it: intensity of +expression. Whether it lay in the sorrowful lines about her mouth, +which not even a smile could altogether chase away, or in the shadow +hiding in those deep dark eyes--small matter, it was there, and the +soul, which spoke in it, idealised, perfected her whole being.</p> + +<p class="normal">Leaning slightly forward against the balustrade, Gabrielle gazed out at +the landscape, dreamily absorbed in thought. She turned half +impatiently, as a servant appeared, and presented a card.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hardly had she glanced at it when she grew very pale, and the card +trembled in her hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The gentleman begs that he may be allowed to see the Baroness on an +urgent matter of business," reported the servant.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Show the gentleman in," she answered, and left the terrace to receive +her visitor.</p> + +<p class="normal">In another minute Dr. Brunnow entered the drawing-room.</p> + +<p class="normal">For a few seconds the two stood silently face to face. They met now for +the first time, and yet each knew as much of the other as if they had +been intimately acquainted for years. The bent, elderly man and the +blooming young maiden, strangers to each other personally, were united +by one common tie; a name, a dead man's name, formed an invisible link +between them.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Doctor bowed, and stepped nearer. Gabrielle involuntarily shrank +from him. He saw it, and stopped.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You hardly expected that I should ever approach you, Fräulein von +Harder," he began. "I do so at the risk of being repulsed. My name +must, I know, have an ominous sound in your ears."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle stood before him, by a great effort compelling herself to be +calm. The colour had not yet returned to her cheeks, and her voice +shook audibly as she replied:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your coming certainly takes me by surprise, Dr. Brunnow. I did not +think my presence would ever be sought by the man who----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At whose hand Arno Raven met his death," completed Brunnow. "You are +right to recoil from him who caused that death, but, believe me, my +dear young lady, I would rather have turned the deadly weapon against +my own breast than have seen him fall."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He forced the duel on you?" asked the girl, in a low voice. "I have +long suspected it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, forced it on me in a way which left me no alternative. Had I +known ... but his pistol was so steadily levelled at me, how could I +guess that at the decisive moment he would avert its aim? My hand +shook, and sought so to direct its shot as only to wound. This very +agitation proved fatal--my bullet pierced the heart of my former +friend!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle shivered, but the weary, concentrated pain in his voice +disarmed her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Arno bore you no ill-will," she replied. "But a few hours before his +death, he related to me all his past; and then I learned what you had +really been to him--as much, perhaps, as he to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet he could require that of me!" said Brunnow, with mournful +bitterness. "He desired to die; but why should he choose my hand to do +the deed? Was I not the friend of old days--the friend of his youth? +That was hard--harder even than my distrust of him had deserved. He +must have known what a load he was laying on me for the rest of my +life--ay, a crushing load! And, I tell you, it is killing me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle looked into the old man's pale face, deeply lined and +furrowed by grief; which said more plainly than any words what he had +suffered, and was still suffering. She felt how profoundly her lost +Arno was mourned--how fervently he had been loved, and this broke down +all the barriers between them. Trembling with emotion, she stretched +out both hands to the old man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I knew that here I should be understood," he said, taking her hands in +his. "Arno loved you; that was enough for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">His eyes rested on the girl's fair features, as though he were +searching in them for some trace of the past.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I come with a request," he began, after a short silence--"with a +petition which perhaps no one else could address to you without +wounding your feelings. I have let you see what Arno was to me; you +will not, therefore, misconstrue the motives which brought me here, I +will tell them to you briefly. My son has a friend----"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle started. She drew away her hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A friend whom you know--to whom you were once attached. That first +love yielded before a more ardent, mightier passion. To my mind, this +needs neither to be explained nor justified. Better than anyone do I +know how irresistibly Arno could draw to himself those whom he wished +to enchain. But now he is dead--and you are free. Does no voice within +you speak a word for the early love of your youth?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My heart has never ceased to speak for him. It grieved when we were +torn apart; yet I sacrificed him and his happiness--I had no choice, +indeed, but to sacrifice them, for another voice spoke more loudly +within me. I cannot forget Arno."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forget!" repeated Brunnow, with emphasis. "No, you cannot forget him; +and no other man can you love as you have loved him. I believe that +fully."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No other," said Gabrielle, firmly; "and that is why I never can be +George's wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must we always think of our own happiness?" asked Brunnow, sadly. "Is +it not a great thing to make others happy? Winterfeld is at my son's +house. Chance has brought him to us; he had no idea of your being here +until I told him of it. Then his silence and reserve gave way, and I +had a glimpse into the depths of his love, which is still ardent and +faithful as ever. He will never find consolation in other ties. I +know him--he will go through life a lonely man; and, amid all the +success that awaits him, will feel only the emptiness, the void which +that cruel parting from you left with him. You are young still, +Gabrielle--you have your whole life before you. Devote that life to +him--he is worthy of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">She turned from him hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No more!" she said. "Spare me these recollections. If you speak in +George's name----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He knows nothing of my being here," interrupted the Doctor. "On the +contrary, he would have held me back. Do not suppose that George will +ever again come to you with his suit spontaneously; he rejects such an +idea with vehemence--and he is right. You once sent him away. It is for +you to call him back."</p> + +<p class="normal">Greatly agitated, torn by conflicting emotions, Gabrielle pressed both +hands on her bosom, as though forcibly to keep down some rising +feeling. "I cannot--cannot. And George would not accept the poor +affection I have now to offer him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will accept it, for he is one of those unselfish beings who give +more than they receive."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle raised her eyes to the speaker. They were full of a grave, +sad reproach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you can speak these words to me? You, Arno's friend, can wish to +put another in his place?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, by Heaven, not that!" cried Brunnow, with a flash of the old fire. +"His place shall remain to him. No Winterfeld can rob him of that. +These noble spotless characters, who quietly pursue their path through +life, to whom no shadow of blame attaches, we admire and set on high. +Natures such as Arno's are not created to dispense happiness. They cast +over all they love a shade from the cloud which covers them; yet it is +better worth to suffer with and for them--to share their fate, than to +be serenely happy at the ideally good man's side. You yourself have +felt something of this, Gabrielle--have you not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The old glow suddenly flamed from the ashes. Brunnow's bent form was +drawn erect as he spoke these words with passionate warmth, and for a +moment the bright enthusiasm of youth kindled in his eyes again. +Gabrielle leaned her head on his shoulder, and wept--wept as though her +heart would break.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now, do not let me go from you without an answer," said the +Doctor, after a pause. "I have so seldom in my life brought happiness +to those about me, that I would fain do so once before I depart hence, +and my time here is growing short. May I give George any hope? Will you +see him again?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will try," she said faintly.</p> + +<p class="normal">The proceedings of the Brunnow family that afternoon were decidedly +peculiar. In the first place, the Doctor called his son into his study, +and a strictly private conference took place between them. The subject +discussed seemed to produce a most exhilarating effect on Max, for he +caught his father in his arms and gave him a vigorous hug, such as he +had once threatened to bestow on his papa-in-law, the Councillor. +Directly after this the young surgeon held a parley, likewise strictly +private, with his wife in their own sitting-room, and from this +interview the pair came back somewhat fluttered and excited. Then +Madame Agnes disappeared, and was lost to sight for some time, during +which interval Max took possession of his friend, not stirring from his +side an inch. Under other circumstances, George would have perceived +that something unusual was going on; but the news he had heard that +morning had greatly disturbed him, and he had some difficulty in +preserving his usual outward composure. Unfortunately, Max showed no +sympathy whatever with his friend's interesting melancholy, though he +was well aware of its cause. On the contrary, he tormented the unhappy +lover with all sorts of questions and suggestions, and dragged him out +at last under some crudely imagined pretext into the garden again.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But what should I go to the summer-house now for?" asked George, +almost impatiently. "I was in there this morning, admiring the +prospect."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, there is an arrangement of my father's you have got to admire +now, an arrangement made simply and entirely in your honour. My father +has shown himself practical for once in a way. Come along with me, +you'll be surprised."</p> + +<p class="normal">The summer-house, a small pavilion perched on the edge of the lake, +certainly offered a glorious prospect.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There are ladies inside," said Winterfeld, as they approached the tiny +building.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Some callers on my wife, I suppose," replied Max, indifferently. "Ah! +there is Agnes."</p> + +<p class="normal">Madame Agnes did, indeed, at this juncture appear on the scene, and +exchanged a look of intelligence with her husband, who at once executed +a manœuvre simple as it was adroit. He let his unsuspecting friend +walk on before him, then, without more ado, gave him a sudden push over +the threshold and pulled the door to behind him. Then he turned to his +wife in triumph.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There they are in the trap, and if George does not come out of that an +affianced husband, may the Lord have mercy on him. Now the great point +is to prevent their being disturbed. It is highly derogatory for a +married man and the head of a family to stand sentinel while a +love-declaration is in progress, but, in consideration of the very +peculiar circumstances, I will once more condescend to the task. Go +into the house, Agnes, and tell my father it has succeeded +magnificently."</p> + +<p class="normal">While Agnes went off to discharge her commission, a brief but most +comprehensive scene was being enacted in the pavilion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gabrielle!" cried George, and moved hastily forwards, as though he +would have rushed up to her; then, bethinking himself, he stopped +short. "Baroness Harder!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"George!" said Gabrielle, with gentle reproach in her tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forgive me; I did not know--could not guess---- What brought you +here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle cast down her eyes without speaking; but in her silence there +was an encouragement, and George understood it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What brought you to this place?" he repeated, with passionate +insistence. "Gabrielle, speak. Did you know I was here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," was the low, but steady answer.</p> + +<p class="normal">George stood by her now, but as yet he did not even take her hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How am I to interpret that?" he asked, all the old tenderness surging +up within him as he searched her face eagerly for his answer. "This is +not our first meeting since the day that we became strangers to each +other, but I have always read in your eyes that strangers we were to +remain. May I, dare I, hope at length to read another verdict in them?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, those eyes told another tale, as she raised them to him now with +frank, sweet entreaty.</p> + +<p class="normal">"George," said Gabrielle, earnestly, "I gave you great pain once. You +know what divided us, what has held us apart for years. I then +destroyed all your hopes of happiness. You made no complaint, had no +word of reproach for me, and yet it was a hard trial, and you suffered +cruelly. I would fain give back some of the lost brightness to your +life. Tell me, have I still the power?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah, could she ask? The fervour with which George clasped his beloved to +his heart spoke the reply before his lips could frame it. Again his +arms were round her; again she listened to his words of love, as she +had listened years before. In those early days she had, indeed, known +nothing of the keen, surpassing joy she had since tasted, when, folded +to Arno's breast, she had, as it were, been lifted to the very pinnacle +of human bliss--when, in a few short hours, she had lived through a +life-time of felicity--alas! quickly to be plunged into a very abyss of +woe, and taught the lesson of life's misery.</p> + +<p class="normal">Bitter had been the trial through which she had passed; but once again +a warm, cheering ray fell on her path, like sunshine. Gabrielle would +have been no true woman if it had not gladdened her heart to find +herself thus truly, faithfully loved, and it is a well-established +truth that happiness bestowed on another brings its reward to the +giver!</p> + +<p class="normal">Without, the landscape lay flooded in sunlight--the broad gleaming +lake, the blue mountains in the distance, all sparkling in the noonday +beams. Even so before the plighted pair the unclouded future stretched +rich in hope and fair in promise, a long series of gladsome, happy +days. All around was so sunny and bright and clear--and yet in this +hour of her betrothal a shade fell on Gabrielle. Was there magic in the +air about her? Faint rumours reached her ears, whispered messages +telling of a moonlight night, and borne over from a distance, there +came to her the even sound of flowing water, the low rippling murmur of +a spring.</p> + +<p class="normal">For a moment all the golden sunshine vanished, blotted out by a tear.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gabrielle felt that life and love were given back to her, but, +remembering the price paid, she felt too that love, life, and happiness +were dearly bought!</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>THE END.</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="W90"> + +<h5>BILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS AND ELECTROTYPERS, GUILDFORD.</h5> +<p class="right" style="font-size:90%"><i>J. D.. & Co.</i></p> +<br> +<br> +<br> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of No Surrender, by E. 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Werner + +Translator: Christina Tyrrell + +Release Date: January 28, 2011 [EBook #35096] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NO SURRENDER *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + 1. Page scan source: + http://www.archive.org/details/nosurrender00wern + 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. + 3. The author's name E. Werner is a pseudonym for + Elisabeth Buerstenbinder. + + + + + + + + NO SURRENDER. + + + + + NO SURRENDER. + + + + FROM THE GERMAN OF + E. WERNER. + + + + BY + CHRISTINA TYRRELL. + + + + _A NEW EDITION_. + + + + + LONDON: + RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON, + Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen. + 1881. + + [_All Rights Reserved_.] + + + + + + + NO SURRENDER. + + + + + CHAPTER I. + + +The whole landscape lay in bright sunshine. Clear as a mirror gleamed +the broad smooth surface of the lake, faithfully reflecting the image +of the town which rose in picturesque beauty on its shores, whilst in +the distance, vividly distinct, appeared the jagged peaks and dazzling +summits of the snow-mountains. + +A suburb rich in villas and gardens lined the shore. In its midst stood +a pretty, detached habitation of modest aspect. It was a one-storied +cottage, by no means spacious, and showing signs of no special luxury +within or without. An open vine-traceried veranda formed well-nigh its +sole ornament; yet there was an air of refinement about the little +place, and it had a right friendly pleasant look, thanks to its fresh +white walls and green jalousies; while the surrounding garden, not very +large, truly, but highly cultivated, and stretching away to the border +of the lake, had a peculiar charm of its own, and greatly added to the +general attractiveness of the little country-house. + +In the veranda, which afforded ample protection from the sun's ardent +rays, and where, even at noonday, a certain degree of coolness might be +enjoyed, two gentlemen were pacing, talking as they walked. + +The elder of the two was a man of, it might be, about fifty years; but +old age seemed to have come upon him prematurely, for his form was bent +and his hair as grey as it could well be. The deeply-furrowed face, +too, bore evidence of bygone struggles, perhaps of sorrows and +sufferings of many kinds endured in the past, and the sharp, bitter +lines about the mouth gave a harsh and almost hostile expression to a +countenance which must once have been bright with ardour and +intelligence. In the eye alone there still blazed a fire which neither +years nor the hard experiences of life had had power to quench, and +which was in singular contrast with the silvered head and drooping +carriage. + +His companion was much younger; a man slender of build and of average +height, with features which, though not strictly regular, were yet in +the highest degree attractive, and grave, earnest blue eyes. His light +chestnut hair waved over a fine open forehead. There was that slight +paleness of complexion which tells not of sickliness, but of keen +intellectual activity and a constant mental strain; and the predominant +expression was one of quiet steadfastness, such as is but rarely +stamped on a face at seven or eight and twenty. There could hardly be a +sharper contrast than that afforded by these two men. + +"So you are really going to leave us already George?" asked the elder, +in a regretful tone. + +The young man smiled. + +"Already? I think I have made claim enough on your hospitality, Doctor. +When I came, I had no intention of staying on for weeks; but you +received me with such hearty kindness, I might have been some near and +dear relation, instead of a stranger who could only boast a college +friendship with your son. I shall never forget----" + +"Pray do not thank me for that which has been a pleasure to myself," +the Doctor interrupted him. "I only fear that at home you may have to +pay a penalty for the hospitality you have here enjoyed. To have stayed +at my house will be accounted a crime in Assessor Winterfeld--a crime +which will hardly meet with forgiveness. I have never concealed from +you the fact that your visit here is a venture which may compromise +your whole position." + +The ironical tone of this warning called up a transient flush to young +Winterfeld's brow, and accounted for the vivacity with which he +answered: + +"I think I have shown you that I am capable of maintaining my own +independence under all and any circumstances. My position, I should +hope, lays me under no obligation to avoid friendly relations which are +of a purely private nature." + +"You think not? I am convinced of the contrary. On your return we shall +see which of us is right. Remember this, George; you are under Baron +von Raven's regime." + +"I do not imagine that my chief troubles himself greatly about the +holiday excursions of his officials," said George, quietly. "He is +severe, inexorable even, in all matters relating to the service, but he +never interferes in our private concerns. That justice I must do +him, though I do not rank among his friends, I am, as you know, a +thorough-going opponent of the tendencies he represents, and therefore +personally opposed to himself; albeit, as his subordinate, I find +myself for the time being compelled to silence and obedience." + +"For the time being?" echoed the Doctor, sarcastically. "I tell you, he +means to teach you lasting silence and obedience, and if you do not +show yourself teachable he will crush and ruin you. That is his way, as +it is the way of all such despicable parvenus." + +George shook his head gravely, + +"You go too far. The Baron has many enemies, and I do not doubt that in +secret much hatred and bitterness are entertained towards him, but as +yet no one has ventured to speak his name with contempt." + +"Well, I venture it then," said the Doctor, with sudden vehemence; +"and, truly, not without good grounds." + +The young man looked at him in silence, then, after a pause of a +second, he laid his hand on his arm. + +"Dr. Brunnow, forgive me if I ask you a question which may, perhaps, +seem indiscreet. What is this matter between you and my chief? Whenever +his name is mentioned, you betray an amount of bitterness which cannot +possibly have its origin in mere political opposition. You seem to know +him intimately." + +Brunnow's lips twitched: + +"We were friends once," he answered, in a low voice; "young men +together." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed George. "You and----" + +"His Excellency Baron Arno von Raven, Governor of the Province of +R----, and closest friend and confidant of our present rulers," +completed the Doctor, laying a sharp, scornful emphasis on each word. +"That surprises you, does it not?" + +"Certainly. I had no notion of any such acquaintance between you." + +"How should you? it dates almost half a generation back. In those days +he was only plain Arno Raven, and as poor and unknown as myself. We +learned to know each other in stormy, troubled times, meeting in the +ranks of the party to which we both belonged. Raven with his splendid +talents and restless energy soon worked to the front, and became leader +of us all. We followed him with blind confidence--I more especially, +for I loved him as I have loved no human being since, not even my wife +or child. All the enthusiasm of my youth was lavished on him. He was +my hero, to whom I looked up with ardent admiration--my ideal, my +pride--until the day when he betrayed and deserted us all, when he +sacrificed honour to ambition, and sold himself body and soul to our +enemies, giving us up at the same time to perdition. They call me +'misanthropic,' those wise folk who have never had their illusions +rudely dispelled--who have never met despair face to face. If indeed I +am a misanthrope, my nature was warped to bitterness on that day when, +losing my friend, I lost with him all faith in mankind." + +He turned away in great agitation. Evidently the memory of that long +bygone event still shook the man's whole being to its depths. + +"So there is some foundation for those reports which hint at a dark +spot in the Baron's past," remarked George, thoughtfully. "I have heard +rumours and vague allusions, but no one ever appeared to have any +positive knowledge on the subject. The matter must always have escaped +publicity, for Raven is only known as the energetic, unyielding +representative of the government." + +"Renegades are ever the most untiring persecutors of the faith they +have abandoned," said Brunnow, gloomily; "and there was always a +dangerous element at work in Arno Raven, a fierce, consuming, +all-mastering ambition. This was his ruling passion, the true +mainspring of his actions; and this it was which finally brought about +his fall. His thoughts were constantly running on power and greatness +to be achieved in the future; he longed to govern, to command, cost +what it might, and he has obtained his heart's desire. His career is +absolutely unexampled. From poverty and obscurity he has risen step by +step from one dignity, from one high distinction to another. On +becoming the son-in-law of the minister whose acknowledged favourite he +had ever been, he was exalted to the rank of Baron, and at this moment +he is the well-nigh omnipotent governor of one of the principal +provinces of the land. He stands on the lofty pinnacle whereof he used +to dream; but I, whom he drove into prison and into banishment, who can +look back only on a weary course of years full of the most bitter +disappointments, and who, standing now on the threshold of old age, +have still to wrestle with the material cares of life--I would not +exchange my lowly lot for his greatness. He has paid for it a heavy +price--the price of his honour." + +The speaker was terribly agitated. He broke off, and, turning, strode a +few times up and down the veranda, striving to conquer his emotion. +After a while he came back to George, who was standing silent and full +of thought. + +"I have not touched on this subject for years," he began again; "but I +owed it to you to speak frankly. You are no blind, ductile instrument, +such as Raven requires, such as alone he suffers about him; and I fear +an hour may come when you will find yourself compelled to refuse him +obedience, if you wish to remain true to your principles, and to quit +yourself as an honourable man. What your after-fate may be beyond that +turning-point is indeed another question. Stand fast, George! Through +all the dislike and antagonism you nurture in your heart towards him, +there runs a subtle, secret vein of admiration for this man, and I can +understand it but too well. He has ever exercised a really magic +influence over all who have come into contact with him. You yourself +cannot altogether escape it, and for this reason I have thought it +necessary to enlighten you on the subject of Baron von Raven. You know +now what manner of man he is." + +"I thought so, I declare! There they are again in the thick of their +politics, or immersed in some other interminable debate," said a voice +behind them. "I have been hunting for you all over the house, George. +Good-morning, father." + +The speaker, who now stepped into the veranda, was, apparently, +George's junior by some years, but taller and of stronger build than +his friend--a fresh-looking, vigorous young man, with a frank open +face, clear eyes, and a plentiful crop of curly light hair. He cast one +scrutinizing glance at his father's face, still crimsoned by agitation, +and then went on: + +"You should not excite yourself so much with your discussions, father. +You know how injurious it is to you; moreover, you have been hard at +work already this morning, I see." + +So saying, he walked up to a table covered with books and papers, which +stood at a little distance, and began turning over some written pages. + +"Let that alone, Max," said his father, impatiently. "You will +disarrange the manuscript, and you take no interest in these abstruse +scientific studies." + +"Because I have no time for them," answered Max, quietly laying down +the papers. "A young assistant-surgeon at a hospital cannot sit all day +poring over his books. You know I have my hands pretty full." + +"Time might be found," remarked Brunnow. "What you lack is +inclination." + +"Well, inclination too, if you like. Practice is my study, and I dare +say it will get me on as far." + +"As far as your ambition takes you, no doubt." There was an +unmistakable slight in the father's tone. "You will very probably found +an extensive practice, and look on your calling altogether in the light +of a lucrative profession. I do not question it in the least." + +At this Max evidently had to fight down some rising irritation, but he +answered with tolerable calm: + +"I shall certainly found a practice of my own at the earliest +opportunity. You might have done the same twenty years ago, but you +preferred to write medical works which bring you in very little money, +and, at the best, only obtain recognition from some few choice spirits +among your colleagues. Tastes differ." + +"As our conception of life differs. You do not know what it means to +sacrifice yourself--to live for science." + +"I sacrifice myself for nobody," said Max, defiantly. "I intend +conscientiously to fulfil my duties in life, and shall think that, +in so doing, I have done enough. You have a fancy for useless +self-immolation, father. I have none." + +"Leave this incorrigible realist to his errors, Doctor," struck in +George, who from the irritated tone of both men began to fear a scene, +such as was not unfrequent between father and son. "I have long given +up all attempt to convert him. But now we will neither of us disturb +you any longer. Max promised to go for a walk with me to the wood this +morning, as soon as he returned." + +"Now, just at mid-day?" asked the Doctor, in surprise. "Why not go +later?" + +Some slight confusion was visible in young Winterfeld's face, but he +quickly mastered it. + +"Later on I have to pack up and make ready for my departure, and I +should like to take one last look at the lake and the mountains. It is +hard on me, I assure you, to go away and leave them." + +"That I believe," said Max, with a peculiar and rather malicious +intonation; but he relapsed into silence on meeting his friend's +half-angry, half-imploring glance. + +Brunnow seemed to attach no importance to the matter. He waved them a +hasty farewell, and went up to his writing-table again, while the two +young men strode through the garden, and, Max having opened the iron +gate, struck into the footpath which ran close to the border of the +lake. They went on some time in silence. George seemed grave and +thoughtful, and the young surgeon was evidently in a very ill-humour, +to which the recent conversation with his father and the approaching +departure of his friend may have conduced in equal shares. + +"So this is the last day you are to spend here!" he began at length; +"and what good can I have of it--what good have I had indeed of your +visit at all? Half the time you have passed with my father, declaiming +against the condition of our beloved country in general, and the +dictatorship of Baron von Raven in particular. When, after unheard-of +efforts, I have been so lucky as to withdraw you from the political +ground, you have abused my friendship in the most shameful manner, +making me stand sentry in the noonday glare, at a temperature of 86 deg. +Fahrenheit. A most agreeable post, I must say!" + +"What a way of speaking!" said George, impatiently. "I merely asked +you----" + +"To keep watch that you should not be disturbed in your meetings--quite +accidental meetings, of course--with Fraeulein von Harder. That is what +we, in plain English, call 'standing sentry!' How many such chance +encounters may you, with or without my co-operation as walking +gentleman, have enacted on this stage? Take care the mamma does not get +to hear of these sociable little rambles." + +"You know that my leave is out, and that I must start to-morrow," was +the rather curt reply. + +Max heaved a little sigh. + +"Ah, the interview is likely to last a tremendous time to-day, I see. +Don't be offended, old fellow. It may be very interesting to you to +swear eternal fidelity by the sun, moon, and stars, but, for an +outsider, the business is excessively tedious, particularly with such a +temperature as we have to-day. I may safely say it is the warmest proof +of friendship I ever gave a man in my life." + +Talking thus, they had reached the "wood," really nothing more than a +group of chestnut trees shading a stretch of meadow-land on the border +of the lake. It was a favourite and much frequented resort of the +townsfolk, for from thence might be had a splendid panoramic view of +the lovely sheet of water and the grand surrounding mountains. Now, at +noonday, the spot was quite solitary and deserted. George who had +hurried on before, stood still and gazed around expectantly, but in +vain. Max sauntered up slowly after him, and in his turn took a general +survey, but with no better result. Failing to discover a figure in the +distance, he sat down beneath one of the mightiest chestnut-trees, on a +grassy bank which formed a natural resting-place, and whence the finest +prospect might be enjoyed. Leaning back in the most comfortable +posture, he watched his friend with a mixture of raillery and +compassion, as the latter paced up and down, betraying in every look +and action his feverish uneasiness. + +"I say, George, what is to be the end of this love affair, this romance +of yours?" he began again, after a protracted silence. + +The other frowned. + +"How often have I begged you not to speak of it in that tone?" + +"Did I not express myself tenderly enough? There is plenty of romance +in your love, I should fancy. A young middle-class Government clerk +without fortune or prospects, and a high-born Baroness and future +heiress--secret meetings--prospective opposition of the whole family, +struggles and emotions _ad infinitum_. I congratulate you on all these +pleasant things. I should look on the business as an awkward one +myself, I know." + +"That I believe," said George, with a touch of sarcasm; "but, my dear +Max, you really are not competent to pronounce on such matters." + +"My nature being an out-and-out prosaic one," concluded Max, with +perfect equanimity. "Well, I can't say you there tell me anything new. +My father perpetually impresses on my mind the fact that I lack all +tendency to the ideal. He has conscientiously striven to impart to me +these more elevated views and notions, but unfortunately, it has not +answered. I do not belong to the class of 'highly organised natures,' +such as yourself, for instance. You are far more to my father's taste, +and I think he would not hesitate a moment could he adopt you in my +place." + +A smile passed over George's face. + +"If you agree to it, I have no objection." + +"Just try it," said Max, dryly. "He is exceptionally gracious to you, +because he happens to have taken a special fancy to you; but, in real +truth, he is within an ace of turning misanthrope and man-hater. +Nothing satisfies him. All his judgments are distorted, his views +tinged by that bitter irritability of spirit which he ascribes to an +unappeased yearning after the ideal, and that is the ground of the +incessant warfare between us. He cannot forgive me for finding myself +tolerably comfortable in this miserable, worthless world, with which he +himself is at perpetual loggerheads. In fact, matters between us are +growing more and more unbearable day by day." + +"You do your father an injustice," said George, soothingly. "The man +who has given up, as he has given up, home, standing, and freedom, to +that which he calls his ideal, has a right to apply a higher standard +to the world and to his fellow-creatures." + +"But I am not up to the higher standard, you see," declared the young +surgeon, testily. "You are much nearer the mark. This my father +detected at once, and sequestrated you to his own use accordingly. You +would sink wonderfully in his estimation though, if he could guess +that, in the very first days of your stay here, you committed the +boundless folly of falling in love." + +"Max, I beg of you," his friend broke in angrily; but Max was now +fairly under way, and was not to be stopped. + +"I repeat what I have said: it is folly," he asserted roundly. "You, +with your serious views of life, your unceasing toil, your ideal +aims--very superfluous things in reality, no doubt, but with you they +must be taken into account--and this perverse spoilt child--this +Gabrielle von Harder, who has been brought up in the midst of riches +and in the lap of luxury, and has been innoculated with all the +prejudices of her aristocratic caste! Do you really imagine that she +will ever have the smallest understanding for the things which interest +you? I tell you she will give you up directly the grave consequences of +this holiday idyll become apparent to her, and the influence of her +family makes itself felt. You will stake your all on this game, will +waste your best strength in struggling with the relations, only to be +sacrificed at last to some count or baron, who by birth will be a +suitable _parti_ for her young ladyship." + +"No, no," said George, with a burst of vehemence. "You hardly know +Gabrielle. You have never been in her company more than a few minutes +at a time, whilst I----" He stopped suddenly, then went on in a +softened voice--"I know well that there is a gap between us, a great +divergence besides that of outward circumstances, but she is so young, +she has hitherto seen life's sunny side only--and there are no limits +to my love for her." + +Max shrugged his shoulders in a way which plainly said that the last +reason appeared to him highly unsatisfactory. + +"Every man to his taste!" he said coolly. "This limitless love would +not exactly be mine, and, so far as I see, there is very little to be +gained by it. But"--he stood up--"it is time for me to go on duty, +for I see the flutter of a light garment out yonder near those +elder-bushes, and a glow on your countenance as though the seventh +heaven had opened to your delighted vision. George, do me one favour, I +entreat. Let not the fact altogether escape your mind that there is +such a thing as the noonday hour, and that ordinary mortals are +accustomed then to take a repast. An extremely unpractical idea of +yours, this rendezvous just in the middle of the day! I hope you will +not let me perish from starvation, as a reward for my self-denying +friendship." + +Having thus delivered himself. Max Brunnow beat a retreat. Young +Winterfeld hardly heard what he said. He was intently watching the +light slender figure of a girl who now approached from the outskirts of +the wood. She came swiftly and gracefully over the grass towards him, +and in a few minutes stood at his side. + +"Here I am, George. Have you been waiting long? It really seemed as if +I should not get away to-day unnoticed, and I very nearly gave up the +attempt altogether. But it would have been too cruel to let my knight +languish here in vain. I believe you would never, never have forgiven +me, if I had let you depart without a solemn farewell." + +George held fast the little hand, which after the first slight pressure +sought to withdraw itself, and there was a reproachful accent in his +voice, as he said: + +"Is this separation so light a thing to you, Gabrielle? Have you no +other words for me at parting than these teasing quips and jests?" + +The young lady looked up in surprise. + +"Separation? Parting? Why, we shall see each other again in a month." + +"In a month! Does that seem to you so short a time?" + +Gabrielle laughed. + +"It is just four times seven days. You must manage to live through them +in some way; but after that we shall be coming to R---- ourselves, you +know. You have a great deal to do with my guardian, have you not?" + +"With Baron von Raven? Certainly. I work in his bureaux, as you are +aware, and have to make reports to him from time to time." + +"I hardly know him," said Gabrielle, indifferently. "I have just seen +him now and again when he has come on a short visit to the capital, and +that is all. The last time was three years ago. On that occasion his +Excellency hardly deigned to notice me--treated me, in fact, exactly +like a child, though I was then quite fourteen. You may imagine that I +was in no way delighted at the prospect of living under his roof for +the future, until"--here she smiled roguishly--"until I made the +acquaintance of a certain George Winterfeld, and heard from him that he +had the privilege of being one of my guardian's secretaries." + +A strange look flitted across George's features, a look which seemed to +say he was of a different opinion as to the "privilege." + +"You deceive yourself if you build any hopes on that circumstance," he +replied gravely. "The intercourse I hold with the Baron is purely +official in its nature, and he well knows how to restrict it within the +narrowest possible limits. In all else I stand wide as the poles apart +from him. A young, middle-class man, holding as yet only a subordinate +government appointment, does not find admittance to the Governor's +circles, and can hardly venture to claim acquaintance with the Baroness +von Harder. There will be distance enough between us, even though I +come daily to the house in which you dwell. Here in this holiday +freedom we have had the chance of learning to know, to love each +other." + +"In reality, you owe it to our boat which struck on the sand-bank just +at the right time," put in Gabrielle. "Do you remember our first +meeting, George? To this day mamma believes that she was in deadly +peril, and looks on you as her deliverer, because you brought us +cleverly through the shallow water to land. She would hardly have +consented else to receive such frequent visits from one bearing your +plebeian name; but the man who has saved one's life must be an +exception, of course. If she did but know that her hero has already +made me a declaration of love!" + +The undisguised triumph expressed in the last words seemed to grate +upon the young man. He fixed his eyes on her countenance with a +scrutinising, anxious gaze. + +"And if the Baroness should hear of it, sooner or later, what would you +do?" + +"Present you to her in all due form as my future lord and master," +declared Gabrielle, with comic solemnity. "There would be an explosion, +of course: tears, reproaches, hysterics--mamma is a capital hand at all +these, but it comes to nothing. She invariably gives in at last, and I +get my own way." + +She said all this airily, carelessly, laughing gleefully as she spoke. +The thought of a catastrophe which would have filled any other maiden +with alarm, was, it appeared, positively diverting to the young +Baroness Harder. She had seated herself on the grassy mound, and taken +off her straw hat. The sunbeams, which here and there pierced through +the thick leafy canopy of the chestnut-trees, played on her luxuriant +fair hair and blooming face, whence a pair of great sparkling brown +eyes looked merrily forth into the world. The face, with its delicate, +pure outlines, was undoubtedly of fascinating loveliness, but it was +wanting in that soul-speaking depth of expression which gives to the +human countenance its highest charm. Beneath this radiant, beaming +gaiety, one might have sought in vain any token of graver, deeper +feeling. This want, however, hardly lessened the attractiveness of her +fresh beauty, for all about her breathed of rosy youth, of life's +happy, blossoming spring-time. She seemed the embodied reflection of +the landscape out yonder, sunny and light as herself. + +George looked at her with a singular mixture of vexation and +tenderness. + +"Gabrielle, you treat all this as so much sport, and seem to have no +idea of the troubles which menace us, of the battles we shall have to +fight!" + +"Is the thought of battle alarming to you?" + +"To me?" A flush mounted to the young man's brow. "I am ready to cope +with every difficulty, if only you will stand steadily by me. But you +mistake if you reckon on your mother's customary compliance in this +instance, when all her prejudices will be aroused, all her family +traditions evoked in opposition. And even if you should succeed in +winning her over, nothing will change your guardian's views. I know +him. He will never give his consent." + +Gabrielle leaned her fair head against the tree's mighty trunk, and +plucked carelessly at some blades of grass. + +"I do not care for his consent," she said. "I shall not allow him to +dictate to me one way or the other. Let him try to coerce me!" + +"No one will attempt to coerce you, but they will separate us," replied +George. "The very moment our love is discovered, our separation will be +decreed. I know it, and it is this knowledge alone which imposes +silence on me. You little guess how the secrecy, which has such a charm +for you, the continued anxious concealment, distresses and humiliates +me; how contrary it is to my whole nature. Now for the first time I +feel all the hardship of being poor and unknown." + +"What does it matter if you are poor?" asked Gabrielle, carelessly. "I +shall be very rich one day. Mamma is always telling me that I am to be +Uncle Raven's sole heiress." + +George was silent, setting his lips tightly as though to keep down some +bitter feeling. + +"Yes, you will be rich," he said at last; "you will be only too rich." + +"I really believe you mean it as a reproach," pouted the young lady, +with a highly ungracious look. + +"No; but it opens out one more gap between us. If you were in the same +position of life as myself, I might come to you fearlessly, and ask, +not for your hand at once, perhaps, but for your plighted faith, until +such time as I could offer you a home of your own. As it is, what would +Baron von Raven say, I wonder, if I ventured to propose to him for the +hand of his ward and presumptive heiress? He stands in your father's +place. You are under his authority." + +"Yes; but only until I come of age. In a few years, my lord's +guardianship and authority will expire together. Then I shall be free." + +"In a few years!" echoed George. "And what will be your feelings then?" + +There was such sorrowful apprehension in his words that Gabrielle +looked up half-frightened, half-offended. + +"George, do you doubt my love?" + +He clasped her hand tightly in his. + +"I have faith in you, my Gabrielle; trust me in return. I am not the +first man who has worked his way up, and I have always been taught to +look forward with confidence, and to depend on my own strength. I will +strain every nerve for your sake. You shall not be ashamed of your +choice." + +"Yes; you will have to make me the wife of an Excellency at least," +laughed Gabrielle. "I shall fully expect that you will become a +Governor or a Minister some day. Do you hear, George? No other title +will suit me." + +George suddenly dropped the hand which still rested in his own. He had, +no doubt, looked for some other answer to those fervent words which had +come from the very depths of his heart. + +"You do not understand me. How, indeed, should you know anything of the +serious, earnest side of life! No shadow has as yet crossed your path." + +"Oh, I can be serious enough," Gabrielle assured him. "Most uncommonly +serious. You do not know me, my real nature, thoroughly yet." + +"Possibly," said the young man, with a rush of bitterness. "In any +case, _I_ have not had power to arouse your deeper self." + +Gabrielle saw very well that he was hurt, but it did not please her to +notice his humour. She teased and jested on, giving full rein to her +high spirits, and indulging in all her wilful little ways, sure of her +influence which had often stood fiery tests, and which worked again +now. The cloud dispersed from George's brow. Anger and resentfulness +could not hold good before the chatter of those rosy lips, and when the +dear face looked up at him, roguish and smiling, it was all over with +his resistance--he smiled too. + +The clocks in the town on the opposite shore began to strike twelve. +The chimes rang out distinctly over the lake, warning the young people +that it was time to part. George raised his darling's hand to his lips, +and kissed it passionately. The near neighbourhood of the high-road and +of the adjacent country houses forbade any further mark of tenderness. +Gabrielle did indeed seem to take the parting lightly. For one moment a +shade fell over her, it is true, and a tear even glistened in her brown +eyes, but next minute all was bright and sunny again. She threw a last +kiss to her faithful lover, and hurried away. George's eyes followed +her until she disappeared from view. + +"Max is right," he said, dreamily. "We are ill-mated, this spoilt child +of fortune and I! Why must I love her, of all others, differing from me +as she does in all wherein we should be most united? Why, indeed? Ah, I +love her--and that is all the answer." + +In spite of his indignant repudiation of it, his friend's warning +seemed to have found an echo in the young man's breast; but what could +reason and reflection avail against the passion that had taken +possession of his whole being? He knew from experience that there was +no fighting against the charm which had taken him captive on their very +first meeting, and to which on each succeeding occasion he had +succumbed afresh. + + + + + CHAPTER II. + + +"Once more I entreat your Excellency to recall these harsh measures. We +cannot possibly make the town responsible for the acts of a few +individuals." + +"I too am of opinion that it is not necessary to proceed with such +rigour. It will not be difficult to trace out the guilty parties, and +to secure them." + +"Your Excellency should not attach such importance to the affair. It +really does not deserve it." + +The Governor, Baron von Raven, to whom all these remonstrances and +remarks were addressed, appeared but little moved by them. He answered +with cold politeness: + +"I am exceedingly sorry, gentlemen, to find myself in such direct +opposition to you in this matter, but I have formed this resolution +after mature consideration; besides which, you know that I never recall +a measure once decided on. My instructions will be carried out." + +The gentlemen assembled in the audience-room of the R---- +Government-house seemed to have been engaged in a long and animated +conference. They were all more or less excited, with the sole exception +of the Baron himself, who leaned back in his chair with an air of +imperturbable calm. + +"I should have thought that my voice, being that of the chief +magistrate of the town, would have carried some weight with it," said +he who had first spoken. "Particularly as on this occasion the +Superintendent of Police declares himself on our side." + +"Certainly," assented the official alluded to; adding, however, with +prudent reserve, "but I have filled my present post too short a time to +be thoroughly acquainted with the local concerns. His Excellency is, no +doubt, better qualified to judge than I am." + +"I only fear," began the third personage, who wore the uniform of a +colonel--"I only fear, Baron, that this severity may be misinterpreted, +that it may be construed into alarm for your own personal safety." + +A contemptuous smile played about the Baron's lips. + +"Make your mind easy," he replied. "They know me too well in R---- to +ascribe fear to me. That reproach will be spared me, I know, come what +may." + +He rose, thereby giving the signal for the breaking up of the +conference. + +Baron Arno von Raven, at six or seven and forty, might have been taken +as a type of mature and vigorous manhood. He was still in the plenitude +of his strength, physical and intellectual, and still, as was generally +admitted, of a most imposing presence. There was an air of command in +the very carriage of his tall and powerful form. His marked features, +on which haughtiness and an indomitable energy were plainly written, +could not now be styled handsome--they had indeed never been so--but +they were striking and characteristic in every line. The thick dark +hair was untinged with grey, except on the temples, where some silver +threads denoted that life's meridian was past. The dark eyes, so full +of fire, seemed, however, to tell another tale. They spoke of life in +all its pristine force and vigour; but there was a stern, +uncompromising look in them, and when they rested on any given object, +they seemed literally to transfix it. His bearing was one of quiet +dignity blended with proud reserve. Nothing in him betrayed a trace of +the parvenu. The man looked as though from his earliest years he had +had the habit of command. + +"This is not a question of myself," he said. "So long as abuse and +menaces were conveyed to me in anonymous letters, I simply consigned +them to the waste-paper basket, and thought no more of them; but if +bills containing threatening and seditious language are, openly and +before the eyes of all the world, to be pasted up on the walls of the +Government-house, if attempts are to be made to insult me when I drive +out, while the more respectable citizens demonstratively refrain from +interfering, it becomes my duty to take some serious steps in the +matter. I hold the highest post in this province. If I suffer these +misdemeanours, if I tolerate these offences directed against my person, +I thereby endanger the authority of the Government, which it is my +office to represent, and which I am bound to uphold under all +circumstances. I repeat, Mr. Mayor, that I regret to be under the +necessity of ordering certain police-regulations which may prove +irksome and vexatious, but the town has only itself to thank for them." + +"We know by experience that your Excellency does not allow any +considerations of public convenience to influence you in such cases," +said the Burgomaster, sharply. "I can do no more, therefore, than leave +with you the entire responsibility of such harsh proceedings--and with +this, I think, our interview may come to an end." + +The Baron bowed stiffly. + +"I do not know that I have ever sought to evade the responsibility of +my official acts. I certainly shall not do so in this instance. Good +morning, gentlemen." + +The Burgomaster and the Superintendent of Police left the room, and +walked together through the broad galleries towards the entrance-door. +The former, a grey-haired and somewhat choleric old gentleman, could +not help giving vent by the way to his long pent-up anger. + +"So with all our prayers, our remonstrances, and representations, we +have obtained nothing but this sovereign dictum, 'My orders will be +carried out,'" said he to his companion. "This famous phrase, a +favourite with his Excellency, seems to have had its effect even upon +you. Your opposition was silenced by it in an instant." + +The Superintendent of Police, a man much younger in years, with a keen, +cunning face and extremely polite manners, shrugged his shoulders, and +answered quietly: + +"The Baron is at the head of the administration, and as he has declared +that in any contingency he will cover me from all responsibility, +I----" + +"You do as he bids you," concluded the other. "After all, one cannot +wonder. It is not likely you should wish to share the fate of your +predecessor in office." + +"In any case, I hope to show myself more competent to fulfil the duties +of my post than he was." The answer was courteous, but decided. "So far +as I know, my predecessor was removed on account of incapacity." + +"You are much mistaken. He fell, because he was not agreeable to Baron +von Raven, because he occasionally took upon himself to have an +opposite opinion of his own. He had to give way, of course, before the +all-powerful will which has held arbitrary sway over us for so long. +The attitude assumed by our Governor to-day will have shown you better +than a month in office what the situation of affairs here really is, +and, if I am not mistaken, you have chosen your side already." + +The last words were spoken in a very pointed manner, but the +Superintendent seemed not to remark it. He only smiled affably by way +of reply; and as they had now reached the door of exit, the two +gentlemen parted company. + +Meanwhile the Baron and his third visitor had remained closeted +together. Colonel Wilten, commanding officer of the garrison stationed +at R----, was a man of right soldierly appearance, yet, notwithstanding +his natural advantages, enhanced as they were by his uniform and the +orders he wore, he could not bear comparison with the tall and stately +figure of his host in plain civilian attire. + +"You really should not proceed with too great severity, Baron," the +Colonel remarked, taking up the thread of the conversation when the +others had left. "These perpetual conflicts with the respectable +citizens are looked on with great disfavour in high quarters." + +"Do you suppose the conflicts are agreeable to me?" asked Raven. "But +in this case to forbear would be to show weakness, and that I hope, +will hardly be expected of me." + +The other shook his head dubiously. + +"You are aware that I have been absent, spending a few weeks in the +capital," he began anew. "During that time I mixed a good deal in +ministerial circles, and I must tell you, confidentially, that opinion +there is not favourable to you. You are in ill-odour." + +"I know it," said Raven, coldly. "I have not shown myself docile +enough, subservient enough to them; and, besides this, they cannot +forgive me my plebeian origin. To stay and hinder me in my career was +beyond their power; but there has never been any real cordiality +towards me in those quarters." + +"For which reason it behoves you to be prudent. Attempts are constantly +being made to undermine your position. There is talk of 'arbitrary +action,' of a 'tendency to encroachment;' and every measure adopted by +you is discussed and subjected to sharp, if not malignant criticism. Do +you apprehend no danger from all the intrigues which are being woven +against you?" + +"No, for I am too necessary in high places, and shall take good care to +remain so, notwithstanding my 'arbitrary action' and 'tendency to +encroachment.' I, better than any one, can estimate the difficulties of +my position here. They will not so easily find another man equal to the +task of governing this province, and especially this rebellious, +opposition-loving city of R----. But I thank you for the warning, +nevertheless; it accords perfectly with the advices I have myself +received." + +"Well, I thought I would give you a hint, at least," said the Colonel, +rising to go. "But now I must be leaving. You are expecting visitors +to-day, I hear." + +"My sister-in-law, Baroness Harder, and her daughter," replied the +Governor, accompanying his visitor to the door. "They have been +spending a part of the summer in Switzerland, and are to arrive here +to-day. I am expecting them every minute." + +"I had the pleasure of occasionally meeting the Baroness in the capital +some years ago," remarked the officer; "and I shall hope to renew the +acquaintance at an early date. Meanwhile, may I beg you to present my +best respects to the lady? Good-morning, Excellency." + +Half an hour later, a carriage rolled up beneath the portico of the +Government-house, and Baron von Raven came down the main staircase to +receive his guests. + +"My dear brother-in-law, what a pleasure it is to see you again at +last!" cried a lady seated in the carriage, stretching out her hand to +him with much animation and tender haste. + +"I bid you welcome, Matilda," said Raven, with his customary cool +politeness, as he opened the door and helped her to alight. "Have you +had a pleasant journey? It was rather disagreeably warm for +travelling." + +"Oh, terribly! The long drive has quite shattered my nerves. We had at +first intended to stay and rest a day in E----, but the longing to see +our dear uncle was so strong within us, we really _could_ not wait." + +The "dear uncle" received the compliment with great indifference. + +"You would have done wisely to make a halt at E----, certainly," he +said. "But where is the child Gabrielle?" + +That young lady, in the act of springing lightly from the carriage +without waiting for his aid, flushed scarlet with indignation at this +most insulting question. The Baron himself gave a slight start of +astonishment, and looked long and curiously at the "child," whom he had +not seen for full three years, and whose appearance now evidently took +him by surprise. But his astonishment and Gabrielle's consequent +triumph were of short duration. + +"I am glad to see you, Gabrielle," he said quietly, and, stooping, +touched her forehead with his lips. It was the same slight, formal +caress which he had formerly bestowed on the maiden of fourteen, and, +as he vouchsafed it, his stern, dark eyes rapidly surveyed her with one +single look, sharp and penetrating, as though he would at once read +the inmost workings of her mind. Then he offered his arm to his +sister-in-law to lead her upstairs, and left the young lady to follow +them. + +The Baroness launched into a torrent of pretty speeches and +affectionate inquiries, which met with monosyllabic answers alone. Her +flow of words, however, was not to be checked; it only ceased on their +reaching the wing wherein were situated the rooms destined to the +ladies' use. + +"These are your apartments, Matilda," said the Baron, pointing to the +open doors. "I hope they will be to your taste. This bell summons the +servants. Should anything be wanting to your comfort, I trust you will +let me know. I will now leave you for a while. You must both be +fatigued from your long journey, and require rest. We shall meet at +dinner." + +He went, visibly relieved at having accomplished the awkward and +troublesome task of welcoming his guests. Hardly had the door closed +behind him, when the Baroness, hastily throwing off her travelling +wraps, began to inspect her surroundings. The four rooms appointed to +their use were fitted up with great elegance, and even with an amount +of splendour. The furniture was very handsome, the curtains and carpets +being of the thickest and richest materials. In all things the habits +and convenience of high-bred visitors had been consulted, and regard +had been had to their every possible requirement. In short, there was +no fault to be found; and Madame von Harder came back from her tour of +inspection in an eminently contented frame of mind. + +Presently she noticed that her daughter was still standing in the +middle of the room they had first entered, not yet divested of her hat +and travelling-cloak. + +"Will you not take your things off, Gabrielle?" she asked. "What do you +think of the rooms? There will be comforts about us here, thank +Heaven! such as one is accustomed to. We shall prize them after all the +hardships of our long Swiss exile." + +Gabrielle paid no heed to the words. + +"Mamma, I don't like Uncle Raven," said she suddenly, with the utmost +decision. + +The tone was so unusual, in so sharp a contrast to the young lady's +habitual style, that her mother looked up in surprise. + +"Why, child, you have hardly seen him!" + +"Never mind, I don't like him. He treats us with an indifference, a +condescension which is absolutely offensive. I can't understand how you +could put up with such a reception!" + +"Nonsense, dear," said the Baroness, soothingly. "It is my +brother-in-law's natural manner to be formal and chary of speech. You +will get accustomed to it when you know him better, and grow fond of +him." + +"Never!" cried Gabrielle, vehemently. "How can you expect me ever to +grow fond of Uncle Arno, mamma? I have never heard anything but ill of +him. You always used to say he was a horrible tyrant; papa never spoke +of him except as a parvenu or adventurer, and yet neither of you +ventured to be anything but friendly to him, because---- + +"Hush, child!" interrupted her mother, looking round in alarm to see +that no one had overheard the treasonable words. "Have you forgotten +that we are quite dependent on your uncle's goodness? He is implacable +when he thinks himself insulted. You must never attempt to contradict +him." + +"Why did you all show him so much deference if he was only an +adventurer?" persisted Gabrielle, obstinately. "Why did grandpapa let +him marry his daughter? Why has he always been considered the leading +personage of the family? I can't understand it." + +"Nor I either!" exclaimed the Baroness, with a sigh. "The power that +man exercises has always been inexplicable to me, as was your +grandfather's predilection for him. He, with his plebeian name and his +position, at that time a very subordinate one, ought naturally to have +looked upon his admittance into our family as an immense privilege, as +an unmerited piece of good fortune, instead of which he took it exactly +as if it had been his due. No sooner had he established a footing in +our house than he began to govern every one in it, from my sister down +to the servants, who stood more in awe of him than of their own master. +He had my father so completely under his control that nothing was done +without his advice or assistance, and all the others he simply put down +extinguished. How he did it I cannot say--enough that it was so; and +not only in our family circle, in society and the political world he +rapidly gained surprising dominion. No one ventured to oppose or thwart +him." + +"Well, he will not extinguish me," cried the girl, with a defiant toss +of the head. "Oh, he thought he should frighten me with his great +solemn eyes which seem to bore one through and through, as though they +would read the most secret thoughts of one's heart; but I am not a bit +afraid of him. We shall see whether he can bend me to his will, whether +he will find me as pliable as he has found other people." + +The Baroness grew alarmed. She feared, with good reason, that this +exceedingly spoilt daughter, who ruled her mother in everything, and +was by no means accustomed to put a restraint on herself, would now +give the reins to her waywardness, and display it in her behaviour to +the Baron himself. She exhausted all her stock of arguments and +entreaties, but with no satisfactory result. + +Miss Gabrielle seemed to take a peculiar pleasure in roundly expressing +her defiance of her guardian, and showed herself in no way disposed to +abandon the warlike attitude she had at once taken up towards him. But +her serious mood had already spent itself, having lasted a most unusual +length of time. The old petulant gaiety returned in full force. + +"Mamma, I do believe you are in real earnest afraid of this old ogre of +an uncle," she cried, with a merry laugh. "Well, I am more valiant--I +shall beard the monster in his den, and I promise you he will not eat +me." + + + + + CHAPTER III. + + +The Government-house of R---- was an ancient castle, which for long +years had been the dwelling-place of a princely family, but which in +the ever-changing course of events had become the property of the +state, and now served as the seat of the provincial government and the +residence of its temporary head. The grand, spacious old edifice was +situated on a hill just outside the town, and, in spite of the prosaic +destiny which had overtaken it in these latter days, still preserved +much of its mediaeval aspect. + +A most picturesque object was it, with its salient towers and +bay-windows, and its fine commanding site which overlooked all the +country round. The original ramparts and fortifications had, it is +true, long ago disappeared, surrendered to the march of modern +progress, but in their stead a perfect forest of noble trees had sprung +up, clothing the castle-hill, whence a broad and easy road led down to +the town. From the windows of the noble old chateau, which rose, proud +and stately, above the leafy crests, a full view might be had of the +city and the wide valley beneath, all circled in by mountains. + +The main body of the building was exclusively assigned to the +Governor's use, the upper part being inhabited by him, while his +bureaux, or "Chancellery," occupied the ground-floor. In the two +side-wings were situated the other public offices and the quarters of +such of the higher functionaries as were domiciled beneath its roof. +Notwithstanding these very practical arrangements, the interior of the +building, no less than the exterior, retained its antique character, +which, indeed, was ineffaceably stamped on every line of its +architecture. + +The vaulted chambers with their deep door and window recesses belonged +to the last century; long gloomy galleries and arched corridors met and +crossed in every direction; echoing stone staircases led from one story +to another, and the court and garden of the old stronghold were still +maintained in their primitive condition. The "Castle" as it was briefly +termed in all the neighbouring country, was, and had been from time +immemorial, the pride and ornament of the good city of R----. + +The present Governor had now filled the post for a long series of +years. Had it not been a fact well known that he was the son of a +subaltern official who had died early, leaving no fortune, his +middle-class origin would never have been suspected, for the appearance +he made in public and his style of living were as thoroughly +aristocratic as his manners and person. + +How it had come to pass that Raven had become the favourite of the then +all-powerful Minister, no one knew. That Minister's penetrating glance +had most probably detected rare ability in the young aspirant for +honours. + +Some pretended to know that there were other and secret reasons which +had combined with this: so much is sure, he was suddenly appointed +secretary to his Excellency, and in this new capacity acquired +opportunities of developing his talents which he had not possessed in +his former subordinate position. The secretary was soon promoted to be +his master's friend and confidant, was preferred and put forward on +every occasion, and even admitted into the great man's family circle. +The lower rungs of the official ladder were quickly climbed, and one +day society in the capital was astounded by the news, which at first +seemed to be too wonderful to be believed, that the Minister's elder +daughter was betrothed to the young newly-appointed Councillor. Shortly +afterwards the rank of Baron was conferred on the bridegroom expectant, +and therewith he was fairly launched on his career. + +The son-in-law of so influential a man found his way smoothed for him +in every direction, but it was not this alone which bore him aloft with +such dizzy speed. His really splendid abilities seemed only now to have +found, their proper field, and soon displayed themselves in a manner +which made all adventitious aid superfluous. A very few years later, +the "inexplicable" conduct of the Minister who, instead of opposing, +had favoured the _mesalliance_, became sufficiently intelligible. He +had taken his son-in-law's measure; he knew what was to be expected +from the young man's future, and it is certain that his daughter, as +Madame von Raven, played a far more brilliant part than her sister, who +married a nobleman of high lineage, but of utter personal +insignificance. + +When the Baron was nominated to the important and responsible post of +R----, he found matters there in a critical condition. The storm of +faction, which some years before had convulsed the whole land, had no +doubt spent itself for the time being, but signs were not wanting that +it was merely repressed, and not completely and finally laid. In +the ---- province especially, a perpetual ferment was kept up, and +great, populous R----, the chief city of that province, stood at the +head of the opposition which arrayed itself against the Government. +Several high officials, succeeding each other in rapid order, had +endeavoured in vain to put an end to this state of things; they lacked +either the necessary resolution or the necessary authority, and +confined themselves to half measures, which adjusted temporary +difficulties, but left the deeper discord strong and abiding as ever. +At length Raven was appointed head of the administration, and city and +province soon became aware that a firmer grasp was on the reins. The +new Governor went to work with an energy, and, at the same time, with a +reckless disregard of such persons and interests as stood in his way, +which raised a perfect storm against him. Appeals, protests, +expostulations and complaints flowed in to head-quarters in one +unceasing stream, but the Ministry knew too well the value of their +representative not to lend him full support. Another so placed might +have recoiled before the unbounded unpopularity which his proceedings +brought on him, have given way, vanquished by the difficulties and +vexations inherent to the situation--Raven remained at his post. He was +a man who in every circumstance of life sought, rather than avoided, a +contest, and the innate despotism of his nature here found ample room +for its development. He troubled himself little with considerations as +to whether the measures he judged necessary were strictly within legal +bounds, and met all the accusations freely hurled at him, all the +charges of absolutism and a violent abuse of power, with the one steady +reply: "My orders will be carried out!" In this way he at length +succeeded in reducing the rebellious elements to submission. Both city +and province came to see that it was impossible for them to carry on +the war against this man, who adopted as the rule and regulation of his +conduct, not their rights, but his own might. The times were not +propitious for open resistance. A period of severe reaction had set in, +and any active sedition would certainly have been nipped in the bud; so +the party of opposition submitted, reluctantly, indeed, and with an ill +grace, but still submitted; and the Governor, who had so brilliantly +accomplished his task, was loaded with honours. + +Years had passed since then. People had grown accustomed to the +despotic regime under which they lived, and had learned to regard the +Baron with that respect which an energetic, consistent character +compels even from its enemies. Moreover, to him was owing a series of +improvements which his keenest opponents could not see without +satisfaction. This man, whose political action had earned for him +hatred and mortal hostility, became in another sphere the benefactor of +the province committed to his charge. Indefatigable as its +representative when any occasion offered of defending its interests, he +was ever ready to introduce, or to support, such reforms as tended to +promote the public weal. His resolution and strong powers of +initiative, which had worked so banefully in one direction, grew most +beneficent when turned to pacific account. Foremost amongst the +advocates of any scheme likely to favour industrial enterprise, to +befriend the agriculturist, or in any way to enhance the general +prosperity, he attached many interests to himself, and thus in time +rallied partisans almost as numerous as his enemies. His administration +was a model of order, incorruptibility, and strict discipline, and +throughout the province were visible blooming evidences of the many +improvements he had planned with practical, sagacious insight, and +executed with a hand which never wavered in its purpose. + +The Governor lived in great style, for he possessed a considerable +fortune independently of his official income. His late father-in-law +had been very rich, and at his death the property had been divided +between his two daughters, Madame von Raven and the Baroness Harder. +The former lady's marriage had been one of those convenient matrimonial +arrangements so common in the upper ranks of society. Raven had been +guided in his choice simply and solely by calculation, but he never +forgot that this union had opened to him his career, and his wife had +at no time cause to complain of neglect or want of consideration on his +part; the affection, which was so signally absent, she did not miss. +Madame von Raven was a person of very moderate intelligence, and could +never have inspired any serious passion. She had accepted the hand of +her father's favourite, hearing it daily predicted that a great future +was in store for him, and this prophecy being fulfilled, she did not +feel that more was to be desired from life. Her husband responded +liberally to all her demands respecting a brilliant establishment and +elegant toilettes, and gave her an enviable position in society, so no +differences arose between them. They lived together on what is supposed +to be a very aristocratic footing, as much apart and as strange one to +the other as possible. This union, a pattern one in the eyes of the +world, but a childless, had been dissolved, about seven years before +the events here recorded, by Madame von Raven's death; and the Baron, +to whom the whole fortune descended by will, had taken to himself no +second wife. The proud man, whose brain was ever busy with his +ambitious plans and projects, had at no time been accessible to the +soft influences of love or to domestic joys; and he would in all +probability never have married, had not marriage been to him a +stepping-stone by which to mount. This motive no longer existing, he +did not think of burdening himself with fresh ties; and, as he was now +approaching his fiftieth year, his decision on the subject was +generally accepted as final. + +On the morning succeeding the arrival of Baroness Harder and her +daughter, the former lady was sitting with her brother-in-law in the +boudoir which formed part of her suite of rooms. The Baroness still +showed traces of beauty, which, however, had years ago bloomed and +faded. In the evening, perhaps, by the tempered lustre of wax-lights, +the numberless arts of the toilette might have produced a delusive +effect; but now, in the broad glare of day, the truth revealed itself +mercilessly to the eyes of the Governor as he sat opposite her. + +"I cannot spare you these details, Matilda," he said; "though I quite +understand how painful they must be to you. The matter must be +discussed between us once, at least. By your wish I undertook the +settlement of the Baron's affairs, so far as it was possible for me to +settle them at this distance. They proved to be in a state of absolute +chaos, and, even with the help afforded me by your solicitor, I had the +greatest difficulty in mastering their complications, I have at length +succeeded, and the result of my labours I communicated to you in +Switzerland." + +The Baroness pressed her handkerchief to her eyes. + +"A comfortless result!" she said. + +"But one not unexpected. There was, I regret to say, no possibility of +rescuing for you even a slender portion of your fortune. I advised you +to go abroad, because it would have been too mortifying to you to +witness the sale of your town-house and the breaking-up of your +establishment in the capital. In your absence, what was really an act +of necessity took the colour of a voluntary withdrawal from society, +and I have been careful that the true state of the case should not +transpire among your old intimate friends and associates. Happen what +may now, the honour of the name you and Gabrielle bear is safe. You +need fear no attack on it from any of the creditors." + +"I know that you have made great personal sacrifices," said Madame von +Harder. "My solicitor wrote me all the details. Arno, I thank you." + +With a touch of real feeling she held out her hand to him as she spoke, +but he waved it back so coldly that any warmer impulse in her was at +once checked. + +"I owed it to my father-in-law's memory to act as I have acted," he +replied. "His daughter and grandchild must always have a claim upon me, +and their name must, at any cost, be kept free from reproach. It was +these considerations which induced me to make the sacrifices, and no +sentimental feelings of any sort. Sentiment, indeed, could have no +ground for existence here, for, as you are aware, there was little +friendship between the Baron and myself." + +"I always deeply deplored the estrangement," said the Baroness, +fervently. "Of later years my husband sought in vain to bring about a +better understanding. It was you who persistently avoided any friendly +intercourse. Could he give you a higher proof of his esteem, of his +confidence, than to entrust to you that which he held most dear? On his +death-bed he named you Gabrielle's guardian." + +"That is to say, having ruined himself, he made over all responsibility +touching the future of his wife and child to me, whose constant enemy +he had been through life. I perfectly understand the value I ought to +set on that proof of his confidence." + +The Baroness had recourse to her handkerchief again. + +"Arno, you do not know how cruel your words are. Have you no pity, no +consideration for a heart-broken widow?" + +Raven made no reply, but his eyes travelled slowly over the lady's +elegant grey silk dress. She had promptly laid aside her mourning at +the expiration of the year's widowhood, knowing that black was +unbecoming to her. The unmistakable irony she now detected in her +brother-in-law's glance called up to her cheeks a slight flush of +anger, or of confusion, as she went on: + +"I am only just beginning to hold up my head a little. If you knew what +cares, what humiliations, preceded that last terrible catastrophe, what +losses unexpectedly befell us on all sides! Oh, it was too horrible!" + +A faint sarcastic smile flickered about the Baron's lips. He knew right +well that the husband's losses had overtaken him at the gaming-table, +and that the wife's one care and anxiety had been to eclipse all the +other ladies of the capital by the superior richness of her toilettes +and the handsome appointments of her equipages. At her father's death +the Baroness had inherited the property conjointly with her sister. Her +share had been squandered to the last penny, while Madame von Raven's +fortune remained intact in her husband's hands. + +"Enough!" he said, waiving the topic. "Let us say no more on this +disagreeable subject. I have offered you a home under my roof, and I am +glad that you have accepted the proposal. Since my wife's death, I have +been in some degree dependent on strangers, who preside well enough +over the establishment, but who cannot in all things fill the place of +the mistress of the house. You, Matilda, know how to entertain, and +like receptions, fetes, dinners, and the like--now it is precisely in +regard to these matters that I have felt a want. Our interests +coincide, you see, and I have no doubt we shall be mutually satisfied +with each other." + +He spoke in his usual cool and measured tone. Evidently Baron von Raven +was not disposed to glory in the role of benefactor and deliverer, +though to these relatives of his he had really acted as both. He +treated the matter altogether from a business point of view. + +"I will do all in my power to meet your wishes," declared Madame von +Harder, following her brother-in-law's example as he rose and went up +to the window. + +He addressed a few further indifferent questions to her, asking whether +the arrangement of the rooms was to her taste, whether she received +proper attendance and had all she required, but he hardly listened to +the torrent of words with which the lady assured him that everything +was charming--delightful! + +His attention was fixed on a very different object. + +Just under the window of that boudoir was a little garden attached to +the door-keeper's lodge. In this garden Miss Gabrielle was walking, or +rather racing round and round after the door-keeper's two children, for +the walk had resolved itself into a wild chase at last. When the young +lady that morning undertook a short excursion "to see what the place +was like," as she expressed it to her mother, the place itself had but +little part in the interest she manifested. She knew that George +Winterfeld came daily to the Government-house, and it must be her task, +therefore, to arrange some plan for those frequent meetings which +George had declared to be impossible, or, at best, exceedingly +difficult. + +Miss Gabrielle did not adopt this view of the case, and her +reconnaissance was now directed to one end and aim, namely, to discover +precisely where the Baron's bureaux, in which the young official was +employed, were situated. On her way, however, she fell in with the +lodge-keeper's small seven-year-old boy and his little sister, and +quickly made friends with both. The bright, lively children returned +the young lady's advances with confiding alacrity, and these new +acquaintances soon drove all thoughts of her exploring expedition, and +alas! of him for whose sake it had been undertaken, entirely into the +background. + +She allowed the little ones to lead her into the small garden which was +attached to the lodge, and was entirely distinct from the Castle-garden +proper. She admired with them the shrubs and flower-beds, and the three +rapidly advanced in intimacy. In less than a quarter of an hour a game +was set on foot, accompanied by all the requisite noise, to which Miss +Gabrielle contributed fully as much as her young playmates. She bounded +after them over the beds, stimulating them to fresh efforts, and +provoking them to ever-renewed gaiety. + +Unbecoming as this no doubt was in a young lady of seventeen, and in +the Governor's niece, to an unprejudiced beholder the spectacle was +none the less charming. Every movement of the young girl's supple form +was marked by unconscious, natural grace. The slight figure, in its +white morning-dress, flitted like a sunbeam between the dusky trees. +Some of her luxuriant blond tresses had grown loose in the course of +her wild sport, and now fell over her shoulders in rich abundance, +while her merry laughter and the children's happy shouts were borne up +to the Castle windows. + +The Baroness, looking down from her point of observation, was struck +with horror at her daughter's indecorous conduct especially when she +became aware that Raven was intently following the scene below. What +must that haughty man, that severe stickler for etiquette, think +of the education of a young lady who could comport herself in this +free-and-easy manner before his eyes? The Baroness, apprehending some +of those stinging, sarcastic comments in which her brother-in-law was +wont to indulge, sought, as much as in her lay, to mitigate the ill +impression. + +"Gabrielle is wonderfully childish still at times," she lamented. "It +is impossible to make her understand that such babyish ways are highly +unsuitable in a young lady of her age. I almost dread her first +appearance in society--which had to be postponed a year in consequence +of her father's death. She is quite capable of behaving in that wild, +reckless way in a drawing-room." + +"Let the child be natural while she may," said the Baron, his eyes +still fixed on the group below. "She will learn soon enough to be a +lady of fashion. It would really be a pity to check her now; the girl +is a very sunbeam incarnate." + +The Baroness pricked up her ears. It was the first time she had ever +heard a speech at all genial from her brother-in-law's lips, or seen in +his eyes any expression other than that of icy reserve. He visibly took +pleasure in Gabrielle's high spirits, and the wise woman resolved to +seize the propitious moment, in order to clear up a point which lay +very near her heart. + +"Poor child, poor child!" she sighed, with well-simulated emotion. +"Dancing on so merrily through life, and little dreaming of the +serious, perhaps sorrowful, future in store for her! A well-born, +portionless girl! It is a bitter lot, and doubly bitter for one who, +like Gabrielle, has been brought up with great expectations. She will +find this out soon enough!" + +The man[oe]vre succeeded beyond all anticipation. Raven, whom in +general nothing would move, seemed for once to be in pliable mood, for +he turned round and said, in a quick, decided manner: + +"What do you mean by a 'sorrowful future,' Matilda? You know that I +have neither children nor relatives of my own. Gabrielle will be my +heiress, and therefore there can be no question of poverty for her." + +A gleam of triumph shone in the Baroness's eyes, as she thus obtained +the assurance she had long so ardently desired. + +"You have never declared your intentions," she remarked, concealing her +satisfaction with an effort: "and I, naturally, could not touch on such +a subject. Indeed, the whole matter was so foreign to my thoughts----" + +"Has it really never occurred to you to speculate on the chances of my +death, or on the will I might leave?" interrupted the Baron, giving +full play now to the sarcasm he had hitherto partially restrained. + +"My dear Arno, how can you imagine such a thing?" cried the lady, +deeply wounded. + +He paid no heed to this little outburst of indignation, but went on +quietly: + +"I trust that you have not spoken to Gabrielle on the subject"--he +little knew that it had been almost a daily topic--"I do not wish that +she should be taught to think of herself as an heiress; still less do I +wish that this girl of seventeen should make my will and my fortune the +objects of her calculations, as it is, of course, quite natural others +should do." + +The Baroness drew a deep sigh. + +"I meet with nothing but misconception from you. You even cast +suspicion on the promptings of a mother's love, and misjudge her who, +without fear or care for herself, trembles for the future of an only +child!" + +"Not at all," said Raven, impatiently; he was evidently weary of the +conversation. "You hear, I consider such anxiety natural, and therefore +I repeat the assurance I have just given you. My property having come +to me from my father-in-law, I intend that it shall one day descend to +his grandchild. Should Gabrielle, as is probable, marry during my +life-time, I shall provide for her dowry; at my death she will be, as I +have said, my _sole_ heiress." + +The emphasis he laid on the word proved to the Baroness that for +herself she had nothing to expect. Her daughter's future being assured, +however, she might look on her own as secure also, and thus her double +object was attained. The hardly-veiled contempt with which Raven +treated her, and which Gabrielle's fine instinct had detected in the +manner of his first welcome, was by Madame von Harder either unfelt +or unheeded. She had in her secret heart no more love for her +brother-in-law than he for her; and in returning sweet words and +gracious looks for his brusque curtness and indifference, she was +merely deferring to a stern necessity; but the perspective of taking +her place at the head of so brilliant an establishment, of shining in +R---- as the Governor's near relative, and, in this quality, of taking +precedence everywhere, soothed, and in a great measure reconciled her +to this necessity. + +A few minutes later Raven traversed the ante-room, which had the same +aspect as the adjoining boudoir, and, stopping a moment at the window, +cast one more glance below. + +"Sad that the child should have fallen to such parents, and have had +such a bringing-up!" he muttered. "How long will it be before Gabrielle +becomes a coquette like her mother, caring for nothing but dress, +intrigues, and society gossip? The pity of it!" + +As has already been said, the Governor's official quarters, whither he +now repaired, were situated on the basement floor of the Castle. He +transacted much of his business in his own private study, but would +frequently visit the bureaux of the various departments. The clerks +therein employed were never safe from a sudden and unforeseen descent +of the master, whose keen eyes descried the smallest irregularity. The +official who was so unlucky as to be surprised in any breach of the +regulations never escaped without a sharp reprimand from "the chief," +who, so far as possible, directed everything in person, and introduced +into his bureaux the same iron discipline which marked his general +administration. + +The business of the day had begun long before, and the clerks were all +in their places when the Baron entered, and slightly bowing, walked +through the offices. Some of the sections he merely passed through with +one brief inquisitorial glance around; in others he stopped, put a +question, made a remark, in several cases asking to look at a document. +His manner to his subordinates was cool and deliberate, but polite, and +the young men's faces showed in what awe they stood of the Governor's +frown. + +As the latter entered the last room of the series, an elderly +gentleman, who was at work there alone, rose respectfully from his +desk. + +Tall and meagre of person, with a face deeply lined, and a stiff, +unbending carriage, this individual bore himself with the grave dignity +of a judge. His grey hair was carefully brushed, not a wrinkle nor +speck of dust was visible on his black suit of clothes, while a broad +white neckcloth of portentous dimensions gave to its wearer a certain +peculiar solemnity of aspect. + +"Good-morning, Councillor," said the Baron, with more cordiality than +his manner usually showed, signing to the other to follow him into a +smaller side-office, where he generally received his officials in +single audience. "I am glad to see you back again. I missed you greatly +during the few days you were absent." + +Court-councillor Moser, chief clerk and head of the bureaucratic staff, +received this testimony to his indispensability with visible +satisfaction. + +"I hastened my return as much as possible," he replied. "Your +Excellency is aware that I only applied for leave in order to fetch my +daughter from the convent in which she has been educated. I had the +honour of presenting her to your Excellency yesterday, when we met in +the gallery." + +"It seems to me you have left the young lady rather too long under +spiritual guidance," remarked Raven; "she almost gives one the +impression of a nun herself. I am afraid this convent education has +completely spoiled her." + +The chief-clerk raised his eyebrows, and stared at his superior in +dismayed astonishment. + +"How does your Excellency mean?" + +"I mean spoiled her for worldly purposes," the Baron corrected himself, +a hardly perceptible smile hovering about his lips as he noticed the +consternation depicted in the other's face. + +"Ah! yes, indeed, there your Excellency is right"--the chief-clerk +never neglected an opportunity of giving the Governor his title, even +though he had to repeat it three times in a single sentence--"but my +Agnes's mind was never given to the things of this world, and she will +shortly renounce them altogether. She has resolved on taking the veil." + +The Baron had taken up some papers, and stood glancing over their +contents as he quietly pursued his conversation with the old gentleman, +the only official whom he admitted to anything like familiar terms. + +"Well, that is hardly surprising," he observed. "When a young girl is +left in a convent from the age of fourteen to that of seventeen, one +must be prepared for some such resolve. Does it meet with your +approval?" + +"It is hard for me to give up, once and for ever, my only child," said +the Councillor, solemnly. "Far be it from me, however, to place +hindrances in the way of so holy a vocation. I have given my consent. +My daughter is to spend some months at home, to see something of the +world before she enters on her novitiate in the convent where she has +hitherto been at school. The Reverend Mother wishes to avoid even the +slightest appearance of constraint." + +"The Reverend Mother is, no doubt, pretty sure of her pupil," observed +the Baron, with a touch of irony which happily escaped his hearer. +"Well, if it is the young lady's own desire, there is nothing to be +said against it; but I am sorry for you, who hoped to find in your +daughter a support for your old age, and who must now resign her to the +nuns." + +"To Heaven," emended the old gentleman, with a pious upward glance; "to +Heaven, before whose claims even a father's rights must necessarily +give place." + +"Of course, of course--and now to business. Is there anything of +importance on hand?" + +"The advices received from the Superintendent of Police----" + +"Yes, yes, I know. They are making a great disturbance in the town +about these new measures. They will have to submit to them. Anything +else?" + +"There is the full and detailed report to the Ministry which has +already been discussed. Whom does your Excellency appoint to draw it +up?" + +Raven considered a moment. + +"Assessor Winterfeld." + +"Assessor Winterfeld!" repeated the other, slowly, and with +dissatisfaction in his tone. + +"Yes; I should like to give him an opportunity of distinguishing +himself, or, at least, to bring him into notice. In spite of his youth, +he is one of the cleverest, most able men we have." + +"But not sound, your Excellency, very far indeed from sound. He has a +decided liberal tendency; he leans to the opposition----" + +"All the younger men do that," interrupted the Baron. "They are all +red-hot reformers, eager to set the world to rights, and they consider +it a proof of character to do a little in the way of opposition to the +Government of their country. These ideas tone down in the course of +time. Promotion generally works a cure in such cases, and I dare say +Assessor Winterfeld's will be no exception to the rule." + +The chief-clerk shook his head doubtfully. + +"So far as regards his abilities and many personal advantages, I fully +concur in the flattering opinion your Excellency has formed of him; but +certain things have come to my knowledge concerning the Assessor, +certain things which, I fear, indicate flagrant disloyalty on his part. +It is, I regret to say, established beyond all doubt that, on the +occasion of his last leave of absence, he formed in Switzerland the +most suspicious connections, and consorted with all kinds of Socialists +and dangerous revolutionary characters." + +"That I do not believe," said the Baron, decidedly. "Winterfeld is not +the man to hazard his future in so reckless and objectless a manner. +His is not one of those flighty romantic natures which are easily +assailable by such temptations. The story has another version, +probably. I will inquire into it. As regards the report, I abide by my +decision. May I ask you to send the Assessor to me?" + +The Councillor went, and a few minutes later George Winterfeld entered +the room. The young man knew that, in being chosen for the task now +before him, an honour was conferred on him above all his colleagues, +but the distinction seemed rather to weigh upon than to elate him. He +received his chief's instructions with quiet attention, grasped the +short, comprehensive directions fully, caught with apt intelligence the +several hints which the Governor thought well to give him, and proved +by a few pithy remarks that he had made himself thoroughly conversant +with the subject before him. Raven had too often to fight against the +dull-witted incapacity of his subordinates not to feel satisfaction at +being thus met half-way, some words now sufficing to convey his +meaning, whereas he was frequently obliged to stoop to long and +wearisome explanations. He was visibly well-pleased. The business in +hand was despatched in a comparatively short space of time, and George, +having noted down some memoranda of his instructions, only waited for +the signal of dismissal. + +"One thing more!" said the Baron, in no way changing the quiet, +business-like tone he had used throughout the interview. "You spent +some time in Switzerland, I believe, during your late leave of +absence." + +"Yes, your Excellency." + +"I am told you there sought out associates, or, at all events, formed +certain connections, unsuitable to a man holding your official +position. What is the truth of the matter?" + +The Baron's eyes rested on the young clerk with that keen searching +gaze so dreaded by those under his command. Winterfeld, however, showed +neither dismay nor embarrassment. + +"I sought out an old college friend in Z----," he replied, calmly; "and +at his warm instance stayed some weeks at his father's house, the +latter being, it is true, a political refugee." + +Raven frowned. + +"That was an act of imprudence I should not have expected from you. You +should have reflected that such a visit would naturally excite remark +and arouse suspicion." + +"It was a friendly visit, nothing more. I can give my word that it had +not the remotest reference to politics. This is simply and solely a +private affair." + +"No matter, you should take your position into consideration. A +friendship with the son of a man politically compromised might be +passed over as harmless, though it would hardly go to further your +advancement; but intimacy with his father and a prolonged sojourn at +his house should distinctly have been avoided. What is this gentleman's +name?" + +"Doctor Rudolph Brunnow." The words came in clear, steady tones from +George's lips, and now it was his turn to watch his interlocutor +narrowly. He saw a spasmodic contraction of the muscles--saw a +swift, sudden pallor overspread the stern features, while the lips +were tightly pressed together; but all this came and went with +lightning-speed. In the next instant the man's habitual self-control +prevailed. Accustomed at all times to show an impassive, impenetrable +front to those about him, he at once regained his usual perfect +composure. + +"Ah; indeed; Rudolph Brunnow!" he repeated slowly. + +"I do not know whether the name is familiar to your Excellency," George +hazarded, but quickly repented of his hasty speech. The Baron's eyes +met his, or rather, as Gabrielle expressed it, they bored him through +and through, seeking to read the secrets of his inmost heart. There was +a dark menace in that searching gaze that warned the young man to go no +step further. He felt as though he were standing on the verge of an +abyss. + +"You are an intimate friend of Dr. Brunnow's son," Raven began again, +after the pause of a second; "and therefore, in all probability, +intimate with the father also." + +"I only made the Doctor's acquaintance this summer, and though his +views are occasionally warped by a certain harshness and bitterness, I +found him an honourable and upright man, for whom I must entertain the +greatest esteem." + +"You would do wisely not to express your sentiments so openly," said +the Baron, with frigid displeasure. "You are the servant of a State +which has passed judgment on a certain class of political offenders, +and still inexorably condemns them. You ought not to, and must not, +consort familiarly with those who publicly proclaim themselves its +enemies. Your position imposes on you duties before which all mere +emotional feelings of friendship must give way. Remember that, Mr. +Winterfeld." + +George was silent. He understood that behind the icy calm of this +address there lay a threat; understood, too, that the threat was +levelled not at the official, but at the man who had been initiated +into the secrets of a past which Raven had probably believed long +buried and forgotten, and which now started up, phantom-like, before +his eyes. Painful as it might be, the remembrance had not power to move +the Baron for more than an instant. As he rose from his chair, and +slightly waved his hand in token of dismissal, the old unapproachable +haughtiness marked his bearing. + +"You are warned now. That which has passed shall be overlooked, +considered as a hasty error. That which you may do in future will be +done at your own risk and peril." + +George bowed in silence, and left the room. He felt now, as he had +often felt before, that Dr. Brunnow had been right in warning him +against the almost magic influence exercised by Raven over all who came +in contact with him. + +The young man, after the weighty disclosures which had been made to +him, had felt he was entitled to look down from a lofty height on the +traitor and the renegade; but the power to do so had gone from him as +he re-entered the charmed circle surrounding that master-mind. Disdain +could not hold its own before those eyes which so imperatively demanded +obedience and compelled respect; it glanced off scathless from the man +who carried his guilty head with so high and proud a mien, as though he +recognised no judge over him or his actions. + +Little as George allowed himself to be affected by the exalted position +and imperious bearing of his superior, just as little could he escape +the spell of that chief's intellectual ascendency. And yet he knew that +sooner or later a struggle must come between himself and the Baron, who +held in his hands Gabrielle's future, and, consequently, all his own +chances of happiness. The secret could not be kept for ever--and what +would happen when it should be known? + +The image of his love rose up before the young man's eyes--of his love, +of whom as yet he had caught no glimpse, though she had arrived the +evening before, and at that moment the same roof covered them--and by +its side appeared the iron inflexible countenance of him he had just +left. Now, for the first time, he divined how severe would be the +struggle by which he must hope to conquer all that he held dear in +life. + + + + + CHAPTER IV. + + +Some weeks had passed. Baroness Harder and her daughter had made and +received the necessary inauguratory visits, and the former lady had +observed with much satisfaction the respect and deference everywhere +shown them on the Governor's account. Still better pleased was she to +discover that her brother-in-law really required nothing further from +her than to play the hostess and dispense the hospitalities of the +Castle; no troublesome or unpalatable duties were imposed on her, as +she at first had feared might be the case. All care for, all the +responsibility of, the great and strictly-ordered household devolved, +now as before her coming, on an old major-domo who had filled the +office for many years, and who regulated and directed everything, +rendering account to his master alone. The Baron had probably had +too good an insight into the management which had obtained in his +sister-in-law's town establishment to grant her anything like +independent action in such matters. Socially and ostensibly, she +represented the mistress of the house, of which, in reality, she +was but the guest. Some women might have felt the position in which +she was thus placed a humiliating one, but a desire for domination +was as foreign to the Baroness's mind as a sense of duties to be +fulfilled. She was too superficial to understand either of these great +motive-powers. Affairs were shaping themselves in a far more +satisfactory manner than, after the catastrophe which followed her +husband's death, she had had a right to expect. She was living with her +daughter in the midst of luxury; the Baron had assigned to her a sum by +no means inconsiderable for her personal expenses; Gabrielle was his +acknowledged heiress. Taking all this into consideration, they might +well, she argued, bear the constraint which was the unavoidable result +of the situation. + +Gabrielle, too, had quickly grown accustomed to her new surroundings. +The grandeur and ceremony of the Government-house, the scrupulous +punctuality and strict etiquette which there prevailed, the boundless +respect and prompt service of the domestics, to whom the slightest +gesture of the master's hand was a command--all this astonished the +young lady, and impressed her with a certain awe. It certainly +presented a striking contrast to the household system she had seen at +work in her parents' city home, where the greatest external splendour +and the greatest internal disorder reigned together, where the servants +permitted to themselves all sorts of trickery and disrespectful +negligence, where the claims of family life were lost sight of in the +pursuit of pleasure. In later days, too, as the load of debt +accumulated, and the difficulties grew more and more pressing, there +had come violent scenes between Baron von Harder and his wife, scenes +in which each accused the other of extravagance, while the common +prodigal outlay went on unchecked. The half grown-up daughter was too +often a witness of these altercations. At once spoiled and neglected by +her parents, who liked to parade the pretty child, but, beyond this, +concerned themselves but little about her, she lacked all serious +training. Even the events of the last year, her father's death, and the +subsequent collapse of their fortunes, had passed over the young girl's +head, leaving scarcely a trace behind. Sorrow and pain seemed to have +no hold on that sunny, volatile nature. + +Sufficient judgment, however, Gabrielle did possess to see that the +existent order of things in this parvenu's house was far more fitting +and in better taste than that she had known at home, and she frequently +tormented her mother with remarks on the subject. + +The Baroness was sitting on the little sofa in her boudoir, turning +over the leaves of a fashion-book. A great reception was to be held at +the castle in the course of the next few days. The highly important +question of what dresses should be worn was now awaiting decision, and +both mother and daughter were zealously applying themselves to the +study which had such attractions for at least one of them. + +"Mamma," said Gabrielle, who was sitting by her mother, holding some +stray leaves of the fashion-book. "Uncle Arno declared yesterday that +these great parties were a troublesome duty, imposed on him by his +position. He does not take the smallest pleasure in them." + +The Baroness shrugged her shoulders. "He takes pleasure in nothing but +work. I never met with a man who gave himself so little rest and +recreation as my brother-in-law." + +"Rest?" repeated Gabrielle. "As if he even knew what it meant, or could +endure it if he did know! Quite early in the morning he is sitting at +his writing-table, and at midnight I often see a light in his study. +Now he is busy in his own bureaux, then in the other departments; after +that, he drives out, surveying improvements here and there, and +inspecting heaven knows what! In between these occupations he receives +all sorts of people, listens to reports, issues orders.... I really +believe he gets through more work himself than all his clerks put +together." + +"Yes, he was always a restless creature," assented the Baroness. "My +sister often assured me that it made her nervous even to think of the +unceasing whirl of activity in which her husband spent his days." + +Gabrielle leaned her head on her hand, and mused a little thoughtfully. + +"Mamma," she soon began again, "your sister's married life must have +been a very dull and tiresome one." + +"Tiresome? What makes you think so?" + +"Well, I only mean by what I hear in the Castle. My aunt lived in the +right wing, and my uncle in the left. Sometimes he would not go near +her rooms for weeks, and she never went to his. He had his own +carriages and servants, and she had hers. They each went and came as +they liked, without giving each other a thought. It must have been a +strange sort of life." + +"Oh, you are quite mistaken," replied her mother, who evidently saw +nothing very shocking in such a state of things. "It was a perfectly +happy marriage. My sister had never reason to complain of her husband, +who fulfilled her every wish. She, fortunate being, was never subjected +to the harsh words, to the scenes, which in later years, I had +constantly to endure." + +"Yes, you and papa were always quarrelling, that is true," said +Gabrielle, naively. "Uncle Arno never did that, I am sure; but he took +no interest in his wife, though he can take an interest in everything +else, even in my schooling. It was very rude of him to say, a little +while ago, in your presence, that he thought my education very +deficient and neglected, and that it was easy to see at a glance I had +always been left to maids and governesses." + +"I am, unfortunately, accustomed to such inconsiderate, unkind speeches +from him," declared the Baroness, with a sigh, which, however, did not +for a moment interrupt her close examination of a pattern before her. +"If I submit to them, I make the sacrifice simply and solely with a +view to your future, my child." + +Her daughter did not seem particularly moved by this proof of maternal +solicitude. + +"I was catechised like a little school-girl," she grumbled on. "He +worried me so with his questions and cross-questions, that I got quite +confused at last, and then he shrugged his shoulders and decreed that I +should begin taking lessons again. Take lessons at seventeen! He will +have masters out from the town for me, he says; but I shall just tell +him pointblank that it is not necessary, and he need not trouble +himself about the matter." + +The mother looked up from her fashion-plates. + +"For Heaven's sake, do nothing of the kind. As it is, you seem to live +in a state of continual rebellion to your guardian, and I often tremble +with fear lest you should rouse his anger with your pertness and +obstinacy. So far, I must say, he has put up with your conduct with +wonderful patience, he who could never brook a contrary word!" + +"I would a great deal rather he grew angry," said Gabrielle, +petulantly. "I can't endure him to smile down at me from that great +height, as if I were too insignificant a child to annoy or aggravate +him--he invariably does smile in that way when I attempt it--and when +he is so gracious as to kiss my forehead, I feel as if I should like to +run away from the place." + +"Gabrielle, I do beg of you----" + +"It is of no use, mamma, I can't help it. Whenever I come near Uncle +Arno, I have a feeling as though I must defend myself, defend myself +with all my might and main against something--something there is about +him. I don't know what it is, but it worries and vexes me. I cannot +behave to him as to other people. I cannot, and what is more, I will +not!" + +The young lady's last words were uttered in a tone of spirited +defiance. She took up her hat and parasol from the table, and prepared +to depart. + +"Where are you going?" asked her mother. + +"Only into the garden for half an hour. It is too hot here in these +rooms." + +The Baroness protested. She wished to have the grave question of the +toilette settled first, but Gabrielle seemed to have lost all interest +in it for that day, and was, besides, too much accustomed to follow the +bent of her own caprices even to heed the objection. Next minute she +hurried away. + +The garden lay at the back of the Castle, and was bounded by its walls +on one side, while on the other it stretched away to the edge of the +steeply-sloping hill. The high fortification-walls, which had formerly +closed it in on this side also, had been taken down, and were now +replaced by a low parapet completely clothed in ivy. A full, free view +could thus be had of the surrounding country. Below lay the valley, +here widening to its fullest breadth, and displaying to the eye of the +spectator its picturesque sites and varied beauties. The Castle-mount +was famed for its prospect far and wide. The garden itself still bore +traces of those long-bygone times when it had served as pleasance to +the mediaeval stronghold. Somewhat narrow, somewhat dusky, and very +limited in space, it was neither bright with sunshine nor gay with +flowers. + +One rarer charm, however, it could boast. Majestic ancient limes shaded +its walks, and altogether screened it from view; not even from the +Castle windows could it be overlooked. Gravely the great trees stood, +considering the younger generation which had sprung up on and about the +former ramparts, clustering down the hill-sides, and adorning them with +their slender stems and fresh tender green. Those leafy giants, the +limes, had struck root in the soil more than a century before; their +grand old trunks had weathered many a storm, and the mighty branches +which formed their crests were interwoven in one vast thick canopy, +through which but few sunbeams pierced their way. + +The whole space beneath lay in broad, deep shade. Hardly a flower +throve in this dim retreat, but under foot was a pleasant stretch of +lawn dotted here and there by clumps of bushes, from the midst of which +came the low plash and murmur of a fountain. This fountain was in the +taste of the last century, and ornamented with old weather-beaten +statues, representing, in fantastic fashion, sprites and water-nymphs. +Dark, damp moss covered their stony heads and arms supporting shells, +from each of which a bright jet of water shot aloft, to fall in a +million diamond-drops into the great basin below. Here, too, the grey +stones were carpeted with a close mossy velvet which gave a singularly +deep colouring to the crystal-clear water. The Nixies' Well, as it was +called from the figures which adorned it, dated from the Castle's +earliest times, and still played a certain role in the traditions of +the country-side. + +An old legend had attributed some healing power to the spring, and, +notwithstanding the fact that the old mountain-fortress had been +transformed into a most prosaic official residence, a superstitious +belief in that legend was still firmly rooted in the mind of the +people. Water was fetched thence on certain days of the year, and +employed as a preventive against sickness and as a remedy in various +ailments, to the supreme disgust of the Governor, who had done his best +on several occasions to put an end to the folly. He had even ordered +the Castle-garden, which had hitherto been accessible to the public, to +be closed, and forbidden the admittance to it of any stranger. This +prohibition, however, had a contrary effect to that desired. The people +adhered obstinately to their superstition, and clung more tenaciously +than ever to the object of it. The servants of the household were moved +by prayers, or bribed by presents, to tolerate in secret that which +they dared not openly allow. The Castle-fountain retained its old +reputation, and its waters were venerated as almost holy, though, to be +sure, the divinities to whom it had been consecrated were pagan enough +in their outward semblance. + +Gabrielle too had heard of these things, had heard of them from the +Baron himself, who frequently alluded to the subject with angry +ridicule; and it might possibly be that lurking spirit of rebellion +against her guardian, so dreaded by her mother, which led the young +lady to select this as her favourite spot. To-day again she sought it, +but neither the Nixies' Well nor the noble prospect spreading out +yonder on the unenclosed side of the garden had power to chain her +attention. Gabrielle was out of humour, and she had some cause for +discontent. After the boundless liberty she had enjoyed at Z----, the +strict formal etiquette of the Government-house galled and irritated +her. She could not reconcile herself to it; the less that this +etiquette was an insuperable obstacle to the frequent meetings with +George Winterfeld on which she had counted. + +Here in R----, the young people were completely separated. With the +exception of a chance encounter now and again, always in the presence +of witnesses, they were fain to content themselves with a casual +glimpse of each other at a distance, with some little secret signal, as +when George would pass beneath the window and furtively wave his hand +to a slender, white-robed figure above. He had attempted to approach +her. His previous acquaintance with them justifying the step, he had +paid a visit to the ladies. The Baroness would have had no objection to +receive the agreeable young man, as she had received him previously, +but Raven gave her very decidedly to understand that he did not desire +anything like intimacy between the ladies of his family and one of his +young clerks who could have no claim to such a distinction. So the +visit was accepted, but no invitation to repeat it was given, and thus +the attempt proved abortive. + +True, it was impatience, rather than actual trouble of mind, which made +Gabrielle rebel against the restraint everywhere surrounding her. Since +the Baron had so calmly deposed her to the rank of a child, she had +missed George's tender and yet passionate homage, which formerly she +had accepted as a thing of course. _He_ never thought her education +deficient and neglected, _he_ never catechised her, or expected her to +take wearisome lessons, as did her guardian, who clearly did not know +how young ladies of her age ought to be treated. In George's estimation +she was faultless; the one woman to be adored; he was happy when she +just blew a kiss to him from afar.... And yet she was angry with George +too. Why did he not try more to break through the barriers which +separated them? Why did he remain at so respectful a distance? Why, at +least, did he not write to her? The young girl was too childish and +inexperienced to do justice to that feeling of delicate consideration +which made her lover shrink from anything likely to cast the least +shadow on her, which made him endure silence and separation rather than +venture on any step that might imperil her good name. + +"Well, Gabrielle, are you trying to fathom the secrets of the Nixies' +Well?" said a voice, suddenly. + +She looked quickly round. Baron von Raven stood before her--he must +just have stepped out from among the bushes. It was a most unusual +thing for him to set foot in the garden--he had neither time nor +inclination for solitary walks. Some special motive must have brought +him here to-day, for he went straight up to the fountain, and began to +examine it carefully on every side. + +"Well, Uncle Arno, I should think you ought to be better acquainted +with the secrets than I am," retorted Gabrielle, laughing. "I am still +a stranger in the land, and you have lived at the Castle ever so long." + +"Do you think I have had time to listen to these nursery-tales?" + +The contemptuous tone in which he spoke jarred on the girl, she hardly +knew why. "Did you never care for such nursery-tales, not even as a +boy?" + +"Not even as a boy. I had something better to think of even then." + +Gabrielle looked up at him. That proud, stern face, with its expression +of sombre earnest, certainly did not give the idea that its owner could +ever have known or cared for the fairy world of youth. + +"Nevertheless, my visit to-day is to the Nixies' Well," he went on. "I +have given orders to have the fountain pulled down and the spring +stopped; but I wanted to see first how it was likely to affect the +ground, and what precautions should be taken." + +Gabrielle turned upon him in alarm and indignation. + +"The fountain is to be destroyed? Why?" + +"Because I am tired at length of all the folly connected with it. The +absurd superstition is not to be uprooted. In spite of my strict orders +to the contrary, water is constantly being fetched from the well, and +thus the preposterous delusion is kept alive. It is high time to put an +end to it, and that can only be accomplished by doing away with the +object to which the superstition clings. I am sorry that one of the +Castle's notable old curiosities should have to fall a sacrifice--but +no matter, the sacrifice must be made." + +"But you will be robbing the garden of its chief ornament," cried +Gabrielle. "It is the sparkle and murmur of the fountain which gives to +the place its greatest charm. And that silver-clear water is to be +driven down into the earth? It is a shame, Uncle Arno, and I won't see +it done." + +Raven, who was still busy closely inspecting the fountain, turned his +head slowly towards her. + +"You won't see it done?" he asked, looking at her sharply, but not with +the threatening imperious frown wherewith he was accustomed to crush +contradiction in the bud; there was even the faintest flicker of a +smile about his lips. "Then, of course, I shall have no alternative but +to recall the order I have given ... it would be the first time such a +thing ever happened to me! Do you really suppose, child, that I shall +give up a resolve of mine in deference to your romantic fancies?" + +Again there came that superior, half-derisive, half-pitying smile which +Gabrielle hated, and the word 'child' which was equally abhorrent to +her. Deeply wounded in her dignity as a maiden of seventeen, she +preferred to make no answer, but contented herself with casting at her +guardian a look eloquent with indignation. + +"You are behaving as though the demolition of the fountain were a +personal affront to yourself," said the Baron. "I see you still +preserve your childish respect for the old hobgoblin stories, and are +in right earnest afraid of the nixies and the phantom-folk." + +"I wish the nixies would avenge the contempt now shown them and the +intended destruction of their home," said Gabrielle, in a tone which +was meant to be playful, but which vibrated with real anger. "The +chastisement would not fall on me." + +"But on me, you think," said Raven, sarcastically. "No, no; make your +mind easy, child. It is only your poetic, moonlight natures which are +exposed to these things. The nixies' charm would utterly fail if tried +on me." + +They were standing close to the fountain's edge. The water fell with a +soft monotonous plash and ripple out of the stone shells down into the +basin below. Suddenly a breezy gust diverted the course of the jet, +dashing its spray in a sparkling shower at once over the Baron and +Gabrielle. The girl sprang back with a cry. Raven stood quietly where +he was. + +"That caught us both," said he. "The nixies seem to be impartial in +their favours. They stretch forth their dripping arms to friend and foe +alike." + +Gabrielle had retreated to the garden-seat, and was busy wiping the +glittering drops from her dress with her handkerchief. His raillery +irritated her beyond all telling, and yet she hardly knew what answer +to make. Had any one else so spoken to her, she would have found some +gay repartee, would have turned the accident into a joke, and made it a +pretext for merry banter. But now she could not do this. The Baron's +jests were always caustic. It was irony at most which now and then +gleamed in his face, and caused the wonted gravity of his features to +relax. + +With a rapid movement he shook off the drops wherewith he too was +plentifully besprinkled, and drew near the garden-seat in his turn, +adding: + +"I am sorry to have to spoil your favourite spot, but, as regards the +fountain, the edict has gone forth. You will have to make the best of +it." + +Gabrielle cast a sorrowful look at the shining, falling water. Its +dreamy murmur had possessed a mysterious attraction for her from the +very first day. She was almost ready to cry, as she answered: + +"I know you do not care how your orders vex and distress other people, +and that it is quite useless for me to ask a favour of you. You never +listen to petitions of any sort." + +Raven crossed his arms quietly and looked down at her. + +"Ah! you have found that out already?" + +"Yes; and nobody ever thinks of coming to you with one. They are all +afraid of you--the servants, your clerks, mamma even--every one but +me." + +"You are not afraid?" + +"No!" + +The answer came boldly and resolutely from the young lady's lips. She +seemed to have reassumed her warlike attitude, and to have determined +this time on exasperating the dreaded guardian--but in vain. He +remained perfectly calm, and appeared rather amused than offended at +his ward's spirit of contradiction. + +"It is fortunate your mother is not here," he remarked. "She would be a +prey to the keenest anxiety, and quite despair of the perverse young +head which will not bend to necessity, as she herself does with +admirable self-abnegation. You should take example by her." + +"Oh, yes! mamma is docility itself where you are concerned," cried +Gabrielle, growing more and more excited; "and she expects the same +from me. But I will not play the hypocrite, and I cannot like you. +Uncle Arno, for you are not good to us, and never have been good to us. +Your very reception of us when we came was so humiliating that I should +have been glad to go away again at once; and since then you have daily +and hourly let us feel that we are dependent on you. You treat my +mother with a disrespect which often makes me go hot with indignation. +You speak in a slighting way of my papa, who is dead and cannot defend +himself, and you behave to me as though I were a sort of toy not to be +thought of seriously. You have taken us in, and we live in your Castle, +where everything is much grander and finer than in my own home, but I +would far rather be away in our Swiss exile, as mamma calls it--in our +little house by the lake, which was so simple and modest, where we had +barely what was necessary, but where, at least, we were free from you +and your tyranny. Mamma insists on it I must bear it, because you are +rich, and because my future depends on your favour. But I do not want +your money; I do not care about being your heiress. I should like to go +away from here; the sooner the better!" + +She had sprung up from her seat and stood facing him, glowing with +passionate excitement, one little foot firmly planted in advance, her +head thrown back, her eyes brimming with tears of anger and of +mortification; but there was more in this stormy outbreak than +the mere defiance of a wayward child. Every word betrayed intense and +deeply-wounded feelings; and there was, indeed, but too much truth in +the accusation she thus boldly launched at her guardian. + +Raven had uttered no syllable of interruption. He had stood immovable, +his gaze riveted on her face; but now, as she ceased speaking, and, +drawing a long breath, pressed her hands on her bosom, while a torrent +of hot tears burst from her eyes, he stooped down suddenly and said, +with great earnestness: + +"Do not cry, Gabrielle. To you, at least, I have been unjust. I own +it." + +Gabrielle's tears were stayed. Now only, as reflection succeeded to +excitement, did she realise all the imprudence of her words. She had +surely counted on an outbreak of swift, fierce wrath; and, in its +stead, there met her this inexplicable calm. She stood, mute and almost +abashed, looking to the ground. + +"So you do not want my money?" went on the Baron. "How do you know what +my intention may be with regard to it? I have never made any +communication to you on the subject, to my knowledge; yet the topic +would appear to have been well discussed between you and your mother." + +The young girl flushed crimson. + +"I do not know ... we never----" + +"Do not attempt to deny it, child. You are as little versed in +falsehood as in mercenary calculation, or you would never have adopted +such an attitude towards me, I am not angry with you for it. I can +forgive open defiance. Hypocrisy and systematic scheming I could not +have forgiven you at your age. Thank God, the faulty education has not +done so much harm as I feared." + +He took her hand quietly, as though nothing unusual had happened, drew +her down on to the bench, and seated himself by her. + +Gabrielle made a little attempt to move away from him. + +"Stay! you must allow me to meet your declaration of war with an answer +in due form," said the Baron. "Your mother will not share in the +hostilities; at least, not openly. I am sure she has enjoined it on you +as a duty to be amiable and gracious in your manner towards the +parvenu." + +"What do you mean?" asked the girl, in confusion. + +"Well, the term cannot be unfamiliar to you. It was, I believe, the +special designation accorded to me in your father's house." + +This time Gabrielle bravely met the look which rested on her face. + +"I know my parents had no love for you," she answered. "How could they? +You had never been anything but hostile to them." + +"I to them, or they to me? but no matter, it comes to the same. These +are things whereof you, Gabrielle, are not yet qualified to judge. You +have no notion what it is for a man holding an inferior position, such +as mine then was, to enter an eminently aristocratic family and the +high social sphere in which that family moved. In those circles I had +then, and have had since, but one friend, your grandfather. With every +one else I had to win my place by force of conquest; and there are but +two ways to this end. Either the aspirant must bow his head and meekly +submit to all such humiliations as are showered on a parvenu--he must +either show himself deeply sensible of the honour conferred on him, and +content himself with being tolerated--and to this my nature was not +suited--or he must boldly usurp the master's place, assert an authority +over the whole clique, show them there is a power mightier than that of +their genealogies, and set his heel on all their prejudices and +arrogant pretensions. Then _they_ learn to bow before him. As a rule, +it is far easier to govern and keep men under than is generally +supposed. You must know how to overawe them. Therein lies the whole +secret of success." + +Gabrielle shook her head slightly. + +"These are hard principles." + +"They result from my experience of the world, and I have thirty years' +advantage over you in this respect. Do you think I never had my grand +ideals, my dreams, and my enthusiasm? Do you think my heart was never +fired with all the ardent imaginings of youth? But these things die out +as we advance in life. I could not carry my dreams with me into such a +career as mine. They hold you to the ground; it was my wish to mount, +and I have mounted. Truly, I had to pay a high price for my chance--too +high a price, perhaps; but no matter, I have attained my end." + +"And has it made you happy?" The question came almost involuntarily +from the young girl's lips. + +Raven shrugged his shoulders. + +"Happy? Life is a struggle, not a state of beatitude. One must throw +one's adversary, or be thrown--there is no third issue. You, indeed, +look on all this with other eyes as yet. To you, life is still one long +summer day, bright as the light shining out yonder. You still believe +that far away in the glistening distance, over those blue mountains, +there lies a paradise of joy and content. You are mistaken, child. The +golden sun shines down on endless sorrow and misery, and over beyond +the blue mountains is nothing but the toilsome road from the cradle to +the grave, the long route we diversify with so much strife and hatred. +Life is only one great battle to be fought every day afresh: men are +but puppets to be governed--and despised." + +There was an indescribable hardness and harshness is his words, but +there was in them also all the decision and energy proper to the man. +He was enouncing a dogma which had become to him indisputable. The +bitterness of spirit pervading his profession of faith escaped, indeed, +in a great measure his girlish hearer, who listened half amazed, half +indignant--listened and wondered. + +"But, finally, there comes a time when the everlasting combat sickens," +Raven went on; "when a man comes to ask himself whether, after all, the +once dreamed-of greatness were worth the stake of all he possessed, +when he counts the sum of victories achieved by constant wrestling and +unremitting exertions, and, counting them, grows heartily weary of the +game he has played so long. I am weary of it often--very weary!" + +He leaned back, and gazed out into the distance. There was gloomy care +in his look, and the deep weariness of which he spoke re-echoed in his +voice. Gabrielle was silent, greatly embarrassed by the serious turn +the conversation had taken, and feeling herself led away into quite +unknown paths. Hitherto she had seen in her guardian the master +only--the master, iron of will and inaccessible to sentiment. His +behaviour towards herself had been marked by the mere indulgent +condescension with which a man stoops to a child's range of ideas. He +had never spoken to her in any but the half-kindly, half-jesting manner +he had assumed to-day on first meeting her. + +For the first time this taciturn, rigidly reserved nature expanded in a +moment of self-forgetfulness. Gabrielle looked down into a depth +whereof she had not dreamed; but instinctively she felt that she must +not move, must not conjure up the strong emotions stirring below the +surface. + +A long pause followed. The two looked out silently at the broad +landscape lying before them in the warm light of a mellow August day. +The month had nearly run its course, and summer seemed before her +departure to be shedding all her bountiful stores of loveliness over +the earth. Resplendent sunshine steamed over the ancient city spread at +the foot of the Castle-hill, flooded the pasture-lands and fields, +gleamed on the hamlets which dotted the country far and near, and +sparkled in the ripples of the river winding its way majestically +through the valley. + +Enclosing this valley stood the circling hills, some with softly +modulated lines, some rising boldly, jagged and rugged, with their +stretches of green meadow and dark patches of forest, out from which, +here and there, a pilgrim's shrine shone whitely, or a ruined fortress, +grey with age, reared its crumbling walls. In the far distance, half +veiled in blue mist, rose the grander mountains, a noble background +bounding the horizon, and over all the azure sky smiled serene and +gracious, and the great sea of ether was filled with a golden haze. It +was one of those days when the earth lies bathed in light, so saturated +with warmth and brilliant in beauty, that it would seem as though the +world's wide compass held naught else than sunshine, glorious sunshine. + +No stronger contrast could have been found than this beaming landscape +without, and the deep cool shade of the Castle-garden, buried in its +sombre quiet. The mighty crests of the limes, with their closely-woven +boughs, shed a sort of mild green twilight on the space below, and from +beneath the tall trees came the monotonous plash of the fountain. In +unvarying alternation the crystal column rose on high, splintered into +a thousand fragments, and sank to earth again. Occasionally a ray of +light, straying into this retired nook, would strike the falling spray, +transforming it into a shower of diamonds, but next moment the glory +was gone. All lay in cool shadow again, and through the misty veil of +water the grey figures of the sirens, with their long serpent hair and +stony features, looked spectrally forth. + +The still, sultry noon seemed to have hushed all Nature into dreamy +repose. Not a bird fluttered, not a leaf stirred; from the Nixies' Well +alone came a mysterious murmur, breaking the deep stillness. Thus +from time immemorial had the spring rippled and babbled here on the +Castle-hill; for more than a century now, clad in the stone vesture +into which it had been forced, had this faithful companion fulfilled +its duty, quickening the solitude, enlivening the sequestered retreat +of the Castle-garden. Over its head had swept all the hurricanes which +the old fortress had braved of yore--the hurricanes of war, the stormy, +violent times of battle and strife, of victory and defeat. Following on +these had come a period of splendour and greatness, during which the +ancient stronghold had disappeared, and in its place a princely mansion +had arisen. All this the ever-flowing fount had witnessed. Historic +events had befallen; generations had come and gone, until, at length, a +new era had dawned--the era of modern progress, changing, modifying, +ordering all afresh. To this puissant influence everything had +yielded--save only and except the sacred spring, fenced around by a +rampart of legend and superstition. But now its turn, too, had come. +The old statues, which had so long protectingly surrounded it, were to +fall, and the bubbling water was to be driven from the cheery light of +day down into the dark earth beneath, there to be held captive for +evermore. + +Were its import a complaint, or a tale of whispered memories, that +dreamy murmur exercised a strange fascination over the grave, unbending +man, who had never known the musings of solitude or its poetic +inspirations, and over the youthful blooming maiden at his side, who, +with laughing lips and a merry heart, had hitherto fluttered joyously +on her course, unheeding, ignorant of life's earnest. All the fierce +wrestling and striving on the one hand, all the happy childish fancies +on the other, were resolved, as it were, into some nameless strange +sensation, half sweet, half troubled, which held the two in thraldom. +So, as they sat listening to the ripple and purl of the water, +unvarying, and yet so melodious, the outer world with its shining +vistas and wealth of golden warmth receded farther and farther from +view, until at length it vanished altogether. Then dim shadows grew up +round the pair, a cool watery film gathered round them, and they were +drawn down, down into vague mysterious depths, where no sound of life +penetrated, where all battling and fierce longing, all happiness and +sorrow, died away into one deep, deep dream; and through their +dreaming, as from some immeasurable distance, they could still hear the +faint spirit-singing of the spring. + +In the city below, the bells rang out the noonday hour. The clear +resonant chimes were borne up to the Castle-hill, and at their sound +all the strange fantasies evoked by the eerie murmur of the water +melted away. Raven looked up as though he had been suddenly, roughly +awakened, and Gabrielle rose quickly, and, with a movement almost akin +to flight, hurried to the ivy-kirtled parapet, where, bending forwards, +she stood listening to the distant carillon. The sound came distinctly +to her through the still air, as on that day by the lake-shore when she +and George ... Gabrielle did not follow out the thought. Why did +George's name force itself all at once on her memory, striking her as +with a reproach? Why did his image suddenly appear before her--that +resolute face which seemed to say it would guard and maintain his +rights? On that last occasion, when, in a laughing, jesting humour, she +had taken leave of him, the bells had said nothing to her. To-day, at +the remembrance of them, a quick sharp pang shot through her, a +warning, as it were, not again to let herself be enticed out of +the bright familiar sunshine into unknown depths, a hint of some +dimly-foreseen danger, now weaving its meshes round her. She was seized +by a vague, unaccountable alarm. The Baron had risen too. He came up to +where she stood. + +"You have taken flight?" he said slowly. "From what? From me, perhaps?" + +Gabrielle tried to smile, and to master the uneasiness which possessed +her, as she replied: + +"From the murmur of the Nixies' Well. It has such a weird, ghostly +sound at this noontide hour." + +"And yet you have chosen this spot as your favourite haunt?" + +"Well, the fountain has now lived its life. Tomorrow, perhaps, by your +command, the garden will have been turned into a wilderness, a chaos of +stones and earth, and ..." + +"Little do I care whether my orders distress other people or not?" +completed Raven, as she paused. "It may be so--but, Gabrielle, are you +really so fond of this spring? Would it positively distress you to see +it stopped?" + +"Yes," said Gabrielle, in a low voice, looking up at him. Her lips +uttered no word of entreaty; but her eyes besought him earnestly, +pleading for the doomed fountain. + +Raven was silent. For some minutes he stood by her without speaking. +Then he began again: + +"I frightened you just now with my harsh views of life, but no one says +you must share them. I forgot for a moment that youth has a right to +dream, and that it would be cruel to rob you of the privilege. Keep +your faith still in the golden far-off future, in the promise of the +blue mountains. You may yet put gentle confidence in the world and in +mankind; it is little likely you will ever incur their hostility and +hatred." + +His voice was veiled and wonderfully soft, and all austerity had +vanished from his look, as it rested half sadly on the young girl's +countenance; but Arno Raven was not one to be long influenced by such +emotions; and, indeed, it seemed that no chance of yielding to them was +to be afforded him, for at this moment steps were heard approaching, +and, as they turned, the lodge-keeper, accompanied by an elderly man--a +mechanic, apparently--entered the garden. They stopped on perceiving +the Governor, and uncovered respectfully. + +Raven's mildness had already vanished. He had quickly shaken off the +unwonted mood. + +"What is it?" he asked, in the curt, authoritative tone habitual to +him. + +"Your Excellency has given orders that the Nixies' Well should be +broken up, and the spring stopped," answered the master-mason. "It was +to be done today, and my men will be here in half an hour or so. I only +wanted to see beforehand whether there would be any difficulty, and if +the work was likely to take up much time." + +The Baron glanced at the fountain, and then at Gabrielle standing by +his side. There was the hardly perceptible delay of a second, and then +he pronounced his decree: + +"Send your people away. The work is not to be done." + +"What! your Excellency?" asked the mason, in astonishment. + +"The demolition of the fountain would injure the garden. It is to +remain. I will take other measures." + +A wave of the hand dismissed the two men. They, of course, ventured on +no reply, but surprise was plainly written on their countenances as +they left the garden. It was the first time an order so +circumstantially given by the Governor himself had ever been withdrawn. + +Raven had stepped to the edge of the basin, and was watching the +constant falling shower. Gabrielle had remained in her place by the +parapet, but now she drew near slowly, hesitatingly--presently, with a +sudden movement, she held out both hands to him. + +"Thank you--oh, thank you!" + +He smiled, not with his usual sardonic smile. A ray of sunshine seemed +to flit across his face, as he took the offered hands, and, gently +raising Gabrielle's head, stooped to kiss her brow. + +There was nothing unusual in this. He was in the habit of thus saluting +her when she appeared at breakfast and wished him "Good-morning," and +hitherto she had received his caress most unconcernedly; while he, her +guardian, had but in cool, grave fashion made use of his 'fatherly +rights.' + +To-day, for the first time, the young girl involuntarily sought to +evade it; and Raven felt that the hand he held in his own trembled a +little. He drew himself up suddenly, without having touched her +forehead with his lips, and dropped her hand. + +"You are right," he said, in a troubled voice. "There is a magic in the +Nixies' Well. Let us go." + +They turned away. Behind them the spring babbled and murmured, the +fountain plashed, throwing its white veil of spray ever on high. That +cruel doom of destruction was averted now. The beseeching prayer of +those brown eyes, and the glittering tears which stood in them, had +saved the well. + +Perhaps at this moment the cold, stern man, who had long passed the +prime of life, may have felt that his boast had been premature, that +not even he in his strength was entirely proof against "the nixies' +charm." + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + +George Winterfeld sat at his writing-table in his own room. He looked +worn, and almost ill. The transient freshness of tint called up by his +holiday excursion had long since vanished, and the natural pallor, +which had even then been noticeable on the young man's finely cut and +intellectual features, had visibly increased. He was, indeed, apt to +exact too much of his working powers. The duties of his position made +considerable demands on his time, yet in every leisure-hour at his +disposal he devoted himself with feverish zeal to such studies as were +likely to advance him in his career. + +George often worked at the expense of his health; he was urged on by a +nobler spur than ambition. Every step he took forward lessened the gap +between himself and the woman he loved, and, though possessed of all +becoming modesty, he was yet too sensible of his own abilities and his +own worth not to cherish an assured hope that one day that gap would be +filled up. + +His colleagues, who for the most part contented themselves with getting +through the business which fell to them in office-hours, knew nothing +of the Assessor's quiet, unceasing toil. He never alluded to it. The +chief's penetrating eye alone had discovered with what a fund of +perseverance, with what genuine talent the young clerk was gifted, +though as yet he had had but small opportunity of turning his gifts to +active account. + +George always worked best in the morning hours. He was sitting to-day +bent over a volume of jurisprudence, and so immersed in its arid +contents that he did not notice the opening of the outer door which +gave access to his apartments. It was only when he heard a familiar +voice say: "Don't trouble yourself. I can find my way to Mr. Winterfeld +alone," that he started up from his book, just as the newcomer entered. + +"Good-morning, George, old fellow. Here I am, you see." + +"Max! Is it possible? What brings you to R----? How did you come here?" +cried George, in joyful surprise, hurrying to meet his friend. + +"I came straight from home," replied the latter, returning his friend's +greeting with equal heartiness. "I only reached the hotel half an hour +ago, and came up to see you immediately." + +"But why not write me a few lines? Did you wish to take me by +surprise?" + +"No, not that; the journey was rather a surprise to myself; for, my +dear fellow, I am not brought here by any sentimental feelings of +friendship, as you may possibly flatter yourself, but by a most real +and practical matter of business, arising from our succession to some +property. But, in the first place, how are you? You are looking pale, +as is but natural to a man who sits brooding in the early morning over +his books. George, you are incorrigible." + +George laughed, pushed away the hand that was stretched out to feel his +pulse, and drew his friend to the sofa. + +"Lay aside the doctor for the nonce," said he. "I am perfectly well. So +it is some succession-business which brings you here. Have riches +peradventure overtaken you?" + +"Not riches, exactly," said Max. "It is only a matter of a very modest +fortune left by a cousin of ours who owned a small estate in the +neighbourhood of R----. I had some acquaintance with him. He had +quarrelled with my father out and out, on account of the latter's +political past; but now he has died without a will or direct heirs, +and my father, as next of kin, has received a summons from the +R---- tribunal to make good his claims. This he cannot do in person. +You know that he may not set foot in his native land without risking a +return to his old quarters in that fortified place which he quitted by +the somewhat unusual conveyance of a ladder of ropes. The sentence +formerly pronounced on him still hangs over his head, so he has sent me +as his representative." + +"You have full authority to act?" put in the Assessor. + +"Unlimited; but there will be plenty of quibbles and delays, +notwithstanding. My father's flight and protracted absence will +complicate matters, and my notorious Socialist name will hardly +predispose the judicial mind to any special affability towards me. +Foreseeing all this, I have taken a rather long leave and I intend to +stay in R---- until the business is settled. I count much on your legal +advice and assistance." + +"I am altogether at your service. The first thing for you to do, +however, is to give up your rooms at the hotel, and to come here to +me." + +"With your permission, I shall decline doing that," said Max, drily. + +"Why?" + +"Because I don't wish to bring you into trouble with your superiors. +Can you give me your word of honour that the visit you paid us this +summer passed unremarked, that it has called down on you no word of +blame?" + +George looked down. + +"Well, I certainly was favoured with some rather sharp observations +from the chief; but there are bounds even to his jurisdiction and to +the regard I owe to my position. I do not mean to offer up to it my +friends and private connections." + +"You need not do so," returned the young surgeon; "but there is no +occasion to go out of your way to challenge a conflict. You know I have +not a very high opinion of gratuitous sacrifices, and the invitation +you are now so kind as to give me comes under that head. No use to +argue, George. I shall remain at the hotel. You will compromise +yourself quite sufficiently in the eyes of all loyal citizens by owning +me as a friend at all." + +The refusal was expressed in so decided a tone that George saw it would +be useless to insist; so he yielded the point. + +"Well, let me congratulate you on coming in to the fortune, at all +events," he said. "Though it be not a very considerable one, it will, I +suppose, be of importance to you." + +"Certainly; I am especially glad on my father's account. He can now +devote himself to his beloved science undisturbed by those material +cares which have hitherto held the front rank. I, too, gain by it my +much-desired independence. I should long ago have resigned my post at +the hospital had it not been necessary to provide for our household an +assured income which can henceforth be dispensed with. I shall set to +work to establish a practice now and marry." + +"You are thinking of marrying?" asked George, in some astonishment. + +"Of course I am. A man must have a wife. It is necessary to his +comfort." + +"But whom do you mean to marry?" + +"Ah! that I don't know yet. When I have installed myself in a place of +my own, I shall hold a review, make my choice, and lead home my bride." + +"Some daughter of Switzerland, I presume?" + +"Beyond a doubt. I think very highly of the solid good sense and +practical virtues of the Swiss, though it may be there is a little lack +of polish about them at times. Moreover, I don't want any tender +over-refinement in my wife. Married people should be cut out on the +same pattern." + +"Well, you seem to have gone thoroughly into it," laughed George, "I +dare say you have made out a regular programme, enumerating all the +qualities your future wife is to possess. So let us hear. Clause No. +I?" + +"Money," said Max, laconically. "Ah! yes; that rouses your sentimental +feelings to revolt again. Money is indispensable. Second desideratum, +practical domestic education. Third, fine robust health. A doctor, who +is knocking about all day among all sorts of maladies, does not want to +have to prescribe at home. Fourth----" + +"For heaven's sake stop!" interrupted his friend. "I believe there are +a dozen _sine qua non_. Love does not figure among them, I suppose?" + +"Love comes after marriage," replied the young surgeon, confidently, +"at least, with rational people; and the unions which answer best are +those based on the solid grounds of reason and common sense. When, +after a mature consideration of character and circumstances, I find +that my programme fits, I shall make my offer at once, and get married; +and therewith all is said." + +George smiled rather sadly as he laid his hand on his friend's arm. + +"My dear Max, I know very well for whom your sermon is intended. +Unfortunately, it can avail nothing. You will not understand this until +some passion, springing up in your own breast, dashes through all your +clauses at a stroke, and upsets your conclusions." + +"A minute, please. Mine is no romantic nature. I leave romance to +certain other people of my acquaintance. By-the-bye, how is your little +affair progressing? May I expect again to fill the part of confidant, +and, when occasion offers, to resume my former functions as sentinel? I +am at your orders." + +George sighed. + +"No, Max, there is no question of that. I hardly ever see Gabrielle, +and have only spoken to her once in her mother's presence. The Governor +has built up around his house such a rampart of haughty reserve and +exclusiveness, it is impossible to break through it." + +"Poor old fellow! the melancholy of your appearance becomes explicable +to me. Well, you see the consequences of taking these things too +seriously. My programme and my clauses, at which you jeer in a most +uncalled-for manner, protect me from such misadventures." + +George looked at his watch. + +"Excuse me, I must be off to the Chancellery. Our office-hours begin +early; but after three o'clock I am at liberty, and I will look you up +immediately. Shall I go with you to the hotel?" + +The young surgeon preferred to bear his friend company on his way to +the bureau, so the two set out together. They walked through the +streets, chatting as they went, and at the foot of the hill they came +upon Councillor Moser. This gentleman had his quarters at the +Government-house itself, but he was in the habit of taking a +constitutional in the morning before office-hours commenced, and from +this exercise he was now returning. He advanced slowly, with his usual +stiff and solemn mien, his chin well buried in his white cravat, and +returned his subordinate's greeting with an affable but dignified bow. + +"You are looking tired, Mr. Winterfeld," he observed, in a benevolent +tone. "His Excellency himself has noticed it. His Excellency is of +opinion that you work too sedulously, and that you will undermine your +health by such assiduous study. There may be too much even of a good +thing. You should not apply too closely." + +"That is what I am always preaching to my friend," put in Max; "but in +vain. This very morning, at an untimely hour, I found him poring over +his books, and had literally to hunt him from them. He throws all my +prescriptions to the wind." + +"You are a member of the Faculty, sir?" asked the Councillor, evidently +expecting that this stranger should be presented to him. + +"My friend, Dr. Brunnow," said George; "Mr. Councillor Moser." + +The chief-clerk suddenly rose out from the depths of his white +neckcloth. + +"Brunnow--Brunnow?" he repeated. + +"Is the name familiar to you, Councillor?" asked Max, innocently. + +All benevolence had vanished from the old gentleman's face. It +expressed something akin to horror as he replied sharply: + +"The name was well known in former times, first in connection with the +rebellion, then with the courts of justice. Finally, it was brought +into people's mouths by the escape from a fortified place of a +political prisoner who bore it. I trust you stand in no relationship to +the Dr. Brunnow to whom I allude." + +"In the very closest," said the young surgeon, with a most polite bow. +"That Dr. Brunnow is my father." + +The Councillor recoiled a step, as though to guarantee himself against +any chance contact. Then he turned his back on the young man, and +concentrated all his ire and indignation on George. + +"Mr. Assessor Winterfeld," he began in a withering tone, "there are +officials, clever and competent officials even, who do not, or will +not, recognise the first and most sacred duty imposed on them by their +service, the duty of loyalty to the state. Are you acquainted with any +such?" + +George was a little embarrassed. + +"I really do not quite understand your drift----" + +"Well, I am acquainted with some of that order, and I pity them, for +they are, in general, but the victims of false teaching and evil +example." + +The young clerk frowned. He was, it is true, pretty well accustomed to +such philippics from his superior; but now, in his friend's presence, +he chafed at the implied reproof, feeling the awkwardness of the +situation. So he answered with some heat: + +"You may feel convinced that I understand my duties. Beyond this----" + +"Yes, yes. I am aware that all young men are born reformers, and that +they consider it a proof of character to try a little opposition," +interrupted Moser, who dearly loved, in season and out of season, to +make use of his chiefs words, which were to him as so many oracular +utterances. "But it is a dangerous game, for opposition leads on to +revolution, and revolution"--the chief-clerk shuddered--"is a horrible +thing!" + +"A most horrible thing, Councillor," said Max, emphatically. + +"You think so?" asked Moser, somewhat disconcerted by this unexpected +adhesion. + +"Certainly; and I think, too, that it is well you should make this +appeal to my friend's conscience. I myself have often told him he is +not loyal as he should be." + +The Councillor stood as though petrified on hearing these words, which +were delivered with imperturbable gravity. He was about to answer, when +suddenly his chin disappeared into his cravat again, and he assumed a +reverential attitude. + +"His Excellency!" said he, under his breath, respectfully taking off +his hat. + +And, looking round, they really saw the Governor, coming from the +Castle, and going on foot towards the town. On reaching the spot where +they stood, he returned the gentlemen's greeting in his cool, measured +fashion, took a rapid survey of young Brunnow, and then addressed +himself to Moser: + +"It is fortunate I meet you, my dear sir. There is something I wish to +say to you. Bear me company for a few minutes, will you?" + +The Councillor joined his chief, and the two went on towards the town, +while the young men pursued their journey up the hill. + +"So that is your despot, is it?" asked Max, as soon as they were out of +hearing. "The much-abused, much-dreaded Raven! He is of an imposing +presence, that I must allow him. A bearing and dignity that would not +ill become a prince; and then that lordly glance with which he took my +measure! One can see the man knows how to command." + +"And how to oppress," added George, bitterly. "We have had a fresh +proof of it lately. The whole city is in a state of ferment on account +of the extraordinary new police regulations he has saddled upon it. He +means to repress by force the opposition which is daily growing more +active, and now threatens to become really troublesome. This last step +of his is a flagrant affront to the whole body of citizens." + +"And the good townsfolk of R---- take it quietly?" + +George cast a prudent glance around. The road was clear, and their +conversation safe from curious ears, yet the young man lowered his +voice as he answered: + +"What can they do? Rebel against their ruler, the chosen delegate of +the Government? That would entail most serious consequences. I often +think, perhaps all that is wanting is to make our Ministers aware of +the true state of the case, to acquaint them with all the arbitrary +proceedings, the acts of tyranny whereby their representative has +abused the full powers conferred on him. Were this openly done, they +must let him fall." + +"Or silence the inconvenient monitor instead. It would not be the first +time such a thing has happened; and this Raven does not look as if he +would easily let himself be thrown. He would, at least, drag down his +enemies with him in his fall." + +"And yet, sooner or later, it must come to that," said George, +resolutely. "A brave man will one day be found." + +The young surgeon started, and looked searchingly into his friend's +face. + +"You will not be he, I should hope. Don't be a fool, George, and enter +the lists alone in behalf of others. It may cost you your position, +your living; and, besides, have you forgotten that the Baron is your +adored Gabrielle's guardian? If you rouse his anger, he has at his +disposal the means of destroying all your hopes of happiness." + +"That he will do in any case," returned George moodily. "He will +assuredly try to get his ward married brilliantly and speedily; and +when he finds that I am the obstacle to the success of his plans there +are hardly any limits to the antagonism I may expect from him." + +"And, most decidedly, he is not one whom it will be easy to fight," +remarked Max. "I understand that you hate him in his double capacity." + +"Hate? I admire much in him, and in one sense the city and province owe +him a debt of gratitude. Thanks to his energy, numberless new resources +have been opened out, dormant powers have been aroused and made to +subserve the public good; but every aspiration towards a greater +freedom he has stifled with an iron hand. The cruel period of reaction, +which has weighed on us so long, is indebted to him for some of its +worst triumphs." + +"It is coming to an end," observed Max. + +"Yes, thank God, it is coming to an end. The old system is shaken to +its foundations, and its upholders are endeavouring to trim their +course wisely, so as to save all that may yet be saved. Raven +alone holds to the past with rigid consistency. Not the smallest +concession--not the most trifling compromise can be wrung from him, and +he will not listen to the warning voices which sound even in his ears. +Is this wilful blindness, or firmness of character?" + +"Firmness of character in a renegade?" + +George looked down thoughtfully. Suddenly he said: + +"Max, there are times when I would rather doubt your father's word than +ascribe a dishonourable action to my chief. Ambition, passion, might +lead him to commit a crime; but base, low treachery to his friends! +There is not a trait in the man which does not contradict the charge." + +"And yet he was guilty of such treachery. Do you think my father would +pass this rigorous judgment on the hero he once worshipped without +ample proofs? But, indeed, are they needed? Is not the career of this +Arno Raven proof enough in itself? He was once an enthusiastic champion +of liberty. What is he now?" + +"You are right; and yet ... Let us say no more of this. We are at the +Castle." + +They had, indeed, by this time reached the Government-house, where they +must separate. An appointment was hastily made for the afternoon, then +George betook himself to the Chancellery, and Max, who was in no hurry +to return to the town, strolled about, inspecting the Castle, which was +one of the principal sights of R----, and an object of interest to all +strangers. The young surgeon, it is true, cared very little for +architectural curiosities or the antique Romantic style of art; but the +Castle interested him on account of its present inhabitants. He +sauntered through the galleries and passages as far as they were +accessible; then, turning at length to retrace his steps, he lost his +way, and, instead of re-issuing at the main entrance, wandered into one +of the side wings. He only remarked his error on finding himself in a +corridor which evidently led to an inhabited dwelling. Just as he was +about to turn and go back, a door opened, and an elderly woman looked +out. + +"Ah, you are there, Doctor," said she, gladly. "Pray come in. My young +lady is ready, and expecting you." + +"Expecting me?" asked Max, astonished at the welcome. + +"Surely. You are the doctor, are not you?" + +"Well, I am that, certainly." + +"Come in then, please. I will let the young lady know." Saying which, +the woman, apparently a superior sort of housekeeper, vanished, and Max +remained alone in the outer room she had constrained him to enter. + +"Now this I call luck," said he to himself, under his breath. "I no +sooner set foot in R----, than a practice tumbles unexpectedly into my +lap. We shall see what course the matter takes." + +For this he had not long to wait. After a few minutes the woman came +back, and ushered him into a pleasant, comfortably-furnished parlour. A +young lady rose from her place by the window, and came towards him. + +She was a very young girl, perhaps about sixteen or seventeen years of +age, tall and slender, but fragile, almost sickly in appearance. +Transparently pale of complexion, her face, though not beautiful, was +delicate and prepossessing. Dark shadows encircled her eyes, and there +was hardly a trace of colour in the cheeks or lips. Her costume was of +almost exaggerated simplicity, and quite conventual in its cut and +fashion. The black dress, unrelieved by the slightest ornament, was +fastened high in the neck and closely at the wrists. A square of black +lace completely covered her head, so that only a narrow band of the +smoothly coiled dark hair was to be seen. Very timid and embarrassed in +manner, she stood before the physician with downcast eyes, saying not a +word. + +"You wish for medical advice, Fraeulein?" asked Max at length, having +waited in vain for her to speak. "I am at your service." + +At the sound of his voice, the girl raised a pair of dark, expressive +eyes, but quickly lowered them again, and drew back a step in evident +alarm. Even her more mature companion seemed, on closer investigation, +somewhat startled and uneasy at the doctor's youthful appearance. She +did not budge an inch from her charge's side. + +"My father wishes me to consult a physician," the young lady now made +answer, in a low, soft-toned voice. "It is not really necessary, for I +do not feel exactly ill." + +"But you are right-down ill," interrupted the elder woman, who +evidently considered herself more as one of the family than as a +domestic. "And now the Councillor says he insists on your seeing some +one." + +"The Councillor? Councillor Moser?" asked Max, a light breaking in upon +him. By a sort of intuition, he guessed to whose house chance had led +him. + +"Yes. Has he not been with you?" + +"He was with me about ten minutes before I came here," declared the +young man, with difficulty repressing a strong inclination to laugh. + +He recalled to mind the look of horror with which the worthy Councillor +had shrunk from him on hearing his father's name. Under any other +circumstances he would at once have cleared up the misunderstanding; +but now he thought of the old gentleman who had treated him so +ungraciously; how wrathful he would be, were he to discover, under his +own roof, this scion of Socialists and demagogues! Max determined to +stand his ground, come what might. + +"You look very far from well, however, Fraeulein," he went on, taking +her hand, and attentively feeling her pulse. "Will you allow me to put +a few questions to you?" + +The examination began. When Max had a case before him, he became simply +and solely the doctor, and forgot all else in his study of its peculiar +phenomena. His questions were short, comprehensive, clear. He wasted no +words, and never wandered from the subject in hand. Gradually his young +patient seemed to gain confidence. She grew more at ease, more explicit +in her answers, and ceased looking up anxiously at her protectress each +time she spoke. At last the examination came to an end, and Max +appeared satisfied with the result. + +"I do not see any grounds for serious apprehension. Your ailments +are in a great degree nervous, due, perhaps, originally to mental +over-excitement, and aggravated by want of air and exercise." + +"That is what I say," broke in the housekeeper, who was evidently +accustomed to put in her oar on every occasion. "Fraeulein Agnes takes +no exercise; she never goes out in the open air at all, except in the +morning to early mass. I have always said that so much praying and +penance and fasting----" + +"Christine!" interrupted the young girl, imploringly. + +"Yes, yes, the doctor must be told everything," rejoined Christine. "My +young lady overdoes it with her piety, Doctor. She is on her knees all +day long." + +"That is bad; you must leave that off," said the young surgeon, +dictatorially. + +Fraeulein Agnes looked up at him with a scared expression. + +"Doctor!" + +"And the daily attendance at early mass as well. That must certainly be +discontinued," pursued Max, speaking with the same prompt decision, and +unheeding her attempt at remonstrance. "You have every reason to guard +against taking cold, and the mornings are beginning to be cool and +autumnal. As to fasting, I forbid it once for all. It is as bad as +poison to a person in your condition." + +"But, Doctor!" said the girl, a second time, and again her protest +found no hearing. Max was not to be diverted from his point. + +"Now, on the other hand, I prescribe a long walk every day, but at +noon, when the sun is bright and warm--as much air and exercise as +possible, and a little amusement too, something to vary the thoughts. +The winter gaieties will be setting in soon. I would advise you not to +dance too much." + +Agnes started back three steps at least, thus emulating her father's +late hasty retreat. + +"Dance!" she repeated, in absolute dismay. "Dance!" + +"Yes, why not? All young ladies are fond, of dancing, are they not? You +do not want to be an exception to the rule, I suppose?" + +"I have never danced," she replied quickly, and with as much decision +of tone as her soft voice would admit of. "I have always kept aloof +from worldly amusements. They are sinful, and I detest them." + +"Well, well, you should try them before you make up your mind," said +the doctor, kindly. "But such advice hardly comes within my +professional competence. I will give you a prescription for the +present, and see you again in the course of a few days. Have you paper +and pen and ink at hand?" + +Christine brought the necessary implements, and he sat down to write. +Agnes had taken refuge by the window, where she stood with folded +palms, and a look of consternation on her pale face. When the +prescription was finished. Max came up to her again, and +unceremoniously disengaged the folded hands to feel her pulse once +more. + +"Yes; now follow my instructions carefully, and there will, I hope, be +an improvement before long. Good-morning, Fraeulein." + +So saying, he left the room. Christine closed the entrance-door behind +him, and then came back. + +"He knows what he is about," said she. "He orders and dictates as +though no one else had a right to say a word here. What do you think of +the doctor, Fraeulein?" + +"I think him very irreligious," declared the young lady, emphatically. + +"Ah, yes; none of your medical men are over-pious," remarked Christine. + +"And so young!" went on Agnes, in a tone which implied the weightiest +accusation. + +"I expected to see an older man myself, but he looks clever, and he +certainly is very punctual. He had promised to be here at nine, and on +the stroke of nine there he was outside in the corridor. I can't think +where your papa is! Something must have happened to detain him, for he +wished to be present at the interview." + +"The doctor said he had spoken to my father. Do you think I ought to +take the medicine, Christine?" + +"Of course you must take it. That is what we had the doctor here for. I +like him, in spite of that bearish way of his. You mind what I say. +Miss Agnes--he will set you all to rights again." + +It remained doubtful whether Agnes herself shared this opinion. She had +taken up the prescription, and was reading it. After a while she laid +the paper down, and said, with a little shake of the head: + +"I only wish he were not so irreligious!" + +Max, going down the steps, met an elderly gentleman coming up. This +personage wore gold spectacles, carried a stick with a gold knob, and +had about him an air of great importance. The young surgeon stopped, +and looked after him. + +"I would wager my head that is my worthy colleague on his way to pay +the promised visit. Now he will rack his brains to discover who can +have been interfering with his practice, and snapping up a patient +before his very nose. And then the wrath of that quintessence of +loyalty, the solemn old Councillor, when he hears the story, and sees +my name on the prescription! It would be worth something to get a look +at his face. I wish I could introduce myself to him in my new capacity +as his family doctor." + +The mischievous wish was to be fulfilled. At the foot of the +Castle-hill Max met the Councillor, who, as in duty bound, had +accompanied 'his Excellency' to his destination, and was now on his +road back. No sooner did he catch a glimpse of Brunnow, that 'scion of +Socialists and demagogues,' than he endeavoured to turn aside, and thus +avoid the undesirable meeting. Max, however, went straight up to him. + +"I am glad to have the chance of speaking to you again, Councillor. I +have just come from your daughter." + +This time the old gentleman's face emerged most suddenly from the folds +of his white cravat. + +"From my daughter?" he repeated. + +"Yes, from Fraeulein Moser. I can give you the comforting assurance that +the young lady's condition need inspire no serious apprehension, though +she will require great care and attention. The nervous system is out of +order, certainly, but----" + +"Sir, allow me to ask how you came to see my daughter?" vociferated the +Councillor. + +"But this will yield to proper treatment," continued Max, quite +undisturbed. "For the present I have prescribed a remedy from which I +hope the best results, and in a few days I will call in and see the +young lady again." + +"But I never asked for your attendance," protested the Councillor, +whose head was in a whirl. He could make nothing of the other's +astounding communication. + +"Excuse me, I was called in. Ask Frau Christine. As I said before, I +hope great things from the medicine, and I will look in again the day +after to-morrow. No thanks, pray, Councillor; it affords me the +greatest pleasure. My compliments to your daughter. Good-morning." + +Councillor Moser stood for some seconds rigid and motionless as a +statue; then he charged at full speed up the hill to his own dwelling, +there to seek a solution of the mystery, while the young doctor +laughingly went on his way towards the town. + + + + + CHAPTER VI. + + +The whole first story of the Government-house was brilliantly lighted +up. A great reception was annually held there on the occasion of the +Sovereign's birthday, when all the notabilities of the town and country +around were wont to flock to the Castle. This year the usual levee was +to be followed by a ball, an innovation mainly due to the presence of +Baroness Harder and her daughter, and one which met with the decided +approbation of all the feminine world of R----. + +It was too early as yet for the arrival of the guests, but the +state-apartments were resplendent with light, and the servants, having +put the finishing-touch to their preparations, had withdrawn to their +posts in the ante-chambers and hall. Gabrielle had dressed more quickly +than her mother; that lady was still severely exercising her maid's +patience by perpetually finding some fresh thing in her attire which +needed alteration or improvement. So the young Baroness, knowing how +useless it would be to wait, came on alone to a small salon, the first +of a long suite of rooms only thrown open on the occasion of great +ceremonies. + +A conspicuous ornament of this salon was a picture in a richly-gilt +frame, well set off by the dark velvet hangings. It represented the +Baron's deceased consort, and was the work of a celebrated artist. Not +even the painter's cunning hand, however, had been able to endow those +rather pleasing, but insipid and unmeaning features with any special +interest; a certain aristocratic dignity of bearing, and an extreme +elegance in the toilette and accessories, were all that might for a +moment captivate attention. An observer of this portrait, calling to +mind the Baron's striking appearance, so full of character and power, +would feel intuitively how great must have been the intellectual +distance between husband and wife, how impossible any mutual attraction +or real companionship. + +Gabrielle had paused before this picture, and was still considering it, +when a door at the farther end of the long suite of rooms, which gave +access to the Governor's private apartments, opened, and Raven himself +appeared. He was in full dress to-day, in honour of the occasion, and +his handsome court-suit with the broad ribbon on his breast lent +additional stateliness to his figure, as he walked through the rooms +slowly with his accustomed proud and lofty mien. + +"Why, Gabrielle, dressed already! What are you doing there, wrapt in +meditation before that picture?" + +There was audible dissatisfaction in the tone in which the last words +were spoken. Gabrielle did not notice it. She answered: + +"I was wondering to see my aunt's portrait here. Could you not find a +place for it in your own rooms?" + +"No," was the short, but decided reply. + +"But these salons are not opened many times during the year. Why do you +not hang the picture in your study?" + +"Why should I?" asked the Baron, coldly. "Your aunt never came there. I +had her portrait brought to the drawing-room, which is certainly its +most fitting place. Well, what do you think of the state-apartments at +the Castle? It is the first time you have seen them fully lighted up." + +This sudden diversion proved how irksome to him had been the previous +topic. Without more ado, he took Gabrielle's arm, led her away from her +aunt's portrait, and began a tour of inspection through the rooms, +pointing out and explaining many objects of interest. The folding-doors +were all thrown back, so that the eye could wander at will throughout +the long and glittering vista. A princely residence, indeed, the +Governor could boast, and the grave and somewhat antique style of +decoration was in keeping with the architectural taste of the building. +The rich ornamentation of walls and ceilings, the deep window-niches +and high marble fire-places, dated from the Castle's earlier times. +They had been left untouched; but to them had been associated costly +damask or satin hangings, heavy velvet curtains, rich gilding, all of +which, illuminated by innumerable wax-lights, produced a really +dazzling effect. + +The young Baroness Harder was not one to remain unimpressed by such a +scene. She perfectly revelled in the bright surroundings, as, with a +heart brimming over with gladness and expectation, she tripped along by +her guardian's side. She had very quickly regained all her old ease of +manner in her intercourse with him. That strange hour by the 'Nixies' +Well' had long since been forgotten, together with the transient +seriousness it had called forth. Like a dream, its influences had come +upon her; swiftly and traceless as a dream they had vanished again from +her mind. On that sunny ground nothing approaching a shadow could for +any length of time hold its own. Gabrielle certainly felt that during +the last few days the Baron had treated her with unwonted gentleness +and indulgence. He had even determined on giving this ball, in order +that, as he said, certain restless little feet might have a chance of +dancing themselves weary. It was an unheard-of concession from him, who +looked on all festive gatherings at the Castle as so many onerous +duties imposed on him by etiquette, so many drawbacks to his position; +but the young lady was too accustomed to be spoiled by her parents and +all about her, to be struck with any special surprise at the favour +shown her. She met her guardian's kindness, as she had previously met +his stern reserve, with the petulance and whimsical caprice of a child. +Today the thought of the coming fete drove all else into the +background. Sparkling and overflowing with all sorts of droll and merry +conceits, the clear ripple of her laughter broke again and again on the +solemn stillness of those stately galleries. + +Raven was grave and silent as usual; but he listened to her chatter +with visible satisfaction, and his eyes were fixed, as though +unconsciously, on the blooming young creature hanging on his arm and +looking up at him with happy, beaming, radiant eyes. Gabrielle had +never appeared more lovely than on this evening in her cloud-like white +ball-dress, twined here and there with flowery wreaths, and with a +garland of blossoms daintily set on her fair head. So fascinating was +her charm, so dewy-fresh her youthful grace and beauty, she might have +been one of the airy mischievous elves of the legend quickened into +life and come hither to disport itself. In the sea of light which +streamed through the halls, she was the culminating point of +brightness. + +They had finished their round, and arrived at the principal +reception-room, which was adorned with the portraits of divers +historical and princely personages. A dazzling chandelier lit up the +splendid, but as yet untenanted, space, which, in spite of its festive +decorations, was almost awesome in its stillness and emptiness. No +sound was to be heard but the Baron's echoing step and the rustle of +his companion's dress. + +"It is like being in an enchanted castle," said Gabrielle, playfully. +"We are the only living creatures amid all this sleeping splendour. I +had no idea you had so many fine things at your disposal, Uncle Arno. +It must be grand to feel one's self the master of such a place." + +The Baron cast a general, highly indifferent glance around, as he +replied: + +"You think there is something very enviable in that, no doubt. I myself +have never attached much importance to these adjuncts of my position." + +"Nor to this, either?" + +Gabrielle pointed to the ribbon on his breast. The order the Baron wore +was one of the highest in the land, and was conferred only in very +exceptional cases. + +"Nor to this either," said Raven, quietly; "though I would not +willingly renounce the one or the other. External splendour should mark +the seat of power. To the generality of men, greatness is embodied in +these outward symbols; they should, therefore, be taken into due +account. I have never lost sight of this, but my efforts have been +directed to other aims." + +"Which you have attained, like everything else in life." + +The Baron was silent for a few seconds. His eyes rested with an +enigmatical expression on the young girl's face. At length he answered +her: + +"I have attained much--not everything." + +"Do you want to mount still higher?" asked Gabrielle, in naive +surprise. + +He smiled. "No; this time I should like to retrograde twenty years." + +"But, tell me, why?" + +"That I might be young again. I have felt sometimes of late that ... I +am growing old." + +The young Baroness pointed jestingly to a great panelled mirror +opposite them: + +"Look there, Uncle Arno, and dare to talk again of being old!" + +Raven followed the direction of her hand. There in the clear glass he +saw the distinct reflection of his image, the tall commanding figure, +in all the vigorous maturity of manly strength. He inspected it with a +certain satisfaction, not untinged by a slight secret uneasiness. + +"And yet I am close upon fifty," he said slowly. "Do you know that, +Gabrielle?" + +"Of course I do. But why lay such stress on it? You certainly do not +feel as yet any of the premonitory signs of age." + +"For which very reason I am sometimes tempted to forget the fact, and +this, under given circumstances, may be dangerous. You should be the +last to encourage me in such a weakness." + +Raven broke off suddenly as he met the girl's wondering, questioning +gaze; his speech was evidently quite unintelligible to her. He turned +away from the mirror, and went on in a lighter tone: + +"So you like living here with me, at the Castle?" + +"Certainly, when all is bright and gay, as it is this evening," +declared Gabrielle. "But in the daytime the Castle often seems to me +very dismal and dull. These high-vaulted ceilings, these deep recesses +and massive pillars, keep the whole place in shade, and your study is +the very gloomiest room I know. The great heavy curtains shut out every +ray of sunlight." + +"The sun disturbs me when I am at work," explained the Baron. + +The young lady tossed her head pettishly: "But, dear me, man does not +live for work alone." + +"There are natures--mine, for instance--to which work is a positive +want, an absolute necessity. A butterfly, such as you, cannot +understand this. It flies and flutters about in the sunshine, gleaming +with a thousand hues--to perish when the first sharp touch brushes the +many-coloured dust from its wings. Pleasant enough, but very +transitory, this gay butterfly existence!" + +There was something of the old sarcastic ring in his voice as he spoke +the last words. Gabrielle assumed a highly-offended expression of +countenance. + +"Oh, so you think I am only a sort of gaily-painted, frivolous moth, +Uncle Arno?" + +"I think it would be unjust to require of you that you should meet +suffering, or face struggles of any kind," said Raven, more gravely. +"Beings of your order are created for the sunshine, and can exist in no +other element. Work and the battle of life must be left to me, and to +such as me. To be a sunbeam, and to cheer and lighten the darkness of +others, is a vocation, too, in its way. You are quite right, it is +foolish inexorably to exclude the brightness for fear lest it should +blind one. Why should not autumn, for once, be gilded by its golden +rays?" + +He had stooped down, and was looking deep into the young girl's eyes, +when a side door was noisily opened, and Baroness Harder rustled over +the threshold. Raven quickly drew himself erect, casting a glance that +was anything but friendly at his sister-in-law, who, happily, did not +observe it. She was at that moment passing the great mirror in the +wall, and taking in it a last general review of her appearance. The +lady had profited by her brother-in-law's liberality in no sparing +fashion. Her rich toilette had but one fault: it was a thought too +overladen to be in perfect taste. The costly satin train was almost +lost to view beneath the velvet and lace which covered it. A whole +parterre of flowers adorned her hair, and on her neck and arms sparkled +the diamonds which Raven's generosity had rescued from the wreck of the +Harder fortunes. All that the many arts of the toilette can effect had +been accomplished, and with their aid and assistance the Baroness might +this evening have made good her claim to be considered a beautiful +woman, had it not been for the youthful, blooming daughter at her side. +Before the grace and freshness of that seventeen-year-old maiden, no +artificial charm could hold its own; and, by force of contrast, the +mother appeared that which, in point of fact, she really was, a faded, +middle-aged lady. + +"Excuse me for keeping you waiting," said she, approaching her +brother-in-law with her wonted sweetness of manner. "I did not know you +were already in the drawing-room, Arno; and none of the guests have +arrived as yet. I hope Gabrielle has been amusing you in my absence." + +Raven made no reply. He was visibly annoyed by the interruption. + +"Our visitors will be here shortly," he remarked, after a while; and, +indeed, scarcely had he spoken the words, when the first carriage drove +up. + +The Baron offered his arm to his sister-in-law to lead her to her place +at the upper end of the room, and, as they went, he glanced with keen +scrutiny from mother to daughter. + +"Gabrielle does not resemble you in the least, Matilda," he said +suddenly, and his tone betrayed a secret satisfaction. + +"Do you think not?" said the Baroness, who would probably have +preferred to hear a contrary opinion expressed. "It may be that she is +more like her father----" + +"She does not bear the smallest resemblance to her father either," +interrupted Raven. "I do not see that she has inherited a single trait +from either of her parents--thank God!" he added to himself. + +The Baroness was silent, looking aggrieved, though she could not have +caught the offensive words which concluded his speech. There was no +denying the fact that Gabrielle possessed neither the Harder features +nor those of her mother's family. She was as unlike both parents as she +could possibly be. + +The first arrivals now appeared, and were soon followed by others. +Carriage after carriage rolled up to the portico of the +Government-house, and the rooms gradually began to fill. So numerous +had been the invitations issued, that the spacious apartments were +hardly large enough to contain the brilliant assembly which soon +thronged them. Most of the gentlemen were in civilian dress, but +interspersed among the black coats was many a handsome uniform; while +the ladies, some in splendid, all in bright apparel, bloomed gay as any +flower-garden. The heads of the magistrature, the commandant and +officers of the garrison, and those of the neighbouring fortress, were +there _au grand complet_, as was also the entire bureaucratic staff, +and indeed all who in the social circles of R---- could lay claim to a +good position or to any sort of distinction. + +The occasion being an official one, it was a matter of course that the +invitations should be accepted, and for this reason the burgomaster and +the other gentlemen of the corporation had put in an appearance +notwithstanding the conflict pending between them and the Governor, a +conflict which daily grew to greater proportions, and increased in +intensity. + +Baron von Raven seemed to-day altogether to ignore the existing +dissensions. He received these guests, as he received all the others, +with finished politeness; but still with that cool reserve of manner +which was peculiar to him, and which ever drew about him a sort of +invisible barrier. + +Baroness Harder at his side did the honours of the house, noting with +much satisfaction that she and her daughter were pre-eminently the +objects of general interest. The two ladies had hitherto been but +little seen in the world of R----, where the autumn gaieties were only +just beginning. This was their first formal introduction to the society +of the city which was henceforth to be their home. Strangers still to +the majority of those present, their close relationship to the Governor +assigned to them at once the most prominent place, and it was but +natural that they should form a centre of attraction round which all +converged. + +While the elder lady received those attentions and marks of deference +which fall by right to the lady of the house, her daughter's grace and +beauty were achieving triumph upon triumph. The young Baroness was +constantly surrounded, courted and admired; the younger men, in +particular, fairly besieging her with entreaties for the promise of a +dance during the evening. + +Now and then Raven would cast a glance over at the groups ever +forming and re-forming round his charming ward; but the smile on his +lips was rather forced. He saw with what pleasure, and with what +self-possession, she accepted the homage done her on all sides. + +Such flattering triumphs were indeed the best means of whiling away the +time; they helped to assuage the impatience with which Gabrielle looked +for the approach of one familiar figure, while endless new faces +defiled before her, and strange, unknown names were buzzed into her +ears. + +George Winterfeld had been in the rooms for some time, but as yet she +had hardly exchanged a word with him. When, on his entrance, he had +come up to pay his respects to her mother and herself, the Colonel had +arrived at the same instant, wishing to introduce his two sons, and had +at once claimed the ladies' attention for himself and the young +officers. + +Some personages of high rank, also numbering among the intimates of the +Castle, had joined the circle; and the young clerk, feeling quite +isolated and a stranger in their midst, was forced to withdraw, lest he +might appear importunate. Since then he had found no means of +approaching Gabrielle. She had remained close to her mother and +guardian, taking part with them in the reception of the guests; but now +he must hesitate no longer; the first strains of music were already +sounding, and George, who was determined at any risk to have a few +words with his love during the course of the evening, threw off his +attitude of reserve. He drew near, and begged the young Baroness Harder +to accord him a dance. + +Gabrielle had foreseen this, and had taken care to keep at least one +free. She promptly consented. The Baron, who was talking to Councillor +Moser, heard her reply. He turned round, and looked at the two in +surprise. + +"I thought you had not a dance at your disposal," said he. "Have you +really one free?" + +"Fraeulein von Harder has been so kind as to promise me the second +waltz," declared George. + +The Baron frowned. + +"Indeed, Gabrielle? If I mistake not, you refused that dance to Colonel +Wilten's son." + +"Certainly I did. I had already promised it to Mr. Winterfeld." + +"Oh!" said Raven, slowly. "Well, he who is first in the field assuredly +has the best right. Baron Wilten will deplore his mischance in arriving +too late." + +As he spoke thus, he scanned Gabrielle's face with a keen investigating +glance; then, turning from her, his look riveted itself on George. At +this moment the cavalier who had been fortunate enough to secure the +young lady's promise for the first dance came up and offered her his +arm. George bowed, and stepped back. There was a movement among the +company. The younger portion of it streamed off towards the ball-room, +while the elders dispersed through the adjoining salons. The great +drawing-room grew comparatively empty, and Baroness von Harder was just +thinking of leaving her post in it, when her brother-in-law came up to +her. + +"You know something of Assessor Winterfeld?" he said in a low tone. + +The Baroness nodded assent. + +"I have told you that we made his acquaintance in Switzerland this +summer." + +"Did he often come to your house?" + +"Pretty often. I was always pleased to receive him, and should have +continued to see him here, if you had not expressed so decided a wish +to the contrary." + +"I do not desire to admit the young clerks to my private circle," +replied the Baron, curtly; "and I cannot understand, Matilda, how, in +the retirement in which you were then supposed to be living, you could +grant the first stranger you met an entrance to your house, and allow +him perfect freedom of intercourse with your daughter." + +"Oh, it was quite an exceptional case," pleaded the Baroness. "The +Assessor had rendered us a signal service one day when we were in +danger on the lake. You know that he----" + +"Brought you and Gabrielle through the shallow water to land without +the smallest difficulty," concluded Raven. "Yes, I know that; and I do +not doubt that he has taken advantage of this slight service, which any +fisher-boy could have rendered you, to pose as your deliverer, not +altogether unsuccessfully, it would seem. Gabrielle has just accorded +him a dance which she had refused to young Baron Wilten, and which, in +all probability, she had held in reserve for Mr. Winterfeld. This +familiarity may be accounted for, no doubt, by the previous +acquaintanceship; but it is a proceeding which I, nevertheless, +consider most improper. The promise she has given cannot be recalled; +but I beg of you to see that Gabrielle does not dance more than once +with this young man. I most decidedly object to it." + +There was suppressed, but very evident anger in his tone. The Baroness +was rather surprised at his displaying so much irritation, which the +occasion hardly seemed to warrant; but she hastened to assure him that +she would speak to her daughter, and then took the arm offered her by +Colonel Wilten, who had come to lead her to the ball-room. + +The Baron sauntered through the other rooms, where much animated +conversation was going on. Joining first one group and then another, he +would enter into a discussion here, make a few passing remarks there, +or merely exchange amenities with some guest he had not hitherto +welcomed. With the Burgomaster he chatted amicably, making no allusion +to the differences existing between them. Pleasant and affable in his +manner to a few, condescending to others, polite to all, he was +familiar with none. He bore himself with the ease and quiet assurance +of one who is accustomed to occupy the first place, and assumes the +lead as a matter of course--a position which all those about him had +long tacitly accepted. + +"One would fancy we were the guests of our Sovereign himself, and not +of his representative," said the Burgomaster to the Superintendent of +Police, as the two met. "Upon my word, the airs his Excellency is +pleased to give himself on these occasions are ineffable, but they +would be more becoming in a monarch than in the governor of a province. +Have you been honoured yet with gracious speech and royal dismissal?" + +The person addressed smiled his usual ready smile, taking no notice of +the other's caustic tone. + +"I am really surprised to see you here," he replied. "From the hostile +attitude you and the other members of the corporation have lately +adopted towards the Governor, I was afraid you might collectively +decline the invitation." + +"How could we?" asked the Burgomaster, with some heat. "The fete is +given in honour of our Sovereign. Had we refused to take part in it, +our absence would have been looked upon as a demonstration against the +throne; it would have laid us open to misconstruction of the worst +kind, and we are particularly anxious to avoid giving offence in those +high quarters. The Baron knows very well that it was this consideration +alone which brought us here. We should not be likely to come to a ball +given in his honour." + +"On your side, you should not push matters too far," advised his +companion. "You must know Baron von Raven pretty well by this time. +There is no yielding, no compromise to be expected from him." + +"And from us still less. We intend to stand firmly by our rights, and +the future will show whether a Governor, who takes up such an attitude +towards us, can permanently hold his own." + +"He will hold his own, that is certain," said the Superintendent, +decidedly. "You have nothing to hope there. His influence in high +places is boundless." + +The Burgomaster started, and cast a scrutinising look at the speaker. + +"You seem to be very well informed on the subject. True, you came to us +from the capital, and have no doubt friends and connections there." + +"No, not that," replied the other, coolly repelling the insinuation. +"But it appears to me that the Baron's line of conduct shows +sufficiently how sure he feels of his position, and how all-powerful he +knows his influence to be in certain regions. You would do better not +to provoke any open rupture between the town and him. A catastrophe can +very well be avoided, even yet." + +So saying, he went off. The Burgomaster looked after him with a grim +frown of displeasure. + +"Yes, yes," he muttered; "avoid a catastrophe at any cost, so that my +friend the Superintendent may be able to preserve the neutrality of +which he makes such a show. He has positively contrived to pose as the +Governor's obedient servant, and at the same time to pass himself off +in the town as the amiable, moderate man who seeks to mediate, and only +obeys his chief because he must. I would rather by far have an open +enemy such as Raven; with him one knows at least what one has to +expect, but these neutrals, who speak fair to both parties, and mean +honourable by neither--I, for my part, have no faith in them." + +Meanwhile, in the ball-room, dancing was being pursued with much +spirit, and the couples were already forming for the second waltz. +Gabrielle was at the height of enjoyment, and fluttered from one dance +to another without rest or respite. She delighted in the amusement at +all times, and now drank in, in greedy draughts, the incense offered +her on all sides. She lent a willing ear to the flattery and +reverential homage of her partners, and never noticed with what a +grave, reproachful gaze George's eyes followed her, as she thus +accepted all their tributes with airy playful coquetry. + +When at last he came to her to remind her of her promise and lead her +out among the dancers, she gave him her hand with a bright smile +indicative of perfect content. + +"Your young ward is really a charming creature," said Colonel Wilten to +his host, who had strolled into the ball-room, and, an unusual +proceeding on his part, stayed looking on at the dance. "I only fear +your Excellency will not keep her long. Some gay cavalier will be +coming to take her from you." + +"Bah!" answered Raven, with a touch of impatience. "There can be no +question of that at present. Gabrielle is little more than a child." + +The Colonel laughed. + +"Our young ladies are not children at seventeen. Fraeulein von Harder +would decidedly protest against such a notion. Just observe how +gracefully she floats along with her partner. The sunny style of beauty +peculiar to her shines with wonderful effect this evening. Positively, +I envy you your fatherly rights where that sweet girl is concerned." + +Fatherly rights! The words seemed to jar on the Baron. A deep frown +gathered on his brow as, without replying, he watched every movement of +the young couple, who now absorbed all his attention. + +Wilten had not spoken quite at random. He had remarked the assiduous +court his eldest son was paying to the young Baroness, who, as +presumptive heiress to her guardian, would certainly be a brilliant +match. The Colonel would, decidedly, have had no objection to relieve +the latter of his fatherly rights. A daughter-in-law so rich and +handsome would have been right welcome to him, and it occurred to him +he might by a few words clear the way towards so desirable a +consummation. But his hints passed unnoticed, and for the present he +was fain to let the subject drop. + +"I was speaking just now to the Superintendent of Police," he began +again. "He thinks there is nothing to be apprehended; but he has taken +all the necessary precautionary measures, in case of any disturbances +in the town to-day." + +"To-day! why to-day particularly?" asked Raven, absently, and still +pursuing his observations. + +"Well, a general holiday gives occasion for all sorts of meetings, +especially among the lower orders, and in the present irritated state +of public opinion this is a fact not to be overlooked. When heads are +heated, trouble may come of such gatherings." + +The conversation did not appear to possess much interest for the +Governor. He hardly listened, being visibly engaged with other +thoughts. + +"Do you think so?" he replied indifferently. + +The Colonel looked at him in surprise. + +"Why, Baron, you should know it better than another. We were discussing +the matter only yesterday, and it is, unfortunately, no secret that the +popular excitement is directed against you in a very special manner. +Councillor Moser tells me you have lately received another threatening +letter." + +Raven shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. + +"I have half-a-dozen of them in my waste-paper basket. Their authors +ought to have discovered by this time that such absurdities make no +impression on me." + +Wilten glanced around. They were standing at the end of the long +gallery, and at that moment no one was near enough to overhear their +words. The Colonel went on in a low tone: + +"You should not, however, absolutely challenge danger. It is most +imprudent for you to go into the town on foot and unaccompanied, no +measures being taken to ensure your safety. I wanted to speak to your +Excellency about it before, to beg you to desist from such ventures. We +do not know whether the mob may not be systematically incited to +violence. The whole burgher class is leagued together against you." + +"So much the better," said Raven, mechanically, his eyes still riveted +on one particular spot in the scene before them. + +The Colonel gave a little start of surprise. + +"Your Excellency?" + +The movement recalled the Baron to himself. He turned quickly to his +interlocutor. + +"Pardon me, I am somewhat absent. I ... I hardly followed you. What +were we saying?" + +"I was begging you to have more regard for your personal safety." + +"Ah! yes. You must excuse my inattention. A man, who is daily called on +to give his mind to a hundred different matters, has some difficulty in +shaking off the cobwebs, even on a festive occasion like the present." + +"Really, the load of work you take on yourself is quite too heavy," +observed the Colonel. "The most enduring strength must break down at +last beneath such a constant strain. Look at those enviable young +people yonder, who have no suspicion as yet of all these cares. They +dance, and laugh, and chatter, and are happy among themselves." + +"And are happy among themselves," repeated Raven. "Just so." + +Deep bitterness lay in his words, and yet no brighter or more animated +scene than the one before them could well have presented itself. The +handsome, spacious room flooded with light, the gaily-sounding music, +and the blooming, youthful crowd swiftly moving to its cadence; surely +there was nothing here to arouse a bitter or a gloomy thought! Just +then Gabrielle flew by with her partner. The Colonel was right. Never +had her beauty shone so radiantly, never had it produced so triumphant +an effect as now, when, yielding herself heart and soul to the pleasure +of the dance, she sparkled in a very effervescence of happy excitement. +The clear stream of light from a thousand sconces, the joyous music, +the handsome rooms with their festive decorations--these were the +surroundings, this the frame which best suited her figure; here she +found her true element, wherein she freely breathed, and her glowing +cheeks and bright eyes showed how entrancing to this neophyte were the +delights of her first ball. Her whole being seemed transfigured, +illumined with radiant contentment, as she floated by in George's arms. +He, too, appeared to have forgotten the world about him, to have lost +count of all else in the joy of seeing his dear one again, in the bliss +of feeling her so near. + +Infinite happiness beamed in his eyes as they passed on, her arm +resting on his, her breath fanning his cheek; those eyes spoke but too +plainly the secret of his heart. The young people were at this moment +so supremely blest that they forgot all caution, and a keen observer +might easily divine that the light shining in their faces was kindled +by something other than the mere intoxication of the waltz. The +romantic glamour of a first love was about them, encircling them with +its bright aureole. + +That keen observer was nigh at hand. Raven still kept his place at the +end of the room. A knot of gentlemen had gathered round him and the +Colonel, and he was apparently entering with zest into their +conversation; but his eyes, as by some fascination, remained fixed on +the dancers. As he looked, his gaze grew ever more ardent, more +piercing, and it must have had in it some magnetic power of attraction, +for, when Gabrielle came round a second time, she turned her head +slowly, moved as it were by some mysterious influence, towards the spot +where he stood. + +For a moment her guardian's eyes met hers. Suddenly a deep glow spread +over the young girl's face, and the Baron's features lighted up with +one fiery, menacing flash. Then he turned away with a quick, impatient +movement. + +This dance was followed by a long pause destined for the taking of +refreshments. The company left the ball-room, where the heat was +becoming intolerable, and sought the buffet and adjoining cool +retreats, dispersing at will through the various apartments, and +breaking up into merry, chattering groups. + +Now at length came the long-looked-for moment when George and Gabrielle +might hope to exchange some words in private, free, unconstrained +words, such as they had not yet been able to address to each other. +Hitherto the eyes of the assembled company had been on them, making +familiar speech impossible. + +A distant boudoir, untenanted for the time being--though a lively hum +of voices told of neighbours in the adjoining room--served as the +desired refuge. Thither the young Baroness Harder and Assessor +Winterfeld repaired, and, standing opposite each other by the +fire-place, entered into what to a chance intruder would have seemed a +quiet, commonplace conversation, though, in truth, that low-spoken +dialogue differed widely from the conventional talk current in society. + +"So at last we have one minute alone together," whispered George, +passionately; "the first that has been accorded to us for weeks! I +fancied it would be easier to feel you near, and yet beyond my reach." + +"Yes, you were right," said Gabrielle, in the same low tone. "We are +very, very far apart here, though you daily come to the Castle. I +always hoped you would find some means of breaking through the barriers +which separate us." + +"Have I not tried to the best of my ability? You know how your mother +met my overtures. She received me kindly enough when I called, but she +was careful not to let fall a word which could be construed into an +invitation to repeat the visit. I cannot force myself into a house +where I am clearly told that my presence is not wanted." + +A slight frown gathered on the young lady's fair brow. + +"That was not mamma's fault. She would have welcomed you now as +willingly as formerly. It was my guardian who prevented her inviting +you. I got mamma to tell him of your call, and of our previous +acquaintance, because I----" + +"Because you dared not." + +"I dare anything that is possible," asserted Gabrielle, with some +irritation; "but to hold out under Uncle Arno's look, when one has +anything to conceal from him, is just impossible, and it is of no use +attempting it. Well, he pronounced most decidedly against the intended +invitation. No personal offence to you was meant, for, of course, he +has not the faintest suspicion of any understanding between us; but he +will not allow any intercourse between us and the younger officials +employed in his bureaux--so we had to submit." + +"I was sure of it," said George. "I know my chief. He and his must +remain inaccessible to all whom he considers beneath him. Well, there +is this to be said, not even his despotic will can separate us much +more completely than we have been separated during the last few weeks. +I have never seen you but from a distance, and when, at last, we do +meet, as tonight, we are forced to keep up an appearance of coldness +and indifference. I have to look on while you are courted and made much +of, to see every one able to approach you but myself. I, who have the +first and sole right to you, am condemned to silence and the reserve of +a stranger. Gabrielle, I can bear it no longer." + +Gabrielle raised her eyes to his face. A bewitching smile played round +the corners of her dimpled mouth, as she replied: + +"I do not think the 'stranger' is so much to be pitied. He knows very +well that I am his, and his alone." + +"On a ball-night such as this you certainly are not mine," replied +George, rather bitterly. "You are given to the gaiety and the dance and +the homage paid you on all sides. You belong to anything and everyone +rather than to me. All the time that passed before that waltz, I was +striving to meet your glance. Surrounded by your admirers, you had no +eyes for me." + +The reproach struck home, wounding by its very justice; but the young +lady was not accustomed to reproaches in this quarter, and she thought +it very cruel and unfair that he should try to spoil her pleasure. The +smile vanished from her lips, giving way to a most ungracious +expression of countenance, and she was about to utter a sharp retort +when Lieutenant Wilten appeared in the doorway. + +"Fraeulein von Harder," he said, hastening to her. "You are missed in +the ball-room. His Excellency and the Baroness have both been inquiring +for you. I volunteered to look for you. Will you accept my escort back +to your anxious friends?" + +Under other circumstances Gabrielle would have let this intruder feel +how unwelcome he was; but now she was angry, justly offended, as she +thought, and not at all disposed to take the offence patiently--so she +bowed her head coldly to George, and accepted the young Baron's arm +with great affability of manner. The Lieutenant led her from the room, +casting, as he went, a triumphant glance back at the discomfited rival +left behind. + +George looked after the pair with angry knitted brows. This childish +revenge wounded him more than he cared to confess to himself, and again +the old tormenting doubt arose within him--the doubt as to whether it +were right for him to withdraw this charming but most superficial young +creature from the glittering sphere for which she seemed created, and +to link her existence to that of an earnest patient worker. True, +Gabrielle's love gave him a right to possess her, but--did she love +him? Was she really capable of a deep and abiding sentiment? or was her +fancy for him a mere caprice, playful and transient as became her gay, +butterfly nature? Suppose she were to be unhappy at his side, or he to +make the miserable discovery that the wife of his bosom could meet his +ardent love, and reward his sacrifices, only with the inconstancy and +waywardness of a child? Perhaps they would both pay for this short +day-dream with a whole life-time of misery and regret! + +The young man passed his hand quickly across his brow. He would not +listen to the whispered monitions of reason, so utterly at variance +with the passionate throbbings of his heart. With a great effort he +shook himself free from these torturing thoughts, and was about to +leave the room when Councillor Moser came in, accompanied by the +Superintendent of Police. The former, in honour of the day, wore a +brand-new neck-cloth of snowy whiteness, but of such prodigious +dimensions that he could hardly move his head in it, a circumstance +which lent additional stiffness to his bearing and solemnity to his +mien. The two were holding some animated discussion, but on catching +sight of Assessor Winterfeld they ceased speaking so abruptly that that +gentleman divined he had been the subject of their conversation. This +idea was confirmed by the keen glance with which the Superintendent +measured the young official from head to foot, while the Councillor +walked straight up to him, and without a word of preface, addressed him +as follows: + +"I am glad to meet you here, Assessor. I have to request you to +undertake a commission for me." + +George bowed slightly. + +"With pleasure. I am at your service." + +"Your friend. Dr. Brunnow"--the Councillor accentuated his words, as +though some dread and weighty accusation were conveyed in each--"your +friend. Dr. Brunnow, has, without my knowledge or desire, assumed the +office of my family physician. He has listened to an invalid's +statements, has given prescriptions, and even threatened me with a +renewal of his visit. I did not at first comprehend how the matter had +come about----" + +"It was all a misunderstanding," interrupted George. "Max told me of +it. He really believed that medical advice was required from him, and +he had no notion into whose house an odd chance had led him." + +"Well, he knows now," said Moser, emphatically; "and I must ask you to +tell him, once for all, that I should not dream of applying for advice +to a doctor bearing so compromised a name, to one whose father is an +avowed enemy to the State. Tell him to choose for his revolutionary +intrigues some other scene than the house of Councillor Moser, who has +ever made it his proud boast that he is surpassed by none in loyalty to +his most gracious Sovereign. There are men, gentlemen in the service, +who might take example by his line of conduct. It would be well for +themselves, for society, and for the State, were they to share the +views I have expressed." + +With these words the Councillor inclined his head, or rather attempted +to do so, for his neckcloth imposed limits on his will, and +majestically left the room, sublimely conscious of having, in a +figurative sense, crushed and slain his adversary. The Superintendent, +who had throughout been a silent listener, now drew near. + +"You seem to be in disgrace with our loyal friend," he remarked, in a +jesting tone. "He was giving me a long account of your dangerous and +treasonable connections. I hope----" + +"The Councillor is in error," interposed George, with quiet +distinctness. "The connection with which he reproaches me is a +perfectly harmless college friendship, bearing no relation whatever to +politics. I can assure you that my friend, who is here solely on a +matter of business--to make good his claim to some property he has +lately inherited--and who by a droll mistake found his way the other +day into the Mosers' dwelling, has no thought of carrying on +revolutionary intrigues either there or elsewhere, and that he will not +give you the slightest motive to take an interest in his person." + +The Superintendent laughed. + +"So much the better. The Councillor grows quite alarming at times +through excess of loyalty. He sees ghosts and spectres at every turn. +Could he but guess that his own chief was once the comrade and friend +of this very Dr. Brunnow, whom he stigmatises as an enemy to the State! +You, probably, are not unaware of this fact?" + +"I am aware of it, certainly," said George, taken aback by the +question. The police-officer's intimate acquaintance with circumstances +so remote surprised him greatly. + +"How these early friends get separated! How strangely and widely do +their paths in life differ!" remarked the other. "The Governor, Baron +Arno von Raven, and a refugee living in exile, no contrast could well +be greater! It is said, I believe, that the Baron himself entertained +rather extravagant political views in his youth." + +He paused, apparently expecting an answer, but none came. Assessor +Winterfeld listened in silence. + +"I have even heard it asserted that Herr von Raven was in some way +mixed up with that trial which resulted in the imprisonment of Dr. +Brunnow and his associates. None but vague rumours have reached me, +however. You, I dare say, are better informed through your friend and +his father." + +"Not at all--we have never gone into the subject. But, if the Baron had +chanced to be connected with the trial in any way, the fact could +easily be ascertained through the official reports of the case." + +The Superintendent cast a glance at the young man which seemed to say: +"If that were so, I should hardly be wasting my time and pains on so +stiff-necked a person as yourself." He replied aloud: + +"The Baron's name is not mentioned in the official documents. If he +really had anything to do with the business, all accounts were settled +between himself and his future father-in-law, the Minister. He must +have fully exonerated himself from blame in the latter's estimation, +for the brilliant fortunes which have attended him throughout his +career date from that precise time." + +"Very probably," assented George, with cool reserve; "but these events, +which happened fully twenty years ago, must be more familiar to you +than to me. You, I should suppose, were then entering on your +professional duties, whilst I was still a mere child." + +The Superintendent saw that here there was no inclination to enlighten +him, that from this source he should not get the information he +required. He gave up the attempt, and when they had exchanged a few +unimportant remarks, the two gentlemen parted. + +Only once again during the evening did George find an opportunity of +speaking to Gabrielle, or rather, she herself it was who gave him the +opportunity. As he stood looking on at the cotillon, taking no part in +it, she fluttered up to him, light and airy as any sylph, and led him +to the dance. While they were making the tour of the room, their eyes +met. The moodiness had melted from his face, and about her lips there +played again the captivating smile which his words had lately scared +away. + +"Must I not enjoy myself? Are you still jealous?" whispered Gabrielle, +with a delicious mixture of roguishness and penitence. George would not +have been young or in love, could he have withstood that smile and that +appeal. He was already convinced that he had done wrong to reproach +his darling with her radiant gaiety. She was so innocently happy in +it--and, in spite of her caprices and wilful ways, had not this +beaming, joy-loving child found her way to his very heart of hearts? + +"My Gabrielle!" was all he said, but infinite tenderness lay in the +softly-spoken words. A slight pressure from her hand answered his. The +reconciliation was sealed. + +So the hours flew by, and the ball took the brilliant course usual to +such assemblies. Midnight had long passed when the guests departed, and +the great galleries grew empty once more. Baroness Harder, well +satisfied with the part she had played on the occasion, was about to +retire to her own room. She had taken leave of her brother-in-law, and +had turned to give some directions to the servants, when Gabrielle in +her turn approached to bid her guardian goodnight. Raven saw that she +meant to give him her hand, but he remained immovable, with folded +arms, and there was a look of cold severity on his features, as he +addressed her in a low tone. + +"I have made a singular discovery this evening, Gabrielle. There +appears to be a degree of familiarity between you and Assessor +Winterfeld which is highly unbecoming. It is not compatible with his +position, nor with yours in my house. I will venture to hope that in +permitting him such freedom you have been misled by inexperience alone; +but you will have to give me an explanation of this. I must know how +far your acquaintance with this gentleman has really gone." + +Again a crimson flush suffused the girl's face, deep as the glow which +had dyed it some time before when she had met her guardian's accusing +glance during that waltz; but this most unwonted tone from his mouth +aroused her temper and her defiance. She drew herself up with a +resolute air. + +"If you wish it. Uncle Arno----" + +"Not now," he interrupted, with a wave of the hand. "It is too late +to-night, and I do not wish that your mother should be present at our +interview. I shall expect to see you in my study to-morrow morning +early, and you will then have the kindness to answer such questions as +I shall put to you. Good-night." + +He turned away without offering her his hand or waiting for a reply, +and walked to the farther end of the room. Gabrielle stood still in +mute consternation. It was the first time the Baron had displayed +harshness towards herself, and for the first time she began to realise +that the matter would not blow over so lightly as in her gay optimism +she had hitherto hoped. + +A catastrophe was imminent, inevitable: thus she pondered; and only +when her mother called her did she start from her reverie and hasten to +the Baroness's side. + +Raven watched her as she went. His lips were firmly set, as though in +repressed anger or pain, and a dark thundercloud lay on his brow. + +"I must know the truth," he muttered. "But, after all, what will it +amount to? Mere childish folly, some travelling episode invested by +both with all necessary romance, and in the course of a few weeks to be +utterly forgotten. No matter, I will take care that such looks are not +translated into words, and that an end is put to the affair in time." + + + + + CHAPTER VII. + + +The next morning broke grey and cloudy. It heralded in a wet, cold +September day, which told unmistakably that summer's opulent splendour +was a thing of the past, and that autumn's chill reign had commenced. A +fine drizzling rain was falling: the mountains were shrouded in thick +mist, and in the Castle-garden the wind was chasing the first leaves +from the trees. + +Baron von Raven sat alone in his study. A middle-sized room, with a +lofty ceiling and one large bay-window framed in a deep recess, this +study certainly did produce a gloomy impression. It was not less +handsomely fitted up than the other apartments of the Castle; but here +the prevailing grandeur was toned down to a style of severe simplicity. +In the costly panelling of the walls, in the heavy sculptured oak +furniture, and in the rich brocade of the curtains, the same subdued +shades of colour were preserved; and the antique black marble +chimneypiece was in harmony with the appointments of the room, from +which all showy effects were rigorously excluded. The bureau, with its +load of papers and parchments, the books ranged round the walls--a +library wherein every branch of knowledge was represented--and the +maps, plans, and drawings distributed about on the different tables, +gave a fair idea of the numberless interests here claiming attention, +of the vast aggregate of business constantly despatched. It was not a +comfortable room to dwell in, nor one suited to rest or repose. +Everything in it told of work--of grave, incessant occupation. + +Raven generally got through a good deal of business in the morning +hours; but to-day he set at his writing-table, resting his head on his +hand, and cast not so much as a glance at the pile of letters and +memorials, of reports and schedules, before him. His countenance wore +the pallor born of a sleepless night, and its austerity of expression +was more striking than usual; otherwise his features were as of bronze +in their perfect immobility. + +Immersed in sombre thought, he did not even look up as the study-door +opened. A servant, whom he had sent to the Baroness's apartments to +summon his ward to him, entered, and announced that the young lady +would be with his Excellency immediately. + +A few minutes later, Gabrielle followed the messenger, and, coming into +the study, closed the door behind her. She wore a plain white morning +dress, the simplicity of which became her well, and even in the grey +uncertain light of that autumn day her brightness shone undimmed. Last +night's ball had left no trace behind. Her elastic youth knew as yet +neither languor nor lassitude. The girl's face was blooming and fresh +as ever, its colour being, perhaps, at this moment a little heightened +by excitement, for there was no mistaking the nature of the interview +she had now to undergo. With the entrance of that slender white figure, +a sunbeam had stolen into the gloomy room: all at once it seemed to +grow lighter and more cheerful. + +The Baron himself must have had some sense of this. He rose, and +advanced a few paces to meet his visitor. At sight of her, his features +relaxed from their set sternness, and his voice, though very grave, was +not harsh, as he addressed her: + +"I have several questions to put to you, Gabrielle. My words last night +will have prepared you for them; and I shall expect to hear from you in +reply the truth, and the whole truth." + +He put forward a chair for her, and seated himself opposite her. The +young lady's attitude bespoke confidence rather than timidity. It had, +of course, become manifest to her that the tactics by which she +prevailed in any dispute with her mother would not here stand her in +stead; that she could not hope to carry her point by open defiance, or +by a few tears; but she had resolved to avow her love boldly, and to +show herself strong, heroic even, in its defence. + +The Baron, she knew, doubted her firmness with an incredulity fixed, +and to the full as insulting, as that professed by George; and, +strangely enough, she felt a far greater satisfaction in convicting her +guardian of his error, than in raising her lover's estimate of her +character. At this moment the romance of the situation was uppermost in +her mind, outweighing any anxiety as to the issue of the impending +conflict. + +"My questions concern Assessor Winterfeld," began the Baron. "Your +mother tells me you met him in Switzerland. He frequently came to your +house, and you probably held much free and unconstrained intercourse +with him." + +"Yes," said Gabrielle, somewhat disconcerted. The matter was not taking +a dramatic turn at present. Her guardian spoke in the most tranquil of +tones. + +"Have you often seen or spoken to him, since you came to R----?" + +"Twice only--the day he called on mamma, and last night at the ball." + +"On no other occasion?" + +"No." + +The Baron drew a deep breath of relief. + +"This young man evidently pays you a degree of attention which +oversteps the bounds of ordinary gallantry," he continued; "and you +seem not only to suffer, but to encourage it." + +Gabrielle was silent. + +"I expect an answer, Gabrielle." + +She looked up. There was no sign of fear in her face. It spoke rather +of open rebellion. + +"And if that were the case?" she asked. + +"It would be high time to put an end to such childish nonsense," Raven +answered sharply. "You must know very well that nothing serious could +ever come of it." + +The young lady tossed her fair head with an offended, yet a most +resolute air. Now came the decisive moment; now was the time to show +her heroism, and to inspire her guardian with respect. He had no idea +as yet how grave the matter in question was. He treated it as a silly, +passing fancy. + +"It is not mere childish nonsense," she replied, with the utmost +decision. "George Winterfeld loves me." + +The Baron's eye flashed fire. He rose quickly, and folded his arms on +his breast, as though to compel himself to be calm; but his voice was +low and menacing as he answered her: + +"Oh, oh! he has told you this already? Last night, perhaps, during your +waltz?" + +"He told me long ago, in Switzerland, that he loved me." + +Raven laughed out loud--a short, harsh laugh. + +"I suspected it, I vow," he said, with bitter sarcasm. "So you two were +acting through a romance under your mother's eyes, she having no +faintest notion of it the while. Well, it is what one might expect from +her. But it is less easy to deceive me. If you intended that, you +should have guarded your looks better; they were far too eloquent +yesterday evening. I can make many excuses for you, Gabrielle, on +account of your youth and inexperience--a few sentimental phrases +suffice to turn the head of a girl of seventeen; but this romantic +trifling is too dangerous for me to permit it to go on longer. I shall +remind Assessor Winterfeld of the barriers which separate him from the +Baroness Harder--from my niece, and that in a way which will impress +itself on his memory. Henceforward you will neither see nor speak to +him. I forbid this folly, once for all." + +He strove in vain to preserve his sarcastic tone; the terrible +irritation which lay behind would break through at times. Gabrielle, +indeed, did not remark this; she heard only the scornful derision of +his words. The girl was prepared for reproaches, for an outbreak of +fierce anger on the part of her guardian, for she knew how his pride +would revolt against such a union; but, instead of wrathfully +upbraiding her, he treated George and herself as a pair of naughty +children, who must be duly punished for the fault they had committed. +He spoke in the most contemptuous tone of 'trifling' and of +'sentimental phrases,' and thought that, by launching his edict, he +could at one stroke destroy the happiness of two grown-up persons. This +was too much. The young lady now rose in her turn, vibrating with +indignation. + +"You cannot do that, Uncle Arno," she said vehemently. "George has a +claim on me which he will certainly vindicate. He has my word--my +promise. I am betrothed to him." + +She had made her confession boldly, unhesitatingly; and now she paused, +waiting for the coming storm, but none came. Raven replied not a word. +A grey pallor overspread his face, and his hand grasped convulsively +the back of a great arm-chair that was near him, while he gazed with a +strange, fixed look at Gabrielle. + +She stood before him silent and confused. It was not exactly fear which +possessed her, but rather a secret, inexplicable dread growing up +within her beneath that gaze, a vague presentiment of coming evil, +against which she struggled in vain. + +After a minute's pause, the Baron spoke again: + +"This matter has certainly gone further than I supposed; and you have +considered you were doing right in keeping it a secret from your mother +and myself?" + +"We feared we should be parted if our attachment were known," answered +Gabrielle, in a low voice. + +"Oh! And what do you imagine will happen now?" + +"I do not know; but I am determined I will keep my word to George, come +what may, for I love him." + +This word at length let loose the fury of the storm hitherto held in +check. With a movement of rage. Raven dashed the chair aside, and +strode up to the young girl. + +"And you dare to say that to me?" he broke out. "You dare, without my +knowledge and consent, to enter into an engagement which you know I +shall decidedly oppose--to defy me openly? You build on the indulgent +kindness I have shown you up to this time. It is at an end from to-day. +Do not challenge me too far, Gabrielle; you may bitterly repent it. I +have means of bringing a perverse, rebellious child to reason--means I +shall unsparingly use against both you and him. Winterfeld shall answer +to me for this surreptitious love-making, for the sweet speeches with +which he has befooled you into giving a promise--a promise which is +null and void, seeing that you are not free to dispose of yourself as +yet. He courts in you the presumptive heiress, and calculates that +through her he shall attain to wealth and influence. He may find +himself deceived. I alone have to decide as to your future, which is +altogether in my hands. Your lot in life depends on me, and if I accord +to you a brilliant position, I shall expect implicit obedience in +return. At no time, and under no circumstances, can there be a question +of such a marriage. I refuse my consent, and you must perforce bend to +my will." + +Gabrielle had recoiled a step before this fierce outburst, but +nevertheless she met it bravely. The "child" possessed more stability, +more strength of purpose, than Raven supposed. She was not to be +intimidated by his imperious words or threatening looks. + +"You have no rights over me, except those of a guardian, and they will +expire at my majority," she replied, with most unusual energy. "My +future and my position in life concern George alone. I shall accept the +lot that he can offer me, whatever it may be. No calculating thought +has ever entered his mind with regard to me. George's affection----" + +The Baron stamped furiously. + +"George, and nothing but George! I forbid you to speak so of this +Winterfeld in my presence. You will never be his wife--never, I tell +you--at least, while I live." + +The young girl drew herself erect. She was indignant at, rather than +daunted by, his extreme vehemence. "Uncle Arno, you are horribly, +cruelly unjust. You----" + +Suddenly she stopped. Her eyes met his, and the ardent consuming fire +in them seemed to scorch her with its intense glow. It was not the +blaze of hatred, nor of anger. There was suffering in that look, +fierce, wild pain stimulated almost to madness. Gabrielle pressed both +hands on her bosom. She felt as though breath and consciousness were +forsaking her; then, vivid as lightning, with a blinding, stupefying +shock, the truth flashed upon her. She grew deadly pale, and caught at +the back of the chair as though for support. + +This movement of hers in some measure restored the Baron to himself. He +saw the great paleness which overspread her features, and attributed it +in some measure to fear aroused by his violence. This man, accustomed +to the severest self-control, had, probably for the first time in his +life, allowed himself to be carried beyond bounds. He felt this, and by +a supreme effort of his will endeavoured to master his agitation. A +deep and painful silence followed; a silence which weighed on both, but +which neither ventured to break. Raven had gone up to the window, and, +with his fevered brow pressed against the panes, remained gazing out +into the misty landscape. Gabrielle still stood motionless in her +place. + +"I have alarmed you with my vehemence," said the Baron at last, without +turning round. "Such matters require to be discussed quietly, and we +are neither of us in a fitting frame of mind just now. To-morrow, later +on, perhaps----Leave me, Gabrielle." + +She obeyed, walking with bowed head to the door, but there she paused. +Again, as on the preceding evening, she felt, without seeing it, the +look which rested on her; and again, as then, she was constrained by +some mysterious attraction to meet that look. Raven had, indeed, +turned, and was following her with his eyes. + +"One thing more," he said--his voice was completely under control now, +but it had a dull unnatural sound--"not a word, not a line to him. I +will speak to him myself." + +Gabrielle left the room, and returned to her mother's apartments. The +Baroness, who was a late riser, had but just completed her morning +toilet. On going into the breakfast-room, she missed her daughter, who +was generally there before her, and was about to inquire of the +servants as to the reason of her absence when the young girl herself +appeared. + +"Why, child, where have you been all this time? Not out of doors, I +hope, in such miserable weather. You would take a dreadful cold, +wandering about in that light morning dress. But you look quite pale +and disturbed! Has anything happened?" + +"No, mamma," said her daughter, in a low, half-stifled voice. + +The Baroness looked at her with concern. + +"You are not well, I am sure. You were overheated with dancing +yesterday evening, when we went through those cold corridors. Take a +little hot tea, dear--it will do you good." + +Gabrielle declined the offered cup. + +"No, thank you, mamma. I would rather go back to my room, and try and +rest a little." + +"But your uncle is accustomed to see you here at breakfast-time." + +"Tell him I am not well. He will not miss me to-day. I _cannot_ stay." + +With these words she left the room. The Baroness remained alone, +wondering not a little at her daughter's sudden fit of reserve, which +was as strange to her as the white wan look on that blooming face. At +this moment the Baron's valet entered with a message from his +Excellency, who begged to be excused--he would not appear at breakfast +that morning. Madame von Harder shook her head at this announcement; +but she was not gifted with any special powers of combination, and +moreover she knew nothing of the interview which had taken place in her +brother-in-law's study. It did not occur to her, therefore, to connect +the two circumstances. She thought no more of the matter, but sat down +to table, a little put out at having to breakfast alone. + +In the Chancellery the Governor's appearance was that day looked for in +vain. It was his custom to go there early in the morning, but on this +occasion he remained shut up in his study, and allowed the most +necessary business to be transacted by Councillor Moser. The +Councillor, who had some pressing matters to submit to his chief's +notice, came back from an audience with an important mien, and the +tidings that his Excellency was by no means graciously disposed that +morning. This was true enough. The Baron had listened to the various +communications to him with great impatience and visible absence of +mind, had given the needful instructions in a hurried manner most +unusual to him, and had dismissed the worthy Councillor as speedily as +possible. That gentleman, who always claimed to know more than others, +hinted at weighty Government despatches recently received, and all the +clerks put their heads together, and indulged in endless speculations +and conjectures. + +Half an hour later. Assessor Winterfeld was summoned to the Governor. +There was nothing remarkable in this, as he had to take in his report +in the course of the morning, and the fact of his being sent for before +the appointed hour could easily be explained by the numerous pressing +calls on the Baron's time. + +The young man, therefore, obeyed the summons with unsuspicious +alacrity. He entered the cabinet, his head full of the statement he had +prepared, set his papers in order, and waited for the signal to begin. + +"We will leave that," said Raven. "The report can stand over for +to-day. I have other matters to discuss with you." + +George looked up in astonishment, and only then became aware of his +chiefs altered attitude. The dignified calm with which that personage +was wont to receive his officials had stiffened into freezing hauteur. + +He stood leaning against the bureau, and eyed the young man before him +from head to foot, as though he then saw him for the first time, +scanning his features with a severe, unerring scrutiny which seemed to +pierce him through and through. Undisguised hostility was expressed in +that steady, frowning gaze, as it was, indeed, in the Baron's whole +bearing. + +George saw this at a glance, and at once understood the words which had +struck him as enigmatical. He understood that he alone was the object +of the Baron's displeasure, and guessed what had provoked it. The +long-looked-for catastrophe had come at last, and the young man braced +himself to face it with quiet resolution. + +"I have this morning had an interview with my ward, Baroness Harder, in +which your name was mentioned," began the Governor. "No explanations +are required from you. I already know what has happened, and I must +call you to account for the manner in which you have misled that young +lady, causing her to fail most unpardonably in the sincerity and +respect she owes to her family." + +George cast down his eyes. His quick sense of honour allowed the +reproach as well-founded. + +"I have possibly erred in remaining silent until now," he replied. "My +only excuse lies in the fact that my position has not yet qualified me +to prefer my suit openly." + +"Indeed? I should have thought that such an obstacle in the way of your +suit would also have prohibited a declaration of your sentiments." + +"Had it been premeditated, certainly; but, your Excellency, that was +not the case. In an unguarded moment my secret escaped me: only when it +had found utterance, when my words had been accepted, did reflection +regain the upper hand; and then I was forced to confess to myself that +for the present I could advance no grounds entitling me to approach +Baroness Harder as a suitor for her daughter's hand." + +"It is well you make the admission yourself," remarked the Baron, with +withering scorn. "I should otherwise have been under the necessity of +making the fact clear to you. If Fraeulein von Harder has made you +promises, they, naturally, count for nothing, having been given without +my knowledge or her mother's; and it would be simply absurd for you to +build on them. Romantic notions should be left to the domain of +romance. I regret that my niece should have lent an ear to such +extravagant folly, but you will hardly expect me to deal with it as a +matter calling for serious consideration." + +The young man's face began to flush beneath this contemptuous +treatment, and the rising irritation within him betrayed itself in his +voice, as he answered: + +"I do not know that an earnest and pure affection, which has been +tarnished by no unworthy thought, which has held its object as some +high and sacred thing apart, should be met by derision only. I have +kept it a secret so far, and have caused Fraeulein von Harder to do so +likewise, because I knew that time and much continuous labour on my +part were needed to remove the obstacles that stand in my path, because +I foresaw that every effort would be made to separate us. In that alone +am I culpable. My conduct in that respect may deserve blame, but those +who have had experience of love will not judge me too harshly. I own I +was not prepared to find our mutual attachment treated as mere romantic +folly." + +"And what do you expect me to think of it?" asked Raven, ironically. +"It seems to me you have every reason to be grateful to me for adopting +this view of the case, as it alone admits of a lenient judgment. If I +knew that you and Gabrielle were seriously contemplating the +possibility of a union----" He paused, but the look which completed the +sentence was significant enough, and fraught with evil presage. + +"Would your Excellency have preferred that we should be attached +without contemplating a lifelong union?" asked George, quietly. + +"Mr. Winterfeld, you forget yourself," thundered the Baron. "The blame +of this secret understanding lies not with my niece, but with you. That +young girl was not in a position to measure its importance, or rightly +to estimate the situation. You were fully able to do both, and were +aware of the barriers which stood between you; it is with you, +therefore, I must now reckon. You are one of my youngest clerks, +without name or rank, without fortune or prospects. By what right do +you venture to aspire to the hand of the young Baroness Harder, who is +accustomed to all the luxuries of life, and who has a claim to move in +circles widely remote from yours?" + +"By the same right as that whereon Baron von Raven relied, when, under +circumstances in all respects similar, he sued for the hand of the +Minister's daughter, who subsequently became his wife--by right of my +confidence in the future." + +Raven bit his lip. "It appears to be with you a foregone conclusion +that in point of success your career will resemble mine. It is rather +venturesome on your part to place yourself thus boldly on a par with +me. Besides, the comparison does not hold good. I was one of the +Minister's most intimate friends long before I became his son-in-law. I +knew that he favoured my suit, and had assured myself of his consent +before I addressed his daughter. That is the only honourable course to +pursue in such matters. Mark what I say, Mr. Winterfeld." + +"Your Excellency, no doubt, acted more correctly, and with more +deliberation; but--I loved Gabrielle!" + +A furious gleam shot from the Baron's eyes, as he turned them on the +audacious offender who dared to remind him that his own marriage had +been one of calculation. + +"I must beg of you, in my presence, to give the Baroness Harder her +fitting title," said he, in his sharpest tone. "As to the +disinterestedness of your affection, were you unaware of the fact that +my niece is generally looked upon as my heiress?" + +"No; but I supposed that any dispositions to that effect would be +reversed in the event of the young Baroness's marrying without her +guardian's consent." + +"The supposition was correct. And you are really selfish enough to rob +the girl you profess to love of all the advantages bestowed on her by +birth and fortune? You would condemn her to an existence which would be +nothing but one long series of sacrifices? A most noble and +disinterested love, truly! Fortunately, Gabrielle Harder is not the +heroine required for such an idyl; and I will take care that she does +not become the victim of a youthful error, which she would expiate with +swift and bitter repentance." + +George was silent. That was the sore spot with him. He had often felt, +as the Baron said, that Gabrielle was the last woman in the world for +such abnegation as this "idyl" demanded. + +"Let us make an end of this," said Raven, drawing himself up, and +waving his hand imperiously. "I cannot concede to my niece a right to +dispose of her future without my knowledge or consent, and I decline to +enter into a discussion respecting wishes and hopes, which are, for me, +simply non-existent. You know that a guardian's powers are unlimited as +a father's, and you are bound to submit to my decision. I shall expect +that you, as a man of honour, will abstain from any attempt to carry on +this clandestine understanding, which is calculated to injure the young +lady's fame, and has already disturbed her relations with her family. +Open intercourse I, naturally, prohibit from this date. You will give +me your word that you will in no way seek to communicate with my ward +in secret." + +"If I am allowed once more to see and speak to Baroness Harder, even +though it be in the presence of her mother." + +"No." + +"Then I cannot give the required promise." + +"Reflect well, Assessor. Remember who it is you are braving," warned +the Baron, and there was unmistakable menace in his tone. + +The young man's fine clear eyes met those of his chief fearlessly, yet +the sombre fire smouldering in these latter was of a nature to make him +pause and reflect. The two men stood face to face, like wrestlers, +measuring each other's strength before the struggle. The younger, calm +and resolute; the elder, vibrating in every nerve with terrible +agitation. + +"I brave only a harsh and unjust sentence," said George, taking up the +last words, "Your Excellency decrees our separation, and we must yield +to the sentence, having no arms wherewith to defend ourselves; but to +refuse us an interview--the last, probably, for years--is, I repeat it, +both harsh and unjust. I do not know how Fraeulein von Harder may be +worked upon, in what manner my silence and reserve may be interpreted +to her. I must, at least, tell her, once for all, that I maintain my +right to her hand, and that I will spare no exertion to deserve it. +This I shall attempt to say by letter or by word of mouth, with or +without your Excellency's leave." + +He bowed and went, not waiting for the usual signal of dismissal. Raven +threw himself into a chair. The interview had taken an unexpected +course. His intercourse with Winterfeld had hitherto been simply +official. He had always considered him to be talented and clever in his +profession, without ascribing to him any very extraordinary merit--the +difference of position precluded all close contact and deeper interest. +To-day, for the first time, they had met, not as superior and +subaltern, but as man to man; and to-day the Baron had discovered that +behind that modest demeanour and that mild, clear brow, there lay +concealed an energy equal to his own. + +He was accustomed to break down all resistance by the sheer might of +his imposing word and presence, but on this occasion that might and all +the prestige of his exalted station had been summoned to his aid in +vain. He had succeeded neither in abasing nor in intimidating his +adversary; in more than one respect he must acknowledge him as his +peer. Gabrielle had bestowed her love on no unworthy object; this was +the secret trouble which gnawed at the man's heart, as he lay back +brooding in his chair. He would have given much really to be able to +look on this attachment as a piece of youthful folly, and to tear the +two asunder in the name of reason and common sense. Now there remained +to him only that miserable pretext of rank and fortune, and his own +case might be cited to show how easily these obstacles are surmounted +when an energetic will sets itself to break them down; though, with +him, the incentive to action had been of another and a lower order. + +That most beautiful and sacred privilege of youth, a spontaneous, +soaring passion, heedless of hindrances, and oblivious of worldly +possibilities, Arno Raven had never enjoyed, or cared to enjoy. He had +put from him the dream of love and happiness, while love and happiness +were the just appanage of his years; his ambitious plans left him no +time to indulge in dreaming. Now, in the autumn of his life, the fair +vision rose before him, golden, ethereal, spreading about him its soft, +delusive shimmer, taking his best strength captive, until he suddenly +awoke, and found himself in the presence of a stern, cruel reality. +Youth yearns after youth, and the middle-aged man, at the very zenith +of his success and greatness, looked from his lonely height on the +waste desolate tract around. Perhaps in this hour he would have given +his hardly-won success and all the sweets of power only to be young +again. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + +Dr. Max Brunnow learned from his friend's mouth the sentence of +banishment passed on him by Councillor Moser; he treated the whole +subject, however, with most unbecoming levity. + +"I positively should have gone again," he said, laughing. "That +excellent old gentleman, with his bureaucratic majesty of demeanour and +his prodigious cravat, is a sight worth seeing, and the girl is really +in want of rational medical advice; I can understand that 'the most +loyal subject of his most gracious Majesty' should banish my father's +son from the precincts of his home, but it is a pity my practice in +R---- should be thus summarily brought to an end. It promised to be, if +not remunerative, at least amusing." + +Another case soon came under the young man's notice, which, though even +less likely to be lucrative, provided in an unhoped-for degree the +"amusement" here so ruthlessly denied him. George had begged his friend +to visit the wife of a poor law-writer who occasionally copied for the +Assessor, and for whom the latter had often obtained employment in the +Government bureaux. The wife had long been suffering from some wasting +disease. The doctor called in to her came but seldom, declared with a +shrug of the shoulders that there was not much to be done, and finally +ceased his visits altogether, the family being in impoverished +circumstances and quite unable to pay his fees. Max at once responded +to his friend's appeal, and went next day to the cottage indicated to +him as the patient's dwelling, which was situated in the suburb lying +at the foot of the Castle-hill. + +A little girl about ten years of age opened the door, and admitted the +young surgeon to a scantily-furnished room. Two younger children ceased +from their play to stare at the strange gentleman with big eyes of +astonishment; the mother, wrapped in blankets and supported by pillows, +sat in an old arm-chair. Max was going straight up to the invalid when +he paused suddenly, seeing at her side a young lady with pale cheeks +and smoothly-braided hair, attired in a dark, nun-like dress. She was +reading aloud from a volume she held in her hand, its gilt edges and +the cross on the cover unmistakably denoting a prayer-book. The young +lady was Councillor Moser's daughter. She ceased reading, and rose in +some confusion on recognising the new-comer. + +"Good-morning, Fraeulein," said Max, quietly. "Excuse my disturbing you, +but mine is a doctor's errand to an invalid, and this time I really am +the person expected, and no mistake." + +The young girl crimsoned to the temples, and drew back. She made no +reply. Dr. Brunnow now introduced himself to the sick woman, who was +prepared for his visit. He began at once to question her as to her +symptoms, in order to ascertain the precise stage the malady had +reached. He went to work in no specially mild or considerate manner, +not attempting consolation, or even giving any decided hope or +encouragement; but his brief, clear remarks, and prompt, definite +instructions, inspired confidence, and produced on his patient a +remarkably soothing effect. + +Meanwhile Agnes Moser had remained in the background, busying herself +with the children. She seemed hardly to know whether she ought to go or +stay, but at length determined on the former course. She put on her +hat, and took leave of the invalid, who expressed her warm and earnest +thanks for the girl's kindness. But if Agnes thought so to escape +further intercourse with Dr. Brunnow, she was mistaken. With a few +brief parting words he enjoined strict attention to his instructions, +promised to return the following day, and then, with the utmost +coolness and easy serenity, followed the girl as she went out. + +"So I am not to look on you as my patient any longer, Fraeulein?" he +began, as soon as they were out of doors. "Your father seems to +attribute to me all the blame of a misunderstanding for which I really +was not responsible. He had me informed in the most unequivocal terms +that he did not desire a renewal of my visit." + +Agnes cast down her eyes in painful embarrassment. + +"I beg your pardon, Dr. Brunnow; the fault was mine alone. Pray believe +that it is no want of confidence in your professional skill which +induces my father to decline your advice. There are, I believe, other +grounds----" + +"Political grounds!" interrupted Max, with undisguised irony. +"Councillor Moser detests the revolutionary name I bear; he insists +upon seeing in me a socialist and a demagogue. Far be it from me to +impose my counsels on him or on you, but I should like to ask the fate +of my prescription. You made no use of it, I suppose." + +"Oh yes," replied Agnes, in a low voice. "I took the medicine." + +"With any good result?" + +"Yes. I feel better since I began it." + +"I am glad to hear that. But how does my worthy colleague, who is now +treating you, approve of your taking another doctor's advice?" + +"No one is treating me just at present," confessed the young girl. "Dr. +Helm, who was originally sent for, took the mistake that had occurred +in very ill part. I suppose I was rather embarrassed and at a loss what +to do when he called, for he withdrew at once on finding that a +prescription had already been given, and he received the excuses my +father has since made him very coolly indeed. As I felt better the very +day after I began your medicine, I thought--well, I have just gone on +following your instructions." + +"Keep to that," said Max, dryly. "There can be nothing treasonable in a +bottle of medicine. The Councillor himself must admit so much." + +They had now reached the Castle-hill, and Agnes stopped, confidently +expecting that her companion would here leave her; but he merely +remarked, "You are going through the Castle-hill gardens, I suppose. +That is my way too," and remained by her side, looking as though it +were the most simple and natural thing in the world for him to bear her +company. + +The young girl glanced timidly and anxiously up at him. Her shyness +would not allow her to decline his escort, so she resigned herself to +the inevitable, and they walked on together. + +"As regards my present patient," the young surgeon recommenced; "her +condition is precarious no doubt, but not altogether hopeless. Perhaps +we may yet be able to preserve her to her family. From the poor woman's +expressions of gratitude, I gather that you have already made her +frequent visits." + +"We heard of the family's distressed circumstances," answered Agnes. +"The husband occasionally does some work for the Chancellery, and my +father knows him to be industrious and deserving; so I determined I +would go and see the invalid, to give her, at least, some spiritual +consolation." + +"Spiritual consolation is quite superfluous at present," said Max, in +his rough way. "Strong beef-tea and nourishing wine would be of a great +deal more use." + +Fraeulein Agnes seemed inclined to execute one of those rapid retreats +which at their first meeting had marked her horror of his impious +speeches; but on this occasion she thought better of it, and held her +ground. There was even a spice of sharpness in her gentle low-toned +voice, as she answered: + +"I have provided for such wants as well, and will continue to do so to +the extent of my ability; but it seemed to me urgently necessary that +this sick woman should be prepared for the Heaven which may shortly +open its gates to her." + +"Rather a singular occupation for a young lady of your years," remarked +Max. "At your age it is usual to prefer the things of this world, and +to leave heavenly joys to take care of themselves." + +Agnes was evidently offended at his jesting manner. Her accustomed +gentleness forsook her for a moment, and she answered in rather an +angry tone: + +"I have already renounced the world, and such pious offices are only a +preparation for my future vocation. In a few months I am to take the +veil." + +Max stopped abruptly, and looked at her in amazement. + +"My dear young lady, this won't do at all!" he cried suddenly. + +"Dr. Brunnow, I must beg of you----" interrupted the young girl, +warningly; but Dr. Brunnow was not deterred by this protest against his +unwarrantable interference. + +"I tell you this won't do at all," he repeated decidedly. "You are in +ill health, of a very delicate constitution, and you need the greatest +care if you wish to get permanently cured. Cloister-life, with its +severe regulations, its retirement, and all the fatigue and excitement +of prayer and penance which make up its daily routine, is utterly +unsuited to a person of your temperament. The result to you would +infallibly be a pulmonary complaint--consumption--death!" + +The young doctor delivered this speech with oracular solemnity, as +though he in person would be called on to dispense the threatened fate, +and his words did not fail in their effect, Agnes looked at him with a +scared expression of countenance; then she bowed her head resignedly, +and said in an almost inaudible voice: + +"I did not think my illness was so serious." + +"It is not serious, if you will lead a sensible and natural life," said +Max, quite wrathfully; "but convent-life is the climax of all that is +unnatural and absurd, and you would assuredly fall a victim to it +before many years were over." + +Agnes considered whether it would not become her speedily and at once +to fly from this doctor, whose impiety was becoming more and more +manifest; but she determined to cast one last searching glance into the +depths of his depravity before going, so she asked in her turn: + +"You hate all monasteries and convents?" + +"It is my vocation to combat all the plagues and ills that afflict +suffering humanity," replied the young surgeon, with malicious +sincerity. + +"And you hate religion as well?" + +"Well, that depends upon what you call by that name. Convents and +religion are very different things, you know." + +This was too much for the nun-elect. She hastened her steps, in order +to escape from so dangerous a neighbourhood; but she gained nothing by +this strategy. Max immediately fell into her pace, and they continued +side by side as before. + +"You are of a contrary opinion, of course," he went on, no reply from +her being forthcoming; "but you have been brought up in a different way +of thinking, and amid different surroundings from those to which I am +accustomed. As for me, I should like to see all convents----" + +"Swept from the face of the earth," put in the young girl, in a +tremulous voice. + +"Not exactly that," said practical Max. "It would be a pity to demolish +so many handsome buildings, and their inhabitants might be turned to +some useful account. The nuns, for instance, one might marry off." + +"Marry off the nuns!" repeated Agnes, staring at the speaker in +petrified horror and amazement. + +"Yes; why not?" he asked, with perfect equanimity. "I don't suppose +there would be much chance of opposition on their part. It really would +be a capital thing to oblige all the nuns to enter into matrimony." + +Agnes must have felt some vague fear that the fate with which her +future sisters in the faith were menaced might suddenly overtake +herself, for now she fairly began to run--in vain, for Max ran also. + +"The notion is not so dreadful as you fancy. Every sensible person gets +married, and the great majority find it answer. It is really +unpardonable to instil into a young girl's mind such a horror of things +which come as a matter of course, and which---- Yes, Fraeulein, we must +stop a minute now and rest. I have no breath left. Thank God, your +lungs are still as sound as a bell, or they could not have stood that +rapid charge." + +Agnes stopped likewise, for she too was panting for breath. Her cheeks, +usually so pale, were rosy now with the exertion, and the bright colour +suited her delicate little face most admirably. Dr. Brunnow perceived +this, but it did not tend to soften his mood. On the contrary, he +frowned reprovingly as he caught the girl's wrist, and proceeded to +feel her pulse. + +"Why heat yourself in this most unnecessary manner? I told you you were +to be careful and to avoid fatigue. You will go home slowly now, and I +must beg that when you go out for a walk you will choose some warmer +covering than this thin mantle. Persevere with the medicine I +prescribed for you, and, for the rest, I can only repeat my former +instructions--air, exercise, cheerful occupation for the mind. Will you +follow out all this punctually?" + +"Yes," whispered Agnes, altogether intimidated by the tone of command +assumed by the young doctor, who, despite her father's august +prohibition, still played the part of family physician, and who held +her little hand so firmly in his while speaking. + +"I shall depend on your promise. As to my patient down yonder, we can +share the treatment between us. Prepare the woman for the next world by +all means, if you wish. I will do what I can to keep her in this as +long as possible, and I think her husband and children will be grateful +to me for it. I wish you good-morning, Fraeulein." + +With that he took off his hat, bowed, and, turning, struck off into the +road which led to the town, while Agnes pursued her way home. Obedient +to the command laid upon her, she walked slowly at the regulation pace; +but, inwardly, her spirit revolted against this Dr. Brunnow. He +certainly was a dreadful person, without religion, without principles +of any sort, sneering at the most sacred things, and so rough and +unfeeling in his manner withal! But, indeed, what could one expect from +the son of a man who had wished to upset Church and State, and who had +communicated to his children the same pernicious tendencies? The +Councillor had related to his daughter the story of the exile's crimes, +painting them in the blackest colours. She was altogether of his +opinion that both Brunnows, father and son, were to be held in +abhorrence; at the same time, she resolved to pay a visit to the sick +woman on the morrow. It was obviously her duty to counteract, so far as +in her lay, the influence of this doctor, who might, possibly, cure his +patients, restoring them to bodily health, but who, while so doing, +endangered their souls' salvation by declaring all spiritual +consolation to be quite "superfluous." + + + + + CHAPTER IX. + + +Baroness Harder and the Governor were closeted in solemn conclave. In +the course of their interview Raven had made his sister-in-law fully +aware of the relations existing between Gabrielle and Assessor +Winterfeld, and the Baroness was almost beside herself with anger and +indignation on hearing the news. She had really not had the slightest +suspicion of how matters stood. It had never occurred to her that the +young plebeian, fortuneless Assessor could raise his eyes to her +daughter, still less that the girl could encourage so misplaced an +affection. Gabrielle's future had ever been associated in her mother's +mind with the idea of wealth and a brilliant position. Such a union as +that now in question seemed to her as absurd as impossible, and she +broke into a torrent of indignant complaint touching her daughter's +giddy conduct, and the "mad presumption" of that young man, who +supposed he had only to stretch out his hand to secure a Baroness +Harder for himself. + +Raven listened some time in sombre silence, but at length he cut short +the exasperated lady's flow of words. + +"Enough of these lamentations, Matilda. They will not alter the past by +one jot. You, of all people, have least the right to lose your temper +over this business, for the mischief occurred under your very eyes. The +fact that it went so far as a declaration, that the two ever came to an +understanding, argues a most unpardonable negligence on your part. Some +steps must now be taken in the matter, and this is the point I wish to +discuss with you." + +"Ah, what a comfort it is that I have you at my side!" cried +the Baroness, who, on principle and consistently, ignored her +brother-in-law's attacks on herself. "I know that I have always given +way too much to Gabrielle, and now she thinks she may behave to me as +she likes. You, fortunately, have more authority over her. Act with +firmness and severity, Arno. I myself implore it of you. Bounds must be +set to the insolence of that young man; his pretensions must be +checked. I will endeavour to make my daughter understand how completely +she has forgotten herself and her station in life in listening to such +proposals." + +"There must be no reproaches," said the Baron, decidedly. "Gabrielle +has already heard from me the view you and I take of the matter. +Remonstrance and worry will only drive her to more and more determined +resistance. Besides, this attachment of hers is not so absurd, nor the +young man so wholly insignificant, as you suppose. On the contrary, I +consider that the affair is very serious, and calls for immediate and +energetic action. I hope it may yet be time for this to avail." + +"Oh, that it certainly will--certainly!" chimed in Madame von +Harder. "It is impossible that my childish, volatile Gabrielle should +be so deeply, so seriously attached. She has been led away by the +impressions of the moment, has had her head turned by all the romantic +love-speeches she has heard. Young girls of her age are so apt to mix +up the nonsense they read in novels with the affairs of real life. She +will come to her senses by-and-by, and will see how foolishly she has +acted." + +"I hope so," said Raven; "and to bring this about, I have already taken +measures to prevent any meeting between the two in future. It is for +you to see that there is no interchange of letters, and I am persuaded, +Matilda, that you will know how to withstand such prayers and tears as +may be used to soften you, and that you will be guided solely by a +regard for your daughter's future. You understand, of course, that my +present intentions will not be carried into effect unless her conduct +meets with my approval, unless her marriage is one that I can sanction. +I am not inclined to reward an open opposition to my wishes by making a +will in her favour, still less am I disposed to help Mr. Winterfeld to +wealth and distinction by means of my fortune. Gabrielle is far too +young and inexperienced to take such consideration into proper account. +All the circumstances of the case are clearly before you, however, and +therefore I feel sure of your co-operation." + +The Baron was pursuing the wisest of tactics in pronouncing this most +unequivocal threat. He was fully aware of Gabrielle's unlimited power +over her mother, and of that lady's feebleness of character. Madame von +Harder would often condemn in strong terms one day that to which on the +morrow, by tears or by defiance, she would be brought to consent. His +menace would prevent any weakness of this sort, and would, he felt +certain, transform this foolishly indulgent mother into her daughter's +most wary and vigilant guardian. The Baroness had turned quite pale at +the bare mention of any possible alteration in the will. + +"I shall fulfil my duty as a mother to the uttermost point," said she, +solemnly. "Rest assured that I shall not allow myself to be deceived a +second time." + +The Baron stood up. + +"And now I wish to see Gabrielle. She has kept her room since yesterday +on the plea of illness, but I know that is only a pretext to avoid me. +Tell her that I am waiting for her here." + +The Baroness complied with her brother-in-law's request. She went, and +a few minutes later returned in her daughter's company. + +"May I ask you to leave us for a short time, Matilda?" said Raven. + +"You wish----" + +"I wish you to leave me and Gabrielle alone for a quarter of an hour." + +The Baroness was hardly able to conceal her mortification. Beyond all +doubt she had the first and best right to be present at the coming +scene between judge and culprit, and yet the Baron, with that utter +disregard for her feelings which he always showed, now sent her away, +and reserved to himself alone the important decision, disrespectfully +ignoring her maternal claims. If the lady had not cherished so lively a +fear of her brother-in-law, she would this time have rebelled against +his will; but his tone and general bearing seemed to say that to-day, +even less than on other days, would he brook contradiction; so she +submitted, or rather, as she expressed it to herself, in anguish of +heart she yielded to his cruel tyranny. + +The Baron remained alone with Gabrielle, She lingered at the farther +end of the room, and he waited in vain for her to approach. + +"Gabrielle!" + +She advanced now a few steps, but stopped in evident timidity and +distrust. Raven went up to her. + +"Are you afraid of me?" he asked. + +She shook her head negatively. + +"Then why do you shrink from me? Why are you so shy and silent? Have I +really been so harsh to you that you wish to avoid me?" + +"I have really been unwell," replied Gabrielle, in a low voice. + +The Baron scanned the youthful countenance before him, which was, +indeed, far less rosy and fresh than usual. A shadow lay on it, a trace +of some lurking trouble or anxiety very foreign to the wonted +expression of that bright, sunny face. + +Raven took the young girl's hand. He felt that it trembled and sought +to disengage itself from his grasp; but he held it notwithstanding, +held it firmly, yet without any friendly pressure, and his voice was +cold and quiet as he spoke. + +"I know what alarmed you at our last interview. Dissimulation would be +useless, I feel; but you have nothing more to fear--it is over already. +I require from you the sacrifice of a youthful inclination, and I must, +first of all, show you by example how such sentiments may be overcome. +I have been tempted occasionally to lose sight of the difference +existing between your years and mine. You have recalled to me in time +that youth willingly consorts with youth alone, and I thank you for the +reminder. Forget that which was revealed to you in an unguarded moment. +Nothing shall occur to alarm you again. I have fought down graver and +deeper troubles, and I am accustomed to subordinate my feelings to my +will. The dream is over, for I have determined that over it must be." + +As he spoke, Gabrielle had raised her eyes to his face, and they still +dwelt there, full of timid, doubting inquiry, but she made no answer. +Her hand slid unresistingly to her side as he released it. + +"And now take confidence in me again, child," continued Raven. "If I am +severe to you in this matter of your love, believe that I am moved only +by a sense of my duty as a guardian responsible for the welfare of an +inexperienced young girl committed to his charge. Will you promise +this?" + +"Yes, Uncle Arno." Lingeringly, and with an accent of strange +constraint, the name came from the young girl's lips. The old freedom +and self-possession with which she had hitherto approached her "Uncle +Arno" was gone, never to return. + +"I have spoken to Assessor Winterfeld," Raven began again; "and have +made known to him that I refuse, in the most decided manner, my consent +to your engagement. This decision is irrevocable, for I know that such +a union would, after the first fleeting illusions were dissipated, be +productive of much care and bitter regret to you, and for your sake I +must and will prevent it. You have been brought up with aristocratic +notions, and with habits suitable to your rank; you are accustomed to +wealth and luxury, and will never feel at home in another sphere. At +the best, Winterfeld could only offer you the most simple domestic life +and very moderate means. Such a marriage would entail on you a dreary, +obscure existence, and daily, hourly privations, for you must +necessarily leave behind you those comforts which have been so dear, so +indispensable to you hitherto. There may be in the world characters +strong enough to brave all this, boldly to enter on a course of +ceaseless, unwearying self-abnegation. You are not equal to such +heroism: to endure it you would need to transform your whole nature; +and I have let the Assessor feel what egotism he would be guilty of, +were he to require such sacrifices from you." + +"He only asks me to endure them for a few years," interposed Gabrielle. +"George Winterfeld is but at the beginning of his career. He will work +his way up, as you yourself have done." + +Raven shrugged his shoulders. + +"It may be, or it may be not. He certainly is not one of those men who +take fortune by storm; he will, at best, conquer, win success by +persistent quiet labour. But for this long years are needed, and above +all, he must be free, independent, as he is at present. Family cares, +and the thousand ties and considerations with which they shackle a man, +would leave him no space for the development of his talents and of his +ambitious projects. He would fall into the every-day routine of one who +works only to live, and, so falling, would be lost to all higher aims. +In this fate you, of course, would be involved. You do not realise what +it is to be dependent for your living on a sum hardly greater than that +which now defrays the expenses of your toilet. I must save you from a +practical experience of that most painful of ideals--love in a +cottage." + +A tear glistened in Gabrielle's eye as her guardian thus, with steady, +unsparing hand, drew the picture of her future lot; but she defended +her position courageously. + +"You have no faith left in any ideal," said she. "You told me yourself +that you looked on this world, and all men in it, with contempt. We +still believe in love and happiness, and therefore they may be in store +for us. George never thought of proposing to me to marry him at once. +He knows that is impossible; but in four years I shall be of age, and +he will have attained to a higher position. Then I shall be his wife, +and no one will have the right to separate us, nobody in the world." + +She spoke rapidly, and with a hurried, passionate intensity very new to +her; but the old obstinate defiance had died out of her voice. This was +not rebellion; it was rather a half-unconscious, anxious striving +against that strange sensation she had once tried to express in words, +confessing to her mother that there was about the Baron some subtle, +secret influence which troubled her, and against which she felt she +must defend herself at all hazards. To-day she sought a refuge and a +shield in her love for George, and this undefinable sense of danger it +was which lent such warmth and eagerness to her words. + +A bitter smile played about Raven's lips. + +"You appear to have most precise knowledge as to the extent of my +authority," he replied. "It has, no doubt, been sufficiently explained +to you--we study law to some purpose! Well, let the matter stand over +until you come of age. If you then repeat to me the words you have +spoken to-day, I shall make no further attempt to stop you, though from +that day forth our roads will lie apart. Until then, however, no hasty +promise, no imaginary fetters, shall bind you; and to this end it is +necessary that Winterfeld should be kept at a distance. Meanwhile, you +are absolutely free, free to accept the suit of any one whose rank in +life and personal advantages entitle him to approach you. I shall not +refuse to sanction any equal match--that is what I wished to say to +you." + +He spoke gravely and quietly. There was no unsteadiness in his voice, +not the slightest quiver about his lips, to betray how much the +engagement cost him. He had determined that the dream should be over, +and Arno Raven looked a man strong enough to make good his word. This +disciplinarian governed himself with a dominion as despotic as that he +exercised over others. Neither to his passions nor to his enemies would +he make surrender. + +He opened the door of the adjoining room, where the Baroness was +sitting. That lady, to her great vexation, had been unable to catch a +word of the interview, owing to the thickness of the _portieres_, which +effectually stifled every sound. + +"We have done, Matilda," said the Baron. "I now give over your daughter +to your charge; but, once again, no reproaches--I will not have them. +Good-morning, Gabrielle." + + + + + CHAPTER X. + + +"Now I really am beginning to lose patience," said Max Brunnow, coming +in to his friend's rooms. "I think the whole world has taken up +Councillor Moser's notion that I must necessarily be a dangerous +character, because I bear the name of Brunnow. I am regarded on all +sides with suspicion, or with most respectful attention, according to +the party feeling of those present. There is, I grieve to say, no +possibility of convincing these good people that I am a peaceful +follower of the healing art, that I have no thought of stirring up +revolutions or upsetting governments; but am, on the contrary, largely +endowed with all the qualities which go to the making of a good +citizen. No one will credit this, and, by an evil chance, here I find +myself, with my ominous family name, transported into the midst of this +agitated, highly-wrought city of R----, which is constantly making +convulsive attempts to shake off its Governor, and generally conducting +itself in the most outrageously restive manner. His Excellency, +however, sits firm in the saddle, and at every plunge of the rebellious +steed drives his spurs more deeply into its flanks. He is a match for +all of you." + +Winterfeld sat leaning back in the sofa-corner. Quite contrary to his +wont, he welcomed his friend neither by word nor gesture. He hardly +listened to his speech, but said now, in a dull low voice: + +"I am glad you have come, Max. I was just thinking of going over to you +to tell you a piece of news." + +Max became attentive. + +"What is the matter? Has anything disagreeable happened to you?" + +"Yes. I am leaving R----, probably for good." + +"Leaving R----? The deuce! What is the meaning of this? Do you wish to +go?" + +"I do not wish, I am obliged, I have this morning received information +that I am transferred to the capital, to the Ministry of the Interior." + +"To the Ministry?" repeated Max. "Does that mean promotion, or----" + +"No; it is a stroke of policy on the part of the Governor," broke out +George, bitterly. "I am to be sent out of Gabrielle's way; any future +meeting between us is to be made impossible. Raven gave me notice that +he should use his power unsparingly. He has lost no time in keeping his +word." + +"You believe that this transfer originated with your chief?" asked the +young doctor, who was as grave as his friend by this time. + +"It is his work, there can be no doubt of that. He is influential +enough to get me pushed into one of the vacancies there, particularly +if it is done under colour of helping forward a striving young official +whom he wishes to befriend. I know there has never been any question of +my removal hitherto. It came upon me like a thunderclap. But I ought, +indeed, to have known the Baron. He does not merely threaten, he +strikes home. I have been visited with no outward mark of his +displeasure since our last interview. He has rather avoided direct +intercourse with me; but when it has been necessary to address a few +words to me, he has always spoken in a cool, business-like tone, making +no allusion to that which had passed between us. + +"In just the same cool, business-like manner, he this morning announced +to me my new appointment. He even added a few flattering words +respecting a report drawn up by me which had been sent in to +head-quarters, and which, no doubt, afforded him a pretext to bring the +thing about. It is looked on as a special distinction, and my +colleagues are congratulating me on the brilliant prospects opening out +before me in the capital." + +"They are right there," remarked Max, who, now that the first surprise +was over, began, as usual, to take a practical view of the matter. +"Your chief may have had personal motives for acting as he has done, +but he has not rendered you such a bad service in getting you +introduced to the Ministry. That is the stage whereon he made his own +_debut_. What should hinder you from emulating his brilliant career?" + +"What good will it do me?" cried George, vehemently, springing to his +feet. "What good will it do me to struggle and fight and work my way up +yonder, while here I am being robbed of all that gives me hope in the +future and makes life dear? I know that I shall lose Gabrielle if she +remains here for years exposed to all the hostile influences which are +arrayed against us. A nature such as hers cannot hold out long under +circumstances so cruelly adverse; and to lose her is more than I can +bear." + +The young doctor had tranquilly taken possession of the sofa-corner, +and was contemplating his friend with wonderment. This agitation in one +usually so collected and sober-minded was a phenomenon he apparently +could not understand. + +"You are half distraught, old fellow," he said. "What does Fraeulein von +Harder say to this separation? Has she been informed of your removal?" + +"I do not know. All communication is cut off between us; but, before I +leave, I must see and speak to her again. I must, cost what it may. If +I can find no other means, I will go straight to Baroness Harder and +force her to grant me a parting interview with my betrothed." + +Max shrugged his shoulders. + +"No offence, George, but that is an insane idea. The Baroness is, +beyond a doubt, completely under her brother-in-law's influence, and +you are not likely to obtain anything from him by defiance. Let us +consider the matter calmly and rationally. In the first place, when +must you start?" + +"In the course of a few days. They have taken good care, of course, to +appoint me to a post which must be filled immediately. It is absolutely +necessary that I should enter on my functions at once." + +"There is no time to lose, then. By-the-bye, you were at Councillor +Moser's rooms a little while ago, I think?" + +"Yes; I took him over some deeds I had had here at home." + +Max reflected. + +"Very well; that gives you a pretext to do it a second time. Take the +thickest blue-book you can hunt up in your Chancellery, if you like; +only mind you miss the august Councillor, that is the main point." + +George, who had been pacing uneasily up and down the room, stopped in +surprise. + +"What can you possibly mean?" + +"A little patience--I have a most superior plan. Fraeulein Agnes Moser +is acquainted with the young Baroness--the acquaintance is slight, it +is true: the Councillor has presented his daughter to the ladies, and +the two girls have seen and spoken to each other several times." + +"But how do you know all this?" interrupted George. "You have only seen +Fraeulein Moser once, I believe, on the occasion of your celebrated +visit." + +"I beg your pardon. I see and speak to her almost every day at the +cottage of the patient I am now treating by your desire. She exerts +herself for the sick woman's spiritual welfare, while I devote my +efforts to her bodily cure. This division of labour works admirably." + +"But you have never said a syllable to me about it." + +"Why should I? You are in love, and people in that condition lose all +interest in rational matters." + +The malicious intent of this speech escaped George, who was absorbed by +the prospect of meeting Gabrielle. + +"And you think this young girl, who, as I hear, has been brought up in +a nunnery on the strictest conventual principles, will lend herself to +be a go-between?" he asked. + +"Ah, it will be a deuce of a work to bring her to it, no doubt," +answered the young doctor, reflectively; "but never mind, I will make +the attempt. If nothing else answers, I will allow myself to be +converted in due form; then she will be so taken up with the idea of +saving my soul and fitting me for heaven, that she will consent to +anything. Be it made known to you, therefore, that my conversion is +imminent." + +George was forced to smile, in spite of his cares. + +"Poor Max!" he said compassionately. + +"I say, George," said Brunnow, quite gravely, "that is another of those +preconceived notions which people adopt without knowing why. They fancy +the process of conversion must necessarily be dismal and tedious; but, +I assure you, it is a mistake. Under certain circumstances it may be +agreeable enough. I tell you I positively feel a void when I don't go +down to my patient's house, where the proselytising business is carried +on." + +"By your patient?" + +"Nonsense! By Agnes Moser. Up to the present time she has considered me +a hardened reprobate, and, of course, she abhors me in consequence; +nevertheless we have got on together pretty fairly. The saintly +mildness, for instance, which nearly drove me wild at first, has almost +disappeared, thanks to my treatment. She can show quite a pretty little +temper of her own now, and we frequently quarrel in the most edifying +and delightful manner." + +George turned a scrutinising gaze on his friend's face. + +"Max," said he, abruptly, "so far as I am aware, Councillor Moser has +no private fortune." + +"What in the world has that to do with me?" + +"Well, I was thinking of your marriage programme--'Clause No. +I--Money.'" + +Dr. Brunnow jumped up from his sofa-corner, and stared at his friend in +astonishment. + +"What can you be thinking of? Agnes Moser is going to be a nun." + +"So I have heard; and a convent education would hardly go well with +the easy, comfortable sort of life you hope to lead after marriage. +Over-refinement in a wife would be rather in your way, and as to the +practical qualities of a housewife and the robust health----" + +"It is not needful that I should hear all this from your sage lips. I +know it well enough without being told," broke out Max, in a rage. +"Really, I cannot understand how you can draw inferences so unfounded. +You fancy everybody must be in love, because you and your Gabrielle are +romantically attached. We are not thinking of such folly, but that is +the reward one gets for trying to help a friend in need. The purest +intentions are suspected. Agnes Moser and I--ridiculous!" + +Winterfeld had some trouble in smoothing his friend's ruffled feathers, +but succeeded at length. The doctor condescended to forget the absurd +suggestion which had affronted him, and promised his help in the +present emergency. Shortly after this he went away, taking his +accustomed road to his patient's house. + +The sick woman found herself in excellent case, thanks to the zeal with +which she was tended in two distinct ways. Her doctor's treatment met +with a success on which he himself at first had hardly dared to count. +A most decided change for the better had taken place in her condition. +There was good reason now to hope for her complete restoration to +health, and to-day the invalid had been able to enjoy the warm +sunshine, sitting for half an hour in the little garden which +surrounded the cottage. + +In this small enclosure Dr. Brunnow and Fraeulein Moser were pacing, +very amicably as it appeared. A certain intimacy had sprung up between +the two during the few weeks of their acquaintance, the unreserve and +freedom from constraint which marked their intercourse being mainly +based on the conviction entertained by both that neither cared in the +least for the other. Agnes, indeed, cherished a serious intention of +rescuing the young surgeon from the slough of worldliness and unbelief +in which he was plunged, and the more unsuccessful her efforts to that +end appeared, the more persistently did she renew them. That there +might be peril for herself in this work of redemption, never occurred +to her. The dangers to which her heart might possibly one day be +exposed from masculine seductions had been represented to her in the +guise of flattery, of polite attentions, of sweet insinuating speeches. +Had she detected any approach to these, she would have taken fright, +and have withdrawn in the utmost haste; but from first to last Dr. +Brunnow had shown himself rough and altogether regardless of her +feelings. He could even, on occasions, be absolutely rude; and it was +to this trust-inspiring characteristic alone he owed it that the young +girl held his company to be devoid of danger. + +As regarded himself, he was certainly not in love; at least, the +indignation with which he had protested against such a supposition was +perfectly real and unfeigned. His marriage programme, as is known, +contained many practical clauses, but no allusion to the unpractical +sentimentality of love. As Agnes Moser answered to this programme +neither morally nor physically, there could, of course, be no question +of any inclination towards her on his part. + +The young doctor had, certainly, signal good luck with the cases under +his treatment, for Agnes too had revived wonderfully in the course of +the last few weeks, an improvement evidently to be attributed to the +conscientious manner in which she followed his medical advice. A faint +tinge of pink coloured the cheeks that were so pale formerly, her eye +was brighter, her carriage more erect, and she had lost much of her +excessive timidity, where the doctor was concerned at least. His +impiety and her proselytising zeal were so often brought into contact, +and the two were so frequently immersed in discussions on the most +interesting of all themes, that of necessity they grew to be on a more +familiar footing. To-day, again, the young lady had discoursed long and +earnestly to her companion, striving to make clear to him the error of +his ways; but no traces of contrition were visible on the sinner's +countenance: it beamed, on the contrary, with an expression of content +such as these theological disquisitions invariably produced in him. + +"Well, now I must ask you to lend your attention for a moment to the +things of this earth," he said, taking advantage of a pause in the +lecture. "But the matter I am about to consult you on is a secret which +I must rely on you to keep discreetly, whether you grant the request I +am going to make to you or not." + +The girl opened wide eyes of astonishment on hearing this solemn +preface. She promised silence, however, and listened eagerly for what +should follow. + +"You know Fraeulein Gabrielle von Harder," went on Max; "and my friend, +Assessor Winterfeld, is not quite a stranger to you, I believe. I have +heard, indeed, from his own lips that he has had the pleasure of +calling on you once at home." + +"Yes, I remember. He came to see papa." + +"Well, the young Baroness Harder and the Assessor are in love with each +other." + +"In love!" repeated Agnes, with mingled surprise and confusion. The +subject of the conversation seemed to her to verge on impropriety. + +"Head over ears in love," said Max, emphatically. "The young lady's +guardian, Baron von Raven, and her mother, the Baroness Harder, oppose +their marriage, however, on the grounds that George Winterfeld can +offer his future wife neither rank nor fortune. As for me, I have from +the first been the guardian angel of this attachment." + +"You, Doctor?" asked the girl, surveying the "guardian angel" with a +look eminently critical. + +"You think there is nothing very angelic about me?" asked Max, in his +turn. + +"I think that, under any circumstances, it is sinful to cherish an +affection of which one's parents disapprove," was the somewhat tart +reply. + +"You don't understand these things, Fraeulein," observed Max, +instructively. "People do not think of their parents when they fall in +love, and the young couple in this case have right on their side. What +is to be done when, from sheer prejudice and all manner of external +considerations, the parents and guardians set themselves to sunder two +closely wedded hearts?" + +"There is but one course for them--to submit and obey," declared Agnes, +with a solemnity which gave her for a moment a certain resemblance to +her father. + +"Those are very antiquated notions," said Max, impatiently. "On the +contrary, they must rebel and get married in spite of everything." + +Truly, Fraeulein Agnes had made very remarkable progress during the last +few weeks. She no longer opposed to the doctor's reprehensible speeches +a pained and resigned silence. Having really, as he said, developed a +very fair spirit of her own, she proceeded to make use of her new +acquisition, and replied with some asperity: + +"That is, I do not doubt, the advice you have given to your friend." + +"Not at all. I have enough to do, on the contrary, to keep him within +due bounds. Well, to be brief--Winterfeld is leaving R---- in a day or +two, and they go so far as to refuse him a parting interview with his +betrothed. He must and will see her once more to bid her farewell. +Fraeulein Agnes----" the speaker here made a long and most effective +pause--"it is an elevating thing to be the guardian angel of a pure, +true love. I ought to know. I have played the part long enough." + +"What is it you really mean, Doctor?" asked the girl, some faint +suspicion dawning within her; and she began to walk very fast as she +spoke. + +"I will explain to you what I mean," said Max, quickening his pace to +suit hers. + +Agnes stopped. She knew by experience that it would be futile to run +away; this incorrigible doctor was swift of foot, and could keep up +with any pace; so she yielded to his will, and listened. + +"You told me that the young Baroness Harder had called on you once," +proceeded Max. "If this were to occur again, and if, at the same time. +Assessor Winterfeld were accidentally to----" + +"Without Madame von Harder's knowledge?" exclaimed Agnes, indignantly. +"Never!" + +"But just reflect a moment----" + +"Never. It would be wrong, it would be sinful. No one but you would +ever have thought of such a plan; but I will not be your accomplice, +that I will not!" + +Fraeulein Agnes was crimson with excitement and indignation; the +rebuking glance she shot at Dr. Brunnow was so keen that his eyes +should have quailed before it; but Max was a hardened offender. He +looked at the girl with unequivocal satisfaction. + +"Just see the little vixen," he said to himself. "I knew very well that +all the saintly submission and lamb-like patience were only learned by +rote. Get this confounded convent and its teachings once fairly into +the background, and a very tolerable little specimen of nature comes to +light. I must alter my tactics.--So you will not consent?" he added +aloud. + +"No!" declared Agnes, in a tone which conveyed twenty protests. + +Max put on a look of dejected resignation. + +"Then the evil must take its course. I have tried, by every means in my +power, to keep my friend from any desperate step, and I hoped, by your +help, I might succeed in obtaining for him, at least, a farewell +meeting with his betrothed. If he is to be robbed of this last +consolation, I will not answer for the consequences. It is more than +likely he will take his own life." + +"He will not do that," said Agnes, but there was a little secret +uneasiness in her tone. + +"Unfortunately I have cause to dread such a catastrophe. As for +Fraeulein von Harder, she will, I fear, not survive his death. The grief +and anguish to which she will be exposed will kill her." + +"Can people really die of grief?" asked the girl, who by this time had +grown visibly anxious. + +"I have seen several such cases in the course of my practice," declared +the unscrupulous doctor, falsely; "and I have no doubt that a fresh one +will now be added to the list. The Baroness and Herr von Raven will +repent of their harshness when it is too late, and you too, Fraeulein, +you will regret the decision you have now taken, for it lay in your +power to preserve two breaking hearts from despair." + +Agnes listened with deep commiseration, but also with ever-increasing +amazement. She had not believed the doctor possessed so much feeling. +That gentleman now fairly launched into a strain of touching pathos, +and seeing, not a little to his own surprise, the distinguished success +it met with, had recourse to a bold stroke for his final effect. The +suicide and the death from affliction, neither of which were at present +even in contemplation, he unhesitatingly adopted in his argument as +accomplished facts. + +"And I must live to see this cruel consummation!" he said, with +profound melancholy. "I, who had hoped to lead my friend and his bride +to the altar!" + +"You would hardly have done that, I think, in any case," put in the +young lady. "You told me yourself that you never went to church." + +"I will in future, if only this misfortune may be averted," declared +Max. "Besides, weddings are exceptions." + +Fraeulein Agnes pricked up her ears at the first part of this speech. +She was far too zealous in the work of conversion not at once to grasp +the opportunity thus offered her. + +"Do you mean that seriously?" she asked hastily. "Will you really go to +church?" + +"Will you grant my request, and for one short quarter of an hour take +on yourself the _role_ of guardian angel?" + +Agnes deliberated. + +It was, no doubt, grievously wrong to favour a meeting prohibited alike +by mother and guardian; but, on the other hand, here was a soul to be +saved, a brand to be plucked from the burning: this last consideration +outweighed all minor scruples. The jesuitical principle, that the end +justifies the means, was once more brought into mischievous action. + +"It is Sunday to-morrow," said the girl, slowly. "If you will go to +high mass in the cathedral----" + +"I will go to early mass," put in Max, who had a vague idea that this +was generally the shorter ceremony. + +"To high mass!" said Agnes, dictatorially. She had, it seemed, taken a +lesson from the doctor himself; this was just the tone in which he was +in the habit of issuing his orders. The young diplomatist evidently +half distrusted him; at all events, she meant to make sure of the +attendance at church before pledging herself to the counter-obligation. +"To the full service," she added, "sermon and all, from beginning to +end." + +Max heaved a deep sigh. + +"If there is no help for it .... well, heaven's will be done--so be +it!" + +This pious ejaculation rejoiced Agnes's heart. She now felt confident +that the sermon would fully accomplish the work she had commenced; that +the seeds of the true faith would be planted in the soil she had so +laboriously tilled, and prepared for its reception; and, in the +effervescence of her joy at the prospect, she held out the tips of her +fingers to the adversary, who had now become her ally. Of this overture +she, however, quickly repented her; for, like the overreaching +personage of the proverb, Max at once seized the whole hand, which he +pressed and shook in the heartiest manner possible. + +Next morning, as the cathedral bells were ringing, Councillor Moser, +giving his arm to his daughter, walked with slow and stately steps down +to the church, there to take his accustomed place. The devout old +gentleman's attention was, of course, exclusively given to the sacred +ritual; he therefore did not notice that Agnes, instead of sitting as +usual in reverent meditation and with downcast eyes, was on this +occasion restless and disturbed, glancing around half anxiously, half +expectantly, as though in search of some one. She had not long to seek, +for, but a few paces from her, and in close vicinity to the pulpit, +stood Dr. Brunnow, also, as it seemed, expectantly on the watch. + +Two pairs of eyes seeking each other so persistently must of necessity +meet ere long. When this happened, and Max saw how the pale delicate +face lighted up with joyful surprise, and flushed rosy-red at sight of +him; when he caught the earnest grateful look of those dark eyes, which +had never seemed to him so expressive as to-day, he thought neither of +his programme nor of its numerous clauses--he thought only that this +visit to church was not without its decided gratifications; and he sat +down with a resolute air which plainly announced his intention of +hearing out the whole sermon from beginning to end. + +So he listened to the homily, whether with a reverent mind, or not, +must remain an open question; on the other hand, it cannot be denied +that his presence in the sacred edifice altogether disturbed the +devotions of one of the most assiduous worshippers. It really would +have been hard to decide how much was gained to the cause, or which of +the two had undergone conversion. + +On the afternoon of that same Sunday the projected interview between +the lovers took place. Chance favoured it in an unhoped-for degree. +Councillor Moser had accepted a colleague's invitation, and was away in +the town. Frau Christine had also gone out, so there was no need even +to think of a pretext. A visit from Gabrielle to Agnes Moser, and +Winterfeld's call at the house of his superior, who was unfortunately +from home, were occurrences so natural that the coincidence between +them might well pass for accidental. + +"Forgive me for having recourse to these means," said George, hastily, +so soon as he found himself alone with Gabrielle. "I really had no +alternative, and I told the Baron plainly that, notwithstanding his +prohibition, I should make an attempt to see and speak to you again. I +come to say good-bye, perhaps for years." + +Gabrielle turned very pale, and her eyes searched the speaker's face +with an expression of alarm. + +"For God's sake, tell me--what has happened?" + +"There has been no action on my part that need cause you uneasiness. +The hand which so inexorably sunders us is your guardian's. He +yesterday announced to me my transferment to the capital, and to the +Ministry, our head-quarters. You see how far his influence reaches, and +how skilfully he uses it in order to part us two." + +"No, no; you must not go!" cried Gabrielle, in great distress, clinging +to him as though for protection. "You must not leave me now, George. Do +not, do not leave me alone just now!" + +"Why not now particularly?" he asked, in surprise. + +"Do they worry and torment you on my account? But, indeed, I might have +known it. Raven is hard and unfeeling to the verge of cruelty, when he +wishes to crush down opposition. You are persecuted with reproaches, +with suspicions and threats, are you not, Gabrielle? They are doing all +in their power to break your resistance, is it not so? Speak, I must +know the truth." + +The young girl shook her head with a faint negative gesture. + +"No, no; you are mistaken. There is no question of that. Since the day +he made known to me his decision as final and irrevocable, my guardian +has never mentioned your name; and he has obliged mamma to be silent +too, to cease the storm of reproaches with which she assailed me at +first; but he just overlooks me, passes me by with frigid indifference, +and I.... Oh, George, is not it possible for you to stay near me?" + +"I cannot," said George, with difficulty restraining his own deep +emotion. "I must obey the call--it is quite impossible for me to resist +it. Under other circumstances, I should have hailed this change with +joy. It opens to me far brighter prospects than any I could have hoped +for here in R----, where the immense ascendency exercised on all sides +by the Baron keeps down individual effort, and stifles independent +thought; but I know only too well that this so-called promotion has but +one end in view: to defraud me of my highest, my best possession, to +rob me of your love, and to part us for ever. Your guardian has +summoned to his aid two mighty allies--time and distance. Perhaps they +may help him to the victory yet." + +"Never!" exclaimed Gabrielle, passionately. "The victory shall never be +his. I have given you a promise, and I will keep my word." + +George did not notice the anxious distress which again involuntarily +betrayed itself in her tone. He only heard the resolute words, the +unwonted assertion of will; and, in spite of the parting now so +imminent, a ray of happiness illumined his features. He had so feared +he might find his love as childishly careless and indifferent to the +separation as on that former occasion when she had seemed in no way to +enter into or comprehend his grief. What joy to see that she too was +moved by the news of his departure, that she strove earnestly, eagerly, +to keep him near her! The spontaneous promise she now gave him filled +him with a delight he had never before experienced. Almost mastered by +his emotion, he stooped and kissed her hand. + +"I thank you, my love," he said fervently; "but you are strangely +changed since last we met. Where is my Gabrielle's sunny brightness, +the smile which was ever ready to chase the tears from her eyes? You +said to me once in jest. 'You do not know me thoroughly yet;' and, +truly, I did not do you full justice then. The present moment brings +that home to me." + +The young girl remained silent. Her rosy lips had, indeed, lost their +trick of smiling. They seemed to close firmly upon, and keep down, some +secret sorrow which was not to find utterance in words. + +"Forgive me, if I failed to read you aright," continued George, with +ever-increasing tenderness; "I acknowledge it, I have had my doubts. I +have looked forward with fear and trembling to the inevitable collision +with your family. Now I see that you too can feel profoundly, now I +believe in you fully and completely; I believe that you will be +constant in your love, even though a Baron von Raven, armed with all +his high authority, should do his best to come between us." + +Gabrielle started at these last words, and raised her downcast eyes to +his face. The look was one George could not decipher--a look of mingled +anxiety, pain, and touching appeal; but next moment all this was +drowned in a rush of tears which could no longer be withheld. + +"My poor Gabrielle!" whispered the young man, bending over her; "you +are so little used to care and trouble; and to think that it should be +my fate, mine! to bring them on you. But we were prepared, you know, to +make a fight for our love. Now the time for the struggle has come. We +must endure and conquer. Perhaps Herr von Raven may one day repent +having played Providence in this manner. He is sending out one more +enemy into the world, and not so insignificant a one as he supposes." + +Gabrielle's tears were stayed now. She drew her hand away from him. + +"You are--you are enemies now?" she asked. + +"I have long been Raven's opponent. Do not ask me why. I will not +accuse your guardian and relative to you. The charges against him must +be brought before another forum. But, believe me, he has challenged +hatred and enmity in many quarters. He has so used his power that it +has proved baneful to all beneath his rule, and will, assuredly, one +day prove baneful to himself. It is a mistake on his part to thrust me +thus, with his own hand, forth from the magic circle that surrounds his +person, far from the fascination which has held me, as it holds so many +others, in chains, and from which I could not escape, though I felt it +crippled my strength and relaxed my will. Dr. Brunnow did not warn me +in vain against the magnetic influence of that strange man. It has +often beguiled me into admiring there where I should have condemned. +But now the spell is broken. Yonder, in the great city, I shall be +released from the ties which have hitherto bound me to the superior +officer under whose immediate orders I stood." + +"What do you mean?" asked Gabrielle, uneasily. "I do not understand +your allusions." + +"It is not meet you should," said George, firmly; "but promise me one +thing. Whatever you may hear, believe that no personal enmity, no base +desire for revenge, has prompted me to action. Long ago I resolved I +would take up the glove against the Governor of our province, for taken +up it must be; and there was no one else who ventured to enter the +lists with the omnipotent Raven. I had my arms ready. Then I learned to +know you. I heard that the man I was intending to fight to the death +held my life's happiness in his hands--and my courage failed me. It may +have been cowardly and wrong, but I should like to see the man who in +my place would have acted differently, who would have had nerve, +himself, at a single blow, to destroy life's fair promise, and all the +bright hopes which had just blossomed for him. Now they are blighted. +Your guardian, with unnecessary harshness, has refused me your hand, +has refused me even a glimmer of hope in the future--he who, when he +paid his court to the great Minister's daughter, had no more to offer +than I have! Was it strange that we parted as open enemies? For the +time to come, I will be guided by that alone which I deem duty. And +now--farewell!" + +Gabrielle held him back. + +"George, you cannot, must not leave me so--not with these vague menaces +which distress me unspeakably. What are you thinking of doing? I must +and will know." + +"Do not ask me to speak more openly," said the young man, in gentle but +decided tones. "For your own sake, I will not make you privy to my +intentions. You are not free, as I am. You must remain here under the +same roof with your guardian; you are thrown into daily intercourse +with him. It would be a constant burden on you, were you to share even +in thought in any----" + +"In any plot against him?" cried Gabrielle; and there was so strange, +so vibrating a ring in her voice, that George started. + +"Against Baron von Raven, you mean?" he asked slowly. "You do not +suspect me of anything dishonourable?" + +"No, no; but I fear ... for you ... for us all!" + +"Set your mind at rest I shall fight with my visor up, and shall speak +in the name of hundreds who dare not speak for themselves. The Governor +of R---- may return such answer as he sees fit. He has power on his +side; his voice will be heard before any other: but if I have all the +danger, I have also right on mine. And now let us say good-bye. If I +can possibly manage it, you shall have news of me from the capital; +but, though no single line should reach you, you know that all my +thoughts are given to you, that you inspire my every effort, and that I +will never renounce my claim to your hand, unless I hear from your own +lips that you have given me up." + +He clasped her in his arms for the first time since the day on which he +had made to her the avowal of his love. The parting was a bitter one. +He would not prolong the painful moment--a few fervent words +passionately whispered, a last pressure of the hand, then George tore +himself away from her, and left the room. + +Gabrielle sank on to a seat, and hid her face in her hands. Tear after +tear trickled slowly through her fingers; but her low, half-suppressed +weeping was not provoked by the grief of that separation alone. There +was another secret, unspoken sorrow shadowing the girl's soul, a great +preoccupation which threatened to efface from her memory all that had +come before. George had spoken truly. He had not hitherto read +Gabrielle aright; but if her deeper nature were now stirring within +her, revealing itself in word and look, he was not the magician whose +spell had called it forth. + + + + + CHAPTER XI. + + +Life at the Castle during the last few weeks had been anything but +agreeable. To be sure, things had outwardly taken their usual course. +The family met and talked at table, and fulfilled all their social +duties; but the former easy, familiar intercourse had given place to a +stiff reserve and constraint, which weighed heavily on each separate +member of the party. The Baroness, shallow-minded and superficial as +ever, was, perhaps, the least affected by it. She could not understand +how an insignificant, fleeting love-affair, which, after all, was +nothing more than a piece of childish folly, should have so deep and +lasting an influence on her brother-in-law's humour. To her thinking, a +complete end had been put to the matter by the Baron's decided refusal, +and by Winterfeld's departure from R----. There could be no doubt that +Gabrielle would now listen to reason. The mother had, as she supposed, +an unfailing resource at her disposal, one which would speedily drive +that romantic youthful fancy into the background. Lieutenant Wilten's +admiration for the young Baroness was growing day by day more evident, +and but little encouragement was needed to embolden him to press his +suit openly. + +Ever since the night of the ball, when Colonel Wilten had remarked how +much his eldest son was taken by the appearance and manners of +Gabrielle von Harder, that gentleman had held tenaciously to the idea +of bringing about a marriage between the two. As Raven had shown +himself impervious to the slight hints he had let fall on the subject, +the Colonel had recourse to the lady of the house, whom he found far +more amenable, and quite disposed to favour his wishes. There was not, +indeed, much to be urged against the match, which was one to satisfy a +more requiring mother than the Baroness. The Wiltens came of a good old +house, and were connected by blood, or by alliance, with some of the +foremost families of the land. They were not rich, certainly, but this +want would be supplied by Gabrielle's dowry and future fortune, in +case, as might confidently be expected, the Baron should give his +consent to the marriage. Albert von Wilten was a good-looking young +officer, whose uniform became him exceedingly well, and who rode and +danced to perfection. He was a model partner and an agreeable +companion, and he appeared to be sincerely attached to Gabrielle. In +short, he possessed all the qualities which Madame von Harder desired +in her future son-in-law; and the Colonel and his wife, to both of whom +the presumptive heiress of Baron von Raven seemed a most desirable +connection, were diligent in their attentions to mother and daughter. + +The Baroness began by sounding her brother-in-law. She soon made the +unpleasant discovery that Gabrielle, by her rebellious wilfulness and +obstinacy, had altogether trifled away the kindly feeling which her +guardian had formerly entertained towards her. This was very evident, +for he listened to the proposed scheme with icy indifference; +declaring, indeed, that he had no objection to offer, but that he must +decline to interfere, and leave the matter entirely to the Baroness's +generalship. On the other hand, that lady obtained the comforting +assurance that, as Baroness Wilten, her daughter would remain in +undiminished possession of all the advantages secured to her by her +guardian's will. This did away with any lingering hesitation, Gabrielle +herself was to know nothing of the plan. She seemed to like the young +officer, but was rather cool and reserved in her manner towards him, +and evidently attached no serious importance to the homage he paid her. +She, therefore, readily consented to accompany her mother when the +latter accepted an invitation to the Wiltens' country-house, which was +situated some miles from the town, at the foot of the mountains. The +Colonel's wife, whose health was delicate, generally spent the summer +there. She had not yet returned to town, and as there was still a +prospect of a few fine, sunny autumn days, Lieutenant Wilten never +rested until he obtained from the ladies the promise of a visit. He, of +course, at once applied for leave, in order to be with them during +their sojourn in the country; and the Colonel, too, managed to get free +of the duties of his service for a short space. The matter was thus set +in train, and it was agreed that the rest should be left to the young +people themselves. + +The Baron, who was included in the invitation, excused himself on the +plea of the pressure of business. Besides, he said, he felt it +necessary to remain at his post on account of the uneasiness still +prevailing in the town. So the ladies set out on their expedition +alone, and Gabrielle breathed freely as the carriage rolled out from +the portico of the Government-house. She, poor girl, had suffered most +from the experiences of the last few weeks, yet Raven had kept his +word. Not a look, not a word, had recalled to her that "unguarded +moment" which she was to forget, as he seemed to have forgotten it. + +George Winterfeld's name had not passed his lips since the day on which +he had informed her that the Assessor had left R---- to enter on his +new post in the distant capital; but since then the Baron himself had +become more reserved and unapproachable than ever. He governed and +ordered everything with his accustomed promptness and energy; but +between him and Gabrielle a great cleft seemed to have opened, +rendering all friendly communication impossible. He was frigid as ice +in his behaviour to her; thus it came about that she grasped eagerly at +the chance now offered her of escaping for a while from the life in +common which was every day growing more unendurable. Raven, too, seemed +to desire a separation, for he at once concurred in the plan, and +expressed no disapproval when his sister-in-law thought fit to prolong +her absence for a full fortnight. + +On the last day of their _villeggiatura_, the Governor drove out to the +Wiltens' country-seat to fetch the ladies home. But the Baroness had +taken cold, and, the weather being raw and inclement, could not venture +to undertake so long a drive. She had decided on staying the night, and +returning to town the following day with Colonel Wilten and his wife. +It was arranged, however, that Gabrielle should avail herself of her +guardian's escort. Raven, who had come over in the morning, wished to +start again directly after dinner, and Colonel Wilten in vain sought to +detain him. + +"I cannot stop," said the Baron, as the two talked together, pacing the +garden-room the while. "In the present state of affairs it would not do +for me to leave the town for more than a few hours. Even for this short +absence I had to take my precautions, leaving word that I was to be +sent for should anything happen." + +"Is the situation so critical, then?" asked the Colonel, who had been +out of town for the last week. + +"Critical?" Raven shrugged his shoulders. "There is rather more +brawling and noise than usual, and every now and then we have an +attempt at a riot; the good citizens, in short, are sufficiently giving +me to understand the dislike entertained by them towards my person and +government. I have had one or two apostles of liberty, who were +decreeing my deposition in open assembly, arrested, and hold them +safely under lock and key. The whole city is in a state of sedition in +consequence. The burgomaster came up to me himself to demand the +release of the prisoners, 'in the name of justice.' I was obliged to +make known to that gentleman that my patience is at length exhausted, +and that I shall now proceed with more vigour than I have hitherto +cared to display." + +In spite of their ironical inflection, his words betrayed deep +irritation and annoyance. Wilten, too, had grown serious. + +"The ferment has been going on for months," he observed. "If the +outbreak, which is always threatening, has been avoided so far, we owe +it to the tact and discretion of the police authorities--of the +Superintendent, in particular." + +"He and his officials will be powerless soon in face of this growing +agitation. The Superintendent is too fond of half-measures for me to +put my trust in him. No matter what orders I give, I am met with a +great show of ready compliance and prompt adhesion; but when it comes +to executing my orders, there are endless difficulties and delays, and +we make no progress at all. I am glad you are coming back to town +tomorrow; but for that, I must have asked you to shorten your leave. +You are the commandant of the garrison, and there is no saying how soon +strong arguments may be needed." + +"Your Excellency would do well to avoid any violent measures," said the +Colonel, impressively. "Once taken, they cannot be retracted, and you +know my despatches----" + +"Instruct you to place the troops of the garrison at my disposal." + +"No; they only instruct me to lend you assistance in case of extreme +necessity," replied the Colonel, a little irritated at the other's +imperious tone; "and at army head-quarters it is earnestly desired that +such a necessity may be avoided. It is really rather difficult to draw +a line, to say where your responsibility ends and mine begins. I should +hesitate to interfere in this early stage of affairs." + +"That is natural," said Raven, curtly. "You are a soldier, and +accustomed to submit to discipline. My position has always permitted me +to retain my freedom of action and independence. Nevertheless, you may +rest assured that I shall do all in my power to save you from any such +dilemma." + +"Let us hope that it will not come to the worst," struck in the +Colonel, who had no desire to excite the other's anger. Wilten was +counting a good deal just now on the Baron's friendly feeling, and, +foreseeing that this topic of conversation might give rise to fresh +unpleasantness, he let it drop, and passed to another which lay very +near his heart. + +"Well, I shall return to my post to-morrow, certainly," he began again. +"Albert has been back in town for more than a week. It was hard on him +to tear himself away at the call of duty. He lies bound hand and foot, +a captive to the charms of a certain young lady." + +Raven was silent. He stopped, accidentally, as it were, by the window +which opened on to the balcony, and, turning slightly away, looked out +into the garden. + +"I may take it for granted, I think, that my son's wishes and hopes are +no secret to you now," continued Wilten. "In these wishes my wife +and I most cordially share. If we may reckon on your support in the +matter----" + +"Has Lieutenant Wilten declared himself as yet?" interrupted the Baron, +still preserving the same attitude. + +"Not yet. We fancied there was a little reserve in Fraeulein von +Harder's manner to him, and Albert had not the courage to speak out. He +will call on you in the course of the next few days. May he hope that +you will favour his cause? A father's good word is often a powerful +aid." + +"A father's good word!" repeated Raven, his voice grating with harshest +irony. + +"Well, or his who stands in the father's place. The Baroness is of +opinion also, that your counsels will have great weight with her +daughter." + +Raven passed his hand across his brow, and turned slowly round to face +the speaker. + +"When Lieutenant Wilten has communicated with me, I will acquaint +Gabrielle with his proposal, and ask for her answer; but I neither can +nor will attempt to influence my ward." + +"Of course not, of course not," replied the Colonel; "but, next to the +young lady's consent, her guardian's approval is, naturally, the first +thing to be thought of. The Baroness has led my son to hope that he may +count on you." + +"I have already told my sister-in-law that I have no objection to +offer," said the Baron, whose lips twitched, as though he were enduring +an inward martyrdom, albeit his voice retained its wonted calm. "But +the decision must rest solely and entirely with Gabrielle. If her +mother chooses to throw her influence into the scale, she can do so. I, +personally, shall not interfere." + +The Colonel seemed surprised and a little offended at this very cool +reception of his overtures, but he ascribed the other's ungenial manner +to the annoying occurrences in the town, which had evidently ruffled +his temper. + +"I can well understand that your head is full of other things just +now," he half apologised; "but when a hot-headed young fellow of my +Albert's stamp falls in love, he does not stay to inquire whether time +and circumstances are favourable to his suit; he cannot be induced to +sit down soberly and wait. But to come back to where we started. Would +it not be better to leave the ladies here awhile? R---- is not a very +pleasant place of residence just in these difficult times, and my wife +would gladly prolong her sojourn in the country if it would be any +convenience to her dear visitors." + +"Thanks, no," declined Raven. "It shall not be said that my relations +remain absent from the town because I hold the situation to be +seriously menacing. Some such reports have arisen already, and it is +high time they should be refuted." + +Colonel Wilten saw that this ground was untenable, so he yielded. The +previous arrangements as to the journey therefore held good, and a few +hours later the Baron set out in Gabrielle's company on his return to +the town, leaving the remaining trio to follow at their ease. + +It was a cool and rather stormy autumn day, with heavy showers of rain +and glimpses of sunshine alternating. The heaviest downpour had, +however, ceased about noon, and the sun, already declining to its rest, +struggled still for the mastery, breaking through the dark clouds with +which the sky was covered. In spite of the uninviting weather, Raven, +as was his wont, had driven out in an open carriage, and the handsome +horses, celebrated throughout the province for their swiftness and the +beauty of their proportions, almost flew along the road with the light +britzska. Its occupants were very silent during the greater part of the +drive. The Baron seemed absorbed in his own thoughts, and Gabrielle sat +mutely gazing out at the country through which they passed. The wind +blew keenly down from the hills, and the girl drew her mantle more +closely about her shoulders. Raven noticed the movement. + +"You are cold," he said; "I should have remembered that you are not +accustomed to drive in an open carriage in such weather. I will have +the hood put up." + +He would have at once given the coachman the order, but Gabrielle +stopped him. + +"No, thank you. I prefer even this chill keen air to a close carriage. +My cloak protects me perfectly." + +"As you like." + +Raven stooped, drew up a rug which had slipped to their feet, and +wrapped it round his companion's slender form. Then she said, in a low +and almost timid voice: + +"Uncle Arno, I have a request to make to you." + +"I am listening," he replied laconically. + +"If this close intercourse with Colonel Wilten's family is to be kept +up in town, let me be dispensed from sharing in it." + +"Why?" + +"Because, during our stay in the country, I have discovered that mamma +was following out a premeditated plan in accepting that invitation--a +plan which you favour." + +"I favour nothing," said Raven, coldly. "Your mother is guided by her +own wishes, and acts on her own responsibility. I take no part in the +matter." + +"But they will ask for your decision," returned Gabrielle. "At least, +mamma hinted to me that Albert von Wilten would shortly apply to you +with a request which----" + +"Which will concern you," concluded Raven, as she paused. "That seems +probable certainly, but you alone can decide thereupon. I shall refer +him to you for an answer." + +"Spare us both that," interposed the girl, hastily. "It would be as +mortifying to him to take a refusal from my lips as it would be painful +for me to speak it." + +"You have made up your mind, then, to decline his offer?" + +She looked up at him with great reproachful eyes. + +"Can you ask me? You know that I have given my word to another." + +"And you know that I do not recognise that promise, given in haste, as +a pledge which is to bind you. 'I have given my word to another.' A +little while ago it was, 'I love another!'" + +The observation must have struck home, for Gabrielle's face was +suffused with a deep crimson blush, and she evaded a direct reply. + +"Albert von Wilten was an object of indifference to me before," she +answered; "since I have found out that his suit is to be pressed upon +me, I have taken a dislike to him. I will never be his wife." + +The Baron drew a long deep breath which seemed to expand his chest; but +he replied, in the icy tone he had maintained throughout the +conversation: + +"I shall neither compel nor persuade you to make a choice. If, indeed, +you are firmly resolved to refuse young Wilten, it will, no doubt, be +better that his proposal should not be made. I will give the Colonel to +understand that there is no hope for him. It shall be done to-morrow." + +Raven leaned back in his seat, and the former silence set in again. +Gabrielle nestled more closely into her corner; she, who in the old +days could not have sat for the space of a quarter of an hour without +breaking forth into a flow of merry chatter, now showed no inclination +whatever to renew the conversation. A mighty change had come over the +girl, a change which could not be said exactly to date from George's +departure; before that, long before, there had arisen within her an +enigmatic unknown something against which she had battled from the +first, and which she had so long taken for the constraint of shyness +and fear. This strange new state of mind had nothing in common with the +joyous, happy sensation which had warmed her heart like sunshine when +George first confessed his love to her, when with all the fervour of +his heart he prayed for her love in return, and she, smiling and +flushing with pleasure and excitement, spoke the word he pleaded for. +Often enough she recalled the memory of that hour, fleeing to it as to +some protecting influence--sometimes it would happen that she called on +it in vain. At such moments George's image, which she strove firmly to +grasp and to retain, would recede into the background, fading gradually +away. If separation and absence were alone to blame for this, why did +not absence work a like effect with regard to that other figure which +rose before her, grave and sombre, ever more and more distinctly in +proportion as the former vision waned? During the whole of the past +fortnight that face had been with Gabrielle. + +Neither the flattering homage paid her by the young officer, nor the +thought of her absent lover, had had power to scare away the one +remembrance which by degrees was usurping absolute sway over her mind +and feelings. It was as though some sorcerer's spell had cast the young +girl's whole nature into bonds. The old merry light-heartedness, the +wilful high spirits, the childish caprices--all these had vanished, and +in their place had come dim, problematic sensations more nearly akin to +pain than pleasure; a constant flux and reflux of emotions which +Gabrielle did not understand, but which troubled her exceedingly. She +still wrestled half unconsciously against this dread unknown; for as +yet she did not divine, _would_ not divine the nature of the peril +which menaced her youthful attachment and George's happiness; she only +felt that both were in danger, and that the danger did not come from +without. + +Swiftly, steadily, the carriage rolled on its way towards the town, +which still lay at some considerable distance, all wreathed around in +mist. The broad valley and its encircling hills were already robed in +russet, for here, among the mountains, autumn entered on its dominion +earlier than out in the open plain. As yet the trees and bushes stood +clothed in all their wealth of leaves, but their fresh verdure had long +ago disappeared. Everywhere nature had decked herself in rich and +varied hues, ranging from darkest brown to brightest ochre, with here +and there a flame of brilliant red or a dash of purple, deluding the +eye with the semblance of flowers still blooming in among the thickets; +though, in truth, there was nothing here but dying foliage sending +forth one last bright gleam of colour before it fell a prey to the +chill wind now rustling through the forests, and sweeping with its +cutting blasts over the bare fields and pastures. The river, swollen +with the late rains, rushed in mad haste on its course, its dark and +turgid torrent rolling onwards with a low, sullen roar. The mountains +had wrapped themselves in their veil of mist, which, tattered in places +and fluttering, would now enshroud, and now reveal, the jagged peaks +above. Lower down, among the wooded hills, the clouds pursued their +fantastic evolutions, rising out of the deep vaporous ravines and +sinking from view again in endless unrest; while, in the west, the sun +slowly declined, camped around by a dark phalanx of storm-cloud which +the great orb illumined with a ruddy glow, but which even it was +powerless to break. + +This same landscape had once presented a very different aspect to the +two who were now sitting side by side, mute and reserved as strangers. +Then the valley had lain before them flooded in sunlight, bright with a +golden haze, its blue mountains and glistening distances telling of a +"Paradise" beyond; while from beneath the cool deep shade of the limes +came the sparkle of the fountain and the mysterious rippling murmur of +its waters, calling up those sweet, dangerous dream-visions! To-day the +only sound heard was the low roar of the river, as they drove along its +banks. The horizon was masked in thick fog; the mountains, all girt +around with clouds, looked down menacingly, and the sun, bereft of its +warmth and radiance, burned with a lurid fire, staining the sky a deep +blood-red, as it flamed its parting greeting to the earth. + +The Baron's eyes were moodily fixed on the setting sun and the great +masses of cloud striving together for the mastery. At length, with a +strong effort, as it seemed, he roused himself from his thoughts, and +broke the long silence. + +"The sky denotes a storm," he said, turning to his young companion; +"but it will probably not come upon us until night, and I hope we shall +be safely housed in R---- before dusk." + +"They say the town is very disturbed just now," observed Gabrielle, +with an anxious, inquiring look up at her companion, which, however, he +did not appear to notice. + +"There have been some rather noisy demonstrations of late, certainly," +he replied. "But the troubles are not of a serious nature, and will +soon be over. You need feel no uneasiness." + +"But they say that this movement is directed principally, if not +entirely, against you," continued Gabrielle, in a faltering voice. + +Raven frowned. + +"Who says that?" + +"Colonel Wilten often lets fall hints on the subject. Is it true that +you have so many enemies in the town?" + +"I never have been popular in R----," explained the Baron, with perfect +equanimity. "In the first days of my appointment, the duty devolved on +me of stifling the germs of a revolution then in active preparation. I +succeeded; but success in such matters generally breeds hostility. Well +do I know what hatred to my person the measures to which I had to +resort at that time provoked, and how obstinately the people still +persist in regarding me as an oppressor, notwithstanding all that I +have done for the city and the province. We have lived in a state of +constant warfare; but so far I have always had the upper hand, and I +mean to preserve it in this instance." + +Gabrielle thought of George's enigmatic words, of which she had as yet +found no solution. He had so resolutely evaded her urgent appeal for an +explanation, and the parting had come so quickly, so unexpectedly; but +a few minutes had been allowed them for their stolen leave-taking, then +the young man, with a great effort of will, had torn himself away, +leaving Gabrielle a prey to torturing anxiety. Conjectures as to his +meaning, harassing fears and doubts, still racked her brain. Of one +thing, however, she felt certain--the Baron was in some way menaced, +and she resolved to warn him at all hazards. + +"But you stand quite alone against a multitude," she said. "You cannot +tell, cannot even guess what they may be plotting against you in +secret. Suppose there should be danger in store for you!" + +Raven looked at her with an expression of undisguised astonishment. + +"How long have you taken an interest in such matters? They were +formerly as far from your ken as night from day." + +The young girl tried to smile. + +"I have learned so much of late that was once beyond my ken. But I am +now alluding to some very decided hints----" + +"Which have reached you?" + +"Yes." + +The Baron started. He flashed upon her the old piercing, inquisitorial +look peculiar to him, and asked abruptly: + +"You are in communication with the capital?" + +"I have not received a single line, not a sign of life from thence." + +"No?" said Raven, more mildly. "I fancied so, because Assessor +Winterfeld has entered on his new duties at the Ministry of the +Interior, where he will no doubt meet with sympathisers, with many who +will share in his opinion that I am a tyrant unequalled in the annals +of history. I cannot take it amiss from the young man personally that +he should indulge in such views, for I was forced to assume an attitude +towards him which fairly entitles him to hate me and to revenge himself +on me, supposing revenge to be within his power." + +"He will never do anything ungenerous or base," said Gabrielle. + +The Baron smiled disdainfully. + +"I can assure you that I attach very little weight to Mr. Winterfeld's +ill-will or opposition. I have had more powerful enemies than him, and +have managed to get the better of them. But if the hints of which you +speak do not emanate from the capital, I can only suppose that the +silly rumours which are buzzed from mouth to mouth in R---- have found +their way out to the Wiltens' country-seat. They rest on no practical +foundation whatever. I do not doubt that the malcontents have every +inclination to do me a hurt, but they will be too wise to proceed to +deeds of violence. They know well enough that I am their match, and +able to meet any attack made upon me. If the situation had really been +so full of peril, I should not have allowed you and your mother to +return. I must ask you to discontinue your drives for the next few +days, but it will not be for any length of time, I hope; and, in any +case, at the Castle, in the Governor's house, you will be safe from the +popular excesses, should any such occur." + +"But you will not be safe!" cried Gabrielle, her anxiety breaking down +the barrier of her timidity at last. "The Colonel declares that you +expose yourself recklessly to every danger, and never listen to a +warning of any sort." + +Raven turned his grave, dark eyes slowly upon her. + +"Well, that concerns myself alone, I think, unless--unless it be that +you feel anxiety on my account." + +She dared not reply in words; but the answer might be read in her eyes, +which met his with an imploring, beseeching look. The Baron bent down +to her, and there was a thrill of breathless expectation in his voice +as he repeated: + +"Speak, Gabrielle; are you anxious about me?" + +"Yes," came trembling from her lips. It was but a single word, yet it +wrought a marvellous effect. + +Again Gabrielle saw his whole face kindle as with a blaze of light, met +the ardent gaze which had struck her dumb once before; and the flame of +that mighty up-springing passion melted the panoply of ice in which the +proud man had wrapped himself. One moment sufficed to destroy the +barriers which the self-control of weeks had laboriously built up. The +dream was _not_ over. The sudden fire in his eyes flashed out his +secret. + +Close to them the river ran with a loud and angry murmur, while out +yonder in the autumnal forests the wind rustled and blew with sharper, +stronger blasts. The wall of cloud, which rose more and more +threateningly in the west, parted, and once again the red sun shone out +clear and full. For a few seconds, mountains, woods, and stream +appeared bathed in a purple light; a transfiguring glory streamed over +the earth, and the whole broad valley glowed in supernatural splendour. +For a few seconds only--then the great disc sank out of sight, the +glory died away, and there remained nothing but the darkening autumn +landscape with, overhead, the heavy masses of storm-cloud, and far away +in the distant horizon a lingering crimson flush. A half-melancholy, +half-weird aspect came over the scene, and all Nature thrilled with a +presentiment of winter and of death. + +"During the last few weeks, you too have thought me a tyrant, no +doubt," said Raven, in a low voice, carefully subdued, though every +word vibrated with his inward agitation. "Perhaps one day you will +thank me for guarding you from the fault of over-precipitation. You +were ignorant of your own heart and feelings, and yet you wished to +bind yourself for life. Winterfeld was the first man who approached you +after you ceased to be a child, the first who ventured to speak to you +words of love, and you shut your eyes and dreamed that you too loved, +conjuring up the phantom of that which never existed. It was a childish +illusion--nothing more." + +"No, no," said Gabrielle, anxiously disclaiming the charge, and +attempting to free her hand--attempting in vain, for the Baron held it +as in a vice, as he answered: + +"You feel the truth of what I say. Do not strive against it. A promise +may be recalled, an engagement cancelled by mutual consent----" + +"Never!" exclaimed the girl, passionately. "I love George, him alone, +and no one else. I mean to be his wife." + +Raven let her hand drop. The gleam in his eyes died out, and the old +icy mask covered his features once more. There was hardness and +infinite bitterness in his voice as he replied: + +"Lay aside, then, in future all care and anxiety for me. I will have +none of them." + +They drove on in silence, no further word being exchanged between them. +The evening shadows fell gradually; the mountains were altogether lost +to view, and the mists hovering over the meadows grew denser and +denser. Dusk had fairly set in, when at length R---- was reached; but +there was still light enough to distinguish objects at some little +distance. + +The carriage had passed through the outlying suburb, and had turned +into the broad high-road leading to the Castle. At the other extremity +of this road was situated one of the largest squares, or open places, +of the town. This square now seemed to be the scene of some tumult; for +from thence the shouts and cries of an angry multitude were borne over, +and, in spite of the growing darkness, surging crowds might be seen +thronging the broad space. The Baron started as the first sounds struck +on his ear. He leaned far out of the carriage, and looked keenly back +in the direction whence they proceeded; then he cast a quick, uneasy +glance at his companion. + +"This comes inopportunely," he muttered. "I should have done better to +have left you with your mother." + +"What is the matter yonder? Is there any danger?" asked Gabrielle, +turning very pale. + +She remembered Colonel Wilten's remarks, how he had deplored the +hardihood with which the Governor would risk his safety on such +occasions. Raven saw her alarm, but ascribed it to fear on her own +account. + +"There would seem to be a turbulent meeting yonder before the State +prison," he answered. "I presumed, from general appearances, that the +peace would not be broken to-day, or I should not have driven out from +the town. But do not be in the least uneasy, you shall be exposed to no +danger. I shall have to leave you; but----" + +"Oh, for Heaven's sake, stay with me!" cried Gabrielle. "Where would +you go?" + +"Whither my duty calls me--to the scene of action." + +"And I?" + +"You must go home alone. No one will molest you. Stop, Joseph." + +The coachman obediently drew rein, and Raven rose from his seat. + +"Joseph, you will take Fraeulein von Harder home to the Castle at once, +and as quickly as possible. There is no danger; the road is perfectly +clear." + +He opened the carriage-door, but the girl clung to his arm desperately. + +"Do not leave me alone. Take me with you at least, if you must go." + +"Nonsense!" said Raven, freeing his arm from her grasp. "You drive on +to the Castle. I will come directly the disturbance is quelled, and the +place quiet again." + +He alighted, and turned to close the door; but in a moment Gabrielle +had sprung out too, and now stood by him in the road. + +"Gabrielle!" the Baron exclaimed, and there was impatient annoyance in +his tone, mingled with real alarm. + +But the girl only nestled more closely to his side. + +"I will not let you go into the danger alone. I am afraid of nothing, +of nothing in the world when you are with me. Let us go together." + +Again Raven's eye blazed, and this time in the joyful flash there was +swift, passionate triumph. + +"You cannot accompany me," he said, in that strangely subdued tone +which Gabrielle had heard but once from his lips--once only by the +Nixies' Well. "You must understand that I cannot take you into the +midst of that excited crowd, where I should have no possible means of +protecting you. It is not the first time I have encountered such +scenes. I know how to curb men's passions, but my wonted energy would +fail me, were I to think that you were exposed to any danger. Promise +me to return quietly home and to wait for me there. I ask this of you, +Gabrielle. You will not make it hard for me to do my duty." + +He took her in his arms, and lifted her into the carriage. Gabrielle +offered no resistance. She knew full well that no woman could or should +trust herself to the mercies of that wild, riotous mob--nothing but the +mortal anxiety she was enduring would have suggested the thought to +her. This anxiety was now so legibly stamped on her features that even +Raven's firmness wavered. He felt he must tear himself away at once, if +he would not yield to the mute prayer of those beseeching eyes. + +"I must go," he said hastily. "Good-bye for the present. I shall not be +long away." + +He closed the carriage-door sharply, and signed to the coachman to +drive on. Gabrielle, bending out, saw the tall figure turn and stride +away with rapid steady steps in the direction of the square. Then the +horses pulled with a will, and the carriage flew with redoubled speed +on its way towards the Castle. + + + + + CHAPTER XII. + + +More than an hour had gone by, and the Governor had not yet returned. +The household at the Castle was growing uneasy at his prolonged +absence, for the coachman, on reaching home with the young Baroness, +had reported that his master had betaken himself to the scene of the +disturbances. + +It was, of course, well known at the Government-house that the town was +astir, but no detailed intelligence of what was going on had found its +way thither; for the servants had, once for all, received instructions +not to leave the Castle in the event of any such occurrence, and none +of the officials who had their residence there cared to venture into +the tumult. Councillor Moser alone had chanced to go down into the town +that afternoon, and had, no doubt, been detained by the rioting. He had +given no sign as yet, and was probably waiting until such time as order +should be restored, and he could traverse the streets in safety. + +The Baron's study was already lighted up. The clear flame of the lamp +suspended from its ceiling illuminated every corner of the room, which +yet maintained its grave and sombre aspect. One spot only, the deep +recess of the great bay-window, lay in shadow; and there, half hidden +by the heavy curtains, stood Gabrielle. The girl could not endure +to-day to remain in her mother's apartments, which lay on the other +side of the house. She had never hitherto entered her guardian's study +without special permission or summons from him; but now she sought it, +remembering that its window commanded a fine view of the city below. +The gathering darkness soon narrowed in the range of vision; indeed, +the Castle lay too far from the centre of the town for the keenest +eyes, even in daylight, to observe what was going on there; but from +this point the watcher could, at least, overlook some part of the +lighted road which led up the Castle-hill, and could catch sight of any +approaching figures in the distance--so reasoned Gabrielle, and +remained steadily at her post. + +Very unlike the Gabrielle Harder of the old days, truly, this pale, +mute maiden, leaning against the window-frame with hands convulsively +clasped, and gazing out as though her eager eyes must penetrate the +growing darkness. This anxious, despairing vigil consummated the silent +work of the last few weeks. It took from her, once and for ever, the +old childish dream, destroyed the illusion by which she had so long +deceived herself and others. In and about her all had been sunshine, +until the moment when a single glance had discovered to her the depths +of a passion new to her experience. In that moment the first shadow +fell on her path, a shadow that had darkened it ever since. The bright +"butterfly" nature which once fluttered heedlessly on its way, +unmindful of care or sorrow, vanished when the sunshine faded from her +life; and beneath the spell of that magic gaze a new being arose, an +ardent, impassioned young creature who was to take her share of the +struggle and pain which form humanity's sad heritage. As Gabrielle +waited, trembling for a life she knew to be in peril, she came to +understand what that life was to her--all that in this terrible hour +she had at stake. It was useless longer to seek to delude herself. + +The second hour was creeping by. Half of it had already passed, and +still no sign, no news of the Governor, Gabrielle had opened the +window, hoping to hear the sound of the carriage which, as she +expected, would bring him; but the road lay solitary and deserted, and +the flame of the gas-lights flickered uneasily, and sometimes almost +died out beneath the fierce gusts of wind, which was rising to a +hurricane. + +At last the longed-for sound was heard; not the roll of +carriage-wheels, certainly, but the voices and tread of several persons +now becoming dimly visible through the obscurity. They came on nearer +and nearer, and a half-suppressed cry of joy escaped Gabrielle's lips. +She had recognised Raven's figure advancing towards the Castle in the +company of some half-dozen gentlemen; and a few minutes later the party +stepped into the circle of light surrounding the portico. + +"I thank you, gentlemen," said the Governor, coming to a halt. "You see +it was quite unnecessary to enforce your escort on me. There has been +no attempt to molest us on our road. As I told you, the tumult has +spent itself--for to-night." + +"Yes; but nothing save your Excellency's timely appearance would have +dispersed the rioters,"--this in the impressive voice of Councillor +Moser, who was standing next his chief. "They were about to storm the +gaol and to set the prisoners free when you came up so unexpectedly--so +providentially, I may say. I saw with admiration how your Excellency, +by mere authority of word and look, tamed that rebellious mob, and +reduced the rioters to order--a result which the Superintendent here, +with his whole staff of police to back him, had vainly striven to +obtain." + +The Superintendent, who formed one of the group, seemed to take this +observation in rather ill part; for he replied, with a spice of +unmistakable spitefulness: + +"Well, you were in a good position at your window, no doubt, to see how +matters went, besides having the satisfaction of feeling yourself in +perfect security, while Baron von Raven and I were in the thick of the +fight." + +"I saw that it would be impossible for me to reach his Excellency's +side," declared the Councillor; "otherwise I should have----" + +"No, no," the Baron interrupted him; "that would have been a most +unnecessary venture on your part, whereas the Superintendent and I were +only fulfilling our duty. Well, we have settled as to the measures to +be taken. I hope they will suffice to preserve order during the night. +Colonel Wilten will be back to-morrow, and I shall confer with him at +once, and decide on some means of preventing any recurrence of such +scenes. If, contrary to our previsions, any disturbance should occur, +have the goodness to let me know. Good-evening, gentlemen." + +He bowed slightly to his companions, and stepped into the hall. +Gabrielle closed the window gently. She meant to leave the study at +once--the Baron should not find her there--but it was too late for a +retreat. He must have mounted the stairs in great haste, for already +his steps might be heard in one of the adjoining rooms, and his voice +asking: + +"What? Fraeulein von Harder is not in her apartments?" + +"The Baroness is in your Excellency's study, and has been waiting there +for more than an hour," a servant replied. + +No comment was made to this, but the step approached at a quickened +pace; the door was thrown open, and Raven appeared. His first glance +fell on Gabrielle, who had come out from the window, and now stood +before him, trembling in every limb. He guessed why she had chosen to +wait for him there. In an instant he was at her side. + +"T was going over to your rooms, when they told me you were here;" he +spoke in a breathless, hurried tone. "I could not possibly send any +news to tranquillise you. The riot is only just quelled. All is quiet +for the moment. I came up here at once." + +Gabrielle tried to answer him, but her voice forsook her. She could not +force a sound from her lips. Raven looked at the fair, pale face, on +which the torture of the last few hours was but too legibly written. He +made a movement, as though to draw her to his side, but as yet the +habit of self-mastery prevailed. The arm he had raised fell to his +side, his chest heaved, and he drew a deep, deep breath. + +"And now, Gabrielle, repeat to me the words you spoke a while ago in +the carriage, the words with which you repelled me." + +"What words?" asked Gabrielle, in painful embarrassment. + +"Tell me again the untruth, by the help of which you tried to deceive +both yourself and me. Look me in the face, and repeat to me that you +love Winterfeld, and are determined to be his. If you can do that, you +shall never again be troubled by a word from me. But say it, say it out +plainly." + +The girl drew back. "Oh, let me go! I--I--oh, let me go, for Heaven's +sake!" + +"No, I will not let you go, Gabrielle!" broke out Raven, passionately. +"The tale must be told, once for all. I must now put into words that +secret which you have long known, the secret which has been mine since +I first looked into those sunny, childish eyes. Soon, very soon after +that, I heard from your own lips that you loved another. I felt that a +man thirty years your senior, with hair showing streaks of grey, would +incur the terrible curse of ridicule, if he confessed to you his +ardent, unreciprocated attachment, and I, by Heaven! I vowed none +should ridicule me. But to-day I saw that you trembled for my safety, +that you would have rushed into the danger yourself only to remain at +my side--and now you do not dare repeat those words, because you feel +they convey a lie which would cost us both all our future happiness. +Now, at last, let things be made clear between us. I love you, +Gabrielle, and I have fought against my love, calling to my aid all my +strength and all my pride. The dream _should_ be over, I said, and the +presumptuous word has cost me dearly. When I meant forcibly to subdue +and crush out the passion within me, it rose with tenfold, irresistible +might, and taught me to know its power. I behaved towards you with +harsh, cold reserve, wrapping myself in it as in a mantle. I sought a +rescue in separation, in my work, in the battle I am ever waging with +all the hostile elements arrayed against me--in vain! I had torn myself +from you, but your image was ever present with me, in my dreams, as in +my waking hours. It forced itself in upon me here, as I sat at work; it +followed me into stirring scenes without, when all the faculties of +mind and brain had need to be at full stretch; and when I faced my +opponents in the struggle, it gleamed on me like a ray of light through +the stormy clouds surrounding me, and compelled my heart, my mind to +turn to you--it has conquered my every feeling, every thought. You must +be mine, or I must let you go from me for ever. Any third course would +bring destruction on us both. Answer me, Gabrielle. Say, whom do you +love? For whom did your heart beat so anxiously a little while ago, and +what thought aroused the apprehension and tenderness I read in your +looks? Speak; I await your decision." + +He stood before her, pale and eager, as though the verdict were to be +one of life or death. Gabrielle listened in a sort of stupor to this +passionate outbreak, which found but too ready an echo in her own +heart. Raven was faithfully describing her own experience. She, too, +had fought and wrestled with her love; she, too, had sought to fly from +a power so strong that no escape was possible. Before the glowing +lava-stream of words which burst with one great throe of Nature from +the innermost heart of this man, usually so cold and so constrained, +all the fairy fabrics vanished which a young girl's fancy had built up, +all her childish conceptions of love and life; and with them went the +foolish dream which she had once thought would fill her whole +existence. It had been but a day-dream, a dim visionary foreshadowing +of that which now took form and being. Gabrielle had awakened. She +looked a genuine passion full in the face, and if she felt that so +volcanic a nature, with its sombre depths and smouldering fires, was +calculated to destroy rather than to bless, she no longer quaked before +it. The thing she had hitherto called happiness paled and disappeared +like some thin phantom before the fierce incandescent glow of this +man's fervour. + +The young girl made one last attempt to cling valiantly to the past. + +"George ... he loves me--trusts me. He will be so utterly miserable, if +I forsake him!" + +"Do not speak his name!" cried Raven, his eye sparkling with furious +enmity. "Do not remind me that this man alone stands between me and my +felicity. Ill might betide him through it. Woe to him if he should try +to hold you to your hasty promise! I should free you by fair means or +by foul. What is this Winterfeld to you? What can you be to him? He may +love you after his own fashion, but he would drag you down to a +commonplace existence, and give you a commonplace affection, nothing +more. If he loses you, he will overcome the pain of it; will seek +consolation in his plans for advancement, in his work, in other ties. +Such passionless natures do not know what despair is--nothing brings +them out of their groove; they, steadily and dutifully, keep on their +way. I"--here the Baron's tone sank to a lower diapason; the look of +hate died out of his face, and his stern voice grew milder and milder, +until at length it melted to a great softness--"I have never loved, +have never known such sweet hopes or bright illusions. In the continual +striving after power and greatness, I seem to have missed all real +happiness, a thirst for which has now, so late, arisen within me. Now, +in the autumn of my life, the veil is rent asunder, and I can see all +that I have lost, lost without once tasting it. Has all chance of it +gone from me for ever? Do you fear the gap of years which intervenes +between us? I cannot bring you youth, my child. That is past; but the +great passion of a man's mature soul is far stronger, more intense and +more enduring than the fancy of any youthful enthusiast. It dies out +only with his life. Say that you will be mine, and I will encompass you +with love, will make you my idol. I will accept any challenge for your +sake, and will come to you victorious from every struggle. All pain and +sorrow shall be averted from your head; if really a storm is +threatening, it shall not touch, shall not come nigh you; my arms are +strong enough to protect the woman I love. You shall be the sunbeam to +brighten my life, to brighten and to beautify it I have striven hard +and achieved much, but no ray of happiness has gleamed upon me; and now +that I have seen it shining in my path, I cannot close my eyes and shut +it out. Gabrielle, be my wife, my joy, my one delight and treasure!" + +A boundless tenderness was in his words. His stormy, fiery vehemence +had melted gradually into tones of pathetic pleading, and he spoke in +low tremulous accents, such as surely never yet had come from Arno +Raven's lips; and as he pleaded, he clasped his arm tighter and tighter +round the slender form at his side, and drew her gently, but +irresistibly, towards him. Gabrielle yielded passively. Again, as once +before by the murmuring spring, a trance had fallen upon her--a trance +half sweet, half troubling, holding her senses in thrall--and again, as +then, she let herself be drawn unresistingly out of the bright +sunlight, wherein she had hitherto breathed, down, down into unknown +depths. It seemed to her that she had no choice but to drift deeper and +deeper, and that, with him, supported by his arm, it was blessedness +enough so to drift, leaving all, all behind. + +A knock at the door startled Gabrielle and the Baron, and brought them +back to reality. It had, no doubt, been repeated several times without +obtaining a response, for it was unusually loud and sharp, and struck +like a clanging dissonance on the harmony of their short-lived +happiness. + +"What is it?" asked Raven, with a start. "I will not be disturbed now." + +"I beg pardon, your Excellency," said the servant's voice without. "A +courier has just arrived from the capital. He has orders to deliver his +despatches to your Excellency in person, and asks to be admitted +immediately." + +The Baron slowly relaxed his hold on the young girl. + +"Thus am I awakened from my love-dreams!" he said bitterly. "They +cannot grant me even a quarter of an hour's respite. It would seem that +love and dreams are forbidden fruit to me; that the thought of them +even is forbidden me.--The courier must wait a few minutes," he added +aloud. "I will send for him." + +The servant retired. Raven turned to Gabrielle again, but stopped, in +concern and surprise, as he caught sight of her face. + +"What ails you?" he said. "You have suddenly turned so deadly pale. It +is only some important message from the capital which is to fall into +no hands but mine; some official matter, nothing more. It might have +come at a more opportune time, truly." + +Gabrielle had indeed turned very white. That knock, coming just at the +moment when the decisive "yes" was hovering on her lips, thrilled her +as the portent of some coming evil. She herself knew not why, at that +announcement, her thoughts flew back to George and to his words at +parting. He was living in the capital now. A pang shot through her. Was +there some plot on foot to injure the Baron? + +"I will go," she said hastily. "You must receive this courier. Let me +go." + +Raven clasped her in his arms again. + +"And will you leave me without giving me an answer? Am I still to live +on, doubting and fearing lest that other should come between us again? +You shall go, but speak first the one word I long for. It will take but +a second to say it. Only one word, 'yes!' I will not keep you longer." + +"Give me till to-morrow," the girl besought with piteous, pathetic +entreaty. "Do not ask me to decide now, do not force my consent from +me. Give me till to-morrow, Arno, I implore you!" + +A flash of joy lighted up the Baron's features as, for the first time, +he heard her pronounce his name without the adjunct of that formal word +which recalled the relation and the guardian. Quickly and fervently he +pressed his lips to her brow. + +"It shall be so. I will force nothing from you. I will believe the +language of your eyes alone, and content myself with that. Until +to-morrow, then, for one short night, farewell, my Gabrielle!" + +He walked with her through the adjoining room to a door which opened on +the corridor, and the young girl went hastily out. Before she had +reached the end of the passage, a bell sounded in the Baron's study, +the signal for the courier to appear. Truly, Arno Raven had but little +leisure to devote to his love-dreams. He was inexorably, ruthlessly +summoned back to the hard reality of this prosaic world. + +Gabrielle shut herself in her own room. As yet, the decisive word had +not been spoken, but her choice was already made. The hours she had +just lived through had broken down the bridge connecting her with the +past--there could be no going back now. If George himself had appeared +before her to assert and to maintain his rights, it would have availed +nothing; it was too late--he had lost her. Where the young lover, +despite his earnestness and enthusiasm, had failed, the elder man, with +his tardily-aroused, but even on that account more glowing passion, +triumphantly succeeded. Arno Raven had drawn the girl's whole soul to +himself; there was no room in her heart now for another. Raven alone +held sway over Gabrielle's thoughts and feelings, and reigned supreme +in her dreams when, long after midnight, she sank into a brief uneasy +slumber. George's image never once rose before her. Even during her +sleep her brain was busy with the events of the last few hours, which +passed in a strange fantastic medley confusedly before her. + +One single figure occupied the foreground. Interwoven with the thought +of _him_ came the memory of that drive through the darkening twilight +of the autumn evening. She saw it all: the varied landscape with its +misty outlines; overhead a sky charged with storm-cloud; and yonder on +the western horizon the flaming, fiery sunset. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII. + + +"It is perfectly unprecedented! Such a thing was never heard of! I +cannot believe my own eyes! This undermines all government, saps the +foundations of all authority, shakes the very pillars of the State. It +is horrible--horrible!" + +Thus, in a burst of noble pathos, did the Councillor unburthen himself +of his pent-up indignation, addressing the Superintendent of Police, +who was just coming down the stairs from an interview with the +Governor. + +"Do you mean the disturbances in the town?" asked the latter, with a +slight and rather scornful smile. "Yes, it was rather noisy down there +last night, certainly." + +"Who is thinking of the town?" cried the Councillor. "Those +disturbances go for nothing. It is the mere rioting of a mob, which can +be subjugated, which will be subjugated, by military aid, if necessary. +But when revolutionary ideas invade official circles--when men, whose +business it is to represent and to support the Government, attack it in +such a way as this, there is an end to all order. Who would have +thought it of Assessor Winterfeld! A young man who has been looked on +as a model to the whole Civil Service! I, indeed, have always had my +suspicions of him. His questionable loyalty, his bias in favour of the +Opposition, his treasonable connections, have long inspired uneasiness +in my mind; and on several occasions I have expressed as much to his +Excellency, but he would not listen. He had a predilection for the +Assessor. Quite lately even, by getting him transferred to the capital, +he opened to this favoured subaltern the most brilliant prospects; and +now the traitor rewards him by the blackest ingratitude." + +"Ah, you are alluding to Winterfeld's pamphlet!" said the +Superintendent. "Have you had the book in your hands already? Why, it +can only have reached R---- this morning." + +"I got it accidentally, from a colleague who had just received it. A +most abominable composition! It is open rebellion, sir--open rebellion! +There are things in it addressed to his Excellency--things ... Well, I +don't know how such a work came to be printed and circulated. Have you +taken no steps to suppress it?" + +"I have no orders and no motive for doing so," declared the +Superintendent, whose coolness formed a strange contrast to Moser's +indignant excitement. "The pamphlet was brought out in the capital, and +there was not time, I suppose, to prevent its circulation. Besides, +such unpalatable publications are no longer suppressed in a summary +manner, as was the custom formerly. Times have changed. As to this +brochure, I am quite of your opinion. I doubt if a more virulent attack +has ever been made on a statesman holding office under the Crown." + +"And it comes from a member of the Service, from one who has worked +under my eyes, in my bureaux!" cried the Councillor, in despair. "But +he has been seduced, led astray. I always told him that his connection +with that clique of Swiss Socialists would bring him to ruin. I know +who is at the bottom of the whole business--who is alone to blame for +this scandal. It is that Dr. Brunnow who has been staying here for +weeks, under pretext of settling some succession business, and who has +not yet taken his departure." + +"Because in his case there has been even more than the usual +circumlocution. Endless difficulties have been raised touching this +matter of his reversion. The gentlemen of the law-courts have, with +rather unnecessary severity, let him feel the drawbacks under which he +labours in being his father's son and, for the time being, +representative. Finding this, he set upon them a little while ago, and +subjected them to so drastic a treatment, that they were quite taken +aback, and now really seem as if they meant to hasten on the affair. +You have a prejudice against the young doctor, Councillor. He is not +such a bad fellow as you think." + +"This Brunnow is a most dangerous man," said the Councillor, all his +wonted solemnity returning to him with this topic. "I knew it from the +first day I saw him, and my instinct in such matters is infallible. +Since he has been in our midst, we have had these troubles in the town, +open resistance to the appointed authorities; and now comes this +printed assault on his Excellency. I hold to my opinion: this man came +to R---- with the intention of setting the city, the province, ay, the +whole land in a blaze of insurrection." + +"Why not say the whole of Europe, while you are about it!" exclaimed +the Superintendent, impatiently. "You are completely mistaken. Merely +on account of the name he bears, we have kept an eye on the young man, +and I can assure you he has not given the slightest cause for any such +suspicions. He has entered into no political relations here, and took +part neither directly nor indirectly in the late disturbances; he just +simply attends to his own private affairs. If I, as head of the police, +can bear him this testimony, you may, I think, admit and put faith in +it." + +"But he is the son of an old revolutionary democrat," persisted the +Councillor; "and he is an intimate friend of Assessor Winterfeld's." + +"What does that prove? His father was once an intimate friend of the +Governor here." + +"Wh--what?" cried Moser, starting back. "His Excellency Baron von Raven +and that man Rudolph Brunnow----" + +"Were university chums, bosom friends even. I have it from the best +source. I suppose you are not going to accuse Baron von Raven of +socialist, revolutionary tendencies. But my time is limited, I must be +off. Good-morning, Councillor." + +So saying, the Superintendent turned his back on the worthy Councillor, +who was standing dazed with surprise, and left the Government-house. On +his way to the town he encountered the Burgomaster. + +"You come from the Castle?" asked the latter. "Have you seen the +Governor? What has he determined on doing?" + +The other shrugged his shoulders. + +"What he threatened yesterday--he will proceed with the utmost rigour. +If there is any repetition of the riots, the troops will be called out. +All the necessary preparations are made. Precisely as I was leaving, +Colonel Wilten came in to consult with him personally on the subject, +and there can be no doubt as to the result of the conference. You know +the Baron. He will recoil from no measures which may effect his +purpose." + +"This must not be," said the Burgomaster, uneasily. "The popular +exasperation is so great that any display of military force would only +add fuel to the flame. There would be resistance and bloodshed. I had +made up my mind not to set foot in the Castle again, unless absolutely +compelled to go there; but now I think I must make one last attempt to +dissuade them from any extreme course." + +"I would advise you not to go," returned the Superintendent. "I can +tell you beforehand, you will get nothing by it. The Baron is not in a +forbearing mood to-day. He has had news which will ruffle his temper +for weeks to come." + +"I know," put in the other. "Assessor Winterfeld's pamphlet. I received +it from the capital this morning." + +"What, you have heard of it too? Well, I must say they have lost no +time in circulating the book. They seem to have feared it might be +suppressed, and to have done what they could to forestall the edict. I +think there were no grounds for the apprehension, however. It looks +very much as though in high places the intention were to let the matter +take its course." + +"Really; and what says Raven to all this? The attack can hardly have +come upon him unawares. He must have received some hint of what was +brewing." + +"I am afraid he received no hint whatever. His whole manner betrays the +fact that he has been taken by surprise. He wraps himself in his usual +reserve, but he cannot altogether conceal that he is perturbed and +frightfully irritated. My allusions to the matter in question were met +so ungraciously that I thought it better to drop the subject. It is +really an unprecedented attack, and an outrageously imprudent one +into the bargain. When such opinions are to be disseminated among the +people, they are generally given to the public in an anonymous form. +The author lets the first fury of the storm wear itself out before he +gives his name; he allows himself to be sought out and divined, and +only emerges from his retirement when obliged or encouraged so to do. +But the Assessor signs in full, and leaves no doubt to the world in +general, and the Governor in particular, as to who is the assailant. I +can't think how he has found courage to challenge his whilom chief in +this manner. He throws down the gauntlet to him in the face of the +whole country--the book is one long accusation from beginning to end." + +"And from beginning to end it is one long truth," answered the +Burgomaster, warmly. "This young man puts us all to shame. What he has +now ventured to do, should have been done long ago. When the resistance +of a whole city proves fruitless, when all appeals to the Government +fail, the dispute should be brought before the forum of public opinion, +and there decided. Winterfeld has been clear-sighted enough to see +this, and courageous enough to speak the first word. Now that the way +has been thrown open for them, all will be ready to follow him." + +"Yes, but he is hazarding his position and very livelihood on the die," +remarked the Superintendent. "This pamphlet of his goes too far, and +brilliantly as it is written, its author will have to smart for it. +Raven is not the man to allow himself to be insulted and attacked with +impunity. This bold knight-errant may find himself worsted in the +tourney. He may fall a victim to his own audacity." + +"Or he may at a blow demolish the Governor's supremacy. But, however +the affair may end, it is sure to make a tremendous sensation; and here +in R---- it will be the spark to fire the powder-train." + +"I am afraid so too," assented the police magnate. "It stands to reason +that the Baron will go all lengths now, in order to remain master of +the situation. Well, whatever he may do, will be done at his own risk +and peril." + +While the two gentlemen thus discoursed, going on their way together, +the conference, to which allusion had been made, was being pursued +between the Governor and Colonel Wilten, in the former's private study. +The topic under discussion must have been one of importance, for the +Colonel looked exceedingly grave. Raven was, to all appearance, +unmoved; the ashy paleness of his countenance and the deep furrows of +his knitted brow alone betrayed that some unusually disturbing +influence had been at work. His bearing and speech were, as ever, +perfectly assured and under control. + +"The thing is settled," he said. "You will hold the troops in readiness +for an immediate intervention, and you will proceed unsparingly, should +resistance be offered. I will take the responsibility and all the +possible consequences on myself." + +"If it must be ... it must," replied the Colonel. "You know my +scruples, and I do not disguise from you that, in case of any +difficulty arising, I shall leave the responsibility of this step with +you." + +"I hold myself answerable, solely and entirely. This rebellious city of +R---- must be reduced to submission, be the cost what it may. It is now +more than ever incumbent on me to uphold my authority. It must not be +thought for a moment that the mischievous blow which has been directed +against me has had power to slacken my rein." + +"What blow?" asked the Colonel. + +"You have not heard the latest news from the capital?" + +"No; as you are aware, I have only been back in town a few hours." + +Raven rose, and paced rapidly up and down the room. When he returned +and stood before the Colonel, his agitation could be read in his +features, in spite of all his efforts to keep it down. + +"I recommend you, then, to read Assessor Winterfeld's pamphlet," he +said, in a tone which was meant to be only sarcastic, but which +vibrated with fierce anger. "He feels himself appointed to denounce me +to the country at large as a despot who regards neither law nor +justice, who has become a scourge, a pestilent source of harm, to the +province committed to his charge. A long list of crimes is therein +imputed to me; abuse of power, arbitrary action, illegal violence, and +all the usual catchwords. It really is worth while to read the precious +composition, if only to marvel at the presumption with which one of the +youngest and lowliest of my subalterns ventures to arraign his chief. +So far, only a chosen few have cognisance of this brochure; to-morrow, +the whole town will ring with it." + +"But why do you take it so quietly?" exclaimed the Colonel. "These +things do not spring up in a day, of themselves. You must have been +prepared for it--have had news of what was coming." + +"Oh yes; the news reached me yesterday evening, just about the time +that the book was being hawked about the streets of the capital, and +when many copies of it were on their way hither. The same courier +brought me an assurance of the Minister's 'sincere regret' that it had +not been possible to prevent the publication; the matter had now gone +too far for suppression." + +"That is strange!" said Wilten, in surprise. + +"More than strange. They are generally well informed at head-quarters +as to all that is in the press, and they do not readily suffer anything +to appear that is likely to prove dangerous. With the work in question, +there could have been no difficulty. They had only to consider the +insults offered to me as levelled at the Government, and to suppress +the entire edition. But it seems that the will so to act was wanting, +and as they feared that I should energetically insist on such a course +being pursued, they purposely left me in complete ignorance of the +matter, and only warned me when it was too late for the intimation to +be of use." + +The Colonel looked down meditatively. + +"You have few friends in the capital and at court--I told you so months +ago. There are constant intrigues on foot against you there, and no +stone is left unturned to damage your credit and undermine your +influence. If a fitting instrument has been found ready to hand ... +Assessor Winterfeld is engaged at the Ministry now, I think?" + +"Yes," said the Baron, bitterly. "I opened its doors to him. I myself +sent my denunciator to the capital." + +"They have got hold of the young man at once, it being known that he +came direct from your Chancellery. Perhaps he only contributes his +name, and the onslaught really comes from a far different quarter." + +Raven shook his head moodily. + +"He is no instrument in the hands of others; he acts spontaneously, and +the scheme cannot have been concocted in the few weeks which have +elapsed since he left R----. The book is the result of much thought and +labour. It has taken months, perhaps years, to prepare. Here in my own +bureaux, under my very eyes, the plan of it has been sketched out and +designed. Every word shows that it has been slowly, carefully written." + +"And the Assessor never betrayed himself to you or any one?" asked +Wilten. "He must have had associates, confidential friends." + +The Baron's lips worked, and his eyes were fixed on the window-recess +from which Gabrielle had yesterday stepped forth to welcome him. + +"One of his confidants I know, at least," he said; "and that one shall +render account to me. As to the young man himself--well, we shall see +later on. There can be but one manner of settling such a matter between +us two. Just at present I have to reckon with other enemies. It is of +little consequence that an Assessor Winterfeld should rise up in +virtuous indignation, and declare me a tyrant and my tenure of office a +public calamity--others have done this before him. But that he should +venture to cry it aloud in the ears of all the world, that such a +venture should be tolerated, perhaps encouraged--this is what gives a +serious colour, a certain importance, to the affair. I shall at once +demand ample satisfaction from the Government, which is attacked with +me and in my person; and should they show signs of refusing it, I shall +know how to bring them to reason. It is not the first time I have had +to set a plain alternative before these gentlemen. I have frequently +found it necessary to clear the air a little by some sharp, decided +action when the intrigues became too annoying to be borne in silence." + +"You take too grave a view of the matter," said the Colonel, +reassuringly; "and it is strange in you, who generally meet every +attack with absolute, unruffled calm. Why do you now allow yourself to +be irritated by mere lies and calumnies?" + +The Baron drew himself up proudly. + +"Who says they are lies? The animus which pervades the book is stamped +on every page, but it does not contain palpable untruths, and I have no +intention of calling in question one of the facts adduced against me. I +am ready to answer for my acts, but only to those who are entitled to +require an account from me, and not to the first man who may feel +disposed to sit in judgment on me and my proceedings. To him and to his +fellows, I shall give the one answer they deserve." + +At this point of the conversation they were interrupted. A report was +brought in to the Governor, which the Superintendent of Police had just +sent over from the town. Colonel Wilten rose to depart. + +"I will go and see that the measures we have agreed upon are taken at +once. The Baroness arrived safely, I hope? She came with us to town, +but declined our escort up to the Castle. And how is Fraeulein von +Harder? She must have seen something of the rioting last night." + +"I do not know," said Raven shortly, almost roughly. "I have not seen +her to-day, and I was too busy to receive my sister-in-law in person. I +shall go over to them a little later." + +He gave his hand to the Colonel, who, after a few parting words, left +the room, while the Baron returned to his writing-table, on which last +night's despatches still lay, and began a letter to the Minister. + +Baroness Harder had reached the Castle some hours previously, and had +been received by her daughter alone, a circumstance which had given +umbrage to the lady. It argued, she said, great disrespect on her +brother-in-law's part that he could not tear himself away from his +business, for a few minutes at least, to welcome her. And to this other +annoyances were added. The cold from which she had been suffering for +several days past had been increased by the drive through the morning +air. Madame von Harder declared herself to be very ill, and at once +retired to her bedroom to get a little rest, giving orders that she was +on no account to be disturbed--this to the intense relief of her +daughter, who was thus again left free to pursue her troubled thoughts. + +Gabrielle had, indeed, hardly been able to conceal from her mother the +agitation and anxiety which were consuming her. The Baron had not shown +himself all day; he had even sent in an excuse at breakfast-time. She +knew that, in consequence of last night's events, he had been +incessantly occupied from early morning, that special messengers had +pressed on each other's heels, and that audiences and conferences +without respite were being held in his study; but she knew also that, +in spite of everything, he would find time, must find time, to come to +her, if only for a few minutes. "Until to-morrow." The words, spoken +with passionate tenderness, still rang in her ears. The morning had +come; all the forenoon had passed. Raven did not appear; he sent no +word, no line, and a very mountain-load of care seemed to weigh on the +young girl's heart. What could have happened? + +Twelve o'clock struck. Gabrielle was sitting alone in her mother's +little boudoir, when at length she really heard, in the anteroom, the +quick steady steps which a hundred times that morning she had heard in +fancy. She drew a deep breath, and listened with a beating heart. Her +cheeks, so pale a minute before, were dyed now a deep crimson. Anxiety, +care, apprehension, all were forgotten in this moment, as the door +opened and the Baron came in. + +"I wish to speak to you," he said briefly, without any preface. "Are we +alone?" + +Gabrielle bent her head affirmatively. Her impulse had been to hasten +towards him; but she stopped, confounded by his tone, which grated +oddly, harshly on her ear. Now, looking more closely, she saw the +strange change that had come over his features. This was not the Arno +Raven who had yesterday held her in his arms and poured out to her the +tale of his love, with an ardour and a passion which had metamorphosed +the man's whole being, inspiring her with warmth and tenderness. To-day +he stood before her gloomy, reserved, icily severe. The lips which had +given utterance to those fervent, loving words were firmly set; in the +dark, rigid countenance no trace could be seen of the play of feeling +which had yesterday irradiated it, and the eyes flashed fiercely, +menacingly, as they met the young girl's timid gaze. + +"You expected me earlier, perhaps," went on the Baron. "I had need of +some time to make myself acquainted with certain--certain +communications which had reached me, and I felt that our present +interview would come soon enough. It is unnecessary for me to enter +into explanations, for, though not generally familiar with my official +concerns, on this occasion you probably know as well as I do what has +occurred." + +"I? No," said Gabrielle, with failing breath. "How should I know?" + +"Do you mean to deny it? But of this we will speak later. In the first +place, I must ask what led you to enter on this miserable comedy, the +farcical part of which was reserved for me? Beware, Gabrielle. As I +told you yesterday, I have but little talent for such a _role_. The man +who is duped and betrayed is only ridiculous while he patiently endures +it. I am not inclined to do this. The sorry game you have played with +me will be fraught with danger both to yourself and to another." + +"But what do you mean? I do not understand you," cried the girl, whose +distress was momentarily increasing. + +Raven came close up to her, and fixed a keen, searching gaze on her +countenance. + +"What was the meaning of those warning words which you whispered to me +yesterday, as we drove home? How did you know that I was in any way +threatened, and why did you start and turn deadly pale when that +courier from the capital was announced? Speak; I insist upon an +answer." + +Gabrielle listened with growing consternation. She began to suspect +whither these questions tended, but was quite in the dark as to the +event that had prompted them. Raven must have seen that she did not +understand him, for he drew the pamphlet from his breast-pocket and +threw it on the table. + +"This little book will perhaps help your memory. It is the most +contumelious, the most astounding attack which has ever been made upon +me. You probably read it in an unfinished state; it has, no doubt, been +completed, perfected in the capital, in the Ministerial bureaux. Do not +look at me as though I were speaking in some foreign tongue. This name, +which stands on the title-page, is, I think, not unknown to you." + +Gabrielle had taken up the pamphlet mechanically. Her eye fell on the +page mentioned, on the name inscribed thereon. She started: "From +George? He has kept his word!" + +"Kept his word?" repeated Raven, with a bitter laugh. "So you had his +word for it. You were his confidante, his confederate? But, indeed, how +could I doubt it for an instant? It was clear from the first--clear as +the noonday sun." + +The young girl was too stunned and confused to defend herself with +skill or energy. The unfortunate exclamation which had escaped her +could but confirm the Baron in his suspicion that she had been an +accomplice. + +"I had a presentiment of some coming evil," she replied, summoning up +all her courage; "but I knew nothing decided. I thought----" + +Raven did not let her finish. He grasped her hand, and held it tightly. + +"Had you really no suspicion that there was some scheme on foot to +injure me? Were the hints you let fall yesterday purely accidental and +devoid of any special aim? Did it not occur to you, when those +despatches were brought in upon us in hot haste, that perhaps 'some one +had kept his word?' Look me in the face, and say it was not so. I will +try to believe you." + +Gabrielle was silent. She could not answer in the negative, and the +thought that, in truth, she had known of George's intention, at least, +robbed her of her presence of mind. The low words which the young man +had spoken when parting from her acquired a fatal importance now; they +weighed on the young girl, and seemed to crush her with a sense of +guilt. + +Raven's eyes had never quitted her face. His fingers slowly relaxed; he +let her hand fall, and stepped back. + +"So you knew it," he said; "and with that knowledge you stood quietly +by and saw me wrestle with a senseless passion; saw me finally succumb +to the weakness. You allowed me to believe that my affection was +returned, and so pricked me on to madness, while secretly you were +counting the days and hours to the time when the blow--the mortal blow, +as you fancied, should strike me. Certain of a future triumph, you +could yesterday let me fold you to my breast and speak to you words of +love. By Heaven! it is too much, too much!" + +His voice was still constrained and low, but something in it foretold +the coming outbreak. + +Gabrielle felt herself powerless, defenceless, against his accusations. +She made an attempt, however, to meet and refute them. + +"Hear me, Arno. You are mistaken. I have not deceived you, nor betrayed +you. If I knew anything----" + +"Say no more!" he interrupted her, with terrible vehemence. "I will +hear nothing. I know enough. Your silence just now spoke more plainly +than words. Justify your conduct to him, to your 'George;' confess to +him that you could not keep his secret to the last moment. He will +perhaps forgive you. The warning would, any way, have come too late. +This I will own, I did him an injustice in declaring him to be a +commonplace person, not above the ordinary run of men. Evidently he is +not afraid to leave accustomed grooves, to undertake feats which no one +has ventured on before him, and which no one, I think, in future will +care to emulate. He may possibly make his way with it, this young +Assessor whom yesterday nobody knew, and whose name will to-morrow be +in everybody's mouth, simply because he has had the audacity to whet +his sword and attack me. But he will pay dearly for the notoriety, I +give you my word for that. As yet I have never feared a foe, nor shrunk +from a contest, and this onslaught would have moved me as little as the +rest. The thought that you were in league with him, that you--_you_ had +betrayed me, this, and only this, it is which has procured my enemies +the satisfaction and triumph of seeing me for once thrown off my +balance." + +His voice faltered a little as he spoke the last words. Through the +man's fierce wrath at seeing himself, as he believed, wounded in his +love as in his honour, came the sharp quivering pang of an exceeding +bitter pain. At this tone Gabrielle forgot all else. She flew to him, +laid her two hands on his arm, and would have spoken, have implored; +but it was useless. With a rough, angry movement he freed himself, +thrusting her from him. + +"Go! I have been a fool, I own, but the illusion is dispelled now. I +will not let myself be lured on a second time by those eyes, which have +lied to me once with their feigned anxiety and tenderness. Tell your +George he has not well reflected what it is to challenge me to single +combat. He will soon make the experience. Between us two all is over, +now and for ever!" + +He went. The door fell to behind him with a crash, and Gabrielle +remained alone. She looked down at the pamphlet lying on the table, at +the name printed thereon, but saw neither. Echoing and re-echoing +through her mind in dismal iteration came those last cruel words. Ah, +yes; all was over now, now and for ever! + +The fears entertained that fresh disturbances might break out in the +town were but too speedily realised. All the military measures had been +taken in the most ostensible manner possible, it being hoped that they +would intimidate the population; they had, however, a contrary effect, +and only served to increase the general bitter animosity against the +Governor. A low ferment of discontent had been going on for months; but +the popular demonstrations of ill-feeling had only assumed a serious +character within the last few days. Signs of the hostile spirit +prevailing throughout the city had not been wanting, but there had +previously been no attempt at open insurrection. People in R---- had so +long been accustomed to bow to the Governor's will, it was not easy for +them to shake off the habit. Moreover, the Baron's temper was pretty +accurately known. It was felt that neither weakness nor concessions +were to be expected from him--so for weeks the citizens contented +themselves with grumbling and murmuring their dissatisfaction. The +energetic inflexible mind in authority over them exerted its wonted +sway. So far, Raven had restrained the threatening elements, and held +the storm in check. By his personal intervention he had quelled a riot +and dispersed the rebellious masses; but, even in that hour of apparent +success, it had been made evident to him that his power was on the +wane. + +Things now seemed to have reached a crisis. Much exasperation was felt +at the arrests which had been made by the Baron's order some days +before, and at the extreme harshness and rigour with which the +offenders were treated. By this incident the long-smouldering fire was +fanned to a flame. A tumult was raised with a view to release the +captives, and when the attempt failed, and the Governor still opposed +to all the popular protests and all the importunate clamouring the same +unvarying resolute answer, the agitation, which had been temporarily +allayed, broke out afresh with redoubled force. + +Evening had come again. The Government-house was in a state of turmoil +and excitement. Every door, even to the main entrance, was barred and +guarded. The panic-stricken servants thronged the corridors and +staircases, and outside, before the long line of windows, glittered a +file of bayonets. A strong detachment of troops was stationed round the +Castle-hill, the soldiers having arrived in time to secure the +Governor's residence from attack. The roads leading to it had been +cleared, and the crowd driven back; but the uproar in the neighbouring +streets had increased proportionably, and at any moment a collision +between the armed force and the populace might be expected. + +The Governor's apartments were the focus of all the busy movement. +Messages flowed in one upon the other; police officers and orderlies +came and went. Councillor Moser had hurried to the side of his chief, +who was to him a stronghold and rock of defence in every time of +danger. Lieutenant Wilten, appointed to command the Castle garrison, +was with the Baron, and an ambassador from the insurgent camp was also +present--the worthy Burgomaster, who had come up the hill, resolved on +making that last attempt which in the morning he had been induced to +forego. + +Raven himself stood cool and unmoved in the midst of all this hurry and +commotion. He listened to the reports and gave his orders, not for an +instant disturbed from his perfect equanimity; but those about him had +never seen his face so hard, so rigidly set, as on this evening. The +stormy passages of the last four-and-twenty hours had, no doubt, helped +to grave that harsh inexorable expression on his features; but whatever +internal struggles he might have fought through, whatever he might have +suffered since the preceding evening, to all bystanders he was the same +haughty imperturbable Baron von Raven, in whose armour there was no +joint, from whom those shafts glanced innocuously which would have +shattered the strength of ordinary men. + +"For the last time I beg, I demand of you to abstain from these extreme +measures. There is yet time--as yet no blood has been shed. In another +quarter of an hour it may be too late. It is said you have given orders +that no mercy is to be shown. I cannot, will not believe this." + +"Am I to allow the castle to be taken by a _coup de main_?" the Baron +interrupted him. "Am I to wait until the entrance is stormed and I am +insulted here in my own apartments? I think I have sufficiently shown +how distasteful it is to me to take precautions for my own personal +safety, but I have to answer for the safety of others, and, above all, +I have to guard the Government-house from any chance of attack. This is +my simple duty, and I intend to perform it." + +"We have here to do with a mere demonstration; there is no question of +an attack," declared the Burgomaster. "But no matter; you say the +Castle must be protected and the crowds driven back. Well, this has +been done; the Castle-hill is lined with troops--let that suffice. The +agitation down yonder is perfectly harmless, and will die out of +itself, if left a free course." + +"Colonel Wilten will clear the streets," said Raven, coldly. "Should +resistance be offered, he will resort to arms." + +"That would lead to incalculable trouble. All the outlets to the Castle +road are beset by the military; the people are hedged in on every side, +and could not take to flight. Do not let it come to this, your +Excellency. Hundreds of lives are at stake." + +"The order and safety of the town are at stake, and they may no longer +remain at the mercy of this rabble." There was an uncompromising, +determined ring in the Baron's voice. "I have dallied long enough, +postponing this measure. Now it has been decided on, and will be +carried into execution. If the streets are cleared at once, without +opposition, there is no reason for uneasiness; in the opposite case, +the consequences must be on the heads of the insurgents." + +At this moment the door was opened, and the Superintendent of police +came in. + +"Well, how goes it?" + +"I have withdrawn my men from the principal centres," replied the +functionary addressed. "We can do no more. The excitement is increasing +every minute; it seems they mean to resist. I have just had some +wounded men brought up to the Castle. There was no possibility of +getting them transported to the town. They must be taken in here for +the present." + +"How is it there are wounded already?" asked the Burgomaster. "Ten +minutes ago, when I came up the hill, there had been no collision with +the troops." + +"These casualties occurred some time ago, before the soldiers were +called out, while we were bearing the brunt alone. Two of my men got +very roughly handled then, and, unfortunately, a third person was +injured, one in no way concerned in the row, a doctor who had come to +the rescue and applied bandages to the wounded. He had finished his +work and was going off, when one of the stones, which were falling +thick and fast, struck him and felled him to the earth. It is that Dr. +Brunnow of whom we were speaking this morning," added the +Superintendent, turning to Councillor Moser. + +"Who?" asked Raven, quickly. He had caught the last words. + +"A young doctor who has been staying here for the last few weeks. Max +Brunnow by name. His father lives in Switzerland, whither he had to fly +for political motives. He took a prominent part in the last +revolution." + +The Superintendent let fall these remarks in an easy and, apparently, +pointless manner; but as he spoke, he kept a vigilant watch on the +Baron. He alone saw the almost imperceptible change of colour, and +heard the slight tremour of emotion in the question: + +"Is the young man's wound serious?" + +"I fear so--perhaps even mortal. He lies in a state of unconsciousness. +The stone struck him on the head." + +"Every attention shall be given to the wounded man;" the Baron stepped +towards the door, but bethought himself, and paused. The Burgomaster's +look of surprise, and the keen, observant glance of the lynx-eyed +Superintendent, no doubt reminded him that this sudden show of sympathy +on his part was in too glaring contrast to that indifference to the +loss of human life he had hitherto manifested. "I will myself give all +needful orders," he added slowly, and laid his hand on the bell. + +"The major-domo has already made every arrangement, and has shown the +utmost thoughtfulness. It is unnecessary that you should trouble +yourself, your Excellency." + +The Baron walked up to the window in silence. Why was the name of his +old friend and companion recalled to his memory just at this moment? +Was he to take it as a warning, a reminder that he himself, Arno Raven, +had once belonged to those rebels whom he now declared himself ready to +shoot down? A long pause followed, during which many critical minutes +sped by. + +"I will return to the town," said the Burgomaster breaking the silence +at length. "Am I to take those words as your Excellency's final +decision?" + +The Baron turned. The shade of some inward conflict was on his face, as +he replied: + +"Colonel Wilten has the command in the town. I cannot interfere with +his plans. The military arrangements rest with him." + +"But the Colonel acts under your instructions. A word from you, and he +will refrain from active intervention, at least. Speak the word. We are +all waiting for it, earnestly desiring it." + +Again some seconds passed. Deep furrows gathered on Raven's brow as he +stood thinking. Suddenly he drew himself up and called the young +officer to him. + +"Lieutenant Wilten, can you leave your post here at the Castle for a +quarter of an hour? I would ask you to go over to your father +yourself." + +He paused and listened. From the town there came a sound, distant but +not to be mistaken--the crackle of firearms. + +"Good God! those are shots!" cried Councillor Moser, starting up in +terror, while the two men at his side hurried to the window. + +The darkness prevented their seeing anything, but sight was superfluous +in this case. A second, a third time came the sharp, quick, cracking +sound--then all was still. + +"The message would be useless now," said the young officer in a low +voice, addressing the Baron. "They have opened fire already." + +Raven answered not a syllable. He stood motionless, leaning with his +hand on the table, his eyes directed towards the window; but, a minute +later, as the other two came back from thence, he turned to the +Burgomaster and said: + +"You see it is too late. I cannot interfere now, if I would." + +"I see," said the old man, with trenchant bitterness. "There is blood +now between you and us, so all discussion is at an end. I have not a +word more to say." + + + + + CHAPTER XIV. + + +If ever any one had cause to ruminate on the strange sport of destiny, +that person surely was Councillor Moser; for wayward chance had played +him as sorry a trick as could well be imagined. He, the most faithful +subject of a most gracious sovereign, the incarnation of loyalty, the +sworn foe of every revolutionary and democratic tendency, had lived to +see the son of a traitor to King and State lodged beneath his roof, +admitted to the sanctuary of his home--while, bitterest reflection of +all, to the imprudent and overhasty conduct of his own daughter must he +ascribe the calamity which had overtaken him. + +There was no denying the fact that Agnes Moser had alone been to blame +for what had happened, though, no doubt, she had been actuated by the +most pious motives. Agnes had always looked on the short space of time +which she was to spend in her father's house before entering on her +chosen vocation, simply as an interval of preparation for the life that +was to follow. The law-writer's sick wife was by no means the only +person on whom she had bestowed her care and attention. Wherever +comfort and consolation were needed, in the Castle itself or its +immediate neighbourhood, there would be found this young girl, so +rarely seen at other times, ready, in her quiet self-sacrificing way, +to relieve the suffering and afflicted; and what, in another case, +might have appeared singular and excited remark, was from her received +as a matter of course. It was generally known that Councillor Moser's +daughter was to take the veil; the sanctity of the future nun was about +her, and this, added to her constant willingness to render help where +help was needed, procured for her from all the dwellers in the Castle a +degree of respect but seldom accorded to a maiden of seventeen. It +seemed perfectly natural, therefore, that when the wounded men were +brought up to the Castle, Fraeulein Moser should take her part in the +work of succour, and her proposal to have Dr. Brunnow, whose case was +by far the worst, carried to her father's room, where she could attend +to him herself, met with prompt and cordial acceptance. The Governor +had given orders that every care and attention were to be shown the +injured men, and more especially the young doctor, who had so nearly +lost his life in the exercise of his professional duty, and surely he +could be entrusted to no better hands than these. His precarious +condition would oblige him to remain at the Castle for the present, +whilst the two policemen, whose injuries were of a less serious nature, +might be transported to the town on the following day. The major-domo +caught at the chance of fulfilling his master's instructions so +precisely. He gave his warm support to the plan which the young lady's +feelings of Christian charity had suggested, and he had the +satisfaction of finding that the Baron, when informed of the +arrangement, appeared well pleased and spoke his full approval. + +But the Councillor was by no means so satisfied with the position of +affairs. He worked himself into a fury on seeing this treasonable +patient installed in his home, and insisted on his immediate removal. +Here, however, he was met by a resistance as decided as his own. For +the first time in her life the gentle, quiet Agnes displayed an +unyielding obstinacy, refusing absolutely to obey her father in this +matter; and as that determined person, Frau Christine, declared herself +on the side of her young mistress, Moser was out-voted and vanquished. +He was given to understand that a man so dangerously ill could not be +moved without risk to his life, and that he who turned him out of doors +would incur the guilt of manslaughter; and the Councillor at length +seemed to grasp the truth of this reasoning, but it did not lessen his +despair. Early the next morning he rushed over to his chief to +communicate the dreadful tidings, and to protest in the most solemn +manner against any supposition of complicity on his part; but, in lieu +of the hoped-for decree which should free him from the presence of his +unwelcome guest, he was advised to acquiesce in and sanction his +daughter's proceedings, of which the Baron himself seemed thoroughly to +approve. Raven promised to shield the Councillor from any doubts on the +score of his loyalty, and even declared that he would send round his +own physician to the patient. It was incumbent on them, he said, to +show all interest in the young doctor, who had behaved with so much +courage and proper feeling. The Councillor was fain to submit to this +high authority, but he did so with a heavy heart. He could not forgive +his daughter for allowing herself thus to be led into extremes by her +charitable sentiments and her pity for her suffering fellow-creatures; +and though he was powerless to alter the accomplished fact, he viewed +it every day with increasing abhorrence and indignation. + +On the third morning after Max Brunnow's accident, the doctor who was +attending him called to pay his usual professional visit. He was a +small, spare man, with flaxen hair, mild-looking eyes, and a very +gentle voice. On coming in, he met the master of the house, who was on +the point of leaving for his office, and a short conference took place +between the two gentlemen. + +"No, Councillor, I have little, I may say no, hope of saving our +patient. He is in a bad way--a very bad way. We must hold ourselves +prepared for the worst." + +"You have not seen him to-day," said the Councillor. "My daughter tells +me he has passed a very quiet night." + +The little doctor shrugged his shoulders. + +"Ah, weakness--coma! There was great loss of blood, and after the +violent traumatic fever, extreme exhaustion was sure to follow. I tell +you, in my opinion, he will not rally." + +"I am sorry to hear it," said the Councillor. Before the dread shadow +of Death his rancour yielded, and compassion gained the upper hand. +"And my daughter will be sorry too. She has taken all the nursing on +herself, and has zealously kept watch by the sick-bed. I fear, indeed, +that Agnes is overtaxing her strength, for I have never seen her look +so pale. I had really to insist this morning--to compel her to go and +take some rest after sitting up all night." + +"Yes, Fraeulein Moser is an admirable nurse. She has all the zeal and +devotion necessary for her future vocation, and I am persuaded that her +life will be fruitful of blessing to others. In this case, however, her +exertions will soon be at an end. I fear the poor fellow's hours are +numbered. He will hardly last through the day." + +With a melancholy shake of the head, he took his leave, and went off to +see his patient. The Councillor remained behind, looking very blank and +melancholy also, but from quite another cause. A fresh trouble was +coming on him. There was to be a death in the house now, after these +two long days of care and anxiety. And how shocking it would be to see +in the papers: "The son of that Dr. Brunnow, whose name is notorious in +connection with the late revolution, died on such a day in R----, at +the house of Councillor Moser. His death was occasioned by injuries +received in a street riot." Those wretched papers always made these +announcements in a dry, matter-of-fact manner, without a word of +explanation or amplification. The Councillor cast an appealing glance +to Heaven. He, the most dutiful, the most conscientious of officials, +to be exposed to such a fate! His head drooped dolefully over his white +neckcloth as he at length set out on his way to the Chancellery. + +Meanwhile the physician had betaken himself to the sick-room. He +entered with the cautious, noiseless step with which it seems natural +to approach the dying. Frau Christine, who had relieved her young +mistress for a short time, sat by the bedside. The doctor exchanged a +few words with her in a whisper, and then sent her to fetch fresh +compresses. Going up to the bed, he bent over the patient, who suddenly +awoke and opened his eyes, apparently in possession of full +consciousness. + +"How do you feel yourself, my dear sir?" asked the little doctor, in a +very gentle tone. + +"Pretty well, thank you," replied the sick man, whose roving eyes +seemed to be seeking something. "What has been the matter with me?" + +"You have been badly wounded; but make your mind easy--I will do all +that can be done. You are in good hands." + +Max, having searched the whole room without finding what he sought, now +turned his attention to the speaker, and calmly surveyed him. + +"A colleague, I presume?" said he. "Whom have I the honour----" + +"My name is Berndt," replied his brother practitioner. "His Excellency +the Governor, who has shown the greatest sympathy for you during your +illness, would have sent his own physician. My distinguished friend, +Dr. ----, is, however, unfortunately indisposed himself, so I, as his +assistant, have undertaken the case. But you must not talk, nor, above +all, move; answer my questions by signs if you find it difficult to +speak. You are low and exhausted, and require the utmost----" + +He stopped aghast, for the condemned man, having pulled himself +together with a vigorous jerk, sat bolt upright, and asked, in a voice +which was anything but faint: + +"What has become of my nurse? She used to stay with me always." + +"Fraeulein Moser, do you mean? She has gone to get a little rest, after +having watched by your bedside all night. You have indeed been nursed +with devoted care. That young lady is an angel of mercy." + +"Mercy?" repeated Max, with protracted emphasis. "Yes, as you say, a +too intimate acquaintance with the pavement of your agreeable town has +thrown me on the mercy of mankind. Confounded misuse of paving-stones +to shy them at people's heads!" + +"Do not excite yourself, my dear colleague," implored Dr. Berndt, +gently. "No agitation, I beg. Quiet, rest, and the greatest caution! +But now that you are yourself again, is there no wish, no desire you +would like to express?" + +His face said plainly that he expected nothing less than a last will or +dying bequest. + +Ignoring such subjects, however, the patient replied with perfect +equanimity: "Certainly; I have the most pressing wish and desire for +something to eat." + +"To eat!" asked the doctor, in surprise. "To eat! Well, if you like, we +may try a little beef-tea." + +"A little won't do," said Max. "I shall want a great deal; but I think +I would rather have something a trifle more substantial than beef-tea. +A steak, now--in fact, I could eat two." + +"Dear, dear, dear!" exclaimed the little Esculapius, laying his fingers +on the sick man's pulse, for he began to think his patient was +delirious. But Max drew away his hand impatiently. + +"Don't make such a fuss about that crack in my head-piece. It will be +well in a week. I know my constitution." + +Dr. Berndt looked with commiseration at this poor deluded creature, who +had so little knowledge of his situation. + +"You mistake your condition, my friend. You are very ill, +notwithstanding this flicker of vitality. You have lain two whole days +prostrated by a violent fever." + +"That is no reason why I should not feel very well on the third, when +the fever has left me. Flicker of vitality! Do you really imagine I am +in danger?" + +"I do not imagine it--it is a fact," said Dr. Berndt, a little piqued. +"Seriously, I fear----" + +"You need not fear anything at all," interrupted Max. "I have not the +smallest intention of going over to the majority at present. But now, +have the goodness to tell me exactly how I have been treated." + +This clinging to life, so bluntly expressed by a patient on whom he had +passed sentence of death without recall, seemed to disconcert the +doctor extremely. He was silent, and looked flustered. It was only when +the question was reiterated in a louder key, and with audible +impatience, that he vouchsafed the desired details, and related, with +much self-complacency, the various measures he had adopted to rescue +the sick man from the jaws of death. + +Max listened rather disdainfully. + +"My respected colleague, you might have done better," said he, in his +rough, outspoken way. "I don't approve of violent remedies. I never +have recourse to them in slight cases, but let Nature act, doing what I +can to assist her." + +"But this was not a slight case," cried the little doctor, who, in +spite of his mild temper, was beginning to get angry. "I tell you, your +condition was a most precarious one. It is so still, indeed, as you +will find when this momentary excitement is over." + +"And I tell you that I am doing very well," cried Max, still louder; +"and that there is not the smallest prospect of any danger. I am a +decided opponent of this method of treatment. I consider it useless, +injurious even. You may thank God that my robust constitution has held +out under these experiments, otherwise you would have had the death of +a brother practitioner on your conscience." + +Dr. Berndt grew purple with indignation. + +"I follow the method of my friend. Dr. ----, Professor of Therapeutics, +and consulting-physician to his Excellency. The professor is one of our +first authorities. He holds a most important position at the University +here, and his system is attended with marvellous success." + +The little doctor raised his mild voice to as loud and shrill a pitch +as possible, but in vain, for Max with his strong lungs quite +overpowered him. + +"I don't care a rap for the Professor of Therapeutics. We have far +greater authorities at our University of Z----, and our success is +infinitely more marvellous. But we do not cling to tradition and +routine, like you gentlemen here in this patriarchal R----." + +Hereupon the two medical men fell into a professional dispute, which +grew so violent that Frau Christine hurried in from the next room, in +alarm. But, on crossing the threshold, she stopped, petrified with +astonishment at the sight which met her view. Dr. Brunnow, who, +according to all rule and precedent, should have lain calmly on his +death-bed, sat upright, gesticulating, and pouring forth volley after +volley of argument on his colleague, raking him with the fire of his +proofs and refutations; while the colleague himself, who, ten minutes +before, had, as it were, stolen into the room on tiptoe, so fearful was +he of disturbing the dying man, now stood before his patient in a state +of violent excitement, and fought with both arms in the air, whilst he +in vain sought to stem that torrent of speech and put in a word in his +turn. Failing altogether in this, he seized his hat at last in a rage, +and cried: + +"If you know everything so much better than anyone else, treat yourself +in future, if you please. I shall let the Governor know your precise +state, and shall at the same time tell his Excellency that I have never +yet met with such a patient--a man who yesterday lay at death's door, +and who to-day flings the grossest insults at me and at the whole +body of the faculty here. You are right, sir. Such a constitution as +yours is unique. You put every diagnosis to shame. I wish you a +good-morning." + +So saying, he left the room tempestuously. Frau Christine, who had not +understood a word of the business, stared after him in astonishment, +and then went up to the invalid for an explanation. + +"Goodness me, what is the matter? What has happened? The doctor is +running away in a perfect fury, and you----" + +"Let him run," said Max, leaning back composedly. "That man and brother +is bent on making of me a candidate for heaven. He has very nearly +killed me with his stupid proceedings. Now I will take my treatment +into my own hands, and set about it at once, too. Dear Frau Christine, +I do beg of you, in the most earnest and affectionate manner, bring me +something to eat." + +It might be about an hour later that Agnes Moser, after a short +interval of rest, of which she stood but too much in need, prepared +again to take her place by the bedside whence during the last few days +she had hardly stirred. Meanwhile Dr. Brunnow had followed out his own +prescription with an exactitude which left nothing to be desired, much +to the delight of Frau Christine, who thought the doctor showed great +discernment in his mode of treatment. But in vain did she preach to him +to try and get a little sleep. Max declared that he did not want to +sleep, and occupied himself exclusively with watching the door through +which Agnes must enter. When in the short space of a quarter of an hour +he presumed to ask three times where his nurse was, and what she could +be doing, Christine grew somewhat irritated. She looked the patient +sternly in the face, and said, without any beating about the bush: + +"What's all this that is going on between you and Fraeulein Agnes, +Doctor? There is something underneath, something hidden; I have seen +that a long while." + +Max preferred to make no answer; but this availed him little. The +housekeeper went on, in her blunt, straightforward way: + +"Don't trouble yourself to try and impose on me. I have not been in and +out of this room all these days for nothing. Do you think I have not +seen how the poor child has been fretting, and the change that came +over you whenever Agnes went near you? I know all about it, I assure +you; you won't deceive me." + +"Frau Christine, what a wonderfully wise woman you are!" said the young +doctor. "You sit there and tell me things which three days ago I did +not so much as guess at, and of which Fraeulein Agnes is now as ignorant +as I was. But, unfortunately, you are right. Nemesis has overtaken me. +I am hopelessly, head over ears, in love." + +Christine nodded. "I have known that ever so long. But what is to come +of it? I have not worried myself much about the matter so far, because +Dr. Berndt made so sure you were going to die, and that would have +ended everything; but now it seems there is no likelihood of your +popping off at present----" + +"No likelihood at all," interpolated the patient. + +"Well, then, I should like to ask what is to become of you and my young +lady?" + +"What is to become of us? Why, a married couple, to be sure. What else +should become of us?" + +Contrary to Max's expectation, Frau Christine did not appear shocked or +horrified at this answer. Though a Catholic herself, she was the widow +of a Protestant, and during the course of her married life she had +imbibed many heretical notions; among these figured a strong dislike to +convents and the conventual system. The girl's determination to +withdraw from the world had never found favour in her sight; in her +opinion, a myrtle-wreath would become her young mistress far better +than a nun's veil. She was far, therefore, from disapproving of the +scheme so boldly proposed by Dr. Brunnow, who had taken her fancy from +the first. Nevertheless, she shook her head gravely: + +"There will never be any question of that. Have you forgotten that +Fraeulein Agnes is going into a convent?" + +"Oh, that plan will come to nothing," decided Max. "She is not +in yet, and I will take care she does not go in. But--this is most +important--you must not tell your young lady that I am better, nor say +a word to her about my discussion with the doctor, and the excellent +appetite I have since developed. I will tell her all that myself." + +Christine looked rather startled at receiving these instructions. + +"Doctor, you will not be so unscrupulous as to go and act a part with +that poor child?" she asked. + +"I am horribly unscrupulous in such matters," declared the doctor, with +sweet, equable frankness. "Besides, all I ask of you is to keep silence +until I have spoken to Fraeulein Agnes. We'll settle the rest +afterwards." + +The required promise could not be given, for at this juncture Agnes +came in. She did, indeed, look very pale, and the anxious inquiring +look she turned on Christine told her utter despondency. With a +noiseless step she went up to the sick man's bed, and, bending over +him, asked in a trembling voice how he felt. + +That prudent youth. Dr. Brunnow, took good care not to display the fine +animation which his late medical discussion had called forth in a +manner surprising as it was satisfactory. He thought fit, by way of +answer, feebly to hold out his hand to the young girl. Max was well +aware that in his supposed danger he had a most powerful ally, and as, +according to his own confession, he was horribly unscrupulous, he did +not hesitate an instant to take advantage of the situation. + +Frau Christine thought he was acting abominably, but she was too well +disposed towards the secret design which prompted this abominable +conduct to rise in open revolt against it. She merely reported, +therefore, that Dr. Berndt had called, but had left no new +instructions, and seized the first opportunity of hurrying from the +room and leaving the young people together. + +Agnes had re-assumed her functions as nurse. + +"Take your medicine now," she begged. "Dr. Berndt directed me to give +it regularly. He only wrote this new prescription yesterday evening." + +"Dr. Berndt gives me up for lost," replied Max, "so it is quite useless +for me to take his physic." + +"No, no; don't think that," entreated Agnes, soothingly, her anxious +face belying her words. "He only said that your illness might take a +dangerous turn----" + +"I spoke to him myself this morning," interrupted the young doctor, +"and heard his sentence from his own lips. He believes my wounds to be +mortal." + +Agnes set down the medicine bottle, and hid her face in her hands. +Presently he heard a half-stifled sob. + +"Agnes, would it grieve you if I were to die?" + +The question came in a remarkably soft and tender tone from Dr. +Brunnow's lips--mildness and tenderness not being among that +gentleman's ordinary characteristics. He received no answer, but the +sobs grew louder, more passionate. Taking the girl's hands, he drew +them gently from her face all deluged in tears, and went on: + +"I think I have betrayed so much to you, that you need not hesitate to +confess those tears are falling for me. It is only within the last few +days, since I have been under your care, that I have known how matters +really stood with me, or, may I say, with us both?" + +The girl had sunk on her knees by the bedside and buried her face in +the pillows. For all reply she wept more bitterly and despairingly than +ever, but she offered no resistance when the sick man put his arm +round her and drew her gently to him. And then followed a wonderful +event--Max Brunnow, throwing overboard his programme with its many +clauses, launched into a fervent, heart-stirring declaration of love, a +declaration which had but one defect--in form and vivacity of +expression it was such as no dying lips could have uttered. + +Poor Agnes was far too agitated to think of this; and moreover Dr. +Berndt had so impressed upon her the utter hopelessness of the case, +that she dared not admit to herself even the possibility of recovery. +She took the patient's animation for the excitement of fever, and truly +believed that she was witnessing the last transient flicker of life's +flame--the gleam which precedes its final extinction. + +"I shall never forget you," she sobbed. "What in life I never should +have owned to you, now in the presence of death I may confess--my love +is endless, unspeakable; it will reach beyond the grave. It is no sin +to think of a departed one, and to send messages on the wings of +prayer--this I shall do daily, when the quiet convent walls have shut +me in for ever." + +Earnest and touching as were her accents, this confession hardly +satisfied Max. He had not the smallest wish to be worshipped as a +departed spirit, and communications with the other world were by no +means to his taste. + +"It would be so, in case of my death," he said; "but what if I should +live, after all?" Agnes raised her dark, tearful eyes, with an +expression of the utmost perplexity. She had evidently not thought of +this. "I believe that would not quite suit you," cried Max, +resentfully. + +"Not suit me? Oh, how can you say so! Why," cried the young girl, with +a burst of feeling, "I would willingly give my life to save yours, if +that were possible!" + +"You shall not be asked to give your life," declared Max, whose +conscience smote him as he saw how true and deep was the poor girl's +grief. "All you will have to give up is a foolish idea which would make +us both miserable were you to cling to it. Agnes, you are mistaken in +thinking my condition a hopeless one. I have, in fact, hardly been in +danger at all; and this morning any doubt as to my recovery has +altogether disappeared. If I left you in error a quarter of an hour +longer than was necessary, I did so because I was determined, at any +cost, to obtain from you an avowal of your affection. As a +convalescent, I well knew I should sigh for it in vain, but now you +have spoken your confession, and I shall hold you to your word. It will +be quite useless to go back--to try and recall what you have said. You +may refuse me a hundred times, it will make no difference. In spite of +all and everything, you will be my wife." + +Agnes started up. "Never. You must not think of that. I have given +myself to a religious life. I must return to the convent very shortly." + +"Not if I know it," answered the young doctor, stoutly. "The convent +people have no voice in the matter. Happily, you are quite free as yet; +you have taken no vows." + +"I have taken vows mentally, to myself I have promised the abbess and +my confessor, and this promise is as binding as an oath taken at the +altar." + +"I have no objection whatever to your taking an oath before the altar," +remarked Max, "but I must be present on the occasion, and swear myself +in at the same time, as is usual at nuptial ceremonies. If the lady +abbess and our friend the confessor attempt to interfere, they will +have to deal with me. I shall soon settle them. I'll make such a stir +among the whole spiritual community, that----" + +"For Heaven's sake, do not be so violent!" implored the girl, with deep +anxiety. "This excitement may be most hurtful, may be fatal to you. +Do--do compose yourself, I entreat you!" + +"We two must come to a clear understanding first," declared Dr. +Brunnow, in his old dictatorial way. Then he poured forth on Agnes a +torrent of argument, of reasons irrefutable, such as he had lately +showered on his unfortunate colleague, proving to her, clear as day, +that she was his betrothed now, and that, come what might, she must one +day be his wife, until the poor girl, quite bewildered and stupefied, +began at last to think he was right, and the matter really stood as he +put it. It would indeed have required a more energetic nature than hers +to offer effectual resistance here, when this moribund, of whom a last +leave had just been taken, whose memory was to have been cherished +beyond the grave, and with whom spiritual communion alone was +henceforth to be held, suddenly rallied, made an unexpected sortie in +the shape of a most earthly offer of marriage, and fairly took by storm +the fortress which refused to capitulate. Agnes still wept, it is true, +and still said No, no, it could never be, she would go back to the +convent; but when Max, unheeding this, took her in his arms and kissed +her, she bore it with docility, and the young man himself seemed to +entertain no doubt whatever of his victory, for he murmured _sotto +voce_, and drawing a long breath, "Well, we have managed that business +successfully, thanks to the remarkable stupidity of my worthy +colleague. Blessings on the old blockhead!" + + + + + CHAPTER XV. + + +Dr. Brunnow was, unfortunately, soon to learn from experience that the +quality he vaunted in his colleague may, under given circumstances, +lead to serious complications. The day passed by quickly enough, and, +in spite of all the excitement he had gone through, the patient found +himself in such excellent case that even Agnes, in whose mind grave +doubt had lingered, began to believe in the fact of his safety. + +Evening was drawing on apace, and it was quite dusk out of doors when +Agnes came in, carrying a carefully-shaded lamp, and informed Max that +an elderly gentleman, a certain Dr. Franz, had just arrived, and after +inquiring minutely and with much interest as to the state of his, Dr. +Brunnow's, health, had begged to be allowed to see him. He called, he +said, at the request of a professional friend, and was anxious +personally to convince himself of the well-being of the patient, to +whom he sent a written message. + +Max took the card, on which a few words were pencilled. + +"Dr. Franz? I suppose my respected colleague cannot get over this +morning's astounding resurrection, and means to have an official report +of the case drawn up in due form. I will give the gentleman----" + +Suddenly he stopped. As his eye fell on the handwriting, he started +violently, and an expression of alarm came over his features, while his +fingers closed convulsively on the card. Agnes, who had raised the +lamp-shade to enable him to read it, was struck by the change in him. + +"What is it, dear?" she asked, "Do you know this Dr. Franz?" + +In spite of the convent education, they had got so far as this +caressing little epithet "dear" in the course of the day. + +"Yes, I have known him some time," said Max, collecting himself with an +effort--try as he would, however, he could not speak with quite his +wonted steadiness. "I will see him, certainly, at once; and do me a +favour, Agnes. Leave us together while he is here, and take care that +we are not disturbed." + +Agnes looked a little puzzled. Max had hardly let her stir from his +side during the day, and now he was sending her from him. Fortunately, +the light was too subdued for her to notice the young man's suppressed +agitation; she quieted herself with the thought that, no doubt, +a medical consultation was to be held, and went away to tell the +new-comer he was expected. + +The stranger, a grey-haired man of meagre form and stooping gait, at +once obeyed the summons. On entering, he closed the door of the +sick-room quickly behind him, and hurried up to the invalid, who had +raised himself in his bed, and stretched out both hands to his visitor. + +"Father! For God's sake, what brought you here? How could you run such +a risk?" + +For all answer, Dr. Rudolph Brunnow put his arm round his son's +shoulders, and scanned his features with a careful, anxious scrutiny. + +"You are better? They told me so outside. Thank God!" + +"But how did you hear of my accident?" questioned Max. "You were not to +have been told until it was all happily over. I did not want to cause +you useless anxiety." + +"I received a telegram from your doctor, yesterday. He communicated to +me that you were badly wounded and in a critical condition. I was to +hold myself prepared for the worst. An hour later I was on the road +hither, and I reached this town by the next express." + +"A confounded old fool!" burst out Max, in a fury. "Is it not enough +that he has tormented me and all the people about me with this rubbish, +that now he must bring you here, too? If I could have guessed it, this +morning, I would have taken him to book in another fashion." + +Dr. Brunnow looked at his son in speechless amazement. Then he heaved a +deep-drawn sigh of relief. + +"Well, if you can fulminate in that manner, things cannot be so very +bad, I fancy. I feared to find you in a very different state. How was +the danger so speedily averted?" + +"There never was any danger. A good deal of fever, a little weakness +through loss of blood, that was all. But now tell me, father----" + +"By-and-by. I must look at this wound first myself" interrupted his +father, still visibly agitated. "I shall not be easy until I have +satisfied myself with my own eyes." + +He took off the bandage, and began to examine the appearance of the +wound. During this investigation his brow cleared, and at length he +said, with a little shake of the head: + +"You are right. The wound is deep, and may have produced some serious +symptoms at first, but it is not one involving danger to life, I don't +understand your surgeon." + +"Heaven have mercy on the patient who falls into his hands!" said Max, +emphatically. "But notwithstanding that unlucky telegram, I cannot +think how you could resolve on coming to this place. You know that you +are under a ban--that the old sentence is still in force. Directly they +recognise you, you will be arrested, and imprisoned in the citadel +again." + +"Do not make yourself uneasy," replied his father. "There is no fear +whatever of discovery. I am staying at an inn in one of the suburbs +under an assumed name; besides, I am quite a stranger to this town. No +one here is personally acquainted with me except ...."--a cloud came +over his face--"except the Governor, and it is not likely I shall meet +him. We have both of us good reasons to avoid each other." + +"No matter; with every hour you spend here, you are incurring fresh +risk to your freedom, your life. Did not you think of all this when you +undertook the journey?" + +"No," returned Brunnow, his voice faltering with deep emotion. "I heard +that my only son lay at death's door, and I said to myself that, as a +professional man, I might possibly find a way to save him. I had no +time to think of anything else." + +Max clasped his father's hand tightly, and tears glistened in his eyes, +as he answered: + +"I did not think you set so much value on my life, father. Forgive me +if I have sometimes doubted your affection for me. I have not deserved +that you should sacrifice yourself in this way. I have caused you worry +and care enough with my obstinacy, which has long refused to bend to +any authority." + +His father stopped him. + +"Let that be, Max," said he, with a wave of the hand. "We will forget +all that has come between us hitherto. The terrible anxiety of the last +four-and-twenty hours has taught me what it would be to lose the one +source of happiness, the one hope which remains to me in life. Do not +accuse yourself. I, too, have been unjust. I have never been willing to +understand that your nature is so differently constituted to mine, you +cannot think on all points as I do. But I trust this hour will have +shown you what you are to your father, in spite of any little +misunderstandings. Only get strong again, then all will be well." + +He stooped, and pressed his lips to his son's forehead--a mark of +tenderness which had long been out of use between them. Since his +childhood. Max had received no such caress from his father; he +responded to it with the heartiest warmth. + +"You shall not have to complain of your stubborn son, the 'realist,' +again," he said in a low voice. "I shall never forget, father, all that +you have risked in my behalf. But now, promise me to leave again at +once. You have convinced yourself that I am in no sort of danger. A +real peril, however, exists for you so long as you are on this side the +border. I entreat you once again, return as quickly as possible." + +"I will start to-morrow morning," declared Brunnow; "but I shall come +up again early to see you before I go. No remonstrances, Max. Do not +distress yourself with needless anxiety. I tell you, discovery is out +of the question. But now I will leave you. You are greatly in want of +rest, and have had far more excitement than is good for you in your +condition." + +"Bah! it won't do me any harm. I have a first-rate constitution," +replied Max, reflecting that he had that day gone through a lively +professional skirmish and a betrothal without detriment to his health. +He preferred, however, to say nothing to his father of his love-affairs +for the present, so he chose another topic. + +"You must have been not a little surprised to have to come and look me +up here at the Government-house?" + +"That I certainly was; and the name of Councillor Moser, who, as I +hear, is an official connected with the Chancellery, was quite +unfamiliar to me. I suppose you have made the gentleman's acquaintance +during your stay here, and have come to be on friendly terms with him." + +"Well, I can't say we are exactly on friendly terms," said his son, +dryly. "This Councillor is a splendid specimen of the loyal, orthodox +type, the very ideal of a bureaucrat. He has a nervous attack whenever +he hears the word 'revolution;' and on the first day of our +acquaintance he closed his doors on me because I bear a name to which, +in his opinion, the stigma of treason attaches." + +"We have the more cause for gratitude that, notwithstanding his +prejudices, he has received you into his house. We are both under a +deep obligation to him. Unfortunately, I cannot tender him my thanks in +person----" + +"Don't think of such a thing, for Heaven's sake! He scents a rebel a +mile off; and though he does not know you, his instinct of loyalty +would infallibly warn him that a traitor was near at hand." + +"Max, do not speak in such a tone of the man who has accorded to you +hospitality and attention," said Brunnow, reprovingly. "You are still +the same old Max, I see. But it must be owned you have a stalwart frame +and a robust constitution, which would astonish more experienced +people than this Esculapius of yours. Though the injury presents no +actual danger, it is serious enough to deprive any ordinary patient of +a fancy for conversation, and here are you indulging in quips at the +expense of your host!" + +Max thought to himself that he owed his welcome to that house to other +influences than the generosity of its master. He did not explain this, +however; but with very natural anxiety again urged his father to go, +and to use every possible precaution to ensure his safety. Dr. Brunnow, +who himself saw that a longer stay in the sick-room must excite +surprise, yielded to his son's wish. He took a hasty but affectionate +leave of the young man, and went. + +Passing through the apartments occupied by the Moser family, he was met +in the outer anteroom by Councillor Moser himself. That gentleman +approached the stranger in his calm, solemn manner, and said +inquiringly: + +"Dr. Franz, I believe?" + +Brunnow bowed consent. + +"That is my name; and I probably have the pleasure of speaking to +Councillor Moser?" + +"Precisely," replied that personage, with a stiff inclination of the +head. "My daughter tells me that you are a physician, and that you have +called at Dr. Berndt's request. I should like to hear from you whether +what the women say is correct. I am told that the patient's condition +has greatly improved during the course of the day, and that there is +now every hope of recovery. From what I gathered from your colleague +this morning, I should say this is most unlikely--impossible, in fact." + +"All danger is indeed over," said the other. "I have no doubt whatever +that Dr. Brunnow's life will be spared. He owes his safety, of course, +in a great measure to the prompt succour and devoted care he has +received in your house. You must have been put to great inconvenience +on his account during the last few days." + +"Yes, indeed, to very considerable inconvenience," sighed the +Councillor, who hardly knew whether to rejoice or to feel wrathful that +the dreaded catastrophe had been averted, that there was to be no death +in the house, after all. It would be just as bad to read in the papers: +"The son of that Dr. Brunnow, whose name is so well known in connection +with the late rebellion, has happily recovered from the effects of his +severe injuries. He has throughout his illness been carefully tended at +the house of Councillor Moser." + +Brunnow, for his part, regarded with looks full of interest this old +gentleman who appeared so perplexed and concerned. Knowing nothing of +Agnes's independent action, he attributed the kind treatment his son +had experienced to the Councillor himself; and judging by the hints Max +had given of his host's character, he saw in Moser a man who, in a +moment of need, had risen superior to all personal considerations, and +had magnanimously come to the rescue of a political enemy. + +"Dr. Brunnow," said he, speaking from the overflowing gratitude of a +father's heart--"Dr. Brunnow will, I trust, soon be able himself to +express to you his deep sense of your kindness; in the meantime, allow +me, as his old friend, to address you in his name. I--we thank you, +sir--thank you most heartily for that which you have done." + +"It was a Christian duty," asserted the Councillor, agreeably flattered +by these words, which so plainly betokened real and deep emotion; "a +duty I should in any case have fulfilled; still, it is gratifying to +find that one's good offices are appreciated by those to whom they have +been tendered." + +"Believe me, we appreciate them fully, thoroughly. We know all that a +man in your position, and holding your opinions, must have had to +combat in the exercise of your charity. You have acted with noble +self-abnegation." + +So saying, and carried away by his feelings, he held out his hand to +the old gentleman. + +Poor Councillor Moser! That instinct of loyalty so vaunted by Max +played him false at this moment. No inward voice warned him of his +error as he took that attainted hand, and gave it a friendly pressure. +It was so pleasant to meet at length with some one who knew how +properly to estimate his conduct in this fatal business. Agnes and Frau +Christine behaved as though it had all been a matter of course, but +this stranger took a truer view of the case, and thereby at once gained +for himself the Councillor's highest esteem. + +"Will you not come into the parlour for a few minutes?" he said. "I +shall be glad----" + +"Thank you, no," answered Brunnow, remembering, rather late, that it +would not do for him to show too marked an interest, or to be too +demonstrative in his gratitude. "I cannot possibly stay longer--I have +another professional visit to make. But I will come round to-morrow +morning early to see the patient, if you will permit me." + +"With the greatest pleasure!" cried the Councillor. "I shall be +delighted to see you again, sir. Pray be careful. The passage is but +imperfectly lighted." + +He had opened the door for his guest himself, but the latter stood +irresolute. + +"Must I take the stairs to the right or the left in order to reach the +entrance? I came in hurriedly, and did not notice the way." + +"I will accompany you," said Moser, courteously. "It is so easy to lose +one's self among all these corridors and turnings when one is not well +acquainted with them. I will take you as far as the main entrance." + +Dr. Brunnow, who really could not have found his way alone, and for +whom it was most undesirable to wander to and fro in these courts and +galleries, accepted the offer, and they walked down the corridor +together. This corridor connected the side wing, in which Mr. Moser's +apartments were situated, with the main building, and led direct to the +great hall of the Castle. Here, on either side, were doors giving +ingress to the Chancellery and the various bureaux, and here was the +foot of the grand staircase, which led up to the Governor's private +dwelling above. + +The two gentlemen had just stepped out of the dim corridor into the +brightly-lighted hall, when Brunnow gave a great start and turned +precipitately, almost as though he would have retraced his steps. It +was too late. He and his companion stood close before the Governor. + +The Baron appeared to have only just arrived. His carriage was still +before the door, and he himself was talking to the Superintendent of +Police, who was about to take his leave. A cloud lay on Raven's brow, +but it cleared a little as he caught sight of the Councillor. +Interrupting the conversation in which he was engaged, he asked of the +new-comer, with evident interest: + +"Is this true, Councillor, that I hear from Berndt? Young Dr. Brunnow +is declared to be out of danger? Coming after the previous unfavourable +reports, I must say the news surprised me very much." + +"I am as much astonished as your Excellency," the Councillor assured +him. "I could not believe it at first, but the statement has been +confirmed to me in another quarter--by this gentleman here, Dr. Franz, +a friend of the patient's, who has just left him." + +Raven turned to the stranger, who was standing a little aside, and whom +he had not yet observed. The full light from the great chandelier fell +on the tall, bent form. For a few seconds the Baron stood motionless, +rooted to the ground, while his eyes rested with a piercing gaze on the +face before him. Then a sudden pallor overspread his features, and he +pressed his lips tightly together, as though to keep back the +exclamation which sought to escape them. + +But Raven's discomposure was of short duration. Next minute his +self-command had returned to him; indeed, a movement on the +Superintendent's part quickly recalled to his mind the fact that he was +watched. He quietly waited until the Councillor had finished what he +had to say, and then addressed himself to that gentleman's companion. + +"It would be a pleasure to me to hear you confirm so favourable an +opinion," he said. "I had sent round my own physician to the patient, +but, unfortunately, the doctor himself fell ill on the first day of the +treatment, and had to abandon the case to his deputy. The bulletin I +received from Dr. Berndt this morning was so vague that I think I must +ask you to supplement it by a few details. Not here in the vestibule, +of course. Will you come in with me for two or three minutes?" + +Brunnow was less accustomed than the Baron to dissimulate his feelings; +and though he succeeded in controlling his voice and features +generally, his eyes glowed with a look half of pain, half of enmity, as +they rested on the speaker. + +"Does your Excellency take so strong an interest in this young doctor?" +he returned. + +"Unquestionably. Both I and the Superintendent of Police here"--Raven +laid a slight but perceptible emphasis on the word, as he indicated the +person named--"are under an obligation to him. You have probably heard +how this accident came about. Having hastened to the assistance of this +gentleman, some of whose officers had been injured, he was wounded +while rendering to them medical aid. You will understand, therefore, +that some detailed account of his condition will be very acceptable to +me." + +Brunnow understood the hint. He saw the vigilant look in the eyes of +the Superintendent, who was listening with quiet and, apparently, +merely casual attention to the short dialogue, keeping a sharp watch on +the Baron and himself the while. He understood all the danger of his +position; still he hesitated a moment, struggling, as it were, with +himself. + +"I am at your service," he said at length, laconically. + +"Will you come with me, then?" + +Raven turned, and took leave of the other gentlemen briefly; then with +the doctor he mounted the stairs which led to his own private +apartments. + +"Who is that gentleman, may I ask?" said the Superintendent, looking +after the pair as they disappeared from view. + +"A most agreeable person," replied the Councillor, with an important +air; "a colleague of Dr. Brunnow's, and a very near friend, I should +suppose, for he seems to take a great interest in him." + +"Oh, oh, a friend of Dr. Brunnow's! I thought the young man had no +friends or acquaintances here, now that Assessor Winterfeld has left. +Has the gentleman--Dr. Franz, I think you said--paid frequent visits to +the patient?" + +"No; he came to-day for the first time, but he is to call again +to-morrow. I must say he thanked me most warmly for my disinterested +kindness, and alluded in very delicate terms to the embarrassments +which the presence--the involuntary presence, it is true--of the young +man in my house must have brought upon me. An instance of the noblest +self-abnegation he styled my conduct in this matter. An exceedingly +agreeable person, and a clever doctor too; I could see that at a +glance. My instinct in such matters rarely deceives me." + +"That I can well believe," returned the Superintendent, about whose +lips there played a smile half derisive, half pitying. "This +exceedingly agreeable person seems to have found as prompt favour in +the Governor's eyes as in yours. It is not the Baron's way, in general, +to introduce a complete stranger to his private apartments in this +unceremonious manner. Perhaps he was not sorry to withdraw this Dr. +Franz from my society." + +"Why should he wish that?" asked the Councillor, unsuspiciously. "His +Excellency merely desires to obtain some reliable information as to Dr. +Brunnow's state." + +"Of course; and I have no doubt such information will be amply afforded +him. Good evening, Councillor. Don't push the abnegation business too +far. They may be asking too much of you one of these days." + +With this piece of advice the Superintendent went off, and the +Councillor, to whom his words were as Greek, shook his head with +dignified gravity at the other's light speech; then, secure beneath the +aegis of his infallible instinct, he returned to his own dwelling. The +Governor and his companion had meanwhile reached the upper story, and +entered the former's apartments. Raven impatiently signed to the +servants to withdraw, gave brief orders that he was on no pretext to be +disturbed, and shut himself in his study with Brunnow. + +As yet, no word had been exchanged between them, and even now that they +were quite alone, silence still reigned for a minute or two. It almost +seemed as though each shrank from speaking the first word. After an +interval of more than twenty years, the former friends stood face to +face. In the old days they had been adolescents, fired with all the +enthusiasm, replete with the vigour of youth; now they met as men who +since that time had severally lived through half a generation--the one +still in the prime of strength and manhood, with the tall commanding +figure and proud bearing which bespeak the habit of authority, his +thick dark hair showing no silver threads, his stern rigid countenance +no mark of age--and, as a contrast, the other! Barely a year his +companion's senior, and yet to all appearances an old man, with the +grey head and stooping form of advanced years, and a face deeply lined +with the furrows of care and suffering. In the eyes alone there +sparkled a gleam of the old fire, the last lingering trace of a +long-bygone time. + +"Rudolph!" said the Baron, at length. His tone betrayed mighty, +well-nigh uncontrollable emotion, and he moved forward as though he +would have approached his old friend; but the latter drew back, and +asked in an icy tone: + +"What may your Excellency wish of me?" + +Raven frowned. "Why such words between us? Will you not recognise me? I +knew you at once, by your eyes. You are still the same man, though +altered in much, in almost everything." His look travelled slowly over +Brunnow's face and figure as he spoke. The other smiled a smile of +intense bitterness. + +"I have grown old before my time. A man does not wear well in exile, +when each day is spent in battling with the petty cares and miseries of +life. Baron von Raven has come better through the fight. Such pitiful +grievances do not attain to the height on which your Excellency +stands." + +"Once more I beg of you to drop this tone, Rudolph," said the Baron, +earnestly. "I know all that lies between us, and I have no thought of +seeking a reconciliation which I feel to be impossible. We are foes +now--so be it; but it is a paltry vengeance on your part to insist with +such scornful emphasis on a title to which I attach as little +importance as you yourself can do. However we may stand towards each +other, to you I must still be Arno Raven. Call me by the name which has +been familiar to you." + +Brunnow stood silent, with a moody, downcast look. + +"I can divine what has brought you hither," went on Raven; "but even +such a motive hardly excuses the temerity of the step. You are fully +aware of the risk you run on this side the border, and your son is out +of danger." + +"But yesterday I believed him to be on his deathbed. My own safety +could not be thought of at such a time. I felt I must hasten to him at +all hazards." + +The Baron made no reply to this; perhaps he told himself that in a like +case he would not have acted differently. + +"You understand why I insisted on your coming with me," he continued, +after a pause. "There were witnesses to our meeting. The Superintendent +of Police had his eye upon us. I almost think some suspicion was +already dawning in his mind. It was necessary to crush this in the bud; +and a lengthened interview with me will serve you as a sort of +guarantee." + +"No doubt; it would naturally be supposed that the Governor of +R---- would at once give over any suspicious person into the hands of +the police. I was prepared for that when you recognised me." + +"Moderate your tone, Rudolph," said Raven, warningly; but the other +went on unmoved: + +"And I really do not know to what caprice I owe my rescue. But to be +candid, Arno, I had a longing to meet you once more face to face, else +I would rather have given myself up to that man's myrmidons than have +followed you." + +Raven bit his lip. + +"Since our parting you have so boldly and openly proclaimed yourself my +enemy that I ought to have been prepared for some such attitude on your +part. You will remember, however, that in our young days I never +submitted to an insult, and in the course of years my temper has not +grown more enduring in this respect. So do not misuse your temporary +advantages, or forget that your position bars me from seeking +satisfaction. Let me, at least, feel that I may continue to address you +without loss of dignity." + +These words made little or no impression on Brunnow. His manner was, if +possible, more hostile than before, as he replied: + +"I see you have not unlearned the tone of command. I remember it of +old. Even in those days the man who sought to rise in revolt against +your will yielded in the end, cowed by that sovereign mien. As for me, +though truly mine is no slavish nature, I gave myself up to you body +and soul. I worshipped you with a blind worship; I followed +whithersoever you led, for the goal before you must, I thought, be the +highest and best--until one day my idol crumbled to dust, fell +shattered to the ground. Do not try to exercise the old power over me. +I bent to you only while I believed in you. That is over and past long +ago; but you, in whom ambition has ever usurped the place of a heart, +you little guess all that I lost when that faith went from me." + +A long oppressive pause ensued. Raven had turned away, and stood some +minutes in silence. At length he said: + +"If once you loved me, you hate me now all the more intensely." + +"True," was the short, energetic reply. + +"I have proofs of it," continued Raven. "But a short time ago I was +marvelling how one of my youngest subalterns had found courage to hurl +insults at me openly, in the face of all the world. I forgot that he +had been in your school. Of course! Winterfeld was staying at your +house; he is your son's friend and yours. Well, he has shown himself an +apt scholar. The thrusts he essays against me betray the master who +instructed him." + +"You are mistaken. George Winterfeld is displaying his own +powers--admirable powers, certainly, which astonish myself. He kept his +secret from me, as from others, and the book, which he forwarded to me +two days ago, took me altogether by surprise. But I do not deny that my +heart endorses every word that stands in it, and there are thousands +who will agree with me. Beware, Arno! He is the first who ventures to +defy the omnipotent Baron von Raven; this is the first storm menacing +your high estate. Others will follow in its wake, and they will shake +and undermine the ground on which you stand, until it trembles and +yawns beneath your feet, and you will sink to depths great as the +height to which you have risen." + +"You think so?" asked the Baron, disdainfully. "You should know me +better. I may be overthrown, and in my fall mortally injure myself and +crush others. To sink would in this case imply a craven surrender, and +that is not in my nature. Besides, we have not reached that point yet. +I know all the enmities which this attack will let loose upon me; my +foes have long waited for some such occasion; but they shall not taste +the triumph of seeing me abandon a position which I have so long +maintained and will never voluntarily quit. Men do not readily forgive +success such as I have achieved." + +"It was dearly bought," said Brunnow, coldly. "You paid for it with +your honour." + +"Rudolph!" thundered the Baron, with terrible vehemence. + +"With your honour, I repeat it. Must I remind you of the day when our +association was betrayed, our papers seized, ourselves arrested and +cast into prison? Must I name to you the traitor to whom we owed all +this, and who was arrested with us, merely as a matter of form? I and +the others were put on our trial, and sentenced to long years of +captivity, from which fate a foolhardy escape alone delivered me. After +a short imprisonment that traitor was set at liberty, no charge being +preferred against him. Weathering the storm which cost his friends and +fellow-thinkers their freedom and their means of existence, Arno Raven +emerged from it as the secretary, the familiar, the future son-in-law +of the Minister in power, and commenced his brilliant career in the +service of the cause he had sworn to combat with all his strength. That +was the end of our dreams of liberty, of all our youthful hopes and +illusions." + +Every drop of blood had receded from the Baron's face. His breast +heaved with a short, quick, panting movement, and his hands were +clenched convulsively. + +"And if I tell you now that this so-called treachery was nothing more +than an imprudent act, an unhappy error of judgment, for which I have +bitterly, cruelly atoned? If I tell you that you yourselves, with your +over-hasty condemnation, your mad mistrust, drove me into the ranks of +your enemies?" + +"I make answer that you have forfeited all claim to be believed." + +"Do not provoke me further, Rudolph," panted Raven. "You know that I +would have borne so much from no other man. I have given you my word, +and you must believe me." + +"No, Arno." Brunnow's voice was hard and contemptuous. "Had you at the +time I was pining in prison, when I could not understand, would not +understand, that you had been the traitor--had you then stepped before +me and spoken as you have spoken now, your word would have had more +weight with me than the testimony of the whole world--than the +clearest, most convincing proofs. The two decades which lie between now +and then have taught me another lesson. Baron von Raven, whose name +heads the list of the enemies and persecutors of that cause to which he +once consecrated his life; the Governor of R----, whose iron despotic +will sets all justice, both abstract and legal, at defiance, who but a +few days since shot down the people in whose ranks he once stood--this +man I utterly decline to believe." + +He at whom these crushing accusations were hurled stood sombre and +silent, his eyes fixed on the ground, his features working with some +strong emotion; but whether it were shame, anger, or grief which moved +him, who should say? As Brunnow spoke the last words, however, he +suddenly drew himself up to his full height, and his eyes flashed with +the old haughty, unbending spirit, as he answered in a harsh tone: + +"It is useless, then, to waste another word on the subject. My +explanations had reference to that first catastrophe alone. You decline +to hear them--well and good, there is an end of the matter. What has +come since then has come by my own deliberate choice and resolution. +How I may have been driven to make such a choice need not be considered +now. I allege no extenuating circumstances; enough, I have acted of my +own free will, and I am ready to answer for my deeds and their +consequences. Since the day when that great gap opened between us, our +ways have lain so far apart that it would be useless now for us to +attempt to understand the current which has borne us on. What can an +idealist conceive of ambition and the desire for power? Perhaps to you +it may appear as the germ of a crime, for the very idea of it is based +on the subjection of others. I was not created to linger out my life in +exile, to console myself for all my shipwrecked hopes and wasted +energies with the thought that I had remained true to my ideal. Condemn +me if you will: I do not recognise you as my judge." + +No reply followed. After a moment's silence, Brunnow turned to go, +still without speaking. Raven stepped before him, barring the way. + +"What does this mean?" asked the Doctor. "You have said it; we have +done with each other; any further word between us would be superfluous. +Let me go." + +"Not yet; we have to think of your safety. You will start at once on +your return journey?" + +"I shall not leave till to-morrow. I have promised my son to see him +again." + +"This is a very unnecessary delay," said the Baron. "You have convinced +yourself that, as regards your son's health, there is nothing now to +fear; danger will continue to exist for you until you have re-crossed +the frontier. An express leaves at midnight. Remain here in my house +until that hour, and then you shall be taken in my carriage to the +station. Whatever suspicions may be abroad, no one will, in that case, +venture to molest you." + +"And if, later on, it were found out that the Governor himself had +helped a rebel and an escaped prisoner on his road?" + +"That is my business. I shall be well able to defend myself." + +"I thank you," said Brunnow, in a trenchant tone. "I shall stay +to-morrow, and shall then go to the station without the cover of the +Raven baronial livery. You will easily understand that I prefer even a +possible risk to your protection." + +"Rudolph, be reasonable," warned the Baron. "This unhappy obstinacy may +cost your freedom." + +"What matters it to you? We are enemies, are we not? more bitter +enemies than ever from this hour. We shall hardly meet again in this +life, but think of my words, Arno. As yet you stand secure on the giddy +height to which you have climbed; as yet you look down disdainfully on +the dangers now gathering around you. A day will come when the +foundations, whereon your power rests, will rock and reel, when all the +world will fail you, and then"--here Brunnow's bent form was drawn +erect with a certain majesty--"then you will see that it is of some +worth to have kept one's faith in one's best hopes and aspirations. The +testimony of my conscience has sustained me. You will have no stay, +when the glittering edifice of your ambition crashes to the ground. You +have been false to yourself. Farewell." + +He turned and went. Raven stood, moody and motionless, looking after +him. + +"False to myself!" he repeated, in a low voice. "Even so--he is right." + + + + + CHAPTER XVI. + + +All was quiet in the town. The "energetic measures" had produced their +effect, although they had not been carried into execution with such +disastrous rigour as at first appeared. Colonel Wilten knew very well +that, notwithstanding the Governor's high standing and authority, some +portion of the responsibility would rest with him. On the troops being +called out, he gave orders, therefore, that at the word of command the +first round should be fired, not among the crowds assembled, but in the +air. He counted on the blind panic which would ensue when it was found +that recourse would be had to arms, and he was not deceived in his +reckoning. The first discharge produced boundless fear and confusion, +which were still further increased by the gathering darkness. None had +sufficient calm and self-possession to note what had really happened. A +wild tumult arose, but there was no attempt at the resistance which had +been expected and feared. For one brief moment the masses swayed to and +fro without plan or method, then all turned to seek refuge in flight. +The Colonel had foreseen this, and had taken his precautions that a way +should be opened for the fugitives to escape. A detachment of soldiers +succeeded, without any very serious difficulty, in dispersing the +dense crowds, and driving them back. Once broken up, they could not +re-assemble, as all the central points of the town were occupied by the +troops. After some hours, order was restored, and, thanks to the +prudence and moderation of the commanding officer, this happy result +was attained without bloodshed. Wounds and injuries enough had been +inflicted in the press and crush of that hurried flight, but there had +been no actual battle, and yet the military intervention had produced +the desired effect. The more turbulent party in the town was +intimidated; there was no repetition of the riots, and during the +ensuing days the public peace had not been disturbed. Authority had +once more triumphed, and the Governor still preserved the upper hand. + +On the morning following his interview with Rudolph Brunnow, the Baron +paid a visit to his sister-in-law's apartments. Madame von Harder's +cold had been attended with serious consequences. She was ill, or, at +least, declared herself to be so, and since her return to town had +hardly left her bed. The Baron sent over regularly every morning to +inquire after her health. He had seen neither her nor Gabrielle during +the last few days, for the young girl had taken advantage of the +pretext afforded her by her mother's illness, and had refrained from +appearing at table. Since that sad, stormy interview, a meeting had +thus been avoided. + +The Baroness was lying on the sofa in the pose of a languid invalid, +when her brother-in-law entered. He took no notice of Gabrielle, who +was in the room, but went straight up to her mother, and asked, in the +cold indifferent tone of one who is using a mere formula, how she felt +that morning. + +"Oh, I have gone through so much during all these terrible days!" +sighed the Baroness. "I feel very ill indeed. The excitement and horror +of that dreadful evening when they threatened to storm the Castle was +too much for me." + +"I expressly sent you word that every precaution had been taken to +ensure the safety of the Castle," said Raven, impatiently. "You never +would have been in danger, in any case. The popular demonstration was +aimed at me, and me alone." + +"But the noise, the advance of the troops, the firing in the town!" +complained the lady. "It all had the most terrible effect on my nerves. +How I wish I had complied with Colonel Wilten's wish, and had remained +a few days longer in the country. But, indeed, as things now stand, +that would be out of the question. Gabrielle is torturing me to death +with her wilfulness and obstinacy. She declares now decidedly that +she will not marry young Baron Wilten, and threatens to tell him so +point-blank, if I let him come to her with an offer." + +Raven took a rapid survey of the young girl, who sat at some distance +from them, pale and silent, leaning her head on her hand; but even now +he did not address her. + +"It places me in the most embarrassing predicament," went on the +Baroness. "I have given the Colonel positive assurances which cannot +possibly be recalled. He and his son will be furious. Gabrielle says +she has already spoken to you on the subject, Arno. Do you really +approve of her conduct in this matter?" + +"I?" asked the Baron, coldly. "I have renounced all pretension to +influence your daughter." + +"Good Heavens! what has happened?" asked the Baroness, starting up in +alarm. "Has Gabrielle been showing you her stubbornness and self-will? +I hope--I trust----" + +"Let us not talk of it," said the Baron, cutting short her effusive +speech. "This affair with Wilten must be settled by me, certainly. My +own position towards the Colonel demands it. He would never forgive me +if I were to allow his son to incur the humiliation of a refusal, where +he confidently expects to be favourably received. I must say, the fault +is altogether yours, Matilda. You will remember that I have held myself +aloof from your plans from the first. You should have made sure of your +daughter's consent before you committed yourself to positive promises. +But now this matter must be discussed and decided. I am going over to +see Wilten now, and during our conference I will take an opportunity of +letting him know Gabrielle's answer. But to the subject which brought +me hither. You are unwell?" + +"Indeed I am--very unwell!" breathed the Baroness, faintly, sinking +back in her cushions with an air of utter exhaustion. + +"Well, I have a proposal to make to you. The doctor talks of nervous +symptoms, and recommends change of air, particularly as the autumn here +with us is often rough and inclement. Besides this, in the present +state of affairs, there can be no thought of receptions or any social +gatherings for some time to come. I would, therefore, advise you to +accept the invitation you have received from your friend, the Countess +Selteneck, of which you were lately speaking to me, and with your +daughter to go and spend a few weeks in the capital." + +Gabrielle, who had listened to the conversation, taking no part in it, +started violently at the last words, and an involuntary exclamation +escaped her lips. + +"Yes," said Raven, turning towards her for the first time, and speaking +with caustic irony; "I know that my scheme will meet your views." + +The girl made no reply; but the Baroness's languid features acquired +sudden animation. + +"What, you approve of this visit?" she asked. "I do not deny that a +short stay in the capital would be agreeable to me--that it would be +pleasant to see my old friends and acquaintances again; but my regard +for your wishes, my duties as the mistress of your house----" + +"Need not bind you in this case," interposed the Baron. "I repeat to +you that, under the present circumstances, entertainments are out of +the question. We cannot say with certainty that there will be no +renewal of the disturbances; and I should be sorry to expose you a +second time to the perils of so much terror and excitement. I would, +therefore, beg of you to make your preparations for the journey as +speedily as possible. When you return, you will find us all peaceful +and settled, I hope." + +"I will comply with your wishes in this as in all else," declared the +Baroness, to whom, in the present case, compliance was remarkably easy. +"We shall very soon be ready to start; and I hope the change may be +beneficial to Gabrielle, as well as to myself. She has grown so pale +and listless of late, I am really beginning to fear for her health." + +Raven appeared not to hear this last remark. He rose to go. + +"So that is settled. Whatever you may require for your trip is at your +disposal. But now I must leave you, Matilda. The carriage is waiting +for me below." + +He shook hands with his sister-in-law, and went. Hardly had the door +closed upon him, when Madame von Harder exclaimed, with great vivacity: + +"Well, your uncle has had a sensible idea at last! I was afraid he +would expect us to remain in this wretched city, where one is not sure +of one's life, and where one cannot even drive out without fear of +being insulted by the people. I only wonder that Arno deigns to notice +my nerves or the doctor's advice at all. He is generally so hard and +unfeeling in these matters; don't you think so, Gabrielle?" + +"I think he is anxious to get rid of us now, at any price," replied +Gabrielle, without turning her head. + +"Well, yes," said the Baroness, suavely. "He must see that R---- is not +a very agreeable place of sojourn just now, especially for ladies. I +had something of this in my mind when I mentioned the Countess's +invitation to him. I half hoped he would assent to it; but he then +preserved an obstinate silence, so I did not venture to pursue the +subject. How I long to see the capital again, and to renew my old +connections there! Say what you will, this R---- is provincial, after +all, in spite of the grand city-airs which the town gives itself. But +now, in the first place, we must look over what we have to wear. Come, +child, and let us consider what has to be done." + +"Spare me that, mamma!" prayed the young girl, in a low, weary tone. "I +am not in the humour for it now. Decide what you think best. I shall be +quite satisfied with anything you do." + +The Baroness looked at her daughter in unmitigated astonishment; such +indifference passed the bounds of all belief. + +"Not in the humour for it? Gabrielle, what has come to you? I +noticed the change in you some time ago, when we were staying in the +country; but now, during the last few days, you have grown so strange, +I really can hardly recognise my own daughter. Something must have +passed between you and your uncle during that drive home, I am +afraid--something you are keeping back from me. He is evidently angry +with you; he scarcely looked at you just now. When will you learn to +show him the necessary respect and consideration?" + +"You hear, he is sending us away," said Gabrielle, with a great, bitter +rush of feeling. "He wishes to be alone if a danger threatens, if a +misfortune overtakes him--quite, quite alone!" + +"I do not understand you," declared her mother, pettishly. "What should +threaten your uncle? He has put down the attempts at revolt with a +strong hand, and there will be an end of them, I fancy; but if things +should come to the worst, he has the troops to protect him." + +Gabrielle was silent. She had not thought of any specific danger, but, +inexperienced as she was in all the serious affairs of life, she +divined that an open attack, such as Winterfeld's, would not pass by +without leaving its mark, and felt, as it were, a prescience of some +coming storm. She and her mother were to be sheltered from it, +evidently. In no plainer language could the Baron have told her that +all was really over between them. Was he not sending her to the +capital, where George now lived, where a meeting with him could easily +be managed? The harshness and violence with which Raven had formerly +opposed this union had caused the girl far less pain than this +voluntary withdrawal of all resistance on his part. He was showing her +that he had ceased to protest, that he left her free to act as she +pleased; and she knew him too well to cherish any hope that he would +soften towards and pardon the woman whom he believed to have betrayed +him. Perhaps Gabrielle might have sought to convince him of his error, +to show him what injustice his cruel suspicions did her; but his icy +look and manner scared her from him. That look told her that her words +would find no credence, and at this thought her proud spirit rose in +arms. Was she again to endure the degradation of finding her defence +unheard, herself repulsed, as had happened once before? Never! never! + +The Baroness was very far from divining her daughter's train of +thought; she did not even remember that Assessor Winterfeld was living +in the metropolis, still less that he had been sent thither expressly +to prevent any intercourse between him and the Governor's heiress. The +lady had weightier matters to occupy her just now. Finding Gabrielle +insensible to the claims of the great "toilette" question, she rang for +her maid, and at once engaged with her in a long and elaborate +consultation. It was notable what a vivifying effect the prospect of +this journey had on the Baroness's system. Her illness and languor +seemed suddenly to have disappeared. She gave the necessary +instructions with an eagerness and animation which already augured the +best results from the prescribed "change of air." + +On leaving his sister-in-law, the Baron had himself at once driven over +to Colonel Wilten's quarters. He had always been on friendly terms with +the commandant of the garrison, and latterly there had been an increase +of cordiality, on the Wiltens' part at least, for the family were bent +on securing an alliance between the eldest hope of their house and the +young Baroness Harder. + +To-day, however, there was a something unusual in the Colonel's manner +and reception of his visitor, a certain constraint which he did his +best to conceal by talking with more fluency than was his wont. The +Baron did not heed this. His mind was busy with other thoughts, and he +was not disposed to attach importance to such trifles. He was about to +turn the conversation to those measures of public safety which were +still to some extent in the hands of the military, when Wilten +forestalled him, and said rather hurriedly: + +"Have you received further intelligence from the capital yet? You are, +no doubt, expecting an answer relative to that Winterfeld pamphlet." + +The Baron's brow clouded over very noticeably at this question, and +there was a pause of some seconds before he responded. + +"Yes," he said at length. "The answer reached me this morning." + +"Well?" asked the Colonel, eagerly. + +Raven leaned back in his chair, and replied in a tone wherein irony and +bitterness were equally blended: + +"Our friends in the capital appear to have lost sight of the fact that, +as their representative, I have acted in their name, and that through +long years they have seconded me in all my acts to the best of their +ability. You were right in warning me against the intrigues at +head- quarters, which were secretly undermining me. I see now how +hollow is the ground on which I stand. A few months ago they would not +have dared to give me such an answer." + +"What: they have not tried to hint----" the Colonel stopped; he did not +like to finish the phrase. + +"They have hinted much--in the most courteous form, naturally, and with +an unusually lavish expenditure of fair words--but the meaning remains +the same. I think it would not be disagreeable to the gentlemen in +office yonder, if I were to make my bow and withdraw from the scene. I +am a stumbling-block in the way of several persons there, and they, of +course, seek to profit by any attack upon me. At present, however, I am +not inclined to make room for them." + +Colonel Wilten remained silent, and studied the carpet diligently. + +"The late events in this city have also given rise to serious +differences of opinion," continued Raven. "There has been a constant +interchange of despatches on the subject. They cannot be made to +understand that the intervention of the troops was necessary, and +preach to me of the heavy responsibility incurred, of the exasperated +state of public feeling, and more in the same style. I reply simply +that these matters cannot be judged from a distance. I am on the spot, +and know what is necessary; and were the disturbances to break out +afresh, I should do exactly as I have done." + +Again there stole over the Colonel's features that look of constraint +which had gradually disappeared during the course of the conversation. + +"That would hardly be possible," he remarked. "It is true that the +popular excitement is greater than we at first supposed, and I told you +some time ago that the Government are anxious to avoid all military +interference." + +"It is not what the Government desire, but what is necessary," declared +the Baron, with the curt, abrupt speech which with him was a sure sign +of great irritation. + +"We will hope, then, that the necessity will not recur," said Wilten; +"for I am unfortunately ... I should have ... in a word, I should be +compelled to refuse co-operation, your Excellency." + +Raven started, and turned a flashing glance on the speaker. + +"What does this mean, Colonel? You know that I have unlimited +authority. I can assure you that it has been in no way restricted." + +"I do not for a moment suppose it has; but my powers have been +curtailed. In future I am to take my instructions from army +head-quarters alone." + +"You have received counter-orders?" asked the Baron, quickly. + +"Yes," was the reply, given with some hesitation. + +"When?" + +"Yesterday." + +"May I see the despatch?" + +"I am sorry--it is of a private nature." + +Raven turned away, and went up to the window. When he looked round, +after the lapse of several minutes, his face was almost livid in its +pallor. + +"This means that my hands are to be tied completely. If there is any +renewal of the riots, and the police are not strong enough to suppress +them, I am powerless, and the town is to be given over to the mercy of +the mob." + +Wilten shrugged his shoulders. + +"I am a soldier, and must obey, as your Excellency knows." + +"Assuredly you must obey--that I quite see." + +Another uncomfortable pause followed. The Colonel seemed to be thinking +how he could effect a diversion; but Raven forestalled him. + +"As the matter now stands, the conference I wished to hold with you +becomes superfluous," he said, with enforced calm. "No excuses, pray. I +can well conceive that it is very painful to you personally, but you +cannot alter the circumstances, so let us say no more on the subject. I +wanted to speak to you also on a little matter of private business. You +gave me to understand some time ago, that your son was likely to come +to me with a request. Lieutenant Wilten has not declared himself as +yet, and in these troubled, excited times it would hardly have been +possible for him to do so." + +"Quite impossible," assented the Colonel. "I pointed out to Albert that +it would argue a want of proper feeling on his part, were he to trouble +you with such matters at a time when you have so much to contend with. +He admitted the justice of what I said. Besides, he is leaving us +to-morrow." + +"So suddenly?" asked Raven, in surprise. + +"He is going to M---- on a mission connected with the service, and will +probably remain there some weeks," returned the Colonel, who was +growing visibly embarrassed beneath the Baron's severe scrutiny. "I had +originally intended to send another officer, but I cannot dispense with +his assistance now; and my son, as the youngest on my staff, can be +most easily spared. So the matter we were speaking of can rest for the +present. Later on, when Albert returns, we can take it up again." + +There were hard, bitter lines about Raven's mouth as he answered: + +"On the contrary, I wish this matter to be settled at once, and for +ever. My sister-in-law regrets to find that she is not in a position to +satisfy the hopes which she encouraged the young Baron to entertain. +She has now convinced herself that her daughter does not possess that +amount of affection for your son which would dispose her to enter into +this marriage; and neither Madame von Harder nor I will exercise the +slightest constraint on Gabrielle----" + +"Oh! by no means. We would never consent to that," interrupted Wilten, +eagerly. "No constraint, no persuasion in these matters! It will be +hard for me, of course, to give up the plan I have so long cherished, +and my son will be in despair. But if he may not hope that his +affection will be returned, it is better he should know the truths and +try to conquer his attachment. I will talk to him seriously on the +subject." + +"Do so," said the Baron, whom neither the other's ready zeal, nor his +deep-drawn breath of relief, had escaped. "I am persuaded that you will +find in him an obedient and tractable son." + +He turned to go. The Colonel accompanied him politely to the door, and +would have given his hand at parting as usual, but Raven passed by him +with a cool, ceremonious bow, and left the room. Outside, on the +stairs, he stopped a moment and glanced towards the door that had just +closed, saying to himself under his breath: + +"So it has come to this already! They wish to break off all connection +with me. The news Wilten has received must have been strange news +indeed!" + +As the Governor issued from the house and was about to enter his +carriage, which waited before the door, he caught sight of the +Superintendent of Police, who was coming up the street, and who +quickened his steps on perceiving him. + +"I was just going up to see your Excellency," said he, bowing +respectfully. "I thought I should find you at the Castle." + +"I am now returning thither," replied Raven, pointing to the carriage. +"May I ask you to accompany me?" + +The Superintendent accepted the invitation, and both gentlemen entered +the carriage, which started at once on its way to the Castle. The Baron +listened in silence to the other's talk. He was moody and abstracted, +chafing inwardly at the first humiliation openly laid upon him. So far +they had left him free scope, had invested him with an unlimited +authority such as no Governor before him had possessed; and now, at the +present juncture, when he was more than ever in want of this authority, +he suddenly found himself checked, his course of action impeded, his +hands bound. They were taking from him the support whereon he had +relied, the powerful ally whom he had once called to his aid, and on +whom now he was forced in some measure to depend. They were purposely +leaving him alone to face the struggle with the rebellious city. Raven +was not at a loss to interpret this symptom. + +The Superintendent had been speaking of some unimportant incidents +which had occurred the preceding day. Now he went on to say: "But I +have a communication to make which will surprise your Excellency. You +take an interest in young Dr. Brunnow?" + +Raven grew attentive. + +"Certainly. What of him?" + +"Nothing personally, though I am sorry to say the matter in question +touches him very nearly. You remember the gentleman who was introduced +to us the other evening by Councillor Moser as Dr. Franz? You had even, +I think, some lengthened conversation with him afterwards. Did nothing +in his manner strike you as peculiar?" + +The Baron drew himself up quickly. The allusion sufficed to show him +that his suspicion had been well-founded, and that danger to Brunnow +was impending. It was imperatively necessary to show a calm front, in +order, if it were yet possible, to avert a catastrophe. Raven summoned +up all his self-possession, and answered with a cold, imperturbable +"No." + +"Well, my attention was attracted to him at once," said the +Superintendent. "Even during those few short minutes doubts occurred to +me, doubts which were subsequently strengthened by some remarks the +Councillor inadvertently let fall. So I thought it advisable to set +some inquiries on foot. Now that there are so few strangers in the +town, it was no difficult matter to find out where the pretended Dr. +Franz had put up. He had arrived a couple of hours before at an inn in +the suburbs, had displayed great solicitude in speaking of the young +doctor, asking many questions about him in an agitated manner, and had +then hurried off to see him. The trunk, which had been imprudently left +at the inn, bore the ticket Z---- as the station of departure. There +were other very suspicious circumstances in support of the evidence--in +short, no doubt now exists that we have to do with Rudolph Brunnow, the +father of the wounded man." + +All these statements were delivered in the cool, business-like tone +used by the Superintendent throughout the interview, and Raven +endeavoured to preserve the same appearance of indifference as he +replied: + +"That is, at present, merely an assumption of yours, which will require +confirmation. You cannot take any steps against this stranger on such +evidence." + +"We have the confirmation already," said the Superintendent. "When +arrested, Dr. Brunnow admitted his name." + +"When arrested!" exclaimed the Baron. "You have proceeded to arrest him +without informing me of the matter--without giving me the slightest +intimation?" + +The police-officer stared at him in well-feigned astonishment. + +"Your Excellency, I really do not understand. So far as I am aware, +such measures are entirely within my competence. Had I known that you +desired to be previously informed, I should, of course, have seen that +a communication was made to you." + +Raven clenched his right hand, crushing the glove he held in it. + +"And I should certainly have dissuaded you from taking such a step. +Have you thought of the excitement this arrest will produce, and of its +inevitable consequences? Precisely now, when the Government is bent on +adopting conciliatory measures, on creating a diversion, when +everything depends on its being popular, and the Ministers are shaping +their course with scrupulous care, in order to avoid a conflict--this +is not the time to drag before the public old, half-forgotten +reminiscences of the rebellion." + +The Superintendent shrugged his shoulders. + +"I have done my duty, nothing more. Dr. Brunnow was sentenced to a long +term of imprisonment; this punishment he evaded by taking flight. He +knew that on his return he would become amenable to the law. He came +notwithstanding this, and he must take the consequences." + +"I should have thought you had held your position long enough to know +that the letter of the law must sometimes be sacrificed to the +expediency of the moment," said Raven, with rising anger. "Why did this +fugitive return? Public opinion will unmistakably side with the man +who, in his anxiety for his only son, in the hope that by his medical +skill he might be the means of saving that son's life, set his own +danger at naught, risked everything and came; Brunnow will be raised to +a martyr's pedestal, and will obtain sympathy throughout the land. Do +you think this will be agreeable to us? You chose to act on a mere +suspicion of your own, and you will meet with little thanks from +head-quarters." + +These words were spoken with a vehemence which made them almost +offensive; but the Superintendent replied coolly and politely: + +"Well, we must wait and see. I acted to the best of my judgment, and I +regret that the course I have taken does not meet with your +approbation. I was the less prepared for censure from your Excellency +that you have always condemned the lukewarm attitude of the Government, +and the fear they evince of provoking a conflict as weakness, whilst +the line of action your Excellency is now pursuing in this town proves +that you reckon on energetic and unsparing measures alone for success." + +The Baron bit his lip. He felt that he had allowed himself to be +carried too far. Turning the conversation, he said: + +"So Dr. Brunnow at once avowed his name?" + +"Yes; he seemed disconcerted at first, when his arrest was made known +to him, but he soon recovered himself, and made no attempt at denial. +It would indeed have been perfectly useless. I have taken care that the +news of what has occurred shall not reach his son at present--at least +the Councillor has promised to be silent. The poor Councillor! he +almost fell down in a fainting-fit when I disclosed to him who the +_soi-disant_ Dr. Franz really was. After having all his life sedulously +avoided anything like disloyal contact, he is now being drawn into the +most questionable connections, and that without any fault of his own." + +"You will at least, I hope, show your prisoner every consideration," +said Raven, unheeding the last remark. "The motive that brought him +here, and his son's noble conduct at the time of the riot, entitle him +to some favour at your hands." + +"Doubtless," assented the Superintendent. "Dr. Brunnow will have +nothing to complain of. He is, as a temporary measure, confined in a +room in the city prison, and I have been careful that in all the +arrangements a due regard should be had to his comfort. Of course, +he must be strictly guarded. There might be an attempt at evasion +again--or at a rescue." + +Raven's eyes were fixed full on his companion's face. The derisive +smile lurking about the officer's lips told the Baron that his former +relations with the prisoner were no longer a secret, and that the blow +was directed less against Brunnow than against himself. To what end +this hostile step had been taken, he did not then immediately divine; +but the Superintendent of Police was not the man to be guilty of +over-precipitation, or to do anything which would bring upon him a +serious responsibility. He always knew very well what he was about. + +"Evasion! rescue!" repeated Raven, scornfully. "It is too late for +that, I fancy." + +"I hope so too, but I will not neglect the necessary precautions. One +can never know what connections these refugees may have, or how far +their secret influence may extend. This was the communication I had to +make; now I need not take up your Excellency's time any longer. We +shall soon be passing my office. Might I ask to be set down there? I +shall, as usual, find a deluge of work awaiting me, no doubt." + +A few minutes later, the carriage stopped before the police-bureau, and +the head of that department took a most affable leave of the Baron, who +then drove on to the Castle. At length the respite of a few minutes' +solitude was granted him. So many successive blows had fallen on him +since the morning. First the Minister's letter, then the disclosure +made by Colonel Wilten, now the news of Brunnow's arrest. More and more +menacing were the signs of the times, and Rudolph's prophecy was +perhaps nearer its fulfilment than he himself had imagined. The ground +beneath the great man's feet began to quake and to give way; and for +the first time he looked down from his vertiginous height, measuring +how great the fall might perchance be--but Arno Raven was not one to +quail before such thoughts. The proud, determined look on his face +showed that he was not disposed to yield a step, that he was ready to +confront any danger that might rise up before him. Though perils should +surround him on all sides, there would be no surrender. Thus, with the +undaunted spirit and strong will which had borne him through so many +trials, he advanced to meet the approaching storm. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII. + + +There was a lonely, desolate air about the Castle in these days. +Baroness Harder and her daughter had left for the capital, and if the +elder lady, with her caprices, her requiring temper, and other not very +amiable characteristics, was not painfully missed by the household, the +absence of the younger, who had won all hearts to herself, was +sincerely deplored. With her, sunshine had come into the house. During +the few short months of her stay there, she had filled the great sombre +spaces with light and animation, quickening and brightening their +lifeless splendour. During this period Raven himself had become so much +milder of mood, so much more accessible, that at times it was difficult +to recognise in him the severe, imperious master who never unbent, and +whose slightest words were as law. Now Gabrielle's rooms were closed +and darkened, and every one about the place, from the venerable +major-domo to the lowest housemaid, felt the void she had left behind. + +Baron von Raven alone seemed insensible to the change; at least, he +never in any way alluded to it, and it was well known that he had +little time to give to his home or family affairs. All about him were +accustomed to see their master grave, taciturn, and unmoved by passing +events. Thus he still appeared, and yet every soul about the house knew +that a tempest was fast gathering over his head. It had long ceased to +be a secret. + +There had been no renewal of the disturbances in the town during the +course of the last few weeks; and the Superintendent, with his staff of +police, had easily put down the slight ebullitions of feeling which +would now and then occur. The lower classes of the population had been +intimidated; to the more enlightened reflection had come. It was felt +that nothing would be achieved by violence. The Burgomaster used all +his influence to prevent a recurrence of the previous scenes. +Experience had taught him that in such a contest the reins would soon +slip from his hands, that the rougher, more dangerous elements forcing +themselves to the surface, the movement, legitimate in the outset, +would degenerate into a mere common rebellion against all law and +order. On either side a warning had been received, and it had borne +fruit. The struggle was not abandoned; it grew, on the contrary, in +force and intensity, though carried on in quieter fashion; and now the +city of R---- had the satisfaction of hearing that an echo of its +discontent had sounded in the capital, an echo which quickly spread +throughout the land. Winterfeld's pamphlet had produced a great +sensation, a far greater, indeed, than its author had ever reckoned on, +for it found acceptance in influential quarters, where no one, and +least of all the Assessor, would have expected it to be tolerated. + +In these higher circles Raven was by no means beloved. A man who had +raised himself from the more modest ranks of the middle classes to one +of the highest offices of the State, he had naturally aroused against +himself the envy and ill-will of those whom he had overtaken and left +far behind him in the race; and his proud, imperious bearing, the +merciless contempt with which he exposed and thrust aside incapacity +and meanness, wheresoever placed, did not tend to increase his +popularity. Among his competitors there were but too many who viewed +the success he had achieved, the high position he now held, as a +robbery committed on themselves, an infringement of their own peculiar +privileges; who could not brook the haughty composure which never +deserted him, even in the presence of the most exalted personages, and +who were only waiting their opportunity to inflict on this _parvenu_ +the humiliations which, in their opinion, he so richly deserved. +Hitherto their shafts had glanced harmlessly from the Baron's armour. +The Government had warmly supported him, had loaded him with +distinctions and honours, and had kept silence on the subject of his +arbitrary encroachments, which were perfectly well known to every man +in office. For this post of R----, the Ministers were in want of just +such a representative, of one who, like Raven, would with rigid +consistency and unsparing energy make his authority felt, and who would +keep in check the rebellious discontent which leavened the province. +The Governor had been indispensable, and this fact outweighed all other +considerations, and counteracted all the influences which were at work +against him. + +But times had changed. During the last twelve months, especially, a +revolution of opinion had come about, which threatened to overturn the +present system. Some of its upholders, staunch hitherto, now tried to +trim their sails, and to steer with the new current; others prepared to +abdicate, and, with all outward honour and dignity, to retire from the +stage where their parts were played out. They had one and all, friends +and connections, who were of service to them in the crisis. Arno Raven +stood perfectly alone; and the dragon of spite he had provoked now +reared its head and turned its poisonous fangs against him. + +At any other time, a pamphlet such as Winterfeld's would have been +instantly suppressed, and its author would have paid for his audacity +with the loss of his position; now the work, with its accusatory +eloquence, was eagerly turned to account--made to serve as an arm +against the object of their hatred; and the young official, who had +furnished the welcome opportunity, was raised to hero-rank. George's +name, altogether unknown but a little while before, was now in +everybody's mouth. He himself was sought, made much of, admired for his +courage in boldly speaking out that which, of course, every one had +known. People said the brochure was really admirably written, that it +evinced unusual knowledge and talent, and bore the stamp of a clear, +incorruptible judgment--and, indeed, the book was completely devoid of +the acrimony which would have lowered it to the level of a diatribe. +The Governor's great qualities were thoroughly recognised; anything +like a personal attack was carefully avoided. The entire accusation +rested on facts; but these facts were demonstrated with such clearness +and precision, and subjected to so incisive a criticism, that some +answer to the charges must, it was thought, necessarily follow. + +To the R---- province and its chief town, these printed pages had been, +as the Burgomaster expressed it, as a spark in a powder-barrel; for +they gave form and substance to the universal feeling, setting it forth +in the most pointed and striking terms. The crippling fear, the dread +of the Governor's omnipotence, was shaken: it was seen that he was +assailable, vulnerable, like other mortals; and all the bitterness, so +long cherished against him, now broke out with tempestuous violence. No +one gave a thought to the benefits the town and province had reaped +from the Baron's vigorous administration. Not a voice was raised to +recall them to mind. Hatred of the despotic yoke, beneath which the +people had so long sighed, spoke loudly and alone; and, as often +happens in this world, those who had been bound to the Governor by +interest, and had ranked among his partisans, were, now that it could +be done with impunity, the first to cast a stone at him. + +Most men, so situated, would have retired, have voluntarily vacated a +place it seemed now impossible to hold. A recommendation to resign was, +indeed half hinted to the Baron from the capital; but his pride +revolted against such a step. To yield, now that compulsion was being +tried--to flee, as it were, from his enemies, routed by their +denunciations and attacks, was out of the question. He knew that to go +at such a moment would be to recognise his defeat. To those half-hints +from the capital, he had, therefore, returned the haughty answer that +he had assuredly no intention of remaining at his post for any length +of time; but that, before relinquishing it, he would see the fight out, +overthrow his enemies, and silence their tongues, as he had done on +first coming to R----, when a similar storm had burst upon him--then he +would go, and not before. Perhaps the Baron would have shown himself +less obstinate, had the signal for the general onslaught been given by +any other than George Winterfeld. The thought of owing his fall to the +man whom of all men he most ardently hated, as standing between himself +and Gabrielle, made Raven desperate, and robbed him of his wonted +clearness of judgment. + +It was, indeed, by no means certain, as yet, what the issue of the +struggle would be. As yet, the Baron stood firm, though the ground +beneath him heaved, and seemed to menace his fall. He could allege that +all he had done had been done with the full authorisation and support +of the Government; and the Ministers hesitated to abandon thus, at a +moment's notice, the man who had so long acted in their name. The +weakness and half-heartedness, which Raven had so often condemned, +again came to light. The attack upon him had been tolerated, secretly +favoured; but now that he unexpectedly stood his ground, they ventured +neither to give him up nor heartily to espouse his cause. + +Public attention was so engrossed by this all-absorbing topic, that +other matters receded into the background. This was the case even with +the arrest of Dr. Brunnow, who was still confined in the R---- city +prison; though, on the first tidings of it, the event had been much +talked of, and had created a painful impression. It was known, of +course, that the law demanded the recapture of an escaped prisoner; +still, people thought it hard and cruel that a father who had hurried +to his son's sick-bed should atone for the step by years of captivity, +especially as so long a period had intervened since the original +sentence had been pronounced. + +One forenoon, at rather an early hour, the Superintendent presented +himself in person at the prisoner's door. There was, however, nothing +official in his bearing or manner of salutation, which were simply +courteous and affable, as though nothing more than a mere ordinary call +were intended. + +"I have come to announce to you a visit from your son, Doctor," he +began. "You have, I believe, been kept regularly informed as to his +state of health, and are aware that he is now well enough to undertake +the short drive without incurring any risk. He will be with you about +twelve o'clock. I could not refuse myself the gratification of bringing +you the news." + +"You are most kind," replied Brunnow, politely, but laconically and +with visible reserve. + +"I wished, at the same time, to assure myself that my instructions had +been duly carried out," continued the Superintendent. "I trust that +every alleviation has been afforded you of which a state of confinement +admits. Pray say if you have any complaint to make." + +"Certainly not. On the contrary, I am curious to know to whom, or to +what, I owe the unwonted attention which has been paid to my comfort +since the first moment of my coming hither." + +"Well, principally, no doubt, to the peculiar circumstances attending +your arrest. Respect is felt for a father's anxiety on his son's +behalf." + +"Is that the sole reason, think you?" asked the Doctor, with a keen +glance at his visitor. "I know, from my previous experience of state +prisons, how little such personal considerations are taken into +account. My acquaintance with them has taught me another and a sadder +lesson." + +"Things have changed," remarked the Superintendent, suavely, not +noticing the other's bitterness of tone. "Years have come and gone +since the time of which you speak, years which may react favourably on +your future fate." + +"I knew what I risked in returning, and cherish no illusions as to my +fate," Brunnow answered, almost brusquely. "You have probably come to +prepare me for my removal to the citadel." + +"You are mistaken. Nothing has as yet been decided with respect to a +change in your quarters. That surprises you? Well, it is strange, +certainly, that the decision should be so long delayed. I myself accept +it as of good augury. I should not like to awaken in you any premature +hopes, but it is, of course, possible that, having regard to the very +peculiar circumstances of your case, a pardon may be granted." + +Brunnow looked up quickly. + +"You think----" + +"I can advance nothing beyond my own personal impression," the other +hastened to add. "But I think there is a favourable feeling towards you +in high places. Perhaps all may depend on your taking suitable steps +yourself. I am convinced that a petition for pardon would not be +rejected, could you bring yourself to present one." + +"No," said Brunnow, with the absolute decision of one whose mind is +made up. + +"Reflect, Doctor, your freedom may depend on it. One word from you +might, perhaps, turn the scale." + +"No matter, I will not sue for mercy. That word would be a confession +of guilt I do not acknowledge; and for my liberty's sake even, I will +not abjure the principles which have guided me through life. They may +accord me a pardon or not, at their will. I will never appeal to them +to show clemency." + +The Superintendent inwardly cursed "the old rebel's high-flown folly +and obstinacy." A petition for pardon would have smoothed the way for +the concession which it was resolved should now be made to public +opinion--unfortunately, he did not see his way to obtain it. Having +failed in the first part of his mission, the Superintendent passed to +the second division. Here, too, he naturally avoided speaking _ex +officio_, but maintained the same easy tone, pursuing, as it were, a +private conversation, innocent of all secret purpose. + +"Well, that is a matter for your consideration alone," he returned; +"but you render it harder for your friends to help you, and most +unusual exertions are being made in your behalf." + +"By whom?" asked the Doctor, in amazement. "I have no friends who +possess the smallest influence in Ministerial circles." + +"You are better off in that respect than you suppose. Were you really +not aware that the Governor himself is leaving no stone unturned to +secure your pardon?" + +"Arno Raven--indeed?" said Brunnow, slowly. + +"Yes, Baron von Raven. It was he who, on hearing of your arrest, +enjoined on me that the greatest consideration should be shown you." + +Brunnow was silent. The Superintendent, having waited in vain for a +reply, went on after a short pause: + +"And he continues to interest himself for you. It is natural that the +fate of one who was his friend in early youth should touch him nearly." + +The Doctor looked surprised. + +"Is that known here already? His Excellency the Governor would hardly +be likely to mention it." + +"Not he himself, certainly. You will easily conceive that a man in the +Baron's position cannot openly avow youthful connections which are +strangely at variance with the tendencies and principles he has always +professed." + +"With the principles he has professed in later years, you mean," +Brunnow's voice rang out sharp and scornful. "His earlier tendencies +were more in harmony with the connections of which you speak." + +"You are not prepared to assert, I suppose, that Herr von Raven knew +anything of the political vagaries for which you were indicted?" asked +the Superintendent, with a smile which was intended to irritate, and +fulfilled its purpose. Brunnow began to grow excited. + +"I do not merely assert that he knew of them, but that he shared our +views to the fullest extent," he replied hastily. + +"Yes, I remember, he was suspected at the time," remarked the other, +with the same incredulous smile. "But that was calumny, nothing else. +The Baron must have cleared himself fully and entirely, for he was set +at liberty, and was even accorded, as an indemnity for the imprisonment +he had wrongfully undergone, the post of secretary to the Minister then +at the head of the Government." + +"It was the price of his treachery," broke out the Doctor, who had no +suspicion that he was being systematically goaded on to greater anger +and bitterness, and who could no longer restrain himself. "It was the +first rung of the ladder by which he has mounted to his present +eminence. He bought his advancement with his friends' ruin, with the +sacrifice of his convictions and his honour." + +"Doctor, Doctor, moderate your language," counselled the police-agent, +roused, apparently, to indignation. "This is a terrible accusation +which you are bringing against the Governor. There must be an error +here, or a misstatement of facts." + +"A misstatement!" cried Brunnow, with a fiery outburst of passion. "I +tell you it is the truth, sir--but you naturally believe the Baron von +Raven to be incapable of such conduct. You prefer to look on me as a +liar, a slanderer." + +"I did not wish to suggest anything of the kind, but I must say I +seriously doubt whether you would care to repeat the speech you have +just made in the presence of others." + +"I would, if necessary, repeat it before the whole world. I would cast +it in Raven's teeth again, as I have once already----" Brunnow stopped +suddenly. The over-eager expression on his listener's face struck him, +and told him to reflect. He did not finish his sentence, but turned +away with a wrathful, impatient movement. + +"You were saying----" prompted the Superintendent. + +"Nothing--nothing at all," was the stubborn reply. + +"I really do not understand you. If the matter stands as you have put +it, you have no reason whatever to wish to spare the Governor." + +"I do not wish to spare him," said Brunnow, sternly. "But I will not +turn informer against the man I once named friend. If I had desired to +use those weapons against him, I could have done so long ago. My shafts +would strike more surely, and with deadlier aim, than any in a +Winterfeld's quiver, for mine are steeped in poison--the very reason +which would prevent my using them." + +"These are noble sentiments, very noble sentiments, no doubt, but I +think----" + +"Pray do not let us pursue the subject further!" the Doctor +interrupted. "Why drag these long-forgotten matters before the light of +day? Let the buried past rest in its grave." + +This sudden diversion was, certainly, not to the Superintendent's +taste. He would willingly have continued the conversation, but he saw +that he should get nothing more out of the prisoner. After all, his +main object was achieved. He knew now what he had wished to know: he +therefore brought himself, without too violent an effort, to speak of +other things, and after chatting a while on general topics, took his +leave. Brunnow looked after him uneasily, as he went. + +"Did he come here merely to induce me to send in a petition, or was I +being cross-questioned on Raven's account? I almost fear so. That +police-fellow's eager attention and desire to hear more looked +suspicious. I wish I had not let myself be led away to speak so openly +before him." + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII. + + +It was evening, but, in spite of the lateness of the hour and the +chilly inclement autumn weather, the streets of the capital were yet +alive with all the busy restless movement which characterises a great +city. Carriages rolled hither and thither in every direction, +pedestrians hustled each other on the pavement and before the +brightly-lighted shops, and it was only in the more aristocratic +quarter, which lay a little aside from the main streets and chief +arteries of traffic, that a certain stately peace and quiet reigned +supreme. + +In the room which she was at present occupying in the Selteneck +mansion, Gabrielle Harder sat alone, buried in one of those deep +troubled reveries which so often came upon her now, and which +threatened to transform the bright vivacious girl into a dreamy, +pensive heroine. She was in full dress, for she was going with her +party to the opera that evening; but as she lay back in her arm-chair, +heedlessly crushing the dainty laces on her dress, her thoughts were +evidently far from the amusements of the hour. + +If anything could have diverted Gabrielle from her unwonted sadness, it +would have been this visit to the capital, where she and her mother had +been most graciously received. The Countess Selteneck was an old and +intimate friend of the Baroness. She had been a frequent visitor at the +Harders' house in the old days, and since the Baron's death had +remained in constant correspondence with his widow. The pleasure felt +by the ladies on meeting again was great and mutual, and the Countess, +who had no children of her own, indulged and spoiled her friend's sweet +daughter in every imaginable way. + +The Baroness, on her arrival in town, came to hear of the attack which +had been made upon Raven, but she was far too superficial to appreciate +the real importance of the well-directed blow, which, in her eyes, was +a mere passing annoyance, such as the rioting in R---- for instance. It +never, in the remotest degree, occurred to her to suppose that the +Baron's position might be imperilled by what had happened. His affairs, +indeed, only interested her in so far as her own future might be +involved in them. Madame von Harder did not pretend to the slightest +sympathy or affection for her brother-in-law. She feared him, and that +was all. Indignant she was, no doubt, at the "audacious impertinence of +that Winterfeld," seeing in the young man's conduct only an act of +revenge for the discomfiture he had met with, but she never for a +moment doubted that the Baron would visit the rash offender with the +chastisement which was his due. For the rest, she saw no reason why she +should torment herself with all these tiresome, disagreeable matters, +which would be set at rest long before she returned home. The autumn +fashions, the evening parties, and the performances at the opera, were +far more interesting, and, as she thought, better worth her attention. + +That her daughter would not dream of renewing her engagement to the +Assessor after the affront which the latter had put on the head of her +family, this wise lady took for granted. All her care was given to +preventing a meeting between the two, which was not difficult. George +did not mix in the Selteneck circles; and here, amid these strange +surroundings, Gabrielle was never left alone. She had, indeed, made no +attempt to inform the young man of her presence in town, trembling at +the very thought of a meeting with him. How could she approach George, +while her heart was beating high with love for another man? Though so +much had lately come between herself and Arno, she could not forget; +not even his harshness and injustice could banish his image from her +mind, and the knowledge that some danger threatened him served to +quicken her affection. Gabrielle was better able than her mother to +estimate the true bearings of the case. For weeks she had followed the +course of events with feverish interest. She, who at other times never +opened a paper, now sought with avidity every notice affecting the +Baron, and caught at every remark made in conversation which bore on +the one subject that engrossed her thoughts. Winterfeld's book, with +its long list of charges, had set before the young girl's eyes Raven's +true portrait, which she was forced to recognise as a faithful +likeness, had displayed to her the darker side of his character--while, +as opposed to it, George's figure rose before her, so pure and +steadfast and nobly courageous in the sacrifice of his entire future +and prospects to that which he deemed duty. But of what avail all this? +Gabrielle's whole soul went back to the sombre, despotic man, who had +won her to himself. In imagination she stood by his side through the +fight; for his sake she grew anxious and apprehensive of the issue, +while a feeling of bitterness rose up within her against George, for +was it not he who had been the first to assail, to insult the man she +loved? + +The clock on the mantelpiece chiming the hour awoke Gabrielle from her +dreams, and reminded her that it was time to prepare for the drive to +the theatre. Throwing a light cloak round her shoulders, she drew on +her gloves, and went down to the drawing-room, where her mother and +Countess Selteneck were already awaiting her. + +Countess Selteneck was of about the same age as the Baroness, but +looked considerably younger, precisely, perhaps, because she gave +herself far less trouble to preserve a youthful appearance. Though not +beautiful, she captivated by her prepossessing manners, and a certain +air of calm intelligence which inspired confidence and respect. Both +ladies were in full evening dress. + +"I can understand how much you must suffer from the constraint, and +from the general position of affairs in your brother-in-law's house, +Matilda," the Countess remarked; "but what will not a woman endure for +her child's sake? Gabrielle's whole future is in his hands, and as his +heiress she will one day have an almost princely fortune at her +disposal. Your brother-in-law has given you decided promises on this +head, I presume?" + +"Oh, certainly," replied the Baroness. "He spoke to me on the subject +soon after I arrived at his house, but I am afraid this unfortunate +business with Assessor Winterfeld has called the whole matter in +question again." + +"There is something very winning and agreeable about the Assessor, I +must say," observed the Countess, changing the theme. "I think I +mentioned to you that I met him some weeks ago at a soiree, where, +truth to tell, he was the cynosure of interest." + +"Assessor Winterfeld the cynosure of interest?" asked the Baroness, +half incredulous, half disdainful. + +"Certainly. He has become a sort of celebrity, and enjoys special +protection at the Ministry, so they tell me. He is received in the best +circles, and is distinguished wherever he goes." + +"Why, this is incredible!" exclaimed Madame von Harder. "They are bound +in duty to punish an affront put upon the Governor of R----. They +cannot possibly reward and distinguish the aggressor." + +"But so it is, nevertheless; and I fear it is done purposely, out of +opposition to the Baron. I really do not see, Matilda, why the +Assessor's offer should have appeared so outrageous an absurdity to you +and to your brother-in-law. Instead of giving him his _conge_, and +thereby driving him to this desperate step, you should have held out +some hope to him." + +"Held out hope to him!" repeated the Baroness. "My dear Theresa, think +what you are saying. He is a man of no birth." + +"That is not an insuperable obstacle," declared the Countess, a +worldly-wise practical woman, who took such prejudices of rank into +little account, and who was evidently prepossessed by George's manner +and appearance. "What were brevets of nobility invented for? Raven was +a commoner himself when your sister first engaged herself to him." + +"That was an exceptional case, and Assessor Winterfeld----" + +"Will be every whit as successful. You need not look so astonished, +Matilda; I am only expressing the general belief. After this first +stroke--a bold one, certainly, which has turned the eyes of the country +upon him--he need not fear being overlooked. Had he, in addition to his +other advantages, married into a noble old family such as yours, the +road to eminence would have been clear before him--ay, to eminence +equal to that attained by the successful Baron von Raven." + +Madame von Harder had grown very thoughtful. She was accustomed to rely +on the judgment of this friend, who was intellectually her superior, +and the Countess's words brought Winterfeld before her in quite a new +light. Very little was wanting to revive the old predilection which, in +the early days of their acquaintance, she had cherished for George. + +The entrance of Count Selteneck here put an end to the conversation. He +was to accompany the ladies to the opera, but had been out to pay a +visit from which he had just returned. Some indifferent questions and +replies were interchanged, then the Countess remarked that it must be +time to start, and would have rung for the carriage, but her husband +stopped her. + +"One moment, Theresa," he said carelessly. "There is a trifling matter +I want to discuss with you first. The Baroness will kindly excuse us +for a few minutes?" + +The Baroness begged them not to think of her, and the Count stepped +into the adjoining room with his wife. + +"What has happened?" asked the latter, uneasily. + +"I have heard some news which will affect Madame von Harder very +painfully. It concerns her brother-in-law, von Raven." + +He had closed the drawing-room door; but to this smaller outer salon +there was a second entrance, masked only by a heavy curtain. Close to +this the speakers were standing at the very moment that Gabrielle was +about to enter on her way to the drawing-room. She caught the last +words and the Baron's name, and that sufficed to chain her to the spot +where she stood. Hidden behind the _portiere_, she listened in +breathless suspense. + +"The Governor has not given in his resignation, I hope?" asked the +Countess. + +"There is no question of that now," said Selteneck. "If it were so, he +would only be sharing the fate of many high officers of State, who +temporarily retire from the scene of action. The news I have just +heard at my brother's is of so grave a nature that, should it be +confirmed--and we had it direct from the Ministry--the Baron will, +politically speaking, have lived his day." + +The Countess looked up at her husband with an expression of shocked +surprise. He went on in a carefully subdued tone, which, however, was +quite audible to Gabrielle's ears: + +"The leading journal of R---- has published an article containing a +series of damning charges against the Governor. It has often been +hinted vaguely that Raven himself was not quite a stranger to the last +revolutionary movement; but then, how many allowed themselves to be led +away at that time! These ideas are a form of youthful extravagance to +which no weight is attached, so long as they remain mere intangible +ideas; but in this article it is stated that Raven was a member, a +leader even, of the association with which Dr. Brunnow--the same whose +recapture created such a sensation lately--was connected, and as the +reputed head of which that person was condemned. It is further stated +that Raven betrayed his friends in the most dishonourable manner, +giving up all their papers, and thus furnishing documentary proofs. His +admittance to the Ministry was, they say, the price of this infamous +action. The accusation is couched in terms so decided and outspoken +that it is difficult to doubt its veracity. The testimony of Dr. +Brunnow himself is appealed to, as corroborative evidence." + +"And what is Raven's answer to all this?" interposed the Countess, +hastily. + +"He declares it to be absolutely and altogether a lie. The duty of +self-defence requires this from him, of course; but of counter proofs +there is no mention as yet. If he does not succeed in clearing up this +business, and cleansing himself from all suspicion, his part is played +out." + +"Poor Matilda!" exclaimed the Countess. + +The Count shrugged his shoulders. + +"Shall we keep the knowledge of what is going on from her for a time?" +"No," replied the Countess, "She will learn it tomorrow from the +papers. It will be best to tell her all." + +The two agreed that the intended visit to the opera should be given up, +and went back to the drawing-room together. + +Gabrielle's face was ashy white as she left her place of concealment, +and returned to her own room. She did not for a moment deceive herself +as to the importance of the tidings she had just heard. The instinct of +love gave her a better insight into Raven's character than the most +experienced judge of human actions might have had. She knew that the +Baron was equal to any contest, strong enough to bear any stroke of +Fate, except that which should come in the guise of shame and +humiliation, and of this nature was the blow now levelled at him by his +enemies. + +While Countess Selteneck was communicating to the Baroness the painful +intelligence, the young girl sat down to her writing-table, and +rapidly, with feverish haste, traced some lines on a sheet of +letter-paper. This note, which contained but a few words, she folded, +and addressed to Assessor Winterfeld at the Ministry. It would surely +find him there, she knew. It contained simply the news of her presence +in town, and a request that George would come and see her on the +following day at the Seltenecks' house; that was all. + +In the afternoon of the following day, George Winterfeld entered the +Countess's drawing-room. Gabrielle came in a few minutes later, and +George hastened to greet her with impetuous joy. + +"Gabrielle, my darling, so we meet again at last!" + +In his transport of delight he did not notice that her hand lay +motionless in his, giving no pressure in return, and that all the +answer he received to his tender greeting was a faint, sad smile. He +went on, still joyously excited: + +"But what does all this mean? I thought you were far away in R----, and +only now hear that you are in town, living close by me. And what am I +to think of the little note which summoned me hither? Does your mother +know of the invitation?" + +"No," said Gabrielle, in decided accents, that sounded strangely from +her lips. "She has driven out with Countess Selteneck; but I mean to +tell her when she comes back that I asked you to come, and why. She +would not have given her consent to this interview, and I felt that I +_must_ speak to you." + +George looked at her in some astonishment. It had not formerly been +Gabrielle's way to proceed thus with plan and resolution. + +"I, too, longed inexpressibly to see you again," he replied. "There was +no possibility of sending you news of me. I cannot keep up any +communication with the Governor's house, especially against his will. +You know, I suppose, on what footing I stand towards him now?" + +"I had to hear of it--from others. Your vague hints at parting were +utterly unintelligible to me. You left me quite in the dark, and +allowed the truth to break upon me unawares." + +George understood the reproach. + +"Forgive me," he entreated earnestly. "It was entirely on your account +that I was silent. I could not make a confidante of you--could not let +you share in the knowledge of a project which was to turn against your +guardian and host. Are you angry with me for what I have done? You +little know how fierce were the struggles I went through before I could +resolve on taking that step." + +"It has brought you good luck!"--there was a singular, almost a +scornful inflection in the girl's voice. "It has raised you from +obscurity to fame at a stroke. Your name is now in everybody's mouth." + +Winterfeld's handsome face clouded over. + +"It troubles me sorely that my fame, as you call it, should spring from +such a cause. I certainly never counted on this species of success. You +surely do not doubt the truth of what I said to you at parting? You do +not doubt me when I say that no personal feeling of revenge spurred me +on against the Baron, that the pamphlet, of which you have heard, was +commenced before we knew each other? I was prepared for the worst +consequences, for I knew the adversary I was provoking. My position, +probably my whole future, was at stake, but it had become necessary to +cripple the tyrannical power of a man whom none ventured to defy. I +resolved to attempt it, and I was ready to accept the issue, whatever +it might be. But no matter ever took a more unexpected turn than this +of mine. I have been shielded and supported, and the Governor's cause +has been abandoned. I had no suspicion of the mighty current of opinion +that had set in against him in those very circles where most I feared +opposition." + +He had spoken clearly and quietly, but there was in his eyes an uneasy, +pained inquiry which his lips did not frame. He could not understand +his love. She stood before him so cold and strange, giving no sign of +sympathy. Not a word of tenderness fell from her now, on meeting him +after a separation of weeks. Instead of holding the sweet converse +natural to lovers on such an occasion, they were discussing things +which once lay worlds apart from Gabrielle, but which now seemed to +monopolise her interest. What could have happened to change her thus? + +"One more question, George," she began again. "This last attack, this +shameful calumny which the newspapers have published--have you had any +part in this?" + +"No; the sudden disclosure took me as much by surprise as anyone, and I +do not know how it originated. I do not war with anonymous +communications which refer to a long-bygone past. If I had wished to +make use of these facts, the Governor's fall would long ago have been +assured, for I knew them some months back." + +"The facts!" broke out Gabrielle. "The whole story is a lie. How can +you doubt it for an instant?" + +"They are facts," said the young man, gravely, "I heard them from the +mouth of a man who was reluctant enough to raise his voice against his +former friend--I mean Max Brunnow's father." + +"Whoever says it, I tell you it is calumny!" cried Gabrielle, with +flashing eyes. "Arno is incapable of a dishonourable action; he never +has committed one. He declares this tale to be false, and, though the +whole world should be of one voice to accuse him, I will believe his +word, and his alone!" + +"Arno? You will believe him, and him alone?" repeated George, slowly. +"What ... what does this mean?" + +"Every one is deserting him now," Gabrielle went on, with passionate +vehemence. "Troubles are coming upon him from all sides. While he was +great and powerful, no one ventured to raise a finger against him; but +since you gave the signal for the onset, he has been persecuted and +slandered by all his enemies, and hounded, as they hoped, to his ruin. +But, seeing that in spite of them all he holds his ground, they have +recourse now to their last resource, and seek to wound him mortally in +his honour. Oh, I know only too well why he sent me away! He divined +what was coming; he wished to be alone in his fall!" + +George had grown deadly pale. His eyes were fixed anxiously on the +girl's fair face, all glowing with excitement. Her vehemence betrayed +too much, and the young man's heart thrilled with a great dread. He +felt that his dream of happiness was over. + +"What has taken place between you and the Baron?" he asked. "It is not +so that a girl defends her guardian, her relative. You might have +spoken so of me, had I been exposed to any danger. What has happened +during this separation of ours, Gabrielle? No, I cannot believe it. You +cannot ... cannot love this Raven?" + +She made no answer, but sank on to a chair, and, hiding her face in her +hands, broke into loud and passionate weeping. For some minutes a +direful silence reigned, broken only by Gabrielle's sobs. George stood +motionless. This discovery came upon him too abruptly, too +unexpectedly. + +"It is so, then," he said at length, in a very low voice. "And he ... +yes, now I understand his hatred of me, his fierce anger on hearing of +our engagement. This is why he parted us so inexorably; this was why he +took from me all hope of ever possessing you. That he would take your +love itself from me, I never, never could have believed." + +Gabrielle dried her tears, and rose. + +"Forgive me, George. I feel how cruel a wrong I have done you, but I +cannot help it. I did not know what love was when I gave you my +promise. The knowledge came to me when I met Arno, and now it would be +treachery to withhold the truth from you any longer. I fought against +it, so long as it was possible to fight; yesterday even I doubted and +vacillated. Then this news reached me, and all my doubts were at an +end. I know now where my rightful place is, and nothing shall move me +from it--but, first, I had to tell you all. Release me from that +promise, I implore you. I cannot keep it." + +The young man stood before her, rigid and pale with the fierce conflict +of emotions. + +"Was it for this you called me hither--to tell me this?" + +"Yes," was the answer, hardly audible. + +"You are free the instant you desire it," said George, with profound +bitterness. "I swore to you that no power on earth should move me to +renounce my hopes until I should hear from your own lips that you gave +me up. I have heard it now. Good-bye." + +He turned and walked to the door. Gabrielle rushed after him, and laid +her hand on his arm. + +"Do not go from me so, George. Say you forgive me. Do not part from me +in ill-feeling and bitterness. I cannot bear that you should be angry +with me." + +It was the old sweet tone, which had so often worked with captivating +power. It arrested the young man's steps even now, and as the lovely +tear-bedewed face was raised to him with anxious pleading in the dark +eyes, his wounded pride was silenced, and the deep affection of his +heart welled up within him once more. + +"Must I lose you?" he asked, in a voice tremulous with excessive +emotion. "Think, Gabrielle, think--do not sacrifice our love, all our +life's happiness so hastily. Raven's passion has misled and blinded +you. He has the secret of drawing hearts to him as with a magic spell, +but he would never, never make a woman happy. You, with your bright +sunny temperament, would fade away by that man's side, would pine away +and die. You do not know him, child; he is not worthy of your love." + +Gabrielle gently freed herself from his embrace. + +"Do you think it is my own happiness I am seeking? No; what I wish is +to be at Arno's side when all are forsaking him, to share his fate--his +disgrace, if it must be. That is the only happiness I look for, and of +that, at least, no one shall deprive me!" + +There was infinite, pathetic tenderness in her words. George's gaze +rested sorrowfully, regretfully on the youthful creature who had so +quickly learned all a woman's devotion and self-sacrifice. Thus, thus +he had dreamily pictured to himself his Gabrielle, in those early days +when he had set the joyous merry-hearted child on a pedestal and +worshipped her as the ideal of his life! dreamily only, it must be +owned, for there had been no true hope in his heart that she would ever +soar to such a height. Now his ideal stood embodied before him; and +now, in the self-same moment, he learned that she was lost to him for +ever. + +"Let us part, then," he said, calling up all his self-control. "You are +right. With so absorbing a passion in your heart for another, you could +not be my wife. After the avowal you have just made, I should have +released you without any entreaty on your part. Do not weep, Gabrielle. +I have no ill-feeling towards you; I reproach you with nothing. All my +enmity is for him who has robbed me of you. You were the joy, the very +life of my life. How I shall bear to live on, now that you have left +me, I know not. Farewell." + +He drew her to him once again, once again he pressed his lips to hers, +and then hurried from the house he had entered with such high hopes, +now all fatally shattered and wrecked. Gabrielle remained alone, +weeping no longer, but with a dull unspeakable aching within her +breast, a thrilling sense of pain and loss. She felt that, with +George's love, the best and noblest part of her life had gone from her. + + + + + CHAPTER XIX. + + +"Well, thank God this wretched business has come to a satisfactory end +at last. It made me desperate to think I was the cause of it. I +congratulate you with all my heart on your release, father." + +So saying, Max Brunnow warmly embraced his father, who replied with a +half smile: + +"It was not an altogether unexpected solution of the question. I +received a pretty plain hint some time ago from the Superintendent +himself." + +"But the press has worked valiantly in your behalf," said Max. "All the +papers clamoured for a pardon, and from the very first day the public +eagerly espoused your cause." + +This conversation took place in the apartments formerly inhabited by +Assessor Winterfeld, which that gentleman, on his sudden departure from +R----, had made over to his friend. On his recovery, Max had returned +to these quarters, and had this morning brought home to them his +father, whose release from imprisonment now filled him with joy. +The notice of Brunnow's liberation, an act of clemency confidently +expected by the nation at large, had been received with general and +loudly-expressed satisfaction. In high places it had been agreed to +overlook the Doctor's obstinacy, which would not stoop to a petition, +would not allow him to move hand or foot in his own behalf--a full and +free pardon had been vouchsafed to him. Nevertheless he had the +appearance of being depressed and careworn; he was very pale, and +evidently ill in mind and body. + +Max, on the other hand, was absolutely his own old self. His vigorous +constitution had, as he prophesied, enabled him rapidly to recover from +the effects of his accident, of which the fresh scar on his forehead +was now the sole reminder. One change was noticeable in him, however. +The young man's manner to his father, somewhat curt, formerly, and +unsympathetic, was now marked by an affectionate and respectful +deference. He felt deeply the proof of devotion his father had given +him, and Brunnow, for his part, had grown aware how dear his son really +was to his paternal heart. That hour in the sick-room had transformed +the cold and distant relations existing between the two, had roused +within them genuine affection, and brought about a thorough +understanding. + +"But now to other matters," said Max, changing the subject. "I have a +confession to make to you. Look at me well, father. Do you remark +nothing extraordinary about me?" + +Brunnow inspected him from head to foot with some curiosity. + +"No; only that you have got well with extraordinary promptitude. I +remark nothing else." + +Max drew himself up with much dignity, took a step forward, threw out +his chest, and announced with complacency, "I am an engaged man." + +"An engaged man? You?" repeated the Doctor, in surprise. + +"Yes; I have sustained the character some weeks now. There has been +too much at stake for us all of late, I could not worry you with my +love-affairs. But now that you are safe and at liberty, I must ask for +your approval and consent. You already know my future wife--I mean +Councillor Moser's daughter." + +"What, not the young girl who gave me my information as to your state +of health? Impossible!" + +"Why impossible? Does not Agnes please you?" + +"I did not say so, but that delicate white maiden with those dreamy +dark eyes cannot surely be to your taste. And then her strange nun-like +dress! I took her for a sister of mercy who had been called in to nurse +you." + +"She wants to go into a convent, she says," declared Max. "I shall have +to fight a round battle with the lady abbess, the father confessor, and +half-a-dozen reverends, before we two are joined together in +matrimony." + +"But, Max!" interrupted his father. + +"Agnes is extremely delicate, sickly even," went on Max; "but there is +nothing really serious the matter with her--mere nervous excitement. I +shall soon make her hearty, or what am I a doctor for? She knows +nothing about housekeeping, unfortunately." + +"Well, as you are carrying out your marriage programme so faithfully," +put in Brunnow, in a jesting tone, "how does it stand with the first, +the principal clause--with the fortune you declared to be +indispensable?" + +The young surgeon looked a little disconcerted. + +"Bah! I have found out that is not necessary. Do you think I can't +provide for my wife and my home expenses? I certainly cannot reckon on +any fortune here." + +"Well, I must say you go very consistently to work," exclaimed his +father. "All this is in direct contradiction to the views you have +hitherto expressed. What has come to you, my good fellow?" + +Max heaved a deep sigh. + +"I don't know; but I believe the germ of idealism is sprouting in me. +You have all your life been striving in vain to convert me. Agnes +managed it in a few weeks; and as you have always found me painfully +deficient in sentiment, I hope you will be enchanted at the change." + +The Doctor appeared anything but enchanted. He looked on his son's +conversion to idealistic doctrines with evident distrust. + +"But, Max," he said, shaking his head, "this won't do at all. A young +girl, brought up with convent notions, inclined to religious +enthusiasm, the daughter of a bureaucrat of the purest water--how can +you transplant this tender plant into our midst? how can you accustom +her to our ways and habits of thought? Reflect----" + +"I don't mean to reflect--I mean to get married," interrupted Max. +"Everything you can say in the way of objection, I have said to myself +a hundred times, or more; but it has never been of any good. I must +have Agnes--and have her I will, if I am driven to take all the +obstacles, our papa the Councillor and his white cravat included, by +storm!" + +"Ah, yes, the Councillor!" interposed Brunnow. "What does he say to +this business?" + +"Nothing at present, because he knows nothing at all about it. As a +matter of course, I could not ask him for his daughter's hand while you +were incarcerated as an offender against the State. But now I shall +delay my suit no longer. He will kick me out at once, or at least he +will manifest the gracious intention of so doing; but it is not an easy +thing to make me quit a position I desire to maintain. I can stand my +ground as well as anyone. You need not look so grave, father. I assure +you, when you get to know Agnes, you will admit this engagement of mine +is the best piece of business I ever did in my life." + +The Doctor was forced to smile, in spite of himself. + +"We will wait and see; but if, as seems probable, you have to encounter +any lengthened resistance from the father of your betrothed, I shall +hardly see much of her on this occasion. I start for home the day after +to-morrow." + +"Oh, do give up that notion, I beg of you," insisted Max. "Why not wait +until I can accompany you? Our law business is now happily over; but +there is still much to be settled. For instance, a purchaser has come +forward for our cousin's estate, and it would be far better that he +should discuss the details with you personally." + +"No, no," returned Brunnow, parrying the argument. "You have full +authority to act, and are much better qualified to settle these +practical matters than I am, I want to get away as soon as possible." + +"Upon my word, father, I do not understand you," declared Max. "You +have sighed so long for your native land, and now that it is open to +you once again, you seem absolutely to fly from it." + +Brunnow was sitting with his head wearily resting on his two hands. The +look of pain in his careworn face was more striking than ever, as he +replied: + +"I have become a stranger in my own land. And do you think it would be +agreeable to me to be called on for my testimony as to Raven's past, to +which these disclosures have directed public attention? I must answer, +if I were asked; and I will not be interrogated on the subject--at all +events, not here." + +"Why not?" asked Max. "You have always expressed yourself in the +bitterest terms with regard to the Baron and his pernicious mode of +government: you have spoken of his fall as a necessity of the times; +and now, when, according to all appearances, this fall is imminent, you +will not lend a hand to hasten it!" + +"Say no more. Max," said the Doctor, sadly. "You do not know how hard a +thing it is to have to aim a mortal blow at the man who was once a +well-beloved friend. I hoped Winterfeld would have carried his point; +but I should have known Arno Raven better. He held his ground, clever +as was the adversary--held it to his own undoing. At that time it was +open to him to yield, to retire; now he falls--falls disgraced and +branded as a traitor! This, to a nature such as his, is to die a +thousand deaths. I"--here Brunnow rose impetuously--"I will not be the +one to deal out the last stroke. Let those who began the work go +through with it to the bitter end. I have made up my mind to start the +day after to-morrow." + +Max insisted no further. + +"It will be some weeks before I am able to follow you, I expect," he +observed, after a pause. "I shall not leave R---- until our engagement +is ratified and officially made known--until I have secured the +Councillor's consent, and can feel sure that Agnes is safe from all +worrying interference on the part of her spiritual guardians. But, in +the first place, may I count on your support and approval?" + +He held out his hand to his father, who took it in his own, and +responded cordially without a moment's hesitation. + +"I have only seen your affianced wife once; but the very fact that her +appearance then charmed and interested me, made me think it impossible +you should have been attracted towards her. Our tastes have hitherto +differed so widely. Any doubt on my part springs from this alone: I see +so great a difference of character and education. If you think you can +overcome these difficulties, my son ... all I wish is to know that you +are happy." + +A warm pressure of the hand confirmed these words; and Max cried +triumphantly: + +"Now I will go to the Councillor, and drive that most loyal subject of +a most gracious sovereign to distraction, by suggesting myself, a +rampant demagogue, as a son-in-law. I may leave you alone for an hour, +father? You need rest, after all the congratulations and the +demonstrations of sympathy with which you have been overpowered all the +morning. Good-bye for the present. I am off to run a tilt at my future +father-in-law." + +Unsuspicious of the coming evil, Councillor Moser sat at home in his +parlour, reading the papers. They spoiled the flavour of his coffee, +and disturbed his rest. The Councillor read, of course, only the +Ministerial journals; but even they could no longer dissemble the +terrible fact that the State was in a bad way--hopelessly drifting +further and further down the steep decline of Liberalism. + +And, worst of all, there stared him in the face the R---- news, which +now held a permanent place in the columns of the leading papers. Moser +had long noticed, with astonishment and dismay, that the whole official +press, instead of energetically taking up the cudgels in behalf of the +Governor of R----, adopted with regard to this affair a very lukewarm +and indifferent tone; but its attitude now, in the presence of the late +occurrences, passed all bounds of belief. No vigorous defence of the +Baron, no indignation at the shameful calumny, no word as to a +chastisement to be inflicted on that lying journal. Mention was made of +the "late incredible charges," a hope expressed that the Governor would +be able successfully to rebut them; tacked to this came an insinuation +that, should he not purge himself from all taint and suspicion, his +dismissal would become inevitable--thus the possibility of the alleged +guilt was admitted. Immediately below this article appeared the +intelligence that Dr. Rudolph Brunnow, formerly convicted of +treasonable proceedings, had received a full and free pardon, and would +that day be restored to liberty. + +The Councillor, on reading this, fell into a train of gloomy thought. + +For some time past the notion of retiring on his pension had occupied +his mind. He had served the State honourably for well-nigh forty years, +and had thereby satisfied his sense of duty. His daughter, too, the +only pledge of a marriage contracted late in life, and speedily +dissolved by death, was about to leave him, to enter on her novitiate. +He himself was getting on in years, and needed rest. His position, once +his greatest pride, afforded him no satisfaction now. The new spirit +breathing through the land invaded even the sacred places of the +Chancellery. As yet the Baron's hand grasped the reins tightly; but +Moser thought with affright of what would happen were that firm hand to +relax its hold. He believed no single word of the lies now scattered +broadcast. Raven could, and must, utterly silence these malignant +tongues; but, after the treatment he had met with from the Government, +it was hardly likely he would consent to remain in office. The +Councillor felt that he, too, had had his day, and was quite resolved +to imitate his chief's example, should the latter tender his +resignation. + +Moser was roused from his meditations by the opening of a door. + +Christine announced "Dr. Brunnow," and that gentleman quickly followed +in person. + +The Councillor rose and bowed to his visitor, with stiff politeness. + +"I hope you have not misconstrued my conduct in remaining a whole +fortnight without calling on you," began Max, when the first +ceremonious words of greeting had been spoken, and he had taken the +seat offered him. "It was solely out of consideration to you and your +position, you understand. Now that my father----" + +"I am already informed of his liberation," interrupted the Councillor, +with all his usual rigid formality. "Our most gracious sovereign has +been pleased to pardon." + +"Yes; and so all the past is wiped out, and just as if it had never +been," said Max, with deft and logical inference. "As for my father, he +will certainly not make much use of the permission to remain in his +native land." + +"No?" asked Moser, visibly relieved by the tidings. The thought that he +had bestowed a friendly pressure on the hand of that attainted man +weighed upon his conscience. + +"No; he returns to Switzerland, which has become to him a second home," +replied the young surgeon. "We shall continue to live there; but, in +the first place, I feel impelled to reiterate to you my thanks for all +the kindness I received in your house. I shall never forget it." + +The Councillor nodded graciously. These proffered thanks were but right +and proper in his eyes. + +"So you come to take leave?" he asked. "I am rejoiced to see you are +completely restored to health and strength; and my daughter, too, will +be delighted, I am sure, when I inform her of it." + +The information was not precisely needed, for Agnes knew very well how +matters stood with her former patient. Since he had left her father's +roof, she had met him regularly at the house of their common +_protegee_, the law-writer's wife. The latter had now in a great +measure recovered from her serious illness, and was no longer in need +of medical or spiritual aid; but physician and ministering friend +continued their visits with a fidelity which was really touching. + +"I owe your daughter most special thanks," replied Max. "To her alone, +to her devoted care, I am indebted for my happy recovery. You will +allow me, therefore, to address to you one request bearing special +reference to Fraeulein Agnes?" + +Moser nodded a second time. He was inclined to grant the request; the +young man would doubtless sue for permission to take leave of Agnes +personally. + +But Max rose from his chair, and said point-blank, without any +ceremonious preface: + +"I come to sue for your daughter's hand." + +The Councillor, about to nod a third assent, stopped suddenly, and sat +with open mouth. For the first instant he really did not understand +what the other had said; then he rose in his turn, not hastily, but +with slow solemnity. His gaunt figure grew taller and taller as it +emerged from the depths of his armchair, seeming gradually to become +more gaunt and more uncanny, until he stood at his full height, and +looked down over his white neckcloth with a scathing gaze at the young +surgeon. + +"I--I believe I did not hear aright," said the old gentleman, at +length. "You were saying----" + +"I am asking for your daughter's hand in marriage," replied Max, with +equanimity. + +"Are you out of your senses?" asked Moser, still in bewildered +amazement; for though this strange thing was repeated, his mind refused +to grasp it. + +"Not at all. I am in a perfectly normal condition," Max affirmed, and +then went on in the same breath, without giving his listener time to +collect his wits: "As for my proposal, it is based on our sincere +mutual affection. I have already obtained your daughter's promise. +Agnes has given me her hand and heart, conditionally, of course, +on your consent, for which I now formally ask, entertaining the +pleasing hope that it will not be denied me, that my betrothed's +father will deign to accept me as his son. Allow me, then, my dear +father-in-law----" + +He advanced towards the Councillor with open arms, but by an agile +rebound the latter saved himself from the intended embrace. + +That terrible word "father-in-law" had roused him from his torpor. The +position was evidently not to be taken on a first assault. + +"You are speaking seriously of a marriage?" he cried--"of a marriage +with my daughter, whose vocation for a religious life you well know. +You, the son of a political offender, of a convicted rebel, dare to +make such a suggestion?" + +"My dear sir, I am not seeking a State appointment, but a wife," urged +the young surgeon, in self-defence. "I really do not see why you should +be so horrified at my offer." + +"What, you ask the reason? Your father, sir, wished to overthrow the +Government of his country." + +"Well, I had nothing to do with it; I could not very well be +implicated, as at the time of that affair I was just about four years +of age. Besides, these are old stories long buried and forgotten. My +father has been amnestied." + +"Once a rebel, always a rebel," declared the Councillor, emphatically. +"An amnesty can avert punishment. It cannot efface the past." + +Max assumed a look of indignation. + +"Is it possible, Councillor Moser, that I hear this from your lips? +You, who have ever boasted of being our sovereign's most loyal subject, +now refuse to recognise that sovereign's edict? His gracious Majesty +has pardoned, you say yourself. It is his will that the past should +be effaced and forgotten; but you will not accept this decision; you +would abrogate the royal prerogative; you rise up in revolt against +the authority of the reigning prince! Why, this is opposition, +rebellion--to put it plainly, treason itself." + +This wonderful chain of argument was developed with so much fluency and +assurance that the Councillor had no time to put in a word, or to +reflect on its intrinsic value. He was flustered and disconcerted. +Casting a hopeless glance at the speaker, he said at length, in rather +a small voice: + +"Do you really think so?" + +"It is my unalterable conviction. But to return to my offer of +marriage." + +"Not a word more on the subject," interrupted Moser. "To speak of it is +an insult. My daughter is the betrothed of Heaven." + +"I beg your pardon, she is my betrothed," asserted Max, manfully. +"Heaven can wait, I can't. After fifty years of conjugal happiness, I +have no objection to surrender Agnes to a higher lot. Until then, I +claim her as mine, and mine alone." + +"Do you mean to turn my child's sacred vocation into ridicule?" +exclaimed the old gentleman, kindling to fresh wrath. "I have long +known you to be an infidel, an atheist, a----" his voice forsook him, +he panted for breath, and grasped at his neckcloth with both hands. + +"Do not excite yourself in this manner," said the young doctor, +warningly. "These violent fits of emotion are most dangerous at your +age, and to a man of your temperament. They are calculated to produce +congestion--apoplexy!" + +Moser's long, meagre frame seemed to give the direct lie to this +assumption, but Dr. Brunnow did not stick at such trifles. He went on +calmly: + +"Let me add that, to one of your peculiar constitution, it would be an +incalculable benefit to have a doctor for a son-in-law, one who would +watch over his father-in-law's health with the utmost care. As I said +before, you must not excite yourself." + +"It is you who excite me!" cried the Councillor, stung to distraction +by this repeated mention of the objectionable relationship. "It is you +who will bring on me an apoplectic attack with your detestable +suggestions. I feel quite ill now; the blood is all mounting to my +head. I want air." + +So saying, he sank back in his arm-chair, and clutched at his cravat +again. Max kindly came to his assistance, and loosened the knot. + +"We will take off this white monstrosity," said he, "you'll feel easier +then. I have an infallible remedy against congestions, and I will +prescribe it for you at once. These seizures are serious; we must be +careful." + +Moser gave a melancholy glance at his beloved white cravat, now in the +sacrilegious hands of the doctor, who folded it neatly together before +laying it on the table. With that "white monstrosity" all the old +gentleman's vehemence seemed to have gone from him; the allusion to +apoplexy had made him anxious. He looked on quietly while his tormentor +went up to the writing-table, wrote a prescription for a harmless +composing draught, and then returned to him, holding the paper. + +"Six drops in a glass of water," he said impressively. + +"How often?" growled the Councillor. + +"Three times a day." + +"Thank you." + +"Don't mention it, pray." + +The Councillor hoped and expected that this irrepressible suitor would +now deliver him from his presence; but he was soon undeceived. Instead +of taking his leave, the young man drew forward a chair, and sat down +opposite him. + +"So I may reckon on your consent to my marriage with your daughter?" +Max began again. + +Moser would have blazed forth anew, but he thought of the tendency to +apoplexy and the necessity of avoiding all excitement, and therefore +replied with all the calm he could command: + +"No; a thousand times no! I do not believe that Agnes can so far forget +herself as to entertain an affection for you. She has, of her own free +will, chosen a religious life. She is an obedient daughter, a pious +Catholic." + +"And will, I am sure, make an excellent wife," wound up Max. "Besides, +after all, I am a Catholic myself." + +Moser folded his hands. + +"Ah, what sort of one?" he groaned. + +"I only mean that the religion need not be an obstacle. My position, I +must confess, is rather a modest one at present; but it may satisfy a +wife who has not very soaring pretentions. As for my character and +habits, my father-in-law----" + +"For Heaven's sake, let me have no more of your father-in-law. I will +not endure it. You are an impertinent, a most obnoxious person." + +"You will get used to me in time," said the young surgeon, consolingly. +"I may come again to-morrow, may I not, to see my betrothed?" + +The old gentleman made no reply, fearing to prolong the interview. His +one object was to rid the house of this tormenting nuisance. To-morrow +he would shut himself in, and see his doors well bolted. Max himself +seemed to understand that he had gone far enough for one day, for he +now moved to take his departure, turning to fire a parting shot as he +reached the door. + +"Councillor Moser!" + +"Well, what more do you want?" asked the old gentleman, despairingly. + +"When you talk over this business with Agnes, be sure and avoid all +undue excitement. You know the danger of it. Six drops of the medicine +in a glass of water three times a day, and, above all things, quiet and +composure. I should be miserable if any accident were to happen to so +near and dear a relation." + +Then he really went. The Councillor sank back in his arm-chair, utterly +spent. Now only, on being left alone, did he fully comprehend the +glaring nature of the affront put upon him, and he could not even allow +free vent to his just and righteous anger; he must be on his guard +against violent emotions and apoplectic fits. + +Dr. Brunnow had not left the house so promptly as its master supposed. +He was at this moment standing outside in the anteroom with his arm +round Agnes's waist, quite as a thing of course, and as though he had +received official recognition as her future husband. The girl was +anxiously questioning him, wishing to hear exactly what course the +interview had taken, and what answer her father had made. + +"Well, he says 'no,' so far," Max had to confess; "but set your mind +perfectly at rest--he will say 'yes' before he has done. I did not +expect the fortress would capitulate all at once. It must be invested, +besieged in due form. On the whole, I am satisfied with the result of +this first attack. Breaches have been made in the fortifications, and +to-morrow I shall advance my posts." + +"Ah, Max," whispered Agnes, with her eyes full of tears, "what troubles +we have before us! My courage fails me when I think of all the +difficulties. I shall never overcome them." + +"No more you need. To overcome them is my business," said Max, +encouragingly. "I shall stay here until it is all settled and the +wedding-day fixed. Your father must be allowed time now to grow +accustomed to the idea; meanwhile, I shall, in the most humble and +deferential terms, signify the fact of our engagement to the lady +abbess and his reverence the confessor, the two of whom you stand in +such great awe." + +Agnes shuddered. + +"Some portion of the storm you will have to meet," continued Max; "but +the chief brunt of it I will take on myself. Steady, little Agnes--show +a brave front. I give you my word that your father will voluntarily and +cordially give us his blessing." + +With these words and a kiss, he took leave of his betrothed. + + + + + CHAPTER XX. + + +On the morning of the following day, Baron von Raven sat, as usual, +busily occupied in his study, when it was announced to him that the +Superintendent of Police requested an audience. This functionary came +but rarely to the Castle in these days. For one thing, order being now +completely re-established in the town, there was no longer any +necessity for perpetual messages to, and conferences with, the +Governor; moreover, since the affair of Brunnow's arrest. Raven had +received him with such marked coldness, that the police officer avoided +as much as possible all meetings with his Excellency. Now, however, it +had become necessary to discuss some official regulations. He therefore +repaired to the Government-house, was admitted to Raven's presence, and +at once laid before him the matter in hand, which was despatched by +both gentlemen as briefly, and in as business-like a tone, as possible. + +The Superintendent preserved his accustomed suavity of manner, though, +taking his cue from the Governor, he assumed a certain degree of +reserve. No allusion to recent events did this wary individual permit +to himself. The Baron's attitude was loftier, haughtier than ever; but +there was something in the proud man's look that suggested a strange +parallel, that recalled the hunted stag, which, feeling its strength +exhausted and its end approaching, gathers together its last remaining +energies, and turns at bay to face the pursuers. The undaunted spirit +still visible in his every feature was perhaps no longer the sign of +conscious power, but only the outcome of despair. + +One part of the conversation had been brought to a conclusion. Speaking +of the measures which it had lately fallen to his province to carry +out, the Superintendent alluded to the release of Dr. Brunnow. The +Baron interrupted him, asking: + +"When was Brunnow set at liberty?" + +"Yesterday at noon." + +"Indeed?" remarked Raven, laconically. + +"I hear the Doctor intends to leave this city tomorrow," went on the +Superintendent. "He will return at once to Switzerland, where he +intends to spend the remaining years of his life." + +"He is right," said the Baron. "A man who has lived so many years in +exile can seldom or never feel at home again in his native land. The +adopted country generally prevails over the old." + +He spoke indifferently, as though his remarks applied to some stranger, +of whose pardon he had accidentally heard. The Superintendent was not +duped by this assumed composure, but, in spite of his keen powers of +observation, he had not succeeded in piercing the ramparts with which +this guarded and taciturn nature had fenced itself around, or to +discover what position the Baron meant to take up with regard to the +accusations lately brought against him. + +A servant came in, bringing to the Governor a despatch which had just +arrived from the capital--a great official document. Raven signed to +the man to withdraw, and broke the seal, saying carelessly: + +"You will excuse me for a minute?" + +"Pray do not let me be any restraint, your Excellency," replied the +Superintendent, politely; but, as he spoke, his eyes travelled with a +peculiar curious gaze from the letter to its recipient. + +Raven unfolded the despatch. Hardly had he cast a glance at its +contents when he started violently. His face grew livid, and his right +hand, closing on the paper, crushed it convulsively. A quiver of rage, +or of pain, shook his mighty frame, and for a moment it seemed as +though his emotion would master him. + +"I hope you have received no unpleasant news," asked the police +officer, with a well-feigned accent of sympathy. + +The Baron looked up. He fixed his stern, searching eyes on the face of +the man before him, whose _role_, since the circumstances of Brunnow's +arrest, he had perfectly divined, and on whose features he now detected +a slight derisive flicker, which showed his visitor was already +acquainted with the contents of the document. That restored his +strength, and brought back his composure. + +"Surprising news, to say the least," he answered, laying the despatch +aside. "But there will be time to attend to that later on. Pray proceed +with what you were saying." + +The other hesitated. This wonderful self-command produced a certain +effect on him. He had seen with his own eyes that the blow had struck +home, but all further satisfaction was denied him. The wound should not +bleed in his presence. The injured man pressed his hand on the spot, +and stood erect as before. Was the haughty, stubborn spirit, the +arrogance of this Raven, never to be broken? + +"We have discussed the principal topics under notice," replied the +Superintendent, with a certain embarrassment. "If you have other claims +on your time, I will not detain you." + +"Go on, I beg!" The Baron's voice was low, but very steady. + +The Superintendent saw that any show of forbearance would be looked on +as an insult. He therefore took up the thread of their former +conversation. The remarks made by Raven, as he concluded his report, +were perfectly apt and to the point, but they were spoken mechanically, +and his manner, too, was mechanical as he rose from his chair when the +Superintendent prepared to depart. + +"Your Excellency has no other recommendations to make to me?" + +"No; I can only recommend you to follow out your instructions as +punctually as hitherto. In that case, some recognition of your services +will surely follow." + +The other thought fit to feign bewilderment. + +"I do not understand your Excellency. To what instructions do you +allude?" + +"To those you received before leaving the capital, when, together with +the official duties of your service, a special surveillance was +committed to you." + +"Ah! the surveillance of the town, you mean? I think, in that respect, +I have done my duty. Besides, the troubles are over now, and all that +is at an end." + +"Exactly," replied Raven, with a contemptuous smile; "and all relations +between us at an end, too, as you will readily understand." + +Without wasting another word on him, he turned his back on his visitor, +and walked up to the window. This might well have been construed into +an insult, but it did not suit the Superintendent's policy to take +offence; that might lead to unpleasant consequences. He took leave, +therefore, with a courteous bow, which was not returned, and left the +room. + +Once outside, he drew a breath of relief. It had been disagreeable to +him to find that the Baron saw through him and accurately judged his +line of conduct, the more disagreeable that he had no cause to look on +the Governor as a personal enemy. He had merely acted in the discharge +of "his mission" in ferreting out all that related to Raven's past, and +in securing the living key to that past, Dr. Brunnow, so that the +secret unearthed at last might safely be published to the world. With +such sophistical arguments he easily consoled himself for the equivocal +part he had played towards the Baron from first to last, the more +easily that his acting had been successful and altogether achieved its +aim. + +Raven was left alone. He stood before his writing-table, and once again +read through the fatal despatch. It signified to him his dismissal from +office, and was worded in curt, almost offensive terms. No explanation, +no defence was required from this man against whom such heavy charges +had been brought. Time, indeed, had not been allowed him to explain or +to vindicate himself. He was condemned unheard. It was not even left +open to him to resign, the usual expedient in such cases. He was +dismissed summarily, in a manner which could leave no doubt in the +public mind that the Government took the side of the accusers, and +considered that the case had been proved against their representative. +The Baron dashed the paper from him, and paced the room in a fierce, +mute conflict of emotions. His lips twitched, and a fiery light gleamed +in his eyes. + +All at once he stopped, as though a sudden thought had flashed upon +him, and went slowly up to a side-table on which stood a box of small +dimensions. A slight pressure on the spring caused the lid to fly open, +and displayed a brace of elaborately-chased pistols. The Baron took one +out and examined it carefully, to convince himself that it was in +perfect order. For some minutes he held the pistol in his hand, gazing +down at it lost in moody thought; then he laid it back in its place +again, and drew himself up quickly. + +"No," he said, under his breath; "that would pass for cowardice, for an +avowal of guilt. Some other way must be found. They shall, at least, +not have that triumph." + +He threw down the lid of the box, and turning away, began again the +silent, restless pacing to and fro, the sombre brooding search for a +plan at all points suitable. A solution must be found. + +Meanwhile Dr. Brunnow, in his son's rooms, was busily preparing for his +departure, now irrevocably fixed for the morrow. Max had left him to +prosecute the "siege" he had commenced on the preceding day. He was +again a visitor at Councillor Moser's dwelling, and again employing all +his batteries of argument to prove to the old gentleman what a +distinguished, and in all respects desirable, son-in-law the latter +would obtain in Dr. Max Brunnow. Neither locks nor bolts could avail +against the persistency of this undaunted suitor. + +His father let him take his way. He knew Max well, and felt sure that +the young man would eventually be victorious. Had he followed his own +wishes, he would have started on his return journey that same day, but +the promise he had given his son bound him to remain twenty-four hours +longer. The ground he walked on seemed to scorch his feet; he longed to +be away, and all the congratulations, the marks of sympathy lavished on +him on his release, seemed but to make his stay still more distasteful +to him. + +Brunnow had just finished a letter, telling of his speedy return home, +and was about to ring and confide it to the maid to post, when the +latter came running in unsummoned, and announced breathlessly: + +"Doctor, Doctor, his Excellency the Governor!" + +"Who?" asked Brunnow, absently, closing the envelope. + +"His Excellency, sir, the Governor." + +Brunnow turned quickly. His look fell on the Baron, who had followed +the servant and was standing in the anteroom. Raven entered now, and +said ceremoniously: + +"May I ask for a few minutes' conversation with you, Dr. Brunnow?" + +"I am at your Excellency's service," replied Brunnow, warned by the +amazement on the maid's face that he must show no signs of +perturbation. He gave the girl his letter, and sent her away. When they +were left together. Raven dropped his assumed formality of tone. + +"My coming surprises you. Are we alone?" + +"Yes; my son is out." + +"I am glad to hear it, for this present interview of ours brooks no +witnesses. Will you have the kindness to close the door securely, so +that we may not be interrupted?" + +The Doctor silently complied. He drew the bolt on the entrance door, +and then returned to the inner room. His uneasy glance seemed to ask +the import of this singular, this most unlooked-for visit. The two men +stood a few seconds face to face, silent, but with hostility in the +attitude of each, as at their first meeting. + +The Baron spoke first. + +"You hardly expected to see me here?" + +"I really do not know what errand can bring the Governor of +R---- beneath this roof," was the answer. + +"I am Governor no longer," said Raven, coldly. + +Brunnow turned on him a quick, scrutinising gaze. + +"You have given in your resignation?" he asked. + +"I am leaving my post," the other answered, in an agitated voice. +"Before I quit the town, however, I wish to obtain some information as +to that article in the newspaper which refers so minutely to events in +my past life. You are, I think, the person most likely to afford me +this information, and therefore I come to you." + +The Doctor turned away. "That article did not emanate from me," he +said, after a short pause. + +"That may be, but, in any case, you prompted it. We two are now the +last survivors of those who were implicated in that catastrophe. The +others are dead, or have been altogether lost sight of. You alone were +in a position to make those disclosures." + +Brunnow was silent. He remembered but too well the inconsiderate words +which the Superintendent's wily man[oe]uvre had wrested from him, and +which had since been published throughout the length and breadth of the +land. + +"I only wonder that you did not turn your knowledge of these +occurrences to account sooner," went on Raven; "you, or the others who +shared it." + +"You can answer that question yourself," said Brunnow. "We lacked +evidence. If we ourselves were profoundly convinced of your guilt, that +was our affair alone. The world requires proofs, tangible proofs, and +these we could not produce. Why no voice has been raised against you +before this, you ask? No one knows better than you that, in those +arbitrary times, which, it is to be hoped, are now for ever past and +gone, every inconvenient voice was hushed and stifled. Then Arno Raven +rapidly acquired influence, became the friend and favourite of the +Minister, whom he was shortly to call father. Later on, as Baron von +Raven, he was the most powerful stay and support of the Government, to +whom he had become indispensable. No accusation against such a man +would have been admitted; it would at once have been stigmatised as a +lie, a calumnious lie, and suppressed as such. We all knew this, and +the knowledge kept the others silent, I was not withheld by these +considerations alone. I ... had no desire to accuse you, and have none +now. Some admissions made by me during my confinement--admissions which +were, I fear, purposely extracted from me--may have served as a basis +for the present revelations. The Superintendent of Police has certainly +had to do with the business. He is your enemy." + +"No, he is simply a spy," said Raven, contemptuously; "and, therefore, +I do not think of calling him to account. It was no duty of his, +moreover, to keep back information which you had communicated to him. +The information came from you, and to you I look for satisfaction." + +Brunnow started back. "Satisfaction? From me? What do you mean?" + +"What can I mean? It seems to me no explanation is necessary. There is +but one way of wiping out an insult such as you have offered me. You +will not refuse me this atonement, I suppose?" + +Not a syllable escaped the Doctor's lips. + +"On our first meeting after a lapse of years," pursued the other, "you +spoke to me words which made my blood boil in my veins. You were then a +proscribed man, who had hastened to his son's sick-bed; every hour you +spent here was fraught with danger. That was no fitting moment to +demand an explanation. Now you are free--so name your time and arms." + +"A duel between us!" exclaimed Brunnow. "No, Arno, you cannot exact +this!" + +"I insist on it. You will accept my challenge?" + +"No." + +"Rudolph, I tell you, you will accept it." + +"And, once again, I say no. Any other man I will fight, if necessary, +but not you." + +A deep furrow gathered between the Baron's knitted brows; but he knew +this friend of his youth, knew that, in spite of those grey hairs, the +man before him was still the old Hotspur whose fiery temper, once +thoroughly aroused, would silence reflection and overleap all bounds. +All that was needed was to find the vulnerable spot. + +"I did not think you had turned coward since we parted," said Raven, +with simulated scorn. + +That told. The Doctor started up in anger, and his eye sparkled +ominously. + +"Unsay that word!" he cried. "You know well that I am no coward. I have +no need to prove that to you now." + +"I unsay nothing," declared Raven. "You have brought a disgraceful +charge against me, have repeated it in the presence of a stranger, who, +as you were well aware, would give it publicity, and now you seek to +escape the consequences of your act. Call it what you like--I call it +cowardice." + +Brunnow's self-command went from him altogether, as the fateful word +was thus hurled at him a second time. + +"Stop, Arno," he panted; "I will not bear this." + +The Baron remained quite unmoved. Not a muscle of his face quivered. He +stood, inflexible in his icy calm, goading his adversary on, step by +step, to the requisite pitch of madness. + +"This, then, is your revenge?" he continued, in a contemptuous tone. +"For twenty years you have stayed your hand. While I was great and +powerful, you did not venture to strike; but a man nearing his fall is +a safer, an easier target. Winterfeld, at least, was an honourable foe. +He attacked me, certainly, but it was in open combat; he met me face to +face. You prefer to shoot from under ambush, calling strangers to help +you in the work. You had no hesitation in supplying the police and the +newspapers with weapons against me, but when it comes to facing me and +the arm which shall avenge the dishonour done me, your courage fails +you. Verily, Rudolph, I should not have believed you capable of such +mean and pitiful conduct!" + +"Enough!" Brunnow interposed, in a half-stifled voice. "Not a word +more--I accept your challenge." His breast heaved with a quick +convulsive movement. He had grown deadly pale, and his whole frame +shook with emotion. He leaned for support against the back of the chair +nearest him. Something like compassion gleamed in the Baron's eye, pity +for the man he had wrought up to such extreme agitation, before whom he +had placed so terrible an alternative; but there was no trace of any +such weakness in his voice, as he replied: + +"Good. I will request Colonel Wilten, the commandant of the garrison +here, to act as my second. He will arrange the necessary preliminaries +with any gentleman you may name as yours." + +Brunnow merely bowed his head in assent. The Baron took his hat from +the table, and then went up to the Doctor again. + +"One thing more, Rudolph," he said, slowly. "This is to me a matter of +deadly earnest. As you will feel, seeing the injury you have done me, +this duel must be to the death between us. I shall expect that it be +not turned into a comedy. It might seem good to you to fire in the air. +Do not compel me to repeat before our seconds that which I have said to +you here. I give you my word I shall take that course, should your aim +be purposely misdirected." + +Brunnow drew himself up, and his eyes blazed with fierce, passionate +hatred. + +"Do not fear," he said. "The words you have spoken to-day have been as +the death-knell to our past. Any lingering reminiscences of youth are +buried from henceforth. You are right. A duel between us two must be to +the death. I, too, know how to avenge an imputation on my honour." + +"To-morrow, then, we meet. I will go now and seek the Colonel." + +He drew back the bolt from the door, and left the room, drawing a deep, +deep breath, as though a load had fallen from him. Then, with a rapid, +steady step, he walked away in the direction of Colonel Wilten's house. + + + + + CHAPTER XXI. + + +Late autumn is wont to be a rough, inclement season in the +neighbourhood of mountains, and this year, in and about R----, it had +not belied its character; but now, at its close. Nature seemed by a +supreme effort to rouse all her dying energies. The past days had been +unusually clear and mild, so that the months appeared to have travelled +back in their course. The earth fell to dreaming one last brief dream +of sunshine and summer breezes, before it surrendered itself to grim +Winter's icy chains. + +It was afternoon now. Baron von Raven sat at his writing-table, engaged +in looking through his papers. For some time past, his testamentary +arrangements had been made; but there was still much to set in order. +Colonel Wilten had promptly responded to the call made upon him. Though +he no longer considered an alliance with Raven's family desirable for +his son, the constraint and coolness which had lately, since their +explanation, existed between himself and the Baron, had been annoying +and painful to him; and he seized with alacrity this occasion of +rendering the latter a service. He promised to settle all the necessary +details, and to come round himself, and report as to what had been +agreed upon regarding the duel, which was, if possible, to take place +early on the following morning. + +Raven had just finished a letter, which he folded and addressed to +"Doctor Rudolph Brunnow." The lines on his gloomy brow grew deeper +still, as with sure and steady strokes he traced the name on the paper. + +"Would that I could have spared you, Rudolph!" he muttered. "The +remembrance of this fatal hour will be with you to your dying day. I +know it--but there was no alternative." + +He laid the letter aside, and again took up the pen; but this time it +was less obedient to the hand that wielded it. Some minutes elapsed +before he wrote the first few lines; then he stopped suddenly--began +anew--hesitated once more, and finally tore up the sheet. Why leave a +farewell, every word of which must be barbed with bitterness? The +letter would only be a standing reproach to her for whom it was +intended. + +The Baron threw down his pen, and rested his head on his hand. Not +without reason had he dreaded the moment when the one great passion of +his life, which had betrayed him into a passing weakness, but which he +had resolutely driven from him far into the background, should break +the restraining dykes, and rush in upon him again with its swift, +strong current. He had maintained a perfectly calm demeanour during the +last few hours--though hatred, indignation, and deeply mortified pride +were at their fierce work with him; he had gone into the minutiae of his +affairs, arranging everything with his customary exactitude; but now +all was in order--all was finished, except ... Lo! with a rush, the +tide of long pent-up passion returned upon him with all its old +irresistible force, and before it the strong man's composure gave way. + +It was no soft or tender emotion which filled his breast. Arno Raven +was not one easily to give up what he desired, or lightly to forgive +where he believed himself wronged. He, of his own free will, had +decreed the separation--had sent Gabrielle from him; and he did not +repent it. No half-measures suited him. "Let it be this, or that," had +been his motto through life; so now he would have absolute and +undivided possession of his love, or he preferred to lose her +altogether. Well, he had lost her--given her over to another who could +rally to his aid the mighty influences of youth and a first love. + +The Baron never doubted that the connection with Winterfeld had been +renewed in the capital. The tyrannical guardian, who had so long stood +between the young people, separating them, had now stepped back, +leaving them free to draw together again; and the Baroness was far too +weak, too wanting in character, to oppose any lasting resistance +to her daughter's wishes, when no longer fettered by fear of her +brother-in-law. Besides, Winterfeld's position had changed. He had +risen in a most unexpected manner, and would surely rise further--thus +the great barrier to the marriage was withdrawn. All was going the +natural, appointed course, which he, in his madness, had sought to +check and stay. How, indeed, could such a young creature as Gabrielle +understand, far less return, a passion so profound, so all-absorbing as +his? It had dazzled her, perhaps, had flattered her vanity, to find +herself the object of his love; but there could be no question of any +deeper feeling on her part--and, a choice being offered her, the +blooming maiden, standing on the threshold of life, naturally turned to +him who could bring youth as his dowry, who could set before her a long +vista of happy years. That gay, sunny being had neither part nor lot in +his destiny. The thought of her was altogether out of keeping with this +dark hour of defeat, when a man's shattered honour lay in ruins about +him, a man's life hung upon a thread. + +The fine, but short, autumn day was fast declining, and the rays of the +setting sun sought and found their way into the study. Through the deep +bay window came a broad, golden stream of light, filling the sombre +room with a strange transfiguring gleam. Raven's look rested moodily on +the brilliant flood. So had the sunbeam glanced across his life, +gilding, glorifying all for a brief space, to disappear suddenly, +leaving him again to loneliness and darkness. In vain he tried to free +himself from the remembrance, to stifle it by bitter reasoning--in +vain! by every road his thoughts travelled back to Gabrielle; every +object about him seemed to suggest her name--his mind was full of her. +He had resolved to have done with the past, with the world, with life; +but this wild, overpowering longing for the only being he had ever +loved, chained him to the existence he was preparing to quit. A sigh, +so deep as to be almost a groan, burst from his labouring breast. He +was alone now, and needed not the mask of proud impassible calm. To +have preserved it longer would have exceeded all human strength. He +pressed his hand to his burning brow, and closed his eyes. + +Some time went by, and he still sat on, absorbed in his gloomy +brooding; then the door opened gently, almost inaudibly, and as gently +closed again. Raven did not notice it, and did not stir, until the +rustle of a woman's dress close at hand startled him. He turned, and a +great spasm passed across his face; but the exclamation he would have +uttered died on his lips, and he gazed with speechless amazement, +almost with awe, at the vision before him, which could only be a +creation of his disordered fancy. Opposite him, in the full stream of +light, stood Gabrielle, motionless, surrounded by an aureole of golden +rays, as though in verity she were but an apparition called up by the +earnest, passionate craving of a despairing heart, a phantom which +would next minute vanish mysteriously as it had come. + +The Baron had risen. + +"Can it--can it be you?" he asked at length, and his breath came short +and quick. "I thought you were far away." + +"I left town this morning," replied the young girl, in a low voice. "I +have only just arrived. They told me you were here in your room." + +Raven did not answer. His eyes were still riveted on the fair tender +face, as though even yet he could not believe in the reality of her +presence. Yes, she was there indeed! how, wherefore, he did not at +present think of inquiring. Gabrielle seemed to misinterpret his +silence. She stood in the same spot, timid and anxious, not venturing +to approach him. At last she took courage, and drew slowly nearer. + +"Will you repulse me again now, Arno, when I tell you that you were +wrong in suspecting me? I should have spoken long ago, but you put me +from you so roughly, so harshly. You would not even hear me--that +roused my pride. I would not beg for the confidence you refused me. +I"--she stood close by his side now, and looked pleadingly into his +face--"I knew nothing of that attack upon you. Only, when he was going +away, George told me there would soon be open war between you and him. +I pressed in vain for some explanation. He would give me none, and a +few minutes later we had to part. Since that day, not a word, not a +syllable on the subject reached me, until you yourself held up the book +before my eyes. If I had had the slightest suspicion of what was +coming, you would have heard of it. I never betrayed you, Arno, believe +me." + +Truth rang in those accents, shone in her face. Raven caught her hand +with a quick movement. Still with the same expression of eager, intense +anxiety, he drew her to him, and, without uttering a word, looked into +her eyes, which, through their glistening dew, met his fearlessly. This +silent, piercing scrutiny lasted some seconds; then the Baron stooped +suddenly, and pressed his lips to the girl's brow. + +"No, you are true," he said, with a deep long breath. "I believe you." + +His hand clasped hers more firmly. He now remarked that Gabrielle was +still in her travelling dress; she had merely thrown off her hat and +cloak before coming in to him. As yet, however, he was far from +divining how matters really stood. His next question proved this. + +"Where is your mother, and what has caused this speedy return? I did +not expect you for several weeks." + +A deep crimson blush slowly mantled to the girl's cheeks. + +"Mamma stayed behind. I could hardly make her consent to my coming. She +only yielded when she saw there was no possibility of keeping me away, +I came by myself, with only our old servant as escort." + +Raven followed her words with breathless eagerness. A dim presentiment +of boundless, inexpressible happiness stole over him; but at the same +moment the old shadow crept between them. + +"And Winterfeld?" he asked, in a keen, incisive tone. + +Gabrielle's eyes fell, and her voice trembled as she answered: + +"I have been forced to give him great pain, to cut him to the heart," +she answered; "but it was right he should learn the truth before I left +to come to you. George knows it all now; he knows to whom my love, my +whole love, is given. He has released me--I am free----" + +She could not finish. Arno had drawn her close, close to his breast. +She felt his arms round her, felt the pressure of his lips on hers, and +everything else, even to the remembrance of George's pain, melted away, +drowned in the exceeding sweetness of that moment. At length Raven +raised his head, and, still holding her to him, said: + +"But what brought you to me at this precise time? Why did you hasten? +You do not, cannot know what has happened." + +Smiling through her tears, Gabrielle looked up at him. + +"I only heard that fresh trouble was menacing, and I wanted to be with +you." + +"I wanted to be with you!" the words were simply, naturally spoken, but +Raven understood the entire, the infinite devotion they expressed. He +gazed down in silence on the young creature, whom but a short time +before he had so bitterly accused, whom he had denounced as fickle and +unstable of purpose, but who now resolutely tore asunder all +restraining ties, to hasten to his side and share his fate. Through the +deep night which encompassed him, irradiating all the gloom, came a +flash of ineffable joy and triumph at finding himself so loved. + +The golden stream of light faded gradually as the sun sank lower and +lower. A few solitary rays still strayed into the room; but, little by +little, these too vanished, and the space was filled with a faint rosy +shimmer, a reflection from the gorgeous evening sky without. Arno and +Gabrielle paid no heed to it. He had drawn her to his side, and was +speaking in low, earnest tones, but not of downfall or of danger. For +them such things existed not; they gave them not a thought. For the +first time their hearts frankly met, no shadow, no misunderstanding +interposing between them; for the first time they could be all in all +to each other. Past and future were dissolved in this one +consciousness; they loved, and in their love were infinitely blest. + +"Colonel Wilten waits on your Excellency." A servant, coming in, made +this dry, formal announcement. + +Raven looked up as though he had been roused from a dream. He passed +his hand across his brow. + +"Colonel Wilten?" he repeated slowly. "Ah, true. I had forgotten that." + +Gabrielle's attention was at once aroused. + +"Must you see the Colonel to-night?" she asked, seized, as it were, by +some vague foreboding. "The reception-hours were over long ago." + +The Baron stood up. The radiant expression which had illumined his face +was gone now. + +"I expected him. There are matters it is necessary for us to +discuss. Ask the Colonel to have the kindness to wait for me in the +drawing-room. I will be with him directly." + +The servant withdrew. + +"I must leave you, Gabrielle. You little know what it costs me to part +from you, even for a moment," he said, in an agitated voice; "but the +affair which brings Wilten to the Castle must be settled at once, if I +wish to have my evening free. Then we shall be alone together, and no +one shall disturb us. Come, I will take you to your room." + +He passed her arm through his, and led her through the library and +across the corridor over to the opposite wing. A few minutes later he +entered the drawing-room where the Colonel awaited him. Their interview +was of short duration. Scarcely a quarter of an hour later Wilten left +the Castle, and the Baron returned to his study, sitting down once more +to his writing-table. He had said truly. It cost him a cruel pang to +lose sight of Gabrielle, even for a few minutes, and yet he now +remained absent from her a full hour. She could not be there at his +side while he wrote to her that farewell letter. + +The unexpected arrival of the young Baroness had caused some surprise +at the Castle, especially as she came without her mother; but the old +retainer, who had accompanied her, soon vouchsafed the necessary +information. His Excellency had, by letter, summoned his ward and +sister-in-law to him. Unfortunately, the latter had had a slight return +of her illness, and was still too unwell to undertake the journey, so +she sent the young lady on first, and would follow herself in the +course of a few days. The Baroness, finding it impossible to detain her +daughter, had imagined this pretext to give colour to the strange +proceeding. She herself was really unwell; the news she had heard from +Countess Selteneck had brought on one of her nervous attacks. This +precluded any thought of her travelling, to the intense relief of +Gabrielle, who well knew how unwelcome her mother would be to Raven at +such a time. She accepted the pretext with all docility, and this +simple, natural explanation found credence both at the house she was +leaving and at the Castle. + +Evening had now fully closed in. Gabrielle was still alone in her room, +counting the minutes until Arno's return. Colonel Wilten's visit +awakened no special surprise in her mind, for, before her departure, +conferences between him and the Baron had been of very frequent +occurrence. She had opened the window, and was leaning dreamily +forward, looking out, when at length the longed-for step sounded at her +door. She flew to meet her visitor, and he clasped her to him as though +that brief hour had been as a separation of years. + +"Now I am free," said the Baron, coming in; "altogether free, my +Gabrielle. Now I am yours, and yours alone." + +Gabrielle looked up at him. His countenance was paler than usual, but +it wore an expression of grave, deep calm. + +"The Colonel brought you no bad news?" she asked apprehensively. + +"No: only some necessary information," replied Raven, very quietly, but +withdrawing at once from the circle illumined by the lamp, and going up +to the young girl at the window. + +The air without was cool, but mild as on a spring evening, and the +country around lay bathed in bright moonlight. + +"I opened the window," said Gabrielle; "the room seemed so close, and +it is such a beautiful evening." + +"Yes, most beautiful," repeated the Baron, gazing out, apparently lost +in thought. Then, turning suddenly to his young companion: "You are +right," he said; "there is a stifling, oppressive feeling indoors +to-day. I myself feel a longing for the open air, where one can breathe +more freely. Shall we go down into the garden?" + +Gabrielle at once assented. The Baron took a shawl which was lying on +the sofa, and wrapped it carefully about her slender figure. Then they +left the room together. + +The Castle-garden was still and solitary as ever, but its summer glory +had long departed from it. The thick canopy of leaves, which had +enclosed it in deep shade, was fast thinning. The mighty limes stood +half bare, stripped of their foliage, and the moonlight fell full and +clear on the stretch of greensward at their feet. The Nixies' Well +babbled and rippled on; the fountain splashed and threw aloft its white +veil of spray; and the two, to whom the voice of its waters had +whispered so fateful a message, stood once again by its brink, within +reach of its glittering shower. + +Raven looked down at his companion with mingled tenderness and +melancholy. + +"The nixies' vengeance has overtaken me, after all," he said, in a low +tone. "Why did I venture to jest at them and their magic spell? I have +not visited the place since that day; but to-night I seemed drawn to it +irresistibly. I felt I must see the fountain once again." + +Gabrielle started at his last words. + +"Once again? What do you mean, Arno? Why do you say that?" + +Her words were eager, prompted by a quick, anxious misgiving. + +Arno smiled, and passed his hand caressingly over the girl's fair hair. + +"You must not be so timorous. I only mean that shortly, in the course +of a few days, I shall leave the Castle and this town. The blow you +believed to be impending has fallen on me, my child. This morning I +ceased to be Governor of the province." + +"So they have driven you to the last extremity," said Gabrielle, sadly. +"You have resigned?" + +"No; I am dismissed." + +The Baron's lips twitched, but he could bring himself now to speak the +word which was fraught with such profound humiliation. + +"Dismissed!" repeated Gabrielle, "without your seeking it? Why, that +is----" + +"An insult," concluded Raven, as she hesitated. "Or a condemnation, as +you like to take it. It is usual, if only for appearance's sake, to +allow a fallen man the faculty of retiring; but even this favour has +been denied me." + +"And what will you do now?" asked Gabrielle, after a pause. + +"Nothing," replied the Baron, coldly. "My public career is at an end. I +shall go to one of my estates in the country, and there--live on." + +"Will that be possible to you, Arno? You once told me that to work and +to rule were as the necessary conditions of your being, that you could +not endure an aimless existence, the monotonous round of an every-day +life." + +"I shall learn to endure them perhaps. One has so much to learn in this +world. At all events, I must try." + +"And I shall go with you," whispered Gabrielle, with the fervour of a +great love. "I shall stay with you, always and always." + +"Yes, always." + +Again Raven smiled, but he avoided meeting Gabrielle's eye. He put his +arm round her gently, and drew her to the seat near the fountain. Over +this seat the tallest of the limes, still decked in half its wealth of +leaves, cast its shadow; here the tale-telling moonlight would not +reveal every varying expression of feature. The Baron could no longer +meet those anxious, watchful eyes. They were dangerous--keen with the +instinct of love, they might pierce through any mask; and yet there was +a something which must yet, for a short season, be masked and hidden +from them. + +Arno sat for a while silent by Gabrielle's side. The great peace +surrounding him soothed his weary spirit after all the tempests, all +the din of the last few months. In his heart, too, the storm had spent +itself. So long as it had been possible to fight, and to defend +himself, he had remained in the arena, steady, strong, and to all +appearance unmoved. How it had really been with him during that +terrible time, when the two ruling passions of his life, pride and +ambition, had been daily wounded, racked by a thousand mortifications, +he alone knew. Now the battle and the strife were over, and the calm of +a final, irrevocable resolve took from the remembrance of the past its +deepest sting. + +"Gabrielle, you have asked me nothing yet as to the cause of my +overthrow," the Baron said, at length; "and yet you know the charges +brought against me. Do you believe them?" + +"Why should I ask? Of course, I knew at once the tale was false--a +false and wicked calumny." + +"So you, at least, believe in me," said Raven, with a deep breath of +relief. + +"I have never for an instant doubted you. But why do you bear the +accusation in silence? Why do you not meet and utterly crush it? Even +for your own sake you are bound to repel so foul a charge." + +"I have publicly declared the statement which has been given to the +world to be absolutely devoid of truth. You see how my word has been +believed. I can no more bring forward proofs than they can who accuse +me. One man, and only one, could have cleared me entirely, and he has +long been in his grave. That man was your grandfather." + +"My grandfather!" said Gabrielle, in surprise. "He died when I was +quite a child, but I have always heard from my parents that you were +his favourite and his confidential friend." + +Raven mused awhile in silence. Then he went on: + +"His was an exceptional nature. Perhaps that was why we understood each +other so well, for I myself have never accepted common prejudices for +the rule and guidance of my life. He, indeed, was born to the eminence +I had laboriously to attain. An aristocrat through and through, he yet +possessed sufficient impartiality to recognise talent and force of +character wherever he found them, or however they might be employed. I, +above all, have cause to know this. It was no small thing for the proud +and wealthy nobleman, for the all-powerful Minister to accord his +daughter's hand to a young middle-class official who had yet to win for +himself a name and a position. Your grandfather was well aware, indeed, +that I should not fail to win these, and to no other man of my social +status would he have given his daughter in marriage. To him I owe all +my subsequent success. To the day of his death he was to me a father +and a true friend, and yet I would that he had let me go my own way, +that his hand had not forcibly diverted the course of my life. It led +me upwards to the dreamed-of height, but the price I had to pay for its +help was too onerous, too great." + +He paused, and gazed away into the misty distance. Gabrielle laid her +hand on his arm entreatingly. + +"Arno, I have long felt that there is some bitter memory in your life, +and I know it has come through some misfortune, and no fault. Will you +not open your heart to me now? I think I have a right to hear the +tale." + +"You have a right," said Raven, gravely, "and you shall hear it." + +He put his arm round her shoulder, and drew her nearer to him. + +"You know that I come of plain burgher stock. The early death of my +parents taught me betimes to think and act for myself. I entered the +service of the State, and had to work my way up from the lowest grade. +When the whole land was swept by a storm of revolution, and the capital +itself was in a state of armed insurrection, of open rebellion against +the Government, I was chained to my desk in a remote provincial town, +and so prevented from taking part in a movement with which my +convictions led me to sympathise. The very next year, as chance would +have it, I was transferred to the capital; I was thus brought into +closer contact with my chief, who had lately come into office, and was +about to inaugurate that period of reaction which has since followed. +He must have perceived that I was not to be weighed in the same scale +with his other officials, for he showed a decided preference for me, +and I felt that I and my work were being watched with special +attention. As yet, however, no opportunity of distinguishing myself +occurred. In the capital I fell in again with Rudolph Brunnow, my old +and intimate university friend. Though the revolutionary movement +itself had been quelled, the land was still in a state of ferment; and +as the factious elements, now kept down with a strong hand, could no +longer agitate their designs openly, they met and pursued their work in +secret. I was drawn into these circles, to which my political +convictions had long inclined me, by Brunnow, who was an enthusiastic +reformer. He was at the head of a secret association of which I now +became a member. We believed in Utopias, impossibilities, and chimeras, +which could have no lasting existence in real life; but, foolish as was +our creed, we would have died rather than abandon it." + +Raven paused a moment. These recollections seemed to move him greatly. + +"Then came the catastrophe," he went on, speaking now with more +animation. "We were suspected and watched, though we ourselves had no +idea of it, until the Minister himself took action against us. He must +have supposed that I was in some way connected with the band, for one +day he sent for me, and called me to account, though by no means as an +offender whom he was anxious to convict. He talked to me in a kind, +almost a paternal manner, and that disarmed me. At that time I was not +well enough acquainted with him to be aware how inexorable, +irreconcilable an opponent of the revolution he was at heart. Like many +others, I allowed myself to be deceived by the moderation he displayed +at the outset. I was so far carried away as to avow my political views, +and to defend them--to defend them to him! + +"It was a grave error, and one that has cost me dear. No word fell from +my lips regarding the secret I was bound to keep; the Minister, indeed, +made no attempt to extract a confession of it from me. He knew me, and +was well aware that neither threat nor promise could induce me to act a +perfidious part; but my ardent enthusiasm, my imprudent championship of +Liberal ideas, were enough to put the experienced statesman on the +right track. He dismissed me with apparent friendliness, but I had +hardly reached my home when I was arrested, my papers were seized, and +every chance of communicating with my comrades was cut off from me. +Rudolph, who was known as my intimate friend, was the next victim. At +his lodgings was found the correspondence relating to our association, +and in it a key was had to the whole business. Four others of our band +shared our fate. The blow fell so unexpectedly that none had time to +escape. + +"The charge against us was one of high treason, and we might hold +ourselves prepared for any fate. After a short interval I was again +conducted to the Minister's presence. He informed me that I was +released from confinement. He had, he said, convinced himself that I +had been led astray, that I had merely been the dupe of Brunnow and his +confederates, and offered to overlook what had passed, if I would give +him my word of honour to break once for all with the revolutionary +party. I stared at my chief in stunned amazement. Did he really not +know how I stood towards this secret society, or was he intentionally +ignoring the offence? My name, it was true, had nowhere figured in its +records. Rudolph was esteemed our leader, but so keen-sighted and +discerning a man as the Minister must be conscious that the passive, +subordinate part of a lowly recruit was foreign to my whole character. +I did not then divine that he purposely shut his eyes, in order to +pardon. I decidedly refused to give the promise required of me, +declaring that I would not abjure my principles, and was ready to share +the fate of my friends. + +"The Minister preserved his imperturbable calm, and repeated the offer +he had made. + +"'I will give you a month for reflection,' he said. 'I have too good an +opinion of you, I am too hopeful as regards your future, to allow you +to ruin yourself with these wild Socialist intrigues. Your head can +render better service to the State than by weaving endless, fruitless +conspiracies in prison or in exile. You are not the first man who has +recognised his error, and become in after-times the zealous opponent of +the cause he once defended, and the very pertinacity and defiance with +which you now put from you the proffered means of rescue, prove to me +that I may take on myself the responsibility of readmitting you to the +service, if you make up your mind to come back as one of ours. As yet +no one has accused you, and it depends entirely upon yourself whether +the charge against you shall be withdrawn. The few documents which +might be compromising to you are in my hands, and will be destroyed +directly I have your word. I shall expect to hear your decision in a +month from this time. For the present, you are free, and have the +choice between an honourable, possibly a brilliant, career, and ruin." + +"And you chose----?" asked Gabrielle. + +"No," replied Raven, bitterly. "In reality, no choice was left me. They +had taken care I should be spared the pain of making one. My first +endeavour was to find out how much was really lost to our cause, and +how much might yet be saved. I sought out my friends, and met with a +reception for which I was utterly unprepared. 'Treason,' they cried, on +seeing me. 'Treason,' saluted my ears, wherever I showed myself. Hate, +indignation, abhorrence--the whole gamut was run through. At first, I +did not understand the meaning of it all--too soon it was made +intelligible to me. In their eyes I was the traitor who had brought +about the discovery. My official position, the evident favour shown me +by my chief, had already given rise to some distrust--now it was clear +as day. I had been the Minister's tool and spy. I had disclosed, had +sold to him the secrets of our society. My own arrest, they concluded, +was nothing but a blind, a concerted plan by which I was to be +withdrawn from the vengeance of those whom I had betrayed, and my +prompt liberation showed beyond a doubt that I was in league with the +enemy, I now found that my chief's magnanimity had not been so complete +as I had supposed. He had taken his precautions before setting me at +liberty, and had thus definitively shut me out from the ranks of the +'wild reformers.' + +"At first I stood bewildered by the terrible accusation, then with +indignant vehemence I made my protest. Openly avowing my imprudence, +the only crime of which I had been guilty, I gave a circumstantial +account of my interview with the Minister--in vain, my words were +received as so many mere evasive shifts. I was judged, and against +their sentence there was no appeal. One man alone would perhaps have +believed me--Rudolph Brunnow. He was the principal sufferer, the one on +whom the blow had fallen most heavily; and yet, had I been able to +confront him, to look him in the face, and say: 'It is a lie, Rudolph. +I am no traitor!' he would have given me his hand, and together we +should have fought down the calumny. But he was in prison--beyond my +reach. I gave the others my word of honour. They answered that I had no +honour to lose, and even refused me all satisfaction for the gross +insult. These men, baited, persecuted, irritated to madness, were not +capable of forming an unbiased judgment, and I fear that their +suspicions were purposely directed against me. This, indeed, I have +never learned for a fact; but the pardon, which was soon afterwards +granted me, set the seal on my supposed ignominy and my disgrace. + +"A month later I was with the Minister again. I had tried every means +in my power to clear myself from the shameful suspicion, and had +failed. I was still shunned, proscribed by the members of my own party, +thrust out from their midst--and now I resolved in my turn to cast them +from me. Up to this time I had been blameless. A last resource was +still left to me. I could have quitted my native land, and have begun a +new life elsewhere, accepting exile, in order to remain true to my +principles--as Rudolph did later on, when he regained his freedom. Such +a course would in time have vindicated my character, though years might +have elapsed first; but I never had any great sympathy with the heroism +which seeks a martyr's fate. On the one hand, I saw exile with all its +bitterness and privations; on the other I was promised a career which +was likely to satisfy, and more than satisfy, my ambition. The late +events had destroyed my illusions. I now knew exactly what would be +demanded of me, were I to accept my chief's proposal; but my whole soul +rose in arms against those who had condemned me without a hearing. The +insults I had endured, the injustice of my former friends, drove me +straight into the enemy's camp. I knew that the price of my new +position would be the renunciation of my principles--yet I broke with +my past, and gave the required promise." + +The Baron's voice vibrated strangely; his quick, short breathing +betrayed the emotion these painful reminiscences aroused within him. +Gabrielle hung on his words in a great tension of suspense; but she did +not venture to interrupt the story. He had withdrawn his arm from her +now; and when he spoke again, it was in a dull, hollow tone. + +"From that time forth my career is known to you and to the world. I +became the Minister's secretary, became his confidential friend, and, +finally, his son-in-law. His potent influence overcame all the +obstacles which stand in the path of a nameless commoner struggling +upwards, and when once the road was clear before me, I had only to +exert the natural powers I possessed. That in this new life I had to +bury and disown my past was a thing of course. I had known that it +would be so, and it is not in my nature to make half-resolves, or +lamely to perform that which I have decided on. Moreover, by +temperament I was inclined to despotic action. Power and authority had +ever possessed for me a singular fascination. Now I tasted both, and +the brilliant, the almost unexampled success of my career, helped me to +vanquish old memories more easily than I had expected. The constant +influence of my father-in-law, whom I sincerely revered, that of the +circle in which I lived, did the rest. I must go onwards, without +looking back--and onwards I went. The way was steep, and led over the +ruins of former shrines, but I reached the goal. I have lived great and +honoured--to end in this way!" + +"But it is only a lie, a wicked calumny which has brought about your +fall!" broke in Gabrielle, "This must and shall be clearly shown." + +Raven shook his head gloomily. + +"Can I compel that belief which the world does not willingly accord me? +I have already heard from Rudolph Brunnow's mouth that I have forfeited +all claim to confidence. He, indeed, can meet any charge with an +unruffled brow; no defence set up by him would pass unnoticed, for his +past, his whole life testifies for him--mine condemns me. The man who +has abjured his convictions may also have betrayed his friends. The +curse of that fatal hour, wherein I proved untrue to myself, weighs on +me now, and makes me powerless to refute the calumny which works my +fall." + +"And who are they who turn against you?" cried Gabrielle, with a burst +of indignation. "The very men for whom you have toiled, for whom you +have sacrificed all. Oh, the base ingratitude!" + +"Ingratitude! Have I the right to look for gratitude at their hands?" +asked Raven, with quiet, bitter meaning. "No bond of confidence has +existed between us. They had need of me to work out their plans, and I +had need of them as stepping-stones by which to mount. It has been one +continual state of warfare, a perpetual balancing of our respective +strength. I have often let them feel the power of the hated _parvenu_; +now that the power is in their hands, they overturn me--I could expect +nothing else; but I feel now that Rudolph was right. It is worth +something to have kept one's faith in one's self, in the better, higher +part of one's nature. The man who stands and falls by his principles +can endure reverses; but he who has given the best energies of his life +to a cause which was never his at heart, which in his inmost soul he +must condemn and despise, has no anchor, no stay in the hour of +misfortune." + +"And I?" asked Gabrielle, reproachfully. "Am I nothing?" + +"Ah yes, you, my darling!" cried the Baron, with passionate tenderness. +"Your love is the one thing left to me. But for you, I could not have +endured this fate." + +"Will you be able to endure it?" asked the young girl, apprehensively. +"Ah, Arno, I feel as though it will hardly be in my power to reconcile +you to a lot which will lack all that really constitutes your life. You +will pine and waste away in solitude, even though I share it with you." + +"Let us talk no more of this now," said Raven, gently parrying her +question. "We will speak of it later on. I have drawn the veil from my +past; it was right that you should know both it and me thoroughly. But +now we have had enough of these gloomy recollections. They shall no +longer come between us and the happiness of this hour." + +He drew himself up quickly, as though by an effort he would cast all +troubling thoughts from him for awhile. And truly it was very +beautiful, this quiet hour in the moonlit garden. The half-stripped +trees, the widowed earth, bereft of flowers and perfumes, seemed to win +back their long-lost charm in the mystic light which spread its mild +glamour over the scene, veiling the ravages caused by the late storms, +and investing it with a calm, transcendent beauty. + +Dreamily still lay the Castle-garden, and the broad landscape out +beyond it. The prospect, indeed, no longer stretched, beaming and +definite, in the radiant clearness of a summer day. Now the valley +slept half hidden in its shimmering depths. At the foot of the +Castle-hill the city lamps burned steadily, and its roofs and towers +rose, white and glittering, aloft into the pure night air. The foremost +mountain summits stood forth plainly discernible, their jagged peaks +detached, as it were, from the dark masses beneath; farther off, the +lines grew hazier, softer, and the remoter heights were altogether lost +in the blueish nebulous distance. Infinite peace rested on all the +woods, the hills, the valleys around, as they lay bathed in the silvery +flood. Below in the valleys, on the meadows, through the fields, the +rolling mists furled and unfurled themselves, a sparkling gleam here +and there betokening a bend in the river. High overhead arched the +great vault of heaven in all its starry splendour, while everywhere, +over earth and sky, was drawn a thin transparent film, a tissue of mist +and moonbeam, toning down the picture, lending to it a soft dream-like +enchantment. It was a scene of wondrous beauty, of deep, unutterable +calm. + +Up here too, in the garden, the curling mists crept over the grass, and +here too the fitful moonbeams wove their fantastic imagery. Under their +influence the grey moss-grown figures about the Nixies' Well seemed to +grow into life, to move to and fro behind their humid screen of falling +water. The fountain, struck in full by the chaste stream of light from +above, rose and sank again in shining sheets of silver rain. +Intermingled with its plash and murmur came those voices which are +heard only in the stillness of the night, strange, unfamiliar voices, +mysterious as the night itself The wind was hushed. No faintest breeze +stirred the air, and yet from time to time a low whisper arose, and was +wafted on and on, until, like a breath from spirit-land, it swept by +and was gone. + +The evening was so mild and clear, one might have dreamed that spring +had come again; and, truly, the dream that was now filling Raven's mind +was gracious as any May-morning--a late-timed, short-lived dream, no +doubt, but concentrating in its brief space all the blessedness which +earth can give; so, in passionate heart-stirring words, he swore to the +fair young creature he held in his arms, to the woman who had taught +him to know both love and happiness. Had any unseen, unsuspected +spectator looked on Raven, listened to his impassioned accents, such an +one would have understood that this man, despite his years, despite his +sternness and reserve, despite all the darker side of his nature, must +surely carry off the palm, must win the day against all others where +his intenser feelings were engaged, where his heart was set on victory. +All the long pent-up ardour and tenderness flamed up in him anew; every +word, every look, told of a passion which, in its power and depth, +could have fired no youthful breast, a passion such as only a strong +man in his maturity could conceive. This Gabrielle felt, as, closely +nestling to his side, her head resting on his shoulder, she looked up +at him with a happy smile. Those gloomy, distressing forebodings of an +hour ago could not hold good before the magic of his voice and +presence; and through the music of his words, distinctly audible, came +the rippling of the spring, singing on the sweet, monotonous melody to +which they had listened in the birth-hour of their love. That land of +Eden, which once seemed to lie far off in the glistening distance, away +beyond the blue mountains, was not there, but here around them. +Paradise had opened, and received them within its gates. It was an hour +of pure and perfect bliss, such as comes but once in a life-time, but +then outweighs all the joys and sorrows which fill the years from the +cradle to the grave. + +Slowly the clocks in the town below chimed the hour of eleven. The +Baron shuddered slightly at this warning. Then he rose quickly, as by a +strong and resolute effort. + +"We must go back to the Castle," he said. "The night air is growing +cool, and you need rest after your rapid and fatiguing journey. Come, +Gabrielle." + +She made no opposition, but, passing her hand through his arm, moved +away with him. They went by the Nixies' Well, and left the garden. The +door closed upon them, shutting out the moonlight and the peace. That +happy hour had run its sands; the bright May-dream was over. + +They entered the Castle. Upstairs in the corridor, which led to Madame +von Harder's apartment, the Baron suddenly halted. Could it be that his +iron strength of will was failing him at last? His being was torn and +shaken to its very depths by the great agony of that parting, but +Gabrielle's questions, full of a vague foreboding, had not fallen on +his ears in vain. He knew that the least imprudence on his part would +betray all, and would bring on her unnecessary anguish and suspense. +The blow must fall--better it should strike her unawares. + +"Good-night," said Gabrielle, all unsuspectingly, giving him her hand. +"We shall meet again tomorrow." + +"To-morrow!" repeated Raven, with profound significance. "Ay ... +surely." + +He raised the young girl's head gently, so that the light from the +hanging lamps fell full upon it, and looked into the fair face now +again brightened by the rosy flush of happiness, into the clear, sunny +eyes--looked long and deeply, as though he would grave the image on his +brain for ever. Then he bent down, and kissed her. + +"Good-bye, my Gabrielle--good-night!" + +Gabrielle softly freed herself from his arms, and left him. On the +threshold of her room she stopped, and waved him a last farewell; then +she closed the door behind her. Arno stood motionless, his eyes fixed +on the door through which the "sunbeam" of his life had vanished. His +voice quivered, as he said, in a low tone: + +"Poor child, what an awakening is in store for you!" + + + + + CHAPTER XXII. + + +The next morning broke dull and gloomy, clouded by the thick fog which +late autumn often brings in its train. It was still very early, and +only just light without, when Colonel Wilten entered the Castle. He +came on foot, and was at once shown into the Baron's private study by a +servant who had previously received his instructions. Raven appeared +immediately. He was quite ready, but his features bore no trace of a +past vigil, or a restless night. He had, indeed, slept profoundly up to +the moment when his servant had called him. On coming in, he advanced +to greet the Colonel with his usual self-possession and quiet gravity. +Some few observations were exchanged having reference to the fog, the +drive before them, the place and hour of meeting--then Raven drew out +the key of his writing-table, and gave it to the Colonel. + +"I must ask you, in case of my death, to take on yourself the first and +most necessary arrangements," he said. "My papers will be found in +order. There, in that compartment, lies my will, with a few personal +memoranda which I yesterday noted down. There you will also find a +letter which I beg you to forward without delay to its address. It is +directed to Dr. Rudolph Brunnow." + +"To your adversary of to-day?" asked the Colonel, in astonishment. + +"Yes. It contains an explanation which I owe him, but which cannot be +given before the duel. He will find it there in writing--but now, one +thing more." The Baron paused a moment, and then slowly drew a second +letter from his breast pocket. "These lines are destined for my ward, +Gabrielle von Harder. I should wish, however, that she might be in some +measure prepared before receiving them, or the news of any ... accident +... the shock to her would be terrible. I will ask you, therefore, to +place this letter in her hands yourself; but to go to work with +prudence, with extreme prudence. A tender young creature like Gabrielle +needs care. If the intelligence were imparted to her too brusquely, too +suddenly, it might kill her." + +Wilten had some difficulty in concealing his surprise at this speech, +which was a half-confession. He began to understand why his son's suit +had not been more warmly countenanced. + +"I have your promise?" asked the Baron. + +"In case of your death, the young Baroness Harder shall receive the +letter from my own hands, and I myself will break the news to her with +every precaution in my power. I give you my word." + +"I thank you," said Raven, visibly relieved. "And now it is time we +should set out. My carriage is waiting below. May I ask you to drive +round alone to the back of the Castle-hill, where I will join you? I +wish to avoid drawing attention to this unusually early journey, and +prefer not to go out by the principal entrance. I will come through the +Castle-garden." + +This arrangement struck Wilten as odd, but he assented to it in +silence. Raven rang for his hat and coat, and when his valet had +brought both, the two gentlemen left the room together, separating +below at the foot of the staircase. + +As the Baron crossed the Castle-yard, he met Councillor Moser, who was +just coming out of his dwelling, and who appeared much surprised at +seeing his chief abroad at this unwonted hour. Raven stopped. + +"What, Councillor? On foot so early?" + +"I was only looking out at the weather, your Excellency," explained the +Councillor. "I am in the habit of taking a constitutional in the +morning, but when I see this cold, damp fog I prefer to remain at +home." + +"You do well," rejoined the Baron. "The weather is not inviting." + +"And yet your Excellency is going out?" hazarded Moser. + +"On a necessary errand which cannot be delayed. Good-morning, and +good-bye." + +So saying, the Baron held out his hand, which the old gentleman took +reverentially, but in some confusion. He had often received marks of +the kindly feeling entertained towards him by his chief, but had never +been honoured by any such approach to familiarity. This unwonted +friendliness encouraged the Councillor to speak words he had long +pondered in his heart. + +"If I may be allowed a question," he began timidly. "They are saying +... there was a report in the town yesterday evening that your +Excellency is intending to retire from office. Is it true? Are you +really leaving?" + +"Yes, I am going," said Raven, with quiet decision; "and going very +shortly." + +The Councillor's head drooped sorrowfully. + +"In that case, I shall not remain here myself," he replied in a low +voice. "I have long thought of asking to be relieved from my duties." + +The Baron looked at him in silence. The old man's fidelity touched him. +Moser alone had stood by him, true and staunch to the last; he alone +had held to his allegiance, unshaken by the attacks, refusing to be +misled by all the calumnies. + +"Go back into the house, my dear sir," said Raven, kindly. "You will +take cold out here in the chill morning air, lightly clad as you are. +Once more, adieu." + +Again he took the old man's hand, pressing it this time with a quick, +warm pressure; then he went on his way. + +The Councillor stood looking after him. He, who habitually had such a +horror of taking cold, forgot now that he was bare-headed and without +an overcoat. That shake of the hand had bewildered him, and the "adieu" +sounded so strangely in his ears. He felt as if he must hurry after his +chief and put another question to him, just to look in his face and +hear his voice once more, and the thought of the impropriety he should +be committing alone prevented him. Not until the Baron had passed out +of sight did he return to his dwelling; a deep sigh escaped his breast +as he mounted the stairs. It had come, then! The Governor had actually +tendered his resignation! + +Meanwhile Raven walked with slow steps through the Castle-garden. He +had not been able to resist the desire he felt to enter it once again, +and the visit involved little or no delay. A small door in the wall +gave direct communication with the Castle-hill, a footpath leading down +thence towards the town. The Governor had always used this mode of +egress when he wished that his appearance at any particular place +should be a surprise, and so preferred not to quit the Castle by the +principal entrance, and to pass the sentry-posts. He would in all +probability arrive below simultaneously with the carriage, which had to +make a considerable round by the high-road. + +At the Nixies' Well the Baron lingered a few minutes. What had become +of the bright moonlit Eden of yesterday evening? All was now closely +wrapped in the morning mist. The grass, slightly frosted over, +glistened white with rime. The mighty limes, with their sparse foliage, +loomed, weird and dark, through the screen of vapour, and the drooping +branches strewed the ground with their wet and faded leaves. The +nixies' fountain still murmured on, but its shining shower was now +transformed into a mere dismal, colourless rain, which dripped +incessantly over the grey weather-beaten statues at the base; there was +something unspeakably sad in its constant, weary monotony. The +transfiguring light, which had glorified all with its splendour, had +disappeared, and stern reality stood revealed--autumn in its dreariest +aspect, autumn cheerless and desolate. + +Raven drew his cloak more closely about him; the morning wind pierced +with an icy chill. He turned to the parapet whence the broad prospect +could generally best be seen. So recently as yesterday the valley had +lain there, dim, but mysteriously lovely in the magic moonlight sheen; +now the vast space was filled with seething masses of grey mist. Here +and there one of the city towers emerged vaguely, piercing the dense +clouds; but the valley, the mountains and distant horizon were +altogether shrouded from view. The Baron's gaze wandered over the city, +which had so long obeyed his rule, to lose itself in the surging sea of +fog at his feet. What was its secret? What lay hidden beyond? A golden +sunlit morrow, or grey cycles of endless gloom? + +One last look up at the Castle--but a fleeting glance, for Gabrielle's +room was on the other side of the building, and her windows could not +be seen from hence--then Raven opened the small door in the garden-wall +and stepped out into the open country. He arrived at the foot of the +hill just as the carriage reached that spot. A minute later he was +seated at Colonel Wilten's side, and soon the town and Castle lay far +behind them. + +Swiftly they travelled on, past the steaming meadows, by the bank of +the brawling, fast-flowing river, onwards towards the mountains. In +half an hour the goal was reached; they arrived at the skirt of the +forests which covered the hill-sides. Here the Baron and his companion +alighted, and pursued their way on foot to the appointed place of +meeting. The adversary's party was already on the ground. It consisted +of Dr. Brunnow, his second, and his son, who, it had been agreed, was +to render any medical assistance which might be required. A silent +greeting was exchanged, a short parley followed between the seconds, +then those gentlemen proceeded to make the necessary preparations. + +Max stood by his father, whose pale face and haggard eyes told of a +sleepless night, and who in vain strove to hide his feverish agitation. +His lips were tightly set, and the hand his son held twitched every now +and then with a nervous quiver. + +"Compose yourself, father," Max whispered; "your hand is so unsteady, +you will hardly be able to press the trigger." + +"No fear, I shall be able," replied the Doctor, in the same subdued +voice, glancing at the pistols, which were at that moment being loaded +by the seconds. + +"Colonel Wilten's attention is already attracted this way," said Max, +significantly. "Will you let him think that you are thus agitated by +fear of a bullet?" + +Brunnow gave an angry start. + +"True," he said. "The strangers present cannot guess what is passing +within me. They shall not, at least, take me for a coward." + +He made an effort to collect himself, and succeeded in assuming a +calmer demeanour; but he avoided glancing towards the spot where the +Baron stood. In his usual haughty attitude, with a look of cold +determination on his features, Raven, quite unmoved, awaited the coming +event. + +The mists began gradually to disperse; already the mountain summits and +the villages on the higher lands came in sight. The sun must just have +risen, for the whole eastern horizon was suffused with a red glow; as +yet, however, the rays were not intense enough to fight a way through +the thick vapour. The town still lay shrouded in its moist white veil; +but the Castle on the heights was visible now, shadowy, indeed, and in +a sort of mirage, but growing every minute more clear and definite. +There Gabrielle slept in peaceful ignorance, dreaming of the morrow and +the felicity to come; while here the momentous die was cast which was +to decide her fate. + +Colonel Wilten now declared that all was ready, and the combatants +stepped on to the ground. Raven stood well erect, his eye clear and +full, the hand which held his pistol absolutely steady, as though +certain of its aim. Brunnow's composure was evidently forced, and +sustained by a great effort. Though the approach of the decisive +moment, and the fear of misinterpretation, in some measure restored +firmness to his bearing, his hand shook visibly as he levelled the +deadly weapon at the breast of the friend he had once so ardently +loved. + +Wilten gave the signal. The two shots crashed forth together; and, for +a moment, both adversaries stood upright, facing each other. Then one +man dropped his weapon, pressed his hand to his breast, took a step +back, and fell, without uttering a sound. + +Arno Raven lay stretched on the ground, and the white rime on the grass +around him grew dark with a deep-red stain. + +Max hastily assured himself that his father was unhurt, and then +hurried to the side of the wounded man, whom the Colonel was already +endeavouring to succour. Brunnow stood motionless, clutching his +pistol, and gazing over with fixed, vacant eyes at the group opposite +him. The gentleman who had acted as his second came up to him and +spoke. + +"What is the meaning of this?" he asked, in a low voice. "Was it not +the Baron who challenged you? He fired in the air." + +The word seemed to dispel the torpor which paralysed Brunnow. He threw +down his pistol, and rushed over to the others. + +"Arno!" he cried, with an exceeding bitter cry of despair. Max was +attempting to staunch the blood; but his father thrust him violently +aside, as though he alone had a right to that place, tore from him the +handkerchief, and pressed it to the wound. The young man withdrew in +silence, signing to the Colonel and his father's second, who were +looking on at the scene in surprise and concern, to step aside with +him. + +"Can you give the Baron no assistance?" asked the Colonel, in a +half-whisper. + +"There is none to be given," replied Max. "My first glance at the wound +showed me it was mortal. It is only a question of a few minutes, and my +father will do what is necessary. I beg of you to leave him alone with +the dying man." + +"Of the two shots, one only could have proved fatal," said Brunnow's +second, meaningly. + +The Colonel nodded. + +"I saw it too. Raven averted his pistol at the last moment. Strange!" + +The three men looked at each other in silence. They began to divine for +what reasons this duel had been provoked; but none gave utterance to +his thoughts. They felt that at yonder spot, where the adversary knelt +by the side of his fallen foe, a scene was being enacted which had +nothing in common with the ordinary circumstances of a duel; and, +respecting the young doctor's request, they remained reverentially at a +distance. + +Brunnow had passed one arm round the wounded man, whose head lay on his +breast, and supported him, while with the other hand he pressed the +handkerchief to the bleeding part. Whether it were the pain of this +touch, or the bitter cry "Arno!" which brought him back to +consciousness, Raven opened his eyes and made a faint, deprecatory +gesture. + +"Let that be," he said. "You aimed well. I was sure of it." + +"Arno, why have you done this thing to me?" groaned Brunnow. "Must it +be my hand, none but mine? Oh! I see now, I understand why you drove me +to it." + +There was such anguish in his tone that it affected even the dying man. +He tried to hold out his hand to the speaker. + +"Forgive me, Rudolph," he said, but half audibly. "Do not reproach +yourself. I thank you." + +His voice forsook him, but with a supreme effort he raised himself, and +his roving eyes seemed to search for something in the distance, Brunnow +supported him, striving with mortal anxiety to stem the flow of blood, +the red life-stream which his own hand had let loose; yet his science +told him that here no exertions could avail to succour or to save. + +Suddenly the sun broke through the veil of mist. Yonder, on the +heights, stood the Castle, illuminated by the morning splendour. Its +walls and towers gleamed in the rosy flood, and its windows flashed +swift lightning greetings over to the valley beneath. Arno's eyes were +fixed intently on one spot; his last look was for the "sunbeam" which +even now sent a bright message to him from thence. In another moment +the picture paled, the shining vision receded farther and farther from +view. Dark shadows gathered about the dying man. Before his dimmed eyes +came as the eddy of cool water closing in upon him, and he was drawn +down, down into mysterious, glimmering depths where all earthly sounds +were hushed, where all the striving and the strife, the happiness and +sorrow of life, died away into one long continuous dream; while, +intermingling with this dream, there ran ever an unvarying far-off +murmur, the low spirit-singing of a spring borne faintly below from +some immeasurable distance. + +Brunnow laid the dead man gently down. He himself would have risen, but +his strength abandoned him, and he sank unconscious to the ground +beside the lifeless body of the comrade, the friend of his youth. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII. + + +A new era had dawned upon the land. The last four years had wrought +many changes, and had left but little remaining of the old regime. The +once persecuted and oppressed Liberal party now stood at the head of +affairs, and with this complete reversal of the situation a revolution +of opinion had come about in every sphere of official activity. + +Tendencies which had once been combated and repressed were now free to +develop themselves in the broad light of day, and these altered +circumstances had naturally introduced a new set of men into the arena. + +Among those whom the political current of the day had swiftly raised to +a prominent position was George Winterfeld. As Ministerial Councillor +he already filled a post of unusual importance for a man of his years. +The Governor who now administered the affairs of the R---- province +was, in all respects, the opposite of his predecessor. Liberal in his +opinions, mild and forbearing in action, innocent of any leaning to +that despotism which had once ruled the land with a rod of iron, he +was, it must be added, quite incapable of resolute, energetic action, +the need of which would at times still make itself felt. + +Immediately after the catastrophe recorded in the last chapter, Brunnow +had left the town, yielding to his son's earnest solicitations. Max +implored him not to run the risk of a fresh imprisonment, to which his +share in the late duel had rendered him liable, and which, to a man of +his advanced years, broken by recent events, might probably prove +fatal. + +The Doctor had, as is known, previously resolved on leaving his native +land for ever; so, before the news of the duel was bruited in the town, +he quietly departed, returning to his haven in Switzerland. Thence he +published to the world a statement, emphatically worded, clearing the +memory of his late friend. In this statement he declared that for years +he had lived under an erroneous impression which Raven's last +disclosures had completely dispelled. Those accusations, so pregnant of +disaster, had been untrue, and had done the dead man a cruel wrong. +This testimony from the antagonist by whose hand the Baron had fallen, +naturally carried great weight, though the matter was no more +susceptible of proof now than it had been previously. Death took up the +pleading for the defence, and, as is usual in such cases, won the day. +That credence which would have been refused the living man, was +accorded to the dead; and it was currently reported that with his dying +breath the Governor of R---- had declared the shameful charge against +him to be a calumny and a lie. + +Raven had provided largely for his servants; with the exception, +however, of their ample legacies, his whole fortune was bequeathed to +his ward, the young Baroness Harder. After Arno's death, Gabrielle had +been prostrated by a long and terrible illness, from which she but very +slowly recovered. Since that time she had been living with her mother +in the capital, where the rich heiress was, of course, besieged by +suitors, to none of whom she inclined a willing ear. She seemed, +indeed, to put the idea of marriage far from her, to the despair of the +Baroness, who would often exhaust all her powers of eloquence in the +vain hope of bringing her daughter round to her views. Gabrielle had +lately come of age, and was now absolute mistress of her property. It +was, therefore, in her mother's opinion, high time that she should make +a choice. + +Councillor Moser had retired from his post four years ago. The death of +his chief had been a great blow to him, and had gone far towards +inducing him to carry out his long-cherished project. Another motive, +however, combined with this. A man could not, he felt, with dignified +consistency, remain in the service of the State when an alliance had +been contracted between a member of his family and the son of a +reactionary demagogue. This misfortune had really overtaken the unhappy +Councillor. He had struggled against it long and manfully, but to no +purpose. Max Brunnow gave him no peace until he yielded. That +irrepressible wooer appeared regularly, day after day, always ready to +assure his dear father-in-law of the delight he felt at their future +connection, and of his profound conviction that no better son-in-law +than himself was to be found the wide world over. If the old gentleman +flew into a rage, this unscrupulous doctor menaced him with apoplexy, +and prescribed a composing draught. If he forbade his unwelcome guest +the house. Max declared that he could not live without seeing his +betrothed, and came next day an hour earlier. At length the Councillor +resigned himself to his fate. He was one of those, who, if a thing be +constantly repeated to them, come in the end to believe in it. Forced +now to hear, day by day, that this son-in-law was excellent as he was +unavoidable, he at last allowed himself to be converted, and accepted +both propositions as conveying incontrovertible facts. + +The "spiritual guardians" were rather more difficult to deal with. They +naturally refused to recognise the betrothal, and invoked heaven and +the powers of darkness to their aid in opposing it. They menaced the +bridegroom-elect with the pains of eternal punishment; he, in his turn, +menaced them with the press, and declared he would take the whole town +into his confidence, and relate in all the papers how they were trying +to tear his bride from him, in order to incarcerate her in a convent +against her will. This caused them to reflect. The Governor's fall had +plainly shown the power of newspaper articles. + +It was judged prudent to yield. The enemy retreated, and Max, +triumphant, remained master of the field. He was wise enough to hasten +on the wedding as much as possible, and a month or two later he carried +his young wife off to Switzerland. Brunnow, now possessed of +independent means, thanks to the property he had recently inherited, +insisted that his son and daughter-in-law should make his house their +home for the present, as Max, absorbed by the strategy of his rapid +campaign, had not found time to establish a practice of his own before +marriage. The young man set himself diligently to work to regain lost +time, and met with much success in his profession; nevertheless, the +family remained domiciled under one common roof. + +The relations between father and son had undergone a complete change +since that scene by the latter's sick-bed; and if ever any little +difference threatened to arise, Agnes stepped in, and soon made all +straight by her gentle mediation, the young wife having very speedily +won her father-in-law's whole heart to herself. The Councillor still +lived on in R----, under the sceptre of Christine; but this state of +things seemed to suit him, and he travelled southwards regularly once a +year to pay his daughter a visit. + +Summer had come round again. The lake and the town on its shores lay +bathed in bright sunshine; the mountains, wreathed around in thin mist, +rose half shadowy in the distance. Rudolph Brunnow's house, once so +small and unpretending, was much more handsome of aspect now. The +garden had been nearly doubled in size by purchase of the adjacent lots +of ground, and the dwelling-house itself had been rebuilt and +considerably enlarged, room now being required in it for two families. +Young Dr. Brunnow was in the habit of going his rounds in the morning, +but on this particular day his patients looked for him in vain. Max +stood idly in the garden, talking to a guest who had arrived half an +hour before. + +"Come with me now, George, that I may have you to myself a little," +said he, urgently. "If my father gets hold of you, he will not let you +out of his hands again, and I consider your visit is to me in the first +place. It was a surprise! I had no idea you were in Switzerland." + +"I came on an official errand," replied George; "a mission to our +embassy at B----. My business there was settled more quickly than I +expected, and I could not refuse myself the pleasure of looking in upon +you on my return journey." + +The last four years had wrought but little change in Winterfeld. He had +grown somewhat more manly, more matured, and his carriage, always calm +and assured, had gained in dignity. The former transparent pallor of +his complexion had long since yielded to the brighter tint of health; +but his brow, once so clear, was clouded by a shadow, and the beautiful +blue eyes, which in the old days had been grave only, were sombre now, +gloomy even, in their expression. This man of two-and-thirty, so +fortunate in his position and prospects, seemed to carry about with him +some secret care which took all zest from life. Max Brunnow's +appearance, on the other hand, completely bore out his assertion that +he found himself very comfortable in this good-for-nothing world, and +amply testified to the fact that Agnes had quickly learned to excel in +all matronly virtues. + +"I say, George," asked Max, in the course of their conversation, "how +long is it to be before you are Minister?" + +George laughed. + +"A good many years, probably. As a preliminary, I am now Ministerial +Councillor." + +"And the right hand of the men in office, the soul of the present +administration. Oh, we are well up here as to all that is going on in +the capital. My father-in-law keeps me exactly informed on the subject. +The good city of R---- still does a little in the opposition line, the +result, probably, of long habit. The new Governor is Liberal to the +backbone, and tolerance itself. They cannot find any real fault with +him, and this, of course, is aggravating to them." + +"They miss the mighty personal influence which Raven exercised, and +which compelled admiration even from his enemies," said George. "The +present Governor is honest and well-meaning, but he is not a man of +extraordinary mark, and is, perhaps, hardly equal to so important and +responsible a post. So the Councillor still lives on in R----. I +thought he would migrate at last, in order to be near his daughter." + +"The bare notion was an insult," laughed Max, "You imagined that my +father-in-law, the very quintessence of loyalty, would accord to a +pitiful republic the honour of possessing him as a citizen? No, he will +live and die under the wing of his most gracious sovereign. To tell the +truth, I doubt whether things would always go smoothly, were the old +gentleman and my father to be constantly in presence. They are too +strongly in contrast ever to agree thoroughly." + +Winterfeld glanced back at the house. + +"Max, it struck me that your father was looking very worn and aged." + +Max shook his head. + +"He cannot get over Raven's death. I thought time would assuage his +grief--but no! As a medical man, I may not conceal from myself the fact +that he is going from us. I know the symptoms well." + +He spoke sadly, and George's face too wore a troubled look. + +"He cannot put from him the memory of one he loved so well," said the +latter. "The remembrance is wearing him away. I can understand that." + +"Yes, you appear to me to be on that road yourself," exclaimed the +young doctor. "Last time we met, I was not allowed to say a word on the +subject, but now you look even more melancholy and gloomily interesting +than then. So out with it--confess." + +George shook his head. + +"Spare me, Max. You know I am incorrigible; moreover, on this point I +think you hardly understand me." + +"How should I? A hardened realist like myself cannot be admitted into +the sanctuary of your inmost feelings!" + +Winterfeld frowned, and turned away, but Max went on, quite +undisturbed: + +"This anxious hesitation and avoidance of a happiness which by a bold +stroke you might yet secure, this overstrained delicacy of feeling, +these doubts and scruples, will last until you find yourself +forestalled by another less delicate than yourself, and then for a +second time you will wear the willow. Yes, I see my words offend you, +but I tell you this--whereas, and seeing that, you cannot get the +better of this unreasonable love of yours, you must marry. The thing is +as clear as day." + +"Your experience would naturally lead you to suggest such a course," +said George, with a forced smile. "You have made trial of the remedy +with the happiest result. Your wife is a charming creature." + +"Yes, she does honour to my treatment, does she not?" + +Chatting thus, they had completed the round of the garden, and now +again approached the house. In the veranda sat Dr. Brunnow and his +daughter-in-law, who was reading the newspaper to him. The Doctor was +certainly much aged, and it was not difficult to see that he was ill +both in body and mind. His former irritability had vanished, and had +given place to a sort of dull apathy which but rarely kindled with a +gleam of the old passionate fire. Agnes, on the other hand, had +developed into a blooming young woman, uniting with all her own +gentleness of aspect a certain new dignity of look and bearing. A boy +of about two years was playing at his mother's feet. Directly he caught +sight of the gentlemen, he rose to his feet, and, still with a rather +tottering gait, ran forward to meet his father. Max cleared the steps +at a bound, and threw the child high in the air. + +"Look at this young man," he cried, with paternal pride, holding the +sturdy, rosy-cheeked youngster towards his friend. Then he turned to +his wife, "George will stay with us to-day, dear," he said. "He must +set out on his journey again to-morrow, I am sorry to say--but until +then he will be our guest. Will you see that all is made ready for +him?" + +The young wife was indeed charming in her manner, as she turned, and in +gracious words expressed to her husband's friend the pleasure his visit +gave her. Then she rose, wishing, she said, to make sure that the spare +room was in perfect order. + +"I will take the boy with me," she observed. "He is accustomed to have +an hour's nap at noon. You will carry him up to his bedroom for me, +Max, will you not?" + +"I must stay with George," replied her husband. "The young one must +learn to get upstairs by himself. He is big enough." + +"As you like, dear," said Agnes, with sweet and ready acquiescence; +"but Rudolph is so used to be carried by you. He will cry, if you won't +do as he wants." + +"He has that from his mother," said Max. + +With unruffled serenity the young wife stooped and took the child in +her arms. He was a strong, vigorous boy, but no very great weight. His +mother, however, seemed to find him too heavy for her, for she had to +stop at the door to take breath, casting a rather reproachful glance +behind her, as she did so. In a second Max was at her side. + +"How often have I told you not to over-exert yourself in this manner?" +said he, in the old dictatorial tone. "Give me the child. I will take +him upstairs." + +So saying, he relieved her of the boy, and actually carried him up to +the first floor, which was reserved for the young couple's use. Agnes +mildly bent her head and followed, submitting, as was her wont, to her +husband's will in all things. + +George looked after them, a faint, derisive smile hovering about his +lips. + +"Take warning by my son, and draw out no programme with reference to +your future marriage," said the elder Brunnow. "A woman upsets all your +plans and all your reckoning with a breath." + +The words were intended playfully, but the speaker's eyes were fixed +with an earnest scrutiny on the young man he addressed. + +George shook his head. + +"My future marriage?" he repeated. "I shall never marry. You know my +resolve full well." + +"Yes, but I have always combated it. At your age, one cannot bid a +final adieu to happiness, and you especially are not made to stand +alone. Ambition will never fill your life. You need family, domestic +ties." + +Winterfeld made no reply. He leaned forward on the veranda railings, +and looked out at the lake. The doctor laid his hand on his shoulder. + +"George, does the old wound still bleed?" + +George turned round. In the sorrowful eyes which met his, he recognised +a kindred spirit. + +"There are wounds which never close," he replied. "I cannot, perhaps, +make such passionate demonstration of my feelings as some, but when I +once give myself heart and soul, my attachment knows no change. I could +not put it from me, even if I would." + +"Have you seen Gabrielle lately?" asked Brunnow, after a pause. + +"Yes, too often for my peace. I am now constantly thrown into the +society which she frequents, and in the capital unexpected meetings are +almost inevitable. I come upon her sometimes in the midst of a +brilliant assembly, and we are both forced calmly to face the +situation, though we would gladly fly from each other, were it +possible. It would have been better for me, had I never seen her since +the day I lost her. These constant meetings stir up the memories of the +past within me, and rob me of my composure and self-command. I suffer +horribly under it, I assure you." + +"So it was chance alone that directed your steps here? It is as I +suspected." + +Winterfeld looked at the Doctor in astonishment. + +"I have explained to you that I came to Switzerland on an official +mission, and wished to take you and Max by surprise." + +"Max has not told you then that the ladies von Harder are here?" + +"Who is here?" ejaculated George. "Gabrielle?" + +"With her mother. They have been living in that villa yonder for the +last few weeks. The Baroness is somewhat out of health, and has put +herself in the hands of one of our most celebrated physicians. There +has, of course, been no sort of communication between us and the two +ladies. I need not tell you what memories would restrain Gabrielle from +setting foot in the house in which I dwell." + +"It is well that I leave to-morrow," said George, in an agitated tone. +"Perhaps I might not have been spared the pain of a meeting even here, +and here, in this place where the few happy days of my love were spent, +I really could not have borne it." + +"Will you not make some attempt to end this estrangement? Think, +George, the happiness of your whole life is at stake. In your place, I +would accept this strange coincidence as a hint from Destiny, and once +again put the decisive question. Your position and, still more, the +future which lies before you, guarantee you against any mortification, +though the girl to whom you proffer your suit be a rich heiress. You +had less to lay in the balance formerly, when you boldly declared your +love to the Baroness Harder." + +"I was loved then in return," cried George, with a rush of bitterness; +"or, at least, I fancied so. Now we have between us that hour of +parting in which my foolish dream was dispelled for ever. Gabrielle, +certainly, would not wish to call it up again. I have often seen by her +shy, anxious avoidance of me how she feared I might seek to approach +her." + +"That very fear should have encouraged you," interposed Brunnow. "Those +who are quite indifferent to us, we pass by coldly and without remark. +If you really will not venture----" + +"Never," George interrupted him, with some vehemence. "Shall I come +before her to hear from her mouth a second time that her heart is given +to another, that even beyond the grave that other preserves his rights, +that she knows, loves none but him? I have borne it once, and that is +enough. Let us speak now of other matters. Dr. Brunnow. You see I am +not calm enough to pursue this subject." + +Brunnow was silent. The conversation was here put an end to, for Max +came in and laid forcible hands on his friend again. The Doctor left +the two alone, and retired to his study. For a good quarter of an hour, +he there paced in silence up and down, lost in meditation; then he took +up his hat, and, passing out, left the house. + +The villa now inhabited by Madame von Harder and her daughter was much +handsomer in appearance, and more sumptuously furnished, than the +modest chalet which had served them as a residence on the occasion of +their former visit. + +The Baroness now thought it imperatively necessary to live at all times +in a style befitting their rank; she clung to this satisfaction which +she had once so painfully missed, and Gabrielle yielded to her entirely +as regarded external things. Carriages and servants had therefore, of +course, followed in their train, and Madame von Harder had just driven +out on an excursion to the town, leaving her daughter at home alone. + +Gabrielle stood on the terrace which fronted the lake. Yes, that was +she, that slender figure with fair hair, clad in a light summer dress. +The fresh sweet face had lost nothing of its fascinating charm, but the +charm itself was changed. The old happy buoyancy, the radiant +brightness had vanished, gone with the saucy, childish merriment which +once laughed in those sunny brown eyes--but, in lieu of them, the face +had gained the one thing which had been wanting to it: intensity of +expression. Whether it lay in the sorrowful lines about her mouth, +which not even a smile could altogether chase away, or in the shadow +hiding in those deep dark eyes--small matter, it was there, and the +soul, which spoke in it, idealised, perfected her whole being. + +Leaning slightly forward against the balustrade, Gabrielle gazed out at +the landscape, dreamily absorbed in thought. She turned half +impatiently, as a servant appeared, and presented a card. + +Hardly had she glanced at it when she grew very pale, and the card +trembled in her hands. + +"The gentleman begs that he may be allowed to see the Baroness on an +urgent matter of business," reported the servant. + +"Show the gentleman in," she answered, and left the terrace to receive +her visitor. + +In another minute Dr. Brunnow entered the drawing-room. + +For a few seconds the two stood silently face to face. They met now for +the first time, and yet each knew as much of the other as if they had +been intimately acquainted for years. The bent, elderly man and the +blooming young maiden, strangers to each other personally, were united +by one common tie; a name, a dead man's name, formed an invisible link +between them. + +The Doctor bowed, and stepped nearer. Gabrielle involuntarily shrank +from him. He saw it, and stopped. + +"You hardly expected that I should ever approach you, Fraeulein von +Harder," he began. "I do so at the risk of being repulsed. My name +must, I know, have an ominous sound in your ears." + +Gabrielle stood before him, by a great effort compelling herself to be +calm. The colour had not yet returned to her cheeks, and her voice +shook audibly as she replied: + +"Your coming certainly takes me by surprise, Dr. Brunnow. I did not +think my presence would ever be sought by the man who----" + +"At whose hand Arno Raven met his death," completed Brunnow. "You are +right to recoil from him who caused that death, but, believe me, my +dear young lady, I would rather have turned the deadly weapon against +my own breast than have seen him fall." + +"He forced the duel on you?" asked the girl, in a low voice. "I have +long suspected it." + +"Yes, forced it on me in a way which left me no alternative. Had I +known ... but his pistol was so steadily levelled at me, how could I +guess that at the decisive moment he would avert its aim? My hand +shook, and sought so to direct its shot as only to wound. This very +agitation proved fatal--my bullet pierced the heart of my former +friend!" + +Gabrielle shivered, but the weary, concentrated pain in his voice +disarmed her. + +"Arno bore you no ill-will," she replied. "But a few hours before his +death, he related to me all his past; and then I learned what you had +really been to him--as much, perhaps, as he to you." + +"And yet he could require that of me!" said Brunnow, with mournful +bitterness. "He desired to die; but why should he choose my hand to do +the deed? Was I not the friend of old days--the friend of his youth? +That was hard--harder even than my distrust of him had deserved. He +must have known what a load he was laying on me for the rest of my +life--ay, a crushing load! And, I tell you, it is killing me!" + +Gabrielle looked into the old man's pale face, deeply lined and +furrowed by grief; which said more plainly than any words what he had +suffered, and was still suffering. She felt how profoundly her lost +Arno was mourned--how fervently he had been loved, and this broke down +all the barriers between them. Trembling with emotion, she stretched +out both hands to the old man. + +"I knew that here I should be understood," he said, taking her hands in +his. "Arno loved you; that was enough for me." + +His eyes rested on the girl's fair features, as though he were +searching in them for some trace of the past. + +"I come with a request," he began, after a short silence--"with a +petition which perhaps no one else could address to you without +wounding your feelings. I have let you see what Arno was to me; you +will not, therefore, misconstrue the motives which brought me here, I +will tell them to you briefly. My son has a friend----" + +Gabrielle started. She drew away her hands. + +"A friend whom you know--to whom you were once attached. That first +love yielded before a more ardent, mightier passion. To my mind, this +needs neither to be explained nor justified. Better than anyone do I +know how irresistibly Arno could draw to himself those whom he wished +to enchain. But now he is dead--and you are free. Does no voice within +you speak a word for the early love of your youth?" + +"My heart has never ceased to speak for him. It grieved when we were +torn apart; yet I sacrificed him and his happiness--I had no choice, +indeed, but to sacrifice them, for another voice spoke more loudly +within me. I cannot forget Arno." + +"Forget!" repeated Brunnow, with emphasis. "No, you cannot forget him; +and no other man can you love as you have loved him. I believe that +fully." + +"No other," said Gabrielle, firmly; "and that is why I never can be +George's wife." + +"Must we always think of our own happiness?" asked Brunnow, sadly. "Is +it not a great thing to make others happy? Winterfeld is at my son's +house. Chance has brought him to us; he had no idea of your being here +until I told him of it. Then his silence and reserve gave way, and I +had a glimpse into the depths of his love, which is still ardent and +faithful as ever. He will never find consolation in other ties. I +know him--he will go through life a lonely man; and, amid all the +success that awaits him, will feel only the emptiness, the void which +that cruel parting from you left with him. You are young still, +Gabrielle--you have your whole life before you. Devote that life to +him--he is worthy of it." + +She turned from him hastily. + +"No more!" she said. "Spare me these recollections. If you speak in +George's name----" + +"He knows nothing of my being here," interrupted the Doctor. "On the +contrary, he would have held me back. Do not suppose that George will +ever again come to you with his suit spontaneously; he rejects such an +idea with vehemence--and he is right. You once sent him away. It is for +you to call him back." + +Greatly agitated, torn by conflicting emotions, Gabrielle pressed both +hands on her bosom, as though forcibly to keep down some rising +feeling. "I cannot--cannot. And George would not accept the poor +affection I have now to offer him." + +"He will accept it, for he is one of those unselfish beings who give +more than they receive." + +Gabrielle raised her eyes to the speaker. They were full of a grave, +sad reproach. + +"And you can speak these words to me? You, Arno's friend, can wish to +put another in his place?" + +"No, by Heaven, not that!" cried Brunnow, with a flash of the old fire. +"His place shall remain to him. No Winterfeld can rob him of that. +These noble spotless characters, who quietly pursue their path through +life, to whom no shadow of blame attaches, we admire and set on high. +Natures such as Arno's are not created to dispense happiness. They cast +over all they love a shade from the cloud which covers them; yet it is +better worth to suffer with and for them--to share their fate, than to +be serenely happy at the ideally good man's side. You yourself have +felt something of this, Gabrielle--have you not?" + +The old glow suddenly flamed from the ashes. Brunnow's bent form was +drawn erect as he spoke these words with passionate warmth, and for a +moment the bright enthusiasm of youth kindled in his eyes again. +Gabrielle leaned her head on his shoulder, and wept--wept as though her +heart would break. + +"And now, do not let me go from you without an answer," said the +Doctor, after a pause. "I have so seldom in my life brought happiness +to those about me, that I would fain do so once before I depart hence, +and my time here is growing short. May I give George any hope? Will you +see him again?" + +"I will try," she said faintly. + +The proceedings of the Brunnow family that afternoon were decidedly +peculiar. In the first place, the Doctor called his son into his study, +and a strictly private conference took place between them. The subject +discussed seemed to produce a most exhilarating effect on Max, for he +caught his father in his arms and gave him a vigorous hug, such as he +had once threatened to bestow on his papa-in-law, the Councillor. +Directly after this the young surgeon held a parley, likewise strictly +private, with his wife in their own sitting-room, and from this +interview the pair came back somewhat fluttered and excited. Then +Madame Agnes disappeared, and was lost to sight for some time, during +which interval Max took possession of his friend, not stirring from his +side an inch. Under other circumstances, George would have perceived +that something unusual was going on; but the news he had heard that +morning had greatly disturbed him, and he had some difficulty in +preserving his usual outward composure. Unfortunately, Max showed no +sympathy whatever with his friend's interesting melancholy, though he +was well aware of its cause. On the contrary, he tormented the unhappy +lover with all sorts of questions and suggestions, and dragged him out +at last under some crudely imagined pretext into the garden again. + +"But what should I go to the summer-house now for?" asked George, +almost impatiently. "I was in there this morning, admiring the +prospect." + +"Well, there is an arrangement of my father's you have got to admire +now, an arrangement made simply and entirely in your honour. My father +has shown himself practical for once in a way. Come along with me, +you'll be surprised." + +The summer-house, a small pavilion perched on the edge of the lake, +certainly offered a glorious prospect. + +"There are ladies inside," said Winterfeld, as they approached the tiny +building. + +"Some callers on my wife, I suppose," replied Max, indifferently. "Ah! +there is Agnes." + +Madame Agnes did, indeed, at this juncture appear on the scene, and +exchanged a look of intelligence with her husband, who at once executed +a man[oe]uvre simple as it was adroit. He let his unsuspecting friend +walk on before him, then, without more ado, gave him a sudden push over +the threshold and pulled the door to behind him. Then he turned to his +wife in triumph. + +"There they are in the trap, and if George does not come out of that an +affianced husband, may the Lord have mercy on him. Now the great point +is to prevent their being disturbed. It is highly derogatory for a +married man and the head of a family to stand sentinel while a +love-declaration is in progress, but, in consideration of the very +peculiar circumstances, I will once more condescend to the task. Go +into the house, Agnes, and tell my father it has succeeded +magnificently." + +While Agnes went off to discharge her commission, a brief but most +comprehensive scene was being enacted in the pavilion. + +"Gabrielle!" cried George, and moved hastily forwards, as though he +would have rushed up to her; then, bethinking himself, he stopped +short. "Baroness Harder!" + +"George!" said Gabrielle, with gentle reproach in her tone. + +"Forgive me; I did not know--could not guess---- What brought you +here?" + +Gabrielle cast down her eyes without speaking; but in her silence there +was an encouragement, and George understood it. + +"What brought you to this place?" he repeated, with passionate +insistence. "Gabrielle, speak. Did you know I was here?" + +"Yes," was the low, but steady answer. + +George stood by her now, but as yet he did not even take her hand. + +"How am I to interpret that?" he asked, all the old tenderness surging +up within him as he searched her face eagerly for his answer. "This is +not our first meeting since the day that we became strangers to each +other, but I have always read in your eyes that strangers we were to +remain. May I, dare I, hope at length to read another verdict in them?" + +Yes, those eyes told another tale, as she raised them to him now with +frank, sweet entreaty. + +"George," said Gabrielle, earnestly, "I gave you great pain once. You +know what divided us, what has held us apart for years. I then +destroyed all your hopes of happiness. You made no complaint, had no +word of reproach for me, and yet it was a hard trial, and you suffered +cruelly. I would fain give back some of the lost brightness to your +life. Tell me, have I still the power?" + +Ah, could she ask? The fervour with which George clasped his beloved to +his heart spoke the reply before his lips could frame it. Again his +arms were round her; again she listened to his words of love, as she +had listened years before. In those early days she had, indeed, known +nothing of the keen, surpassing joy she had since tasted, when, folded +to Arno's breast, she had, as it were, been lifted to the very pinnacle +of human bliss--when, in a few short hours, she had lived through a +life-time of felicity--alas! quickly to be plunged into a very abyss of +woe, and taught the lesson of life's misery. + +Bitter had been the trial through which she had passed; but once again +a warm, cheering ray fell on her path, like sunshine. Gabrielle would +have been no true woman if it had not gladdened her heart to find +herself thus truly, faithfully loved, and it is a well-established +truth that happiness bestowed on another brings its reward to the +giver! + +Without, the landscape lay flooded in sunlight--the broad gleaming +lake, the blue mountains in the distance, all sparkling in the noonday +beams. Even so before the plighted pair the unclouded future stretched +rich in hope and fair in promise, a long series of gladsome, happy +days. All around was so sunny and bright and clear--and yet in this +hour of her betrothal a shade fell on Gabrielle. Was there magic in the +air about her? Faint rumours reached her ears, whispered messages +telling of a moonlight night, and borne over from a distance, there +came to her the even sound of flowing water, the low rippling murmur of +a spring. + +For a moment all the golden sunshine vanished, blotted out by a tear. + +Gabrielle felt that life and love were given back to her, but, +remembering the price paid, she felt too that love, life, and happiness +were dearly bought! + + + + THE END. + + + + * * * * * + + BILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS AND ELECTROTYPERS, GUILDFORD. + _J. D.. & Co._ + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of No Surrender, by E. 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