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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/35116-8.txt b/35116-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e64368 --- /dev/null +++ b/35116-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13036 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Saint Michael, 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: Saint Michael + A Romance + +Author: E. Werner + +Translator: A. L. Wister + +Release Date: January 30, 2011 [EBook #35116] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SAINT MICHAEL *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books + + + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + 1. Page Scan Source: + http://books.google.com/books?id=lPUqAAAAMAAJ&dq + + 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. + + + + + + + + + SAINT MICHAEL + + + + A ROMANCE + + + + TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN + OF + E. WERNER + + + + BY + MRS. A. L. WISTER + + + + + + PHILADELPHIA + J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY + 1901. + + + + + + + * * * * * + Copyright, 1886, by J. B Lippincott Company + * * * * * + + + + + + + + SAINT MICHAEL. + + +Easter had come; the season of light and refreshment for universal +nature! Winter, as he departed, had shrouded himself in a veil of +gloomy mist, and spring followed close after fleeing abysmal clouds. +She had sent forth the blasts, her messengers, to arouse the earth from +its slumber; they roared above meadow and plain, waved their wings +around the mighty summits of the mountain ranges, and stirred the sea +to its depths. There was a savage conflict and turmoil in the air, +whence issued, nevertheless, a note as of victory. The blasts were +those of spring, and were instinct with life,--they heralded a +resurrection. + +The mountains were still half buried in snow, and the ancient +stronghold that looked down from their heights upon the valley towered +above snow-laden pines. It was one of those gray, rock-crowning castles +that were formerly the terror of the surrounding country, and are now +for the most part deserted and forgotten, with naught but ruins to tell +of ancient splendour. This, however, was not the case in this instance: +the Counts von Steinrück carefully preserved the cradle of their race +from decay, although otherwise they cared very little for the old pile, +secluded as it was from the world in the depths of the mountains. In +the hunting season only, when there was usually an arrival of guests, +life and bustle awoke the echoes within its ancient walls. + +This year was an exceptional one, however. Guests, it is true, were +assembled here in the early spring, but upon a very solemn occasion. +The castle's lord was to be borne to the grave, and with him the +younger branch of the family was extinct in the male succession, for he +left behind him only his widow and a little daughter. Count Steinrück +had died at one of his other estates, his usual dwelling-place, and +there the grand obsequies had been held, before the corpse had been +brought hither to be interred in the family vault very quietly and in +presence of none save the nearest of kin. + +It was one of those stormy days in March when the entire valley is +filled with masses of gray clouds. The dim afternoon light penetrated +to the apartment which the dead Count had been wont to occupy during +his short autumnal visits to the castle. It was a long, rather low +room, with a single large bow-window, and its arrangement dated from +the time of the castle's magnificence. The dark wainscoting, the huge +oaken doors, and the gigantic chimney-piece supporting the Steinrück +escutcheon, and sustained by pillars, had remained unchanged for +centuries, while the heavy antique furniture, and the old family +portraits on the walls, alike belonged to a long-vanished period of +time. The fire smouldering on the hearth could scarcely give an air of +comfort to the gloomy room, which, nevertheless, represented a bit of +history,--the history of an influential family whose fortunes had long +been closely allied with those of its country. + +The door opened, and two gentlemen entered, evidently relatives of the +house, for the uniform of the one and the civilian's dress of the other +showed each conventional signs of mourning. In fact, they had just +returned from the funeral, and the face of the elder man had not yet +lost the solemnity of expression befitting the occasion. + +"The will is to be opened to-morrow," he said, "but it will be a mere +form, as I am perfectly aware of its dispositions. To the Countess is +left a large income with Castle Berkheim, where she has always resided; +all the other estates go to Hertha, whose guardian I am to be. Then +come a series of legacies, and Steinrück is bequeathed to me as the +head of the elder branch." + +At the last words the younger man shrugged his shoulders. "That child +inherits an enormous property," he said. "Your inheritance is not +exactly brilliant, papa; I imagine this old castle with the forests +belonging to it costs almost as much as it yields." + +"No matter for that; it is the ancestral stronghold of our family which +thus comes into our possession. My cousin could have left me nothing +more valuable, and I am duly grateful to him. Shall you return +tomorrow, Albrecht?" + +"I had arranged to stay from home for a few days only, but if you +desire----" + +"No, there is no necessity for your staying. I shall, of course, apply +for an extension of my leave. There is much to be attended to, and the +Countess seems so entirely dependent that I shall be compelled to stay +and assist her for a while." + +He went to the bow-window and looked out upon the veiled landscape. The +Count had already passed the prime of life, but there was about him no +sign of failing vigour; his figure was fine, his carriage commanding. +He must have once been extremely handsome, and, indeed, might still +have been called so even at his age; his abundant, slightly-grizzled +hair, his quick, energetic movements, and his full, deep voice, as well +as the fire of his eye, gave him a decided air of youth. + +His son was his opposite in all these characteristics; his figure was +slender, and he looked delicate in health. His pale face and thin +features gave the impression of timidity, and yet those features +certainly resembled his father's. Striking as was the contrast they +presented, the family likeness between father and son was unmistakable. + +"The Countess seems to be an utterly dependent creature," he said; +"this trial finds her perfectly helpless." + +"It is very hard for her, losing her husband thus after so short an +illness and in the prime of life,--sensitive natures are sure to be +crushed by such a blow." + +"Still, some women would have borne it better. Louise would have +resigned herself with fortitude to the inevitable." + +"Hush, hush!" the Count interrupted him sternly as he turned away. + +"Forgive me, sir; I know you do not like to be reminded, but to-day +such reminiscences will thrust themselves before me. Of right Louise +should now be the mourner here. She would hardly have been left with +only a large income. Steinrück would have made her sole mistress of all +that he possessed; he used to submit to her in everything. How, how +could she reject him? And to sacrifice everything, name, home, family, +to become the wife of an adventurer who dragged her down to ruin! It is +enough to revive faith in the old legends of love-philtres; such things +can hardly be accounted for by natural means." + +"Folly!" the Count said, coldly. "Our fate lies in our own hands. +Louise turned aside to an abyss, and it engulfed her." + +"And yet you might, perhaps, have received the outcast again if she had +returned repentant." + +"Never!" The word was uttered with uncompromising severity. "And, +besides, she never would have returned. She could go to destruction in +the disgrace and misery which she had brought upon herself, but Louise +never could have pleaded for mercy with the father who had thrust her +forth. She was my own child, in spite of all!" + +"And your favourite," Albrecht concluded, with an outbreak of +bitterness. "I know it well; I have been told often enough that in no +quality do I resemble you. Louise alone inherited your characteristics. +Beautiful, intellectual, energetic, she was the child of your +affections, your pride, your delight. Well, we have lived to see +whither this energy led; we know how, at that man's side, she sank +lower and lower, until at last----" + +"Your sister is dead," the Count interrupted him, sternly. "Let the +dead rest!" + +Albrecht was silent, but the bitterness did not pass from his look; he +evidently could not forgive his sister for what she had brought upon +her family. There was no further conversation, however, for a servant +appeared and announced "His reverence the pastor of Saint Michael." + +This arrival seemed to have been expected, for the servant, without +awaiting permission, ushered in the priest. + +He was a man about fifty years of age, with perfectly gray hair, a face +expressing grave serenity, and dark-blue eyes, while his carriage and +manner bespoke the repose and gentleness befitting his calling. + +Count Steinrück advanced several steps to receive him, and greeted him +courteously but formally. The elder branch of the family was +Protestant, and as such had no especial consideration for a Catholic +priest. "I desire to express my thanks to your reverence," he began, +motioning the pastor to a seat. "It was the special wish of the widowed +Countess that you should conduct the funeral services, and on this +mournful day you have given her such loyal support that we are all +grateful to you." + +"I only fulfilled my duty as a pastor," the ecclesiastic replied, +calmly, "and deserve no gratitude. But I come to you now, Count, to +make an appeal upon another subject, where my interference is uncalled +for and perhaps, in your eyes, unjustifiable; yet, since the late +melancholy event has brought you unexpectedly to our mountains, I could +not but request this interview with you." + +"Let me repeat that I am at your service, Herr Pastor Valentin. If the +matter is of a private nature, my son will leave----" + +"I pray the Count to remain," Valentin interposed. "He is aware of the +matter that brings me hither; it concerns the foster-son of the +forester Wolfram." + +He paused as if awaiting an answer, but none was forthcoming. The Count +sat still, with an unmoved countenance, and Albrecht, although he +suddenly became attentive, was silent; therefore the priest was +compelled to proceed. + +"You will remember, Herr Count, that it was through me that you +received intelligence of the boy's place of abode, coupled with the +request that you would befriend him." + +"A request with which I immediately complied Wolfram took charge of the +child by my desire, as I informed you." + +"True; I should indeed have much preferred to see the child in other +hands, although such was your disposition of him. Now, however, the boy +has grown older, and cannot possibly be left among such surroundings. I +am convinced that you could not desire it." + +"And why not?" rejoined Steinrück, coldly. "I know Wolfram to be +thoroughly trustworthy, and I had my reasons for choosing him. Do you +know anything to his discredit?" + +"No; the man is honest, after his fashion, but rude and half savage in +his solitude. Since his wife's death he scarcely comes in contact with +mankind, and his household differs in no wise from that of a common +peasant. Such a one can scarcely be a good home for a growing boy, +least of all for the grandson of Count Steinrück." + +Albrecht, standing behind his father's chair, stirred uneasily; the old +Count frowned, and rejoined, sharply, "I have but one grandchild, my +son's boy, and I pray your reverence to keep this fact in mind in your +allusion to the matter under discussion." + +The priest's gentle gaze fell grave and reproachful upon the speaker. +"Pardon me, Herr Count, but your daughter's legitimate child has a just +claim to be entitled your grandson." + +"Nevertheless he is not such; that marriage had no existence for me or +for my family." + +"And yet you acceded to my request when Michael----" + +The Count started. "Michael?" he repeated, slowly. + +"The boy's name. Did you not know it?" + +"No; I did not see the child when it was given to Wolfram to educate." + +"There could be no question of education with a man of Wolfram's lack +of culture, and yet much might have been effected by it. Michael had +been neglected and allowed to run wild in the uncertain life led by his +parents. I have done what I could for him, and have given him all the +instruction that I could, considering the seclusion of the forester's +lodge." + +"Have you really done this?" There was displeased surprise in the tone +of the question. + +"Certainly; no other instruction was possible in that seclusion, and I +could not for a moment suppose that the boy was to be intentionally +degraded and intellectually starved in that solitude. Such a punishment +for his parent's fault would have been too hard." + +There was stern reproof in the simple words, and they must have hit the +mark, for an angry gleam flashed in Steinrück's eyes. "Whatever your +reverence may have learned of our family affairs, your judgment with +regard to them must be that of a stranger, and as such some things may +seem incomprehensible to you. It is my duty, as the head of the family, +to preserve its honour intact, and whoever assails and attaints that +honour will be thrust forth from my heart and home, though such assault +proceed from my own child. I did what I was forced to do, and in case +of a like terrible necessity I should act similarly." + +The words were uttered with iron determination, and Valentin was silent +for a moment, probably feeling that no priestly admonition could affect +such a nature. "The Countess Louise has found rest in the grave," he +said at last, and his voice trembled slightly as he uttered the name, +"and with her also the man to whom she was wedded. Her son is alone and +unprotected, and I come to ask for the boy what you would not refuse to +any orphaned stranger commended to your care,--an education which will +enable him in future to confront life and the world. If he remains in +Wolfram's charge he is entirely excluded from anything of the kind, and +will be condemned to a half-savage existence in some lonely mountain +forest lodge, a life no higher in aim than that of the merest peasant. +If you, Herr Count, can answer to yourself for this----" + +"Enough!" the Count angrily interrupted him, rising from his chair. "I +will take the matter into consideration and decide definitively with +regard to your _protégé_. Upon this your reverence may rely." + +The pastor arose on the instant; he perceived that the interview was at +an end, and he had no desire to prolong it. "My _protégé_?" he +repeated; "may he be yours also, Herr Count,--he surely has a right to +be so." And with a brief, grave inclination of his head to each of the +gentlemen, he left the room. + +"A most extraordinary visit!" said Albrecht, who had hitherto been +silent. "What right has this priest to meddle in our family affairs?" + +Steinrück shrugged his shoulders. "He was formerly our cousin's father +confessor, and now occupies a confidential position with his family, +although he lives high up in a lonely Alpine village. He and no other +must attend Steinrück's body to the grave. I shall make him understand, +however, that I am inaccessible to priestly influence. I could not +quite deny myself to him, since it was he who some time ago asked my +aid for the orphan boy, any more than I could refuse the aid he asked." + +"Yes, the boy had to be cared for, and it has been done," Albrecht +coolly assented. "You attended to the matter yourself, sir. This +Wolfram--I have an indistinct remembrance of the name--was once a +gamekeeper of yours, was he not?" + +"Yes; my recommendation procured him his position as forester with my +cousin. He is taciturn and trustworthy, troubling himself little +concerning matters beyond his ken. He never asked what my relations +with the boy intrusted to him were, but did as he was bidden, and took +him home." + +"Where he belongs, of course. You do not contemplate making any +change?" + +"That remains to be decided. I must see him." + +Albrecht started, and his features betrayed surprise and annoyance. +"Wherefore? Why have any personal contact with him? One keeps as far as +possible out of the way of such disagreeable matters." + +"That is your fashion," the Count said, sharply. "Mine is to confront +such evils, and contend with them, if necessary, face to face." He +stamped his foot in a sudden outburst of anger. "'_Intentionally_ +degraded and intellectually starved as a punishment for his parent's +fault!' That this priest should say it to my face!" + +"Yes, it only remained for him to undertake the defence of the +parents," Albrecht interposed, disdainfully. "And they called their boy +Michael. They presumed to give him your name,--the ancient traditional +name of our family. The insult is apparent." + +"It may have been the result of repentance," Steinrück said, gloomily. +"Your son is called Raoul." + +"Not at all; he was christened by your name, which he bears." + +"In the church register! He is called Raoul; your wife has seen to +that." + +"It is the name of Hortense's father, and she clings to it with filial +devotion. You know this, and you have never found any fault with it." + +"If it were the name alone! But it is not the only thing foreign to me +in my grandson. There is no trace of the Steinrück in Raoul, either in +face or in character; he resembles his mother." + +"I should not reckon that against him. Hortense has always been +considered a beauty. You have no idea how many conquests she still +makes." + +The words were uttered in seeming jest, but they met with no response +in the manner of the old Count, who remained grave and cold. "That +probably accounts for her attachment to the scene of such triumphs. You +spend more time in France with her relatives than you do at home. Your +visits there are more frequent and more prolonged as time goes on, and +there is some talk now, I hear, of your being attached to our embassy +in Paris. Then Hortense will have attained her desire." + +"I must go wherever I am sent," Albrecht said in self-exculpation, "and +if they select me----" + +"What? playing your diplomatic game with me?" his father interrupted +him harshly. "I know well enough what secret wires are pulled, and the +position is but an insignificant one. I expected better things of your +career, Albrecht. There were paths enough open to you whereby to attain +eminence, but to do so needed ambition and energy, neither of which +qualities have you ever possessed. Now you are applying for a position +which you will owe entirely to your name, and which you may occupy for +a decade without advancing a step,--and all in obedience to the wishes +of your wife." + +Albrecht bit his lip at this reproof, uttered as it was with almost +brutal frankness. + +"In this respect, papa, you have always been unjust; you never +regarded my marriage with any favour. I thought myself secure of your +approval of my choice, and you have all but reproached me for bringing +home to you a beautiful, talented daughter from one of the most +distinguished----" + +"Who has never been other than a stranger to us," Steinrück interrupted +his son. "She has never yet perceived that she belongs to us, not you +to her. I could wish you had brought home to me the daughter of the +simplest country nobleman instead of this Hortense de Montigny. It is +not good, the mixture of hot French blood in our ancient German race, +and Raoul shows far too much of it. Stern military discipline will be +of use to him." + +"Yes,--you insist that he shall enter the army," said Albrecht, with +hesitation. "Hortense is afraid--and I fear also--that our child is not +equal to much hardship. He is a delicate boy; he will not be able to +endure such iron discipline." + +"He must learn to endure it. Your delicate health has always excluded +you from the service; but Raoul is healthy, and it is high time to +withdraw him from the effeminating effect of pampering and petting. The +army is the best school for him. My grandson must not be a weakling; he +must do honour to our name; I'll take care of that." + +Albrecht was silent; he knew his father's inflexible will. It still +gave him the law, husband and father though he were, and Count Michael +Steinrück was the man to see that his laws were obeyed. + + + * * * * * + + +"I can't help it, your reverence; the fellow is a trial. He knows +nothing, he understands nothing; he wanders about the mountains from +morning to night, and grows stupider every day. He'll never make a +decent forester; 'tis all trouble lost." + +The words were spoken by a man whose appearance betrayed his forester's +calling. He was provided with gun and hunting-pouch, and was sturdy and +powerful of frame, with broad shoulders and coarse features. His hair +and beard were neglected, his dress--a mixture of hunting and peasant's +costume--was careless in the extreme, and his speech was as rude as his +exterior; thus he confronted the priest. The pair were in the parsonage +of Saint Michael, a small hamlet high up among the mountains, and a +place of pilgrimage. The priest, seated at his writing-table, shook his +gray head disapprovingly. + +"As I have often told you, Wolfram, you do not understand how to treat +Michael. You can never do anything with him by threats and abuse; you +only make him shyer, and he is already shy enough in his intercourse +with human kind." + +"That all comes from his stupidity," the forester explained. "The boy +does not see daylight clearly; he has to be shaken hard to rouse him, +since I made your reverence a promise not to beat him again." + +"And I hope you have kept your word. The child has been much sinned +against; you and your wife maltreated him daily before I came here." + +"It did him good. All boys need the stick, and Michael always needed a +double portion. Well, he got it. When I stopped, my wife began; but it +never did any good,--it never made him any the cleverer." + +"No; but he would have been ruined by your rough treatment if I had not +interfered." + +Wolfram laughed aloud. "Ruined? Michael? Not a bit of it. He could have +borne ten times as much; he's as strong as a bear. It's a perfect +shame; the fellow could tear up trees by the roots, and he lets himself +be teased by the village children without ever stirring a finger. I +know right well why he wouldn't come along with me to-day, but chose to +follow me. He won't come through the village; he chooses to come the +longer way, through the forest, as he always does when he comes to you, +the cowardly fellow!" + +"Michael is no coward," said the pastor, gravely. "You ought to know +that, Wolfram; you have told me yourself that there is no controlling +him when he once gets angry." + +"Yes, he's right crazy then, and must be let alone. If I didn't know +that he's not all right here"--he touched his forehead--"I'd take him +in hand, but it's a terrible cross. It's strange, too, that he shoots +so well, when he sees the game, though that's not often. He stares up +into the trees and the sky, and a stag will run away right under +his nose. I'm not curious, but, indeed, I'd like to know where the +moon-calf comes from." + +Valentin looked pained at these words, but he replied, calmly, "That +can hardly interest you. Do not put such ideas into Michael's head, or +he might ask you questions which you cannot answer." + +"He's too stupid for that," asserted the forester, with whom his +foster-son's stupidity seemed to be an indisputable article of faith. +"I don't believe he knows that he was ever even born. But Tyras is +barking,--he must see Michael." + +In fact, the dog was barking joyously, the sound of approaching +footsteps was heard, and in the next instant Michael entered the room. + +The new-comer was a lad of about eighteen, but his tall, powerful +figure, with its awkward movements, showed nothing of the grace and +freshness of youth. The face, plain and irregular in all its lines, had +a half-shy, half-dreamy expression that was hardly attractive. The +thick, fair curls were matted around the temples and brow, below which +looked out a pair of eyes deep blue in colour, but as vacant as if no +soul enlightened their depths. His dress was as sordid and neglected as +the forester's, and in his entire appearance there was absolutely +nothing to attract. + +"Well, have you come at last?" was his foster-father's gruff reception +of him. "You must have gone to sleep on the way, or you would have been +here long ago." + +"I came through the forest," replied Michael, going up to the priest, +who kindly held out his hand to him. + +Wolfram laughed scornfully. "Didn't I tell your reverence? He didn't +dare to go through the village,--I knew it." + +Michael paid not the slightest heed to the apparently well-grounded +accusation, being well used to such treatment from his foster-father, +who now took his hat and made ready to go. + +"I must go up to the fenced forest," he said; "it looks badly there: +more than a dozen of the tallest trees are torn down; the Wild Huntsman +has made terrible work there lately." + +"You mean the storms of the last week, Wolfram?" + +"No, it was the Wild Huntsman, your reverence. He is abroad every night +this spring. The day before yesterday, as we came through the wood at +dusk, the whole mad crew swept by not a hundred yards away. They raged +and howled and stormed as though all hell had broken loose, and I +suppose a bit of it had done so. Michael, stupid fool, would have +rushed into the thick of it, but I caught his arm in time and held him +fast." + +"I wanted to see the demon at close quarters," said Michael, quietly. + +The forester shrugged his shoulders. "There, your reverence, you see +what the fellow is! He runs away from human creatures and such like, +but he wants to be right in the midst of things which make every +Christian shudder, and cross himself! I really believe he would have +joined the phantoms if I had not held him back, and then he would now +have been lying dead in the forest, for he who joins the Wild +Huntsman's chase is lost." + +"Will you never be rid of this sinful superstition, Wolfram?" said the +priest. "You pretend to be a Christian, and are nothing better than a +heathen. And you have infected Michael, too; his head is full of +heathenish legends." + +"It may be sinful, but it's true for all that," Wolfram insisted. "I +don't suppose you see anything of it. You are a holy man, a consecrated +priest, and the ghostly rabble that haunt the forest at night is afraid +of you, but the like of us see and hear more of it than is agreeable. +Then Michael is to stay here?" + +"Of course. I will send him back in the afternoon." + +"Good--by, then," said the forester, tightening the strap of his gun. +He bowed to the priest, and departed without taking further notice of +his foster-son. + +Michael, who seemed to be perfectly at home in the parsonage, now +fetched various books and papers from a cupboard and arranged them on +the writing-table. Evidently the wonted instruction was about to begin, +but before it could do so the sound of a sleigh was heard outside. +Valentin looked up in surprise; the rare visits that he received were +almost exclusively from the pastors of secluded Alpine villages, and +pilgrims were scarcely to be looked for at this time of year. Saint +Michael was not one of those large and famous places of pilgrimage +whither the faithful resort in crowds at all seasons. Only the poor +dwellers on the Alps brought their vows and supplications to the +secluded hamlet, and only upon church festivals was there any great +gathering there. + +Meanwhile, the sleigh had drawn up before the parsonage. A gentleman in +a fur coat got out, inquired of the maid who met him at the door +whether the Herr Pastor was at home, and forthwith made his way to the +study. + +Valentin started at the sound of the voice, and then rose with +delighted surprise in every feature. "Hans! Is it you?" + +"You know me still, then? It would be no wonder if each of us failed to +recognize the other," said the stranger, offering his hand, which was +warmly grasped by the priest. + +"Welcome, welcome! Have you really found me out?" + +"Yes, it certainly was a proof of affection, the getting up to you +here," said the guest. "We have been working our way for hours through +the snow; sometimes fallen hemlocks lay directly across the road, +sometimes we had to cross a mountain torrent, and for a change we had +small avalanches from the rocks. And yet my coachman obstinately +insisted that it was the high-road. I should like, then, to see your +foot-paths; they must be practicable for chamois only." + +Valentin smiled. "You are the same old fellow,--always sneering and +criticising. Leave us, Michael, and tell the gentleman's coachman to +put up his horses." + +Michael left the room, but not before the stranger had turned and +glanced at him. "Have you set up a famulus? Who is that dreamer?" + +"My pupil, whom I teach." + +"You must have hard work to gel anything inside that head! That +fellow's talent would seem to lie solely in his fists." + +As he spoke the guest had taken off his furs, and was seen to be a man +about five or six years younger than the pastor, of hardly medium +height, but with a very distinguished head, which, with its broad brow +and intellectual features, riveted attention at the first glance. The +clear, keen eyes seemed used to probe everything to the core, and in +the man's whole bearing there was evident the sense of superiority +which comes of being regarded as an authority in one's own circle. + +He looked keenly about him, investigating the pastor's study and +adjoining room, both of which displayed a monastic simplicity; and as +he turned his eyes from one object to another in the small apartment, +he said, without a trace of sarcasm, but with some bitterness, "And +here you have cast anchor! I never imagined your solitude so desolate +and world-forsaken. Poor Valentin! You have to pay for the assault that +my investigations make so inexorably upon your dogmas, and for my works +being down in the 'Index.'" + +The pastor repudiated this charge by a gentle gesture. "What an idea! +There are frequent changes in ecclesiastical appointments, and I came +to Saint Michael----" + +"Because you had Hans Wehlau for a brother," the other completed the +sentence. "If you would publicly have cut loose from me, and thundered +from your pulpit against my atheism, you would have been in a more +comfortable parsonage, I can tell you. It is well known that there has +been no breach between us, although we have not seen each other for +years, and you must pay for it. Why did you not condemn me publicly? I +never should have taken it ill of you, since I know that you absolutely +repudiate my teachings." + +"I condemn no one," the pastor said, softly; "certainly not you, Hans, +although it grieves me sorely to see you so greatly astray." + +"Yes; you never had any talent for fanaticism, but always a very great +one for martyrdom. It often vexes me horribly, though, that I am the +one to help you to it. I have taken good care, however, that my visit +to-day should not be known; I am here _incognito_. I could not resist +the temptation to see you again on my removal to Northern Germany." + +"What! you are going to leave the university?" + +"Next month. I have been called to the capital, and I accepted +immediately, since I know it to be the sphere suited to me and to my +work. I wanted to bid you good-by; but I nearly missed you, for, as I +hear, you were at Steinrück yesterday at the Count's funeral." + +"By the Countess's express desire I officiated." + +"I thought so! They summoned me by telegraph to Berkheim to the +death-bed." + +"And you went?" + +"Of course, although I gave up practice long ago for the professorial +chair. This was an exceptional case. I can never forget how the +Steinrücks befriended me, employing me when I was a young, obscure +physician, upon your recommendation, to be sure, but they placed every +confidence in me. I could, indeed, do nothing for the Count except to +make death easier, but my presence was a satisfaction for the family." + +Michael's entrance interrupted the conversation. He came to say that +the sacristan wished to speak for a moment with his reverence, and was +waiting outside. + +"I will come back immediately," said Valentin. "Put away your books, +Michael; there will be no lessons to-day." + +He left the room, and Michael began to gather up the books and papers. +The Professor watched him, and said, casually, "And so the Herr Pastor +teaches you?" + +Michael nodded and went on with his occupation. + +"It's just like him," murmured Wehlau. "Here he is tormenting himself +with teaching this stupid fellow to read and write, probably because +there is no school in the neighbourhood. Let me look at that." + +And he took up one of the copy-books, nearly dropping it on the instant +in his surprise. "What! Latin? How is this?" + +Michael did not comprehend his surprise; it seemed to him quite natural +to understand Latin, and he answered, quietly, "Those are my +exercises." + +The Professor looked at the lad, whose dress proclaimed him a mere +peasant, scanned him from head to foot, and then turning over the +leaves of the book, read several lines and shook his head. + +"You seem to be an excellent Latin scholar. Where do you come from?" + +"From the forester's, a couple of miles away." + +"And what is your name?" + +"Michael." + +"Your name is that of the hamlet. Were you named after it?" + +"I don't know,--I think I was named after the archangel Michael." He +uttered the name with a certain solemnity, and Wehlau, noticing it, +asked, with a sarcastic smile, "You hold the angels in great respect?" + +Michael threw back his head. "No, they only pray and sing through all +eternity, and I don't care for that; but I like Saint Michael. At least +he does something: he thrusts down Satan." + +There must have been something unusual either in his words or in his +expression, for the Professor started and riveted his keen eyes upon +the face of the lad, who stood close to him, full in the sunlight that +entered by the low window. "Strange," he murmured again. "The face is +utterly changed. What is there in the features----?" + +At this moment Valentin reappeared, and, seeing the book in his +brother's hand, asked, "Have you been examining Michael? He is a good +Latin scholar is he not?" + +"He is, indeed; but what good is Latin to do him in a lonely forest +lodge? I suppose his father is too poor to send him to school?" + +"But I hope to do something for him in some other way," said the +pastor; and as Michael took his books to the cupboard he went on, in a +low tone, "If the poor fellow were only not so ugly and awkward! +Everything depends upon the impression that he makes in a certain +quarter, and I fear it will be very unfavourable." + +"Ugly?--yes, he certainly is that; and yet a moment ago, when he made +quite an intelligent remark, something flashed into his features like +lightning, reminding me of--yes, now I have it--of Count Steinrück." + +"Of Count Steinrück?" Valentin repeated, in surprise. + +"I don't mean the man who has just died, but his cousin, the head of +the elder branch. He was in Berkheim the other day, and I became +acquainted with him there. He would consider my idea an insult, and he +would not be far wrong. To compare Steinrück, dignified and handsome as +he is, with that moonstruck lad! They have not a feature in common. I +cannot tell why the thought came into my head, but it did when I saw +the fellow's eyes flash." + +The pastor made no reply to this last observation, but said, as if to +change the subject, "Yes, Michael is certainly a dreamer. Sometimes in +his apathy and indifference he seems to me like a somnambulist." + +"Well, that would not be very dreadful," said his brother. +"Somnambulists can be awakened if they are called in the right way, and +when that lad wakes up he may be worth something. His exercises are +very good." + +"And yet learning has been made so hard for him! How often he has had +to contend with storm and wind rather than lose a lesson, and he has +never missed one!" + +"Rather different from my Hans," the Professor said, dryly. "He employs +his school-hours in drawing caricatures of his teachers; my personal +interference has been necessary at times. He is too audacious, because +he has been such a lucky sort of fellow. Whatever he tries succeeds; +wherever he knocks doors and hearts fly open to receive him, and +consequently he imagines that life is all play,--nothing but amusement +from beginning to end. Well, I'll show him another side of the picture +when once he begins to study natural science." + +"Has he shown any inclination for such study?" + +"Most certainly not. His only inclination is for scrawling and daubing; +there's no doing anything with him if he scents a painted canvas, but +I'll cure him of all that." + +"But if he has a talent for----" the pastor interposed. + +His brother angrily interrupted him: "That's the worst of it,--a +talent! His drawing-masters stuff his head with all sorts of nonsense; +and awhile ago a painter fellow, a friend of the family, made a tragic +appeal to me,--Could I answer it to myself to deprive the world of such +a gift? I was positively rude to him; I couldn't help it." + +Valentin shook his head half disapprovingly. "But why do you not allow +your son to follow his inclination?" + +"Can you ask? Because an intellectual inheritance is his by right. My +name stands high in the scientific world, and must open all doors for +Hans while he lives. If he follows in my footsteps he is sure of +success; he is his father's son. But God have mercy on him if he takes +it into his head to be what they call a genius!" + +Meanwhile, Michael had put away his books, and now advanced to take his +leave. Since there was to be no lesson, there was no excuse for his +remaining any longer at the parsonage. His face again showed the same +vacant, dreamy expression peculiar to it; and as he left the room +Wehlau said in an undertone to his brother, "You are right; he is too +ugly, poor devil!" + + + * * * * * + + +The Counts of Steinrück belonged to an ancient and formerly very +powerful family, dating back centuries. Its two branches owned a common +lineage, but were now only distantly connected, and there had been +times when there had been no intercourse between them, so widely had +they been sundered by diversity of religious belief. + +The elder and Protestant branch, belonging to Northern Germany, +possessed entailed estates yielding a moderate income; the South-German +cousins, on the contrary, were owners of a very large property, +consisting chiefly of estates in fee, and were among the wealthiest in +the land. This wealth was at present owned by a child eight years of +age, the daughter whom the late Count had constituted his sole heiress. +Conscious of the hopeless nature of his malady, he had summoned his +cousin, and had made him the executor of his will and his daughter's +guardian. Thus had been adjusted an estrangement that had existed for +years, and that had its rise in an alliance once contracted, only to be +suddenly dissolved. + +Besides his son, the present Count Steinrück had had another child,--a +beautiful, richly-endowed daughter, the favourite of her father, whom +she resembled in character and in mind. She was to have married her +relative, the Count now deceased; the union had long been agreed upon +in the family, and the young Countess had consequently spent many weeks +at a time beneath the roof of her future parents-in-law. + +But before there had been any formal betrothal between the young +people, there intervened with the girl of eighteen one of those +passions which lead,--which must lead--to ruin, not because of +difference of rank and social standing, not because of the consequent +estrangement of families, but because they lack the only thing that can +confer upon a union a blessing and endurance,--true, genuine affection. +It was an intoxication sure to be followed by remorse and repentance +when, alas, it was too late. + +Louise became acquainted with a man who, although of bourgeois +parentage, had worked his way into aristocratic circles. Brilliantly +handsome, endowed with various accomplishments and a winning grace of +manner, he succeeded in gaining entrance everywhere; but he was one of +those restless, unsteady beings who can never adjust themselves for +long to any environments. Possessed by a positive greed for the +luxuries and splendours of existence, he had no capacity for attaining +them by his own energy; he was an adventurer in the truest sense of the +word. He may have loved the young Countess sincerely, he may have only +hoped to achieve social position through her means; at all events, he +contrived so to ensnare her that she resolved, in spite of the certain +opposition of her father and of her entire family, to become his wife. + +When the Count learned how matters stood, he took them in hand with an +energy that was indeed ominous. He believed that by commands and +threats he could bend his daughter to his will, but he only aroused in +her the obstinacy which she had inherited from himself. She utterly +refused to yield him obedience, opposed resolutely all effort to carry +out her betrothal to her cousin, and, in spite of every precaution, +contrived to hold communication with her lover. Suddenly she +disappeared, and a few days afterwards news was received that she had +become the wife of Rodenberg. + +The marriage was perfectly valid, in spite of the haste and secrecy +with which it was contracted; Rodenberg had arranged and prepared +everything. He reckoned upon Count Steinrück's final acknowledgment of +his daughter's husband: he would not surely cast them off; he trusted +to the father's affection for his favourite child, but he did not know +the Count's iron nature. Steinrück replied to the announcement of the +marriage by an utter repudiation of his daughter; he forbade her ever +again to appear in his presence: for him she was dead. + +He persisted inexorably in this course until his daughter's death, and +even after it had taken place. At first Rodenberg made several attempts +to induce his wife's father to grant him an interview, but he soon +perceived the uselessness of any such attempt; the Count was neither to +be persuaded nor coerced, and since all sources of aid were thus cut +off, the man plunged with his wife and child into a Bohemian mode of +life harmonizing with his lawless nature. + +What followed was the inevitable result,--misery and want, a gradual +sinking into ruin; the lot of the wife beside the husband for whom she +had sacrificed name, home, and family, when all hopes founded upon her +and upon her wealth had vanished, can easily be imagined. She was true +to her nature, and clung to the man whom she had married, without one +attempt to obtain help from her father, knowing that even her death +would be powerless to effect a reconciliation. She and her husband had +now been dead for many years, and the wretched family tragedy was +buried with them. + + + * * * * * + + +An entire week had passed since the funeral at Steinrück. Count +Michael, who occupied the rooms that had been his cousin's, was sitting +in the bow-windowed apartment, when he was told that Wolfram the +forester had arrived in obedience to his desire. The Count was in full +uniform, being about to ride to a neighbouring town, where the +sovereign's brother had instituted a memorial celebration. Of course +every one of consequence in the country around had been invited to take +part in the ceremonial, and the lord of Steinrück could not refuse to +be present on the occasion, although, in view of the family +bereavement, he was to withdraw before the subsequent festivities. The +hour for his departure was at hand, but there was still time for his +interview with the forester. + +As he sat at his writing-table he took from one of its drawers the star +of an order set with large brilliants. As he was about to fasten it on +his breast he saw that the ribbon was loose, and as Wolfram entered at +the moment, he laid it in the open case on the table. + +The forester was in full dress to-day, and really looked well. His hair +and beard were carefully arranged, and great pains had been bestowed +upon his hunting-suit; nor did he seem to have forgotten the demeanor +required in presence of his former master, for, with a respectful bow, +he paused at the door until the Count motioned to him to approach. + +"Ah, here you are, Wolfram," he said, kindly; "I have not seen you for +a long time. Is all going well with you?" + +"Pretty well, Herr Count," the forester replied, standing as straight +and stiff as a ramrod. "I earn my wages, and the late Count was +satisfied with me. I never have a chance to leave the forest year out +and year in, but we get used to that and don't mind the loneliness." + +"You were married, I think; is your wife still living?" + +"No; she died five years ago, God rest her soul, and we never had any +children. Some people advised me to marry again, but I didn't want to. +Once is enough for me." + +"Was your marriage not a happy one, then?" asked Steinrück, with a +fleeting smile at the forester's last remark. + +"That depends on one's way of looking at things," the forester replied, +indifferently. "We got along pretty well together; to be sure, we +quarrelled every day, but that's to be expected; and then if Michael +interfered we both fell upon him and made up with each other." + +The Count suddenly lifted his head. "Whom did you fall upon?" + +"Eh?--yes, that was stupid," Wolfram muttered in confusion. + +"Do you mean the boy who was given in charge to you?" + +The forester cast down his eyes before the Count's angry glance and +meekly defended himself. "It did not hurt him, and it didn't last long +either, for the reverend father at St. Michael forbade us to beat the +boy, and we obeyed. And the fellow deserved what he got, besides." + +Steinrück did not reply; he knew that he had given the boy into rude +keeping, but this glimpse of the realities of the situation rather +startled him, and after a minute's pause he asked, sternly, "Did you +bring your foster-son with you?" + +"Yes, Herr Count, I have done as you bade me." + +"Then let him come in." + +Wolfram went to call Michael, who was waiting in the antechamber, and +the Count looked eagerly and anxiously towards the door by which in +another moment his grandson would enter, the child of the outcast +daughter whom he had so sternly thrown off, and yet whom he had once +loved so tenderly. Perhaps the boy would be the image of his mother, at +all events he would resemble her in some feature, and Steinrück did not +know whether he most feared or longed for such resemblance. + +The door opened, and Michael entered with his foster-father. He too had +bestowed greater care than usual upon his dress in view of this +interview, but it had availed him little. His Sunday coat fitted him no +better than his week-day garb, and, moreover, although new, was rustic +in cut and material. His thick, matted curls refused to be smoothed, +and were tossed more wildly than usual above his brow, while the +shyness and embarrassment which he felt in such a presence made his +face more vacant of expression than usual, and his awkward carriage and +movements still more heavy and clumsy. + +The Count cast one sharp, rapid glance at him, and but one; then he +compressed his lips in an expression of bitter disappointment. This, +then, this was Louise's son! + +"Here is Michael, Herr Count," said Wolfram, as he roughly pushed the +lad forward. "Make your bow, Michael, and thank the kind gentleman who +has befriended such a poor orphan. It is the first time you have seen +your benefactor." + +But Michael neither bowed nor uttered a word of thanks. He gazed as if +spell-bound at the Count, who was indeed an imposing figure in his +uniform, and seemed to forget all else. + +"Well, can't you speak?" asked Wolfram, impatiently. "You must excuse +him, Herr Count, it's only his stupidity. He hardly ever opens his +mouth at home, and whenever he sees anything new and strange like all +this he loses the little wit he has." + +It was with an expression of positive dislike that the Count at last +turned to the boy, and his voice sounded cold and imperious as he +asked, "Is your name Michael?" + +"Yes," was the reply, uttered mechanically as it were, while the young +fellow's eyes never stirred from the tall figure, and the commanding +countenance turned so haughtily towards him. Steinrück did not perceive +the boundless admiration in those eyes,--all that he saw was their +dreamy, vague expression, a curious stare that irritated him. + +"How old are you?" he asked, in the same tone. + +"Eighteen." + +"And what do you know? what can you do?" + +This question seemed to embarrass Michael extremely; he did not speak, +but looked at the forester, who answered for him. "He does not do much +of anything, Herr Count, although he runs about the forest all day +long, and he does not know much either. I have no time to look after +him; at first we sent him to the village school, and later on his +reverence took him in hand and taught him. But he couldn't do much with +him, Michael can't understand well." + +"But he must adopt some calling. What is he fit for? what does he want +to be?" + +"Nothing at all,--and he is fit for nothing," said the forester, +laconically. + +"This is a fine account of you," said the Count, contemptuously. "To +run about the forest all day long is not much to do, and can be done +with but little instruction; it is a disgrace for a strong young fellow +like you to be fit for nothing else." + +Michael looked surprised at these harsh words, and a dark flush began +to mount into his cheeks, but the forester assented with, "Yes, I think +so too; but there is nothing to be done with Michael. Just look at him, +Herr Count; no one can ever make a decent forester of him." + +It seemed to cost the Count an effort to continue an interview so +repugnant to him, but he controlled himself, and said, sternly and +authoritatively, "Come here!" + +Michael never stirred; he stood as if he had not heard the command. + +"Have you not even learned obedience?" Steinrück asked, in a menacing +tone. "Come here, I say!" + +But Michael still stood motionless, until the forester, feeling himself +called upon to come to the rescue of what was probably stupidity, +seized him roughly by the shoulder, encountering, however, decided +resistance on the part of his foster-son, who shook him off angrily. +There was only defiance in the movement, but it looked like a desire +for flight, and as such the Count understood it. "A coward, too!" he +murmured. "There has been quite enough of this!" + +He rang the bell and ordered the servant to have the carriage brought +round immediately. Then he turned to the forester, and said, "I have a +word or two to say to you; follow me," as, opening the door of a small +adjoining room, he preceded him into it. + +Wolfram attempted, as he followed, to excuse his foster-son's conduct: +"He is afraid of you, Herr Count; the fellow has not a spark of +courage." + +"So I see," Steinrück rejoined, with infinite contempt; he could +forgive almost anything save cowardice,--that was inexcusable in his +eyes. "Never mind, Wolfram, I know you cannot help it; but you must +keep the fellow for a while yet; there is nothing for him but this +mountain forestry; he may dream away his life here for all I care, +since he is good for nothing else." + +He went on talking to the forester without bestowing another glance +upon Michael, who stood motionless. The dark flush had not faded from +his face, which was no longer expressionless. Gloomily, with compressed +lips, he gazed after the man who had just passed so pitiless a verdict +upon himself and his future. He had often heard such words before from +the forester without their producing any effect upon him, but they had +a different sound when issuing from those haughty lips, and the +contemptuous glance of those eyes pierced him to the very soul. For the +first time he felt the treatment to which he had been accustomed from +childhood as a burning disgrace, crushing him to the earth. + +He was alone in the room. Through the bow-window the sunlight streamed +in, and fell full upon the writing-table, where the diamonds in the +star of the order glittered and sparkled in every colour of the +rainbow. Even on the dark wainscoting bright gleams were playing, and +they mingled with the glow of the fire upon the hearth, which was +sinking away to embers. + +"What are you doing here?" a child's voice suddenly asked. + +Michael turned round; upon the threshold of the adjoining room, the +door of which had been left open, stood a child about eight years of +age, looking in amazement at the stranger, who now answered, +laconically, "I am waiting." + +The little girl, the daughter of the deceased Count, approached and +gazed curiously at the lad, then, probably arriving at the conclusion +that this coarsely-dressed young man could not possibly be a visitor in +the castle, turned up her little nose, although, since he was waiting +for somebody, she could not object to his presence. She turned to the +hearth, where she amused herself by blowing into the embers and +watching the sparks. + +She was a graceful little creature, slender and delicate as a fairy, +undeniably pretty, in spite, many would have said, of the red hue of +the hair that fell in long thick curls over her shoulders and down upon +the black crape of her dress, giving a strange charm to the childish +figure. A pair of large eyes, undeterminable in colour, looked out of +the rosy little face; they shone like stars, but there was an odd gleam +in them,--they were not innocent, childish eyes. + +Before long she grew tired of watching the sparks, and looking about +for some other amusement her glance fell again upon Michael, whom she +now honoured with a longer inspection. "Where did you come from?" she +asked, standing directly in front of him. + +"From the forest," he replied, as laconically as before. + +"Is it far from here?" + +"Very far." + +"And do you like our castle?" + +"No." + +Hertha gazed at him with surprise in her bright eyes; she had asked the +question with much condescension, and this strange man had dared to +declare briefly and dryly that he did not like a Count's castle. As she +was apparently considering whether or not to be displeased, her glance +fell upon Michael's hat, which he held in his hand, and which was +adorned with a bunch of magnificent Alpine roses. "Oh, what beautiful +flowers!" she exclaimed. "Give them to me." And she had possessed +herself of the hat and pulled out the flowers before Michael could say +a word. He looked rather amazed to see this appropriation of his +property, but made no attempt to prevent it. + +The child seated herself in an arm-chair beside the hearth, seeming +delighted with her flowers, and began to talk easily and familiarly. +She told about the big castle where she had been accustomed to live +with her mother and father, and where it was all much prettier than +here, of her pony upon which she had learned to ride, and which had +unfortunately been left there, of her mother, and of much else besides. +The apparent dulness of her hearer seemed to amuse her mightily; she +tried to make him talk, and actually did extort from him that he was +the forester's son, and lived high up in the mountains in the forest +lodge, a fact that interested her much. + +There was something bewitching in the sweet, beguiling childish voice, +and in the fairy-like little figure nestling gracefully among the +cushions of the arm-chair, where the hair glistened against the dark +background. Michael slowly drew near, and gradually began to reply more +easily; this beguiling talk and laughter cast about him a spell the +power of which he vaguely felt, although he did not understand it, and +could not shake it off. + +As she talked, Hertha continued to play with the flowers, which she +separated, arranged, and rearranged, but at last wearying of them she +began to pull to pieces the nosegay she had so ardently coveted. Her +little hands pitilessly destroyed the white blossoms, throwing them +heedlessly on the ground. Michael frowned, and in a tone of +remonstrance, but still more of entreaty, said, "Do not pull them to +pieces! Those flowers were hard to find." + +"But I don't like them any more," declared the child, and she continued +her work of destruction. Without further ado Michael seized her by the +arm and held her fast. + +"Let me go!" exclaimed the little girl, angrily trying to escape from +his grasp. "I don't like your flowers any more; and I don't like you, +either, any more. Go away!" + +There was more than mere childish waywardness in these words. The "I +don't like you, either, any more," sounded haughty and contemptuous, +and meanwhile the strange gleam appeared in the eyes that made them so +unchildlike. Michael suddenly loosened his grasp of her arm, but at the +same moment snatched the flowers from her. + +Hertha slipped down from the arm-chair, and her lips quivered as if she +were about to burst into tears, but her eyes flashed with anger. "My +flowers! give me back my flowers!" she screamed, stamping her little +feet with rage. + +Just then Wolfram reappeared. His interview with the Count must have +been highly satisfactory, for he looked extremely contented. "Come, +Michael, we are going," he said, beckoning to his foster-son. + +Hertha knew the forester, who had been at the castle in the hunting +season as one of her father's servants, and instantly surmising that he +would help her to obtain what she wanted, she ran up to him. "I want my +flowers back!" she exclaimed, with all the petulance of a spoiled, +wayward child. "They are mine; make him give them back to me!" + +"What flowers?" said Wolfram. "Those Alpine roses? Give them to her, +Michael. She is our master's daughter." + +The child shook her curls triumphantly, and stretched out her hand for +the roses; but Michael was upon his guard, and held the nosegay so high +that she could not reach it. + +"Come, do you hear?" the forester said, impatiently. "Don't you +understand? You must give the little Countess the flowers this +instant." + +"This instant!" Hertha repeated, the childish voice that had been so +sweet now sounding shrill and authoritative. Michael looked down at the +small despot for one or two moments and then suddenly tossed the +flowers into the fireplace. + +"Go and get them, then!" he said, roughly; and, turning his back upon +her, he left the room. + +"Upon my word, the fellow does me credit to-day! Only wait until I get +him home," muttered Wolfram, with suppressed rage, as he followed the +lad. + +Hertha was left alone; she stood motionless, looking wide-eyed after +the pair, but in another instant she bethought herself and ran hastily +to the fireplace. The flickering flame was devouring its prey; the +delicate white blossoms glowed red for an instant like fairy flowers, +and then curled up and sank to ashes. + +The little girl folded her hands and looked on, her face still angry +and defiant, but gradually her eyes filled with tears, and when the +last of the flowers had perished in its fiery bed, she suddenly burst +into loud sobs. + +When Count Steinrück, after a few minutes, returned to his study, he +found no one there. A glance at the clock showed him that it was time +he were gone, and he hurriedly went to the writing-table to get the +order that was to complete his uniform. The case was still where he had +left it, but it was empty; probably the servant had seen what was wrong +with the ribbon and had taken it away to arrange it. Steinrück rang the +bell. "My order," he said, hurriedly, to the man who appeared in answer +to the ring. "Is the carriage there?" + +"Yes, Herr Count; but the order,--it is usually in the Herr Count's own +possession." + +"Of course; I took it out to-day,--the large star of diamonds. Did you +not observe that the ribbon was loose?" + +The servant shook his head. "I did not see the star. I was only in the +room a moment to receive the Herr Count's order about the carriage." + +Steinrück looked in extreme astonishment at the empty case. "Have you +not been in the room since?" + +"No, Herr Count." + +"Has no one else been here?" + +"The forester's son was here when I left the room, and, I think, was +here alone for some time." + +There was suspicion more than hinted at in these words, but the Count +shook his head decidedly. "Nonsense! that's impossible. Has no one else +been here? Bethink yourself." + +"No, Herr Count; no one has even been in the corridor." + +"But the bedroom on that side,--it is a thoroughfare." + +"Only from the sleeping apartment of the Frau Countess by the +tapestried door." + +Steinrück turned pale, and involuntarily he clinched his hand, but he +still combated the dawning suspicion. "Look for it," he said. "The star +must be found; perhaps I mislaid it among the books and papers." + +And without waiting for the man's assistance he began to look for the +jewel himself. He knew perfectly well that he had laid the star in the +case, which he had left open; nevertheless, he lifted every book and +paper, and searched every drawer, but to no purpose the thing was not +to be found. + +"It is not here," the servant said at last, in a low tone. "If it was +lying here in the open case, there is but one explanation." + +Steinrück made no reply. He himself doubted no longer. "A thief, then! +A common thief!" The measure of his contempt and aversion was filled to +the brim. + +There was silence for a few minutes; the servant stood waiting for +orders, startled by the expression on his master's face. + +"Is Wolfram still in the castle?" the Count asked at last. + +"I think he is. He wanted to see the major-domo." + +"Then send his son to me! But not a word of what has happened!--not +even to the forester; send the boy here." + +The man left the room, and for a moment Steinrück covered his eyes with +his hand. This was terrible! And yet was it unnatural in the son of +such a father? The lad's whole appearance showed that he had inherited +not a drop of his mother's blood, and that other that filled his veins, +did it not proclaim itself what it was, and was it not a duty to +disclaim it and thrust it forth? Away with it! + +The Count stood erect, resolute as ever, when Michael entered, +unwillingly to be sure, but with no idea of what this new summons +betokened. + +"Close the door," said Steinrück, "and come here!" + +This time no second command was necessary: Michael obeyed without +hesitation. He stood before the Count, who, looking him directly in the +eye, held out to him the empty case. "Do you know what this is?" he +asked, with apparent composure. + +The young man shook his head; he did not comprehend the strange +question. + +"It was lying here on the writing-table," Steinrück continued, "but it +was not empty as it is now. It contained a star of sparkling stones. +Did you not see it?" + +Michael reflected. That, then, must have been the glittering object +that sparkled so in the sunlight, but of which he had taken little +heed. + +"Well, I am waiting for an answer," said the Count, still keeping his +eye fixed on Michael's. "Where is the star?" + +"How should I know?" asked Michael, more and more surprised at this +strange examination. + +The Count's lips quivered. "You do not know, then? You are hardly so +stupid as you pretend to be. You act a farce extremely well. Where is +the star? I must know, and that instantly." + +The threatening tone of the last words revealed the truth to the lad, +and he stood as if paralyzed, so horrified, so dismayed, that for the +moment he was utterly incapable of exculpating himself. His aspect +deprived Steinrück of all shadow of doubt. He saw in it the +consciousness of guilt. + +"Confess, fellow!" he said in an undertone, but with terrible emphasis. +"Give up what you have stolen, and thank God that I let you go +scot-free. Do you hear? Give up your booty!" + +Michael shrank as if he had received a stab, but in an instant he burst +forth, "I a thief? I take----" + +"Hush!" interrupted Steinrück, angrily. "I will have no noise, no +commotion, but you do not stir from the spot until you have confessed. +Confess!" + +He seized the young fellow by the arm, and his grasp was like iron, but +with a single wrench Michael freed himself. "Let go of me!" he gasped. +"Never say that again! Never again, or----" + +"What! you would threaten besides?" cried the Count, who took this +outburst for the height of insolence. "Take care, boy; one word more, +and I shall forget to spare you." + +"I am no thief!" shouted Michael; "and whoever dares call me so I'll +fell him to the earth!" + +In an instant he had seized a heavy silver candelabrum from the table +and swung it like a weapon towards the Count, who recoiled a step,--not +from the menaced blow, but from the face confronting him. Was that the +same young man that had stood there a few moments before with the +vacant, dreamy countenance, the timid, sheepish air? He reared his head +now like a wounded lion ready to rush upon the stronger foe, rage and +savage hatred informing every feature. And Steinrück's eyes, flashing +annihilation, encountered two other eyes, dark blue like his own, and +gleaming with the same fire. There was one breathless moment. No +coward, no thief, ever looked like that. + +The door flew open,--the loud, menacing voice must have been heard in +the anteroom,--and the forester appeared on the threshold, the +frightened face of the servant looking over his shoulder. + +"Boy, are you mad?" shouted Wolfram, hastening to his master's aid, and +seizing Michael by the shoulder. But the lad shook himself free as a +wounded stag shakes off the murderous pack, then dashed the candelabrum +on the ground, and rushed to the door. But here he was intercepted by +the servant. "Hold him!" the man cried out to the forester. "He must +not escape! He has robbed the Herr Count!" + +Wolfram, who was about to secure his foster-son, paused in horror. +"Michael,--a thief?" + +A cry burst from the lips of the tortured boy, a cry so desperate that +Steinrück interfered hurriedly, and would have ordered both men to +refrain, but it was too late. The servant staggered aside beneath the +blow of Michael's powerful young fist, and the lad rushed past him and +away, as if goaded to madness by those terrible words. + + + * * * * * + + +When Wolfram the forester made his appearance at St. Michael's +parsonage, he seemed to be expected, for his reverence came to meet him +in the hall. + +"Well, Wolfram, any tidings yet?" + +"No, your reverence, not a trace of the fellow; but I come from the +castle; and I have something from there to tell you." + +Valentin opened the door of his study and beckoned the forester to +follow him, but he was evidently not as much interested in news from +the castle as in the question which he repeated with anxiety. "Then +Michael has not been at home yet?" + +"No, your reverence, not yet." + +"This is the third day, and we have no trace of him. I trust he has +come to no harm." + +"He couldn't come to harm," the forester said, with a harsh laugh. +"He's wandering about, not daring to come home, because he knows what +he'll get when he does come; but he'll have to show himself at last, +and then--God have mercy on him!" + +"What do you mean to do, Wolfram? Remember your promise." + +"I kept it as long as there was anything to be done with the fellow, +but that's over now. If he thinks that he can knock down and run over +everybody he shall learn that there is one man at least who is a match +for him. I'll make him feel that, so long as I can lift a finger." + +"You will not touch Michael until I have had a talk with him," said the +priest, gravely. "You say you come from the castle. How are they there? +Has the missing order been found at last?" + +"Yes, the very day it was lost. Little Countess Hertha had taken away +the glittering thing to play with, and after a while she ran with it to +her mother, and so the whole matter was explained." + +"All because of a child's carelessness, then," Valentin said, bitterly, +"a degrading, shameful suspicion fell upon Michael, who----" + +He broke off suddenly, and the forester grumbled, "Why did he not open +his lips and defend himself? I should have told them they were wrong, +but Michael stood stock-still, I suppose, until they tried to seize +him, and then behaved like a wounded bear. And to attack the Herr +Count! You can hardly believe it, but I saw him myself, standing with +the lifted candlestick. And I have to pay for the fellow's cursed +behaviour. The Herr Count was very cross to-day, he would hardly speak +a word to me, but he gave me a letter to bring to your reverence." + +He took an envelope from his pouch and handed it to the priest. "Very +well, Wolfram. Now go, and if Michael shows himself at the lodge, send +him directly to me. I forbid you to maltreat him in any way until I +have talked with him." + +The forester left, grumbling at being obliged to postpone his +punishment of the 'cursed boy,' but vowing that it should take place +for all that. When Valentin was alone he opened the letter from the +Count. It was brief enough: + + +"I wish to inform your reverence that the missing article has been +found, and of course the charge of theft is proved unfounded. With +regard to your _protégé's_ conduct in behaving like a madman, even +daring to make an assault upon myself, instead of defending himself and +helping to explain the affair, you have doubtless heard all particulars +from Wolfram, and will comprehend why I must decline all compliance +with your wishes. This rude, unbridled fellow, with his savage +disposition, belongs to the sphere in which he has passed his life. +Wolfram is just the man to control him, and he will remain in his +charge. All education would be wasted upon such a nature, and I am +convinced that after what has occurred you will agree with me. + + "Michael, Count Steinrück." + + +The priest dropped the letter and sat lost in sad thought. "Not a +single word of regret for the shameful suspicion that fell upon an +innocent fellow-being; nothing but contempt and condemnation. And yet +the boy is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh." + +"Your reverence!" The words came from the half-opened door, and were +spoken in a suppressed voice. Valentin started up and breathed a sigh +of relief. "Michael! Are you here at last? Thank God!" + +"I thought--you, too, would turn me off," Michael said, gently. + +"I want to talk with you. Why do you keep at the door there? Come in." + +The young man slowly approached. He wore the same Sunday suit which he +had worn on that eventful day, but it had evidently been exposed to the +wind and rain. + +"I have been anxious about you," Valentin said, reproachfully. "No +trace of you for forty-eight hours! Where have you been?" + +"In the forest." + +"And where did you pass the nights?" + +"In the empty herdsman's-hut on the mountain." + +"In all the storm? Why did you not go home?" + +"I knew that Wolfram would attempt to beat me, and I do not mean to be +beaten again. I wished to spare both him and myself what would have +happened." + +His answers sounded monotonous, but the old indifference had gone; +there was something in Michael's whole air and bearing strange, gloomy, +decided. He was very different from his former self. The priest looked +at him with anxiety. + +"Then you ought to have come to me. I expected you." + +"I have come to your reverence, and what they have told you of me is +not true. I am no thief." + +"I know it. I never for an instant believed that you were, and now no +suspicion rests upon you. The missing star has been found; little +Countess Hertha carried it off for a plaything." + +Michael stroked aside the damp curls from his brow, and his face wore a +strange, hard expression. "Ah, the child with the red-gold hair and the +beautiful evil eyes. It is she that I have to thank, is it?" + +"The little girl is not to blame; she simply, after the fashion of +spoiled children, carried off from her uncle's room what she supposed +to be a plaything, and took it to her mother. You were the one at +fault; you ought to have exculpated yourself calmly and sensibly, +and the affair would have been immediately explained, instead of +which--Michael, can it be true that you lifted your hand against Count +Steinrück?" + +"He called me a thief!" Michael gasped. "Oh, if you knew how he treated +me! I was to confess--to return what I had not stolen. He never asked +whether I were guilty or not. He would have liked to kick me out of the +castle." + +There was a degree of savage bitterness in the lad's words, and +Valentin could understand it; he saw that his pupil had been irritated +to madness. "They did you wrong," he said, "grievous wrong, but you +ought not to have given way to furious passion, and the consequences of +your anger will recoil heavily upon yourself. The Count is naturally +indignant at what has occurred. You need no longer reckon upon his aid, +he will hear nothing more of you." + +"Will he not? But he shall hear _from_ me! Once more at least." + +"What do you mean? You do not propose to----?" + +"Go to him! Yes, your reverence. Now that he knows to what unmerited +disgrace he subjected me, he shall take it all back!" + +"You propose to call Count Steinrück to account?" the priest exclaimed +in dismay. "What an insane idea! You must give this up." + +"No!" said Michael, in a hard, cold tone. + +"Michael!" + +"No, your reverence, I will not, even although you forbid my going. I +choose to ask him why he called me thief." + +All his thoughts revolved about this one point, the disgrace which had +been heaped upon him, and which burned into his soul like red-hot iron. +Valentin was at his wit's end; he saw that here his remonstrances could +avail nothing, and the savage desire for revenge that was plain in this +intent of the lad's filled him with dread. If Michael really carried +out his plan of taking the Count to task, and if the Count should +undertake to chastise the 'rough, unbridled fellow,' some terrible +misfortune might ensue; it must be prevented at all hazards. + +"I never thought that my words would avail so little with you," he +said, sorrowfully. "Well, then, something else must appeal to you. +Whether the Count has wronged you or not, it would be a crime for you +to lift a finger against him; you must never--heed what I say--never +confront him as a foe; he stands nearer to you than you dream." + +"To me? Count Steinrück?" + +"Yes. I meant to have told you hereafter of what I now reveal to you, +but your insane behaviour forces me to speak. You would else be in +danger of making a second assault upon--your grandfather!" + +Michael started, and stood staring wide-eyed at the speaker. "My +grandfather! He is----?" + +"Your mother's father. But you must cherish no hopes from the tie; your +mother was disinherited and cast off. Her marriage separated her +forever from her family, and was her ruin." + +He paused and looked at Michael, who for the moment said not a word, +although it was evident that the revelation had agitated him terribly. +His features worked, and his chest rose and fell as though he were +labouring for breath; at last after a long pause he said, gloomily, "Go +on,--is there no more to tell?" + +"No, my son, no more for the present. It is a sad story, ending in +grief and misery; a tissue of crime and misfortune that you could +hardly understand. Hereafter, when you are older and more mature, you +shall hear everything; for the present let the bare facts content you: +I vouch for their truth. You see now that the person of Count Steinrück +should be sacred to you." + +"Sacred? When he hounded me like a thief from his door?" Michael +suddenly burst forth. "He knew that he was my grandfather, and yet +could treat me so! Like a dog! Ah, your reverence, you ought not to bid +me hold him sacred. I hated the Count because he was so hard and +pitiless to a stranger, but now,--I should like to----" + +He clinched his fist with so terrible a look that Valentin +involuntarily recoiled. "For the love of all the saints you would +not----?" + +"Touch him,--no! I know now that I must not lift my hand against him, +but if I could call him to account otherwise, I would give my life for +a chance to do so." + +Valentin stood speechless, dismayed, though this savage outbreak was +not alone what dismayed him. He too saw now what had so surprised his +brother, that strange gleam that flashed out suddenly like lightning to +vanish as instantly. The rugged, undeveloped features were the same, +but the dreamy face had gone; as if a veil had been raised all at once +there were revealed other eyes, another brow, and the movement with +which Michael turned to leave the room was full of savage resolve. + +"Where are you going?" the priest asked, hastily. "To the forest +lodge?" + +"No; I have nothing to do there now. Farewell, your reverence." + +"Stay! Where, then, are you going?" + +"I do not know,--away,--out into the world." + +"Alone? Without means? Utterly ignorant of the world and of life? What +will you do?" + +"Go to ruin like my mother," the lad replied, roughly. + +"No, by heaven, that you shall not!" exclaimed the priest, rising with +unwonted determination. "If my vows tie my hands,--if I cannot take +care of you,--I can intrust you to another. It was a special providence +that brought my brother here; he will not refuse to help me: I can rely +upon him." + +Michael shook his head in dissent. "Better let me go, your reverence; I +am accustomed to be maltreated and turned out everywhere; I do not want +to be a burden upon a stranger. I can scarcely be worse off out in the +world than I was with my parents. I can remember it from my earliest +childhood. Neither my mother nor I ever had a kind word from my father, +and he often used to beat us both; it was not very different from the +life at the lodge, except that I was not starved at the forester's." + +Valentin shuddered; he could not help it at the thought of the woman +whom he had formerly seen in all the pride of her beauty and rank. +This, then, had been the end of it all. A terrible glimpse into the +depths of human misery. + +"You _must_ not go, Michael," he said, gently but decidedly. "There can +be no question of your return to the lodge. Here you will stay until I +hear from my brother,--I know beforehand what he will say,--and until +then I take charge of you." + +Michael did not gainsay this, and made no further attempt to depart. He +turned darkly away to the window, and stood there with folded arms +looking out, the same sullen determination in his look that had +characterized it when he would have rushed away. Yes, the somnambulist +had wakened when his name had been called, out the call had been rude, +and the awakening bitter. + + + * * * * * + + +A golden autumnal day had arisen from the dim morning mists; the +mountains were unveiled and the valleys were filled with sunshine. + +The little mountain-town, which lay about a league from Castle +Steinrück, nestling most picturesquely at the entrance of the valley, +was harbouring a distinguished guest. Professor Hans Wehlau, of +worldwide reputation as a light of science, was paying a visit to his +brother-in-law, the burgomaster of the little town. For ten years the +Professor had now been living in the capital of Northern Germany, where +he occupied a prominent position in the university. Since the death of +his wife he had rather withdrawn from society, from which his two sons +were also secluded by the duties of their several occupations; the +younger was completing at another university the studies in natural +science which he had begun under his father's tuition, and the elder, +an adopted son, the child of a friend who had died, having embraced a +military career, was stationed with his regiment in a provincial town. +All, however, were to share in this excursion to relatives among the +mountains. The Professor had been here for some weeks, and his sons had +arrived on the previous day. + +The burgomaster's fine spacious house looked out upon the market +square, and the upper rooms, usually unoccupied, had been placed at the +disposal of the guests. The Frau Burgomeisterin did all that she could +to make the stay beneath her roof of her dead sister's husband +agreeable to him, and her efforts in this direction were all the more +praiseworthy since she was always upon a war-footing with him. She was +perpetually vacillating between respect for his reputation, very +flattering to her vanity in so near a relative, and detestation for the +'godless' scientific doctrines to which he owed his fame, and it was a +great trial to her that her nephew, whom, in the absence of any +children of her own, she loved like a son, should have been compelled +by his father's command to pursue the path of science. + +It was early in the morning, and the Professor was standing at the +window of his room looking out upon the quiet market square. Wehlau had +changed but little in the last ten years. He had the same intellectual +face, with its sarcastic expression and piercing eyes; the hair, +however, had grown gray. Beside him stood the Frau Burgomeisterin, an +imposing figure, of whom the evil-disposed in Tannberg affirmed that +she ruled the ruler, and was the autocrat of her household. + +"And our boys are here at last!" said the Professor, in apparently high +good humour. "You'll have noise and confusion enough now, for Hans will +turn the house upside down. You know him of old. They both look very +well: Michael, especially, has a very manly air." + +"Hans is much the handsomer and more attractive," the lady rejoined, +very decidedly. "Michael has neither of these qualities." + +"Granted, in the eyes of you ladies, that is! On the other hand, he has +an earnestness and solidity of character by which our harum-scarum Hans +might well take example. It is no small distinction for so young an +officer to be ordered for service on the general's staff. He surprised +me yesterday with this piece of information, while Hans will have some +difficulty in getting his diploma." + +"That's not the poor boy's fault," his sister-in-law declared. "He has +never had more than a half-hearted interest in the profession that has +been forced upon him. It cost my poor sister many a secret tear to have +you insist so inexorably upon his burying his talent." + +"And you whole rivers of them," the Professor added, with a sneer. "You +all made my life wretched combining with the boy against me, until I +issued my mandate, which he was forced to obey." + +"With despair in his heart. In destroying his hope of an artistic +career you deprived him of his ideal,--of all the poesy of his young +life." + +"Don't mention Poesy, I entreat," Wehlau interrupted her. "I am on the +worst of terms with that lady for all the mischief she does and the +heads she turns. I set my son straight, I rejoice to say, in time. I +have not noticed any despair about him. Moreover, he has not a particle +of talent for it." + +"Good-morning, papa!" called a gay young voice, and the subject of the +conversation appeared in the door-way. + +Hans Wehlau junior was a slender and very handsome young fellow of +twenty-four, with nothing in his exterior to suggest the dignity of the +future professor. His straw hat, before he removed it, sat jauntily +upon his thick, light brown hair, and his very becoming summer suit, +with a 'turn-down' shirt collar, had an artistic, rather than a +learned, air. His fresh, youthful face was lit up by a pair of laughing +blue eyes, and altogether there was something so attractive and +endearing about him that the Professor's evident paternal pride was +very easy to understand. + +"Well, Head-over-heels, here you are!" he said, gayly. "I have been +preparing your aunt for the turmoil that you carry with you wherever +you go." + +"On the contrary, sir, I have grown monstrously sedate," Hans declared, +illustrating his assertion by putting his arm around the waist of his +aunt, who had just innocently set down her basket of keys, and waltzing +with her around the room in spite of her struggles. + +"Let me alone, you unmannerly boy!" she said, out of breath, when at +last he released her with a profound bow. + +"Forgive me, aunt, but it was the suitable preface to my errand. The +kitchen department urgently requires your presence; and, as I like to +make myself useful in a house, I offered to inform you of it." + +Her nephew's zeal in this respect seemed rather suspicious to the +mistress of the house, who asked, "What were you doing in the kitchen?" + +"Good heavens! I was only paying my respects to old Gretel." + +"Indeed? And young Leni was not there?" + +"Oh, I had her presented to me, as I had not seen her before. It was my +duty as one of the family. My tastes are very domestic." + +"My dear Hans," the Frau Burgomeisterin said, with decision, "I take no +interest in your domestic tastes, and if I find them leading you into +the kitchen, the doors will be locked in your face; remember that." She +nodded to her brother-in-law, and sailed majestically out of the room. + +"Take care, take care!" said the Professor. "Favourite as you are with +your aunt, there are certain points upon which she will have no +jesting; and she is right. At all events, her mind must now be set at +rest with regard to your despair, as she calls it. She clings +obstinately to the idea that you are unhappy in your profession." + +"No, sir, I am not at all unhappy," the young man asserted, seating +himself astride of a chair and looking cheerfully about him. + +"I never supposed you were. Such youthful nonsense is sure to vanish of +itself as soon as one is occupied with graver matters." + +"Of course, papa," Hans assented, occupying himself for the time with +rocking his chair to and fro, a proceeding which appeared to afford him +great gratification. + +"And these graver matters are comprised in science," Wehlau continued, +with emphasis. "Unfortunately, I have of late--those chairs are not +made to ride upon, Hans; such school-boy tricks are very unbecoming in +a future doctor--I have of late had too little time to examine you +thoroughly in your studies. The voluminous work which I have just +completed has, as you know, absorbed all my attention. But now I am +free, and we can make up for our delay." + +"Of course, papa," said Hans, who had taken the paternal admonition to +heart, and had left the chair, but was now seated on the corner of a +table, swinging his feet. + +Fortunately, the Professor, whose back was turned to him, did not +see this, so the father continued to arrange some papers upon his +study-table, and went on calmly: "Your student days are past, and I +hope they have carried with them all your nonsense. I depend upon +greater seriousness, now that we are to begin scientific study in +earnest. Be diligent, Hans; you will be grateful to me one of these +days when you succeed me as professor." + +"Of course, papa," the obedient son observed for the third time; but as +at the moment his father turned and cast an irritated glance at him, he +jumped lightly from the table. + +"Will you never have done with these school-boy pranks? Pray try to +take example by Michael; you never see him conduct himself so." + +"No, indeed," Hans laughed merrily. "The Herr Lieutenant is the +embodiment of military discipline at all times. Always in position, his +coat buttoned up to the throat. Who would have thought it when he came +to us first, a shy, awkward boy, staring about him at the world and +mankind as at something monstrous? I had to take him under my wing +perpetually." + +"I imagine he very soon outgrew any wing of yours," the Professor said, +sarcastically. + +"More's the pity. The case is reversed now, and he orders me about. But +confess, papa, that at first you despaired of making a human being of +Michael." + +"As far as conventionalities are concerned, I certainly did. He had +learned more, far more, than I had supposed. My brother had been an +excellent teacher to him, and when he was once aroused, he applied +himself with such unwearied diligence and interest that I often +wondered at the strength of character shown in divesting himself of all +his childish, dreamy ways." + +"Yes, Michael was always your favourite," Hans said, discontentedly. +"You never put any force upon him, but agreed instantly to his desire +to be a soldier, while I----" + +"It was a very different thing," his father interrupted him. "As +matters stand, Michael was forced to shape his future and his mode of +life himself, and with his temperament he is best fitted for a soldier. +The reckless dash at a goal without a glance either to the right or to +the left, the stern law of duty, the despotic subduing of antagonistic +qualities beneath the iron yoke of discipline, all accord perfectly +with his character, and he will inevitably rise in the army. You, on +the other hand, must reap what I have sown, and therefore abide in my +domain; your life is conveniently arranged for you." + +The young man's air betrayed but a small degree of satisfaction with +this arrangement; but he suddenly started up and exclaimed, gayly, +"Here comes Michael!" + +Ten years are a long time in a human existence, and they seem doubly +long when they occur at the season when a man develops most rapidly; in +Michael's case the change wrought by the years bordered on the +marvellous. The former foster-son of Wolfram the forester and the young +officer were two different individuals, who had not a characteristic in +common. + +Handsome, Michael Rodenberg certainly was not,--in that respect he was +far behind Hans Wehlau,--but he was one who could never pass unnoticed. +His tall, muscular figure seemed created to wear a uniform and to gird +on a sword. It had exchanged all the awkwardness of the boy for the +erect carriage of the soldier. His fair, close curls had lost none of +their luxuriance, but they were carefully arranged, and the bearded +face, if it could lay no claim to beauty, was interesting enough +without it. All that was boyish in it had vanished, the strong, +resolute head was that of ripe manhood,--a manhood too early ripened, +perchance, for the countenance expressed at times a degree of gravity +which was almost sternness, and which does not belong to youth. + +In the eyes, too, there was none of the old dreamy look; their gaze had +grown keen and firm, but they never had learned to sparkle with the +joyous inspiration of youth. There was something chilling in them, as +indeed in the whole air of the young man, which only at intervals, in +conversation, was animated by a genial glow. Yet, as he stood there, +erect, firm, resolute, he was the ideal of a soldier from head to heel. + +"In uniform?" asked the Professor, surprised, as Michael bade him +good-morning. "Have you an official visit to pay here?" + +"After a fashion, yes; I must go over to Elmsdorf. The former chief of +my regiment, Colonel von Reval, since he resigned, has always spent the +summer and autumn at his country-seat there. He probably thinks that I +have been here some time, for I found upon my arrival yesterday a few +lines from him inviting me to Elmsdorf. My aunt will, I hope, excuse +me; the colonel has been very kind to me." + +"You were always his special favourite," Hans remarked. "When he +returned at the close of the Danish war, he came to see papa to +congratulate him upon having so distinguished a son. I was furious at +the time, for as I had heard nothing for weeks except songs of praise +in your honour, with animadversions upon my insignificance, your +doughty deeds were deeply annoying to me." + +"Most certainly no one ever congratulated me upon possessing _you_, at +least during your university course," Wehlau observed, sharply. +"Moreover, we expected you here last week; why did you come so late?" + +"On Michael's account; he could not get leave until he had accompanied +his regiment into quarters after being on special duty. When I went to +his quarters to find him, I had a piece of luck----" + +"As usual!" the Professor interjected. + +"Yes. I had made up my mind to spend a week in that dull provincial +town, but on my arrival I heard that Michael was three miles away, in a +gay little watering-place, near which his regiment was exercising. Of +course I hurried after him, with a blessing upon the wisdom of the +military authorities. The Herr Lieutenant was indeed head over ears in +strict attention to duty, and quite deaf and blind to all else, even to +an acquaintance for which every other officer of his corps envied him, +and of which he would not take the least advantage. No one else could +gain admission at Countess Steinrück's; she was very much of an +invalid." + +The Professor was evidently struck by the name, and cast a keen glance +at Michael. "Countess Steinrück?" + +"Of Berkheim. You know her, papa; for, as she herself told me, you were +often at her father-in-law's when you were a young physician, and at +her request you went to her when her husband was dying. She is very +grateful yet to you for doing so." + +"Of course I know her; but how did you make her acquaintance, Michael?" + +"By accident," was the laconic reply. + +"It was certainly by no fault of his," Hans said, in a mocking tone +that plainly betrayed his ignorance of the part played in Michael's +life by the name of Steinrück. "I must tell you the story in detail, +papa; it begins very romantically. Well, Michael was sitting in the +forest,--that is, he was in command of his men there and ordering them +to fire,--when a carriage came driving along a road in the distance. +The horses were frightened by the firing and ran away; the coachman +lost his reins, and the danger was imminent, when from the dim forest +near by a gallant knight rushed to the rescue, stopped the horses, tore +open the carriage door, and lifted out the fainting ladies----" + +"Stick to the truth, Hans," the young officer interposed, with some +irritation. "Neither the danger nor the heroism was as great as you +describe. I merely saw that the horses were frightened, and ran up to +avert an accident; but the brutes stopped as soon as I caught hold of +their bridles, and the ladies sat still in the carriage. No need of any +poetical exaggeration." + +"Nor of such prosaic treatment of facts," Hans retorted. "I heard the +story from the Countess herself, and she persists quite as obstinately +in saying that you saved her life as you persist in denying having done +so." + +Michael shrugged his shoulders and turned to the Professor. "In fact, +the Countess did thus persist, and as the house where I was staying was +near her villa I could not avoid frequent meetings with her. But I was +very much occupied with the service, and had but little time at my +disposal." + +"Yes, yes, that eternal 'service'!" exclaimed Hans, indignantly. "At +last he was never to be seen. It was with the greatest difficulty that +I persuaded him to find time to introduce me, and when he had done so +he went off, and left me to explain and apologize for his extraordinary +behaviour. The ladies made him the most amiable advances, but he was a +perfect icicle." + +"Michael probably has his own reasons for his conduct," said Wehlau; +"and if he thought best to maintain a degree of reserve, you would have +done well to follow his example." + +"Ah, no; that was simply out of the question. The young Countess was +too beautiful,--a perfect princess in a fairy-tale: superb golden hair +and eyes that shine like stars. They can beguile, those eyes of hers." + +"And can scorn," Michael added, in a tone the coldness of which +contrasted strongly with his friend's enthusiasm. "Beware of them, +Hans; it is a sad fate to be first beguiled and then scorned." + +"You say that because the Countess Hertha is thought very haughty. I +too believe that any man who could not reckon up ten generations of +ancestors at least would have but a poor chance if he were audacious +enough to woo her. Since, however, I do not covet that honour, nothing +hinders my admiration. And if I should really allow myself to be +beguiled by those eyes----" + +"Come, come; let all that alone," his father cut short his son's +sentence. "You have no business with fairy princesses or starry eyes; I +bar all such nonsense. All that you have to think about is your coming +thesis." + +The two young men exchanged a hasty, significant glance, and Michael +said, lightly, "Do not be troubled, uncle. If Hans is a little +scorched, it will do him no harm; he is used to it." + +"Yes, he has been childish and silly enough, but now he will have the +kindness to adopt a graver tone. I have an unoccupied morning to-day, +Hans, and we will have an exhaustive talk about your studies. The +sketch of them that you gave me in the holidays was very slight. I want +now to know all about them." + +Again the young men exchanged a glance that seemed to betoken a secret +understanding, as the Professor arose and said, casually, "I only want +to tell Leni that she must be careful to-day about sending my letters +to the post. I shall be back immediately," with which he left the room. + +Hans looked after him, folded his arms, and said, in an undertone, "Now +for the bursting of the bomb!" + +"Do not take the matter so easily," Michael admonished him. "You +certainly have a hard battle to fight; my uncle will be furious." + +"I know it; that's why I am all armed and equipped. You're not going; I +can't spare you. When the fight grows too hot I shall summon you as my +_corps de réserve_. Do stay and help me." + +"I am glad, at all events, that there is to be no more secrecy," said +the young officer, discontentedly, as he withdrew into the recess of a +window. "I promised you to be silent, but it was very hard for me; +harder than for you." + +"Bah! I did not know what else to do. And you soldiers admit that all's +fair in war. Hush! here he comes! Now for the assault!" + +The Professor re-entered the room, and took his seat comfortably in an +arm-chair, beckoning his son to take his place beside him. "You +certainly have been in good hands," he began. "My colleague, Bauer, is +an authority in his specialty, and shares my views entirely. That was +the reason why I yielded to your earnest entreaty and sent you for two +years to B----. I was afraid that the chief attraction for you lay in +the gay student life there, but I nevertheless judged it best that you +should pursue your studies under other guidance than my own, after I +had laid the foundation for them. Now let me hear." + +The young man was evidently made very uncomfortable by this prelude; he +twirled his handsome moustache, and stammered somewhat as he replied, +"Yes,--Professor Bauer; I attended his lectures--very regularly." + +"Of course; I recommended you to him particularly." + +"But I did not learn anything from him." + +Wehlau frowned, and said, reprovingly, "Hans, it is very unbecoming so +to criticise a worthy man of science. His delivery, to be sure, leaves +much to be desired, but his treatises are admirable." + +"Good heavens, I am not speaking of the Herr Professor's treatises, but +of my own, and they were unfortunately far from admirable. I felt that +myself, and accordingly I made a slight change in my course of study." + +"Against my express directions. I laid out your course precisely for +you. To whom did you go, then?" + +Hans hesitated to reply, and glanced towards the window where his +'reserves' were stationed, before he said, in a rather constrained +voice, "To--to Professor Walter." + +"Walter? Who is he? I do not know the name." + +"Oh, papa, you surely must have heard of Friedrich Walter. He has a +world-wide reputation as an artist." + +"As a what?" the Professor asked, not crediting his ears. + +"As an artist, and that was the reason why I wanted to go to B----. +Master Walter lives there, and did me the honour of receiving me into +his atelier. In fact, I have not applied myself to the study of natural +science; I have become a painter!" + +It was out at last. Wehlau sprang to his feet, and stared speechless at +his son. + +"Boy, are you mad?" he cried; but Hans, who knew well that his only +hope lay in not allowing his father to speak, rattled on very quickly, +"I have been very diligent all these two years, extremely diligent. My +teacher will tell you so; he thinks I may safely be left to myself now, +and when I came away he said to me, 'It will surely delight your father +to see the progress you have made; refer any one to me.'" + +All this was uttered with extreme volubility; the words fell like honey +from his lips, but it did him no good any longer; at last the Professor +understood that there was no jest about the 'slight change' of studies, +and he burst forth, "And you dare to brave me thus! You dare secretly, +behind my back, to play such a farce; to defy my command, to laugh my +wishes to scorn; and now you imagine that I shall yield in the matter, +and say 'yes,' and 'amen'? You will find yourself vastly mistaken." + +Hans hung his head and looked crushed. "Do not be so hard upon me, +papa! Art is my ideal, the poesy of my life, and if you knew how my +conscience has pricked me for my disobedience!" + +"You look as if your conscience pricked you," the Professor stormed, +still more furious. "Ideal,--Poesy,--the same cursed old trash! The +shibboleth to hide all the folly that men perpetrate. Never imagine +that such nonsense will go down with me. Whatever pranks you may have +played hitherto, now you are coming home, and I shall take you in hand. +You will shortly pass the examination for your degree! Do you hear? I +order you to do so." + +"But I have not learned anything," Hans declared, with positive +exultation. "While the lectures were going on I sketched or caricatured +either the professors or the audience, as the case might be, and all +that you taught me I forgot long ago; I could not write an essay a page +long, and you cannot send me to the university again." + +"You are actually boasting of your ignorance," said Wehlau, sternly; +"and the inconceivable deception you have practised upon me you perhaps +consider another piece of heroism to be proud of." + +"No; only as a necessary weapon, when all other means failed. How I +formerly implored and entreated you to yield to my desires, and all in +vain! You would have had me sacrifice my talent, my entire future, to a +profession for which I was not fitted, and in which I never could have +excelled. You denied me the means for my artistic education and thought +thereby to force my inclination. When I said to you, 'I want to be a +painter,' you met me with an inexorable 'no.' Now I say to you, 'I am a +painter,' and you will have to say 'yes.'" + +"That remains to be seen," Wehlau burst forth afresh. "I will see +whether I cannot govern my own son. I am master in my own house, and +I'll have no rebellion there; those who oppose me will have to leave +it." + +The young man's cheek paled at this threat; he stepped up close to his +father, and his voice sounded imploring, but gravely in earnest. +"Father, do not let matters go too far between you and me. I am not +made as you are. I have always had a horror of your cold lofty science +that makes life so clear and so--desolate. You do not comprehend that +there is another world, and that there is a temperament to which this +other world is as necessary as the air to the lungs. You wring from +nature her secrets; everything that lives and moves must be adjusted to +your rules and theories; you know the origin and end of every created +being. But you do not know your own son, whom you cannot fit to your +theories. He has clasped close his morsel of poesy and ideality, and +has pursued his own path, in which he will never disgrace you." + +With this he turned and walked towards the door; but the Professor, who +was in no wise disposed to end the interview thus, called angrily after +him, "Stay, Hans! Come back this instant!" + +But Hans thought fit not to hear the call, he saw that his _corps de +réserve_ was advancing, and he left it to Michael to cover his retreat +as best he might. + +"Let him go, uncle," said Michael, who had come forward some minutes +before, and now attempted to soothe the angry man. "You are too +irritated; you must be calmer before you speak to him again." + +The admonition was vain. Wehlau had no idea of becoming calmer, and +since his disobedient son was no longer present, he turned upon his +advocate. "And you too have been in the plot; you knew it all; do not +deny it. Hans tells you everything; why did you keep silence?" + +"Because I had given my word, and could not break it, however I might +dislike secrecy." + +"Then you ought to have taken the boy in hand yourself and brought him +to reason." + +"That I could not do, for he is right." + +"What! Are you beginning too?" shouted the Professor, shaking a +menacing finger; but Michael held his ground and repeated firmly, "Yes, +uncle, perfectly right. I never would have allowed myself to be forced +to adopt a calling which I disliked and for which I was not fit. I +should, it is true, have waged more open and therefore sterner warfare +than Hans has done; he has simply avoided a struggle. From the day when +you forced him to the course of study you approved, and to which he +ostensibly applied himself, he began to make a preliminary study of +painting, but he finally perceived the impossibility of completing his +artistic education beneath your eyes, and therefore he went to B----. +He must have done extremely well there, for if a man like Professor +Walter testifies to his artistic ability, it is indubitable, you may be +sure." + +"Silence!" growled the Professor. "I will not hear another word. I say +no, and no again,--and---- Are you coming to triumph too? I suppose you +also were in the plot." + +The last words were spoken to his sister-in-law, who came innocently +into the room to get her basket of keys which she had left behind her, +and who looked amazed at this angry reception. + +"What is the matter?" asked she. "What has happened?" + +"Happened? Nothing has happened! Only a very slight change in my son's +studies, as he is pleased to express it. But woe to the boy if he +appears before me again! He shall find out who and what I am." + +With these words Wehlau strode into the next room, slamming the door +behind him, while his sister-in-law gazed at Michael in dismay. "Tell +me, in heavens' name, what has occurred?" + +"A catastrophe. Hans has made a confession, which he could no longer +suppress, to his father. He did not pursue his studies at the +university, but used his time there in studying art with Professor +Walter. But excuse me, aunt, I must go and find him. He had really +better avoid meeting his father for the present." + +So saying, Michael hastily left the room, where the Frau Burgomeisterin +stood motionless for a few minutes; but at last her face broke into a +beaming smile, and with an expression of supreme satisfaction she said, +"And so he's played a trick upon the infallible Herr Professor, and +such a trick! Darling boy!" + + + * * * * * + + +Elmsdorf, the estate of Herr von Reval, was situated at no great +distance from the town. It was no old mountain stronghold, with an +historic past, like Steinrück, but a pleasant modern country-seat which +its situation made a very desirable summer residence. The house, a +spacious villa with balconies and terraces, was surrounded by a park, +not very extensive indeed, but charmingly laid out, and the interior of +the mansion, without being magnificent, gave evidence of the taste and +wealth of its possessors. + +Colonel Reval had sent in his resignation from the army three years +previous to our present date in consequence of wounds received in the +last war. Since then he, with his wife, had spent the winters in the +capital and the summers at Elmsdorf, which he had converted from a very +simple abode into a charming country-seat. + +Michael Rodenberg, who had served in the colonel's regiment, and +afterwards had been his adjutant, had always enjoyed the special favour +of his chief, who even after he had quitted the service continued to +give proofs of his regard for the young officer. + +Elmsdorf to-day was holding high festival, celebrating the birthday of +its mistress, and, as the hospitable mansion was very popular in the +country around, the company assembled was very numerous. Michael was +present, of course, and Professor Wehlau and his son had also received +invitations. Unfortunately, there was no hope of seeing the +distinguished man of science among the guests. He excused his absence +on the plea of indisposition, but in truth he was averse to all society +at present, since his son's obstinate disobedience filled him with +indignation and controlled his mood to a great degree. Both the young +men, however, had driven over to Elmsdorf. + +Herr and Frau von Reval received their guests with all the hospitable +grace that made their house a social centre in all the country round +about. Hans Wehlau on this occasion justified his father's assertion +that he was fortune's favourite, to whom without any effort of his own +all hearts and homes were flung wide open. He had scarcely been +presented to the mistress of the house before she showed him special +marks of favour, every one thought him charming, and he moved among all +these strangers as if he had been intimate in the household from +boyhood. + +All the more of a stranger did Michael feel himself to be. He possessed +neither the inclination nor the capacity for so swift and easy an +adaptation of himself to his surroundings. With the exception of the +colonel and his wife he knew no one of the company, and the few words +possible upon a casual introduction interested him but little. This +brilliant assemblage, in the midst of which Hans swam like a fish in +its native element, won but a passing regard from his grave, unsocial +friend, who was a looker-on, not a sharer in its gayeties. +Wandering through the rooms, Michael came at last to the conservatory, +a quiet spot shut off from the suite of reception-rooms; with its +palms, laurel-trees, and flowers, it invited to rest. Here all was cool +and secluded, and the young man felt no inclination to return to the +heated rooms where he could not be missed. He passed slowly from one +group of plants to another, until he was interrupted by the entrance of +Colonel Reval. + +"Still unsocial, Lieutenant Rodenberg?" he said, in a tone half of +jest, half of reproach. "You are but a poor guest at our _fête_. What +are you doing here in this lonely conservatory?" + +"I have just found my way hither," Michael began; "and, moreover, I am +a stranger in society----" + +"Only an additional reason for frequenting it. Take pattern by your +young friend, who is already at home there. I missed you some time ago +from the drawing-room, where I wanted to present you to Count +Steinrück. You do not know him?" + +"The general in command? No!" + +"He came only awhile ago, and you will shortly have to report yourself +to him officially. The general is extremely influential, but greatly +feared because of his inflexible severity in military matters. He +spares no one, least of all, indeed, himself; although he is over +seventy, his age never seems to enter his mind." + +Michael listened in silence; he had known that the Count was at +Steinrück, and that he must be prepared for a meeting which had +hitherto been spared him, but which would be unavoidable in future, +since he must in time report himself to the general in command. + +"We hoped to see the young Count too," Reval continued, "but we have +just heard that he does not arrive until to-morrow evening. It is a +pity; he would have been an interesting acquaintance for you." + +"You mean the general's son, colonel?" + +"No, the son died some years ago; I mean his grand son, Count Raoul. He +certainly is one of the handsomest fellows I have ever seen; always +foremost in youthful follies, full of talent, and with a disposition so +charming that he takes everybody by storm. Indeed, he is a gifted +creature, but such a madcap that he will give his grandfather no end of +trouble if he does not succeed in controlling him betimes." + +"Apparently, Count Steinrück is the very man to do so," Michael +remarked. + +"So it seems to me. Count Raoul, who fears neither man nor devil, has +nevertheless a very wholesome dread of his grandfather, and when His +Excellency issues an ukase, which, between ourselves, is not +infrequently necessary, the young fellow is ready to obey." + +A low rustle, as of silken robes, was heard behind the gentlemen, whose +backs were towards the entrance; they turned, and at that instant the +young officer stepped back so suddenly that the colonel looked at him +in surprise. + +Two ladies had entered; the elder, in dark velvet, pale, delicate, an +evident invalid, seemed desirous of reaching a long low seat beneath a +group of palms, where she could rest; the younger stood at the head of +the flight of steps leading into the conservatory, her figure full in +the light of the chandelier hanging above her head. + +Hans Wehlau had described her well; she was like the princess in a +fairy-tale, tall and slender, with a face of bewitching beauty, and +large eyes that shone like stars, the colour of which it was impossible +to define for at times they looked deeply dark, and then again +brilliantly light. The red curls that had formerly fallen upon the +child's shoulders had vanished; there was now only a slight reddish +tinge upon the thick golden braids, contrasting with the pale lustre of +the pearls twined among them; and yet, as she stood bathed in the light +from above her head, her hair gleamed like the 'red gold' of fairy +treasure-chambers. Over her blue silk gown a cloud of delicate lace was +looped with single flowers, with here and there a diamond dew-drop on +their petals. She looked a creature woven out of sun and air. + +"Ah, Countess Steinrück!" exclaimed the colonel, as he hastened to +offer his arm to the elder lady, so evidently fatigued. "It was too +warm in the ballroom; I am afraid you have given us the pleasure of +seeing you at too great a sacrifice." + +"It is only fatigue, nothing more," the Countess assured him, as he +conducted her to a seat. "Why, there is Lieutenant Rodenberg!" + +Michael bowed; the blue silk rustled down the steps, and Countess +Hertha stood beside her mother. "Mamma is not very well," she said, +"and so we left the ball-room. She will soon feel better here where it +is so cool and quiet." + +"It would be better then----" Michael glanced towards the colonel, and +turned to leave the conservatory, but the Countess interposed with +gracious courtesy,-- + +"Oh, do not go! It is only that the heat and noise are too much for me. +I am so glad to see you again, Lieutenant Rodenberg." + +The colonel seemed surprised that the young officer was acquainted with +the ladies, and the Countess was pleased to tell him how the +acquaintance had been made. She insisted that Michael by his prompt +interference had saved her daughter's life and her own. He protested +against such a statement. + +Countess Hertha took no part in the conversation, which soon became +animated, but turned her entire attention to the flowers. She walked +slowly through the conservatory, which was but dimly lighted; there was +infinite grace in her movements, but there was nothing about her of the +half-shyness, half self-consciousness of girlhood. At nineteen she +displayed all the _aplomb_ of a woman of the world, of the wealthy +heiress who doubtless knew perfectly well that she was beautiful. She +paused before a group of exotic plants, and asked in an easy tone, +turning her head towards Michael, "Do you know this flower, Herr +Lieutenant? It is a strange, foreign-looking blossom, and I confess my +botany is at fault." + +Michael was forced to cross the conservatory to where she stood; he did +so very deliberately, but he was a shade paler as he gave her the +desired information: "It seems to be a Dionea, one of those murderous +blossoms that close upon an insect alighting upon them, and kill their +prisoner." + +A half-compassionate, half-contemptuous smile played about the young +girl's lips. "Poor thing! And yet it must be lovely to die in such +intoxicating fragrance. Do you not think so?" + +"No! Death is lovely only in freedom. No intoxication can atone for +imprisonment." + +The answer sounded almost rude, and Hertha bit her lip for an instant, +and then changed the subject, saying, with some sarcasm, "I am glad to +see that you are not so entirely monopolized by 'the service' here as +you were in F----; I never met you in society there." + +"We were exercising there; here I am on leave." + +"Staying with Colonel Reval?" + +"No, with relatives." + +The tip of the little satin slipper tapped the floor impatiently: +"Their name appears to be a state secret, since you so persistently +suppress it." + +"Not at all; there is no reason why I should do so. I am staying in +Tannberg, as the guest of the brother-in-law of Professor Wehlau." + +Hertha seemed surprised; she went on playing with a rose that she had +plucked, while her eyes scanned the young man's face. "Oh, the little +mountain town near Steinrück. We are thinking of passing several weeks +at the castle." + +A sudden gleam lit up Michael's face for an instant; the next moment it +had vanished, and he rejoined, coolly, "Autumn is certainly very +beautiful in the mountains." + +This time the young Countess was not impatient; perhaps that sudden +gleam had not escaped her, for she smiled, as she continued to toy with +her rose: "We shall hardly meet, in spite of our being such near +neighbours, for I suspect that 'the service' will make demands upon you +even there." + +"You are pleased to jest, Countess Steinrück." + +"I am perfectly serious. We first heard of your presence here to-night +from Herr Wehlau. Of course you had instantly rendered yourself +invisible, and were presumably deep in a strategic discussion with the +colonel, when we appeared here. We regret having interrupted it: it was +evident that our intrusion annoyed you." + +"You are quite mistaken; I was very glad to see you both again." + +"And yet you started when you first observed us." + +Michael looked up, and the glance that fell upon the young girl was +stern, almost menacing, but his voice was perfectly calm as he replied, +"I was surprised, as I knew that the Countess intended to return +directly to Berkheim from the baths." + +"We changed our plans, by special desire of my uncle Steinrück, and, +moreover, the physician recommended several weeks of invigorating +mountain air. Shall we not see you at the castle? My mother would be so +glad, and--so should I." + +Her voice was low and beguilingly sweet as she uttered the last words, +standing close beside him, half in shadow, and still lovelier than when +in the bright light, while from the cups of the flowers a fragrant +incense arose around her. Her dress made a soft silken rustle, +and the delicate lace almost brushed the arm of the young officer, +who was still a little pale. He paused for a second, as if gaining +self-possession, then bowed low and formally, and said, "I shall be +most happy." + +In spite of his words there must have been something in the tone in +which they were spoken that told the young Countess that he did not +mean to come, for there appeared in her eyes the strange gleam that for +the moment robbed them of their beauty. She inclined her head and +turned to join her mother. As she did so the rose dropped, quite by +accident, from her hand, and lay upon the ground without being +perceived by her. + +Michael remained standing in the same spot, but a covetous glance +fell upon the flower that had but now been in her hand. The delicate +half-opened bud lay at his feet, rosy and fragrant, and just before him +shimmered the blossoms of the Dionea, that kill their prisoners in +intoxicating perfume. + +The young officer's hand involuntarily sought the earth, and a hasty +glance was cast at the group across the conservatory to discover +whether he were observed. He encountered the gaze of a pair of eyes +riveted upon him, expectant, exultant; he must bow. In an instant he +stood erect, and as he stepped aside he trod upon the rose, and the +delicate flower died beneath his heel. + +Countess Hertha fanned herself violently, as if the heat had suddenly +grown stifling, but Colonel Reval, who had just finished his +conversation, said, "We really must leave the Countess to entire repose +for a while. Come, my dear Rodenberg." + +They took leave of the ladies and returned to the crowded rooms, went +from the quiet, cool, fragrant conservatory, with its soft, dim light, +into the heat and brilliancy, the hum and stir of society. And yet +Michael breathed more freely, as if issuing from a stifling atmosphere +into the open air. + +Hans Wehlau, gliding upon the stream of social life, no sooner espied +his friend than he took his arm and drew him aside to ask, "Have you +seen the Countesses Steinrück, our watering-place acquaintances? They +are here." + +"I know it," Michael replied, laconically. "I spoke to them just now." + +"Really? Where have you been hiding yourself? You're bored again, as +usual, in society. I am enjoying myself extremely, and I have been +presented to everybody." + +"Also as usual. You must represent your father to-day; every one wishes +to know the son of the distinguished scientist, since he himself----" + +"Are you at it too?" Hans interrupted him, petulantly. "At least twenty +times to-day I have been introduced and questioned as celebrity number +two, since celebrity number one is not present. They have goaded me +with my father's distinction until I am desperate." + +"Hans, if your father could hear you!" Michael said, reproachfully. + +"I can't help it. Every other man has at least an individuality of his +own, something subjective. I am 'the son of our distinguished,' and so +forth, and I am nothing more. As such I am introduced, flattered, +distinguished if you choose; but it's terrible to run about forever as +only something relative." + +The young officer smiled. "Well, you are on the way to change it all. +Probably in future it will be 'the distinguished artist, Hans Wehlau, +whose father has rendered such service,' and so forth." + +"In that case, I will assuredly forgive my father his fame. And so you +have spoken to the Steinrück ladies. What a surprise it was to find +them here when we thought them in Berkheim! The Countess mother very +kindly invited me, or rather both of us, to the castle, and I accepted, +of course. We will call at Steinrück together, eh?" + +"No; I shall not go there," Michael replied. + +"But why not, in heaven's name?" + +"Because I have no inducement, and feel no desire to make one of the +Steinrück circle. The tone that prevails there is notorious. Every one +without a title must be constantly under arms if he would maintain his +position there." + +"Well, since the science of war is your profession, it would afford you +a good opportunity for study. For my part, I find it very tiresome to +be forever under arms like you and my father, who always feels obliged +to vindicate his principles in his intercourse with the aristocracy. I +amuse myself without principles of any kind, and always ground arms +before the ladies. Be reasonable, Michael, and come with me." + +"No!" + +"Very well; let it alone, then! There is nothing to be done with you +when once you take a notion into that obstinate head of yours, as I +found out long ago; but I shall certainly not throw away my opportunity +for seeing again that golden-haired fairy, the Countess Hertha. I +suppose you never even noticed how captivating, how bewitching she is +to-night in that cloud of silk and lace; the very embodiment of all +loveliness." + +"I certainly think the Countess beautiful, but----" + +"You only think her so?" Hans interrupted him, indignantly. "Indeed? +And you begin to criticise her with your 'but.' Let me tell you, +Michael, that I have unbounded respect for you; in fact, you have been +so long held up to me by my father as a model in every sense, that your +superiority has become a thorn in my flesh. But when there is any +question of women and women's loveliness, please hold your tongue; you +know nothing about them or it, and are no better than what you once +were,--a blockhead!" + +With these words, uttered half in jest, half indignantly, he left his +friend and joined a group of young people at a distance. Michael +wandered in an opposite direction, looking stern and gloomy enough. + +Meanwhile, at the other end of the room, Colonel Reval was talking with +Count Steinrück. They had withdrawn into a small bow-window shut off +from the room by a half-drawn _portière_, and Reval was saying, "I +should like to call your Excellency's attention to this young officer. +You will soon admit him to be in every way worthy your regard." + +"I am sure of it, since you recommend him so warmly," replied +Steinrück. "You are usually chary of such praise. Did he serve in your +regiment from the beginning?" + +"Yes. I noticed him first in the Danish war. Although the youngest +lieutenant in the regiment, he contrived with a handful of men to +capture a position which had until then resisted all attack, and which +was of the greatest importance, and the way in which he performed this +feat showed as much energy as presence of mind. In the last campaign he +was my adjutant, and now he has just been ordered upon the general's +staff in consequence of an admirable treatise; you may have seen it, +your Excellency, since it discusses a point upon which you lately +expressed yourself very emphatically, and it was signed with the +writer's name." + +"Lieutenant Rodenberg; I remember," the general said, thoughtfully. The +name always affected him painfully, but did not arrest his attention, +since it was a frequent one in the army. There was a Colonel Rodenberg +who had three sons in the service, and the Count had so fully made up +his mind that the young officer in question was one of these that he +judged it superfluous to make any inquiries about him. + +"I know the treatise," he continued. "It betokens an unusual degree of +talent, and would have secured my regard for its author, even without +your warm recommendation; and, since you bear such brilliant testimony +to his capacity in other respects----" + +"Rodenberg is every way trustworthy; he maintains, it is true, rather +an isolated position among his comrades; his unsocial disposition and +his reserve make him but few friends, but he is universally respected." + +"That suffices," declared Steinrück, who listened with evident +interest. "He who is ambitious and has a high aim in view rarely finds +time to be popular. I like natures which rely entirely upon themselves. +I understand them; in my youth I resembled them." + +"Here he is! His Excellency wishes to make your acquaintance, my dear +Rodenberg," said the colonel, beckoning Michael to approach. He +introduced him in due form, and then mingled with his other guests, +leaving his favourite to complete the impression already made upon the +general by the late conversation. + +Michael confronted the man whom he had seen but once, and that ten +years before, but whose image had remained ineffaceably impressed upon +his memory, connected as it was with the bitterest experience of his +life. + +Count Michael Steinrück had already passed his seventieth year, but he +was one of those whom time seems afraid to attack, and the years which +are wont to bring decay found him still erect and strong as in the +prime of life. His hair and beard were silvered, but that was the only +change wrought by the last ten years. There was scarcely an added +wrinkle upon the proud, resolute features, the eyes were still keen and +fiery, and the carriage was as imposing as ever, betraying in every +gesture the habit of command. + +His iron constitution, strengthened and hardened as it had been by +every kind of physical and mental exercise, maintained in old age a +youthful vigour which many a young man might have envied. + +The general scanned the young officer keenly, and the result of his +examination was evidently a favourable one. He liked this strong, manly +carriage, this grave repose of expression betokening mental discipline, +and he opened the conversation with more geniality than was his wont. +"Colonel Reval has recommended you to me very warmly, Lieutenant +Rodenberg, and I value his judgment highly. You have been his +adjutant?" + +"I have, your Excellency." + +Steinrück's attention was aroused, there was something familiar in that +tone of voice, he seemed to have heard it before, and yet the young man +was an utter stranger to him. He began to talk of military matters, +putting frequent questions upon various topics, but Michael underwent +excellently well this rigid examination in a conversational form. His +replies, to be sure, were monosyllabic, not a word was uttered that was +not absolutely necessary, but they were clear and to the point, +perfectly in accordance with the taste of the general, who became more +and more convinced that the colonel had not said too much. Count +Steinrück was, indeed, feared on account of his severity, but he was +strictly just whenever he met with merit or talent, and he even +condescended to praise this young officer who was evidently most +deserving. + +"A great career is open to you," he said, at the close of the +interview. "You stand on the first step of the ladder, and the ascent +lies with yourself. I hear that you distinguished yourself in the field +while still very young, and your latest work proves that you can do +more than merely slash about with a sword. I shall be glad to see you +fulfil the promise you give; we have need of such vigorous young +natures. I shall remember you, Lieutenant Rodenberg. What is your first +name?" + +"Michael." + +The general started at this rather uncommon name; a strange suspicion +flashed upon his mind, only, however, to be banished instantly; but +again he scanned keenly the features of the man before him. "You are a +son of Colonel Rodenberg, commanding officer in W----?" + +"No, your Excellency." + +"Related to him, probably?" + +"No, your Excellency, I am not acquainted either with the colonel or +with his family." + +"What is your father's profession?" + +"My father has been dead for many years." + +"And your mother?" + +"Dead also." + +A pause of a few seconds ensued: the Count's eyes were riveted upon the +young officer's face; at last he asked, slowly, "And where,--where did +you pass your early youth?" + +"In a forest lodge in the neighbourhood of Saint Michael." + +The general recoiled; the revelation, which during the last few moments +he had indeed divined, came upon him like a blow. + +"It is you? Impossible!" he fairly gasped. + +"What was your Excellency pleased to observe?" Michael asked, in an icy +tone. He stood motionless in a strictly respectful attitude, but his +eyes flashed, and now Steinrück recognized those eyes. He had seen them +once before flashing just as fiercely when he had heaped unmerited +disgrace upon the boy; they had just the same expression now as then. + +But Count Steinrück did not lose his self-possession even at such a +moment. He had collected himself in an instant, and said in the old +imperious tone, "No matter! Let the past be past. I see Lieutenant +Rodenberg to-day for the first time. I recall neither the praise which +I bestowed upon you, nor the hopes that I expressed with regard to your +future. You may count now, as before, upon my good will." + +"I thank your Excellency," Michael rejoined, as coldly as possible. "It +suffices me to hear from your own lips that I am, at least, fit for +something in the world. I have made my way _alone_, and shall pursue it +alone." + +The general's brow grew dark. He had been willing to forget +magnanimously, and had thought to achieve great things by this +reluctant acknowledgment, and now his advances were rejected in the +bluntest manner. "Haughty enough!" he said, in a tone that was almost +menacing. "You would do well to bridle this untamed pride. Injustice +was once done you, and that may excuse your reply. I will forget that I +have heard it. You will surely come to a better state of mind." + +"Has your Excellency any further commands for me?" + +"No!" + +An angry glance was cast at the young officer who dared to leave his +general's presence without awaiting his dismissal, but Michael appeared +to consider as such that 'no,' and with a salute he turned and walked +away. + +The general, stern and mute, looked after him. He could scarcely +believe his eyes. He had, indeed, been informed that the +'good-for-nothing boy' had run away from his foster-father, and had +never returned, doubtless from fear of punishment. He had not thought +it worth the trouble to institute a search for the fugitive. If the +fellow had vanished, so much the better; they were rid of him, and with +him of the last reminder of the family tragedy that must be buried +forever; he would always have been in the way. Sometimes, indeed, there +was a shadow of dread in his mind lest the fellow should some day +emerge from disgrace and misery and make use of his connection with the +family, which could not be denied, to extort money; but they had got +rid of the father when he had tried that game, and they could likewise +get rid of the son. Count Michael was not the man to be afraid of +shadows. + +And now the vanished boy had indeed emerged again, but in the very +sphere to which the Count's family belonged. He was pronounced one of +those who are sure to rise without foreign aid by their own talent and +energy, and he had dared to reject the patronage offered him, +grudgingly enough, but still offered. Why, it almost looked as if _he_ +now wished to disown his mother's family. + +The Count's brow was still dark when he rejoined the other guests. +Hertha and her mother had just returned to the drawing-room, and the +young lady instantly became the centre of attraction. All crowded round +her to do her homage. Hans Wehlau actually swept like a comet through +the rooms to get near her, and even Steinrück's gloomy brow cleared as +his glance rested upon his lovely ward. + +Lieutenant Rodenberg alone appeared not to observe the entrance of the +ladies. He stood apart, conversing with an old gentleman who discoursed +freely upon the disagreeable summer that had passed, and the delightful +autumn that had begun, and in whose remarks Michael appeared to take a +deep interest. But now, and then he cast at the circle, which he +forbore to approach, a glance as filled with longing as had been that +with which he had looked at the rose at his feet in the conservatory; +and when the garrulous old gentleman at last left him, he muttered to +himself, "'Blockhead!' I wish I had remained one!" + + + * * * * * + + +Count Michael Steinrück occupied a very influential position in the +capital. Raised to the rank of general at the beginning of the last +campaign, he had proved himself one of the most capable of commanders, +and his voice had great weight in military affairs. + +Six years previously he had lost his only son, who was attached to the +German embassy in Paris, and since then his daughter-in-law and his +grandson had lived beneath his roof. The latter had originally, by his +grandfather's desire, or rather command, been destined for the army. +Count Michael had been resolved to carry out his plan in opposition to +the wishes of the boy's parents, but he had been unable to do so. +Raoul, who was in fact a delicate boy, sickened just at the time when a +final decision with regard to his future career was absolutely +necessary, and the physicians declared unanimously that he was unequal +to the duties of the military profession. They referred to the father's +already incipient consumption of the lungs, the germ of which might +develop in the son unless great care were taken, and this son was the +last and sole scion of an ancient line. These considerations at last +prevailed with Count Michael, but he had never yet overcome his regret +at the disappointment of his dearest hopes, especially since Raoul, +when once the critical period was past, had bloomed out in perfect +health and strength. After completing his studies at a German +university he had entered the service of the government, and was at +present in the Foreign Office, where, indeed, on account of his youth, +he occupied a subordinate position. + +The general, who had now been in possession of Steinrück for ten years, +was still faithful to his deceased cousin's traditions, and regularly +spent some weeks there during the hunting season, his military duties +allowing him no more extended leave. His daughter-in-law and his +grandson usually accompanied him upon these visits, when the castle was +thrown open, guests were received, hunts were instituted, and the +desolate old mountain castle resounded with life and gayety for a short +time, after which it relapsed into its usual silence and solitude. + +It was the morning after Count Raoul's arrival. He was in his mother's +room, and the pair were engaged in an earnest conversation, the subject +of which, however, appeared to be far from pleasant, for both mother +and son looked annoyed. + +Countess Hortense Steinrück had been a distinguished beauty, and, +mother though she were of a grown son, she was still a very lovely +woman. She perfectly understood how to heighten her beauty by the art +of dress, which did much to conceal her years. There was a charm beyond +that of youth in her intelligent face, with its dark, lively eyes, and +her matronly figure was still extremely graceful. + +Raoul was exceedingly like his mother, whose beauty he had inherited; +in his slender youthful figure there was nothing to remind one of his +father or his grandfather, or of the race of Steinrücks. He had a fine +head, crowned with dark curls, a broad brow, and dark, eloquent eyes, +but the fire lying hidden in their depths could leap up in an instant +like a consuming flame, and even in moments of quiet conversation there +was sometimes a hot devouring glow in them. Unquestionable as was the +young Count's beauty, there was something veiled and demonic about it, +which, however, only made it more attractive. + +"Then he sent for you yesterday evening?" Hortense said, in a tone of +displeasure. "I knew that a storm was brewing and tried to avert it, +but I did not suppose that it would burst forth on your first evening." + +"Yes, my grandfather was extremely ungracious," said Raoul, also in +high displeasure. "He took me to task about my follies as if they had +been state offences. I had confessed all to you, mamma, and hoped for +your advocacy." + +"My advocacy?" the Countess repeated, bitterly. "You ought to know how +powerless I am when you are under discussion. What can maternal love +and maternal right avail with a man who is accustomed ruthlessly to +subdue everything to his will, and to break what will not bend? I have +suffered intensely from your father's being so absolutely dependent +that I continue to be so after his death. I have no property of my own, +and this dependence constitutes a fetter that is often galling enough." + +"You are wrong, mamma," Raoul interposed. "My grandfather does not +control me through our pecuniary dependence upon him, but by his +personal characteristics. There is something in his eye, in his voice, +that I cannot defy. I can set myself in opposition to all the world, +but not to him." + +"Yes, he has schooled you admirably. This is the result of an education +designed to rob me of all influence with you, and to attach you solely +to himself. You are impressed by his tone of command, his imperious +air, while to me they merely represent the tyranny to which I have been +forced to submit ever since my marriage. But it cannot last forever." + +She breathed a sigh of relief as she uttered the last words. Raoul made +no reply; he leaned his head on his hand and looked down. + +"I wrote you that you would find Hertha and her mother here," the +Countess began again. "I was quite surprised by the change in Hertha; +since we saw her years ago she has developed into a beauty of the first +class. Do you not think so?" + +"Yes, she is very beautiful, and thoroughly spoiled,--full of caprices. +I found that out yesterday." + +Hortense slightly shrugged her shoulders. "She is conscious of being a +wealthy heiress, and, moreover, she is the only child of a very weak +mother, who has no will of her own. You have a will, however, Raoul, +and will know how to treat your future wife, I do not doubt. Upon this +point I find myself, strangely enough, absolutely in harmony with your +grandfather, who wishes to see you in possession of all the Steinrück +estates. The income of the elder line is not very large, and little +more was left to your grandfather than a hunting castle, while Hertha, +on the other hand, is heiress to all the other property, and must one +day inherit her mother's very large jointure. Moreover, you and she are +the two last scions of the Steinrück race, and a union between you two +is everyway desirable." + +"Yes, if family considerations alone were in question. You took good +care to impress this upon us when we were but children," Raoul said, +with a tinge of bitterness in his tone that did not escape his mother, +who looked at him in surprise. + +"I should suppose that you would have every reason to be satisfied with +this family arrangement. It contents even me, and my aspirations for +you are lofty. You were always seemingly in favor of it. What is it +that clouds your brow to-day? Have you been so displeased by a mere +caprice of Hertha's? I grant that she did not give you a very amiable +reception yesterday, but that should not cause you to hesitate about +entering upon the possession of a lovely wife and, with her, of a large +fortune, which would make you the envy of thousands." + +"It is not that, but I dislike resigning my freedom so soon." + +"Freedom!" Hortense laughed bitterly. "Do you really dare to utter +that word beneath this roof? Are you not weary of being treated at +twenty-five like a boy for whom every step is prescribed? Of being +scolded if your conduct does not please? Of having to entreat for the +fulfilment of every reasonable desire, and of being obliged to submit +humbly to an autocrat's refusal? Can you hesitate a moment to grasp the +independence offered to you? Next year, according to the will, your +grandfather's guardianship of Hertha is at an end, and she, and her +husband with her, will enter into full possession of what is hers by +right. Liberate yourself, Raoul, and me!" + +"Mamma!" said the young Count, with a warning glance towards the door, +but the excited woman went on, more passionately,-- + +"Yes, and me. For what is my life in this house but a perpetual +struggle, and a perpetual defeat? Hitherto you have had no power to +protect me from the thousand mortifications to which I have been +subjected day after day; now you will have it,--it rests with yourself. +I shall take refuge with you as soon as you are master of your own +house." + +Raoul arose with an angry gesture. His mother's passionate eloquence +was not without its effect; it was plain that the picture which she +drew of freedom and independence was very alluring to the young man, +who had just suffered so keenly from his grandfather's severity. +Nevertheless he hesitated to reply, and a struggle was evidently going +on within him. + +"You are right, mamma," he said at last, "perfectly right. I do not +object at all, but if the affair is to be precipitated, as would seem +at present----" + +"You have every reason to rejoice. I do not understand you, Raoul. I +cannot imagine---- You are not entangled elsewhere?" + +"No, no!" exclaimed the young Count, hastily, "nothing of the kind, I +assure you, mamma." + +His mother seemed but little relieved by this assertion, and was about +to question him further, when the door was noiselessly opened, and the +Countess's maid said, in an undertone,-- + +"His Excellency the general." + +She had scarcely time to retire when the general appeared. He paused on +the threshold for an instant, and looked inquiringly from mother to +son. "Since when have the laws of etiquette been so strictly observed +in our house?" he asked. "I am to be announced, I see, Hortense." + +"I do not know why Marion announced you; she knows that such formality +is quite superfluous." + +"Certainly, if it were not ordered; her voice sounded as if raised in +warning." + +With these words Steinrück sat down beside his daughter-in-law, +acknowledging by only a slight nod his grandson's 'good-morning.' +Mother and son had hitherto spoken in French, but now they instantly +had recourse to German; and the general continued: "I came to ask for +an explanation, Hortense. I have just heard that two rooms in the +castle have been prepared for guests by your orders. I thought our +relatives were to be our only guests this year. Whom have you invited?" + +"It is only for a brief visit, papa," the Countess explained. "Some +acquaintances of ours have been staying at Wildbad, and on their way +home wish to spend two or three days with us. I heard of their coming +only this morning, or I should have told you." + +"Indeed! I should like to know whom you expect." + +"Henri de Clermont and his sister." + +"I am sorry that I was not consulted about this invitation,--I should +not have allowed it." + +"It was given for Raoul's sake, at his particular request." + +"No matter for that. I do not wish the Clermonts admitted to our +circle." + +Raoul started at this decided expression of disapproval, and his face +flushed darkly. "Excuse me, sir, but Henri and his sister were at our +house several times last winter." + +"To see your mother. I have nothing to say with regard to those whom +she personally receives, but this visit to Steinrück, when we are here +a family party, would betoken a degree of intimacy which I do not +desire, and therefore it must not take place." + +"Impossible!" Hortense rejoined, with nervous irritability. "I have +sent the invitation now, and it cannot be recalled." + +"Why not? You can write simply that you are not well, and feel quite +unequal to the duties of a hostess." + +"That would make us perfectly ridiculous!" exclaimed Raoul. "The +pretext would be seen through immediately; it would be an insult to +Henri and his sister." + +"I think so too," Hortense added. + +"There I must differ from both of you," the general said, with +emphasis; "and in this case I am the only one to be consulted. It is +for you to recall the invitation as seems to you best. Recalled it must +be, for I will not receive the Clermonts in my castle." + +This was said in the commanding tone that always provoked the +passionate woman. She arose angrily. "Am I to be compelled to insult my +son's friends? To be sure they belong to my country, to my people, and +that excludes them from this house. My Love for my home has always been +cast up to me as a reproach, and Raoul's preference for it is regarded +as a crime. Since his father's death he has never been allowed to visit +France; his associates are selected for him as if he were a school-boy; +he hardly dares to correspond with my relatives. But I am weary of this +slavery; at last I will----" + +"Raoul, leave the room," Steinrück interrupted her. He had not risen +from his seat, and he had preserved an unmoved countenance, but a frown +was gathering on his brow. + +"Stay, Raoul!" Hortense cried, passionately, "stay with your mother!" + +The young Count certainly seemed inclined to espouse his mother's +cause. He walked to her side as if to protect her and to defy his +grandfather, but at this instant the general also arose, and his eyes +flashed. "You heard what I said! Go!" + +There was such command in his tone that it put an end to Raoul's +resistance. He found it absolutely impossible to disobey those eyes and +that voice; he hesitated for an instant, but at an imperious gesture +from his grandfather he complied and left the room. + +"I do not desire that Raoul should be a witness to these scenes, which +are unfortunately so frequent between us," Steinrück said, coldly, +turning to his daughter-in-law. "Now we are alone, what have you to +say?" + +If anything could irritate the angry woman still more, it was this +cold, grave manner which impressed her as contempt. She was beside +herself with indignation. "I will maintain my rights!" she exclaimed. +"I will rebel against the tyranny that oppresses both my son and +myself. It is an insult to me to compel me to recall my invitation to +the Clermonts, and it shall not be done, let the worst come to the +worst!" + +"I advise you, Hortense, not to go so far; you might repent it," the +Count rejoined, and he was no longer self-possessed; his voice sounded +stern and menacing. "If you want the plain truth you shall have it. +Yes, it is of the first importance that Raoul should be withdrawn from +influences and associations which I disapprove for my grandson. I +relied upon Albrecht's repeated solemn assurance that the boy should +have a German education. Upon your brief infrequent visits I could not +satisfy myself upon this point, and unfortunately the lad was schooled +for those visits. Not until after my son's death did I discover that he +had blindly acceded to your will in this matter, and had intentionally +deceived me." + +"Would you reproach my husband in his grave?" + +"Even there I cannot spare him the reproach with which I should have +heaped him living. He yielded when he never should have yielded. Raoul +was a stranger in his native land, ignorant of its history, of its +customs, of everything that ought to have been dear and sacred to him. +He was rooted deep in foreign soil. The revelation made to me when you +returned with him to my house forced me to interfere, and with energy. +It was high time, if it were not too late." + +"I assuredly did not return to your house voluntarily." The Countess's +voice was sharp and bitter. "I would have gone to my brother, but you +laid claim to Raoul, you took him from me by virtue of your +guardianship, and I could not be separated from my child. If I could +have taken him with me----" + +"And have made a thorough Montigny of him," Steinrück completed her +sentence. "It would not have been difficult; there is in him only too +much of you and of yours. I look in vain to find traces of my blood in +the boy, but disown this blood he never shall. You know me in this +regard, and Raoul will learn to know me. Woe be to him if he ever +forgets the name he bears or that he belongs to a German race!" + +He spoke in an undertone, but there was so terrible a menace in his +voice that Hortense shuddered. She knew he was in terrible earnest, +and, conscious that she was again defeated in the old conflict, she +took refuge in tears, and burst into a passionate fit of sobbing. + +The general was too accustomed to such a termination to a stormy +interview to be surprised; he merely shrugged his shoulders and left +the room. In the next apartment he found Raoul pacing restlessly to and +fro. He paused and stood still upon his grandfather's entrance. + +"Go to your mother!" his Excellency said, bitterly. "Let her repeat to +you that I am a tyrant,--a despot who delights in tormenting her and +you. You hear it daily; you are regularly taught to suspect and dislike +me; such teaching bore fruit long since." + +Harsh as the words sounded, there was suppressed pain in them,--a pain +reflected in the Count's features. Raoul probably perceived it, for he +cast down his eyes and rejoined in a low tone, "You do me injustice, +grandfather." + +"Prove it to me. For once repose in me frank and entire confidence; you +will not repent it. I scolded and threatened yesterday; you have lately +often forced me to do so, but nevertheless you are dear to me, Raoul, +very dear." + +The voice, usually so stern and commanding, sounded kindly, nay, even +tender, and was not without its effect upon the young man. Affection +for the grandfather from whom he had been estranged from boyhood +stirred within him. He had always feared him, but at this moment he +felt no fear. "And you too are dear to me, grandfather," he exclaimed. + +"Come," said Steinrück, with a warmth rarely manifested by him, "let us +have a pleasant hour together for once, with no adverse influence to +interfere. Come, Raoul." + +He put his arm around his grandson's shoulder, and was drawing him away +with him, when the door was hastily flung open and Marion appeared. +"For heaven's sake, Herr Count, come to the Frau Countess! She is very +unwell, and is asking for you." + +Raoul turned in dismay to hasten to his mother, but paused suddenly +upon encountering his grandfather's grave look of entreaty. "Your +mother has one of her nervous attacks," he said, quietly. "You know +them as well as I do, and that there is no cause for anxiety. Come with +me, Raoul." + +He still had his arm about the young man, and Raoul seemed to hesitate +for a few moments, then he tried to extricate himself. "Pardon me, +grandfather; my mother is suffering, and asking for me. I cannot leave +her alone now." + +"Then go!" Steinrück exclaimed, harshly, almost thrusting the young man +from him. "I will not keep you from your filial duty. Go to your +mother!" + +And, without even another look towards Raoul, he turned and left the +room. + + + * * * * * + + +Saint Michael was one of the highest inhabited spots of the +mountain-range. The quiet little Alpine village would have been utterly +secluded had it not possessed a certain significance as a place of +pilgrimage. The single dwellings lay scattered upon the pasture-lands +and mountain-meadows, with the village church and the parsonage in +their midst. Everything was contracted, plain, even shabby; the special +church alone, which was the resort of pilgrims, and which stood upon a +solitary height at a little distance from the village, had an imposing +aspect. It had been founded by the Counts von Steinrück who had built +this church, now old and gray, on the site of the ancient Saint +Michael's chapel that had once stood here, and they had since often +bestowed gifts upon it and had endowed it. Saint Michael was still the +patron saint of the family to which he had so often given a first name. +Its founder had been called Michael, and the name had been handed down +from generation to generation ever since. Even the Protestant branch of +the family, who had years previously left their ancestral home and +settled in Northern Germany, preserved this ancient tradition, which, +if it had no religious significance for them, still possessed an +historic importance. Thus, the present head of the house was a Count +Michael, and his son and grandson had been christened after him, +although each bore another name by which he was commonly called. The +interior of the church was not very remarkable; it showed the usual +adornment of pictures and gayly-painted statues of the saint, often +very imperfectly executed. But the high altar was an exception; it was +very richly and artistically carved, and the two figures of angels on +the sides of the steps with outspread wings and hands held aloft in +prayer, as if guarding the sacred place, were exquisite examples of +sculpture in wood. They with the altar were a gift from the Steinrücks, +as were the three gothic windows in the altar recess, the costly +stained glass of which glowed in gorgeous colour. The picture above the +altar, however, a large painting, dated from a period of great +simplicity in art. It had grown very dark with age, and was worn in +spots, but its details were still distinctly to be discerned. Saint +Michael, in a long blue robe and flowing mantle, the nimbus around his +head, was distinguished as the warlike angel by a short coat of mail, +but was otherwise of peaceful aspect. His sword of flame in his right +hand and the scales in his left, he was enthroned upon a cloud, and at +his feet crouched Satan, a horned monster with distorted features, and +a body ending in a serpent's tail. Blood-red flames flashed upwards +from the abyss, and a circle of cherubs looked down from above. The +picture was entirely without artistic merit. + +"And that is meant to betoken conflict and victory," said Hans Wehlau, +as he stood gazing at the picture. "Saint Michael looks so solemnly +comfortable on his cloud, and quite as if the Evil One below him were +of no consequence; if Satan were wise he would snatch that sword just +above the tip of his nose; that's no way to hold a sword! The saint +ought to swoop from above like an angel, and seize and destroy Satan +like a mighty blast, but he'd better not try flying in that long gown; +and as for his wings, they are quite too small to support him." + +"You show a godless want of respect in criticising pictures of saints," +said Michael, who stood beside him. "You are your father's own son +there." + +"Very likely. Do you know I should like to paint a picture of +that?--Saint Michael and the devil, the conflict of light with +darkness. Something might be made of it if a fellow really set himself +to work, and I have a model close at hand." + +He turned suddenly, and looked his friend full in the face, in a way +that provoked Michael to say, "What are you thinking of? I surely +have----" + +"Nothing angelic about you! No, most certainly not; and among the +heavenly host, hovering in ether in white robes and palm branches, you +would cut a comical figure. But to swoop down upon your enemy with a +flaming sword and put him to rout like your holy namesake would suit +you exactly. Of course you would have to be idealized, for you're far +from handsome, Michael, but you have just what is needed for such a +figure, especially when you are in a rage. At all events, you would +make a much better archangel than that one up there." + +"Nonsense!" said Michael, turning to go. "Moreover, you must come now, +Hans, if you mean to walk back to Tannberg. It is four good leagues +away." + +"By that tiresome road, which I shall not take. I am going through the +forest; it is nearer." + +"Then you will lose your way! You do not know this country as I do." + +"Then I will find it again," said Hans, as they walked out of the +church into the open air. "At least I shall not be received in Tannberg +by an angry face. I am glad my father has gone, and I think the whole +household breathes more easily. At the last he hung over us all like a +thunder-cloud; we always had to be prepared for thunder and lightning." + +"It was certainly better for him to shorten his stay and go home," +Michael rejoined, gravely. "Irritable and angry as he was, there was +always danger of a decided breach, which should be avoided at all +hazards. I advised him to return home." + +"Yes, you protected me to the best of your ability. You and my aunt +stood beside me like two angels of peace and shielded me with your +wings, but it did not do much good after all, my father was too angry. +You were the only one who could get along with him." + +"And so you regularly sent me into action when there was anything to be +done." + +"Of course; you risked nothing in the engagement. My father always +treats you with respect, even when you disagree with him. It's odd,--he +never had any respect for me." + +"Hans, be sensible; do stop jesting for a while. I should suppose you +had reason enough to be grave." + +"Good heavens! what am I to do? I never had the slightest talent for +the part of a grovelling sinner. At least you have contrived to extort +a gracious permission that I should remain in Tannberg while your leave +lasts, and when we go home the storm will have somewhat blown over. But +here is the path; my love to my uncle Valentin. I have, as my father's +son, 'compromised' him again by my visit, but he would have it. _Au +revoir_, Michael." + +He waved his hand to his friend and struck into a side-path leading +down the mountain. Michael looked after him until he vanished among the +hemlocks, and then took his way back to the village. + +He had been at Saint Michael for several days, and on the previous day +Hans had paid a short visit. It had been a rare and much-desired +gratification for the pastor, who regretted keenly that his nearest +relatives should hold themselves aloof from him. Any intercourse with +his brother, who was a declared opponent of Romanism, was made a +reproach to the priest. The two met only at intervals of years, when +the Professor visited his relatives in Tannberg; and in the fact of +their correspondence might perhaps be found the reason why Valentin +Wehlau was left in a lonely secluded Alpine village, and--forgotten. + +Michael, however, had of late years frequently visited his old friend +and teacher, but Lieutenant Rodenberg was an entire new-comer for the +inhabitants of Saint Michael, who scarcely remembered the shy, awkward +boy from the forest lodge,--indeed, they had seldom seen him. He had +been looked upon as a relative of Wolfram's, bearing the forester's +name, and the lodge had long since passed into other hands. Count +Steinrück had found a better and more profitable situation for his +former huntsman upon one of his ward's estates, perhaps as a reward for +rendered service, perhaps because, upon his visits to his castle, he +did not wish to be reminded by Wolfram's presence of the past. At all +events, the forester had left this part of the country nearly ten years +previously. + +When Michael re-entered the parsonage, which he had left half an hour +before in its usual solitude and quiet, he found it in a state of +unusual turmoil. The old servant was bustling about in her kitchen, +among her pots and pans, as if some festival were in preparation. Two +young peasant girls from a neighbouring farm were running to and fro; +the upper rooms were being aired and arranged; the peaceful household +seemed to be turned topsy-turvy, and as Michael entered the study the +sacristan was taking a hurried leave of the priest, with much +importance of mien. + +Nothing was changed in the little room; the same monastic simplicity +reigned within it; the whitewashed walls, the huge tiled stove, the +carved crucifix in the corner, even the old pine furniture, were all +the same; time had left them unchanged. Not so their owner. + +The pastor had grown much older. Whilst his brother, who was in fact +several years his junior, still preserved his youthful freshness and +vigour, the priest produced the impression of old age. His form was +bent, his face furrowed with wrinkles, his hair white, but the same +mild lustre shone in the eyes which at times made one forget the +weariness and age evident in the man. + +"What is the matter, your reverence?" asked Michael, surprised. "The +whole house is astir, and old Katrin is so agitated that she ran away +without answering me." + +"We are to have an unexpected visit," replied Valentin,--"a +distinguished guest for whom some preparation is necessary. Scarcely +had you and Hans departed when a messenger arrived with a note from +Countess Steinrück,--she will be here in a couple of hours." + +The young man, who was just about to take a seat, paused in amazement. +"Countess Steinrück? What can she want here in Saint Michael?" + +"To visit the church. The Countess is very pious, and never fails to do +so when she is at the castle. Moreover, our church was endowed by her +family, and owes much to her personally. She visits her husband's grave +almost every year, and always comes here when she does so." + +"Is she coming alone?" The question was asked in an agitated tone, in +strong contrast to the priest's quiet reply. + +"No; her daughter is coming too, and the necessary attendants. You must +resign the guest-chamber for to-day, Michael. The double drive over the +mountains would be too fatiguing for the ladies; they will stay +overnight, and accept the simple hospitality of the parsonage. I spoke +with the sacristan about a room for you; he will have one ready for you +to occupy until to-morrow." + +Michael at first made no reply; he walked to the window and stood with +folded arms looking out. At last, after a long pause, he said, in an +undertone, "I wish I had gone home." + +"Why? Because these ladies bear the name of Steinrück, and you have +chosen to outlaw, to put beyond the pale of your sympathy, all of that +name? How often have I entreated you to rid yourself of this +unchristian hatred!" + +"Hatred, do you call it?" the young man asked, in a voice that trembled +slightly. + +"What else is it? When you told me the other day of your meeting with +your grandfather, I saw how stubborn and implacable you still were, and +now you extend your ill feeling to the Count's innocent relatives, who +have shown you nothing but kindness. You, to be sure, told me nothing +of your acquaintance with them, but Hans was more communicative. He is +most enthusiastic about the young Countess." + +"For as long as he can see her. As soon as we return to town he will +forget all about her. It is his fashion." + +The words sounded contemptuous, and so bitter, that Valentin shook his +head disapprovingly. "It is fortunate in this case that it is so," he +rejoined. "It would be sad for Hans to be in earnest, for, apart from +the difference of rank, the hand of the Countess Hertha was disposed of +long ago." + +"Disposed of? To whom?" Michael asked, hastily, turning from the +window. + +"To Count Raoul Steinrück, her relative. In their sphere marriages are +usually contracted for family reasons, and this one was thus arranged +years ago. There has been no betrothal as yet, because the Countess +could not bring herself to part with her daughter, but it is to take +place shortly." + +The priest had formerly been the Countess's confessor, and was still +perfectly aware of all the family affairs; he mentioned them now as +matters of course, and went on speaking of them in detail, not +observing that his listener seemed thunderstruck. Michael had turned to +the window again, and stood with his face pressed against the pane, +never stirring until Valentin had finished speaking. + +"There will be a great deal of disturbance in your house to-day, your +reverence," he said at last, "and I should be sorry to inconvenience +the sacristan. It would be better for me to go to the lodge, and stay +there until to-morrow." + +"What are you thinking of?" Valentin exclaimed, in displeasure. "I can +understand the reserve of which Hans accuses you, but this is going too +far." + +"The Countess knows nothing of my being here, and if you say nothing +about it----" + +"She will learn it through Katrin or the sacristan. A guest is so rare +in my lonely home that it is always discussed by my people; and how am +I to excuse your flight to the Countess?" + +"Flight?" the young officer said, angrily. + +"She cannot regard it as anything else, since she knows nothing of your +relations with the family." + +"You are right," said Michael, drawing a deep breath. "It would be +flight and cowardice. I will stay." + +"Yes, you are quite inaccessible to good sense," said Valentin, with a +fleeting smile, "but as soon as flight is mentioned the soldier in you +is astir, forcing you to stand your ground. But I must see after +Katrin; she is quite upset, and will need my aid and counsel." + +Michael was left alone. He had tried to go, he had been forced to stay, +and his eyes were bright as they sought the road winding up from the +valley. Flight! The young warrior had indignantly repudiated the word, +and yet for weeks he had been fleeing from a power to which he would +not bow, and which nevertheless threatened to master him. As if it were +in league with the fiend, it made constant assaults, now amid brilliant +social scenes, now here in a lonely Alpine village; just when he +thought it farthest away it suddenly appeared. Again he was to stand +face to face with it, and Michael well knew what that meant; but as he +stood erect, stern, and resolute, prepared for conflict, he did not +look like defeat. + + + * * * * * + + +The expected guests arrived in due time, the Countess in a little +mountain wagon intended for such excursions, her daughter having +preferred to travel the road on horseback. A lady's-maid also came in +the wagon, and a mounted servant accompanied the party, which was +originally to have comprised the Countess Hortense, but she was +suffering from one of her nervous attacks, and the mountain drive would +have been too exhausting for her. + +Immediately upon their arrival the ladies performed their devotions in +the church, and a solemn mass was appointed for the next morning. + +In the afternoon the pastor, with his two younger guests, sauntered +through the village. The Countess, who felt fatigued, remained in the +parsonage, and Michael had been compelled to walk with the priest and +the Countess Hertha, since the young lady, accustomed to rule those +about her with sovereign sway, had required him to do so in a tone that +was not to be gainsaid. It was in the middle of September, but the day +had been unusually warm. The heat made itself felt even at this +altitude: the temperature was sultry and oppressive. The pasture-lands +around Saint Michael were bathed in the sunlight, and the skies were +still clear, but mists hovered restlessly about the mountain-ranges, +and dark clouds began to gather above their summits, now darkly veiled, +and anon gleaming clear and distinct. + +"I fear we are going to have a storm this evening," said Valentin. +"This has been like a day in midsummer." + +"Yes, we felt it so as we were coming up the mountain," said Hertha. +"Do you think that we ought to be arranging for our return?" + +"No," replied Michael, scanning the mountains, "when the clouds gather, +as now, over there above the Eagle ridge, they will hang for hours +about the rocks before the storm comes, and then it is apt to take its +course down the valley and leave us untouched. But there will be a +storm. Saint Michael's flaming sword is flashing there." + +He pointed to the Eagle ridge, where in fact it was lightening, faintly +and in the distance, but still unmistakably. + +"Saint Michael's flaming sword?" Hertha repeated, inquiringly. + +"Certainly; do you not know the popular superstition so wide-spread in +these mountains?" + +"No; I have never been here except for a few weeks at a time, and know +nothing of the people." + +"Their belief is that the lightning is the sword of the avenging +archangel flashing from the skies, and that the storms, which often +enough do mischief in the valleys, are punishments wrought by him." + +"Saint Michael loves storm and flame," said Hertha, smiling. "I have +always felt very proud that the leader of the heavenly host, the mighty +angel of war and battle, is the patron saint of our family. You bear +his name, too; it is my uncle Steinrück's." + +Valentin cast an anxious glance at his former pupil, but Michael looked +quite unmoved, and replied, composedly, "Yes--by chance." + +"The saint's day is close at hand," the young Countess observed to the +priest. "The church will be thronged then, will it not, your +reverence?" + +"The inhabitants of all the surrounding villages visit the church on +that day; but our chief church festival comes in May, upon the day when +the saint's appearance took place. Then the entire population of these +mountains flocks hither from the most distant heights and the most +secluded valleys, so that church and village can scarcely contain the +crowds. The legend is that on that day Saint Michael, although +invisible, descends from the Eagle ridge and ploughs the earth with his +flaming sword as he did visibly centuries ago, when his shrine was +founded here." + +As he uttered the last words they paused before a wayside crucifix +rising solitary from the green meadow and facing towards the Eagle +ridge. A wild rosebush wreathed about the base of the cross, almost +concealing the wood-work, and its thick, luxuriant shoots were woven +about the sacred image like a living frame; its time for blooming had +long since passed, but the warm, sunny autumn days had lured forth a +few late buds, not fragrant and rich in colour like their sisters of +the plain, but pale, wild mountain-roses, which, blooming to-day, are +torn by the wind to-morrow, and yet they gleamed pink amid the dark +green like a last greeting from departing summer. + +A peasant lad approached, hat in hand and rather timidly; he had a +message for his reverence, whom he had been seeking in the village. His +mother was very sick, and was fain to see his reverence; the house was +very near, hardly two hundred paces distant, and if his reverence could +spare a few minutes the sick woman would be very grateful and much +comforted. + +"I must go with Hies," said Valentin. "I leave the Countess in your +charge, Michael; if she wishes to return to the parsonage----" + +"No, your reverence, we will await you here," Hertha interrupted him. +"This view of the Eagle ridge is so magnificent!" + +"I shall be back again shortly," the priest rejoined, inclining his +head courteously, as he turned away with Hies, and walked to a small +house near by, within the door of which he vanished. + +The unexpected _tête-à--tête_--the first they had ever had since they +had known each other--seemed to embarrass the pair thus left alone, for +their animated conversation was suddenly arrested. + +Saint Michael, as it lay before Hertha and her companion, looked +like the most secluded of highland valleys, so embedded was it in the +green Alps that surrounded it. There was but one distant view, and it +might well vie with all others,--that of the Eagle ridge. The mighty +range of rocks rising there in gloomy majesty commanded the landscape, +and towered above all the surrounding summits; dark pine forests +clothed its sides, and its depths hid savage abysses, down which +mountain-torrents tumbled with a roar faintly audible in the clear air. +The summit of the ridge indeed, with its naked, jagged peaks and its +sheer precipices, seemed inaccessible for mortal man; those peaks +soared to dizzy heights, and the highest of them all, the Eagle's head, +wore a crown of glaciers that glittered in icy splendour, its giant +wings, on each side, seeming to shelter the little hamlet of Saint +Michael lying at its feet. The ridge was rightly named; it did, indeed, +bear a resemblance to an eagle with outstretched wings. + +The silence lasted some time, and was at last broken by Hertha. +"According to the legend, then, the archangel descends from that peak." + +"With the first ray of the morning sun," replied Michael. "The sun +rises there above the ridge. The people cling with unswerving fidelity +to their time-hallowed beliefs, and will not relinquish their spring +festivals and their worship of the sun. He is the ancient god of light, +who either blesses or curses mankind; who mutters in the thunder, and +then again ploughs the earth with his flaming sword that the spring may +bring forth fresh life and beauty; the Church has clothed him in the +shining mail of the archangel." + +"That sounds very heretical," the young Countess said, reproachfully. +"Do not let his reverence or my mother hear you. It is easy to see that +you were brought up beneath Professor Wehlau's roof. Was he an early +friend of your father's?" + +Michael bowed his head as if in assent. The Professor had insisted upon +this concession from him from the first, as it put a stop to all +annoying conjecture, and had quite satisfied even Hans himself. + +"You lost your father very early?" + +"Yes, very early." + +"And your mother too?" + +"And my mother too." + +There was evident distress in his tone, and Hertha, perceiving that she +had unconsciously touched some sore spot, hastened to remove the +impression by saying, "I, too, was a mere child when my father died. I +have but a dim remembrance of him, and of the love and tenderness which +he lavished upon me. Where did you live with your parents?" + +The young man's lip quivered, and there was bitterness in his heart as +he remembered his childhood, with its lack of love and tenderness. The +disgrace and misery which he had but half understood had nevertheless +stamped themselves upon the boy's memory, and were still vividly +present with the man after the lapse of twenty years. "My childhood was +far from happy," he said, evasively. "There was so little in it that +could possibly interest you that I should be sorry to annoy you with an +account of it." + +"But it does interest me," Hertha said, eagerly. "I do not mean, +however, to be importunate; and if my sympathy annoys you----" + +"Your sympathy! with me?" Michael suddenly broke forth, and then paused +as suddenly; but what his lips did not utter his eyes said clearly, as +he gazed as if spell-bound at the young Countess, whose beauty was +certainly not dependent upon dress. She had been bewitchingly lovely in +silk and lace, in the brilliant light of the chandeliers, and to-day, +in her simple, close-fitting, dark-blue riding-habit, she was even +lovelier. Beneath the little hat, with its blue veil, the golden braids +gleamed through the thin tissue, and the eyes beamed brightly. There +was something unusual in her air to-day; she seemed released from the +petty conventional code of the brilliant circle in which she was wont +to move, and as if breathed upon by the mighty mountain world around +her, and this lent her a new and dangerous charm. + +"Well?" she said, smiling, without noticing Michael's sudden pause. "I +am waiting." + +"For what?" + +"For the account of your childhood, which you have not yet given me." + +"Nor can I give it you, for I can relate nothing of home or of parental +affection. I have grown up among strangers, I owe everything to +strangers, and, kindly and generously as it was bestowed, I still feel +it as a debt which would crush me to the earth had I not vowed to +myself to pay it by my entire future. At last I have taken the helm +into my own hands, and can steer out into the open sea." + +"And can you trust that sea, with its winds and waves?" + +"Yes. Trust the sea and it will carry you safely. Of one thing I am +sure, however: I shall never drift ashore on a half-shattered wreck, +thankful to escape with mere life. No, I will either steer my vessel +into port or go to the bottom with it." + +He stood erect as he uttered the last words with resolute emphasis. +Hertha looked at him in surprise, and suddenly said, "Strange,--how +like you are at this moment to my uncle Steinrück." + +"I? to the general?" + +"Extremely like him." + +"That must be an illusion," Michael rejoined, coldly. "I regret having +to disclaim the honour of a resemblance to his Excellency, but none can +possibly exist." + +"Certainly not; you have not a feature in common; the likeness lies in +the expression, and now it has vanished again. But at that moment you +had the general's eyes, his air, even his voice. It really startled +me." + +Her eyes still rested upon his countenance, as if she were expecting a +reply; but Michael turned somewhat aside, and said, changing the +conversation, "The prospect is growing more and more veiled; we shall +soon be surrounded by clouds." + +The weather did, in fact, look more threatening; the sun had begun to +set, but his rays were struggling with the mists floating up +everywhere, as if some leader of a mighty host had sounded his +trumpet-call, heard of the whole vast mountain world, and the +cloud-phantoms were rising on all sides to obey the summons, some with +slow majesty, some in desperate haste. Up from the deeps and abysses +soared the mist unceasingly, like a white veil, noiseless and +ghost-like, sweeping up over the forests, leaving a fluttering pennon +here and there amidst the tops of the pines, and then soaring aloft +again. From each side across the gray Alps single clouds came trooping, +followed by huge masses, all rolling towards the Eagle ridge, where +they gathered ever darker and more threatening. + +The meadows upon which lay Saint Michael soon looked like an island in +the midst of a billowy, swelling sea, the waves of which rose higher +each minute. There it gleamed white, like the foam of dashing, leaping +breakers, and there it lay gray and formless as in shade, while high +above on the peaks of the ridge, still lit by the sunlight, golden, +shimmering mists were sailing, shot by strange, quivering rays. A +gleaming magic veil was woven about the rocky head and the glacier +crown; they stood half veiled, half revealed in the golden atmosphere. + +But at their feet the storm was gathering thick, and now the first dull +thunder rolled, seeming to come from the very depths of the mountains, +and dying rumbling in the distance. + +The air had hitherto been quiet; now the wind began to rise. The young +Countess's veil fluttered aloft and caught in a hanging branch of the +wild-rose bush, from which she vainly tried to extricate it. The thorns +held their prey fast, and Rodenberg, who came to her aid, must have +been rather awkward, for the band of her hat slipped and the hat fell +off. Michael, who was stooping to disentangle the delicate tissue, +shrank suddenly and dropped his hand, for close before his eyes gleamed +uncovered the thick braids, the 'red fairy gold.' + +"Have you scratched your hand?" asked Hertha, noticing his start. + +"No!" He plunged his hand into the thorny tangle and pulled away both +hat and veil; but the thorns revenged themselves: the veil was torn, +and a few drops of blood trickled from the young man's hand. + +"Thank you," said Hertha, taking her hat from him; "but you are a rash +assistant. How wrong to plunge your hand in among the thorns! It is +bleeding." + +There was real commiseration in her tone, but the reply was all the +colder. "It is not worth mentioning; it is the merest scratch." + +He took out his handkerchief and pressed it upon the tiny wounds as he +glanced impatiently towards the little house, where the priest yet +lingered. His visit there seemed to be endless, and the rack here must +be tasted to the last. + +The young girl perhaps suspected his agony, but she did not feel called +upon to abbreviate it. The spoiled, petted beauty felt it as an offence +that this man should dare to defy a power which she had so often +exerted over others. He had recognized its might, as she had long since +perceived; he had not approached her with impunity, and yet here he +stood with that impregnable reserve, that haughty brow, which would not +bow. He must be punished! + +"I should like to ask you a question, Lieutenant Rodenberg," she began +again. "My mother reproached you awhile ago--I heard her--with never +having accepted her invitation." + +"I have already apologized to Madame the Countess. We have been quite +absorbed lately by a family matter, which was indeed the cause of the +Professor's departure. When I return from Saint Michael----" + +"You will find some other excuse," Hertha interposed. "You do not +_wish_ to come." + +Michael's face flushed, but he avoided meeting the eyes that sought +his; he looked across to the Eagle ridge. "You take that for granted +with a strange degree of certainty, Countess Steinrück, and, +nevertheless, you wish me to come." + +"I only wish for an explanation of what keeps you away from us. You +have saved my own and my mother's life, and you reject our gratitude in +a way that is inexplicable to us if we refuse to consider it insulting. +With a stranger we should never waste a word upon the subject. To one +to whom we owe so much we may well put the question, 'What is there +between us? What have we done to you?'" + +The words had a gentle, half-veiled sound, but several seconds passed +before the reply came. Michael's gaze was still riveted upon the rocky +summits; he knew that storm-clouds were gathering around them, but he +saw only the golden mist, the gleaming magic veil; he heard the roll of +the thunder that sounded nearer and nearer, but he heeded only that +low, reproachful 'What have we done to you?' + +"You shame me," he said at last, with a final attempt to preserve a +tone of cool courtesy. "The slight service that I did you required no +gratitude; you have always overrated it." + +"Again you evade me; you are a master of the art," the young girl +exclaimed, with an expression of extreme impatience. "But I will not +release you from replying; I must know the truth at last." + +"And what if I should not comply with your command, for such it +certainly seems to be?" + +"It rests with you, of course, to refuse to do so; but it was no +command, only a request, which I now repeat: 'What have we done to you? +Why do you avoid us?'" + +A smile played about her lips, the enchanting smile usually so +irresistible, but now without effect. Rodenberg looked her full in the +face, and said, harshly, "You know why, Countess Steinrück,--you have +long known." + +"I?" + +"Yes, you, Hertha; you know your power only too well; and now you drive +me to extremes, and leave me no means of escape. So be it,--I am at +your disposal!" + +Amazed, almost dismayed, Hertha looked up at him; she was quite +unprepared for this turn of affairs; she had pictured her moment of +triumph very differently. "I do not understand you, Lieutenant +Rodenberg," said she. "What does this strange language mean,--something +it would seem allied to hatred?" + +"Hatred?" he broke forth. "Would you add sarcasm to your trifling? You +have never for an instant been ignorant that I love you." + +It sounded strange enough, this confession of love, uttered in a voice +in which indignation and passion strove for the mastery, and with eyes +in which there was no tenderness, but a menacing gleam: the emotion +did, indeed, seem allied to hatred. + +"And is this the way in which to woo?--to seek a woman's love?" asked +Hertha, indignantly, while a secret dread, hitherto unknown to her, +stirred in her heart. + +"Woo?" he repeated, with extreme bitterness. "No, it is not; such +wooing would hardly be allowed me,--a young, insignificant officer with +a bourgeois name, owning nothing save himself and perhaps some hope for +the future. It would soon be made clear to me, and that after a +ruthless fashion, that I must not dare to lift my eyes to the Countess +Steinrück; that her hand has long been promised to another who, like +herself, wears a coronet." + +Hertha bit her lip; the reproof went home,--such assuredly would have +been the conclusion of the affair. It had never occurred to the young +Countess Steinrück to do more than trifle with the bourgeois officer, +but yet she felt disgraced by the discovery that she had been seen +through from the beginning. + +"You do not seem to perceive how insulting your words are," she said, +haughtily, "nor how offensive is this confession----" + +"Which, nevertheless, you insisted upon hearing," he interrupted her. +"Listen, then! I will not deny to you what cannot, indeed, be denied. I +will confront my fate, for it has come upon me like a fate. Yes, I have +loved you, Hertha, from the first moment of seeing you, and if I could +have hoped for your love in return the coronet of the Steinrücks would +not have deterred me for an instant. If my bliss were as far above me +and as unattainable as the Eagle ridge there, I would scale the heights +though every step threatened ruin. I would snatch it to my arms in +spite of all the world! But I was warned, warned by a child, who once +cozened from me my Alpine roses, to play with them for a while and then +to pluck them wantonly to pieces. Those are the same golden curls, +the same beautiful, evil eyes,--I knew them the first moment that we +met,--but never again shall those lips say to me with contempt, 'Go +away, I do not like you any more! I am tired of playing.' Those words +have rung in my ears through all the bewitching music of your voice. +The boy chose to have his flowers perish in the flames rather than +leave them in your grasp, and the man will crush and annihilate his +love, even though a part of his life dies with it,--it never shall be a +plaything in your hands!" + +Hertha had grown deadly pale; no one had ever before dared thus to +insult her, to hurl the truth so recklessly and unsparingly in her +face; but what did this man whom she had driven to extremity care +whether she were offended or not? The tempest which she herself had +evoked raged about her; she could no longer restrain its fury. She saw +this clearly as Michael stood before her all aflame and overwhelmed her +with this strange mixture of love and hatred. His every fibre vibrated +with intense passion, and yet he struggled against it with a force that +would not succumb. He was conquered, not subdued. + +"You will please release me, Lieutenant Rodenberg, from listening +further to such words as these," the young Countess said at last, +summoning up all her self-possession. "I will go and meet his +reverence." + +"No need to do so. I am going," said Michael; his voice was low but +firm. "I am aware that hereafter we can have nothing to say to each +other. Farewell, Countess Steinrück." + +He bowed and went. Hertha did not see which way he turned, nor did she +perceive that the priest was approaching. She stood motionless. + +The wind was rising; the sprays of the wild rosebush waved and +fluttered above her head, the sea of clouds swelled and rolled nearer +and nearer, while the misty breakers seemed ready to descend in floods +upon the pastures. The transfiguring glow above the Eagle ridge had +faded, the golden phantoms had vanished: heavy gray masses of mist were +swimming there now; they sank lower and lower, and joined the dark +clouds below that were suddenly torn asunder, and with a quivering, +jagged flash it leaped forth,--the flaming sword of Saint Michael! + + + * * * * * + + +The storm passed down into the valleys in full force, and there, after +the lightning had flashed and the thunder had rolled for an hour, it +ended in a pouring rain. + +Through the dripping forest strode a young man whom the tempest had +overtaken. If Hans Wehlau had followed his friend's advice and pursued +the tiresome mountain-road, he would long since have reached Tannberg, +but he lost his way in the romantic forest, and struck into a path that +led him far away from his goal. A projecting rock afforded him some +shelter, but now, when it was growing dark and the rain was still +pouring, he had no choice save either to pass the night in the wet +forest, or to march on in hopes of finding a charcoal-burner's hut or +some other shelter for the night, and he decided upon the latter +course. + +At last the thick, close forest came to an end, and the young man, as +he emerged upon a clearing, saw at some distance a feeble ray of light. +The darkness and mist did not allow of his discovering what kind of +structure it was that lay before him upon a wooded height and +projecting only here and there from among the trees, but there +certainly were human beings living there, and thither, accordingly, the +young man directed his steps. + +The path leading up the height seemed to be in a very neglected +condition. Hans stuck fast several times in the swampy soil, and had to +cross first a brook that ran directly across the path, and then a +ruinous wooden bridge, and at last to pass through a gateway, where +only the stone pillars on either side were standing, the gate itself +being lacking. An apparently extensive building with walls and towers, +but in a ruinous condition, lay before the young man, but it had now +become very dark, so that it was with difficulty that, guided by the +ray of light he had first seen, he found a little closed door directly +beneath the lighted window. + +He knocked, at first gently, then louder and more persistently; after +the lapse of a few minutes the window above was opened, and a hoarse +voice asked who was there. + +"A stranger who has lost his way and begs for shelter for the night." + +"I have no shelter for vagabonds and tramps. Be off immediately!" + +"This is an amiable reception," exclaimed Hans, indignantly. "I am +neither a vagabond nor a tramp, but a respectable man, and quite ready +to pay for my night's lodging." + +"Pay? In the Ebersburg!" came from above just as indignantly. "This is +no tavern; go to where you came from." + +"That I shall certainly not do, for I came out of a rain-spout, and +have utterly lost my way in the forest. How can you leave a man +standing outside in such a storm and refuse to let him in? Open the +door!" + +"No!" said the hoarse voice, evidently provoked. "Stay outside!" + +"Deuce take it, my patience is exhausted!" cried the young man, +angrily, as a fresh fall of rain wetted him to the skin. "Open the +door, or I will break it down and take the old barracks by storm." + +And he began to beat at the door with his fists. What he had been +unable to procure by courteous means this change of manner effected; +his violence evidently impressed the invisible guardian of the place, +for after a few seconds his voice spoke in a much gentler tone, "Who +are you, and what do you want?" + +"I am at present a thoroughly drenched individual, and I want only to +be dried. Moreover, I am qualified to give the most satisfactory +explanations, if desired, with regard to my station, name, age, origin, +home, family, and so forth." + +"You are a man of family, then?" + +"Of course I am. Every man must have a family." + +"I mean noble family." + +"Of course. Now open the door." + +"Wait; I'll come," sounded encouragingly from above, and instantly the +window was closed and the ray of light vanished. + +"One has to be examined as to his pedigree before he is admitted here, +it seems," said Hans to himself, crowding up against the door to escape +the rain. "No matter. I should not mind in the least appropriating a +coronet if it would procure me a dry lodging for the night. Thank God, +they are opening the door at last!" + +In fact, a key was turned and a bolt drawn on the inside; the door then +opened, and an old man appeared, leaning upon a cane with his right +hand, and holding a lamp high in his left. + +His figure was lean and bent, but it must once have been tall and well +formed. The parchment-coloured skin, with its thousand lines and +wrinkles, made the face almost that of a mummy; the eyes were dim, and +from beneath a black cap a few straggling white locks stole forth. His +short walk seemed to have fatigued the old Herr, for he leaned more +heavily upon his cane, and coughed, while he lighted his guest into the +house. + +"I beg pardon for my rude persistence, but I was really almost +drowned," said Hans, with a bow, that sent the drops flying in all +directions. "Have I the honour of seeing the master of the house?" + +"Udo, Freiherr of Eberstein-Ortenau upon the Ebersburg," was the reply, +delivered with great solemnity. "And you, sir?" + +"Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg upon the Forschungstein," was the equally +solemn rejoinder. + +The name seemed to please the old gentleman; he inclined his head and +said, with dignity, "You are welcome, Herr Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg. +Follow me." + +He carefully closed and locked the door again, and then preceded his +guest to show him the way. They first passed through a hall, the roof +of which seemed to be defective, for the rain had left traces +everywhere on the floor. Then they ascended a narrow, steep staircase, +the stone steps of which were much worn, then traversed a seemingly +endless passage, where their footsteps on the tiles echoed loudly, and +in which the lamp carried by the lord of the castle was the only light. +At last he opened a door and entered with Hans. "Make use of this +apartment," he said, putting the lamp upon a table. "The storm has +disarranged your dress, I see. I will leave you while you change it, +and shall expect you at supper; until then, farewell, Herr von Wehlau +Wehlenberg." + +He waved his hand with an air of knightly courtesy and was gone. Hans +looked about him: the room was small, dark, and very scantily +furnished. The large canopied bed in one corner seemed the sole relic +of former grandeur, but its fine carving was shabby and worn, the +silken hangings were frayed, and the sheets were of the coarsest linen. + +"The best thing to do would be to go to bed as quickly as possible," +said Hans to himself, as he made arrangements for drying his clothes +near the stove; "but since this Freiherr von Eberstein-Ortenau has +invited me to supper, I must put in an appearance. Where shall I get +dry clothes? Perhaps I may find here somewhere an old suit of armour or +a mediæval mantle that I can don. I think it would produce an +impression if I should walk into the ancestral hall clad in mail. Let +me see." + +He began to search, and soon found a cupboard in the wall, unlocked, +which seemed to contain the entire modest wardrobe of the lord of the +castle. Hans took possession, without compunction, of the best articles +in it, and had scarcely finished dressing when an old woman with a +kerchief tied round her head appeared, and in the broadest mountain +patois summoned 'the Herr Baron' to supper. + +"Only baron! I ought to have made myself a count at least," said Hans +to himself, as he obeyed the summons, following the old servant, who +conducted him to a room which seemed to be drawing-room and dining-room +combined. + +At the first glance it presented a stately aspect, but it was a strange +mixture of former splendour and present decay. The walls were covered +with fine wainscoting, but the ceiling was rudely whitewashed, and the +tiled stove was of a very common description. The same contrast +appeared in the furniture: high-backed oaken chairs stood around a +coarse pine table, articles of the meanest earthenware were ranged upon +a richly-carved corner cupboard, and the fine old pointed arched +window, the same whence had issued the ray of light seen by the +wanderer, was curtained with flowered chintz. + +"I must ask forgiveness for my presumption," said Hans, addressing the +master of the castle, who was seated in an arm-chair. "My dress was in +so disordered a state that, relying upon your kindness, I appropriated +this coat." + +He certainly did look oddly enough in the old-fashioned garb, but +withal so handsome, with his cheeks reddened by the keen mountain air, +and his curls still wet with the rain, that a smile hovered upon the +old Freiherr's thin lips, and he replied, kindly, "I am glad you found +what you wanted in my wardrobe. Sit down; I wish to ask you a +question." + +"Now comes the examination as to pedigree," thought Hans, and he was +not mistaken; his host went straight to the point. + +"Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg; that sounds well," he continued. "But the name +of your estate is rather uncommon. Where is the Forschungstein +situated?" + +"In Northern Germany, Herr Baron," replied Hans, without the quiver of +an eyelash. + +"I thought so, since I do not know it. I am thoroughly acquainted with +all the Southern German families of rank and their estates. My own +family is one of the most ancient. It dates from the tenth century, +according to historic proof, and is probably much older. I suppose +there are no families so old as that in Northern Germany?" + +He was evidently about to question his guest as to his genealogical +tree; but Hans, with great skill, frustrated his intent by asking a +question himself. "Pray, whom does this picture represent? It struck me +as soon as I entered." And he pointed to a painting upon the opposite +wall. It was the half-length portrait of a man of about forty, with +dark hair, brilliant dark eyes, and nobly-formed regular features, +which did not, however, express any high degree of intelligence. The +dress, apparently a uniform, was partly concealed by a cloak, and the +portrait was certainly modern. As the lord of the castle turned to look +at it he seemed utterly to forget pedigrees and centuries, and asked, +eagerly, "Do you like the picture?" + +"Extremely! What a handsome head! and admirably painted too. An +Eberstein of course?" + +The old gentleman looked half flattered, half displeased, as he +replied, slowly, "Yes, an Eberstein. You do not recognize him, then?" + +Hans started; he glanced first at the portrait, and then at the +shrunken figure before him, with its wrinkled features and weary eyes. +"It cannot--is it your own portrait, Herr Baron?" + +"It is mine, and thirty years ago it was said to be extremely like. I +take no offence at your not recognizing it; I am but an old ruin, like +my Ebersburg." + +The words sounded so infinitely sad that Hans made haste to try to +console the old man. "But I distinctly recognize the features now," he +said. "There was something familiar to me in them from the first, but I +took the picture for a likeness of one of your sons." + +"I have no sons," Eberstein rejoined, sadly; "my race perishes with me, +for my first marriage was childless, and my second brought me only a +daughter. I cannot imagine where Gerlinda is. I must call her." He +thereupon arose with difficulty, and hobbled to the closed door of the +next apartment. + +"Gerlinda von Eberstein,--ugh!" Hans said to himself. "It sounds like a +drawbridge and portcullis. A mediæval châtelaine, I suppose; and as the +father is over seventy the daughter must be at least forty; at all +events I need not be shy about presenting myself before her in this +costume." + +He looked towards the door, although with a very moderate degree of +curiosity, but he suddenly arose as if electrified, for what appeared +upon the threshold in no wise answered his expectations. + +There stood before him a very young girl in a plain, gray stuff gown, +her dark hair simply parted, and braided at the back of her head. The +child-like face was rather pale, but, if not regularly beautiful, was +exquisitely lovely. The eyes were cast down, and were veiled by dark, +drooping lashes. The Freiherr must have married for the second time +very late in life, for his daughter was at the most but sixteen years +old. + +"Hans, Freiherr von Wehlau Wehlenberg of Forschungstein, my daughter +Gerlinda;" the lord of the castle made the introduction with all due +solemnity. Hans was so surprised that he bowed low twice, which +salutation the young girl returned by an extremely stiff inclination, +something between a courtesy and a nod. Then, with eyes still downcast, +she took her place at the table, where a cold supper was set forth, and +the very frugal meal began. + +The old Freiherr was loquacious, and talked incessantly with the guest, +who had won his heart by admiring the portrait, but Fräulein Gerlinda +was very taciturn. She fulfilled quietly and attentively all her duties +as hostess, but maintained a perfectly stiff wooden demeanor, and met +with a persistent silence all Hans Wehlau's attempts to converse with +her. Her father replied in her stead to the young man's remarks, and +her face was as immovable as if she heard not a word. + +"The poor child seems to be deaf and dumb," Hans said to himself. "It +is a pity, for her face is lovely. I wish she would lift her eyes for a +moment." + +He made a last attempt to induce her to speak by asking her directly +how long she had lived upon the Ebersburg, and whether it was not very +lonely here in winter, but her father again replied in her stead: "We +live here all the year round, and my daughter has been used to this +solitude from her earliest childhood. I have given my consent, however, +to her shortly spending a few days at Steinrück, at the urgent +invitation of the Countess, who is her godmother. You are acquainted +with the Countess Steinrück?" + +"I have that honour." + +"An old family, but full two hundred years younger than mine," the old +man remarked, with much complacency. "The founder of their race is +first spoken of in the Crusades; unfortunately, there is a blot on +their scutcheon, a _mésalliance_ of the worst description, dating about +thirty years ago; until then the family records were stainless." + +"Ancient as the Crusades, and to be overtaken by such a misfortune in +the nineteenth century!" Hans exclaimed, with an indignant expression +that won him a nod of approval from his host. + +"A misfortune indeed! You are perfectly right, and seem to have a +lively appreciation of rank and position which it pleases me extremely +to see. Yes, Count Michael has recovered from the blow. I never could +have done so; it would have crushed me to the earth, for my escutcheon +is stainless, absolutely stainless!" + +He began a long heraldic dissertation upon the aforesaid escutcheon, in +which he played with the centuries and with the comparatively modern +race of Steinrücks as if they were but babies in arms. Hans paid very +little attention; he was racking his brain with conjectures as to +whether Fräulein Gerlinda von Eberstein were really a deaf-mute or not; +and so absorbed was he that the Freiherr at last noticed his absent +manner, and asked him if he were listening. + +"Of course; so stainless a pedigree cannot but excite my admiration. +The Eberstein-Ortenaus, then----" + +"Have borne that double name since the fourteenth century," the +Freiherr completed the young man's sentence. "Gerlinda, child, tell our +guest how it occurred." + +Fräulein Gerlinda clasped her hands upon the table, without raising her +eyes, and, with a face as expressionless as ever, she suddenly, to the +guest's dismay, began to speak, or rather to rattle off after the +manner of a child repeating a lesson learned by rote: "In the year +thirteen hundred and seventy a feud arose between Kunrad von Eberstein +and Balduin von Ortenau, because the hand of Hildegund of Ortenau had +been refused to the Knight Kunrad of Eberstein, and the Ebersburg, as +well as the fortress of Ortenau, was sacked several times, until, in +the year thirteen hundred and seventy-one, the Knight Balduin was taken +prisoner by the Ebersteiners and thrown into the castle dungeon, where +at last he consented to the union of Hildegund with Kunrad, which union +was celebrated with great pomp in the year thirteen hundred and +seventy-two, and in consequence, in the year thirteen hundred and +eighty-six, upon the death of the Knight Balduin, the fortress of +Ortenau and the lands belonging to it came into the possession +of the lords of Eberstein, who since then have borne the name of +Eberstein-Ortenau." + +"Wonderful!" said Hans, who was really thunderstruck at this +performance of the supposed deaf-mute. He could not understand where +she got the breath for her long speech; he had lost his with simply +listening. + +"Yes, my Gerlinda is well versed in the history of our house," said the +Freiherr, triumphantly. "She remembers it even better than I do, for my +memory is beginning to fail me. Yesterday she corrected me in a date, +when I was speaking of the enfeoffment of Udo von Eberstein. You +remember, my child?" + +As if the hitherto motionless pendulum of a clock had been set going by +this question, Fräulein Gerlinda started off again and told a much +longer story, this time from the fifteenth century, about a certain +Eberstein who in a certain battle had saved the Emperor's life and had +been by him endowed with a certain castle. All the hard names and the +numerous dates fell from her lips with the greatest fluency and +certainty, but with a monotony of intonation that reminded one of the +clapper of a mill, the more so as her speech came to a pause as +suddenly as it began. Hans involuntarily pushed back his chair a +little, the whole scene partook of the supernatural. The Freiherr, +however, who received this as an expression of admiration, seemed +inclined to initiate him still further into the chronicles of his race, +when the old clock in the corner struck the hour of nine. + +"Nine o'clock already," said Eberstein, as he rose from his chair. "We +live very regularly, Herr von Wehlau, and are wont to retire at this +hour, a custom which I doubt not your fatiguing ramble in the forest +will make grateful to you. I wish you a calm and refreshing night in +the Ebersburg." + +"That was terrible!" said Hans, with a sigh, when he found himself +alone in his sleeping-room in the old castle. "That old man of the +tenth century, and that little châtelaine whom I took for deaf and +dumb, and who chatters out the old chronicles like a magpie, have +nearly turned my brain. I am completely mediæval, and have become +extremely exclusive since I have been Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg of the +Forschungstein." + +Thereupon he went to bed, and dreamed that the old Freiherr was going +through all Northern Germany with a lantern to find the Forschungstein, +and that Fräulein Gerlinda, disguised as a magpie, was fluttering +beside him, chattering incessantly about Kunrad von Eberstein and +Hildegund von Ortenau; and when they could not find the Forschungstein, +they seated themselves in the branches of their genealogical tree and +ascended with it up, up and away into the tenth century, and a very +imposing spectacle it was. + +When Hans waked the next morning the sun was shining brightly into his +room, and his clothes were sufficiently dry to be donned. It was still +very early, and no one seemed to be stirring in the house: so he +resolved to inspect by daylight the house, which he had reached in +darkness and storm. He issued from his room into the long corridor, +which was lit by a narrow window, and without much difficulty succeeded +in finding the winding staircase with the worn steps, by which he +descended into the front hall and thence into the open air. + +Undoubtedly the Ebersburg had formerly been a strong and stately +castle, perhaps destroyed and rebuilt several times in the course of +centuries. Now it was but a ruin. The greater part of it had fallen to +decay, and all that was left of the once solid masonry seemed tottering +to its fall. In the castle court-yard the grass grew luxuriantly, and +an entire generation of bushes and small trees had sprung up, making +the place an actual thicket. From the roof of the old watch-tower, +which was still apparently in repair, green grasses were nodding, and +rooks were flying in and out of the window openings. Fragments of +masonry were lying about, with here and there remains of the ancient +apartments. + +The only wing still standing, that which was now inhabited by the +Freiherr, presented a dreary aspect. The ruins were at least +picturesque, but the attempts to patch up this part of the castle only +brought into stronger relief the decay of the building. The crumbling +masonry had been coarsely whitewashed, the missing doors and windows +had been replaced in the rudest fashion, and where the rooms were not +used boards had been nailed over the apertures. The magnificent old +balcony had been supplied with a thatched roof, and the broad stone +steps of the entrance hall had been replaced by wooden ones. + +Hans Wehlau's artist's eye was outraged by this sight, and he turned +again to the ruins, forcing his way through the green thicket in the +court-yard, and at last, through an opening in the wall that might once +have been a gate-way, he emerged upon the former castle terrace. Here, +however, his wanderings were stayed, for from the lower story of the +watch-tower, apparently used as a stable, there issued a joyous +bleating, and immediately afterwards a goat came leaping through the +door-way into the open air, followed by Fräulein Gerlinda, dressed, in +spite of the earliness of the hour, in the gray dress of the evening +before, and carrying carefully in both hands a small wooden milk-vessel +filled to the brim. + +This unexpected encounter astonished both the young people. Gerlinda +stood as if rooted to the spot, and the guest could not but divine that +Fräulein von Eberstein, with her long line of ancestry dating from the +tenth century, had milked the goat with her own high-born hands that +there might be milk for breakfast. Her evident dismay embarrassed Hans +too, so that he could not utter any fitting phrase, but bowed in +silence. Fortunately, the goat comprehended the annoying nature of the +situation, and put an end to it by merrily leaping up upon the stranger +and then rubbing so affectionately against her young mistress that the +vessel in her hands was shaken and part of the milk was spilled. + +This was a happy interruption of the pause of embarrassment; Hans made +haste to take the milk, which Gerlinda allowed him to do, saying +gently, by way of excuse, "Muckerl is so glad to get out into the air." + +"Thank heaven she can utter something besides mediæval chronicles!" +thought Hans, enchanted with her remark. He expressed his pleasure in +Muckerl's liveliness, asked exact information as to her age and state +of health, and meanwhile placed the milk in safety by setting the +vessel down upon a projection of the wall, for Muckerl was scanning him +with a highly critical air, and seemed rather inclined to repeat her +charge at him; the next moment, however, thinking better of it, she +turned her attention to the luxuriant grass that covered the ground. + +The view from the Ebersburg was not an extensive one; the castle lay +secluded in a deep hollow of the valley, and the mountains rising on +all sides were thickly wooded, but the old ruin nestled among delicious +green, the tree-tops rustled gently in the morning air, and the birds +twittered among them. + +The morning sun lay broad upon the ancient castle terrace. Here all +around, to be sure, were ruin and decay, but vigorous, luxuriant life +was striving compassionately to conceal the desolation. There were +broad breaches in the wall bounding the terrace, but wild shrubs and +bushes grew there, forming a living breastwork; the huge watch-tower, +where the rooks were flying in and out of the windows, was wreathed +round with thick dark-green ivy; amid the gray fragments of stone lying +about were nestling tender mosses, and vigorous wild vines were +trailing everywhere. Upon every stone, from every crack in the walls, +hardy plants were springing and thrusting themselves forth, while over +everything brooded the deep, dreamy stillness of early morning. + +In the midst of these relics of vanished splendour the last scion of +the Ebersteins, in her gray Cinderella costume, stood leaning against +the wall. All the primness and stiffness of the previous evening had +vanished; the young girl was evidently confused at finding herself +alone with the stranger guest, and looked up at him with the expression +of a frightened child. Thus for the first time he could see her +eyes,--a pair of beautiful brown eyes, soft and shy as those of a +gazelle; they were in perfect harmony with the lovely face. + +The silence lasted some time; Hans was so taken up with gazing into the +eyes that were at last unveiled for him that he forgot to resume the +conversation, and when he did so at last, it was in a purely mechanical +way, as he involuntarily continued the subject of the previous evening. + +"I have just been inspecting the Ebersburg," he began. "It must once +have been a stately pile, which could give its enemies enough to do, +and at the time of the feud, when Kunrad von Ortenau and Hildegund von +Eberstein--no, I have transposed their names." + +His mention of the names was unfortunate; as soon as Fräulein Gerlinda +heard of the middle ages she became as prim and stiff as an image of +wood; her long eyelashes drooped, as did her head, and she began in the +old monotone, "Kunrad von Eberstein and Hildegund von Ortenau, in the +year of our Lord----" + +"Yes, yes, Fräulein Gerlinda, I remember all about it;" Hans +interrupted her in dismay. "Through your kindness I am thoroughly well +informed as to the chronicles of your family. I merely meant to remark +that a residence in this old mountain stronghold must be very +monotonous. You make a great sacrifice to your father in staying here. +A young lady longs to be abroad in the world, to enjoy life." + +Gerlinda shook her head in dissent, and suddenly opened her mouth to +say, with all the infallible wisdom of a philosopher of seventy, "The +world and life are worth nothing!" + +"Nothing?" asked the young man, surprised. "Where did you learn to be +so sure of that?" + +"My papa says so," Gerlinda replied, with much solemnity. Evidently her +father's utterances were those of an oracle to her. "The world grows +worse with each century, and now shows abundant signs of final +annihilation, since the nobility no longer receive the homage due +them." + +Her eyes were again stubbornly downcast, and she spoke in a tone that +vividly recalled to her hearer his dream. His lips twitched oddly, but +he contrived to say, quite seriously, "Yes, the nobility. But there are +some other men beside them in the world." + +Fräulein Gerlinda looked surprised; she seemed to mistrust this fact +and apparently reflected profoundly, remarking at last, as the result +of her reflections, "Yes, of course,--the peasants." + +"True. And we cannot utterly dispute the existence of even other +classes of human beings. Literary men, for instance, artists, in whose +ranks I belong----" + +Fräulein Gerlinda opened wide her brown eyes and repeated, "Among the +artists?" + +"Absolutely," Hans said to himself, quite forgetting his elevated rank, +"she thinks me a mediæval specimen too;" and he added, aloud, +"Assuredly, Fräulein Gerlinda, I occupy myself with art, and flatter +myself that I have attained a degree of proficiency in it." + +The young lady seemed to think such an occupation very derogatory. +Fortunately, she recalled the fact that a certain Eberstein, in a +certain century, had taken up with astrology, and that partly explained +Herr Wehlau Wehlenberg's extraordinary tastes, but she nevertheless +felt herself called upon to repeat to him a saying of her father's: "My +papa says that a man of an ancient, noble line ought to make no +concessions to the present; it is beneath his dignity." + +"That is the Herr Baron's opinion," said Hans, with a shrug. "He seems +to have been so entirely secluded from the world that he has lost all +sympathy with it; others of his rank, however, feel very differently. +Look, for example, at the Counts von Steinrück, whose family is just as +old as yours." + +"Two hundred years younger," Gerlinda interrupted him, indignantly. + +"Quite right; full two hundred years. I remember their ancestors are +first met with in the Crusades, while yours date from the eighth +century." + +"From the tenth." + +"Certainly, from the tenth! It was a slip of the tongue; I meant, of +course, from the tenth century. But to return to the Steinrücks: Count +Michael is a general in command; his son was, I think, attached to our +embassy in Paris; his grandson has some official position. They are all +men of the present, and would hardly coincide with your father in +opinion; and you, too, will differ from him when you have seen +something of life and the world." + +"I do not want to see anything of them," Gerlinda said, softly and +timidly. "I am afraid of them." + +Hans smiled; he drew a step nearer, and bent down towards the girl; his +voice sounded sweet and tender, as if he were speaking to a child. +"That is very natural; you live here in such seclusion, in a fairy +world, long since faded from reality, like the palace of the Sleeping +Beauty in the fairy-tale. But some time the day will come when the +hawthorn hedges will part asunder, and the green walls open, a day when +you will awaken from your enchanted sleep; and believe me, Fräulein +Gerlinda, your eyes will open then not upon the dust and mould of +centuries, but upon the warm, golden sunshine that floods our present +age, in spite of all its conflicts and trials. Ah, you will learn to +love it all." + +Gerlinda listened in silence, but a faint, happy smile playing about +her lips betrayed her knowledge of the story of the Sleeping Beauty. +She slowly raised her eyes, only for an instant, and dropped them +hastily; that which shone upon her in the young man's gaze might +perhaps be a ray of the light he had promised her; she suddenly flushed +crimson and turned hastily away. + +Muckerl certainly was a very intelligent goat, for she had quietly +continued to browse, only glancing gravely now and then towards the +pair, and appearing on the whole quite satisfied with the course of the +conversation. But the matter now must have begun to look grave to her, +for she suddenly left her breakfast and ran to her young mistress, +beside whom she placed herself, as if on guard. + +"I believe--I ought to go back to the castle," said Gerlinda, scarcely +audibly. + +"Already?" asked Hans, who had not observed that half an hour had been +consumed in talk. + +They set out together, Hans carrying the milk, Fräulein Gerlinda beside +him, and Muckerl following, gravely nodding her head from time to time. +The affair evidently had a suspicious look to her,--why had the two +suddenly fallen silent? + +An hour later Hans stood at the foot of the Ebersburg. He had taken +leave of the Freiherr and of his daughter without laying aside his +incognito, for fear of causing the old gentleman unnecessary annoyance. +What mattered it that the Freiherr should continue to regard him as a +'mediæval specimen'? The adventure was at an end; it was not likely +that he should ever again see the Ebersburg. + +He glanced up once more at the gray pile, taking a last look at the +sunny castle-terrace, and the much-lauded present to which he was now +returning seemed terribly prosaic compared with the fairy-tale that he +had dreamed up there in the midst of the green waving forest, in those +ancient ruin? where all around was blooming fair and fresh, with the +little Dornröschen who had retired to her solitude, and was dreaming of +the knight who was to break through the hedge and waken the Sleeping +Beauty with a kiss from her magic slumber. The young fellow suppressed +a sigh, and said, half aloud, as he turned away, "After all, it is a +pity that I am not really Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg of the +Forschungstein." + + + * * * * * + + +A gay company was assembled at Steinrück, in thorough enjoyment of the +hunting season, and of the long sunny autumn days. No one was invited +to make a long visit, however, save Gerlinda von Eberstein, who had +arrived some days since; but each day new guests made their appearance +and others departed. Hertha and Raoul Steinrück usually formed the +centre of this brilliant society. It had long been known that the two +were destined for each other, and that the announcement of the +betrothal would probably soon take place; therefore when the general +issued invitations for a large entertainment every one knew that it +would be the occasion for this public announcement. + +The evening was at hand, and the entire castle was filled with the +activity wont to precede some important festivity. Servants were +running to and fro, here and there decorations were being completed, +and the reception-rooms were already a blaze of light. + +The family, with the exception of Gerlinda and Hertha, had just entered +these rooms. Count Steinrück, with the widowed Countess on his arm, +looked unusually cheerful: to-day was to bring him the fulfilment of +his dearest wish; the betrothal of the last two scions of his house was +to be celebrated at their ancestral castle, and thus the prosperity of +his line was assured,--all the Steinrück possessions would be united +under one master. + +Hortense, who followed him leaning on her son's arm, also looked +proudly content. In her rich and tasteful toilette, and by the +artificial light, she looked very beautiful, and far outshone her +cousin; that pale, delicate woman was indeed cast into the shade. Raoul +was gay and good-humoured; a cloud now and then darkened his brow for a +moment, but it quickly vanished, and he lavished the tenderest +attentions upon his mother. + +"We limited the invitations as much as possible," said Hortense, as she +looked through the lighted apartments, "and yet there will scarcely be +room for our guests. That is the worst of these old mountain castles, +that have no large ball-room and no extended suite of rooms; it is +impossible to give an entertainment in them!" + +"They were not built for any such purpose," said the general, quietly. +"They were intended for a home within, and for protection and defence +without. They certainly do not conform to modern requirements, least of +all to yours, Hortense; you never loved Steinrück." + +"In that respect I perfectly agree with mamma," Raoul interposed. "What +delights me here is the hunting in these mountain forests. The castle +itself, with its dim, confined rooms, its endless, echoing corridors, +and its steep, dark staircases, always seems to me like a prison. I +breathe a sigh of relief when I escape from it." + +"You seem entirely to forget that this ancient pile is the cradle of +your race, and as such should be dear and sacred to you even if it lay +in ruins," said the general, with some acerbity. + +Raoul bit his lip at this very distinct reproof. "Pardon me, +grandfather, I have all due reverence for our ancestral home, but I +cannot possibly think it beautiful. Now, if it were the cheerful sunny +castle in Provence, with its Eden-like surroundings, its past so rich +in legend and in song, where long ago I used----" + +"You mean the castle of Montigny?" Steinrück interrupted him, in a tone +which admonished the young Count to desist. + +His mother, however, went on in his stead: "Certainly, papa, he means +my lovely sunny home. You can understand that it is as dear to us as +yours is to you." + +"Us?" the general repeated, in a tone of cold inquiry. "You should +speak only for yourself, Hortense. I think it very natural that you +should be attached to your paternal home, but Raoul is a Steinrück, and +has nothing to do with Provence. His attachment belongs to his +fatherland." + +The words sounded half like a threat, and Hortense, irritated, seemed +about to reply angrily, when the Countess, her cousin, who perfectly +understood the state of feeling in the family, quickly changed the +subject. "Our young ladies seem to be late," she remarked. "I begged +Hertha to help Gerlinda a little with her toilette; the poor child has +not the least idea of how she ought to look." + +"The little demoiselle seems to be of a very limited capacity," Raoul +said, sarcastically. "She is usually as silent as the tombs of her +ancestors, but as soon as you touch the historic spring, she begins to +chatter like a parrot, and a whole century comes rattling down upon you +with terrific names and endless dates; it, really is fearful." + +"And yet you are always the one to induce Gerlinda to make herself thus +ridiculous," the Countess said, reproachfully. "She is much too +inexperienced and simple-hearted to suspect a sneer beneath your +immense courtesy and extravagant admiration of her acquirements. Can +you not leave her in peace?" + +"She really provokes ridicule," Hortense interposed. "Good heavens, +what toilettes! and what curtsies! And then when she opens her mouth! +You must forgive me, my dear Marianne, but it is almost impossible to +introduce your _protégée_ into society." + +"That is not the poor child's fault," said Marianne. "She was so +unfortunate as to lose her mother when she was very little; she has +seen nothing of the world, has known no one except her father, and he, +in his eccentricity, has absolutely done everything in his power to +make the girl unfit for social intercourse." + +"I admire your patience, Marianne, in still having anything to do with +Eberstein," said Steinrück, "I went to see him once, long ago, because +I pitied him in his isolation, but I think he told me six times in the +course of my visit that his family was two centuries older than mine, +and there was no getting a sensible word out of him. He seems now to +have become almost childish." + +"He is old and ill, and it is a hard fate to pine away in poverty and +loneliness," the Countess said, gently. "Since he was forced by his +gout to retire from the army, he has nothing to live upon save his +pension and the old ruins of the Ebersburg. If he could only be +persuaded to let Gerlinda leave him for a while, I should like to take +her to Berkheim, or to the city, where we shall spend some time this +winter; but I suppose it will be impossible to induce him to spare +her." + +"Selfish old fool!" said the general. "What is to become of the poor +child when he closes his eyes? But our young ladies are indeed late; it +is time that they were here." + +This was true, but no exigencies of the toilette had caused the delay. +Hertha was in her room entirely dressed; she had dismissed her maid, +and was standing before her mirror gazing steadily into its depths. She +might have been supposed to be lost in the contemplation of her own +beauty, but her eyes had a strange dreamy look in them, and evidently +saw nothing of the image before them; they were gazing abroad into +space. + +The door was softly opened, and Gerlinda appeared. The two young girls +had always been much together whenever the family were at Steinrück, +but there was not the slightest intimacy between them. Gerlinda looked +up with timid admiration to the brilliant Hertha, who accorded the girl +at most a compassionate toleration, and at times even ridiculed her +unmercifully. To-day, too, the 'little demoiselle' gazed at the young +Countess with admiration, devoid of the slightest envy of Hertha's +bridal loveliness, as she stood before the mirror dressed in white +satin falling in soft folds about her perfect figure. A single white +rose in her hair was its sole ornament, and a bunch of half-opened buds +lay on her dressing-table. + +"How beautiful you are!" said Gerlinda, involuntarily. + +The young Countess turned with a smile, which, however, was not one of +gratified vanity. "I can return the compliment," she replied. "You look +most lovely to-night." + +The young girl no longer wore the gray Cinderella gown: the Countess +had taken care that her god-child should be suitably attired on this +occasion; but Gerlinda was evidently oppressed by her unwonted +splendour. Perhaps, too, she felt how unsuited she was to this +brilliant circle, and this made her still more shy. She stood before +Hertha, timid and embarrassed, scarcely daring to raise her eyes. + +"Only you must not stand in that ridiculously prim attitude," said +Hertha. "On that lonely Ebersburg you absolutely forget how to move +about among people. You see no one there but your father, and perhaps +the peasants of the village where you attend mass." + +Gerlinda was silent and hung her head. No one? She thought of the guest +who had arrived in the storm and rain and had departed in the sunshine; +but she had never mentioned him hitherto, although his coming had been +a great event in her lonely life. An involuntary shyness closed her +lips; least of all could she have spoken of it here and now. The memory +of the sunny morning dream in the ruinous old castle was not for the +ear of the young lady who could so coolly tutor and criticise her +little friend. + +Hertha turned away, and as she did so she accidentally brushed from her +dressing-table her bouquet, without noticing its fall. Gerlinda picked +it up. + +"Thanks," said Hertha, indifferently, as she took the flowers. They +seemed to have been but loosely put together, for one of the roses had +become detached from its sister buds and lay directly at the feet of +the young Countess, who looked down at it with a rather strange +expression. Perhaps she was thinking of that other evening when just +such a fragrant half-opened bud had fallen from her hand, only to +perish beneath the tread of an iron heel. + +"Let it alone," she said, as Gerlinda was about to stoop again. "What +does a single rose matter? I have enough here." + +"But it is your lover's gift," said the young girl. + +"I am going to carry these this evening, and Raoul cannot ask anything +more. If the formal congratulations were only over! It is so deadly +tiresome to listen to the same thing from everybody, and to have to +respond to all those conventional phrases. I am not at all in the mood +for it to-night." + +The words sounded impatient, and there was nervous impatience in the +way in which she began to pace the room to and fro. Gerlinda's eyes, +opening wide with amazement, followed the proud, queenly figure in the +trailing satin robe; she could not understand how a girl at her +betrothal should not be in the mood to receive congratulations, and she +asked, naïvely, "Do you not like Count Raoul?" + +Hertha paused suddenly. "That's an odd question. What put it into your +head? Certainly I like him; we have been brought up for each other. I +knew when I was a child that he was to be my husband. He is handsome, +gallant, amiable, my equal in name and rank; why should I not like him? +I suppose you think that there ought to be in a marriage of to-day all +the romance of your old chronicles, where the lover had to fight and +struggle for his bride. You told us such a story yesterday about some +Gertrudis----" + +"Gertrudis von Eberstein and Dietrich Fernbacher," Gerlinda hastily +began, as if the name had been a cue. "But she could not marry him, +because he was not of knightly descent, but only the son of a +merchant." + +"She could not?" said Hertha, tossing her head. "Perhaps she would not; +probably she felt a repugnance at the idea of exchanging the ancient +name of her race for that of a wealthy tradesman. Can't you understand +that, Gerlinda? What would you do if, for example, you loved a man +beneath you in rank?" + +"It would be dreadful!" said the little demoiselle, with all the horror +natural to an offshoot of the tenth century, adding, with entire +conviction in her tone, "My papa says that could not happen." + +"But it has happened, and in your own race. How did the affair end? did +your ancestress give up her Dietrich?" + +Poor Gerlinda was not in the least aware that she was continually the +butt of Hertha's and Raoul's sarcasm, and that they were always +inducing her to make herself ridiculous. She was desirous of showing +her gratitude for the hospitality extended to her, and she supposed in +her ignorance and innocence that every one at Steinrück was interested +in the stories which to her were so vastly important. So she clasped +her hands gravely, and began to recite, in her usual manner, an extract +from her family chronicles, which did not on this occasion end with a +happy marriage, as in the case of Kunrad von Eberstein and Hildegund +von Ortenau, but with a parting. The story was long, and there was an +endless succession of the noble names and the dates which Raoul found +so terrible, but the young Countess was not in a mocking mood to-day. +She had gone to the window, and stood there motionless, looking out, +until Gerlinda concluded: "And so Gertrudis was married to the noble +lord of Ringstetten, and Dietrich Fernbacher went on a crusade against +the infidels and never returned." + +"And never returned,--never!" Hertha's lips uttered the words softly +and dreamily, while again the strange expression appeared in her eyes +which seemed to be gazing at something in the far distance, beyond the +mist and gloom that veiled the landscape outside. + +There was a long silence, which Gerlinda hardly dared to break; but at +last she said, gently, "Hertha, I think it is time." + +Hertha looked up as if awaking from a dream. "Time? For what?" + +"For us to go down; they are expecting us." + +"True, true; I had forgotten! Go first, Gerlinda. I will come +immediately; I have a trifle to arrange about my dress. Pray go!" + +The words sounded so like a command that the young girl obeyed without +further delay, and she had hardly reached the staircase leading to the +lower story when she was met by a servant whom the general had sent to +beg that the young Countess would make haste, since the first carriage +had just driven into the courtyard. + +Gerlinda turned to deliver the message herself; her footfall was +noiseless, and she opened the door of Hertha's room as noiselessly, but +paused in dismay upon the threshold. + +Hertha was sitting, or rather lying, in an arm-chair by the window, +with hands clasped convulsively and head thrown back, while from +beneath her closed eyelids tear after tear coursed down her cheeks, and +her breast rose and fell with wild, passionate sobs. The young girl was +weeping,--weeping as violently and painfully as the child had wept +formerly when the white Alpine roses, snatched from her destructive +hands, had perished in the flames. + +"Hertha, dear Hertha, what is the matter?" Gerlinda exclaimed, +hastening to her side. + +The girl sprang up, her eyes flashing with anger. "What do yon want? +Why did you come back? Can I never be one moment alone?" + +"I wanted--I came only to get you," said the young girl, retreating +timidly. "Count Steinrück begs you to come down; the guests are +beginning to arrive." + +Hertha arose and passed her handkerchief across her eyes. In a moment +all trace of tears had vanished, and the young Countess stood calmly +before her mirror, to give a last glance of inspection, as she took up +her bouquet. "Let us go, then." + +They went; the satin train rustled over the stairs, and a few minutes +later they entered the reception-room, where Countess Hertha was +awaited with impatience. + +Carriage after carriage rolled into the court-yard; the guests began to +fill the rooms, and at the end of an hour all were assembled, and +General Steinrück announced in due form the betrothal of his grandson +to the Countess Hertha. + +Every cloud had vanished from Raoul's brow, he had eyes only for his +betrothed, standing proud, beautiful, and triumphant at his side, with +a smile for every congratulation, for every compliment. All thought +this very natural, as was the beaming content on the face of the +general, whose special work this betrothal was. He had with a firm hand +united those which birth, name, and wealth should of right join +together, and what a handsome, happy couple they made! + + + * * * * * + + +A dull October sky hung above the endless sea of houses of the capital, +extending more widely with every year. There was the usual bustle in +the principal streets, where the crowd, the noise, and the rattling of +carriages were confusing enough to any one coming from the quiet +seclusion of the mountains to plunge into this flood of life. + +General Steinrück had his apartments in the military public buildings, +where he occupied a suite of rooms on the first floor. Its arrangement +was, so far as the Countess Hortense's apartments were concerned, +comfortable, and even luxurious. Steinrück conformed to his +daughter-in-law's taste in this regard, and let her have her own way in +all outward matters, although otherwise he kept a tight rein on his +family affairs. His position enabled him to live expensively, in spite +of the comparatively small income derived from his estates. + +The general's special rooms, on the contrary, were plainly furnished, +and his study was almost Spartan in its simple arrangement. No tender +half-light reigned here, as in the Countess's drawing-room; there were +no soft rugs or Oriental hangings; even the artistic decoration of +pictures and statuary was lacking. The daylight entered broad and clear +through the tall windows, papers, letters, and books were carefully +arranged upon the writing-table, the furniture of light oak, destitute +of carving and covered with dark leather, could not have been plainer, +and the pictures on the walls were evidently of value only as family +relics or as mementos. The room was made for labour and not for luxury, +and in its strict simplicity it corresponded perfectly with the +character of its occupant. + +Steinrück was seated at his writing-table, talking with his grandson, +who had just returned from Berkheim, whither he had escorted his +betrothed and her mother. Raoul really looked like a happy lover; his +face was all sunshine as he told of his journey; and the Count's stern +features too were lit up by a smile; the fulfilment of his favourite +scheme made him gentler and more accessible than was his wont. + +They had been talking of the visit which Hertha and her mother were to +pay them, and of the marriage which was to take place in the coming +summer, and Raoul said at last, "You will have to dismiss me, +grandfather; this is the time for your military audience." + +"Not yet," the general replied, with a glance at the clock. "We have a +quarter of an hour yet, and, moreover, there is nothing special for +to-day,--only a few introductions and reports from younger officers." + +He took a written list from his writing-table and looked over it. +Suddenly his face darkened, and he muttered, half aloud, "Ah, to-day, +then." + +Raoul, who was standing beside his grandfather's chair, had +also glanced at the list, and had noticed a name with which he +was acquainted. "Lieutenant Rodenberg. Has he been appointed +staff-officer?" + +"Do you know him?" asked Steinrück, turning hastily. + +"Slightly. I went upon a hunting excursion last year with the +Rodenbergs. I suppose he is one of the sons of Colonel Rodenberg, +commanding officer at W----." + +"No," said the general, coldly. + +"Not? I did not know that there was any other of the name in the army." + +"Nor did I; and I made the same mistake that you have done. I ought to +explain to you, Raoul, who this Rodenberg is. Your mother has probably +informed you long since as to our family history." + +The young Count started, and looked inquiringly at his grandfather. "I +know that this name is one to arouse painful associations. It cannot +be----" + +"Louise's son," Steinrück said, sternly. + +"Good heavens, this is too much!" exclaimed Raoul in dismay. "Is that +wretched story, which we supposed buried in oblivion long since, to be +revived? The boy was said to have run away, to be dead, or worse. How +comes this fellow, the son of an adventurer, to occupy such a +position?" + +The general frowned; at the moment the old warrior's _esprit de corps_ +outweighed all else, even his antipathy to the discarded and detested +son of 'the adventurer.' Michael wore a sword, and was therefore not to +be calumniated in his presence. "Take care!" he said, sternly. "You are +speaking of an officer in the army, of a very capable officer, with +regard to whom such expressions are not allowable." + +"But, grandfather, you cannot but perceive that this Rodenberg may +annoy us extremely, precisely because he is an officer, and as such +justified in meeting us on terms of social equality. How are we to +treat him? And he comes to the front just at this time, when my +betrothal to Hertha makes us especially conspicuous in society. Of +course his first object will be to proclaim abroad his relations with +us." + +"I doubt it, or it would have been done long ago. No one at present +knows anything of the matter, as I have taken pains to ascertain. He +certainly must know that we are not inclined to acknowledge any +relationship." + +"No matter for that. Acknowledged or not, he will sooner or later +proclaim himself the grandson of Count Steinrück, and take advantage of +the fact. Do you really imagine that any bourgeois officer would +renounce such advantage and suppress his relationship with the general +in command?" + +"I shall certainly endeavour to silence him upon the subject. You are +right; at this particular time any revival of old, long-buried stories +should be avoided at all hazards. I have seen Rodenberg but once; but +from the impression I have of him I do not think that an appeal to his +sense of honour will be in vain. He will not obtrude himself upon a +family that does not choose to know him, and he has at least as much +reason as we have to consign his father's memory to oblivion. However +the affair may turn out, you must not utter a word concerning it to +your betrothed or to her mother. They accidentally became acquainted +with Rodenberg, and have not the slightest idea who he is." + +"Just as I said! This man's being an officer is a positive misfortune," +exclaimed Raoul, angrily. "In any other sphere of life he could be +ignored; now he has already found an opportunity for presenting himself +to the ladies of our family, doubtless with some ulterior motive. Of +course they must not know who he is. How Hertha, in her pride, would +scorn such a cousin! The matter must be kept absolutely secret, cost +what it may. We surely are willing to make any sacrifice if----" + +"You seem to forget that you are speaking of _Lieutenant_ Rodenberg," +the general sharply interrupted him. "One cannot purchase silence of an +officer in our army; the most that can be done is to appeal to his +pride. He must and will understand that there is no honour in a +connection with the son of his father; this is the only way in which he +can be influenced." + +Raoul was silent, but his manner showed that he did not share in this +view of the case. Further conversation was impossible, for Lieutenant +Rodenberg was at that moment announced, and the general gave orders +that he should be admitted. "Leave me," he said in an undertone to +Raoul; "I wish to speak with him alone." + +Raoul obeyed, but just as he was about to leave the room Rodenberg +entered, and the two young men met in the door-way. Michael bowed +slightly to the stranger, who merely bestowed upon him a half-hostile, +half-contemptuous glance, and was about to pass him without further +notice. The young officer, however, confronted him for a moment, +barring his way without a word, but with an expression in his eyes that +so authoritatively demanded the recognition of his salute that the +Count half involuntarily returned it. He inclined his head and +withdrew. Steinrück observed this scene, which lasted only a few +seconds, and little as he approved of his grandson's discourtesy, he +was almost angry with him for yielding as he did. + +Michael now approached, and the keenest observer would never have +suspected the existence of a tie of relationship between the two men. + +The subaltern made his report in strict accordance with prescribed +rules, and his superior officer, cool, grave, and attentive, received +it in the usual way. Neither for an instant departed from strict +military rule. But when all that the occasion required had been said +and the young officer awaited his dismissal, the general addressed him: +"I should like to discuss with you a matter of some moment to us both. +When we first met, neither the time nor the place was fitting for such +a discussion; to-day we are undisturbed. May I request your attention?" + +"I am at your Excellency's command," was Michael's brief reply. + +"Your bearing at that first interview proved to me that you understand +in their entire scope the relations existing between us; how those +relations are regarded by each of us remains to be explained." + +"I see no necessity for any explanation on that point," Michael said, +coldly. + +The general bestowed a dark glance upon him; he had judged it best to +preserve a cold, proud demeanour during this interview that might repel +beforehand any familiarity of approach, and he now encountered a +behaviour quite as haughty as his own: there was nothing here to repel. +"But I see the necessity for our understanding each other," he rejoined +with sharp emphasis. "You are the son of the Countess Louise Steinrück" +(he did not say "of my daughter"). "I can neither deny this nor prevent +you from laying claim to a perfectly legitimate relationship. Hitherto +you have refrained from doing so, and have treated the matter as a +secret, which leads me to hope that you yourself perceive the +undesirability of a revelation----" + +"Which you fear," Michael completed the sentence. + +"Which I at least deprecate. I will be perfectly frank with you. You +have probably heard from Colonel Reval that an entertainment was lately +given in my house to celebrate the betrothal of my grandson, Count +Raoul, with the Countess Hertha Steinrück, with whom, I believe, you +are acquainted." + +Something like emotion flashed up for an instant in the young officer's +face, but it was gone before it could be perceived, and he replied, +with apparently perfect composure, "So I have heard." + +"Well, then. The marriage will shortly take place. During the winter +the betrothed couple will appear at court, and in society. This union +of the two last scions of my race renders it doubly my duty to keep the +escutcheon of that race free from every stain. I do not wish to offend +you, Lieutenant Rodenberg, but I presume that you are acquainted with +your father's mode of life and with his past?" + +"Yes." + +The word came harsh and curt from the quivering lips, but it did not +reveal the man's mental torture. + +"I am sorry to touch upon such a subject to a son, but unfortunately I +cannot avoid doing so. You are entirely guiltless in the matter, and +you will hardly be a sufferer by it. Your intimate connection with +Professor Wehlau prevents any annoying investigations. I hear that you +pass for the son of an early friend of his, who has been brought up in +his household; a perfectly satisfactory expedient. Moreover, your +father has been dead more than twenty years, and he spent the latter +part of his life in foreign countries. Then, too, so far as I know, he +never openly transgressed any law of the land." + +The words were like a dagger thrust,--'so far as I know!' Michael had +grown ghastly pale; he made no reply, but shot a baleful glance at the +man who so pitilessly stretched him on the rack, and who continued in +the same cold, calm manner: "The affair would wear an entirely +different aspect if you should mention your mother's name. It would, of +course, create a vast sensation in aristocratic circles, and in the +army it would give rise to endless gossip, which would be annoying, and +perhaps dangerous, for in such cases rumour always transcends reality, +and all that has been buried in oblivion for half a lifetime would be +ruthlessly dragged to light. I leave it to you whether you could or +would endure to have your father's memory thus resuscitated. With +regard to my position in the matter, I can only appeal to your sense of +justice, which will tell you----" + +"Stay!" the young officer interrupted him in a half-stifled tone. +"Spare me further words, your Excellency. I have already told you that +this entire explanation was superfluous, since I have never for an +instant contemplated giving publicity to a relationship quite as +distasteful to me as to you. I thought I had made this sufficiently +clear at our first interview, when I declined your offered 'patronage.' +I see now that it was to have been the price of my silence." + +Michael's words were uttered with extreme bitterness, and his hand +rested heavily upon the hilt of his sword, but he preserved his +self-control, although by an extreme effort of will. The general +probably perceived this, for he said, in a tone perceptibly gentler, +"That is a very erroneous view of the case. I repeat, I do not wish to +offend you." + +"You do not?" Michael burst forth, indignantly. "What is this entire +interview but an offence, an insult, from first to last? What do you +call it, then, this subjecting a son to listen to such words regarding +his father, clearly explaining to him the while that therefore he +himself has forfeited all claim to consideration? I can neither defend +nor avenge my father,--he has deprived me of the right to do so,--and +you suppose that I do not suffer under this consciousness! There was a +time when it wellnigh ruined me, until I roused myself to do battle +with the phantom. I am but at the outset of my career. I have no record +to show as yet. When a lifetime filled with honest effort and +fulfilment of duty lies behind me, that old phantom will have vanished. +Men are not all as pitiless as yourself, Count Steinrück, and, thank +God! all have not an escutcheon that must be kept free from stain." + +The general suddenly arose with the commanding air with which he was +wont to rebuke presumption or arrogance. "Take care, Lieutenant +Rodenberg; you forget in whose presence you are." + +"In that of my grandfather, who can, perhaps, forget for a few moments +that he is also my general. Fear nothing; it is the first time that I +ever called you thus, and it will be the last. For me there are no +tender or sacred associations with the name. My mother died in misery +and want, in agony and despair, but she never once opened her lips to +ask aid of him who could have saved both her child and herself by a +word. She knew her father." + +"Yes, she knew him," said Steinrück, sternly. "When she fled from her +father's house to be the wife of an adventurer she knew that every tie +binding her to her home was severed, that there could be no return, and +no reconciliation. Will her son presume to condemn the severity of an +outraged father?" + +"No," replied Michael; "I know that my mother openly defied you, that +she had forfeited her home, and that if the father's heart was silent, +and only his sense of justice spoke, he could not but repudiate her. +But I know, also, that her worst crime lay in her following a bourgeois +adventurer. Had he been her equal in rank, the prodigal, debauched son +of some noble family, she would not have been so irrevocably condemned, +her father's arms would have been opened to her in her misery, and her +son would not now have had his father's memory cast up to him as a +disgrace. I should have inherited an ancient name; all else would have +been carefully suppressed. Most assuredly I should not have been +consigned to the hands of a Wolfram, that I might go to ruin." + +The general's eyes flashed, but he gave up treating the young officer +any longer as a stranger; he now spoke angrily, but it was to a +grandson: "Not another word, Michael! I am not accustomed to be thus +addressed. Of what do you dare to accuse me?" + +"Of what I can vouch for, for it is the truth," declared Michael, +returning the Count's look of menace. "It would have been easy for you +to place the orphaned boy in some remote educational establishment, +where you never would have seen or heard of him, but where at least he +might have been made fit for something in life; but this was just what +must not be. Therefore I was exiled to a lonely forest, where, with +only rude and rough companionship, blows and hard words were all the +instruction I received; where all intellectual aspiration was +suppressed, all talent ignored, and the only aim was to make of me a +rude, ignorant boor, whose life was to be wasted in the depths of the +forest. A stranger hand snatched me from that misery. I owe my +education, the social position in which I now confront you, to a +stranger. To my near relatives I should have owed only intellectual +death." + +Steinrück seemed speechless at the young officer's incredible audacity, +but it was not that alone that silenced him. Once before, years +previously, he had heard similar words; the same reproach had been +uttered by a priest. Now they were hurled in his face with fiery +energy, and the accusation came from the lips of him whom he certainly +had hoped to make harmless by a 'peasant life.' Count Michael was not +the man to receive an offence or an insult in silence; but now he had +no reply to make, for he felt the truth of what the young officer had +said. If he had formerly refrained from any clear analysis of his mode +of action, it was distinctly revealed to him now as in a mirror, and it +was an ugly sight,--one quite unworthy the proud wearer of the +Steinrück name. + +"You seem not yet to have entirely forgotten Wolfram's teaching," he +said at last. "Do you wish to raise another disturbance, as you did +formerly at Steinrück? This looks like it." + +He could not have done worse than to evoke this memory. Ten years had +passed, but Michael's blood still boiled at the remembrance which +goaded him to fresh indignation. "Then you called me thief," he said, +in a terrible tone; "without proof, without examination, upon a mere +suspicion! You would have allowed any one of your servants to exculpate +himself, but your grandson was immediately pronounced a criminal. Yes, +I then seized upon the first thing at hand that could serve as a +weapon; I did not know that it was my own grandfather that had so +disgraced me, but from the hour when I learned it I was filled with a +burning desire for retribution." + +"Michael!" the general interrupted him, warningly "Not another word in +that tone, which is unbecoming both to your superior officer and to +your mother's father. I forbid it, and you must obey!" + +When Count Steinrück spoke in this tone he was accustomed to implicit +obedience; but here, for the first time, his personality failed of its +effect. Even Raoul, who was by no means easily daunted, bowed before +the angry glance of those eyes, but Michael did not bow. He did, +indeed, by an effort recover his self-possession, but if his voice +sounded more quiet and controlled, it had lost none of its firmness. + +"As your Excellency commands. I did not seek this interview: it was +forced upon me; but I imagine you are now entirely relieved of all fear +lest I should presume upon any tie of relationship. You fancy yourself, +with your ancient pedigree, exalted far above the world around us; you +have, with an iron hand, thrust out and blotted from your life the only +member of your family who dared to defy your pride of ancestry. But +your escutcheon is not, after all, as high as the sun in the heavens; +there may come a day when it will wear a stain that you cannot wipe +out. Then you will know what it is to be obliged, while a passionate +love of honour glows in your heart, to atone for the sin and the +disgrace of another, as you now force me to expiate the memory of my +father; then you will comprehend what a pitiless judge you have been +towards my mother. May I consider myself dismissed, your Excellency?" + +He stood erect in stiff military guise. The general did not reply; +something like a shudder thrilled through him at Michael's words, +sounding as they did almost prophetic; for an instant there rose before +his mind something dark and formless, like a foreboding of coming evil, +but it faded instantly. He mutely motioned to the young officer to +withdraw, and Michael went without one backward glance. In another +minute the door was closed behind him. + +When Steinrück was alone he began to pace the room restlessly to and +fro, but his glance rested again and again upon a portrait on the wall +of himself as a young officer. No, there was no resemblance between +that handsome head, with its nobly-formed, regular features, and that +other characteristic but plain face, not the least! And yet those very +eyes had flashed at him from that face; it was his voice that he had +heard from Michael's lips, and his was the inflexible pride, the iron +resolve which did not shun a strife with whatever life might bring; the +resemblance lay, not in the features, but in the look and the air. + +This was borne in irresistibly upon the mind of the Count, as he stood +still at last, and gazed fixedly and gloomily at his youthful +presentment. He was indignant, offended, and yet there was in his soul +a glimmer of something which had always been lacking in his thoughts of +his son and his grandson,--the consciousness that there existed an heir +of his blood, and of his character. He had tried in vain to discover a +trace of it in Raoul,--in vain! But the repudiated son of the outcast +daughter, the young man who had just left his presence as a stranger, +had this blood in his veins, and in spite of all his hatred and +indignation his grandfather felt that he was an offshoot of his race. + + + * * * * * + + +Professor Wehlau occupied a moderately-sized but very pretty villa in +the western part of the city. The garden attached to it was large, and +the comfortable and tasteful arrangement of the whole bore witness to +the fact that advanced science is in no wise hostile to the amenities +of life. + +The winter was nearing its end; March had begun, and the air was full +of hints of spring. In the Wehlau mansion, however, there was always a +threatening of storm; the discord between father and son was still far +from being resolved into harmony, and the 'thunder-cloud,' as Hans +disrespectfully dubbed his father's mood, frequently lowered above his +head. This was the case to-day, when the young artist was sitting in +the study of the Professor, who had just emptied the vials of his wrath +upon his disobedient son. + +"Look at Michael," he said at last, in conclusion. "He knows what it is +to work, and he gets on in the world. Here he is a captain at only +twenty-nine,--and what are you?" + +"I wish Michael would for once make an infernal ass of himself!" Hans +said, fretfully, "just that I might not have his excellence forever +dinned into my ears. You behold in the new-fangled captain the future +general field-marshal, who will win no end of battles for our country, +and in your son, your own flesh and blood, a fellow of undoubted +genius, you see nothing to admire. Really, father, it is past +endurance." + +"Have done with your nonsense!" Wehlau interrupted him in the +worst possible humour. "You would fain persuade me that you are +'industrious'! Of course, according to your artistic conception of the +word! Run about and amuse yourself for half the day, under the pretence +of making studies, and spend the rest of it playing all kinds of pranks +in the various studios! And then comes the inevitable Italian tour, +when amusement is the order of the day, all of course in the interest +of art! And that you call working industriously! Oh, the life is +precisely to your taste, and, moreover, it is the only one for which +you are fit." + +These reproaches, unfortunately, produced not the slightest effect. +Hans seated himself astride of his chair and rejoined without any +irritation, "Don't scold, papa, or I will paint you life-size and +present the portrait to the university, which will, you may be sure, +return me a vote of thanks. I have long wanted to ask you to sit to +me." + +"This is too much!" the Professor burst forth. "I positively forbid you +to represent me with your daubs." + +"Then come at least and see my studio. You have never seen one of my +'daubs.'" + +"No," growled Wehlau, "I will not put myself in the way of being so +irritated; crazy, idealistic stuff,--faded sentimentality,--at best +some exasperating caricature. You never can go beyond that, as I know +well enough. I do not want to see or to hear anything of the matter." + +"But you have heard something of it already," the young artist said, +with exultation. "When I sent the portrait of my master, Professor +Walter, to the exhibition, various newspapers discussed it; one of them +even introduced a very agreeable variation of the usual theme, 'the son +of our distinguished investigator;' it said, 'the talented son of a +distinguished father!' Take care, papa, I shall one day cast all your +scientific fame into the shade. But will you excuse me now? I am to +have some distinguished visitors." + +Wehlau shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. "Fine visitors, I've no +doubt!" + +"The Countesses Steinrück, an it please you." + +"What! they are going to pay _you_ a visit?" The Professor gazed at his +son in surprise. + +"Of course; we are beginning to be famous, and we receive the +aristocracy in our studio. It is not all in vain to be the 'talented +son of a distinguished father.' Are you really determined not to sit to +me for your portrait, papa?" + +"Confound you, no!" shouted the Professor. + +"Very well; then I shall paint you clandestinely, and shall send you +treacherously to the exhibition. Adieu, papa!" + +And with the most amiable smile, as if the best understanding reigned +between himself and his father, Hans withdrew. Outside the door he +encountered Michael, who had just come home, and who asked him whether +the Professor were in his study. + +"Yes; but there is thunder in the air again," said Hans. "Come to the +studio for half an hour, Michael, after you have seen my father. I want +to make a slight change in my picture, and I must have you." + +The young officer nodded compliance, and went to the Professor, whose +gloomy face brightened somewhat at his entrance. + +"I am glad you are come," he said. "Hans has just irritated me to such +a degree that I fairly long for the sight of a sensible man." + +"What has Hans been doing now?" + +"Nothing at all; that's just it. I have been remonstrating with him +about the idleness to which he has been given over for the past five +months, and which he is pleased to call work. And what effect do you +suppose I produced? None, except to make him more nonsensical than +ever. That boy will be my death." + +"Do not be unjust, uncle," said Michael, reproachfully. "You know that +Hans is at work upon an important picture, and I assure you that he +works very hard, although you persistently refuse to bestow a glance +upon it. I should suppose that you, as well as the rest of us, have had +sufficient proof of his talent. His portrait of Professor Walter made +quite a sensation; it was universally admired, and the newspapers even +alluded to----" + +"To 'the talented son of a distinguished father!'" Wehlau angrily +interrupted him. "Are you going to harp upon the same string? Have I +not had to endure all sorts of congratulations, and have I not been +rude enough in reply to them? But 'tis of no use. Every one sides with +the boy; everybody takes his part, and is immensely delighted with the +trick he played me at the university." + +"Even Professor Bauer took his part, as you call it, when he stopped to +see you on his way through the city," interposed Michael. + +"Yes, that capped the climax. 'Do you know,' I asked him, 'how that +wretched lad of mine employed himself at your lectures? He caricatured +you and your audience. He made a sketch of you, recognizable at once, +surrounded by all the emblems of natural science, stirring up the four +elements in a witches' caldron, while your favourite pupils were +blowing the fire.' And what was his reply? 'I know, my dear friend, I +know. I saw the picture, and it really was so clever, so capitally +done, that I had to laugh and forgive my recreant pupil on the spot; do +you do the same.'" + +"You had better take his advice, uncle. However, I only meant to say +good-morning. I promised Hans to go to his studio." + +"To his studio?" the Professor said, with a sneer. "There must be a +deal going on there. I wish that pavilion in the garden had been dark +as pitch, and foul with damp, rather than have that fellow daubing +there. He has taken up his abode right under my nose, as if it were the +most natural thing in the world. Go, go, for all I care, to the +'studio'! The aristocracy may stare, if they choose, at what it +contains,--I'll not set my foot inside it, you may rely upon that." + +He turned grumbling to his books, and Michael, who knew that it was +best to leave him alone in his present mood, betook himself to his +friend. + +The pavilion in which the young painter had temporarily set up his +modest studio was at the end of the garden, and contained one +good-sized room. A window had been closed up, another enlarged, a +skylight had been put in, and thus had been arranged the studio that so +outraged the Professor, all the more that his permission had never been +asked for these changes. Hans always pursued the same line of conduct +with his father. 'Certainly, sir,' was his constant phrase, while he +calmly and persistently acted in direct opposition to his parent's +commands; this being in fact the only way to deal with the choleric old +Herr. + +Wehlau had in the harshest terms refused to supply his son with the +means for renting a studio, and Hans, who as yet had no income of his +own, was forced to submit. But that very day he took possession of the +garden pavilion, sent for masons and carpenters, had everything +arranged according to his wishes, and when his father returned from a +short excursion he found the bill for the whole upon his writing-table. +Of course the Professor was furious; he protested that he would have +nothing of the kind upon his property, and would not even glance +towards the pavilion; but he paid the bill, and Hans had again carried +his point. + +At the present moment the young artist was standing before his easel, +painting away at a large picture, while Michael stood opposite him with +folded arms, leaning against a short pillar. Conversation was evidently +at a stand-still, quite ten minutes having passed without a word from +either of the two; suddenly Hans paused in his work and said, "I tell +you what, Michael, you're no good to-day." + +Michael seemed to have entirely forgotten that he was there as a model +for his friend. There was something in his look of the old boyish +dreaminess. At the sound of Hans's voice he started as if awakening. +"Who? I? Why not?" + +"There it is! Yon start like a somnambulist suddenly awakened. What +were you thinking of? You have been a perfect John-a-Dreams since we +came back from the mountains. You are not the same fellow at all." + +The young captain passed his hand across his forehead and smiled in a +constrained way. "I think I need active service. I may have overtasked +my brain during these last few months." + +"Probably. You are a thorough fanatic in respect to work,--quite unlike +myself. But please do me the favour of adopting another expression of +countenance; I can do nothing at all with your present melancholy air." + +"How shall I look, then?" + +"As furious as possible. Just as my papa looks when he surveys my +studio at the distance of a couple of hundred paces, only grander, more +heroic. Oh, you can look just as I want you to, and I have been +tormenting myself for weeks with trying to put what I mean on canvas, +and in vain. I must copy it from nature, and you must help me." + +"I cannot understand why you are so persistently determined to make use +of my face," Michael said, impatiently. "It is not at all suitable for +an ideal picture, and it is not in the least like the face you have put +upon your canvas." + +"You don't understand," Hans declared, with an air of conviction. "Your +face is the best model I could have. Of course I shall not make the +thing a portrait. All that I can use of your features is already in the +picture. But the expression,--the eyes are all wrong! I wish I could +provoke you to the last degree,--put you into such a passion with +something that you would like to hurl it into an abyss ten hundred +thousand fathoms deep, after the example of your namesake with the Evil +One,--then I should be all right!" + +"Your desire is very disinterested. Unfortunately, there is little hope +of its fulfilment, for I am not in a mood to be provoked." + +"No, you are in a very tiresome mood, to which your face is admirably +adapted; we must give it up for to-day. 'Tis a pity; I should like to +give the characteristic expression to my archangel to-day, for he is to +be marched out before the aristocratic family whose patron saint he +is." + +He laid aside his palette and brush with a sigh, but Michael had +suddenly grown attentive. + +"Before whom is he to be marched out?" said he. + +"Before the Countess Steinrück and her daughter---- What's the matter?" + +"Nothing; I am only surprised that they should visit your studio. Did +you invite them to come?" + +"Not exactly, but it came about in the course of conversation. I met +the ladies yesterday at Frau von Reval's; they asked about my pictures, +the subject of this one seemed to interest them, and they arranged to +come here to-day. I have a suspicion that they are thinking of giving +me a commission for the church of their patron saint, which would +gratify me hugely, for it would prove to my father that my 'daubing' +might have practical results; at present he thinks it all child's play. +What! are you going?" + +"Certainly; you do not want me any longer." + +"No; but I told the Countess, who asked after you, that you were always +at home at this time, and would be delighted to pay your respects to +her." + +Michael's face grew dark; he seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then +said, coldly, "Then I cannot but stay." + +"Assuredly not, if you would atone in any degree for your +unconscionable behaviour in the summer. The Countess Hertha was +evidently provoked about it; I perceived that very clearly when you +were spoken of. Moreover, she was very grave and depressed yesterday." + +"Happily betrothed as she is?" + +There was contempt in the tone of inquiry, but Hans took no notice of +it as he went on: "Why, as for her future happiness, I should hardly go +surety for that. If the old general thinks he can restrain his grandson +and keep him within bounds by this marriage, he is greatly mistaken." + +"How so? What do you know of the young fellow?" asked Michael. + +"I hear enough of him. An artist frequents all kinds of society, and I +have met the young Count several times. He is undeniably attractive, +talented, chivalrously amiable, but I am afraid---- There come the +ladies. Their carriage has just driven up. I call that punctuality." + +He had cast a glance through the window, and had seen the Countess +Steinrück and her daughter in the act of alighting from their carriage, +which was drawn up before the garden-gate. He hastened to receive them, +and in a few minutes ushered them into the studio. + +Captain Rodenberg had not seen the ladies since meeting them at St. +Michael's, although they had been in town for six weeks, for they +frequented aristocratic circles almost exclusively. The Countess +returned his salutation with her accustomed gentle cordiality. She no +longer reproached him for not coming to Castle Steinrück, in spite of +her express invitation, for she had learned in conversation with the +general that the young officer for some reason or other was not liked +by his chief. He probably was aware of this, and hence his reserve; but +the gentle lady felt herself all the more called upon to treat him with +the greatest kindness. + +"We have not seen each other for a long time," she said, offering him +her hand; "and our last meeting at St. Michael was disturbed by my +daughter's indisposition. Hertha was very imprudent to stay out in the +open air while a storm was coming up, and then to come home through the +rising tempest. It was fortunate that the rain fell only in the +valleys, or her cold might have had serious results." + +Michael touched the offered hand with his lips, and bowed low to the +young Countess, who had taken advantage of the first available pretext +to avoid a meeting which, after the scene on the mountain roadside, +would have been impossible for each of those concerned. He had seen the +ladies only for an instant, when he had taken leave of them as they +were getting into their carriage. Now the young Countess hastily +interposed, "It was of no consequence, mamma; I begged you to hasten +your departure only because I knew how anxious you always are." + +"Nevertheless, you were indisposed for several days," observed her +mother. "I am sure that Lieutenant Rodenberg, or rather----" She +glanced at his uniform. "You have since been promoted, I see. Let me +congratulate you, Captain Rodenberg." + +"He has worn his new dignity for two weeks now," said Hans. "I have +begged permission to paint the future general as soon as that rank is +attained." + +The Countess smiled. "Well, who knows? Captain Rodenberg advances +quickly in his career. We, too, have had an event in our family, of +which you may have heard; my daughter has been betrothed." + +"I am aware of it." Michael turned to Hertha, whose eyes for the first +time encountered his own. He was forced to utter his good wishes upon +the occasion of her betrothal; but if she looked for any sign of +agitation in his manner, any trace of the passionate gleam that +sometimes proved the traitor to his cold reserve, she was mistaken. His +bow was as coolly courteous as his words were purely conventional. They +could not have been more politely or more indifferently uttered to one +whom he had never before seen. + +"Countess Hertha is in her haughtiest mood to-day," Hans thought, +observing the air with which she received Michael's good wishes, as he +led the ladies to the picture, which occupied the prominent place in +the studio, although it was only partly finished. The life-size figure +of the Archangel stood forth powerfully and effectively upon the +canvas, but the face was unfinished, and the head of the Fiend was only +sketched in. Nevertheless, the grandeur and boldness of the conception +of the picture were manifest, as were also the technical skill and the +artistic force of the young painter, who might well be content with the +impression produced by his work. + +Hertha, who first approached the picture, shuddered slightly, and cast +a glance of surprised inquiry at the artist, while her mother, who had +followed her immediately, exclaimed, eagerly, "That is--no, it is not +Captain Rodenberg, but you have made your archangel strikingly like +him." + +"Very naturally, since he was my model," Hans said, with a laugh. "I +have indeed only made use of his characteristic expression,--one of +indignant reproof." + +The Countess seemed quite carried away by the picture, and was lavish +in her praise. Hertha thought the conception fine, the composition +broad, the colouring magnificent, but while noticing and admiring all +this, she had no word of praise for the countenance of the Saint. + +Hans, with his wonted amiability, played the part of cicerone to the +ladies in his studio, since they were desirous to see all his work. He +brought out a picture that had been leaning face to the wall, set it +up, and was endeavouring to place it in the best light, while the +Countess opened a large portfolio lying upon the table, containing a +number of sketches and studies, all the result of the young artist's +last autumnal excursion,--clever drawings of huntsmen and peasants in +the national costume, with here and there a head of some pretty +peasant-girl; there was a sketch--slight enough, but wonderfully +like--of the priest of Saint Michael, and there were various mountain +and forest views, all so fresh and full of life that the Countess +turned over leaf after leaf with delight. Suddenly Hans perceived what +she was doing, and hurried towards her as if to guard his portfolio +from attack: "Allow me, madame,--the portfolio is very awkwardly +placed. Let me show you the sketches," he said, hastily, pushing +forward a chair with eager courtesy, and beginning to lay the sketches +out upon the table one by one. As he did so, he took one of them, +apparently by chance, and laid it aside. + +"Am I not to see that drawing?" the lady asked, a fleeting glimpse +having shown her a study of the head of a young girl. + +"Oh, it is not worth showing. A mere study,--a failure," the young man +declared, but his face flushed as he spoke. + +The Countess shook her finger at him: "Aha! Herr Hans Wehlau seems to +have secrets of his own. Who can tell what romances have been woven +among the mountains?" + +Hans defended himself with a laugh; but when the portfolio had been +looked through, and the Countess turned to the picture he had placed +on an easel, he thought it best to hide his 'failure' behind a +window-curtain, where it was quite safe from curious eyes. + +Hertha was still standing before the large painting, and Michael was at +her side. He made no attempt to avoid her, but kept his place with +perfect composure, and went on talking of his friend's talent, of his +prospects, of his intention to compete for the prize offered for a +large historical painting, and of the sketches he had already made of +it. The entire absence of constraint in his conversation was a relief +to the young Countess, although it slightly embarrassed her. Woman of +the world though she were, she could hardly adopt the same tone +after--after that hour at Saint Michael. + +"I frankly confess," she said, in an undertone, "that this picture of +Herr Wehlau's surprises me. We have known only one side of his talent. +His sketches and caricatures at M----, where we met him, were clever, +and abounded in merriment, like himself. I should not have credited him +with the force, the energy, shown in this work." + +"And yet it has been play to him," observed Rodenberg. "Hans is one of +those fortunate beings who attain the highest aims almost without any +effort. To all his other physical and mental endowments a kind fate +added this talent, which lifts him far above all commonplace +existence." + +"A kind fate, indeed. Do you not envy your friend these gifts?" + +"No; I should scarcely know how to prize them, for I value highest what +must be struggled for. Hans, with his constantly cheerful, sunny +disposition, is born for the smiles and sunshine of existence; I am +created more for the tempests and conflicts of life. Each has a part to +play." + +Hertha gazed at the picture that portrayed a scene of tempest and +conflict. She knew that the man beside her could contend not only with +an enemy from without, but with himself, if need were. She had seen him +when his every fibre was quivering with passion, and yet here he stood +beside her, perfectly composed and calm; not one traitorous glance gave +the lie to his repose of manner. Her presence seemed to produce not the +slightest effect upon him. + +"Do you prefer conflict, then?" she asked, with something of a sneer. +"You seem to me very ambitious, Captain Rodenberg." + +"It may be so. I certainly wish to rise, and no one can do so who does +not at the outset fix his eyes upon a lofty goal. I can never be aided +and abetted by circumstances, like my friend Hans, but it is surely +worth something to be conscious of being entirely self-dependent; to +know that you have no one save yourself, and that you likewise belong +to no one save yourself." + +Quietly as the words were uttered, there was iron resolution in them, +and they were comprehended. Hertha suddenly turned her eyes full upon +the speaker, with something like anger gleaming in their depths. "And +you really think thus? Can ambition, indeed, indemnify you for all +else?" + +"Yes," was the cold reply. "All that I carry towards the future with me +is gratitude to the man who has been a father to me, and friendship for +his son; in all other respects I have cleared away everything from my +path." + +The young Countess's lip quivered slightly, but she held her head +proudly erect as she said, "Good fortune attend you, Captain Rodenberg. +I do not doubt that you will make a career for yourself." + +She turned away to her mother, but while together they discussed his +sketches with the young painter, Hertha's thoughts were busy with the +last conversation. She could not have been more distinctly informed +that Michael had come off conqueror in his struggle, and the conviction +that this was the case aroused an inexplicable emotion within her. He +had chosen to crush out and annihilate his love, and speedy success had +crowned his efforts. + +When the Countess took leave of the young artist, Michael paid his +farewell respects in the studio, while Hans escorted the ladies to +their carriage. When he returned, he made haste to take the 'failure' +from its hiding-place and to put it in a separate portfolio, which he +locked up. "There would have been a pretty to-do if the Countess +had seen this," said he; "she would instantly have recognized her +god-child, and what would have become of the dignity of Hans Wehlau +Wehlenberg of the Forschungstein? He would no longer have formed a part +of the chivalric reminiscences of the Ebersburg." + +"Whom did the picture represent?" asked Michael, who had been pacing +the floor, lost in thought. + +"Gerlinda von Eberstein. I drew it from memory. I told you of my +adventure among the mountains, and of my promotion in rank. 'Tis odd, +but I cannot help thinking continually of the little Dornröschen, who +seemed so ridiculous, and yet was so lovely; she thrusts herself +between me and all other memories. Just now, in presence of the Fair +One with the Golden Locks, I was haunted by her sweet little face with +its dark eyes looking out so dreamily upon a world that vanished ages +ago. Moreover, Countess Hertha seems to me changed since her betrothal. +It is sure to be so in these _mariages de convenance_, where there is +no question of love. Count Raoul is not so very much devoted, either, +to his fair betrothed; he certainly is wilder and more dissipated than +ever, and I am greatly mistaken if he is not entangled elsewhere." + +Michael suddenly stood still. "What? Now? And betrothed? That would be +villanous!" + +Hans looked at him in surprise. "What a tragic tone! Are you acquainted +with the young Count?" + +"I first saw him at the general's, and since then we have met several +times. I was compelled to make it emphatically clear to him that he was +in company of an officer who, if need were, would exact the +consideration he seemed inclined to deny him. He seemed to understand +at last." + +There was a peculiar expression in the glance which the young artist +riveted upon his friend, while with apparent unconcern he took up his +palette and brushes and began to paint again. "You surprise me. Count +Raoul probably prides himself upon his long line of ancestors, but I +have never found him as haughty as is usual with his class. He must +have some reason for disliking you." + +"Or I for disliking him? I think each is pretty well aware of the +other's sentiments." + +"Aha! now it's coming," Hans muttered to himself, while he painted +away. Then aloud, he continued, quietly: "You see, I have only known +the amiable side of the Count. As for his betrothal, every one knows +that it is all his grandfather's doing. His Excellency commanded, and +the grandson bowed to his august will." + +"So much the worse, and the more pitiable," Rodenberg burst forth. "Who +forced him to obey? Why did he not refuse to comply? The fact is that +this much-lauded, accomplished Steinrück is, with all his boasted +chivalry, but a poor coward where there is any need of moral courage." + +There was so passionate a hatred expressed in his words that Hans was +startled. But with the egotism of the artist, who has no regard save +for his work, and who overlooks all else, he never sought to discover +the cause of his friend's almost savage irritability. He continued to +gaze at him steadily, while his brush made stroke after stroke upon the +canvas. "I think the Count would have come to grief if he had attempted +any resistance," he observed. "They say the general preserves the same +discipline in his household as among his soldiers, and will not suffer +any opposition to his will. You know your iron chief. How would you +like to confront him with a frank 'no'?" + +"I have said much more to him than merely 'no.'" + +"You--to the general?" Hans was so astonished that for a moment he +stopped painting. Michael forgot all his usual caution, and went on, +carried away by his emotion: "To General Count Steinrück? Yes. He tried +to quell me with his commanding glance, and ordered me to be silent in +the tone to which every one else bows; but I was not silent. He had to +hear from my lips what he had probably never in his life heard before. +I hurled it ruthlessly in his teeth, and he listened. Now, indeed, we +are done with each other, but he knows how much I value his name and +his coronet, and that as for him and his entire race, I----" + +"Would fain dash them down ten hundred thousand fathoms deep into the +burning pit! At last!" the artist burst forth, exultantly, as he laid +down his brush. "Bravo, Michael! Now you can be good-humoured again; I +have got it!" + +"Got what?" asked Michael. + +"The expression, the glance of flame, for which I have been looking so +long. You were incomparable in your indignation,--you were Saint +Michael himself." + +Rodenberg seemed to recollect himself for the first time; he bit his +lip. "And you have been all this time studying me in cold blood? Hans, +it is unpardonable." + +"Possibly, but it was necessary. Look at the picture yourself; see that +brow and those eyes. I hit it off with a few strokes of the brush." + +Michael, still irritated and annoyed, approached the easel and looked +at the picture. He was struck with the change in it, but before he +could speak Hans threw his arm around his shoulder and said, with +sudden seriousness, "Come, tell me about yourself and the Steinrücks. +Why do you hate Count Raoul, and what gives you the right to say such +things to the general, your chief? There must be something here which +yon have concealed from me." + +Rodenberg made no reply, and turned away. + +"Do I not deserve your confidence?" Hans asked, reproachfully. "I never +have had a secret from you. What are your relations with Steinrück?" + +There ensued a brief pause, and then Michael said, coldly and sternly, +"The same as Count Raoul's." + +Hans stared at him in blank incredulity; he could not trust his ears. +"What do you mean? The general----?" + +"Is the father of my mother. Her name was Louise Steinrück." + + + * * * * * + + +March of this year was a very disagreeable month. After being ushered +in by a few bright sunny days it veiled the city in gray mist and rain +for weeks. The first buds perished of cold and damp, and people gazed +out from behind their window-panes, disgusted with the spring month +that did so little honour to its name. + +On one of these rainy afternoons Count Raoul Steinrück mounted the +steps and pulled the bell of the apartments upon the first floor of a +house in the fashionable quarter of the city. He must have been well +known to the servant who opened the door, for he merely bowed in answer +to the inquiry whether Herr de Clermont was at home, and admitted the +visitor without further question. + +The young Count entered the drawing-room, in which, in spite of its +rich furniture, an air of comfort was lacking. All the demands of the +prevailing fashion were fully met in its arrangement, but there was +nothing to indicate the individuality of the owners of the apartment. +Everything seemed placed where it was only for the time being, and to +suggest that the entire interior might shortly be removed, to be put at +the disposal of others requiring a temporary home. + +At the Count's entrance a young man who had been standing at a window +turned and came towards him eagerly. "Ah, here you are, Raoul! We had +given you up for to-day." + +"I have only half an hour," said Raoul, taking off his overcoat and +throwing himself into a chair with an ease betokening that he was quite +at home here. "I have just come from the department." + +"And the future minister has of course brought away a fit of +ill-humour," said Clermont, laughing. "Important government +business,--oh, we have no chance at all where that is in question." + +The conversation was carried on in French. Henri de Clermont was +perhaps a few years older than the young Count Steinrück, and was +wonderfully attractive in appearance and manner, although the innocent +gayety of his air was not entirely in harmony with the keen glance of +his dark eyes, which were those of a sharp observer. They now rested +searchingly upon Raoul's countenance as he replied, impatiently,-- + +"Minister--government business--of course! If you only knew what an +endless waste of dulness and ennui there is to be struggled through. I +have been an entire year in the department, and nothing has yet fallen +to my lot save the veriest trifles. A Count Steinrück is of no more +importance to our chief than is any one of his bourgeois officials, and +indeed not of as much if the latter happens to have a greater power of +application. You must rise from the ranks." + +"Yes, you Germans are wonderfully thorough in such matters," Clermont +said, ironically. "With us one rises more quickly with a name and +connections to aid him. And so you have been intrusted as yet with +nothing important?" + +"No." Raoul glanced impatiently towards the door that led into the next +apartment, as if expecting some one. "At best a transcript of some +confidential transaction, in which the name and position of the one +concerned are due warranty for his silence; and this may go on for +years." + +"If you can endure it. Do you really mean to remain in the government +employ?" + +The young Count looked up surprised. "Certainly; why not?" + +"That's an odd question for a man who is about to marry a very wealthy +heiress. You might live in future as sovereign lord upon your estates, +although I hardly think such an existence would satisfy you. You need +life, society, the stir and action of a capital. Well, contrive to +become attached to the embassy at Paris, as your father was before you. +It cannot be a difficult position to attain if one pulls the right +wires, and the dearest wish of your mother's heart would then be +fulfilled." + +"And my grandfather? He never would consent." + +"If he were consulted; but his power ceases with the termination of his +guardianship of your future wife. The will settles that. When does the +Countess Hertha come of age?" + +"Upon her twentieth birthday,--next autumn." + +"And then you need consult no one, and heed nothing save the wishes of +your young wife, who will hardly refuse to live with you in the capital +of Europe, its brilliant centre. The general's views can then have no +weight with you or with her." + +"You do not know my grandfather," said Raoul, gloomily. "He will +maintain his authority even then, and I---- Is Madame de Nérac not +visible to-day?" + +"She is dressing; we are going out to dine. Where shall you be this +evening?" + +"With my betrothed." + +"And what a face you put on as you announce it!" Clermont said, +laughing. "Every one envies you your brilliant match, and with justice. +Countess Hertha is beautiful, wealthy, and----" + +"Cold as ice." Raoul completed the sentence with a bitter intonation. +"I can assure you that I am not so much to be envied as you suppose." + +"True, the young Countess has a certain reputation for caprice. But +that is the prerogative of handsome women." + +"If it were caprice only, that would be nothing new: she was always +capricious. But since our betrothal she has adopted a distant tone; she +is perfectly unapproachable. It puts my patience to the severest test. +I cannot stand it much longer." + +There was extreme irritation in his tone. Clermont shrugged his +shoulders. "Who of us can make his own choice? I cannot, although +sooner or later I must marry, and my sister was married at sixteen to a +man over fifty, Needs must." + +Raoul scarcely heard the last words; he had continued to watch the door +expectantly, and he suddenly started up, for it opened, and a silken +train rustled across the threshold. + +The lady who entered was of medium height, slender, and, although no +longer in her first youth, exquisitely graceful. Her face could not be +called beautiful, perhaps not even pretty, but it had an odd, piquant +charm of its own. The black hair dressed in short close curls all over +the head made the face look younger than it really was; there was a +tender, veiled look in the dark eyes, which could, nevertheless, +sparkle brilliantly, as they did now when they perceived the young +Count. In vain was all attempt to analyze the charm that lay in those +irregular and scarcely refined features; there it was, and when the +face grew animated in conversation every line of it was interesting and +brilliant. + +Raoul had risen instantly and hastened towards the new-comer, whose +hand he raised to his lips. "I have only a moment," he said, "but I +could not help waiting for a glimpse of you, since Henri tells me you +are going out." + +"Oh, we need not go for half an hour yet," Frau von Nérac said, with a +glance at the clock. "You see, Henri is not dressed yet." + +"I must go and dress now," said Clermont. "Excuse me, Raoul; I shall be +here again shortly." + +He left the room, and Raoul certainly seemed nothing loath to be left +to a _tête-à-tête_ with his friend's sister. He took a seat opposite +her, and in a few moments the pair were engaged in eager and lively +conversation, chiefly concerning airy trifles, but gay and brilliant in +the extreme. Frau von Nérac showed herself a mistress of persiflage, +and the young Count was no whit her inferior in this regard. The cloud +upon his brow vanished, leaving not a trace; he was in his element. + +But suddenly the talk took a different turn. Raoul casually mentioned +Castle Steinrück, and the name evoked a smile from Frau von Nérac that +was half sarcastic, half malicious. "Ah, the castle in the mountains," +said she; "Henri and I were to have made acquaintance with it, but +unfortunately our visit was prevented by the indisposition of the +Countess." + +"My mother suffers frequently from those nervous attacks; they are very +sudden, and very distressing," said Raoul, quickly overcoming his +embarrassment. "They deprived her, on that occasion, of the pleasure of +receiving her guests." + +Frau von Nérac smiled again very sweetly and very significantly. "I am +afraid that the guests were the cause of the nervous attack." + +"Madame!" + +"The general may have had some share in it; but we certainly were the +innocent cause." + +"You still visit upon me that unfortunate occurrence," Raoul said; +"Henri does not; he knows how difficult is the position in which my +mother and I are placed, and makes allowances." + +"So do I. I persisted in going to see the Countess, although we were +obliged to confine ourselves to the merest call, since the general did +not feel called upon to renew the invitation. His Excellency seems to +be a very absolute monarch, and he certainly has a very obedient +grandson." + +"What can I do but obey!" exclaimed Raoul, with suppressed impatience. +"My mother is right: she and I are both subject to an iron will that is +wont recklessly to bend everything beneath it and to break what will +not bend. If you knew how humiliating it is to be lectured, examined, +hectored like a boy! I have had enough, and more than enough, of it +all!" + +He had started up in his agitation, whilst Frau von Nérac, leaning back +gracefully in her chair, toyed with her fan, and now rejoined, very +calmly, "Well, all that will end with your marriage." + +"Yes,--with my marriage," the Count slowly repeated. + +"How tragic that sounds! Take care that the Countess Hertha does not +hear you speak in that tone; she might resent it." + +Raoul did not reply, but went up to where the lady was sitting, and +bent over her: "Héloïse!" + +The word sounded half reproachful, half entreating, but was apparently +not understood, for she looked up at the speaker as though in surprise. +"Well?" + +"You best know what this marriage is to me. I have been hurried into +it, over-persuaded by my mother, and I feel it to be a fetter even +before it has taken place." + +"And yet it will take place." + +"That is the question." + +There was a flash as of lightning in Héloïse's dark eyes; then her +eyelashes drooped, and, as she seemed to examine the picture on her +fan, she said, in a careless tone, "Would you attempt a rebellion? It +would raise a tempest indeed, and would call down upon you supreme +displeasure." + +"What should I care, if I could but hope for a certain prize? For its +sake I would defy my grandfather's anger. I thought I should be able to +overcome--to forget--when Hertha should be my betrothed. I saw you +again, Héloïse, and I knew that the old spell was still around me, and +would always hold me fast. You are silent? Have you no word of reply +for me?" + +His eyes sought and found hers; her glance was veiled and tender, and +her voice was as tender as she said, softly, "You are a fool, Raoul!" + +"Do you call it folly to desire happiness?" he exclaimed. "You are a +widow, Héloïse, you are free, and if----" + +He could not finish his sentence, for the door opened rather noisily +and Clermont entered. The intruder did not seem to notice his friend's +start, or the annoyed glance which his sister bestowed upon him, but +called out, gayly, "Here I am! Now we can have a quarter of an hour +together, Raoul." + +The young Count's face betrayed his annoyance at this interruption, +and, in the worst possible humour, he replied, "Unfortunately, I have +no more time. I told you I had but a minute. Madame----" + +He turned to Héloïse, and would apparently have addressed a question to +her in an undertone, but Clermont suddenly interposed between them, +and, laying his hand lightly upon his sister's arm, said, not without a +certain significance, "If you are really in such a hurry we will not +detain you, eh, Héloïse? Until tomorrow, then." + +"Until to-morrow," Raoul repeated, grasping his hand hurriedly. He was +evidently not inclined to make a confidant of his friend, but took his +leave in no very satisfied mood. + +Scarcely had the door closed after him, when the young widow turned to +her brother with a very ungracious air: "You came most inopportunely, +Henri." + +"So I perceived," he replied, calmly; "but I thought it high time to +put an end to the scene, which you were inclined to take seriously." + +Héloïse tossed her head defiantly. "And if I were? Would you interfere +to prevent it?" + +"No; but I should explain to you that you were inclined to commit an +act of supreme folly, and I trust nothing more would be required to +bring you to reason." + +"Do you think so? You may be mistaken," she said, exultingly. "You +underestimate my power over Raoul. I have but to speak the word, and he +will dissolve his betrothal and defy his family." + +"And what then?" + +The cool direct question put an end to the young widow's triumphant +tone; she looked in surprise at her brother, who continued, very +composedly: "You know the general. Do you suppose that he ever would +forgive such a step, that he would ever consent to Raoul's marrying +you? And Raoul _cannot_ marry against his will, for he is entirely +dependent upon him." + +"He is his grandfather's heir, and the general is over seventy----" + +"And has a constitution of iron," Clermont interposed. "He may live ten +years longer, and you are scarcely so infatuated as to suppose that +Raoul's passion or your own youth will last so long. You are full five +years older than he." + +Frau von Nérac folded her fan hastily and noisily. "Henri, you go +almost too far!" + +"I am sorry, but I cannot spare you. You cannot reckon upon the future; +therefore you must comprehend the present. In a few years there will be +no choice left you." + +Héloïse made no reply, but her air was one of intense irritation. +Evidently she felt outraged, but Clermont coolly continued: "And even +supposing that Raoul should enter very shortly upon his inheritance, he +would still be no fitting match for you. The general's salary enables +him to live with a degree of elegance, but his grandson inherits +nothing of that. Castle Steinrück is an article of luxury; it probably +costs a yearly outlay; it certainly brings in nothing, and all the +available property of the family belongs to the South German branch. +The North German cousins all have very good reasons for entering either +the army or the civil service. Their estates would, to be sure, be +sufficient for the support of a country nobleman who, with his family, +could consent to live upon his own soil and occupy himself with +agriculture. But for you and Raoul,--the idea is ridiculous. Moreover, +I am especially anxious that Raoul should remain at present upon good +terms with his grandfather; through him alone can we know aught of the +Steinrück establishment." + +"You might do that much more easily through the Marquis de Montigny," +said Héloïse, still irritated. "He has just been attached to our +embassy here, and of course goes to his sister's very frequently." + +"Certainly; but you are much mistaken if you imagine that the haughty +Montigny would lend himself to such matters. He already treats me with +a careless indifference that sometimes makes my blood boil. He would +sacrifice his position rather than condescend---- But enough of this! I +fancy you now comprehend that Raoul's circumstances could never adapt +themselves to your requirements; what those requirements are you proved +with sufficient clearness during Nérac's lifetime." + +"Was it my fault that he squandered his entire fortune?" + +"You certainly helped him honestly in doing so; but we will not discuss +that. The fact is that we are without means, and that you are forced to +make a brilliant marriage. Your romance with Raoul must be nothing but +a romance, and you would be very unwise to induce him to break with his +betrothed. As long as the general lives, a marriage between you is an +impossibility; after that it would be a folly. Remember this, and be +reasonable." + +"What is it?" asked the young widow, turning impatiently towards the +servant, who brought her a card. "We are just going out, and can +receive no visitors." + +"A gentleman from the embassy wishes to speak with Herr von Clermont +for a few minutes only," the servant said, by way of excuse. + +"Ah, that is another affair," Henri said quickly, taking the card; but +after a surprised glance at it he handed it to his sister, who, +evidently startled in her turn, said,-- + +"Montigny? Calling upon you? You said just now----" + +"Yes, I do not understand it; there must be some special cause for his +visit. Leave us for a few minutes, Héloïse; I must receive him." + +The lady withdrew, and Clermont desired the servant to admit the +visitor, who straightway entered the room. + +The Marquis de Montigny was a man about fifty years old, of very +distinguished appearance, whose bearing, at all times rather haughty, +was at present characterized by a certain cold formality. In spite +of it, Henri received him with the greatest cordiality. "Ah, Herr +Marquis, I am charmed to have the pleasure of receiving you. Let me beg +you,"--he invited his guest by a gesture to be seated, but Montigny +remained standing, and coldly rejoined,-- + +"You are probably surprised to see me here, Herr von Clermont." + +"Not at all; our relations socially and nationally----" + +"Are of a very superficial nature," the Marquis interrupted him. "It is +an entirely personal matter that brings me here. I did not wish to +discuss it at the embassy." + +His tone was certainly slighting. Clermont compressed his lips and +darted a menacing glance at the man who ventured to treat him thus +cavalierly beneath his own roof, but he said nothing and awaited +further explanations. + +"I met my nephew a moment ago," Montigny began again; "he was probably +coming from you." + +"Certainly; he has just left here." + +"And he, Count Steinrück, frequents your house daily, I hear." + +"He does; we are intimate friends." + +"Indeed?" was the cold rejoinder. "Well, Raoul is young and +inexperienced; but I would call your attention to the fact that this +friendship is quite worthless for you. No state secrets are confided to +so young and insignificant a member of the department. They are very +cautious here in such respects." + +"Herr Marquis!" Clermont burst forth, angrily. + +"Herr von Clermont?" + +"I have frequently had occasion to object to the tone which you see fit +to adopt towards me. I must beg you to alter it." + +Montigny shrugged his shoulders. "I was not aware that I had neglected +to treat you with due courtesy in society. Now that we are alone, you +must permit me to be frank. I learned but lately of Count Steinrück's +intimacy in your household, and I do not know how great may be Frau von +Nérac's share in this intimacy. Be that as it may, however, you will +understand me when I beg, or rather require, that the Countess be left +entirely out of the question in the schemes which you are both +pursuing. Select another individual,--one who is not the son of the +Countess Hortense and the nephew of the Marquis de Montigny." + +Clermont had grown very pale; he clinched his hands and his voice was +hoarse as he rejoined, "You appear to forget that we are equals in +rank. My name is as ancient and as noble as your own, and I demand +respect for it." + +Montigny measured him from head to foot with a haughty glance as he +replied, "I respect your name, Herr von Clermont, but not your +calling." + +Henri made a movement as if to throw himself upon the insulter. "This +is too much! I demand satisfaction!" + +"No," said Montigny, as haughtily as before. + +"I shall force you to grant it----" + +"I advise you not to try to do that," the Marquis interposed. "You +would only force me to proclaim why I refuse you what you ask. It would +make you impossible in society, and impose upon me a responsibility +which I should assume only in a case of extreme necessity. I repeat my +demand. If it is not complied with, I must open the eyes of my sister +and of her son. I think you will scarcely drive me to do so." + +He inclined his head so haughtily and contemptuously that the +salutation was almost an insult, then turned and left the room. +Clermont looked after him, trembling with rage, as he muttered under +his breath, "You shall pay me for this!" + + + * * * * * + + +The house of Colonel von Reval was a kind of centre for the social life +of the capital, and was much frequented not only by people of rank and +fashion, but also by members of the aristocracy of intellect. The +colonel and his wife prided themselves upon numbering among their +intimate friends the most distinguished lights of Art and Science, and +their ample means enabled them to exercise a generous hospitality. + +To-night, at the close of the winter season, all their friends and +acquaintances were assembled beneath their roof at a final +entertainment. It was far more brilliant in these spacious princely +apartments than was possible in the comparative simplicity of their +country-seat Elmsdorf, and the guests were far more numerous. They +moved through rooms and halls bright with lights and flowers; there was +gay talk and laughter, and the cheerful, lively mood that seemed to +breathe in the very atmosphere of the Reval household reigned +everywhere. Among the throng of commonplace and insignificant +individuals, sure to be present at any great entertainment, there was +an unusually large proportion of beautiful women and distinguished men. +In fact, every one worth seeing and knowing in the capital seemed to be +present here to-night. + +General Steinrück, the life-long friend of the Reval family, was +present with his family, and the brother of the Countess Hortense, the +Marquis de Montigny, was of their party. + +Even Professor Wehlau, who was not fond of large entertainments, and +who eschewed them for the most part, had made an exception to his rule +in favour of this evening, and had arrived with his two sons. Hans had +not yet made his appearance: he was helping to arrange the _tableaux +vivants_, which made part of the evening's entertainment, having +undertaken their management, while Michael, having declined to take any +part in them, was already among the guests. + +"A word with you, my dear Rodenberg," the colonel said in an undertone, +drawing the captain aside for a moment. "Have you done anything to +displease the general?" + +"No, Herr Colonel," replied Michael, quietly. + +"No? It occurred to me that he passed you by without a word and with +rather a cold acknowledgment of your undeniably formal salute. There is +really nothing the matter, then?" + +"Nothing whatever. I have talked with the general but once, when I +reported to him, and have only seen him now and again when on duty. Why +should he pay me any special attention?" + +"Because he knows you and what you have done. He spoke very highly of +it to me before he made your personal acquaintance, and, besides, I +know that my opinion has weight with him. Nevertheless, he has taken +scarcely any notice of you during the entire winter; you have never +received the invitation usually extended by him to his subalterns, and +when I speak of you he always tries to change the subject. It is +inexplicable." + +"The explanation is probably to be found in the fact that I have not +the good fortune to please his Excellency," Michael said, with a shrug. + +But the colonel shook his head: "The general is not whimsical; this +would be the first time that he ever treated unjustly an officer of +whose excellence he was convinced. You must have neglected some duty." + +Rodenberg was silent, preferring to suffer under this implication +rather than to prolong so annoying a discussion. Fortunately, the +colonel was called elsewhere and released him. + +Meanwhile, Professor Wehlau paid his respects to the Countess +Steinrück, whom he had not seen for several years, and who received him +very cordially. She never forgot that he had once left important and +pressing affairs of his own to hasten to her husband's deathbed. To his +inquiries concerning her health she replied by complaints of her +invalid condition, expressing a desire to avail herself of his advice, +although aware that he had for many years ceased to practise medicine. +The Professor courteously declared himself always ready to make an +exception in her case, and placed himself entirely at her disposal. +Thus the best of understandings was established between them, when the +Countess unfortunately touched upon a dangerous subject. "I have an +appointment at your son's for tomorrow. He tells me that his large +picture is almost entirely finished and is to be placed on exhibition +next week. I am very anxious for a private view of it beforehand, since +it is already mine, as you are probably aware." + +"Yes," replied the Professor, laconically, his good humour all gone. +Hans had triumphantly announced to him that his picture had been bought +from the easel, and by the Countess Steinrück, who now innocently +asked,-- + +"And what do you say to this work of our young artist?" + +"Nothing at all; I have never even seen it," was the curt reply. + +"What! His studio is in your garden." + +"Unfortunately. But I have never set foot inside it, and mean never to +do so." + +"Still so implacable?" said the Countess, reproachfully. "I grant that +the game that your son played with you was rather audacious and very +provoking, but you must be convinced by this time that so talented and +highly gifted a nature is not fitted for cold, grave, scientific +pursuits." + +"There you are right, madame," the Professor interrupted her, somewhat +harshly. "The lad is fit for nothing serious or sensible, and may be a +painter for all that I care." + +"Do you estimate Art so meanly? I should have thought it of equal rank +with Science." + +Wehlau shrugged his shoulders with all the arrogance of the scholar who +holds no calling equal in rank to his own, and by whom Art is regarded, +more or less, as a plaything. "Yes, yes, pictures look very pretty in a +drawing-room, I do not deny, and you have a whole gallery of them at +Berkheim. This latest acquisition of yours will find a place among +them." + +The Countess stared at him in surprise. "You do not seem to know the +subject of the picture; it is destined for the church at Saint +Michael." + +"For the church?" asked Wehlau, surprised in his turn. + +"Certainly, since it is a sacred picture." + +The Professor started to his feet. "What! _My_ son paint a sacred +picture!" + +"Assuredly. Did he never tell you of it?" + +"He took good care not to do that. Nor did Michael even mention it to +me, although he doubtless knew all about it." + +"He certainly did, for Captain Rodenberg stood to him for a model." + +"Ah! He must have made a charming saint!" the Professor laughed, +bitterly. "Michael is well suited to the part. Have the fellows gone +crazy? Excuse me, madame,--I am conscious of my discourtesy,--but it is +beyond belief,--that is, I must find out about it." + +He bowed hastily, and rushed off so quickly that he very nearly ran +against a young girl who was standing hidden in a window-recess, behind +the Countess, and who looked after him half terrified. + +"Gerlinda, are you there?" asked the Countess, turning towards her. "My +child, what is to be done if, whenever you go into society, you hide +yourself behind the window-curtains! If you had only been beside me you +would have been presented to one of the celebrities of the capital." + +The young girl advanced, and asked, timidly, "That angry old man who +does not like sacred pictures----?" + +"Is one of the first scientists of the age, a magnate in science, in +whom all eccentricity must be forgiven. He is, it is true, of a rather +choleric temperament." + +Gerlinda still gazed after the Professor with some anxiety. No name had +been mentioned in the conversation which she had overheard, and she +asked no further question, for the beginning of the tableaux was +announced, and all the guests betook themselves to the drawing-room, +where the stage was set up. + +Hans Wehlau, on this evening, covered himself with glory. The pictures +which he arranged, not after famous examples, but after his own ideas, +in illustration of familiar legends and poems, did honour to his +artistic capacity. Each was a creation in itself, and every time the +curtain was raised there was a fresh surprise. + +The laurels of the evening, however, were borne off by the Countess +Hertha Steinrück, enthroned upon a rock, in the richest of robes, as +the Loreley. Hans knew very well why he chose to have this picture last +in the series, placing the young Countess alone in the frame, with no +companion-figure. A long-drawn 'Ah!' of admiration pervaded the +assembly at sight of a loveliness that threw all else that had been +seen into the shade. She was, indeed, the breathing embodiment of the +legend with its intoxicating witchery. + +Even Professor Wehlau forgot his vexation for a few minutes, although +he had been nursing it all through the entertainment, and was all +admiration. But when the curtain had fallen for the last time, and the +youthful manager with his assistants appeared in the drawing-room, +Wehlau's indignation began to boil afresh, and he tried to speak with +his son. This was no easy matter, however, for Hans was in great +requisition, the hero of the hour, flattered and caressed; he shared +with the Countess Hertha the triumph of the evening. Nearly a quarter +of an hour elapsed before the Professor succeeded in capturing him. "I +wish to speak with you," he said, with an ominous countenance, drawing +the young man aside into the window-recess where Fräulein von Eberstein +had been standing. + +"With pleasure, papa," said Hans, who was positively beaming with +delight. + +This only increased the Professor's vexation, and he came to the point +at once. "Is what I heard just now from the Countess Steinrück true? Is +the picture you have painted a sacred picture?" + +"It is, papa." + +"Indeed! Have you both lost your senses? Michael as a saint! It must be +a perfect caricature." + +"On the contrary, he makes an extremely striking archangel. The picture +you see represents Saint Michael----" + +"It may represent the devil, for all I care!" Wehlau angrily +interrupted him. + +"Oh, he's there, too, and as large as life. But how can the subject of +my picture affect you?" + +"How can it affect me?" the Professor burst out, having much ado to +preserve the low tone of voice required by the situation. "You know my +attitude with regard to the ecclesiastical party. You know that because +of it I am excommunicated by the priests, and here you are painting +pictures of saints for their churches. I will not permit it! I will not +have it! I forbid it!" + +"Impossible, papa," said Hans, composedly. "The picture belongs to the +Countess, and is, moreover, promised to the church at Saint Michael." + +"Where, of course, it will be installed with all due ecclesiastical +pomp." + +"To be sure, papa,--on the feast of Saint Michael." + +"Hans, you will be the death of me with your 'To be sure, papa.' At +the feast of Saint Michael, when all the mountain population is +assembled,--oh, this grows better and better! The clerical newspapers +will of course get hold of the affair; they will devote columns to the +procession, the mass, the worshippers, and among it all will appear +everywhere the name of Hans Wehlau,--_my_ name." + +"_My_ name, if you please," the young artist interposed with emphasis. + +"I wish to heaven I had had you christened Pancratius or Blasius, that +the world might have known the difference!" exclaimed the Professor, in +desperation. + +"Papa, why are you so furious?" asked Hans, complacently. "In fact, you +ought to be grateful to me if I should devote myself to the task of +reconciling you and your opponents; and, moreover, the picture is not a +sacred picture in the ordinary sense of the term. It is the conflict of +light with darkness. I intended, of course, to portray in the figure of +the archangel, Science, and in that of Satan, Superstition. It is after +your own heart, papa,--a glorification of your teaching. I should like +to hang the picture in the University, in your lecture-room, it is +painted so exactly to please you. I hope you will be grateful to me +and----" + +"Boy, you will send me to my grave!" gasped the Professor, taken aback +afresh by this extraordinary peroration. + +"God forbid! We shall live together long and happily. But now excuse +me. I must not stay here any longer." + +With which the young man, quite unconcernedly, mingled again with the +guests, and began to search for Michael. + +In a small room adjoining the large drawing-room Fräulein von Eberstein +was sitting quite lonely and deserted. When the curtain fell and the +spectators began to circulate through the various rooms again, the +Countess Steinrück had been in great requisition. All were anxious to +compliment her upon her lovely daughter, and thus Gerlinda lost sight +of her chaperon. Timid, and a total stranger among the crowd, she had +taken refuge in this deserted room, here to wait patiently until some +one should remember her and seek her out. + +The young girl had been for a week in the city. The Freiherr had at +last yielded to the Countess's wish, and to her repeated representation +that Gerlinda ought to see something of the world and have a chance at +least of marrying in her own station. This last consideration had +prevailed over the father's obstinacy his state of health was such as +to remind him constantly of the uncertainty of his life, and he well +knew that if he should die Berkheim would be his daughter's sole +refuge. She would be left quite alone, and, although the Countess had +declared most kindly that after her daughter's marriage she should look +to Gerlinda to replace her, old Eberstein's pride revolted at the idea +of accepting what was in fact a shelter for his child, delicately as it +might be proffered. + +For this reason he would have been very glad to see his daughter well +and suitably married. For him the word suitably signified a son-in-law +with a long and stainless pedigree, and the aristocratic principles of +the Steinrücks set his mind at ease on that score. Therefore he made +Gerlinda repeat once more to him the entire genealogical chronicle of +the Ebersteins, admonished her never to forget that she was sprung from +the tenth century, and let her set off with the maid, sent by the +Countess, for the capital, where she was to spend some weeks with the +Steinrücks, and then accompany them to Berkheim. + +The little châtelaine had of course no suspicion of any schemes devised +for her future, and had taken but a half-hearted interest in her visit. +The brilliant turmoil of society, of which she had a glimpse during her +stay at Steinrück, and into which she was now plunged, distressed +rather than amused her. Thus she felt glad to be alone for a few +minutes on this evening, and sat quite contentedly, but timid as a +frightened bird, on a corner divan in the empty room. + +Suddenly the _portière_ at the entrance was pulled aside, and a young +man, casting a hasty glance around the room as if in search of some +one, stood as if rooted to the spot upon perceiving its solitary +occupant. + +"Fräulein von Eberstein!" + +Gerlinda started at the sound of that voice; she instantly recognized +its possessor. "Herr von Wehlau Wehlenberg." + +Hans was already at her side. He had had no suspicion of her presence +here, or, indeed, in the city; his duties as manager had kept him +behind the scenes, and when he entered the drawing-room Gerlinda had +already left it. Their meeting was a surprise to both, and certainly +not an unpleasant one, as was evident from the young man's sparkling +eyes and the little châtelaine's blushing cheeks. + +"I fancied you far away in your mountain home," said Hans, taking a +seat beside her. "How is your father?" + +"Poor papa has been very far from well this winter," replied Gerlinda; +"but as spring approached he grew better, so that I could leave him +without anxiety." + +"And Muckerl? How is Muckerl?" + +The account of Muckerl's health was very satisfactory: she was as gay +and hearty as she had been in the autumn; and as her young mistress +talked of her she half forgot her timidity; she was so glad to tell of +her home, and Hans did not interrupt her, but kept his eyes attentively +fixed upon her face. + +He had just seen the Countess Hertha in all the pride of triumphant +beauty, and his artist eye had revelled in the sight. Here he saw only +a delicate, child-like creature, who could not possibly be compared +with that other, and whose soft brown eyes gazed up into his own half +shyly, half confidingly. Nevertheless, little Dornröschen looked to him +unutterably lovely to-night in her ball-dress of some airy, pale pink +material, relieved by bunches of wild roses and floating cloud-like +about the graceful figure. There was in her air and carriage something +of the dewy freshness of a rose-bud just opening to the light. + +"And how are you pleased here?" Hans asked, when the young girl paused. +"Is there not something intoxicating, bewildering, in the life of a +great city for one who mingles in it for the first time?" + +Gerlinda shook her head and looked down. "I do not like it," she +declared. "I would rather be at home with papa and my Muckerl. I feel +so lonely and forsaken among all these strange people; they do not +understand me, and I do not understand them." + +"Oh, you will soon learn to understand them," Hans said, consolingly. + +But she still shook her head; the poor child had a vague idea of what +was ridiculous about her, and she went on in a pathetic little voice: +"They seem to care so little here about their pedigrees! No one knows +that we date from the tenth century, and that our family is the very +oldest. If I begin to tell of it, Hertha says, 'Gerlinda, stop; you are +making yourself ridiculous,' and my godmother says, 'My child, that is +out of place here,' and Count Raoul smiles so disagreeably. I know now +that he laughs at me. Herr von Wehlau Wehlenberg, you do not think it +ridiculous, do you? Your aristocratic self-consciousness is so +admirably developed, my papa says." + +The knight of the Forschungstein felt extremely uncomfortable at this +appeal to his aristocratic self-consciousness. It suddenly occurred to +him that his sin had found him out, for as soon as Gerlinda returned to +the drawing-room and heard his name, all would be explained. There was +only one thing to be done,--make confession himself upon the spot. + +"We searched through all the books of heraldry, and at last we found +your family," the young girl continued, with an air of importance; and +then, falling into what might be called her heraldic style, she began +to repeat what had been found in the books: "The lords of Wehlenberg, +an ancient imperial race, settled in the Margraviate since sixteen +hundred and forty-three, owning estates of value in the various +provinces, the head of the family being Baron Friedrich von Wehlenberg +of Bernewitz----" Here she broke off to say, with some regret, "We +could not find the Forschungstein." + +"No, you could not find it, for there is no such place," said Hans, +whose resolution was formed. "You and your father have fallen into an +error for which I am accountable. I told you, however, at our first +interview that I was an artist." + +Gerlinda nodded gravely. "I told my papa; he thought it very unbecoming +in a man of an ancient noble line." + +"But I am not of an ancient noble line, nor even of a modern one." + +Gerlinda looked terrified, and recoiled from him. The young man +perceived it, and there was a trace of bitterness in his voice as he +went on: "I have a confession to make to you, Fräulein von Eberstein, +and forgiveness to ask for a deception which sprang from necessity. I +reached the Ebersburg that evening wet through, and having lost my way; +there was no other shelter to be found far and wide, night was falling +fast, and the Baron refused me admittance because, as he would have +expressed it, I was not 'of rank.' I had no choice save to be thrust +out into the storm or to thrust myself into the ranks of the +aristocracy, and I preferred the latter course. But I owe it to you to +tell the truth. My name is simply Hans Wehlau, without any mediæval +adjunct; I am a painter by profession; my father is a professor in the +university here, and we are both bourgeois from head to foot." + +The effect of these words was annihilating; the little châtelaine sat +stark and stiff as if paralyzed with horror, staring at this bourgeois +Hans Wehlau who told her so fearful a tale. At last she recovered her +voice, folded her hands, and said, with a profound sigh, "This is +horrible!" + +Hans rose and made her a formal bow. "I confess myself very guilty, but +I did not think that the truth would so startle you. I have, it seems, +lost all worth in your estimation, and shall please you best by leaving +you. Farewell, Fräulein von Eberstein." + +He turned to go, but Gerlinda started and put out her hand as if to +detain him. "Herr Wehlau." + +He paused. "Fräulein von Eberstein?" + +"Are you not very slightly related to the Freiherr Friedrich Wehlenberg +of Bernewitz? A very distant relative, I mean." + +"Not the most distant connection. I invented in a hurry a name that +sounded like my own, and I never dreamed that it belonged to any one in +reality." + +"Then papa never will forgive you," Gerlinda declared in a tone of +despair. "You can never come again to the Ebersburg." + +"Do you, then, still wish me to come?" asked Hans. + +She was silent, but her eyes filled with tears, and this disarmed the +young man's irritation. It was not the poor child's fault that she had +been brought up so ridiculously. He slowly approached her again, and +said, gently, "Are you very angry with me for my foolish jest? I meant +no harm." + +Gerlinda did not reply, but she allowed him to take her hand, and she +listened as he went on in the same tone: "Herr von Eberstein is greatly +attached, I know, to his family traditions, and no one could require +him, at his age, to resign what has been life to him for so long; he +belongs, body and soul, to the past. But you, Fräulein von Eberstein, +are just entering upon life, and in the nineteenth century we must +adapt ourselves to the spirit of the age and see things as they are. Do +you remember what I said to you on the castle terrace?" + +"Yes," was the scarcely audible reply. + +Hans leaned towards her, and his voice had the same cordial, sincere +tone as on that sunny morning. "Around you, too, prejudices and +traditions have grown like a thorny hedge, tall and dense. Would you +dream away existence behind it? Perhaps a time will come when you will +have to make a choice between a dead past and a bright sunlit future: +should that time ever come, choose well!" + +He carried the trembling little hand, still lying in his own, to his +lips, and several moments passed before he released it; then he bowed +and left the room. + +The Countess Steinrück was conversing with Herr von Montigny when +Gerlinda at last rejoined her. The Marquis expressed his pleasure in +his nephew's betrothal with apparent sincerity. He was enthusiastic +also in his admiration of Hertha, who had evidently fascinated him, as +she had every one else upon this evening, and he understood well how to +clothe his admiration in flattering phrases. When at last he took his +leave to join his sister, the Countess turned to the young girl: "Where +have you been for so long, my child? I lost sight of you. I suppose you +have been sitting alone in some corner. Will you never learn to be like +other young girls in society?" + +She looked compassionately at her _protégée_, who was wont to receive +such reproaches in timid silence, but who now, to the Countess's +amazement, replied, with an air of great wisdom,-- + +"Yes, dear godmother, I will try to learn, for in the nineteenth +century we must adapt ourselves to the spirit of the age and see things +as they are." + +Meanwhile, the Marquis de Montigny had found his sister sitting in an +adjoining room engaged in lively talk with Frau von Nérac, in which +Henri de Clermont took quite as lively a part. Both ladies seemed much +entertained, and were laughing at his sallies, when Montigny approached +the group. + +"Ah, here you are, Leon!" the Countess called out to him. "No need to +present our compatriots to you,--you have seen them at the embassy." + +The glances of the two men encountered each other. Clermont's eyes +gleamed for an instant with a look of hatred, but he bowed courteously; +Montigny returned his greeting coolly as he said, "Oh, yes, we know one +another." + +He turned then to Frau von Nérac, to whom also he paid his respects +courteously; but there must have been something in his manner offensive +to the young widow, for her eyes flashed, although an amiable smile +played about her lips. + +"Of course we know one another," she repeated. "We had the pleasure of +a visit from the Marquis the day before yesterday." + +"And you never mentioned it to me when I spoke of Frau von Nérac +yesterday," said Hortense, in some surprise. + +"I was not fortunate enough to see Madame de Nérac," Montigny replied, +with a degree of coldness which struck even his sister. "My visit was +paid to her brother, with whom I wished to arrange a matter of some +importance. You have not forgotten my request, Herr von Clermont?" + +Henri's hand trembled slightly as he leaned upon the cushion of the +lounge where he was sitting, but he replied, calmly, "No, Herr Marquis; +such things are not easily forgotten." + +"I am glad to hear you say so. I may rely upon it, then, that the +matter will be adjusted as we decided. Take my arm, Hortense; supper is +served." + +He offered his arm to his sister, inclined his head to Frau von Nérac, +and led the Countess away. As they left the room Henri leaned towards +the young widow, and said in a whisper, which did not, however, conceal +his agitation, "What do you mean, Héloïse? You know why Montigny paid +that visit, you heard the whole conversation from the antechamber, and +yet you ventured to allude to his coming!" + +Héloïse's lip curled contemptuously, but she replied, also in a +whisper, "You seem very much afraid of this Montigny." + +"And you are rash enough to irritate him. You surely understood what he +said as well as I did, and you know that he threatened----" + +"That which he never will carry out." + +Henri glanced around the room: it was quite empty; every one had gone +to supper. Nevertheless, he still spoke in a whisper as he said, "Do +you forget that we are in his power? He has but to speak the word----" + +"He dare not speak it; it would cost him too dear. He who ruins us +ruins himself also, and brings to light what there is every reason for +concealing. You are a fool, Henri, to be frightened by such threats. +Montigny must be silent; he risks his own position if he assault ours. +He never would be forgiven for speaking out." + +"No matter for that, he can do us an injury at the embassy; he can +deprive us of our standing there, and it is uncertain enough already. +We must yield, at least in appearance, and forego Raoul's visits for +the present." + +"Do you suppose that he will forego them?" asked Héloïse. + +"That is for you to decide. You have only to say what will send him +away, for a time at least, and this you must do." + +"At the bidding of Herr von Montigny? Never!" + +"Héloïse, be reasonable,--you must make a sacrifice of your personal +feeling. I am sure I set you the example." + +"Indeed you do! I never would have submitted to what you endured at +Montigny's hands." + +"Do you think I shall forget it?" asked Clermont, with an evil look. "I +bide my time. The day of reckoning will come. But let us go in to +supper; it will excite remark if we isolate ourselves thus. One thing +more: young Wehlau is to present to you his adopted brother, Captain +Rodenberg." + +"Indeed," said Héloïse, with indifference, rising and taking her +brother's arm, as he added, significantly,-- + +"One of the general's staff." + +"Ah, indeed!" + +"See that you persuade him to come with Wehlau, when the latter calls +upon us. I rely upon you, Héloïse." + +The pair sauntered arm in arm towards the supper-room, where all the +guests were assembled. + + + * * * * * + + +Hans Wehlau, prudently avoiding another encounter with his father, had +joined Michael, and was listening, with apparent interest, to what the +latter had to say. + +"You have seen her and talked with her then?" asked Hans. + +"Seen her?--yes; talked with her?--no. The Countess presented me to +Fräulein von Eberstein, but I received no reply to my remarks, save an +extraordinary courtesy. She is almost a child,--far too young to be +introduced into society." + +"A girl of sixteen is no longer a child," said Hans, irritably. "And +how did you like her altogether?" + +"She has a lovely little face. To be sure, I have not seen her +eyes,--she held them obstinately downcast,--and I really have not heard +her speak at all. The little châtelaine, as you call her, seems to +possess rather a limited capacity." + +The young artist bestowed upon his friend a glance of sovereign +contempt. "Michael, I always doubted your taste, and now I doubt your +judgment. 'Limited capacity!' Let me tell you, Gerlinda von Eberstein +is cleverer than all the rest put together." + +"That is a bold assertion," said Michael. "You seem very much provoked +by any unfavourable word with regard to the young lady. Have you lost +your heart again? How many times does this make?" + +"Nothing of the sort this time; my interest in this lovely, childlike +creature is entirely disinterested." + +"Indeed?" + +"Michael, I will not have you speak in that tone," declared Hans, with +irritation. "But I am quite forgetting that Clermont asked me to +present you to Frau von Nérac." + +"Clermont? Ah, yes, the young Frenchman at whose house you have been +visiting so often this winter. You asked me once to go there with you, +I remember." + +"And you refused, as usual." + +"Because I have neither the time nor the inclination to extend my +circle of acquaintances, at least not this year. It is very different +with you; you are an artist. Have you known this Clermont long?" + +"No, only this last winter, and he very politely invited me to his +house. He and his sister have several times asked me to induce you to +accompany me." + +Rodenberg looked surprised. "Me? That is strange; they do not know me +at all." + +"No matter for that; they asked it out of politeness. Moreover, you +will find the young widow very interesting, perhaps even dangerous." + +"Indeed?" + +"Oh, of course not for you. Your icy nature never melts, even in +presence of the lovely Countess Steinrück, and Héloïse von Nérac cannot +be called beautiful; nevertheless she might prove the fair Hertha's +successful rival in a certain quarter. I once hinted to you that Count +Raoul was hardly loyal to his betrothed; he frequents Clermont's house +daily." + +"And you think that Frau von Nérac is the attraction?" asked Michael, +becoming attentive. + +"Apparently. The Count certainly is more devoted to her than is +consistent with his duty as a betrothed man. How far the affair has +gone of course I cannot---- Hush, there he is!" + +In fact, Raoul was just passing where they stood, and, although he had +but a slight acquaintance with Hans Wehlau, he stopped and addressed +him cordially. And whilst he talked with the young artist, +complimenting him upon the very successful entertainment of the +evening, he so persistently ignored Captain Rodenberg, who stood close +by, that his intention was evident. Michael took no part in the +conversation, but when the Count turned away, he looked after him in a +way which caused Hans hastily and as if in sudden alarm to lay his hand +upon his arm, saying, "You will not attach any importance to his +rudeness? There is a feud between you and Steinrück----" + +"Which found expression just now after a very childish fashion," +Michael completed the sentence. "Count Raoul must be taught that I do +not allow myself to be so treated." + +"What do you intend to do?" said Hans, uneasily; but there was no time +for a reply, for they had encountered Clermont and his sister, to whom +he presented his friend. + +The brother and sister received the captain with great courtesy, and +Henri left him to talk with Frau von Nérac, while he entered into +conversation with Hans with regard to a picture upon an opposite wall, +pronouncing an opinion with which the young artist disagreed. A lively +discussion between the two ensued, in the course of which they walked +across the room to examine the picture more closely, leaving Frau von +Nérac to bestow her entire attention upon Rodenberg. + +Their conversation turned at first upon the assembled guests, and the +young widow, looking towards Hertha, who was the centre of an admiring +group, said, "Countess Steinrück is indeed a brilliant beauty! The +entire assemblage is at her feet, and she receives its homage with the +air of a princess to whom such tribute is due. She will surely rule her +future husband supremely." + +"The question is whether the husband will submit to her sway," observed +Rodenberg. + +"A husband always submits to the sway of a beautiful and beloved wife. +You, indeed, seem unaccustomed to submit." + +"Only because I am quieter and graver than most men; even where a +beautiful woman is concerned, I do not easily lose my head. I am +ignorant of Count Steinrück's views in this respect. You know him +intimately, madame?" + +"He is a friend of my brother's, and I naturally see him often." + +The answer sounded as innocent as did the question, but there was +something like dawning mistrust in the look which encountered Michael's +cool observant gaze. It lasted but for an instant, and then Héloïse +began with a smile to talk of something else. + +She talked well and fluently, and Michael, although he spoke French +with ease if not with elegance, contented himself with listening. All +manner of subjects were touched upon, politics, the news of the day, +art, and society. Frau von Nérac was evidently a mistress of the art of +conversation. + +Rodenberg had perceived at the first glance that she was not beautiful, +but at the end of five minutes he comprehended that she did not need +beauty to be dangerous; there was something intoxicating in her mere +proximity. She leaned back in her chair with a grace all her own as she +toyed with her fan, presenting a picture to which the most tasteful of +toilets added a charm. Her smile was bewitching, and the gleam in her +dark eyes was wont to work like a spell. Unfortunately, Captain +Rodenberg seemed quite insensible to this charm; as often as the +brilliant eyes met his they encountered the same cold, scrutinizing +glance, and Héloïse knew well that it expressed no admiration. + +At last Clermont and Hans finished their discussion and approached the +others. For a few moments the conversation was general, and then the +two young men took their leave, and Henri again seated himself beside +his sister. + +"Well, what about Rodenberg?" he asked. "So far as I could hear, he was +extremely monosyllabic. You did almost all the talking. I suppose he is +a clumsy, pedantic German." + +Héloïse gave a scarcely perceptible shrug. "Give that man up, Henri, +once for all; he is as stolid and inaccessible as a rock." + +"No one is absolutely inaccessible; all must be besieged on the right +side, and it is just these stolid natures that are most easily +captured." + +"You are mistaken here. There is something in the air and expression of +this Rodenberg that reminds me constantly of General Steinrück. He has +the iron, inexorable look--that cold, keen gaze--of the old Count. I +cannot endure him!" + +"He is of great importance to me," said Henri. "Did you ask him to the +house?" + +"No; he would not come if I were to do so; and if by any chance he did +come, it would be to observe, to watch, as he has just done all the +while I have been talking. I have no fancy for encountering those eyes +again. Be on your guard with him, Henri!" + +Clermont did not seem to attach much importance to this warning, for he +saw that Héloïse was out of sorts, and he knew why she was so. She +could not endure to be cast into the shade by another, and on this +evening all lesser lights paled before the day-star of Hertha's beauty. +The young Countess Steinrück was enjoying a triumph that might well +satisfy the most extravagant vanity. Wherever she turned she +encountered looks of admiration; all thronged about her to offer her a +homage which she received graciously but haughtily. + +Raoul scarcely left her side. He seemed to-night to be fully conscious +of the value of the prize which had fallen to his share so easily, and +the old love for his cousin, dating from his boyhood, flamed up afresh. +It was one of those crises when one loving glance from Hertha's eyes, +one cordial word from her lips, might perhaps have delivered him from +those other fetters, and have won him back to his betrothed,--bridging +over the gulf which each day yawned more widely between them. But there +was a cold reserve, imperceptible to strangers, in her demeanour +towards him which cut him to the soul, chilling all warmth of feeling +and awakening his antagonism. + +For the moment the young Countess was not in the reception-rooms, but +in Frau von Reval's dressing-room. Like all who had taken part in the +tableaux, she had retained her costume; the veil that floated over her +shoulders had become disarranged; Frau von Reval's maid was fastening +it afresh. It was soon adjusted, and the maid dismissed; but Hertha, +instead of returning to the reception-rooms, sat motionless in an +arm-chair, gazing dreamily into space. + +Frau von Reval's dressing-room was one of a suite of rooms quite +removed from those used for entertaining, and upon this evening the +entire range of apartments upon this side of the house was deserted, +and but dimly lighted,--a quiet, agreeable refuge for any one wishing +to withdraw for a few minutes from the heat and turmoil of the +drawing-rooms. The young Countess seemed, indeed, weary, worn out with +conquest and homage. + +Yes, the evening had been one long triumph for her. All had bowed +before the victorious power of her beauty,--all save one. One alone had +dared to defy her; he only had retained sufficient strength of will in +the tempest of passion to break the meshes of the net thrown around +him, and go on his way free from all bondage. Had he not greeted her +to-night as coldly and formally, complimented her with as conventional +a courtesy, as if that hour at Saint Michael were forgotten, +obliterated from his memory? + +All the more vividly did it live in Hertha's remembrance. Her anger +stirred afresh as she thought how this man had dared to tell her to her +face that he knew her to be a coquette, that he would root out from his +heart, like some vile weed, his love for her. But, in the midst of her +indignation, a voice within her whispered that he was right. Yes, she +had played a reckless game with him. It was the result of the +waywardness of a nature spoiled by fortune, trained by a weak mother to +disregard all save its own desires, and learning all too early to +despise the homage of the other sex, or to use it as a plaything. But +then, formerly, she had still been free! The proud, self-willed girl +had not yet felt as a fetter the disposal of her hand; she could still +have said 'no' when asked to decide. Instead of this she had given her +consent to Raoul freely, without compulsion,--as, indeed, without love. +But was love a reality? Had she not seen how an intense passion, which +seemed to fill a man's entire soul, could die away and perish in a few +months? + +The opening of a door in an adjoining room and approaching footsteps +roused Hertha from her revery, and admonished her that it was time to +return to the assemblage. She was about to rise, when a voice which she +recognized held her motionless. + +"Here we are alone. I shall detain you for but a few moments, Count +Steinrück." + +"You wished to speak with me alone, Captain Rodenberg; I am at your +service," was the reply in Raoul's voice. + +Hertha could neither see the new-comers nor be seen by them, but she +listened, startled; what she heard sounded harsh, hostile. + +In fact, the two young men in the next room confronted each other with +a hostility which neither now took pains to conceal, but Raoul was +irritated and excited, while Michael was calm and cool; this, of +course, gave him an advantage from the beginning. + +"I have only one question to ask," the latter began. "Was it by +accident, or by intention, that just now, when you spoke to my friend, +you so entirely overlooked me?" + +"Do you attach such value to my notice of you?" There was an offensive +smile upon the young Count's face, and the tone in which the question +was put was still more offensive. + +"I attach not the slightest value to your regard. I am not at all +covetous of the honour of your acquaintance. But since we do know each +other, I exact from you the observance of the forms of good society, +with which you scarcely seem familiar." + +"Captain Rodenberg!" Raoul burst forth in a tone of menace. + +"Count Steinrück?" was the cold rejoinder. + +"You seem to wish to force me to admit relations between us which I do +not acknowledge. You will achieve nothing in this way." + +Michael shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. "I think I have made +sufficiently manifest the value I attach to relations with the family +of Count Steinrück. Ask the general, he can satisfy you on that score. +But I do not mean any longer to permit on your part conduct intended +from the first to be insulting. Will you alter this conduct in future? +Yes, or no?" + +The question sounded so imperious that Raoul stared at the speaker, +half indignant, half amazed. "It must be admitted, Captain Rodenberg, +that for arrogance you are unrivalled." + +"Certain individuals can be reached only with their own weapons. May I +beg for an answer?" + +"I am not accustomed to answer questions put in such a tone," the young +Count said, haughtily,--"least of all from the son of an adventurer, +and of a mother who----" + +He paused, for Michael stepped up to him, pale as death, but with +flashing eyes. "Silence, Count Steinrück! One slighting word of my +mother,--one only, and I shall forget myself and fell you to the +ground!" + +"With your fists?" asked Raoul, contemptuously. "I am used to fight +with the weapons of gentlemen." + +His words produced their effect,--Rodenberg controlled himself. "And +yet you are so ungentlemanly as to goad on your adversary with insults +which no man could endure calmly," he said, bitterly. "I have not +provoked this quarrel, but I see that any continuation of this +conversation would be useless. You shall hear from me to-morrow." + +"I shall look to do so," replied Raoul, and, with a brief salutation, +he left the room. + +Michael remained for a time; he did not wish to rejoin the company with +the Count. He paced the room several times with folded arms, and then +threw himself into an arm-chair. + +Meanwhile, Hertha's first surprise had been gradually transformed to +anxiety, and at last to terror, upon hearing the issue of the +conversation. She now rose, and pale, but resolute, appeared upon the +threshold of the next room. "Captain Rodenberg," she said, softly. + +He sprang up dismayed, for at the moment of her appearance he had +perceived that the door of the adjoining apartment was open, and that +every word that had been uttered might have been overheard. + +"You here, Countess Steinrück?" he said, hastily. "I thought I saw you +just now in the reception-rooms." + +"No; I was sitting there,"--she pointed to the next room,--"and I have +been the involuntary auditor of a conversation not intended for +stranger ears." + +Michael bit his lip. Just as he had thought! However, he collected +himself and said, as carelessly as possible, "We certainly thought +ourselves alone, but the affair is of no consequence. I had a slight +difference with Count Steinrück, which we discussed with some heat, but +it will doubtless be adjusted." + +"Is that 'doubtless' sincere? The close of the conversation seemed to +imply the contrary." + +Rodenberg avoided her glance, and replied, composedly, "Our +conversation had reached a point at which it threatened to become +stormy, and therefore we broke it off. We shall discuss the matter more +calmly to-morrow." + +"Yes,--with arms in your hands,--I know it!" + +"You are unnecessarily distressed. There has been no mention of +anything of the kind." + +"Do you think me so inexperienced as not to understand the significance +of your last words?" said Hertha, approaching him. "A challenge was +given and accepted." + +Michael was silent; he saw that subterfuge was useless. "It was a very +unfortunate chance that made you the witness of our interview," he said +at last. "It will surely be as painful for the Count as for me that you +should have been so, but there is no help for it now, any more than for +the affair itself, and I must entreat your silence in the name of each +of us. Forget what was not intended for your ears." + +"Forget! when I know that to-morrow each will confront the other with +deadly intent?" Hertha exclaimed, in extreme agitation. + +Rodenberg looked at her in surprise. "Each? For you there is no +question of danger save for your betrothed. It is natural that you +should tremble for him; my death must be a matter of supreme +indifference to the Countess Hertha,--nay, even desirable in this case, +for it means life for my adversary." + +Hertha did not reply for a moment,--she slowly raised her eyes to his, +with a strange expression in them, somewhat like reproach, still more +like trembling anxiety. But Michael either could not or would not read +those eyes. Was the old game to begin anew? He stood stiffly erect, as +if already confronting his adversary. + +The young Countess perhaps comprehended his thoughts, for her cheek +flushed; she hastily retreated a few steps, and her manner grew more +formal. + +"Is no adjustment possible, then?" she asked. + +"No." + +"Not even if I speak to my betrothed, if I beg him----" + +"It will avail nothing. The Count could scarcely be persuaded to +retract his words, which is what I insist upon. Let me beg you to give +up all thought of such a course; these matters are not to be adjusted +by a lady." + +"But a lady was the cause of the quarrel, although you refuse to allow +her to attempt a reconciliation," Hertha said, with indignation. "Do +not look at me in such surprise; I know the cause of this quarrel, +whatever may be the ostensible pretext for it. You never forget an +offence, Captain Rodenberg,--never,--as I know, and this is the way in +which you avenge yourself." + +Michael's face grew dark. "Do you really hold me capable of so mean a +revenge? I do not think I deserve this!" + +"And yet you hate Raoul? I know why only too well----" + +"You do not know why," he interposed, with emphasis. "You are entirely +mistaken. I never sought this quarrel, but I was compelled by the +Count's behaviour to call him to an account. The provocation came from +him. I admit that I reciprocate his dislike, but its justification lies +in circumstances of which you have no idea, and which have no +connection whatever with that hour at Saint Michael!" + +It was the first time that he had made any allusion to the hour in +question, and as he did so there was no change either in his stern +voice or in his formal demeanour; he seemed to grow even more hard and +stern. But his eyes dwelt upon the young Countess, who did, indeed, +justify all that Hans had said of her,--she looked the heroine of a +fairy legend. + +Standing beneath the hanging lamp that lighted the room but dimly, her +half-mediæval, half-fantastic robe, a costly combination of heavy gold +brocade velvet and transparent lace-like material, glistening with gems +and embroidery, shimmered and gleamed with a strange lustre. But from +her head, crowned with a starry diadem, there waved over her shoulders +and below her waist a magnificent veil,--her unbound hair, which, +falling on each side of her face, encircled it like a halo. + +Michael stood beyond the circle of light and gazed at the wondrous +vision. He had seen her thus in the tableau, throned upon a rock,--the +enchanting sorceress of the legend. In his ears had rung the sweet, +alluring song, and what had terrified him had not been the dangerous +rock or the depths beneath the billows, but the prize itself! He would +not risk life and safety to embrace, perhaps--a fiend. He had torn +himself loose from the spell with all the force of his will. And yet at +this moment the old wild longing stirred again. It seemed as if one +blissful moment would be well purchased at the price of life, +salvation, the future; as if to be dashed against the rocks to his +destruction were naught so that he might for a moment clasp his bliss +in his arms and call it his. + +But, whilst such thoughts made havoc within him, he stood calm and +cold, without the quiver of an eyelash. Hertha saw only the frigid +bearing, heard only the stern words, and her words were as cold. "Since +that hour we have been foes! Do not deny it, Captain Rodenberg,--no +need for falsehood between us. Of all that you then told me in your +anger, hate alone has survived; I should have remembered this before +appealing to you. It is ill depending upon the magnanimity of an angry +foe." + +Michael endured her reproach without a word in self-defence; he grew +pale,--always with him a sign of extreme emotion. "And to whom should I +display magnanimity?" he asked at last. "Should I spare the Count, +knowing that I have nothing but relentless hostility to expect from +him? I am not of the stuff of which martyrs are made! But, once more, +you do me injustice, Countess Steinrück, when you accuse me of a mean +desire for revenge. Show me how this quarrel may be adjusted +consistently with my honour, and it shall be done. But I see no +possibility of such an arrangement; and whatever the conclusion of the +affair might be, it would leave us enemies were we not so already. +Perhaps it is best so." + +He looked an instant longer towards the lovely head beneath the +lamp-light, then bowed and left the room. + +Meanwhile, the festivity was still going on, although some of the +guests soon took their leave, and among them the members of the +Steinrück family, who were always wont to make their appearance late +and to leave early. The ladies had already said farewell to Frau von +Reval, when Michael, who was passing through the hall, suddenly heard +himself addressed, "Captain Rodenberg, a word with you." + +The young officer turned, surprised; it was the first time this evening +that General Steinrück had deigned to notice him. "I am at your +Excellency's command." + +The Count beckoned him to one side. "I wish to speak with you," he +said, briefly, "to-morrow morning at nine o'clock, at my house." + +Michael started; he scarcely understood. "Is this a military order, +your Excellency?" + +"Regard it as such. Nothing of any nature whatsoever must interpose to +prevent your appearance at the time stated." + +Rodenberg bowed silently. The general approached him, and, lowering his +voice, went on: "And if by any chance you should be called upon to make +a decision, I beg you to postpone it until after our interview. I shall +see that the same course is pursued by----the other side." + +"My decision is already made," said Michael, quietly, "but I shall +obey." + +"Good! Until to-morrow, then!" + +Steinrück turned away, and the captain saw him join the Countess +Hertha, who came hastily to meet him. She had told, then; she had +invoked another authority, finding her own interference of no avail, +and that other could not lightly be set aside, although the expression +of Michael's face as he perceived all this showed no inclination to bow +to it. + +In the mean time the general had offered his arm to Hertha to conduct +her to her mother; she uttered no question, but her eyes were full of +anxious inquiry. + +"All right, my child," Steinrück said in an undertone. "I have taken +the matter in hand, and you need not be afraid. Only remember that this +must be kept secret. I rely upon your discretion." + +Hertha drew a long breath and forced a smile. "Thanks, Uncle Michael. I +trust you implicitly,--you will avert all misfortune." + + + * * * * * + + +It was early the next clay. The Countess Hortense was sitting at +breakfast, when the Marquis de Montigny entered. + +"I am an early visitor, but I was passing the house," he said, greeting +his sister affectionately. "Are you alone? I thought all breakfasted +together here." + +Hortense shrugged her shoulders. "Not at all; my father-in-law rises +with the dawn, and has usually been at work for three hours when I get +up. There is something frightful in such strong, restless natures, +which never feel the need for repose." + +"They seem to me rather to be envied, especially at the general's age," +remarked Montigny. + +"Perhaps so; but he thinks others should emulate him. Our household is +regulated like a barracks; everything is done at the word of command, +and woe to the servant who is guilty of unpunctuality! It has cost me a +positive struggle to preserve my personal liberty. I carried my point +at last, but poor Raoul is absolutely forced to submit to this martinet +rule." + +"I am afraid such a rule is sometimes necessary; Raoul is not easily +controlled," said Montigny, dryly. "You, as a woman, are of course +ignorant of much which I have learned since my arrival here, and of +which the general is also cognizant. It is time that your son were +married, Hortense." + +"I have no doubt that he sometimes goes rather far in his youthful +exuberance," the Countess admitted. "His is a fiery, enthusiastic +nature, that rebels against rules and barriers, but marriage will put +an end to his follies, and Hertha is beautiful enough to hold him +captive always. You admire her, I am sure; she had a brilliant triumph +last evening." + +"No wonder. By the way, Hortense, the Clermonts were there last night. +Are they intimate with Herr von Reval?" + +"I think Raoul introduced them there. It is the fashion to frequent the +Reval house." + +"Indeed? Then Raoul is intimate with young Clermont?" + +"He is, and I should like to have him and his sister here, but--here +you have a proof of my father-in-law's incredible tyranny--the general +absolutely forbids my inviting them. I was once obliged to recall an +invitation which I had sent them at Raoul's request. The general is +determined to exclude the Clermonts from our circle." + +The marquis suddenly grew attentive. "That is strange. What reasons +does he assign?" + +"Reasons? He never condescends to give me any. He simply commands, and +I must obey." + +"I think you do well to obey in this instance," the Marquis said, in so +significant a tone that his sister looked at him in surprise. + +"Why? Have you heard anything against the Clermonts? They do not seem +to be very brilliantly circumstanced pecuniarily, but they brought +excellent letters of introduction, and they belong to a very ancient +French family." + +"Certainly; there is no doubt of that." + +"Well, then, I do not understand you, Leon." + +The Marquis moved his chair a little nearer, and laid his hand upon the +Countess's arm: "Hortense, I am forced to open your eyes, for you seem +utterly blind in this matter. You are desirous that Raoul should marry +Hertha?" + +"Desirous? Why, I rest all my hopes upon it. This marriage means wealth +and splendour for Raoul, and for me the freedom I have so long desired. +How can you ask such a question?" + +"Then let me advise you not to encourage your son's intimacy with the +Clermonts. I hear he is there every day, and--Frau von Nérac is a +widow." + +Héloïse smiled incredulously. "Héloïse von Nérac? She is not even +pretty." + +"But she is very dangerous." + +"Not as a rival of Hertha. Such a betrothed could hold any man +captive." + +"If she chose; but she does not seem to choose. The young Countess +treats her betrothed very strangely; she is very reserved, while Frau +von Nérac, on the other hand, is very engaging." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Hortense, her anxiety at last aroused. "Raoul's +marriage is to take place so shortly; he never would be so insane as to +sacrifice his entire future for the sake of this Héloïse." + +"He would not be the first whom passion has blinded to self-interest. +But I meant only to warn, not to terrify you. I only suspect; it is for +you to discover the truth. But be cautious; a false step might ruin +everything." + +The Countess changed colour; the thing thus hinted at might well +terrify her, for it meant the destruction of all her hopes. "You are +right; there may be mischief to be feared," she said. "I thank you for +your warning." + +Montigny rose, quite satisfied with the result of the conversation. The +diplomat had achieved his purpose without mentioning what was not to be +mentioned. He knew that Hortense's maternal solicitude would prompt her +to use all her influence to withdraw Raoul from his intercourse with +the Clermonts, and he thought that he had amply provided for Henri de +Clermont's acquiescence in such cessation of intercourse. As to whether +the suspicion he had expressed were well founded or not the Marquis +cared little; what he desired was that his nephew should be delivered +from associations the pernicious nature of which was but too well known +to him. He once more advised his sister to be cautious, and then he +took his leave. + +In the mean time another conversation, of a far more stormy character, +had been taking place above-stairs in the general's study. Steinrück +had confined himself on the previous evening to forbidding his grandson +to take any further steps in the quarrel with Michael; but this morning +he had sent for him, and was now emptying the vials of his wrath upon +the young man's head. + +"Are you dead to all reason, to all prudence whatsoever, that you must +select Michael Rodenberg with whom to pick a quarrel?" he asked. "If +you had been led in a moment of passion to insult him, I could have +understood it; but from what I hear from Hertha, your rudeness seems to +have been deliberate and intentional." + +"It was by the most unfortunate chance that Hertha happened to be in +the next room," said Raoul, confronting his grandfather with an air of +defiance, "and that she should have taken it into her head to tell +you----" + +"Was the wisest, the most sensible course she could have adopted," the +Count interrupted him. "Another girl would have appealed to you with +tears and entreaties, which would have availed nothing, for, as matters +stand, you alone cannot put a stop to the affair. Your betrothed +applied to me, rightly judging that I was the one to interfere here. +This duel must under no circumstances take place." + +"It is an affair of honour, in which I shall permit no interference!" +exclaimed Raoul, angrily; "and it is, besides, my own personal affair." + +"No, it is _not_, or I should let it take its course, for you are no +longer a boy, and are responsible for your own actions. But this +quarrel affects our family interests most painfully. Have you never +reflected that it will drag to light circumstances which should be kept +strictly private?" + +The young Count looked dismayed. He certainly had not thus reflected, +and he replied, somewhat abashed, "I do not think that such a +consequence is inevitable." + +"But certainly it is most probable. However the duel may terminate, it +will attract universal attention to its principals; there will be all +sorts of inquiries as to what provoked it, and the required explanation +will be found in the name of Rodenberg. Hitherto it has escaped special +notice, because it occurs several times in the army list, and because +the captain has occupied towards us the position of an entire stranger; +it will soon be discovered that he is no stranger to us, for as soon as +he is seriously questioned by his comrades or his superior officers he +must confess the truth. At first you were outraged by the bare +possibility of such a revelation, and yet you are the one wantonly to +provoke it." + +The truth of this was so apparent that even Raoul could not gainsay it. +"Perhaps I did not perceive all the bearings of the matter," he said, +sullenly. "One can't always control his mood, and this Rodenberg's +arrogance irritated me. He behaves as if he were entirely my equal." + +"I fear the arrogance was on your side," said Steinrück, sternly. "I +had a sample of it when you first met Michael here; he was forced to +compel you to show him the merest courtesy, and I have no doubt this +was the case when you met him afterwards. Did you provoke a challenge +or not?" + +Raoul evaded a direct reply; he said, contemptuously, "How was I to +know that the adventurer's son was so sensitive on a point of honour? +But no wonder!" + +"Captain Rodenberg is one of my officers, and his honour is stainless, +you will please to remember!" The general's voice was sharp and stern. +"I beg that there may be no fresh insult to make a reconciliation +impossible. It is just nine o'clock; your antagonist may be here at any +moment." + +"Here? You are expecting him?" + +"Of course; the affair must be adjusted among us personally. He +received my summons coldly enough, but he will be here, and I trust you +now see clearly why this duel must be prevented. You were the one to +offend, from you must come the apology." + +"Never!" Raoul burst forth. "Rather let the worst come to the worst!" + +"That I will not allow!" said Steinrück. "Is Captain Rodenberg there? +Admit him." + +The last words were addressed to a servant who appeared at the door, +and in a moment Michael presented himself. + +He saluted the general, but seemed not to observe the presence of the +young Count, who, standing aside, cast at him an angry glance. + +"I have summoned you hither to adjust the affair between you and my +grandson," the general began. "First of all, it is necessary that you +should take notice of each other. I beg you to do so." + +The request sounded like a command, and as such was obeyed; the young +men bowed to each other, very formally indeed, and the general +continued: "Captain Rodenberg, I have learned--from whom, is of no +consequence--that you consider yourself as having been insulted by +young Count Steinrück, and that you purpose demanding satisfaction of +him. Is this so?" + +"It is, your Excellency," was the calm reply. + +"The Count is, of course, ready at any moment to grant you +satisfaction, but this duel I neither can nor will permit. In any other +affair of the kind I should leave the arrangement to those principally +concerned, but this cannot be here, in view of the peculiar relations +in which you stand to our family. You must be aware of this." + +"Not at all. Those relations have been so entirely ignored hitherto +that there is no reason for regarding them now, and strangers are +ignorant of them." + +"They will be so no longer if matters are pushed to a bloody issue. The +public and the press are wont on such occasions to investigate +curiously the personal connections of those concerned, and the truth +would be speedily discovered." + +Michael shrugged his shoulders. "Count Steinrück should have remembered +this before provoking such an issue. It is now too late for such +considerations." + +"It is not too late. Some means of adjustment must be devised. I repeat +to you what I have just declared to my grandson, that under no +consideration can this duel take place." + +The words were uttered emphatically, but they produced no effect; +Michael's reply was still more emphatic. "Upon a point of honour, your +Excellency, I can permit no control. If the Count can bow to a command +in such a case, I cannot!" + +Raoul looked at him half indignantly, half in surprise. He, the son and +heir of the house, had never ventured so to confront his grandfather, +neither would the general have suffered such open rebellion against his +authority; but from Rodenberg he did not resent it. He frowned, indeed, +ominously, but he condescended to a kind of explanation. + +"I am a soldier like yourself, and would not ask of you what is +inconsistent with your honour. You believe yourself to have in no wise +provoked this quarrel?" + +"I do." + +Steinrück turned to his grandson: "Raoul, I now desire to hear from you +whether what Captain Rodenberg regarded as insulting on your part was +accidental or intentional. In the first case the affair is arranged." + +Raoul was sufficiently familiar with this tone, but he had no intention +of embracing the means of adjustment thus afforded him. He had meant to +insult, and was only restrained from frankly declaring the fact by fear +of his grandfather; he took refuge in a sullen silence. + +"It was intentional, then!" said the general, with slow emphasis. "You +will, then, retract this insult, this wanton insult, here in my +presence." + +"Never!" exclaimed Raoul. "Grandfather, do not drive me to extremes. +The limit of my submission to you is reached when I allow such words to +be used to me before my antagonist. I refuse to be humiliated further. +Captain Rodenberg, I am at your service; appoint the time and the +place." + +"It shall be done to-day," Michael replied. "Will your Excellency +permit me to take my leave?" + +"No, not yet!" exclaimed Steinrück, suddenly dropping his formal tone +and stepping between the young men. "I must remind you both of what you +seem to have forgotten. You are blood relations, and this tie of blood +I will have respected. Strangers may have recourse to pistols in such +cases; the sons of my children must settle their quarrel by other +means." + +"Grandfather!" "Your Excellency!" There was the same tone of defiance +in each voice, but the general went on, imperiously: + +"Hush, and listen to me! This is a family matter, in which the public +should have no share: it is for the head of the family alone to adjust +it. I am the authority here, I alone have the right to interfere, and I +forbid you to have recourse to weapons. The blood flowing in the veins +of each of you is mine, and I will not have it thus spilled. As head of +the family, as your grandfather, I demand implicit obedience from my +grandsons." + +His tone and manner were so commanding that rebellion seemed +impossible,--the old chief of the Steinrücks compelled obedience. In +fact, neither of the young men gainsaid him. Raoul stood still in sheer +bewilderment at what he had just heard. 'My grandsons,' and 'the blood +flowing in the veins of each of you is mine!' Why, it amounted to a +formal recognition. + +Michael too felt this; his eyes gleamed, but not with delight, and his +bearing was still more haughty than before, although he did not speak. + +"Raoul is the offender, as he himself admits," Steinrück began again. +"In his name I declare to you, Michael, that he retracts everything +that could bear an insulting construction; and you, on your part, will +relinquish your haughty bearing, which is a kind of provocation. Does +this content you?" + +"If Count Raoul confirms your words--yes." + +"He will do so. Raoul!" + +The young Count did not reply. He stood biting his lip, his hand +clinched, as he cast a glance of hatred at his antagonist. Apparently +he was resolved to defy his grandfather's authority. + +"Well?" said Steinrück, after a pause. "I am waiting." + +"No, I will not!" burst forth Raoul. + +But the general stepped up to him, and, looking him full in the eye, +said, "You must, for you are in the wrong. If Michael were the offender +I should require the same from him, and he would obey; since you +insulted him, it is your part to yield. I require only a simple 'yes;' +nothing more. Will you confirm my words, or not?" + +Raoul made a final attempt to maintain his defiant attitude, but his +grandfather's flashing eyes cast their wonted spell upon him,--they +forced him to obey. A few seconds passed, and then the young Count +uttered the desired 'yes,' half inaudibly indeed, but it was uttered. + +Michael inclined his head. "I withdraw my challenge; the affair is +adjusted." + +Steinrück gave a sigh of relief. He was not quite so iron as he seemed. +His sigh betrayed his suffering at the thought of his two grandsons +confronting each other in mortal combat. + +"And now shake hands," he went on, in a gentler tone, "and remember in +future that you are of the same race,--although it must in future, as +hitherto, be kept a secret from the world." + +But Raoul's obedience would go no further: he turned away with an +expression of frank hostility; and Michael said, "Pardon me, your +Excellency, but you must allow us to do as we choose in this respect. +The Count, as I perceive, is not anxious for a reconciliation, nor am +I. I promise to give no occasion for a renewal of the quarrel. As for a +tie of relationship between us, we are alike determined to ignore +anything of the kind." + +"Wherefore?-- Does my recognition not satisfy you?" Steinrück asked, +indignantly. + +"A recognition forced from you by necessity, by fear of a public +scandal, which must be kept secret because it is considered a +disgrace,--no, it does not satisfy me! Count Raoul has enjoyed his +grandfather's affection all his life, he may yield obedience to his +commands; I have always been outcast, repudiated every hour of my life; +I have been made to feel that the Steinrücks considered me beneath them +in rank, and would fain banish me from their social circle. Here, in +this very room, you declared to me that for you there was no tie of +relationship between us. I now make the same declaration to you. I do +not choose to accept privately as a favour what is mine of right before +all the world; however you may acknowledge me as your grandson, I shall +never admit that you are my grandfather, never! And now may I entreat +General Count Steinrück to dismiss me?" + +He spoke with perfect mastery of himself, but there was a sound in his +voice that made Raoul start and look at him in surprise; he seemed to +hear his grandfather speaking. In fact, the resemblance had never been +so striking as now, when the two men stood erect confronting each +other. The eyes, the carriage, everything bore witness to the +relationship just disowned; the young man's stern resolve was an +inheritance from his grandfather. He was the old Count's youthful +presentment. + +"Go, then!" said the general. "You choose to see in me only your +superior officer. So be it for the future." + +Rodenberg saluted, bowed to his cousin, and left the room, where for +some minutes after his departure an oppressive silence reigned, broken +at last by Raoul: "Grandfather!" + +"What is it?" said Steinrück, who was still looking towards the door +behind which Michael had disappeared. + +"I think you have now had sufficient proof of the arrogance of your +'grandson.'" The word was uttered with infinite contempt. "He was quite +magnificent as he rejected the recognition that you offered him, and +actually refused to admit any tie of blood between us. And you have +forced me to humiliate myself to that man!" + +"Yes, this Michael is iron," Steinrück muttered, between his teeth. +"Nothing avails with him, neither kindness nor severity." + +"And, moreover, he resembles you immensely," Raoul went on, in his +indignation and in his irritation against his grandfather seizing upon +the chance to irritate him in turn. "I never noticed it before, but +just now when he stood opposite you the resemblance was almost +terrifying." + +The general slowly turned his gaze from the door and riveted it upon +his grandson, with an odd expression in his eyes. "Did you perceive it +too? I knew it long ago." + +Raoul did not comprehend this calm. He had looked for an angry retort, +an indignant disclaimer of any resemblance. The Count perceived his +surprise, and, suddenly adopting his old authoritative tone, he said, +"But no matter! The quarrel between you is now made up, and I do not +believe that even you have any temptation to renew it. Avoid each other +in future; it will not be difficult. And now leave me." + +Raoul went, but with rage in his heart. Whereas hitherto he had felt +only a haughty dislike for Michael, he now hated him with all the +intensity of his passionate temperament. Perhaps General Steinrück +would have done more wisely not to subject him to the humiliation he +had undergone,--it could never be forgotten by either cousin. + + + * * * * * + + +Hertha was standing alone at her window gazing out, but she saw nothing +of the surging life in the principal street of the capital. Her eyes +were persistently turned in the direction of the general's place of +abode. He had promised to send her tidings in the course of the +forenoon, and if he had really succeeded in preventing the duel his +messenger should have already arrived, but there was no sign as yet of +the Steinrück livery, and the young Countess's impatience and anxiety +increased with each minute that passed. + +All at once she leaned far forward. She had recognized the general, who +was just turning the corner; yes, it was he himself, and as he +recognized her he waved his hand to her. Thank God, he was smiling! +That could not betoken any unhappy termination. + +She left the window, but did not dare to hasten to meet the Count. No +one must suspect anything unusual. Only when she heard his step in the +anteroom did she fling open the door and hurry towards him. "You come +yourself,--you bring me good news?" + +The question was uttered breathlessly, and Steinrück replied in a +soothing tone, "Certainly, my child; there is no cause for further +anxiety: the affair is arranged." + +Hertha drew a long breath of intense relief: "Thank God! I hardly dared +to hope." + +The general cast a searching glance at her pale, weary face; then, +taking her by the arm, he led her back into the room and closed the +door. "I certainly have had a hard time with the obstinate fellows," he +began. "Neither would yield, neither would make the slightest advance. +At last I had to exert all my authority to bring them to reason. +Nevertheless the affair was not so grave as you supposed; a couple of +thoughtless words of Raoul's, a sharp reply from Rodenberg,--it was +quite enough to send such a couple of Hotspurs to mortal combat. They +would fain have sprung at each other's throats there and then. +Fortunately, I heard of the matter in time to prevent mischief." + +He spoke in a half-jesting tone, but Hertha perceived that his smile, +as well as his gayety, was forced. She was not deceived: she knew the +gravity of what he seemed to esteem so lightly. + +"And they have given you a sleepless night, too; you show that," he +continued. "Our coy little betrothed repents her treatment of poor +Raoul yesterday, eh? Let it be a warning to you, Hertha. No man can +endure such treatment, even at the hands of the woman he loves the +best." + +"Least of all, perhaps, at her hands. But do you imagine that Raoul +really loves me?" + +The general was startled by the tone of bitterness in which she spoke. +"Has he not wooed and won you?" + +"According to a family arrangement, in compliance with your express +desire. I know the value of this love 'to order.'" + +"Surely this is nothing new to you," said Steinrück, gravely. "You knew +it all from the first. You both yielded to considerations deemed very +important by those of our rank. There is no great amount of romance +about such unions; but, so far as I know, you have never missed it. Why +should you suddenly adopt this bitter tone with regard to Raoul, who +might with justice accuse you in return?" + +The young Countess was silent; she had no answer for this question. + +"The old evil spirit is stirring again; it must be conjured and +banished," the general said, with a fleeting smile. "I have had to do +it once before, in the early days of my guardianship. Then I was +obliged to discipline a spoiled and idolized child, who had known no +will save her own. You rebelled passionately, and your mother shed +tears because I was so stern, and prevented her also from yielding. We +had a stormy scene, but when the child's passion was exhausted she +carne to me of her own accord, put her little arms around my neck, and +said---- Do you remember, Hertha?" + +She smiled, and, laying her head upon his shoulder, completed the +sentence: "'I love you dearly, Uncle Michael. Very dearly!'" + +He inclined his head and kissed her forehead. "Because I knew how to +control you. Ever since I have been secure of your affection; but Raoul +does not understand yet. I could wellnigh believe that the knight who +is the ideal of the dreams of this proud, wayward girl must have +something in him of the dragon-slayer, or he can never rule her." + +"He must be like you!" exclaimed Hertha, eagerly,--"like you, Uncle +Michael, with your iron force of character, your invincible will, even +your sternness. I could have fallen in love with you if I had known you +in your youth." + +Steinrück shook his head, smiling. "What! Flattering your old uncle? +But in truth your nature craves to be striven for, to be won by storm. +My child, fate seldom gives us our choice in these matters: we must +yield to destiny, as you are now learning. Believe me, in the eyes of a +hundred other women Raoul is the ideal of manliness and chivalry; since +I have learned that you love him in spite of his not being the hero of +your dreams, I am not disturbed. And, to be frank with you, Hertha, I +did not know this before yesterday. Until then I had grave doubts of +your sentiments, but the mortal anxiety that you betrayed last evening +when you entreated my interference, and the way in which you received +me this morning, have shown me how you trembled for Raoul." + +A crimson flush slowly mounted to the cheek of the girl, and she hung +her head without a word in reply. + +"Was it necessary that some danger should threaten your betrothed to +wring from you such an avowal?" the general went on, reproachfully. +"Hitherto you have played but a cold, formal part towards Raoul, and it +has estranged him from you. Only show him the trembling anxiety for his +life that you showed me, and you can do with him what you will; he will +be a willing captive." + +Hertha's blush deepened, and hurriedly, as if eager at all hazards to +change the subject, she said, "You really think all danger over?" + +"Yes; the insult as well as the challenge has been retracted in due +form. The quarrel is at an end." + +"But not the enmity! I could only give you a faint idea last evening of +what really passed between them. You do not know what words Raoul made +use of,--not concerning the captain himself, but concerning his +parents." + +"Ah, it was that, then!" muttered Steinrück. + +"Do you know anything about them?" the Countess asked, hastily. + +"I only know that there is not the slightest stain upon Rodenberg's +honour, and that suffices me. How did he receive Raoul's words?" + +"Like a wounded lion. He was absolutely terrible: if Raoul had said +another word I believe he would have struck him down." + +The general's attention was roused by the girl's passionate tone, and +he gazed at her with a dawning suspicion in his look, while Hertha, all +unconscious of his glance, went on, with flashing eyes and glowing +cheeks: "Rodenberg was indignant to the last degree; he silenced Raoul +with a look and a tone such as I have never seen and heard before, save +once; in you, Uncle Michael, that time at Berkheim, when they brought +before you the poacher who had shot our forester; it brought you +directly to my mind as you were then." + +Steinrück made no reply to these last remarks; he still gazed fixedly +at the young Countess, as if trying to decipher something in her +features. "Perhaps Raoul's words were not unfounded," he said at last, +very slowly. "Who can tell what he may know of Rodenberg's origin?" + +"He was all the more inexcusable for touching upon the matter," Hertha +persisted, with a vehemence of which she herself was unconscious. "You +yourself say that the captain's honour is stainless, and Raoul surely +knows it as well as you; and therefore he attacked the parents. It was +cowardly and malicious; it was base and----" + +"Hertha, you are speaking of your betrothed!" the general sternly +interrupted her. + +Hertha paused, and her colour faded. Steinrück laid his hand heavily +upon her own, and said in an undertone, but with severity, "For whose +life did you tremble? For whom were you anxious?" + +She was silent, although she knew but too well,--the sleepless hours of +the past night had revealed the truth to her,--but no sound escaped her +lips. The Count gazed steadily at her. "Hertha, I demand an answer. +Will you not, or can you not, give me one? Surely the betrothed of +Count Steinrück knows what she owes to him and to herself." + +"Yes, she knows well," said Hertha, gravely and firmly. "Have no fear; +I shall redeem my word." + +"I look for no less from you!" He clasped her hand tightly in his own +for a moment, then dropped it and arose. "What time is appointed for +your departure?" he asked, after a pause. + +"The beginning of next week." + +"That is well. I thought of persuading your mother to remain here; but +I now think you had best go as soon as possible. You need--change of +air. And one word more, Hertha. Could Raoul have seen and heard you +just now, when you spoke of his antagonist, he never would have receded +from the duel, and I could not have blamed him for refusing to do so. +Farewell!" + +He spoke coldly and sternly, leaving the room as proudly erect as ever; +but in the hall outside he stayed his steps for a moment and covered +his eyes with his hand. Was it tottering to its fall, the structure +that he had reared so proudly upon what he had deemed so sure a +foundation? + +'He must be like you, with your iron force of character, your +invincible will, even your sternness.' Those words had roused the +Count's suspicion. Yes, there was one who resembled him trait for +trait, and who could understand how to control the wayward child if he +were but allowed free play. This must be put a stop to at all hazards. +Hertha must go,--must be removed from so perilous a proximity. Her +whim--it could be nothing further--would change when deprived of the +object that had gratified it. It was not to be supposed serious in any +way. But it was hard for the general that the peril should come from +such a quarter, that it should be just this man that threatened +destruction to his plans. He could not have thought it possible. + +Upon this same forenoon Professor Wehlau was sitting at his +writing-table in his study, where, for a wonder, he was not at work, +but was poring over a newspaper which seemed to contain something that +annoyed him greatly; there was a black cloud upon his brow. + +The newspaper, the best and most brilliantly conducted in the capital, +did, in fact, contain a long article concerning 'Saint Michael,' the +first important work of a young artist, a pupil of Professor Walter, +which was to be publicly exhibited in a few days. The critic, who had +seen it on the easel, spoke of it with enthusiastic admiration, and did +not fail to inform the public that the picture was already sold. It was +destined for the pilgrimage church of Saint Michael, where it was to be +installed the ensuing week with due solemnity. This last announcement +was too much for the Professor's equanimity,--he fairly gnashed his +teeth. + +"Why, this is better and better!" he growled. "If they are already +beginning to turn the lad's head in this fashion, there will be no +doing anything with him. 'Magnificent composition, brilliant execution, +talent of the highest order justifying the most extravagant +expectations'! Oh, yes, here it comes again; I know the jargon! 'The +talented son of a distinguished father.' The deuce take these admirers, +and Hans too, and Michael into the bargain!" + +He threw the sheet aside and began to pace to and fro. Wehlau was one +of those who cannot endure to be in the wrong. He would rather have +maintained that white was black than have confessed that his eye, which +was wont to see so clearly in scientific affairs, had been utterly +deceived with regard to his own son. Hans was and must remain a +good-for-naught, who, since he had declined to become his father's +pupil and successor, was fit for no grave pursuit in life. He was +wedded to this opinion, and he clung to it with all the obstinacy of +his character. Had the article denounced his son as a dauber he would +have triumphed. But it called him a genius, and this he looked upon as +an insult, since it proved himself in the wrong. + +"Does the man hope to persuade me that the boy is good for something?" +he soliloquized, angrily. "I say it is false! The lad is a fool,--a +booby, who with his face and his amiability has bribed the critic as he +bribes everybody. _He_ do anything of any consequence! He'll not impose +upon me; I'll never set foot in his studio, nor look at one of his +pictures, although ten critics should praise them and twenty countesses +buy them!" + +He raised his hand as if to make a solemn vow, when suddenly the door +was opened, and the old gardener, who likewise did duty in the studio +as Hans's servant, of course without any permission from the Professor, +made his appearance. + +"What is the matter?" snarled Wehlau, in the worst of humours. "You +know, Anton, that I am not to be disturbed in my study. What do you +want?" + +"Excuse me, Herr Professor," said the old man in evident distress. "I +have just come from the studio,--from the young master." + +"That's no excuse; I'll have no such interruptions in future. Do you +hear?" + +"But, Herr Professor, the young master is so ill,--so very ill,--I +thought he would die in my arms!" + +"What!" Wehlau exclaimed. "What is the matter with my son?" + +"I do not know. I was working in the garden, when he opened the window +and called me, and when I went to him he was lying on the floor half +dead. He had been taken suddenly ill,--mortally ill, and had only +strength enough to say 'Call my father!' And I came running to find +you." + +"Good God! the boy has been in perfect health hitherto!" cried Wehlau, +hurrying out of the room. All his vexation and annoyance were +forgotten, as well as the vow he had made, as he ran through the garden +towards the studio, followed by Anton. + +Upon opening the door of the atelier he was shocked to find the +young artist lying back in an arm-chair with closed eyes; his +hand was pressed upon his heart, whence the breath came in short, +laboured gasps. His face could not be clearly seen, since the heavy +window-curtain was drawn closely, and there was but a dim light in +the part of the room where he lay. + +The Professor was at his son's side in an instant, bending over him. +"Hans, what is the matter with you? You cannot be ill? It is the only +folly in which you have not indulged hitherto, and I positively forbid +it. Speak to me, at least." + +Hans opened his eyes, and said, in a broken voice, "Is that you, papa? +Forgive me for sending for you. I thought----" + +"But what is the matter with you?" The Professor would have felt his +son's pulse, but the young man withdrew his hand, as if unconsciously, +to put it beneath his head. + +"I do not know. I suddenly grew fearfully dizzy; everything was dark +before my eyes; it was terrible." + +"It all comes from this confounded paint,--your cursed daubing," Wehlau +exclaimed, in despair. "Anton, open the window, let in the fresh air, +and bring some water instantly." + +He seized the left arm of the sick man, who tried to repeat the +man[oe]uvre previously executed by the right one. This time, however, +his father was too quick for him, and clasped the wrist firmly. "Why, +how is this? Your pulse is perfectly normal." There was suspicion in +his tone, and he turned hastily and dashed aside the window-curtain. +The daylight streamed into the room and showed the young man's face as +fresh and rosy in colour as ever. Its expression of suffering did not +for an instant deceive the experienced physician. + +"This is another of your infernal tricks," he burst forth. "Heaven have +mercy on you if you have played this farce with me just to get me +inside your studio." + +"But, at all events, here you are, papa," cried Hans, who, seeing that +any further attempt to feign illness would be useless, sprang to his +feet. "And you certainly will not go away without a glance at least at +my 'Saint Michael.' There it stands against the wall; you have only to +turn round." + +The entreaty sounded very fervent, but Wehlau marched straight towards +the door. "Do you suppose you can force me in this way? I shall have a +word to say to you hereafter about your base deceit. Now let me out." + +Instead of obeying, Hans closed the door in the face of old Anton, who +was bringing the water ordered by the Professor, and turned the key. +"No use to try to get out, papa. There is no help for you. This is my +kingdom; I have duly captured you, and shall not release you. Look at +the picture." + +This was more than the Professor could bear. The tempest that had been +gathering strength during the last few minutes broke forth with fury, +but it failed to affect Hans, who showed an amount of strategic +capacity that would have done honour to his friend Michael. He talked +fast and loud, edging his father, meanwhile, towards the opposite wall, +and, when he thought him near enough, he suddenly seized him by the +shoulders and turned him round. + +"Hans, I tell you if you dare to----" Wehlau suddenly paused, for +involuntarily he had glanced at the picture. He looked at it again, and +then slowly approached it. + +The young artist's eyes sparkled triumphantly. He was sure of his cause +now, but he stationed himself behind his father to cut off retreat, +which, however, the Professor had ceased to contemplate. He stood as if +spell-bound, staring at the picture. + +"It is my first work of any importance, papa," Hans began in his most +caressing voice. "I could not possibly send it out into the world +without showing it to you. You must not be vexed with me for the +stratagem I had to employ to get you here; it was the only way to +induce you to enter my studio." + +"Hold your tongue, and let me look at the thing in peace and quiet," +Wehlau growled, moving to get the best point of view. + +Thus several minutes passed, and then the Professor began to mutter to +himself in a way that sounded half angry, half approving. At last he +turned to his son and asked in a low tone, "And you mean to tell me +that you did this thing all yourself?" + +"Certainly, papa." + +"I don't believe it." + +"You will surely not refuse me credit for my own work? How do you like +it?" + +The Professor began to mutter again, but this time it sounded more +promising. "Hm! the thing is not so bad; there is force and life in it. +Where did you get the idea?" + +"Out of my head, papa." + +Wehlau looked from the picture to his son, in whose head he had +declared there was no room for anything save folly: the matter seemed +to him inconceivable. + +"Michael deserves the principal credit in the affair," the young artist +said, laughing. "He has been an incomparable model. Of course I had no +end of trouble in getting him into the right mood, but on one occasion +I succeeded in irritating him so that he burst into a furious passion, +and then I caught the expression and fixed it on the canvas. But you +don't tell me what you think of my daubing." + +The Professor's features twitched oddly; apparently he would fain +have scolded and fumed afresh, but it was impossible, and at +last he said, very gently, "But in future you will paint no more +altar-pieces,--promise me that." + +"No, papa; my next picture will portray natural science in the person +of 'our distinguished investigator.' When will you sit to me?" + +"Let me alone!" + +"That is only half a promise, and I want a whole one. Shall we begin +to-morrow?" + +"Deuce take it! yes,--since there's no help for it." + +"Victory!" shouted Hans, throwing his arms around his father, who no +longer resisted; on the contrary, he clasped his son close, and looking +into the young man's sunny blue eyes, he said, in a burst of +tenderness, "You'll never make a scholar, my boy, of that I am now +convinced, but, nevertheless, you may be good for something after all!" + + + * * * * * + + +At Saint Michael preparations were making for the festival of the +saint; a very great occasion this year, since the new altar-picture was +to be consecrated in its place with all due solemnity. The pilgrimage +church was in festal array, and the Alpine hamlet, usually so quiet, +was filled with the bustle of joyous excitement; preparations were +making to receive the thousands of pilgrims who would arrive on the +morrow from all parts of the mountains to pay their devotions in the +sanctuary of the archangel: all was not yet ready, and it was the eve +of the holiday. + +On this afternoon the pastor had been as much pleased as surprised by +the sudden and unexpected appearance of his former pupil, Captain +Rodenberg. There was something pathetic in the old priest's delight. +"Such a surprise!" he said, detaining the young man's hand in his +clasp. "The last thing that I dreamed of was seeing you just at this +time." + +"I have only a single day at my disposal," replied Michael. "I must be +in M---- the day after tomorrow again to join Colonel Fernau, whom I +accompanied thither. I managed to get a three days' leave, and I made +this little excursion to see your reverence." + +Valentin smiled and shook his head. "Do you call it a little excursion? +Why, it is almost a day's journey from here to M----; you have to drive +alone through the mountains for five hours. But I am glad you think +your old teacher worth the trouble; I shall at least have you on St. +Michael's day; my faint hope that Hans might come has been +disappointed." + +"He wished to come, but he thought he owed it to his father to stay +away. The Professor takes it to heart that the name of Hans Wehlau +should be in such close connection with a festival of the church. You +know----" + +"Yes, I am perfectly aware of my brother's attitude with regard to the +church," said Valentin, with a half-smothered sigh. "I made an abject +apology to Hans when his 'Saint Michael' arrived, for I had never given +our madcap credit for the earnestness and depth of character shown in +this work of his." + +"You all did him injustice; his own father especially underrated him," +Michael warmly declared. "I alone, seeing the picture from the first +sketch, was aware of what it promised. Hans has had a great triumph +during its exhibition. It was instantly appreciated by the public, and +elicited a burst of admiration; the critics praised it with rare +unanimity, and everything has been done to spoil the artist with +flattery. Fortunately, he is one of those who cannot be spoiled. Is the +picture in its place yet?" + +"It has been hung since the day before yesterday,--a costly and +beautiful gift from the Countess to our church. She meant to be present +at its consecration, and came from Berkheim to Castle Steinrück for the +purpose." + +"She will be here to-morrow, then?" Michael asked. + +"No; unfortunately, she has been taken ill; she caught cold on the +journey, and is seriously indisposed, so she sent me----" + +Here they were interrupted by the sacristan, very hurried, very +worried, with a number of questions to ask and communications to make +with regard to the festival. His reverence had to arrange, decide, and +oversee; there was a deal to be done. + +"I think I ought not to monopolize you any longer," said Rodenberg. +"The Herr Pastor appears to be in constant requisition. I will go up to +the church for a while, to see how Saint Michael looks in his present +surroundings. We shall have some quiet hours together this evening." + +"I am afraid that can hardly be. You do not yet know,--I was just going +to tell you, but----" + +His reverence did not finish his sentence, for old Katrin came in at +that moment with her arms filled with evergreens and garlands, and +wanted to know where they were to be put, and the sacristan too stood +waiting. Valentin was at his wits' end. + +Michael left him and took the familiar road to the pilgrimage church. +It was early in May, and the mountains were beginning to show the +presence of spring, always so late to arrive among them. + +The Eagle ridge was still girdled with ice, in dazzling crystal +splendour, but the brooks from the glaciers, their chains broken by the +sun, were dashing foaming down to the valleys, and the dark hemlock +forest nestling against the rocky wall had already shaken the burden of +snow from its boughs. From the alps and meadows surrounding Saint +Michael the snow had also disappeared; they were laughing in fresh +sunny green, while through them here and there trickled tiny rivulets +from the heights; it was as if the whole mountain world had awaked to +life. Still, however, above the heights and depths, above forest and +meadow, the wild spring blasts were careering, sounding their note of +promise and of victory. + +Michael entered the church, quite empty at this hour of the afternoon, +but having donned its modest festal garment. Here upon these lonely +heights there were no fragrant blossoms of the spring,--column and +portal were wreathed about with dark evergreen, and little nosegays of +Alpine flowers were the sole decoration of the altar. There was, +nevertheless, a breath of spring in the solemnity reigning in the +quiet, spacious structure, now filled with the golden light of the +declining sun. The church might wear a more festal aspect when thronged +with a devout crowd, but it was much more beautiful in the profound +consecrated repose in which it awaited its festival, still untouched, +as it were, by all the aspirations, prayers, and laments which would +arise from within its walls on the morrow. No inharmonious sound +disturbed its quiet; even the roaring of the wind outside, dying away +in long-drawn notes, sounded like the tones of a distant organ. + +Saint Michael was enthroned above the high altar; not the dim picture +of the saint which time had half destroyed, and which had been but the +crude outcome of mediæval piety,--that had been respectfully +transferred to the church vestibule,--but the work of the young artist +who was making a name and fame for himself. Michael had been familiar +with it from its first conception, he had seen it repeatedly; but it +had been for him, as for the public, and even for the painter himself, +only a picture, a scene of conflict, accidentally illustrating a legend +of the church. He was surprised to the last degree by the impression +produced by the picture in its present place. In the twilight of the +chancel, between the tall Gothic windows with their glowing colours, it +took on quite another appearance; it seemed freed from all earthly +taint, the embodiment of the ancient sacred legend, repeated in all +religions and among all races of mankind, of the victory of light over +darkness. + +Rodenberg slowly approached the high altar, and as he did so he became +aware of a kneeling female figure, hitherto concealed by a column from +his observation. It was no peasant: a gown of dark silk fell in folds +upon the ground, and beneath the veil of black lace that had been +thrown over the head there was a gleam as of red gold which Michael +knew only too well. He paused as if stayed by a spell. Was this a freak +of his fancy which was always bringing up before him the same image? +Just then the lady, roused by the sound of his footstep, turned her +head; an exclamation of surprise that was almost terror escaped her +lips. Those were Hertha's eyes gazing at him. + +It was surely a fate that had brought these two together for the second +time in a lonely Alpine village, at an hour when each had believed the +other miles away,--at least thus this unexpected meeting seemed to +them. Both so lost their self-possession that neither observed the +other's embarrassment; there was a pause, which Michael was the first +to break. "I am sorry to have disturbed you, Countess Steinrück; I +thought the church was empty, and did not perceive you until this +moment." + +Hertha slowly arose from her knees, conscious that her exclamation, her +apparent dismay, called for some explanation. She had been lost in +contemplation of the picture; she could not have told how long she had +been gazing at Saint Michael, when suddenly he whom the saint suggested +stood before her. There was a tremor in her voice as she rejoined, "I +was, indeed, surprised. His reverence had not told me that you also +were to be his guest." + +"I arrived unexpectedly only half an hour ago, and had not heard of +your being here, having been told only that you, with the Countess your +mother, were at Steinrück." + +"We both meant to come to Saint Michael," said Hertha, who by this time +had regained her self-possession, "but my mother was taken ill,--not +seriously, however,--yet I came with some anxiety. It was her express +wish that at least one member of our family should be present at the +festival and at the consecration of her gift, and so I yielded to her +desire." + +Michael uttered a few words of condolence and sympathy, mere phrases, +which fell mechanically from his lips and were scarcely heeded. He did +not look at Hertha as he spoke, and she avoided glancing at him. +Instinctively their looks refused to encounter each other; they dwelt +upon the picture, now fully illumined by the setting sun, which, +streaming through the side windows into the nave of the church, cast a +broad band of golden light upon the high altar. + +The picture had none of the traditional setting of its predecessor: no +circle of angelic heads looked down from above; no flames flickered up +from the abyss; the two life-size figures were alone within the frame, +each powerful and effective in its way. Above them arched the clear +shining heavens; beneath them yawned a rocky gulf, the abode of eternal +night. + +Dashed from on high, on the very edge of the abyss, Satan was writhing +upwards with the last desperate effort of a conquered foe not in the +guise of the horned dragon-like monster of the legend, but in a human +form of strange demoniac beauty, with dark wings like those of a bird +of night. The face expressed agony, rage, and at the same time horror +of the power that had hurled him to destruction; while in the upturned +eyes there was the hopeless despair of a lost soul conscious of the +light that had been radiant about it, but to be henceforth quenched in +eternal night. It was Lucifer, once the Son of the Morning, and now +showing in his ruin a gleam of his former splendour. + +Above him, in the clear heavens, Saint Michael, in glittering mail, was +sustained by two mighty wings, like those of an eagle, and like an +eagle he was swooping down upon the foe. In his right hand flashed the +sword of flame, and flame also flashed from his large blue eyes, while +his hair, loosened by his impetuous flight, waved above his brow. His +look, his bearing, bore witness to the battle that had been fought, and +yet the entire figure of the archangel was as if bathed in the halo of +glory that beamed about the strong, victorious champion of light. + +"The picture produces a totally different effect in these +surroundings," said Hertha, her gaze still fixed upon it. "Much more +solemn, and much more powerful! The archangel has something terrible in +his aspect; one can almost feel the fiery breath of annihilation +proceeding from him. I am only afraid that the peasants will not +comprehend this conception; they may perhaps regret the solemn +indifference of the old picture." + +"Ah, you do not know our mountaineers," rejoined Rodenberg. "This is +just the picture that they will comprehend, as they could no other, for +this is their Saint Michael, who sweeps in wind and storm above their +mountains and valleys, and whose lightnings flash destruction. This is +not the heavenly champion of the ecclesiastical legend, but the +archangel of the popular faith in his original form. You thought me +heretical once because I saw in the story the old Pagan worship of +light and the ancient German god of thunder. You see now that my +friend's conception coincided with my own: he has given something of +the aspect of Wotan to his saint." + +"And Professor Wehlau inoculated you both with these ideas," Hertha +interposed, reproachfully. "He cannot endure the thought that his son +has painted a genuinely sacred picture; something Pagan and old German +must be discovered in it. As if the people would see in Saint Michael +only the avenger! Tomorrow, on the anniversary of his appearance, he +will be in their minds all beneficence, as he sweeps down from the +Eagle ridge; his sword of flame only ploughs the soil, and the sparks +of light that stream from it bestow the vigour and life of spring upon +the earth. I have been hearing the beautiful legend again today." + +"Well, this year he seems to have determined to descend in storm," said +Michael. "The wind is rising on the heights, and in all probability the +Eagle ridge will send down to us in the night one of those spring +storms which are dreaded in all the country round. I know the signs." + +As if in confirmation of his words, the wind outside grew louder and +fiercer. It sounded no longer like the tone of an organ, but like the +dull roar of distant breakers, now rising, now falling. The sun sank, +attended by a few light clouds, in a sea of flame, the splendour of +which filled the entire church. The faded old pictures on the walls, +the statues of saints on pillar and column, the crosses and church +banners, all looked instinct with a strange, ghostly life in the red +light. The carved angels upon the altar steps seemed to stir their +wings gently, and the broad band of gold which streamed across the +picture turned to crimson and grew deeper as it mounted higher. +Gradually the rocky abyss and Lucifer faded into shadow and darkness, +while Saint Michael's mighty form, with its eagle-wings, was still +surrounded by a halo of light. + +There was a long silence. Hertha broke it, and there was an uncertain +sound, a hesitation in her voice as she began: "Captain Rodenberg, I +have a request to make of you." + +He looked at her. "I am at your service." + +"I should like to know the truth with regard to a certain affair,--the +entire, unvarnished truth. May I learn it from you?" + +"If it be in my power----" + +"Most certainly, your consent is all that is needed. My uncle Steinrück +has told me that the matter in which I entreated his interference is +entirely arranged; of course I do not doubt his words, but nevertheless +I fear----" She paused. + +"You fear?" + +"That the reconciliation is only momentary and apparent. You could not, +perhaps, refuse your general the obedience he required of you, any more +than Raoul could refuse it to his grandfather, and when you next meet +the quarrel may be renewed." + +"Not by me," said Michael. "Since Count Steinrück retracted, in the +general's presence, his offensive words, I am entirely satisfied." + +"Raoul? Did he really do that?" exclaimed Hertha, half incredulously, +half indignantly. + +"Under any other circumstances no reconciliation would have been +possible. The Count, in fact, submitted to his grandfather's authority, +when the general expressly required him to retract his words." + +"Raoul submitted thus? Impossible!" + +"You do not question the truth of what I say?" + +"No, Captain Rodenberg, no; but I am more and more convinced that there +is something concealed from me at the root of this matter. Very strange +expressions were made use of during that scene at Colonel Reval's, and +yet you are a stranger to our family, are you not?" + +"I am," replied Michael, with cold emphasis. + +"There was an allusion to associations which you, as well as Raoul, +seemed to repudiate. What associations were those?" + +"Do you not think that the general or Count Raoul could answer you +better than I?" + +Hertha shook her head. "They could or would tell me nothing. I have +asked them. I hope to hear the truth at last from you." + +"And I must beg you to excuse me. An explanation would only be painful, +and to what it might lead you are aware." + +"I heard only the beginning of the conversation," said the young +Countess, divining that here a point was touched that were best +avoided. "It was enough to cause me to fear the issue; but indeed +I----" + +"Do not trouble yourself to spare me," Rodenberg interposed, with +intense bitterness. "I know you heard the entire conversation, and the +word can scarcely have escaped you with which Count Steinrück--insulted +my father's memory." + +Hertha was silent for a moment, and then said, in a low voice, "Yes, I +heard it, but I knew that it was a mistake. Raoul, too, sees the error +now, and therefore retracted his words. Is this not so?" + +Michael's lips quivered; he saw that the young Countess had not the +slightest suspicion of his relations to her family, or of the tragedy +that had been enacted in it, and it was not for him to explain it to +her; but neither would he listen any longer to that voice so filled +with tender sympathy; its tones were more potent to enthrall than ever +were the songs of the sirens of old. He knew, indeed, that his next +word would open a gulf between them that never could be bridged over. +So much the better. It could not be helped, if he would retain his +self-control, and in the hardest tone he could command he replied, +"No!" + +"No?" repeated Hertha, recoiling a step in dismay. + +"It startles you, Countess Steinrück, does it not? But it must be said, +nevertheless. I can defend my own honour against all attack, by +whomsoever made. Against an assault upon my father I am powerless. I +can strike the insulter down. I cannot give him the lie." + +His voice was calm, although monotonous, but Hertha saw and felt how +the man's entire nature was writhing beneath the wound which he thus +ruthlessly tore open before her. She could best appreciate his +pride,--pride that refused to bow even where he loved. She could +estimate what this confession cost him, and, forgetting all else, +yielding to the impulse of the moment, she exclaimed, "Good God! How +terribly you must have suffered!" + +Michael started and gazed at her inquiringly. It was the first time +that he had heard her speak in this tone which came from her very soul, +and vibrated with passionate sympathy, as if she felt his torture in +every fibre of her frame. It was like the first glimmer of a bliss of +which he had indeed sometimes dreamed, but from which he had turned +with all the pride of a man resolved never to be the sport of a +caprice. What he now saw and heard was no sport; it was an outburst of +entire self-forgetfulness, of reckless frankness. + +"Can you thus understand and feel for me?" he asked, and his heart beat +high. "You, born and bred upon sunny heights of existence, with never a +glimpse of the dark depths of human misery? Yes, I have suffered +terribly, and I still suffer, when forced to connect the idea of +disgrace with what should be sacred and dear to me--my father's +memory." + +Hertha stopped close to his side, and her voice fell on his ear soft +and tender as a soothing touch upon a painful wound. "If you could not +love your father, you had a mother,--her memory at least is stainless." + +"Her memory! Yes. But she was a wretched woman, who had given up home +and family to follow the man whom she loved, and by whom she believed +herself beloved. She paid for her delusion with the misery of a +lifetime, and it killed her." + +"And her family knew this and permitted her thus to die?" + +"Why not? It had been her free choice, She only expiated her fault. Can +you not understand this, Countess Steinrück?" + +The words were as bitter as ever. Hertha slowly raised her eyes to +his,--there was nothing in them of the keen brilliancy that sometimes +made their expression half demonic; their light now shone through +tears. + +"No, but I can understand how she could follow the man whom she loved, +and could believe in him in spite of all the world, although her path +lay through darkness and disgrace, and even led to ruin. I could have +done this too." + +"Hertha, what words are these from you to me?" Michael burst forth +passionately, seizing her hand before she was aware and pressing it +eagerly to his lips. This recalled the young Countess to herself, and +she hastily tried to withdraw her hand. + +"Captain Rodenberg, for the love of heaven! you forget----" + +"What?" he asked, clasping her hand still more firmly. + +"That I am Raoul's betrothed." + +"Only his betrothed, not his wife! The tie may yet be severed. Give me +the right to do so and I will break----" + +"No, Michael, never! It is too late. I am bound." + +"You are free if you will only say the word, but you will not say it." + +"I cannot!" + +"Is that your final decision?" + +"It is." + +Michael dropped her hand and retreated. + +"Then I can only pray your forgiveness for my temerity." + +Hertha saw how profound was his emotion. She was now expiating the +early frivolity of her conduct towards him. He had no faith in her. The +old evil spirit, the old suspicion was stirring within him again, +whispering to him that her courage was that of words, not of deeds, and +that she surely must prefer an alliance with a count's coronet to the +love of the son of an adventurer. One word from her lips would convince +him of his error, but before the young Countess there arose at this +moment the stern dark face of the old general. She felt the iron clasp +of his hand, she heard his words: 'Surely the betrothed of Count +Steinrück knows what she owes to him and to herself!' The remembrance +admonished her imperiously of the sacredness of her promise. A woman +could not a few weeks before marriage sever an alliance into which she +had entered voluntarily, because she had changed her mind. Hertha hung +her head and was silent. + +Meanwhile the sun had set, and with it had departed the golden glory in +which the interior of the church had been bathed. Pictures and statues +were cold and lifeless again, and gray twilight shadows were softly +descending over all. The bright figure of the archangel alone could be +discerned in the recess behind the altar. But the wind that roared +about the walls outside had found an entrance somewhere: it wailed ill +long-drawn notes through the vaulted arches, to die away whispering +like spirit-tones. + +Hertha shuddered involuntarily at the strange moaning sound, and then +turned to go. Michael followed her, but at some slight distance, and +neither spoke. They came out into the vestibule of the church, where +they were met by the pastor looking much distressed. "I was in search +of you, Countess Hertha," said he, out of breath with his hurried walk. +"Here you are too, Michael. A messenger has arrived from Castle +Steinrück----" + +"From the castle?" Hertha interposed. "I trust my mother is no worse?" + +"The Countess's illness seems to have become graver, and Fräulein von +Eberstein wished you to know it; here is a letter for you." + +Hertha opened the letter hurriedly and glanced through it. Valentin saw +her grow pale. + +"I must go; there is not a moment to be lost. I entreat your reverence +to have the wagon made ready immediately." + +"Do you wish to go now?" Valentin asked in dismay. "It is growing dark; +the night will have fallen absolutely in half an hour, and there is a +storm brewing. You cannot possibly take that long mountain drive in the +night." + +"I must! Gerlinda would not write as she does if my mother were not +dangerously ill." + +"But you yourself run a great risk in persisting in going. What do you +think, Michael?" + +"It will be a stormy night," said Michael, advancing. "_Must_ you go, +Countess Steinrück?" + +For answer she handed to him and to the pastor the letter she had +received. It consisted of a few hasty lines: "My godmother has suddenly +grown worse; she is asking for you, and I am terribly anxious. The +physician talks of a severe, perhaps dangerous attack. Come +immediately! GERLINDA." + +"You see I have no choice," the young Countess said in a trembling +voice. "If I start immediately I can reach the castle before midnight. +I must go, your reverence." + +During the last few moments they had been walking towards the village. +Hertha and the priest had some trouble in making their way against the +wind. Valentin made one more attempt to persuade her to wait at least +until daybreak before setting forth, but in vain. + +At the parsonage they questioned the servant from the castle, who had +ridden over on horseback, but he could give his young mistress no +consoling tidings. The Frau Countess was certainly very ill; the Herr +Doctor had looked very grave, and had bidden him make all the haste he +could. + +Michael had taken no part in the priest's remonstrances, but now he +stepped to Hertha's side and asked, in a low voice, "May I go with +you?" + +"No!" was the reply, in a voice as low, but none the less decided. He +retired with a frown. + +Ten minutes later Hertha was seated in the little mountain wagon which +her mother always used when she came to Saint Michael, and in which she +herself had arrived at the parsonage. The coachman was skilful, and the +servant who had accompanied her was mounted upon a stout mountain pony, +as was also the messenger from the castle. Nevertheless the old priest +stood with anxious looks beside the vehicle from which the young +Countess held out her hand to him to bid him farewell. Then the +beautiful face, now very pale, turned towards the door of the +parsonage, where Michael was standing. Their glances met once more; +there was in them a last farewell! + +"God grant the storm do not increase during the night!" said Valentin, +sighing, as the wagon drove off. "Those servants would all lose their +heads in any actual peril. I hoped you would offer to accompany the +Countess, Michael." + +"I did so, but my offer was rejected in the most decided manner, and of +course I could not persist." + +The pastor shook his gray head disapprovingly. "How can you be +sensitive and irritable at such a time? You could not but see how +agitated the poor girl was; but in all matters where the Steinrücks are +concerned your sense of justice is dulled. I have long seen that." + +Michael made no reply to this reproach; his gaze followed the wagon, +which soon disappeared in a bend of the road, and then he looked across +to the Eagle ridge, which towered white and ghostly in the gathering +darkness. It was still distinct, but the clouds were beginning to +gather about its summits,--storm-clouds that loomed up slowly and +threateningly. + +When Valentin and his guest were once more seated in the priest's +modest apartment, although they had not met since autumn, and each had +much to hear and to tell, there was no ready flow of conversation. +Michael especially was uncommonly absent and monosyllabic; he seemed +scarcely to hear some of the priest's questions, and his answers to +others were quite irrelevant. The pastor perceived with surprise that +his thoughts were preoccupied. + +The light had quite faded, and old Katrin had just set the lamp upon +the table, when there was a knock at the door, and an elderly man in a +hunting costume entered the room, baring his head as he advanced to the +pastor. + +"God bless your reverence, here I am in Saint Michael once more! Do you +remember me? It must be ten years since I left the forest lodge." + +"Wolfram, is it you?" exclaimed Valentin, much surprised. "Whence do +you come?" + +"From Tannberg. I had to go to the sessions there on account of a small +property left me by an old cousin, and as to-morrow is Saint Michael's +day, I thought I would take a look at my old home and see after your +reverence. I got here half an hour ago and went to the inn, but I +thought I'd look in on your reverence this evening." + +The priest glanced with a degree of embarrassment at Michael. This +unexpected arrival must be far from agreeable for the young officer, +for if Wolfram did not recognize him at first, he certainly would do so +shortly. + +"You are right not to forget me or your old home," said he, with some +hesitation. "I am not alone, as you see. I have a guest----" + +"So I heard,--an officer," the forester interposed, standing erect and +saluting in true military fashion. "I heard it at the inn,--a son of +your reverence's brother in Berlin." + +Michael had recognized his former foster-father at the first glance. +The powerful, thick-set figure was unchanged, as were the hard +features, and the hair and beard, now grizzled, were as neglected as +formerly. The man was as rude and rough as ever. At sight of him +Rodenberg was for a moment filled with bitterness at the thought that +under such brutal guardianship his boyhood and the first years of his +youth had been wasted. True, his sense of justice told him that the +forester had acted according to his light, but, nevertheless, he could +not bring himself to accost him with the old familiarity. There could +not but be a certain condescension in his manner as he offered his hand +to the new-comer. "The officer is not quite a stranger to you, +forester," he said, quietly. "I think we have seen each other before." + +Wolfram started at sound of the voice, and scanned the speaker from +head to foot, then shook his head. "I have not the honour, so far as I +know, Herr Captain. I seem to know the voice, and there is something in +the face--what is it? I believe, your reverence, that the gentleman is +like that queer fellow Michael who ran away." + +"And of whom you seem to have but a poor opinion." + +"You're right there!" said the forester, after his blunt fashion. "I +had trouble and worry enough with the young rascal. He was as strong as +a bear, but so stupid that no one could do anything with him; he did +not understand anything, and at last he got me into disgrace with the +Herr Count. I was glad to be rid of him when he ran away; he must have +gone to ruin somewhere, for he was good for nothing." + +Michael smiled slightly at this rather unflattering sketch of +character, but the priest said, gravely,-- + +"You are greatly mistaken, Wolfram; you always were mistaken with +regard to your foster-son. Look more closely at my guest,--he is +Captain Michael Rodenberg." + +Wolfram started and stared speechless at Michael as if he had seen a +ghost. "The Herr Captain--he--Michael?" he stammered at last. + +"Who did not quite go to ruin," said Michael. "You see he managed to +get a captaincy." + +The forester still stood as if thunderstruck, trying in vain to grasp +the incredible fact. He looked up in helpless bewilderment at Michael, +now a head taller than his former foster-father, and scarcely ventured +to take the young man's offered band. He stammered a few words, half in +salutation, half in excuse, but he evidently found it impossible to +comprehend the situation. + +Valentin benevolently came to his relief with a few questions as to his +welfare during the last ten years, but it was some minutes before the +forester could collect himself sufficiently to reply, and even then his +answers were rather incoherent. There was not much to tell; his present +situation on the young Countess's estates brought him a better salary +than his former one, but he lived as before in the forest, with no +associates save his underlings, rarely saw anything of the world, and +seemed to lead the same half-savage life as formerly at the forest +lodge. He saw the general frequently, for the Count was very +conscientious in the discharge of his duties as guardian, and himself +inspected his ward's estates, but he had seen his young mistress to-day +for the first time for ten years; he had met her on his way to the +village, as she was returning to the castle. + +This was told in a broken, disconnected fashion, the speaker's eyes +being all the while riveted persistently upon Michael. If the captain +took any part in the conversation the forester was mute; his shyness +seemed to increase rather than to diminish; his wonted self-assertion +had vanished. Michael, moreover, was as taciturn and absent-minded as +he had previously been in talking with the priest; even this unexpected +meeting could not keep his thoughts from incessantly following the +little mountain wagon, which had now probably accomplished a third of +its journey, and he suddenly left the room to see if the moon, which +had just risen, were shining brightly enough for the mountain drive. + +Wolfram looked after him, and then said to the priest in a +strangely--subdued tone, "Is it really true, your reverence? Is that +really and truly Michael,--our Michael?" + +Valentin could not forbear smiling, as he replied, "I should think you +could see that for yourself." + +"Yes, I do see it, but I can't believe it," the man declared. "_That_ +the boy to whom I have given many a blow for his stupidity and +obstinacy? The innkeeper said the captain was so wonderfully clever +that they had put him on the general's staff, and in the last war he +fought furiously, and made short work with the enemy. And now he's a +captain, just like my Herr Count when I entered his service forty years +ago, and some day he may be a general like his Excellency." + +"It is quite possible. But did not the innkeeper mention his name when +he told you all this?" + +"No; he called him only 'the captain.' Oh, he has a great respect for +him. Well, so far as I can see, there's no being very familiar with +Herr Michael now. He is friendly enough, but there is a kind of way +about him that makes you keep your distance. He calls me Herr Forester; +I suppose I must call him Herr Captain." + +"You certainly must conform yourself to altered circumstances," said +the priest, gravely. "And one thing more, Wolfram. It is not necessary +that you should tell the innkeeper and your other acquaintances that +Captain Rodenberg is your former foster-son. He had very little +intercourse with the villagers in old times, and is so much altered +that no one recognized him when he returned here an officer. I know +that Count Steinrück enjoined silence upon you with regard to your +foster-son, and you were silent. You would oblige Michael and myself if +you would pursue the same course now." + +"I never was a tattler, as your reverence knows," rejoined Wolfram. "I +shouldn't gain much by my former prophecies about Michael; the people +would be sure to tease me with them, and I must go home the day after +to-morrow; I don't want anybody here to get wind of the matter until +after I have gone." + +Michael's return put a stop to the conversation. Immediately afterwards +the forester took his leave and returned to the little village inn, +which stood at a considerable distance from the parsonage. Meanwhile +the night had set in, and St. Michael soon lay buried in slumber. + + + * * * * * + + +The signs in the heavens, which had been so evident to a practised eye, +had not prophesied falsely. Towards midnight the storm burst with a +savage fury rarely equalled even in these mountains. The little Alpine +hamlet was sufficiently familiar with the storms of autumn and of +spring, and its inhabitants were wont to sleep calmly and quietly while +the wind raged above the low stone-laden roofs and rattled at the doors +and windows. But to-night the uproar was so terrible that it roused +them from their repose. They crossed themselves and lay awake +listening; it seemed as if Saint Michael were to be swept off the face +of the earth. + +There was a gleam of light in the parsonage. The priest had risen, and +was standing at the window, entirely dressed, when he heard Michael's +step upon the stairs. + +"I saw a light in your room, and so came down," the captain said as he +entered. "The storm has roused you from your bed. I thought it would do +so." + +"And you have not been in bed at all," rejoined Valentin. "At least I +have heard your step continually above my head. You must have paced +your room for hours." + +"I could not sleep, and I forgot that I should disturb you." + +"Not at all; my sleep was broken with anxiety about the Countess Hertha +and her mountain drive. Thank God, the storm did not come until near +midnight! She must have reached the castle by eleven." + +"Are you perfectly sure of that?" asked Michael, eagerly. + +"Yes; the drive down could not, even with extreme caution, take more +than three hours, and for that length of time the sky was tolerably +clear; moreover, the moon is at the full. What I feared was that the +storm would overtake the Countess on the way. Once in the valley she +was out of danger." + +"If she arrived there. But how can we be sure of it?" murmured Michael. +He could not but admit that the priest was right; in all probability +Hertha had long since been safe in the castle; but the restless anxiety +which had robbed him of sleep would not leave him; it possessed him +with a vague dread, a foreboding of evil. + +He, too, had gone to the window, and both men stood looking out +silently into the storm and night, illuminated by a gray light from the +moon, which behind its veil of clouds shone brightly enough to reveal +objects at some distance. Suddenly the dim figure of a man appeared, +seeming to come directly from the village, and making his way with +sturdy steps in the teeth of the wind towards the parsonage. Michael's +keen eye first detected him; he pointed him out to the priest, who +shook his head, surprised. "In such weather! Some one must be +desperately ill and requiring the sacrament, but I know of no one in +the village who is ailing. The man is certainly coming here. I must go +and let him in." + +He went to open the door himself, and immediately afterwards Wolfram's +voice was heard. "It is I, your reverence. I come like a ghost in the +night, but it can't be helped. If you had been asleep I should have had +to knock you up." + +"What is the matter? What brings you here?" Valentin asked, anxiously, +as he conducted his visitor into the room. + +"No good, your reverence. First let me get my breath. That cursed +wind,--it nearly knocked me down! I come about the young Countess----" + +"Countess Steinrück? Where is she?" Michael hastily interrupted him. + +"Heaven only knows! She has not returned to the parsonage?" + +"Good God, no!" exclaimed Valentin. "The Countess set out for the +castle." + +"Yes, but she had to turn back. That confounded horse shied at a +mountain brook! I should like to wring the brute's neck! And the +coachman, instead of holding on to the reins, was tossed off the box, +and there he lies with a hole an inch deep in his head. The servant got +him back with difficulty to the inn, and the young Countess was lost on +the way back. Not a soul knows where she is,--and in such a night, when +all the fiends are abroad!" + +He paused to take breath. Michael had grown very pale. Confused and +vague as was the man's tale, he saw that his forebodings were +justified. + +"Was the Countess uninjured. Where did the accident happen? At what +time? Answer! answer!" + +He assailed the forester so peremptorily with his questions that +Valentin, in spite of his anxiety, gazed at him in amazement. Wolfram +did his best to tell his story more connectedly, and was partly +successful, but his tidings were not more consoling. "At first all went +well. The road was perfectly clear in the moonlight, and they drove on +tolerably fast. Then the brute, the horse, suddenly shied at a brook +that tumbled swollen down the mountain, rushed into the stones by the +wayside, fell, and pulled over the carriage with him." + +"And the Countess was not injured?" The question was as eager as the +foregoing ones. + +"No, she was on her feet in an instant, but the coachman lay bleeding +on the ground, and the wagon had lost a wheel. Of course the men lost +their heads,--that kind of folk never have any sense outside the walls +of their castle. The young Countess seems to have been the only one to +have her wits about her, and she brought the others to order. She could +not go on with the broken wagon; there was nothing for it but to +return. The coachman, who could not walk, was put into the wagon among +the cushions, and one of the servants with the shying horse stayed with +him, while the Countess and the other servant mounted the other horses +and set out to go back to Saint Michael, promising to send help. +Nothing has been seen or heard of her since." + +"At what time did this happen?" Michael interrupted him. + +"At about nine o'clock." + +"Then she ought to have been here by ten, and it is now one hour past +midnight!" + +He uttered the words in a tone of such anguish that the priest again +cast at him a look half inquiry, half dismay. But Michael had eyes and +ears only for the forester and his tidings, and he urged him +impatiently, "Go on! go on!" + +"There's not much more to say," Wolfram declared. "The two men waited +for help for two hours, and when it did not come, and the weather grew +more threatening, they had the sense to set out by themselves. The +coachman had somewhat recovered, and was put upon the horse, which the +other man led by the bridle, and so at last they reached the inn, but +could go no farther, for the storm was too furious; they were perfectly +sure that the Countess was at the parsonage. But she never got back to +the village; she would have had to pass the inn, and no one had seen +her. The servant is crying like an old woman about his young mistress, +but he could not be prevailed upon to go to the parsonage through the +storm. So I came,--and there your reverence has the whole story. What +is to be done?" + +"There has been an accident!" exclaimed the priest, his anxiety +increasing with every moment. "I feared it when this wretched mountain +journey was undertaken. They have fallen down some roadside precipice." + +"They are more likely to have lost their way," said Michael, his voice +faltering in spite of his effort to steady it. "Did the two servants +who returned find no trace of the others?" + +"No, not the least." + +"Then there can have been no plunge down a precipice; two persons, and +two horses, could not disappear from a tolerably safe road without a +trace left behind. They have lost their way." + +"But that is impossible,--there is no other road," said the priest. + +"Yes, one, your reverence, near Almenbach, where the path winds upward +to the mountain chapel. The roads are very similar, moonlight is +illusive, and if the Countess did not soon find out her mistake, she +must have got among the clefts of the Eagle ridge!" + +"God protect us!" exclaimed the priest. "That would be almost as bad as +a plunge down a precipice!" + +Michael bit his lip; he knew that this was no exaggeration; from his +boyhood he had been familiar with the clefts and abysses of the Eagle +ridge. + +"It is the only imaginable possibility," he rejoined. "At all events, +there is not a moment to be wasted; hours have been lost already. We +must set out immediately." + +"Now? In such a night?" asked Wolfram, staring at the captain as if he +thought him insane, while Valentin exclaimed,-- + +"What are you thinking of, Michael? You do not mean----?" + +"To go in search of the Countess. Of course. Do you suppose I could +stay quietly here while she is exposed to all the horrors of this +night?" + +"You ought to wait, and not attempt impossibilities. You know our +mountains, and that nothing is to be done while the storm is raging +thus. As soon as it subsides, as soon as the morning dawns, we will do +all that men can do. To go out now would be worse than folly,--it would +be madness!" + +"Madness or not, it must be attempted!" Michael burst forth. "Do you +imagine that I set the least value on my life weighed against hers? If +I had to follow her to the summit of the Eagle ridge, where death +seemed certain, I would either deliver her from peril or perish with +her!" + +Valentin clasped his hands in dismay. This burst of despair and anguish +betrayed to him the well-guarded secret of which he had, indeed, within +the last few minutes had some suspicion, and he exclaimed under his +breath, "Can this be? Good God!" + +Michael paid him no heed; he had turned to Wolfram, and said, hastily, +"I need companions; we must search in different directions; will you go +with me?" + +"I? Now, when all the fiends of hell are loose in the mountains? The +Wild Huntsman was never so furious in all the years I spent at the +forest lodge." + +"Infernal superstition!" muttered Rodenberg, stamping his foot. "Then +go for the innkeeper; he is a good mountaineer and a brave man." + +"That may be, but he'll not stir out in weather like this. He took his +oath of that when some one spoke of it awhile ago, and he said a ton of +gold would not tempt him, for he had a wife and children to take care +of." + +"Then I will go alone. Send help after me as soon as the morning dawns. +Let the innkeeper and a party take the road towards the mountain +chapel, which I shall follow, and pursue it to the Eagle ridge, if +necessary. You, Wolfram, with some others, search the forest around the +lodge, your former domain. Your reverence will please to have the road +gone over again as far as to the spot where the accident occurred. +Summon the whole village to help. I have no more time to lose." + +In spite of his terrible agitation, he spoke in the energetic tone of +command which he was wont to use to his subordinates, and as he hastily +left the room the forester looked after him with a bewildered air, +evidently greatly impressed. + +"He has learned how to command. That's plain!" he said, in an +undertone. "He behaves as if the entire village belonged to his +regiment and had to obey orders. Queer! My Herr Count was just so. +Michael's look and tone are just like his; he might have learned them +from him, or have been his son. There's something queer in it, your +reverence; it looks like witchcraft." + +The priest made no reply,--he was as if stunned. Hertha's danger, +Michael's reckless resolve to follow her, the discovery he had just +made with regard to the pair, everything coming at once upon the +venerable man, unused as he was to any passionate emotion, overpowered +him: he felt dizzy. + +In a few moments Michael returned, completely equipped for his midnight +expedition in a rough plaid, with his mountain staff; he held out his +hand to his old teacher: "Farewell, your reverence, and if we should +not see each other again, God protect us!" + +Valentin clasped his hand and held it fast; fear lest he should lose +his favourite outweighed the thought of Hertha's peril. "Michael, be +reasonable. Hark! how the wind is roaring! You'll not be able to get a +hundred steps from the house. Wait at least for half an hour!" + +Rodenberg withdrew his hand impatiently. "No, every minute may be +fraught with life and death. Farewell." + +He walked to the door, where Wolfram was standing motionless. His hard +features worked strangely as he asked, with hesitation, "You really +mean to go, Herr Captain, and all alone?" + +"Yes, since no one has the courage to go with me," said Michael, +bluntly. + +"Oho! we are not cowards either!" exclaimed the forester, offended. "A +Christian man like the innkeeper, who has a wife and children, ought +not, indeed, to venture, but I have nothing of the kind, and since +there's no help for it--why, I don't care--I'll go too!" + +Valentin was greatly relieved by these words,--glad that Michael was +not, at least, to go alone; but Rodenberg merely said, "Come, then! Two +are always better than one." + +"That depends," said Wolfram. "Perhaps the Wild Huntsman thinks so too, +and will carry off both of us. Good-bye, your reverence; it can do no +harm for you to pray hard for us while we are gone. You are a holy man, +and if you will speak a good word for us to Saint Michael, he may, +perhaps, interfere and put the hellish crew outside to rout; 'tis high +time." + +Michael waved his hand to the priest from the threshold of the door; +Wolfram followed him, and in a few minuses both were lost to sight +outside. + + + * * * * * + + +The Eagle ridge had, in fact, sent forth one of the spring storms, so +justly dreaded in all the country round. Those who shared the +forester's superstition might well believe that a rabble of fiends from +the pit were abroad dealing destruction about them. There was a wild +uproar in the air, a crashing and howling in the forest, while the +moon, veiled by the rack of clouds, shed over earth and sky a weird +ghostly light more dreary than any darkness. Wolfram crossed himself +from time to time when the wind shrieked its loudest, but he tramped +bravely onward through the storm,--it needed a man of his physical +vigour and one familiar with the mountains to make headway on such a +night and in such a place. + +Both men reached the road to the mountain chapel without discovering a +trace of those whom they were seeking; here they separated. + +Michael, in spite of his companion's remonstrances, pressed on to the +Eagle ridge, which began here, while Wolfram turned aside towards his +old domain about the forest lodge. It was agreed that he who first +discovered the missing ones should conduct them to the mountain chapel +and there await daybreak. In any case the two men were to meet there at +dawn, in order, if their search had been fruitless, to wait for the +villagers from Saint Michael, and to continue the quest by daylight. +These were Captain Rodenberg's orders. + +"I wonder if he will ever get back again!" muttered Wolfram, pausing +for a short breathing-space in the midst of the forest. "It is sheer +madness to go among the cliffs of the Eagle ridge; but he'll climb it +if he does not find the Countess below. I'll wager my head on that! No +use to gainsay him; on the contrary, he orders me round as if he were +my lord and master. I wonder why I put up with it, and why on earth I +came with him. His reverence is right; it is madness to climb the +mountains on such an infernal night, when not a cry could be heard, no +signal be seen. We don't even know which way to go, but Michael doesn't +care for that. And I thought him cowardly! To be sure he always, as a +boy, wanted to run into the midst of the Wild Huntsman's crew to see +them closer,--it was only men that he ran away from. Now he seems to +have stopped running away from them, but he orders them about like a +lord. And you have to obey,--there's no help for it,--just like my old +master the Count." + +He heaved a sigh, and was about to march on. Just then there was a +slight lull in the blast, and the forester gave a long, loud shout, as +he had been doing at intervals. This time, however, he started and +listened, for he seemed to hear something like the sound of a human +voice. Again Wolfram shouted with all the force of his lungs, and from +no great distance came the wailing tones, "Here! Help!" + +"At last!" exclaimed the forester, turning in the direction whence came +the voice. "It is not the Countess, I can hear that; but where one is +the other must be." + +Giving repeated calls, he hurried on, the answers coming more and more +distinctly, until in about ten minutes he came upon Hertha's attendant, +who no sooner saw him than he threw his arms about him, clinging to him +like a drowning man. + +"Take care, you'll upset me!" growled Wolfram. "Did you not hear me +shout before? For two hours we have been hallooing in every direction. +Where is the Countess?" + +"I don't know; I lost her an hour ago." + +The forester roughly shook the man off the arm to which he was still +clinging: "What? Lost? Thunder and lightning, man! what do you mean? +Just when I think I have found the Countess, you turn up without her. +Why did you not stay with her, as was your bounden duty?" + +"It was not my fault," wailed the man. "The fog--the storm--and the +horses have gone too!" + +"Hold your tongue about the horses!" Wolfram interposed, roughly. +"Men's lives are at stake, and you tell me nothing that I can +understand. How came you here without the Countess?" + +It was some time before the exhausted man was able to answer the +forester's questions. He was an old family servant, faithful and +trustworthy, and had therefore been chosen by the Countess to attend +her daughter on this expedition, but he had completely lost his +presence of mind in the face of the present peril, and had been of no +service whatever to his mistress. + +As Michael had surmised, they had taken the wrong road, and had +discovered their mistake only upon reaching the mountain chapel. Then +they had turned their horses' heads; but the moon, which until then had +shone brightly, began to be obscured, and their ignorance of the +country was disastrous. In vain did they turn in every direction; they +could not find the road again and were completely lost. The horses, +bewildered and nettled by the aimless wandering to and fro, finally +refused to stir a step. There was nothing for it but to alight. + +Then the tempest began; clouds gathered from all quarters. The Countess +sent her attendant back a short distance for the horses, which had been +left at the foot of a declivity, in a last hope that by trusting to +their instinct the way might be found; but the servant had no sooner +left her than the gathering mist closed about him, obscuring +everything. He could not find the horses, nor make his way back to his +mistress. His cry of distress was drowned by the roar of the tempest, +and he had probably wandered away from her in his attempt to find her. +How he had gone astray he could not tell. + +"That is the worst of all!" exclaimed the forester. "The Countess is +now entirely alone, and very likely has wandered towards the Eagle +ridge, as Captain Rodenberg supposed. I should like to know why he +chooses to run blindly into all kinds of danger after her? What we have +to do, however, is to get to the mountain chapel as soon as possible. +Come along! On the way we can go on shouting; it may do some good." + +The storm raged with undiminished fury. Black clouds swept overhead and +enveloped the mountains, breaking from time to time into a host of +misty phantom shapes. And there was a roaring, a shrieking, and a +howling, as of a myriad voices of the night echoing from the air above +and from chasm and abyss below. + +At the foot of a huge fir, the summit of which soared bare and dead +into the air, a female figure was crouching, worn out by fruitless +wandering, chilled by the mist and despairing of succour. The delicate +child of luxury, whom hitherto the winds of heaven had not been allowed +to visit too roughly, had nevertheless bravely confronted a real peril, +and had done everything to encourage her attendant while they were +together. The trembling old servant could neither advise nor aid his +mistress; but he had at least given her a sense of human companionship, +and now he had disappeared. No searching for him, no call, was of any +avail; she was alone amid the horrors of this night,--entirely alone. + +More than an hour had passed thus,--a time which must always be +dream-like in her memory. She wandered on and on. Gloomy forests; dark +rocky crests reared aloft like phantoms; mountain streams, whose +foaming waters gleamed dimly in the fitful glimpses of the moon,--all +passed her by, shadowy and indistinct. Like a somnambulist, she +wandered on the brink of clefts and abysses, not heeding the perils of +a path which she never would have dreamed of traversing in the broad +light of day. But at last it came to an end in its upward course, and +she could go no farther; she sank down exhausted. + +There was a moment's lull in the storm; the clouds broke, and the moon, +sailing into the clear space, illumined the scene clearly. Hertha saw +that she had reached a narrow rocky eminence, and that an abyss yawned +close beside her. Around her was a broken sea of cliffs and rocks, +below her was the black night of the forest, and above her soared the +dizzy heights of the Eagle ridge, about whose rocky crests the clouds +were flying, while the topmost peaks gleamed ghost-like in their robes +of snow. The distant muffled roar of the glacier streams fell upon her +ear, but only for a few moments. Then the roaring of the wind began +afresh, drowning all other sounds; the moon vanished, and the dim, +weird twilight fell on all. + +The old fir-tree creaks and groans and sways; it seems as if the blast +would tear it loose from its rocky bed. Hertha clasps her arms about +the trunk, neither moaning nor weeping, but a tremor runs through her +entire frame, and there is an icy pressure upon her temples. Her eyes +are fixed upon the white gleaming peaks still glistening distinctly, +and the old legend recurs to her. From those summits Saint Michael +sweeps down at dawn the next day. Cannot the mighty patron saint of her +race, the victorious leader of the heavenly host, to whom thousands +will pray on the morrow, come to the rescue of a poor child of +mortality whose warm young life shudders at the thought of the icy +embrace of death? But his dominion begins with the dawn,--it is with +the first ray of morning that his sword of flame flashes forth +beneficently over the earth; and now night and destruction reign. + +A fervent prayer bursts from the poor girl's very soul. Clearly and +distinctly the picture rises upon her mental vision: the archangel with +the eagle's wings and eyes of flame enthroned above the high altar, +surrounded as by a halo by the light of the setting sun, and by her +side stands one, strangely like the picture,--one who had once declared +to her, 'If my bliss were as lofty and unattainable as the Eagle ridge, +I would scale the heights though each step threatened destruction.' + +Ah! she knew it was no empty boast. Michael would follow her through +peril of all kinds: he would seek her and find her if he knew of her +danger; but he now supposed her long since safe at the castle. And yet +it seemed to her as if the intense passionate yearning that filled her +heart, mind, and soul must draw him to her side, as if he could and +would hear the desperate cry that burst from her lips, half a prayer to +St. Michael and half a call to him whom she loved: "Michael,--help!" + +Surely there was an answering call, distant and faint, but still his +voice, and she hears it through the tempest as he has heard hers: +"Hertha!" And again it comes louder, and with an exultant sound: +"Hertha!" + +She rises to her feet and answers. Nearer and nearer sounds the +succouring call, until just below her she hears: "What! Up there? +Courage, dearest, I am coming." + +Then ensue minutes that seem endless. Michael is ascending slowly, +laboriously, but at last she sees him; he plants his mountain-staff +firmly and swings himself up beside her, clasps her in his arms, and +she clings to him as if never to leave him more. + +But this blissful moment of forgetfulness is brief: danger still +threatens; not an instant must be lost. + +"We must go," urged Michael. "The fir is tottering, and may fall at any +moment; these clefts are never safe. Come, dearest." + +He clasped his arm about her, and she leaned upon him in unquestioning +confidence, as he half led, half carried her down the rocky slope. The +moon had emerged again, and lighted them on their way, revealing at the +same time all the terrors of the path by which Hertha had ascended half +unconsciously, and the perils of which were doubled in descending. But +not in vain had Michael lived for ten years in these mountains; the man +had not forgotten what had been familiar to the boy for whom no rocky +summit had been too lofty, no cleft too deep. Thus they made the +descent, the abyss close beside them, the wild uproar of the stormy +night about them, their hearts filled with an exultant joy that no +tempest, no abyss, could affect. At last they reached a place of +safety. Michael had kept his word: he had snatched his bliss from the +Eagle ridge. + +Morning was approaching, and the tempest was subsiding; it no longer +raged with savage fury, and the heavens were gradually clearing; the +clouds slowly dispersed, and about the mountain-tops the first gray +glimmer of dawn appeared. + +Michael made a halt as they issued from the rocky gorge. The mountain +chapel was almost a mile away, and his exhausted companion was obliged +to rest. All peril was past; there was no difficulty about the rest of +the way if it were traversed by daylight. He found a shelter for Hertha +beneath a protecting rock, where she sat shielded from the wind, while +he stood beside her. The young Countess's attire had suffered sadly: +her dark wrap was torn and muddy, she had lost her hat, her heavy +braids hung loose about her shoulders, as, pale and weary, she leaned +her head back against the wall of rock. And yet Michael thought he +never had seen her look half so lovely as at this moment,--his love, +whom he had battled for and won through storm and tempest. + +They had scarcely spoken on the way hither, each step was taken at the +risk of life, and now they were still silent, gazing upward at the +Eagle ridge, where the gray dawn was beginning to yield to a crimson +tint that deepened every moment. At last Michael bent over her and +said, gently, "Hertha!" + +She looked up at him, and suddenly held out to him both her hands. +"Michael, how did you ever find me in those abysses? You could have had +no clue to guide you." + +He smiled and carried her hands to his lips. "No; but I divined where +my Hertha was,--where she must be. And you, too, dearest, knew that I +should come to you: you called me before you heard my voice. Now I no +longer dread that harsh refusal which fell from your lips yesterday. I +have no fear of the promise given by you to one whom you do not love. I +have won you from the Eagle ridge, and I shall surely triumph over +Raoul Steinrück." + +"I can never be his wife!" exclaimed Hertha. "I know now that it is +impossible! But do not quarrel with him again, Michael, I implore you. +If it is possible----" + +"But it is not possible!" Michael gravely interrupted her. "Do not +deceive yourself, Hertha; there must come a struggle, probably a break +with your entire family, who never will forgive you for dissolving a +tie so desired by all of them,--for sacrificing a Count Steinrück to a +bourgeois officer. And there is something beside with which they will +taunt both you and me,--I told you of it yesterday in the church,--the +blot upon my life." + +"Your father's memory," she said, softly. + +"Yes; they will never cease to remind you that you are giving yourself +to the son of an adventurer, whose name is not without stain. I thought +to terrify you with this yesterday, but, God bless you! you thought +only of my suffering. Nevertheless, shall you be able to endure the +shadow upon your life when that name shall be your own?" + +His eyes sought hers with a look in them of the old mistrust of the +former Countess Steinrück with her haughty self-consciousness. But the +delusive gleam had vanished from the eyes which the boy had pronounced +'beautiful evil eyes,'--they were shining with the clear sunshine of +love and happiness. + +"Must I repeat to you, then, what I said to you yesterday when you +spoke of your mother?--'I, too, can follow him whom I love even into +misery and disgrace,--ay, even to ruin.'" + +He clasped her in his arms, and she rested there as she had done before +on the Eagle ridge, behind which there was a dark crimson glow,--a +flaming herald of the morning as it mounted aloft. The snowy summits +began to blush with rosy tints, and the clouds still lying on the +horizon were all 'in crimson liveries dight.' + +"The day is breaking," said Michael, pressing his lips again and again +upon the 'red fairy gold' of the head resting on his breast. "As soon +as you are able we will set out upon our homeward way. I will take you +to your mother to-day." + +"My mother!" exclaimed Hertha, regretfully. "Oh, how could I so far +forget her! God grant I have been nearer death than she! My mother +would give ear to my entreaties, I know, but she submits blindly in +everything to my uncle Michael, and there will be a severe struggle +with him." + +"Leave him to me," Michael interposed. "Immediately upon my return I +will inform the general that you wish to annul your contract with +Raoul, that----" + +"No, no!" she remonstrated. "I must bear the first brunt of his anger. +You do not know my guardian." + +"I know him better than you think; this will not be our first +encounter. If any one can measure himself against the general it is +I,--his near of kin." + +Hertha looked at him in bewilderment. "What do you mean? I do not +understand." + +He released her from his clasping arms, and, gazing into her eyes, +said, "I have intentionally delayed a disclosure that must be made to +you, dearest. I could not make it until I was sure that you were mine, +even although you saw in me only the son of a homeless adventurer. I am +no alien to you or to your people, nor was my father. Did you never +hear of the general's other child, his daughter?" + +"Certainly,--Louise Steinrück. She was once, I think, on the eve of +betrothal to my father; but she died very young,--scarcely eighteen." + +"You have been told, then, that she died. I thought so. She did die for +her father, her family, who cast her off when she married the man of +her choice. She was my mother." + +The young Countess looked at him in utter amazement. "Is it possible? +You a Steinrück?" + +"No; a Rodenberg, Hertha. Do not forget that I have no share in the +name of my mother or of her family, nor do I wish to have." + +"And your grandfather? Does he know----" + +"Yes; but he sees in me only the son of an outcast father, whose name, +even, must not be mentioned in his presence; and now that I shall +snatch you from his heir, Raoul, he will oppose us to the utmost. But +what matters it? You are mine of your own free will, and I shall know +how to guard my treasure." + +He did, indeed, look ready to defy the world for her sake. Then he +clasped her hand in his to guide her back to that world which lay in +the depths below them, still woven about by mist and twilight. Up +above, the snowy summits were bathed in crimson light; the eastern +skies gleamed and flamed; there was a flash, as of the waving of a +sword, and the sun rose slowly, red and glowing. Born of the tempest, +the young day gave greeting to the earth. On the brilliant beams of the +morning sun Saint Michael descended from the Eagle ridge. + + + * * * * * + + +The Countess Steinrück was indeed seriously ill, so seriously that by +the advice of the physician she was kept in ignorance of the peril +through which her daughter had passed. Hertha, upon her arrival, simply +told her mother that the storm had detained her in Saint Michael for +the night, and thus the Countess was not even aware of the meeting with +Captain Rodenberg. + +About a week later, in one of the reception-rooms of the castle, the +priest of Saint Michael was sitting with his brother, who had lately +arrived, and had sent a messenger to summon Valentin. The conversation +between the brothers was evidently of a serious nature, and Professor +Wehlau said at last, "Unfortunately, I can give you no hope. This last +attack of the disease from which the Countess has suffered for so many +years, is a mortal one. Her condition is, happily, free from pain, but +it is hopeless. She may live four or five weeks longer; she will never +witness her daughter's marriage." + +"I feared this when I saw the Countess last," rejoined Valentin. "But +it is a comfort to have you here. I know what a sacrifice you make in +coming in the midst of your university course, and when you have so +entirely given up practice." + +Wehlau shrugged his shoulders: "What else could I do? My relations with +the Steinrücks are almost as old and as intimate as your own; and then +Michael, who brought the news of the Countess's illness, gave me no +peace. He urged me so strongly that at last I consented to come. I +thought it odd, for he knows the Countess only in society, but he +insisted that I should yield to her request and come." + +The priest was evidently interested to hear this, but he merely asked, +"And you brought Hans with you? I shall see him, then." + +"Certainly; he will go to you in a day or two. He of course stays with +our relatives in Tannberg, while I take up my abode here on the +Countess's account. The boy's whims are unaccountable. Early in April +he began to talk of going to the mountains to sketch, and I had to +convince him that it would be folly, since the mountains were then deep +in snow. And when I made up my mind to come here, he suddenly +discovered that it was necessary he should go to Tannberg for +'relaxation.' He must need it after all the flattery and nonsense that +have been put into his head of late, and which my sister-in-law will +doubtless keep fresh in his memory." + +"But you brought him?" + +"Brought him? As if I had anything to do with it! Oh, my gentleman is +quite independent now. I dare not do anything to clip the wings of such +a genius, however ridiculous may be the flights it undertakes. He came +with me, and comes over here every day with the greatest regularity to +inquire after me and the Countess. I can't understand the fellow any +more than I can Michael. They could not show more tender interest in +the Countess if she were their own mother. And she is in very good +hands with the country physician here, and that young god-daughter of +hers,--what is her name?" + +"Gerlinda von Eberstein." + +"Ah, yes! A queer little thing, who scarcely opens her lips, and makes +the most remarkable courtesies. But she is a capital nurse, with her +quiet, gentle ways. Countess Hertha is too agitated and anxious beside +a sick-bed." + +They were interrupted. The physician had arrived and wished to speak +with his distinguished colleague. Wehlau rose and left the room. Then +the servant added that the forester, Wolfram, was below, desiring to +see his reverence. Valentin told the man to admit him, and upon his +entrance said, kindly, "You here still, Wolfram? I thought you had gone +home some days ago." + +"I am going to-morrow," the forester replied. "My business is finished +in Tannberg; I wanted to ask once more after the gracious Countess. The +servants told me that your reverence was here, and so I thought I----" +He stammered and hesitated and seemed unable to proceed. + +"You wished to bid me good-bye," Valentin interposed. + +"Yes, I wanted that, and something else besides. I've been worried +about the thing for a week, your reverence, and haven't breathed a word +of it to a living soul; but I can't help it, I must tell your +reverence." + +"Tell me, then. What is it?" + +Wolfram glanced towards the door, and then, approaching the priest, +said, almost in a whisper,-- + +"'Tis Michael,--Captain Rodenberg, I mean. The next thing he'll snatch +the sun from the sky if he takes it into his head to want it. What he's +at now is not much less. It will make no end of a fuss in the Count's +family. The general will rage and scold, and then Michael will be down +upon him just as he was before. Oh, he'll stop at nothing." + +"Are you talking of Michael?" Valentin asked, bewildered. "He went to +town long ago; my brother has just brought me a message from him." + +"That may be. I only know about the night of the storm. When I took the +servant whom I found to the mountain chapel, as had been agreed, I +left him there and went some distance towards the Eagle ridge just at +day-dawn, in hopes of finding some trace of the captain or the +Countess. I really did not think that I should ever see either of them +again alive. But after a while I saw them both on a rock, and they were +very much alive: he kissed her!" + +"What!" exclaimed the pastor, recoiling. + +"No wonder your reverence is shocked. I was too, but I saw it with my +bodily eyes. He, Michael,--Captain Rodenberg I mean,--had his arm +around the Countess's waist, and he kissed her. I thought the world had +come to an end." + +Valentin would probably have thought the same had he not been in some +measure prepared for the revelation; therefore he was more troubled +than surprised as he said, more to himself than to the man, "It has +come to a declaration, then. I feared this." + +"And the young Countess seemed very well pleased; she made no objection +at all. They neither of them saw or heard me, but I plainly heard him +say 'My Hertha!'--quite as if she belonged to him; and she betrothed to +the young Count! Now, I ask your reverence, what is to be done? That +boy was always at some mischief. And he's at it still. He'll never be +content with a kiss; he'll marry the Countess right out of the midst of +her ancestors and her millions. If they won't give her to him he'll +shoot the young Count, send the general and all the family to the right +about, turn every one out of doors, and carry off 'his Hertha' from the +castle, just as he got her away from the Eagle ridge, and marry her. +Ah, your reverence, I know him!" + +Wolfram had apparently fallen into the other extreme; whereas he had +formerly despised his foster-son, he now entertained a boundless +respect for his capability, which he veiled, it is true, in grumbling, +discontented words. He was quite sure that Michael could do what he +chose in spite of every one, even of the general, in Wolfram's eyes the +most awe-inspiring of individuals. + +The priest was much distressed by this revelation, confirming as it did +his worst fears, but he could do nothing at present save enjoin silence +upon the forester. There was no fear that his injunction would be +disobeyed. Wolfram evidently regarded his communication in the light of +a confession, and readily promised to divulge no word of his discovery. +When he had gone, the old man clasped his hands and said to himself, +"The struggle will be for life and death. And when those two +unyielding, iron natures confront each other in enmity--Good God! what +will be the issue?" + + + * * * * * + + +On the afternoon of the same day Valentin was already on his way back +to Saint Michael, and the Professor sat in his room answering some +letters, when the Freiherr von Eberstein was announced. + +The old gentleman had come to see his daughter and to inquire after the +Countess, and when he heard of the arrival of the famous professor from +the capital he resolved to take advantage of the occasion to consult +him with regard to his own ailments. Wehlau suspected something of the +kind when the frail, stooping figure appeared, and instantly assumed a +reserved demeanour, for he was nowise inclined to extend to strangers +the exceptional privilege accorded to the Countess. + +"Udo, Freiherr von Eberstein-Ortenau on the Ebersburg," said the old +man, inclining his head with solemn dignity. + +"So I have just heard," said Wehlau, dryly, offering his visitor a +chair. "What can I do for you?" + +The Freiherr took a seat, rather discomfited by this reception. His +name and title had not apparently produced the slightest effect. + +"I hear that you have been summoned to attend the Countess Steinrück," +he began again, "and I wished to speak with you about her." + +The Professor muttered some inarticulate words. He was not fond of +discussing cases of illness with unprofessional people, and was not at +all inclined to retail here the opinion he had expressed to his +brother. Eberstein, however, took his inarticulate mutterings for +assent, and continued,-- + +"At the same time I wish to consult you with regard to an ailment of my +own, which for years----" + +"Excuse me," Wehlau bluntly interrupted him, "I no longer practise +medicine, and was not summoned hither professionally. I hastened to the +Countess's sick-bed from motives of friendship. I could not possibly +accept a stranger as a patient." + +The Freiherr stared in surprise and indignation at the bourgeois +professor who could speak of the medical treatment of a Countess +Steinrück as a matter of friendship, and refuse to accept as a patient +a Freiherr von Eberstein. In his seclusion he had formed no idea of the +social position of the famous investigator, but he had heard formerly +that scientific men were all eccentric, entirely unacquainted with the +usages of polite society, and consequently rude and unpolished in the +extreme. He therefore magnanimously forgave the Professor for these +characteristics of his class, and, since he really needed his advice, +he determined to make him understand clearly who and what his visitor +was. + +"I am a near friend of the Countess's family," he began again. "We two +are the oldest lines in the country; my family is in fact two hundred +years the elder: it dates from the tenth century." + +"Very remarkable," said Wehlau, without the least idea of what the +tenth century had to do with the matter. + +"It is a fact," declared Eberstein, "an historically authenticated +fact. Count Michael, the Steinrücks' ancestor, first emerges from the +twilight of legend during the crusades, while Udo von Eberstein----" +And off he went into the ancient chronicles of his house, beginning a +discourse similar to the one with which Gerlinda had so terrified the +guest at the Ebersburg. It swarmed with knightly names and feuds, and +with all the glorious mediæval blood and murder in which the Ebersteins +had a share. + +At first the Professor seemed desirous of discovering some means of +cutting short this unwelcome visit, but he gradually became attentive, +even drawing up his chair close to that of the old Freiherr and gazing +steadily into his eyes. Suddenly he interrupted him in the middle of a +sentence and seized his hand. + +"Permit me,--your case interests me. Strange, the pulse is all right!" + +The Freiherr exulted; this discourteous professor knew now that he was +in presence of the scion of a lofty line, and was ready to give the +advice he had at first refused. + +"You find my pulse all right?" he asked. "I am glad of that; but you +will nevertheless prescribe for----" + +"Applications of ice to the head during twenty-four hours at least," +said Wehlau, laconically. + +"What! with my gout!" the old gentleman exclaimed, in dismay. "I cannot +endure the least cold, and if you will investigate my case----" + +"Not the slightest necessity. I know perfectly well what ails you," +declared the Professor. + +The Freiherr's respect increased for this famous physician, who could +pronounce upon a patient's condition by merely looking at him, without +asking a single question. + +"The Countess certainly spoke in the highest terms of your keenness of +apprehension," he rejoined; "but I should like to ask you a question, +Herr Professor Wehlau. Your name strikes me as familiar. Can you be in +anywise related to Wehlau Wehlenberg of the Forschungstein?" + +"Forschungstein?" Again the Professor hastily felt the Freiherr's +pulse, while the old man resumed, condescendingly,-- + +"It would not be the first time that a member of an ancient family had +refused to adopt a title when forced by circumstances to embrace a +bourgeois profession." + +"Bourgeois profession!" exclaimed Wehlau. "Herr von Eberstein, do you +imagine that scientific pursuits are followed like--shoemaking, for +example?" + +"They certainly are very unbefitting noble blood," said Eberstein, +haughtily. "As for the Forschungstein, it is the ancestral seat of a +young nobleman who came to the Ebersburg last autumn and partook of my +hospitality during a stormy night. An amiable young man that Hans +Wehlau Wehlenberg----" + +"Of the Forschungstein!" the Professor interposed, with a burst of +laughter. "Now I understand it all. It is another prank of that +graceless boy of mine. I remember his telling me that he had passed +a stormy night in an old castle. I am sorry, Herr Baron, that my +good-for-naught should so have imposed upon you. His Forschungstein is, +however, all the antiquity that either he or I can lay claim to. No, he +is plain Hans Wehlau like myself, and when next I lay eyes upon him I +shall give him my opinion of his promotion to the nobility." + +He laughed again loud and long, but the old Freiherr evidently did not +appreciate the joke of the affair; he sat at first speechless with +indignation, and at last broke forth: "Your son? Only Hans Wehlau? And +I received him as an equal, and treated him like one of my own rank! A +young man of no name, no family----" + +"Pardon me," interrupted the Professor. "I do not mean to excuse the +trick, but as for a name and a family, in the first place Hans is _my_ +son, and I have achieved somewhat in the scientific world, and in the +second place he himself is not without fame in another domain. The name +of Wehlau may well compare with that of Eberstein, which owes all its +importance to mouldy old traditions, entirely disregarded nowadays." + +This touched the Freiherr on his most sensitive side; he arose in +furious indignation: "Mouldy traditions? Disregarded? Herr Wehlau, I +cannot, of course, require from you any appreciation of matters far too +lofty for your bourgeois apprehension, but I demand respect for----" + +"But I have none,--none at all!" shouted the Professor, angry in his +turn. "I am a scientific man of enlightened ideas, and I have not the +slightest respect for the mouldy dust of the tenth century, nor for the +Udos and Kunos and Conrads and whatever else the fellows were called +who knew nothing save how to drink themselves drunk, and kill one +another. Those times, thank God, are past, and when your old owls' +nest, the Ebersburg, has quite fallen to decay, no human being will +know anything more about it." + +"Herr Professor!" exclaimed Eberstein, fairly growing purple in the +face; he could get no further, for his fury brought on so violent a +paroxysm of coughing that at sight of his distress all the physician +stirred within Wehlau, and in spite of his anger he forced his visitor +into a chair, and supported his head, while the old man repulsed +his aid, gasping, "Leave me! I wish no help at the hands of an +iconoclast--a blasphemer--a----" + +With a sudden accession of strength he regained his feet, seized his +cane, and hobbled out of the room. + +"Applications of ice to the head during twenty-four hours; don't +forget!" the Professor called after him, throwing himself into a chair +and allowing his wrath to cool. The Freiherr, on the contrary, hobbled +along, nursing his ire, to his daughter's room to relate the dreadful +story to her. She knew the 'young man of no name, no family,' who had +insinuated himself as an equal into the Ebersburg; she would, of +course, share his indignation at the deceit. + + + * * * * * + + +While this passage at arms had been taking place between the two +fathers, their children had been enjoying the most peaceful and +friendly _tête-à--tête_. Hans Wehlau had come over from Tannberg, as +was his wont, to see his dear father and to inquire after the Countess. +This last seemed to be the most important purpose of his coming, for it +was his first care, and he made his inquiries, not of his father, who +was surely more than able to satisfy his anxiety, but of Fräulein von +Eberstein in person. The Professor, of course, knew nothing of these +interviews, but supposed that his son came directly to himself, and was +deeply touched by his recent increase of filial devotion. + +On this day the young artist had been sitting in the reception-room +with Fräulein von Eberstein for full half an hour, and they had been +talking of other things besides the Countess's illness. Hans had just +said, "Then you have not told your father yet? He still thinks me a +Wehlau Wehlenberg?" + +"I--I have had no opportunity," replied Gerlinda, with hesitation. "I +did not want to write it to papa, for I knew it would vex him, and so I +did not mention meeting you. Then we went to Berkheim, and then when we +came here my poor godmamma was taken ill, and I could not think of +anything else." + +The words sounded very timid, and Hans plainly perceived that she had +lacked, not opportunity, but courage to make the disclosure. + +"And, besides, you feared the Freiherr's anger," he went on. "I can +easily conceive it, and of course I must save you the dreaded +explanation. In a day or two I will drive over to the Ebersburg and +confess my sins myself." + +"Oh, for heaven's sake don't do that!" exclaimed Gerlinda, in dismay. +"You do not know my papa; his principles are so strict in this respect, +and he never would permit----" + +"The bourgeois Hans Wehlau to come to his house, or to visit his +daughter. That may be. But the only question is whether you, Fräulein +von Eberstein, will permit it?" + +"I?" asked the young girl, in extreme confusion. "I can neither forbid +nor permit." + +"And yet I ask for an answer from you, and you only! Why have I come +hither, do you think? Not for the sake of my relations in Tannberg. I +could not stay in town, although I have lately had so much to gratify +me there. The first recognition of an artist by the public has +something intoxicating in it, and this I have had in fuller measure +than I had ventured to hope for. It came from all quarters, and yet I +was besieged by one memory, one longing that would not be banished, +that left me no repose, and that at last drew me away to where alone it +could be stilled." + +Gerlinda sat with downcast eyes and glowing cheeks. Young and +inexperienced as she was, she yet understood this language. She knew +whither his longing had drawn him. He was standing beside her, and as +he bent over her there was again in his voice the gentle, fervent tone +that was but rarely heard from the gay young artist. + +"May I come to the Ebersburg? I should so like to have another sunny +morning hour on the old castle terrace, high above the green sea of +forest. There, beside you, the poetry of the past, the splendour of the +world of fairy-lore, were first revealed to me. If I might but gaze +again into Dornröschen's dark dreamy eyes! I have not forgotten those +eyes; they sank deep into my heart. May I come, Gerlinda?" + +The crimson on the girl's cheek deepened, but the downcast eyes were +not raised, and her reply was almost inaudible: "I always hoped you +would come again,--all through the long winter,--but always in vain." + +"But I am here now!" exclaimed Hans, "and I will not leave you until my +happiness is assured. Ah, sweet little Dornröschen, did I not tell you +that the day would come when the knight would appear and break through +the thick hedge, and rouse the Sleeping Beauty with a kiss? And all the +while, deep in my heart, I cherished the hope that the knight's name +might be--Hans Wehlau." + +He put his arm around her waist as he uttered the last words. Gerlinda +shrank, but did not withdraw from his clasp; she slowly raised the +'dark dreamy eyes' to his, and said, softly, very softly, but with the +fervour of intense happiness, "So did I." + +The young man was not to blame if, in view of this confession, he +carried out the fairy legend in detail, and kissed his Dornröschen +nestling so contentedly beside him. But when he clasped her closer, +calling her his 'dear little betrothed,' Gerlinda started and grew very +pale. "Ah, Hans, dear Hans, it will not do! I had quite forgotten; we +never can marry each other." + +"And why not?" + +"Oh, papa never will allow it. Why, we date from the tenth century." + +"The tenth century presents no obstacle to my marriage in the +nineteenth. Of course there will be a row with the Freiherr; I am quite +prepared for that; but I am proof against storms of that kind. I know +from experience what it is to brave a furious papa and have my own way +in the end." + +"But we never shall succeed," the little châtelaine moaned, drearily. +"We shall be just like Gertrudis von Eberstein and Dietrich Fernbacher, +who loved each other so dearly. Oh, Gertrudis was married to the Lord +of Ringstetten, and Dietrich went on a crusade against the infidels, +and never came back." + +"That was very silly of Dietrich," rejoined Hans. "What business had he +with the infidels? He ought to have stayed at home and married his +Gertrudis." + +"But she could not espouse him, because he was not of knightly descent, +but a merchant's son," cried Gerlinda, the tears gathering in her eyes, +while she dutifully repeated the exact words of the ancient chronicle. + +"That was in the Middle Ages," Hans said, soothingly. "They are far +more sensible in such matters nowadays. I shall certainly not march +against the infidels. The most I shall attempt will be the siege of the +Ebersburg, and I shall surely carry it by storm." + +"Good heavens! Papa! I hear his step!" exclaimed Gerlinda, freeing +herself from the arm Hans had clasped about her, and running to the +window. "Oh, Hans, what shall we do now?" + +"Present ourselves to him as a betrothed pair and ask his blessing," +the young man promptly replied. "It has got to be done, and the sooner +the better." + +The heavy, shuffling step of the Freiherr was in fact audible in the +next room, with the tap of his cane on the floor. He opened the door +and stood as if paralyzed on the threshold. He saw the man 'of no name, +no family,' with his daughter; at a respectful distance from her, to be +sure, but the mere fact of their being together was enough to rouse his +indignation. He advanced slowly into the room. "Ah, Herr Hans Wehlau!" +he said, emphasizing the name with contempt. + +Hans bowed. "At your service, Herr von Eberstein." + +The old gentleman was evidently desirous of assuming the angry attitude +required by the occasion, but his gout played him an ill turn; just at +this point his feet refused to sustain him, and he sank into the +nearest arm-chair, where he presented a spectacle that was pitiable +rather than terrible. Nevertheless, he controlled himself, and +continued: "I have just come from a"--he suppressed a more violent +expression--"a certain Professor Wehlau, who declares himself your +father." + +"Which he assuredly is," said Hans, perceiving clearly that his +confession was unnecessary. + +"And you admit it?" cried the Freiherr, angrily. "You confess that you +have played a disgraceful farce with me; that you sneaked into my house +under a false name, assuming a title----" + +"Beg pardon, Herr Baron, that I did not do," Hans interposed. "I only +took the liberty of adding a second name to the one belonging to me of +right. You yourself prefixed the 'Baron.' But you are quite right to +reproach me, and I frankly beg your forgiveness for the stupid trick by +which I extorted a hospitality at first denied me. I call upon Fräulein +von Eberstein to witness that it was my intention to go to the +Ebersburg to tell you the truth. A jest might well be forgiven to the +passing guest who appeared at night and departed in the morning; but to +prolong the jest would be deceit. This I perceived as soon as I met +Fräulein von Eberstein in the capital, and I did not delay an instant +in revealing the truth to her." + +Eberstein cast a surprised and indignant glance at his daughter. "What, +Gerlinda! you knew this and concealed it from me? You have allowed this +Hans Wehlau to approach you, and have even perhaps accepted his excuses +for what is entirely inexcusable? Highly unbecoming conduct!" + +Gerlinda answered not a word; she stood by the window, pale and +trembling, gazing anxiously at Hans. The little Dornröschen was no +heroine. All the more undaunted was the Knight of the Forschungstein. +He saw that nothing was to be gained hereby temporizing; the danger +must be braved, and he attacked the high thorny hedge with ardour. + +"Fräulein von Eberstein has done even more," he began. "She has given +me a highly gratifying reply to a question that I put to her. I have +just told her of my love for her, and have had her confession that it +is returned. We pray you, therefore, Herr Baron, to bestow upon us your +paternal blessing." + +Very unexpectedly the old Freiherr received this declaration with a +tolerable degree of composure, but this was simply because he did not +comprehend it. He thought it a fresh 'disgraceful farce,' for it never +occurred to him that the son of a bourgeois professor could presume to +woo a Fräulein von Eberstein. + +"Herr Wehlau, I must beg you to desist from such ill-timed pleasantry!" +he said, loftily. "You appear ignorant of the presumption of your +conduct, and you surely have reason enough to be serious in my +presence." + +"Then I must pray you to speak, Gerlinda, and to confirm my words. Tell +your father that you have given me the right to ask him for your hand; +that you consent to belong to me, and to me alone." + +The words were uttered with extreme tenderness, but for Gerlinda they +contained a serious admonition to overcome her timidity and to second +her Hans bravely. Moreover, was he not beside her, ready to protect +her? She accordingly broke forth with, "Oh, papa, I love him so dearly, +so very dearly! Even if he is not of noble blood and has no coat of +arms, I care for nobody but my Hans!" + +"My darling!" cried the young fellow, clasping her to his heart. And +then an incredible, an inconceivable occurrence took place. Before the +very eyes of the Baron Udo von Eberstein-Ortenau the man of 'no name, +no family,' _kissed_ the last scion of the lofty race dating from the +tenth century, and not only once, but twice in succession! + +For a moment the old Baron was unable either to speak or to stir. He +gazed at the pair, and then lifted his eyes to the ceiling, evidently +expecting nothing less than that the walls should tumble in and crush +this daring wretch. Castle Steinrück, however, seemed to be of opinion +that this affair belonged entirely to the Ebersburg, which was +doubtless falling in ruins at this moment with a dull crash. The Baron +perceived that the end of the world delayed incomprehensibly in putting +in an appearance, and conceiving that it was his part to supply its +place, he tried to spring to his feet. But the gout was in league with +the lovers: it held him fast. Instead of stepping between the pair like +an avenging angel, he swayed to and fro in a helpless way, and then +sank feebly back in his arm-chair. + +"Gerlinda!" he called, hoarsely. "Degenerate child! Come here! Come to +me this instant!" + +Gerlinda made a faint effort to obey, but when Hans clasped his arm +about her more closely she submitted, and repeated, sobbing, "Oh, papa, +I love him so dearly!" + +"Herr Hans Wehlau," Eberstein fairly yelled, losing all self-control, +"release my daughter on the spot, I command you! Retire immediately!" + +"In a moment, Herr Baron. Permit me first to take leave of my +betrothed," said Hans, calmly, kissing Gerlinda's brow. Again the +Freiherr made convulsive efforts to rise. + +"I will call for help! I will summon the servants! I will sound the +alarm!" he screamed, vainly endeavouring to reach a small table-bell at +a little distance from his chair. Suddenly the door opened, and Hertha, +having heard the disturbance, entered. + +"Countess Hertha!" exclaimed Eberstein, with an appealing look, "I pray +you save my child, whom this man has bewitched; turn him out of your +castle!" + +Hertha paused in dismay. There stood Hans Wehlau with his arm around +Gerlinda, taking a tender leave of her, while the old Baron writhed +about in vain efforts to rise from his arm-chair. The scene was +incomprehensible to her. + +Hans finally made up his mind to obey the old Freiherr's command; but +he did not resign his betrothed to her father, but to the young +Countess, to whom he said, in a tone of entreaty, "I beseech your +kindness and protection, Countess Steinrück, for my betrothed. For the +present the Herr Baron refuses to entertain my proposal, and I must +yield for a while, since my future father-in-law----" + +"Insolent wretch!" shouted Eberstein, who really seemed in danger of +falling into a fit. + +"----is entitled to a certain degree of respect, although I can no +longer submit to his insulting remarks," the young man completed his +sentence. "I therefore pray you to take charge of my Gerlinda. I shall +return as soon as Herr von Eberstein recovers some degree of +composure." + +Then he calmly kissed his Gerlinda for the fourth time, carried the +Countess's hand to his lips, bowed low and gracefully to the Freiherr, +and left the room. + +Professor Wehlau, in the mean time, had got over his vexation, and had +answered his letters. After all, that crazy old Freiherr of the tenth +century was nothing to him. The man was evidently irresponsible, and +Wehlau was disposed to judge his son's conduct more leniently than at +first. The idea of the Forschungstein amused him much, but he +nevertheless resolved to read his graceless scion a lecture when he +should next see him, and the opportunity immediately presented itself, +for Hans at that moment entered the room. + +"I've just heard of another of your pranks," were the words with which +his father received him. "What nonsense have you been about at the +Ebersburg? You, a knight of the Forschungstein!" + +"Was it not a capital idea, papa?" asked the young fellow, laughing. "I +have just heard that you have had an interview with the Freiherr. He +probably wished to consult you about his gout?" + +"Possibly; I diagnosed insanity," said Wehlau, dryly, "and ordered +applications of ice. They will not help him much, however, since the +disease is too deep-seated, but they will calm him, and that is +something." + +"How so? Did you quarrel?" + +"We certainly did. I never advise humouring fixed ideas, as do some of +the profession. My system is to rouse patients from their illusions, +and when this Udo von Eberstein began to recite his old chronicles I +quickly made clear to him my views with regard to his mediæval +nonsense." + +"Oh, dear!" sighed Hans; "you must have touched him on the raw. He +never will forgive either you or me." + +"What of that? What have either you or I to do with that old Ebersburg +owl?" + +"Very much, since I am betrothed to his daughter." + +The Professor honoured his son with a long stare, then frowned, and +said, crossly, "What! more nonsense? I should suppose we had had +enough." + +"I am perfectly serious, papa. I have just betrothed myself to Gerlinda +von Eberstein. You have known her at the bedside of the Countess, and +you cannot but rejoice in such a lovely creature for a daughter." + +"Hans, are you utterly insane? The daughter of a notorious lunatic! +Why, it may be hereditary in the family. The girl has something shy and +strange in her air, and the father is as mad as a March hare." + +"Not at all," said Hans; "he only dates from the tenth century; a +certain abnormal condition of the brain must be looked for, otherwise +my father-in-law is quite sensible." + +"Father-in-law!" repeated the Professor. "I have a word to say in the +matter, and I wish to declare now, upon the spot, that if you really +have this nonsensical idea in your head you had best get rid of it +without delay. I forbid you to entertain it." + +"Oh, you can't do that, papa. The Freiherr forbade Gerlinda, too. He +nearly fell into convulsions when I proposed for her, but all to no +purpose; we are going to be married." + +Wehlau, who now perceived that his son was in earnest, threw up his +hands in despair. "Have you lost your senses? There is no doubt that +the old man is crazy, and I tell you as a physician that the germ +of insanity is hereditary. Would you entail such misery upon your +family?--bring unhappiness upon an entire generation? Be reasonable." + +This gloomy picture of the future made not the least impression upon +the young man, who coolly rejoined, "It really is extraordinary, papa, +that you and I never can agree. And we were getting along so +delightfully together. You had just become reconciled to my 'daubing,' +and were even in a fair way to be proud of it, and now you quarrel with +my betrothal, when you ought to be highly gratified. Aged aristocracy +applies to you only when it has the rheumatism; I ally myself with +youthful aristocracy by marrying it,--a palpable advance." + +"It is the most nonsensical of all your nonsensical exploits," +exclaimed the Professor, angrily. "Once for all----" + +He was interrupted by a servant, who came to summon him to the +Countess's bedside, since he had given orders to be so summoned as soon +as his patient should awake. Wehlau went on the instant, desiring his +son to await his return; he should not be gone longer than a quarter of +an hour. + +Upon leaving the Countess's room the Professor encountered Gerlinda, +who had hailed as a relief a summons to her godmother's bedside. For +the moment she could escape her father's anger, and Hertha undertook to +restore the Freiherr to some degree of calm. + +The instant Wehlau perceived the young girl he hurried up to her. +"Fräulein von Eberstein, I should like to see you alone for a minute. +Will you allow me to ask you a few questions?" + +"Certainly, Herr Professor," replied Gerlinda, quite dismayed by being +thus addressed. She always felt unconquerably shy in presence of the +Professor, who had never seemed to notice her, and his rather imperious +demeanour, even at the sick-bed, was not calculated to put her at her +ease. She was overpowered by timidity now at the thought that this man +was the father of her Hans, as he came close up to her, and began to +ask her all kinds of questions which she did not understand, staring at +her the while so fixedly that she began to be afraid. The poor child +never dreamed that she was to undergo a test as to the soundness of her +intellect, and in her bewilderment she made uncertain replies, which of +course confirmed Wehlau in his previous opinion. + +At last he questioned her as to the family traditions of the +Ebersteins,--the subject of the old Freiherr's monomania. During her +stay in the capital and at Berkheim Gerlinda had not bestowed much +attention upon the Eberstein chronicles; the Countess and Hertha had +exercised a beneficial influence upon her in this respect, but it was +of no avail on the present occasion. She was spell-bound by Wehlau's +gaze, as is the fluttering bird by the eye of the serpent. All she +desired was to satisfy her examiner, and when he most unfortunately +asked, "Your name is a double one, is it not,--Eberstein--Ortenau?" she +instantly folded her hands and began: "In the year of grace thirteen +hundred and seventy a feud broke out between Kunrad von Eberstein and +Balduin von Ortenau, because----" and then there was no stopping her. +She told the endless tale of Kunrad and Hildegard, of dungeon and +marriage, from first to last, without stopping an instant to take +breath, and all in the old monotone. She never even noticed that the +door opened, and that Hans, who had foreboded mischief, appeared upon +the threshold. He came in time to hear the familiar conclusion. + +"Just as I thought!" the Professor exclaimed, in triumph. He rushed to +his son, hurried him into a corner of the room, and said, in an eager +whisper, "I told you so! She is already astray in mind: the wretched +germ is entirely developed, and is doubtless hereditary. If you persist +in your senseless purpose you will bring wretchedness upon yourself, +your family, and your entire posterity. I protest against it both as a +physician and as a father. I forbid it in the interest of humanity; you +have no right to impose upon the world a generation of lunatics." + +"Papa, I believe you are 'astray in mind' yourself!" exclaimed Hans, +hastening to Gerlinda's side. "I will not allow my betrothed to be so +tormented. I really cannot see what right the fathers have to meddle +here; our marriage is our own affair, and we can see to it ourselves." + + + * * * * * + + +Summer had come. July had begun, but the marriage which was to have +been solemnized in the Steinrück family had been of necessity +indefinitely postponed. Although Professor Wehlau had concealed the +truth from the young Countess and had allowed her to cherish illusive +hopes, the general and the rest of the family were aware of the +calamity that awaited her. But they had convinced themselves that +Hertha would be drawn to them more closely by her mother's death, and +as soon as her period of mourning was over the celebration of her +marriage could take place. + +Count Steinrück had no suspicion that fate had already shattered the +proud structure of his hopes. He knew nothing of that eventful night of +storm, or of Captain Rodenberg's presence at Saint Michael; all his +knowledge of affairs at Castle Steinrück was derived from Hertha's +letters and from the report of the physician. + +On that St. Michael's morning, at the young Countess's earnest +entreaty, Michael had conducted her merely to the end of the mountain +road in the valley, whence, accompanied by the servant, she easily +reached the castle, where her mother's condition forbade any +explanation of what had occurred. The physicians prescribed entire +repose of mind for their patient, and thus the affair would have to +remain a secret until the hoped-for recovery of the Countess. Michael, +indeed, knew through Professor Wehlau that there could be no recovery, +and was all the more strongly moved to shield from any agitation the +woman from whom he had received only kindness and consideration. If +there were to be a struggle, it should be after her death. + +And now this had taken place. The physician had just telegraphed to the +general that his patient had passed away gently during the night. +Steinrück, in common with all the family, had been prepared for this +intelligence, but still the death of the gentle, amiable woman, who had +always submitted so unconditionally to his guidance, affected him very +deeply, and he could not even pay her the last offices of friendship, +and follow her remains to the grave. + +These July days were ominous, and filled with signs of the approaching +tempest, of which, whatever may have been the ignorance of the public, +military men were well aware. General Steinrück knew that he could not +leave the capital for even a few days; that he must hold himself ready +for orders. His duties as head of his family must yield to those of the +soldier. Raoul, indeed, could leave at any time; the youthful diplomat +could easily be spared for a while, especially in a case like the +present, when he was called upon to represent his grandfather. + +Steinrück was sitting with a very grave face in his study, reading over +the telegram received that morning, when an orderly announced a +staff-officer. There was but a small portion of his time that could be +given to family affairs: he was constantly interrupted by messages, +despatches,--communications of a military nature. He gave orders to +admit the officer at once, and Captain Rodenberg entered. + +The general was painfully affected by this meeting, although he was +quite prepared for it. He had, indeed, seen Michael several times on +service since he had interfered between him and Raoul, but he had not +spoken with him; this was their first interview, and the young officer +must be made to feel that he was not forgiven for having repulsed all +advances. He found, in fact, only his superior officer, who received +him with great coolness. + +"You have some special information for me?" + +"No, your Excellency; I come this time upon personal business, and must +beg you to grant me a brief interview." + +Steinrück looked surprised. "Personal business? It must be something +extraordinary." He waved his hand and said, laconically, "Go on." + +"The Countess Marianne Steinrück died last night----" + +"Have you heard of it already?" the general interrupted him. "From +whom? How long since?" + +"Two hours ago." + +"How can that be? I have but just received the despatch; no one is +aware of its contents, not even my grandson. How should you know of +this?" + +"My old friend and teacher, the pastor of Saint Michael, who, by the +Countess's desire, was with her in her last moments, telegraphed to me +the intelligence of her death." + +This declaration seemed still more surprising to the Count. He said, +sharply, "This is certainly--strange! What reason could the pastor have +for sending you intelligence in which you could not possibly take any +interest, even before it was known to the family? The thing seems to me +so extraordinary that I must beg you for an explanation." + +"That is what brings me here. The telegram was sent me at the request +of the Countess Hertha." + +"To you?" + +"To me." + +The general changed colour. At last a suspicion of the truth seemed to +dawn upon him. He raised his head haughtily. "What does this mean? How +do you happen to be on terms of such intimacy with the betrothed of +Count Steinrück?" + +"It is my duty, in her name, to recall the promise given by her to the +Count," said Michael, returning the Count's haughty look. "This would +have been done long since but for the severe illness of the Countess +Marianne. Beside her death-bed there could be no conflict, no thought +of personal considerations. I know that it must seem heartless to allow +any such to intrude now, when Hertha is still weeping beside her dead +mother, but I act by her desire, for Count Raoul will presumably hasten +to her when he hears of her loss, and she neither can nor will receive +him as her betrothed. This is what I wished to explain to your +Excellency; all other explanations can be made hereafter. This is no +time for----" + +"No time for what?" Steinrück angrily interrupted him. "I should +suppose you had said everything already. Go on." + +"As you please. Hertha has given me the right to act as her +representative. I speak in the name of my betrothed." + +This was intelligible enough, and transcended the general's worst +fears. He had divined the possibility of danger, and had tried to +separate the pair. It had been of no avail. His lofty scheme was +utterly overthrown; the prize which he had destined for his heir had at +the last moment fallen to the lot of another. He ought to have +denounced with indignant scorn the audacious insolence of the man +before him, instead of which he cast at him a long, strangely gloomy +look, and was silent. It was only when Michael, puzzled to understand +this silence, gazed at him in surprise that he seemed to collect +himself, and then he burst out, angrily,-- + +"These are most extraordinary announcements to be made so calmly. You +appear to find it perfectly natural that the betrothed of my grandson +should belong to you, simply because you have the audacity to stretch +forth your hand for her. Raoul will reckon with you for such +presumption. I advise you to reflect that such a prize is beyond the +reach of a--Rodenberg." + +"No prize that I can win is beyond my reach, and I have won Hertha's +love," said Michael, coldly. "She submitted to a family arrangement +that disposed of her hand while she was but a child, but she must not +atone for her too hasty consent by life-long misery. Any opposition +from Count Raoul is hardly to be expected. He certainly has lost all +right to claim his former betrothed." + +"What do you mean by such words, Captain Rodenberg?" + +"I must request you to ask the Count himself that question. Since, as I +see, your Excellency has no knowledge of the state of the case, I +prefer not to be your informant." + +"But I insist upon an explanation. I must know to what you refer." + +"To the relations of the Count to Frau von Nérac." + +Steinrück started. This was the danger of which he had had a vague +foreboding. + +"Héloïse von Nérac?" he repeated, in a low tone. + +"The sister of Herr von Clermont. This knowledge, I assure you, was +unsought; accident alone revealed it to me. Hertha asks of the Count +only the formal retraction of a promise long since broken by him, and I +cannot think that it will cause him any regret to comply with her +request. Fear of his grandfather's interference alone prevented him +from himself dissolving the tie binding him to the young Countess." + +A pause ensued. The blow was so sudden and unexpected that the general +needed time to collect himself. + +"I shall question Raoul," he said at last. "If he admits what you say +to be the fact, the Countess certainly has a right to ask to be +released from her promise; but that cannot further your hopes, for I +neither can nor will consent that my ward----" + +"Should follow the fortunes of a Rodenberg," Michael bluntly completed +the sentence. "I am aware of it, but I must remind your Excellency that +your power as guardian comes to an end in a few months." + +Steinrück advanced towards the young man, the old fire in his eye, the +imperious tone in his voice. "My power as guardian, yes! But then my +power as head of the family comes into play, and to that you will +submit." + +"No!" + +"Michael!" + +"No, Count Steinrück. I do not belong to your family, as you have just +shown me. However unworthy of his betrothed Count Raoul may prove +himself, in your eyes he is still the wearer of a coronet, as I am +still the adventurer's son, who must not dare to lift his eyes to a +member of your family, even although beloved by her. Fortunately, +Hertha thinks otherwise. She knows everything, and yet gladly consents +to bear my name." + +"And I tell you you will rue asking her to share it. You do not know +the girl's pride. Avoid her." + +"No, no," said Michael, with a half-contemptuous smile. "I know my +Hertha better. For months we contended with each other like bitter +foes, conscious all the while that we could not live apart. She has +been hardly gained, my fair, proud darling. In storm and tempest I won +my betrothed from the clefts of the Eagle ridge. No human power can +snatch her from me!" + +The cold, grave man seemed transformed; passionate delight glowed in +his eyes and rang in his voice as he confronted the Count triumphantly. + +Again the general gazed at him with that strange expression, in which +there was more pain than anger. "Enough," he said, collecting himself. +"I must settle with Raoul next. You shall hear from me shortly. Now +go." + +Michael bowed and went. The Count gazed after him gloomily. It was +strange that neither of them could maintain the cold, unfamiliar tone +and manner which each tried so hard to assume. They always met at first +as superior and subaltern, as unfamiliarly and coldly as if they had +never seen each other before; but in a little while they were +grandfather and grandson, even in their angry contention. To-day, too, +there was open warfare between them when they parted, and yet the Count +murmured, when he was alone, "What would I not give if he were Raoul +Steinrück!" + +Half an hour afterwards, when the young Count returned from his morning +ride, he was told that his Excellency had been inquiring for him, and +wished to speak with him. In a few moments he entered the general's +study. "You wished to see me, grandfather? Have you any news from +Steinrück?" + +For answer his grandfather handed him the telegram. "Read it yourself." + +Raoul glanced through it and laid it down. "Sad news, but not +unexpected. The last letters prepared us for the end. You said +yesterday that if it came you should not be able to leave the capital, +so I shall go alone with my mother." + +"Yes, _if you can_." + +"There will be no difficulty about my leave. The Minister offered to +give it to me when he heard of the state of affairs at Steinrück. I can +go at any moment to----" + +"Console your betrothed," the general completed the sentence. + +"Of course. I have the first right to do so." + +"Have you still that right?" + +The young Count started at the tone in which the words were spoken, but +his grandfather left him no time for surmise, but asked, sharply,-- + +"What are your relations with Héloïse von Nérac?" + +The question was so unexpected that for a moment Raoul was confused, +but in the next he replied, "Why, she is the sister of my friend +Clermont." + +"I know it. But is she not something more? No subterfuges! I require +the plain, unvarnished truth. Is your intimacy with her such as your +betrothed would approve? Yes or no." + +Raoul was silent. He was no liar, nor could he feign while those eyes +were fixed upon him as if to search his very soul and wring the truth +from him however he might try to conceal it. + +"It is true, then," said Steinrück, hoarsely. "I could not and would +not believe it." + +"Grandfather----" + +"Hush! I need no further reply; your silence has spoken. Can it be? A +girl like Hertha sacrificed, and to whom? Have you lost both sight and +sense? The thing is as incomprehensible as it is disgraceful." + +Raoul stood biting his lip and chafing at reproaches uttered in such a +tone. It irritated him beyond endurance, and his air when he spoke was +defiant rather than ashamed. "You load me with reproaches, grandfather, +but Hertha, with her insulting coldness, her frigid reserve, is most to +blame for our estrangement. She never loved me; she is incapable of +loving." + +"You are greatly mistaken there," the general said, bitterly. "You, to +be sure, failed to win her love, but another knew how to succeed. To +him she is neither proud nor cold; to him she willingly sacrifices her +rank, and he dares to offer her a name not without stain,--Michael +Rodenberg!" + +The young Count at first stood gazing at his grandfather as if +thunderstruck, and then his whole nature seemed to rise in revolt. He +had, in spite of all, once loved his cold, beautiful betrothed; her +invincible reserve had driven him from her. The thought that she could +belong to another, and that other the man whom he hated, robbed him of +all self-possession, and he burst forth furiously, "Rodenberg? He dare +to woo a Countess Steinrück, to beguile her secretly while she is +betrothed to me! Scoundrel----" + +"Hush!" the general said, in a tone of command. "You have been the +scoundrel, not Michael. He has just been here to recall in Hertha's +name her promise to you, and to disclose everything to me. You kept +silence, while you betrayed your betrothed." + +"How could I speak? You would have annihilated me with your anger if I +had dared to tell you of my love for Héloïse." + +Steinrück's lip quivered contemptuously. + +"It was from fear of me, then? Do you suppose that I care for an +obedience founded upon falsehood and treachery? Ah! I fear that even +without your breach of faith Hertha would have been lost to you as soon +as Michael entered the lists against you." + +"Grandfather, this is too much!" Raoul's voice was wellnigh choked with +anger. "Would you rank above me, your grandson, the last scion of your +house, a man disgraced by his father's shame?" + +"A man who will, nevertheless, mount to a height you can never hope to +attain. He marches on to his goal although a world in arms oppose him, +while you, with all the splendour of your name and of your descent, +with all your rich endowments, will never be aught save one of +thousands lost in the crowd. You both are of my race, but only one of +you has inherited my blood. You are your mother's image; there is in +you nothing of your father save his weakness of character. Michael is +my own, and if his name were tenfold Rodenberg, I acknowledge him a +Steinrück." + +It had come at last, the recognition which the old Count's pride had so +long refused to his grandson, which he had never admitted to his face. +It broke forth now, almost against his will. + +At his grandfather's last words Raoul grew pale; he said nothing, but +if anything could increase his hatred of Michael, it was this +declaration. Steinrück paced the room to and fro several times, as if +to regain his composure, and then paused before the young Count. + +"Your betrothal is annulled. After what you have just admitted to me I +cannot dissuade Hertha from recalling the troth she plighted to you. +Your mother will tell you of all that you have lost in a worldly point +of view. In this matter we are exceptionally of one mind, and she seems +to have had a suspicion of the danger that threatened you, for she +lately assured me that in compliance with her urgent entreaty you had +given up all intercourse with the Clermonts. You have deceived her as +you have deceived me, and for the sake of a woman----" + +"Whom I love!" exclaimed Raoul, goaded to reply; "whom I love to +distraction. Not one word against Héloïse, grandfather. I will not +suffer it, although I know that you hate both her and her brother +because they belong to my mother's native land." + +Steinrück shrugged his shoulders. "Your uncle Montigny belongs to the +same land, and you know that my respect and esteem for him are great. +But there is something suspicious about this brother and sister, in +spite of their lofty descent which seems to be genuine. They mingle +aimlessly and idly in society here, and will probably vanish from it +some day as suddenly as they appeared in it. Then your foolish romance +will come to an end, but it will have cost you a brilliant future." + +"Who says it will come to an end? If Hertha can venture to brave your +anger, and outrage every tradition of our family, I surely have a right +to marry a woman whose name confers more honour upon our house than a +Rodenberg can boast." + +"You intend to marry Frau von Nérac!" said the general, coldly. "Is +your household to be supported by your salary in the Foreign Office? +There is no need of explaining my position in the affair. I once +allowed that foreign element to mingle among us; it never shall do so +again,--it has wrought mischief enough." + +"Grandfather, you are speaking of my mother!" cried Raoul, angrily. + +"Yes, of your mother, to whom I owe your estrangement from me and from +your fatherland,--your indifference to, nay, dislike for what should be +most sacred to you. What is there that I have not done to withdraw you +from this baneful influence? But kindness and severity have alike +proved in vain. The poorest peasant is more devoted to the soil upon +which he was born than are you to your country, and linked to a Héloïse +von Nérac your fate would be sealed. When fear of me no longer +restrained you, when death had closed my eyes, it might well be that +the last of the Steinrücks turned his back contemptuously upon his +fatherland to become body and soul a Frenchman!" + +There was in the midst of the old man's indignation such bitter pain in +the tone in which these last words were uttered that the angry retort +died upon Raoul's lips. His answer was cut short by the opening of the +door and by his mother's appearance. + +She had no suspicion of what had occurred. The general had gone to her +for a few moments after his interview with Michael to tell her of the +death of the Countess; his sense of justice forbade his accusing Raoul +to her before the young man had been heard in his own defence. + +"Oh, you are here, Raoul," she said. "They told me your grandfather had +sent for you, and I knew it was to tell you of the despatch from +Steinrück. Are we to start together to-day, or will you follow me +tomorrow? I had better take the express train to-night, to be with +Hertha as soon as possible." + +The general turned with apparent composure to his daughter-in-law: +"Raoul is not going to Steinrück. Circumstances oblige him to remain +here." + +The Countess looked surprised, but her surmises were wide of the truth. +"Can they refuse him a leave upon such an occasion?" she asked. "And +you tell me that you cannot go, either, papa? Then what Leon hinted to +me yesterday is true. War is unavoidable?" + +"I can give you no assurance on that head," replied Steinrück, ignoring +all but her last words. "Every one knows how grave is the situation, +and Raoul, like the rest of us, must be ready to stand by the flag." + +"Stand by the flag?" repeated the Countess. "He is not a soldier. His +delicate health always excluded him from a military career. He was even +released from the usual year of service on account of the weakness of +his chest." + +"That was, it is true, the verdict of the physicians formerly,--a +verdict which I never could understand, for Raoul always seemed healthy +to me. That he is so at present you will surely not deny. A man who +makes it his boast that no hunting-expedition ever fatigues him, who +can ride all night and be ready for any madcap exploit in the morning, +must be able to serve in time of war." + +"And you could be so cruel as to require----" + +"What?" the general asked, hastily. "Ah, you dread his serving as a +common soldier. Unfortunately, that must be; but it will not be for +long, and I shall take care that he is placed near me. Every one knows +that he is my grandson, and he has but to fulfil his duty as a +soldier." + +"But to fight against my people!" Hortense exclaimed, passionately. "If +it came to that it would kill me." + +"We live through much, Hortense, that is harder to bear. I know how +many tears it would cost you, and I could not ask you to stay here in +the capital if war with France were really declared. You cannot +sympathize with us. But Raoul is the son of a German, and must do his +duty as such. He was formerly unfit for service, now he is strong and +well enough to act a soldier's part." + +The words sounded calm, but iron in firmness. Hortense, however, was +incapable of understanding her father-in-law,--she always would beat +upon this rock although she knew she could not stir it. "You can free +him from any necessity for such a part," she said, impetuously. "One +word from you to the examining physician, a simple statement from +General Steinrück that he does not consider the weakness of his +grandson's lungs yet overcome, and no one will venture----" + +"To accuse him of falsehood? Assuredly not; but some one ventures, I +find, to consider him capable of falsehood. I make allowance for you on +account of your present agitation, Hortense, or----" His look completed +the sentence. + +Raoul had hitherto taken no part in a conversation in which his +passionate interest was plain; now he advanced. "Grandfather, you know +that I am no coward. You have often reproached me with rashness and +foolhardiness, restraining me where I would have ventured, but you must +see that I cannot take part in this conflict; my whole nature revolts +at the idea of lifting my hand against my mother's country and her +people." + +"I cannot spare you this," Steinrück declared, unmoved. "In such a case +self-control must be exercised and duty must be done. But why waste +words? It is a necessity to which you must both submit. Enough has been +said." + +"But I neither can nor will submit!" exclaimed the young Count in great +agitation. "I have never served in the army, and shall not be called +upon to do so now, unless you insist upon it. You mean to force me into +this war with my other fatherland. I see but too clearly----" + +He paused suddenly, the general's look was so stern and forbidding. + +"I should suppose that you could have but _one_ fatherland. Are you to +learn this now for the first time? You _must_ take part in this war; +you must fight it out from first to last, that you may finally come to +the consciousness of who you are. In the storm of battle, in the +uprising of your entire nation, you may perhaps learn to know where you +belong; you may find again your lost love of country. It is my sole, my +last hope. As soon as war is declared you will enlist,--enlist +immediately." + +The tone was the same to which Raoul had always submitted, but now he +burst forth in open rebellion: "Grandfather, do not goad me too far. +You have always reproached me with having my mother's blood in my +veins, and you are right. All that I knew of happiness and freedom in +the sunny days of my youth belonged to France, and there alone does +life seem to me really worth the living. Here, in cold, gray Germany, I +have never felt at home. Every joy is doled out to me grudgingly here; +the phantom of duty is always held up to me. Do not inexorably force me +to choose. The result might be other than what you desire. I do not +love your Germany; I never loved it; and, come what may, I will not +fight against my France!" + +"My Raoul,--I knew it!" cried Hortense, exultantly, extending her arms +to him. + +Steinrück stood still, gazing at the pair. He had not looked for this. +Raoul's fear of him had hitherto kept him within bounds; he had not +dared to give utterance to his sentiments. These bounds were broken, +and even the old Count's iron nature was shaken. His voice sounded +strangely when he spoke again,--"Raoul, come here!" + +The young man did not stir; he stayed beside his mother, who had thrown +one arm around him as if to detain him. Thus they stood, hostile and +defiant; but the general was not the man to endure such revolt beneath +his roof. + +"Did you not hear my command? I must repeat it, then: Come here to me!" + +His tone and look once more exercised their old power. Raoul obeyed +mechanically, as if yielding to an irresistible force. + +"You will not fight?" said Steinrück, seizing the young man's hand in a +vice-like grasp. "That remains to be seen. I shall volunteer in your +name, and once enlisted, you will be taught the meaning of discipline. +You are aware of what awaits the soldier who disobeys, or--deserts. +Hush! not a word!" he continued, as the young man started as if to +protest against words so full of disgrace. "In spite of your threat, I +bid you choose. And that you may not lavish too much admiration upon +your son's courage, Hortense, I tell you what could not long be kept +from you; Raoul's betrothal to Hertha is annulled, and by his own +fault. For love of Frau von Nérac he has been false to the duty he owed +to his betrothed." + +"Raoul!" exclaimed the Countess, in utter dismay. The general slowly +released his grandson's hand from his clasp and turned away. + +"You must settle all that with him. I shall know how to avert the worse +evil. I will see to it that the last of the Steinrücks is saved from +the disgrace of betraying his fatherland as he has betrayed his +betrothed." + +With these words he left the room. + + + * * * * * + + +The discord in the Steinrück family weighed heavily upon its members. +Hortense left for Steinrück, since the general insisted that one member +at least of his household should follow his relative to the grave. He +could not leave town himself, and political events might well account +for Raoul's absence. But had Hortense also been absent the world would +have suspected the family dissension, and she complied all the more +readily with her father-in-law's desire on this occasion, since she +still had some confidence in her personal influence with Hertha. In the +stormy scene between Raoul and herself that preceded her departure, +Michael's name had not been mentioned; she knew nothing of his +relations with Hertha, or of his connection with the Steinrücks. In her +mind Héloïse von Nérac was the sole cause of the breach between the +young people, and she still hoped that she should succeed in appeasing +the offended girl, and in recovering for her son all that he had so +wantonly sacrificed with Hertha's hand. + +The general and his grandson had met but for a few moments in the +twenty-four hours following their decisive interview, and these moments +had been painful enough. At present the young man had gone to his +friend Clermont's, determined to prove to his mother and grandfather +that he was no longer a boy to be disposed of according to their +pleasure. He found Héloïse alone, and informed her of all that had +taken place on the previous day, the passionate agitation of his manner +showing how profoundly he had been moved. + +"The die is cast," he concluded. "My betrothal with Hertha is at an +end. I am as free as you are, and there is no longer any reason for +concealment. Tell me at last, Héloïse, that you consent to be mine, to +bear my name. You have never yet really done so." + +Héloïse had listened in silence, and with a slight frown. It seemed +almost as if this turn of affairs were an unwelcome one to her. + +"Stay! not so fast, Raoul!" she said, in reply to his ardent words. +"You acknowledge that your grandfather never will consent to our union, +and you are entirely dependent upon him." + +"For the moment. But I am his heir-at-law; nothing can affect that, as +you know." + +Héloïse was quite aware of it, but she was also aware of how little the +income to which the young Count would fall heir would comport with her +requirements. The matter had been the subject of an exhaustive +discussion, but a little while previously, between herself and her +brother, and the picture that Henri had then so ruthlessly drawn, of +the dull life of a retired provincial town, had little in it to allure +a woman to whom luxury and splendour were as her vital air. + +"Then let us hope for the future," she said. "The present is hostile +enough to us. Not only your family dissensions, but political events +threaten to part us." + +"Part us? And wherefore?" + +"Why, you must see that we cannot stay here if the war, which Henri +thinks unavoidable, should really be declared. As soon as our +ambassador leaves the capital we must go too. Henri tells me to be +ready for a hasty departure." + +"Then let Henri go, but stay yourself. I cannot let you go. I know that +I ask a sacrifice of you, but remember what I have sacrificed for your +sake. To lose you now would be too horrible! You must stay!" + +"What should I stay for?" she asked, sternly. "To look on while the +general carries out his threat, and sends you in full uniform to fight +against France?" + +Raoul clinched his fist. "Héloïse, do not you too drive me to +desperation. If you knew all that I have had, and yet have, to bear! My +grandfather has scarcely spoken to me since yesterday, but his eyes, +when he looks at me, make my blood boil, they are so full of scorn. My +mother, from whom I have hitherto never known anything save love and +tenderness, reproaches me bitterly. And now you talk of our parting, +and I must brave it all alone. It is beyond endurance." + +He did indeed look like a desperate man, and Héloïse gazed at him with +mingled pity and indignation. With all his gallantry, his reckless +bravery, and his scorn of danger, he was but as a reed shaken by the +wind when moral courage was in question. + +"Must we be parted?" she asked, gently. "It is for you to decide that, +Raoul." + +He looked up surprised. "For me?" + +"Certainly. I cannot stay any more than can Henri. We know that you are +ours at heart, and that only compulsion keeps you among Germans. Break +loose from your bonds, and follow us to France!" + +"What madness!" exclaimed Raoul, springing to his feet. "Now, when war +is imminent! It would be rank treachery!" + +"No, it would be a bold, courageous step to take,--a fearless +confession of the truth. If you stay here you are false to yourself as +well as to others. What should you resign? A country where you always +have been, and always must be, a stranger, circumstances that have +become intolerable, and a grandfather with whom you are in open +warfare. The only one whom you have to consider--your mother--may, +indeed, grieve over the destruction of her schemes, but she never would +grieve over such a step on your part." + +"My name is Steinrück," said Raoul, gloomily. "You seem to forget that, +Héloïse." + +"Yes, that is your name, but you are a Montigny from head to heel. You +have often boasted to us that this was so; why deny it now? Is your +father's name to dictate to you what you must think and feel? Has not +your mother's blood an equal right? It draws you in every fibre towards +her land, to her people, and should the holiest force in nature be +outraged and denied? They would compel you to fight against us. _That_ +would be 'rank treachery,'--a use to which you never can allow yourself +to be put." + +Raoul had turned away; he would fain have been deaf to her words, but +yet he drank them in eagerly. These were his own thoughts as they had +besieged him day after day, refusing to be banished. + +The only thing that could now be his safeguard he did not possess,--a +sense of duty. Duty had always been to him a ghastly phantom, and thus +it appeared to him now; but it possessed the power to appall. + +"Hush, Héloïse!" he said, hoarsely. "I must not listen,--nay, I will +not listen. Let me go." + +And in fact he turned as if to leave the room, but Héloïse approached +him and laid her hand upon his arm. Her voice was full of eloquent +entreaty, and there was the soft veiled look in her eyes which he knew +but too well. + +"Come with us, Raoul. You will be consumed in this wretched struggle +with yourself. It will be your ruin, and I--ah, do you think I can +endure to part from you? that I shall suffer less than your mother in +knowing you in the ranks of our foes? Follow us to France." + +"Héloïse, spare me!" The young Count made a desperate effort to escape; +in vain. Sweeter and more alluring rang the tones from which he could +not flee. The toils of the glittering serpent were thrown more and more +closely around him. + +"Ah, he will find means to bend you to his will, that inexorable old +man. Escape from him before he makes good his threat. War is not yet +declared. You are still free to act. Procure your leave from the +Foreign Office, no matter under what pretext. When you are far away, +when orders can no longer reach you----" + +"Never! never!" exclaimed Raoul. He felt himself about to succumb, and +his sense of honour, all of it that was left, revolted. His +grandfather's image arose before him,--the 'inexorable old man' with +scorn in his eyes. Once more it won the victory over the threatened +loss of his love, once more it snatched him from danger. + +"Never!" he repeated. "I could not live beneath such a burden, even +beside you, Héloïse. Farewell!" + +He hurried to the door, where he encountered Henri Clermont, who had +just returned from a walk, and who would have detained him. + +"Whither so fast, Raoul? Have you not a moment to give me?" + +"No!" the young Count gasped. "I must go on the instant. Farewell!" + +He rushed away. Clermont looked after him, surprised, and then turned +to his sister: "What ails the fellow? why is he in such desperate +haste?" + +"It is his reply to my suggestion that he should follow us to France," +Héloïse replied, in a deeply irritated tone. "You heard it. He bade me +farewell." + +Henri shrugged his shoulders. "He will be here again to-morrow. I +should suppose you would be aware by this time of your power over him. +He has resigned Hertha Steinrück and a princely fortune for your sake. +You he never will resign!" + + + * * * * * + + +The storm had burst: war was declared, and events followed one another +with such rapidity that all personal considerations, all personal +interests, were overwhelmed by them. + +In the house occupied by the Marquis de Montigny everything was packed +and ready for departure. He had remained to share the last cares of the +Ambassador, and was now to leave the capital in a few hours. He seemed +still to be awaiting some one, for from time to time he went to the +window and looked out impatiently. At last the servant announced young +Count Steinrück, who instantly appeared. + +Raoul looked unusually pale, and his air was strangely disturbed, but +it passed unnoticed by his uncle; at that time every one was in a state +of feverish agitation. He held out his hand to the young man. + +"Did you get my note? I am just about to start, but I cannot go without +a few words with you." + +"I was coming, at all events, to bid you good-by," replied Raoul. "My +mother will be inconsolable at the idea of not having taken leave of +you." + +"I must go back to Paris immediately," Montigny declared, with a shrug; +"but your mother has written to me from Steinrück, and it is of the +contents of her letter that I wish to speak to you." + +The young Count braced himself to meet what he knew was coming. +Hortense, who had not been able to see her brother before leaving town, +had poured out her heart to him by letter, and a tempest from this +quarter was to be expected. In fact, the Marquis, without any +circumlocution, went directly to the point: + +"I hear that your betrothal to Hertha is annulled. It is impossible for +me to understand how you could resign her, and I fear you will only too +soon appreciate what you have lost. Still, after all, that is your own +affair. But my sister writes me that you intend to marry the lady, Frau +von Nérac, who has caused the breach, and she is in despair at the +thought. I, however, assured her, in my letter of farewell, that she +might be quite easy upon that point, that matters would never go so +far." + +"And why not?" Raoul burst forth. "Am I a child in leading-strings, to +be dictated to? I am legally of age; you all seem to forget this; and +in spite of all opposition Héloïse is mine, and shall not be snatched +from me." + +There was more than mere obstinate determination in his words: they +were uttered with a passionate recklessness that revealed the feverish +agitation of the speaker so plainly that Montigny involuntarily +softened his voice, and, taking his nephew's hand, drew him down to a +seat beside him. + +"First of all, Raoul, promise me to be more calm. If my mere hint is +met by such excitement on your part, how can you endure the whole +truth? Had I suspected that you were so deeply entangled I should have +spoken long ago. The certainty of war does away with many of the +considerations that hitherto have kept me silent. Nevertheless, I must +ask you to give me your word that no one, not even your mother, shall +learn what I am about to tell you." + +His grave, calm words, in which there was a distinct tone of +compassion, did not fail of their effect, but Raoul made no reply, and +the Marquis continued: + +"I threatened Clermont some months ago that if he did not withdraw from +all intimacy with you I would open your eyes, and he was prudent enough +to induce you from that time to conceal your relations with him. +Hortense and I have both been deceived, but I shall not permit my +sister's only son to fall a victim to such snares. You do not know who +and what this Clermont is----" + +"Uncle Leon," Raoul interrupted him, eagerly and with intense emotion, +"do not go on, I entreat you. I do not wish to know. Spare me!" + +Montigny looked at him in surprise and dismay. "You do not wish to +know? You seem to be partly aware of what I would say, and still you +could----" + +"No, no, I do but suspect, and that only since yesterday. By chance--do +not ask me----" + +"Do you fear to have the bandage torn from your eyes?" Montigny asked, +sternly. "Nevertheless, it must be done. You know Clermont and his +sister only as private individuals, spending their time in travelling +because their income does not suffice for a life in Paris suited to +their inclinations. The purpose of their stay here is much less +innocent. Their errand is a means of which every government must avail +itself, but to which no man of honour can ever lend himself. Only those +to whom any means for maintaining a superficial position in society is +welcome ever accept such employment. That those thus engaged in this +instance are really the scions of an ancient noble family only makes +their trade the more disgraceful. I think you understand me." + +Raoul did indeed seem to understand, although he made a hasty gesture +of dissent. "You are speaking of Henri; you may be right, but Héloïse +is innocent,--she has no share in her brother's acts,--she knows +nothing of them. Do not slander her; I will not believe you!" + +"You must believe facts. I tell you, and I vouch for what I say, that +in the 'instructions' given the brother and sister Frau von Nérac has +the principal part to play, because as a woman she is less liable to be +suspected, and in consequence has greater freedom of action. I can give +you proofs, can tell you what amount has been paid----" + +"No, no!" groaned Raoul. "For God's sake hush, or you will drive me +mad!" + +"She seems to have driven you mad indeed, or you never could have +sacrificed Hertha to her," said Montigny, bitterly. "You were nothing +but a tool in the hands of the pair, a key to open to them doors that +would else have been closed against them. Through you they hoped for +admission to military circles, perhaps even for information in +diplomatic quarters. Hence Clermont forced his friendship upon you, and +his sister played a part towards you which you unfortunately took for +earnest, blindly falling into the trap thus laid. Surely you are now +cured, and will think no more of marriage with a hired spy!" + +Raoul winced at the word, then sprang up and hurried to the door. +Montigny barred his way. "Where are you going?" + +"In search of them!" + +"Folly!" said the Marquis, detaining him. "Where would be the use? +Contempt is the only punishment for such villany." + +Raoul made no reply, but the pallid face which he turned towards his +uncle wore an expression that startled the elder man. "What is the +matter? This is not merely the anguish of betrayed affection; you are +in mortal dread--of what? Tell me----" + +"I cannot! Do not keep me here!" cried the young Count, releasing +himself violently from his uncle's detaining hand and rushing from the +room without a word of farewell. + +Montigny looked after him with a dark frown. "What can this mean? I +wish I had spoken before." + + + * * * * * + + +All was made ready for departure in the Steinrück abode. The general +was to join his corps on this very evening, while the young Count was +to remain behind for a few days. He had on the previous day received +orders to report to the military authorities. His grandfather, in this +instance as always, had carried out his determination in spite of +Raoul's opposition. + +For the last few days the general had been so incessantly occupied that +he had scarcely seen his grandson. On the previous evening he had +attended a military council held for the last time before the departure +of the army, and lasting far into the night. He reached home towards +morning, and when, after a couple of hours of sleep, he again entered +his study, all kinds of despatches and messages were awaiting him +there, and through the forenoon one matter after another engaged his +time and attention in addition to the arrangements for departure. It +needed the old Count's iron strength of physical and mental +constitution to meet the requirements of the hour. + +It was noon when Captain Rodenberg made his appearance. He had been +here on the previous day upon some military errand to the general, on +which occasion another of his superior officers had been present, and +the interview had been of an entirely formal nature. To-day also +Michael's demeanour was in strict accordance with military rule, but +instead of the message which the general expected to receive by him he +said, "I have no message to deliver to your Excellency to-day, but the +business that brings me here is of such importance that I must beg for +an immediate hearing. Will you allow me to close the door, that we may +not be interrupted?" + +Steinrück looked surprised at this strange prelude, and asked, "Is the +affair in question connected with the service?" + +"It is." + +"Then close the door." + +Michael complied, and then returned to his place. There was an +agitation in his air which it evidently needed all his self-command to +control, and which his voice betrayed as he said, "I delivered to your +Excellency yesterday a document that was of the greatest importance. My +orders were strict to give it to no one save yourself, and not to let +it leave my hands except to place it in your Excellency's." + +"Certainly, I received it from you. Were you aware of its contents?" + +"I was, your Excellency. The paper was in my handwriting, as I acted as +secretary during its composition. It concerns the initiative movements +of the Steinrück corps; of course my orders were strict as to its +delivery." + +"And I confirm that delivery; the paper is in my desk." + +"Is it really there?" + +"To what can this lead?" asked the general, sharply. "I tell you that I +locked it up there with my own hands." + +"And I pray your Excellency to convince yourself that it is still where +you placed it. The immense importance of the matter must excuse my +audacity. I willingly incur the reproach of presumption to be assured +of the safety of this document." + +Steinrück shrugged his shoulders impatiently, but he took the key which +he always carried about him and went to his writing-desk. The lock was +a complicated one, and usually yielded with reluctance to the key. +To-day the lid of the desk sprang open at a slight touch. The general +changed colour. + +"The desk has been broken into," Michael said, in a low voice, pointing +to the key-hole, which showed evident signs of having been tampered +with. "I thought so." + +Steinrück said not a word, nor did he waste an instant upon an +examination of the papers that lay before him, and which were +probably of little importance. He hurriedly pressed a spot in the +wooden side of the desk, to all appearance identical with the rest of +the partition, but which instantly slipped aside, revealing an +ingeniously--constructed secret drawer, now, to Steinrück's dismay, +entirely empty. + +"This is the work of a traitor!" the Count exclaimed, angrily. "No one +except myself is aware of this secret drawer, or how to open it. +Captain Rodenberg, what do you know of this robbery? You have some +suspicion, some trace. Tell me!" + +Michael was wont, in speaking to his superior officers, to be brief and +to the point; to-day he departed from his rule and went into detail, as +if to prepare his hearer for what was to come before it should be +uttered. + +"Late last evening I was sent, with a despatch that had just arrived, +to the conference at which your Excellency was assisting. On my return +I was obliged to pass by your house upon the garden side. As I turned +the corner--it was about midnight--I saw a man disappear through the +small door in the wall beside the grated iron gate. I should hardly +have noticed his doing so--the servants probably had a right to use +this entrance--had I not thought that I recognized the figure, although +I saw it but for a moment beneath the light of the street-lamp." + +"And who did you think it was?" the general asked, with intense +eagerness. + +"The brother of Frau von Nérac,--Henri Clermont." + +"Clermont? I always have considered him as an adventurer, and have +closed my doors against him. You are right: his appearance on that spot +at that hour was more than suspicious. Did you not follow up the clue?" + +"I did, your Excellency, but it ended where all was above +suspicion--or, at least, seemed to be so." + +He laid significant emphasis upon the last words, but Steinrück paid no +heed; he insisted, impatiently, "Go on! go on!" + +"' I tried to persuade myself that I had been mistaken, and walked on, +but the matter left me no rest. I turned after a while, and as I walked +around the house I noticed a strange light in your Excellency's study; +it was not the light of a lamp, but like that of a solitary candle +burning at the farther end of the room. It might well be accident, but, +my suspicions roused by the sight of Clermont, I determined to have the +matter explained at all hazards. I rang the bell, and told the servant +that in passing I had observed a singular light in the study, which +might possibly proceed from the beginning of a fire, and advised his +seeing to it immediately. The man was startled, and hurried away, +returning after a few moments, however, to inform me that I was +mistaken; he begged pardon, but there was only a single candle burning +in the room, and there was no one there except----" + +"Well? Why hesitate? Go on! Who was there?" + +"Count Raoul Steinrück." + +The general's face was ghastly pale, and his breath came short and +quick as he said, "My grandson--here?" + +"Yes, your Excellency." + +"At midnight?" + +"At midnight." + +A long pause ensued; neither man spoke. The eyes of the old Count +looked strangely fixed; the dim, dark foreboding that had once before +assailed him again emerged from the gloom and took on shape and form. +But this dark presage faded; he collected himself and repelled the +horrible thought. + +"Then we must apply to Raoul," he said, regaining his composure. "I +will send for him." + +"The Count is not at home," interposed Michael. + +"Then he is at the Foreign Office; I will send there instantly. This +matter must be cleared up; there is not a minute to lose." + +He stretched out his hand towards the bell, but suddenly paused, +encountering Rodenberg's glance. There must have been something +terrible in the young man's eyes, for the general slowly withdrew his +outstretched hand and said, in a low tone, "What is it? Out with it!" + +"I have bad news for you, Count Steinrück,--news hard to bear; you must +prepare for the worst." + +The general passed his hand across his forehead and gazed as if +spell-bound at the speaker. "The worst? Where is Raoul?" + +"Gone!--to France!" + +Steinrück did not start, did not even exclaim. He put his hand to his +heart without a word, and would have fallen if Michael had not +supported him as he sank into a seat. + +Several minutes passed thus. Michael stood silent beside the arm-chair, +where the Count leaned back half unconscious. The young officer felt +that any word, any offer of help, would be useless. At last he stooped +over him. + +"Your Excellency!" + +There was no reply. The general seemed to know nothing of what was +around him. + +"Count Steinrück!" + +Still the same distressing silence. The Count leaned back motionless, +his eyes gazing into vacancy, his labouring breath the only sign that +he still lived. + +"Grandfather!" + +The word came gently and with hesitation from the lips that had +resolved never to utter it, but it was spoken, and it dissolved the old +man's icy torpor. Steinrück started, and suddenly buried his face in +his hands. + +"Grandfather, look at me!" Michael at last broke forth. "Break this +fearful silence; say at least one word to me." + +Obeying as if mechanically, the general dropped his hands and looked up +at the young man. "Michael," he groaned, "you are avenged!" + +It was indeed a Nemesis. Upon this very spot the son, tortured by the +disgrace of his father's memory, had declared to his pitiless +grandfather, "Your scutcheon is not so lofty and unimpeachable as the +sun in the heavens; a day may come when it will wear a stain that you +cannot efface, and then you will feel what an implacable judge you have +been." The day had come, and had felled at one stroke the mighty old +oak that had defied so many tempests. + +"Courage!" said Michael. "You must not succumb now. Remember what is at +stake. We must devise some plan." + +It was the right appeal to make. The thought of the peril that menaced +him roused the general from his dull despair. He arose, at first with +difficulty, but as he stood once more erect he seemed to recover his +self-possession. + +"If I could but overtake the scoundrel! With my own hands I would force +him--but there is no time. The hour is fixed for my arrival at +headquarters." + +"Then send me," interposed Michael. "Orders from my general in relation +to a secret and important mission will relieve me from all other duty. +Railway travel is obstructed and delayed everywhere by the +transportation of troops; it takes double time to make even a short +journey. My uniform and your orders will place every military train at +my disposal; I shall overtake Raoul this side of the border." + +"Then you know which way he has gone?" + +"Yes, and I have kept trace of the Clermonts also. I would not, I could +not give utterance to a suspicion founded upon mere possibilities so +long as proof was lacking, and I was upon duty from which I was +relieved only an hour ago, when I hurried to Clermont's lodgings. He +had departed with his sister, and by the South German line, as being +the swiftest. I drove directly to that station, which was thronged with +troops for transportation. The morning train had already left, the +mid-day train was just ready to depart. How far it could go and what +delays it might encounter could not be foreseen. As I was speaking with +an official I saw Raoul on the other side of the platform, alone and +hurrying along beside the carriages, in which he seemed to be searching +for some one. Suddenly the final signal was given, he tore open the +first door at hand, entered the train, and was whirled away. I could +not overtake him, the breadth of the railway-station was between us, +but I hurried to the office to learn for what point the last single +passenger had purchased his ticket, and was told for Strasburg." + +The general leaned heavily upon the back of the arm-chair by which he +stood as he listened to this hasty report, but he lost not a syllable +of it; and at the last word, which might well have crushed him, he +stood erect again with much of his old vigour. + +"You are right. There is still a chance of overtaking him." He did not +mention Raoul's name. "If any one can come to the rescue it is you, +Michael! This I know. Recover the papers from him, living--or dead!" + +"Grandfather!" exclaimed the young officer, recoiling. + +"On my head be the consequences. You shall be scathless. I once +required you to spare my blood flowing in the veins of each of +you,--now I tell you not to spare the traitor. Wrest his booty from +him,--you know what is at stake,--wrest it from him, living or dead!" + +The words were terrible, and more terrible still was the expression in +the old man's eyes, gleaming with no ray of pity, but filled with the +iron resolution of the inexorable judge. It was plain that he would +have sacrificed his grandson, the heir of his name, who had once been +so dear to his heart, without the quiver of an eyelash. + +"I shall do my duty," Michael said, in an undertone that, nevertheless, +had in it an echo of that other voice. + +The general went to his writing-table and took up a pen; his hand +trembled and almost refused to perform its duty, but he controlled the +weakness and wrote a few lines, which he handed to the captain. + +"I trust everything to you, Michael. Go! Perhaps you will succeed in +saving me from the worst. If I hear nothing from you in the course of +the next twenty-four hours I must speak, and must declare the last +Steinrück----" + +He could not finish the sentence; his voice broke, but he grasped +Michael's hand in a convulsive clasp. The repudiated son of the outcast +daughter was to be the saviour of the honour of the family; he was the +old Count's last, sole hope, and the young man answered the clasp of +his hand,-- + +"Rely upon me, grandfather! Have you not said that I can do all that +can be done? You shall hear from me at your head-quarters. Farewell!" + + + * * * * * + + +The confusion and bustle reigning in the South-German railway-station +at E---- had increased incredibly, for the comparatively insignificant +little town was the point of meeting of three railway lines, and lay in +the direct road to the Rhine. Trains for the transportation of troops +were running day and night, and the town itself was crowded with +soldiers. + +Some hundred paces from the station there was a third-rate inn, usually +frequented by peasants only, and certainly no fit stopping-place for +the strangers who had reached it an hour previously,--a young lady, +apparently of high rank, accompanied by an elderly priest and a +servant. The apartment to which they had been shown was neither +comfortable nor clean, and yet it was the only shelter that they could +find. + +The lady, who sat at a table leaning her head upon her hand, was in +mourning, and looked very grave and pale, although this in no wise +detracted from the beauty of the face beneath her crape veil. The +priest was seated opposite her at the table, and had just said, "I am +afraid we must stay here for a while; your servant has searched the +entire town: all the hotels are overcrowded, and various private +mansions are occupied by strangers. You might perhaps endure this house +for a night, but any longer stay would be impossible for you, Countess +Hertha." + +"But why?" asked Hertha, calmly. "We shall have no choice to-morrow +either, and at a time like the present we must yield to necessity." + +The priest of St. Michael, for it was he, looked in amazement at the +petted young Countess, now so ready to content herself with +accommodations that would under other circumstances have been +indignantly rejected by her. + +"But there really was no necessity," he observed. "Michael wrote +expressly that he could not be here with his regiment until the day +after to-morrow, and that he would telegraph you beforehand. Until then +we might have stayed quietly in Berkheim." + +Hertha shook her head. "Berkheim is full four leagues away. The orders +might be changed, the telegram might be delayed, and then I should be +too late. Only here on the spot can I be sure of the time of the +arrival of the regiment. Do not blame me, your reverence! I must bid +Michael farewell; when he is going perhaps to death, even the bare +possibility of missing him is terrible!" + +Valentin did not look inclined to blame her, but he marvelled at the +dominion which Michael exercised over the proud, wayward girl. + +"I am thankful that I was able to come with you," said he. "The pastor +of Tannberg was quite ready to send me his chaplain to take my place +for a while, and I can conduct you back to Berkheim." + +Hertha gratefully held out her hand to him. "I have no one but you! My +guardian is angry with me, as I foresaw that he would be. He never even +answered my letter, and Aunt Hortense was so furious when she learned +of my betrothal to Michael, that I could not possibly remain a day +longer at Steinrück, loath as I was to leave my mother's grave so soon. +I am grieved to have caused your reverence so much trouble and +exertion. I am afraid that your accommodations are even worse than +mine." + +"For the present I have a room upon the ground-floor which certainly is +not very inviting," said Valentin, smiling, "but the host has promised +me for the night the gable-room in the upper story, since the strangers +now occupying it will leave by the evening train. The time for its +departure is at hand; I will go and attend to matters." + +He left the room, and Hertha walked to the window, which she opened +wide. The day had been very hot, and the evening brought no +refreshment; the air was sultry and oppressive. Not a star was visible +in the clouded heavens, and on the distant horizon there was from time +to time a gleam of lightning, unveiling the dim mountain-range. Near at +hand sparkled the lights of the railway-station, and close to the house +the river rushed, seeming to emerge from the darkness only to be lost +in it again. The ripple and dash of its waters were the only signs of +its existence. + +The young Countess leaned her glowing forehead against the +window-frame, resolving to be steadfast and brave. Michael should see +no grief that could make departure harder for him; but now that she was +alone she could weep her fill. Her sense of loss in her mother's death, +the pain occasioned by the strife with her family, all faded in her +anguish for the lover whom perhaps she had won only to lose again +forever. + +Suddenly she heard voices close beneath her window. The host was +standing at the inn door with a stranger, and Hertha could hear that +they were speaking of the gable-room. The innkeeper asked civilly when +the room would be vacant, as some one was waiting to occupy it, and the +stranger replied that he had just learned at the station that the +evening train would not leave for two hours; for so long he and the +lady with him must retain the room. His voice attracted the young +Countess's attention. She knew that fluent German spoken with a slight +foreign accent, and in another moment she recognized, by the light of +the lamp just lit before the house, the speaker, Henri Clermont, who, +since he spoke of a lady with him, must be on his way back to France +with his sister. + +Hertha retired from the window with a pained sensation. Until a short +time previously she had had but the merest superficial acquaintance +with these people, meeting them from time to time in society. Only +lately had she learned of Raoul's relations with Frau von Nérac. A +chance meeting was certainly to be avoided, and the young Countess +resolved not to leave her room for the next two hours. + +Meanwhile, bustle and noise were on the increase at the +railway-station. Trains came and went, engines whistled, and the +platform was crowded with travellers and onlookers, making inquiries or +condemned to an involuntary delay. + +This last was the fate that had befallen the passengers who had arrived +half an hour previously by a train already delayed several hours. They +were told that it could not proceed immediately, since, in addition to +the military transport which was just gliding into the station, other +troops were expected, and the passenger-trains must wait until the road +was clear again. All had patiently resigned themselves to +circumstances, with the exception of a solitary passenger, who +evidently was in great haste and found the delay hard to endure. He had +retired to a dark, secluded part of the station, where he was pacing to +and fro with signs of intense impatience, consulting his watch every +five minutes. Suddenly he paused, and then withdrew into still deeper +shadow, for an officer who had arrived with the military train came +talking with a railway official, directly towards where he stood. + +"The express--train passed through with but little delay, then?" asked +the officer. "But the passenger-train that arrived at noon is still +here? Are its passengers here also?" + +"Certainly, Herr Captain," replied the official. "They are still +waiting, and must wait for some time yet." + +The solitary passenger seemed to recognize the officer's voice, and to +wish to avoid meeting him, for he turned hastily and walked in another +direction. His sudden movement, however, betrayed his presence to the +sharp eyes of the officer searching the gloom. He briefly thanked the +official, and in a few steps overtook the stranger, and barred his way. + +"Count Raoul Steinrück!" + +The encounter was most unwelcome to the young Count, this was plain, +but he thought it purely accidental,--the captain was doubtless on his +way with his regiment to the seat of war. He stood still, and asked, +bluntly, "What do you wish, Captain Rodenberg?" + +"First of all, I wish for a private interview with you." + +"I regret that I am in great haste." + +"So am I. But I trust that the matter I have to settle can be disposed +of briefly." + +Raoul hesitated an instant, and then called out to the official, who +still stood near, "How long will the passenger-train be delayed?" + +"For an hour at least," the man replied, shrugging his shoulders and +walking away. Raoul turned to Rodenberg. + +"Well, then, I am ready; but here at the station, where every word can +be overheard, we cannot----" + +"No, but over there I see a small inn. We can go there; it is close at +hand." + +"As you please, since the matter admits of no delay. I beg you to be +very brief, however, since, as you see, I am on my way elsewhere," the +young Count said, haughtily, turning in the desired direction. Michael +followed him closely, never taking his eyes from him, and evidently +surprised by his ready compliance. + +They reached the house, and entered the gloomy, dim inn-parlour, at +present deserted. The host showed them into a small adjoining room, +which seemed appropriated to the use of the better sort of guests. Ho +brought a light, and then, finding they had no further orders to give, +vanished. They were left alone. + +Raoul stood in the centre of the room. He was ghastly pale; there was a +feverish gleam in his eyes, and with all his effort at self-control he +could not conceal his intense agitation. + +"Time and place seem to me but ill chosen for an explanation," he +began. "I should certainly have called you to an account later with +regard to the disclosures made by you to my grandfather in the name of +the Countess Hertha." + +"No need to refer to that now," Michael interrupted him. "I have a +question to put to you. You are on your way to Strasburg; what do you +want there?" + +"What does this mean?" exclaimed Raoul, indignantly. "You forget that +you are speaking to Count Steinrück." + +"I speak in the name of General Steinrück, who has sent me to recover +the papers which you have with you, and the value of which you know as +well as I do." + +The young Count started as if he had received a blow. "The papers? My +grandfather believes----?" + +"He and I believe! And I think we are justified in so doing. Pray let +us have no circumlocution. I have but little time to lose, and am +resolved to use force if necessary. Will you compel me to do so?" + +Raoul gazed at him as if dazed; suddenly he covered his face with his +hands and groaned, "Ah, this is terrible!" + +"Spare me this farce!" said Rodenberg, harshly. "It can avail nothing. +The general's desk has been broken open, the document stolen, and the +servant who unexpectedly entered the room found the thief----" + +A savage exclamation from Raoul interrupted him; the young Count seemed +about to throw himself upon him. Michael raised his hand. "Control +yourself, Count Steinrück; you have lost the right to be treated with +any consideration." + +"But it is a lie!" Raoul burst forth, violently. "Not I--but Henri +Clermont----" + +"I have no doubt that Clermont was the instigator. I myself saw him +lurking in the garden at midnight. But another must have lent his hand +to the shameful work. A stranger, a Frenchman, could hardly have gained +access to the general's rooms." + +"But he could to mine. He had the key of the garden gate and of my +bedroom. My grandfather always disliked him, as did my mother also of +late: we chose to escape the perpetual reproach that was sure to follow +Henri's visits. I did not dream of his vile purpose in asking me to +give him the keys." + +Michael leaned against the table with folded arms, gazing steadily at +the speaker; it was plain that he did not believe him. + +"The son of the house then opened its doors to the spy? And how did he +find the secret drawer, so well concealed in the desk? How did he find +the spring that alone could open it?" + +"My own desk, which he knew well, is similarly arranged. It was given +me by my grandfather, who had it made for me after the model of his." + +"Ah, indeed! Go on." + +Raoul clinched his hands convulsively. "Rodenberg, do not goad me too +far. You see in me a desperate man. You must believe me, you must +disabuse my grandfather of his terrible suspicion, or I never would +answer questions put in such a tone and with such an air. I came home +last night late and found the doors, which are always locked between my +rooms and the general's, open. Since we alone have the keys opening +them, my suspicions were awakened. I went to the study, and found the +man whom I had called my friend----" + +"At his work," Michael concluded the sentence. "Apparently you did not +interrupt it, since he found time to complete the robbery." + +"He had already completed it. As I stood in utter dismay, crushed by +the frightful discovery, we heard the door of the antechamber open, and +approaching footsteps. In mortal terror Henri clasped my arm and +conjured me to save him. Discovery would be his ruin, as I knew, and I +hurried to the door and prevented the servant's entrance by telling him +of my presence. When the man had gone and I turned round, Clermont had +escaped." + +"And you did not pursue him and wrest his booty from him? You did not +tell the general what had happened?" + +Raoul's eyes were downcast, and he replied, scarcely audibly, "He was +my nearest friend, the brother of the woman whom I loved to madness, +and whom I then believed guiltless. The next morning I hurried to them; +they were gone, and an hour afterwards I made a terrible discovery; +then, reckless of all other considerations, I set out to pursue them." + +He paused as if exhausted. Michael had listened with apparent +composure, except for a slight contemptuous quiver of the lip. Now he +stood erect. "Have you finished? My patience is at an end; I did not +come here to listen to fanciful tales. Give me the papers, or I shall +be forced to resort to violence." + +"You do not believe me?" exclaimed Raoul. "You still do not believe +me?" + +"No, I do not believe one word of this tissue of falsehood. For the +last time, then, give me the papers, or by the eternal God I will obey +the order which my grandfather gave me when I left him,--'Wrest the +papers from him, living or--dead!'" + +A shiver ran through Raoul's frame. Here it was again,--the strange +resemblance. He knew those flashing eyes, that iron tone; he seemed to +see his grandfather's self before him pronouncing upon him sentence of +death. + +"Fulfil your orders, then!" he said, dully; "and then you will know +that the dead did not lie." + +There was something in this dull submission that had a more powerful +effect than could have been produced by the most passionate +asseverations. Michael was impressed by it. He knew that Raoul +possessed sufficient physical courage to defend to the death what he +did not choose to resign, had it been in his possession; and, stepping +up close to him, he laid his hand upon his arm. + +"Count Raoul Steinrück, in the name of the man from whom we both are +sprung I demand of you the truth. The papers upon which the safety of +our army depends are not in your possession?" + +"No!" said Raoul, firmly; and once more his down cast eyes were lifted +to meet his questioner's gaze. + +"And Clermont has them?" + +"Doubtless they are in his hands." + +"Then I am losing time here; he must be pursued and overtaken. The +train that brought me here leaves in half an hour. I must go to the +station." + +He turned to go, but the young Count detained him. "Take me with you! +Give me a place in the military train. Our paths are the same----" + +"No, they are not!" Michael interrupted him, coldly. "Stay behind, +Count Steinrück. I may perhaps be compelled to demand the papers of +Herr von Clermont pistol in hand, and at the decisive moment you might +possibly remember again that he is your 'nearest friend,' and the +brother of the woman whom you 'love to madness.'" + +"Rodenberg, I give you my word of honour----" + +"_Your word of honour?_" + +The emphasis that Michael gave to these words was so crushing that +Raoul stood mute, as the captain went on in the same pitiless tone,-- + +"If you have not been guilty of the worst of crimes you have permitted +it, and even shielded it from discovery. Either act is high treason; +the accomplice is as bad as the thief." + +He went without a backward glance. As he passed through the hall a door +opened, and Valentin appeared, stood for a moment mute with +astonishment, and then advanced hastily. "Michael! Is this you?" + +"Your reverence!" was the rejoinder, in the same tone of astonishment. +"You here?" + +"That I ask you. You appointed the day after tomorrow, and if Hertha +had not in her anxiety hastened her journey----" + +"Hertha here? With you? Where is she?" Michael eagerly interrupted him; +and when the priest pointed to the door in the upper story opening upon +the staircase, the young officer heard no more, but rushed up the +steps, tore open the door, and in another instant clasped Hertha in his +arms. + +But this interview had to be as brief as it was passionately tender. +Rodenberg clasped his betrothed to his heart, but his first word to her +was one of farewell. + +"I cannot stay. I only wanted to see you, to snatch one moment of +bliss. I must go." + +"Go?" Hertha repeated, clinging to him, half dazed with sudden joy and +dread. "Now, in this first moment of reunion? You cannot." + +"I must," he insisted. "Perhaps we may see each other again the day +after to-morrow." + +"Only perhaps! And if we do not? Can you not spare me a moment for +farewell?" + +"My darling, you cannot dream what it costs me to leave you now; but +duty claims me. I must obey." + +Duty! Hertha had heard the word often enough from the general's lips, +and she comprehended its significance. Her eyes filled with tears, but +she made no further effort to detain her lover. Once more he pressed +his lips to hers. + +"Farewell! One thing more,--Raoul is here. Possibly he may attempt to +see you if he should hear of your presence in the house. Promise me +neither to see him nor to speak with him." + +A contemptuous expression flitted across the young girl's face. "_Her_ +presence would forbid on his part any such attempt as you fear." + +"Whose presence? Whom do you mean?" asked Michael, with intense +eagerness. + +"Héloïse von Nérac!" + +"What? here? And Clermont----" + +"He is with her." + +"Thank God! Where--where are they?" + +"Just above us, in the gable-room. But tell me----" + +"I cannot! Do not ask me, do not follow me. _Everything_ depends upon +my finding them, and then--then I can stay with you." + +He hurried from the room, past the priest, who looked after him in +dismayed surprise; nor could Hertha in the least understand this scene, +although she clung for comfort to Michael's last words,--'Then I can +stay with you.' + +The gable-room, in which a single candle was burning, was even more +scantily furnished than were the other rooms in the house, but the +strangers occupying it, who had arrived by the noonday train, had taken +possession of it without complaint, since they needed it for only a few +hours. They were each in travelling-dress, apparently waiting +impatiently for the signal for departure. Henri Clermont was pacing the +room restlessly, whilst Héloïse sat leaning back in an old arm-chair. + +"What a delay this is!" she exclaimed, in despair. "It seems as if we +never should get away from here. It will be impossible for us to cross +the borders tomorrow morning as we hoped." + +"And it is entirely your fault," Henri interposed, irritably. "How +could you be guilty of such imprudence as to speak French just as we +were about to change cars? You might have known that the excited crowd +at the station would insult us." + +"How could I know that the German mob was so irritable? And after all +there were only two or three who were insulting; the better sort took +our part. There was no need for the police to interfere as they did." + +"True, but while matters were being adjusted the train moved off, and +we, hemmed in on every side, could not get to it. We have lost half a +day, when every minute is full of peril for us. Moreover, we have +attracted attention, and may be glad that we could disappear in this +wretched inn. We must not venture to show ourselves again at the +station until just before the train starts. They may be even now upon +our track." + +"Impossible! Even if the discovery has been made, Raoul will be +silent." + +"Raoul behaved like a madman. In another instant he would have called +for help, and betrayed me. Had I not whispered, 'Remember Héloïse. If +you betray me she is lost to you!' he would not have let me go." + +"And we have left him to bear the brunt of the tempest!" + +Héloïse's voice trembled as she spoke the words, but Henri shrugged his +shoulders. + +"That can't be helped. It was either I or he; there was no other choice +when matters had gone so far." + +The conversation was carried on of course in French, but in so low a +tone that not a word could be heard beyond the walls of the room. Now +Henri's voice sank to a whisper as he went close up to his sister. + +"It was not easy for you to give him up, I know, but the reward is +worth the sacrifice. What I have here assures our entire future. We may +ask what we will, and they----" + +He broke off suddenly and turned to the door, which was quietly opened. +Héloïse started up with an exclamation of terror; the instant she +recognized the man standing on the threshold she knew that their +schemes and calculations were fruitless. Not in vain had been her dread +of those 'cold, hard eyes:' they brought ruin to her brother and +herself. + +Rodenberg closed the door and approached the pair. "Herr von Clermont, +there is no need to tell you why I am here. I trust you will spare me +all explanation, and that a few minutes will suffice for the business +between us." + +Clermont had grown very pale, but he made an effort to maintain his +composure. + +"What do you mean, Captain Rodenberg? I do not understand you." + +"Then I must be more explicit. I demand the papers which have been +stolen from General Steinrück's desk. No need to put your hand to your +breast; you see I, too, have a pistol here, and I am probably the +better shot. Moreover, it might be uncomfortable for you to have shots +exchanged here; the station is very near, and is crowded with troops; +escape would be impossible. You had better resign yourself to +circumstances." + +Clermont in fact dropped his hand from his breast and said through his +closed teeth, "And if I refuse to do so?" + +"Then you must bear the consequences. War is declared, and a spy would +have but a short shrift. I leave you to choose. One word from me, and +you are lost." + +"That word, however, you will not speak," said Clermont, with a sneer; +"for then I should have something to say which might not be exactly +agreeable to one of your generals in command." + +The threat touched a sore spot, but Michael with instant presence of +mind deprived it of its point, rejoining, coolly, "You are mistaken; +Count Raoul Steinrück is here with me, upon your track. He may well be +forgiven the heedlessness of a moment. But enough of this idle talk. +Must I use force? My shot will rouse the neighbourhood." + +He stood, pistol in hand, gazing steadily at his opponent, who saw +clearly that the game was lost. Clermont was no coward in the usual +sense of the word, but he knew that strife with this man would be vain, +and his weapon, Raoul's share in his treachery, had been wrenched from +his hand. In fact, he believed that Raoul himself had revealed the +theft. After a moment's delay he slowly drew forth the papers from his +breast-pocket and handed them to the captain, who took them without +altering his menacing attitude. + +"Retire to the window," he said, authoritatively. "I must see that the +papers are all here and intact." + +Clermont obeyed, going to the window, where Héloïse had already taken +refuge. Michael tore open the envelope which bore the general's +address, and which had apparently been opened. The superscription of +the papers revealed their contents, their seals were unbroken, and, +after a brief, keen scrutiny, he was satisfied that none had been +abstracted. + +Meanwhile, Henri had whispered a few words to his sister, who now +timidly approached the captain. "Captain Rodenberg--we are in your +power." + +The words sounded imploring and distressed, but as she confronted the +captain and raised her eyes to his, he encountered that strange gleam +which many men had found so perilous, and which had wrought Raoul's +ruin; it was harmless here. + +"The way to the station lies open for your brother and yourself, +madame," said Michael, coldly. "I shall place no further obstacle in +your path; but allow me to hope that in future you will choose some +other country--not Germany--for the scene of your operations." + +Héloïse recoiled; his tone of utter contempt was worse than a blow. + +As Rodenberg went down the stairs his old teacher came to meet him. +"Michael, what in heaven's name has been going on up there? Countess +Hertha has been in mortal terror, and so have I; but we did not venture +to follow you." + +"Reassure Hertha, I pray your reverence, and tell her I shall be with +her in five minutes." + +He spoke the words hurriedly as he passed the priest and went through +the inn-parlour to the little room where he had left Raoul. + +The young Count was sitting at the table, his head leaning upon his +hands, in an attitude of despair. He looked up as the captain entered, +but his eyes were dull and lifeless. + +"The peril is past," said Michael. "By chance Clermont and his sister +were in this very house. I forced him to relinquish his booty, and I +think I can answer for his silence, since no plotter is anxious to tell +of disgraceful schemes frustrated. For the sake of the honour of the +Steinrück name, we too must hold our tongues. The name is saved from +disgrace, and there is nothing to prevent your return to your home, +Count Raoul; no one will ever know that the papers have been in hands +other than those for which they were intended. I shall instantly +telegraph to my grandfather, and early to-morrow I shall leave here to +carry to him the missing packet. This is what I wished to tell you." + +Raoul sat as if stunned, listening to the words that lifted such a +terrible burden from his soul; the strange rigidity of his features did +not relax. He seemed to wish to speak, perhaps a word of gratitude, but +the scorn in his cousin's look and bearing closed his lips. 'My +grandfather,'--the words sounded so natural, so exultant. Count Michael +had indeed found a grandson who was bone of his bone, flesh of his +flesh. They belonged together, and after this exploit of Michael's the +old Count's' arms would be opened wide to receive him. + +When Rodenberg had gone, Raoul arose and slowly left the room and the +house. Outside, he paused as if reflecting, and then retreated into the +shadow as two figures emerged from the door-way. He recognized them as +they glided past him on their way to the station, but he betrayed his +presence by no sign, no sound. The proximity of the woman who but a +short time before had possessed such power over him scarcely made any +impression upon him. He knew that she was vanishing from him forever, +but the knowledge gave him no pain. All within him seemed empty and +dead, incapable of sensation. + +From the open window just above him came the same voice that he had +heard a few moments before, but how different was its tone! + +"Hertha, my darling, forgive me for leaving you as I did. I had to +fight for one hour of farewell. Now there is no duty to keep me from +you. But we will have no tears,--we are still together." + +Then another voice spoke,--a voice which the listener also knew well, +and which sounded strange to him in its tenderness and sweetness. + +"No, Michael, you shall not see a tear. I will think of nothing save +the joy of having you here." + +Was that really Hertha? Ah, she had learned to love indeed, and he who +had once been her betrothed knew now what he had sacrificed. It drove +him far from the lovers; he walked on aimlessly in the darkness, beside +the rushing river, until a wall barred his way. It was one of the +supports of the bridge, above the arches of which the railway crossed +the river; below the current ran strong, and an old willow dipped its +boughs deep into the water. + +The air was close and sultry, but a storm was at hand, and the +lightning flashed sharply and incessantly. Raoul leaned against the +trunk of the willow and gazed down into the dark whirling water; it +cost him an effort to think clearly. + +What should he do now? Go home? He could be there on the morrow, and +some pretext for his absence could easily be invented. + +No one knew what had happened, with the exception of the two who would +keep silence for the sake of the honour of the Steinrücks, but the last +of the name felt utterly unable to confront his grandfather again. +The stern old man had pronounced sentence upon the traitor to his +country,--the look of cool contempt beneath which Raoul had winced half +an hour ago would fall upon him day after day from his grandfather's +eyes,--death were indeed preferable to such a fate! + +Loud hurrahs resounded from the railway-station, where the crowd were +cheering the troops who were about to take their departure, and behind +those dimly-lighted windows a young soldier was bidding farewell to his +betrothed whom he might never see again. But here, beneath this willow, +stood one for whom all was lost,--betrothed, honour, even a country. + +The military train came rushing along, and just as it reached the +bridge there was a flash of lightning. For an instant everything stood +revealed in the dazzling light, the heavy threatening clouds, the dim +distant mountains, and the whirling river, but the spot beneath the +willow was vacant, and there was a plash in the foaming waters. In a +moment the night swallowed all up again, the train thundered across the +bridge, and in the west there was a zigzag gleam,--Saint Michael's +sword of flame. + + + * * * * * + + +Two days later at General Steinrück's head-quarters various officers +were assembled waiting for orders, but with unusually grave faces, and +conversing in undertones. They had learned the sad misfortune that had +befallen their chief. His grandson, the handsome, gallant, and gay +Count Raoul, was dead; he had been walking at night on the river-bank, +a false step had precipitated him from it into the river at a spot +where the current was unusually strong, and he had been drowned. + +It was terrible for the old man thus in the evening of his days to see +the last of his name and race vanish in the bloom of youth, while he +could not even stand beside his coffin or follow it to his ancestral +tomb. Duty detained him at the head of his corps; indeed, in the two +days that had elapsed since he had heard the sad news no duty of his +position had been neglected; he was now giving audience to Captain +Rodenberg, a bearer of important despatches. Not one of the officers +suspected the nature of the scene--the closing scene of a family +drama--that was enacting behind those closed doors. Michael was +standing there beside the general, saying,-- + +"They found him at daybreak, quite near the house where we were +staying. I had time to make the necessary arrangements, and then I was +obliged to leave, intrusting everything else to the care of my dear old +teacher, who also undertook the sad duty of carrying the news to +Countess Hortense of her son's death and of having the body taken to +Steinrück." + +The general had listened in silence; now he asked, "And does no one +know----?" + +"No one save ourselves. Clermont and his sister will be silent,--must +be silent for their own sakes. Were anything known of what has +occurred, existence would be impossible for them anywhere. Here are the +papers. I deliver them into the hands of my general, and the honour of +the Steinrück name is intact." + +Steinrück received the papers, and held out his hand to his grandson: +"I thank you, Michael." + +The young officer looked at him anxiously, not deceived by the rigid +composure of his manner; he knew what lay behind it. + +"Grandfather," he said, gently, "now you can mourn for him." + +The general shook his head. "I have no time for tears, and they belong +only to the beloved dead. That he could so wound me---- But enough; let +him rest in peace." + +He turned away and went into the antechamber, where the officers were +assembled, and where he was received with the silent respect accorded +to affliction. One of the group then stepped forward, and, in the name +of all present, expressed to their leader the sympathy felt for him in +the heavy loss which he had sustained. Steinrück listened calmly, +apparently unmoved; he merely bowed in acknowledgment. + +"I thank you, gentlemen. The blow which soon must strike thousands +has fallen first upon me, but heaven has already sent me consolation, +for here,"--and with the words a flash of his former energy broke +through his forced composure, and the old soldier stood erect and +vigorous,--"here beside me stands the son of my dead daughter, _my +grandson_, Michael Rodenberg!" + + + * * * * * + + +A year had passed, a year full of terrible conflict and of tremendous +results, full of shouts of victory and of wailing for the dead, and +when summer again greeted the earth it greeted a newly-arisen kingdom. + +Upon the mountain road leading from Tannberg to Castle Steinrück was +rolling an open carriage in which were two officers. The captain, who +sat on the right, would easily have been recognized as a soldier, even +in civilian's dress; but his companion, who wore the uniform of a +lieutenant of reserves, had an artistic rather than a military air, in +spite of being tanned very brown by exposure to the sun and wind. + +"The luck is all yours, Michael," he said, with all his old gayety. +"You are returning crowned with laurels to your betrothed, while I +still have a hard battle to fight. My little Dornröschen has indeed +been faithful and brave, but the tall thorny hedge still confronts me +in all the toughness of the tenth century. This uniform of mine is very +uncomfortable in travelling, but I hope to impress my father-in-law +with it. Perhaps it may move him to be confronted by the nineteenth +century in all its warlike pomp." + +"As usual, you regard the matter in its ludicrous aspect," rejoined +Michael; "but indeed you ought to reflect that not only the old +Freiherr, but your father also, refuses his consent." + +"Yes, fathers are undoubtedly very difficult to deal with," Hans +assented. "By dint of reading Gerlinda's letters to my father I have at +last convinced him that she is sane, but he obstinately insists that +lunacy is hereditary in the Eberstein family, and admonishes me to have +regard for future generations. The Freiherr, on the other hand, +maintains that godless irreverence is hereditary. Moreover, he must +have an inkling that since the troops are dismissed I shall shortly +come to the surface, for he has forbidden Gerlinda to drive to +Steinrück. As if there were any use in that! I shall as the Knight of +Forschungstein attack the Ebersburg, and as a preliminary climb the +castle wall, and find my Dornröschen waiting for me on the terrace." + +Michael listened rather absently, gazing the while towards Castle +Steinrück, which had been visible for some time and was now close at +hand. He remarked, casually, "You seem to be in constant correspondence +with her,--was not an interchange of letters forbidden?" + +"Of course it was, by both fathers. That is why we wrote so constantly +to each other during the war. The archives of the family will be +wonderfully enriched by the letters recounting the story of our love +and misfortunes. But these last have gone on long enough, and if the +old Freiherr will not listen to reason he must be clapped into the +castle dungeon, and be kept there, as was Balduin of blessed memory six +hundred years ago, until he consented to the marriage of Kunrad von +Eberstein and Hildegard von Ortenau. Oh, I am well up now in the family +chronicles. I make no more mistakes in the names." + +Michael made no answer; as the carriage was driving up the hill he +gazed eagerly towards the castle windows. Hans followed the direction +of his eyes. + +"And your grandfather is there too?" + +"Yes, he came a week ago, and he has been obliged to ask for a long +leave; the fatigue he has undergone has told terribly upon his health. +But I hope everything from this mountain air." + +The young artist shook his head, and said with sudden seriousness, "The +general is very much altered. I was shocked when I saw him again. True, +a campaign at his age, and then the sudden death of his grandson,--it +is but natural. I think, however, that he is much fonder of you than he +ever was of Count Raoul." + +"Perhaps so. But at his time of life the effect of such shocks is never +quite overcome," said Michael, evasively. He knew well what his +grandfather could not overcome, but it was a secret between them. + +Hans talked on, receiving ever briefer and more absent replies; his +friend seemed scarcely to hear him, as he sat gazing towards the +castle. Suddenly he drew forth his handkerchief and waved it in the +air. + +"What are you about?" asked Hans. "Ah, I see; there waves another +handkerchief, and--yes, there stands the Countess Hertha on the +balcony. She is beautiful indeed, your golden-haired fairy princess up +there in the brilliant sunshine! My Dornröschen cannot vie with her, +and my betrothed, instead of millions by way of dowry, has only an +obstinate old papa. But then her family is full two hundred years older +than the Steinrücks. Don't forget that, Michael! In the Middle Ages my +future wife would decidedly have taken precedence of yours." + +At last the carriage drove into the court-yard, far too slowly for the +impatience of the young officer, who tore open the door, alighted, and +ran up the steps to the hall, and, in spite of the servants there +assembled, clasped in his arms Hertha, who had come to meet him. It was +the first public acknowledgment of their betrothal. + +"And I must look on, and cannot do likewise, just because I have a +foolish papa and papa-in-law," grumbled Hans. "But only wait, my +gentlemen, hardhearted parents as you are, and I will bring you to your +knees." + + + * * * * * + + +In the wainscoted room with the large bow-window, where the ancestral +portraits looked down from the walls, and the escutcheon of the +Steinrücks was carved above the fireplace, Count Michael now sat with +his grandson, whom he had seen for the first time in this very room, +where the boy had suffered under so false an accusation. Fate had +devised a terrible requital, and the general evidently suffered +severely from it. + +In fact, he was greatly altered, and in twelve months had grown older +by as many years. While the campaign lasted, the responsibilities of +his position, his military duties, nerved his arm, and his will forced +mind and body to do his bidding. But his strength failed him when his +duties were ended. The features of the handsome old face looked pinched +and hollow, the eyes had lost their fire, even the carriage was bowed +and weary. At this moment, however, his eyes rested with intense +satisfaction upon his grandson, whose hand he held in his own. + +"I should think you might well be content," said he. "It is seldom that +so young an officer receives such distinguished honours as have been +heaped upon you, and I can bear witness that you deserve them. Your +conduct in the field surpassed my expectations, and I expected a great +deal from you, Michael." + +"Perhaps the recognition of my services would not have been so +flattering if it had not been accorded to the grandson of the general +in command," rejoined Michael, with a smile. "From the moment when you +introduced me as your near of kin I was but too well aware of the +especial attention paid me." + +"At all events, the recognition you have received was your due, and +Hertha may well be proud of her hero. Have you settled upon the time +for your marriage?" + +"Not yet. Hertha takes various considerations into account, and, hard +though it be, I must submit. Her betrothal to Raoul has never been +publicly annulled, and the year of mourning is just ended. We meant, +however, to leave the decision to you, grandfather. If you think we +ought to wait----" + +"No!" Steinrück declared. "You have agreed to have the marriage +celebrated very quietly, and I should like to give you to each other +myself. In a few months--it may be too late." + +"Grandfather!" said Michael, half in remonstrance, half in reproach. + +"Why should I not speak of it to you? You must confront the +inevitable." + +"But it is not inevitable. Why will you not rouse yourself from the +melancholy that is sapping your physical strength? Has every pleasure +in life vanished in Raoul's grave? Hertha and I are still with you to +help you to forget the past." + +The general slowly shook his head. "You best know what you are to me, +Michael, but my vigour has departed, and you know, too, when it left +me. That blow struck at the very root of the old tree; it cannot +recover." + +Michael made no reply; he knew that, although his grandfather had been +spared the worst, enough had occurred to wound to the quick the pride +and the sense of honour of the old Count, who had always been devoted +heart and soul to his country. + +"The Countess Hortense is, I hear, with her brother again--with your +consent?" asked Rodenberg. + +"Yes; while the war lasted I neither could nor would permit my son's +widow to remain in France. Now, however, she has gone back to Montigny. +She has never felt at home here, and Raoul's death has severed the only +tie that united us. I have assured her an independence as far as it lay +in my power. You know the disposition that I have made of my property. +Castle Steinrück falls to you as my sole heir, and with Hertha's hand +you come into possession of all the family estates, which I was so +anxious to assure to my grandson. My plans are fulfilled, but not as I +had devised them, and it is better thus. You will fill your position +well, and will guard and protect Hertha with a strong arm. God bless +you both!" + + + * * * * * + + +It was by no mere chance that Hans Wehlau accompanied his friend. He +hoped to enlist Michael's betrothed as an ally in his last decisive +attack upon the prejudices of his father and of his father-in-law _in +spe_. This attack could take place only at Steinrück, for it was there +only that Gerlinda's father was to be met, and it was there only that +he could be brought into contact with Professor Wehlau, who was at +present paying a visit to his relatives in Tannberg. + +Hertha had already done all that she could to encourage her little +friend, and to prevail with the old Freiherr, but to no more purpose +than was Hans's second presentation of his suit a few days after his +arrival at Steinrück. In vain had he donned his uniform; the warlike +pomp of the nineteenth century made no impression whatever upon the +tenth. Udo von Eberstein was determined to adhere to the traditions of +his house, and threatened to shut his daughter up in a convent rather +than allow her to marry a man of no rank. He was inexorable, and +neither the lover's insistence nor Gerlinda's tears availed to soften +his heart. + +It was not very difficult to entice Professor Wehlau to Steinrück. He +willingly accepted an invitation from Michael, but one which Hertha +extended to the inmates of the Ebersburg, 'by chance' for the same day, +was only half successful. The Freiherr made his appearance, but he +prudently left his daughter at home, moved to this precautionary +measure by the possibility of meeting at Steinrück the man who +persisted in wanting to be his son-in-law, and who was upheld by +Gerlinda in his irreverent presumption. The visit, however, appeared +about to pass without any disturbance; the enemy who threatened the +race of Eberstein with a plebeian name was nowhere to be seen, and the +Freiherr, who had had a long talk with the general of the times when +they were brothers-in-arms, was in the best of spirits. + +Count Steinrück having been called away for a few minutes, the Freiherr +was left alone in the bow-windowed room. He turned as the door opened, +expecting to see the general again, but started violently upon +confronting Professor Wehlau. + +The Professor was startled in his turn; he knew nothing of his +opponent's presence here, and was for an instant undecided what manner +to adopt towards him. A gentler disposition gained the upper hand, +however, and he muttered, "Good-day, Herr von Eberstein." + +"Herr Professor Wehlau, are you here?" asked Eberstein, returning his +salutation with a very stiff inclination. "I hope you have not brought +your son with you." + +"No; he is in Tannberg." + +"I rejoice to hear it. My daughter is at the Ebersburg." + +Wehlau shrugged his shoulders. "Not much cause for rejoicing. I'll +wager that the pair are together the instant our backs are turned." + +"I beg your pardon," said Eberstein, with dignity. "I have strictly +forbidden Gerlinda either to see or to speak to Herr Wehlau." + +"Of course, and you forbade her to write to him, but my Hans brought +home a whole wagon-load of her letters. Fräulein Gerlinda possesses a +like number, I suppose." + +"This is disgraceful!" exclaimed the old Freiherr, informed thus for +the first time of his child's disobedience. "Why do you not employ your +paternal authority? Why have you permitted your son to come hither?" + +"Because he is twenty-six years old, and a child no longer," replied +Wehlau, dryly. "You, indeed, keep your daughter under lock and key. I +wish I could do the same with my madcap; but it would not help matters: +he would scramble out of the window and into the Ebersburg, if he had +to do it by the chimney. The affair cannot be allowed to go on thus; we +must have recourse to serious measures." + +"Yes, we must!" Eberstein agreed, with an energetic thump of his cane +on the floor. "I shall shut Gerlinda up in a convent for the present as +a boarder. Then we'll see whether my gentleman can visit her by way of +the chimney." + +"A very sensible idea!" exclaimed the Professor, almost tempted to +shake his opponent by the hand. "Stick to it, Herr von Eberstein. I am +really glad to see you, in your condition, capable of such energy." + +The old Freiherr, who had no idea of the insulting nature of the +Professor's diagnosis of his case, and who thought he alluded to his +gout, sighed heavily. "Yea, my condition grows worse every day." + +"Are you aware of it yourself?" asked Wehlau, drawing up a chair and +seating himself. "Of what did your father die, Herr Baron?" + +"My father, Colonel Kuno von Eberstein-Ortenau, fell in the battle of +Leipsic at the head of his regiment," was the reply, given with much +conscious dignity. + +Wehlau looked surprised; he seemed to have expected a different answer, +and he forthwith began a regular cross-examination. He asked about the +Freiherr's grandfather and great-grandfather, about his first and +second wife, about his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Any other man would +have been irritated by such inquiries, but Eberstein thought only that +the Professor was greatly changed for the better; it did him good to be +questioned thus with such interest about all the Udos, Kunos, and +Kunrads, to whom this very man had formerly alluded in such +disrespectful terms. He paraded his pedigree to the best advantage, and +willingly answered all questions. + +"Extraordinary!" said Wehlau at last, shaking his head. "Not a single +case of mental disease, then, in your entire family?" + +"Mental disease?" Eberstein repeated, in some dudgeon. "What can you be +thinking of? I suppose that is your specialty, however. No, the +Ebersteins have died of all sorts of diseases, but their minds have +never been affected." + +"That really seems to have been the case---- Is it possible that I have +been mistaken?" murmured the Professor. He turned the conversation to +the family chronicles, to the origin of the Ebersteins in the tenth +century, but the Freiherr's replies were perfectly clear and sensible, +and at last he clasped his hands and said, in a tone of deep emotion, +"Yes, yes, my ancient noble line, known and honoured in history for +nine centuries, goes to the grave with me! Whether Gerlinda marries or +not, the name must die with me, and that soon, as my old Ebersburg will +ere long be but a heap of ruins. The present generation knows nothing, +wishes to know nothing, of the splendour and glory of ancient times, +and I have no son to preserve their memory. The scutcheon of my race +will be broken above my coffin and thrown into the grave with me, with +the last sad words, 'Freiherr von Eberstein-Ortenau, known to-day, but +never more.'" + +There was such bitter pain in the tone in which these words were +uttered that Wehlau suddenly grew very grave, and looked with genuine +emotion at the old man, down whose withered cheeks two tears rolled +slowly. The man of science and of the present had never appreciated the +pride of the noble in his ancestors; but he understood the suffering of +the old man bewailing the downfall of his race, conscious, in spite of +every effort to the contrary, of the iron heel of modern times crushing +and obliterating the traces of centuries. At the moment all that was +ridiculous fell away from Udo von Eberstein, extinguished by the tragic +melancholy of a fading world, over which sentence was pronounced in the +words, 'Known to-day, but never more!' + +There was silence for a few moments, and then the Professor suddenly +offered his hand to his former antagonist. "Herr von Eberstein, I have +done you injustice. We are liable to err, and there really was much +that was strange in your---- Enough, I beg to apologize." + +The old Freiherr was far from guessing the reason tor this apology; he +thought it referred to the want of respect formerly shown for the +Eberstein pedigree, and it pleased him greatly that the irreverent man +of science should be so thoroughly converted. He took the offered hand +and pressed it cordially. + +At this point Michael made his appearance in some dismay, having just +learned that the two men, whose meeting was to be arranged with such +caution, were alone together in the general's room. They were probably +by this time flying at each other's throats, and Captain Rodenberg came +instantly in hopes of averting a misfortune. To his astonishment, he +found the pair engaged in peaceful converse, in fact with clasped +hands. + +"I am sorry to disturb you," said Michael, scarcely believing his eyes. +"The Countess Hertha is very desirous of seeing you, but if you are +engaged in conversation----" + +"No, we have finished," said Wehlau, assisting the old Freiherr, who +was very infirm, to rise. Thus they proceeded to the drawing-room, +where Hertha received them, but beside her stood a man at sight of whom +the Freiherr's melancholy gave place to anger. + +"Herr Hans Wehlau! I thought you were in Tannberg!" he exclaimed. + +"And he was there when I left," interposed the Professor. "How did you +get here, you rascal? through the air?" + +"No, papa, I only drove after you. I wanted especially to speak with +Herr von Eberstein upon a most important matter----" + +"I will not listen to anything," protested the Freiherr; "I know all +about your important matter, but I have just agreed with your father +that we must have recourse to serious measures, very serious measures, +to frustrate your matrimonial schemes." + +"Yes, very serious measures," the Professor reiterated. "We certainly +agreed upon this,--but, after all, why do you refuse to let your +daughter marry my son?" + +Eberstein looked at him completely puzzled. The question was +extraordinary, just when an alliance had been formed against this +marriage, but he was spared the trouble of replying, for Hertha +demanded his attention at the moment, and Wehlau availed himself of the +opportunity to draw his son aside. + +"I was mistaken," he said, bluntly. "This time you were right. The old +Freiherr is quite rational, with the exception of a few abnormal ideas +which must be laid to the charge of the tenth century; such a pedigree +is not normal. Such whims, however, are not hereditary, and so, if +there is no help for it, marry your Gerlinda if you choose." + +"Thank heaven, papa!" said Hans, with a sigh of relief. "You have +caused me worry enough with your anxieties about generations not yet in +existence." + +"It was my duty. But, as I told you, my mind is now easy with regard to +your posterity. Let us see how you will manage the old Baron and his +pedigree." + +"I shall carry them both by storm," exclaimed the young artist, +triumphantly, "and win my Dornröschen in spite of them." + +Meanwhile, Hertha was assisting the young lover's plans. She led the +conversation with the Freiherr to the subject of her own betrothal, +reminding the old man that she, like Gerlinda, was the last of her +race, and that her name too was to be merged in one without a title; +but Eberstein opposed her angrily. + +"That is quite a different thing. Your betrothed is the Count's +grandson, the son of a Steinrück; on the mother's side he belongs to +your family. Moreover,"--he turned courteously to Michael, whose manly +form and carriage were greatly to his taste,--"moreover, Captain +Rodenberg has served with distinction during the war. Even in the times +of our glorious ancestors brave deeds were worth a patent of nobility +and won the accolade. But a son-in-law with a paint-brush for a sword +and a palette for a shield,--oh, never, never!" + +"At all events, he can perpetuate brave deeds," said Michael, smiling. +"Perhaps you are not aware that my friend has just gained the victory +in a trial of artistic skill. His name is lauded throughout the public +press, and is unanimously----" + +"Don't talk to me of the 'public press!'" exclaimed Eberstein, in high +dudgeon. "It, too, is an invention of to-day, and worse than all the +rest. Reckless, indiscreet, slanderous, it tramples everything in the +dust, holds nothing sacred, and is the devil's own work." + +"You are quite right, Herr Baron; the press is terrible," assented +Hans, who had approached in time to hear the Freiherr's last words. +"But I pray you to permit me to tell you what I ask. Do not put your +fingers in your ears; it really has nothing to do with Gerlinda and me, +but only with the contest of which Michael has just told you. I engaged +in it before the war, and during the campaign received intelligence +that my sketch had taken the prize and that the picture had been +ordered. To carry out this order your permission is necessary." + +"My permission?" asked Eberstein. "What have I to do with your +pictures?" + +"That you can understand if you will kindly condescend to glance at the +sketch. It is an historical picture to hang in the principal hall of +the new Rathhaus in B., and, of course, in such a place it will be very +conspicuous, which is why I must ask your permission to paint it. +Should you refuse me I must make another sketch. Here it is." + +He opened the door of the adjoining room. Fortunately, the old Freiherr +was not so obstinate as Professor Wehlau had been with regard to the +picture of Saint Michael, and, half curiously, half mistrustfully, he +entered the room, followed by the others. + +The picture referred to was in fact then leaning against the wall, only +a cartoon as yet, done in charcoal, but a faithful presentment of the +future picture. The artist had succeeded in rendering with vivid effect +a scene from the mediæval wars under the Hohenstauffen. On the right of +the picture was the Emperor, a majestic, powerful figure, surrounded by +princes and prelates; on the left the people were crowding, while the +centre of the canvas was occupied by the victorious warriors returning +home to lay at the feet of their sovereign the trophies of their +prowess. The composition was stirring and characteristic; the interest +centred upon one man, evidently the hero of the hour, the leader of the +victors; a splendid figure, with dark hair and eyes, and noble regular +features, mail-clad, and full of manly vigour. Erect, pointing towards +the trophies heaped upon the ground, he seemed to be recounting to the +Emperor his tale of victory. This single warrior was the central point +of the composition; upon him was concentrated the interest of the +spectators; and his helm and breastplate bore the insignia of the +Ebersteins, while upon his shield was the scutcheon now crumbling to +decay above the gates of the Ebersburg. Here was its resurrection. + +The old Freiherr had approached the picture to examine it; suddenly he +started, his sad eyes brightened, his bowed form stood erect, and, with +a gesture that was almost youthful, he turned to the young artist +standing behind him. "Did you do this? And that is----" + +"The reproduction of a portrait which I saw upon my first visit to the +Ebersburg," Hans completed the sentence. "You, perhaps, remember our +conversation upon that occasion, and can now understand why I ask your +permission to paint this picture." + +Eberstein made no reply; he stood gazing fixedly at the picture, at the +image of himself when he was still young and happy, and fit to bear +arms. His eyes grew moist at the memory of that time. + +"What does all this mean?" asked the Professor, who knew the picture, +but had not been informed of its secret significance. The old Baron +turned to him and said, in a tone half of melancholy, half of conscious +pride,-- + +"Those are my features. Thus looked Udo von Eberstein forty years ago." + +"You are very much changed since then," said Wehlau, in his blunt +fashion; but Hans hastily interposed. + +"No, no, papa! Look closely at the Freiherr and you will recognize the +features. The picture is to be painted in fresco, Herr Baron, and will +probably last as long as the Rathhaus is in existence, for some +hundreds of years at least." + +"Some hundreds of years," murmured Eberstein, ecstatically. "But no one +will know that scutcheon." + +Hans stepped close to his side. "Unfortunately, it is known already. +That terrible press--you know I share your horror of it--has mastered +the whole matter, and has printed the names in full. An article in the +principal newspaper of our imperial capital--permit me to read you the +close of it." + +He produced a newspaper and read aloud: "'After this detailed +description we cannot withhold from our readers the information +that the central figure of the picture,--the knight with the +fine characteristic head,'--here it is in black and white, Herr +Baron,--'the fine characteristic head, is an only slightly idealized +portrait,--the portrait of the Freiherr Udo von Eberstein-Ortenau of +the Ebersburg, the last scion of a once famous race, which traces its +pedigree back to the tenth century; the scutcheon of the Ebersteins, +seen upon the helmet and shield of the knight, is thus immortalized.' +Indeed I could not help this, Herr Baron,--a couple of innocent remarks +of mine to acquaintances,--shall I have the article contradicted?--it +will else go the entire round of Germany, in all the newspapers." + +"No, my young friend," replied Eberstein, with dignity. "I forbid you +to contradict it; on the contrary, the press seems to me to have been +in this instance neither reckless nor indiscreet. It does but fulfil a +duty in bringing to light facts that have escaped the memory of +thousands of our contemporaries. Let the article go the entire round of +Germany!" + +"The fellow has a terrific talent for intrigue," muttered the +Professor. "The old Baron has actually swallowed the hook." + +Hans twisted the paper to and fro in his hands with well-feigned +embarrassment. "Yes, Herr Baron, but there is a concluding sentence +which you ought also to hear----" + +"Read it," said Eberstein, with solemn condescension, and Hans read on: + +"'And now for a final communication which will interest especially our +fair readers of the other sex. The young artist worked _con amore_ when +he painted the knight of the Eberstein arms, with the Eberstein +features also, since he is about to be united to the only daughter of +the Freiherr in question----'" + +"Stay--stop,--that must be contradicted!" exclaimed Eberstein; but, +without further ado, Hans forced the newspaper upon him, and drew out +from behind the tall picture something which, upon closer inspection, +proved to be Fräulein Gerlinda von Eberstein. There she stood, the +little Dornröschen, not quite so much of a child as when we first saw +her, but lovelier than ever as she lifted eyes and hands of entreaty to +her father. + +"Oh, papa, do not be so cruel! I love him so dearly!" + +"Did not I tell you they were sure to be together?" exclaimed the +Professor, advancing. "Herr von Eberstein, there is nothing to do but +to say 'yes.' My Hans will do as he chooses, as you see; and that +delicate little thing, your daughter, is quite capable of dying of +grief if you separate her from him. And when she is dead you will be +left alone with your stainless pedigree." + +"That would be terrible!" said Eberstein, with a look of dismay at his +child. + +"Then let us put an end to the matter!" And the Professor put his arm +around the young girl and gave her a paternal kiss, after which all was +settled so far as he was concerned. + +The old Freiherr was scarcely conscious of what happened then,--he was +really taken by storm. He found himself embracing his daughter and a +future son-in-law. Gerlinda sobbed upon his breast and Hans hailed him +as his beloved father-in-law. There was nothing for it but to clasp the +pair in his arms, which he did. Udo von Eberstein relented, and +consented. In spite of brush and palette, Hans had been the one to +perpetuate the memory of the ancient name. + + + * * * * * + + +Towards the end of July a marriage was quietly celebrated in the +pilgrimage church of Saint Michael,--the marriage of Captain Michael +Rodenberg to the Countess Hertha von Steinrück. As Michael was a +Protestant, like his mother and his grandfather, the Protestant +marriage had first taken place in Castle Steinrück. Now, in presence of +a small circle of relatives and friends, among whom were the betrothed +couple, Hans and Gerlinda, beaming with happiness, the reverend pastor +of the little Alpine village united before the altar of his church, as +they had desired, the two young people to whom he was so closely bound +by ties of affection. + +The morning mists were still veiling the Eagle ridge, but they were +beginning to roll away to lie like a translucent veil at its feet, when +the bells in the old church rang out a joyous peal that echoed among +the mountains, while upon Michael and his young wife, now one for life, +looked down from above the altar the mighty archangel with eagle's +wings and eyes of flame, the victorious leader of the heavenly +host,--Saint Michael! + + + + THE END. + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Saint Michael, by E. Werner + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SAINT MICHAEL *** + +***** This file should be named 35116-8.txt or 35116-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/1/1/35116/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/35116-8.zip b/35116-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..24c5bf4 --- /dev/null +++ b/35116-8.zip diff --git a/35116-h.zip b/35116-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..758c09c --- /dev/null +++ b/35116-h.zip diff --git a/35116-h/35116-h.htm b/35116-h/35116-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9a3b3d8 --- /dev/null +++ b/35116-h/35116-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,13097 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>Saint MIchael: A Romance</title> +<meta name="Author" content="E. Werner"> +<meta name="Publisher" content="J. B. Lippincott Company"> +<meta name="Date" content="1901"> +<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%; + 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 Saint Michael, 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: Saint Michael + A Romance + +Author: E. Werner + +Translator: A. L. Wister + +Release Date: January 30, 2011 [EBook #35116] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SAINT MICHAEL *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books + + + + + +</pre> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Note:<br> + +1. Page Scan Source: http://books.google.com/books?id=lPUqAAAAMAAJ&dq</p> + + + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h1>SAINT MICHAEL</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>A ROMANCE</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h5>TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN<br> +OF</h5> +<h3>E. WERNER</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h5><span class="sc">BY</span><br> +MRS. A. L. WISTER</h5> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h4><span class="sc">PHILADELPHIA</span><br> +J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY<br> +1901.</h4> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + +<hr class="W10"> +<p class="center" style="font-size:90%">Copyright, 1886, by <span class="sc">J. B Lippincott Company</span></p> +<hr class="W10"> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h2>SAINT MICHAEL.</h2> +<br> + +<p class="normal">Easter had come; the season of light and refreshment for universal +nature! Winter, as he departed, had shrouded himself in a veil of +gloomy mist, and spring followed close after fleeing abysmal clouds. +She had sent forth the blasts, her messengers, to arouse the earth from +its slumber; they roared above meadow and plain, waved their wings +around the mighty summits of the mountain ranges, and stirred the sea +to its depths. There was a savage conflict and turmoil in the air, +whence issued, nevertheless, a note as of victory. The blasts were +those of spring, and were instinct with life,--they heralded a +resurrection.</p> + +<p class="normal">The mountains were still half buried in snow, and the ancient +stronghold that looked down from their heights upon the valley towered +above snow-laden pines. It was one of those gray, rock-crowning castles +that were formerly the terror of the surrounding country, and are now +for the most part deserted and forgotten, with naught but ruins to tell +of ancient splendour. This, however, was not the case in this instance: +the Counts von Steinrück carefully preserved the cradle of their race +from decay, although otherwise they cared very little for the old pile, +secluded as it was from the world in the depths of the mountains. In +the hunting season only, when there was usually an arrival of guests, +life and bustle awoke the echoes within its ancient walls.</p> + +<p class="normal">This year was an exceptional one, however. Guests, it is true, were +assembled here in the early spring, but upon a very solemn occasion. +The castle's lord was to be borne to the grave, and with him the +younger branch of the family was extinct in the male succession, for he +left behind him only his widow and a little daughter. Count Steinrück +had died at one of his other estates, his usual dwelling-place, and +there the grand obsequies had been held, before the corpse had been +brought hither to be interred in the family vault very quietly and in +presence of none save the nearest of kin.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was one of those stormy days in March when the entire valley is +filled with masses of gray clouds. The dim afternoon light penetrated +to the apartment which the dead Count had been wont to occupy during +his short autumnal visits to the castle. It was a long, rather low +room, with a single large bow-window, and its arrangement dated from +the time of the castle's magnificence. The dark wainscoting, the huge +oaken doors, and the gigantic chimney-piece supporting the Steinrück +escutcheon, and sustained by pillars, had remained unchanged for +centuries, while the heavy antique furniture, and the old family +portraits on the walls, alike belonged to a long-vanished period of +time. The fire smouldering on the hearth could scarcely give an air of +comfort to the gloomy room, which, nevertheless, represented a bit of +history,--the history of an influential family whose fortunes had long +been closely allied with those of its country.</p> + +<p class="normal">The door opened, and two gentlemen entered, evidently relatives of the +house, for the uniform of the one and the civilian's dress of the other +showed each conventional signs of mourning. In fact, they had just +returned from the funeral, and the face of the elder man had not yet +lost the solemnity of expression befitting the occasion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The will is to be opened to-morrow," he said, "but it will be a mere +form, as I am perfectly aware of its dispositions. To the Countess is +left a large income with Castle Berkheim, where she has always resided; +all the other estates go to Hertha, whose guardian I am to be. Then +come a series of legacies, and Steinrück is bequeathed to me as the +head of the elder branch."</p> + +<p class="normal">At the last words the younger man shrugged his shoulders. "That child +inherits an enormous property," he said. "Your inheritance is not +exactly brilliant, papa; I imagine this old castle with the forests +belonging to it costs almost as much as it yields."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter for that; it is the ancestral stronghold of our family which +thus comes into our possession. My cousin could have left me nothing +more valuable, and I am duly grateful to him. Shall you return +tomorrow, Albrecht?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I had arranged to stay from home for a few days only, but if you +desire----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, there is no necessity for your staying. I shall, of course, apply +for an extension of my leave. There is much to be attended to, and the +Countess seems so entirely dependent that I shall be compelled to stay +and assist her for a while."</p> + +<p class="normal">He went to the bow-window and looked out upon the veiled landscape. The +Count had already passed the prime of life, but there was about him no +sign of failing vigour; his figure was fine, his carriage commanding. +He must have once been extremely handsome, and, indeed, might still +have been called so even at his age; his abundant, slightly-grizzled +hair, his quick, energetic movements, and his full, deep voice, as well +as the fire of his eye, gave him a decided air of youth.</p> + +<p class="normal">His son was his opposite in all these characteristics; his figure was +slender, and he looked delicate in health. His pale face and thin +features gave the impression of timidity, and yet those features +certainly resembled his father's. Striking as was the contrast they +presented, the family likeness between father and son was unmistakable.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Countess seems to be an utterly dependent creature," he said; +"this trial finds her perfectly helpless."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is very hard for her, losing her husband thus after so short an +illness and in the prime of life,--sensitive natures are sure to be +crushed by such a blow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Still, some women would have borne it better. Louise would have +resigned herself with fortitude to the inevitable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hush, hush!" the Count interrupted him sternly as he turned away.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forgive me, sir; I know you do not like to be reminded, but to-day +such reminiscences will thrust themselves before me. Of right Louise +should now be the mourner here. She would hardly have been left with +only a large income. Steinrück would have made her sole mistress of all +that he possessed; he used to submit to her in everything. How, how +could she reject him? And to sacrifice everything, name, home, family, +to become the wife of an adventurer who dragged her down to ruin! It is +enough to revive faith in the old legends of love-philtres; such things +can hardly be accounted for by natural means."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Folly!" the Count said, coldly. "Our fate lies in our own hands. +Louise turned aside to an abyss, and it engulfed her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet you might, perhaps, have received the outcast again if she had +returned repentant."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never!" The word was uttered with uncompromising severity. "And, +besides, she never would have returned. She could go to destruction in +the disgrace and misery which she had brought upon herself, but Louise +never could have pleaded for mercy with the father who had thrust her +forth. She was my own child, in spite of all!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And your favourite," Albrecht concluded, with an outbreak of +bitterness. "I know it well; I have been told often enough that in no +quality do I resemble you. Louise alone inherited your characteristics. +Beautiful, intellectual, energetic, she was the child of your +affections, your pride, your delight. Well, we have lived to see +whither this energy led; we know how, at that man's side, she sank +lower and lower, until at last----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your sister is dead," the Count interrupted him, sternly. "Let the +dead rest!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Albrecht was silent, but the bitterness did not pass from his look; he +evidently could not forgive his sister for what she had brought upon +her family. There was no further conversation, however, for a servant +appeared and announced "His reverence the pastor of Saint Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">This arrival seemed to have been expected, for the servant, without +awaiting permission, ushered in the priest.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was a man about fifty years of age, with perfectly gray hair, a face +expressing grave serenity, and dark-blue eyes, while his carriage and +manner bespoke the repose and gentleness befitting his calling.</p> + +<p class="normal">Count Steinrück advanced several steps to receive him, and greeted him +courteously but formally. The elder branch of the family was +Protestant, and as such had no especial consideration for a Catholic +priest. "I desire to express my thanks to your reverence," he began, +motioning the pastor to a seat. "It was the special wish of the widowed +Countess that you should conduct the funeral services, and on this +mournful day you have given her such loyal support that we are all +grateful to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only fulfilled my duty as a pastor," the ecclesiastic replied, +calmly, "and deserve no gratitude. But I come to you now, Count, to +make an appeal upon another subject, where my interference is uncalled +for and perhaps, in your eyes, unjustifiable; yet, since the late +melancholy event has brought you unexpectedly to our mountains, I could +not but request this interview with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me repeat that I am at your service, Herr Pastor Valentin. If the +matter is of a private nature, my son will leave----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I pray the Count to remain," Valentin interposed. "He is aware of the +matter that brings me hither; it concerns the foster-son of the +forester Wolfram."</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused as if awaiting an answer, but none was forthcoming. The Count +sat still, with an unmoved countenance, and Albrecht, although he +suddenly became attentive, was silent; therefore the priest was +compelled to proceed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will remember, Herr Count, that it was through me that you +received intelligence of the boy's place of abode, coupled with the +request that you would befriend him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A request with which I immediately complied Wolfram took charge of the +child by my desire, as I informed you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"True; I should indeed have much preferred to see the child in other +hands, although such was your disposition of him. Now, however, the boy +has grown older, and cannot possibly be left among such surroundings. I +am convinced that you could not desire it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And why not?" rejoined Steinrück, coldly. "I know Wolfram to be +thoroughly trustworthy, and I had my reasons for choosing him. Do you +know anything to his discredit?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; the man is honest, after his fashion, but rude and half savage in +his solitude. Since his wife's death he scarcely comes in contact with +mankind, and his household differs in no wise from that of a common +peasant. Such a one can scarcely be a good home for a growing boy, +least of all for the grandson of Count Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">Albrecht, standing behind his father's chair, stirred uneasily; the old +Count frowned, and rejoined, sharply, "I have but one grandchild, my +son's boy, and I pray your reverence to keep this fact in mind in your +allusion to the matter under discussion."</p> + +<p class="normal">The priest's gentle gaze fell grave and reproachful upon the speaker. +"Pardon me, Herr Count, but your daughter's legitimate child has a just +claim to be entitled your grandson."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nevertheless he is not such; that marriage had no existence for me or +for my family."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet you acceded to my request when Michael----"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Count started. "Michael?" he repeated, slowly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The boy's name. Did you not know it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I did not see the child when it was given to Wolfram to educate."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There could be no question of education with a man of Wolfram's lack +of culture, and yet much might have been effected by it. Michael had +been neglected and allowed to run wild in the uncertain life led by his +parents. I have done what I could for him, and have given him all the +instruction that I could, considering the seclusion of the forester's +lodge."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you really done this?" There was displeased surprise in the tone +of the question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; no other instruction was possible in that seclusion, and I +could not for a moment suppose that the boy was to be intentionally +degraded and intellectually starved in that solitude. Such a punishment +for his parent's fault would have been too hard."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was stern reproof in the simple words, and they must have hit the +mark, for an angry gleam flashed in Steinrück's eyes. "Whatever your +reverence may have learned of our family affairs, your judgment with +regard to them must be that of a stranger, and as such some things may +seem incomprehensible to you. It is my duty, as the head of the family, +to preserve its honour intact, and whoever assails and attaints that +honour will be thrust forth from my heart and home, though such assault +proceed from my own child. I did what I was forced to do, and in case +of a like terrible necessity I should act similarly."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words were uttered with iron determination, and Valentin was silent +for a moment, probably feeling that no priestly admonition could affect +such a nature. "The Countess Louise has found rest in the grave," he +said at last, and his voice trembled slightly as he uttered the name, +"and with her also the man to whom she was wedded. Her son is alone and +unprotected, and I come to ask for the boy what you would not refuse to +any orphaned stranger commended to your care,--an education which will +enable him in future to confront life and the world. If he remains in +Wolfram's charge he is entirely excluded from anything of the kind, and +will be condemned to a half-savage existence in some lonely mountain +forest lodge, a life no higher in aim than that of the merest peasant. +If you, Herr Count, can answer to yourself for this----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Enough!" the Count angrily interrupted him, rising from his chair. "I +will take the matter into consideration and decide definitively with +regard to your <i>protégé</i>. Upon this your reverence may rely."</p> + +<p class="normal">The pastor arose on the instant; he perceived that the interview was at +an end, and he had no desire to prolong it. "My <i>protégé</i>?" he +repeated; "may he be yours also, Herr Count,--he surely has a right to +be so." And with a brief, grave inclination of his head to each of the +gentlemen, he left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A most extraordinary visit!" said Albrecht, who had hitherto been +silent. "What right has this priest to meddle in our family affairs?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück shrugged his shoulders. "He was formerly our cousin's father +confessor, and now occupies a confidential position with his family, +although he lives high up in a lonely Alpine village. He and no other +must attend Steinrück's body to the grave. I shall make him understand, +however, that I am inaccessible to priestly influence. I could not +quite deny myself to him, since it was he who some time ago asked my +aid for the orphan boy, any more than I could refuse the aid he asked."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, the boy had to be cared for, and it has been done," Albrecht +coolly assented. "You attended to the matter yourself, sir. This +Wolfram--I have an indistinct remembrance of the name--was once a +gamekeeper of yours, was he not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; my recommendation procured him his position as forester with my +cousin. He is taciturn and trustworthy, troubling himself little +concerning matters beyond his ken. He never asked what my relations +with the boy intrusted to him were, but did as he was bidden, and took +him home."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where he belongs, of course. You do not contemplate making any +change?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That remains to be decided. I must see him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Albrecht started, and his features betrayed surprise and annoyance. +"Wherefore? Why have any personal contact with him? One keeps as far as +possible out of the way of such disagreeable matters."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is your fashion," the Count said, sharply. "Mine is to confront +such evils, and contend with them, if necessary, face to face." He +stamped his foot in a sudden outburst of anger. "'<i>Intentionally</i> +degraded and intellectually starved as a punishment for his parent's +fault!' That this priest should say it to my face!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, it only remained for him to undertake the defence of the +parents," Albrecht interposed, disdainfully. "And they called their boy +Michael. They presumed to give him your name,--the ancient traditional +name of our family. The insult is apparent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It may have been the result of repentance," Steinrück said, gloomily. +"Your son is called Raoul."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all; he was christened by your name, which he bears."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In the church register! He is called Raoul; your wife has seen to +that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is the name of Hortense's father, and she clings to it with filial +devotion. You know this, and you have never found any fault with it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If it were the name alone! But it is not the only thing foreign to me +in my grandson. There is no trace of the Steinrück in Raoul, either in +face or in character; he resembles his mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should not reckon that against him. Hortense has always been +considered a beauty. You have no idea how many conquests she still +makes."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words were uttered in seeming jest, but they met with no response +in the manner of the old Count, who remained grave and cold. "That +probably accounts for her attachment to the scene of such triumphs. You +spend more time in France with her relatives than you do at home. Your +visits there are more frequent and more prolonged as time goes on, and +there is some talk now, I hear, of your being attached to our embassy +in Paris. Then Hortense will have attained her desire."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must go wherever I am sent," Albrecht said in self-exculpation, "and +if they select me----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What? playing your diplomatic game with me?" his father interrupted +him harshly. "I know well enough what secret wires are pulled, and the +position is but an insignificant one. I expected better things of your +career, Albrecht. There were paths enough open to you whereby to attain +eminence, but to do so needed ambition and energy, neither of which +qualities have you ever possessed. Now you are applying for a position +which you will owe entirely to your name, and which you may occupy for +a decade without advancing a step,--and all in obedience to the wishes +of your wife."</p> + +<p class="normal">Albrecht bit his lip at this reproof, uttered as it was with almost +brutal frankness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In this respect, papa, you have always been unjust; you never +regarded my marriage with any favour. I thought myself secure of your +approval of my choice, and you have all but reproached me for bringing +home to you a beautiful, talented daughter from one of the most +distinguished----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who has never been other than a stranger to us," Steinrück interrupted +his son. "She has never yet perceived that she belongs to us, not you +to her. I could wish you had brought home to me the daughter of the +simplest country nobleman instead of this Hortense de Montigny. It is +not good, the mixture of hot French blood in our ancient German race, +and Raoul shows far too much of it. Stern military discipline will be +of use to him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes,--you insist that he shall enter the army," said Albrecht, with +hesitation. "Hortense is afraid--and I fear also--that our child is not +equal to much hardship. He is a delicate boy; he will not be able to +endure such iron discipline."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He must learn to endure it. Your delicate health has always excluded +you from the service; but Raoul is healthy, and it is high time to +withdraw him from the effeminating effect of pampering and petting. The +army is the best school for him. My grandson must not be a weakling; he +must do honour to our name; I'll take care of that."</p> + +<p class="normal">Albrecht was silent; he knew his father's inflexible will. It still +gave him the law, husband and father though he were, and Count Michael +Steinrück was the man to see that his laws were obeyed.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">"I can't help it, your reverence; the fellow is a trial. He +knows +nothing, he understands nothing; he wanders about the mountains from +morning to night, and grows stupider every day. He'll never make a +decent forester; 'tis all trouble lost."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words were spoken by a man whose appearance betrayed his forester's +calling. He was provided with gun and hunting-pouch, and was sturdy and +powerful of frame, with broad shoulders and coarse features. His hair +and beard were neglected, his dress--a mixture of hunting and peasant's +costume--was careless in the extreme, and his speech was as rude as his +exterior; thus he confronted the priest. The pair were in the parsonage +of Saint Michael, a small hamlet high up among the mountains, and a +place of pilgrimage. The priest, seated at his writing-table, shook his +gray head disapprovingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As I have often told you, Wolfram, you do not understand how to treat +Michael. You can never do anything with him by threats and abuse; you +only make him shyer, and he is already shy enough in his intercourse +with human kind."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That all comes from his stupidity," the forester explained. "The boy +does not see daylight clearly; he has to be shaken hard to rouse him, +since I made your reverence a promise not to beat him again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I hope you have kept your word. The child has been much sinned +against; you and your wife maltreated him daily before I came here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It did him good. All boys need the stick, and Michael always needed a +double portion. Well, he got it. When I stopped, my wife began; but it +never did any good,--it never made him any the cleverer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; but he would have been ruined by your rough treatment if I had not +interfered."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wolfram laughed aloud. "Ruined? Michael? Not a bit of it. He could have +borne ten times as much; he's as strong as a bear. It's a perfect +shame; the fellow could tear up trees by the roots, and he lets himself +be teased by the village children without ever stirring a finger. I +know right well why he wouldn't come along with me to-day, but chose to +follow me. He won't come through the village; he chooses to come the +longer way, through the forest, as he always does when he comes to you, +the cowardly fellow!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Michael is no coward," said the pastor, gravely. "You ought to know +that, Wolfram; you have told me yourself that there is no controlling +him when he once gets angry."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he's right crazy then, and must be let alone. If I didn't know +that he's not all right here"--he touched his forehead--"I'd take him +in hand, but it's a terrible cross. It's strange, too, that he shoots +so well, when he sees the game, though that's not often. He stares up +into the trees and the sky, and a stag will run away right under +his nose. I'm not curious, but, indeed, I'd like to know where the +moon-calf comes from."</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin looked pained at these words, but he replied, calmly, "That +can hardly interest you. Do not put such ideas into Michael's head, or +he might ask you questions which you cannot answer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He's too stupid for that," asserted the forester, with whom his +foster-son's stupidity seemed to be an indisputable article of faith. +"I don't believe he knows that he was ever even born. But Tyras is +barking,--he must see Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">In fact, the dog was barking joyously, the sound of approaching +footsteps was heard, and in the next instant Michael entered the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">The new-comer was a lad of about eighteen, but his tall, powerful +figure, with its awkward movements, showed nothing of the grace and +freshness of youth. The face, plain and irregular in all its lines, had +a half-shy, half-dreamy expression that was hardly attractive. The +thick, fair curls were matted around the temples and brow, below which +looked out a pair of eyes deep blue in colour, but as vacant as if no +soul enlightened their depths. His dress was as sordid and neglected as +the forester's, and in his entire appearance there was absolutely +nothing to attract.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, have you come at last?" was his foster-father's gruff reception +of him. "You must have gone to sleep on the way, or you would have been +here long ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I came through the forest," replied Michael, going up to the priest, +who kindly held out his hand to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wolfram laughed scornfully. "Didn't I tell your reverence? He didn't +dare to go through the village,--I knew it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael paid not the slightest heed to the apparently well-grounded +accusation, being well used to such treatment from his foster-father, +who now took his hat and made ready to go.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must go up to the fenced forest," he said; "it looks badly there: +more than a dozen of the tallest trees are torn down; the Wild Huntsman +has made terrible work there lately."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You mean the storms of the last week, Wolfram?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, it was the Wild Huntsman, your reverence. He is abroad every night +this spring. The day before yesterday, as we came through the wood at +dusk, the whole mad crew swept by not a hundred yards away. They raged +and howled and stormed as though all hell had broken loose, and I +suppose a bit of it had done so. Michael, stupid fool, would have +rushed into the thick of it, but I caught his arm in time and held him +fast."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wanted to see the demon at close quarters," said Michael, quietly.</p> + +<p class="normal">The forester shrugged his shoulders. "There, your reverence, you see +what the fellow is! He runs away from human creatures and such like, +but he wants to be right in the midst of things which make every +Christian shudder, and cross himself! I really believe he would have +joined the phantoms if I had not held him back, and then he would now +have been lying dead in the forest, for he who joins the Wild +Huntsman's chase is lost."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you never be rid of this sinful superstition, Wolfram?" said the +priest. "You pretend to be a Christian, and are nothing better than a +heathen. And you have infected Michael, too; his head is full of +heathenish legends."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It may be sinful, but it's true for all that," Wolfram insisted. "I +don't suppose you see anything of it. You are a holy man, a consecrated +priest, and the ghostly rabble that haunt the forest at night is afraid +of you, but the like of us see and hear more of it than is agreeable. +Then Michael is to stay here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course. I will send him back in the afternoon."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good--by, then," said the forester, tightening the strap of his gun. +He bowed to the priest, and departed without taking further notice of +his foster-son.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael, who seemed to be perfectly at home in the parsonage, now +fetched various books and papers from a cupboard and arranged them on +the writing-table. Evidently the wonted instruction was about to begin, +but before it could do so the sound of a sleigh was heard outside. +Valentin looked up in surprise; the rare visits that he received were +almost exclusively from the pastors of secluded Alpine villages, and +pilgrims were scarcely to be looked for at this time of year. Saint +Michael was not one of those large and famous places of pilgrimage +whither the faithful resort in crowds at all seasons. Only the poor +dwellers on the Alps brought their vows and supplications to the +secluded hamlet, and only upon church festivals was there any great +gathering there.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, the sleigh had drawn up before the parsonage. A gentleman in +a fur coat got out, inquired of the maid who met him at the door +whether the Herr Pastor was at home, and forthwith made his way to the +study.</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin started at the sound of the voice, and then rose with +delighted surprise in every feature. "Hans! Is it you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You know me still, then? It would be no wonder if each of us failed to +recognize the other," said the stranger, offering his hand, which was +warmly grasped by the priest.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Welcome, welcome! Have you really found me out?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, it certainly was a proof of affection, the getting up to you +here," said the guest. "We have been working our way for hours through +the snow; sometimes fallen hemlocks lay directly across the road, +sometimes we had to cross a mountain torrent, and for a change we had +small avalanches from the rocks. And yet my coachman obstinately +insisted that it was the high-road. I should like, then, to see your +foot-paths; they must be practicable for chamois only."</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin smiled. "You are the same old fellow,--always sneering and +criticising. Leave us, Michael, and tell the gentleman's coachman to +put up his horses."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael left the room, but not before the stranger had turned and +glanced at him. "Have you set up a famulus? Who is that dreamer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My pupil, whom I teach."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must have hard work to gel anything inside that head! That +fellow's talent would seem to lie solely in his fists."</p> + +<p class="normal">As he spoke the guest had taken off his furs, and was seen to be a man +about five or six years younger than the pastor, of hardly medium +height, but with a very distinguished head, which, with its broad brow +and intellectual features, riveted attention at the first glance. The +clear, keen eyes seemed used to probe everything to the core, and in +the man's whole bearing there was evident the sense of superiority +which comes of being regarded as an authority in one's own circle.</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked keenly about him, investigating the pastor's study and +adjoining room, both of which displayed a monastic simplicity; and as +he turned his eyes from one object to another in the small apartment, +he said, without a trace of sarcasm, but with some bitterness, "And +here you have cast anchor! I never imagined your solitude so desolate +and world-forsaken. Poor Valentin! You have to pay for the assault that +my investigations make so inexorably upon your dogmas, and for my works +being down in the 'Index.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">The pastor repudiated this charge by a gentle gesture. "What an idea! +There are frequent changes in ecclesiastical appointments, and I came +to Saint Michael----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because you had Hans Wehlau for a brother," the other completed the +sentence. "If you would publicly have cut loose from me, and thundered +from your pulpit against my atheism, you would have been in a more +comfortable parsonage, I can tell you. It is well known that there has +been no breach between us, although we have not seen each other for +years, and you must pay for it. Why did you not condemn me publicly? I +never should have taken it ill of you, since I know that you absolutely +repudiate my teachings."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I condemn no one," the pastor said, softly; "certainly not you, Hans, +although it grieves me sorely to see you so greatly astray."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; you never had any talent for fanaticism, but always a very great +one for martyrdom. It often vexes me horribly, though, that I am the +one to help you to it. I have taken good care, however, that my visit +to-day should not be known; I am here <i>incognito</i>. I could not resist +the temptation to see you again on my removal to Northern Germany."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! you are going to leave the university?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Next month. I have been called to the capital, and I accepted +immediately, since I know it to be the sphere suited to me and to my +work. I wanted to bid you good-by; but I nearly missed you, for, as I +hear, you were at Steinrück yesterday at the Count's funeral."</p> + +<p class="normal">"By the Countess's express desire I officiated."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought so! They summoned me by telegraph to Berkheim to the +death-bed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you went?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, although I gave up practice long ago for the professorial +chair. This was an exceptional case. I can never forget how the +Steinrücks befriended me, employing me when I was a young, obscure +physician, upon your recommendation, to be sure, but they placed every +confidence in me. I could, indeed, do nothing for the Count except to +make death easier, but my presence was a satisfaction for the family."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael's entrance interrupted the conversation. He came to say that +the sacristan wished to speak for a moment with his reverence, and was +waiting outside.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will come back immediately," said Valentin. "Put away your books, +Michael; there will be no lessons to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">He left the room, and Michael began to gather up the books and papers. +The Professor watched him, and said, casually, "And so the Herr Pastor +teaches you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael nodded and went on with his occupation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It's just like him," murmured Wehlau. "Here he is tormenting himself +with teaching this stupid fellow to read and write, probably because +there is no school in the neighbourhood. Let me look at that."</p> + +<p class="normal">And he took up one of the copy-books, nearly dropping it on the instant +in his surprise. "What! Latin? How is this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael did not comprehend his surprise; it seemed to him quite natural +to understand Latin, and he answered, quietly, "Those are my +exercises."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Professor looked at the lad, whose dress proclaimed him a mere +peasant, scanned him from head to foot, and then turning over the +leaves of the book, read several lines and shook his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to be an excellent Latin scholar. Where do you come from?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"From the forester's, a couple of miles away."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what is your name?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your name is that of the hamlet. Were you named after it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't know,--I think I was named after the archangel Michael." He +uttered the name with a certain solemnity, and Wehlau, noticing it, +asked, with a sarcastic smile, "You hold the angels in great respect?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael threw back his head. "No, they only pray and sing through all +eternity, and I don't care for that; but I like Saint Michael. At least +he does something: he thrusts down Satan."</p> + +<p class="normal">There must have been something unusual either in his words or in his +expression, for the Professor started and riveted his keen eyes upon +the face of the lad, who stood close to him, full in the sunlight that +entered by the low window. "Strange," he murmured again. "The face is +utterly changed. What is there in the features----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">At this moment Valentin reappeared, and, seeing the book in his +brother's hand, asked, "Have you been examining Michael? He is a good +Latin scholar is he not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is, indeed; but what good is Latin to do him in a lonely forest +lodge? I suppose his father is too poor to send him to school?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I hope to do something for him in some other way," said the +pastor; and as Michael took his books to the cupboard he went on, in a +low tone, "If the poor fellow were only not so ugly and awkward! +Everything depends upon the impression that he makes in a certain +quarter, and I fear it will be very unfavourable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ugly?--yes, he certainly is that; and yet a moment ago, when he made +quite an intelligent remark, something flashed into his features like +lightning, reminding me of--yes, now I have it--of Count Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of Count Steinrück?" Valentin repeated, in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't mean the man who has just died, but his cousin, the head of +the elder branch. He was in Berkheim the other day, and I became +acquainted with him there. He would consider my idea an insult, and he +would not be far wrong. To compare Steinrück, dignified and handsome as +he is, with that moonstruck lad! They have not a feature in common. I +cannot tell why the thought came into my head, but it did when I saw +the fellow's eyes flash."</p> + +<p class="normal">The pastor made no reply to this last observation, but said, as if to +change the subject, "Yes, Michael is certainly a dreamer. Sometimes in +his apathy and indifference he seems to me like a somnambulist."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, that would not be very dreadful," said his brother. +"Somnambulists can be awakened if they are called in the right way, and +when that lad wakes up he may be worth something. His exercises are +very good."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet learning has been made so hard for him! How often he has had +to contend with storm and wind rather than lose a lesson, and he has +never missed one!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rather different from my Hans," the Professor said, dryly. "He employs +his school-hours in drawing caricatures of his teachers; my personal +interference has been necessary at times. He is too audacious, because +he has been such a lucky sort of fellow. Whatever he tries succeeds; +wherever he knocks doors and hearts fly open to receive him, and +consequently he imagines that life is all play,--nothing but amusement +from beginning to end. Well, I'll show him another side of the picture +when once he begins to study natural science."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has he shown any inclination for such study?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Most certainly not. His only inclination is for scrawling and daubing; +there's no doing anything with him if he scents a painted canvas, but +I'll cure him of all that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But if he has a talent for----" the pastor interposed.</p> + +<p class="normal">His brother angrily interrupted him: "That's the worst of it,--a +talent! His drawing-masters stuff his head with all sorts of nonsense; +and awhile ago a painter fellow, a friend of the family, made a tragic +appeal to me,--Could I answer it to myself to deprive the world of such +a gift? I was positively rude to him; I couldn't help it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin shook his head half disapprovingly. "But why do you not allow +your son to follow his inclination?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you ask? Because an intellectual inheritance is his by right. My +name stands high in the scientific world, and must open all doors for +Hans while he lives. If he follows in my footsteps he is sure of +success; he is his father's son. But God have mercy on him if he takes +it into his head to be what they call a genius!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, Michael had put away his books, and now advanced to take his +leave. Since there was to be no lesson, there was no excuse for his +remaining any longer at the parsonage. His face again showed the same +vacant, dreamy expression peculiar to it; and as he left the room +Wehlau said in an undertone to his brother, "You are right; he is too +ugly, poor devil!"</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">The Counts of Steinrück belonged to an ancient and formerly +very +powerful family, dating back centuries. Its two branches owned a common +lineage, but were now only distantly connected, and there had been +times when there had been no intercourse between them, so widely had +they been sundered by diversity of religious belief.</p> + +<p class="normal">The elder and Protestant branch, belonging to Northern Germany, +possessed entailed estates yielding a moderate income; the South-German +cousins, on the contrary, were owners of a very large property, +consisting chiefly of estates in fee, and were among the wealthiest in +the land. This wealth was at present owned by a child eight years of +age, the daughter whom the late Count had constituted his sole heiress. +Conscious of the hopeless nature of his malady, he had summoned his +cousin, and had made him the executor of his will and his daughter's +guardian. Thus had been adjusted an estrangement that had existed for +years, and that had its rise in an alliance once contracted, only to be +suddenly dissolved.</p> + +<p class="normal">Besides his son, the present Count Steinrück had had another child,--a +beautiful, richly-endowed daughter, the favourite of her father, whom +she resembled in character and in mind. She was to have married her +relative, the Count now deceased; the union had long been agreed upon +in the family, and the young Countess had consequently spent many weeks +at a time beneath the roof of her future parents-in-law.</p> + +<p class="normal">But before there had been any formal betrothal between the young +people, there intervened with the girl of eighteen one of those +passions which lead,--which must lead--to ruin, not because of +difference of rank and social standing, not because of the consequent +estrangement of families, but because they lack the only thing that can +confer upon a union a blessing and endurance,--true, genuine affection. +It was an intoxication sure to be followed by remorse and repentance +when, alas, it was too late.</p> + +<p class="normal">Louise became acquainted with a man who, although of bourgeois +parentage, had worked his way into aristocratic circles. Brilliantly +handsome, endowed with various accomplishments and a winning grace of +manner, he succeeded in gaining entrance everywhere; but he was one of +those restless, unsteady beings who can never adjust themselves for +long to any environments. Possessed by a positive greed for the +luxuries and splendours of existence, he had no capacity for attaining +them by his own energy; he was an adventurer in the truest sense of the +word. He may have loved the young Countess sincerely, he may have only +hoped to achieve social position through her means; at all events, he +contrived so to ensnare her that she resolved, in spite of the certain +opposition of her father and of her entire family, to become his wife.</p> + +<p class="normal">When the Count learned how matters stood, he took them in hand with an +energy that was indeed ominous. He believed that by commands and +threats he could bend his daughter to his will, but he only aroused in +her the obstinacy which she had inherited from himself. She utterly +refused to yield him obedience, opposed resolutely all effort to carry +out her betrothal to her cousin, and, in spite of every precaution, +contrived to hold communication with her lover. Suddenly she +disappeared, and a few days afterwards news was received that she had +become the wife of Rodenberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">The marriage was perfectly valid, in spite of the haste and secrecy +with which it was contracted; Rodenberg had arranged and prepared +everything. He reckoned upon Count Steinrück's final acknowledgment of +his daughter's husband: he would not surely cast them off; he trusted +to the father's affection for his favourite child, but he did not know +the Count's iron nature. Steinrück replied to the announcement of the +marriage by an utter repudiation of his daughter; he forbade her ever +again to appear in his presence: for him she was dead.</p> + +<p class="normal">He persisted inexorably in this course until his daughter's death, and +even after it had taken place. At first Rodenberg made several attempts +to induce his wife's father to grant him an interview, but he soon +perceived the uselessness of any such attempt; the Count was neither to +be persuaded nor coerced, and since all sources of aid were thus cut +off, the man plunged with his wife and child into a Bohemian mode of +life harmonizing with his lawless nature.</p> + +<p class="normal">What followed was the inevitable result,--misery and want, a gradual +sinking into ruin; the lot of the wife beside the husband for whom she +had sacrificed name, home, and family, when all hopes founded upon her +and upon her wealth had vanished, can easily be imagined. She was true +to her nature, and clung to the man whom she had married, without one +attempt to obtain help from her father, knowing that even her death +would be powerless to effect a reconciliation. She and her husband had +now been dead for many years, and the wretched family tragedy was +buried with them.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">An entire week had passed since the funeral at Steinrück. +Count +Michael, who occupied the rooms that had been his cousin's, was sitting +in the bow-windowed apartment, when he was told that Wolfram the +forester had arrived in obedience to his desire. The Count was in full +uniform, being about to ride to a neighbouring town, where the +sovereign's brother had instituted a memorial celebration. Of course +every one of consequence in the country around had been invited to take +part in the ceremonial, and the lord of Steinrück could not refuse to +be present on the occasion, although, in view of the family +bereavement, he was to withdraw before the subsequent festivities. The +hour for his departure was at hand, but there was still time for his +interview with the forester.</p> + +<p class="normal">As he sat at his writing-table he took from one of its drawers the star +of an order set with large brilliants. As he was about to fasten it on +his breast he saw that the ribbon was loose, and as Wolfram entered at +the moment, he laid it in the open case on the table.</p> + +<p class="normal">The forester was in full dress to-day, and really looked well. His hair +and beard were carefully arranged, and great pains had been bestowed +upon his hunting-suit; nor did he seem to have forgotten the demeanor +required in presence of his former master, for, with a respectful bow, +he paused at the door until the Count motioned to him to approach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, here you are, Wolfram," he said, kindly; "I have not seen you for +a long time. Is all going well with you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pretty well, Herr Count," the forester replied, standing as straight +and stiff as a ramrod. "I earn my wages, and the late Count was +satisfied with me. I never have a chance to leave the forest year out +and year in, but we get used to that and don't mind the loneliness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You were married, I think; is your wife still living?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; she died five years ago, God rest her soul, and we never had any +children. Some people advised me to marry again, but I didn't want to. +Once is enough for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was your marriage not a happy one, then?" asked Steinrück, with a +fleeting smile at the forester's last remark.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That depends on one's way of looking at things," the forester replied, +indifferently. "We got along pretty well together; to be sure, we +quarrelled every day, but that's to be expected; and then if Michael +interfered we both fell upon him and made up with each other."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Count suddenly lifted his head. "Whom did you fall upon?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eh?--yes, that was stupid," Wolfram muttered in confusion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you mean the boy who was given in charge to you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The forester cast down his eyes before the Count's angry glance and +meekly defended himself. "It did not hurt him, and it didn't last long +either, for the reverend father at St. Michael forbade us to beat the +boy, and we obeyed. And the fellow deserved what he got, besides."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück did not reply; he knew that he had given the boy into rude +keeping, but this glimpse of the realities of the situation rather +startled him, and after a minute's pause he asked, sternly, "Did you +bring your foster-son with you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Herr Count, I have done as you bade me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then let him come in."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wolfram went to call Michael, who was waiting in the antechamber, and +the Count looked eagerly and anxiously towards the door by which in +another moment his grandson would enter, the child of the outcast +daughter whom he had so sternly thrown off, and yet whom he had once +loved so tenderly. Perhaps the boy would be the image of his mother, at +all events he would resemble her in some feature, and Steinrück did not +know whether he most feared or longed for such resemblance.</p> + +<p class="normal">The door opened, and Michael entered with his foster-father. He too had +bestowed greater care than usual upon his dress in view of this +interview, but it had availed him little. His Sunday coat fitted him no +better than his week-day garb, and, moreover, although new, was rustic +in cut and material. His thick, matted curls refused to be smoothed, +and were tossed more wildly than usual above his brow, while the +shyness and embarrassment which he felt in such a presence made his +face more vacant of expression than usual, and his awkward carriage and +movements still more heavy and clumsy.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Count cast one sharp, rapid glance at him, and but one; then he +compressed his lips in an expression of bitter disappointment. This, +then, this was Louise's son!</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here is Michael, Herr Count," said Wolfram, as he roughly pushed the +lad forward. "Make your bow, Michael, and thank the kind gentleman who +has befriended such a poor orphan. It is the first time you have seen +your benefactor."</p> + +<p class="normal">But Michael neither bowed nor uttered a word of thanks. He gazed as if +spell-bound at the Count, who was indeed an imposing figure in his +uniform, and seemed to forget all else.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, can't you speak?" asked Wolfram, impatiently. "You must excuse +him, Herr Count, it's only his stupidity. He hardly ever opens his +mouth at home, and whenever he sees anything new and strange like all +this he loses the little wit he has."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was with an expression of positive dislike that the Count at last +turned to the boy, and his voice sounded cold and imperious as he +asked, "Is your name Michael?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," was the reply, uttered mechanically as it were, while the young +fellow's eyes never stirred from the tall figure, and the commanding +countenance turned so haughtily towards him. Steinrück did not perceive +the boundless admiration in those eyes,--all that he saw was their +dreamy, vague expression, a curious stare that irritated him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How old are you?" he asked, in the same tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Eighteen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what do you know? what can you do?"</p> + +<p class="normal">This question seemed to embarrass Michael extremely; he did not speak, +but looked at the forester, who answered for him. "He does not do much +of anything, Herr Count, although he runs about the forest all day +long, and he does not know much either. I have no time to look after +him; at first we sent him to the village school, and later on his +reverence took him in hand and taught him. But he couldn't do much with +him, Michael can't understand well."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But he must adopt some calling. What is he fit for? what does he want +to be?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing at all,--and he is fit for nothing," said the forester, +laconically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is a fine account of you," said the Count, contemptuously. "To +run about the forest all day long is not much to do, and can be done +with but little instruction; it is a disgrace for a strong young fellow +like you to be fit for nothing else."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael looked surprised at these harsh words, and a dark flush began +to mount into his cheeks, but the forester assented with, "Yes, I think +so too; but there is nothing to be done with Michael. Just look at him, +Herr Count; no one can ever make a decent forester of him."</p> + +<p class="normal">It seemed to cost the Count an effort to continue an interview so +repugnant to him, but he controlled himself, and said, sternly and +authoritatively, "Come here!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael never stirred; he stood as if he had not heard the command.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you not even learned obedience?" Steinrück asked, in a menacing +tone. "Come here, I say!"</p> + +<p class="normal">But Michael still stood motionless, until the forester, feeling himself +called upon to come to the rescue of what was probably stupidity, +seized him roughly by the shoulder, encountering, however, decided +resistance on the part of his foster-son, who shook him off angrily. +There was only defiance in the movement, but it looked like a desire +for flight, and as such the Count understood it. "A coward, too!" he +murmured. "There has been quite enough of this!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He rang the bell and ordered the servant to have the carriage brought +round immediately. Then he turned to the forester, and said, "I have a +word or two to say to you; follow me," as, opening the door of a small +adjoining room, he preceded him into it.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wolfram attempted, as he followed, to excuse his foster-son's conduct: +"He is afraid of you, Herr Count; the fellow has not a spark of +courage."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So I see," Steinrück rejoined, with infinite contempt; he could +forgive almost anything save cowardice,--that was inexcusable in his +eyes. "Never mind, Wolfram, I know you cannot help it; but you must +keep the fellow for a while yet; there is nothing for him but this +mountain forestry; he may dream away his life here for all I care, +since he is good for nothing else."</p> + +<p class="normal">He went on talking to the forester without bestowing another glance +upon Michael, who stood motionless. The dark flush had not faded from +his face, which was no longer expressionless. Gloomily, with compressed +lips, he gazed after the man who had just passed so pitiless a verdict +upon himself and his future. He had often heard such words before from +the forester without their producing any effect upon him, but they had +a different sound when issuing from those haughty lips, and the +contemptuous glance of those eyes pierced him to the very soul. For the +first time he felt the treatment to which he had been accustomed from +childhood as a burning disgrace, crushing him to the earth.</p> + +<p class="normal">He was alone in the room. Through the bow-window the sunlight streamed +in, and fell full upon the writing-table, where the diamonds in the +star of the order glittered and sparkled in every colour of the +rainbow. Even on the dark wainscoting bright gleams were playing, and +they mingled with the glow of the fire upon the hearth, which was +sinking away to embers.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you doing here?" a child's voice suddenly asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael turned round; upon the threshold of the adjoining room, the +door of which had been left open, stood a child about eight years of +age, looking in amazement at the stranger, who now answered, +laconically, "I am waiting."</p> + +<p class="normal">The little girl, the daughter of the deceased Count, approached and +gazed curiously at the lad, then, probably arriving at the conclusion +that this coarsely-dressed young man could not possibly be a visitor in +the castle, turned up her little nose, although, since he was waiting +for somebody, she could not object to his presence. She turned to the +hearth, where she amused herself by blowing into the embers and +watching the sparks.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was a graceful little creature, slender and delicate as a fairy, +undeniably pretty, in spite, many would have said, of the red hue of +the hair that fell in long thick curls over her shoulders and down upon +the black crape of her dress, giving a strange charm to the childish +figure. A pair of large eyes, undeterminable in colour, looked out of +the rosy little face; they shone like stars, but there was an odd gleam +in them,--they were not innocent, childish eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Before long she grew tired of watching the sparks, and looking about +for some other amusement her glance fell again upon Michael, whom she +now honoured with a longer inspection. "Where did you come from?" she +asked, standing directly in front of him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"From the forest," he replied, as laconically as before.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is it far from here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very far."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And do you like our castle?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha gazed at him with surprise in her bright eyes; she had asked the +question with much condescension, and this strange man had dared to +declare briefly and dryly that he did not like a Count's castle. As she +was apparently considering whether or not to be displeased, her glance +fell upon Michael's hat, which he held in his hand, and which was +adorned with a bunch of magnificent Alpine roses. "Oh, what beautiful +flowers!" she exclaimed. "Give them to me." And she had possessed +herself of the hat and pulled out the flowers before Michael could say +a word. He looked rather amazed to see this appropriation of his +property, but made no attempt to prevent it.</p> + +<p class="normal">The child seated herself in an arm-chair beside the hearth, seeming +delighted with her flowers, and began to talk easily and familiarly. +She told about the big castle where she had been accustomed to live +with her mother and father, and where it was all much prettier than +here, of her pony upon which she had learned to ride, and which had +unfortunately been left there, of her mother, and of much else besides. +The apparent dulness of her hearer seemed to amuse her mightily; she +tried to make him talk, and actually did extort from him that he was +the forester's son, and lived high up in the mountains in the forest +lodge, a fact that interested her much.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was something bewitching in the sweet, beguiling childish voice, +and in the fairy-like little figure nestling gracefully among the +cushions of the arm-chair, where the hair glistened against the dark +background. Michael slowly drew near, and gradually began to reply more +easily; this beguiling talk and laughter cast about him a spell the +power of which he vaguely felt, although he did not understand it, and +could not shake it off.</p> + +<p class="normal">As she talked, Hertha continued to play with the flowers, which she +separated, arranged, and rearranged, but at last wearying of them she +began to pull to pieces the nosegay she had so ardently coveted. Her +little hands pitilessly destroyed the white blossoms, throwing them +heedlessly on the ground. Michael frowned, and in a tone of +remonstrance, but still more of entreaty, said, "Do not pull them to +pieces! Those flowers were hard to find."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I don't like them any more," declared the child, and she continued +her work of destruction. Without further ado Michael seized her by the +arm and held her fast.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me go!" exclaimed the little girl, angrily trying to escape from +his grasp. "I don't like your flowers any more; and I don't like you, +either, any more. Go away!"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was more than mere childish waywardness in these words. The "I +don't like you, either, any more," sounded haughty and contemptuous, +and meanwhile the strange gleam appeared in the eyes that made them so +unchildlike. Michael suddenly loosened his grasp of her arm, but at the +same moment snatched the flowers from her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha slipped down from the arm-chair, and her lips quivered as if she +were about to burst into tears, but her eyes flashed with anger. "My +flowers! give me back my flowers!" she screamed, stamping her little +feet with rage.</p> + +<p class="normal">Just then Wolfram reappeared. His interview with the Count must have +been highly satisfactory, for he looked extremely contented. "Come, +Michael, we are going," he said, beckoning to his foster-son.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha knew the forester, who had been at the castle in the hunting +season as one of her father's servants, and instantly surmising that he +would help her to obtain what she wanted, she ran up to him. "I want my +flowers back!" she exclaimed, with all the petulance of a spoiled, +wayward child. "They are mine; make him give them back to me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What flowers?" said Wolfram. "Those Alpine roses? Give them to her, +Michael. She is our master's daughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">The child shook her curls triumphantly, and stretched out her hand for +the roses; but Michael was upon his guard, and held the nosegay so high +that she could not reach it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come, do you hear?" the forester said, impatiently. "Don't you +understand? You must give the little Countess the flowers this +instant."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This instant!" Hertha repeated, the childish voice that had been so +sweet now sounding shrill and authoritative. Michael looked down at the +small despot for one or two moments and then suddenly tossed the +flowers into the fireplace.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go and get them, then!" he said, roughly; and, turning his back upon +her, he left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Upon my word, the fellow does me credit to-day! Only wait until I get +him home," muttered Wolfram, with suppressed rage, as he followed the +lad.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha was left alone; she stood motionless, looking wide-eyed after +the pair, but in another instant she bethought herself and ran hastily +to the fireplace. The flickering flame was devouring its prey; the +delicate white blossoms glowed red for an instant like fairy flowers, +and then curled up and sank to ashes.</p> + +<p class="normal">The little girl folded her hands and looked on, her face still angry +and defiant, but gradually her eyes filled with tears, and when the +last of the flowers had perished in its fiery bed, she suddenly burst +into loud sobs.</p> + +<p class="normal">When Count Steinrück, after a few minutes, returned to his study, he +found no one there. A glance at the clock showed him that it was time +he were gone, and he hurriedly went to the writing-table to get the +order that was to complete his uniform. The case was still where he had +left it, but it was empty; probably the servant had seen what was wrong +with the ribbon and had taken it away to arrange it. Steinrück rang the +bell. "My order," he said, hurriedly, to the man who appeared in answer +to the ring. "Is the carriage there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Herr Count; but the order,--it is usually in the Herr Count's own +possession."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course; I took it out to-day,--the large star of diamonds. Did you +not observe that the ribbon was loose?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The servant shook his head. "I did not see the star. I was only in the +room a moment to receive the Herr Count's order about the carriage."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück looked in extreme astonishment at the empty case. "Have you +not been in the room since?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Herr Count."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has no one else been here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The forester's son was here when I left the room, and, I think, was +here alone for some time."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was suspicion more than hinted at in these words, but the Count +shook his head decidedly. "Nonsense! that's impossible. Has no one else +been here? Bethink yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Herr Count; no one has even been in the corridor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But the bedroom on that side,--it is a thoroughfare."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only from the sleeping apartment of the Frau Countess by the +tapestried door."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück turned pale, and involuntarily he clinched his hand, but he +still combated the dawning suspicion. "Look for it," he said. "The star +must be found; perhaps I mislaid it among the books and papers."</p> + +<p class="normal">And without waiting for the man's assistance he began to look for the +jewel himself. He knew perfectly well that he had laid the star in the +case, which he had left open; nevertheless, he lifted every book and +paper, and searched every drawer, but to no purpose the thing was not +to be found.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not here," the servant said at last, in a low tone. "If it was +lying here in the open case, there is but one explanation."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück made no reply. He himself doubted no longer. "A thief, then! +A common thief!" The measure of his contempt and aversion was filled to +the brim.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was silence for a few minutes; the servant stood waiting for +orders, startled by the expression on his master's face.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is Wolfram still in the castle?" the Count asked at last.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think he is. He wanted to see the major-domo."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then send his son to me! But not a word of what has happened!--not +even to the forester; send the boy here."</p> + +<p class="normal">The man left the room, and for a moment Steinrück covered his eyes with +his hand. This was terrible! And yet was it unnatural in the son of +such a father? The lad's whole appearance showed that he had inherited +not a drop of his mother's blood, and that other that filled his veins, +did it not proclaim itself what it was, and was it not a duty to +disclaim it and thrust it forth? Away with it!</p> + +<p class="normal">The Count stood erect, resolute as ever, when Michael entered, +unwillingly to be sure, but with no idea of what this new summons +betokened.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Close the door," said Steinrück, "and come here!"</p> + +<p class="normal">This time no second command was necessary: Michael obeyed without +hesitation. He stood before the Count, who, looking him directly in the +eye, held out to him the empty case. "Do you know what this is?" he +asked, with apparent composure.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man shook his head; he did not comprehend the strange +question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was lying here on the writing-table," Steinrück continued, "but it +was not empty as it is now. It contained a star of sparkling stones. +Did you not see it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael reflected. That, then, must have been the glittering object +that sparkled so in the sunlight, but of which he had taken little +heed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, I am waiting for an answer," said the Count, still keeping his +eye fixed on Michael's. "Where is the star?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"How should I know?" asked Michael, more and more surprised at this +strange examination.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Count's lips quivered. "You do not know, then? You are hardly so +stupid as you pretend to be. You act a farce extremely well. Where is +the star? I must know, and that instantly."</p> + +<p class="normal">The threatening tone of the last words revealed the truth to the lad, +and he stood as if paralyzed, so horrified, so dismayed, that for the +moment he was utterly incapable of exculpating himself. His aspect +deprived Steinrück of all shadow of doubt. He saw in it the +consciousness of guilt.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Confess, fellow!" he said in an undertone, but with terrible emphasis. +"Give up what you have stolen, and thank God that I let you go +scot-free. Do you hear? Give up your booty!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael shrank as if he had received a stab, but in an instant he burst +forth, "I a thief? I take----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hush!" interrupted Steinrück, angrily. "I will have no noise, no +commotion, but you do not stir from the spot until you have confessed. +Confess!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He seized the young fellow by the arm, and his grasp was like iron, but +with a single wrench Michael freed himself. "Let go of me!" he gasped. +"Never say that again! Never again, or----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! you would threaten besides?" cried the Count, who took this +outburst for the height of insolence. "Take care, boy; one word more, +and I shall forget to spare you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am no thief!" shouted Michael; "and whoever dares call me so I'll +fell him to the earth!"</p> + +<p class="normal">In an instant he had seized a heavy silver candelabrum from the table +and swung it like a weapon towards the Count, who recoiled a step,--not +from the menaced blow, but from the face confronting him. Was that the +same young man that had stood there a few moments before with the +vacant, dreamy countenance, the timid, sheepish air? He reared his head +now like a wounded lion ready to rush upon the stronger foe, rage and +savage hatred informing every feature. And Steinrück's eyes, flashing +annihilation, encountered two other eyes, dark blue like his own, and +gleaming with the same fire. There was one breathless moment. No +coward, no thief, ever looked like that.</p> + +<p class="normal">The door flew open,--the loud, menacing voice must have been heard in +the anteroom,--and the forester appeared on the threshold, the +frightened face of the servant looking over his shoulder.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Boy, are you mad?" shouted Wolfram, hastening to his master's aid, and +seizing Michael by the shoulder. But the lad shook himself free as a +wounded stag shakes off the murderous pack, then dashed the candelabrum +on the ground, and rushed to the door. But here he was intercepted by +the servant. "Hold him!" the man cried out to the forester. "He must +not escape! He has robbed the Herr Count!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wolfram, who was about to secure his foster-son, paused in horror. +"Michael,--a thief?"</p> + +<p class="normal">A cry burst from the lips of the tortured boy, a cry so desperate that +Steinrück interfered hurriedly, and would have ordered both men to +refrain, but it was too late. The servant staggered aside beneath the +blow of Michael's powerful young fist, and the lad rushed past him and +away, as if goaded to madness by those terrible words.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">When Wolfram the forester made his appearance at St. Michael's +parsonage, he seemed to be expected, for his reverence came to meet him +in the hall.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Wolfram, any tidings yet?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, your reverence, not a trace of the fellow; but I come from the +castle; and I have something from there to tell you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin opened the door of his study and beckoned the forester to +follow him, but he was evidently not as much interested in news from +the castle as in the question which he repeated with anxiety. "Then +Michael has not been at home yet?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, your reverence, not yet."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is the third day, and we have no trace of him. I trust he has +come to no harm."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He couldn't come to harm," the forester said, with a harsh laugh. +"He's wandering about, not daring to come home, because he knows what +he'll get when he does come; but he'll have to show himself at last, +and then--God have mercy on him!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean to do, Wolfram? Remember your promise."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I kept it as long as there was anything to be done with the fellow, +but that's over now. If he thinks that he can knock down and run over +everybody he shall learn that there is one man at least who is a match +for him. I'll make him feel that, so long as I can lift a finger."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will not touch Michael until I have had a talk with him," said the +priest, gravely. "You say you come from the castle. How are they there? +Has the missing order been found at last?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, the very day it was lost. Little Countess Hertha had taken away +the glittering thing to play with, and after a while she ran with it to +her mother, and so the whole matter was explained."</p> + +<p class="normal">"All because of a child's carelessness, then," Valentin said, bitterly, +"a degrading, shameful suspicion fell upon Michael, who----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He broke off suddenly, and the forester grumbled, "Why did he not open +his lips and defend himself? I should have told them they were wrong, +but Michael stood stock-still, I suppose, until they tried to seize +him, and then behaved like a wounded bear. And to attack the Herr +Count! You can hardly believe it, but I saw him myself, standing with +the lifted candlestick. And I have to pay for the fellow's cursed +behaviour. The Herr Count was very cross to-day, he would hardly speak +a word to me, but he gave me a letter to bring to your reverence."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took an envelope from his pouch and handed it to the priest. "Very +well, Wolfram. Now go, and if Michael shows himself at the lodge, send +him directly to me. I forbid you to maltreat him in any way until I +have talked with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">The forester left, grumbling at being obliged to postpone his +punishment of the 'cursed boy,' but vowing that it should take place +for all that. When Valentin was alone he opened the letter from the +Count. It was brief enough:</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">"I wish to inform your reverence that the missing article has been +found, and of course the charge of theft is proved unfounded. With +regard to your <i>protégé's</i> conduct in behaving like a madman, even +daring to make an assault upon myself, instead of defending himself and +helping to explain the affair, you have doubtless heard all particulars +from Wolfram, and will comprehend why I must decline all compliance +with your wishes. This rude, unbridled fellow, with his savage +disposition, belongs to the sphere in which he has passed his life. +Wolfram is just the man to control him, and he will remain in his +charge. All education would be wasted upon such a nature, and I am +convinced that after what has occurred you will agree with me.</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="sc">Michael, Count Steinrück</span>."</p> +<br> + +<p class="normal">The priest dropped the letter and sat lost in sad thought. "Not a +single word of regret for the shameful suspicion that fell upon an +innocent fellow-being; nothing but contempt and condemnation. And yet +the boy is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your reverence!" The words came from the half-opened door, and were +spoken in a suppressed voice. Valentin started up and breathed a sigh +of relief. "Michael! Are you here at last? Thank God!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought--you, too, would turn me off," Michael said, gently.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I want to talk with you. Why do you keep at the door there? Come in."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man slowly approached. He wore the same Sunday suit which he +had worn on that eventful day, but it had evidently been exposed to the +wind and rain.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have been anxious about you," Valentin said, reproachfully. "No +trace of you for forty-eight hours! Where have you been?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In the forest."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And where did you pass the nights?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In the empty herdsman's-hut on the mountain."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In all the storm? Why did you not go home?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I knew that Wolfram would attempt to beat me, and I do not mean to be +beaten again. I wished to spare both him and myself what would have +happened."</p> + +<p class="normal">His answers sounded monotonous, but the old indifference had gone; +there was something in Michael's whole air and bearing strange, gloomy, +decided. He was very different from his former self. The priest looked +at him with anxiety.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then you ought to have come to me. I expected you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have come to your reverence, and what they have told you of me is +not true. I am no thief."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know it. I never for an instant believed that you were, and now no +suspicion rests upon you. The missing star has been found; little +Countess Hertha carried it off for a plaything."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael stroked aside the damp curls from his brow, and his face wore a +strange, hard expression. "Ah, the child with the red-gold hair and the +beautiful evil eyes. It is she that I have to thank, is it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The little girl is not to blame; she simply, after the fashion of +spoiled children, carried off from her uncle's room what she supposed +to be a plaything, and took it to her mother. You were the one at +fault; you ought to have exculpated yourself calmly and sensibly, +and the affair would have been immediately explained, instead of +which--Michael, can it be true that you lifted your hand against Count +Steinrück?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He called me a thief!" Michael gasped. "Oh, if you knew how he treated +me! I was to confess--to return what I had not stolen. He never asked +whether I were guilty or not. He would have liked to kick me out of the +castle."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a degree of savage bitterness in the lad's words, and +Valentin could understand it; he saw that his pupil had been irritated +to madness. "They did you wrong," he said, "grievous wrong, but you +ought not to have given way to furious passion, and the consequences of +your anger will recoil heavily upon yourself. The Count is naturally +indignant at what has occurred. You need no longer reckon upon his aid, +he will hear nothing more of you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will he not? But he shall hear <i>from</i> me! Once more at least."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean? You do not propose to----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go to him! Yes, your reverence. Now that he knows to what unmerited +disgrace he subjected me, he shall take it all back!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You propose to call Count Steinrück to account?" the priest exclaimed +in dismay. "What an insane idea! You must give this up."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!" said Michael, in a hard, cold tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Michael!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, your reverence, I will not, even although you forbid my going. I +choose to ask him why he called me thief."</p> + +<p class="normal">All his thoughts revolved about this one point, the disgrace which had +been heaped upon him, and which burned into his soul like red-hot iron. +Valentin was at his wit's end; he saw that here his remonstrances could +avail nothing, and the savage desire for revenge that was plain in this +intent of the lad's filled him with dread. If Michael really carried +out his plan of taking the Count to task, and if the Count should +undertake to chastise the 'rough, unbridled fellow,' some terrible +misfortune might ensue; it must be prevented at all hazards.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I never thought that my words would avail so little with you," he +said, sorrowfully. "Well, then, something else must appeal to you. +Whether the Count has wronged you or not, it would be a crime for you +to lift a finger against him; you must never--heed what I say--never +confront him as a foe; he stands nearer to you than you dream."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To me? Count Steinrück?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes. I meant to have told you hereafter of what I now reveal to you, +but your insane behaviour forces me to speak. You would else be in +danger of making a second assault upon--your grandfather!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael started, and stood staring wide-eyed at the speaker. "My +grandfather! He is----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your mother's father. But you must cherish no hopes from the tie; your +mother was disinherited and cast off. Her marriage separated her +forever from her family, and was her ruin."</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused and looked at Michael, who for the moment said not a word, +although it was evident that the revelation had agitated him terribly. +His features worked, and his chest rose and fell as though he were +labouring for breath; at last after a long pause he said, gloomily, "Go +on,--is there no more to tell?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, my son, no more for the present. It is a sad story, ending in +grief and misery; a tissue of crime and misfortune that you could +hardly understand. Hereafter, when you are older and more mature, you +shall hear everything; for the present let the bare facts content you: +I vouch for their truth. You see now that the person of Count Steinrück +should be sacred to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Sacred? When he hounded me like a thief from his door?" Michael +suddenly burst forth. "He knew that he was my grandfather, and yet +could treat me so! Like a dog! Ah, your reverence, you ought not to bid +me hold him sacred. I hated the Count because he was so hard and +pitiless to a stranger, but now,--I should like to----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He clinched his fist with so terrible a look that Valentin +involuntarily recoiled. "For the love of all the saints you would +not----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Touch him,--no! I know now that I must not lift my hand against him, +but if I could call him to account otherwise, I would give my life for +a chance to do so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin stood speechless, dismayed, though this savage outbreak was +not alone what dismayed him. He too saw now what had so surprised his +brother, that strange gleam that flashed out suddenly like lightning to +vanish as instantly. The rugged, undeveloped features were the same, +but the dreamy face had gone; as if a veil had been raised all at once +there were revealed other eyes, another brow, and the movement with +which Michael turned to leave the room was full of savage resolve.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where are you going?" the priest asked, hastily. "To the forest +lodge?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I have nothing to do there now. Farewell, your reverence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stay! Where, then, are you going?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know,--away,--out into the world."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Alone? Without means? Utterly ignorant of the world and of life? What +will you do?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go to ruin like my mother," the lad replied, roughly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, by heaven, that you shall not!" exclaimed the priest, rising with +unwonted determination. "If my vows tie my hands,--if I cannot take +care of you,--I can intrust you to another. It was a special providence +that brought my brother here; he will not refuse to help me: I can rely +upon him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael shook his head in dissent. "Better let me go, your reverence; I +am accustomed to be maltreated and turned out everywhere; I do not want +to be a burden upon a stranger. I can scarcely be worse off out in the +world than I was with my parents. I can remember it from my earliest +childhood. Neither my mother nor I ever had a kind word from my father, +and he often used to beat us both; it was not very different from the +life at the lodge, except that I was not starved at the forester's."</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin shuddered; he could not help it at the thought of the woman +whom he had formerly seen in all the pride of her beauty and rank. +This, then, had been the end of it all. A terrible glimpse into the +depths of human misery.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You <i>must</i> not go, Michael," he said, gently but decidedly. "There can +be no question of your return to the lodge. Here you will stay until I +hear from my brother,--I know beforehand what he will say,--and until +then I take charge of you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael did not gainsay this, and made no further attempt to depart. He +turned darkly away to the window, and stood there with folded arms +looking out, the same sullen determination in his look that had +characterized it when he would have rushed away. Yes, the somnambulist +had wakened when his name had been called, out the call had been rude, +and the awakening bitter.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">A golden autumnal day had arisen from the dim morning mists; +the +mountains were unveiled and the valleys were filled with sunshine.</p> + +<p class="normal">The little mountain-town, which lay about a league from Castle +Steinrück, nestling most picturesquely at the entrance of the valley, +was harbouring a distinguished guest. Professor Hans Wehlau, of +worldwide reputation as a light of science, was paying a visit to his +brother-in-law, the burgomaster of the little town. For ten years the +Professor had now been living in the capital of Northern Germany, where +he occupied a prominent position in the university. Since the death of +his wife he had rather withdrawn from society, from which his two sons +were also secluded by the duties of their several occupations; the +younger was completing at another university the studies in natural +science which he had begun under his father's tuition, and the elder, +an adopted son, the child of a friend who had died, having embraced a +military career, was stationed with his regiment in a provincial town. +All, however, were to share in this excursion to relatives among the +mountains. The Professor had been here for some weeks, and his sons had +arrived on the previous day.</p> + +<p class="normal">The burgomaster's fine spacious house looked out upon the market +square, and the upper rooms, usually unoccupied, had been placed at the +disposal of the guests. The Frau Burgomeisterin did all that she could +to make the stay beneath her roof of her dead sister's husband +agreeable to him, and her efforts in this direction were all the more +praiseworthy since she was always upon a war-footing with him. She was +perpetually vacillating between respect for his reputation, very +flattering to her vanity in so near a relative, and detestation for the +'godless' scientific doctrines to which he owed his fame, and it was a +great trial to her that her nephew, whom, in the absence of any +children of her own, she loved like a son, should have been compelled +by his father's command to pursue the path of science.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was early in the morning, and the Professor was standing at the +window of his room looking out upon the quiet market square. Wehlau had +changed but little in the last ten years. He had the same intellectual +face, with its sarcastic expression and piercing eyes; the hair, +however, had grown gray. Beside him stood the Frau Burgomeisterin, an +imposing figure, of whom the evil-disposed in Tannberg affirmed that +she ruled the ruler, and was the autocrat of her household.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And our boys are here at last!" said the Professor, in apparently high +good humour. "You'll have noise and confusion enough now, for Hans will +turn the house upside down. You know him of old. They both look very +well: Michael, especially, has a very manly air."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hans is much the handsomer and more attractive," the lady rejoined, +very decidedly. "Michael has neither of these qualities."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Granted, in the eyes of you ladies, that is! On the other hand, he has +an earnestness and solidity of character by which our harum-scarum Hans +might well take example. It is no small distinction for so young an +officer to be ordered for service on the general's staff. He surprised +me yesterday with this piece of information, while Hans will have some +difficulty in getting his diploma."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's not the poor boy's fault," his sister-in-law declared. "He has +never had more than a half-hearted interest in the profession that has +been forced upon him. It cost my poor sister many a secret tear to have +you insist so inexorably upon his burying his talent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you whole rivers of them," the Professor added, with a sneer. "You +all made my life wretched combining with the boy against me, until I +issued my mandate, which he was forced to obey."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With despair in his heart. In destroying his hope of an artistic +career you deprived him of his ideal,--of all the poesy of his young +life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't mention Poesy, I entreat," Wehlau interrupted her. "I am on the +worst of terms with that lady for all the mischief she does and the +heads she turns. I set my son straight, I rejoice to say, in time. I +have not noticed any despair about him. Moreover, he has not a particle +of talent for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good-morning, papa!" called a gay young voice, and the subject of the +conversation appeared in the door-way.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans Wehlau junior was a slender and very handsome young fellow of +twenty-four, with nothing in his exterior to suggest the dignity of the +future professor. His straw hat, before he removed it, sat jauntily +upon his thick, light brown hair, and his very becoming summer suit, +with a 'turn-down' shirt collar, had an artistic, rather than a +learned, air. His fresh, youthful face was lit up by a pair of laughing +blue eyes, and altogether there was something so attractive and +endearing about him that the Professor's evident paternal pride was +very easy to understand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, Head-over-heels, here you are!" he said, gayly. "I have been +preparing your aunt for the turmoil that you carry with you wherever +you go."</p> + +<p class="normal">"On the contrary, sir, I have grown monstrously sedate," Hans declared, +illustrating his assertion by putting his arm around the waist of his +aunt, who had just innocently set down her basket of keys, and waltzing +with her around the room in spite of her struggles.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me alone, you unmannerly boy!" she said, out of breath, when at +last he released her with a profound bow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forgive me, aunt, but it was the suitable preface to my errand. The +kitchen department urgently requires your presence; and, as I like to +make myself useful in a house, I offered to inform you of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Her nephew's zeal in this respect seemed rather suspicious to the +mistress of the house, who asked, "What were you doing in the kitchen?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good heavens! I was only paying my respects to old Gretel."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed? And young Leni was not there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, I had her presented to me, as I had not seen her before. It was my +duty as one of the family. My tastes are very domestic."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My dear Hans," the Frau Burgomeisterin said, with decision, "I take no +interest in your domestic tastes, and if I find them leading you into +the kitchen, the doors will be locked in your face; remember that." She +nodded to her brother-in-law, and sailed majestically out of the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take care, take care!" said the Professor. "Favourite as you are with +your aunt, there are certain points upon which she will have no +jesting; and she is right. At all events, her mind must now be set at +rest with regard to your despair, as she calls it. She clings +obstinately to the idea that you are unhappy in your profession."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, sir, I am not at all unhappy," the young man asserted, seating +himself astride of a chair and looking cheerfully about him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I never supposed you were. Such youthful nonsense is sure to vanish of +itself as soon as one is occupied with graver matters."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, papa," Hans assented, occupying himself for the time with +rocking his chair to and fro, a proceeding which appeared to afford him +great gratification.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And these graver matters are comprised in science," Wehlau continued, +with emphasis. "Unfortunately, I have of late--those chairs are not +made to ride upon, Hans; such school-boy tricks are very unbecoming in +a future doctor--I have of late had too little time to examine you +thoroughly in your studies. The voluminous work which I have just +completed has, as you know, absorbed all my attention. But now I am +free, and we can make up for our delay."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, papa," said Hans, who had taken the paternal admonition to +heart, and had left the chair, but was now seated on the corner of a +table, swinging his feet.</p> + +<p class="normal">Fortunately, the Professor, whose back was turned to him, did not +see this, so the father continued to arrange some papers upon his +study-table, and went on calmly: "Your student days are past, and I +hope they have carried with them all your nonsense. I depend upon +greater seriousness, now that we are to begin scientific study in +earnest. Be diligent, Hans; you will be grateful to me one of these +days when you succeed me as professor."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, papa," the obedient son observed for the third time; but as +at the moment his father turned and cast an irritated glance at him, he +jumped lightly from the table.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Will you never have done with these school-boy pranks? Pray try to +take example by Michael; you never see him conduct himself so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, indeed," Hans laughed merrily. "The Herr Lieutenant is the +embodiment of military discipline at all times. Always in position, his +coat buttoned up to the throat. Who would have thought it when he came +to us first, a shy, awkward boy, staring about him at the world and +mankind as at something monstrous? I had to take him under my wing +perpetually."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I imagine he very soon outgrew any wing of yours," the Professor said, +sarcastically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"More's the pity. The case is reversed now, and he orders me about. But +confess, papa, that at first you despaired of making a human being of +Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As far as conventionalities are concerned, I certainly did. He had +learned more, far more, than I had supposed. My brother had been an +excellent teacher to him, and when he was once aroused, he applied +himself with such unwearied diligence and interest that I often +wondered at the strength of character shown in divesting himself of all +his childish, dreamy ways."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, Michael was always your favourite," Hans said, discontentedly. +"You never put any force upon him, but agreed instantly to his desire +to be a soldier, while I----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was a very different thing," his father interrupted him. "As +matters stand, Michael was forced to shape his future and his mode of +life himself, and with his temperament he is best fitted for a soldier. +The reckless dash at a goal without a glance either to the right or to +the left, the stern law of duty, the despotic subduing of antagonistic +qualities beneath the iron yoke of discipline, all accord perfectly +with his character, and he will inevitably rise in the army. You, on +the other hand, must reap what I have sown, and therefore abide in my +domain; your life is conveniently arranged for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man's air betrayed but a small degree of satisfaction with +this arrangement; but he suddenly started up and exclaimed, gayly, +"Here comes Michael!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Ten years are a long time in a human existence, and they seem doubly +long when they occur at the season when a man develops most rapidly; in +Michael's case the change wrought by the years bordered on the +marvellous. The former foster-son of Wolfram the forester and the young +officer were two different individuals, who had not a characteristic in +common.</p> + +<p class="normal">Handsome, Michael Rodenberg certainly was not,--in that respect he was +far behind Hans Wehlau,--but he was one who could never pass unnoticed. +His tall, muscular figure seemed created to wear a uniform and to gird +on a sword. It had exchanged all the awkwardness of the boy for the +erect carriage of the soldier. His fair, close curls had lost none of +their luxuriance, but they were carefully arranged, and the bearded +face, if it could lay no claim to beauty, was interesting enough +without it. All that was boyish in it had vanished, the strong, +resolute head was that of ripe manhood,--a manhood too early ripened, +perchance, for the countenance expressed at times a degree of gravity +which was almost sternness, and which does not belong to youth.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the eyes, too, there was none of the old dreamy look; their gaze had +grown keen and firm, but they never had learned to sparkle with the +joyous inspiration of youth. There was something chilling in them, as +indeed in the whole air of the young man, which only at intervals, in +conversation, was animated by a genial glow. Yet, as he stood there, +erect, firm, resolute, he was the ideal of a soldier from head to heel.</p> + +<p class="normal">"In uniform?" asked the Professor, surprised, as Michael bade him +good-morning. "Have you an official visit to pay here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"After a fashion, yes; I must go over to Elmsdorf. The former chief of +my regiment, Colonel von Reval, since he resigned, has always spent the +summer and autumn at his country-seat there. He probably thinks that I +have been here some time, for I found upon my arrival yesterday a few +lines from him inviting me to Elmsdorf. My aunt will, I hope, excuse +me; the colonel has been very kind to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You were always his special favourite," Hans remarked. "When he +returned at the close of the Danish war, he came to see papa to +congratulate him upon having so distinguished a son. I was furious at +the time, for as I had heard nothing for weeks except songs of praise +in your honour, with animadversions upon my insignificance, your +doughty deeds were deeply annoying to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Most certainly no one ever congratulated me upon possessing <i>you</i>, at +least during your university course," Wehlau observed, sharply. +"Moreover, we expected you here last week; why did you come so late?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"On Michael's account; he could not get leave until he had accompanied +his regiment into quarters after being on special duty. When I went to +his quarters to find him, I had a piece of luck----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"As usual!" the Professor interjected.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes. I had made up my mind to spend a week in that dull provincial +town, but on my arrival I heard that Michael was three miles away, in a +gay little watering-place, near which his regiment was exercising. Of +course I hurried after him, with a blessing upon the wisdom of the +military authorities. The Herr Lieutenant was indeed head over ears in +strict attention to duty, and quite deaf and blind to all else, even to +an acquaintance for which every other officer of his corps envied him, +and of which he would not take the least advantage. No one else could +gain admission at Countess Steinrück's; she was very much of an +invalid."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Professor was evidently struck by the name, and cast a keen glance +at Michael. "Countess Steinrück?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of Berkheim. You know her, papa; for, as she herself told me, you were +often at her father-in-law's when you were a young physician, and at +her request you went to her when her husband was dying. She is very +grateful yet to you for doing so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course I know her; but how did you make her acquaintance, Michael?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"By accident," was the laconic reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was certainly by no fault of his," Hans said, in a mocking tone +that plainly betrayed his ignorance of the part played in Michael's +life by the name of Steinrück. "I must tell you the story in detail, +papa; it begins very romantically. Well, Michael was sitting in the +forest,--that is, he was in command of his men there and ordering them +to fire,--when a carriage came driving along a road in the distance. +The horses were frightened by the firing and ran away; the coachman +lost his reins, and the danger was imminent, when from the dim forest +near by a gallant knight rushed to the rescue, stopped the horses, tore +open the carriage door, and lifted out the fainting ladies----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stick to the truth, Hans," the young officer interposed, with some +irritation. "Neither the danger nor the heroism was as great as you +describe. I merely saw that the horses were frightened, and ran up to +avert an accident; but the brutes stopped as soon as I caught hold of +their bridles, and the ladies sat still in the carriage. No need of any +poetical exaggeration."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nor of such prosaic treatment of facts," Hans retorted. "I heard the +story from the Countess herself, and she persists quite as obstinately +in saying that you saved her life as you persist in denying having done +so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael shrugged his shoulders and turned to the Professor. "In fact, +the Countess did thus persist, and as the house where I was staying was +near her villa I could not avoid frequent meetings with her. But I was +very much occupied with the service, and had but little time at my +disposal."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, yes, that eternal 'service'!" exclaimed Hans, indignantly. "At +last he was never to be seen. It was with the greatest difficulty that +I persuaded him to find time to introduce me, and when he had done so +he went off, and left me to explain and apologize for his extraordinary +behaviour. The ladies made him the most amiable advances, but he was a +perfect icicle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Michael probably has his own reasons for his conduct," said Wehlau; +"and if he thought best to maintain a degree of reserve, you would have +done well to follow his example."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, no; that was simply out of the question. The young Countess was +too beautiful,--a perfect princess in a fairy-tale: superb golden hair +and eyes that shine like stars. They can beguile, those eyes of hers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And can scorn," Michael added, in a tone the coldness of which +contrasted strongly with his friend's enthusiasm. "Beware of them, +Hans; it is a sad fate to be first beguiled and then scorned."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You say that because the Countess Hertha is thought very haughty. I +too believe that any man who could not reckon up ten generations of +ancestors at least would have but a poor chance if he were audacious +enough to woo her. Since, however, I do not covet that honour, nothing +hinders my admiration. And if I should really allow myself to be +beguiled by those eyes----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come, come; let all that alone," his father cut short his son's +sentence. "You have no business with fairy princesses or starry eyes; I +bar all such nonsense. All that you have to think about is your coming +thesis."</p> + +<p class="normal">The two young men exchanged a hasty, significant glance, and Michael +said, lightly, "Do not be troubled, uncle. If Hans is a little +scorched, it will do him no harm; he is used to it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he has been childish and silly enough, but now he will have the +kindness to adopt a graver tone. I have an unoccupied morning to-day, +Hans, and we will have an exhaustive talk about your studies. The +sketch of them that you gave me in the holidays was very slight. I want +now to know all about them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Again the young men exchanged a glance that seemed to betoken a secret +understanding, as the Professor arose and said, casually, "I only want +to tell Leni that she must be careful to-day about sending my letters +to the post. I shall be back immediately," with which he left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans looked after him, folded his arms, and said, in an undertone, "Now +for the bursting of the bomb!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not take the matter so easily," Michael admonished him. "You +certainly have a hard battle to fight; my uncle will be furious."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know it; that's why I am all armed and equipped. You're not going; I +can't spare you. When the fight grows too hot I shall summon you as my +<i>corps de réserve</i>. Do stay and help me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad, at all events, that there is to be no more secrecy," said +the young officer, discontentedly, as he withdrew into the recess of a +window. "I promised you to be silent, but it was very hard for me; +harder than for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bah! I did not know what else to do. And you soldiers admit that all's +fair in war. Hush! here he comes! Now for the assault!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Professor re-entered the room, and took his seat comfortably in an +arm-chair, beckoning his son to take his place beside him. "You +certainly have been in good hands," he began. "My colleague, Bauer, is +an authority in his specialty, and shares my views entirely. That was +the reason why I yielded to your earnest entreaty and sent you for two +years to B----. I was afraid that the chief attraction for you lay in +the gay student life there, but I nevertheless judged it best that you +should pursue your studies under other guidance than my own, after I +had laid the foundation for them. Now let me hear."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man was evidently made very uncomfortable by this prelude; he +twirled his handsome moustache, and stammered somewhat as he replied, +"Yes,--Professor Bauer; I attended his lectures--very regularly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course; I recommended you to him particularly."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I did not learn anything from him."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wehlau frowned, and said, reprovingly, "Hans, it is very unbecoming so +to criticise a worthy man of science. His delivery, to be sure, leaves +much to be desired, but his treatises are admirable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good heavens, I am not speaking of the Herr Professor's treatises, but +of my own, and they were unfortunately far from admirable. I felt that +myself, and accordingly I made a slight change in my course of study."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Against my express directions. I laid out your course precisely for +you. To whom did you go, then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans hesitated to reply, and glanced towards the window where his +'reserves' were stationed, before he said, in a rather constrained +voice, "To--to Professor Walter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Walter? Who is he? I do not know the name."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, papa, you surely must have heard of Friedrich Walter. He has a +world-wide reputation as an artist."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As a what?" the Professor asked, not crediting his ears.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As an artist, and that was the reason why I wanted to go to B----. +Master Walter lives there, and did me the honour of receiving me into +his atelier. In fact, I have not applied myself to the study of natural +science; I have become a painter!"</p> + +<p class="normal">It was out at last. Wehlau sprang to his feet, and stared speechless at +his son.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Boy, are you mad?" he cried; but Hans, who knew well that his only +hope lay in not allowing his father to speak, rattled on very quickly, +"I have been very diligent all these two years, extremely diligent. My +teacher will tell you so; he thinks I may safely be left to myself now, +and when I came away he said to me, 'It will surely delight your father +to see the progress you have made; refer any one to me.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">All this was uttered with extreme volubility; the words fell like honey +from his lips, but it did him no good any longer; at last the Professor +understood that there was no jest about the 'slight change' of studies, +and he burst forth, "And you dare to brave me thus! You dare secretly, +behind my back, to play such a farce; to defy my command, to laugh my +wishes to scorn; and now you imagine that I shall yield in the matter, +and say 'yes,' and 'amen'? You will find yourself vastly mistaken."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans hung his head and looked crushed. "Do not be so hard upon me, +papa! Art is my ideal, the poesy of my life, and if you knew how my +conscience has pricked me for my disobedience!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You look as if your conscience pricked you," the Professor stormed, +still more furious. "Ideal,--Poesy,--the same cursed old trash! The +shibboleth to hide all the folly that men perpetrate. Never imagine +that such nonsense will go down with me. Whatever pranks you may have +played hitherto, now you are coming home, and I shall take you in hand. +You will shortly pass the examination for your degree! Do you hear? I +order you to do so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I have not learned anything," Hans declared, with positive +exultation. "While the lectures were going on I sketched or caricatured +either the professors or the audience, as the case might be, and all +that you taught me I forgot long ago; I could not write an essay a page +long, and you cannot send me to the university again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are actually boasting of your ignorance," said Wehlau, sternly; +"and the inconceivable deception you have practised upon me you perhaps +consider another piece of heroism to be proud of."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; only as a necessary weapon, when all other means failed. How I +formerly implored and entreated you to yield to my desires, and all in +vain! You would have had me sacrifice my talent, my entire future, to a +profession for which I was not fitted, and in which I never could have +excelled. You denied me the means for my artistic education and thought +thereby to force my inclination. When I said to you, 'I want to be a +painter,' you met me with an inexorable 'no.' Now I say to you, 'I am a +painter,' and you will have to say 'yes.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That remains to be seen," Wehlau burst forth afresh. "I will see +whether I cannot govern my own son. I am master in my own house, and +I'll have no rebellion there; those who oppose me will have to leave +it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man's cheek paled at this threat; he stepped up close to his +father, and his voice sounded imploring, but gravely in earnest. +"Father, do not let matters go too far between you and me. I am not +made as you are. I have always had a horror of your cold lofty science +that makes life so clear and so--desolate. You do not comprehend that +there is another world, and that there is a temperament to which this +other world is as necessary as the air to the lungs. You wring from +nature her secrets; everything that lives and moves must be adjusted to +your rules and theories; you know the origin and end of every created +being. But you do not know your own son, whom you cannot fit to your +theories. He has clasped close his morsel of poesy and ideality, and +has pursued his own path, in which he will never disgrace you."</p> + +<p class="normal">With this he turned and walked towards the door; but the Professor, who +was in no wise disposed to end the interview thus, called angrily after +him, "Stay, Hans! Come back this instant!"</p> + +<p class="normal">But Hans thought fit not to hear the call, he saw that his <i>corps de +réserve</i> was advancing, and he left it to Michael to cover his retreat +as best he might.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let him go, uncle," said Michael, who had come forward some minutes +before, and now attempted to soothe the angry man. "You are too +irritated; you must be calmer before you speak to him again."</p> + +<p class="normal">The admonition was vain. Wehlau had no idea of becoming calmer, and +since his disobedient son was no longer present, he turned upon his +advocate. "And you too have been in the plot; you knew it all; do not +deny it. Hans tells you everything; why did you keep silence?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because I had given my word, and could not break it, however I might +dislike secrecy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then you ought to have taken the boy in hand yourself and brought him +to reason."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I could not do, for he is right."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! Are you beginning too?" shouted the Professor, shaking a +menacing finger; but Michael held his ground and repeated firmly, "Yes, +uncle, perfectly right. I never would have allowed myself to be forced +to adopt a calling which I disliked and for which I was not fit. I +should, it is true, have waged more open and therefore sterner warfare +than Hans has done; he has simply avoided a struggle. From the day when +you forced him to the course of study you approved, and to which he +ostensibly applied himself, he began to make a preliminary study of +painting, but he finally perceived the impossibility of completing his +artistic education beneath your eyes, and therefore he went to B----. +He must have done extremely well there, for if a man like Professor +Walter testifies to his artistic ability, it is indubitable, you may be +sure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Silence!" growled the Professor. "I will not hear another word. I say +no, and no again,--and---- Are you coming to triumph too? I suppose you +also were in the plot."</p> + +<p class="normal">The last words were spoken to his sister-in-law, who came innocently +into the room to get her basket of keys which she had left behind her, +and who looked amazed at this angry reception.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter?" asked she. "What has happened?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Happened? Nothing has happened! Only a very slight change in my son's +studies, as he is pleased to express it. But woe to the boy if he +appears before me again! He shall find out who and what I am."</p> + +<p class="normal">With these words Wehlau strode into the next room, slamming the door +behind him, while his sister-in-law gazed at Michael in dismay. "Tell +me, in heavens' name, what has occurred?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A catastrophe. Hans has made a confession, which he could no longer +suppress, to his father. He did not pursue his studies at the +university, but used his time there in studying art with Professor +Walter. But excuse me, aunt, I must go and find him. He had really +better avoid meeting his father for the present."</p> + +<p class="normal">So saying, Michael hastily left the room, where the Frau Burgomeisterin +stood motionless for a few minutes; but at last her face broke into a +beaming smile, and with an expression of supreme satisfaction she said, +"And so he's played a trick upon the infallible Herr Professor, and +such a trick! Darling boy!"</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">Elmsdorf, the estate of Herr von Reval, was situated at no +great +distance from the town. It was no old mountain stronghold, with an +historic past, like Steinrück, but a pleasant modern country-seat which +its situation made a very desirable summer residence. The house, a +spacious villa with balconies and terraces, was surrounded by a park, +not very extensive indeed, but charmingly laid out, and the interior of +the mansion, without being magnificent, gave evidence of the taste and +wealth of its possessors.</p> + +<p class="normal">Colonel Reval had sent in his resignation from the army three years +previous to our present date in consequence of wounds received in the +last war. Since then he, with his wife, had spent the winters in the +capital and the summers at Elmsdorf, which he had converted from a very +simple abode into a charming country-seat.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael Rodenberg, who had served in the colonel's regiment, and +afterwards had been his adjutant, had always enjoyed the special favour +of his chief, who even after he had quitted the service continued to +give proofs of his regard for the young officer.</p> + +<p class="normal">Elmsdorf to-day was holding high festival, celebrating the birthday of +its mistress, and, as the hospitable mansion was very popular in the +country around, the company assembled was very numerous. Michael was +present, of course, and Professor Wehlau and his son had also received +invitations. Unfortunately, there was no hope of seeing the +distinguished man of science among the guests. He excused his absence +on the plea of indisposition, but in truth he was averse to all society +at present, since his son's obstinate disobedience filled him with +indignation and controlled his mood to a great degree. Both the young +men, however, had driven over to Elmsdorf.</p> + +<p class="normal">Herr and Frau von Reval received their guests with all the hospitable +grace that made their house a social centre in all the country round +about. Hans Wehlau on this occasion justified his father's assertion +that he was fortune's favourite, to whom without any effort of his own +all hearts and homes were flung wide open. He had scarcely been +presented to the mistress of the house before she showed him special +marks of favour, every one thought him charming, and he moved among all +these strangers as if he had been intimate in the household from +boyhood.</p> + +<p class="normal">All the more of a stranger did Michael feel himself to be. He possessed +neither the inclination nor the capacity for so swift and easy an +adaptation of himself to his surroundings. With the exception of the +colonel and his wife he knew no one of the company, and the few words +possible upon a casual introduction interested him but little. This +brilliant assemblage, in the midst of which Hans swam like a fish in +its native element, won but a passing regard from his grave, unsocial +friend, who was a looker-on, not a sharer in its gayeties. +Wandering through the rooms, Michael came at last to the conservatory, +a quiet spot shut off from the suite of reception-rooms; with its +palms, laurel-trees, and flowers, it invited to rest. Here all was cool +and secluded, and the young man felt no inclination to return to the +heated rooms where he could not be missed. He passed slowly from one +group of plants to another, until he was interrupted by the entrance of +Colonel Reval.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Still unsocial, Lieutenant Rodenberg?" he said, in a tone half of +jest, half of reproach. "You are but a poor guest at our <i>fête</i>. What +are you doing here in this lonely conservatory?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have just found my way hither," Michael began; "and, moreover, I am +a stranger in society----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only an additional reason for frequenting it. Take pattern by your +young friend, who is already at home there. I missed you some time ago +from the drawing-room, where I wanted to present you to Count +Steinrück. You do not know him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The general in command? No!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He came only awhile ago, and you will shortly have to report yourself +to him officially. The general is extremely influential, but greatly +feared because of his inflexible severity in military matters. He +spares no one, least of all, indeed, himself; although he is over +seventy, his age never seems to enter his mind."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael listened in silence; he had known that the Count was at +Steinrück, and that he must be prepared for a meeting which had +hitherto been spared him, but which would be unavoidable in future, +since he must in time report himself to the general in command.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We hoped to see the young Count too," Reval continued, "but we have +just heard that he does not arrive until to-morrow evening. It is a +pity; he would have been an interesting acquaintance for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You mean the general's son, colonel?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, the son died some years ago; I mean his grand son, Count Raoul. He +certainly is one of the handsomest fellows I have ever seen; always +foremost in youthful follies, full of talent, and with a disposition so +charming that he takes everybody by storm. Indeed, he is a gifted +creature, but such a madcap that he will give his grandfather no end of +trouble if he does not succeed in controlling him betimes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Apparently, Count Steinrück is the very man to do so," Michael +remarked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So it seems to me. Count Raoul, who fears neither man nor devil, has +nevertheless a very wholesome dread of his grandfather, and when His +Excellency issues an ukase, which, between ourselves, is not +infrequently necessary, the young fellow is ready to obey."</p> + +<p class="normal">A low rustle, as of silken robes, was heard behind the gentlemen, whose +backs were towards the entrance; they turned, and at that instant the +young officer stepped back so suddenly that the colonel looked at him +in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">Two ladies had entered; the elder, in dark velvet, pale, delicate, an +evident invalid, seemed desirous of reaching a long low seat beneath a +group of palms, where she could rest; the younger stood at the head of +the flight of steps leading into the conservatory, her figure full in +the light of the chandelier hanging above her head.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans Wehlau had described her well; she was like the princess in a +fairy-tale, tall and slender, with a face of bewitching beauty, and +large eyes that shone like stars, the colour of which it was impossible +to define for at times they looked deeply dark, and then again +brilliantly light. The red curls that had formerly fallen upon the +child's shoulders had vanished; there was now only a slight reddish +tinge upon the thick golden braids, contrasting with the pale lustre of +the pearls twined among them; and yet, as she stood bathed in the light +from above her head, her hair gleamed like the 'red gold' of fairy +treasure-chambers. Over her blue silk gown a cloud of delicate lace was +looped with single flowers, with here and there a diamond dew-drop on +their petals. She looked a creature woven out of sun and air.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, Countess Steinrück!" exclaimed the colonel, as he hastened to +offer his arm to the elder lady, so evidently fatigued. "It was too +warm in the ballroom; I am afraid you have given us the pleasure of +seeing you at too great a sacrifice."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is only fatigue, nothing more," the Countess assured him, as he +conducted her to a seat. "Why, there is Lieutenant Rodenberg!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael bowed; the blue silk rustled down the steps, and Countess +Hertha stood beside her mother. "Mamma is not very well," she said, +"and so we left the ball-room. She will soon feel better here where it +is so cool and quiet."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It would be better then----" Michael glanced towards the colonel, and +turned to leave the conservatory, but the Countess interposed with +gracious courtesy,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, do not go! It is only that the heat and noise are too much for me. +I am so glad to see you again, Lieutenant Rodenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">The colonel seemed surprised that the young officer was acquainted with +the ladies, and the Countess was pleased to tell him how the +acquaintance had been made. She insisted that Michael by his prompt +interference had saved her daughter's life and her own. He protested +against such a statement.</p> + +<p class="normal">Countess Hertha took no part in the conversation, which soon became +animated, but turned her entire attention to the flowers. She walked +slowly through the conservatory, which was but dimly lighted; there was +infinite grace in her movements, but there was nothing about her of the +half-shyness, half self-consciousness of girlhood. At nineteen she +displayed all the <i>aplomb</i> of a woman of the world, of the wealthy +heiress who doubtless knew perfectly well that she was beautiful. She +paused before a group of exotic plants, and asked in an easy tone, +turning her head towards Michael, "Do you know this flower, Herr +Lieutenant? It is a strange, foreign-looking blossom, and I confess my +botany is at fault."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael was forced to cross the conservatory to where she stood; he did +so very deliberately, but he was a shade paler as he gave her the +desired information: "It seems to be a Dionea, one of those murderous +blossoms that close upon an insect alighting upon them, and kill their +prisoner."</p> + +<p class="normal">A half-compassionate, half-contemptuous smile played about the young +girl's lips. "Poor thing! And yet it must be lovely to die in such +intoxicating fragrance. Do you not think so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No! Death is lovely only in freedom. No intoxication can atone for +imprisonment."</p> + +<p class="normal">The answer sounded almost rude, and Hertha bit her lip for an instant, +and then changed the subject, saying, with some sarcasm, "I am glad to +see that you are not so entirely monopolized by 'the service' here as +you were in F----; I never met you in society there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We were exercising there; here I am on leave."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Staying with Colonel Reval?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, with relatives."</p> + +<p class="normal">The tip of the little satin slipper tapped the floor impatiently: +"Their name appears to be a state secret, since you so persistently +suppress it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all; there is no reason why I should do so. I am staying in +Tannberg, as the guest of the brother-in-law of Professor Wehlau."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha seemed surprised; she went on playing with a rose that she had +plucked, while her eyes scanned the young man's face. "Oh, the little +mountain town near Steinrück. We are thinking of passing several weeks +at the castle."</p> + +<p class="normal">A sudden gleam lit up Michael's face for an instant; the next moment it +had vanished, and he rejoined, coolly, "Autumn is certainly very +beautiful in the mountains."</p> + +<p class="normal">This time the young Countess was not impatient; perhaps that sudden +gleam had not escaped her, for she smiled, as she continued to toy with +her rose: "We shall hardly meet, in spite of our being such near +neighbours, for I suspect that 'the service' will make demands upon you +even there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are pleased to jest, Countess Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am perfectly serious. We first heard of your presence here to-night +from Herr Wehlau. Of course you had instantly rendered yourself +invisible, and were presumably deep in a strategic discussion with the +colonel, when we appeared here. We regret having interrupted it: it was +evident that our intrusion annoyed you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are quite mistaken; I was very glad to see you both again."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet you started when you first observed us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael looked up, and the glance that fell upon the young girl was +stern, almost menacing, but his voice was perfectly calm as he replied, +"I was surprised, as I knew that the Countess intended to return +directly to Berkheim from the baths."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We changed our plans, by special desire of my uncle Steinrück, and, +moreover, the physician recommended several weeks of invigorating +mountain air. Shall we not see you at the castle? My mother would be so +glad, and--so should I."</p> + +<p class="normal">Her voice was low and beguilingly sweet as she uttered the last words, +standing close beside him, half in shadow, and still lovelier than when +in the bright light, while from the cups of the flowers a fragrant +incense arose around her. Her dress made a soft silken rustle, +and the delicate lace almost brushed the arm of the young officer, +who was still a little pale. He paused for a second, as if gaining +self-possession, then bowed low and formally, and said, "I shall be +most happy."</p> + +<p class="normal">In spite of his words there must have been something in the tone in +which they were spoken that told the young Countess that he did not +mean to come, for there appeared in her eyes the strange gleam that for +the moment robbed them of their beauty. She inclined her head and +turned to join her mother. As she did so the rose dropped, quite by +accident, from her hand, and lay upon the ground without being +perceived by her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael remained standing in the same spot, but a covetous glance +fell upon the flower that had but now been in her hand. The delicate +half-opened bud lay at his feet, rosy and fragrant, and just before him +shimmered the blossoms of the Dionea, that kill their prisoners in +intoxicating perfume.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young officer's hand involuntarily sought the earth, and a hasty +glance was cast at the group across the conservatory to discover +whether he were observed. He encountered the gaze of a pair of eyes +riveted upon him, expectant, exultant; he must bow. In an instant he +stood erect, and as he stepped aside he trod upon the rose, and the +delicate flower died beneath his heel.</p> + +<p class="normal">Countess Hertha fanned herself violently, as if the heat had suddenly +grown stifling, but Colonel Reval, who had just finished his +conversation, said, "We really must leave the Countess to entire repose +for a while. Come, my dear Rodenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">They took leave of the ladies and returned to the crowded rooms, went +from the quiet, cool, fragrant conservatory, with its soft, dim light, +into the heat and brilliancy, the hum and stir of society. And yet +Michael breathed more freely, as if issuing from a stifling atmosphere +into the open air.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans Wehlau, gliding upon the stream of social life, no sooner espied +his friend than he took his arm and drew him aside to ask, "Have you +seen the Countesses Steinrück, our watering-place acquaintances? They +are here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know it," Michael replied, laconically. "I spoke to them just now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Really? Where have you been hiding yourself? You're bored again, as +usual, in society. I am enjoying myself extremely, and I have been +presented to everybody."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Also as usual. You must represent your father to-day; every one wishes +to know the son of the distinguished scientist, since he himself----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you at it too?" Hans interrupted him, petulantly. "At least twenty +times to-day I have been introduced and questioned as celebrity number +two, since celebrity number one is not present. They have goaded me +with my father's distinction until I am desperate."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hans, if your father could hear you!" Michael said, reproachfully.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can't help it. Every other man has at least an individuality of his +own, something subjective. I am 'the son of our distinguished,' and so +forth, and I am nothing more. As such I am introduced, flattered, +distinguished if you choose; but it's terrible to run about forever as +only something relative."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young officer smiled. "Well, you are on the way to change it all. +Probably in future it will be 'the distinguished artist, Hans Wehlau, +whose father has rendered such service,' and so forth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In that case, I will assuredly forgive my father his fame. And so you +have spoken to the Steinrück ladies. What a surprise it was to find +them here when we thought them in Berkheim! The Countess mother very +kindly invited me, or rather both of us, to the castle, and I accepted, +of course. We will call at Steinrück together, eh?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I shall not go there," Michael replied.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But why not, in heaven's name?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because I have no inducement, and feel no desire to make one of the +Steinrück circle. The tone that prevails there is notorious. Every one +without a title must be constantly under arms if he would maintain his +position there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, since the science of war is your profession, it would afford you +a good opportunity for study. For my part, I find it very tiresome to +be forever under arms like you and my father, who always feels obliged +to vindicate his principles in his intercourse with the aristocracy. I +amuse myself without principles of any kind, and always ground arms +before the ladies. Be reasonable, Michael, and come with me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well; let it alone, then! There is nothing to be done with you +when once you take a notion into that obstinate head of yours, as I +found out long ago; but I shall certainly not throw away my opportunity +for seeing again that golden-haired fairy, the Countess Hertha. I +suppose you never even noticed how captivating, how bewitching she is +to-night in that cloud of silk and lace; the very embodiment of all +loveliness."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I certainly think the Countess beautiful, but----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You only think her so?" Hans interrupted him, indignantly. "Indeed? +And you begin to criticise her with your 'but.' Let me tell you, +Michael, that I have unbounded respect for you; in fact, you have been +so long held up to me by my father as a model in every sense, that your +superiority has become a thorn in my flesh. But when there is any +question of women and women's loveliness, please hold your tongue; you +know nothing about them or it, and are no better than what you once +were,--a blockhead!"</p> + +<p class="normal">With these words, uttered half in jest, half indignantly, he left his +friend and joined a group of young people at a distance. Michael +wandered in an opposite direction, looking stern and gloomy enough.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, at the other end of the room, Colonel Reval was talking with +Count Steinrück. They had withdrawn into a small bow-window shut off +from the room by a half-drawn <i>portière</i>, and Reval was saying, "I +should like to call your Excellency's attention to this young officer. +You will soon admit him to be in every way worthy your regard."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sure of it, since you recommend him so warmly," replied +Steinrück. "You are usually chary of such praise. Did he serve in your +regiment from the beginning?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes. I noticed him first in the Danish war. Although the youngest +lieutenant in the regiment, he contrived with a handful of men to +capture a position which had until then resisted all attack, and which +was of the greatest importance, and the way in which he performed this +feat showed as much energy as presence of mind. In the last campaign he +was my adjutant, and now he has just been ordered upon the general's +staff in consequence of an admirable treatise; you may have seen it, +your Excellency, since it discusses a point upon which you lately +expressed yourself very emphatically, and it was signed with the +writer's name."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Lieutenant Rodenberg; I remember," the general said, thoughtfully. The +name always affected him painfully, but did not arrest his attention, +since it was a frequent one in the army. There was a Colonel Rodenberg +who had three sons in the service, and the Count had so fully made up +his mind that the young officer in question was one of these that he +judged it superfluous to make any inquiries about him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know the treatise," he continued. "It betokens an unusual degree of +talent, and would have secured my regard for its author, even without +your warm recommendation; and, since you bear such brilliant testimony +to his capacity in other respects----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rodenberg is every way trustworthy; he maintains, it is true, rather +an isolated position among his comrades; his unsocial disposition and +his reserve make him but few friends, but he is universally respected."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That suffices," declared Steinrück, who listened with evident +interest. "He who is ambitious and has a high aim in view rarely finds +time to be popular. I like natures which rely entirely upon themselves. +I understand them; in my youth I resembled them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here he is! His Excellency wishes to make your acquaintance, my dear +Rodenberg," said the colonel, beckoning Michael to approach. He +introduced him in due form, and then mingled with his other guests, +leaving his favourite to complete the impression already made upon the +general by the late conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael confronted the man whom he had seen but once, and that ten +years before, but whose image had remained ineffaceably impressed upon +his memory, connected as it was with the bitterest experience of his +life.</p> + +<p class="normal">Count Michael Steinrück had already passed his seventieth year, but he +was one of those whom time seems afraid to attack, and the years which +are wont to bring decay found him still erect and strong as in the +prime of life. His hair and beard were silvered, but that was the only +change wrought by the last ten years. There was scarcely an added +wrinkle upon the proud, resolute features, the eyes were still keen and +fiery, and the carriage was as imposing as ever, betraying in every +gesture the habit of command.</p> + +<p class="normal">His iron constitution, strengthened and hardened as it had been by +every kind of physical and mental exercise, maintained in old age a +youthful vigour which many a young man might have envied.</p> + +<p class="normal">The general scanned the young officer keenly, and the result of his +examination was evidently a favourable one. He liked this strong, manly +carriage, this grave repose of expression betokening mental discipline, +and he opened the conversation with more geniality than was his wont. +"Colonel Reval has recommended you to me very warmly, Lieutenant +Rodenberg, and I value his judgment highly. You have been his +adjutant?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have, your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück's attention was aroused, there was something familiar in that +tone of voice, he seemed to have heard it before, and yet the young man +was an utter stranger to him. He began to talk of military matters, +putting frequent questions upon various topics, but Michael underwent +excellently well this rigid examination in a conversational form. His +replies, to be sure, were monosyllabic, not a word was uttered that was +not absolutely necessary, but they were clear and to the point, +perfectly in accordance with the taste of the general, who became more +and more convinced that the colonel had not said too much. Count +Steinrück was, indeed, feared on account of his severity, but he was +strictly just whenever he met with merit or talent, and he even +condescended to praise this young officer who was evidently most +deserving.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A great career is open to you," he said, at the close of the +interview. "You stand on the first step of the ladder, and the ascent +lies with yourself. I hear that you distinguished yourself in the field +while still very young, and your latest work proves that you can do +more than merely slash about with a sword. I shall be glad to see you +fulfil the promise you give; we have need of such vigorous young +natures. I shall remember you, Lieutenant Rodenberg. What is your first +name?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general started at this rather uncommon name; a strange suspicion +flashed upon his mind, only, however, to be banished instantly; but +again he scanned keenly the features of the man before him. "You are a +son of Colonel Rodenberg, commanding officer in W----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Related to him, probably?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, your Excellency, I am not acquainted either with the colonel or +with his family."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is your father's profession?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My father has been dead for many years."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And your mother?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Dead also."</p> + +<p class="normal">A pause of a few seconds ensued: the Count's eyes were riveted upon the +young officer's face; at last he asked, slowly, "And where,--where did +you pass your early youth?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In a forest lodge in the neighbourhood of Saint Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general recoiled; the revelation, which during the last few moments +he had indeed divined, came upon him like a blow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is you? Impossible!" he fairly gasped.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What was your Excellency pleased to observe?" Michael asked, in an icy +tone. He stood motionless in a strictly respectful attitude, but his +eyes flashed, and now Steinrück recognized those eyes. He had seen them +once before flashing just as fiercely when he had heaped unmerited +disgrace upon the boy; they had just the same expression now as then.</p> + +<p class="normal">But Count Steinrück did not lose his self-possession even at such a +moment. He had collected himself in an instant, and said in the old +imperious tone, "No matter! Let the past be past. I see Lieutenant +Rodenberg to-day for the first time. I recall neither the praise which +I bestowed upon you, nor the hopes that I expressed with regard to your +future. You may count now, as before, upon my good will."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank your Excellency," Michael rejoined, as coldly as possible. "It +suffices me to hear from your own lips that I am, at least, fit for +something in the world. I have made my way <i>alone</i>, and shall pursue it +alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general's brow grew dark. He had been willing to forget +magnanimously, and had thought to achieve great things by this +reluctant acknowledgment, and now his advances were rejected in the +bluntest manner. "Haughty enough!" he said, in a tone that was almost +menacing. "You would do well to bridle this untamed pride. Injustice +was once done you, and that may excuse your reply. I will forget that I +have heard it. You will surely come to a better state of mind."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Has your Excellency any further commands for me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!"</p> + +<p class="normal">An angry glance was cast at the young officer who dared to leave his +general's presence without awaiting his dismissal, but Michael appeared +to consider as such that 'no,' and with a salute he turned and walked +away.</p> + +<p class="normal">The general, stern and mute, looked after him. He could scarcely +believe his eyes. He had, indeed, been informed that the +'good-for-nothing boy' had run away from his foster-father, and had +never returned, doubtless from fear of punishment. He had not thought +it worth the trouble to institute a search for the fugitive. If the +fellow had vanished, so much the better; they were rid of him, and with +him of the last reminder of the family tragedy that must be buried +forever; he would always have been in the way. Sometimes, indeed, there +was a shadow of dread in his mind lest the fellow should some day +emerge from disgrace and misery and make use of his connection with the +family, which could not be denied, to extort money; but they had got +rid of the father when he had tried that game, and they could likewise +get rid of the son. Count Michael was not the man to be afraid of +shadows.</p> + +<p class="normal">And now the vanished boy had indeed emerged again, but in the very +sphere to which the Count's family belonged. He was pronounced one of +those who are sure to rise without foreign aid by their own talent and +energy, and he had dared to reject the patronage offered him, +grudgingly enough, but still offered. Why, it almost looked as if <i>he</i> +now wished to disown his mother's family.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Count's brow was still dark when he rejoined the other guests. +Hertha and her mother had just returned to the drawing-room, and the +young lady instantly became the centre of attraction. All crowded round +her to do her homage. Hans Wehlau actually swept like a comet through +the rooms to get near her, and even Steinrück's gloomy brow cleared as +his glance rested upon his lovely ward.</p> + +<p class="normal">Lieutenant Rodenberg alone appeared not to observe the entrance of the +ladies. He stood apart, conversing with an old gentleman who discoursed +freely upon the disagreeable summer that had passed, and the delightful +autumn that had begun, and in whose remarks Michael appeared to take a +deep interest. But now, and then he cast at the circle, which he +forbore to approach, a glance as filled with longing as had been that +with which he had looked at the rose at his feet in the conservatory; +and when the garrulous old gentleman at last left him, he muttered to +himself, "'Blockhead!' I wish I had remained one!"</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">Count Michael Steinrück occupied a very influential position +in the +capital. Raised to the rank of general at the beginning of the last +campaign, he had proved himself one of the most capable of commanders, +and his voice had great weight in military affairs.</p> + +<p class="normal">Six years previously he had lost his only son, who was attached to the +German embassy in Paris, and since then his daughter-in-law and his +grandson had lived beneath his roof. The latter had originally, by his +grandfather's desire, or rather command, been destined for the army. +Count Michael had been resolved to carry out his plan in opposition to +the wishes of the boy's parents, but he had been unable to do so. +Raoul, who was in fact a delicate boy, sickened just at the time when a +final decision with regard to his future career was absolutely +necessary, and the physicians declared unanimously that he was unequal +to the duties of the military profession. They referred to the father's +already incipient consumption of the lungs, the germ of which might +develop in the son unless great care were taken, and this son was the +last and sole scion of an ancient line. These considerations at last +prevailed with Count Michael, but he had never yet overcome his regret +at the disappointment of his dearest hopes, especially since Raoul, +when once the critical period was past, had bloomed out in perfect +health and strength. After completing his studies at a German +university he had entered the service of the government, and was at +present in the Foreign Office, where, indeed, on account of his youth, +he occupied a subordinate position.</p> + +<p class="normal">The general, who had now been in possession of Steinrück for ten years, +was still faithful to his deceased cousin's traditions, and regularly +spent some weeks there during the hunting season, his military duties +allowing him no more extended leave. His daughter-in-law and his +grandson usually accompanied him upon these visits, when the castle was +thrown open, guests were received, hunts were instituted, and the +desolate old mountain castle resounded with life and gayety for a short +time, after which it relapsed into its usual silence and solitude.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was the morning after Count Raoul's arrival. He was in his mother's +room, and the pair were engaged in an earnest conversation, the subject +of which, however, appeared to be far from pleasant, for both mother +and son looked annoyed.</p> + +<p class="normal">Countess Hortense Steinrück had been a distinguished beauty, and, +mother though she were of a grown son, she was still a very lovely +woman. She perfectly understood how to heighten her beauty by the art +of dress, which did much to conceal her years. There was a charm beyond +that of youth in her intelligent face, with its dark, lively eyes, and +her matronly figure was still extremely graceful.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul was exceedingly like his mother, whose beauty he had inherited; +in his slender youthful figure there was nothing to remind one of his +father or his grandfather, or of the race of Steinrücks. He had a fine +head, crowned with dark curls, a broad brow, and dark, eloquent eyes, +but the fire lying hidden in their depths could leap up in an instant +like a consuming flame, and even in moments of quiet conversation there +was sometimes a hot devouring glow in them. Unquestionable as was the +young Count's beauty, there was something veiled and demonic about it, +which, however, only made it more attractive.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then he sent for you yesterday evening?" Hortense said, in a tone of +displeasure. "I knew that a storm was brewing and tried to avert it, +but I did not suppose that it would burst forth on your first evening."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, my grandfather was extremely ungracious," said Raoul, also in +high displeasure. "He took me to task about my follies as if they had +been state offences. I had confessed all to you, mamma, and hoped for +your advocacy."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My advocacy?" the Countess repeated, bitterly. "You ought to know how +powerless I am when you are under discussion. What can maternal love +and maternal right avail with a man who is accustomed ruthlessly to +subdue everything to his will, and to break what will not bend? I have +suffered intensely from your father's being so absolutely dependent +that I continue to be so after his death. I have no property of my own, +and this dependence constitutes a fetter that is often galling enough."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are wrong, mamma," Raoul interposed. "My grandfather does not +control me through our pecuniary dependence upon him, but by his +personal characteristics. There is something in his eye, in his voice, +that I cannot defy. I can set myself in opposition to all the world, +but not to him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he has schooled you admirably. This is the result of an education +designed to rob me of all influence with you, and to attach you solely +to himself. You are impressed by his tone of command, his imperious +air, while to me they merely represent the tyranny to which I have been +forced to submit ever since my marriage. But it cannot last forever."</p> + +<p class="normal">She breathed a sigh of relief as she uttered the last words. Raoul made +no reply; he leaned his head on his hand and looked down.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wrote you that you would find Hertha and her mother here," the +Countess began again. "I was quite surprised by the change in Hertha; +since we saw her years ago she has developed into a beauty of the first +class. Do you not think so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, she is very beautiful, and thoroughly spoiled,--full of caprices. +I found that out yesterday."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hortense slightly shrugged her shoulders. "She is conscious of being a +wealthy heiress, and, moreover, she is the only child of a very weak +mother, who has no will of her own. You have a will, however, Raoul, +and will know how to treat your future wife, I do not doubt. Upon this +point I find myself, strangely enough, absolutely in harmony with your +grandfather, who wishes to see you in possession of all the Steinrück +estates. The income of the elder line is not very large, and little +more was left to your grandfather than a hunting castle, while Hertha, +on the other hand, is heiress to all the other property, and must one +day inherit her mother's very large jointure. Moreover, you and she are +the two last scions of the Steinrück race, and a union between you two +is everyway desirable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, if family considerations alone were in question. You took good +care to impress this upon us when we were but children," Raoul said, +with a tinge of bitterness in his tone that did not escape his mother, +who looked at him in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should suppose that you would have every reason to be satisfied with +this family arrangement. It contents even me, and my aspirations for +you are lofty. You were always seemingly in favor of it. What is it +that clouds your brow to-day? Have you been so displeased by a mere +caprice of Hertha's? I grant that she did not give you a very amiable +reception yesterday, but that should not cause you to hesitate about +entering upon the possession of a lovely wife and, with her, of a large +fortune, which would make you the envy of thousands."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not that, but I dislike resigning my freedom so soon."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Freedom!" Hortense laughed bitterly. "Do you really dare to utter +that word beneath this roof? Are you not weary of being treated at +twenty-five like a boy for whom every step is prescribed? Of being +scolded if your conduct does not please? Of having to entreat for the +fulfilment of every reasonable desire, and of being obliged to submit +humbly to an autocrat's refusal? Can you hesitate a moment to grasp the +independence offered to you? Next year, according to the will, your +grandfather's guardianship of Hertha is at an end, and she, and her +husband with her, will enter into full possession of what is hers by +right. Liberate yourself, Raoul, and me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mamma!" said the young Count, with a warning glance towards the door, +but the excited woman went on, more passionately,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and me. For what is my life in this house but a perpetual +struggle, and a perpetual defeat? Hitherto you have had no power to +protect me from the thousand mortifications to which I have been +subjected day after day; now you will have it,--it rests with yourself. +I shall take refuge with you as soon as you are master of your own +house."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul arose with an angry gesture. His mother's passionate eloquence +was not without its effect; it was plain that the picture which she +drew of freedom and independence was very alluring to the young man, +who had just suffered so keenly from his grandfather's severity. +Nevertheless he hesitated to reply, and a struggle was evidently going +on within him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right, mamma," he said at last, "perfectly right. I do not +object at all, but if the affair is to be precipitated, as would seem +at present----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have every reason to rejoice. I do not understand you, Raoul. I +cannot imagine---- You are not entangled elsewhere?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no!" exclaimed the young Count, hastily, "nothing of the kind, I +assure you, mamma."</p> + +<p class="normal">His mother seemed but little relieved by this assertion, and was about +to question him further, when the door was noiselessly opened, and the +Countess's maid said, in an undertone,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"His Excellency the general."</p> + +<p class="normal">She had scarcely time to retire when the general appeared. He paused on +the threshold for an instant, and looked inquiringly from mother to +son. "Since when have the laws of etiquette been so strictly observed +in our house?" he asked. "I am to be announced, I see, Hortense."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know why Marion announced you; she knows that such formality +is quite superfluous."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, if it were not ordered; her voice sounded as if raised in +warning."</p> + +<p class="normal">With these words Steinrück sat down beside his daughter-in-law, +acknowledging by only a slight nod his grandson's 'good-morning.' +Mother and son had hitherto spoken in French, but now they instantly +had recourse to German; and the general continued: "I came to ask for +an explanation, Hortense. I have just heard that two rooms in the +castle have been prepared for guests by your orders. I thought our +relatives were to be our only guests this year. Whom have you invited?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is only for a brief visit, papa," the Countess explained. "Some +acquaintances of ours have been staying at Wildbad, and on their way +home wish to spend two or three days with us. I heard of their coming +only this morning, or I should have told you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed! I should like to know whom you expect."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Henri de Clermont and his sister."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry that I was not consulted about this invitation,--I should +not have allowed it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was given for Raoul's sake, at his particular request."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter for that. I do not wish the Clermonts admitted to our +circle."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul started at this decided expression of disapproval, and his face +flushed darkly. "Excuse me, sir, but Henri and his sister were at our +house several times last winter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To see your mother. I have nothing to say with regard to those whom +she personally receives, but this visit to Steinrück, when we are here +a family party, would betoken a degree of intimacy which I do not +desire, and therefore it must not take place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Impossible!" Hortense rejoined, with nervous irritability. "I have +sent the invitation now, and it cannot be recalled."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not? You can write simply that you are not well, and feel quite +unequal to the duties of a hostess."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That would make us perfectly ridiculous!" exclaimed Raoul. "The +pretext would be seen through immediately; it would be an insult to +Henri and his sister."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think so too," Hortense added.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There I must differ from both of you," the general said, with +emphasis; "and in this case I am the only one to be consulted. It is +for you to recall the invitation as seems to you best. Recalled it must +be, for I will not receive the Clermonts in my castle."</p> + +<p class="normal">This was said in the commanding tone that always provoked the +passionate woman. She arose angrily. "Am I to be compelled to insult my +son's friends? To be sure they belong to my country, to my people, and +that excludes them from this house. My Love for my home has always been +cast up to me as a reproach, and Raoul's preference for it is regarded +as a crime. Since his father's death he has never been allowed to visit +France; his associates are selected for him as if he were a school-boy; +he hardly dares to correspond with my relatives. But I am weary of this +slavery; at last I will----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Raoul, leave the room," Steinrück interrupted her. He had not risen +from his seat, and he had preserved an unmoved countenance, but a frown +was gathering on his brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stay, Raoul!" Hortense cried, passionately, "stay with your mother!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count certainly seemed inclined to espouse his mother's +cause. He walked to her side as if to protect her and to defy his +grandfather, but at this instant the general also arose, and his eyes +flashed. "You heard what I said! Go!"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was such command in his tone that it put an end to Raoul's +resistance. He found it absolutely impossible to disobey those eyes and +that voice; he hesitated for an instant, but at an imperious gesture +from his grandfather he complied and left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not desire that Raoul should be a witness to these scenes, which +are unfortunately so frequent between us," Steinrück said, coldly, +turning to his daughter-in-law. "Now we are alone, what have you to +say?"</p> + +<p class="normal">If anything could irritate the angry woman still more, it was this +cold, grave manner which impressed her as contempt. She was beside +herself with indignation. "I will maintain my rights!" she exclaimed. +"I will rebel against the tyranny that oppresses both my son and +myself. It is an insult to me to compel me to recall my invitation to +the Clermonts, and it shall not be done, let the worst come to the +worst!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I advise you, Hortense, not to go so far; you might repent it," the +Count rejoined, and he was no longer self-possessed; his voice sounded +stern and menacing. "If you want the plain truth you shall have it. +Yes, it is of the first importance that Raoul should be withdrawn from +influences and associations which I disapprove for my grandson. I +relied upon Albrecht's repeated solemn assurance that the boy should +have a German education. Upon your brief infrequent visits I could not +satisfy myself upon this point, and unfortunately the lad was schooled +for those visits. Not until after my son's death did I discover that he +had blindly acceded to your will in this matter, and had intentionally +deceived me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Would you reproach my husband in his grave?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Even there I cannot spare him the reproach with which I should have +heaped him living. He yielded when he never should have yielded. Raoul +was a stranger in his native land, ignorant of its history, of its +customs, of everything that ought to have been dear and sacred to him. +He was rooted deep in foreign soil. The revelation made to me when you +returned with him to my house forced me to interfere, and with energy. +It was high time, if it were not too late."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I assuredly did not return to your house voluntarily." The Countess's +voice was sharp and bitter. "I would have gone to my brother, but you +laid claim to Raoul, you took him from me by virtue of your +guardianship, and I could not be separated from my child. If I could +have taken him with me----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And have made a thorough Montigny of him," Steinrück completed her +sentence. "It would not have been difficult; there is in him only too +much of you and of yours. I look in vain to find traces of my blood in +the boy, but disown this blood he never shall. You know me in this +regard, and Raoul will learn to know me. Woe be to him if he ever +forgets the name he bears or that he belongs to a German race!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke in an undertone, but there was so terrible a menace in his +voice that Hortense shuddered. She knew he was in terrible earnest, +and, conscious that she was again defeated in the old conflict, she +took refuge in tears, and burst into a passionate fit of sobbing.</p> + +<p class="normal">The general was too accustomed to such a termination to a stormy +interview to be surprised; he merely shrugged his shoulders and left +the room. In the next apartment he found Raoul pacing restlessly to and +fro. He paused and stood still upon his grandfather's entrance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go to your mother!" his Excellency said, bitterly. "Let her repeat to +you that I am a tyrant,--a despot who delights in tormenting her and +you. You hear it daily; you are regularly taught to suspect and dislike +me; such teaching bore fruit long since."</p> + +<p class="normal">Harsh as the words sounded, there was suppressed pain in them,--a pain +reflected in the Count's features. Raoul probably perceived it, for he +cast down his eyes and rejoined in a low tone, "You do me injustice, +grandfather."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Prove it to me. For once repose in me frank and entire confidence; you +will not repent it. I scolded and threatened yesterday; you have lately +often forced me to do so, but nevertheless you are dear to me, Raoul, +very dear."</p> + +<p class="normal">The voice, usually so stern and commanding, sounded kindly, nay, even +tender, and was not without its effect upon the young man. Affection +for the grandfather from whom he had been estranged from boyhood +stirred within him. He had always feared him, but at this moment he +felt no fear. "And you too are dear to me, grandfather," he exclaimed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come," said Steinrück, with a warmth rarely manifested by him, "let us +have a pleasant hour together for once, with no adverse influence to +interfere. Come, Raoul."</p> + +<p class="normal">He put his arm around his grandson's shoulder, and was drawing him away +with him, when the door was hastily flung open and Marion appeared. +"For heaven's sake, Herr Count, come to the Frau Countess! She is very +unwell, and is asking for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul turned in dismay to hasten to his mother, but paused suddenly +upon encountering his grandfather's grave look of entreaty. "Your +mother has one of her nervous attacks," he said, quietly. "You know +them as well as I do, and that there is no cause for anxiety. Come with +me, Raoul."</p> + +<p class="normal">He still had his arm about the young man, and Raoul seemed to hesitate +for a few moments, then he tried to extricate himself. "Pardon me, +grandfather; my mother is suffering, and asking for me. I cannot leave +her alone now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then go!" Steinrück exclaimed, harshly, almost thrusting the young man +from him. "I will not keep you from your filial duty. Go to your +mother!"</p> + +<p class="normal">And, without even another look towards Raoul, he turned and left the +room.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">Saint Michael was one of the highest inhabited spots of the +mountain-range. The quiet little Alpine village would have been utterly +secluded had it not possessed a certain significance as a place of +pilgrimage. The single dwellings lay scattered upon the pasture-lands +and mountain-meadows, with the village church and the parsonage in +their midst. Everything was contracted, plain, even shabby; the special +church alone, which was the resort of pilgrims, and which stood upon a +solitary height at a little distance from the village, had an imposing +aspect. It had been founded by the Counts von Steinrück who had built +this church, now old and gray, on the site of the ancient Saint +Michael's chapel that had once stood here, and they had since often +bestowed gifts upon it and had endowed it. Saint Michael was still the +patron saint of the family to which he had so often given a first name. +Its founder had been called Michael, and the name had been handed down +from generation to generation ever since. Even the Protestant branch of +the family, who had years previously left their ancestral home and +settled in Northern Germany, preserved this ancient tradition, which, +if it had no religious significance for them, still possessed an +historic importance. Thus, the present head of the house was a Count +Michael, and his son and grandson had been christened after him, +although each bore another name by which he was commonly called. The +interior of the church was not very remarkable; it showed the usual +adornment of pictures and gayly-painted statues of the saint, often +very imperfectly executed. But the high altar was an exception; it was +very richly and artistically carved, and the two figures of angels on +the sides of the steps with outspread wings and hands held aloft in +prayer, as if guarding the sacred place, were exquisite examples of +sculpture in wood. They with the altar were a gift from the Steinrücks, +as were the three gothic windows in the altar recess, the costly +stained glass of which glowed in gorgeous colour. The picture above the +altar, however, a large painting, dated from a period of great +simplicity in art. It had grown very dark with age, and was worn in +spots, but its details were still distinctly to be discerned. Saint +Michael, in a long blue robe and flowing mantle, the nimbus around his +head, was distinguished as the warlike angel by a short coat of mail, +but was otherwise of peaceful aspect. His sword of flame in his right +hand and the scales in his left, he was enthroned upon a cloud, and at +his feet crouched Satan, a horned monster with distorted features, and +a body ending in a serpent's tail. Blood-red flames flashed upwards +from the abyss, and a circle of cherubs looked down from above. The +picture was entirely without artistic merit.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And that is meant to betoken conflict and victory," said Hans Wehlau, +as he stood gazing at the picture. "Saint Michael looks so solemnly +comfortable on his cloud, and quite as if the Evil One below him were +of no consequence; if Satan were wise he would snatch that sword just +above the tip of his nose; that's no way to hold a sword! The saint +ought to swoop from above like an angel, and seize and destroy Satan +like a mighty blast, but he'd better not try flying in that long gown; +and as for his wings, they are quite too small to support him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You show a godless want of respect in criticising pictures of saints," +said Michael, who stood beside him. "You are your father's own son +there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very likely. Do you know I should like to paint a picture of +that?--Saint Michael and the devil, the conflict of light with +darkness. Something might be made of it if a fellow really set himself +to work, and I have a model close at hand."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned suddenly, and looked his friend full in the face, in a way +that provoked Michael to say, "What are you thinking of? I surely +have----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing angelic about you! No, most certainly not; and among the +heavenly host, hovering in ether in white robes and palm branches, you +would cut a comical figure. But to swoop down upon your enemy with a +flaming sword and put him to rout like your holy namesake would suit +you exactly. Of course you would have to be idealized, for you're far +from handsome, Michael, but you have just what is needed for such a +figure, especially when you are in a rage. At all events, you would +make a much better archangel than that one up there."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nonsense!" said Michael, turning to go. "Moreover, you must come now, +Hans, if you mean to walk back to Tannberg. It is four good leagues +away."</p> + +<p class="normal">"By that tiresome road, which I shall not take. I am going through the +forest; it is nearer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then you will lose your way! You do not know this country as I do."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I will find it again," said Hans, as they walked out of the +church into the open air. "At least I shall not be received in Tannberg +by an angry face. I am glad my father has gone, and I think the whole +household breathes more easily. At the last he hung over us all like a +thunder-cloud; we always had to be prepared for thunder and lightning."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was certainly better for him to shorten his stay and go home," +Michael rejoined, gravely. "Irritable and angry as he was, there was +always danger of a decided breach, which should be avoided at all +hazards. I advised him to return home."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you protected me to the best of your ability. You and my aunt +stood beside me like two angels of peace and shielded me with your +wings, but it did not do much good after all, my father was too angry. +You were the only one who could get along with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And so you regularly sent me into action when there was anything to be +done."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course; you risked nothing in the engagement. My father always +treats you with respect, even when you disagree with him. It's odd,--he +never had any respect for me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hans, be sensible; do stop jesting for a while. I should suppose you +had reason enough to be grave."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good heavens! what am I to do? I never had the slightest talent for +the part of a grovelling sinner. At least you have contrived to extort +a gracious permission that I should remain in Tannberg while your leave +lasts, and when we go home the storm will have somewhat blown over. But +here is the path; my love to my uncle Valentin. I have, as my father's +son, 'compromised' him again by my visit, but he would have it. <i>Au +revoir</i>, Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">He waved his hand to his friend and struck into a side-path leading +down the mountain. Michael looked after him until he vanished among the +hemlocks, and then took his way back to the village.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had been at Saint Michael for several days, and on the previous day +Hans had paid a short visit. It had been a rare and much-desired +gratification for the pastor, who regretted keenly that his nearest +relatives should hold themselves aloof from him. Any intercourse with +his brother, who was a declared opponent of Romanism, was made a +reproach to the priest. The two met only at intervals of years, when +the Professor visited his relatives in Tannberg; and in the fact of +their correspondence might perhaps be found the reason why Valentin +Wehlau was left in a lonely secluded Alpine village, and--forgotten.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael, however, had of late years frequently visited his old friend +and teacher, but Lieutenant Rodenberg was an entire new-comer for the +inhabitants of Saint Michael, who scarcely remembered the shy, awkward +boy from the forest lodge,--indeed, they had seldom seen him. He had +been looked upon as a relative of Wolfram's, bearing the forester's +name, and the lodge had long since passed into other hands. Count +Steinrück had found a better and more profitable situation for his +former huntsman upon one of his ward's estates, perhaps as a reward for +rendered service, perhaps because, upon his visits to his castle, he +did not wish to be reminded by Wolfram's presence of the past. At all +events, the forester had left this part of the country nearly ten years +previously.</p> + +<p class="normal">When Michael re-entered the parsonage, which he had left half an hour +before in its usual solitude and quiet, he found it in a state of +unusual turmoil. The old servant was bustling about in her kitchen, +among her pots and pans, as if some festival were in preparation. Two +young peasant girls from a neighbouring farm were running to and fro; +the upper rooms were being aired and arranged; the peaceful household +seemed to be turned topsy-turvy, and as Michael entered the study the +sacristan was taking a hurried leave of the priest, with much +importance of mien.</p> + +<p class="normal">Nothing was changed in the little room; the same monastic simplicity +reigned within it; the whitewashed walls, the huge tiled stove, the +carved crucifix in the corner, even the old pine furniture, were all +the same; time had left them unchanged. Not so their owner.</p> + +<p class="normal">The pastor had grown much older. Whilst his brother, who was in fact +several years his junior, still preserved his youthful freshness and +vigour, the priest produced the impression of old age. His form was +bent, his face furrowed with wrinkles, his hair white, but the same +mild lustre shone in the eyes which at times made one forget the +weariness and age evident in the man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter, your reverence?" asked Michael, surprised. "The +whole house is astir, and old Katrin is so agitated that she ran away +without answering me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We are to have an unexpected visit," replied Valentin,--"a +distinguished guest for whom some preparation is necessary. Scarcely +had you and Hans departed when a messenger arrived with a note from +Countess Steinrück,--she will be here in a couple of hours."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man, who was just about to take a seat, paused in amazement. +"Countess Steinrück? What can she want here in Saint Michael?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To visit the church. The Countess is very pious, and never fails to do +so when she is at the castle. Moreover, our church was endowed by her +family, and owes much to her personally. She visits her husband's grave +almost every year, and always comes here when she does so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is she coming alone?" The question was asked in an agitated tone, in +strong contrast to the priest's quiet reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; her daughter is coming too, and the necessary attendants. You must +resign the guest-chamber for to-day, Michael. The double drive over the +mountains would be too fatiguing for the ladies; they will stay +overnight, and accept the simple hospitality of the parsonage. I spoke +with the sacristan about a room for you; he will have one ready for you +to occupy until to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael at first made no reply; he walked to the window and stood with +folded arms looking out. At last, after a long pause, he said, in an +undertone, "I wish I had gone home."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why? Because these ladies bear the name of Steinrück, and you have +chosen to outlaw, to put beyond the pale of your sympathy, all of that +name? How often have I entreated you to rid yourself of this +unchristian hatred!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hatred, do you call it?" the young man asked, in a voice that trembled +slightly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What else is it? When you told me the other day of your meeting with +your grandfather, I saw how stubborn and implacable you still were, and +now you extend your ill feeling to the Count's innocent relatives, who +have shown you nothing but kindness. You, to be sure, told me nothing +of your acquaintance with them, but Hans was more communicative. He is +most enthusiastic about the young Countess."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For as long as he can see her. As soon as we return to town he will +forget all about her. It is his fashion."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded contemptuous, and so bitter, that Valentin shook his +head disapprovingly. "It is fortunate in this case that it is so," he +rejoined. "It would be sad for Hans to be in earnest, for, apart from +the difference of rank, the hand of the Countess Hertha was disposed of +long ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Disposed of? To whom?" Michael asked, hastily, turning from the +window.</p> + +<p class="normal">"To Count Raoul Steinrück, her relative. In their sphere marriages are +usually contracted for family reasons, and this one was thus arranged +years ago. There has been no betrothal as yet, because the Countess +could not bring herself to part with her daughter, but it is to take +place shortly."</p> + +<p class="normal">The priest had formerly been the Countess's confessor, and was still +perfectly aware of all the family affairs; he mentioned them now as +matters of course, and went on speaking of them in detail, not +observing that his listener seemed thunderstruck. Michael had turned to +the window again, and stood with his face pressed against the pane, +never stirring until Valentin had finished speaking.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There will be a great deal of disturbance in your house to-day, your +reverence," he said at last, "and I should be sorry to inconvenience +the sacristan. It would be better for me to go to the lodge, and stay +there until to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you thinking of?" Valentin exclaimed, in displeasure. "I can +understand the reserve of which Hans accuses you, but this is going too +far."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Countess knows nothing of my being here, and if you say nothing +about it----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"She will learn it through Katrin or the sacristan. A guest is so rare +in my lonely home that it is always discussed by my people; and how am +I to excuse your flight to the Countess?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Flight?" the young officer said, angrily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"She cannot regard it as anything else, since she knows nothing of your +relations with the family."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right," said Michael, drawing a deep breath. "It would be +flight and cowardice. I will stay."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you are quite inaccessible to good sense," said Valentin, with a +fleeting smile, "but as soon as flight is mentioned the soldier in you +is astir, forcing you to stand your ground. But I must see after +Katrin; she is quite upset, and will need my aid and counsel."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael was left alone. He had tried to go, he had been forced to stay, +and his eyes were bright as they sought the road winding up from the +valley. Flight! The young warrior had indignantly repudiated the word, +and yet for weeks he had been fleeing from a power to which he would +not bow, and which nevertheless threatened to master him. As if it were +in league with the fiend, it made constant assaults, now amid brilliant +social scenes, now here in a lonely Alpine village; just when he +thought it farthest away it suddenly appeared. Again he was to stand +face to face with it, and Michael well knew what that meant; but as he +stood erect, stern, and resolute, prepared for conflict, he did not +look like defeat.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">The expected guests arrived in due time, the Countess in a +little +mountain wagon intended for such excursions, her daughter having +preferred to travel the road on horseback. A lady's-maid also came in +the wagon, and a mounted servant accompanied the party, which was +originally to have comprised the Countess Hortense, but she was +suffering from one of her nervous attacks, and the mountain drive would +have been too exhausting for her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Immediately upon their arrival the ladies performed their devotions in +the church, and a solemn mass was appointed for the next morning.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the afternoon the pastor, with his two younger guests, sauntered +through the village. The Countess, who felt fatigued, remained in the +parsonage, and Michael had been compelled to walk with the priest and +the Countess Hertha, since the young lady, accustomed to rule those +about her with sovereign sway, had required him to do so in a tone that +was not to be gainsaid. It was in the middle of September, but the day +had been unusually warm. The heat made itself felt even at this +altitude: the temperature was sultry and oppressive. The pasture-lands +around Saint Michael were bathed in the sunlight, and the skies were +still clear, but mists hovered restlessly about the mountain-ranges, +and dark clouds began to gather above their summits, now darkly veiled, +and anon gleaming clear and distinct.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I fear we are going to have a storm this evening," said Valentin. +"This has been like a day in midsummer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, we felt it so as we were coming up the mountain," said Hertha. +"Do you think that we ought to be arranging for our return?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," replied Michael, scanning the mountains, "when the clouds gather, +as now, over there above the Eagle ridge, they will hang for hours +about the rocks before the storm comes, and then it is apt to take its +course down the valley and leave us untouched. But there will be a +storm. Saint Michael's flaming sword is flashing there."</p> + +<p class="normal">He pointed to the Eagle ridge, where in fact it was lightening, faintly +and in the distance, but still unmistakably.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Saint Michael's flaming sword?" Hertha repeated, inquiringly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; do you not know the popular superstition so wide-spread in +these mountains?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I have never been here except for a few weeks at a time, and know +nothing of the people."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Their belief is that the lightning is the sword of the avenging +archangel flashing from the skies, and that the storms, which often +enough do mischief in the valleys, are punishments wrought by him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Saint Michael loves storm and flame," said Hertha, smiling. "I have +always felt very proud that the leader of the heavenly host, the mighty +angel of war and battle, is the patron saint of our family. You bear +his name, too; it is my uncle Steinrück's."</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin cast an anxious glance at his former pupil, but Michael looked +quite unmoved, and replied, composedly, "Yes--by chance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The saint's day is close at hand," the young Countess observed to the +priest. "The church will be thronged then, will it not, your +reverence?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The inhabitants of all the surrounding villages visit the church on +that day; but our chief church festival comes in May, upon the day when +the saint's appearance took place. Then the entire population of these +mountains flocks hither from the most distant heights and the most +secluded valleys, so that church and village can scarcely contain the +crowds. The legend is that on that day Saint Michael, although +invisible, descends from the Eagle ridge and ploughs the earth with his +flaming sword as he did visibly centuries ago, when his shrine was +founded here."</p> + +<p class="normal">As he uttered the last words they paused before a wayside crucifix +rising solitary from the green meadow and facing towards the Eagle +ridge. A wild rosebush wreathed about the base of the cross, almost +concealing the wood-work, and its thick, luxuriant shoots were woven +about the sacred image like a living frame; its time for blooming had +long since passed, but the warm, sunny autumn days had lured forth a +few late buds, not fragrant and rich in colour like their sisters of +the plain, but pale, wild mountain-roses, which, blooming to-day, are +torn by the wind to-morrow, and yet they gleamed pink amid the dark +green like a last greeting from departing summer.</p> + +<p class="normal">A peasant lad approached, hat in hand and rather timidly; he had a +message for his reverence, whom he had been seeking in the village. His +mother was very sick, and was fain to see his reverence; the house was +very near, hardly two hundred paces distant, and if his reverence could +spare a few minutes the sick woman would be very grateful and much +comforted.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must go with Hies," said Valentin. "I leave the Countess in your +charge, Michael; if she wishes to return to the parsonage----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, your reverence, we will await you here," Hertha interrupted him. +"This view of the Eagle ridge is so magnificent!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall be back again shortly," the priest rejoined, inclining his +head courteously, as he turned away with Hies, and walked to a small +house near by, within the door of which he vanished.</p> + +<p class="normal">The unexpected <i>tête-à-tête</i>--the first they had ever had since they +had known each other--seemed to embarrass the pair thus left alone, for +their animated conversation was suddenly arrested.</p> + +<p class="normal">Saint Michael, as it lay before Hertha and her companion, looked +like the most secluded of highland valleys, so embedded was it in the +green Alps that surrounded it. There was but one distant view, and it +might well vie with all others,--that of the Eagle ridge. The mighty +range of rocks rising there in gloomy majesty commanded the landscape, +and towered above all the surrounding summits; dark pine forests +clothed its sides, and its depths hid savage abysses, down which +mountain-torrents tumbled with a roar faintly audible in the clear air. +The summit of the ridge indeed, with its naked, jagged peaks and its +sheer precipices, seemed inaccessible for mortal man; those peaks +soared to dizzy heights, and the highest of them all, the Eagle's head, +wore a crown of glaciers that glittered in icy splendour, its giant +wings, on each side, seeming to shelter the little hamlet of Saint +Michael lying at its feet. The ridge was rightly named; it did, indeed, +bear a resemblance to an eagle with outstretched wings.</p> + +<p class="normal">The silence lasted some time, and was at last broken by Hertha. +"According to the legend, then, the archangel descends from that peak."</p> + +<p class="normal">"With the first ray of the morning sun," replied Michael. "The sun +rises there above the ridge. The people cling with unswerving fidelity +to their time-hallowed beliefs, and will not relinquish their spring +festivals and their worship of the sun. He is the ancient god of light, +who either blesses or curses mankind; who mutters in the thunder, and +then again ploughs the earth with his flaming sword that the spring may +bring forth fresh life and beauty; the Church has clothed him in the +shining mail of the archangel."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That sounds very heretical," the young Countess said, reproachfully. +"Do not let his reverence or my mother hear you. It is easy to see that +you were brought up beneath Professor Wehlau's roof. Was he an early +friend of your father's?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael bowed his head as if in assent. The Professor had insisted upon +this concession from him from the first, as it put a stop to all +annoying conjecture, and had quite satisfied even Hans himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You lost your father very early?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, very early."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And your mother too?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And my mother too."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was evident distress in his tone, and Hertha, perceiving that she +had unconsciously touched some sore spot, hastened to remove the +impression by saying, "I, too, was a mere child when my father died. I +have but a dim remembrance of him, and of the love and tenderness which +he lavished upon me. Where did you live with your parents?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man's lip quivered, and there was bitterness in his heart as +he remembered his childhood, with its lack of love and tenderness. The +disgrace and misery which he had but half understood had nevertheless +stamped themselves upon the boy's memory, and were still vividly +present with the man after the lapse of twenty years. "My childhood was +far from happy," he said, evasively. "There was so little in it that +could possibly interest you that I should be sorry to annoy you with an +account of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it does interest me," Hertha said, eagerly. "I do not mean, +however, to be importunate; and if my sympathy annoys you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your sympathy! with me?" Michael suddenly broke forth, and then paused +as suddenly; but what his lips did not utter his eyes said clearly, as +he gazed as if spell-bound at the young Countess, whose beauty was +certainly not dependent upon dress. She had been bewitchingly lovely in +silk and lace, in the brilliant light of the chandeliers, and to-day, +in her simple, close-fitting, dark-blue riding-habit, she was even +lovelier. Beneath the little hat, with its blue veil, the golden braids +gleamed through the thin tissue, and the eyes beamed brightly. There +was something unusual in her air to-day; she seemed released from the +petty conventional code of the brilliant circle in which she was wont +to move, and as if breathed upon by the mighty mountain world around +her, and this lent her a new and dangerous charm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well?" she said, smiling, without noticing Michael's sudden pause. "I +am waiting."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For what?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For the account of your childhood, which you have not yet given me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nor can I give it you, for I can relate nothing of home or of parental +affection. I have grown up among strangers, I owe everything to +strangers, and, kindly and generously as it was bestowed, I still feel +it as a debt which would crush me to the earth had I not vowed to +myself to pay it by my entire future. At last I have taken the helm +into my own hands, and can steer out into the open sea."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And can you trust that sea, with its winds and waves?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes. Trust the sea and it will carry you safely. Of one thing I am +sure, however: I shall never drift ashore on a half-shattered wreck, +thankful to escape with mere life. No, I will either steer my vessel +into port or go to the bottom with it."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood erect as he uttered the last words with resolute emphasis. +Hertha looked at him in surprise, and suddenly said, "Strange,--how +like you are at this moment to my uncle Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I? to the general?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Extremely like him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That must be an illusion," Michael rejoined, coldly. "I regret having +to disclaim the honour of a resemblance to his Excellency, but none can +possibly exist."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly not; you have not a feature in common; the likeness lies in +the expression, and now it has vanished again. But at that moment you +had the general's eyes, his air, even his voice. It really startled +me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Her eyes still rested upon his countenance, as if she were expecting a +reply; but Michael turned somewhat aside, and said, changing the +conversation, "The prospect is growing more and more veiled; we shall +soon be surrounded by clouds."</p> + +<p class="normal">The weather did, in fact, look more threatening; the sun had begun to +set, but his rays were struggling with the mists floating up +everywhere, as if some leader of a mighty host had sounded his +trumpet-call, heard of the whole vast mountain world, and the +cloud-phantoms were rising on all sides to obey the summons, some with +slow majesty, some in desperate haste. Up from the deeps and abysses +soared the mist unceasingly, like a white veil, noiseless and +ghost-like, sweeping up over the forests, leaving a fluttering pennon +here and there amidst the tops of the pines, and then soaring aloft +again. From each side across the gray Alps single clouds came trooping, +followed by huge masses, all rolling towards the Eagle ridge, where +they gathered ever darker and more threatening.</p> + +<p class="normal">The meadows upon which lay Saint Michael soon looked like an island in +the midst of a billowy, swelling sea, the waves of which rose higher +each minute. There it gleamed white, like the foam of dashing, leaping +breakers, and there it lay gray and formless as in shade, while high +above on the peaks of the ridge, still lit by the sunlight, golden, +shimmering mists were sailing, shot by strange, quivering rays. A +gleaming magic veil was woven about the rocky head and the glacier +crown; they stood half veiled, half revealed in the golden atmosphere.</p> + +<p class="normal">But at their feet the storm was gathering thick, and now the first dull +thunder rolled, seeming to come from the very depths of the mountains, +and dying rumbling in the distance.</p> + +<p class="normal">The air had hitherto been quiet; now the wind began to rise. The young +Countess's veil fluttered aloft and caught in a hanging branch of the +wild-rose bush, from which she vainly tried to extricate it. The thorns +held their prey fast, and Rodenberg, who came to her aid, must have +been rather awkward, for the band of her hat slipped and the hat fell +off. Michael, who was stooping to disentangle the delicate tissue, +shrank suddenly and dropped his hand, for close before his eyes gleamed +uncovered the thick braids, the 'red fairy gold.'</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you scratched your hand?" asked Hertha, noticing his start.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!" He plunged his hand into the thorny tangle and pulled away both +hat and veil; but the thorns revenged themselves: the veil was torn, +and a few drops of blood trickled from the young man's hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank you," said Hertha, taking her hat from him; "but you are a rash +assistant. How wrong to plunge your hand in among the thorns! It is +bleeding."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was real commiseration in her tone, but the reply was all the +colder. "It is not worth mentioning; it is the merest scratch."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took out his handkerchief and pressed it upon the tiny wounds as he +glanced impatiently towards the little house, where the priest yet +lingered. His visit there seemed to be endless, and the rack here must +be tasted to the last.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl perhaps suspected his agony, but she did not feel called +upon to abbreviate it. The spoiled, petted beauty felt it as an offence +that this man should dare to defy a power which she had so often +exerted over others. He had recognized its might, as she had long since +perceived; he had not approached her with impunity, and yet here he +stood with that impregnable reserve, that haughty brow, which would not +bow. He must be punished!</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should like to ask you a question, Lieutenant Rodenberg," she began +again. "My mother reproached you awhile ago--I heard her--with never +having accepted her invitation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have already apologized to Madame the Countess. We have been quite +absorbed lately by a family matter, which was indeed the cause of the +Professor's departure. When I return from Saint Michael----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will find some other excuse," Hertha interposed. "You do not +<i>wish</i> to come."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael's face flushed, but he avoided meeting the eyes that sought +his; he looked across to the Eagle ridge. "You take that for granted +with a strange degree of certainty, Countess Steinrück, and, +nevertheless, you wish me to come."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only wish for an explanation of what keeps you away from us. You +have saved my own and my mother's life, and you reject our gratitude in +a way that is inexplicable to us if we refuse to consider it insulting. +With a stranger we should never waste a word upon the subject. To one +to whom we owe so much we may well put the question, 'What is there +between us? What have we done to you?'"</p> + +<p class="normal">The words had a gentle, half-veiled sound, but several seconds passed +before the reply came. Michael's gaze was still riveted upon the rocky +summits; he knew that storm-clouds were gathering around them, but he +saw only the golden mist, the gleaming magic veil; he heard the roll of +the thunder that sounded nearer and nearer, but he heeded only that +low, reproachful 'What have we done to you?'</p> + +<p class="normal">"You shame me," he said at last, with a final attempt to preserve a +tone of cool courtesy. "The slight service that I did you required no +gratitude; you have always overrated it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Again you evade me; you are a master of the art," the young girl +exclaimed, with an expression of extreme impatience. "But I will not +release you from replying; I must know the truth at last."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what if I should not comply with your command, for such it +certainly seems to be?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It rests with you, of course, to refuse to do so; but it was no +command, only a request, which I now repeat: 'What have we done to you? +Why do you avoid us?'"</p> + +<p class="normal">A smile played about her lips, the enchanting smile usually so +irresistible, but now without effect. Rodenberg looked her full in the +face, and said, harshly, "You know why, Countess Steinrück,--you have +long known."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you, Hertha; you know your power only too well; and now you drive +me to extremes, and leave me no means of escape. So be it,--I am at +your disposal!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Amazed, almost dismayed, Hertha looked up at him; she was quite +unprepared for this turn of affairs; she had pictured her moment of +triumph very differently. "I do not understand you, Lieutenant +Rodenberg," said she. "What does this strange language mean,--something +it would seem allied to hatred?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hatred?" he broke forth. "Would you add sarcasm to your trifling? You +have never for an instant been ignorant that I love you."</p> + +<p class="normal">It sounded strange enough, this confession of love, uttered in a voice +in which indignation and passion strove for the mastery, and with eyes +in which there was no tenderness, but a menacing gleam: the emotion +did, indeed, seem allied to hatred.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And is this the way in which to woo?--to seek a woman's love?" asked +Hertha, indignantly, while a secret dread, hitherto unknown to her, +stirred in her heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Woo?" he repeated, with extreme bitterness. "No, it is not; such +wooing would hardly be allowed me,--a young, insignificant officer with +a bourgeois name, owning nothing save himself and perhaps some hope for +the future. It would soon be made clear to me, and that after a +ruthless fashion, that I must not dare to lift my eyes to the Countess +Steinrück; that her hand has long been promised to another who, like +herself, wears a coronet."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha bit her lip; the reproof went home,--such assuredly would have +been the conclusion of the affair. It had never occurred to the young +Countess Steinrück to do more than trifle with the bourgeois officer, +but yet she felt disgraced by the discovery that she had been seen +through from the beginning.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not seem to perceive how insulting your words are," she said, +haughtily, "nor how offensive is this confession----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which, nevertheless, you insisted upon hearing," he interrupted her. +"Listen, then! I will not deny to you what cannot, indeed, be denied. I +will confront my fate, for it has come upon me like a fate. Yes, I have +loved you, Hertha, from the first moment of seeing you, and if I could +have hoped for your love in return the coronet of the Steinrücks would +not have deterred me for an instant. If my bliss were as far above me +and as unattainable as the Eagle ridge there, I would scale the heights +though every step threatened ruin. I would snatch it to my arms in +spite of all the world! But I was warned, warned by a child, who once +cozened from me my Alpine roses, to play with them for a while and then +to pluck them wantonly to pieces. Those are the same golden curls, +the same beautiful, evil eyes,--I knew them the first moment that we +met,--but never again shall those lips say to me with contempt, 'Go +away, I do not like you any more! I am tired of playing.' Those words +have rung in my ears through all the bewitching music of your voice. +The boy chose to have his flowers perish in the flames rather than +leave them in your grasp, and the man will crush and annihilate his +love, even though a part of his life dies with it,--it never shall be a +plaything in your hands!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha had grown deadly pale; no one had ever before dared thus to +insult her, to hurl the truth so recklessly and unsparingly in her +face; but what did this man whom she had driven to extremity care +whether she were offended or not? The tempest which she herself had +evoked raged about her; she could no longer restrain its fury. She saw +this clearly as Michael stood before her all aflame and overwhelmed her +with this strange mixture of love and hatred. His every fibre vibrated +with intense passion, and yet he struggled against it with a force that +would not succumb. He was conquered, not subdued.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will please release me, Lieutenant Rodenberg, from listening +further to such words as these," the young Countess said at last, +summoning up all her self-possession. "I will go and meet his +reverence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No need to do so. I am going," said Michael; his voice was low but +firm. "I am aware that hereafter we can have nothing to say to each +other. Farewell, Countess Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">He bowed and went. Hertha did not see which way he turned, nor did she +perceive that the priest was approaching. She stood motionless.</p> + +<p class="normal">The wind was rising; the sprays of the wild rosebush waved and +fluttered above her head, the sea of clouds swelled and rolled nearer +and nearer, while the misty breakers seemed ready to descend in floods +upon the pastures. The transfiguring glow above the Eagle ridge had +faded, the golden phantoms had vanished: heavy gray masses of mist were +swimming there now; they sank lower and lower, and joined the dark +clouds below that were suddenly torn asunder, and with a quivering, +jagged flash it leaped forth,--the flaming sword of Saint Michael!</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">The storm passed down into the valleys in full force, and +there, after +the lightning had flashed and the thunder had rolled for an hour, it +ended in a pouring rain.</p> + +<p class="normal">Through the dripping forest strode a young man whom the tempest had +overtaken. If Hans Wehlau had followed his friend's advice and pursued +the tiresome mountain-road, he would long since have reached Tannberg, +but he lost his way in the romantic forest, and struck into a path that +led him far away from his goal. A projecting rock afforded him some +shelter, but now, when it was growing dark and the rain was still +pouring, he had no choice save either to pass the night in the wet +forest, or to march on in hopes of finding a charcoal-burner's hut or +some other shelter for the night, and he decided upon the latter +course.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last the thick, close forest came to an end, and the young man, as +he emerged upon a clearing, saw at some distance a feeble ray of light. +The darkness and mist did not allow of his discovering what kind of +structure it was that lay before him upon a wooded height and +projecting only here and there from among the trees, but there +certainly were human beings living there, and thither, accordingly, the +young man directed his steps.</p> + +<p class="normal">The path leading up the height seemed to be in a very neglected +condition. Hans stuck fast several times in the swampy soil, and had to +cross first a brook that ran directly across the path, and then a +ruinous wooden bridge, and at last to pass through a gateway, where +only the stone pillars on either side were standing, the gate itself +being lacking. An apparently extensive building with walls and towers, +but in a ruinous condition, lay before the young man, but it had now +become very dark, so that it was with difficulty that, guided by the +ray of light he had first seen, he found a little closed door directly +beneath the lighted window.</p> + +<p class="normal">He knocked, at first gently, then louder and more persistently; after +the lapse of a few minutes the window above was opened, and a hoarse +voice asked who was there.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A stranger who has lost his way and begs for shelter for the night."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no shelter for vagabonds and tramps. Be off immediately!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is an amiable reception," exclaimed Hans, indignantly. "I am +neither a vagabond nor a tramp, but a respectable man, and quite ready +to pay for my night's lodging."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pay? In the Ebersburg!" came from above just as indignantly. "This is +no tavern; go to where you came from."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I shall certainly not do, for I came out of a rain-spout, and +have utterly lost my way in the forest. How can you leave a man +standing outside in such a storm and refuse to let him in? Open the +door!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!" said the hoarse voice, evidently provoked. "Stay outside!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Deuce take it, my patience is exhausted!" cried the young man, +angrily, as a fresh fall of rain wetted him to the skin. "Open the +door, or I will break it down and take the old barracks by storm."</p> + +<p class="normal">And he began to beat at the door with his fists. What he had been +unable to procure by courteous means this change of manner effected; +his violence evidently impressed the invisible guardian of the place, +for after a few seconds his voice spoke in a much gentler tone, "Who +are you, and what do you want?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am at present a thoroughly drenched individual, and I want only to +be dried. Moreover, I am qualified to give the most satisfactory +explanations, if desired, with regard to my station, name, age, origin, +home, family, and so forth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are a man of family, then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course I am. Every man must have a family."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I mean noble family."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course. Now open the door."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wait; I'll come," sounded encouragingly from above, and instantly the +window was closed and the ray of light vanished.</p> + +<p class="normal">"One has to be examined as to his pedigree before he is admitted here, +it seems," said Hans to himself, crowding up against the door to escape +the rain. "No matter. I should not mind in the least appropriating a +coronet if it would procure me a dry lodging for the night. Thank God, +they are opening the door at last!"</p> + +<p class="normal">In fact, a key was turned and a bolt drawn on the inside; the door then +opened, and an old man appeared, leaning upon a cane with his right +hand, and holding a lamp high in his left.</p> + +<p class="normal">His figure was lean and bent, but it must once have been tall and well +formed. The parchment-coloured skin, with its thousand lines and +wrinkles, made the face almost that of a mummy; the eyes were dim, and +from beneath a black cap a few straggling white locks stole forth. His +short walk seemed to have fatigued the old Herr, for he leaned more +heavily upon his cane, and coughed, while he lighted his guest into the +house.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg pardon for my rude persistence, but I was really almost +drowned," said Hans, with a bow, that sent the drops flying in all +directions. "Have I the honour of seeing the master of the house?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Udo, Freiherr of Eberstein-Ortenau upon the Ebersburg," was the reply, +delivered with great solemnity. "And you, sir?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg upon the Forschungstein," was the equally +solemn rejoinder.</p> + +<p class="normal">The name seemed to please the old gentleman; he inclined his head and +said, with dignity, "You are welcome, Herr Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg. +Follow me."</p> + +<p class="normal">He carefully closed and locked the door again, and then preceded his +guest to show him the way. They first passed through a hall, the roof +of which seemed to be defective, for the rain had left traces +everywhere on the floor. Then they ascended a narrow, steep staircase, +the stone steps of which were much worn, then traversed a seemingly +endless passage, where their footsteps on the tiles echoed loudly, and +in which the lamp carried by the lord of the castle was the only light. +At last he opened a door and entered with Hans. "Make use of this +apartment," he said, putting the lamp upon a table. "The storm has +disarranged your dress, I see. I will leave you while you change it, +and shall expect you at supper; until then, farewell, Herr von Wehlau +Wehlenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">He waved his hand with an air of knightly courtesy and was gone. Hans +looked about him: the room was small, dark, and very scantily +furnished. The large canopied bed in one corner seemed the sole relic +of former grandeur, but its fine carving was shabby and worn, the +silken hangings were frayed, and the sheets were of the coarsest linen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The best thing to do would be to go to bed as quickly as possible," +said Hans to himself, as he made arrangements for drying his clothes +near the stove; "but since this Freiherr von Eberstein-Ortenau has +invited me to supper, I must put in an appearance. Where shall I get +dry clothes? Perhaps I may find here somewhere an old suit of armour or +a mediæval mantle that I can don. I think it would produce an +impression if I should walk into the ancestral hall clad in mail. Let +me see."</p> + +<p class="normal">He began to search, and soon found a cupboard in the wall, unlocked, +which seemed to contain the entire modest wardrobe of the lord of the +castle. Hans took possession, without compunction, of the best articles +in it, and had scarcely finished dressing when an old woman with a +kerchief tied round her head appeared, and in the broadest mountain +patois summoned 'the Herr Baron' to supper.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only baron! I ought to have made myself a count at least," said Hans +to himself, as he obeyed the summons, following the old servant, who +conducted him to a room which seemed to be drawing-room and dining-room +combined.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the first glance it presented a stately aspect, but it was a strange +mixture of former splendour and present decay. The walls were covered +with fine wainscoting, but the ceiling was rudely whitewashed, and the +tiled stove was of a very common description. The same contrast +appeared in the furniture: high-backed oaken chairs stood around a +coarse pine table, articles of the meanest earthenware were ranged upon +a richly-carved corner cupboard, and the fine old pointed arched +window, the same whence had issued the ray of light seen by the +wanderer, was curtained with flowered chintz.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must ask forgiveness for my presumption," said Hans, addressing the +master of the castle, who was seated in an arm-chair. "My dress was in +so disordered a state that, relying upon your kindness, I appropriated +this coat."</p> + +<p class="normal">He certainly did look oddly enough in the old-fashioned garb, but +withal so handsome, with his cheeks reddened by the keen mountain air, +and his curls still wet with the rain, that a smile hovered upon the +old Freiherr's thin lips, and he replied, kindly, "I am glad you found +what you wanted in my wardrobe. Sit down; I wish to ask you a +question."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now comes the examination as to pedigree," thought Hans, and he was +not mistaken; his host went straight to the point.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg; that sounds well," he continued. "But the name +of your estate is rather uncommon. Where is the Forschungstein +situated?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In Northern Germany, Herr Baron," replied Hans, without the quiver of +an eyelash.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thought so, since I do not know it. I am thoroughly acquainted with +all the Southern German families of rank and their estates. My own +family is one of the most ancient. It dates from the tenth century, +according to historic proof, and is probably much older. I suppose +there are no families so old as that in Northern Germany?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He was evidently about to question his guest as to his genealogical +tree; but Hans, with great skill, frustrated his intent by asking a +question himself. "Pray, whom does this picture represent? It struck me +as soon as I entered." And he pointed to a painting upon the opposite +wall. It was the half-length portrait of a man of about forty, with +dark hair, brilliant dark eyes, and nobly-formed regular features, +which did not, however, express any high degree of intelligence. The +dress, apparently a uniform, was partly concealed by a cloak, and the +portrait was certainly modern. As the lord of the castle turned to look +at it he seemed utterly to forget pedigrees and centuries, and asked, +eagerly, "Do you like the picture?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Extremely! What a handsome head! and admirably painted too. An +Eberstein of course?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The old gentleman looked half flattered, half displeased, as he +replied, slowly, "Yes, an Eberstein. You do not recognize him, then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans started; he glanced first at the portrait, and then at the +shrunken figure before him, with its wrinkled features and weary eyes. +"It cannot--is it your own portrait, Herr Baron?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is mine, and thirty years ago it was said to be extremely like. I +take no offence at your not recognizing it; I am but an old ruin, like +my Ebersburg."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded so infinitely sad that Hans made haste to try to +console the old man. "But I distinctly recognize the features now," he +said. "There was something familiar to me in them from the first, but I +took the picture for a likeness of one of your sons."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no sons," Eberstein rejoined, sadly; "my race perishes with me, +for my first marriage was childless, and my second brought me only a +daughter. I cannot imagine where Gerlinda is. I must call her." He +thereupon arose with difficulty, and hobbled to the closed door of the +next apartment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gerlinda von Eberstein,--ugh!" Hans said to himself. "It sounds like a +drawbridge and portcullis. A mediæval châtelaine, I suppose; and as the +father is over seventy the daughter must be at least forty; at all +events I need not be shy about presenting myself before her in this +costume."</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked towards the door, although with a very moderate degree of +curiosity, but he suddenly arose as if electrified, for what appeared +upon the threshold in no wise answered his expectations.</p> + +<p class="normal">There stood before him a very young girl in a plain, gray stuff gown, +her dark hair simply parted, and braided at the back of her head. The +child-like face was rather pale, but, if not regularly beautiful, was +exquisitely lovely. The eyes were cast down, and were veiled by dark, +drooping lashes. The Freiherr must have married for the second time +very late in life, for his daughter was at the most but sixteen years +old.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hans, Freiherr von Wehlau Wehlenberg of Forschungstein, my daughter +Gerlinda;" the lord of the castle made the introduction with all due +solemnity. Hans was so surprised that he bowed low twice, which +salutation the young girl returned by an extremely stiff inclination, +something between a courtesy and a nod. Then, with eyes still downcast, +she took her place at the table, where a cold supper was set forth, and +the very frugal meal began.</p> + +<p class="normal">The old Freiherr was loquacious, and talked incessantly with the guest, +who had won his heart by admiring the portrait, but Fräulein Gerlinda +was very taciturn. She fulfilled quietly and attentively all her duties +as hostess, but maintained a perfectly stiff wooden demeanor, and met +with a persistent silence all Hans Wehlau's attempts to converse with +her. Her father replied in her stead to the young man's remarks, and +her face was as immovable as if she heard not a word.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The poor child seems to be deaf and dumb," Hans said to himself. "It +is a pity, for her face is lovely. I wish she would lift her eyes for a +moment."</p> + +<p class="normal">He made a last attempt to induce her to speak by asking her directly +how long she had lived upon the Ebersburg, and whether it was not very +lonely here in winter, but her father again replied in her stead: "We +live here all the year round, and my daughter has been used to this +solitude from her earliest childhood. I have given my consent, however, +to her shortly spending a few days at Steinrück, at the urgent +invitation of the Countess, who is her godmother. You are acquainted +with the Countess Steinrück?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have that honour."</p> + +<p class="normal">"An old family, but full two hundred years younger than mine," the old +man remarked, with much complacency. "The founder of their race is +first spoken of in the Crusades; unfortunately, there is a blot on +their scutcheon, a <i>mésalliance</i> of the worst description, dating about +thirty years ago; until then the family records were stainless."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ancient as the Crusades, and to be overtaken by such a misfortune in +the nineteenth century!" Hans exclaimed, with an indignant expression +that won him a nod of approval from his host.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A misfortune indeed! You are perfectly right, and seem to have a +lively appreciation of rank and position which it pleases me extremely +to see. Yes, Count Michael has recovered from the blow. I never could +have done so; it would have crushed me to the earth, for my escutcheon +is stainless, absolutely stainless!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He began a long heraldic dissertation upon the aforesaid escutcheon, in +which he played with the centuries and with the comparatively modern +race of Steinrücks as if they were but babies in arms. Hans paid very +little attention; he was racking his brain with conjectures as to +whether Fräulein Gerlinda von Eberstein were really a deaf-mute or not; +and so absorbed was he that the Freiherr at last noticed his absent +manner, and asked him if he were listening.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course; so stainless a pedigree cannot but excite my admiration. +The Eberstein-Ortenaus, then----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have borne that double name since the fourteenth century," the +Freiherr completed the young man's sentence. "Gerlinda, child, tell our +guest how it occurred."</p> + +<p class="normal">Fräulein Gerlinda clasped her hands upon the table, without raising her +eyes, and, with a face as expressionless as ever, she suddenly, to the +guest's dismay, began to speak, or rather to rattle off after the +manner of a child repeating a lesson learned by rote: "In the year +thirteen hundred and seventy a feud arose between Kunrad von Eberstein +and Balduin von Ortenau, because the hand of Hildegund of Ortenau had +been refused to the Knight Kunrad of Eberstein, and the Ebersburg, as +well as the fortress of Ortenau, was sacked several times, until, in +the year thirteen hundred and seventy-one, the Knight Balduin was taken +prisoner by the Ebersteiners and thrown into the castle dungeon, where +at last he consented to the union of Hildegund with Kunrad, which union +was celebrated with great pomp in the year thirteen hundred and +seventy-two, and in consequence, in the year thirteen hundred and +eighty-six, upon the death of the Knight Balduin, the fortress of +Ortenau and the lands belonging to it came into the possession +of the lords of Eberstein, who since then have borne the name of +Eberstein-Ortenau."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wonderful!" said Hans, who was really thunderstruck at this +performance of the supposed deaf-mute. He could not understand where +she got the breath for her long speech; he had lost his with simply +listening.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, my Gerlinda is well versed in the history of our house," said the +Freiherr, triumphantly. "She remembers it even better than I do, for my +memory is beginning to fail me. Yesterday she corrected me in a date, +when I was speaking of the enfeoffment of Udo von Eberstein. You +remember, my child?"</p> + +<p class="normal">As if the hitherto motionless pendulum of a clock had been set going by +this question, Fräulein Gerlinda started off again and told a much +longer story, this time from the fifteenth century, about a certain +Eberstein who in a certain battle had saved the Emperor's life and had +been by him endowed with a certain castle. All the hard names and the +numerous dates fell from her lips with the greatest fluency and +certainty, but with a monotony of intonation that reminded one of the +clapper of a mill, the more so as her speech came to a pause as +suddenly as it began. Hans involuntarily pushed back his chair a +little, the whole scene partook of the supernatural. The Freiherr, +however, who received this as an expression of admiration, seemed +inclined to initiate him still further into the chronicles of his race, +when the old clock in the corner struck the hour of nine.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nine o'clock already," said Eberstein, as he rose from his chair. "We +live very regularly, Herr von Wehlau, and are wont to retire at this +hour, a custom which I doubt not your fatiguing ramble in the forest +will make grateful to you. I wish you a calm and refreshing night in +the Ebersburg."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was terrible!" said Hans, with a sigh, when he found himself +alone in his sleeping-room in the old castle. "That old man of the +tenth century, and that little châtelaine whom I took for deaf and +dumb, and who chatters out the old chronicles like a magpie, have +nearly turned my brain. I am completely mediæval, and have become +extremely exclusive since I have been Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg of the +Forschungstein."</p> + +<p class="normal">Thereupon he went to bed, and dreamed that the old Freiherr was going +through all Northern Germany with a lantern to find the Forschungstein, +and that Fräulein Gerlinda, disguised as a magpie, was fluttering +beside him, chattering incessantly about Kunrad von Eberstein and +Hildegund von Ortenau; and when they could not find the Forschungstein, +they seated themselves in the branches of their genealogical tree and +ascended with it up, up and away into the tenth century, and a very +imposing spectacle it was.</p> + +<p class="normal">When Hans waked the next morning the sun was shining brightly into his +room, and his clothes were sufficiently dry to be donned. It was still +very early, and no one seemed to be stirring in the house: so he +resolved to inspect by daylight the house, which he had reached in +darkness and storm. He issued from his room into the long corridor, +which was lit by a narrow window, and without much difficulty succeeded +in finding the winding staircase with the worn steps, by which he +descended into the front hall and thence into the open air.</p> + +<p class="normal">Undoubtedly the Ebersburg had formerly been a strong and stately +castle, perhaps destroyed and rebuilt several times in the course of +centuries. Now it was but a ruin. The greater part of it had fallen to +decay, and all that was left of the once solid masonry seemed tottering +to its fall. In the castle court-yard the grass grew luxuriantly, and +an entire generation of bushes and small trees had sprung up, making +the place an actual thicket. From the roof of the old watch-tower, +which was still apparently in repair, green grasses were nodding, and +rooks were flying in and out of the window openings. Fragments of +masonry were lying about, with here and there remains of the ancient +apartments.</p> + +<p class="normal">The only wing still standing, that which was now inhabited by the +Freiherr, presented a dreary aspect. The ruins were at least +picturesque, but the attempts to patch up this part of the castle only +brought into stronger relief the decay of the building. The crumbling +masonry had been coarsely whitewashed, the missing doors and windows +had been replaced in the rudest fashion, and where the rooms were not +used boards had been nailed over the apertures. The magnificent old +balcony had been supplied with a thatched roof, and the broad stone +steps of the entrance hall had been replaced by wooden ones.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans Wehlau's artist's eye was outraged by this sight, and he turned +again to the ruins, forcing his way through the green thicket in the +court-yard, and at last, through an opening in the wall that might once +have been a gate-way, he emerged upon the former castle terrace. Here, +however, his wanderings were stayed, for from the lower story of the +watch-tower, apparently used as a stable, there issued a joyous +bleating, and immediately afterwards a goat came leaping through the +door-way into the open air, followed by Fräulein Gerlinda, dressed, in +spite of the earliness of the hour, in the gray dress of the evening +before, and carrying carefully in both hands a small wooden milk-vessel +filled to the brim.</p> + +<p class="normal">This unexpected encounter astonished both the young people. Gerlinda +stood as if rooted to the spot, and the guest could not but divine that +Fräulein von Eberstein, with her long line of ancestry dating from the +tenth century, had milked the goat with her own high-born hands that +there might be milk for breakfast. Her evident dismay embarrassed Hans +too, so that he could not utter any fitting phrase, but bowed in +silence. Fortunately, the goat comprehended the annoying nature of the +situation, and put an end to it by merrily leaping up upon the stranger +and then rubbing so affectionately against her young mistress that the +vessel in her hands was shaken and part of the milk was spilled.</p> + +<p class="normal">This was a happy interruption of the pause of embarrassment; Hans made +haste to take the milk, which Gerlinda allowed him to do, saying +gently, by way of excuse, "Muckerl is so glad to get out into the air."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank heaven she can utter something besides mediæval chronicles!" +thought Hans, enchanted with her remark. He expressed his pleasure in +Muckerl's liveliness, asked exact information as to her age and state +of health, and meanwhile placed the milk in safety by setting the +vessel down upon a projection of the wall, for Muckerl was scanning him +with a highly critical air, and seemed rather inclined to repeat her +charge at him; the next moment, however, thinking better of it, she +turned her attention to the luxuriant grass that covered the ground.</p> + +<p class="normal">The view from the Ebersburg was not an extensive one; the castle lay +secluded in a deep hollow of the valley, and the mountains rising on +all sides were thickly wooded, but the old ruin nestled among delicious +green, the tree-tops rustled gently in the morning air, and the birds +twittered among them.</p> + +<p class="normal">The morning sun lay broad upon the ancient castle terrace. Here all +around, to be sure, were ruin and decay, but vigorous, luxuriant life +was striving compassionately to conceal the desolation. There were +broad breaches in the wall bounding the terrace, but wild shrubs and +bushes grew there, forming a living breastwork; the huge watch-tower, +where the rooks were flying in and out of the windows, was wreathed +round with thick dark-green ivy; amid the gray fragments of stone lying +about were nestling tender mosses, and vigorous wild vines were +trailing everywhere. Upon every stone, from every crack in the walls, +hardy plants were springing and thrusting themselves forth, while over +everything brooded the deep, dreamy stillness of early morning.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the midst of these relics of vanished splendour the last scion of +the Ebersteins, in her gray Cinderella costume, stood leaning against +the wall. All the primness and stiffness of the previous evening had +vanished; the young girl was evidently confused at finding herself +alone with the stranger guest, and looked up at him with the expression +of a frightened child. Thus for the first time he could see her +eyes,--a pair of beautiful brown eyes, soft and shy as those of a +gazelle; they were in perfect harmony with the lovely face.</p> + +<p class="normal">The silence lasted some time; Hans was so taken up with gazing into the +eyes that were at last unveiled for him that he forgot to resume the +conversation, and when he did so at last, it was in a purely mechanical +way, as he involuntarily continued the subject of the previous evening.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have just been inspecting the Ebersburg," he began. "It must once +have been a stately pile, which could give its enemies enough to do, +and at the time of the feud, when Kunrad von Ortenau and Hildegund von +Eberstein--no, I have transposed their names."</p> + +<p class="normal">His mention of the names was unfortunate; as soon as Fräulein Gerlinda +heard of the middle ages she became as prim and stiff as an image of +wood; her long eyelashes drooped, as did her head, and she began in the +old monotone, "Kunrad von Eberstein and Hildegund von Ortenau, in the +year of our Lord----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, yes, Fräulein Gerlinda, I remember all about it;" Hans +interrupted her in dismay. "Through your kindness I am thoroughly well +informed as to the chronicles of your family. I merely meant to remark +that a residence in this old mountain stronghold must be very +monotonous. You make a great sacrifice to your father in staying here. +A young lady longs to be abroad in the world, to enjoy life."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda shook her head in dissent, and suddenly opened her mouth to +say, with all the infallible wisdom of a philosopher of seventy, "The +world and life are worth nothing!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing?" asked the young man, surprised. "Where did you learn to be +so sure of that?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My papa says so," Gerlinda replied, with much solemnity. Evidently her +father's utterances were those of an oracle to her. "The world grows +worse with each century, and now shows abundant signs of final +annihilation, since the nobility no longer receive the homage due +them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Her eyes were again stubbornly downcast, and she spoke in a tone that +vividly recalled to her hearer his dream. His lips twitched oddly, but +he contrived to say, quite seriously, "Yes, the nobility. But there are +some other men beside them in the world."</p> + +<p class="normal">Fräulein Gerlinda looked surprised; she seemed to mistrust this fact +and apparently reflected profoundly, remarking at last, as the result +of her reflections, "Yes, of course,--the peasants."</p> + +<p class="normal">"True. And we cannot utterly dispute the existence of even other +classes of human beings. Literary men, for instance, artists, in whose +ranks I belong----"</p> + +<p class="normal">Fräulein Gerlinda opened wide her brown eyes and repeated, "Among the +artists?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Absolutely," Hans said to himself, quite forgetting his elevated rank, +"she thinks me a mediæval specimen too;" and he added, aloud, +"Assuredly, Fräulein Gerlinda, I occupy myself with art, and flatter +myself that I have attained a degree of proficiency in it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young lady seemed to think such an occupation very derogatory. +Fortunately, she recalled the fact that a certain Eberstein, in a +certain century, had taken up with astrology, and that partly explained +Herr Wehlau Wehlenberg's extraordinary tastes, but she nevertheless +felt herself called upon to repeat to him a saying of her father's: "My +papa says that a man of an ancient, noble line ought to make no +concessions to the present; it is beneath his dignity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is the Herr Baron's opinion," said Hans, with a shrug. "He seems +to have been so entirely secluded from the world that he has lost all +sympathy with it; others of his rank, however, feel very differently. +Look, for example, at the Counts von Steinrück, whose family is just as +old as yours."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Two hundred years younger," Gerlinda interrupted him, indignantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Quite right; full two hundred years. I remember their ancestors are +first met with in the Crusades, while yours date from the eighth +century."</p> + +<p class="normal">"From the tenth."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, from the tenth! It was a slip of the tongue; I meant, of +course, from the tenth century. But to return to the Steinrücks: Count +Michael is a general in command; his son was, I think, attached to our +embassy in Paris; his grandson has some official position. They are all +men of the present, and would hardly coincide with your father in +opinion; and you, too, will differ from him when you have seen +something of life and the world."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not want to see anything of them," Gerlinda said, softly and +timidly. "I am afraid of them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans smiled; he drew a step nearer, and bent down towards the girl; his +voice sounded sweet and tender, as if he were speaking to a child. +"That is very natural; you live here in such seclusion, in a fairy +world, long since faded from reality, like the palace of the Sleeping +Beauty in the fairy-tale. But some time the day will come when the +hawthorn hedges will part asunder, and the green walls open, a day when +you will awaken from your enchanted sleep; and believe me, Fräulein +Gerlinda, your eyes will open then not upon the dust and mould of +centuries, but upon the warm, golden sunshine that floods our present +age, in spite of all its conflicts and trials. Ah, you will learn to +love it all."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda listened in silence, but a faint, happy smile playing about +her lips betrayed her knowledge of the story of the Sleeping Beauty. +She slowly raised her eyes, only for an instant, and dropped them +hastily; that which shone upon her in the young man's gaze might +perhaps be a ray of the light he had promised her; she suddenly flushed +crimson and turned hastily away.</p> + +<p class="normal">Muckerl certainly was a very intelligent goat, for she had quietly +continued to browse, only glancing gravely now and then towards the +pair, and appearing on the whole quite satisfied with the course of the +conversation. But the matter now must have begun to look grave to her, +for she suddenly left her breakfast and ran to her young mistress, +beside whom she placed herself, as if on guard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I believe--I ought to go back to the castle," said Gerlinda, scarcely +audibly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Already?" asked Hans, who had not observed that half an hour had been +consumed in talk.</p> + +<p class="normal">They set out together, Hans carrying the milk, Fräulein Gerlinda beside +him, and Muckerl following, gravely nodding her head from time to time. +The affair evidently had a suspicious look to her,--why had the two +suddenly fallen silent?</p> + +<p class="normal">An hour later Hans stood at the foot of the Ebersburg. He had taken +leave of the Freiherr and of his daughter without laying aside his +incognito, for fear of causing the old gentleman unnecessary annoyance. +What mattered it that the Freiherr should continue to regard him as a +'mediæval specimen'? The adventure was at an end; it was not likely +that he should ever again see the Ebersburg.</p> + +<p class="normal">He glanced up once more at the gray pile, taking a last look at the +sunny castle-terrace, and the much-lauded present to which he was now +returning seemed terribly prosaic compared with the fairy-tale that he +had dreamed up there in the midst of the green waving forest, in those +ancient ruin? where all around was blooming fair and fresh, with the +little Dornröschen who had retired to her solitude, and was dreaming of +the knight who was to break through the hedge and waken the Sleeping +Beauty with a kiss from her magic slumber. The young fellow suppressed +a sigh, and said, half aloud, as he turned away, "After all, it is a +pity that I am not really Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg of the +Forschungstein."</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">A gay company was assembled at Steinrück, in thorough +enjoyment of the +hunting season, and of the long sunny autumn days. No one was invited +to make a long visit, however, save Gerlinda von Eberstein, who had +arrived some days since; but each day new guests made their appearance +and others departed. Hertha and Raoul Steinrück usually formed the +centre of this brilliant society. It had long been known that the two +were destined for each other, and that the announcement of the +betrothal would probably soon take place; therefore when the general +issued invitations for a large entertainment every one knew that it +would be the occasion for this public announcement.</p> + +<p class="normal">The evening was at hand, and the entire castle was filled with the +activity wont to precede some important festivity. Servants were +running to and fro, here and there decorations were being completed, +and the reception-rooms were already a blaze of light.</p> + +<p class="normal">The family, with the exception of Gerlinda and Hertha, had just entered +these rooms. Count Steinrück, with the widowed Countess on his arm, +looked unusually cheerful: to-day was to bring him the fulfilment of +his dearest wish; the betrothal of the last two scions of his house was +to be celebrated at their ancestral castle, and thus the prosperity of +his line was assured,--all the Steinrück possessions would be united +under one master.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hortense, who followed him leaning on her son's arm, also looked +proudly content. In her rich and tasteful toilette, and by the +artificial light, she looked very beautiful, and far outshone her +cousin; that pale, delicate woman was indeed cast into the shade. Raoul +was gay and good-humoured; a cloud now and then darkened his brow for a +moment, but it quickly vanished, and he lavished the tenderest +attentions upon his mother.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We limited the invitations as much as possible," said Hortense, as she +looked through the lighted apartments, "and yet there will scarcely be +room for our guests. That is the worst of these old mountain castles, +that have no large ball-room and no extended suite of rooms; it is +impossible to give an entertainment in them!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"They were not built for any such purpose," said the general, quietly. +"They were intended for a home within, and for protection and defence +without. They certainly do not conform to modern requirements, least of +all to yours, Hortense; you never loved Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In that respect I perfectly agree with mamma," Raoul interposed. "What +delights me here is the hunting in these mountain forests. The castle +itself, with its dim, confined rooms, its endless, echoing corridors, +and its steep, dark staircases, always seems to me like a prison. I +breathe a sigh of relief when I escape from it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem entirely to forget that this ancient pile is the cradle of +your race, and as such should be dear and sacred to you even if it lay +in ruins," said the general, with some acerbity.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul bit his lip at this very distinct reproof. "Pardon me, +grandfather, I have all due reverence for our ancestral home, but I +cannot possibly think it beautiful. Now, if it were the cheerful sunny +castle in Provence, with its Eden-like surroundings, its past so rich +in legend and in song, where long ago I used----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You mean the castle of Montigny?" Steinrück interrupted him, in a tone +which admonished the young Count to desist.</p> + +<p class="normal">His mother, however, went on in his stead: "Certainly, papa, he means +my lovely sunny home. You can understand that it is as dear to us as +yours is to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Us?" the general repeated, in a tone of cold inquiry. "You should +speak only for yourself, Hortense. I think it very natural that you +should be attached to your paternal home, but Raoul is a Steinrück, and +has nothing to do with Provence. His attachment belongs to his +fatherland."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded half like a threat, and Hortense, irritated, seemed +about to reply angrily, when the Countess, her cousin, who perfectly +understood the state of feeling in the family, quickly changed the +subject. "Our young ladies seem to be late," she remarked. "I begged +Hertha to help Gerlinda a little with her toilette; the poor child has +not the least idea of how she ought to look."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The little demoiselle seems to be of a very limited capacity," Raoul +said, sarcastically. "She is usually as silent as the tombs of her +ancestors, but as soon as you touch the historic spring, she begins to +chatter like a parrot, and a whole century comes rattling down upon you +with terrific names and endless dates; it, really is fearful."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet you are always the one to induce Gerlinda to make herself thus +ridiculous," the Countess said, reproachfully. "She is much too +inexperienced and simple-hearted to suspect a sneer beneath your +immense courtesy and extravagant admiration of her acquirements. Can +you not leave her in peace?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"She really provokes ridicule," Hortense interposed. "Good heavens, +what toilettes! and what curtsies! And then when she opens her mouth! +You must forgive me, my dear Marianne, but it is almost impossible to +introduce your <i>protégée</i> into society."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is not the poor child's fault," said Marianne. "She was so +unfortunate as to lose her mother when she was very little; she has +seen nothing of the world, has known no one except her father, and he, +in his eccentricity, has absolutely done everything in his power to +make the girl unfit for social intercourse."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I admire your patience, Marianne, in still having anything to do with +Eberstein," said Steinrück, "I went to see him once, long ago, because +I pitied him in his isolation, but I think he told me six times in the +course of my visit that his family was two centuries older than mine, +and there was no getting a sensible word out of him. He seems now to +have become almost childish."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is old and ill, and it is a hard fate to pine away in poverty and +loneliness," the Countess said, gently. "Since he was forced by his +gout to retire from the army, he has nothing to live upon save his +pension and the old ruins of the Ebersburg. If he could only be +persuaded to let Gerlinda leave him for a while, I should like to take +her to Berkheim, or to the city, where we shall spend some time this +winter; but I suppose it will be impossible to induce him to spare +her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Selfish old fool!" said the general. "What is to become of the poor +child when he closes his eyes? But our young ladies are indeed late; it +is time that they were here."</p> + +<p class="normal">This was true, but no exigencies of the toilette had caused the delay. +Hertha was in her room entirely dressed; she had dismissed her maid, +and was standing before her mirror gazing steadily into its depths. She +might have been supposed to be lost in the contemplation of her own +beauty, but her eyes had a strange dreamy look in them, and evidently +saw nothing of the image before them; they were gazing abroad into +space.</p> + +<p class="normal">The door was softly opened, and Gerlinda appeared. The two young girls +had always been much together whenever the family were at Steinrück, +but there was not the slightest intimacy between them. Gerlinda looked +up with timid admiration to the brilliant Hertha, who accorded the girl +at most a compassionate toleration, and at times even ridiculed her +unmercifully. To-day, too, the 'little demoiselle' gazed at the young +Countess with admiration, devoid of the slightest envy of Hertha's +bridal loveliness, as she stood before the mirror dressed in white +satin falling in soft folds about her perfect figure. A single white +rose in her hair was its sole ornament, and a bunch of half-opened buds +lay on her dressing-table.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How beautiful you are!" said Gerlinda, involuntarily.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Countess turned with a smile, which, however, was not one of +gratified vanity. "I can return the compliment," she replied. "You look +most lovely to-night."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl no longer wore the gray Cinderella gown: the Countess +had taken care that her god-child should be suitably attired on this +occasion; but Gerlinda was evidently oppressed by her unwonted +splendour. Perhaps, too, she felt how unsuited she was to this +brilliant circle, and this made her still more shy. She stood before +Hertha, timid and embarrassed, scarcely daring to raise her eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only you must not stand in that ridiculously prim attitude," said +Hertha. "On that lonely Ebersburg you absolutely forget how to move +about among people. You see no one there but your father, and perhaps +the peasants of the village where you attend mass."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda was silent and hung her head. No one? She thought of the guest +who had arrived in the storm and rain and had departed in the sunshine; +but she had never mentioned him hitherto, although his coming had been +a great event in her lonely life. An involuntary shyness closed her +lips; least of all could she have spoken of it here and now. The memory +of the sunny morning dream in the ruinous old castle was not for the +ear of the young lady who could so coolly tutor and criticise her +little friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha turned away, and as she did so she accidentally brushed from her +dressing-table her bouquet, without noticing its fall. Gerlinda picked +it up.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thanks," said Hertha, indifferently, as she took the flowers. They +seemed to have been but loosely put together, for one of the roses had +become detached from its sister buds and lay directly at the feet of +the young Countess, who looked down at it with a rather strange +expression. Perhaps she was thinking of that other evening when just +such a fragrant half-opened bud had fallen from her hand, only to +perish beneath the tread of an iron heel.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let it alone," she said, as Gerlinda was about to stoop again. "What +does a single rose matter? I have enough here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is your lover's gift," said the young girl.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am going to carry these this evening, and Raoul cannot ask anything +more. If the formal congratulations were only over! It is so deadly +tiresome to listen to the same thing from everybody, and to have to +respond to all those conventional phrases. I am not at all in the mood +for it to-night."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded impatient, and there was nervous impatience in the +way in which she began to pace the room to and fro. Gerlinda's eyes, +opening wide with amazement, followed the proud, queenly figure in the +trailing satin robe; she could not understand how a girl at her +betrothal should not be in the mood to receive congratulations, and she +asked, naïvely, "Do you not like Count Raoul?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha paused suddenly. "That's an odd question. What put it into your +head? Certainly I like him; we have been brought up for each other. I +knew when I was a child that he was to be my husband. He is handsome, +gallant, amiable, my equal in name and rank; why should I not like him? +I suppose you think that there ought to be in a marriage of to-day all +the romance of your old chronicles, where the lover had to fight and +struggle for his bride. You told us such a story yesterday about some +Gertrudis----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gertrudis von Eberstein and Dietrich Fernbacher," Gerlinda hastily +began, as if the name had been a cue. "But she could not marry him, +because he was not of knightly descent, but only the son of a +merchant."</p> + +<p class="normal">"She could not?" said Hertha, tossing her head. "Perhaps she would not; +probably she felt a repugnance at the idea of exchanging the ancient +name of her race for that of a wealthy tradesman. Can't you understand +that, Gerlinda? What would you do if, for example, you loved a man +beneath you in rank?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It would be dreadful!" said the little demoiselle, with all the horror +natural to an offshoot of the tenth century, adding, with entire +conviction in her tone, "My papa says that could not happen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it has happened, and in your own race. How did the affair end? did +your ancestress give up her Dietrich?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Poor Gerlinda was not in the least aware that she was continually the +butt of Hertha's and Raoul's sarcasm, and that they were always +inducing her to make herself ridiculous. She was desirous of showing +her gratitude for the hospitality extended to her, and she supposed in +her ignorance and innocence that every one at Steinrück was interested +in the stories which to her were so vastly important. So she clasped +her hands gravely, and began to recite, in her usual manner, an extract +from her family chronicles, which did not on this occasion end with a +happy marriage, as in the case of Kunrad von Eberstein and Hildegund +von Ortenau, but with a parting. The story was long, and there was an +endless succession of the noble names and the dates which Raoul found +so terrible, but the young Countess was not in a mocking mood to-day. +She had gone to the window, and stood there motionless, looking out, +until Gerlinda concluded: "And so Gertrudis was married to the noble +lord of Ringstetten, and Dietrich Fernbacher went on a crusade against +the infidels and never returned."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And never returned,--never!" Hertha's lips uttered the words softly +and dreamily, while again the strange expression appeared in her eyes +which seemed to be gazing at something in the far distance, beyond the +mist and gloom that veiled the landscape outside.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a long silence, which Gerlinda hardly dared to break; but at +last she said, gently, "Hertha, I think it is time."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha looked up as if awaking from a dream. "Time? For what?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For us to go down; they are expecting us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"True, true; I had forgotten! Go first, Gerlinda. I will come +immediately; I have a trifle to arrange about my dress. Pray go!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded so like a command that the young girl obeyed without +further delay, and she had hardly reached the staircase leading to the +lower story when she was met by a servant whom the general had sent to +beg that the young Countess would make haste, since the first carriage +had just driven into the courtyard.</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda turned to deliver the message herself; her footfall was +noiseless, and she opened the door of Hertha's room as noiselessly, but +paused in dismay upon the threshold.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha was sitting, or rather lying, in an arm-chair by the window, +with hands clasped convulsively and head thrown back, while from +beneath her closed eyelids tear after tear coursed down her cheeks, and +her breast rose and fell with wild, passionate sobs. The young girl was +weeping,--weeping as violently and painfully as the child had wept +formerly when the white Alpine roses, snatched from her destructive +hands, had perished in the flames.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hertha, dear Hertha, what is the matter?" Gerlinda exclaimed, +hastening to her side.</p> + +<p class="normal">The girl sprang up, her eyes flashing with anger. "What do yon want? +Why did you come back? Can I never be one moment alone?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wanted--I came only to get you," said the young girl, retreating +timidly. "Count Steinrück begs you to come down; the guests are +beginning to arrive."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha arose and passed her handkerchief across her eyes. In a moment +all trace of tears had vanished, and the young Countess stood calmly +before her mirror, to give a last glance of inspection, as she took up +her bouquet. "Let us go, then."</p> + +<p class="normal">They went; the satin train rustled over the stairs, and a few minutes +later they entered the reception-room, where Countess Hertha was +awaited with impatience.</p> + +<p class="normal">Carriage after carriage rolled into the court-yard; the guests began to +fill the rooms, and at the end of an hour all were assembled, and +General Steinrück announced in due form the betrothal of his grandson +to the Countess Hertha.</p> + +<p class="normal">Every cloud had vanished from Raoul's brow, he had eyes only for his +betrothed, standing proud, beautiful, and triumphant at his side, with +a smile for every congratulation, for every compliment. All thought +this very natural, as was the beaming content on the face of the +general, whose special work this betrothal was. He had with a firm hand +united those which birth, name, and wealth should of right join +together, and what a handsome, happy couple they made!</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">A dull October sky hung above the endless sea of houses of the +capital, +extending more widely with every year. There was the usual bustle in +the principal streets, where the crowd, the noise, and the rattling of +carriages were confusing enough to any one coming from the quiet +seclusion of the mountains to plunge into this flood of life.</p> + +<p class="normal">General Steinrück had his apartments in the military public buildings, +where he occupied a suite of rooms on the first floor. Its arrangement +was, so far as the Countess Hortense's apartments were concerned, +comfortable, and even luxurious. Steinrück conformed to his +daughter-in-law's taste in this regard, and let her have her own way in +all outward matters, although otherwise he kept a tight rein on his +family affairs. His position enabled him to live expensively, in spite +of the comparatively small income derived from his estates.</p> + +<p class="normal">The general's special rooms, on the contrary, were plainly furnished, +and his study was almost Spartan in its simple arrangement. No tender +half-light reigned here, as in the Countess's drawing-room; there were +no soft rugs or Oriental hangings; even the artistic decoration of +pictures and statuary was lacking. The daylight entered broad and clear +through the tall windows, papers, letters, and books were carefully +arranged upon the writing-table, the furniture of light oak, destitute +of carving and covered with dark leather, could not have been plainer, +and the pictures on the walls were evidently of value only as family +relics or as mementos. The room was made for labour and not for luxury, +and in its strict simplicity it corresponded perfectly with the +character of its occupant.</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück was seated at his writing-table, talking with his grandson, +who had just returned from Berkheim, whither he had escorted his +betrothed and her mother. Raoul really looked like a happy lover; his +face was all sunshine as he told of his journey; and the Count's stern +features too were lit up by a smile; the fulfilment of his favourite +scheme made him gentler and more accessible than was his wont.</p> + +<p class="normal">They had been talking of the visit which Hertha and her mother were to +pay them, and of the marriage which was to take place in the coming +summer, and Raoul said at last, "You will have to dismiss me, +grandfather; this is the time for your military audience."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not yet," the general replied, with a glance at the clock. "We have a +quarter of an hour yet, and, moreover, there is nothing special for +to-day,--only a few introductions and reports from younger officers."</p> + +<p class="normal">He took a written list from his writing-table and looked over it. +Suddenly his face darkened, and he muttered, half aloud, "Ah, to-day, +then."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul, who was standing beside his grandfather's chair, had +also glanced at the list, and had noticed a name with which he +was acquainted. "Lieutenant Rodenberg. Has he been appointed +staff-officer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you know him?" asked Steinrück, turning hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Slightly. I went upon a hunting excursion last year with the +Rodenbergs. I suppose he is one of the sons of Colonel Rodenberg, +commanding officer at W----."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," said the general, coldly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not? I did not know that there was any other of the name in the army."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nor did I; and I made the same mistake that you have done. I ought to +explain to you, Raoul, who this Rodenberg is. Your mother has probably +informed you long since as to our family history."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count started, and looked inquiringly at his grandfather. "I +know that this name is one to arouse painful associations. It cannot +be----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Louise's son," Steinrück said, sternly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good heavens, this is too much!" exclaimed Raoul in dismay. "Is that +wretched story, which we supposed buried in oblivion long since, to be +revived? The boy was said to have run away, to be dead, or worse. How +comes this fellow, the son of an adventurer, to occupy such a +position?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The general frowned; at the moment the old warrior's <i>esprit de corps</i> +outweighed all else, even his antipathy to the discarded and detested +son of 'the adventurer.' Michael wore a sword, and was therefore not to +be calumniated in his presence. "Take care!" he said, sternly. "You are +speaking of an officer in the army, of a very capable officer, with +regard to whom such expressions are not allowable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, grandfather, you cannot but perceive that this Rodenberg may +annoy us extremely, precisely because he is an officer, and as such +justified in meeting us on terms of social equality. How are we to +treat him? And he comes to the front just at this time, when my +betrothal to Hertha makes us especially conspicuous in society. Of +course his first object will be to proclaim abroad his relations with +us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I doubt it, or it would have been done long ago. No one at present +knows anything of the matter, as I have taken pains to ascertain. He +certainly must know that we are not inclined to acknowledge any +relationship."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter for that. Acknowledged or not, he will sooner or later +proclaim himself the grandson of Count Steinrück, and take advantage of +the fact. Do you really imagine that any bourgeois officer would +renounce such advantage and suppress his relationship with the general +in command?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall certainly endeavour to silence him upon the subject. You are +right; at this particular time any revival of old, long-buried stories +should be avoided at all hazards. I have seen Rodenberg but once; but +from the impression I have of him I do not think that an appeal to his +sense of honour will be in vain. He will not obtrude himself upon a +family that does not choose to know him, and he has at least as much +reason as we have to consign his father's memory to oblivion. However +the affair may turn out, you must not utter a word concerning it to +your betrothed or to her mother. They accidentally became acquainted +with Rodenberg, and have not the slightest idea who he is."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just as I said! This man's being an officer is a positive misfortune," +exclaimed Raoul, angrily. "In any other sphere of life he could be +ignored; now he has already found an opportunity for presenting himself +to the ladies of our family, doubtless with some ulterior motive. Of +course they must not know who he is. How Hertha, in her pride, would +scorn such a cousin! The matter must be kept absolutely secret, cost +what it may. We surely are willing to make any sacrifice if----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to forget that you are speaking of <i>Lieutenant</i> Rodenberg," +the general sharply interrupted him. "One cannot purchase silence of an +officer in our army; the most that can be done is to appeal to his +pride. He must and will understand that there is no honour in a +connection with the son of his father; this is the only way in which he +can be influenced."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul was silent, but his manner showed that he did not share in this +view of the case. Further conversation was impossible, for Lieutenant +Rodenberg was at that moment announced, and the general gave orders +that he should be admitted. "Leave me," he said in an undertone to +Raoul; "I wish to speak with him alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul obeyed, but just as he was about to leave the room Rodenberg +entered, and the two young men met in the door-way. Michael bowed +slightly to the stranger, who merely bestowed upon him a half-hostile, +half-contemptuous glance, and was about to pass him without further +notice. The young officer, however, confronted him for a moment, +barring his way without a word, but with an expression in his eyes that +so authoritatively demanded the recognition of his salute that the +Count half involuntarily returned it. He inclined his head and +withdrew. Steinrück observed this scene, which lasted only a few +seconds, and little as he approved of his grandson's discourtesy, he +was almost angry with him for yielding as he did.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael now approached, and the keenest observer would never have +suspected the existence of a tie of relationship between the two men.</p> + +<p class="normal">The subaltern made his report in strict accordance with prescribed +rules, and his superior officer, cool, grave, and attentive, received +it in the usual way. Neither for an instant departed from strict +military rule. But when all that the occasion required had been said +and the young officer awaited his dismissal, the general addressed him: +"I should like to discuss with you a matter of some moment to us both. +When we first met, neither the time nor the place was fitting for such +a discussion; to-day we are undisturbed. May I request your attention?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am at your Excellency's command," was Michael's brief reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your bearing at that first interview proved to me that you understand +in their entire scope the relations existing between us; how those +relations are regarded by each of us remains to be explained."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I see no necessity for any explanation on that point," Michael said, +coldly.</p> + +<p class="normal">The general bestowed a dark glance upon him; he had judged it best to +preserve a cold, proud demeanour during this interview that might repel +beforehand any familiarity of approach, and he now encountered a +behaviour quite as haughty as his own: there was nothing here to repel. +"But I see the necessity for our understanding each other," he rejoined +with sharp emphasis. "You are the son of the Countess Louise Steinrück" +(he did not say "of my daughter"). "I can neither deny this nor prevent +you from laying claim to a perfectly legitimate relationship. Hitherto +you have refrained from doing so, and have treated the matter as a +secret, which leads me to hope that you yourself perceive the +undesirability of a revelation----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which you fear," Michael completed the sentence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which I at least deprecate. I will be perfectly frank with you. You +have probably heard from Colonel Reval that an entertainment was lately +given in my house to celebrate the betrothal of my grandson, Count +Raoul, with the Countess Hertha Steinrück, with whom, I believe, you +are acquainted."</p> + +<p class="normal">Something like emotion flashed up for an instant in the young officer's +face, but it was gone before it could be perceived, and he replied, +with apparently perfect composure, "So I have heard."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then. The marriage will shortly take place. During the winter +the betrothed couple will appear at court, and in society. This union +of the two last scions of my race renders it doubly my duty to keep the +escutcheon of that race free from every stain. I do not wish to offend +you, Lieutenant Rodenberg, but I presume that you are acquainted with +your father's mode of life and with his past?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes."</p> + +<p class="normal">The word came harsh and curt from the quivering lips, but it did not +reveal the man's mental torture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry to touch upon such a subject to a son, but unfortunately I +cannot avoid doing so. You are entirely guiltless in the matter, and +you will hardly be a sufferer by it. Your intimate connection with +Professor Wehlau prevents any annoying investigations. I hear that you +pass for the son of an early friend of his, who has been brought up in +his household; a perfectly satisfactory expedient. Moreover, your +father has been dead more than twenty years, and he spent the latter +part of his life in foreign countries. Then, too, so far as I know, he +never openly transgressed any law of the land."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words were like a dagger thrust,--'so far as I know!' Michael had +grown ghastly pale; he made no reply, but shot a baleful glance at the +man who so pitilessly stretched him on the rack, and who continued in +the same cold, calm manner: "The affair would wear an entirely +different aspect if you should mention your mother's name. It would, of +course, create a vast sensation in aristocratic circles, and in the +army it would give rise to endless gossip, which would be annoying, and +perhaps dangerous, for in such cases rumour always transcends reality, +and all that has been buried in oblivion for half a lifetime would be +ruthlessly dragged to light. I leave it to you whether you could or +would endure to have your father's memory thus resuscitated. With +regard to my position in the matter, I can only appeal to your sense of +justice, which will tell you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stay!" the young officer interrupted him in a half-stifled tone. +"Spare me further words, your Excellency. I have already told you that +this entire explanation was superfluous, since I have never for an +instant contemplated giving publicity to a relationship quite as +distasteful to me as to you. I thought I had made this sufficiently +clear at our first interview, when I declined your offered 'patronage.' +I see now that it was to have been the price of my silence."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael's words were uttered with extreme bitterness, and his hand +rested heavily upon the hilt of his sword, but he preserved his +self-control, although by an extreme effort of will. The general +probably perceived this, for he said, in a tone perceptibly gentler, +"That is a very erroneous view of the case. I repeat, I do not wish to +offend you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not?" Michael burst forth, indignantly. "What is this entire +interview but an offence, an insult, from first to last? What do you +call it, then, this subjecting a son to listen to such words regarding +his father, clearly explaining to him the while that therefore he +himself has forfeited all claim to consideration? I can neither defend +nor avenge my father,--he has deprived me of the right to do so,--and +you suppose that I do not suffer under this consciousness! There was a +time when it wellnigh ruined me, until I roused myself to do battle +with the phantom. I am but at the outset of my career. I have no record +to show as yet. When a lifetime filled with honest effort and +fulfilment of duty lies behind me, that old phantom will have vanished. +Men are not all as pitiless as yourself, Count Steinrück, and, thank +God! all have not an escutcheon that must be kept free from stain."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general suddenly arose with the commanding air with which he was +wont to rebuke presumption or arrogance. "Take care, Lieutenant +Rodenberg; you forget in whose presence you are."</p> + +<p class="normal">"In that of my grandfather, who can, perhaps, forget for a few moments +that he is also my general. Fear nothing; it is the first time that I +ever called you thus, and it will be the last. For me there are no +tender or sacred associations with the name. My mother died in misery +and want, in agony and despair, but she never once opened her lips to +ask aid of him who could have saved both her child and herself by a +word. She knew her father."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, she knew him," said Steinrück, sternly. "When she fled from her +father's house to be the wife of an adventurer she knew that every tie +binding her to her home was severed, that there could be no return, and +no reconciliation. Will her son presume to condemn the severity of an +outraged father?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," replied Michael; "I know that my mother openly defied you, that +she had forfeited her home, and that if the father's heart was silent, +and only his sense of justice spoke, he could not but repudiate her. +But I know, also, that her worst crime lay in her following a bourgeois +adventurer. Had he been her equal in rank, the prodigal, debauched son +of some noble family, she would not have been so irrevocably condemned, +her father's arms would have been opened to her in her misery, and her +son would not now have had his father's memory cast up to him as a +disgrace. I should have inherited an ancient name; all else would have +been carefully suppressed. Most assuredly I should not have been +consigned to the hands of a Wolfram, that I might go to ruin."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general's eyes flashed, but he gave up treating the young officer +any longer as a stranger; he now spoke angrily, but it was to a +grandson: "Not another word, Michael! I am not accustomed to be thus +addressed. Of what do you dare to accuse me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of what I can vouch for, for it is the truth," declared Michael, +returning the Count's look of menace. "It would have been easy for you +to place the orphaned boy in some remote educational establishment, +where you never would have seen or heard of him, but where at least he +might have been made fit for something in life; but this was just what +must not be. Therefore I was exiled to a lonely forest, where, with +only rude and rough companionship, blows and hard words were all the +instruction I received; where all intellectual aspiration was +suppressed, all talent ignored, and the only aim was to make of me a +rude, ignorant boor, whose life was to be wasted in the depths of the +forest. A stranger hand snatched me from that misery. I owe my +education, the social position in which I now confront you, to a +stranger. To my near relatives I should have owed only intellectual +death."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück seemed speechless at the young officer's incredible audacity, +but it was not that alone that silenced him. Once before, years +previously, he had heard similar words; the same reproach had been +uttered by a priest. Now they were hurled in his face with fiery +energy, and the accusation came from the lips of him whom he certainly +had hoped to make harmless by a 'peasant life.' Count Michael was not +the man to receive an offence or an insult in silence; but now he had +no reply to make, for he felt the truth of what the young officer had +said. If he had formerly refrained from any clear analysis of his mode +of action, it was distinctly revealed to him now as in a mirror, and it +was an ugly sight,--one quite unworthy the proud wearer of the +Steinrück name.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem not yet to have entirely forgotten Wolfram's teaching," he +said at last. "Do you wish to raise another disturbance, as you did +formerly at Steinrück? This looks like it."</p> + +<p class="normal">He could not have done worse than to evoke this memory. Ten years had +passed, but Michael's blood still boiled at the remembrance which +goaded him to fresh indignation. "Then you called me thief," he said, +in a terrible tone; "without proof, without examination, upon a mere +suspicion! You would have allowed any one of your servants to exculpate +himself, but your grandson was immediately pronounced a criminal. Yes, +I then seized upon the first thing at hand that could serve as a +weapon; I did not know that it was my own grandfather that had so +disgraced me, but from the hour when I learned it I was filled with a +burning desire for retribution."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Michael!" the general interrupted him, warningly "Not another word in +that tone, which is unbecoming both to your superior officer and to +your mother's father. I forbid it, and you must obey!"</p> + +<p class="normal">When Count Steinrück spoke in this tone he was accustomed to implicit +obedience; but here, for the first time, his personality failed of its +effect. Even Raoul, who was by no means easily daunted, bowed before +the angry glance of those eyes, but Michael did not bow. He did, +indeed, by an effort recover his self-possession, but if his voice +sounded more quiet and controlled, it had lost none of its firmness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"As your Excellency commands. I did not seek this interview: it was +forced upon me; but I imagine you are now entirely relieved of all fear +lest I should presume upon any tie of relationship. You fancy yourself, +with your ancient pedigree, exalted far above the world around us; you +have, with an iron hand, thrust out and blotted from your life the only +member of your family who dared to defy your pride of ancestry. But +your escutcheon is not, after all, as high as the sun in the heavens; +there may come a day when it will wear a stain that you cannot wipe +out. Then you will know what it is to be obliged, while a passionate +love of honour glows in your heart, to atone for the sin and the +disgrace of another, as you now force me to expiate the memory of my +father; then you will comprehend what a pitiless judge you have been +towards my mother. May I consider myself dismissed, your Excellency?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood erect in stiff military guise. The general did not reply; +something like a shudder thrilled through him at Michael's words, +sounding as they did almost prophetic; for an instant there rose before +his mind something dark and formless, like a foreboding of coming evil, +but it faded instantly. He mutely motioned to the young officer to +withdraw, and Michael went without one backward glance. In another +minute the door was closed behind him.</p> + +<p class="normal">When Steinrück was alone he began to pace the room restlessly to and +fro, but his glance rested again and again upon a portrait on the wall +of himself as a young officer. No, there was no resemblance between +that handsome head, with its nobly-formed, regular features, and that +other characteristic but plain face, not the least! And yet those very +eyes had flashed at him from that face; it was his voice that he had +heard from Michael's lips, and his was the inflexible pride, the iron +resolve which did not shun a strife with whatever life might bring; the +resemblance lay, not in the features, but in the look and the air.</p> + +<p class="normal">This was borne in irresistibly upon the mind of the Count, as he stood +still at last, and gazed fixedly and gloomily at his youthful +presentment. He was indignant, offended, and yet there was in his soul +a glimmer of something which had always been lacking in his thoughts of +his son and his grandson,--the consciousness that there existed an heir +of his blood, and of his character. He had tried in vain to discover a +trace of it in Raoul,--in vain! But the repudiated son of the outcast +daughter, the young man who had just left his presence as a stranger, +had this blood in his veins, and in spite of all his hatred and +indignation his grandfather felt that he was an offshoot of his race.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">Professor Wehlau occupied a moderately-sized but very pretty +villa in +the western part of the city. The garden attached to it was large, and +the comfortable and tasteful arrangement of the whole bore witness to +the fact that advanced science is in no wise hostile to the amenities +of life.</p> + +<p class="normal">The winter was nearing its end; March had begun, and the air was full +of hints of spring. In the Wehlau mansion, however, there was always a +threatening of storm; the discord between father and son was still far +from being resolved into harmony, and the 'thunder-cloud,' as Hans +disrespectfully dubbed his father's mood, frequently lowered above his +head. This was the case to-day, when the young artist was sitting in +the study of the Professor, who had just emptied the vials of his wrath +upon his disobedient son.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Look at Michael," he said at last, in conclusion. "He knows what it is +to work, and he gets on in the world. Here he is a captain at only +twenty-nine,--and what are you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish Michael would for once make an infernal ass of himself!" Hans +said, fretfully, "just that I might not have his excellence forever +dinned into my ears. You behold in the new-fangled captain the future +general field-marshal, who will win no end of battles for our country, +and in your son, your own flesh and blood, a fellow of undoubted +genius, you see nothing to admire. Really, father, it is past +endurance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have done with your nonsense!" Wehlau interrupted him in the +worst possible humour. "You would fain persuade me that you are +'industrious'! Of course, according to your artistic conception of the +word! Run about and amuse yourself for half the day, under the pretence +of making studies, and spend the rest of it playing all kinds of pranks +in the various studios! And then comes the inevitable Italian tour, +when amusement is the order of the day, all of course in the interest +of art! And that you call working industriously! Oh, the life is +precisely to your taste, and, moreover, it is the only one for which +you are fit."</p> + +<p class="normal">These reproaches, unfortunately, produced not the slightest effect. +Hans seated himself astride of his chair and rejoined without any +irritation, "Don't scold, papa, or I will paint you life-size and +present the portrait to the university, which will, you may be sure, +return me a vote of thanks. I have long wanted to ask you to sit to +me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is too much!" the Professor burst forth. "I positively forbid you +to represent me with your daubs."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then come at least and see my studio. You have never seen one of my +'daubs.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," growled Wehlau, "I will not put myself in the way of being so +irritated; crazy, idealistic stuff,--faded sentimentality,--at best +some exasperating caricature. You never can go beyond that, as I know +well enough. I do not want to see or to hear anything of the matter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you have heard something of it already," the young artist said, +with exultation. "When I sent the portrait of my master, Professor +Walter, to the exhibition, various newspapers discussed it; one of them +even introduced a very agreeable variation of the usual theme, 'the son +of our distinguished investigator;' it said, 'the talented son of a +distinguished father!' Take care, papa, I shall one day cast all your +scientific fame into the shade. But will you excuse me now? I am to +have some distinguished visitors."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wehlau shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. "Fine visitors, I've no +doubt!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Countesses Steinrück, an it please you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! they are going to pay <i>you</i> a visit?" The Professor gazed at his +son in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course; we are beginning to be famous, and we receive the +aristocracy in our studio. It is not all in vain to be the 'talented +son of a distinguished father.' Are you really determined not to sit to +me for your portrait, papa?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Confound you, no!" shouted the Professor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very well; then I shall paint you clandestinely, and shall send you +treacherously to the exhibition. Adieu, papa!"</p> + +<p class="normal">And with the most amiable smile, as if the best understanding reigned +between himself and his father, Hans withdrew. Outside the door he +encountered Michael, who had just come home, and who asked him whether +the Professor were in his study.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; but there is thunder in the air again," said Hans. "Come to the +studio for half an hour, Michael, after you have seen my father. I want +to make a slight change in my picture, and I must have you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young officer nodded compliance, and went to the Professor, whose +gloomy face brightened somewhat at his entrance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad you are come," he said. "Hans has just irritated me to such +a degree that I fairly long for the sight of a sensible man."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What has Hans been doing now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing at all; that's just it. I have been remonstrating with him +about the idleness to which he has been given over for the past five +months, and which he is pleased to call work. And what effect do you +suppose I produced? None, except to make him more nonsensical than +ever. That boy will be my death."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not be unjust, uncle," said Michael, reproachfully. "You know that +Hans is at work upon an important picture, and I assure you that he +works very hard, although you persistently refuse to bestow a glance +upon it. I should suppose that you, as well as the rest of us, have had +sufficient proof of his talent. His portrait of Professor Walter made +quite a sensation; it was universally admired, and the newspapers even +alluded to----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To 'the talented son of a distinguished father!'" Wehlau angrily +interrupted him. "Are you going to harp upon the same string? Have I +not had to endure all sorts of congratulations, and have I not been +rude enough in reply to them? But 'tis of no use. Every one sides with +the boy; everybody takes his part, and is immensely delighted with the +trick he played me at the university."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Even Professor Bauer took his part, as you call it, when he stopped to +see you on his way through the city," interposed Michael.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, that capped the climax. 'Do you know,' I asked him, 'how that +wretched lad of mine employed himself at your lectures? He caricatured +you and your audience. He made a sketch of you, recognizable at once, +surrounded by all the emblems of natural science, stirring up the four +elements in a witches' caldron, while your favourite pupils were +blowing the fire.' And what was his reply? 'I know, my dear friend, I +know. I saw the picture, and it really was so clever, so capitally +done, that I had to laugh and forgive my recreant pupil on the spot; do +you do the same.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You had better take his advice, uncle. However, I only meant to say +good-morning. I promised Hans to go to his studio."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To his studio?" the Professor said, with a sneer. "There must be a +deal going on there. I wish that pavilion in the garden had been dark +as pitch, and foul with damp, rather than have that fellow daubing +there. He has taken up his abode right under my nose, as if it were the +most natural thing in the world. Go, go, for all I care, to the +'studio'! The aristocracy may stare, if they choose, at what it +contains,--I'll not set my foot inside it, you may rely upon that."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned grumbling to his books, and Michael, who knew that it was +best to leave him alone in his present mood, betook himself to his +friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">The pavilion in which the young painter had temporarily set up his +modest studio was at the end of the garden, and contained one +good-sized room. A window had been closed up, another enlarged, a +skylight had been put in, and thus had been arranged the studio that so +outraged the Professor, all the more that his permission had never been +asked for these changes. Hans always pursued the same line of conduct +with his father. 'Certainly, sir,' was his constant phrase, while he +calmly and persistently acted in direct opposition to his parent's +commands; this being in fact the only way to deal with the choleric old +Herr.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wehlau had in the harshest terms refused to supply his son with the +means for renting a studio, and Hans, who as yet had no income of his +own, was forced to submit. But that very day he took possession of the +garden pavilion, sent for masons and carpenters, had everything +arranged according to his wishes, and when his father returned from a +short excursion he found the bill for the whole upon his writing-table. +Of course the Professor was furious; he protested that he would have +nothing of the kind upon his property, and would not even glance +towards the pavilion; but he paid the bill, and Hans had again carried +his point.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the present moment the young artist was standing before his easel, +painting away at a large picture, while Michael stood opposite him with +folded arms, leaning against a short pillar. Conversation was evidently +at a stand-still, quite ten minutes having passed without a word from +either of the two; suddenly Hans paused in his work and said, "I tell +you what, Michael, you're no good to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael seemed to have entirely forgotten that he was there as a model +for his friend. There was something in his look of the old boyish +dreaminess. At the sound of Hans's voice he started as if awakening. +"Who? I? Why not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There it is! Yon start like a somnambulist suddenly awakened. What +were you thinking of? You have been a perfect John-a-Dreams since we +came back from the mountains. You are not the same fellow at all."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young captain passed his hand across his forehead and smiled in a +constrained way. "I think I need active service. I may have overtasked +my brain during these last few months."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Probably. You are a thorough fanatic in respect to work,--quite unlike +myself. But please do me the favour of adopting another expression of +countenance; I can do nothing at all with your present melancholy air."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How shall I look, then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"As furious as possible. Just as my papa looks when he surveys my +studio at the distance of a couple of hundred paces, only grander, more +heroic. Oh, you can look just as I want you to, and I have been +tormenting myself for weeks with trying to put what I mean on canvas, +and in vain. I must copy it from nature, and you must help me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot understand why you are so persistently determined to make use +of my face," Michael said, impatiently. "It is not at all suitable for +an ideal picture, and it is not in the least like the face you have put +upon your canvas."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You don't understand," Hans declared, with an air of conviction. "Your +face is the best model I could have. Of course I shall not make the +thing a portrait. All that I can use of your features is already in the +picture. But the expression,--the eyes are all wrong! I wish I could +provoke you to the last degree,--put you into such a passion with +something that you would like to hurl it into an abyss ten hundred +thousand fathoms deep, after the example of your namesake with the Evil +One,--then I should be all right!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your desire is very disinterested. Unfortunately, there is little hope +of its fulfilment, for I am not in a mood to be provoked."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, you are in a very tiresome mood, to which your face is admirably +adapted; we must give it up for to-day. 'Tis a pity; I should like to +give the characteristic expression to my archangel to-day, for he is to +be marched out before the aristocratic family whose patron saint he +is."</p> + +<p class="normal">He laid aside his palette and brush with a sigh, but Michael had +suddenly grown attentive.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Before whom is he to be marched out?" said he.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Before the Countess Steinrück and her daughter---- What's the matter?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing; I am only surprised that they should visit your studio. Did +you invite them to come?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not exactly, but it came about in the course of conversation. I met +the ladies yesterday at Frau von Reval's; they asked about my pictures, +the subject of this one seemed to interest them, and they arranged to +come here to-day. I have a suspicion that they are thinking of giving +me a commission for the church of their patron saint, which would +gratify me hugely, for it would prove to my father that my 'daubing' +might have practical results; at present he thinks it all child's play. +What! are you going?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; you do not want me any longer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; but I told the Countess, who asked after you, that you were always +at home at this time, and would be delighted to pay your respects to +her."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael's face grew dark; he seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then +said, coldly, "Then I cannot but stay."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Assuredly not, if you would atone in any degree for your +unconscionable behaviour in the summer. The Countess Hertha was +evidently provoked about it; I perceived that very clearly when you +were spoken of. Moreover, she was very grave and depressed yesterday."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Happily betrothed as she is?"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was contempt in the tone of inquiry, but Hans took no notice of +it as he went on: "Why, as for her future happiness, I should hardly go +surety for that. If the old general thinks he can restrain his grandson +and keep him within bounds by this marriage, he is greatly mistaken."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How so? What do you know of the young fellow?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hear enough of him. An artist frequents all kinds of society, and I +have met the young Count several times. He is undeniably attractive, +talented, chivalrously amiable, but I am afraid---- There come the +ladies. Their carriage has just driven up. I call that punctuality."</p> + +<p class="normal">He had cast a glance through the window, and had seen the Countess +Steinrück and her daughter in the act of alighting from their carriage, +which was drawn up before the garden-gate. He hastened to receive them, +and in a few minutes ushered them into the studio.</p> + +<p class="normal">Captain Rodenberg had not seen the ladies since meeting them at St. +Michael's, although they had been in town for six weeks, for they +frequented aristocratic circles almost exclusively. The Countess +returned his salutation with her accustomed gentle cordiality. She no +longer reproached him for not coming to Castle Steinrück, in spite of +her express invitation, for she had learned in conversation with the +general that the young officer for some reason or other was not liked +by his chief. He probably was aware of this, and hence his reserve; but +the gentle lady felt herself all the more called upon to treat him with +the greatest kindness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We have not seen each other for a long time," she said, offering him +her hand; "and our last meeting at St. Michael was disturbed by my +daughter's indisposition. Hertha was very imprudent to stay out in the +open air while a storm was coming up, and then to come home through the +rising tempest. It was fortunate that the rain fell only in the +valleys, or her cold might have had serious results."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael touched the offered hand with his lips, and bowed low to the +young Countess, who had taken advantage of the first available pretext +to avoid a meeting which, after the scene on the mountain roadside, +would have been impossible for each of those concerned. He had seen the +ladies only for an instant, when he had taken leave of them as they +were getting into their carriage. Now the young Countess hastily +interposed, "It was of no consequence, mamma; I begged you to hasten +your departure only because I knew how anxious you always are."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nevertheless, you were indisposed for several days," observed her +mother. "I am sure that Lieutenant Rodenberg, or rather----" She +glanced at his uniform. "You have since been promoted, I see. Let me +congratulate you, Captain Rodenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He has worn his new dignity for two weeks now," said Hans. "I have +begged permission to paint the future general as soon as that rank is +attained."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess smiled. "Well, who knows? Captain Rodenberg advances +quickly in his career. We, too, have had an event in our family, of +which you may have heard; my daughter has been betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am aware of it." Michael turned to Hertha, whose eyes for the first +time encountered his own. He was forced to utter his good wishes upon +the occasion of her betrothal; but if she looked for any sign of +agitation in his manner, any trace of the passionate gleam that +sometimes proved the traitor to his cold reserve, she was mistaken. His +bow was as coolly courteous as his words were purely conventional. They +could not have been more politely or more indifferently uttered to one +whom he had never before seen.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Countess Hertha is in her haughtiest mood to-day," Hans thought, +observing the air with which she received Michael's good wishes, as he +led the ladies to the picture, which occupied the prominent place in +the studio, although it was only partly finished. The life-size figure +of the Archangel stood forth powerfully and effectively upon the +canvas, but the face was unfinished, and the head of the Fiend was only +sketched in. Nevertheless, the grandeur and boldness of the conception +of the picture were manifest, as were also the technical skill and the +artistic force of the young painter, who might well be content with the +impression produced by his work.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha, who first approached the picture, shuddered slightly, and cast +a glance of surprised inquiry at the artist, while her mother, who had +followed her immediately, exclaimed, eagerly, "That is--no, it is not +Captain Rodenberg, but you have made your archangel strikingly like +him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very naturally, since he was my model," Hans said, with a laugh. "I +have indeed only made use of his characteristic expression,--one of +indignant reproof."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess seemed quite carried away by the picture, and was lavish +in her praise. Hertha thought the conception fine, the composition +broad, the colouring magnificent, but while noticing and admiring all +this, she had no word of praise for the countenance of the Saint.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans, with his wonted amiability, played the part of cicerone to the +ladies in his studio, since they were desirous to see all his work. He +brought out a picture that had been leaning face to the wall, set it +up, and was endeavouring to place it in the best light, while the +Countess opened a large portfolio lying upon the table, containing a +number of sketches and studies, all the result of the young artist's +last autumnal excursion,--clever drawings of huntsmen and peasants in +the national costume, with here and there a head of some pretty +peasant-girl; there was a sketch--slight enough, but wonderfully +like--of the priest of Saint Michael, and there were various mountain +and forest views, all so fresh and full of life that the Countess +turned over leaf after leaf with delight. Suddenly Hans perceived what +she was doing, and hurried towards her as if to guard his portfolio +from attack: "Allow me, madame,--the portfolio is very awkwardly +placed. Let me show you the sketches," he said, hastily, pushing +forward a chair with eager courtesy, and beginning to lay the sketches +out upon the table one by one. As he did so, he took one of them, +apparently by chance, and laid it aside.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Am I not to see that drawing?" the lady asked, a fleeting glimpse +having shown her a study of the head of a young girl.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, it is not worth showing. A mere study,--a failure," the young man +declared, but his face flushed as he spoke.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess shook her finger at him: "Aha! Herr Hans Wehlau seems to +have secrets of his own. Who can tell what romances have been woven +among the mountains?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans defended himself with a laugh; but when the portfolio had been +looked through, and the Countess turned to the picture he had placed +on an easel, he thought it best to hide his 'failure' behind a +window-curtain, where it was quite safe from curious eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha was still standing before the large painting, and Michael was at +her side. He made no attempt to avoid her, but kept his place with +perfect composure, and went on talking of his friend's talent, of his +prospects, of his intention to compete for the prize offered for a +large historical painting, and of the sketches he had already made of +it. The entire absence of constraint in his conversation was a relief +to the young Countess, although it slightly embarrassed her. Woman of +the world though she were, she could hardly adopt the same tone +after--after that hour at Saint Michael.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I frankly confess," she said, in an undertone, "that this picture of +Herr Wehlau's surprises me. We have known only one side of his talent. +His sketches and caricatures at M----, where we met him, were clever, +and abounded in merriment, like himself. I should not have credited him +with the force, the energy, shown in this work."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet it has been play to him," observed Rodenberg. "Hans is one of +those fortunate beings who attain the highest aims almost without any +effort. To all his other physical and mental endowments a kind fate +added this talent, which lifts him far above all commonplace +existence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A kind fate, indeed. Do you not envy your friend these gifts?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I should scarcely know how to prize them, for I value highest what +must be struggled for. Hans, with his constantly cheerful, sunny +disposition, is born for the smiles and sunshine of existence; I am +created more for the tempests and conflicts of life. Each has a part to +play."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha gazed at the picture that portrayed a scene of tempest and +conflict. She knew that the man beside her could contend not only with +an enemy from without, but with himself, if need were. She had seen him +when his every fibre was quivering with passion, and yet here he stood +beside her, perfectly composed and calm; not one traitorous glance gave +the lie to his repose of manner. Her presence seemed to produce not the +slightest effect upon him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you prefer conflict, then?" she asked, with something of a sneer. +"You seem to me very ambitious, Captain Rodenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It may be so. I certainly wish to rise, and no one can do so who does +not at the outset fix his eyes upon a lofty goal. I can never be aided +and abetted by circumstances, like my friend Hans, but it is surely +worth something to be conscious of being entirely self-dependent; to +know that you have no one save yourself, and that you likewise belong +to no one save yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Quietly as the words were uttered, there was iron resolution in them, +and they were comprehended. Hertha suddenly turned her eyes full upon +the speaker, with something like anger gleaming in their depths. "And +you really think thus? Can ambition, indeed, indemnify you for all +else?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," was the cold reply. "All that I carry towards the future with me +is gratitude to the man who has been a father to me, and friendship for +his son; in all other respects I have cleared away everything from my +path."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Countess's lip quivered slightly, but she held her head +proudly erect as she said, "Good fortune attend you, Captain Rodenberg. +I do not doubt that you will make a career for yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">She turned away to her mother, but while together they discussed his +sketches with the young painter, Hertha's thoughts were busy with the +last conversation. She could not have been more distinctly informed +that Michael had come off conqueror in his struggle, and the conviction +that this was the case aroused an inexplicable emotion within her. He +had chosen to crush out and annihilate his love, and speedy success had +crowned his efforts.</p> + +<p class="normal">When the Countess took leave of the young artist, Michael paid his +farewell respects in the studio, while Hans escorted the ladies to +their carriage. When he returned, he made haste to take the 'failure' +from its hiding-place and to put it in a separate portfolio, which he +locked up. "There would have been a pretty to-do if the Countess +had seen this," said he; "she would instantly have recognized her +god-child, and what would have become of the dignity of Hans Wehlau +Wehlenberg of the Forschungstein? He would no longer have formed a part +of the chivalric reminiscences of the Ebersburg."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whom did the picture represent?" asked Michael, who had been pacing +the floor, lost in thought.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gerlinda von Eberstein. I drew it from memory. I told you of my +adventure among the mountains, and of my promotion in rank. 'Tis odd, +but I cannot help thinking continually of the little Dornröschen, who +seemed so ridiculous, and yet was so lovely; she thrusts herself +between me and all other memories. Just now, in presence of the Fair +One with the Golden Locks, I was haunted by her sweet little face with +its dark eyes looking out so dreamily upon a world that vanished ages +ago. Moreover, Countess Hertha seems to me changed since her betrothal. +It is sure to be so in these <i>mariages de convenance</i>, where there is +no question of love. Count Raoul is not so very much devoted, either, +to his fair betrothed; he certainly is wilder and more dissipated than +ever, and I am greatly mistaken if he is not entangled elsewhere."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael suddenly stood still. "What? Now? And betrothed? That would be +villanous!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans looked at him in surprise. "What a tragic tone! Are you acquainted +with the young Count?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I first saw him at the general's, and since then we have met several +times. I was compelled to make it emphatically clear to him that he was +in company of an officer who, if need were, would exact the +consideration he seemed inclined to deny him. He seemed to understand +at last."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a peculiar expression in the glance which the young artist +riveted upon his friend, while with apparent unconcern he took up his +palette and brushes and began to paint again. "You surprise me. Count +Raoul probably prides himself upon his long line of ancestors, but I +have never found him as haughty as is usual with his class. He must +have some reason for disliking you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Or I for disliking him? I think each is pretty well aware of the +other's sentiments."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Aha! now it's coming," Hans muttered to himself, while he painted +away. Then aloud, he continued, quietly: "You see, I have only known +the amiable side of the Count. As for his betrothal, every one knows +that it is all his grandfather's doing. His Excellency commanded, and +the grandson bowed to his august will."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So much the worse, and the more pitiable," Rodenberg burst forth. "Who +forced him to obey? Why did he not refuse to comply? The fact is that +this much-lauded, accomplished Steinrück is, with all his boasted +chivalry, but a poor coward where there is any need of moral courage."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was so passionate a hatred expressed in his words that Hans was +startled. But with the egotism of the artist, who has no regard save +for his work, and who overlooks all else, he never sought to discover +the cause of his friend's almost savage irritability. He continued to +gaze at him steadily, while his brush made stroke after stroke upon the +canvas. "I think the Count would have come to grief if he had attempted +any resistance," he observed. "They say the general preserves the same +discipline in his household as among his soldiers, and will not suffer +any opposition to his will. You know your iron chief. How would you +like to confront him with a frank 'no'?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have said much more to him than merely 'no.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You--to the general?" Hans was so astonished that for a moment he +stopped painting. Michael forgot all his usual caution, and went on, +carried away by his emotion: "To General Count Steinrück? Yes. He tried +to quell me with his commanding glance, and ordered me to be silent in +the tone to which every one else bows; but I was not silent. He had to +hear from my lips what he had probably never in his life heard before. +I hurled it ruthlessly in his teeth, and he listened. Now, indeed, we +are done with each other, but he knows how much I value his name and +his coronet, and that as for him and his entire race, I----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Would fain dash them down ten hundred thousand fathoms deep into the +burning pit! At last!" the artist burst forth, exultantly, as he laid +down his brush. "Bravo, Michael! Now you can be good-humoured again; I +have got it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Got what?" asked Michael.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The expression, the glance of flame, for which I have been looking so +long. You were incomparable in your indignation,--you were Saint +Michael himself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg seemed to recollect himself for the first time; he bit his +lip. "And you have been all this time studying me in cold blood? Hans, +it is unpardonable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Possibly, but it was necessary. Look at the picture yourself; see that +brow and those eyes. I hit it off with a few strokes of the brush."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael, still irritated and annoyed, approached the easel and looked +at the picture. He was struck with the change in it, but before he +could speak Hans threw his arm around his shoulder and said, with +sudden seriousness, "Come, tell me about yourself and the Steinrücks. +Why do you hate Count Raoul, and what gives you the right to say such +things to the general, your chief? There must be something here which +yon have concealed from me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg made no reply, and turned away.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do I not deserve your confidence?" Hans asked, reproachfully. "I never +have had a secret from you. What are your relations with Steinrück?"</p> + +<p class="normal">There ensued a brief pause, and then Michael said, coldly and sternly, +"The same as Count Raoul's."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans stared at him in blank incredulity; he could not trust his ears. +"What do you mean? The general----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is the father of my mother. Her name was Louise Steinrück."</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">March of this year was a very disagreeable month. After being +ushered +in by a few bright sunny days it veiled the city in gray mist and rain +for weeks. The first buds perished of cold and damp, and people gazed +out from behind their window-panes, disgusted with the spring month +that did so little honour to its name.</p> + +<p class="normal">On one of these rainy afternoons Count Raoul Steinrück mounted the +steps and pulled the bell of the apartments upon the first floor of a +house in the fashionable quarter of the city. He must have been well +known to the servant who opened the door, for he merely bowed in answer +to the inquiry whether Herr de Clermont was at home, and admitted the +visitor without further question.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count entered the drawing-room, in which, in spite of its +rich furniture, an air of comfort was lacking. All the demands of the +prevailing fashion were fully met in its arrangement, but there was +nothing to indicate the individuality of the owners of the apartment. +Everything seemed placed where it was only for the time being, and to +suggest that the entire interior might shortly be removed, to be put at +the disposal of others requiring a temporary home.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the Count's entrance a young man who had been standing at a window +turned and came towards him eagerly. "Ah, here you are, Raoul! We had +given you up for to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have only half an hour," said Raoul, taking off his overcoat and +throwing himself into a chair with an ease betokening that he was quite +at home here. "I have just come from the department."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the future minister has of course brought away a fit of +ill-humour," said Clermont, laughing. "Important government +business,--oh, we have no chance at all where that is in question."</p> + +<p class="normal">The conversation was carried on in French. Henri de Clermont was +perhaps a few years older than the young Count Steinrück, and was +wonderfully attractive in appearance and manner, although the innocent +gayety of his air was not entirely in harmony with the keen glance of +his dark eyes, which were those of a sharp observer. They now rested +searchingly upon Raoul's countenance as he replied, impatiently,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"Minister--government business--of course! If you only knew what an +endless waste of dulness and ennui there is to be struggled through. I +have been an entire year in the department, and nothing has yet fallen +to my lot save the veriest trifles. A Count Steinrück is of no more +importance to our chief than is any one of his bourgeois officials, and +indeed not of as much if the latter happens to have a greater power of +application. You must rise from the ranks."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, you Germans are wonderfully thorough in such matters," Clermont +said, ironically. "With us one rises more quickly with a name and +connections to aid him. And so you have been intrusted as yet with +nothing important?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No." Raoul glanced impatiently towards the door that led into the next +apartment, as if expecting some one. "At best a transcript of some +confidential transaction, in which the name and position of the one +concerned are due warranty for his silence; and this may go on for +years."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you can endure it. Do you really mean to remain in the government +employ?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count looked up surprised. "Certainly; why not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's an odd question for a man who is about to marry a very wealthy +heiress. You might live in future as sovereign lord upon your estates, +although I hardly think such an existence would satisfy you. You need +life, society, the stir and action of a capital. Well, contrive to +become attached to the embassy at Paris, as your father was before you. +It cannot be a difficult position to attain if one pulls the right +wires, and the dearest wish of your mother's heart would then be +fulfilled."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And my grandfather? He never would consent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If he were consulted; but his power ceases with the termination of his +guardianship of your future wife. The will settles that. When does the +Countess Hertha come of age?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Upon her twentieth birthday,--next autumn."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And then you need consult no one, and heed nothing save the wishes of +your young wife, who will hardly refuse to live with you in the capital +of Europe, its brilliant centre. The general's views can then have no +weight with you or with her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not know my grandfather," said Raoul, gloomily. "He will +maintain his authority even then, and I---- Is Madame de Nérac not +visible to-day?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"She is dressing; we are going out to dine. Where shall you be this +evening?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"With my betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what a face you put on as you announce it!" Clermont said, +laughing. "Every one envies you your brilliant match, and with justice. +Countess Hertha is beautiful, wealthy, and----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Cold as ice." Raoul completed the sentence with a bitter intonation. +"I can assure you that I am not so much to be envied as you suppose."</p> + +<p class="normal">"True, the young Countess has a certain reputation for caprice. But +that is the prerogative of handsome women."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If it were caprice only, that would be nothing new: she was always +capricious. But since our betrothal she has adopted a distant tone; she +is perfectly unapproachable. It puts my patience to the severest test. +I cannot stand it much longer."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was extreme irritation in his tone. Clermont shrugged his +shoulders. "Who of us can make his own choice? I cannot, although +sooner or later I must marry, and my sister was married at sixteen to a +man over fifty, Needs must."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul scarcely heard the last words; he had continued to watch the door +expectantly, and he suddenly started up, for it opened, and a silken +train rustled across the threshold.</p> + +<p class="normal">The lady who entered was of medium height, slender, and, although no +longer in her first youth, exquisitely graceful. Her face could not be +called beautiful, perhaps not even pretty, but it had an odd, piquant +charm of its own. The black hair dressed in short close curls all over +the head made the face look younger than it really was; there was a +tender, veiled look in the dark eyes, which could, nevertheless, +sparkle brilliantly, as they did now when they perceived the young +Count. In vain was all attempt to analyze the charm that lay in those +irregular and scarcely refined features; there it was, and when the +face grew animated in conversation every line of it was interesting and +brilliant.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul had risen instantly and hastened towards the new-comer, whose +hand he raised to his lips. "I have only a moment," he said, "but I +could not help waiting for a glimpse of you, since Henri tells me you +are going out."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, we need not go for half an hour yet," Frau von Nérac said, with a +glance at the clock. "You see, Henri is not dressed yet."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must go and dress now," said Clermont. "Excuse me, Raoul; I shall be +here again shortly."</p> + +<p class="normal">He left the room, and Raoul certainly seemed nothing loath to be left +to a <i>tête-à-tête</i> with his friend's sister. He took a seat opposite +her, and in a few moments the pair were engaged in eager and lively +conversation, chiefly concerning airy trifles, but gay and brilliant in +the extreme. Frau von Nérac showed herself a mistress of persiflage, +and the young Count was no whit her inferior in this regard. The cloud +upon his brow vanished, leaving not a trace; he was in his element.</p> + +<p class="normal">But suddenly the talk took a different turn. Raoul casually mentioned +Castle Steinrück, and the name evoked a smile from Frau von Nérac that +was half sarcastic, half malicious. "Ah, the castle in the mountains," +said she; "Henri and I were to have made acquaintance with it, but +unfortunately our visit was prevented by the indisposition of the +Countess."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My mother suffers frequently from those nervous attacks; they are very +sudden, and very distressing," said Raoul, quickly overcoming his +embarrassment. "They deprived her, on that occasion, of the pleasure of +receiving her guests."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Nérac smiled again very sweetly and very significantly. "I am +afraid that the guests were the cause of the nervous attack."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Madame!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The general may have had some share in it; but we certainly were the +innocent cause."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You still visit upon me that unfortunate occurrence," Raoul said; +"Henri does not; he knows how difficult is the position in which my +mother and I are placed, and makes allowances."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So do I. I persisted in going to see the Countess, although we were +obliged to confine ourselves to the merest call, since the general did +not feel called upon to renew the invitation. His Excellency seems to +be a very absolute monarch, and he certainly has a very obedient +grandson."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What can I do but obey!" exclaimed Raoul, with suppressed impatience. +"My mother is right: she and I are both subject to an iron will that is +wont recklessly to bend everything beneath it and to break what will +not bend. If you knew how humiliating it is to be lectured, examined, +hectored like a boy! I have had enough, and more than enough, of it +all!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He had started up in his agitation, whilst Frau von Nérac, leaning back +gracefully in her chair, toyed with her fan, and now rejoined, very +calmly, "Well, all that will end with your marriage."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes,--with my marriage," the Count slowly repeated.</p> + +<p class="normal">"How tragic that sounds! Take care that the Countess Hertha does not +hear you speak in that tone; she might resent it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul did not reply, but went up to where the lady was sitting, and +bent over her: "Héloïse!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The word sounded half reproachful, half entreating, but was apparently +not understood, for she looked up at the speaker as though in surprise. +"Well?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You best know what this marriage is to me. I have been hurried into +it, over-persuaded by my mother, and I feel it to be a fetter even +before it has taken place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet it will take place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is the question."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a flash as of lightning in Héloïse's dark eyes; then her +eyelashes drooped, and, as she seemed to examine the picture on her +fan, she said, in a careless tone, "Would you attempt a rebellion? It +would raise a tempest indeed, and would call down upon you supreme +displeasure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What should I care, if I could but hope for a certain prize? For its +sake I would defy my grandfather's anger. I thought I should be able to +overcome--to forget--when Hertha should be my betrothed. I saw you +again, Héloïse, and I knew that the old spell was still around me, and +would always hold me fast. You are silent? Have you no word of reply +for me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">His eyes sought and found hers; her glance was veiled and tender, and +her voice was as tender as she said, softly, "You are a fool, Raoul!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you call it folly to desire happiness?" he exclaimed. "You are a +widow, Héloïse, you are free, and if----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He could not finish his sentence, for the door opened rather noisily +and Clermont entered. The intruder did not seem to notice his friend's +start, or the annoyed glance which his sister bestowed upon him, but +called out, gayly, "Here I am! Now we can have a quarter of an hour +together, Raoul."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count's face betrayed his annoyance at this interruption, +and, in the worst possible humour, he replied, "Unfortunately, I have +no more time. I told you I had but a minute. Madame----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned to Héloïse, and would apparently have addressed a question to +her in an undertone, but Clermont suddenly interposed between them, +and, laying his hand lightly upon his sister's arm, said, not without a +certain significance, "If you are really in such a hurry we will not +detain you, eh, Héloïse? Until tomorrow, then."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Until to-morrow," Raoul repeated, grasping his hand hurriedly. He was +evidently not inclined to make a confidant of his friend, but took his +leave in no very satisfied mood.</p> + +<p class="normal">Scarcely had the door closed after him, when the young widow turned to +her brother with a very ungracious air: "You came most inopportunely, +Henri."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So I perceived," he replied, calmly; "but I thought it high time to +put an end to the scene, which you were inclined to take seriously."</p> + +<p class="normal">Héloïse tossed her head defiantly. "And if I were? Would you interfere +to prevent it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; but I should explain to you that you were inclined to commit an +act of supreme folly, and I trust nothing more would be required to +bring you to reason."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think so? You may be mistaken," she said, exultingly. "You +underestimate my power over Raoul. I have but to speak the word, and he +will dissolve his betrothal and defy his family."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The cool direct question put an end to the young widow's triumphant +tone; she looked in surprise at her brother, who continued, very +composedly: "You know the general. Do you suppose that he ever would +forgive such a step, that he would ever consent to Raoul's marrying +you? And Raoul <i>cannot</i> marry against his will, for he is entirely +dependent upon him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is his grandfather's heir, and the general is over seventy----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And has a constitution of iron," Clermont interposed. "He may live ten +years longer, and you are scarcely so infatuated as to suppose that +Raoul's passion or your own youth will last so long. You are full five +years older than he."</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Nérac folded her fan hastily and noisily. "Henri, you go +almost too far!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry, but I cannot spare you. You cannot reckon upon the future; +therefore you must comprehend the present. In a few years there will be +no choice left you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Héloïse made no reply, but her air was one of intense irritation. +Evidently she felt outraged, but Clermont coolly continued: "And even +supposing that Raoul should enter very shortly upon his inheritance, he +would still be no fitting match for you. The general's salary enables +him to live with a degree of elegance, but his grandson inherits +nothing of that. Castle Steinrück is an article of luxury; it probably +costs a yearly outlay; it certainly brings in nothing, and all the +available property of the family belongs to the South German branch. +The North German cousins all have very good reasons for entering either +the army or the civil service. Their estates would, to be sure, be +sufficient for the support of a country nobleman who, with his family, +could consent to live upon his own soil and occupy himself with +agriculture. But for you and Raoul,--the idea is ridiculous. Moreover, +I am especially anxious that Raoul should remain at present upon good +terms with his grandfather; through him alone can we know aught of the +Steinrück establishment."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You might do that much more easily through the Marquis de Montigny," +said Héloïse, still irritated. "He has just been attached to our +embassy here, and of course goes to his sister's very frequently."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; but you are much mistaken if you imagine that the haughty +Montigny would lend himself to such matters. He already treats me with +a careless indifference that sometimes makes my blood boil. He would +sacrifice his position rather than condescend---- But enough of this! I +fancy you now comprehend that Raoul's circumstances could never adapt +themselves to your requirements; what those requirements are you proved +with sufficient clearness during Nérac's lifetime."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was it my fault that he squandered his entire fortune?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You certainly helped him honestly in doing so; but we will not discuss +that. The fact is that we are without means, and that you are forced to +make a brilliant marriage. Your romance with Raoul must be nothing but +a romance, and you would be very unwise to induce him to break with his +betrothed. As long as the general lives, a marriage between you is an +impossibility; after that it would be a folly. Remember this, and be +reasonable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it?" asked the young widow, turning impatiently towards the +servant, who brought her a card. "We are just going out, and can +receive no visitors."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A gentleman from the embassy wishes to speak with Herr von Clermont +for a few minutes only," the servant said, by way of excuse.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, that is another affair," Henri said quickly, taking the card; but +after a surprised glance at it he handed it to his sister, who, +evidently startled in her turn, said,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"Montigny? Calling upon you? You said just now----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I do not understand it; there must be some special cause for his +visit. Leave us for a few minutes, Héloïse; I must receive him."</p> + +<p class="normal">The lady withdrew, and Clermont desired the servant to admit the +visitor, who straightway entered the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Marquis de Montigny was a man about fifty years old, of very +distinguished appearance, whose bearing, at all times rather haughty, +was at present characterized by a certain cold formality. In spite +of it, Henri received him with the greatest cordiality. "Ah, Herr +Marquis, I am charmed to have the pleasure of receiving you. Let me beg +you,"--he invited his guest by a gesture to be seated, but Montigny +remained standing, and coldly rejoined,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are probably surprised to see me here, Herr von Clermont."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all; our relations socially and nationally----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are of a very superficial nature," the Marquis interrupted him. "It is +an entirely personal matter that brings me here. I did not wish to +discuss it at the embassy."</p> + +<p class="normal">His tone was certainly slighting. Clermont compressed his lips and +darted a menacing glance at the man who ventured to treat him thus +cavalierly beneath his own roof, but he said nothing and awaited +further explanations.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I met my nephew a moment ago," Montigny began again; "he was probably +coming from you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; he has just left here."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And he, Count Steinrück, frequents your house daily, I hear."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He does; we are intimate friends."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed?" was the cold rejoinder. "Well, Raoul is young and +inexperienced; but I would call your attention to the fact that this +friendship is quite worthless for you. No state secrets are confided to +so young and insignificant a member of the department. They are very +cautious here in such respects."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Marquis!" Clermont burst forth, angrily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr von Clermont?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have frequently had occasion to object to the tone which you see fit +to adopt towards me. I must beg you to alter it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Montigny shrugged his shoulders. "I was not aware that I had neglected +to treat you with due courtesy in society. Now that we are alone, you +must permit me to be frank. I learned but lately of Count Steinrück's +intimacy in your household, and I do not know how great may be Frau von +Nérac's share in this intimacy. Be that as it may, however, you will +understand me when I beg, or rather require, that the Countess be left +entirely out of the question in the schemes which you are both +pursuing. Select another individual,--one who is not the son of the +Countess Hortense and the nephew of the Marquis de Montigny."</p> + +<p class="normal">Clermont had grown very pale; he clinched his hands and his voice was +hoarse as he rejoined, "You appear to forget that we are equals in +rank. My name is as ancient and as noble as your own, and I demand +respect for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">Montigny measured him from head to foot with a haughty glance as he +replied, "I respect your name, Herr von Clermont, but not your +calling."</p> + +<p class="normal">Henri made a movement as if to throw himself upon the insulter. "This +is too much! I demand satisfaction!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No," said Montigny, as haughtily as before.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall force you to grant it----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I advise you not to try to do that," the Marquis interposed. "You +would only force me to proclaim why I refuse you what you ask. It would +make you impossible in society, and impose upon me a responsibility +which I should assume only in a case of extreme necessity. I repeat my +demand. If it is not complied with, I must open the eyes of my sister +and of her son. I think you will scarcely drive me to do so."</p> + +<p class="normal">He inclined his head so haughtily and contemptuously that the +salutation was almost an insult, then turned and left the room. +Clermont looked after him, trembling with rage, as he muttered under +his breath, "You shall pay me for this!"</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">The house of Colonel von Reval was a kind of centre for the +social life +of the capital, and was much frequented not only by people of rank and +fashion, but also by members of the aristocracy of intellect. The +colonel and his wife prided themselves upon numbering among their +intimate friends the most distinguished lights of Art and Science, and +their ample means enabled them to exercise a generous hospitality.</p> + +<p class="normal">To-night, at the close of the winter season, all their friends and +acquaintances were assembled beneath their roof at a final +entertainment. It was far more brilliant in these spacious princely +apartments than was possible in the comparative simplicity of their +country-seat Elmsdorf, and the guests were far more numerous. They +moved through rooms and halls bright with lights and flowers; there was +gay talk and laughter, and the cheerful, lively mood that seemed to +breathe in the very atmosphere of the Reval household reigned +everywhere. Among the throng of commonplace and insignificant +individuals, sure to be present at any great entertainment, there was +an unusually large proportion of beautiful women and distinguished men. +In fact, every one worth seeing and knowing in the capital seemed to be +present here to-night.</p> + +<p class="normal">General Steinrück, the life-long friend of the Reval family, was +present with his family, and the brother of the Countess Hortense, the +Marquis de Montigny, was of their party.</p> + +<p class="normal">Even Professor Wehlau, who was not fond of large entertainments, and +who eschewed them for the most part, had made an exception to his rule +in favour of this evening, and had arrived with his two sons. Hans had +not yet made his appearance: he was helping to arrange the <i>tableaux +vivants</i>, which made part of the evening's entertainment, having +undertaken their management, while Michael, having declined to take any +part in them, was already among the guests.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A word with you, my dear Rodenberg," the colonel said in an undertone, +drawing the captain aside for a moment. "Have you done anything to +displease the general?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Herr Colonel," replied Michael, quietly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No? It occurred to me that he passed you by without a word and with +rather a cold acknowledgment of your undeniably formal salute. There is +really nothing the matter, then?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing whatever. I have talked with the general but once, when I +reported to him, and have only seen him now and again when on duty. Why +should he pay me any special attention?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because he knows you and what you have done. He spoke very highly of +it to me before he made your personal acquaintance, and, besides, I +know that my opinion has weight with him. Nevertheless, he has taken +scarcely any notice of you during the entire winter; you have never +received the invitation usually extended by him to his subalterns, and +when I speak of you he always tries to change the subject. It is +inexplicable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The explanation is probably to be found in the fact that I have not +the good fortune to please his Excellency," Michael said, with a shrug.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the colonel shook his head: "The general is not whimsical; this +would be the first time that he ever treated unjustly an officer of +whose excellence he was convinced. You must have neglected some duty."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg was silent, preferring to suffer under this implication +rather than to prolong so annoying a discussion. Fortunately, the +colonel was called elsewhere and released him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, Professor Wehlau paid his respects to the Countess +Steinrück, whom he had not seen for several years, and who received him +very cordially. She never forgot that he had once left important and +pressing affairs of his own to hasten to her husband's deathbed. To his +inquiries concerning her health she replied by complaints of her +invalid condition, expressing a desire to avail herself of his advice, +although aware that he had for many years ceased to practise medicine. +The Professor courteously declared himself always ready to make an +exception in her case, and placed himself entirely at her disposal. +Thus the best of understandings was established between them, when the +Countess unfortunately touched upon a dangerous subject. "I have an +appointment at your son's for tomorrow. He tells me that his large +picture is almost entirely finished and is to be placed on exhibition +next week. I am very anxious for a private view of it beforehand, since +it is already mine, as you are probably aware."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," replied the Professor, laconically, his good humour all gone. +Hans had triumphantly announced to him that his picture had been bought +from the easel, and by the Countess Steinrück, who now innocently +asked,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"And what do you say to this work of our young artist?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing at all; I have never even seen it," was the curt reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! His studio is in your garden."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Unfortunately. But I have never set foot inside it, and mean never to +do so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Still so implacable?" said the Countess, reproachfully. "I grant that +the game that your son played with you was rather audacious and very +provoking, but you must be convinced by this time that so talented and +highly gifted a nature is not fitted for cold, grave, scientific +pursuits."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There you are right, madame," the Professor interrupted her, somewhat +harshly. "The lad is fit for nothing serious or sensible, and may be a +painter for all that I care."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you estimate Art so meanly? I should have thought it of equal rank +with Science."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wehlau shrugged his shoulders with all the arrogance of the scholar who +holds no calling equal in rank to his own, and by whom Art is regarded, +more or less, as a plaything. "Yes, yes, pictures look very pretty in a +drawing-room, I do not deny, and you have a whole gallery of them at +Berkheim. This latest acquisition of yours will find a place among +them."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess stared at him in surprise. "You do not seem to know the +subject of the picture; it is destined for the church at Saint +Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For the church?" asked Wehlau, surprised in his turn.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, since it is a sacred picture."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Professor started to his feet. "What! <i>My</i> son paint a sacred +picture!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Assuredly. Did he never tell you of it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He took good care not to do that. Nor did Michael even mention it to +me, although he doubtless knew all about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He certainly did, for Captain Rodenberg stood to him for a model."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah! He must have made a charming saint!" the Professor laughed, +bitterly. "Michael is well suited to the part. Have the fellows gone +crazy? Excuse me, madame,--I am conscious of my discourtesy,--but it is +beyond belief,--that is, I must find out about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">He bowed hastily, and rushed off so quickly that he very nearly ran +against a young girl who was standing hidden in a window-recess, behind +the Countess, and who looked after him half terrified.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gerlinda, are you there?" asked the Countess, turning towards her. "My +child, what is to be done if, whenever you go into society, you hide +yourself behind the window-curtains! If you had only been beside me you +would have been presented to one of the celebrities of the capital."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl advanced, and asked, timidly, "That angry old man who +does not like sacred pictures----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is one of the first scientists of the age, a magnate in science, in +whom all eccentricity must be forgiven. He is, it is true, of a rather +choleric temperament."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda still gazed after the Professor with some anxiety. No name had +been mentioned in the conversation which she had overheard, and she +asked no further question, for the beginning of the tableaux was +announced, and all the guests betook themselves to the drawing-room, +where the stage was set up.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans Wehlau, on this evening, covered himself with glory. The pictures +which he arranged, not after famous examples, but after his own ideas, +in illustration of familiar legends and poems, did honour to his +artistic capacity. Each was a creation in itself, and every time the +curtain was raised there was a fresh surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">The laurels of the evening, however, were borne off by the Countess +Hertha Steinrück, enthroned upon a rock, in the richest of robes, as +the Loreley. Hans knew very well why he chose to have this picture last +in the series, placing the young Countess alone in the frame, with no +companion-figure. A long-drawn 'Ah!' of admiration pervaded the +assembly at sight of a loveliness that threw all else that had been +seen into the shade. She was, indeed, the breathing embodiment of the +legend with its intoxicating witchery.</p> + +<p class="normal">Even Professor Wehlau forgot his vexation for a few minutes, although +he had been nursing it all through the entertainment, and was all +admiration. But when the curtain had fallen for the last time, and the +youthful manager with his assistants appeared in the drawing-room, +Wehlau's indignation began to boil afresh, and he tried to speak with +his son. This was no easy matter, however, for Hans was in great +requisition, the hero of the hour, flattered and caressed; he shared +with the Countess Hertha the triumph of the evening. Nearly a quarter +of an hour elapsed before the Professor succeeded in capturing him. "I +wish to speak with you," he said, with an ominous countenance, drawing +the young man aside into the window-recess where Fräulein von Eberstein +had been standing.</p> + +<p class="normal">"With pleasure, papa," said Hans, who was positively beaming with +delight.</p> + +<p class="normal">This only increased the Professor's vexation, and he came to the point +at once. "Is what I heard just now from the Countess Steinrück true? Is +the picture you have painted a sacred picture?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is, papa."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed! Have you both lost your senses? Michael as a saint! It must be +a perfect caricature."</p> + +<p class="normal">"On the contrary, he makes an extremely striking archangel. The picture +you see represents Saint Michael----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It may represent the devil, for all I care!" Wehlau angrily +interrupted him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, he's there, too, and as large as life. But how can the subject of +my picture affect you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"How can it affect me?" the Professor burst out, having much ado to +preserve the low tone of voice required by the situation. "You know my +attitude with regard to the ecclesiastical party. You know that because +of it I am excommunicated by the priests, and here you are painting +pictures of saints for their churches. I will not permit it! I will not +have it! I forbid it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Impossible, papa," said Hans, composedly. "The picture belongs to the +Countess, and is, moreover, promised to the church at Saint Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Where, of course, it will be installed with all due ecclesiastical +pomp."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To be sure, papa,--on the feast of Saint Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hans, you will be the death of me with your 'To be sure, papa.' At +the feast of Saint Michael, when all the mountain population is +assembled,--oh, this grows better and better! The clerical newspapers +will of course get hold of the affair; they will devote columns to the +procession, the mass, the worshippers, and among it all will appear +everywhere the name of Hans Wehlau,--<i>my</i> name."</p> + +<p class="normal">"<i>My</i> name, if you please," the young artist interposed with emphasis.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wish to heaven I had had you christened Pancratius or Blasius, that +the world might have known the difference!" exclaimed the Professor, in +desperation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Papa, why are you so furious?" asked Hans, complacently. "In fact, you +ought to be grateful to me if I should devote myself to the task of +reconciling you and your opponents; and, moreover, the picture is not a +sacred picture in the ordinary sense of the term. It is the conflict of +light with darkness. I intended, of course, to portray in the figure of +the archangel, Science, and in that of Satan, Superstition. It is after +your own heart, papa,--a glorification of your teaching. I should like +to hang the picture in the University, in your lecture-room, it is +painted so exactly to please you. I hope you will be grateful to me +and----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Boy, you will send me to my grave!" gasped the Professor, taken aback +afresh by this extraordinary peroration.</p> + +<p class="normal">"God forbid! We shall live together long and happily. But now excuse +me. I must not stay here any longer."</p> + +<p class="normal">With which the young man, quite unconcernedly, mingled again with the +guests, and began to search for Michael.</p> + +<p class="normal">In a small room adjoining the large drawing-room Fräulein von Eberstein +was sitting quite lonely and deserted. When the curtain fell and the +spectators began to circulate through the various rooms again, the +Countess Steinrück had been in great requisition. All were anxious to +compliment her upon her lovely daughter, and thus Gerlinda lost sight +of her chaperon. Timid, and a total stranger among the crowd, she had +taken refuge in this deserted room, here to wait patiently until some +one should remember her and seek her out.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young girl had been for a week in the city. The Freiherr had at +last yielded to the Countess's wish, and to her repeated representation +that Gerlinda ought to see something of the world and have a chance at +least of marrying in her own station. This last consideration had +prevailed over the father's obstinacy his state of health was such as +to remind him constantly of the uncertainty of his life, and he well +knew that if he should die Berkheim would be his daughter's sole +refuge. She would be left quite alone, and, although the Countess had +declared most kindly that after her daughter's marriage she should look +to Gerlinda to replace her, old Eberstein's pride revolted at the idea +of accepting what was in fact a shelter for his child, delicately as it +might be proffered.</p> + +<p class="normal">For this reason he would have been very glad to see his daughter well +and suitably married. For him the word suitably signified a son-in-law +with a long and stainless pedigree, and the aristocratic principles of +the Steinrücks set his mind at ease on that score. Therefore he made +Gerlinda repeat once more to him the entire genealogical chronicle of +the Ebersteins, admonished her never to forget that she was sprung from +the tenth century, and let her set off with the maid, sent by the +Countess, for the capital, where she was to spend some weeks with the +Steinrücks, and then accompany them to Berkheim.</p> + +<p class="normal">The little châtelaine had of course no suspicion of any schemes devised +for her future, and had taken but a half-hearted interest in her visit. +The brilliant turmoil of society, of which she had a glimpse during her +stay at Steinrück, and into which she was now plunged, distressed +rather than amused her. Thus she felt glad to be alone for a few +minutes on this evening, and sat quite contentedly, but timid as a +frightened bird, on a corner divan in the empty room.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly the <i>portière</i> at the entrance was pulled aside, and a young +man, casting a hasty glance around the room as if in search of some +one, stood as if rooted to the spot upon perceiving its solitary +occupant.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fräulein von Eberstein!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda started at the sound of that voice; she instantly recognized +its possessor. "Herr von Wehlau Wehlenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans was already at her side. He had had no suspicion of her presence +here, or, indeed, in the city; his duties as manager had kept him +behind the scenes, and when he entered the drawing-room Gerlinda had +already left it. Their meeting was a surprise to both, and certainly +not an unpleasant one, as was evident from the young man's sparkling +eyes and the little châtelaine's blushing cheeks.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I fancied you far away in your mountain home," said Hans, taking a +seat beside her. "How is your father?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Poor papa has been very far from well this winter," replied Gerlinda; +"but as spring approached he grew better, so that I could leave him +without anxiety."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And Muckerl? How is Muckerl?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The account of Muckerl's health was very satisfactory: she was as gay +and hearty as she had been in the autumn; and as her young mistress +talked of her she half forgot her timidity; she was so glad to tell of +her home, and Hans did not interrupt her, but kept his eyes attentively +fixed upon her face.</p> + +<p class="normal">He had just seen the Countess Hertha in all the pride of triumphant +beauty, and his artist eye had revelled in the sight. Here he saw only +a delicate, child-like creature, who could not possibly be compared +with that other, and whose soft brown eyes gazed up into his own half +shyly, half confidingly. Nevertheless, little Dornröschen looked to him +unutterably lovely to-night in her ball-dress of some airy, pale pink +material, relieved by bunches of wild roses and floating cloud-like +about the graceful figure. There was in her air and carriage something +of the dewy freshness of a rose-bud just opening to the light.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And how are you pleased here?" Hans asked, when the young girl paused. +"Is there not something intoxicating, bewildering, in the life of a +great city for one who mingles in it for the first time?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda shook her head and looked down. "I do not like it," she +declared. "I would rather be at home with papa and my Muckerl. I feel +so lonely and forsaken among all these strange people; they do not +understand me, and I do not understand them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, you will soon learn to understand them," Hans said, consolingly.</p> + +<p class="normal">But she still shook her head; the poor child had a vague idea of what +was ridiculous about her, and she went on in a pathetic little voice: +"They seem to care so little here about their pedigrees! No one knows +that we date from the tenth century, and that our family is the very +oldest. If I begin to tell of it, Hertha says, 'Gerlinda, stop; you are +making yourself ridiculous,' and my godmother says, 'My child, that is +out of place here,' and Count Raoul smiles so disagreeably. I know now +that he laughs at me. Herr von Wehlau Wehlenberg, you do not think it +ridiculous, do you? Your aristocratic self-consciousness is so +admirably developed, my papa says."</p> + +<p class="normal">The knight of the Forschungstein felt extremely uncomfortable at this +appeal to his aristocratic self-consciousness. It suddenly occurred to +him that his sin had found him out, for as soon as Gerlinda returned to +the drawing-room and heard his name, all would be explained. There was +only one thing to be done,--make confession himself upon the spot.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We searched through all the books of heraldry, and at last we found +your family," the young girl continued, with an air of importance; and +then, falling into what might be called her heraldic style, she began +to repeat what had been found in the books: "The lords of Wehlenberg, +an ancient imperial race, settled in the Margraviate since sixteen +hundred and forty-three, owning estates of value in the various +provinces, the head of the family being Baron Friedrich von Wehlenberg +of Bernewitz----" Here she broke off to say, with some regret, "We +could not find the Forschungstein."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, you could not find it, for there is no such place," said Hans, +whose resolution was formed. "You and your father have fallen into an +error for which I am accountable. I told you, however, at our first +interview that I was an artist."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda nodded gravely. "I told my papa; he thought it very unbecoming +in a man of an ancient noble line."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I am not of an ancient noble line, nor even of a modern one."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda looked terrified, and recoiled from him. The young man +perceived it, and there was a trace of bitterness in his voice as he +went on: "I have a confession to make to you, Fräulein von Eberstein, +and forgiveness to ask for a deception which sprang from necessity. I +reached the Ebersburg that evening wet through, and having lost my way; +there was no other shelter to be found far and wide, night was falling +fast, and the Baron refused me admittance because, as he would have +expressed it, I was not 'of rank.' I had no choice save to be thrust +out into the storm or to thrust myself into the ranks of the +aristocracy, and I preferred the latter course. But I owe it to you to +tell the truth. My name is simply Hans Wehlau, without any mediæval +adjunct; I am a painter by profession; my father is a professor in the +university here, and we are both bourgeois from head to foot."</p> + +<p class="normal">The effect of these words was annihilating; the little châtelaine sat +stark and stiff as if paralyzed with horror, staring at this bourgeois +Hans Wehlau who told her so fearful a tale. At last she recovered her +voice, folded her hands, and said, with a profound sigh, "This is +horrible!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans rose and made her a formal bow. "I confess myself very guilty, but +I did not think that the truth would so startle you. I have, it seems, +lost all worth in your estimation, and shall please you best by leaving +you. Farewell, Fräulein von Eberstein."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned to go, but Gerlinda started and put out her hand as if to +detain him. "Herr Wehlau."</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused. "Fräulein von Eberstein?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you not very slightly related to the Freiherr Friedrich Wehlenberg +of Bernewitz? A very distant relative, I mean."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not the most distant connection. I invented in a hurry a name that +sounded like my own, and I never dreamed that it belonged to any one in +reality."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then papa never will forgive you," Gerlinda declared in a tone of +despair. "You can never come again to the Ebersburg."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you, then, still wish me to come?" asked Hans.</p> + +<p class="normal">She was silent, but her eyes filled with tears, and this disarmed the +young man's irritation. It was not the poor child's fault that she had +been brought up so ridiculously. He slowly approached her again, and +said, gently, "Are you very angry with me for my foolish jest? I meant +no harm."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda did not reply, but she allowed him to take her hand, and she +listened as he went on in the same tone: "Herr von Eberstein is greatly +attached, I know, to his family traditions, and no one could require +him, at his age, to resign what has been life to him for so long; he +belongs, body and soul, to the past. But you, Fräulein von Eberstein, +are just entering upon life, and in the nineteenth century we must +adapt ourselves to the spirit of the age and see things as they are. Do +you remember what I said to you on the castle terrace?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes," was the scarcely audible reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans leaned towards her, and his voice had the same cordial, sincere +tone as on that sunny morning. "Around you, too, prejudices and +traditions have grown like a thorny hedge, tall and dense. Would you +dream away existence behind it? Perhaps a time will come when you will +have to make a choice between a dead past and a bright sunlit future: +should that time ever come, choose well!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He carried the trembling little hand, still lying in his own, to his +lips, and several moments passed before he released it; then he bowed +and left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess Steinrück was conversing with Herr von Montigny when +Gerlinda at last rejoined her. The Marquis expressed his pleasure in +his nephew's betrothal with apparent sincerity. He was enthusiastic +also in his admiration of Hertha, who had evidently fascinated him, as +she had every one else upon this evening, and he understood well how to +clothe his admiration in flattering phrases. When at last he took his +leave to join his sister, the Countess turned to the young girl: "Where +have you been for so long, my child? I lost sight of you. I suppose you +have been sitting alone in some corner. Will you never learn to be like +other young girls in society?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked compassionately at her <i>protégée</i>, who was wont to receive +such reproaches in timid silence, but who now, to the Countess's +amazement, replied, with an air of great wisdom,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, dear godmother, I will try to learn, for in the nineteenth +century we must adapt ourselves to the spirit of the age and see things +as they are."</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, the Marquis de Montigny had found his sister sitting in an +adjoining room engaged in lively talk with Frau von Nérac, in which +Henri de Clermont took quite as lively a part. Both ladies seemed much +entertained, and were laughing at his sallies, when Montigny approached +the group.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, here you are, Leon!" the Countess called out to him. "No need to +present our compatriots to you,--you have seen them at the embassy."</p> + +<p class="normal">The glances of the two men encountered each other. Clermont's eyes +gleamed for an instant with a look of hatred, but he bowed courteously; +Montigny returned his greeting coolly as he said, "Oh, yes, we know one +another."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned then to Frau von Nérac, to whom also he paid his respects +courteously; but there must have been something in his manner offensive +to the young widow, for her eyes flashed, although an amiable smile +played about her lips.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course we know one another," she repeated. "We had the pleasure of +a visit from the Marquis the day before yesterday."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you never mentioned it to me when I spoke of Frau von Nérac +yesterday," said Hortense, in some surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was not fortunate enough to see Madame de Nérac," Montigny replied, +with a degree of coldness which struck even his sister. "My visit was +paid to her brother, with whom I wished to arrange a matter of some +importance. You have not forgotten my request, Herr von Clermont?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Henri's hand trembled slightly as he leaned upon the cushion of the +lounge where he was sitting, but he replied, calmly, "No, Herr Marquis; +such things are not easily forgotten."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am glad to hear you say so. I may rely upon it, then, that the +matter will be adjusted as we decided. Take my arm, Hortense; supper is +served."</p> + +<p class="normal">He offered his arm to his sister, inclined his head to Frau von Nérac, +and led the Countess away. As they left the room Henri leaned towards +the young widow, and said in a whisper, which did not, however, conceal +his agitation, "What do you mean, Héloïse? You know why Montigny paid +that visit, you heard the whole conversation from the antechamber, and +yet you ventured to allude to his coming!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Héloïse's lip curled contemptuously, but she replied, also in a +whisper, "You seem very much afraid of this Montigny."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you are rash enough to irritate him. You surely understood what he +said as well as I did, and you know that he threatened----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That which he never will carry out."</p> + +<p class="normal">Henri glanced around the room: it was quite empty; every one had gone +to supper. Nevertheless, he still spoke in a whisper as he said, "Do +you forget that we are in his power? He has but to speak the word----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He dare not speak it; it would cost him too dear. He who ruins us +ruins himself also, and brings to light what there is every reason for +concealing. You are a fool, Henri, to be frightened by such threats. +Montigny must be silent; he risks his own position if he assault ours. +He never would be forgiven for speaking out."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter for that, he can do us an injury at the embassy; he can +deprive us of our standing there, and it is uncertain enough already. +We must yield, at least in appearance, and forego Raoul's visits for +the present."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you suppose that he will forego them?" asked Héloïse.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is for you to decide. You have only to say what will send him +away, for a time at least, and this you must do."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At the bidding of Herr von Montigny? Never!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Héloïse, be reasonable,--you must make a sacrifice of your personal +feeling. I am sure I set you the example."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed you do! I never would have submitted to what you endured at +Montigny's hands."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think I shall forget it?" asked Clermont, with an evil look. "I +bide my time. The day of reckoning will come. But let us go in to +supper; it will excite remark if we isolate ourselves thus. One thing +more: young Wehlau is to present to you his adopted brother, Captain +Rodenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed," said Héloïse, with indifference, rising and taking her +brother's arm, as he added, significantly,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"One of the general's staff."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, indeed!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"See that you persuade him to come with Wehlau, when the latter calls +upon us. I rely upon you, Héloïse."</p> + +<p class="normal">The pair sauntered arm in arm towards the supper-room, where all the +guests were assembled.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">Hans Wehlau, prudently avoiding another encounter with his +father, had +joined Michael, and was listening, with apparent interest, to what the +latter had to say.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have seen her and talked with her then?" asked Hans.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Seen her?--yes; talked with her?--no. The Countess presented me to +Fräulein von Eberstein, but I received no reply to my remarks, save an +extraordinary courtesy. She is almost a child,--far too young to be +introduced into society."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A girl of sixteen is no longer a child," said Hans, irritably. "And +how did you like her altogether?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"She has a lovely little face. To be sure, I have not seen her +eyes,--she held them obstinately downcast,--and I really have not heard +her speak at all. The little châtelaine, as you call her, seems to +possess rather a limited capacity."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young artist bestowed upon his friend a glance of sovereign +contempt. "Michael, I always doubted your taste, and now I doubt your +judgment. 'Limited capacity!' Let me tell you, Gerlinda von Eberstein +is cleverer than all the rest put together."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is a bold assertion," said Michael. "You seem very much provoked +by any unfavourable word with regard to the young lady. Have you lost +your heart again? How many times does this make?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Nothing of the sort this time; my interest in this lovely, childlike +creature is entirely disinterested."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Michael, I will not have you speak in that tone," declared Hans, with +irritation. "But I am quite forgetting that Clermont asked me to +present you to Frau von Nérac."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Clermont? Ah, yes, the young Frenchman at whose house you have been +visiting so often this winter. You asked me once to go there with you, +I remember."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you refused, as usual."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because I have neither the time nor the inclination to extend my +circle of acquaintances, at least not this year. It is very different +with you; you are an artist. Have you known this Clermont long?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, only this last winter, and he very politely invited me to his +house. He and his sister have several times asked me to induce you to +accompany me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg looked surprised. "Me? That is strange; they do not know me +at all."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No matter for that; they asked it out of politeness. Moreover, you +will find the young widow very interesting, perhaps even dangerous."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, of course not for you. Your icy nature never melts, even in +presence of the lovely Countess Steinrück, and Héloïse von Nérac cannot +be called beautiful; nevertheless she might prove the fair Hertha's +successful rival in a certain quarter. I once hinted to you that Count +Raoul was hardly loyal to his betrothed; he frequents Clermont's house +daily."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you think that Frau von Nérac is the attraction?" asked Michael, +becoming attentive.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Apparently. The Count certainly is more devoted to her than is +consistent with his duty as a betrothed man. How far the affair has +gone of course I cannot---- Hush, there he is!"</p> + +<p class="normal">In fact, Raoul was just passing where they stood, and, although he had +but a slight acquaintance with Hans Wehlau, he stopped and addressed +him cordially. And whilst he talked with the young artist, +complimenting him upon the very successful entertainment of the +evening, he so persistently ignored Captain Rodenberg, who stood close +by, that his intention was evident. Michael took no part in the +conversation, but when the Count turned away, he looked after him in a +way which caused Hans hastily and as if in sudden alarm to lay his hand +upon his arm, saying, "You will not attach any importance to his +rudeness? There is a feud between you and Steinrück----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which found expression just now after a very childish fashion," +Michael completed the sentence. "Count Raoul must be taught that I do +not allow myself to be so treated."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you intend to do?" said Hans, uneasily; but there was no time +for a reply, for they had encountered Clermont and his sister, to whom +he presented his friend.</p> + +<p class="normal">The brother and sister received the captain with great courtesy, and +Henri left him to talk with Frau von Nérac, while he entered into +conversation with Hans with regard to a picture upon an opposite wall, +pronouncing an opinion with which the young artist disagreed. A lively +discussion between the two ensued, in the course of which they walked +across the room to examine the picture more closely, leaving Frau von +Nérac to bestow her entire attention upon Rodenberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">Their conversation turned at first upon the assembled guests, and the +young widow, looking towards Hertha, who was the centre of an admiring +group, said, "Countess Steinrück is indeed a brilliant beauty! The +entire assemblage is at her feet, and she receives its homage with the +air of a princess to whom such tribute is due. She will surely rule her +future husband supremely."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The question is whether the husband will submit to her sway," observed +Rodenberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A husband always submits to the sway of a beautiful and beloved wife. +You, indeed, seem unaccustomed to submit."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only because I am quieter and graver than most men; even where a +beautiful woman is concerned, I do not easily lose my head. I am +ignorant of Count Steinrück's views in this respect. You know him +intimately, madame?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is a friend of my brother's, and I naturally see him often."</p> + +<p class="normal">The answer sounded as innocent as did the question, but there was +something like dawning mistrust in the look which encountered Michael's +cool observant gaze. It lasted but for an instant, and then Héloïse +began with a smile to talk of something else.</p> + +<p class="normal">She talked well and fluently, and Michael, although he spoke French +with ease if not with elegance, contented himself with listening. All +manner of subjects were touched upon, politics, the news of the day, +art, and society. Frau von Nérac was evidently a mistress of the art of +conversation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg had perceived at the first glance that she was not beautiful, +but at the end of five minutes he comprehended that she did not need +beauty to be dangerous; there was something intoxicating in her mere +proximity. She leaned back in her chair with a grace all her own as she +toyed with her fan, presenting a picture to which the most tasteful of +toilets added a charm. Her smile was bewitching, and the gleam in her +dark eyes was wont to work like a spell. Unfortunately, Captain +Rodenberg seemed quite insensible to this charm; as often as the +brilliant eyes met his they encountered the same cold, scrutinizing +glance, and Héloïse knew well that it expressed no admiration.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last Clermont and Hans finished their discussion and approached the +others. For a few moments the conversation was general, and then the +two young men took their leave, and Henri again seated himself beside +his sister.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, what about Rodenberg?" he asked. "So far as I could hear, he was +extremely monosyllabic. You did almost all the talking. I suppose he is +a clumsy, pedantic German."</p> + +<p class="normal">Héloïse gave a scarcely perceptible shrug. "Give that man up, Henri, +once for all; he is as stolid and inaccessible as a rock."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No one is absolutely inaccessible; all must be besieged on the right +side, and it is just these stolid natures that are most easily +captured."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are mistaken here. There is something in the air and expression of +this Rodenberg that reminds me constantly of General Steinrück. He has +the iron, inexorable look--that cold, keen gaze--of the old Count. I +cannot endure him!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is of great importance to me," said Henri. "Did you ask him to the +house?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; he would not come if I were to do so; and if by any chance he did +come, it would be to observe, to watch, as he has just done all the +while I have been talking. I have no fancy for encountering those eyes +again. Be on your guard with him, Henri!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Clermont did not seem to attach much importance to this warning, for he +saw that Héloïse was out of sorts, and he knew why she was so. She +could not endure to be cast into the shade by another, and on this +evening all lesser lights paled before the day-star of Hertha's beauty. +The young Countess Steinrück was enjoying a triumph that might well +satisfy the most extravagant vanity. Wherever she turned she +encountered looks of admiration; all thronged about her to offer her a +homage which she received graciously but haughtily.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul scarcely left her side. He seemed to-night to be fully conscious +of the value of the prize which had fallen to his share so easily, and +the old love for his cousin, dating from his boyhood, flamed up afresh. +It was one of those crises when one loving glance from Hertha's eyes, +one cordial word from her lips, might perhaps have delivered him from +those other fetters, and have won him back to his betrothed,--bridging +over the gulf which each day yawned more widely between them. But there +was a cold reserve, imperceptible to strangers, in her demeanour +towards him which cut him to the soul, chilling all warmth of feeling +and awakening his antagonism.</p> + +<p class="normal">For the moment the young Countess was not in the reception-rooms, but +in Frau von Reval's dressing-room. Like all who had taken part in the +tableaux, she had retained her costume; the veil that floated over her +shoulders had become disarranged; Frau von Reval's maid was fastening +it afresh. It was soon adjusted, and the maid dismissed; but Hertha, +instead of returning to the reception-rooms, sat motionless in an +arm-chair, gazing dreamily into space.</p> + +<p class="normal">Frau von Reval's dressing-room was one of a suite of rooms quite +removed from those used for entertaining, and upon this evening the +entire range of apartments upon this side of the house was deserted, +and but dimly lighted,--a quiet, agreeable refuge for any one wishing +to withdraw for a few minutes from the heat and turmoil of the +drawing-rooms. The young Countess seemed, indeed, weary, worn out with +conquest and homage.</p> + +<p class="normal">Yes, the evening had been one long triumph for her. All had bowed +before the victorious power of her beauty,--all save one. One alone had +dared to defy her; he only had retained sufficient strength of will in +the tempest of passion to break the meshes of the net thrown around +him, and go on his way free from all bondage. Had he not greeted her +to-night as coldly and formally, complimented her with as conventional +a courtesy, as if that hour at Saint Michael were forgotten, +obliterated from his memory?</p> + +<p class="normal">All the more vividly did it live in Hertha's remembrance. Her anger +stirred afresh as she thought how this man had dared to tell her to her +face that he knew her to be a coquette, that he would root out from his +heart, like some vile weed, his love for her. But, in the midst of her +indignation, a voice within her whispered that he was right. Yes, she +had played a reckless game with him. It was the result of the +waywardness of a nature spoiled by fortune, trained by a weak mother to +disregard all save its own desires, and learning all too early to +despise the homage of the other sex, or to use it as a plaything. But +then, formerly, she had still been free! The proud, self-willed girl +had not yet felt as a fetter the disposal of her hand; she could still +have said 'no' when asked to decide. Instead of this she had given her +consent to Raoul freely, without compulsion,--as, indeed, without love. +But was love a reality? Had she not seen how an intense passion, which +seemed to fill a man's entire soul, could die away and perish in a few +months?</p> + +<p class="normal">The opening of a door in an adjoining room and approaching footsteps +roused Hertha from her revery, and admonished her that it was time to +return to the assemblage. She was about to rise, when a voice which she +recognized held her motionless.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here we are alone. I shall detain you for but a few moments, Count +Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You wished to speak with me alone, Captain Rodenberg; I am at your +service," was the reply in Raoul's voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha could neither see the new-comers nor be seen by them, but she +listened, startled; what she heard sounded harsh, hostile.</p> + +<p class="normal">In fact, the two young men in the next room confronted each other with +a hostility which neither now took pains to conceal, but Raoul was +irritated and excited, while Michael was calm and cool; this, of +course, gave him an advantage from the beginning.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have only one question to ask," the latter began. "Was it by +accident, or by intention, that just now, when you spoke to my friend, +you so entirely overlooked me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you attach such value to my notice of you?" There was an offensive +smile upon the young Count's face, and the tone in which the question +was put was still more offensive.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I attach not the slightest value to your regard. I am not at all +covetous of the honour of your acquaintance. But since we do know each +other, I exact from you the observance of the forms of good society, +with which you scarcely seem familiar."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Captain Rodenberg!" Raoul burst forth in a tone of menace.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Count Steinrück?" was the cold rejoinder.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You seem to wish to force me to admit relations between us which I do +not acknowledge. You will achieve nothing in this way."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. "I think I have made +sufficiently manifest the value I attach to relations with the family +of Count Steinrück. Ask the general, he can satisfy you on that score. +But I do not mean any longer to permit on your part conduct intended +from the first to be insulting. Will you alter this conduct in future? +Yes, or no?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The question sounded so imperious that Raoul stared at the speaker, +half indignant, half amazed. "It must be admitted, Captain Rodenberg, +that for arrogance you are unrivalled."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certain individuals can be reached only with their own weapons. May I +beg for an answer?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am not accustomed to answer questions put in such a tone," the young +Count said, haughtily,--"least of all from the son of an adventurer, +and of a mother who----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused, for Michael stepped up to him, pale as death, but with +flashing eyes. "Silence, Count Steinrück! One slighting word of my +mother,--one only, and I shall forget myself and fell you to the +ground!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"With your fists?" asked Raoul, contemptuously. "I am used to fight +with the weapons of gentlemen."</p> + +<p class="normal">His words produced their effect,--Rodenberg controlled himself. "And +yet you are so ungentlemanly as to goad on your adversary with insults +which no man could endure calmly," he said, bitterly. "I have not +provoked this quarrel, but I see that any continuation of this +conversation would be useless. You shall hear from me to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall look to do so," replied Raoul, and, with a brief salutation, +he left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael remained for a time; he did not wish to rejoin the company with +the Count. He paced the room several times with folded arms, and then +threw himself into an arm-chair.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, Hertha's first surprise had been gradually transformed to +anxiety, and at last to terror, upon hearing the issue of the +conversation. She now rose, and pale, but resolute, appeared upon the +threshold of the next room. "Captain Rodenberg," she said, softly.</p> + +<p class="normal">He sprang up dismayed, for at the moment of her appearance he had +perceived that the door of the adjoining apartment was open, and that +every word that had been uttered might have been overheard.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You here, Countess Steinrück?" he said, hastily. "I thought I saw you +just now in the reception-rooms."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; I was sitting there,"--she pointed to the next room,--"and I have +been the involuntary auditor of a conversation not intended for +stranger ears."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael bit his lip. Just as he had thought! However, he collected +himself and said, as carelessly as possible, "We certainly thought +ourselves alone, but the affair is of no consequence. I had a slight +difference with Count Steinrück, which we discussed with some heat, but +it will doubtless be adjusted."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is that 'doubtless' sincere? The close of the conversation seemed to +imply the contrary."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg avoided her glance, and replied, composedly, "Our +conversation had reached a point at which it threatened to become +stormy, and therefore we broke it off. We shall discuss the matter more +calmly to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes,--with arms in your hands,--I know it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are unnecessarily distressed. There has been no mention of +anything of the kind."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you think me so inexperienced as not to understand the significance +of your last words?" said Hertha, approaching him. "A challenge was +given and accepted."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael was silent; he saw that subterfuge was useless. "It was a very +unfortunate chance that made you the witness of our interview," he said +at last. "It will surely be as painful for the Count as for me that you +should have been so, but there is no help for it now, any more than for +the affair itself, and I must entreat your silence in the name of each +of us. Forget what was not intended for your ears."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forget! when I know that to-morrow each will confront the other with +deadly intent?" Hertha exclaimed, in extreme agitation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg looked at her in surprise. "Each? For you there is no +question of danger save for your betrothed. It is natural that you +should tremble for him; my death must be a matter of supreme +indifference to the Countess Hertha,--nay, even desirable in this case, +for it means life for my adversary."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha did not reply for a moment,--she slowly raised her eyes to his, +with a strange expression in them, somewhat like reproach, still more +like trembling anxiety. But Michael either could not or would not read +those eyes. Was the old game to begin anew? He stood stiffly erect, as +if already confronting his adversary.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Countess perhaps comprehended his thoughts, for her cheek +flushed; she hastily retreated a few steps, and her manner grew more +formal.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is no adjustment possible, then?" she asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not even if I speak to my betrothed, if I beg him----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It will avail nothing. The Count could scarcely be persuaded to +retract his words, which is what I insist upon. Let me beg you to give +up all thought of such a course; these matters are not to be adjusted +by a lady."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But a lady was the cause of the quarrel, although you refuse to allow +her to attempt a reconciliation," Hertha said, with indignation. "Do +not look at me in such surprise; I know the cause of this quarrel, +whatever may be the ostensible pretext for it. You never forget an +offence, Captain Rodenberg,--never,--as I know, and this is the way in +which you avenge yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael's face grew dark. "Do you really hold me capable of so mean a +revenge? I do not think I deserve this!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet you hate Raoul? I know why only too well----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not know why," he interposed, with emphasis. "You are entirely +mistaken. I never sought this quarrel, but I was compelled by the +Count's behaviour to call him to an account. The provocation came from +him. I admit that I reciprocate his dislike, but its justification lies +in circumstances of which you have no idea, and which have no +connection whatever with that hour at Saint Michael!"</p> + +<p class="normal">It was the first time that he had made any allusion to the hour in +question, and as he did so there was no change either in his stern +voice or in his formal demeanour; he seemed to grow even more hard and +stern. But his eyes dwelt upon the young Countess, who did, indeed, +justify all that Hans had said of her,--she looked the heroine of a +fairy legend.</p> + +<p class="normal">Standing beneath the hanging lamp that lighted the room but dimly, her +half-mediæval, half-fantastic robe, a costly combination of heavy gold +brocade velvet and transparent lace-like material, glistening with gems +and embroidery, shimmered and gleamed with a strange lustre. But from +her head, crowned with a starry diadem, there waved over her shoulders +and below her waist a magnificent veil,--her unbound hair, which, +falling on each side of her face, encircled it like a halo.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael stood beyond the circle of light and gazed at the wondrous +vision. He had seen her thus in the tableau, throned upon a rock,--the +enchanting sorceress of the legend. In his ears had rung the sweet, +alluring song, and what had terrified him had not been the dangerous +rock or the depths beneath the billows, but the prize itself! He would +not risk life and safety to embrace, perhaps--a fiend. He had torn +himself loose from the spell with all the force of his will. And yet at +this moment the old wild longing stirred again. It seemed as if one +blissful moment would be well purchased at the price of life, +salvation, the future; as if to be dashed against the rocks to his +destruction were naught so that he might for a moment clasp his bliss +in his arms and call it his.</p> + +<p class="normal">But, whilst such thoughts made havoc within him, he stood calm and +cold, without the quiver of an eyelash. Hertha saw only the frigid +bearing, heard only the stern words, and her words were as cold. "Since +that hour we have been foes! Do not deny it, Captain Rodenberg,--no +need for falsehood between us. Of all that you then told me in your +anger, hate alone has survived; I should have remembered this before +appealing to you. It is ill depending upon the magnanimity of an angry +foe."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael endured her reproach without a word in self-defence; he grew +pale,--always with him a sign of extreme emotion. "And to whom should I +display magnanimity?" he asked at last. "Should I spare the Count, +knowing that I have nothing but relentless hostility to expect from +him? I am not of the stuff of which martyrs are made! But, once more, +you do me injustice, Countess Steinrück, when you accuse me of a mean +desire for revenge. Show me how this quarrel may be adjusted +consistently with my honour, and it shall be done. But I see no +possibility of such an arrangement; and whatever the conclusion of the +affair might be, it would leave us enemies were we not so already. +Perhaps it is best so."</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked an instant longer towards the lovely head beneath the +lamp-light, then bowed and left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, the festivity was still going on, although some of the +guests soon took their leave, and among them the members of the +Steinrück family, who were always wont to make their appearance late +and to leave early. The ladies had already said farewell to Frau von +Reval, when Michael, who was passing through the hall, suddenly heard +himself addressed, "Captain Rodenberg, a word with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young officer turned, surprised; it was the first time this evening +that General Steinrück had deigned to notice him. "I am at your +Excellency's command."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Count beckoned him to one side. "I wish to speak with you," he +said, briefly, "to-morrow morning at nine o'clock, at my house."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael started; he scarcely understood. "Is this a military order, +your Excellency?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Regard it as such. Nothing of any nature whatsoever must interpose to +prevent your appearance at the time stated."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg bowed silently. The general approached him, and, lowering his +voice, went on: "And if by any chance you should be called upon to make +a decision, I beg you to postpone it until after our interview. I shall +see that the same course is pursued by----the other side."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My decision is already made," said Michael, quietly, "but I shall +obey."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good! Until to-morrow, then!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück turned away, and the captain saw him join the Countess +Hertha, who came hastily to meet him. She had told, then; she had +invoked another authority, finding her own interference of no avail, +and that other could not lightly be set aside, although the expression +of Michael's face as he perceived all this showed no inclination to bow +to it.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the mean time the general had offered his arm to Hertha to conduct +her to her mother; she uttered no question, but her eyes were full of +anxious inquiry.</p> + +<p class="normal">"All right, my child," Steinrück said in an undertone. "I have taken +the matter in hand, and you need not be afraid. Only remember that this +must be kept secret. I rely upon your discretion."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha drew a long breath and forced a smile. "Thanks, Uncle Michael. I +trust you implicitly,--you will avert all misfortune."</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">It was early the next clay. The Countess Hortense was sitting +at +breakfast, when the Marquis de Montigny entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am an early visitor, but I was passing the house," he said, greeting +his sister affectionately. "Are you alone? I thought all breakfasted +together here."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hortense shrugged her shoulders. "Not at all; my father-in-law rises +with the dawn, and has usually been at work for three hours when I get +up. There is something frightful in such strong, restless natures, +which never feel the need for repose."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They seem to me rather to be envied, especially at the general's age," +remarked Montigny.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps so; but he thinks others should emulate him. Our household is +regulated like a barracks; everything is done at the word of command, +and woe to the servant who is guilty of unpunctuality! It has cost me a +positive struggle to preserve my personal liberty. I carried my point +at last, but poor Raoul is absolutely forced to submit to this martinet +rule."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am afraid such a rule is sometimes necessary; Raoul is not easily +controlled," said Montigny, dryly. "You, as a woman, are of course +ignorant of much which I have learned since my arrival here, and of +which the general is also cognizant. It is time that your son were +married, Hortense."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no doubt that he sometimes goes rather far in his youthful +exuberance," the Countess admitted. "His is a fiery, enthusiastic +nature, that rebels against rules and barriers, but marriage will put +an end to his follies, and Hertha is beautiful enough to hold him +captive always. You admire her, I am sure; she had a brilliant triumph +last evening."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No wonder. By the way, Hortense, the Clermonts were there last night. +Are they intimate with Herr von Reval?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think Raoul introduced them there. It is the fashion to frequent the +Reval house."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Indeed? Then Raoul is intimate with young Clermont?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is, and I should like to have him and his sister here, but--here +you have a proof of my father-in-law's incredible tyranny--the general +absolutely forbids my inviting them. I was once obliged to recall an +invitation which I had sent them at Raoul's request. The general is +determined to exclude the Clermonts from our circle."</p> + +<p class="normal">The marquis suddenly grew attentive. "That is strange. What reasons +does he assign?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Reasons? He never condescends to give me any. He simply commands, and +I must obey."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think you do well to obey in this instance," the Marquis said, in so +significant a tone that his sister looked at him in surprise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why? Have you heard anything against the Clermonts? They do not seem +to be very brilliantly circumstanced pecuniarily, but they brought +excellent letters of introduction, and they belong to a very ancient +French family."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; there is no doubt of that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, I do not understand you, Leon."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Marquis moved his chair a little nearer, and laid his hand upon the +Countess's arm: "Hortense, I am forced to open your eyes, for you seem +utterly blind in this matter. You are desirous that Raoul should marry +Hertha?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Desirous? Why, I rest all my hopes upon it. This marriage means wealth +and splendour for Raoul, and for me the freedom I have so long desired. +How can you ask such a question?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then let me advise you not to encourage your son's intimacy with the +Clermonts. I hear he is there every day, and--Frau von Nérac is a +widow."</p> + +<p class="normal">Héloïse smiled incredulously. "Héloïse von Nérac? She is not even +pretty."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But she is very dangerous."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not as a rival of Hertha. Such a betrothed could hold any man +captive."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If she chose; but she does not seem to choose. The young Countess +treats her betrothed very strangely; she is very reserved, while Frau +von Nérac, on the other hand, is very engaging."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Impossible!" exclaimed Hortense, her anxiety at last aroused. "Raoul's +marriage is to take place so shortly; he never would be so insane as to +sacrifice his entire future for the sake of this Héloïse."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He would not be the first whom passion has blinded to self-interest. +But I meant only to warn, not to terrify you. I only suspect; it is for +you to discover the truth. But be cautious; a false step might ruin +everything."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess changed colour; the thing thus hinted at might well +terrify her, for it meant the destruction of all her hopes. "You are +right; there may be mischief to be feared," she said. "I thank you for +your warning."</p> + +<p class="normal">Montigny rose, quite satisfied with the result of the conversation. The +diplomat had achieved his purpose without mentioning what was not to be +mentioned. He knew that Hortense's maternal solicitude would prompt her +to use all her influence to withdraw Raoul from his intercourse with +the Clermonts, and he thought that he had amply provided for Henri de +Clermont's acquiescence in such cessation of intercourse. As to whether +the suspicion he had expressed were well founded or not the Marquis +cared little; what he desired was that his nephew should be delivered +from associations the pernicious nature of which was but too well known +to him. He once more advised his sister to be cautious, and then he +took his leave.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the mean time another conversation, of a far more stormy character, +had been taking place above-stairs in the general's study. Steinrück +had confined himself on the previous evening to forbidding his grandson +to take any further steps in the quarrel with Michael; but this morning +he had sent for him, and was now emptying the vials of his wrath upon +the young man's head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you dead to all reason, to all prudence whatsoever, that you must +select Michael Rodenberg with whom to pick a quarrel?" he asked. "If +you had been led in a moment of passion to insult him, I could have +understood it; but from what I hear from Hertha, your rudeness seems to +have been deliberate and intentional."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was by the most unfortunate chance that Hertha happened to be in +the next room," said Raoul, confronting his grandfather with an air of +defiance, "and that she should have taken it into her head to tell +you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was the wisest, the most sensible course she could have adopted," the +Count interrupted him. "Another girl would have appealed to you with +tears and entreaties, which would have availed nothing, for, as matters +stand, you alone cannot put a stop to the affair. Your betrothed +applied to me, rightly judging that I was the one to interfere here. +This duel must under no circumstances take place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is an affair of honour, in which I shall permit no interference!" +exclaimed Raoul, angrily; "and it is, besides, my own personal affair."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, it is <i>not</i>, or I should let it take its course, for you are no +longer a boy, and are responsible for your own actions. But this +quarrel affects our family interests most painfully. Have you never +reflected that it will drag to light circumstances which should be kept +strictly private?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count looked dismayed. He certainly had not thus reflected, +and he replied, somewhat abashed, "I do not think that such a +consequence is inevitable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But certainly it is most probable. However the duel may terminate, it +will attract universal attention to its principals; there will be all +sorts of inquiries as to what provoked it, and the required explanation +will be found in the name of Rodenberg. Hitherto it has escaped special +notice, because it occurs several times in the army list, and because +the captain has occupied towards us the position of an entire stranger; +it will soon be discovered that he is no stranger to us, for as soon as +he is seriously questioned by his comrades or his superior officers he +must confess the truth. At first you were outraged by the bare +possibility of such a revelation, and yet you are the one wantonly to +provoke it."</p> + +<p class="normal">The truth of this was so apparent that even Raoul could not gainsay it. +"Perhaps I did not perceive all the bearings of the matter," he said, +sullenly. "One can't always control his mood, and this Rodenberg's +arrogance irritated me. He behaves as if he were entirely my equal."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I fear the arrogance was on your side," said Steinrück, sternly. "I +had a sample of it when you first met Michael here; he was forced to +compel you to show him the merest courtesy, and I have no doubt this +was the case when you met him afterwards. Did you provoke a challenge +or not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul evaded a direct reply; he said, contemptuously, "How was I to +know that the adventurer's son was so sensitive on a point of honour? +But no wonder!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Captain Rodenberg is one of my officers, and his honour is stainless, +you will please to remember!" The general's voice was sharp and stern. +"I beg that there may be no fresh insult to make a reconciliation +impossible. It is just nine o'clock; your antagonist may be here at any +moment."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Here? You are expecting him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course; the affair must be adjusted among us personally. He +received my summons coldly enough, but he will be here, and I trust you +now see clearly why this duel must be prevented. You were the one to +offend, from you must come the apology."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never!" Raoul burst forth. "Rather let the worst come to the worst!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I will not allow!" said Steinrück. "Is Captain Rodenberg there? +Admit him."</p> + +<p class="normal">The last words were addressed to a servant who appeared at the door, +and in a moment Michael presented himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">He saluted the general, but seemed not to observe the presence of the +young Count, who, standing aside, cast at him an angry glance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have summoned you hither to adjust the affair between you and my +grandson," the general began. "First of all, it is necessary that you +should take notice of each other. I beg you to do so."</p> + +<p class="normal">The request sounded like a command, and as such was obeyed; the young +men bowed to each other, very formally indeed, and the general +continued: "Captain Rodenberg, I have learned--from whom, is of no +consequence--that you consider yourself as having been insulted by +young Count Steinrück, and that you purpose demanding satisfaction of +him. Is this so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is, your Excellency," was the calm reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Count is, of course, ready at any moment to grant you +satisfaction, but this duel I neither can nor will permit. In any other +affair of the kind I should leave the arrangement to those principally +concerned, but this cannot be here, in view of the peculiar relations +in which you stand to our family. You must be aware of this."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all. Those relations have been so entirely ignored hitherto +that there is no reason for regarding them now, and strangers are +ignorant of them."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They will be so no longer if matters are pushed to a bloody issue. The +public and the press are wont on such occasions to investigate +curiously the personal connections of those concerned, and the truth +would be speedily discovered."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael shrugged his shoulders. "Count Steinrück should have remembered +this before provoking such an issue. It is now too late for such +considerations."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is not too late. Some means of adjustment must be devised. I repeat +to you what I have just declared to my grandson, that under no +consideration can this duel take place."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words were uttered emphatically, but they produced no effect; +Michael's reply was still more emphatic. "Upon a point of honour, your +Excellency, I can permit no control. If the Count can bow to a command +in such a case, I cannot!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul looked at him half indignantly, half in surprise. He, the son and +heir of the house, had never ventured so to confront his grandfather, +neither would the general have suffered such open rebellion against his +authority; but from Rodenberg he did not resent it. He frowned, indeed, +ominously, but he condescended to a kind of explanation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am a soldier like yourself, and would not ask of you what is +inconsistent with your honour. You believe yourself to have in no wise +provoked this quarrel?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück turned to his grandson: "Raoul, I now desire to hear from you +whether what Captain Rodenberg regarded as insulting on your part was +accidental or intentional. In the first case the affair is arranged."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul was sufficiently familiar with this tone, but he had no intention +of embracing the means of adjustment thus afforded him. He had meant to +insult, and was only restrained from frankly declaring the fact by fear +of his grandfather; he took refuge in a sullen silence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was intentional, then!" said the general, with slow emphasis. "You +will, then, retract this insult, this wanton insult, here in my +presence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never!" exclaimed Raoul. "Grandfather, do not drive me to extremes. +The limit of my submission to you is reached when I allow such words to +be used to me before my antagonist. I refuse to be humiliated further. +Captain Rodenberg, I am at your service; appoint the time and the +place."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It shall be done to-day," Michael replied. "Will your Excellency +permit me to take my leave?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, not yet!" exclaimed Steinrück, suddenly dropping his formal tone +and stepping between the young men. "I must remind you both of what you +seem to have forgotten. You are blood relations, and this tie of blood +I will have respected. Strangers may have recourse to pistols in such +cases; the sons of my children must settle their quarrel by other +means."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grandfather!" "Your Excellency!" There was the same tone of defiance +in each voice, but the general went on, imperiously:</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hush, and listen to me! This is a family matter, in which the public +should have no share: it is for the head of the family alone to adjust +it. I am the authority here, I alone have the right to interfere, and I +forbid you to have recourse to weapons. The blood flowing in the veins +of each of you is mine, and I will not have it thus spilled. As head of +the family, as your grandfather, I demand implicit obedience from my +grandsons."</p> + +<p class="normal">His tone and manner were so commanding that rebellion seemed +impossible,--the old chief of the Steinrücks compelled obedience. In +fact, neither of the young men gainsaid him. Raoul stood still in sheer +bewilderment at what he had just heard. 'My grandsons,' and 'the blood +flowing in the veins of each of you is mine!' Why, it amounted to a +formal recognition.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael too felt this; his eyes gleamed, but not with delight, and his +bearing was still more haughty than before, although he did not speak.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Raoul is the offender, as he himself admits," Steinrück began again. +"In his name I declare to you, Michael, that he retracts everything +that could bear an insulting construction; and you, on your part, will +relinquish your haughty bearing, which is a kind of provocation. Does +this content you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"If Count Raoul confirms your words--yes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He will do so. Raoul!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count did not reply. He stood biting his lip, his hand +clinched, as he cast a glance of hatred at his antagonist. Apparently +he was resolved to defy his grandfather's authority.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well?" said Steinrück, after a pause. "I am waiting."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I will not!" burst forth Raoul.</p> + +<p class="normal">But the general stepped up to him, and, looking him full in the eye, +said, "You must, for you are in the wrong. If Michael were the offender +I should require the same from him, and he would obey; since you +insulted him, it is your part to yield. I require only a simple 'yes;' +nothing more. Will you confirm my words, or not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul made a final attempt to maintain his defiant attitude, but his +grandfather's flashing eyes cast their wonted spell upon him,--they +forced him to obey. A few seconds passed, and then the young Count +uttered the desired 'yes,' half inaudibly indeed, but it was uttered.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael inclined his head. "I withdraw my challenge; the affair is +adjusted."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück gave a sigh of relief. He was not quite so iron as he seemed. +His sigh betrayed his suffering at the thought of his two grandsons +confronting each other in mortal combat.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And now shake hands," he went on, in a gentler tone, "and remember in +future that you are of the same race,--although it must in future, as +hitherto, be kept a secret from the world."</p> + +<p class="normal">But Raoul's obedience would go no further: he turned away with an +expression of frank hostility; and Michael said, "Pardon me, your +Excellency, but you must allow us to do as we choose in this respect. +The Count, as I perceive, is not anxious for a reconciliation, nor am +I. I promise to give no occasion for a renewal of the quarrel. As for a +tie of relationship between us, we are alike determined to ignore +anything of the kind."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wherefore?-- Does my recognition not satisfy you?" Steinrück asked, +indignantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"A recognition forced from you by necessity, by fear of a public +scandal, which must be kept secret because it is considered a +disgrace,--no, it does not satisfy me! Count Raoul has enjoyed his +grandfather's affection all his life, he may yield obedience to his +commands; I have always been outcast, repudiated every hour of my life; +I have been made to feel that the Steinrücks considered me beneath them +in rank, and would fain banish me from their social circle. Here, in +this very room, you declared to me that for you there was no tie of +relationship between us. I now make the same declaration to you. I do +not choose to accept privately as a favour what is mine of right before +all the world; however you may acknowledge me as your grandson, I shall +never admit that you are my grandfather, never! And now may I entreat +General Count Steinrück to dismiss me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke with perfect mastery of himself, but there was a sound in his +voice that made Raoul start and look at him in surprise; he seemed to +hear his grandfather speaking. In fact, the resemblance had never been +so striking as now, when the two men stood erect confronting each +other. The eyes, the carriage, everything bore witness to the +relationship just disowned; the young man's stern resolve was an +inheritance from his grandfather. He was the old Count's youthful +presentment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go, then!" said the general. "You choose to see in me only your +superior officer. So be it for the future."</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg saluted, bowed to his cousin, and left the room, where for +some minutes after his departure an oppressive silence reigned, broken +at last by Raoul: "Grandfather!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is it?" said Steinrück, who was still looking towards the door +behind which Michael had disappeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think you have now had sufficient proof of the arrogance of your +'grandson.'" The word was uttered with infinite contempt. "He was quite +magnificent as he rejected the recognition that you offered him, and +actually refused to admit any tie of blood between us. And you have +forced me to humiliate myself to that man!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, this Michael is iron," Steinrück muttered, between his teeth. +"Nothing avails with him, neither kindness nor severity."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And, moreover, he resembles you immensely," Raoul went on, in his +indignation and in his irritation against his grandfather seizing upon +the chance to irritate him in turn. "I never noticed it before, but +just now when he stood opposite you the resemblance was almost +terrifying."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general slowly turned his gaze from the door and riveted it upon +his grandson, with an odd expression in his eyes. "Did you perceive it +too? I knew it long ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul did not comprehend this calm. He had looked for an angry retort, +an indignant disclaimer of any resemblance. The Count perceived his +surprise, and, suddenly adopting his old authoritative tone, he said, +"But no matter! The quarrel between you is now made up, and I do not +believe that even you have any temptation to renew it. Avoid each other +in future; it will not be difficult. And now leave me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul went, but with rage in his heart. Whereas hitherto he had felt +only a haughty dislike for Michael, he now hated him with all the +intensity of his passionate temperament. Perhaps General Steinrück +would have done more wisely not to subject him to the humiliation he +had undergone,--it could never be forgotten by either cousin.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">Hertha was standing alone at her window gazing out, but she +saw nothing +of the surging life in the principal street of the capital. Her eyes +were persistently turned in the direction of the general's place of +abode. He had promised to send her tidings in the course of the +forenoon, and if he had really succeeded in preventing the duel his +messenger should have already arrived, but there was no sign as yet of +the Steinrück livery, and the young Countess's impatience and anxiety +increased with each minute that passed.</p> + +<p class="normal">All at once she leaned far forward. She had recognized the general, who +was just turning the corner; yes, it was he himself, and as he +recognized her he waved his hand to her. Thank God, he was smiling! +That could not betoken any unhappy termination.</p> + +<p class="normal">She left the window, but did not dare to hasten to meet the Count. No +one must suspect anything unusual. Only when she heard his step in the +anteroom did she fling open the door and hurry towards him. "You come +yourself,--you bring me good news?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The question was uttered breathlessly, and Steinrück replied in a +soothing tone, "Certainly, my child; there is no cause for further +anxiety: the affair is arranged."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha drew a long breath of intense relief: "Thank God! I hardly dared +to hope."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general cast a searching glance at her pale, weary face; then, +taking her by the arm, he led her back into the room and closed the +door. "I certainly have had a hard time with the obstinate fellows," he +began. "Neither would yield, neither would make the slightest advance. +At last I had to exert all my authority to bring them to reason. +Nevertheless the affair was not so grave as you supposed; a couple of +thoughtless words of Raoul's, a sharp reply from Rodenberg,--it was +quite enough to send such a couple of Hotspurs to mortal combat. They +would fain have sprung at each other's throats there and then. +Fortunately, I heard of the matter in time to prevent mischief."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke in a half-jesting tone, but Hertha perceived that his smile, +as well as his gayety, was forced. She was not deceived: she knew the +gravity of what he seemed to esteem so lightly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And they have given you a sleepless night, too; you show that," he +continued. "Our coy little betrothed repents her treatment of poor +Raoul yesterday, eh? Let it be a warning to you, Hertha. No man can +endure such treatment, even at the hands of the woman he loves the +best."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Least of all, perhaps, at her hands. But do you imagine that Raoul +really loves me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The general was startled by the tone of bitterness in which she spoke. +"Has he not wooed and won you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"According to a family arrangement, in compliance with your express +desire. I know the value of this love 'to order.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Surely this is nothing new to you," said Steinrück, gravely. "You knew +it all from the first. You both yielded to considerations deemed very +important by those of our rank. There is no great amount of romance +about such unions; but, so far as I know, you have never missed it. Why +should you suddenly adopt this bitter tone with regard to Raoul, who +might with justice accuse you in return?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Countess was silent; she had no answer for this question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The old evil spirit is stirring again; it must be conjured and +banished," the general said, with a fleeting smile. "I have had to do +it once before, in the early days of my guardianship. Then I was +obliged to discipline a spoiled and idolized child, who had known no +will save her own. You rebelled passionately, and your mother shed +tears because I was so stern, and prevented her also from yielding. We +had a stormy scene, but when the child's passion was exhausted she +carne to me of her own accord, put her little arms around my neck, and +said---- Do you remember, Hertha?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She smiled, and, laying her head upon his shoulder, completed the +sentence: "'I love you dearly, Uncle Michael. Very dearly!'"</p> + +<p class="normal">He inclined his head and kissed her forehead. "Because I knew how to +control you. Ever since I have been secure of your affection; but Raoul +does not understand yet. I could wellnigh believe that the knight who +is the ideal of the dreams of this proud, wayward girl must have +something in him of the dragon-slayer, or he can never rule her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He must be like you!" exclaimed Hertha, eagerly,--"like you, Uncle +Michael, with your iron force of character, your invincible will, even +your sternness. I could have fallen in love with you if I had known you +in your youth."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück shook his head, smiling. "What! Flattering your old uncle? +But in truth your nature craves to be striven for, to be won by storm. +My child, fate seldom gives us our choice in these matters: we must +yield to destiny, as you are now learning. Believe me, in the eyes of a +hundred other women Raoul is the ideal of manliness and chivalry; since +I have learned that you love him in spite of his not being the hero of +your dreams, I am not disturbed. And, to be frank with you, Hertha, I +did not know this before yesterday. Until then I had grave doubts of +your sentiments, but the mortal anxiety that you betrayed last evening +when you entreated my interference, and the way in which you received +me this morning, have shown me how you trembled for Raoul."</p> + +<p class="normal">A crimson flush slowly mounted to the cheek of the girl, and she hung +her head without a word in reply.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was it necessary that some danger should threaten your betrothed to +wring from you such an avowal?" the general went on, reproachfully. +"Hitherto you have played but a cold, formal part towards Raoul, and it +has estranged him from you. Only show him the trembling anxiety for his +life that you showed me, and you can do with him what you will; he will +be a willing captive."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha's blush deepened, and hurriedly, as if eager at all hazards to +change the subject, she said, "You really think all danger over?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; the insult as well as the challenge has been retracted in due +form. The quarrel is at an end."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But not the enmity! I could only give you a faint idea last evening of +what really passed between them. You do not know what words Raoul made +use of,--not concerning the captain himself, but concerning his +parents."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, it was that, then!" muttered Steinrück.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you know anything about them?" the Countess asked, hastily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I only know that there is not the slightest stain upon Rodenberg's +honour, and that suffices me. How did he receive Raoul's words?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Like a wounded lion. He was absolutely terrible: if Raoul had said +another word I believe he would have struck him down."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general's attention was roused by the girl's passionate tone, and +he gazed at her with a dawning suspicion in his look, while Hertha, all +unconscious of his glance, went on, with flashing eyes and glowing +cheeks: "Rodenberg was indignant to the last degree; he silenced Raoul +with a look and a tone such as I have never seen and heard before, save +once; in you, Uncle Michael, that time at Berkheim, when they brought +before you the poacher who had shot our forester; it brought you +directly to my mind as you were then."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück made no reply to these last remarks; he still gazed fixedly +at the young Countess, as if trying to decipher something in her +features. "Perhaps Raoul's words were not unfounded," he said at last, +very slowly. "Who can tell what he may know of Rodenberg's origin?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He was all the more inexcusable for touching upon the matter," Hertha +persisted, with a vehemence of which she herself was unconscious. "You +yourself say that the captain's honour is stainless, and Raoul surely +knows it as well as you; and therefore he attacked the parents. It was +cowardly and malicious; it was base and----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hertha, you are speaking of your betrothed!" the general sternly +interrupted her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha paused, and her colour faded. Steinrück laid his hand heavily +upon her own, and said in an undertone, but with severity, "For whose +life did you tremble? For whom were you anxious?"</p> + +<p class="normal">She was silent, although she knew but too well,--the sleepless hours of +the past night had revealed the truth to her,--but no sound escaped her +lips. The Count gazed steadily at her. "Hertha, I demand an answer. +Will you not, or can you not, give me one? Surely the betrothed of +Count Steinrück knows what she owes to him and to herself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, she knows well," said Hertha, gravely and firmly. "Have no fear; +I shall redeem my word."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I look for no less from you!" He clasped her hand tightly in his own +for a moment, then dropped it and arose. "What time is appointed for +your departure?" he asked, after a pause.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The beginning of next week."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is well. I thought of persuading your mother to remain here; but +I now think you had best go as soon as possible. You need--change of +air. And one word more, Hertha. Could Raoul have seen and heard you +just now, when you spoke of his antagonist, he never would have receded +from the duel, and I could not have blamed him for refusing to do so. +Farewell!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke coldly and sternly, leaving the room as proudly erect as ever; +but in the hall outside he stayed his steps for a moment and covered +his eyes with his hand. Was it tottering to its fall, the structure +that he had reared so proudly upon what he had deemed so sure a +foundation?</p> + +<p class="normal">'He must be like you, with your iron force of character, your +invincible will, even your sternness.' Those words had roused the +Count's suspicion. Yes, there was one who resembled him trait for +trait, and who could understand how to control the wayward child if he +were but allowed free play. This must be put a stop to at all hazards. +Hertha must go,--must be removed from so perilous a proximity. Her +whim--it could be nothing further--would change when deprived of the +object that had gratified it. It was not to be supposed serious in any +way. But it was hard for the general that the peril should come from +such a quarter, that it should be just this man that threatened +destruction to his plans. He could not have thought it possible.</p> + +<p class="normal">Upon this same forenoon Professor Wehlau was sitting at his +writing-table in his study, where, for a wonder, he was not at work, +but was poring over a newspaper which seemed to contain something that +annoyed him greatly; there was a black cloud upon his brow.</p> + +<p class="normal">The newspaper, the best and most brilliantly conducted in the capital, +did, in fact, contain a long article concerning 'Saint Michael,' the +first important work of a young artist, a pupil of Professor Walter, +which was to be publicly exhibited in a few days. The critic, who had +seen it on the easel, spoke of it with enthusiastic admiration, and did +not fail to inform the public that the picture was already sold. It was +destined for the pilgrimage church of Saint Michael, where it was to be +installed the ensuing week with due solemnity. This last announcement +was too much for the Professor's equanimity,--he fairly gnashed his +teeth.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, this is better and better!" he growled. "If they are already +beginning to turn the lad's head in this fashion, there will be no +doing anything with him. 'Magnificent composition, brilliant execution, +talent of the highest order justifying the most extravagant +expectations'! Oh, yes, here it comes again; I know the jargon! 'The +talented son of a distinguished father.' The deuce take these admirers, +and Hans too, and Michael into the bargain!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He threw the sheet aside and began to pace to and fro. Wehlau was one +of those who cannot endure to be in the wrong. He would rather have +maintained that white was black than have confessed that his eye, which +was wont to see so clearly in scientific affairs, had been utterly +deceived with regard to his own son. Hans was and must remain a +good-for-naught, who, since he had declined to become his father's +pupil and successor, was fit for no grave pursuit in life. He was +wedded to this opinion, and he clung to it with all the obstinacy of +his character. Had the article denounced his son as a dauber he would +have triumphed. But it called him a genius, and this he looked upon as +an insult, since it proved himself in the wrong.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Does the man hope to persuade me that the boy is good for something?" +he soliloquized, angrily. "I say it is false! The lad is a fool,--a +booby, who with his face and his amiability has bribed the critic as he +bribes everybody. <i>He</i> do anything of any consequence! He'll not impose +upon me; I'll never set foot in his studio, nor look at one of his +pictures, although ten critics should praise them and twenty countesses +buy them!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He raised his hand as if to make a solemn vow, when suddenly the door +was opened, and the old gardener, who likewise did duty in the studio +as Hans's servant, of course without any permission from the Professor, +made his appearance.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter?" snarled Wehlau, in the worst of humours. "You +know, Anton, that I am not to be disturbed in my study. What do you +want?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me, Herr Professor," said the old man in evident distress. "I +have just come from the studio,--from the young master."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That's no excuse; I'll have no such interruptions in future. Do you +hear?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, Herr Professor, the young master is so ill,--so very ill,--I +thought he would die in my arms!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What!" Wehlau exclaimed. "What is the matter with my son?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know. I was working in the garden, when he opened the window +and called me, and when I went to him he was lying on the floor half +dead. He had been taken suddenly ill,--mortally ill, and had only +strength enough to say 'Call my father!' And I came running to find +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good God! the boy has been in perfect health hitherto!" cried Wehlau, +hurrying out of the room. All his vexation and annoyance were +forgotten, as well as the vow he had made, as he ran through the garden +towards the studio, followed by Anton.</p> + +<p class="normal">Upon opening the door of the atelier he was shocked to find the +young artist lying back in an arm-chair with closed eyes; his +hand was pressed upon his heart, whence the breath came in short, +laboured gasps. His face could not be clearly seen, since the heavy +window-curtain was drawn closely, and there was but a dim light in +the part of the room where he lay.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Professor was at his son's side in an instant, bending over him. +"Hans, what is the matter with you? You cannot be ill? It is the only +folly in which you have not indulged hitherto, and I positively forbid +it. Speak to me, at least."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans opened his eyes, and said, in a broken voice, "Is that you, papa? +Forgive me for sending for you. I thought----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But what is the matter with you?" The Professor would have felt his +son's pulse, but the young man withdrew his hand, as if unconsciously, +to put it beneath his head.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I do not know. I suddenly grew fearfully dizzy; everything was dark +before my eyes; it was terrible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It all comes from this confounded paint,--your cursed daubing," Wehlau +exclaimed, in despair. "Anton, open the window, let in the fresh air, +and bring some water instantly."</p> + +<p class="normal">He seized the left arm of the sick man, who tried to repeat the +manœuvre previously executed by the right one. This time, however, +his father was too quick for him, and clasped the wrist firmly. "Why, +how is this? Your pulse is perfectly normal." There was suspicion in +his tone, and he turned hastily and dashed aside the window-curtain. +The daylight streamed into the room and showed the young man's face as +fresh and rosy in colour as ever. Its expression of suffering did not +for an instant deceive the experienced physician.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is another of your infernal tricks," he burst forth. "Heaven have +mercy on you if you have played this farce with me just to get me +inside your studio."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But, at all events, here you are, papa," cried Hans, who, seeing that +any further attempt to feign illness would be useless, sprang to his +feet. "And you certainly will not go away without a glance at least at +my 'Saint Michael.' There it stands against the wall; you have only to +turn round."</p> + +<p class="normal">The entreaty sounded very fervent, but Wehlau marched straight towards +the door. "Do you suppose you can force me in this way? I shall have a +word to say to you hereafter about your base deceit. Now let me out."</p> + +<p class="normal">Instead of obeying, Hans closed the door in the face of old Anton, who +was bringing the water ordered by the Professor, and turned the key. +"No use to try to get out, papa. There is no help for you. This is my +kingdom; I have duly captured you, and shall not release you. Look at +the picture."</p> + +<p class="normal">This was more than the Professor could bear. The tempest that had been +gathering strength during the last few minutes broke forth with fury, +but it failed to affect Hans, who showed an amount of strategic +capacity that would have done honour to his friend Michael. He talked +fast and loud, edging his father, meanwhile, towards the opposite wall, +and, when he thought him near enough, he suddenly seized him by the +shoulders and turned him round.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hans, I tell you if you dare to----" Wehlau suddenly paused, for +involuntarily he had glanced at the picture. He looked at it again, and +then slowly approached it.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young artist's eyes sparkled triumphantly. He was sure of his cause +now, but he stationed himself behind his father to cut off retreat, +which, however, the Professor had ceased to contemplate. He stood as if +spell-bound, staring at the picture.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is my first work of any importance, papa," Hans began in his most +caressing voice. "I could not possibly send it out into the world +without showing it to you. You must not be vexed with me for the +stratagem I had to employ to get you here; it was the only way to +induce you to enter my studio."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hold your tongue, and let me look at the thing in peace and quiet," +Wehlau growled, moving to get the best point of view.</p> + +<p class="normal">Thus several minutes passed, and then the Professor began to mutter to +himself in a way that sounded half angry, half approving. At last he +turned to his son and asked in a low tone, "And you mean to tell me +that you did this thing all yourself?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, papa."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't believe it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will surely not refuse me credit for my own work? How do you like +it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Professor began to mutter again, but this time it sounded more +promising. "Hm! the thing is not so bad; there is force and life in it. +Where did you get the idea?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Out of my head, papa."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wehlau looked from the picture to his son, in whose head he had +declared there was no room for anything save folly: the matter seemed +to him inconceivable.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Michael deserves the principal credit in the affair," the young artist +said, laughing. "He has been an incomparable model. Of course I had no +end of trouble in getting him into the right mood, but on one occasion +I succeeded in irritating him so that he burst into a furious passion, +and then I caught the expression and fixed it on the canvas. But you +don't tell me what you think of my daubing."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Professor's features twitched oddly; apparently he would fain +have scolded and fumed afresh, but it was impossible, and at +last he said, very gently, "But in future you will paint no more +altar-pieces,--promise me that."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, papa; my next picture will portray natural science in the person +of 'our distinguished investigator.' When will you sit to me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Let me alone!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is only half a promise, and I want a whole one. Shall we begin +to-morrow?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Deuce take it! yes,--since there's no help for it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Victory!" shouted Hans, throwing his arms around his father, who no +longer resisted; on the contrary, he clasped his son close, and looking +into the young man's sunny blue eyes, he said, in a burst of +tenderness, "You'll never make a scholar, my boy, of that I am now +convinced, but, nevertheless, you may be good for something after all!"</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">At Saint Michael preparations were making for the festival of +the +saint; a very great occasion this year, since the new altar-picture was +to be consecrated in its place with all due solemnity. The pilgrimage +church was in festal array, and the Alpine hamlet, usually so quiet, +was filled with the bustle of joyous excitement; preparations were +making to receive the thousands of pilgrims who would arrive on the +morrow from all parts of the mountains to pay their devotions in the +sanctuary of the archangel: all was not yet ready, and it was the eve +of the holiday.</p> + +<p class="normal">On this afternoon the pastor had been as much pleased as surprised by +the sudden and unexpected appearance of his former pupil, Captain +Rodenberg. There was something pathetic in the old priest's delight. +"Such a surprise!" he said, detaining the young man's hand in his +clasp. "The last thing that I dreamed of was seeing you just at this +time."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have only a single day at my disposal," replied Michael. "I must be +in M---- the day after tomorrow again to join Colonel Fernau, whom I +accompanied thither. I managed to get a three days' leave, and I made +this little excursion to see your reverence."</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin smiled and shook his head. "Do you call it a little excursion? +Why, it is almost a day's journey from here to M----; you have to drive +alone through the mountains for five hours. But I am glad you think +your old teacher worth the trouble; I shall at least have you on St. +Michael's day; my faint hope that Hans might come has been +disappointed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He wished to come, but he thought he owed it to his father to stay +away. The Professor takes it to heart that the name of Hans Wehlau +should be in such close connection with a festival of the church. You +know----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I am perfectly aware of my brother's attitude with regard to the +church," said Valentin, with a half-smothered sigh. "I made an abject +apology to Hans when his 'Saint Michael' arrived, for I had never given +our madcap credit for the earnestness and depth of character shown in +this work of his."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You all did him injustice; his own father especially underrated him," +Michael warmly declared. "I alone, seeing the picture from the first +sketch, was aware of what it promised. Hans has had a great triumph +during its exhibition. It was instantly appreciated by the public, and +elicited a burst of admiration; the critics praised it with rare +unanimity, and everything has been done to spoil the artist with +flattery. Fortunately, he is one of those who cannot be spoiled. Is the +picture in its place yet?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It has been hung since the day before yesterday,--a costly and +beautiful gift from the Countess to our church. She meant to be present +at its consecration, and came from Berkheim to Castle Steinrück for the +purpose."</p> + +<p class="normal">"She will be here to-morrow, then?" Michael asked.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; unfortunately, she has been taken ill; she caught cold on the +journey, and is seriously indisposed, so she sent me----"</p> + +<p class="normal">Here they were interrupted by the sacristan, very hurried, very +worried, with a number of questions to ask and communications to make +with regard to the festival. His reverence had to arrange, decide, and +oversee; there was a deal to be done.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I think I ought not to monopolize you any longer," said Rodenberg. +"The Herr Pastor appears to be in constant requisition. I will go up to +the church for a while, to see how Saint Michael looks in his present +surroundings. We shall have some quiet hours together this evening."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am afraid that can hardly be. You do not yet know,--I was just going +to tell you, but----"</p> + +<p class="normal">His reverence did not finish his sentence, for old Katrin came in at +that moment with her arms filled with evergreens and garlands, and +wanted to know where they were to be put, and the sacristan too stood +waiting. Valentin was at his wits' end.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael left him and took the familiar road to the pilgrimage church. +It was early in May, and the mountains were beginning to show the +presence of spring, always so late to arrive among them.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Eagle ridge was still girdled with ice, in dazzling crystal +splendour, but the brooks from the glaciers, their chains broken by the +sun, were dashing foaming down to the valleys, and the dark hemlock +forest nestling against the rocky wall had already shaken the burden of +snow from its boughs. From the alps and meadows surrounding Saint +Michael the snow had also disappeared; they were laughing in fresh +sunny green, while through them here and there trickled tiny rivulets +from the heights; it was as if the whole mountain world had awaked to +life. Still, however, above the heights and depths, above forest and +meadow, the wild spring blasts were careering, sounding their note of +promise and of victory.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael entered the church, quite empty at this hour of the afternoon, +but having donned its modest festal garment. Here upon these lonely +heights there were no fragrant blossoms of the spring,--column and +portal were wreathed about with dark evergreen, and little nosegays of +Alpine flowers were the sole decoration of the altar. There was, +nevertheless, a breath of spring in the solemnity reigning in the +quiet, spacious structure, now filled with the golden light of the +declining sun. The church might wear a more festal aspect when thronged +with a devout crowd, but it was much more beautiful in the profound +consecrated repose in which it awaited its festival, still untouched, +as it were, by all the aspirations, prayers, and laments which would +arise from within its walls on the morrow. No inharmonious sound +disturbed its quiet; even the roaring of the wind outside, dying away +in long-drawn notes, sounded like the tones of a distant organ.</p> + +<p class="normal">Saint Michael was enthroned above the high altar; not the dim picture +of the saint which time had half destroyed, and which had been but the +crude outcome of mediæval piety,--that had been respectfully +transferred to the church vestibule,--but the work of the young artist +who was making a name and fame for himself. Michael had been familiar +with it from its first conception, he had seen it repeatedly; but it +had been for him, as for the public, and even for the painter himself, +only a picture, a scene of conflict, accidentally illustrating a legend +of the church. He was surprised to the last degree by the impression +produced by the picture in its present place. In the twilight of the +chancel, between the tall Gothic windows with their glowing colours, it +took on quite another appearance; it seemed freed from all earthly +taint, the embodiment of the ancient sacred legend, repeated in all +religions and among all races of mankind, of the victory of light over +darkness.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg slowly approached the high altar, and as he did so he became +aware of a kneeling female figure, hitherto concealed by a column from +his observation. It was no peasant: a gown of dark silk fell in folds +upon the ground, and beneath the veil of black lace that had been +thrown over the head there was a gleam as of red gold which Michael +knew only too well. He paused as if stayed by a spell. Was this a freak +of his fancy which was always bringing up before him the same image? +Just then the lady, roused by the sound of his footstep, turned her +head; an exclamation of surprise that was almost terror escaped her +lips. Those were Hertha's eyes gazing at him.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was surely a fate that had brought these two together for the second +time in a lonely Alpine village, at an hour when each had believed the +other miles away,--at least thus this unexpected meeting seemed to +them. Both so lost their self-possession that neither observed the +other's embarrassment; there was a pause, which Michael was the first +to break. "I am sorry to have disturbed you, Countess Steinrück; I +thought the church was empty, and did not perceive you until this +moment."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha slowly arose from her knees, conscious that her exclamation, her +apparent dismay, called for some explanation. She had been lost in +contemplation of the picture; she could not have told how long she had +been gazing at Saint Michael, when suddenly he whom the saint suggested +stood before her. There was a tremor in her voice as she rejoined, "I +was, indeed, surprised. His reverence had not told me that you also +were to be his guest."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I arrived unexpectedly only half an hour ago, and had not heard of +your being here, having been told only that you, with the Countess your +mother, were at Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We both meant to come to Saint Michael," said Hertha, who by this time +had regained her self-possession, "but my mother was taken ill,--not +seriously, however,--yet I came with some anxiety. It was her express +wish that at least one member of our family should be present at the +festival and at the consecration of her gift, and so I yielded to her +desire."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael uttered a few words of condolence and sympathy, mere phrases, +which fell mechanically from his lips and were scarcely heeded. He did +not look at Hertha as he spoke, and she avoided glancing at him. +Instinctively their looks refused to encounter each other; they dwelt +upon the picture, now fully illumined by the setting sun, which, +streaming through the side windows into the nave of the church, cast a +broad band of golden light upon the high altar.</p> + +<p class="normal">The picture had none of the traditional setting of its predecessor: no +circle of angelic heads looked down from above; no flames flickered up +from the abyss; the two life-size figures were alone within the frame, +each powerful and effective in its way. Above them arched the clear +shining heavens; beneath them yawned a rocky gulf, the abode of eternal +night.</p> + +<p class="normal">Dashed from on high, on the very edge of the abyss, Satan was writhing +upwards with the last desperate effort of a conquered foe not in the +guise of the horned dragon-like monster of the legend, but in a human +form of strange demoniac beauty, with dark wings like those of a bird +of night. The face expressed agony, rage, and at the same time horror +of the power that had hurled him to destruction; while in the upturned +eyes there was the hopeless despair of a lost soul conscious of the +light that had been radiant about it, but to be henceforth quenched in +eternal night. It was Lucifer, once the Son of the Morning, and now +showing in his ruin a gleam of his former splendour.</p> + +<p class="normal">Above him, in the clear heavens, Saint Michael, in glittering mail, was +sustained by two mighty wings, like those of an eagle, and like an +eagle he was swooping down upon the foe. In his right hand flashed the +sword of flame, and flame also flashed from his large blue eyes, while +his hair, loosened by his impetuous flight, waved above his brow. His +look, his bearing, bore witness to the battle that had been fought, and +yet the entire figure of the archangel was as if bathed in the halo of +glory that beamed about the strong, victorious champion of light.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The picture produces a totally different effect in these +surroundings," said Hertha, her gaze still fixed upon it. "Much more +solemn, and much more powerful! The archangel has something terrible in +his aspect; one can almost feel the fiery breath of annihilation +proceeding from him. I am only afraid that the peasants will not +comprehend this conception; they may perhaps regret the solemn +indifference of the old picture."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, you do not know our mountaineers," rejoined Rodenberg. "This is +just the picture that they will comprehend, as they could no other, for +this is their Saint Michael, who sweeps in wind and storm above their +mountains and valleys, and whose lightnings flash destruction. This is +not the heavenly champion of the ecclesiastical legend, but the +archangel of the popular faith in his original form. You thought me +heretical once because I saw in the story the old Pagan worship of +light and the ancient German god of thunder. You see now that my +friend's conception coincided with my own: he has given something of +the aspect of Wotan to his saint."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And Professor Wehlau inoculated you both with these ideas," Hertha +interposed, reproachfully. "He cannot endure the thought that his son +has painted a genuinely sacred picture; something Pagan and old German +must be discovered in it. As if the people would see in Saint Michael +only the avenger! Tomorrow, on the anniversary of his appearance, he +will be in their minds all beneficence, as he sweeps down from the +Eagle ridge; his sword of flame only ploughs the soil, and the sparks +of light that stream from it bestow the vigour and life of spring upon +the earth. I have been hearing the beautiful legend again today."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, this year he seems to have determined to descend in storm," said +Michael. "The wind is rising on the heights, and in all probability the +Eagle ridge will send down to us in the night one of those spring +storms which are dreaded in all the country round. I know the signs."</p> + +<p class="normal">As if in confirmation of his words, the wind outside grew louder and +fiercer. It sounded no longer like the tone of an organ, but like the +dull roar of distant breakers, now rising, now falling. The sun sank, +attended by a few light clouds, in a sea of flame, the splendour of +which filled the entire church. The faded old pictures on the walls, +the statues of saints on pillar and column, the crosses and church +banners, all looked instinct with a strange, ghostly life in the red +light. The carved angels upon the altar steps seemed to stir their +wings gently, and the broad band of gold which streamed across the +picture turned to crimson and grew deeper as it mounted higher. +Gradually the rocky abyss and Lucifer faded into shadow and darkness, +while Saint Michael's mighty form, with its eagle-wings, was still +surrounded by a halo of light.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a long silence. Hertha broke it, and there was an uncertain +sound, a hesitation in her voice as she began: "Captain Rodenberg, I +have a request to make of you."</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked at her. "I am at your service."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should like to know the truth with regard to a certain affair,--the +entire, unvarnished truth. May I learn it from you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"If it be in my power----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Most certainly, your consent is all that is needed. My uncle Steinrück +has told me that the matter in which I entreated his interference is +entirely arranged; of course I do not doubt his words, but nevertheless +I fear----" She paused.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You fear?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That the reconciliation is only momentary and apparent. You could not, +perhaps, refuse your general the obedience he required of you, any more +than Raoul could refuse it to his grandfather, and when you next meet +the quarrel may be renewed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not by me," said Michael. "Since Count Steinrück retracted, in the +general's presence, his offensive words, I am entirely satisfied."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Raoul? Did he really do that?" exclaimed Hertha, half incredulously, +half indignantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Under any other circumstances no reconciliation would have been +possible. The Count, in fact, submitted to his grandfather's authority, +when the general expressly required him to retract his words."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Raoul submitted thus? Impossible!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not question the truth of what I say?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Captain Rodenberg, no; but I am more and more convinced that there +is something concealed from me at the root of this matter. Very strange +expressions were made use of during that scene at Colonel Reval's, and +yet you are a stranger to our family, are you not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am," replied Michael, with cold emphasis.</p> + +<p class="normal">"There was an allusion to associations which you, as well as Raoul, +seemed to repudiate. What associations were those?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you not think that the general or Count Raoul could answer you +better than I?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha shook her head. "They could or would tell me nothing. I have +asked them. I hope to hear the truth at last from you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I must beg you to excuse me. An explanation would only be painful, +and to what it might lead you are aware."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I heard only the beginning of the conversation," said the young +Countess, divining that here a point was touched that were best +avoided. "It was enough to cause me to fear the issue; but indeed +I----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do not trouble yourself to spare me," Rodenberg interposed, with +intense bitterness. "I know you heard the entire conversation, and the +word can scarcely have escaped you with which Count Steinrück--insulted +my father's memory."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha was silent for a moment, and then said, in a low voice, "Yes, I +heard it, but I knew that it was a mistake. Raoul, too, sees the error +now, and therefore retracted his words. Is this not so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael's lips quivered; he saw that the young Countess had not the +slightest suspicion of his relations to her family, or of the tragedy +that had been enacted in it, and it was not for him to explain it to +her; but neither would he listen any longer to that voice so filled +with tender sympathy; its tones were more potent to enthrall than ever +were the songs of the sirens of old. He knew, indeed, that his next +word would open a gulf between them that never could be bridged over. +So much the better. It could not be helped, if he would retain his +self-control, and in the hardest tone he could command he replied, +"No!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No?" repeated Hertha, recoiling a step in dismay.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It startles you, Countess Steinrück, does it not? But it must be said, +nevertheless. I can defend my own honour against all attack, by +whomsoever made. Against an assault upon my father I am powerless. I +can strike the insulter down. I cannot give him the lie."</p> + +<p class="normal">His voice was calm, although monotonous, but Hertha saw and felt how +the man's entire nature was writhing beneath the wound which he thus +ruthlessly tore open before her. She could best appreciate his +pride,--pride that refused to bow even where he loved. She could +estimate what this confession cost him, and, forgetting all else, +yielding to the impulse of the moment, she exclaimed, "Good God! How +terribly you must have suffered!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael started and gazed at her inquiringly. It was the first time +that he had heard her speak in this tone which came from her very soul, +and vibrated with passionate sympathy, as if she felt his torture in +every fibre of her frame. It was like the first glimmer of a bliss of +which he had indeed sometimes dreamed, but from which he had turned +with all the pride of a man resolved never to be the sport of a +caprice. What he now saw and heard was no sport; it was an outburst of +entire self-forgetfulness, of reckless frankness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Can you thus understand and feel for me?" he asked, and his heart beat +high. "You, born and bred upon sunny heights of existence, with never a +glimpse of the dark depths of human misery? Yes, I have suffered +terribly, and I still suffer, when forced to connect the idea of +disgrace with what should be sacred and dear to me--my father's +memory."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha stopped close to his side, and her voice fell on his ear soft +and tender as a soothing touch upon a painful wound. "If you could not +love your father, you had a mother,--her memory at least is stainless."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Her memory! Yes. But she was a wretched woman, who had given up home +and family to follow the man whom she loved, and by whom she believed +herself beloved. She paid for her delusion with the misery of a +lifetime, and it killed her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And her family knew this and permitted her thus to die?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why not? It had been her free choice, She only expiated her fault. Can +you not understand this, Countess Steinrück?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The words were as bitter as ever. Hertha slowly raised her eyes to +his,--there was nothing in them of the keen brilliancy that sometimes +made their expression half demonic; their light now shone through +tears.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, but I can understand how she could follow the man whom she loved, +and could believe in him in spite of all the world, although her path +lay through darkness and disgrace, and even led to ruin. I could have +done this too."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hertha, what words are these from you to me?" Michael burst forth +passionately, seizing her hand before she was aware and pressing it +eagerly to his lips. This recalled the young Countess to herself, and +she hastily tried to withdraw her hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Captain Rodenberg, for the love of heaven! you forget----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What?" he asked, clasping her hand still more firmly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I am Raoul's betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only his betrothed, not his wife! The tie may yet be severed. Give me +the right to do so and I will break----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Michael, never! It is too late. I am bound."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are free if you will only say the word, but you will not say it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is that your final decision?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael dropped her hand and retreated.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I can only pray your forgiveness for my temerity."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha saw how profound was his emotion. She was now expiating the +early frivolity of her conduct towards him. He had no faith in her. The +old evil spirit, the old suspicion was stirring within him again, +whispering to him that her courage was that of words, not of deeds, and +that she surely must prefer an alliance with a count's coronet to the +love of the son of an adventurer. One word from her lips would convince +him of his error, but before the young Countess there arose at this +moment the stern dark face of the old general. She felt the iron clasp +of his hand, she heard his words: 'Surely the betrothed of Count +Steinrück knows what she owes to him and to herself!' The remembrance +admonished her imperiously of the sacredness of her promise. A woman +could not a few weeks before marriage sever an alliance into which she +had entered voluntarily, because she had changed her mind. Hertha hung +her head and was silent.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile the sun had set, and with it had departed the golden glory in +which the interior of the church had been bathed. Pictures and statues +were cold and lifeless again, and gray twilight shadows were softly +descending over all. The bright figure of the archangel alone could be +discerned in the recess behind the altar. But the wind that roared +about the walls outside had found an entrance somewhere: it wailed ill +long-drawn notes through the vaulted arches, to die away whispering +like spirit-tones.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha shuddered involuntarily at the strange moaning sound, and then +turned to go. Michael followed her, but at some slight distance, and +neither spoke. They came out into the vestibule of the church, where +they were met by the pastor looking much distressed. "I was in search +of you, Countess Hertha," said he, out of breath with his hurried walk. +"Here you are too, Michael. A messenger has arrived from Castle +Steinrück----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"From the castle?" Hertha interposed. "I trust my mother is no worse?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Countess's illness seems to have become graver, and Fräulein von +Eberstein wished you to know it; here is a letter for you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha opened the letter hurriedly and glanced through it. Valentin saw +her grow pale.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must go; there is not a moment to be lost. I entreat your reverence +to have the wagon made ready immediately."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you wish to go now?" Valentin asked in dismay. "It is growing dark; +the night will have fallen absolutely in half an hour, and there is a +storm brewing. You cannot possibly take that long mountain drive in the +night."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must! Gerlinda would not write as she does if my mother were not +dangerously ill."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you yourself run a great risk in persisting in going. What do you +think, Michael?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It will be a stormy night," said Michael, advancing. "<i>Must</i> you go, +Countess Steinrück?"</p> + +<p class="normal">For answer she handed to him and to the pastor the letter she had +received. It consisted of a few hasty lines: "My godmother has suddenly +grown worse; she is asking for you, and I am terribly anxious. The +physician talks of a severe, perhaps dangerous attack. Come +immediately! GERLINDA."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You see I have no choice," the young Countess said in a trembling +voice. "If I start immediately I can reach the castle before midnight. +I must go, your reverence."</p> + +<p class="normal">During the last few moments they had been walking towards the village. +Hertha and the priest had some trouble in making their way against the +wind. Valentin made one more attempt to persuade her to wait at least +until daybreak before setting forth, but in vain.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the parsonage they questioned the servant from the castle, who had +ridden over on horseback, but he could give his young mistress no +consoling tidings. The Frau Countess was certainly very ill; the Herr +Doctor had looked very grave, and had bidden him make all the haste he +could.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael had taken no part in the priest's remonstrances, but now he +stepped to Hertha's side and asked, in a low voice, "May I go with +you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!" was the reply, in a voice as low, but none the less decided. He +retired with a frown.</p> + +<p class="normal">Ten minutes later Hertha was seated in the little mountain wagon which +her mother always used when she came to Saint Michael, and in which she +herself had arrived at the parsonage. The coachman was skilful, and the +servant who had accompanied her was mounted upon a stout mountain pony, +as was also the messenger from the castle. Nevertheless the old priest +stood with anxious looks beside the vehicle from which the young +Countess held out her hand to him to bid him farewell. Then the +beautiful face, now very pale, turned towards the door of the +parsonage, where Michael was standing. Their glances met once more; +there was in them a last farewell!</p> + +<p class="normal">"God grant the storm do not increase during the night!" said Valentin, +sighing, as the wagon drove off. "Those servants would all lose their +heads in any actual peril. I hoped you would offer to accompany the +Countess, Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did so, but my offer was rejected in the most decided manner, and of +course I could not persist."</p> + +<p class="normal">The pastor shook his gray head disapprovingly. "How can you be +sensitive and irritable at such a time? You could not but see how +agitated the poor girl was; but in all matters where the Steinrücks are +concerned your sense of justice is dulled. I have long seen that."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael made no reply to this reproach; his gaze followed the wagon, +which soon disappeared in a bend of the road, and then he looked across +to the Eagle ridge, which towered white and ghostly in the gathering +darkness. It was still distinct, but the clouds were beginning to +gather about its summits,--storm-clouds that loomed up slowly and +threateningly.</p> + +<p class="normal">When Valentin and his guest were once more seated in the priest's +modest apartment, although they had not met since autumn, and each had +much to hear and to tell, there was no ready flow of conversation. +Michael especially was uncommonly absent and monosyllabic; he seemed +scarcely to hear some of the priest's questions, and his answers to +others were quite irrelevant. The pastor perceived with surprise that +his thoughts were preoccupied.</p> + +<p class="normal">The light had quite faded, and old Katrin had just set the lamp upon +the table, when there was a knock at the door, and an elderly man in a +hunting costume entered the room, baring his head as he advanced to the +pastor.</p> + +<p class="normal">"God bless your reverence, here I am in Saint Michael once more! Do you +remember me? It must be ten years since I left the forest lodge."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Wolfram, is it you?" exclaimed Valentin, much surprised. "Whence do +you come?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"From Tannberg. I had to go to the sessions there on account of a small +property left me by an old cousin, and as to-morrow is Saint Michael's +day, I thought I would take a look at my old home and see after your +reverence. I got here half an hour ago and went to the inn, but I +thought I'd look in on your reverence this evening."</p> + +<p class="normal">The priest glanced with a degree of embarrassment at Michael. This +unexpected arrival must be far from agreeable for the young officer, +for if Wolfram did not recognize him at first, he certainly would do so +shortly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right not to forget me or your old home," said he, with some +hesitation. "I am not alone, as you see. I have a guest----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"So I heard,--an officer," the forester interposed, standing erect and +saluting in true military fashion. "I heard it at the inn,--a son of +your reverence's brother in Berlin."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael had recognized his former foster-father at the first glance. +The powerful, thick-set figure was unchanged, as were the hard +features, and the hair and beard, now grizzled, were as neglected as +formerly. The man was as rude and rough as ever. At sight of him +Rodenberg was for a moment filled with bitterness at the thought that +under such brutal guardianship his boyhood and the first years of his +youth had been wasted. True, his sense of justice told him that the +forester had acted according to his light, but, nevertheless, he could +not bring himself to accost him with the old familiarity. There could +not but be a certain condescension in his manner as he offered his hand +to the new-comer. "The officer is not quite a stranger to you, +forester," he said, quietly. "I think we have seen each other before."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wolfram started at sound of the voice, and scanned the speaker from +head to foot, then shook his head. "I have not the honour, so far as I +know, Herr Captain. I seem to know the voice, and there is something in +the face--what is it? I believe, your reverence, that the gentleman is +like that queer fellow Michael who ran away."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And of whom you seem to have but a poor opinion."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You're right there!" said the forester, after his blunt fashion. "I +had trouble and worry enough with the young rascal. He was as strong as +a bear, but so stupid that no one could do anything with him; he did +not understand anything, and at last he got me into disgrace with the +Herr Count. I was glad to be rid of him when he ran away; he must have +gone to ruin somewhere, for he was good for nothing."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael smiled slightly at this rather unflattering sketch of +character, but the priest said, gravely,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are greatly mistaken, Wolfram; you always were mistaken with +regard to your foster-son. Look more closely at my guest,--he is +Captain Michael Rodenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wolfram started and stared speechless at Michael as if he had seen a +ghost. "The Herr Captain--he--Michael?" he stammered at last.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who did not quite go to ruin," said Michael. "You see he managed to +get a captaincy."</p> + +<p class="normal">The forester still stood as if thunderstruck, trying in vain to grasp +the incredible fact. He looked up in helpless bewilderment at Michael, +now a head taller than his former foster-father, and scarcely ventured +to take the young man's offered band. He stammered a few words, half in +salutation, half in excuse, but he evidently found it impossible to +comprehend the situation.</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin benevolently came to his relief with a few questions as to his +welfare during the last ten years, but it was some minutes before the +forester could collect himself sufficiently to reply, and even then his +answers were rather incoherent. There was not much to tell; his present +situation on the young Countess's estates brought him a better salary +than his former one, but he lived as before in the forest, with no +associates save his underlings, rarely saw anything of the world, and +seemed to lead the same half-savage life as formerly at the forest +lodge. He saw the general frequently, for the Count was very +conscientious in the discharge of his duties as guardian, and himself +inspected his ward's estates, but he had seen his young mistress to-day +for the first time for ten years; he had met her on his way to the +village, as she was returning to the castle.</p> + +<p class="normal">This was told in a broken, disconnected fashion, the speaker's eyes +being all the while riveted persistently upon Michael. If the captain +took any part in the conversation the forester was mute; his shyness +seemed to increase rather than to diminish; his wonted self-assertion +had vanished. Michael, moreover, was as taciturn and absent-minded as +he had previously been in talking with the priest; even this unexpected +meeting could not keep his thoughts from incessantly following the +little mountain wagon, which had now probably accomplished a third of +its journey, and he suddenly left the room to see if the moon, which +had just risen, were shining brightly enough for the mountain drive.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wolfram looked after him, and then said to the priest in a +strangely--subdued tone, "Is it really true, your reverence? Is that +really and truly Michael,--our Michael?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin could not forbear smiling, as he replied, "I should think you +could see that for yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I do see it, but I can't believe it," the man declared. "<i>That</i> +the boy to whom I have given many a blow for his stupidity and +obstinacy? The innkeeper said the captain was so wonderfully clever +that they had put him on the general's staff, and in the last war he +fought furiously, and made short work with the enemy. And now he's a +captain, just like my Herr Count when I entered his service forty years +ago, and some day he may be a general like his Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is quite possible. But did not the innkeeper mention his name when +he told you all this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; he called him only 'the captain.' Oh, he has a great respect for +him. Well, so far as I can see, there's no being very familiar with +Herr Michael now. He is friendly enough, but there is a kind of way +about him that makes you keep your distance. He calls me Herr Forester; +I suppose I must call him Herr Captain."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You certainly must conform yourself to altered circumstances," said +the priest, gravely. "And one thing more, Wolfram. It is not necessary +that you should tell the innkeeper and your other acquaintances that +Captain Rodenberg is your former foster-son. He had very little +intercourse with the villagers in old times, and is so much altered +that no one recognized him when he returned here an officer. I know +that Count Steinrück enjoined silence upon you with regard to your +foster-son, and you were silent. You would oblige Michael and myself if +you would pursue the same course now."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I never was a tattler, as your reverence knows," rejoined Wolfram. "I +shouldn't gain much by my former prophecies about Michael; the people +would be sure to tease me with them, and I must go home the day after +to-morrow; I don't want anybody here to get wind of the matter until +after I have gone."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael's return put a stop to the conversation. Immediately afterwards +the forester took his leave and returned to the little village inn, +which stood at a considerable distance from the parsonage. Meanwhile +the night had set in, and St. Michael soon lay buried in slumber.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">The signs in the heavens, which had been so evident to a +practised eye, +had not prophesied falsely. Towards midnight the storm burst with a +savage fury rarely equalled even in these mountains. The little Alpine +hamlet was sufficiently familiar with the storms of autumn and of +spring, and its inhabitants were wont to sleep calmly and quietly while +the wind raged above the low stone-laden roofs and rattled at the doors +and windows. But to-night the uproar was so terrible that it roused +them from their repose. They crossed themselves and lay awake +listening; it seemed as if Saint Michael were to be swept off the face +of the earth.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a gleam of light in the parsonage. The priest had risen, and +was standing at the window, entirely dressed, when he heard Michael's +step upon the stairs.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I saw a light in your room, and so came down," the captain said as he +entered. "The storm has roused you from your bed. I thought it would do +so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you have not been in bed at all," rejoined Valentin. "At least I +have heard your step continually above my head. You must have paced +your room for hours."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I could not sleep, and I forgot that I should disturb you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all; my sleep was broken with anxiety about the Countess Hertha +and her mountain drive. Thank God, the storm did not come until near +midnight! She must have reached the castle by eleven."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you perfectly sure of that?" asked Michael, eagerly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; the drive down could not, even with extreme caution, take more +than three hours, and for that length of time the sky was tolerably +clear; moreover, the moon is at the full. What I feared was that the +storm would overtake the Countess on the way. Once in the valley she +was out of danger."</p> + +<p class="normal">"If she arrived there. But how can we be sure of it?" murmured Michael. +He could not but admit that the priest was right; in all probability +Hertha had long since been safe in the castle; but the restless anxiety +which had robbed him of sleep would not leave him; it possessed him +with a vague dread, a foreboding of evil.</p> + +<p class="normal">He, too, had gone to the window, and both men stood looking out +silently into the storm and night, illuminated by a gray light from the +moon, which behind its veil of clouds shone brightly enough to reveal +objects at some distance. Suddenly the dim figure of a man appeared, +seeming to come directly from the village, and making his way with +sturdy steps in the teeth of the wind towards the parsonage. Michael's +keen eye first detected him; he pointed him out to the priest, who +shook his head, surprised. "In such weather! Some one must be +desperately ill and requiring the sacrament, but I know of no one in +the village who is ailing. The man is certainly coming here. I must go +and let him in."</p> + +<p class="normal">He went to open the door himself, and immediately afterwards Wolfram's +voice was heard. "It is I, your reverence. I come like a ghost in the +night, but it can't be helped. If you had been asleep I should have had +to knock you up."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What is the matter? What brings you here?" Valentin asked, anxiously, +as he conducted his visitor into the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No good, your reverence. First let me get my breath. That cursed +wind,--it nearly knocked me down! I come about the young Countess----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Countess Steinrück? Where is she?" Michael hastily interrupted him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Heaven only knows! She has not returned to the parsonage?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good God, no!" exclaimed Valentin. "The Countess set out for the +castle."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, but she had to turn back. That confounded horse shied at a +mountain brook! I should like to wring the brute's neck! And the +coachman, instead of holding on to the reins, was tossed off the box, +and there he lies with a hole an inch deep in his head. The servant got +him back with difficulty to the inn, and the young Countess was lost on +the way back. Not a soul knows where she is,--and in such a night, when +all the fiends are abroad!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused to take breath. Michael had grown very pale. Confused and +vague as was the man's tale, he saw that his forebodings were +justified.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was the Countess uninjured. Where did the accident happen? At what +time? Answer! answer!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He assailed the forester so peremptorily with his questions that +Valentin, in spite of his anxiety, gazed at him in amazement. Wolfram +did his best to tell his story more connectedly, and was partly +successful, but his tidings were not more consoling. "At first all went +well. The road was perfectly clear in the moonlight, and they drove on +tolerably fast. Then the brute, the horse, suddenly shied at a brook +that tumbled swollen down the mountain, rushed into the stones by the +wayside, fell, and pulled over the carriage with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the Countess was not injured?" The question was as eager as the +foregoing ones.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, she was on her feet in an instant, but the coachman lay bleeding +on the ground, and the wagon had lost a wheel. Of course the men lost +their heads,--that kind of folk never have any sense outside the walls +of their castle. The young Countess seems to have been the only one to +have her wits about her, and she brought the others to order. She could +not go on with the broken wagon; there was nothing for it but to +return. The coachman, who could not walk, was put into the wagon among +the cushions, and one of the servants with the shying horse stayed with +him, while the Countess and the other servant mounted the other horses +and set out to go back to Saint Michael, promising to send help. +Nothing has been seen or heard of her since."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At what time did this happen?" Michael interrupted him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"At about nine o'clock."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then she ought to have been here by ten, and it is now one hour past +midnight!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He uttered the words in a tone of such anguish that the priest again +cast at him a look half inquiry, half dismay. But Michael had eyes and +ears only for the forester and his tidings, and he urged him +impatiently, "Go on! go on!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There's not much more to say," Wolfram declared. "The two men waited +for help for two hours, and when it did not come, and the weather grew +more threatening, they had the sense to set out by themselves. The +coachman had somewhat recovered, and was put upon the horse, which the +other man led by the bridle, and so at last they reached the inn, but +could go no farther, for the storm was too furious; they were perfectly +sure that the Countess was at the parsonage. But she never got back to +the village; she would have had to pass the inn, and no one had seen +her. The servant is crying like an old woman about his young mistress, +but he could not be prevailed upon to go to the parsonage through the +storm. So I came,--and there your reverence has the whole story. What +is to be done?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"There has been an accident!" exclaimed the priest, his anxiety +increasing with every moment. "I feared it when this wretched mountain +journey was undertaken. They have fallen down some roadside precipice."</p> + +<p class="normal">"They are more likely to have lost their way," said Michael, his voice +faltering in spite of his effort to steady it. "Did the two servants +who returned find no trace of the others?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, not the least."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then there can have been no plunge down a precipice; two persons, and +two horses, could not disappear from a tolerably safe road without a +trace left behind. They have lost their way."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But that is impossible,--there is no other road," said the priest.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, one, your reverence, near Almenbach, where the path winds upward +to the mountain chapel. The roads are very similar, moonlight is +illusive, and if the Countess did not soon find out her mistake, she +must have got among the clefts of the Eagle ridge!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"God protect us!" exclaimed the priest. "That would be almost as bad as +a plunge down a precipice!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael bit his lip; he knew that this was no exaggeration; from his +boyhood he had been familiar with the clefts and abysses of the Eagle +ridge.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is the only imaginable possibility," he rejoined. "At all events, +there is not a moment to be wasted; hours have been lost already. We +must set out immediately."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Now? In such a night?" asked Wolfram, staring at the captain as if he +thought him insane, while Valentin exclaimed,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you thinking of, Michael? You do not mean----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To go in search of the Countess. Of course. Do you suppose I could +stay quietly here while she is exposed to all the horrors of this +night?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You ought to wait, and not attempt impossibilities. You know our +mountains, and that nothing is to be done while the storm is raging +thus. As soon as it subsides, as soon as the morning dawns, we will do +all that men can do. To go out now would be worse than folly,--it would +be madness!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Madness or not, it must be attempted!" Michael burst forth. "Do you +imagine that I set the least value on my life weighed against hers? If +I had to follow her to the summit of the Eagle ridge, where death +seemed certain, I would either deliver her from peril or perish with +her!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin clasped his hands in dismay. This burst of despair and anguish +betrayed to him the well-guarded secret of which he had, indeed, within +the last few minutes had some suspicion, and he exclaimed under his +breath, "Can this be? Good God!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael paid him no heed; he had turned to Wolfram, and said, hastily, +"I need companions; we must search in different directions; will you go +with me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I? Now, when all the fiends of hell are loose in the mountains? The +Wild Huntsman was never so furious in all the years I spent at the +forest lodge."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Infernal superstition!" muttered Rodenberg, stamping his foot. "Then +go for the innkeeper; he is a good mountaineer and a brave man."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That may be, but he'll not stir out in weather like this. He took his +oath of that when some one spoke of it awhile ago, and he said a ton of +gold would not tempt him, for he had a wife and children to take care +of."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I will go alone. Send help after me as soon as the morning dawns. +Let the innkeeper and a party take the road towards the mountain +chapel, which I shall follow, and pursue it to the Eagle ridge, if +necessary. You, Wolfram, with some others, search the forest around the +lodge, your former domain. Your reverence will please to have the road +gone over again as far as to the spot where the accident occurred. +Summon the whole village to help. I have no more time to lose."</p> + +<p class="normal">In spite of his terrible agitation, he spoke in the energetic tone of +command which he was wont to use to his subordinates, and as he hastily +left the room the forester looked after him with a bewildered air, +evidently greatly impressed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"He has learned how to command. That's plain!" he said, in an +undertone. "He behaves as if the entire village belonged to his +regiment and had to obey orders. Queer! My Herr Count was just so. +Michael's look and tone are just like his; he might have learned them +from him, or have been his son. There's something queer in it, your +reverence; it looks like witchcraft."</p> + +<p class="normal">The priest made no reply,--he was as if stunned. Hertha's danger, +Michael's reckless resolve to follow her, the discovery he had just +made with regard to the pair, everything coming at once upon the +venerable man, unused as he was to any passionate emotion, overpowered +him: he felt dizzy.</p> + +<p class="normal">In a few moments Michael returned, completely equipped for his midnight +expedition in a rough plaid, with his mountain staff; he held out his +hand to his old teacher: "Farewell, your reverence, and if we should +not see each other again, God protect us!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin clasped his hand and held it fast; fear lest he should lose +his favourite outweighed the thought of Hertha's peril. "Michael, be +reasonable. Hark! how the wind is roaring! You'll not be able to get a +hundred steps from the house. Wait at least for half an hour!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg withdrew his hand impatiently. "No, every minute may be +fraught with life and death. Farewell."</p> + +<p class="normal">He walked to the door, where Wolfram was standing motionless. His hard +features worked strangely as he asked, with hesitation, "You really +mean to go, Herr Captain, and all alone?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, since no one has the courage to go with me," said Michael, +bluntly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oho! we are not cowards either!" exclaimed the forester, offended. "A +Christian man like the innkeeper, who has a wife and children, ought +not, indeed, to venture, but I have nothing of the kind, and since +there's no help for it--why, I don't care--I'll go too!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin was greatly relieved by these words,--glad that Michael was +not, at least, to go alone; but Rodenberg merely said, "Come, then! Two +are always better than one."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That depends," said Wolfram. "Perhaps the Wild Huntsman thinks so too, +and will carry off both of us. Good-bye, your reverence; it can do no +harm for you to pray hard for us while we are gone. You are a holy man, +and if you will speak a good word for us to Saint Michael, he may, +perhaps, interfere and put the hellish crew outside to rout; 'tis high +time."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael waved his hand to the priest from the threshold of the door; +Wolfram followed him, and in a few minuses both were lost to sight +outside.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">The Eagle ridge had, in fact, sent forth one of the spring +storms, so +justly dreaded in all the country round. Those who shared the +forester's superstition might well believe that a rabble of fiends from +the pit were abroad dealing destruction about them. There was a wild +uproar in the air, a crashing and howling in the forest, while the +moon, veiled by the rack of clouds, shed over earth and sky a weird +ghostly light more dreary than any darkness. Wolfram crossed himself +from time to time when the wind shrieked its loudest, but he tramped +bravely onward through the storm,--it needed a man of his physical +vigour and one familiar with the mountains to make headway on such a +night and in such a place.</p> + +<p class="normal">Both men reached the road to the mountain chapel without discovering a +trace of those whom they were seeking; here they separated.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael, in spite of his companion's remonstrances, pressed on to the +Eagle ridge, which began here, while Wolfram turned aside towards his +old domain about the forest lodge. It was agreed that he who first +discovered the missing ones should conduct them to the mountain chapel +and there await daybreak. In any case the two men were to meet there at +dawn, in order, if their search had been fruitless, to wait for the +villagers from Saint Michael, and to continue the quest by daylight. +These were Captain Rodenberg's orders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I wonder if he will ever get back again!" muttered Wolfram, pausing +for a short breathing-space in the midst of the forest. "It is sheer +madness to go among the cliffs of the Eagle ridge; but he'll climb it +if he does not find the Countess below. I'll wager my head on that! No +use to gainsay him; on the contrary, he orders me round as if he were +my lord and master. I wonder why I put up with it, and why on earth I +came with him. His reverence is right; it is madness to climb the +mountains on such an infernal night, when not a cry could be heard, no +signal be seen. We don't even know which way to go, but Michael doesn't +care for that. And I thought him cowardly! To be sure he always, as a +boy, wanted to run into the midst of the Wild Huntsman's crew to see +them closer,--it was only men that he ran away from. Now he seems to +have stopped running away from them, but he orders them about like a +lord. And you have to obey,--there's no help for it,--just like my old +master the Count."</p> + +<p class="normal">He heaved a sigh, and was about to march on. Just then there was a +slight lull in the blast, and the forester gave a long, loud shout, as +he had been doing at intervals. This time, however, he started and +listened, for he seemed to hear something like the sound of a human +voice. Again Wolfram shouted with all the force of his lungs, and from +no great distance came the wailing tones, "Here! Help!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At last!" exclaimed the forester, turning in the direction whence came +the voice. "It is not the Countess, I can hear that; but where one is +the other must be."</p> + +<p class="normal">Giving repeated calls, he hurried on, the answers coming more and more +distinctly, until in about ten minutes he came upon Hertha's attendant, +who no sooner saw him than he threw his arms about him, clinging to him +like a drowning man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Take care, you'll upset me!" growled Wolfram. "Did you not hear me +shout before? For two hours we have been hallooing in every direction. +Where is the Countess?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I don't know; I lost her an hour ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">The forester roughly shook the man off the arm to which he was still +clinging: "What? Lost? Thunder and lightning, man! what do you mean? +Just when I think I have found the Countess, you turn up without her. +Why did you not stay with her, as was your bounden duty?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was not my fault," wailed the man. "The fog--the storm--and the +horses have gone too!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hold your tongue about the horses!" Wolfram interposed, roughly. +"Men's lives are at stake, and you tell me nothing that I can +understand. How came you here without the Countess?"</p> + +<p class="normal">It was some time before the exhausted man was able to answer the +forester's questions. He was an old family servant, faithful and +trustworthy, and had therefore been chosen by the Countess to attend +her daughter on this expedition, but he had completely lost his +presence of mind in the face of the present peril, and had been of no +service whatever to his mistress.</p> + +<p class="normal">As Michael had surmised, they had taken the wrong road, and had +discovered their mistake only upon reaching the mountain chapel. Then +they had turned their horses' heads; but the moon, which until then had +shone brightly, began to be obscured, and their ignorance of the +country was disastrous. In vain did they turn in every direction; they +could not find the road again and were completely lost. The horses, +bewildered and nettled by the aimless wandering to and fro, finally +refused to stir a step. There was nothing for it but to alight.</p> + +<p class="normal">Then the tempest began; clouds gathered from all quarters. The Countess +sent her attendant back a short distance for the horses, which had been +left at the foot of a declivity, in a last hope that by trusting to +their instinct the way might be found; but the servant had no sooner +left her than the gathering mist closed about him, obscuring +everything. He could not find the horses, nor make his way back to his +mistress. His cry of distress was drowned by the roar of the tempest, +and he had probably wandered away from her in his attempt to find her. +How he had gone astray he could not tell.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is the worst of all!" exclaimed the forester. "The Countess is +now entirely alone, and very likely has wandered towards the Eagle +ridge, as Captain Rodenberg supposed. I should like to know why he +chooses to run blindly into all kinds of danger after her? What we have +to do, however, is to get to the mountain chapel as soon as possible. +Come along! On the way we can go on shouting; it may do some good."</p> + +<p class="normal">The storm raged with undiminished fury. Black clouds swept overhead and +enveloped the mountains, breaking from time to time into a host of +misty phantom shapes. And there was a roaring, a shrieking, and a +howling, as of a myriad voices of the night echoing from the air above +and from chasm and abyss below.</p> + +<p class="normal">At the foot of a huge fir, the summit of which soared bare and dead +into the air, a female figure was crouching, worn out by fruitless +wandering, chilled by the mist and despairing of succour. The delicate +child of luxury, whom hitherto the winds of heaven had not been allowed +to visit too roughly, had nevertheless bravely confronted a real peril, +and had done everything to encourage her attendant while they were +together. The trembling old servant could neither advise nor aid his +mistress; but he had at least given her a sense of human companionship, +and now he had disappeared. No searching for him, no call, was of any +avail; she was alone amid the horrors of this night,--entirely alone.</p> + +<p class="normal">More than an hour had passed thus,--a time which must always be +dream-like in her memory. She wandered on and on. Gloomy forests; dark +rocky crests reared aloft like phantoms; mountain streams, whose +foaming waters gleamed dimly in the fitful glimpses of the moon,--all +passed her by, shadowy and indistinct. Like a somnambulist, she +wandered on the brink of clefts and abysses, not heeding the perils of +a path which she never would have dreamed of traversing in the broad +light of day. But at last it came to an end in its upward course, and +she could go no farther; she sank down exhausted.</p> + +<p class="normal">There was a moment's lull in the storm; the clouds broke, and the moon, +sailing into the clear space, illumined the scene clearly. Hertha saw +that she had reached a narrow rocky eminence, and that an abyss yawned +close beside her. Around her was a broken sea of cliffs and rocks, +below her was the black night of the forest, and above her soared the +dizzy heights of the Eagle ridge, about whose rocky crests the clouds +were flying, while the topmost peaks gleamed ghost-like in their robes +of snow. The distant muffled roar of the glacier streams fell upon her +ear, but only for a few moments. Then the roaring of the wind began +afresh, drowning all other sounds; the moon vanished, and the dim, +weird twilight fell on all.</p> + +<p class="normal">The old fir-tree creaks and groans and sways; it seems as if the blast +would tear it loose from its rocky bed. Hertha clasps her arms about +the trunk, neither moaning nor weeping, but a tremor runs through her +entire frame, and there is an icy pressure upon her temples. Her eyes +are fixed upon the white gleaming peaks still glistening distinctly, +and the old legend recurs to her. From those summits Saint Michael +sweeps down at dawn the next day. Cannot the mighty patron saint of her +race, the victorious leader of the heavenly host, to whom thousands +will pray on the morrow, come to the rescue of a poor child of +mortality whose warm young life shudders at the thought of the icy +embrace of death? But his dominion begins with the dawn,--it is with +the first ray of morning that his sword of flame flashes forth +beneficently over the earth; and now night and destruction reign.</p> + +<p class="normal">A fervent prayer bursts from the poor girl's very soul. Clearly and +distinctly the picture rises upon her mental vision: the archangel with +the eagle's wings and eyes of flame enthroned above the high altar, +surrounded as by a halo by the light of the setting sun, and by her +side stands one, strangely like the picture,--one who had once declared +to her, 'If my bliss were as lofty and unattainable as the Eagle ridge, +I would scale the heights though each step threatened destruction.'</p> + +<p class="normal">Ah! she knew it was no empty boast. Michael would follow her through +peril of all kinds: he would seek her and find her if he knew of her +danger; but he now supposed her long since safe at the castle. And yet +it seemed to her as if the intense passionate yearning that filled her +heart, mind, and soul must draw him to her side, as if he could and +would hear the desperate cry that burst from her lips, half a prayer to +St. Michael and half a call to him whom she loved: "Michael,--help!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Surely there was an answering call, distant and faint, but still his +voice, and she hears it through the tempest as he has heard hers: +"Hertha!" And again it comes louder, and with an exultant sound: +"Hertha!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She rises to her feet and answers. Nearer and nearer sounds the +succouring call, until just below her she hears: "What! Up there? +Courage, dearest, I am coming."</p> + +<p class="normal">Then ensue minutes that seem endless. Michael is ascending slowly, +laboriously, but at last she sees him; he plants his mountain-staff +firmly and swings himself up beside her, clasps her in his arms, and +she clings to him as if never to leave him more.</p> + +<p class="normal">But this blissful moment of forgetfulness is brief: danger still +threatens; not an instant must be lost.</p> + +<p class="normal">"We must go," urged Michael. "The fir is tottering, and may fall at any +moment; these clefts are never safe. Come, dearest."</p> + +<p class="normal">He clasped his arm about her, and she leaned upon him in unquestioning +confidence, as he half led, half carried her down the rocky slope. The +moon had emerged again, and lighted them on their way, revealing at the +same time all the terrors of the path by which Hertha had ascended half +unconsciously, and the perils of which were doubled in descending. But +not in vain had Michael lived for ten years in these mountains; the man +had not forgotten what had been familiar to the boy for whom no rocky +summit had been too lofty, no cleft too deep. Thus they made the +descent, the abyss close beside them, the wild uproar of the stormy +night about them, their hearts filled with an exultant joy that no +tempest, no abyss, could affect. At last they reached a place of +safety. Michael had kept his word: he had snatched his bliss from the +Eagle ridge.</p> + +<p class="normal">Morning was approaching, and the tempest was subsiding; it no longer +raged with savage fury, and the heavens were gradually clearing; the +clouds slowly dispersed, and about the mountain-tops the first gray +glimmer of dawn appeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael made a halt as they issued from the rocky gorge. The mountain +chapel was almost a mile away, and his exhausted companion was obliged +to rest. All peril was past; there was no difficulty about the rest of +the way if it were traversed by daylight. He found a shelter for Hertha +beneath a protecting rock, where she sat shielded from the wind, while +he stood beside her. The young Countess's attire had suffered sadly: +her dark wrap was torn and muddy, she had lost her hat, her heavy +braids hung loose about her shoulders, as, pale and weary, she leaned +her head back against the wall of rock. And yet Michael thought he +never had seen her look half so lovely as at this moment,--his love, +whom he had battled for and won through storm and tempest.</p> + +<p class="normal">They had scarcely spoken on the way hither, each step was taken at the +risk of life, and now they were still silent, gazing upward at the +Eagle ridge, where the gray dawn was beginning to yield to a crimson +tint that deepened every moment. At last Michael bent over her and +said, gently, "Hertha!"</p> + +<p class="normal">She looked up at him, and suddenly held out to him both her hands. +"Michael, how did you ever find me in those abysses? You could have had +no clue to guide you."</p> + +<p class="normal">He smiled and carried her hands to his lips. "No; but I divined where +my Hertha was,--where she must be. And you, too, dearest, knew that I +should come to you: you called me before you heard my voice. Now I no +longer dread that harsh refusal which fell from your lips yesterday. I +have no fear of the promise given by you to one whom you do not love. I +have won you from the Eagle ridge, and I shall surely triumph over +Raoul Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can never be his wife!" exclaimed Hertha. "I know now that it is +impossible! But do not quarrel with him again, Michael, I implore you. +If it is possible----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is not possible!" Michael gravely interrupted her. "Do not +deceive yourself, Hertha; there must come a struggle, probably a break +with your entire family, who never will forgive you for dissolving a +tie so desired by all of them,--for sacrificing a Count Steinrück to a +bourgeois officer. And there is something beside with which they will +taunt both you and me,--I told you of it yesterday in the church,--the +blot upon my life."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your father's memory," she said, softly.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; they will never cease to remind you that you are giving yourself +to the son of an adventurer, whose name is not without stain. I thought +to terrify you with this yesterday, but, God bless you! you thought +only of my suffering. Nevertheless, shall you be able to endure the +shadow upon your life when that name shall be your own?"</p> + +<p class="normal">His eyes sought hers with a look in them of the old mistrust of the +former Countess Steinrück with her haughty self-consciousness. But the +delusive gleam had vanished from the eyes which the boy had pronounced +'beautiful evil eyes,'--they were shining with the clear sunshine of +love and happiness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must I repeat to you, then, what I said to you yesterday when you +spoke of your mother?--'I, too, can follow him whom I love even into +misery and disgrace,--ay, even to ruin.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">He clasped her in his arms, and she rested there as she had done before +on the Eagle ridge, behind which there was a dark crimson glow,--a +flaming herald of the morning as it mounted aloft. The snowy summits +began to blush with rosy tints, and the clouds still lying on the +horizon were all 'in crimson liveries dight.'</p> + +<p class="normal">"The day is breaking," said Michael, pressing his lips again and again +upon the 'red fairy gold' of the head resting on his breast. "As soon +as you are able we will set out upon our homeward way. I will take you +to your mother to-day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My mother!" exclaimed Hertha, regretfully. "Oh, how could I so far +forget her! God grant I have been nearer death than she! My mother +would give ear to my entreaties, I know, but she submits blindly in +everything to my uncle Michael, and there will be a severe struggle +with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Leave him to me," Michael interposed. "Immediately upon my return I +will inform the general that you wish to annul your contract with +Raoul, that----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no!" she remonstrated. "I must bear the first brunt of his anger. +You do not know my guardian."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know him better than you think; this will not be our first +encounter. If any one can measure himself against the general it is +I,--his near of kin."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha looked at him in bewilderment. "What do you mean? I do not +understand."</p> + +<p class="normal">He released her from his clasping arms, and, gazing into her eyes, +said, "I have intentionally delayed a disclosure that must be made to +you, dearest. I could not make it until I was sure that you were mine, +even although you saw in me only the son of a homeless adventurer. I am +no alien to you or to your people, nor was my father. Did you never +hear of the general's other child, his daughter?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly,--Louise Steinrück. She was once, I think, on the eve of +betrothal to my father; but she died very young,--scarcely eighteen."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have been told, then, that she died. I thought so. She did die for +her father, her family, who cast her off when she married the man of +her choice. She was my mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Countess looked at him in utter amazement. "Is it possible? +You a Steinrück?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; a Rodenberg, Hertha. Do not forget that I have no share in the +name of my mother or of her family, nor do I wish to have."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And your grandfather? Does he know----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; but he sees in me only the son of an outcast father, whose name, +even, must not be mentioned in his presence; and now that I shall +snatch you from his heir, Raoul, he will oppose us to the utmost. But +what matters it? You are mine of your own free will, and I shall know +how to guard my treasure."</p> + +<p class="normal">He did, indeed, look ready to defy the world for her sake. Then he +clasped her hand in his to guide her back to that world which lay in +the depths below them, still woven about by mist and twilight. Up +above, the snowy summits were bathed in crimson light; the eastern +skies gleamed and flamed; there was a flash, as of the waving of a +sword, and the sun rose slowly, red and glowing. Born of the tempest, +the young day gave greeting to the earth. On the brilliant beams of the +morning sun Saint Michael descended from the Eagle ridge.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">The Countess Steinrück was indeed seriously ill, so seriously +that by +the advice of the physician she was kept in ignorance of the peril +through which her daughter had passed. Hertha, upon her arrival, simply +told her mother that the storm had detained her in Saint Michael for +the night, and thus the Countess was not even aware of the meeting with +Captain Rodenberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">About a week later, in one of the reception-rooms of the castle, the +priest of Saint Michael was sitting with his brother, who had lately +arrived, and had sent a messenger to summon Valentin. The conversation +between the brothers was evidently of a serious nature, and Professor +Wehlau said at last, "Unfortunately, I can give you no hope. This last +attack of the disease from which the Countess has suffered for so many +years, is a mortal one. Her condition is, happily, free from pain, but +it is hopeless. She may live four or five weeks longer; she will never +witness her daughter's marriage."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I feared this when I saw the Countess last," rejoined Valentin. "But +it is a comfort to have you here. I know what a sacrifice you make in +coming in the midst of your university course, and when you have so +entirely given up practice."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wehlau shrugged his shoulders: "What else could I do? My relations with +the Steinrücks are almost as old and as intimate as your own; and then +Michael, who brought the news of the Countess's illness, gave me no +peace. He urged me so strongly that at last I consented to come. I +thought it odd, for he knows the Countess only in society, but he +insisted that I should yield to her request and come."</p> + +<p class="normal">The priest was evidently interested to hear this, but he merely asked, +"And you brought Hans with you? I shall see him, then."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly; he will go to you in a day or two. He of course stays with +our relatives in Tannberg, while I take up my abode here on the +Countess's account. The boy's whims are unaccountable. Early in April +he began to talk of going to the mountains to sketch, and I had to +convince him that it would be folly, since the mountains were then deep +in snow. And when I made up my mind to come here, he suddenly +discovered that it was necessary he should go to Tannberg for +'relaxation.' He must need it after all the flattery and nonsense that +have been put into his head of late, and which my sister-in-law will +doubtless keep fresh in his memory."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But you brought him?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Brought him? As if I had anything to do with it! Oh, my gentleman is +quite independent now. I dare not do anything to clip the wings of such +a genius, however ridiculous may be the flights it undertakes. He came +with me, and comes over here every day with the greatest regularity to +inquire after me and the Countess. I can't understand the fellow any +more than I can Michael. They could not show more tender interest in +the Countess if she were their own mother. And she is in very good +hands with the country physician here, and that young god-daughter of +hers,--what is her name?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gerlinda von Eberstein."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, yes! A queer little thing, who scarcely opens her lips, and makes +the most remarkable courtesies. But she is a capital nurse, with her +quiet, gentle ways. Countess Hertha is too agitated and anxious beside +a sick-bed."</p> + +<p class="normal">They were interrupted. The physician had arrived and wished to speak +with his distinguished colleague. Wehlau rose and left the room. Then +the servant added that the forester, Wolfram, was below, desiring to +see his reverence. Valentin told the man to admit him, and upon his +entrance said, kindly, "You here still, Wolfram? I thought you had gone +home some days ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am going to-morrow," the forester replied. "My business is finished +in Tannberg; I wanted to ask once more after the gracious Countess. The +servants told me that your reverence was here, and so I thought I----" +He stammered and hesitated and seemed unable to proceed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You wished to bid me good-bye," Valentin interposed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, I wanted that, and something else besides. I've been worried +about the thing for a week, your reverence, and haven't breathed a word +of it to a living soul; but I can't help it, I must tell your +reverence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Tell me, then. What is it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wolfram glanced towards the door, and then, approaching the priest, +said, almost in a whisper,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"'Tis Michael,--Captain Rodenberg, I mean. The next thing he'll snatch +the sun from the sky if he takes it into his head to want it. What he's +at now is not much less. It will make no end of a fuss in the Count's +family. The general will rage and scold, and then Michael will be down +upon him just as he was before. Oh, he'll stop at nothing."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you talking of Michael?" Valentin asked, bewildered. "He went to +town long ago; my brother has just brought me a message from him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That may be. I only know about the night of the storm. When I took the +servant whom I found to the mountain chapel, as had been agreed, I +left him there and went some distance towards the Eagle ridge just at +day-dawn, in hopes of finding some trace of the captain or the +Countess. I really did not think that I should ever see either of them +again alive. But after a while I saw them both on a rock, and they were +very much alive: he kissed her!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What!" exclaimed the pastor, recoiling.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No wonder your reverence is shocked. I was too, but I saw it with my +bodily eyes. He, Michael,--Captain Rodenberg I mean,--had his arm +around the Countess's waist, and he kissed her. I thought the world had +come to an end."</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin would probably have thought the same had he not been in some +measure prepared for the revelation; therefore he was more troubled +than surprised as he said, more to himself than to the man, "It has +come to a declaration, then. I feared this."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And the young Countess seemed very well pleased; she made no objection +at all. They neither of them saw or heard me, but I plainly heard him +say 'My Hertha!'--quite as if she belonged to him; and she betrothed to +the young Count! Now, I ask your reverence, what is to be done? That +boy was always at some mischief. And he's at it still. He'll never be +content with a kiss; he'll marry the Countess right out of the midst of +her ancestors and her millions. If they won't give her to him he'll +shoot the young Count, send the general and all the family to the right +about, turn every one out of doors, and carry off 'his Hertha' from the +castle, just as he got her away from the Eagle ridge, and marry her. +Ah, your reverence, I know him!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Wolfram had apparently fallen into the other extreme; whereas he had +formerly despised his foster-son, he now entertained a boundless +respect for his capability, which he veiled, it is true, in grumbling, +discontented words. He was quite sure that Michael could do what he +chose in spite of every one, even of the general, in Wolfram's eyes the +most awe-inspiring of individuals.</p> + +<p class="normal">The priest was much distressed by this revelation, confirming as it did +his worst fears, but he could do nothing at present save enjoin silence +upon the forester. There was no fear that his injunction would be +disobeyed. Wolfram evidently regarded his communication in the light of +a confession, and readily promised to divulge no word of his discovery. +When he had gone, the old man clasped his hands and said to himself, +"The struggle will be for life and death. And when those two +unyielding, iron natures confront each other in enmity--Good God! what +will be the issue?"</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">On the afternoon of the same day Valentin was already on his +way back +to Saint Michael, and the Professor sat in his room answering some +letters, when the Freiherr von Eberstein was announced.</p> + +<p class="normal">The old gentleman had come to see his daughter and to inquire after the +Countess, and when he heard of the arrival of the famous professor from +the capital he resolved to take advantage of the occasion to consult +him with regard to his own ailments. Wehlau suspected something of the +kind when the frail, stooping figure appeared, and instantly assumed a +reserved demeanour, for he was nowise inclined to extend to strangers +the exceptional privilege accorded to the Countess.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Udo, Freiherr von Eberstein-Ortenau on the Ebersburg," said the old +man, inclining his head with solemn dignity.</p> + +<p class="normal">"So I have just heard," said Wehlau, dryly, offering his visitor a +chair. "What can I do for you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Freiherr took a seat, rather discomfited by this reception. His +name and title had not apparently produced the slightest effect.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hear that you have been summoned to attend the Countess Steinrück," +he began again, "and I wished to speak with you about her."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Professor muttered some inarticulate words. He was not fond of +discussing cases of illness with unprofessional people, and was not at +all inclined to retail here the opinion he had expressed to his +brother. Eberstein, however, took his inarticulate mutterings for +assent, and continued,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"At the same time I wish to consult you with regard to an ailment of my +own, which for years----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Excuse me," Wehlau bluntly interrupted him, "I no longer practise +medicine, and was not summoned hither professionally. I hastened to the +Countess's sick-bed from motives of friendship. I could not possibly +accept a stranger as a patient."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Freiherr stared in surprise and indignation at the bourgeois +professor who could speak of the medical treatment of a Countess +Steinrück as a matter of friendship, and refuse to accept as a patient +a Freiherr von Eberstein. In his seclusion he had formed no idea of the +social position of the famous investigator, but he had heard formerly +that scientific men were all eccentric, entirely unacquainted with the +usages of polite society, and consequently rude and unpolished in the +extreme. He therefore magnanimously forgave the Professor for these +characteristics of his class, and, since he really needed his advice, +he determined to make him understand clearly who and what his visitor +was.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am a near friend of the Countess's family," he began again. "We two +are the oldest lines in the country; my family is in fact two hundred +years the elder: it dates from the tenth century."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very remarkable," said Wehlau, without the least idea of what the +tenth century had to do with the matter.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is a fact," declared Eberstein, "an historically authenticated +fact. Count Michael, the Steinrücks' ancestor, first emerges from the +twilight of legend during the crusades, while Udo von Eberstein----" +And off he went into the ancient chronicles of his house, beginning a +discourse similar to the one with which Gerlinda had so terrified the +guest at the Ebersburg. It swarmed with knightly names and feuds, and +with all the glorious mediæval blood and murder in which the Ebersteins +had a share.</p> + +<p class="normal">At first the Professor seemed desirous of discovering some means of +cutting short this unwelcome visit, but he gradually became attentive, +even drawing up his chair close to that of the old Freiherr and gazing +steadily into his eyes. Suddenly he interrupted him in the middle of a +sentence and seized his hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Permit me,--your case interests me. Strange, the pulse is all right!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The Freiherr exulted; this discourteous professor knew now that he was +in presence of the scion of a lofty line, and was ready to give the +advice he had at first refused.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You find my pulse all right?" he asked. "I am glad of that; but you +will nevertheless prescribe for----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Applications of ice to the head during twenty-four hours at least," +said Wehlau, laconically.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What! with my gout!" the old gentleman exclaimed, in dismay. "I cannot +endure the least cold, and if you will investigate my case----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not the slightest necessity. I know perfectly well what ails you," +declared the Professor.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Freiherr's respect increased for this famous physician, who could +pronounce upon a patient's condition by merely looking at him, without +asking a single question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Countess certainly spoke in the highest terms of your keenness of +apprehension," he rejoined; "but I should like to ask you a question, +Herr Professor Wehlau. Your name strikes me as familiar. Can you be in +anywise related to Wehlau Wehlenberg of the Forschungstein?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Forschungstein?" Again the Professor hastily felt the Freiherr's +pulse, while the old man resumed, condescendingly,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"It would not be the first time that a member of an ancient family had +refused to adopt a title when forced by circumstances to embrace a +bourgeois profession."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Bourgeois profession!" exclaimed Wehlau. "Herr von Eberstein, do you +imagine that scientific pursuits are followed like--shoemaking, for +example?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"They certainly are very unbefitting noble blood," said Eberstein, +haughtily. "As for the Forschungstein, it is the ancestral seat of a +young nobleman who came to the Ebersburg last autumn and partook of my +hospitality during a stormy night. An amiable young man that Hans +Wehlau Wehlenberg----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of the Forschungstein!" the Professor interposed, with a burst of +laughter. "Now I understand it all. It is another prank of that +graceless boy of mine. I remember his telling me that he had passed +a stormy night in an old castle. I am sorry, Herr Baron, that my +good-for-naught should so have imposed upon you. His Forschungstein is, +however, all the antiquity that either he or I can lay claim to. No, he +is plain Hans Wehlau like myself, and when next I lay eyes upon him I +shall give him my opinion of his promotion to the nobility."</p> + +<p class="normal">He laughed again loud and long, but the old Freiherr evidently did not +appreciate the joke of the affair; he sat at first speechless with +indignation, and at last broke forth: "Your son? Only Hans Wehlau? And +I received him as an equal, and treated him like one of my own rank! A +young man of no name, no family----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Pardon me," interrupted the Professor. "I do not mean to excuse the +trick, but as for a name and a family, in the first place Hans is <i>my</i> +son, and I have achieved somewhat in the scientific world, and in the +second place he himself is not without fame in another domain. The name +of Wehlau may well compare with that of Eberstein, which owes all its +importance to mouldy old traditions, entirely disregarded nowadays."</p> + +<p class="normal">This touched the Freiherr on his most sensitive side; he arose in +furious indignation: "Mouldy traditions? Disregarded? Herr Wehlau, I +cannot, of course, require from you any appreciation of matters far too +lofty for your bourgeois apprehension, but I demand respect for----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I have none,--none at all!" shouted the Professor, angry in his +turn. "I am a scientific man of enlightened ideas, and I have not the +slightest respect for the mouldy dust of the tenth century, nor for the +Udos and Kunos and Conrads and whatever else the fellows were called +who knew nothing save how to drink themselves drunk, and kill one +another. Those times, thank God, are past, and when your old owls' +nest, the Ebersburg, has quite fallen to decay, no human being will +know anything more about it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Professor!" exclaimed Eberstein, fairly growing purple in the +face; he could get no further, for his fury brought on so violent a +paroxysm of coughing that at sight of his distress all the physician +stirred within Wehlau, and in spite of his anger he forced his visitor +into a chair, and supported his head, while the old man repulsed +his aid, gasping, "Leave me! I wish no help at the hands of an +iconoclast--a blasphemer--a----"</p> + +<p class="normal">With a sudden accession of strength he regained his feet, seized his +cane, and hobbled out of the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Applications of ice to the head during twenty-four hours; don't +forget!" the Professor called after him, throwing himself into a chair +and allowing his wrath to cool. The Freiherr, on the contrary, hobbled +along, nursing his ire, to his daughter's room to relate the dreadful +story to her. She knew the 'young man of no name, no family,' who had +insinuated himself as an equal into the Ebersburg; she would, of +course, share his indignation at the deceit.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">While this passage at arms had been taking place between the +two +fathers, their children had been enjoying the most peaceful and +friendly <i>tête-à--tête</i>. Hans Wehlau had come over from Tannberg, as +was his wont, to see his dear father and to inquire after the Countess. +This last seemed to be the most important purpose of his coming, for it +was his first care, and he made his inquiries, not of his father, who +was surely more than able to satisfy his anxiety, but of Fräulein von +Eberstein in person. The Professor, of course, knew nothing of these +interviews, but supposed that his son came directly to himself, and was +deeply touched by his recent increase of filial devotion.</p> + +<p class="normal">On this day the young artist had been sitting in the reception-room +with Fräulein von Eberstein for full half an hour, and they had been +talking of other things besides the Countess's illness. Hans had just +said, "Then you have not told your father yet? He still thinks me a +Wehlau Wehlenberg?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I--I have had no opportunity," replied Gerlinda, with hesitation. "I +did not want to write it to papa, for I knew it would vex him, and so I +did not mention meeting you. Then we went to Berkheim, and then when we +came here my poor godmamma was taken ill, and I could not think of +anything else."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded very timid, and Hans plainly perceived that she had +lacked, not opportunity, but courage to make the disclosure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And, besides, you feared the Freiherr's anger," he went on. "I can +easily conceive it, and of course I must save you the dreaded +explanation. In a day or two I will drive over to the Ebersburg and +confess my sins myself."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, for heaven's sake don't do that!" exclaimed Gerlinda, in dismay. +"You do not know my papa; his principles are so strict in this respect, +and he never would permit----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The bourgeois Hans Wehlau to come to his house, or to visit his +daughter. That may be. But the only question is whether you, Fräulein +von Eberstein, will permit it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I?" asked the young girl, in extreme confusion. "I can neither forbid +nor permit."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And yet I ask for an answer from you, and you only! Why have I come +hither, do you think? Not for the sake of my relations in Tannberg. I +could not stay in town, although I have lately had so much to gratify +me there. The first recognition of an artist by the public has +something intoxicating in it, and this I have had in fuller measure +than I had ventured to hope for. It came from all quarters, and yet I +was besieged by one memory, one longing that would not be banished, +that left me no repose, and that at last drew me away to where alone it +could be stilled."</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda sat with downcast eyes and glowing cheeks. Young and +inexperienced as she was, she yet understood this language. She knew +whither his longing had drawn him. He was standing beside her, and as +he bent over her there was again in his voice the gentle, fervent tone +that was but rarely heard from the gay young artist.</p> + +<p class="normal">"May I come to the Ebersburg? I should so like to have another sunny +morning hour on the old castle terrace, high above the green sea of +forest. There, beside you, the poetry of the past, the splendour of the +world of fairy-lore, were first revealed to me. If I might but gaze +again into Dornröschen's dark dreamy eyes! I have not forgotten those +eyes; they sank deep into my heart. May I come, Gerlinda?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The crimson on the girl's cheek deepened, but the downcast eyes were +not raised, and her reply was almost inaudible: "I always hoped you +would come again,--all through the long winter,--but always in vain."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I am here now!" exclaimed Hans, "and I will not leave you until my +happiness is assured. Ah, sweet little Dornröschen, did I not tell you +that the day would come when the knight would appear and break through +the thick hedge, and rouse the Sleeping Beauty with a kiss? And all the +while, deep in my heart, I cherished the hope that the knight's name +might be--Hans Wehlau."</p> + +<p class="normal">He put his arm around her waist as he uttered the last words. Gerlinda +shrank, but did not withdraw from his clasp; she slowly raised the +'dark dreamy eyes' to his, and said, softly, very softly, but with the +fervour of intense happiness, "So did I."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man was not to blame if, in view of this confession, he +carried out the fairy legend in detail, and kissed his Dornröschen +nestling so contentedly beside him. But when he clasped her closer, +calling her his 'dear little betrothed,' Gerlinda started and grew very +pale. "Ah, Hans, dear Hans, it will not do! I had quite forgotten; we +never can marry each other."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And why not?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, papa never will allow it. Why, we date from the tenth century."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The tenth century presents no obstacle to my marriage in the +nineteenth. Of course there will be a row with the Freiherr; I am quite +prepared for that; but I am proof against storms of that kind. I know +from experience what it is to brave a furious papa and have my own way +in the end."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But we never shall succeed," the little châtelaine moaned, drearily. +"We shall be just like Gertrudis von Eberstein and Dietrich Fernbacher, +who loved each other so dearly. Oh, Gertrudis was married to the Lord +of Ringstetten, and Dietrich went on a crusade against the infidels, +and never came back."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was very silly of Dietrich," rejoined Hans. "What business had he +with the infidels? He ought to have stayed at home and married his +Gertrudis."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But she could not espouse him, because he was not of knightly descent, +but a merchant's son," cried Gerlinda, the tears gathering in her eyes, +while she dutifully repeated the exact words of the ancient chronicle.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was in the Middle Ages," Hans said, soothingly. "They are far +more sensible in such matters nowadays. I shall certainly not march +against the infidels. The most I shall attempt will be the siege of the +Ebersburg, and I shall surely carry it by storm."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Good heavens! Papa! I hear his step!" exclaimed Gerlinda, freeing +herself from the arm Hans had clasped about her, and running to the +window. "Oh, Hans, what shall we do now?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Present ourselves to him as a betrothed pair and ask his blessing," +the young man promptly replied. "It has got to be done, and the sooner +the better."</p> + +<p class="normal">The heavy, shuffling step of the Freiherr was in fact audible in the +next room, with the tap of his cane on the floor. He opened the door +and stood as if paralyzed on the threshold. He saw the man 'of no name, +no family,' with his daughter; at a respectful distance from her, to be +sure, but the mere fact of their being together was enough to rouse his +indignation. He advanced slowly into the room. "Ah, Herr Hans Wehlau!" +he said, emphasizing the name with contempt.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans bowed. "At your service, Herr von Eberstein."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old gentleman was evidently desirous of assuming the angry attitude +required by the occasion, but his gout played him an ill turn; just at +this point his feet refused to sustain him, and he sank into the +nearest arm-chair, where he presented a spectacle that was pitiable +rather than terrible. Nevertheless, he controlled himself, and +continued: "I have just come from a"--he suppressed a more violent +expression--"a certain Professor Wehlau, who declares himself your +father."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Which he assuredly is," said Hans, perceiving clearly that his +confession was unnecessary.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you admit it?" cried the Freiherr, angrily. "You confess that you +have played a disgraceful farce with me; that you sneaked into my house +under a false name, assuming a title----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Beg pardon, Herr Baron, that I did not do," Hans interposed. "I only +took the liberty of adding a second name to the one belonging to me of +right. You yourself prefixed the 'Baron.' But you are quite right to +reproach me, and I frankly beg your forgiveness for the stupid trick by +which I extorted a hospitality at first denied me. I call upon Fräulein +von Eberstein to witness that it was my intention to go to the +Ebersburg to tell you the truth. A jest might well be forgiven to the +passing guest who appeared at night and departed in the morning; but to +prolong the jest would be deceit. This I perceived as soon as I met +Fräulein von Eberstein in the capital, and I did not delay an instant +in revealing the truth to her."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eberstein cast a surprised and indignant glance at his daughter. "What, +Gerlinda! you knew this and concealed it from me? You have allowed this +Hans Wehlau to approach you, and have even perhaps accepted his excuses +for what is entirely inexcusable? Highly unbecoming conduct!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda answered not a word; she stood by the window, pale and +trembling, gazing anxiously at Hans. The little Dornröschen was no +heroine. All the more undaunted was the Knight of the Forschungstein. +He saw that nothing was to be gained hereby temporizing; the danger +must be braved, and he attacked the high thorny hedge with ardour.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fräulein von Eberstein has done even more," he began. "She has given +me a highly gratifying reply to a question that I put to her. I have +just told her of my love for her, and have had her confession that it +is returned. We pray you, therefore, Herr Baron, to bestow upon us your +paternal blessing."</p> + +<p class="normal">Very unexpectedly the old Freiherr received this declaration with a +tolerable degree of composure, but this was simply because he did not +comprehend it. He thought it a fresh 'disgraceful farce,' for it never +occurred to him that the son of a bourgeois professor could presume to +woo a Fräulein von Eberstein.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Wehlau, I must beg you to desist from such ill-timed pleasantry!" +he said, loftily. "You appear ignorant of the presumption of your +conduct, and you surely have reason enough to be serious in my +presence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I must pray you to speak, Gerlinda, and to confirm my words. Tell +your father that you have given me the right to ask him for your hand; +that you consent to belong to me, and to me alone."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words were uttered with extreme tenderness, but for Gerlinda they +contained a serious admonition to overcome her timidity and to second +her Hans bravely. Moreover, was he not beside her, ready to protect +her? She accordingly broke forth with, "Oh, papa, I love him so dearly, +so very dearly! Even if he is not of noble blood and has no coat of +arms, I care for nobody but my Hans!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My darling!" cried the young fellow, clasping her to his heart. And +then an incredible, an inconceivable occurrence took place. Before the +very eyes of the Baron Udo von Eberstein-Ortenau the man of 'no name, +no family,' <i>kissed</i> the last scion of the lofty race dating from the +tenth century, and not only once, but twice in succession!</p> + +<p class="normal">For a moment the old Baron was unable either to speak or to stir. He +gazed at the pair, and then lifted his eyes to the ceiling, evidently +expecting nothing less than that the walls should tumble in and crush +this daring wretch. Castle Steinrück, however, seemed to be of opinion +that this affair belonged entirely to the Ebersburg, which was +doubtless falling in ruins at this moment with a dull crash. The Baron +perceived that the end of the world delayed incomprehensibly in putting +in an appearance, and conceiving that it was his part to supply its +place, he tried to spring to his feet. But the gout was in league with +the lovers: it held him fast. Instead of stepping between the pair like +an avenging angel, he swayed to and fro in a helpless way, and then +sank feebly back in his arm-chair.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gerlinda!" he called, hoarsely. "Degenerate child! Come here! Come to +me this instant!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Gerlinda made a faint effort to obey, but when Hans clasped his arm +about her more closely she submitted, and repeated, sobbing, "Oh, papa, +I love him so dearly!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Hans Wehlau," Eberstein fairly yelled, losing all self-control, +"release my daughter on the spot, I command you! Retire immediately!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In a moment, Herr Baron. Permit me first to take leave of my +betrothed," said Hans, calmly, kissing Gerlinda's brow. Again the +Freiherr made convulsive efforts to rise.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will call for help! I will summon the servants! I will sound the +alarm!" he screamed, vainly endeavouring to reach a small table-bell at +a little distance from his chair. Suddenly the door opened, and Hertha, +having heard the disturbance, entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Countess Hertha!" exclaimed Eberstein, with an appealing look, "I pray +you save my child, whom this man has bewitched; turn him out of your +castle!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha paused in dismay. There stood Hans Wehlau with his arm around +Gerlinda, taking a tender leave of her, while the old Baron writhed +about in vain efforts to rise from his arm-chair. The scene was +incomprehensible to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans finally made up his mind to obey the old Freiherr's command; but +he did not resign his betrothed to her father, but to the young +Countess, to whom he said, in a tone of entreaty, "I beseech your +kindness and protection, Countess Steinrück, for my betrothed. For the +present the Herr Baron refuses to entertain my proposal, and I must +yield for a while, since my future father-in-law----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Insolent wretch!" shouted Eberstein, who really seemed in danger of +falling into a fit.</p> + +<p class="normal">"----is entitled to a certain degree of respect, although I can no +longer submit to his insulting remarks," the young man completed his +sentence. "I therefore pray you to take charge of my Gerlinda. I shall +return as soon as Herr von Eberstein recovers some degree of +composure."</p> + +<p class="normal">Then he calmly kissed his Gerlinda for the fourth time, carried the +Countess's hand to his lips, bowed low and gracefully to the Freiherr, +and left the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">Professor Wehlau, in the mean time, had got over his vexation, and had +answered his letters. After all, that crazy old Freiherr of the tenth +century was nothing to him. The man was evidently irresponsible, and +Wehlau was disposed to judge his son's conduct more leniently than at +first. The idea of the Forschungstein amused him much, but he +nevertheless resolved to read his graceless scion a lecture when he +should next see him, and the opportunity immediately presented itself, +for Hans at that moment entered the room.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I've just heard of another of your pranks," were the words with which +his father received him. "What nonsense have you been about at the +Ebersburg? You, a knight of the Forschungstein!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Was it not a capital idea, papa?" asked the young fellow, laughing. "I +have just heard that you have had an interview with the Freiherr. He +probably wished to consult you about his gout?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Possibly; I diagnosed insanity," said Wehlau, dryly, "and ordered +applications of ice. They will not help him much, however, since the +disease is too deep-seated, but they will calm him, and that is +something."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How so? Did you quarrel?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"We certainly did. I never advise humouring fixed ideas, as do some of +the profession. My system is to rouse patients from their illusions, +and when this Udo von Eberstein began to recite his old chronicles I +quickly made clear to him my views with regard to his mediæval +nonsense."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, dear!" sighed Hans; "you must have touched him on the raw. He +never will forgive either you or me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What of that? What have either you or I to do with that old Ebersburg +owl?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Very much, since I am betrothed to his daughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Professor honoured his son with a long stare, then frowned, and +said, crossly, "What! more nonsense? I should suppose we had had +enough."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am perfectly serious, papa. I have just betrothed myself to Gerlinda +von Eberstein. You have known her at the bedside of the Countess, and +you cannot but rejoice in such a lovely creature for a daughter."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hans, are you utterly insane? The daughter of a notorious lunatic! +Why, it may be hereditary in the family. The girl has something shy and +strange in her air, and the father is as mad as a March hare."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not at all," said Hans; "he only dates from the tenth century; a +certain abnormal condition of the brain must be looked for, otherwise +my father-in-law is quite sensible."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Father-in-law!" repeated the Professor. "I have a word to say in the +matter, and I wish to declare now, upon the spot, that if you really +have this nonsensical idea in your head you had best get rid of it +without delay. I forbid you to entertain it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, you can't do that, papa. The Freiherr forbade Gerlinda, too. He +nearly fell into convulsions when I proposed for her, but all to no +purpose; we are going to be married."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wehlau, who now perceived that his son was in earnest, threw up his +hands in despair. "Have you lost your senses? There is no doubt that +the old man is crazy, and I tell you as a physician that the germ +of insanity is hereditary. Would you entail such misery upon your +family?--bring unhappiness upon an entire generation? Be reasonable."</p> + +<p class="normal">This gloomy picture of the future made not the least impression upon +the young man, who coolly rejoined, "It really is extraordinary, papa, +that you and I never can agree. And we were getting along so +delightfully together. You had just become reconciled to my 'daubing,' +and were even in a fair way to be proud of it, and now you quarrel with +my betrothal, when you ought to be highly gratified. Aged aristocracy +applies to you only when it has the rheumatism; I ally myself with +youthful aristocracy by marrying it,--a palpable advance."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is the most nonsensical of all your nonsensical exploits," +exclaimed the Professor, angrily. "Once for all----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He was interrupted by a servant, who came to summon him to the +Countess's bedside, since he had given orders to be so summoned as soon +as his patient should awake. Wehlau went on the instant, desiring his +son to await his return; he should not be gone longer than a quarter of +an hour.</p> + +<p class="normal">Upon leaving the Countess's room the Professor encountered Gerlinda, +who had hailed as a relief a summons to her godmother's bedside. For +the moment she could escape her father's anger, and Hertha undertook to +restore the Freiherr to some degree of calm.</p> + +<p class="normal">The instant Wehlau perceived the young girl he hurried up to her. +"Fräulein von Eberstein, I should like to see you alone for a minute. +Will you allow me to ask you a few questions?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, Herr Professor," replied Gerlinda, quite dismayed by being +thus addressed. She always felt unconquerably shy in presence of the +Professor, who had never seemed to notice her, and his rather imperious +demeanour, even at the sick-bed, was not calculated to put her at her +ease. She was overpowered by timidity now at the thought that this man +was the father of her Hans, as he came close up to her, and began to +ask her all kinds of questions which she did not understand, staring at +her the while so fixedly that she began to be afraid. The poor child +never dreamed that she was to undergo a test as to the soundness of her +intellect, and in her bewilderment she made uncertain replies, which of +course confirmed Wehlau in his previous opinion.</p> + +<p class="normal">At last he questioned her as to the family traditions of the +Ebersteins,--the subject of the old Freiherr's monomania. During her +stay in the capital and at Berkheim Gerlinda had not bestowed much +attention upon the Eberstein chronicles; the Countess and Hertha had +exercised a beneficial influence upon her in this respect, but it was +of no avail on the present occasion. She was spell-bound by Wehlau's +gaze, as is the fluttering bird by the eye of the serpent. All she +desired was to satisfy her examiner, and when he most unfortunately +asked, "Your name is a double one, is it not,--Eberstein--Ortenau?" she +instantly folded her hands and began: "In the year of grace thirteen +hundred and seventy a feud broke out between Kunrad von Eberstein and +Balduin von Ortenau, because----" and then there was no stopping her. +She told the endless tale of Kunrad and Hildegard, of dungeon and +marriage, from first to last, without stopping an instant to take +breath, and all in the old monotone. She never even noticed that the +door opened, and that Hans, who had foreboded mischief, appeared upon +the threshold. He came in time to hear the familiar conclusion.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just as I thought!" the Professor exclaimed, in triumph. He rushed to +his son, hurried him into a corner of the room, and said, in an eager +whisper, "I told you so! She is already astray in mind: the wretched +germ is entirely developed, and is doubtless hereditary. If you persist +in your senseless purpose you will bring wretchedness upon yourself, +your family, and your entire posterity. I protest against it both as a +physician and as a father. I forbid it in the interest of humanity; you +have no right to impose upon the world a generation of lunatics."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Papa, I believe you are 'astray in mind' yourself!" exclaimed Hans, +hastening to Gerlinda's side. "I will not allow my betrothed to be so +tormented. I really cannot see what right the fathers have to meddle +here; our marriage is our own affair, and we can see to it ourselves."</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">Summer had come. July had begun, but the marriage which was to +have +been solemnized in the Steinrück family had been of necessity +indefinitely postponed. Although Professor Wehlau had concealed the +truth from the young Countess and had allowed her to cherish illusive +hopes, the general and the rest of the family were aware of the +calamity that awaited her. But they had convinced themselves that +Hertha would be drawn to them more closely by her mother's death, and +as soon as her period of mourning was over the celebration of her +marriage could take place.</p> + +<p class="normal">Count Steinrück had no suspicion that fate had already shattered the +proud structure of his hopes. He knew nothing of that eventful night of +storm, or of Captain Rodenberg's presence at Saint Michael; all his +knowledge of affairs at Castle Steinrück was derived from Hertha's +letters and from the report of the physician.</p> + +<p class="normal">On that St. Michael's morning, at the young Countess's earnest +entreaty, Michael had conducted her merely to the end of the mountain +road in the valley, whence, accompanied by the servant, she easily +reached the castle, where her mother's condition forbade any +explanation of what had occurred. The physicians prescribed entire +repose of mind for their patient, and thus the affair would have to +remain a secret until the hoped-for recovery of the Countess. Michael, +indeed, knew through Professor Wehlau that there could be no recovery, +and was all the more strongly moved to shield from any agitation the +woman from whom he had received only kindness and consideration. If +there were to be a struggle, it should be after her death.</p> + +<p class="normal">And now this had taken place. The physician had just telegraphed to the +general that his patient had passed away gently during the night. +Steinrück, in common with all the family, had been prepared for this +intelligence, but still the death of the gentle, amiable woman, who had +always submitted so unconditionally to his guidance, affected him very +deeply, and he could not even pay her the last offices of friendship, +and follow her remains to the grave.</p> + +<p class="normal">These July days were ominous, and filled with signs of the approaching +tempest, of which, whatever may have been the ignorance of the public, +military men were well aware. General Steinrück knew that he could not +leave the capital for even a few days; that he must hold himself ready +for orders. His duties as head of his family must yield to those of the +soldier. Raoul, indeed, could leave at any time; the youthful diplomat +could easily be spared for a while, especially in a case like the +present, when he was called upon to represent his grandfather.</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück was sitting with a very grave face in his study, reading over +the telegram received that morning, when an orderly announced a +staff-officer. There was but a small portion of his time that could be +given to family affairs: he was constantly interrupted by messages, +despatches,--communications of a military nature. He gave orders to +admit the officer at once, and Captain Rodenberg entered.</p> + +<p class="normal">The general was painfully affected by this meeting, although he was +quite prepared for it. He had, indeed, seen Michael several times on +service since he had interfered between him and Raoul, but he had not +spoken with him; this was their first interview, and the young officer +must be made to feel that he was not forgiven for having repulsed all +advances. He found, in fact, only his superior officer, who received +him with great coolness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You have some special information for me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, your Excellency; I come this time upon personal business, and must +beg you to grant me a brief interview."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück looked surprised. "Personal business? It must be something +extraordinary." He waved his hand and said, laconically, "Go on."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Countess Marianne Steinrück died last night----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you heard of it already?" the general interrupted him. "From +whom? How long since?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Two hours ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How can that be? I have but just received the despatch; no one is +aware of its contents, not even my grandson. How should you know of +this?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My old friend and teacher, the pastor of Saint Michael, who, by the +Countess's desire, was with her in her last moments, telegraphed to me +the intelligence of her death."</p> + +<p class="normal">This declaration seemed still more surprising to the Count. He said, +sharply, "This is certainly--strange! What reason could the pastor have +for sending you intelligence in which you could not possibly take any +interest, even before it was known to the family? The thing seems to me +so extraordinary that I must beg you for an explanation."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is what brings me here. The telegram was sent me at the request +of the Countess Hertha."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To me."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general changed colour. At last a suspicion of the truth seemed to +dawn upon him. He raised his head haughtily. "What does this mean? How +do you happen to be on terms of such intimacy with the betrothed of +Count Steinrück?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is my duty, in her name, to recall the promise given by her to the +Count," said Michael, returning the Count's haughty look. "This would +have been done long since but for the severe illness of the Countess +Marianne. Beside her death-bed there could be no conflict, no thought +of personal considerations. I know that it must seem heartless to allow +any such to intrude now, when Hertha is still weeping beside her dead +mother, but I act by her desire, for Count Raoul will presumably hasten +to her when he hears of her loss, and she neither can nor will receive +him as her betrothed. This is what I wished to explain to your +Excellency; all other explanations can be made hereafter. This is no +time for----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No time for what?" Steinrück angrily interrupted him. "I should +suppose you had said everything already. Go on."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you please. Hertha has given me the right to act as her +representative. I speak in the name of my betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">This was intelligible enough, and transcended the general's worst +fears. He had divined the possibility of danger, and had tried to +separate the pair. It had been of no avail. His lofty scheme was +utterly overthrown; the prize which he had destined for his heir had at +the last moment fallen to the lot of another. He ought to have +denounced with indignant scorn the audacious insolence of the man +before him, instead of which he cast at him a long, strangely gloomy +look, and was silent. It was only when Michael, puzzled to understand +this silence, gazed at him in surprise that he seemed to collect +himself, and then he burst out, angrily,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"These are most extraordinary announcements to be made so calmly. You +appear to find it perfectly natural that the betrothed of my grandson +should belong to you, simply because you have the audacity to stretch +forth your hand for her. Raoul will reckon with you for such +presumption. I advise you to reflect that such a prize is beyond the +reach of a--Rodenberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No prize that I can win is beyond my reach, and I have won Hertha's +love," said Michael, coldly. "She submitted to a family arrangement +that disposed of her hand while she was but a child, but she must not +atone for her too hasty consent by life-long misery. Any opposition +from Count Raoul is hardly to be expected. He certainly has lost all +right to claim his former betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean by such words, Captain Rodenberg?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must request you to ask the Count himself that question. Since, as I +see, your Excellency has no knowledge of the state of the case, I +prefer not to be your informant."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I insist upon an explanation. I must know to what you refer."</p> + +<p class="normal">"To the relations of the Count to Frau von Nérac."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück started. This was the danger of which he had had a vague +foreboding.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Héloïse von Nérac?" he repeated, in a low tone.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The sister of Herr von Clermont. This knowledge, I assure you, was +unsought; accident alone revealed it to me. Hertha asks of the Count +only the formal retraction of a promise long since broken by him, and I +cannot think that it will cause him any regret to comply with her +request. Fear of his grandfather's interference alone prevented him +from himself dissolving the tie binding him to the young Countess."</p> + +<p class="normal">A pause ensued. The blow was so sudden and unexpected that the general +needed time to collect himself.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall question Raoul," he said at last. "If he admits what you say +to be the fact, the Countess certainly has a right to ask to be +released from her promise; but that cannot further your hopes, for I +neither can nor will consent that my ward----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Should follow the fortunes of a Rodenberg," Michael bluntly completed +the sentence. "I am aware of it, but I must remind your Excellency that +your power as guardian comes to an end in a few months."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück advanced towards the young man, the old fire in his eye, the +imperious tone in his voice. "My power as guardian, yes! But then my +power as head of the family comes into play, and to that you will +submit."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Michael!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Count Steinrück. I do not belong to your family, as you have just +shown me. However unworthy of his betrothed Count Raoul may prove +himself, in your eyes he is still the wearer of a coronet, as I am +still the adventurer's son, who must not dare to lift his eyes to a +member of your family, even although beloved by her. Fortunately, +Hertha thinks otherwise. She knows everything, and yet gladly consents +to bear my name."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I tell you you will rue asking her to share it. You do not know +the girl's pride. Avoid her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no," said Michael, with a half-contemptuous smile. "I know my +Hertha better. For months we contended with each other like bitter +foes, conscious all the while that we could not live apart. She has +been hardly gained, my fair, proud darling. In storm and tempest I won +my betrothed from the clefts of the Eagle ridge. No human power can +snatch her from me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The cold, grave man seemed transformed; passionate delight glowed in +his eyes and rang in his voice as he confronted the Count triumphantly.</p> + +<p class="normal">Again the general gazed at him with that strange expression, in which +there was more pain than anger. "Enough," he said, collecting himself. +"I must settle with Raoul next. You shall hear from me shortly. Now +go."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael bowed and went. The Count gazed after him gloomily. It was +strange that neither of them could maintain the cold, unfamiliar tone +and manner which each tried so hard to assume. They always met at first +as superior and subaltern, as unfamiliarly and coldly as if they had +never seen each other before; but in a little while they were +grandfather and grandson, even in their angry contention. To-day, too, +there was open warfare between them when they parted, and yet the Count +murmured, when he was alone, "What would I not give if he were Raoul +Steinrück!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Half an hour afterwards, when the young Count returned from his morning +ride, he was told that his Excellency had been inquiring for him, and +wished to speak with him. In a few moments he entered the general's +study. "You wished to see me, grandfather? Have you any news from +Steinrück?"</p> + +<p class="normal">For answer his grandfather handed him the telegram. "Read it yourself."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul glanced through it and laid it down. "Sad news, but not +unexpected. The last letters prepared us for the end. You said +yesterday that if it came you should not be able to leave the capital, +so I shall go alone with my mother."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, <i>if you can</i>."</p> + +<p class="normal">"There will be no difficulty about my leave. The Minister offered to +give it to me when he heard of the state of affairs at Steinrück. I can +go at any moment to----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Console your betrothed," the general completed the sentence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course. I have the first right to do so."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Have you still that right?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count started at the tone in which the words were spoken, but +his grandfather left him no time for surmise, but asked, sharply,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are your relations with Héloïse von Nérac?"</p> + +<p class="normal">The question was so unexpected that for a moment Raoul was confused, +but in the next he replied, "Why, she is the sister of my friend +Clermont."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I know it. But is she not something more? No subterfuges! I require +the plain, unvarnished truth. Is your intimacy with her such as your +betrothed would approve? Yes or no."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul was silent. He was no liar, nor could he feign while those eyes +were fixed upon him as if to search his very soul and wring the truth +from him however he might try to conceal it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is true, then," said Steinrück, hoarsely. "I could not and would +not believe it."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grandfather----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hush! I need no further reply; your silence has spoken. Can it be? A +girl like Hertha sacrificed, and to whom? Have you lost both sight and +sense? The thing is as incomprehensible as it is disgraceful."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul stood biting his lip and chafing at reproaches uttered in such a +tone. It irritated him beyond endurance, and his air when he spoke was +defiant rather than ashamed. "You load me with reproaches, grandfather, +but Hertha, with her insulting coldness, her frigid reserve, is most to +blame for our estrangement. She never loved me; she is incapable of +loving."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are greatly mistaken there," the general said, bitterly. "You, to +be sure, failed to win her love, but another knew how to succeed. To +him she is neither proud nor cold; to him she willingly sacrifices her +rank, and he dares to offer her a name not without stain,--Michael +Rodenberg!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count at first stood gazing at his grandfather as if +thunderstruck, and then his whole nature seemed to rise in revolt. He +had, in spite of all, once loved his cold, beautiful betrothed; her +invincible reserve had driven him from her. The thought that she could +belong to another, and that other the man whom he hated, robbed him of +all self-possession, and he burst forth furiously, "Rodenberg? He dare +to woo a Countess Steinrück, to beguile her secretly while she is +betrothed to me! Scoundrel----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hush!" the general said, in a tone of command. "You have been the +scoundrel, not Michael. He has just been here to recall in Hertha's +name her promise to you, and to disclose everything to me. You kept +silence, while you betrayed your betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How could I speak? You would have annihilated me with your anger if I +had dared to tell you of my love for Héloïse."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück's lip quivered contemptuously.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was from fear of me, then? Do you suppose that I care for an +obedience founded upon falsehood and treachery? Ah! I fear that even +without your breach of faith Hertha would have been lost to you as soon +as Michael entered the lists against you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grandfather, this is too much!" Raoul's voice was wellnigh choked with +anger. "Would you rank above me, your grandson, the last scion of your +house, a man disgraced by his father's shame?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"A man who will, nevertheless, mount to a height you can never hope to +attain. He marches on to his goal although a world in arms oppose him, +while you, with all the splendour of your name and of your descent, +with all your rich endowments, will never be aught save one of +thousands lost in the crowd. You both are of my race, but only one of +you has inherited my blood. You are your mother's image; there is in +you nothing of your father save his weakness of character. Michael is +my own, and if his name were tenfold Rodenberg, I acknowledge him a +Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">It had come at last, the recognition which the old Count's pride had so +long refused to his grandson, which he had never admitted to his face. +It broke forth now, almost against his will.</p> + +<p class="normal">At his grandfather's last words Raoul grew pale; he said nothing, but +if anything could increase his hatred of Michael, it was this +declaration. Steinrück paced the room to and fro several times, as if +to regain his composure, and then paused before the young Count.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your betrothal is annulled. After what you have just admitted to me I +cannot dissuade Hertha from recalling the troth she plighted to you. +Your mother will tell you of all that you have lost in a worldly point +of view. In this matter we are exceptionally of one mind, and she seems +to have had a suspicion of the danger that threatened you, for she +lately assured me that in compliance with her urgent entreaty you had +given up all intercourse with the Clermonts. You have deceived her as +you have deceived me, and for the sake of a woman----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whom I love!" exclaimed Raoul, goaded to reply; "whom I love to +distraction. Not one word against Héloïse, grandfather. I will not +suffer it, although I know that you hate both her and her brother +because they belong to my mother's native land."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück shrugged his shoulders. "Your uncle Montigny belongs to the +same land, and you know that my respect and esteem for him are great. +But there is something suspicious about this brother and sister, in +spite of their lofty descent which seems to be genuine. They mingle +aimlessly and idly in society here, and will probably vanish from it +some day as suddenly as they appeared in it. Then your foolish romance +will come to an end, but it will have cost you a brilliant future."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Who says it will come to an end? If Hertha can venture to brave your +anger, and outrage every tradition of our family, I surely have a right +to marry a woman whose name confers more honour upon our house than a +Rodenberg can boast."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You intend to marry Frau von Nérac!" said the general, coldly. "Is +your household to be supported by your salary in the Foreign Office? +There is no need of explaining my position in the affair. I once +allowed that foreign element to mingle among us; it never shall do so +again,--it has wrought mischief enough."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grandfather, you are speaking of my mother!" cried Raoul, angrily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, of your mother, to whom I owe your estrangement from me and from +your fatherland,--your indifference to, nay, dislike for what should be +most sacred to you. What is there that I have not done to withdraw you +from this baneful influence? But kindness and severity have alike +proved in vain. The poorest peasant is more devoted to the soil upon +which he was born than are you to your country, and linked to a Héloïse +von Nérac your fate would be sealed. When fear of me no longer +restrained you, when death had closed my eyes, it might well be that +the last of the Steinrücks turned his back contemptuously upon his +fatherland to become body and soul a Frenchman!"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was in the midst of the old man's indignation such bitter pain in +the tone in which these last words were uttered that the angry retort +died upon Raoul's lips. His answer was cut short by the opening of the +door and by his mother's appearance.</p> + +<p class="normal">She had no suspicion of what had occurred. The general had gone to her +for a few moments after his interview with Michael to tell her of the +death of the Countess; his sense of justice forbade his accusing Raoul +to her before the young man had been heard in his own defence.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, you are here, Raoul," she said. "They told me your grandfather had +sent for you, and I knew it was to tell you of the despatch from +Steinrück. Are we to start together to-day, or will you follow me +tomorrow? I had better take the express train to-night, to be with +Hertha as soon as possible."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general turned with apparent composure to his daughter-in-law: +"Raoul is not going to Steinrück. Circumstances oblige him to remain +here."</p> + +<p class="normal">The Countess looked surprised, but her surmises were wide of the truth. +"Can they refuse him a leave upon such an occasion?" she asked. "And +you tell me that you cannot go, either, papa? Then what Leon hinted to +me yesterday is true. War is unavoidable?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I can give you no assurance on that head," replied Steinrück, ignoring +all but her last words. "Every one knows how grave is the situation, +and Raoul, like the rest of us, must be ready to stand by the flag."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stand by the flag?" repeated the Countess. "He is not a soldier. His +delicate health always excluded him from a military career. He was even +released from the usual year of service on account of the weakness of +his chest."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That was, it is true, the verdict of the physicians formerly,--a +verdict which I never could understand, for Raoul always seemed healthy +to me. That he is so at present you will surely not deny. A man who +makes it his boast that no hunting-expedition ever fatigues him, who +can ride all night and be ready for any madcap exploit in the morning, +must be able to serve in time of war."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you could be so cruel as to require----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What?" the general asked, hastily. "Ah, you dread his serving as a +common soldier. Unfortunately, that must be; but it will not be for +long, and I shall take care that he is placed near me. Every one knows +that he is my grandson, and he has but to fulfil his duty as a +soldier."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But to fight against my people!" Hortense exclaimed, passionately. "If +it came to that it would kill me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"We live through much, Hortense, that is harder to bear. I know how +many tears it would cost you, and I could not ask you to stay here in +the capital if war with France were really declared. You cannot +sympathize with us. But Raoul is the son of a German, and must do his +duty as such. He was formerly unfit for service, now he is strong and +well enough to act a soldier's part."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded calm, but iron in firmness. Hortense, however, was +incapable of understanding her father-in-law,--she always would beat +upon this rock although she knew she could not stir it. "You can free +him from any necessity for such a part," she said, impetuously. "One +word from you to the examining physician, a simple statement from +General Steinrück that he does not consider the weakness of his +grandson's lungs yet overcome, and no one will venture----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To accuse him of falsehood? Assuredly not; but some one ventures, I +find, to consider him capable of falsehood. I make allowance for you on +account of your present agitation, Hortense, or----" His look completed +the sentence.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul had hitherto taken no part in a conversation in which his +passionate interest was plain; now he advanced. "Grandfather, you know +that I am no coward. You have often reproached me with rashness and +foolhardiness, restraining me where I would have ventured, but you must +see that I cannot take part in this conflict; my whole nature revolts +at the idea of lifting my hand against my mother's country and her +people."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot spare you this," Steinrück declared, unmoved. "In such a case +self-control must be exercised and duty must be done. But why waste +words? It is a necessity to which you must both submit. Enough has been +said."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But I neither can nor will submit!" exclaimed the young Count in great +agitation. "I have never served in the army, and shall not be called +upon to do so now, unless you insist upon it. You mean to force me into +this war with my other fatherland. I see but too clearly----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused suddenly, the general's look was so stern and forbidding.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should suppose that you could have but <i>one</i> fatherland. Are you to +learn this now for the first time? You <i>must</i> take part in this war; +you must fight it out from first to last, that you may finally come to +the consciousness of who you are. In the storm of battle, in the +uprising of your entire nation, you may perhaps learn to know where you +belong; you may find again your lost love of country. It is my sole, my +last hope. As soon as war is declared you will enlist,--enlist +immediately."</p> + +<p class="normal">The tone was the same to which Raoul had always submitted, but now he +burst forth in open rebellion: "Grandfather, do not goad me too far. +You have always reproached me with having my mother's blood in my +veins, and you are right. All that I knew of happiness and freedom in +the sunny days of my youth belonged to France, and there alone does +life seem to me really worth the living. Here, in cold, gray Germany, I +have never felt at home. Every joy is doled out to me grudgingly here; +the phantom of duty is always held up to me. Do not inexorably force me +to choose. The result might be other than what you desire. I do not +love your Germany; I never loved it; and, come what may, I will not +fight against my France!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My Raoul,--I knew it!" cried Hortense, exultantly, extending her arms +to him.</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück stood still, gazing at the pair. He had not looked for this. +Raoul's fear of him had hitherto kept him within bounds; he had not +dared to give utterance to his sentiments. These bounds were broken, +and even the old Count's iron nature was shaken. His voice sounded +strangely when he spoke again,--"Raoul, come here!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The young man did not stir; he stayed beside his mother, who had thrown +one arm around him as if to detain him. Thus they stood, hostile and +defiant; but the general was not the man to endure such revolt beneath +his roof.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did you not hear my command? I must repeat it, then: Come here to me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">His tone and look once more exercised their old power. Raoul obeyed +mechanically, as if yielding to an irresistible force.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You will not fight?" said Steinrück, seizing the young man's hand in a +vice-like grasp. "That remains to be seen. I shall volunteer in your +name, and once enlisted, you will be taught the meaning of discipline. +You are aware of what awaits the soldier who disobeys, or--deserts. +Hush! not a word!" he continued, as the young man started as if to +protest against words so full of disgrace. "In spite of your threat, I +bid you choose. And that you may not lavish too much admiration upon +your son's courage, Hortense, I tell you what could not long be kept +from you; Raoul's betrothal to Hertha is annulled, and by his own +fault. For love of Frau von Nérac he has been false to the duty he owed +to his betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Raoul!" exclaimed the Countess, in utter dismay. The general slowly +released his grandson's hand from his clasp and turned away.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must settle all that with him. I shall know how to avert the worse +evil. I will see to it that the last of the Steinrücks is saved from +the disgrace of betraying his fatherland as he has betrayed his +betrothed."</p> + +<p class="normal">With these words he left the room.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">The discord in the Steinrück family weighed heavily upon its +members. +Hortense left for Steinrück, since the general insisted that one member +at least of his household should follow his relative to the grave. He +could not leave town himself, and political events might well account +for Raoul's absence. But had Hortense also been absent the world would +have suspected the family dissension, and she complied all the more +readily with her father-in-law's desire on this occasion, since she +still had some confidence in her personal influence with Hertha. In the +stormy scene between Raoul and herself that preceded her departure, +Michael's name had not been mentioned; she knew nothing of his +relations with Hertha, or of his connection with the Steinrücks. In her +mind Héloïse von Nérac was the sole cause of the breach between the +young people, and she still hoped that she should succeed in appeasing +the offended girl, and in recovering for her son all that he had so +wantonly sacrificed with Hertha's hand.</p> + +<p class="normal">The general and his grandson had met but for a few moments in the +twenty-four hours following their decisive interview, and these moments +had been painful enough. At present the young man had gone to his +friend Clermont's, determined to prove to his mother and grandfather +that he was no longer a boy to be disposed of according to their +pleasure. He found Héloïse alone, and informed her of all that had +taken place on the previous day, the passionate agitation of his manner +showing how profoundly he had been moved.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The die is cast," he concluded. "My betrothal with Hertha is at an +end. I am as free as you are, and there is no longer any reason for +concealment. Tell me at last, Héloïse, that you consent to be mine, to +bear my name. You have never yet really done so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Héloïse had listened in silence, and with a slight frown. It seemed +almost as if this turn of affairs were an unwelcome one to her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stay! not so fast, Raoul!" she said, in reply to his ardent words. +"You acknowledge that your grandfather never will consent to our union, +and you are entirely dependent upon him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For the moment. But I am his heir-at-law; nothing can affect that, as +you know."</p> + +<p class="normal">Héloïse was quite aware of it, but she was also aware of how little the +income to which the young Count would fall heir would comport with her +requirements. The matter had been the subject of an exhaustive +discussion, but a little while previously, between herself and her +brother, and the picture that Henri had then so ruthlessly drawn, of +the dull life of a retired provincial town, had little in it to allure +a woman to whom luxury and splendour were as her vital air.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then let us hope for the future," she said. "The present is hostile +enough to us. Not only your family dissensions, but political events +threaten to part us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Part us? And wherefore?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why, you must see that we cannot stay here if the war, which Henri +thinks unavoidable, should really be declared. As soon as our +ambassador leaves the capital we must go too. Henri tells me to be +ready for a hasty departure."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then let Henri go, but stay yourself. I cannot let you go. I know that +I ask a sacrifice of you, but remember what I have sacrificed for your +sake. To lose you now would be too horrible! You must stay!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What should I stay for?" she asked, sternly. "To look on while the +general carries out his threat, and sends you in full uniform to fight +against France?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul clinched his fist. "Héloïse, do not you too drive me to +desperation. If you knew all that I have had, and yet have, to bear! My +grandfather has scarcely spoken to me since yesterday, but his eyes, +when he looks at me, make my blood boil, they are so full of scorn. My +mother, from whom I have hitherto never known anything save love and +tenderness, reproaches me bitterly. And now you talk of our parting, +and I must brave it all alone. It is beyond endurance."</p> + +<p class="normal">He did indeed look like a desperate man, and Héloïse gazed at him with +mingled pity and indignation. With all his gallantry, his reckless +bravery, and his scorn of danger, he was but as a reed shaken by the +wind when moral courage was in question.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Must we be parted?" she asked, gently. "It is for you to decide that, +Raoul."</p> + +<p class="normal">He looked up surprised. "For me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly. I cannot stay any more than can Henri. We know that you are +ours at heart, and that only compulsion keeps you among Germans. Break +loose from your bonds, and follow us to France!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What madness!" exclaimed Raoul, springing to his feet. "Now, when war +is imminent! It would be rank treachery!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, it would be a bold, courageous step to take,--a fearless +confession of the truth. If you stay here you are false to yourself as +well as to others. What should you resign? A country where you always +have been, and always must be, a stranger, circumstances that have +become intolerable, and a grandfather with whom you are in open +warfare. The only one whom you have to consider--your mother--may, +indeed, grieve over the destruction of her schemes, but she never would +grieve over such a step on your part."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My name is Steinrück," said Raoul, gloomily. "You seem to forget that, +Héloïse."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, that is your name, but you are a Montigny from head to heel. You +have often boasted to us that this was so; why deny it now? Is your +father's name to dictate to you what you must think and feel? Has not +your mother's blood an equal right? It draws you in every fibre towards +her land, to her people, and should the holiest force in nature be +outraged and denied? They would compel you to fight against us. <i>That</i> +would be 'rank treachery,'--a use to which you never can allow yourself +to be put."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul had turned away; he would fain have been deaf to her words, but +yet he drank them in eagerly. These were his own thoughts as they had +besieged him day after day, refusing to be banished.</p> + +<p class="normal">The only thing that could now be his safeguard he did not possess,--a +sense of duty. Duty had always been to him a ghastly phantom, and thus +it appeared to him now; but it possessed the power to appall.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hush, Héloïse!" he said, hoarsely. "I must not listen,--nay, I will +not listen. Let me go."</p> + +<p class="normal">And in fact he turned as if to leave the room, but Héloïse approached +him and laid her hand upon his arm. Her voice was full of eloquent +entreaty, and there was the soft veiled look in her eyes which he knew +but too well.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Come with us, Raoul. You will be consumed in this wretched struggle +with yourself. It will be your ruin, and I--ah, do you think I can +endure to part from you? that I shall suffer less than your mother in +knowing you in the ranks of our foes? Follow us to France."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Héloïse, spare me!" The young Count made a desperate effort to escape; +in vain. Sweeter and more alluring rang the tones from which he could +not flee. The toils of the glittering serpent were thrown more and more +closely around him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, he will find means to bend you to his will, that inexorable old +man. Escape from him before he makes good his threat. War is not yet +declared. You are still free to act. Procure your leave from the +Foreign Office, no matter under what pretext. When you are far away, +when orders can no longer reach you----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never! never!" exclaimed Raoul. He felt himself about to succumb, and +his sense of honour, all of it that was left, revolted. His +grandfather's image arose before him,--the 'inexorable old man' with +scorn in his eyes. Once more it won the victory over the threatened +loss of his love, once more it snatched him from danger.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Never!" he repeated. "I could not live beneath such a burden, even +beside you, Héloïse. Farewell!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He hurried to the door, where he encountered Henri Clermont, who had +just returned from a walk, and who would have detained him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whither so fast, Raoul? Have you not a moment to give me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!" the young Count gasped. "I must go on the instant. Farewell!"</p> + +<p class="normal">He rushed away. Clermont looked after him, surprised, and then turned +to his sister: "What ails the fellow? why is he in such desperate +haste?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is his reply to my suggestion that he should follow us to France," +Héloïse replied, in a deeply irritated tone. "You heard it. He bade me +farewell."</p> + +<p class="normal">Henri shrugged his shoulders. "He will be here again to-morrow. I +should suppose you would be aware by this time of your power over him. +He has resigned Hertha Steinrück and a princely fortune for your sake. +You he never will resign!"</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">The storm had burst: war was declared, and events followed one +another +with such rapidity that all personal considerations, all personal +interests, were overwhelmed by them.</p> + +<p class="normal">In the house occupied by the Marquis de Montigny everything was packed +and ready for departure. He had remained to share the last cares of the +Ambassador, and was now to leave the capital in a few hours. He seemed +still to be awaiting some one, for from time to time he went to the +window and looked out impatiently. At last the servant announced young +Count Steinrück, who instantly appeared.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul looked unusually pale, and his air was strangely disturbed, but +it passed unnoticed by his uncle; at that time every one was in a state +of feverish agitation. He held out his hand to the young man.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did you get my note? I am just about to start, but I cannot go without +a few words with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was coming, at all events, to bid you good-by," replied Raoul. "My +mother will be inconsolable at the idea of not having taken leave of +you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must go back to Paris immediately," Montigny declared, with a shrug; +"but your mother has written to me from Steinrück, and it is of the +contents of her letter that I wish to speak to you."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count braced himself to meet what he knew was coming. +Hortense, who had not been able to see her brother before leaving town, +had poured out her heart to him by letter, and a tempest from this +quarter was to be expected. In fact, the Marquis, without any +circumlocution, went directly to the point:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I hear that your betrothal to Hertha is annulled. It is impossible for +me to understand how you could resign her, and I fear you will only too +soon appreciate what you have lost. Still, after all, that is your own +affair. But my sister writes me that you intend to marry the lady, Frau +von Nérac, who has caused the breach, and she is in despair at the +thought. I, however, assured her, in my letter of farewell, that she +might be quite easy upon that point, that matters would never go so +far."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And why not?" Raoul burst forth. "Am I a child in leading-strings, to +be dictated to? I am legally of age; you all seem to forget this; and +in spite of all opposition Héloïse is mine, and shall not be snatched +from me."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was more than mere obstinate determination in his words: they +were uttered with a passionate recklessness that revealed the feverish +agitation of the speaker so plainly that Montigny involuntarily +softened his voice, and, taking his nephew's hand, drew him down to a +seat beside him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"First of all, Raoul, promise me to be more calm. If my mere hint is +met by such excitement on your part, how can you endure the whole +truth? Had I suspected that you were so deeply entangled I should have +spoken long ago. The certainty of war does away with many of the +considerations that hitherto have kept me silent. Nevertheless, I must +ask you to give me your word that no one, not even your mother, shall +learn what I am about to tell you."</p> + +<p class="normal">His grave, calm words, in which there was a distinct tone of +compassion, did not fail of their effect, but Raoul made no reply, and +the Marquis continued:</p> + +<p class="normal">"I threatened Clermont some months ago that if he did not withdraw from +all intimacy with you I would open your eyes, and he was prudent enough +to induce you from that time to conceal your relations with him. +Hortense and I have both been deceived, but I shall not permit my +sister's only son to fall a victim to such snares. You do not know who +and what this Clermont is----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Uncle Leon," Raoul interrupted him, eagerly and with intense emotion, +"do not go on, I entreat you. I do not wish to know. Spare me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Montigny looked at him in surprise and dismay. "You do not wish to +know? You seem to be partly aware of what I would say, and still you +could----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no, I do but suspect, and that only since yesterday. By chance--do +not ask me----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Do you fear to have the bandage torn from your eyes?" Montigny asked, +sternly. "Nevertheless, it must be done. You know Clermont and his +sister only as private individuals, spending their time in travelling +because their income does not suffice for a life in Paris suited to +their inclinations. The purpose of their stay here is much less +innocent. Their errand is a means of which every government must avail +itself, but to which no man of honour can ever lend himself. Only those +to whom any means for maintaining a superficial position in society is +welcome ever accept such employment. That those thus engaged in this +instance are really the scions of an ancient noble family only makes +their trade the more disgraceful. I think you understand me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul did indeed seem to understand, although he made a hasty gesture +of dissent. "You are speaking of Henri; you may be right, but Héloïse +is innocent,--she has no share in her brother's acts,--she knows +nothing of them. Do not slander her; I will not believe you!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"You must believe facts. I tell you, and I vouch for what I say, that +in the 'instructions' given the brother and sister Frau von Nérac has +the principal part to play, because as a woman she is less liable to be +suspected, and in consequence has greater freedom of action. I can give +you proofs, can tell you what amount has been paid----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no!" groaned Raoul. "For God's sake hush, or you will drive me +mad!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"She seems to have driven you mad indeed, or you never could have +sacrificed Hertha to her," said Montigny, bitterly. "You were nothing +but a tool in the hands of the pair, a key to open to them doors that +would else have been closed against them. Through you they hoped for +admission to military circles, perhaps even for information in +diplomatic quarters. Hence Clermont forced his friendship upon you, and +his sister played a part towards you which you unfortunately took for +earnest, blindly falling into the trap thus laid. Surely you are now +cured, and will think no more of marriage with a hired spy!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul winced at the word, then sprang up and hurried to the door. +Montigny barred his way. "Where are you going?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"In search of them!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Folly!" said the Marquis, detaining him. "Where would be the use? +Contempt is the only punishment for such villany."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul made no reply, but the pallid face which he turned towards his +uncle wore an expression that startled the elder man. "What is the +matter? This is not merely the anguish of betrayed affection; you are +in mortal dread--of what? Tell me----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot! Do not keep me here!" cried the young Count, releasing +himself violently from his uncle's detaining hand and rushing from the +room without a word of farewell.</p> + +<p class="normal">Montigny looked after him with a dark frown. "What can this mean? I +wish I had spoken before."</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">All was made ready for departure in the Steinrück abode. The +general +was to join his corps on this very evening, while the young Count was +to remain behind for a few days. He had on the previous day received +orders to report to the military authorities. His grandfather, in this +instance as always, had carried out his determination in spite of +Raoul's opposition.</p> + +<p class="normal">For the last few days the general had been so incessantly occupied that +he had scarcely seen his grandson. On the previous evening he had +attended a military council held for the last time before the departure +of the army, and lasting far into the night. He reached home towards +morning, and when, after a couple of hours of sleep, he again entered +his study, all kinds of despatches and messages were awaiting him +there, and through the forenoon one matter after another engaged his +time and attention in addition to the arrangements for departure. It +needed the old Count's iron strength of physical and mental +constitution to meet the requirements of the hour.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was noon when Captain Rodenberg made his appearance. He had been +here on the previous day upon some military errand to the general, on +which occasion another of his superior officers had been present, and +the interview had been of an entirely formal nature. To-day also +Michael's demeanour was in strict accordance with military rule, but +instead of the message which the general expected to receive by him he +said, "I have no message to deliver to your Excellency to-day, but the +business that brings me here is of such importance that I must beg for +an immediate hearing. Will you allow me to close the door, that we may +not be interrupted?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück looked surprised at this strange prelude, and asked, "Is the +affair in question connected with the service?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"It is."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then close the door."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael complied, and then returned to his place. There was an +agitation in his air which it evidently needed all his self-command to +control, and which his voice betrayed as he said, "I delivered to your +Excellency yesterday a document that was of the greatest importance. My +orders were strict to give it to no one save yourself, and not to let +it leave my hands except to place it in your Excellency's."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, I received it from you. Were you aware of its contents?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was, your Excellency. The paper was in my handwriting, as I acted as +secretary during its composition. It concerns the initiative movements +of the Steinrück corps; of course my orders were strict as to its +delivery."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I confirm that delivery; the paper is in my desk."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Is it really there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"To what can this lead?" asked the general, sharply. "I tell you that I +locked it up there with my own hands."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I pray your Excellency to convince yourself that it is still where +you placed it. The immense importance of the matter must excuse my +audacity. I willingly incur the reproach of presumption to be assured +of the safety of this document."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück shrugged his shoulders impatiently, but he took the key which +he always carried about him and went to his writing-desk. The lock was +a complicated one, and usually yielded with reluctance to the key. +To-day the lid of the desk sprang open at a slight touch. The general +changed colour.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The desk has been broken into," Michael said, in a low voice, pointing +to the key-hole, which showed evident signs of having been tampered +with. "I thought so."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück said not a word, nor did he waste an instant upon an +examination of the papers that lay before him, and which were +probably of little importance. He hurriedly pressed a spot in the +wooden side of the desk, to all appearance identical with the rest of +the partition, but which instantly slipped aside, revealing an +ingeniously--constructed secret drawer, now, to Steinrück's dismay, +entirely empty.</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is the work of a traitor!" the Count exclaimed, angrily. "No one +except myself is aware of this secret drawer, or how to open it. +Captain Rodenberg, what do you know of this robbery? You have some +suspicion, some trace. Tell me!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael was wont, in speaking to his superior officers, to be brief and +to the point; to-day he departed from his rule and went into detail, as +if to prepare his hearer for what was to come before it should be +uttered.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Late last evening I was sent, with a despatch that had just arrived, +to the conference at which your Excellency was assisting. On my return +I was obliged to pass by your house upon the garden side. As I turned +the corner--it was about midnight--I saw a man disappear through the +small door in the wall beside the grated iron gate. I should hardly +have noticed his doing so--the servants probably had a right to use +this entrance--had I not thought that I recognized the figure, although +I saw it but for a moment beneath the light of the street-lamp."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And who did you think it was?" the general asked, with intense +eagerness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The brother of Frau von Nérac,--Henri Clermont."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Clermont? I always have considered him as an adventurer, and have +closed my doors against him. You are right: his appearance on that spot +at that hour was more than suspicious. Did you not follow up the clue?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I did, your Excellency, but it ended where all was above +suspicion--or, at least, seemed to be so."</p> + +<p class="normal">He laid significant emphasis upon the last words, but Steinrück paid no +heed; he insisted, impatiently, "Go on! go on!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"' I tried to persuade myself that I had been mistaken, and walked on, +but the matter left me no rest. I turned after a while, and as I walked +around the house I noticed a strange light in your Excellency's study; +it was not the light of a lamp, but like that of a solitary candle +burning at the farther end of the room. It might well be accident, but, +my suspicions roused by the sight of Clermont, I determined to have the +matter explained at all hazards. I rang the bell, and told the servant +that in passing I had observed a singular light in the study, which +might possibly proceed from the beginning of a fire, and advised his +seeing to it immediately. The man was startled, and hurried away, +returning after a few moments, however, to inform me that I was +mistaken; he begged pardon, but there was only a single candle burning +in the room, and there was no one there except----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well? Why hesitate? Go on! Who was there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Count Raoul Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general's face was ghastly pale, and his breath came short and +quick as he said, "My grandson--here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, your Excellency."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At midnight?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At midnight."</p> + +<p class="normal">A long pause ensued; neither man spoke. The eyes of the old Count +looked strangely fixed; the dim, dark foreboding that had once before +assailed him again emerged from the gloom and took on shape and form. +But this dark presage faded; he collected himself and repelled the +horrible thought.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then we must apply to Raoul," he said, regaining his composure. "I +will send for him."</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Count is not at home," interposed Michael.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then he is at the Foreign Office; I will send there instantly. This +matter must be cleared up; there is not a minute to lose."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stretched out his hand towards the bell, but suddenly paused, +encountering Rodenberg's glance. There must have been something +terrible in the young man's eyes, for the general slowly withdrew his +outstretched hand and said, in a low tone, "What is it? Out with it!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have bad news for you, Count Steinrück,--news hard to bear; you must +prepare for the worst."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general passed his hand across his forehead and gazed as if +spell-bound at the speaker. "The worst? Where is Raoul?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Gone!--to France!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück did not start, did not even exclaim. He put his hand to his +heart without a word, and would have fallen if Michael had not +supported him as he sank into a seat.</p> + +<p class="normal">Several minutes passed thus. Michael stood silent beside the arm-chair, +where the Count leaned back half unconscious. The young officer felt +that any word, any offer of help, would be useless. At last he stooped +over him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your Excellency!"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was no reply. The general seemed to know nothing of what was +around him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Count Steinrück!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Still the same distressing silence. The Count leaned back motionless, +his eyes gazing into vacancy, his labouring breath the only sign that +he still lived.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grandfather!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The word came gently and with hesitation from the lips that had +resolved never to utter it, but it was spoken, and it dissolved the old +man's icy torpor. Steinrück started, and suddenly buried his face in +his hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grandfather, look at me!" Michael at last broke forth. "Break this +fearful silence; say at least one word to me."</p> + +<p class="normal">Obeying as if mechanically, the general dropped his hands and looked up +at the young man. "Michael," he groaned, "you are avenged!"</p> + +<p class="normal">It was indeed a Nemesis. Upon this very spot the son, tortured by the +disgrace of his father's memory, had declared to his pitiless +grandfather, "Your scutcheon is not so lofty and unimpeachable as the +sun in the heavens; a day may come when it will wear a stain that you +cannot efface, and then you will feel what an implacable judge you have +been." The day had come, and had felled at one stroke the mighty old +oak that had defied so many tempests.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Courage!" said Michael. "You must not succumb now. Remember what is at +stake. We must devise some plan."</p> + +<p class="normal">It was the right appeal to make. The thought of the peril that menaced +him roused the general from his dull despair. He arose, at first with +difficulty, but as he stood once more erect he seemed to recover his +self-possession.</p> + +<p class="normal">"If I could but overtake the scoundrel! With my own hands I would force +him--but there is no time. The hour is fixed for my arrival at +headquarters."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then send me," interposed Michael. "Orders from my general in relation +to a secret and important mission will relieve me from all other duty. +Railway travel is obstructed and delayed everywhere by the +transportation of troops; it takes double time to make even a short +journey. My uniform and your orders will place every military train at +my disposal; I shall overtake Raoul this side of the border."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then you know which way he has gone?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, and I have kept trace of the Clermonts also. I would not, I could +not give utterance to a suspicion founded upon mere possibilities so +long as proof was lacking, and I was upon duty from which I was +relieved only an hour ago, when I hurried to Clermont's lodgings. He +had departed with his sister, and by the South German line, as being +the swiftest. I drove directly to that station, which was thronged with +troops for transportation. The morning train had already left, the +mid-day train was just ready to depart. How far it could go and what +delays it might encounter could not be foreseen. As I was speaking with +an official I saw Raoul on the other side of the platform, alone and +hurrying along beside the carriages, in which he seemed to be searching +for some one. Suddenly the final signal was given, he tore open the +first door at hand, entered the train, and was whirled away. I could +not overtake him, the breadth of the railway-station was between us, +but I hurried to the office to learn for what point the last single +passenger had purchased his ticket, and was told for Strasburg."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general leaned heavily upon the back of the arm-chair by which he +stood as he listened to this hasty report, but he lost not a syllable +of it; and at the last word, which might well have crushed him, he +stood erect again with much of his old vigour.</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are right. There is still a chance of overtaking him." He did not +mention Raoul's name. "If any one can come to the rescue it is you, +Michael! This I know. Recover the papers from him, living--or dead!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grandfather!" exclaimed the young officer, recoiling.</p> + +<p class="normal">"On my head be the consequences. You shall be scathless. I once +required you to spare my blood flowing in the veins of each of +you,--now I tell you not to spare the traitor. Wrest his booty from +him,--you know what is at stake,--wrest it from him, living or dead!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The words were terrible, and more terrible still was the expression in +the old man's eyes, gleaming with no ray of pity, but filled with the +iron resolution of the inexorable judge. It was plain that he would +have sacrificed his grandson, the heir of his name, who had once been +so dear to his heart, without the quiver of an eyelash.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall do my duty," Michael said, in an undertone that, nevertheless, +had in it an echo of that other voice.</p> + +<p class="normal">The general went to his writing-table and took up a pen; his hand +trembled and almost refused to perform its duty, but he controlled the +weakness and wrote a few lines, which he handed to the captain.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I trust everything to you, Michael. Go! Perhaps you will succeed in +saving me from the worst. If I hear nothing from you in the course of +the next twenty-four hours I must speak, and must declare the last +Steinrück----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He could not finish the sentence; his voice broke, but he grasped +Michael's hand in a convulsive clasp. The repudiated son of the outcast +daughter was to be the saviour of the honour of the family; he was the +old Count's last, sole hope, and the young man answered the clasp of +his hand,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rely upon me, grandfather! Have you not said that I can do all that +can be done? You shall hear from me at your head-quarters. Farewell!"</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">The confusion and bustle reigning in the South-German +railway-station +at E---- had increased incredibly, for the comparatively insignificant +little town was the point of meeting of three railway lines, and lay in +the direct road to the Rhine. Trains for the transportation of troops +were running day and night, and the town itself was crowded with +soldiers.</p> + +<p class="normal">Some hundred paces from the station there was a third-rate inn, usually +frequented by peasants only, and certainly no fit stopping-place for +the strangers who had reached it an hour previously,--a young lady, +apparently of high rank, accompanied by an elderly priest and a +servant. The apartment to which they had been shown was neither +comfortable nor clean, and yet it was the only shelter that they could +find.</p> + +<p class="normal">The lady, who sat at a table leaning her head upon her hand, was in +mourning, and looked very grave and pale, although this in no wise +detracted from the beauty of the face beneath her crape veil. The +priest was seated opposite her at the table, and had just said, "I am +afraid we must stay here for a while; your servant has searched the +entire town: all the hotels are overcrowded, and various private +mansions are occupied by strangers. You might perhaps endure this house +for a night, but any longer stay would be impossible for you, Countess +Hertha."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But why?" asked Hertha, calmly. "We shall have no choice to-morrow +either, and at a time like the present we must yield to necessity."</p> + +<p class="normal">The priest of St. Michael, for it was he, looked in amazement at the +petted young Countess, now so ready to content herself with +accommodations that would under other circumstances have been +indignantly rejected by her.</p> + +<p class="normal">"But there really was no necessity," he observed. "Michael wrote +expressly that he could not be here with his regiment until the day +after to-morrow, and that he would telegraph you beforehand. Until then +we might have stayed quietly in Berkheim."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha shook her head. "Berkheim is full four leagues away. The orders +might be changed, the telegram might be delayed, and then I should be +too late. Only here on the spot can I be sure of the time of the +arrival of the regiment. Do not blame me, your reverence! I must bid +Michael farewell; when he is going perhaps to death, even the bare +possibility of missing him is terrible!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Valentin did not look inclined to blame her, but he marvelled at the +dominion which Michael exercised over the proud, wayward girl.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am thankful that I was able to come with you," said he. "The pastor +of Tannberg was quite ready to send me his chaplain to take my place +for a while, and I can conduct you back to Berkheim."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha gratefully held out her hand to him. "I have no one but you! My +guardian is angry with me, as I foresaw that he would be. He never even +answered my letter, and Aunt Hortense was so furious when she learned +of my betrothal to Michael, that I could not possibly remain a day +longer at Steinrück, loath as I was to leave my mother's grave so soon. +I am grieved to have caused your reverence so much trouble and +exertion. I am afraid that your accommodations are even worse than +mine."</p> + +<p class="normal">"For the present I have a room upon the ground-floor which certainly is +not very inviting," said Valentin, smiling, "but the host has promised +me for the night the gable-room in the upper story, since the strangers +now occupying it will leave by the evening train. The time for its +departure is at hand; I will go and attend to matters."</p> + +<p class="normal">He left the room, and Hertha walked to the window, which she opened +wide. The day had been very hot, and the evening brought no +refreshment; the air was sultry and oppressive. Not a star was visible +in the clouded heavens, and on the distant horizon there was from time +to time a gleam of lightning, unveiling the dim mountain-range. Near at +hand sparkled the lights of the railway-station, and close to the house +the river rushed, seeming to emerge from the darkness only to be lost +in it again. The ripple and dash of its waters were the only signs of +its existence.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Countess leaned her glowing forehead against the +window-frame, resolving to be steadfast and brave. Michael should see +no grief that could make departure harder for him; but now that she was +alone she could weep her fill. Her sense of loss in her mother's death, +the pain occasioned by the strife with her family, all faded in her +anguish for the lover whom perhaps she had won only to lose again +forever.</p> + +<p class="normal">Suddenly she heard voices close beneath her window. The host was +standing at the inn door with a stranger, and Hertha could hear that +they were speaking of the gable-room. The innkeeper asked civilly when +the room would be vacant, as some one was waiting to occupy it, and the +stranger replied that he had just learned at the station that the +evening train would not leave for two hours; for so long he and the +lady with him must retain the room. His voice attracted the young +Countess's attention. She knew that fluent German spoken with a slight +foreign accent, and in another moment she recognized, by the light of +the lamp just lit before the house, the speaker, Henri Clermont, who, +since he spoke of a lady with him, must be on his way back to France +with his sister.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha retired from the window with a pained sensation. Until a short +time previously she had had but the merest superficial acquaintance +with these people, meeting them from time to time in society. Only +lately had she learned of Raoul's relations with Frau von Nérac. A +chance meeting was certainly to be avoided, and the young Countess +resolved not to leave her room for the next two hours.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, bustle and noise were on the increase at the +railway-station. Trains came and went, engines whistled, and the +platform was crowded with travellers and onlookers, making inquiries or +condemned to an involuntary delay.</p> + +<p class="normal">This last was the fate that had befallen the passengers who had arrived +half an hour previously by a train already delayed several hours. They +were told that it could not proceed immediately, since, in addition to +the military transport which was just gliding into the station, other +troops were expected, and the passenger-trains must wait until the road +was clear again. All had patiently resigned themselves to +circumstances, with the exception of a solitary passenger, who +evidently was in great haste and found the delay hard to endure. He had +retired to a dark, secluded part of the station, where he was pacing to +and fro with signs of intense impatience, consulting his watch every +five minutes. Suddenly he paused, and then withdrew into still deeper +shadow, for an officer who had arrived with the military train came +talking with a railway official, directly towards where he stood.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The express--train passed through with but little delay, then?" asked +the officer. "But the passenger-train that arrived at noon is still +here? Are its passengers here also?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Certainly, Herr Captain," replied the official. "They are still +waiting, and must wait for some time yet."</p> + +<p class="normal">The solitary passenger seemed to recognize the officer's voice, and to +wish to avoid meeting him, for he turned hastily and walked in another +direction. His sudden movement, however, betrayed his presence to the +sharp eyes of the officer searching the gloom. He briefly thanked the +official, and in a few steps overtook the stranger, and barred his way.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Count Raoul Steinrück!"</p> + +<p class="normal">The encounter was most unwelcome to the young Count, this was plain, +but he thought it purely accidental,--the captain was doubtless on his +way with his regiment to the seat of war. He stood still, and asked, +bluntly, "What do you wish, Captain Rodenberg?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"First of all, I wish for a private interview with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I regret that I am in great haste."</p> + +<p class="normal">"So am I. But I trust that the matter I have to settle can be disposed +of briefly."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul hesitated an instant, and then called out to the official, who +still stood near, "How long will the passenger-train be delayed?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"For an hour at least," the man replied, shrugging his shoulders and +walking away. Raoul turned to Rodenberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Well, then, I am ready; but here at the station, where every word can +be overheard, we cannot----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, but over there I see a small inn. We can go there; it is close at +hand."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As you please, since the matter admits of no delay. I beg you to be +very brief, however, since, as you see, I am on my way elsewhere," the +young Count said, haughtily, turning in the desired direction. Michael +followed him closely, never taking his eyes from him, and evidently +surprised by his ready compliance.</p> + +<p class="normal">They reached the house, and entered the gloomy, dim inn-parlour, at +present deserted. The host showed them into a small adjoining room, +which seemed appropriated to the use of the better sort of guests. Ho +brought a light, and then, finding they had no further orders to give, +vanished. They were left alone.</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul stood in the centre of the room. He was ghastly pale; there was a +feverish gleam in his eyes, and with all his effort at self-control he +could not conceal his intense agitation.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Time and place seem to me but ill chosen for an explanation," he +began. "I should certainly have called you to an account later with +regard to the disclosures made by you to my grandfather in the name of +the Countess Hertha."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No need to refer to that now," Michael interrupted him. "I have a +question to put to you. You are on your way to Strasburg; what do you +want there?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does this mean?" exclaimed Raoul, indignantly. "You forget that +you are speaking to Count Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I speak in the name of General Steinrück, who has sent me to recover +the papers which you have with you, and the value of which you know as +well as I do."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count started as if he had received a blow. "The papers? My +grandfather believes----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He and I believe! And I think we are justified in so doing. Pray let +us have no circumlocution. I have but little time to lose, and am +resolved to use force if necessary. Will you compel me to do so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul gazed at him as if dazed; suddenly he covered his face with his +hands and groaned, "Ah, this is terrible!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Spare me this farce!" said Rodenberg, harshly. "It can avail nothing. +The general's desk has been broken open, the document stolen, and the +servant who unexpectedly entered the room found the thief----"</p> + +<p class="normal">A savage exclamation from Raoul interrupted him; the young Count seemed +about to throw himself upon him. Michael raised his hand. "Control +yourself, Count Steinrück; you have lost the right to be treated with +any consideration."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is a lie!" Raoul burst forth, violently. "Not I--but Henri +Clermont----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I have no doubt that Clermont was the instigator. I myself saw him +lurking in the garden at midnight. But another must have lent his hand +to the shameful work. A stranger, a Frenchman, could hardly have gained +access to the general's rooms."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But he could to mine. He had the key of the garden gate and of my +bedroom. My grandfather always disliked him, as did my mother also of +late: we chose to escape the perpetual reproach that was sure to follow +Henri's visits. I did not dream of his vile purpose in asking me to +give him the keys."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael leaned against the table with folded arms, gazing steadily at +the speaker; it was plain that he did not believe him.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The son of the house then opened its doors to the spy? And how did he +find the secret drawer, so well concealed in the desk? How did he find +the spring that alone could open it?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My own desk, which he knew well, is similarly arranged. It was given +me by my grandfather, who had it made for me after the model of his."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Ah, indeed! Go on."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul clinched his hands convulsively. "Rodenberg, do not goad me too +far. You see in me a desperate man. You must believe me, you must +disabuse my grandfather of his terrible suspicion, or I never would +answer questions put in such a tone and with such an air. I came home +last night late and found the doors, which are always locked between my +rooms and the general's, open. Since we alone have the keys opening +them, my suspicions were awakened. I went to the study, and found the +man whom I had called my friend----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At his work," Michael concluded the sentence. "Apparently you did not +interrupt it, since he found time to complete the robbery."</p> + +<p class="normal">"He had already completed it. As I stood in utter dismay, crushed by +the frightful discovery, we heard the door of the antechamber open, and +approaching footsteps. In mortal terror Henri clasped my arm and +conjured me to save him. Discovery would be his ruin, as I knew, and I +hurried to the door and prevented the servant's entrance by telling him +of my presence. When the man had gone and I turned round, Clermont had +escaped."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And you did not pursue him and wrest his booty from him? You did not +tell the general what had happened?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul's eyes were downcast, and he replied, scarcely audibly, "He was +my nearest friend, the brother of the woman whom I loved to madness, +and whom I then believed guiltless. The next morning I hurried to them; +they were gone, and an hour afterwards I made a terrible discovery; +then, reckless of all other considerations, I set out to pursue them."</p> + +<p class="normal">He paused as if exhausted. Michael had listened with apparent +composure, except for a slight contemptuous quiver of the lip. Now he +stood erect. "Have you finished? My patience is at an end; I did not +come here to listen to fanciful tales. Give me the papers, or I shall +be forced to resort to violence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You do not believe me?" exclaimed Raoul. "You still do not believe +me?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, I do not believe one word of this tissue of falsehood. For the +last time, then, give me the papers, or by the eternal God I will obey +the order which my grandfather gave me when I left him,--'Wrest the +papers from him, living or--dead!'"</p> + +<p class="normal">A shiver ran through Raoul's frame. Here it was again,--the strange +resemblance. He knew those flashing eyes, that iron tone; he seemed to +see his grandfather's self before him pronouncing upon him sentence of +death.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Fulfil your orders, then!" he said, dully; "and then you will know +that the dead did not lie."</p> + +<p class="normal">There was something in this dull submission that had a more powerful +effect than could have been produced by the most passionate +asseverations. Michael was impressed by it. He knew that Raoul +possessed sufficient physical courage to defend to the death what he +did not choose to resign, had it been in his possession; and, stepping +up close to him, he laid his hand upon his arm.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Count Raoul Steinrück, in the name of the man from whom we both are +sprung I demand of you the truth. The papers upon which the safety of +our army depends are not in your possession?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!" said Raoul, firmly; and once more his down cast eyes were lifted +to meet his questioner's gaze.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And Clermont has them?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Doubtless they are in his hands."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I am losing time here; he must be pursued and overtaken. The +train that brought me here leaves in half an hour. I must go to the +station."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned to go, but the young Count detained him. "Take me with you! +Give me a place in the military train. Our paths are the same----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, they are not!" Michael interrupted him, coldly. "Stay behind, +Count Steinrück. I may perhaps be compelled to demand the papers of +Herr von Clermont pistol in hand, and at the decisive moment you might +possibly remember again that he is your 'nearest friend,' and the +brother of the woman whom you 'love to madness.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Rodenberg, I give you my word of honour----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"<i>Your word of honour?</i>"</p> + +<p class="normal">The emphasis that Michael gave to these words was so crushing that +Raoul stood mute, as the captain went on in the same pitiless tone,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"If you have not been guilty of the worst of crimes you have permitted +it, and even shielded it from discovery. Either act is high treason; +the accomplice is as bad as the thief."</p> + +<p class="normal">He went without a backward glance. As he passed through the hall a door +opened, and Valentin appeared, stood for a moment mute with +astonishment, and then advanced hastily. "Michael! Is this you?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Your reverence!" was the rejoinder, in the same tone of astonishment. +"You here?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That I ask you. You appointed the day after tomorrow, and if Hertha +had not in her anxiety hastened her journey----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hertha here? With you? Where is she?" Michael eagerly interrupted him; +and when the priest pointed to the door in the upper story opening upon +the staircase, the young officer heard no more, but rushed up the +steps, tore open the door, and in another instant clasped Hertha in his +arms.</p> + +<p class="normal">But this interview had to be as brief as it was passionately tender. +Rodenberg clasped his betrothed to his heart, but his first word to her +was one of farewell.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot stay. I only wanted to see you, to snatch one moment of +bliss. I must go."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Go?" Hertha repeated, clinging to him, half dazed with sudden joy and +dread. "Now, in this first moment of reunion? You cannot."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I must," he insisted. "Perhaps we may see each other again the day +after to-morrow."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Only perhaps! And if we do not? Can you not spare me a moment for +farewell?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My darling, you cannot dream what it costs me to leave you now; but +duty claims me. I must obey."</p> + +<p class="normal">Duty! Hertha had heard the word often enough from the general's lips, +and she comprehended its significance. Her eyes filled with tears, but +she made no further effort to detain her lover. Once more he pressed +his lips to hers.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Farewell! One thing more,--Raoul is here. Possibly he may attempt to +see you if he should hear of your presence in the house. Promise me +neither to see him nor to speak with him."</p> + +<p class="normal">A contemptuous expression flitted across the young girl's face. "<i>Her</i> +presence would forbid on his part any such attempt as you fear."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Whose presence? Whom do you mean?" asked Michael, with intense +eagerness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Héloïse von Nérac!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"What? here? And Clermont----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"He is with her."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank God! Where--where are they?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Just above us, in the gable-room. But tell me----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I cannot! Do not ask me, do not follow me. <i>Everything</i> depends upon +my finding them, and then--then I can stay with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">He hurried from the room, past the priest, who looked after him in +dismayed surprise; nor could Hertha in the least understand this scene, +although she clung for comfort to Michael's last words,--'Then I can +stay with you.'</p> + +<p class="normal">The gable-room, in which a single candle was burning, was even more +scantily furnished than were the other rooms in the house, but the +strangers occupying it, who had arrived by the noonday train, had taken +possession of it without complaint, since they needed it for only a few +hours. They were each in travelling-dress, apparently waiting +impatiently for the signal for departure. Henri Clermont was pacing the +room restlessly, whilst Héloïse sat leaning back in an old arm-chair.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What a delay this is!" she exclaimed, in despair. "It seems as if we +never should get away from here. It will be impossible for us to cross +the borders tomorrow morning as we hoped."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And it is entirely your fault," Henri interposed, irritably. "How +could you be guilty of such imprudence as to speak French just as we +were about to change cars? You might have known that the excited crowd +at the station would insult us."</p> + +<p class="normal">"How could I know that the German mob was so irritable? And after all +there were only two or three who were insulting; the better sort took +our part. There was no need for the police to interfere as they did."</p> + +<p class="normal">"True, but while matters were being adjusted the train moved off, and +we, hemmed in on every side, could not get to it. We have lost half a +day, when every minute is full of peril for us. Moreover, we have +attracted attention, and may be glad that we could disappear in this +wretched inn. We must not venture to show ourselves again at the +station until just before the train starts. They may be even now upon +our track."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Impossible! Even if the discovery has been made, Raoul will be +silent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Raoul behaved like a madman. In another instant he would have called +for help, and betrayed me. Had I not whispered, 'Remember Héloïse. If +you betray me she is lost to you!' he would not have let me go."</p> + +<p class="normal">"And we have left him to bear the brunt of the tempest!"</p> + +<p class="normal">Héloïse's voice trembled as she spoke the words, but Henri shrugged his +shoulders.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That can't be helped. It was either I or he; there was no other choice +when matters had gone so far."</p> + +<p class="normal">The conversation was carried on of course in French, but in so low a +tone that not a word could be heard beyond the walls of the room. Now +Henri's voice sank to a whisper as he went close up to his sister.</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was not easy for you to give him up, I know, but the reward is +worth the sacrifice. What I have here assures our entire future. We may +ask what we will, and they----"</p> + +<p class="normal">He broke off suddenly and turned to the door, which was quietly opened. +Héloïse started up with an exclamation of terror; the instant she +recognized the man standing on the threshold she knew that their +schemes and calculations were fruitless. Not in vain had been her dread +of those 'cold, hard eyes:' they brought ruin to her brother and +herself.</p> + +<p class="normal">Rodenberg closed the door and approached the pair. "Herr von Clermont, +there is no need to tell you why I am here. I trust you will spare me +all explanation, and that a few minutes will suffice for the business +between us."</p> + +<p class="normal">Clermont had grown very pale, but he made an effort to maintain his +composure.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What do you mean, Captain Rodenberg? I do not understand you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then I must be more explicit. I demand the papers which have been +stolen from General Steinrück's desk. No need to put your hand to your +breast; you see I, too, have a pistol here, and I am probably the +better shot. Moreover, it might be uncomfortable for you to have shots +exchanged here; the station is very near, and is crowded with troops; +escape would be impossible. You had better resign yourself to +circumstances."</p> + +<p class="normal">Clermont in fact dropped his hand from his breast and said through his +closed teeth, "And if I refuse to do so?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then you must bear the consequences. War is declared, and a spy would +have but a short shrift. I leave you to choose. One word from me, and +you are lost."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That word, however, you will not speak," said Clermont, with a sneer; +"for then I should have something to say which might not be exactly +agreeable to one of your generals in command."</p> + +<p class="normal">The threat touched a sore spot, but Michael with instant presence of +mind deprived it of its point, rejoining, coolly, "You are mistaken; +Count Raoul Steinrück is here with me, upon your track. He may well be +forgiven the heedlessness of a moment. But enough of this idle talk. +Must I use force? My shot will rouse the neighbourhood."</p> + +<p class="normal">He stood, pistol in hand, gazing steadily at his opponent, who saw +clearly that the game was lost. Clermont was no coward in the usual +sense of the word, but he knew that strife with this man would be vain, +and his weapon, Raoul's share in his treachery, had been wrenched from +his hand. In fact, he believed that Raoul himself had revealed the +theft. After a moment's delay he slowly drew forth the papers from his +breast-pocket and handed them to the captain, who took them without +altering his menacing attitude.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Retire to the window," he said, authoritatively. "I must see that the +papers are all here and intact."</p> + +<p class="normal">Clermont obeyed, going to the window, where Héloïse had already taken +refuge. Michael tore open the envelope which bore the general's +address, and which had apparently been opened. The superscription of +the papers revealed their contents, their seals were unbroken, and, +after a brief, keen scrutiny, he was satisfied that none had been +abstracted.</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, Henri had whispered a few words to his sister, who now +timidly approached the captain. "Captain Rodenberg--we are in your +power."</p> + +<p class="normal">The words sounded imploring and distressed, but as she confronted the +captain and raised her eyes to his, he encountered that strange gleam +which many men had found so perilous, and which had wrought Raoul's +ruin; it was harmless here.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The way to the station lies open for your brother and yourself, +madame," said Michael, coldly. "I shall place no further obstacle in +your path; but allow me to hope that in future you will choose some +other country--not Germany--for the scene of your operations."</p> + +<p class="normal">Héloïse recoiled; his tone of utter contempt was worse than a blow.</p> + +<p class="normal">As Rodenberg went down the stairs his old teacher came to meet him. +"Michael, what in heaven's name has been going on up there? Countess +Hertha has been in mortal terror, and so have I; but we did not venture +to follow you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Reassure Hertha, I pray your reverence, and tell her I shall be with +her in five minutes."</p> + +<p class="normal">He spoke the words hurriedly as he passed the priest and went through +the inn-parlour to the little room where he had left Raoul.</p> + +<p class="normal">The young Count was sitting at the table, his head leaning upon his +hands, in an attitude of despair. He looked up as the captain entered, +but his eyes were dull and lifeless.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The peril is past," said Michael. "By chance Clermont and his sister +were in this very house. I forced him to relinquish his booty, and I +think I can answer for his silence, since no plotter is anxious to tell +of disgraceful schemes frustrated. For the sake of the honour of the +Steinrück name, we too must hold our tongues. The name is saved from +disgrace, and there is nothing to prevent your return to your home, +Count Raoul; no one will ever know that the papers have been in hands +other than those for which they were intended. I shall instantly +telegraph to my grandfather, and early to-morrow I shall leave here to +carry to him the missing packet. This is what I wished to tell you."</p> + +<p class="normal">Raoul sat as if stunned, listening to the words that lifted such a +terrible burden from his soul; the strange rigidity of his features did +not relax. He seemed to wish to speak, perhaps a word of gratitude, but +the scorn in his cousin's look and bearing closed his lips. 'My +grandfather,'--the words sounded so natural, so exultant. Count Michael +had indeed found a grandson who was bone of his bone, flesh of his +flesh. They belonged together, and after this exploit of Michael's the +old Count's' arms would be opened wide to receive him.</p> + +<p class="normal">When Rodenberg had gone, Raoul arose and slowly left the room and the +house. Outside, he paused as if reflecting, and then retreated into the +shadow as two figures emerged from the door-way. He recognized them as +they glided past him on their way to the station, but he betrayed his +presence by no sign, no sound. The proximity of the woman who but a +short time before had possessed such power over him scarcely made any +impression upon him. He knew that she was vanishing from him forever, +but the knowledge gave him no pain. All within him seemed empty and +dead, incapable of sensation.</p> + +<p class="normal">From the open window just above him came the same voice that he had +heard a few moments before, but how different was its tone!</p> + +<p class="normal">"Hertha, my darling, forgive me for leaving you as I did. I had to +fight for one hour of farewell. Now there is no duty to keep me from +you. But we will have no tears,--we are still together."</p> + +<p class="normal">Then another voice spoke,--a voice which the listener also knew well, +and which sounded strange to him in its tenderness and sweetness.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, Michael, you shall not see a tear. I will think of nothing save +the joy of having you here."</p> + +<p class="normal">Was that really Hertha? Ah, she had learned to love indeed, and he who +had once been her betrothed knew now what he had sacrificed. It drove +him far from the lovers; he walked on aimlessly in the darkness, beside +the rushing river, until a wall barred his way. It was one of the +supports of the bridge, above the arches of which the railway crossed +the river; below the current ran strong, and an old willow dipped its +boughs deep into the water.</p> + +<p class="normal">The air was close and sultry, but a storm was at hand, and the +lightning flashed sharply and incessantly. Raoul leaned against the +trunk of the willow and gazed down into the dark whirling water; it +cost him an effort to think clearly.</p> + +<p class="normal">What should he do now? Go home? He could be there on the morrow, and +some pretext for his absence could easily be invented.</p> + +<p class="normal">No one knew what had happened, with the exception of the two who would +keep silence for the sake of the honour of the Steinrücks, but the last +of the name felt utterly unable to confront his grandfather again. +The stern old man had pronounced sentence upon the traitor to his +country,--the look of cool contempt beneath which Raoul had winced half +an hour ago would fall upon him day after day from his grandfather's +eyes,--death were indeed preferable to such a fate!</p> + +<p class="normal">Loud hurrahs resounded from the railway-station, where the crowd were +cheering the troops who were about to take their departure, and behind +those dimly-lighted windows a young soldier was bidding farewell to his +betrothed whom he might never see again. But here, beneath this willow, +stood one for whom all was lost,--betrothed, honour, even a country.</p> + +<p class="normal">The military train came rushing along, and just as it reached the +bridge there was a flash of lightning. For an instant everything stood +revealed in the dazzling light, the heavy threatening clouds, the dim +distant mountains, and the whirling river, but the spot beneath the +willow was vacant, and there was a plash in the foaming waters. In a +moment the night swallowed all up again, the train thundered across the +bridge, and in the west there was a zigzag gleam,--Saint Michael's +sword of flame.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">Two days later at General Steinrück's head-quarters various +officers +were assembled waiting for orders, but with unusually grave faces, and +conversing in undertones. They had learned the sad misfortune that had +befallen their chief. His grandson, the handsome, gallant, and gay +Count Raoul, was dead; he had been walking at night on the river-bank, +a false step had precipitated him from it into the river at a spot +where the current was unusually strong, and he had been drowned.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was terrible for the old man thus in the evening of his days to see +the last of his name and race vanish in the bloom of youth, while he +could not even stand beside his coffin or follow it to his ancestral +tomb. Duty detained him at the head of his corps; indeed, in the two +days that had elapsed since he had heard the sad news no duty of his +position had been neglected; he was now giving audience to Captain +Rodenberg, a bearer of important despatches. Not one of the officers +suspected the nature of the scene--the closing scene of a family +drama--that was enacting behind those closed doors. Michael was +standing there beside the general, saying,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"They found him at daybreak, quite near the house where we were +staying. I had time to make the necessary arrangements, and then I was +obliged to leave, intrusting everything else to the care of my dear old +teacher, who also undertook the sad duty of carrying the news to +Countess Hortense of her son's death and of having the body taken to +Steinrück."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general had listened in silence; now he asked, "And does no one +know----?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No one save ourselves. Clermont and his sister will be silent,--must +be silent for their own sakes. Were anything known of what has +occurred, existence would be impossible for them anywhere. Here are the +papers. I deliver them into the hands of my general, and the honour of +the Steinrück name is intact."</p> + +<p class="normal">Steinrück received the papers, and held out his hand to his grandson: +"I thank you, Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young officer looked at him anxiously, not deceived by the rigid +composure of his manner; he knew what lay behind it.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grandfather," he said, gently, "now you can mourn for him."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general shook his head. "I have no time for tears, and they belong +only to the beloved dead. That he could so wound me---- But enough; let +him rest in peace."</p> + +<p class="normal">He turned away and went into the antechamber, where the officers were +assembled, and where he was received with the silent respect accorded +to affliction. One of the group then stepped forward, and, in the name +of all present, expressed to their leader the sympathy felt for him in +the heavy loss which he had sustained. Steinrück listened calmly, +apparently unmoved; he merely bowed in acknowledgment.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I thank you, gentlemen. The blow which soon must strike thousands +has fallen first upon me, but heaven has already sent me consolation, +for here,"--and with the words a flash of his former energy broke +through his forced composure, and the old soldier stood erect and +vigorous,--"here beside me stands the son of my dead daughter, <i>my +grandson</i>, Michael Rodenberg!"</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">A year had passed, a year full of terrible conflict and of +tremendous +results, full of shouts of victory and of wailing for the dead, and +when summer again greeted the earth it greeted a newly-arisen kingdom.</p> + +<p class="normal">Upon the mountain road leading from Tannberg to Castle Steinrück was +rolling an open carriage in which were two officers. The captain, who +sat on the right, would easily have been recognized as a soldier, even +in civilian's dress; but his companion, who wore the uniform of a +lieutenant of reserves, had an artistic rather than a military air, in +spite of being tanned very brown by exposure to the sun and wind.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The luck is all yours, Michael," he said, with all his old gayety. +"You are returning crowned with laurels to your betrothed, while I +still have a hard battle to fight. My little Dornröschen has indeed +been faithful and brave, but the tall thorny hedge still confronts me +in all the toughness of the tenth century. This uniform of mine is very +uncomfortable in travelling, but I hope to impress my father-in-law +with it. Perhaps it may move him to be confronted by the nineteenth +century in all its warlike pomp."</p> + +<p class="normal">"As usual, you regard the matter in its ludicrous aspect," rejoined +Michael; "but indeed you ought to reflect that not only the old +Freiherr, but your father also, refuses his consent."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, fathers are undoubtedly very difficult to deal with," Hans +assented. "By dint of reading Gerlinda's letters to my father I have at +last convinced him that she is sane, but he obstinately insists that +lunacy is hereditary in the Eberstein family, and admonishes me to have +regard for future generations. The Freiherr, on the other hand, +maintains that godless irreverence is hereditary. Moreover, he must +have an inkling that since the troops are dismissed I shall shortly +come to the surface, for he has forbidden Gerlinda to drive to +Steinrück. As if there were any use in that! I shall as the Knight of +Forschungstein attack the Ebersburg, and as a preliminary climb the +castle wall, and find my Dornröschen waiting for me on the terrace."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael listened rather absently, gazing the while towards Castle +Steinrück, which had been visible for some time and was now close at +hand. He remarked, casually, "You seem to be in constant correspondence +with her,--was not an interchange of letters forbidden?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course it was, by both fathers. That is why we wrote so constantly +to each other during the war. The archives of the family will be +wonderfully enriched by the letters recounting the story of our love +and misfortunes. But these last have gone on long enough, and if the +old Freiherr will not listen to reason he must be clapped into the +castle dungeon, and be kept there, as was Balduin of blessed memory six +hundred years ago, until he consented to the marriage of Kunrad von +Eberstein and Hildegard von Ortenau. Oh, I am well up now in the family +chronicles. I make no more mistakes in the names."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael made no answer; as the carriage was driving up the hill he +gazed eagerly towards the castle windows. Hans followed the direction +of his eyes.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And your grandfather is there too?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, he came a week ago, and he has been obliged to ask for a long +leave; the fatigue he has undergone has told terribly upon his health. +But I hope everything from this mountain air."</p> + +<p class="normal">The young artist shook his head, and said with sudden seriousness, "The +general is very much altered. I was shocked when I saw him again. True, +a campaign at his age, and then the sudden death of his grandson,--it +is but natural. I think, however, that he is much fonder of you than he +ever was of Count Raoul."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps so. But at his time of life the effect of such shocks is never +quite overcome," said Michael, evasively. He knew well what his +grandfather could not overcome, but it was a secret between them.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans talked on, receiving ever briefer and more absent replies; his +friend seemed scarcely to hear him, as he sat gazing towards the +castle. Suddenly he drew forth his handkerchief and waved it in the +air.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What are you about?" asked Hans. "Ah, I see; there waves another +handkerchief, and--yes, there stands the Countess Hertha on the +balcony. She is beautiful indeed, your golden-haired fairy princess up +there in the brilliant sunshine! My Dornröschen cannot vie with her, +and my betrothed, instead of millions by way of dowry, has only an +obstinate old papa. But then her family is full two hundred years older +than the Steinrücks. Don't forget that, Michael! In the Middle Ages my +future wife would decidedly have taken precedence of yours."</p> + +<p class="normal">At last the carriage drove into the court-yard, far too slowly for the +impatience of the young officer, who tore open the door, alighted, and +ran up the steps to the hall, and, in spite of the servants there +assembled, clasped in his arms Hertha, who had come to meet him. It was +the first public acknowledgment of their betrothal.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And I must look on, and cannot do likewise, just because I have a +foolish papa and papa-in-law," grumbled Hans. "But only wait, my +gentlemen, hardhearted parents as you are, and I will bring you to your +knees."</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">In the wainscoted room with the large bow-window, where the +ancestral +portraits looked down from the walls, and the escutcheon of the +Steinrücks was carved above the fireplace, Count Michael now sat with +his grandson, whom he had seen for the first time in this very room, +where the boy had suffered under so false an accusation. Fate had +devised a terrible requital, and the general evidently suffered +severely from it.</p> + +<p class="normal">In fact, he was greatly altered, and in twelve months had grown older +by as many years. While the campaign lasted, the responsibilities of +his position, his military duties, nerved his arm, and his will forced +mind and body to do his bidding. But his strength failed him when his +duties were ended. The features of the handsome old face looked pinched +and hollow, the eyes had lost their fire, even the carriage was bowed +and weary. At this moment, however, his eyes rested with intense +satisfaction upon his grandson, whose hand he held in his own.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I should think you might well be content," said he. "It is seldom that +so young an officer receives such distinguished honours as have been +heaped upon you, and I can bear witness that you deserve them. Your +conduct in the field surpassed my expectations, and I expected a great +deal from you, Michael."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Perhaps the recognition of my services would not have been so +flattering if it had not been accorded to the grandson of the general +in command," rejoined Michael, with a smile. "From the moment when you +introduced me as your near of kin I was but too well aware of the +especial attention paid me."</p> + +<p class="normal">"At all events, the recognition you have received was your due, and +Hertha may well be proud of her hero. Have you settled upon the time +for your marriage?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Not yet. Hertha takes various considerations into account, and, hard +though it be, I must submit. Her betrothal to Raoul has never been +publicly annulled, and the year of mourning is just ended. We meant, +however, to leave the decision to you, grandfather. If you think we +ought to wait----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No!" Steinrück declared. "You have agreed to have the marriage +celebrated very quietly, and I should like to give you to each other +myself. In a few months--it may be too late."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Grandfather!" said Michael, half in remonstrance, half in reproach.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Why should I not speak of it to you? You must confront the +inevitable."</p> + +<p class="normal">"But it is not inevitable. Why will you not rouse yourself from the +melancholy that is sapping your physical strength? Has every pleasure +in life vanished in Raoul's grave? Hertha and I are still with you to +help you to forget the past."</p> + +<p class="normal">The general slowly shook his head. "You best know what you are to me, +Michael, but my vigour has departed, and you know, too, when it left +me. That blow struck at the very root of the old tree; it cannot +recover."</p> + +<p class="normal">Michael made no reply; he knew that, although his grandfather had been +spared the worst, enough had occurred to wound to the quick the pride +and the sense of honour of the old Count, who had always been devoted +heart and soul to his country.</p> + +<p class="normal">"The Countess Hortense is, I hear, with her brother again--with your +consent?" asked Rodenberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes; while the war lasted I neither could nor would permit my son's +widow to remain in France. Now, however, she has gone back to Montigny. +She has never felt at home here, and Raoul's death has severed the only +tie that united us. I have assured her an independence as far as it lay +in my power. You know the disposition that I have made of my property. +Castle Steinrück falls to you as my sole heir, and with Hertha's hand +you come into possession of all the family estates, which I was so +anxious to assure to my grandson. My plans are fulfilled, but not as I +had devised them, and it is better thus. You will fill your position +well, and will guard and protect Hertha with a strong arm. God bless +you both!"</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">It was by no mere chance that Hans Wehlau accompanied his +friend. He +hoped to enlist Michael's betrothed as an ally in his last decisive +attack upon the prejudices of his father and of his father-in-law <i>in +spe</i>. This attack could take place only at Steinrück, for it was there +only that Gerlinda's father was to be met, and it was there only that +he could be brought into contact with Professor Wehlau, who was at +present paying a visit to his relatives in Tannberg.</p> + +<p class="normal">Hertha had already done all that she could to encourage her little +friend, and to prevail with the old Freiherr, but to no more purpose +than was Hans's second presentation of his suit a few days after his +arrival at Steinrück. In vain had he donned his uniform; the warlike +pomp of the nineteenth century made no impression whatever upon the +tenth. Udo von Eberstein was determined to adhere to the traditions of +his house, and threatened to shut his daughter up in a convent rather +than allow her to marry a man of no rank. He was inexorable, and +neither the lover's insistence nor Gerlinda's tears availed to soften +his heart.</p> + +<p class="normal">It was not very difficult to entice Professor Wehlau to Steinrück. He +willingly accepted an invitation from Michael, but one which Hertha +extended to the inmates of the Ebersburg, 'by chance' for the same day, +was only half successful. The Freiherr made his appearance, but he +prudently left his daughter at home, moved to this precautionary +measure by the possibility of meeting at Steinrück the man who +persisted in wanting to be his son-in-law, and who was upheld by +Gerlinda in his irreverent presumption. The visit, however, appeared +about to pass without any disturbance; the enemy who threatened the +race of Eberstein with a plebeian name was nowhere to be seen, and the +Freiherr, who had had a long talk with the general of the times when +they were brothers-in-arms, was in the best of spirits.</p> + +<p class="normal">Count Steinrück having been called away for a few minutes, the Freiherr +was left alone in the bow-windowed room. He turned as the door opened, +expecting to see the general again, but started violently upon +confronting Professor Wehlau.</p> + +<p class="normal">The Professor was startled in his turn; he knew nothing of his +opponent's presence here, and was for an instant undecided what manner +to adopt towards him. A gentler disposition gained the upper hand, +however, and he muttered, "Good-day, Herr von Eberstein."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Professor Wehlau, are you here?" asked Eberstein, returning his +salutation with a very stiff inclination. "I hope you have not brought +your son with you."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No; he is in Tannberg."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I rejoice to hear it. My daughter is at the Ebersburg."</p> + +<p class="normal">Wehlau shrugged his shoulders. "Not much cause for rejoicing. I'll +wager that the pair are together the instant our backs are turned."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I beg your pardon," said Eberstein, with dignity. "I have strictly +forbidden Gerlinda either to see or to speak to Herr Wehlau."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Of course, and you forbade her to write to him, but my Hans brought +home a whole wagon-load of her letters. Fräulein Gerlinda possesses a +like number, I suppose."</p> + +<p class="normal">"This is disgraceful!" exclaimed the old Freiherr, informed thus for +the first time of his child's disobedience. "Why do you not employ your +paternal authority? Why have you permitted your son to come hither?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Because he is twenty-six years old, and a child no longer," replied +Wehlau, dryly. "You, indeed, keep your daughter under lock and key. I +wish I could do the same with my madcap; but it would not help matters: +he would scramble out of the window and into the Ebersburg, if he had +to do it by the chimney. The affair cannot be allowed to go on thus; we +must have recourse to serious measures."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, we must!" Eberstein agreed, with an energetic thump of his cane +on the floor. "I shall shut Gerlinda up in a convent for the present as +a boarder. Then we'll see whether my gentleman can visit her by way of +the chimney."</p> + +<p class="normal">"A very sensible idea!" exclaimed the Professor, almost tempted to +shake his opponent by the hand. "Stick to it, Herr von Eberstein. I am +really glad to see you, in your condition, capable of such energy."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old Freiherr, who had no idea of the insulting nature of the +Professor's diagnosis of his case, and who thought he alluded to his +gout, sighed heavily. "Yea, my condition grows worse every day."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Are you aware of it yourself?" asked Wehlau, drawing up a chair and +seating himself. "Of what did your father die, Herr Baron?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"My father, Colonel Kuno von Eberstein-Ortenau, fell in the battle of +Leipsic at the head of his regiment," was the reply, given with much +conscious dignity.</p> + +<p class="normal">Wehlau looked surprised; he seemed to have expected a different answer, +and he forthwith began a regular cross-examination. He asked about the +Freiherr's grandfather and great-grandfather, about his first and +second wife, about his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Any other man would +have been irritated by such inquiries, but Eberstein thought only that +the Professor was greatly changed for the better; it did him good to be +questioned thus with such interest about all the Udos, Kunos, and +Kunrads, to whom this very man had formerly alluded in such +disrespectful terms. He paraded his pedigree to the best advantage, and +willingly answered all questions.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Extraordinary!" said Wehlau at last, shaking his head. "Not a single +case of mental disease, then, in your entire family?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Mental disease?" Eberstein repeated, in some dudgeon. "What can you be +thinking of? I suppose that is your specialty, however. No, the +Ebersteins have died of all sorts of diseases, but their minds have +never been affected."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That really seems to have been the case---- Is it possible that I have +been mistaken?" murmured the Professor. He turned the conversation to +the family chronicles, to the origin of the Ebersteins in the tenth +century, but the Freiherr's replies were perfectly clear and sensible, +and at last he clasped his hands and said, in a tone of deep emotion, +"Yes, yes, my ancient noble line, known and honoured in history for +nine centuries, goes to the grave with me! Whether Gerlinda marries or +not, the name must die with me, and that soon, as my old Ebersburg will +ere long be but a heap of ruins. The present generation knows nothing, +wishes to know nothing, of the splendour and glory of ancient times, +and I have no son to preserve their memory. The scutcheon of my race +will be broken above my coffin and thrown into the grave with me, with +the last sad words, 'Freiherr von Eberstein-Ortenau, known to-day, but +never more.'"</p> + +<p class="normal">There was such bitter pain in the tone in which these words were +uttered that Wehlau suddenly grew very grave, and looked with genuine +emotion at the old man, down whose withered cheeks two tears rolled +slowly. The man of science and of the present had never appreciated the +pride of the noble in his ancestors; but he understood the suffering of +the old man bewailing the downfall of his race, conscious, in spite of +every effort to the contrary, of the iron heel of modern times crushing +and obliterating the traces of centuries. At the moment all that was +ridiculous fell away from Udo von Eberstein, extinguished by the tragic +melancholy of a fading world, over which sentence was pronounced in the +words, 'Known to-day, but never more!'</p> + +<p class="normal">There was silence for a few moments, and then the Professor suddenly +offered his hand to his former antagonist. "Herr von Eberstein, I have +done you injustice. We are liable to err, and there really was much +that was strange in your---- Enough, I beg to apologize."</p> + +<p class="normal">The old Freiherr was far from guessing the reason tor this apology; he +thought it referred to the want of respect formerly shown for the +Eberstein pedigree, and it pleased him greatly that the irreverent man +of science should be so thoroughly converted. He took the offered hand +and pressed it cordially.</p> + +<p class="normal">At this point Michael made his appearance in some dismay, having just +learned that the two men, whose meeting was to be arranged with such +caution, were alone together in the general's room. They were probably +by this time flying at each other's throats, and Captain Rodenberg came +instantly in hopes of averting a misfortune. To his astonishment, he +found the pair engaged in peaceful converse, in fact with clasped +hands.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I am sorry to disturb you," said Michael, scarcely believing his eyes. +"The Countess Hertha is very desirous of seeing you, but if you are +engaged in conversation----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, we have finished," said Wehlau, assisting the old Freiherr, who +was very infirm, to rise. Thus they proceeded to the drawing-room, +where Hertha received them, but beside her stood a man at sight of whom +the Freiherr's melancholy gave place to anger.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Herr Hans Wehlau! I thought you were in Tannberg!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"And he was there when I left," interposed the Professor. "How did you +get here, you rascal? through the air?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, papa, I only drove after you. I wanted especially to speak with +Herr von Eberstein upon a most important matter----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"I will not listen to anything," protested the Freiherr; "I know all +about your important matter, but I have just agreed with your father +that we must have recourse to serious measures, very serious measures, +to frustrate your matrimonial schemes."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Yes, very serious measures," the Professor reiterated. "We certainly +agreed upon this,--but, after all, why do you refuse to let your +daughter marry my son?"</p> + +<p class="normal">Eberstein looked at him completely puzzled. The question was +extraordinary, just when an alliance had been formed against this +marriage, but he was spared the trouble of replying, for Hertha +demanded his attention at the moment, and Wehlau availed himself of the +opportunity to draw his son aside.</p> + +<p class="normal">"I was mistaken," he said, bluntly. "This time you were right. The old +Freiherr is quite rational, with the exception of a few abnormal ideas +which must be laid to the charge of the tenth century; such a pedigree +is not normal. Such whims, however, are not hereditary, and so, if +there is no help for it, marry your Gerlinda if you choose."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Thank heaven, papa!" said Hans, with a sigh of relief. "You have +caused me worry enough with your anxieties about generations not yet in +existence."</p> + +<p class="normal">"It was my duty. But, as I told you, my mind is now easy with regard to +your posterity. Let us see how you will manage the old Baron and his +pedigree."</p> + +<p class="normal">"I shall carry them both by storm," exclaimed the young artist, +triumphantly, "and win my Dornröschen in spite of them."</p> + +<p class="normal">Meanwhile, Hertha was assisting the young lover's plans. She led the +conversation with the Freiherr to the subject of her own betrothal, +reminding the old man that she, like Gerlinda, was the last of her +race, and that her name too was to be merged in one without a title; +but Eberstein opposed her angrily.</p> + +<p class="normal">"That is quite a different thing. Your betrothed is the Count's +grandson, the son of a Steinrück; on the mother's side he belongs to +your family. Moreover,"--he turned courteously to Michael, whose manly +form and carriage were greatly to his taste,--"moreover, Captain +Rodenberg has served with distinction during the war. Even in the times +of our glorious ancestors brave deeds were worth a patent of nobility +and won the accolade. But a son-in-law with a paint-brush for a sword +and a palette for a shield,--oh, never, never!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"At all events, he can perpetuate brave deeds," said Michael, smiling. +"Perhaps you are not aware that my friend has just gained the victory +in a trial of artistic skill. His name is lauded throughout the public +press, and is unanimously----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Don't talk to me of the 'public press!'" exclaimed Eberstein, in high +dudgeon. "It, too, is an invention of to-day, and worse than all the +rest. Reckless, indiscreet, slanderous, it tramples everything in the +dust, holds nothing sacred, and is the devil's own work."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are quite right, Herr Baron; the press is terrible," assented +Hans, who had approached in time to hear the Freiherr's last words. +"But I pray you to permit me to tell you what I ask. Do not put your +fingers in your ears; it really has nothing to do with Gerlinda and me, +but only with the contest of which Michael has just told you. I engaged +in it before the war, and during the campaign received intelligence +that my sketch had taken the prize and that the picture had been +ordered. To carry out this order your permission is necessary."</p> + +<p class="normal">"My permission?" asked Eberstein. "What have I to do with your +pictures?"</p> + +<p class="normal">"That you can understand if you will kindly condescend to glance at the +sketch. It is an historical picture to hang in the principal hall of +the new Rathhaus in B., and, of course, in such a place it will be very +conspicuous, which is why I must ask your permission to paint it. +Should you refuse me I must make another sketch. Here it is."</p> + +<p class="normal">He opened the door of the adjoining room. Fortunately, the old Freiherr +was not so obstinate as Professor Wehlau had been with regard to the +picture of Saint Michael, and, half curiously, half mistrustfully, he +entered the room, followed by the others.</p> + +<p class="normal">The picture referred to was in fact then leaning against the wall, only +a cartoon as yet, done in charcoal, but a faithful presentment of the +future picture. The artist had succeeded in rendering with vivid effect +a scene from the mediæval wars under the Hohenstauffen. On the right of +the picture was the Emperor, a majestic, powerful figure, surrounded by +princes and prelates; on the left the people were crowding, while the +centre of the canvas was occupied by the victorious warriors returning +home to lay at the feet of their sovereign the trophies of their +prowess. The composition was stirring and characteristic; the interest +centred upon one man, evidently the hero of the hour, the leader of the +victors; a splendid figure, with dark hair and eyes, and noble regular +features, mail-clad, and full of manly vigour. Erect, pointing towards +the trophies heaped upon the ground, he seemed to be recounting to the +Emperor his tale of victory. This single warrior was the central point +of the composition; upon him was concentrated the interest of the +spectators; and his helm and breastplate bore the insignia of the +Ebersteins, while upon his shield was the scutcheon now crumbling to +decay above the gates of the Ebersburg. Here was its resurrection.</p> + +<p class="normal">The old Freiherr had approached the picture to examine it; suddenly he +started, his sad eyes brightened, his bowed form stood erect, and, with +a gesture that was almost youthful, he turned to the young artist +standing behind him. "Did you do this? And that is----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The reproduction of a portrait which I saw upon my first visit to the +Ebersburg," Hans completed the sentence. "You, perhaps, remember our +conversation upon that occasion, and can now understand why I ask your +permission to paint this picture."</p> + +<p class="normal">Eberstein made no reply; he stood gazing fixedly at the picture, at the +image of himself when he was still young and happy, and fit to bear +arms. His eyes grew moist at the memory of that time.</p> + +<p class="normal">"What does all this mean?" asked the Professor, who knew the picture, +but had not been informed of its secret significance. The old Baron +turned to him and said, in a tone half of melancholy, half of conscious +pride,--</p> + +<p class="normal">"Those are my features. Thus looked Udo von Eberstein forty years ago."</p> + +<p class="normal">"You are very much changed since then," said Wehlau, in his blunt +fashion; but Hans hastily interposed.</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, no, papa! Look closely at the Freiherr and you will recognize the +features. The picture is to be painted in fresco, Herr Baron, and will +probably last as long as the Rathhaus is in existence, for some +hundreds of years at least."</p> + +<p class="normal">"Some hundreds of years," murmured Eberstein, ecstatically. "But no one +will know that scutcheon."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans stepped close to his side. "Unfortunately, it is known already. +That terrible press--you know I share your horror of it--has mastered +the whole matter, and has printed the names in full. An article in the +principal newspaper of our imperial capital--permit me to read you the +close of it."</p> + +<p class="normal">He produced a newspaper and read aloud: "'After this detailed +description we cannot withhold from our readers the information +that the central figure of the picture,--the knight with the +fine characteristic head,'--here it is in black and white, Herr +Baron,--'the fine characteristic head, is an only slightly idealized +portrait,--the portrait of the Freiherr Udo von Eberstein-Ortenau of +the Ebersburg, the last scion of a once famous race, which traces its +pedigree back to the tenth century; the scutcheon of the Ebersteins, +seen upon the helmet and shield of the knight, is thus immortalized.' +Indeed I could not help this, Herr Baron,--a couple of innocent remarks +of mine to acquaintances,--shall I have the article contradicted?--it +will else go the entire round of Germany, in all the newspapers."</p> + +<p class="normal">"No, my young friend," replied Eberstein, with dignity. "I forbid you +to contradict it; on the contrary, the press seems to me to have been +in this instance neither reckless nor indiscreet. It does but fulfil a +duty in bringing to light facts that have escaped the memory of +thousands of our contemporaries. Let the article go the entire round of +Germany!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"The fellow has a terrific talent for intrigue," muttered the +Professor. "The old Baron has actually swallowed the hook."</p> + +<p class="normal">Hans twisted the paper to and fro in his hands with well-feigned +embarrassment. "Yes, Herr Baron, but there is a concluding sentence +which you ought also to hear----"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Read it," said Eberstein, with solemn condescension, and Hans read on:</p> + +<p class="normal">"'And now for a final communication which will interest especially our +fair readers of the other sex. The young artist worked <i>con amore</i> when +he painted the knight of the Eberstein arms, with the Eberstein +features also, since he is about to be united to the only daughter of +the Freiherr in question----'"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Stay--stop,--that must be contradicted!" exclaimed Eberstein; but, +without further ado, Hans forced the newspaper upon him, and drew out +from behind the tall picture something which, upon closer inspection, +proved to be Fräulein Gerlinda von Eberstein. There she stood, the +little Dornröschen, not quite so much of a child as when we first saw +her, but lovelier than ever as she lifted eyes and hands of entreaty to +her father.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Oh, papa, do not be so cruel! I love him so dearly!"</p> + +<p class="normal">"Did not I tell you they were sure to be together?" exclaimed the +Professor, advancing. "Herr von Eberstein, there is nothing to do but +to say 'yes.' My Hans will do as he chooses, as you see; and that +delicate little thing, your daughter, is quite capable of dying of +grief if you separate her from him. And when she is dead you will be +left alone with your stainless pedigree."</p> + +<p class="normal">"That would be terrible!" said Eberstein, with a look of dismay at his +child.</p> + +<p class="normal">"Then let us put an end to the matter!" And the Professor put his arm +around the young girl and gave her a paternal kiss, after which all was +settled so far as he was concerned.</p> + +<p class="normal">The old Freiherr was scarcely conscious of what happened then,--he was +really taken by storm. He found himself embracing his daughter and a +future son-in-law. Gerlinda sobbed upon his breast and Hans hailed him +as his beloved father-in-law. There was nothing for it but to clasp the +pair in his arms, which he did. Udo von Eberstein relented, and +consented. In spite of brush and palette, Hans had been the one to +perpetuate the memory of the ancient name.</p> + +<hr class="W20"> + +<p class="normal">Towards the end of July a marriage was quietly celebrated in +the +pilgrimage church of Saint Michael,--the marriage of Captain Michael +Rodenberg to the Countess Hertha von Steinrück. As Michael was a +Protestant, like his mother and his grandfather, the Protestant +marriage had first taken place in Castle Steinrück. Now, in presence of +a small circle of relatives and friends, among whom were the betrothed +couple, Hans and Gerlinda, beaming with happiness, the reverend pastor +of the little Alpine village united before the altar of his church, as +they had desired, the two young people to whom he was so closely bound +by ties of affection.</p> + +<p class="normal">The morning mists were still veiling the Eagle ridge, but they were +beginning to roll away to lie like a translucent veil at its feet, when +the bells in the old church rang out a joyous peal that echoed among +the mountains, while upon Michael and his young wife, now one for life, +looked down from above the altar the mighty archangel with eagle's +wings and eyes of flame, the victorious leader of the heavenly +host,--Saint Michael!</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>THE END.</h3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Saint Michael, by E. 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Werner + +Translator: A. L. Wister + +Release Date: January 30, 2011 [EBook #35116] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SAINT MICHAEL *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books + + + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + + 1. Page Scan Source: + http://books.google.com/books?id=lPUqAAAAMAAJ&dq + + 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. + + + + + + + + + SAINT MICHAEL + + + + A ROMANCE + + + + TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN + OF + E. WERNER + + + + BY + MRS. A. L. WISTER + + + + + + PHILADELPHIA + J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY + 1901. + + + + + + + * * * * * + Copyright, 1886, by J. B Lippincott Company + * * * * * + + + + + + + + SAINT MICHAEL. + + +Easter had come; the season of light and refreshment for universal +nature! Winter, as he departed, had shrouded himself in a veil of +gloomy mist, and spring followed close after fleeing abysmal clouds. +She had sent forth the blasts, her messengers, to arouse the earth from +its slumber; they roared above meadow and plain, waved their wings +around the mighty summits of the mountain ranges, and stirred the sea +to its depths. There was a savage conflict and turmoil in the air, +whence issued, nevertheless, a note as of victory. The blasts were +those of spring, and were instinct with life,--they heralded a +resurrection. + +The mountains were still half buried in snow, and the ancient +stronghold that looked down from their heights upon the valley towered +above snow-laden pines. It was one of those gray, rock-crowning castles +that were formerly the terror of the surrounding country, and are now +for the most part deserted and forgotten, with naught but ruins to tell +of ancient splendour. This, however, was not the case in this instance: +the Counts von Steinrueck carefully preserved the cradle of their race +from decay, although otherwise they cared very little for the old pile, +secluded as it was from the world in the depths of the mountains. In +the hunting season only, when there was usually an arrival of guests, +life and bustle awoke the echoes within its ancient walls. + +This year was an exceptional one, however. Guests, it is true, were +assembled here in the early spring, but upon a very solemn occasion. +The castle's lord was to be borne to the grave, and with him the +younger branch of the family was extinct in the male succession, for he +left behind him only his widow and a little daughter. Count Steinrueck +had died at one of his other estates, his usual dwelling-place, and +there the grand obsequies had been held, before the corpse had been +brought hither to be interred in the family vault very quietly and in +presence of none save the nearest of kin. + +It was one of those stormy days in March when the entire valley is +filled with masses of gray clouds. The dim afternoon light penetrated +to the apartment which the dead Count had been wont to occupy during +his short autumnal visits to the castle. It was a long, rather low +room, with a single large bow-window, and its arrangement dated from +the time of the castle's magnificence. The dark wainscoting, the huge +oaken doors, and the gigantic chimney-piece supporting the Steinrueck +escutcheon, and sustained by pillars, had remained unchanged for +centuries, while the heavy antique furniture, and the old family +portraits on the walls, alike belonged to a long-vanished period of +time. The fire smouldering on the hearth could scarcely give an air of +comfort to the gloomy room, which, nevertheless, represented a bit of +history,--the history of an influential family whose fortunes had long +been closely allied with those of its country. + +The door opened, and two gentlemen entered, evidently relatives of the +house, for the uniform of the one and the civilian's dress of the other +showed each conventional signs of mourning. In fact, they had just +returned from the funeral, and the face of the elder man had not yet +lost the solemnity of expression befitting the occasion. + +"The will is to be opened to-morrow," he said, "but it will be a mere +form, as I am perfectly aware of its dispositions. To the Countess is +left a large income with Castle Berkheim, where she has always resided; +all the other estates go to Hertha, whose guardian I am to be. Then +come a series of legacies, and Steinrueck is bequeathed to me as the +head of the elder branch." + +At the last words the younger man shrugged his shoulders. "That child +inherits an enormous property," he said. "Your inheritance is not +exactly brilliant, papa; I imagine this old castle with the forests +belonging to it costs almost as much as it yields." + +"No matter for that; it is the ancestral stronghold of our family which +thus comes into our possession. My cousin could have left me nothing +more valuable, and I am duly grateful to him. Shall you return +tomorrow, Albrecht?" + +"I had arranged to stay from home for a few days only, but if you +desire----" + +"No, there is no necessity for your staying. I shall, of course, apply +for an extension of my leave. There is much to be attended to, and the +Countess seems so entirely dependent that I shall be compelled to stay +and assist her for a while." + +He went to the bow-window and looked out upon the veiled landscape. The +Count had already passed the prime of life, but there was about him no +sign of failing vigour; his figure was fine, his carriage commanding. +He must have once been extremely handsome, and, indeed, might still +have been called so even at his age; his abundant, slightly-grizzled +hair, his quick, energetic movements, and his full, deep voice, as well +as the fire of his eye, gave him a decided air of youth. + +His son was his opposite in all these characteristics; his figure was +slender, and he looked delicate in health. His pale face and thin +features gave the impression of timidity, and yet those features +certainly resembled his father's. Striking as was the contrast they +presented, the family likeness between father and son was unmistakable. + +"The Countess seems to be an utterly dependent creature," he said; +"this trial finds her perfectly helpless." + +"It is very hard for her, losing her husband thus after so short an +illness and in the prime of life,--sensitive natures are sure to be +crushed by such a blow." + +"Still, some women would have borne it better. Louise would have +resigned herself with fortitude to the inevitable." + +"Hush, hush!" the Count interrupted him sternly as he turned away. + +"Forgive me, sir; I know you do not like to be reminded, but to-day +such reminiscences will thrust themselves before me. Of right Louise +should now be the mourner here. She would hardly have been left with +only a large income. Steinrueck would have made her sole mistress of all +that he possessed; he used to submit to her in everything. How, how +could she reject him? And to sacrifice everything, name, home, family, +to become the wife of an adventurer who dragged her down to ruin! It is +enough to revive faith in the old legends of love-philtres; such things +can hardly be accounted for by natural means." + +"Folly!" the Count said, coldly. "Our fate lies in our own hands. +Louise turned aside to an abyss, and it engulfed her." + +"And yet you might, perhaps, have received the outcast again if she had +returned repentant." + +"Never!" The word was uttered with uncompromising severity. "And, +besides, she never would have returned. She could go to destruction in +the disgrace and misery which she had brought upon herself, but Louise +never could have pleaded for mercy with the father who had thrust her +forth. She was my own child, in spite of all!" + +"And your favourite," Albrecht concluded, with an outbreak of +bitterness. "I know it well; I have been told often enough that in no +quality do I resemble you. Louise alone inherited your characteristics. +Beautiful, intellectual, energetic, she was the child of your +affections, your pride, your delight. Well, we have lived to see +whither this energy led; we know how, at that man's side, she sank +lower and lower, until at last----" + +"Your sister is dead," the Count interrupted him, sternly. "Let the +dead rest!" + +Albrecht was silent, but the bitterness did not pass from his look; he +evidently could not forgive his sister for what she had brought upon +her family. There was no further conversation, however, for a servant +appeared and announced "His reverence the pastor of Saint Michael." + +This arrival seemed to have been expected, for the servant, without +awaiting permission, ushered in the priest. + +He was a man about fifty years of age, with perfectly gray hair, a face +expressing grave serenity, and dark-blue eyes, while his carriage and +manner bespoke the repose and gentleness befitting his calling. + +Count Steinrueck advanced several steps to receive him, and greeted him +courteously but formally. The elder branch of the family was +Protestant, and as such had no especial consideration for a Catholic +priest. "I desire to express my thanks to your reverence," he began, +motioning the pastor to a seat. "It was the special wish of the widowed +Countess that you should conduct the funeral services, and on this +mournful day you have given her such loyal support that we are all +grateful to you." + +"I only fulfilled my duty as a pastor," the ecclesiastic replied, +calmly, "and deserve no gratitude. But I come to you now, Count, to +make an appeal upon another subject, where my interference is uncalled +for and perhaps, in your eyes, unjustifiable; yet, since the late +melancholy event has brought you unexpectedly to our mountains, I could +not but request this interview with you." + +"Let me repeat that I am at your service, Herr Pastor Valentin. If the +matter is of a private nature, my son will leave----" + +"I pray the Count to remain," Valentin interposed. "He is aware of the +matter that brings me hither; it concerns the foster-son of the +forester Wolfram." + +He paused as if awaiting an answer, but none was forthcoming. The Count +sat still, with an unmoved countenance, and Albrecht, although he +suddenly became attentive, was silent; therefore the priest was +compelled to proceed. + +"You will remember, Herr Count, that it was through me that you +received intelligence of the boy's place of abode, coupled with the +request that you would befriend him." + +"A request with which I immediately complied Wolfram took charge of the +child by my desire, as I informed you." + +"True; I should indeed have much preferred to see the child in other +hands, although such was your disposition of him. Now, however, the boy +has grown older, and cannot possibly be left among such surroundings. I +am convinced that you could not desire it." + +"And why not?" rejoined Steinrueck, coldly. "I know Wolfram to be +thoroughly trustworthy, and I had my reasons for choosing him. Do you +know anything to his discredit?" + +"No; the man is honest, after his fashion, but rude and half savage in +his solitude. Since his wife's death he scarcely comes in contact with +mankind, and his household differs in no wise from that of a common +peasant. Such a one can scarcely be a good home for a growing boy, +least of all for the grandson of Count Steinrueck." + +Albrecht, standing behind his father's chair, stirred uneasily; the old +Count frowned, and rejoined, sharply, "I have but one grandchild, my +son's boy, and I pray your reverence to keep this fact in mind in your +allusion to the matter under discussion." + +The priest's gentle gaze fell grave and reproachful upon the speaker. +"Pardon me, Herr Count, but your daughter's legitimate child has a just +claim to be entitled your grandson." + +"Nevertheless he is not such; that marriage had no existence for me or +for my family." + +"And yet you acceded to my request when Michael----" + +The Count started. "Michael?" he repeated, slowly. + +"The boy's name. Did you not know it?" + +"No; I did not see the child when it was given to Wolfram to educate." + +"There could be no question of education with a man of Wolfram's lack +of culture, and yet much might have been effected by it. Michael had +been neglected and allowed to run wild in the uncertain life led by his +parents. I have done what I could for him, and have given him all the +instruction that I could, considering the seclusion of the forester's +lodge." + +"Have you really done this?" There was displeased surprise in the tone +of the question. + +"Certainly; no other instruction was possible in that seclusion, and I +could not for a moment suppose that the boy was to be intentionally +degraded and intellectually starved in that solitude. Such a punishment +for his parent's fault would have been too hard." + +There was stern reproof in the simple words, and they must have hit the +mark, for an angry gleam flashed in Steinrueck's eyes. "Whatever your +reverence may have learned of our family affairs, your judgment with +regard to them must be that of a stranger, and as such some things may +seem incomprehensible to you. It is my duty, as the head of the family, +to preserve its honour intact, and whoever assails and attaints that +honour will be thrust forth from my heart and home, though such assault +proceed from my own child. I did what I was forced to do, and in case +of a like terrible necessity I should act similarly." + +The words were uttered with iron determination, and Valentin was silent +for a moment, probably feeling that no priestly admonition could affect +such a nature. "The Countess Louise has found rest in the grave," he +said at last, and his voice trembled slightly as he uttered the name, +"and with her also the man to whom she was wedded. Her son is alone and +unprotected, and I come to ask for the boy what you would not refuse to +any orphaned stranger commended to your care,--an education which will +enable him in future to confront life and the world. If he remains in +Wolfram's charge he is entirely excluded from anything of the kind, and +will be condemned to a half-savage existence in some lonely mountain +forest lodge, a life no higher in aim than that of the merest peasant. +If you, Herr Count, can answer to yourself for this----" + +"Enough!" the Count angrily interrupted him, rising from his chair. "I +will take the matter into consideration and decide definitively with +regard to your _protege_. Upon this your reverence may rely." + +The pastor arose on the instant; he perceived that the interview was at +an end, and he had no desire to prolong it. "My _protege_?" he +repeated; "may he be yours also, Herr Count,--he surely has a right to +be so." And with a brief, grave inclination of his head to each of the +gentlemen, he left the room. + +"A most extraordinary visit!" said Albrecht, who had hitherto been +silent. "What right has this priest to meddle in our family affairs?" + +Steinrueck shrugged his shoulders. "He was formerly our cousin's father +confessor, and now occupies a confidential position with his family, +although he lives high up in a lonely Alpine village. He and no other +must attend Steinrueck's body to the grave. I shall make him understand, +however, that I am inaccessible to priestly influence. I could not +quite deny myself to him, since it was he who some time ago asked my +aid for the orphan boy, any more than I could refuse the aid he asked." + +"Yes, the boy had to be cared for, and it has been done," Albrecht +coolly assented. "You attended to the matter yourself, sir. This +Wolfram--I have an indistinct remembrance of the name--was once a +gamekeeper of yours, was he not?" + +"Yes; my recommendation procured him his position as forester with my +cousin. He is taciturn and trustworthy, troubling himself little +concerning matters beyond his ken. He never asked what my relations +with the boy intrusted to him were, but did as he was bidden, and took +him home." + +"Where he belongs, of course. You do not contemplate making any +change?" + +"That remains to be decided. I must see him." + +Albrecht started, and his features betrayed surprise and annoyance. +"Wherefore? Why have any personal contact with him? One keeps as far as +possible out of the way of such disagreeable matters." + +"That is your fashion," the Count said, sharply. "Mine is to confront +such evils, and contend with them, if necessary, face to face." He +stamped his foot in a sudden outburst of anger. "'_Intentionally_ +degraded and intellectually starved as a punishment for his parent's +fault!' That this priest should say it to my face!" + +"Yes, it only remained for him to undertake the defence of the +parents," Albrecht interposed, disdainfully. "And they called their boy +Michael. They presumed to give him your name,--the ancient traditional +name of our family. The insult is apparent." + +"It may have been the result of repentance," Steinrueck said, gloomily. +"Your son is called Raoul." + +"Not at all; he was christened by your name, which he bears." + +"In the church register! He is called Raoul; your wife has seen to +that." + +"It is the name of Hortense's father, and she clings to it with filial +devotion. You know this, and you have never found any fault with it." + +"If it were the name alone! But it is not the only thing foreign to me +in my grandson. There is no trace of the Steinrueck in Raoul, either in +face or in character; he resembles his mother." + +"I should not reckon that against him. Hortense has always been +considered a beauty. You have no idea how many conquests she still +makes." + +The words were uttered in seeming jest, but they met with no response +in the manner of the old Count, who remained grave and cold. "That +probably accounts for her attachment to the scene of such triumphs. You +spend more time in France with her relatives than you do at home. Your +visits there are more frequent and more prolonged as time goes on, and +there is some talk now, I hear, of your being attached to our embassy +in Paris. Then Hortense will have attained her desire." + +"I must go wherever I am sent," Albrecht said in self-exculpation, "and +if they select me----" + +"What? playing your diplomatic game with me?" his father interrupted +him harshly. "I know well enough what secret wires are pulled, and the +position is but an insignificant one. I expected better things of your +career, Albrecht. There were paths enough open to you whereby to attain +eminence, but to do so needed ambition and energy, neither of which +qualities have you ever possessed. Now you are applying for a position +which you will owe entirely to your name, and which you may occupy for +a decade without advancing a step,--and all in obedience to the wishes +of your wife." + +Albrecht bit his lip at this reproof, uttered as it was with almost +brutal frankness. + +"In this respect, papa, you have always been unjust; you never +regarded my marriage with any favour. I thought myself secure of your +approval of my choice, and you have all but reproached me for bringing +home to you a beautiful, talented daughter from one of the most +distinguished----" + +"Who has never been other than a stranger to us," Steinrueck interrupted +his son. "She has never yet perceived that she belongs to us, not you +to her. I could wish you had brought home to me the daughter of the +simplest country nobleman instead of this Hortense de Montigny. It is +not good, the mixture of hot French blood in our ancient German race, +and Raoul shows far too much of it. Stern military discipline will be +of use to him." + +"Yes,--you insist that he shall enter the army," said Albrecht, with +hesitation. "Hortense is afraid--and I fear also--that our child is not +equal to much hardship. He is a delicate boy; he will not be able to +endure such iron discipline." + +"He must learn to endure it. Your delicate health has always excluded +you from the service; but Raoul is healthy, and it is high time to +withdraw him from the effeminating effect of pampering and petting. The +army is the best school for him. My grandson must not be a weakling; he +must do honour to our name; I'll take care of that." + +Albrecht was silent; he knew his father's inflexible will. It still +gave him the law, husband and father though he were, and Count Michael +Steinrueck was the man to see that his laws were obeyed. + + + * * * * * + + +"I can't help it, your reverence; the fellow is a trial. He knows +nothing, he understands nothing; he wanders about the mountains from +morning to night, and grows stupider every day. He'll never make a +decent forester; 'tis all trouble lost." + +The words were spoken by a man whose appearance betrayed his forester's +calling. He was provided with gun and hunting-pouch, and was sturdy and +powerful of frame, with broad shoulders and coarse features. His hair +and beard were neglected, his dress--a mixture of hunting and peasant's +costume--was careless in the extreme, and his speech was as rude as his +exterior; thus he confronted the priest. The pair were in the parsonage +of Saint Michael, a small hamlet high up among the mountains, and a +place of pilgrimage. The priest, seated at his writing-table, shook his +gray head disapprovingly. + +"As I have often told you, Wolfram, you do not understand how to treat +Michael. You can never do anything with him by threats and abuse; you +only make him shyer, and he is already shy enough in his intercourse +with human kind." + +"That all comes from his stupidity," the forester explained. "The boy +does not see daylight clearly; he has to be shaken hard to rouse him, +since I made your reverence a promise not to beat him again." + +"And I hope you have kept your word. The child has been much sinned +against; you and your wife maltreated him daily before I came here." + +"It did him good. All boys need the stick, and Michael always needed a +double portion. Well, he got it. When I stopped, my wife began; but it +never did any good,--it never made him any the cleverer." + +"No; but he would have been ruined by your rough treatment if I had not +interfered." + +Wolfram laughed aloud. "Ruined? Michael? Not a bit of it. He could have +borne ten times as much; he's as strong as a bear. It's a perfect +shame; the fellow could tear up trees by the roots, and he lets himself +be teased by the village children without ever stirring a finger. I +know right well why he wouldn't come along with me to-day, but chose to +follow me. He won't come through the village; he chooses to come the +longer way, through the forest, as he always does when he comes to you, +the cowardly fellow!" + +"Michael is no coward," said the pastor, gravely. "You ought to know +that, Wolfram; you have told me yourself that there is no controlling +him when he once gets angry." + +"Yes, he's right crazy then, and must be let alone. If I didn't know +that he's not all right here"--he touched his forehead--"I'd take him +in hand, but it's a terrible cross. It's strange, too, that he shoots +so well, when he sees the game, though that's not often. He stares up +into the trees and the sky, and a stag will run away right under +his nose. I'm not curious, but, indeed, I'd like to know where the +moon-calf comes from." + +Valentin looked pained at these words, but he replied, calmly, "That +can hardly interest you. Do not put such ideas into Michael's head, or +he might ask you questions which you cannot answer." + +"He's too stupid for that," asserted the forester, with whom his +foster-son's stupidity seemed to be an indisputable article of faith. +"I don't believe he knows that he was ever even born. But Tyras is +barking,--he must see Michael." + +In fact, the dog was barking joyously, the sound of approaching +footsteps was heard, and in the next instant Michael entered the room. + +The new-comer was a lad of about eighteen, but his tall, powerful +figure, with its awkward movements, showed nothing of the grace and +freshness of youth. The face, plain and irregular in all its lines, had +a half-shy, half-dreamy expression that was hardly attractive. The +thick, fair curls were matted around the temples and brow, below which +looked out a pair of eyes deep blue in colour, but as vacant as if no +soul enlightened their depths. His dress was as sordid and neglected as +the forester's, and in his entire appearance there was absolutely +nothing to attract. + +"Well, have you come at last?" was his foster-father's gruff reception +of him. "You must have gone to sleep on the way, or you would have been +here long ago." + +"I came through the forest," replied Michael, going up to the priest, +who kindly held out his hand to him. + +Wolfram laughed scornfully. "Didn't I tell your reverence? He didn't +dare to go through the village,--I knew it." + +Michael paid not the slightest heed to the apparently well-grounded +accusation, being well used to such treatment from his foster-father, +who now took his hat and made ready to go. + +"I must go up to the fenced forest," he said; "it looks badly there: +more than a dozen of the tallest trees are torn down; the Wild Huntsman +has made terrible work there lately." + +"You mean the storms of the last week, Wolfram?" + +"No, it was the Wild Huntsman, your reverence. He is abroad every night +this spring. The day before yesterday, as we came through the wood at +dusk, the whole mad crew swept by not a hundred yards away. They raged +and howled and stormed as though all hell had broken loose, and I +suppose a bit of it had done so. Michael, stupid fool, would have +rushed into the thick of it, but I caught his arm in time and held him +fast." + +"I wanted to see the demon at close quarters," said Michael, quietly. + +The forester shrugged his shoulders. "There, your reverence, you see +what the fellow is! He runs away from human creatures and such like, +but he wants to be right in the midst of things which make every +Christian shudder, and cross himself! I really believe he would have +joined the phantoms if I had not held him back, and then he would now +have been lying dead in the forest, for he who joins the Wild +Huntsman's chase is lost." + +"Will you never be rid of this sinful superstition, Wolfram?" said the +priest. "You pretend to be a Christian, and are nothing better than a +heathen. And you have infected Michael, too; his head is full of +heathenish legends." + +"It may be sinful, but it's true for all that," Wolfram insisted. "I +don't suppose you see anything of it. You are a holy man, a consecrated +priest, and the ghostly rabble that haunt the forest at night is afraid +of you, but the like of us see and hear more of it than is agreeable. +Then Michael is to stay here?" + +"Of course. I will send him back in the afternoon." + +"Good--by, then," said the forester, tightening the strap of his gun. +He bowed to the priest, and departed without taking further notice of +his foster-son. + +Michael, who seemed to be perfectly at home in the parsonage, now +fetched various books and papers from a cupboard and arranged them on +the writing-table. Evidently the wonted instruction was about to begin, +but before it could do so the sound of a sleigh was heard outside. +Valentin looked up in surprise; the rare visits that he received were +almost exclusively from the pastors of secluded Alpine villages, and +pilgrims were scarcely to be looked for at this time of year. Saint +Michael was not one of those large and famous places of pilgrimage +whither the faithful resort in crowds at all seasons. Only the poor +dwellers on the Alps brought their vows and supplications to the +secluded hamlet, and only upon church festivals was there any great +gathering there. + +Meanwhile, the sleigh had drawn up before the parsonage. A gentleman in +a fur coat got out, inquired of the maid who met him at the door +whether the Herr Pastor was at home, and forthwith made his way to the +study. + +Valentin started at the sound of the voice, and then rose with +delighted surprise in every feature. "Hans! Is it you?" + +"You know me still, then? It would be no wonder if each of us failed to +recognize the other," said the stranger, offering his hand, which was +warmly grasped by the priest. + +"Welcome, welcome! Have you really found me out?" + +"Yes, it certainly was a proof of affection, the getting up to you +here," said the guest. "We have been working our way for hours through +the snow; sometimes fallen hemlocks lay directly across the road, +sometimes we had to cross a mountain torrent, and for a change we had +small avalanches from the rocks. And yet my coachman obstinately +insisted that it was the high-road. I should like, then, to see your +foot-paths; they must be practicable for chamois only." + +Valentin smiled. "You are the same old fellow,--always sneering and +criticising. Leave us, Michael, and tell the gentleman's coachman to +put up his horses." + +Michael left the room, but not before the stranger had turned and +glanced at him. "Have you set up a famulus? Who is that dreamer?" + +"My pupil, whom I teach." + +"You must have hard work to gel anything inside that head! That +fellow's talent would seem to lie solely in his fists." + +As he spoke the guest had taken off his furs, and was seen to be a man +about five or six years younger than the pastor, of hardly medium +height, but with a very distinguished head, which, with its broad brow +and intellectual features, riveted attention at the first glance. The +clear, keen eyes seemed used to probe everything to the core, and in +the man's whole bearing there was evident the sense of superiority +which comes of being regarded as an authority in one's own circle. + +He looked keenly about him, investigating the pastor's study and +adjoining room, both of which displayed a monastic simplicity; and as +he turned his eyes from one object to another in the small apartment, +he said, without a trace of sarcasm, but with some bitterness, "And +here you have cast anchor! I never imagined your solitude so desolate +and world-forsaken. Poor Valentin! You have to pay for the assault that +my investigations make so inexorably upon your dogmas, and for my works +being down in the 'Index.'" + +The pastor repudiated this charge by a gentle gesture. "What an idea! +There are frequent changes in ecclesiastical appointments, and I came +to Saint Michael----" + +"Because you had Hans Wehlau for a brother," the other completed the +sentence. "If you would publicly have cut loose from me, and thundered +from your pulpit against my atheism, you would have been in a more +comfortable parsonage, I can tell you. It is well known that there has +been no breach between us, although we have not seen each other for +years, and you must pay for it. Why did you not condemn me publicly? I +never should have taken it ill of you, since I know that you absolutely +repudiate my teachings." + +"I condemn no one," the pastor said, softly; "certainly not you, Hans, +although it grieves me sorely to see you so greatly astray." + +"Yes; you never had any talent for fanaticism, but always a very great +one for martyrdom. It often vexes me horribly, though, that I am the +one to help you to it. I have taken good care, however, that my visit +to-day should not be known; I am here _incognito_. I could not resist +the temptation to see you again on my removal to Northern Germany." + +"What! you are going to leave the university?" + +"Next month. I have been called to the capital, and I accepted +immediately, since I know it to be the sphere suited to me and to my +work. I wanted to bid you good-by; but I nearly missed you, for, as I +hear, you were at Steinrueck yesterday at the Count's funeral." + +"By the Countess's express desire I officiated." + +"I thought so! They summoned me by telegraph to Berkheim to the +death-bed." + +"And you went?" + +"Of course, although I gave up practice long ago for the professorial +chair. This was an exceptional case. I can never forget how the +Steinruecks befriended me, employing me when I was a young, obscure +physician, upon your recommendation, to be sure, but they placed every +confidence in me. I could, indeed, do nothing for the Count except to +make death easier, but my presence was a satisfaction for the family." + +Michael's entrance interrupted the conversation. He came to say that +the sacristan wished to speak for a moment with his reverence, and was +waiting outside. + +"I will come back immediately," said Valentin. "Put away your books, +Michael; there will be no lessons to-day." + +He left the room, and Michael began to gather up the books and papers. +The Professor watched him, and said, casually, "And so the Herr Pastor +teaches you?" + +Michael nodded and went on with his occupation. + +"It's just like him," murmured Wehlau. "Here he is tormenting himself +with teaching this stupid fellow to read and write, probably because +there is no school in the neighbourhood. Let me look at that." + +And he took up one of the copy-books, nearly dropping it on the instant +in his surprise. "What! Latin? How is this?" + +Michael did not comprehend his surprise; it seemed to him quite natural +to understand Latin, and he answered, quietly, "Those are my +exercises." + +The Professor looked at the lad, whose dress proclaimed him a mere +peasant, scanned him from head to foot, and then turning over the +leaves of the book, read several lines and shook his head. + +"You seem to be an excellent Latin scholar. Where do you come from?" + +"From the forester's, a couple of miles away." + +"And what is your name?" + +"Michael." + +"Your name is that of the hamlet. Were you named after it?" + +"I don't know,--I think I was named after the archangel Michael." He +uttered the name with a certain solemnity, and Wehlau, noticing it, +asked, with a sarcastic smile, "You hold the angels in great respect?" + +Michael threw back his head. "No, they only pray and sing through all +eternity, and I don't care for that; but I like Saint Michael. At least +he does something: he thrusts down Satan." + +There must have been something unusual either in his words or in his +expression, for the Professor started and riveted his keen eyes upon +the face of the lad, who stood close to him, full in the sunlight that +entered by the low window. "Strange," he murmured again. "The face is +utterly changed. What is there in the features----?" + +At this moment Valentin reappeared, and, seeing the book in his +brother's hand, asked, "Have you been examining Michael? He is a good +Latin scholar is he not?" + +"He is, indeed; but what good is Latin to do him in a lonely forest +lodge? I suppose his father is too poor to send him to school?" + +"But I hope to do something for him in some other way," said the +pastor; and as Michael took his books to the cupboard he went on, in a +low tone, "If the poor fellow were only not so ugly and awkward! +Everything depends upon the impression that he makes in a certain +quarter, and I fear it will be very unfavourable." + +"Ugly?--yes, he certainly is that; and yet a moment ago, when he made +quite an intelligent remark, something flashed into his features like +lightning, reminding me of--yes, now I have it--of Count Steinrueck." + +"Of Count Steinrueck?" Valentin repeated, in surprise. + +"I don't mean the man who has just died, but his cousin, the head of +the elder branch. He was in Berkheim the other day, and I became +acquainted with him there. He would consider my idea an insult, and he +would not be far wrong. To compare Steinrueck, dignified and handsome as +he is, with that moonstruck lad! They have not a feature in common. I +cannot tell why the thought came into my head, but it did when I saw +the fellow's eyes flash." + +The pastor made no reply to this last observation, but said, as if to +change the subject, "Yes, Michael is certainly a dreamer. Sometimes in +his apathy and indifference he seems to me like a somnambulist." + +"Well, that would not be very dreadful," said his brother. +"Somnambulists can be awakened if they are called in the right way, and +when that lad wakes up he may be worth something. His exercises are +very good." + +"And yet learning has been made so hard for him! How often he has had +to contend with storm and wind rather than lose a lesson, and he has +never missed one!" + +"Rather different from my Hans," the Professor said, dryly. "He employs +his school-hours in drawing caricatures of his teachers; my personal +interference has been necessary at times. He is too audacious, because +he has been such a lucky sort of fellow. Whatever he tries succeeds; +wherever he knocks doors and hearts fly open to receive him, and +consequently he imagines that life is all play,--nothing but amusement +from beginning to end. Well, I'll show him another side of the picture +when once he begins to study natural science." + +"Has he shown any inclination for such study?" + +"Most certainly not. His only inclination is for scrawling and daubing; +there's no doing anything with him if he scents a painted canvas, but +I'll cure him of all that." + +"But if he has a talent for----" the pastor interposed. + +His brother angrily interrupted him: "That's the worst of it,--a +talent! His drawing-masters stuff his head with all sorts of nonsense; +and awhile ago a painter fellow, a friend of the family, made a tragic +appeal to me,--Could I answer it to myself to deprive the world of such +a gift? I was positively rude to him; I couldn't help it." + +Valentin shook his head half disapprovingly. "But why do you not allow +your son to follow his inclination?" + +"Can you ask? Because an intellectual inheritance is his by right. My +name stands high in the scientific world, and must open all doors for +Hans while he lives. If he follows in my footsteps he is sure of +success; he is his father's son. But God have mercy on him if he takes +it into his head to be what they call a genius!" + +Meanwhile, Michael had put away his books, and now advanced to take his +leave. Since there was to be no lesson, there was no excuse for his +remaining any longer at the parsonage. His face again showed the same +vacant, dreamy expression peculiar to it; and as he left the room +Wehlau said in an undertone to his brother, "You are right; he is too +ugly, poor devil!" + + + * * * * * + + +The Counts of Steinrueck belonged to an ancient and formerly very +powerful family, dating back centuries. Its two branches owned a common +lineage, but were now only distantly connected, and there had been +times when there had been no intercourse between them, so widely had +they been sundered by diversity of religious belief. + +The elder and Protestant branch, belonging to Northern Germany, +possessed entailed estates yielding a moderate income; the South-German +cousins, on the contrary, were owners of a very large property, +consisting chiefly of estates in fee, and were among the wealthiest in +the land. This wealth was at present owned by a child eight years of +age, the daughter whom the late Count had constituted his sole heiress. +Conscious of the hopeless nature of his malady, he had summoned his +cousin, and had made him the executor of his will and his daughter's +guardian. Thus had been adjusted an estrangement that had existed for +years, and that had its rise in an alliance once contracted, only to be +suddenly dissolved. + +Besides his son, the present Count Steinrueck had had another child,--a +beautiful, richly-endowed daughter, the favourite of her father, whom +she resembled in character and in mind. She was to have married her +relative, the Count now deceased; the union had long been agreed upon +in the family, and the young Countess had consequently spent many weeks +at a time beneath the roof of her future parents-in-law. + +But before there had been any formal betrothal between the young +people, there intervened with the girl of eighteen one of those +passions which lead,--which must lead--to ruin, not because of +difference of rank and social standing, not because of the consequent +estrangement of families, but because they lack the only thing that can +confer upon a union a blessing and endurance,--true, genuine affection. +It was an intoxication sure to be followed by remorse and repentance +when, alas, it was too late. + +Louise became acquainted with a man who, although of bourgeois +parentage, had worked his way into aristocratic circles. Brilliantly +handsome, endowed with various accomplishments and a winning grace of +manner, he succeeded in gaining entrance everywhere; but he was one of +those restless, unsteady beings who can never adjust themselves for +long to any environments. Possessed by a positive greed for the +luxuries and splendours of existence, he had no capacity for attaining +them by his own energy; he was an adventurer in the truest sense of the +word. He may have loved the young Countess sincerely, he may have only +hoped to achieve social position through her means; at all events, he +contrived so to ensnare her that she resolved, in spite of the certain +opposition of her father and of her entire family, to become his wife. + +When the Count learned how matters stood, he took them in hand with an +energy that was indeed ominous. He believed that by commands and +threats he could bend his daughter to his will, but he only aroused in +her the obstinacy which she had inherited from himself. She utterly +refused to yield him obedience, opposed resolutely all effort to carry +out her betrothal to her cousin, and, in spite of every precaution, +contrived to hold communication with her lover. Suddenly she +disappeared, and a few days afterwards news was received that she had +become the wife of Rodenberg. + +The marriage was perfectly valid, in spite of the haste and secrecy +with which it was contracted; Rodenberg had arranged and prepared +everything. He reckoned upon Count Steinrueck's final acknowledgment of +his daughter's husband: he would not surely cast them off; he trusted +to the father's affection for his favourite child, but he did not know +the Count's iron nature. Steinrueck replied to the announcement of the +marriage by an utter repudiation of his daughter; he forbade her ever +again to appear in his presence: for him she was dead. + +He persisted inexorably in this course until his daughter's death, and +even after it had taken place. At first Rodenberg made several attempts +to induce his wife's father to grant him an interview, but he soon +perceived the uselessness of any such attempt; the Count was neither to +be persuaded nor coerced, and since all sources of aid were thus cut +off, the man plunged with his wife and child into a Bohemian mode of +life harmonizing with his lawless nature. + +What followed was the inevitable result,--misery and want, a gradual +sinking into ruin; the lot of the wife beside the husband for whom she +had sacrificed name, home, and family, when all hopes founded upon her +and upon her wealth had vanished, can easily be imagined. She was true +to her nature, and clung to the man whom she had married, without one +attempt to obtain help from her father, knowing that even her death +would be powerless to effect a reconciliation. She and her husband had +now been dead for many years, and the wretched family tragedy was +buried with them. + + + * * * * * + + +An entire week had passed since the funeral at Steinrueck. Count +Michael, who occupied the rooms that had been his cousin's, was sitting +in the bow-windowed apartment, when he was told that Wolfram the +forester had arrived in obedience to his desire. The Count was in full +uniform, being about to ride to a neighbouring town, where the +sovereign's brother had instituted a memorial celebration. Of course +every one of consequence in the country around had been invited to take +part in the ceremonial, and the lord of Steinrueck could not refuse to +be present on the occasion, although, in view of the family +bereavement, he was to withdraw before the subsequent festivities. The +hour for his departure was at hand, but there was still time for his +interview with the forester. + +As he sat at his writing-table he took from one of its drawers the star +of an order set with large brilliants. As he was about to fasten it on +his breast he saw that the ribbon was loose, and as Wolfram entered at +the moment, he laid it in the open case on the table. + +The forester was in full dress to-day, and really looked well. His hair +and beard were carefully arranged, and great pains had been bestowed +upon his hunting-suit; nor did he seem to have forgotten the demeanor +required in presence of his former master, for, with a respectful bow, +he paused at the door until the Count motioned to him to approach. + +"Ah, here you are, Wolfram," he said, kindly; "I have not seen you for +a long time. Is all going well with you?" + +"Pretty well, Herr Count," the forester replied, standing as straight +and stiff as a ramrod. "I earn my wages, and the late Count was +satisfied with me. I never have a chance to leave the forest year out +and year in, but we get used to that and don't mind the loneliness." + +"You were married, I think; is your wife still living?" + +"No; she died five years ago, God rest her soul, and we never had any +children. Some people advised me to marry again, but I didn't want to. +Once is enough for me." + +"Was your marriage not a happy one, then?" asked Steinrueck, with a +fleeting smile at the forester's last remark. + +"That depends on one's way of looking at things," the forester replied, +indifferently. "We got along pretty well together; to be sure, we +quarrelled every day, but that's to be expected; and then if Michael +interfered we both fell upon him and made up with each other." + +The Count suddenly lifted his head. "Whom did you fall upon?" + +"Eh?--yes, that was stupid," Wolfram muttered in confusion. + +"Do you mean the boy who was given in charge to you?" + +The forester cast down his eyes before the Count's angry glance and +meekly defended himself. "It did not hurt him, and it didn't last long +either, for the reverend father at St. Michael forbade us to beat the +boy, and we obeyed. And the fellow deserved what he got, besides." + +Steinrueck did not reply; he knew that he had given the boy into rude +keeping, but this glimpse of the realities of the situation rather +startled him, and after a minute's pause he asked, sternly, "Did you +bring your foster-son with you?" + +"Yes, Herr Count, I have done as you bade me." + +"Then let him come in." + +Wolfram went to call Michael, who was waiting in the antechamber, and +the Count looked eagerly and anxiously towards the door by which in +another moment his grandson would enter, the child of the outcast +daughter whom he had so sternly thrown off, and yet whom he had once +loved so tenderly. Perhaps the boy would be the image of his mother, at +all events he would resemble her in some feature, and Steinrueck did not +know whether he most feared or longed for such resemblance. + +The door opened, and Michael entered with his foster-father. He too had +bestowed greater care than usual upon his dress in view of this +interview, but it had availed him little. His Sunday coat fitted him no +better than his week-day garb, and, moreover, although new, was rustic +in cut and material. His thick, matted curls refused to be smoothed, +and were tossed more wildly than usual above his brow, while the +shyness and embarrassment which he felt in such a presence made his +face more vacant of expression than usual, and his awkward carriage and +movements still more heavy and clumsy. + +The Count cast one sharp, rapid glance at him, and but one; then he +compressed his lips in an expression of bitter disappointment. This, +then, this was Louise's son! + +"Here is Michael, Herr Count," said Wolfram, as he roughly pushed the +lad forward. "Make your bow, Michael, and thank the kind gentleman who +has befriended such a poor orphan. It is the first time you have seen +your benefactor." + +But Michael neither bowed nor uttered a word of thanks. He gazed as if +spell-bound at the Count, who was indeed an imposing figure in his +uniform, and seemed to forget all else. + +"Well, can't you speak?" asked Wolfram, impatiently. "You must excuse +him, Herr Count, it's only his stupidity. He hardly ever opens his +mouth at home, and whenever he sees anything new and strange like all +this he loses the little wit he has." + +It was with an expression of positive dislike that the Count at last +turned to the boy, and his voice sounded cold and imperious as he +asked, "Is your name Michael?" + +"Yes," was the reply, uttered mechanically as it were, while the young +fellow's eyes never stirred from the tall figure, and the commanding +countenance turned so haughtily towards him. Steinrueck did not perceive +the boundless admiration in those eyes,--all that he saw was their +dreamy, vague expression, a curious stare that irritated him. + +"How old are you?" he asked, in the same tone. + +"Eighteen." + +"And what do you know? what can you do?" + +This question seemed to embarrass Michael extremely; he did not speak, +but looked at the forester, who answered for him. "He does not do much +of anything, Herr Count, although he runs about the forest all day +long, and he does not know much either. I have no time to look after +him; at first we sent him to the village school, and later on his +reverence took him in hand and taught him. But he couldn't do much with +him, Michael can't understand well." + +"But he must adopt some calling. What is he fit for? what does he want +to be?" + +"Nothing at all,--and he is fit for nothing," said the forester, +laconically. + +"This is a fine account of you," said the Count, contemptuously. "To +run about the forest all day long is not much to do, and can be done +with but little instruction; it is a disgrace for a strong young fellow +like you to be fit for nothing else." + +Michael looked surprised at these harsh words, and a dark flush began +to mount into his cheeks, but the forester assented with, "Yes, I think +so too; but there is nothing to be done with Michael. Just look at him, +Herr Count; no one can ever make a decent forester of him." + +It seemed to cost the Count an effort to continue an interview so +repugnant to him, but he controlled himself, and said, sternly and +authoritatively, "Come here!" + +Michael never stirred; he stood as if he had not heard the command. + +"Have you not even learned obedience?" Steinrueck asked, in a menacing +tone. "Come here, I say!" + +But Michael still stood motionless, until the forester, feeling himself +called upon to come to the rescue of what was probably stupidity, +seized him roughly by the shoulder, encountering, however, decided +resistance on the part of his foster-son, who shook him off angrily. +There was only defiance in the movement, but it looked like a desire +for flight, and as such the Count understood it. "A coward, too!" he +murmured. "There has been quite enough of this!" + +He rang the bell and ordered the servant to have the carriage brought +round immediately. Then he turned to the forester, and said, "I have a +word or two to say to you; follow me," as, opening the door of a small +adjoining room, he preceded him into it. + +Wolfram attempted, as he followed, to excuse his foster-son's conduct: +"He is afraid of you, Herr Count; the fellow has not a spark of +courage." + +"So I see," Steinrueck rejoined, with infinite contempt; he could +forgive almost anything save cowardice,--that was inexcusable in his +eyes. "Never mind, Wolfram, I know you cannot help it; but you must +keep the fellow for a while yet; there is nothing for him but this +mountain forestry; he may dream away his life here for all I care, +since he is good for nothing else." + +He went on talking to the forester without bestowing another glance +upon Michael, who stood motionless. The dark flush had not faded from +his face, which was no longer expressionless. Gloomily, with compressed +lips, he gazed after the man who had just passed so pitiless a verdict +upon himself and his future. He had often heard such words before from +the forester without their producing any effect upon him, but they had +a different sound when issuing from those haughty lips, and the +contemptuous glance of those eyes pierced him to the very soul. For the +first time he felt the treatment to which he had been accustomed from +childhood as a burning disgrace, crushing him to the earth. + +He was alone in the room. Through the bow-window the sunlight streamed +in, and fell full upon the writing-table, where the diamonds in the +star of the order glittered and sparkled in every colour of the +rainbow. Even on the dark wainscoting bright gleams were playing, and +they mingled with the glow of the fire upon the hearth, which was +sinking away to embers. + +"What are you doing here?" a child's voice suddenly asked. + +Michael turned round; upon the threshold of the adjoining room, the +door of which had been left open, stood a child about eight years of +age, looking in amazement at the stranger, who now answered, +laconically, "I am waiting." + +The little girl, the daughter of the deceased Count, approached and +gazed curiously at the lad, then, probably arriving at the conclusion +that this coarsely-dressed young man could not possibly be a visitor in +the castle, turned up her little nose, although, since he was waiting +for somebody, she could not object to his presence. She turned to the +hearth, where she amused herself by blowing into the embers and +watching the sparks. + +She was a graceful little creature, slender and delicate as a fairy, +undeniably pretty, in spite, many would have said, of the red hue of +the hair that fell in long thick curls over her shoulders and down upon +the black crape of her dress, giving a strange charm to the childish +figure. A pair of large eyes, undeterminable in colour, looked out of +the rosy little face; they shone like stars, but there was an odd gleam +in them,--they were not innocent, childish eyes. + +Before long she grew tired of watching the sparks, and looking about +for some other amusement her glance fell again upon Michael, whom she +now honoured with a longer inspection. "Where did you come from?" she +asked, standing directly in front of him. + +"From the forest," he replied, as laconically as before. + +"Is it far from here?" + +"Very far." + +"And do you like our castle?" + +"No." + +Hertha gazed at him with surprise in her bright eyes; she had asked the +question with much condescension, and this strange man had dared to +declare briefly and dryly that he did not like a Count's castle. As she +was apparently considering whether or not to be displeased, her glance +fell upon Michael's hat, which he held in his hand, and which was +adorned with a bunch of magnificent Alpine roses. "Oh, what beautiful +flowers!" she exclaimed. "Give them to me." And she had possessed +herself of the hat and pulled out the flowers before Michael could say +a word. He looked rather amazed to see this appropriation of his +property, but made no attempt to prevent it. + +The child seated herself in an arm-chair beside the hearth, seeming +delighted with her flowers, and began to talk easily and familiarly. +She told about the big castle where she had been accustomed to live +with her mother and father, and where it was all much prettier than +here, of her pony upon which she had learned to ride, and which had +unfortunately been left there, of her mother, and of much else besides. +The apparent dulness of her hearer seemed to amuse her mightily; she +tried to make him talk, and actually did extort from him that he was +the forester's son, and lived high up in the mountains in the forest +lodge, a fact that interested her much. + +There was something bewitching in the sweet, beguiling childish voice, +and in the fairy-like little figure nestling gracefully among the +cushions of the arm-chair, where the hair glistened against the dark +background. Michael slowly drew near, and gradually began to reply more +easily; this beguiling talk and laughter cast about him a spell the +power of which he vaguely felt, although he did not understand it, and +could not shake it off. + +As she talked, Hertha continued to play with the flowers, which she +separated, arranged, and rearranged, but at last wearying of them she +began to pull to pieces the nosegay she had so ardently coveted. Her +little hands pitilessly destroyed the white blossoms, throwing them +heedlessly on the ground. Michael frowned, and in a tone of +remonstrance, but still more of entreaty, said, "Do not pull them to +pieces! Those flowers were hard to find." + +"But I don't like them any more," declared the child, and she continued +her work of destruction. Without further ado Michael seized her by the +arm and held her fast. + +"Let me go!" exclaimed the little girl, angrily trying to escape from +his grasp. "I don't like your flowers any more; and I don't like you, +either, any more. Go away!" + +There was more than mere childish waywardness in these words. The "I +don't like you, either, any more," sounded haughty and contemptuous, +and meanwhile the strange gleam appeared in the eyes that made them so +unchildlike. Michael suddenly loosened his grasp of her arm, but at the +same moment snatched the flowers from her. + +Hertha slipped down from the arm-chair, and her lips quivered as if she +were about to burst into tears, but her eyes flashed with anger. "My +flowers! give me back my flowers!" she screamed, stamping her little +feet with rage. + +Just then Wolfram reappeared. His interview with the Count must have +been highly satisfactory, for he looked extremely contented. "Come, +Michael, we are going," he said, beckoning to his foster-son. + +Hertha knew the forester, who had been at the castle in the hunting +season as one of her father's servants, and instantly surmising that he +would help her to obtain what she wanted, she ran up to him. "I want my +flowers back!" she exclaimed, with all the petulance of a spoiled, +wayward child. "They are mine; make him give them back to me!" + +"What flowers?" said Wolfram. "Those Alpine roses? Give them to her, +Michael. She is our master's daughter." + +The child shook her curls triumphantly, and stretched out her hand for +the roses; but Michael was upon his guard, and held the nosegay so high +that she could not reach it. + +"Come, do you hear?" the forester said, impatiently. "Don't you +understand? You must give the little Countess the flowers this +instant." + +"This instant!" Hertha repeated, the childish voice that had been so +sweet now sounding shrill and authoritative. Michael looked down at the +small despot for one or two moments and then suddenly tossed the +flowers into the fireplace. + +"Go and get them, then!" he said, roughly; and, turning his back upon +her, he left the room. + +"Upon my word, the fellow does me credit to-day! Only wait until I get +him home," muttered Wolfram, with suppressed rage, as he followed the +lad. + +Hertha was left alone; she stood motionless, looking wide-eyed after +the pair, but in another instant she bethought herself and ran hastily +to the fireplace. The flickering flame was devouring its prey; the +delicate white blossoms glowed red for an instant like fairy flowers, +and then curled up and sank to ashes. + +The little girl folded her hands and looked on, her face still angry +and defiant, but gradually her eyes filled with tears, and when the +last of the flowers had perished in its fiery bed, she suddenly burst +into loud sobs. + +When Count Steinrueck, after a few minutes, returned to his study, he +found no one there. A glance at the clock showed him that it was time +he were gone, and he hurriedly went to the writing-table to get the +order that was to complete his uniform. The case was still where he had +left it, but it was empty; probably the servant had seen what was wrong +with the ribbon and had taken it away to arrange it. Steinrueck rang the +bell. "My order," he said, hurriedly, to the man who appeared in answer +to the ring. "Is the carriage there?" + +"Yes, Herr Count; but the order,--it is usually in the Herr Count's own +possession." + +"Of course; I took it out to-day,--the large star of diamonds. Did you +not observe that the ribbon was loose?" + +The servant shook his head. "I did not see the star. I was only in the +room a moment to receive the Herr Count's order about the carriage." + +Steinrueck looked in extreme astonishment at the empty case. "Have you +not been in the room since?" + +"No, Herr Count." + +"Has no one else been here?" + +"The forester's son was here when I left the room, and, I think, was +here alone for some time." + +There was suspicion more than hinted at in these words, but the Count +shook his head decidedly. "Nonsense! that's impossible. Has no one else +been here? Bethink yourself." + +"No, Herr Count; no one has even been in the corridor." + +"But the bedroom on that side,--it is a thoroughfare." + +"Only from the sleeping apartment of the Frau Countess by the +tapestried door." + +Steinrueck turned pale, and involuntarily he clinched his hand, but he +still combated the dawning suspicion. "Look for it," he said. "The star +must be found; perhaps I mislaid it among the books and papers." + +And without waiting for the man's assistance he began to look for the +jewel himself. He knew perfectly well that he had laid the star in the +case, which he had left open; nevertheless, he lifted every book and +paper, and searched every drawer, but to no purpose the thing was not +to be found. + +"It is not here," the servant said at last, in a low tone. "If it was +lying here in the open case, there is but one explanation." + +Steinrueck made no reply. He himself doubted no longer. "A thief, then! +A common thief!" The measure of his contempt and aversion was filled to +the brim. + +There was silence for a few minutes; the servant stood waiting for +orders, startled by the expression on his master's face. + +"Is Wolfram still in the castle?" the Count asked at last. + +"I think he is. He wanted to see the major-domo." + +"Then send his son to me! But not a word of what has happened!--not +even to the forester; send the boy here." + +The man left the room, and for a moment Steinrueck covered his eyes with +his hand. This was terrible! And yet was it unnatural in the son of +such a father? The lad's whole appearance showed that he had inherited +not a drop of his mother's blood, and that other that filled his veins, +did it not proclaim itself what it was, and was it not a duty to +disclaim it and thrust it forth? Away with it! + +The Count stood erect, resolute as ever, when Michael entered, +unwillingly to be sure, but with no idea of what this new summons +betokened. + +"Close the door," said Steinrueck, "and come here!" + +This time no second command was necessary: Michael obeyed without +hesitation. He stood before the Count, who, looking him directly in the +eye, held out to him the empty case. "Do you know what this is?" he +asked, with apparent composure. + +The young man shook his head; he did not comprehend the strange +question. + +"It was lying here on the writing-table," Steinrueck continued, "but it +was not empty as it is now. It contained a star of sparkling stones. +Did you not see it?" + +Michael reflected. That, then, must have been the glittering object +that sparkled so in the sunlight, but of which he had taken little +heed. + +"Well, I am waiting for an answer," said the Count, still keeping his +eye fixed on Michael's. "Where is the star?" + +"How should I know?" asked Michael, more and more surprised at this +strange examination. + +The Count's lips quivered. "You do not know, then? You are hardly so +stupid as you pretend to be. You act a farce extremely well. Where is +the star? I must know, and that instantly." + +The threatening tone of the last words revealed the truth to the lad, +and he stood as if paralyzed, so horrified, so dismayed, that for the +moment he was utterly incapable of exculpating himself. His aspect +deprived Steinrueck of all shadow of doubt. He saw in it the +consciousness of guilt. + +"Confess, fellow!" he said in an undertone, but with terrible emphasis. +"Give up what you have stolen, and thank God that I let you go +scot-free. Do you hear? Give up your booty!" + +Michael shrank as if he had received a stab, but in an instant he burst +forth, "I a thief? I take----" + +"Hush!" interrupted Steinrueck, angrily. "I will have no noise, no +commotion, but you do not stir from the spot until you have confessed. +Confess!" + +He seized the young fellow by the arm, and his grasp was like iron, but +with a single wrench Michael freed himself. "Let go of me!" he gasped. +"Never say that again! Never again, or----" + +"What! you would threaten besides?" cried the Count, who took this +outburst for the height of insolence. "Take care, boy; one word more, +and I shall forget to spare you." + +"I am no thief!" shouted Michael; "and whoever dares call me so I'll +fell him to the earth!" + +In an instant he had seized a heavy silver candelabrum from the table +and swung it like a weapon towards the Count, who recoiled a step,--not +from the menaced blow, but from the face confronting him. Was that the +same young man that had stood there a few moments before with the +vacant, dreamy countenance, the timid, sheepish air? He reared his head +now like a wounded lion ready to rush upon the stronger foe, rage and +savage hatred informing every feature. And Steinrueck's eyes, flashing +annihilation, encountered two other eyes, dark blue like his own, and +gleaming with the same fire. There was one breathless moment. No +coward, no thief, ever looked like that. + +The door flew open,--the loud, menacing voice must have been heard in +the anteroom,--and the forester appeared on the threshold, the +frightened face of the servant looking over his shoulder. + +"Boy, are you mad?" shouted Wolfram, hastening to his master's aid, and +seizing Michael by the shoulder. But the lad shook himself free as a +wounded stag shakes off the murderous pack, then dashed the candelabrum +on the ground, and rushed to the door. But here he was intercepted by +the servant. "Hold him!" the man cried out to the forester. "He must +not escape! He has robbed the Herr Count!" + +Wolfram, who was about to secure his foster-son, paused in horror. +"Michael,--a thief?" + +A cry burst from the lips of the tortured boy, a cry so desperate that +Steinrueck interfered hurriedly, and would have ordered both men to +refrain, but it was too late. The servant staggered aside beneath the +blow of Michael's powerful young fist, and the lad rushed past him and +away, as if goaded to madness by those terrible words. + + + * * * * * + + +When Wolfram the forester made his appearance at St. Michael's +parsonage, he seemed to be expected, for his reverence came to meet him +in the hall. + +"Well, Wolfram, any tidings yet?" + +"No, your reverence, not a trace of the fellow; but I come from the +castle; and I have something from there to tell you." + +Valentin opened the door of his study and beckoned the forester to +follow him, but he was evidently not as much interested in news from +the castle as in the question which he repeated with anxiety. "Then +Michael has not been at home yet?" + +"No, your reverence, not yet." + +"This is the third day, and we have no trace of him. I trust he has +come to no harm." + +"He couldn't come to harm," the forester said, with a harsh laugh. +"He's wandering about, not daring to come home, because he knows what +he'll get when he does come; but he'll have to show himself at last, +and then--God have mercy on him!" + +"What do you mean to do, Wolfram? Remember your promise." + +"I kept it as long as there was anything to be done with the fellow, +but that's over now. If he thinks that he can knock down and run over +everybody he shall learn that there is one man at least who is a match +for him. I'll make him feel that, so long as I can lift a finger." + +"You will not touch Michael until I have had a talk with him," said the +priest, gravely. "You say you come from the castle. How are they there? +Has the missing order been found at last?" + +"Yes, the very day it was lost. Little Countess Hertha had taken away +the glittering thing to play with, and after a while she ran with it to +her mother, and so the whole matter was explained." + +"All because of a child's carelessness, then," Valentin said, bitterly, +"a degrading, shameful suspicion fell upon Michael, who----" + +He broke off suddenly, and the forester grumbled, "Why did he not open +his lips and defend himself? I should have told them they were wrong, +but Michael stood stock-still, I suppose, until they tried to seize +him, and then behaved like a wounded bear. And to attack the Herr +Count! You can hardly believe it, but I saw him myself, standing with +the lifted candlestick. And I have to pay for the fellow's cursed +behaviour. The Herr Count was very cross to-day, he would hardly speak +a word to me, but he gave me a letter to bring to your reverence." + +He took an envelope from his pouch and handed it to the priest. "Very +well, Wolfram. Now go, and if Michael shows himself at the lodge, send +him directly to me. I forbid you to maltreat him in any way until I +have talked with him." + +The forester left, grumbling at being obliged to postpone his +punishment of the 'cursed boy,' but vowing that it should take place +for all that. When Valentin was alone he opened the letter from the +Count. It was brief enough: + + +"I wish to inform your reverence that the missing article has been +found, and of course the charge of theft is proved unfounded. With +regard to your _protege's_ conduct in behaving like a madman, even +daring to make an assault upon myself, instead of defending himself and +helping to explain the affair, you have doubtless heard all particulars +from Wolfram, and will comprehend why I must decline all compliance +with your wishes. This rude, unbridled fellow, with his savage +disposition, belongs to the sphere in which he has passed his life. +Wolfram is just the man to control him, and he will remain in his +charge. All education would be wasted upon such a nature, and I am +convinced that after what has occurred you will agree with me. + + "Michael, Count Steinrueck." + + +The priest dropped the letter and sat lost in sad thought. "Not a +single word of regret for the shameful suspicion that fell upon an +innocent fellow-being; nothing but contempt and condemnation. And yet +the boy is bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh." + +"Your reverence!" The words came from the half-opened door, and were +spoken in a suppressed voice. Valentin started up and breathed a sigh +of relief. "Michael! Are you here at last? Thank God!" + +"I thought--you, too, would turn me off," Michael said, gently. + +"I want to talk with you. Why do you keep at the door there? Come in." + +The young man slowly approached. He wore the same Sunday suit which he +had worn on that eventful day, but it had evidently been exposed to the +wind and rain. + +"I have been anxious about you," Valentin said, reproachfully. "No +trace of you for forty-eight hours! Where have you been?" + +"In the forest." + +"And where did you pass the nights?" + +"In the empty herdsman's-hut on the mountain." + +"In all the storm? Why did you not go home?" + +"I knew that Wolfram would attempt to beat me, and I do not mean to be +beaten again. I wished to spare both him and myself what would have +happened." + +His answers sounded monotonous, but the old indifference had gone; +there was something in Michael's whole air and bearing strange, gloomy, +decided. He was very different from his former self. The priest looked +at him with anxiety. + +"Then you ought to have come to me. I expected you." + +"I have come to your reverence, and what they have told you of me is +not true. I am no thief." + +"I know it. I never for an instant believed that you were, and now no +suspicion rests upon you. The missing star has been found; little +Countess Hertha carried it off for a plaything." + +Michael stroked aside the damp curls from his brow, and his face wore a +strange, hard expression. "Ah, the child with the red-gold hair and the +beautiful evil eyes. It is she that I have to thank, is it?" + +"The little girl is not to blame; she simply, after the fashion of +spoiled children, carried off from her uncle's room what she supposed +to be a plaything, and took it to her mother. You were the one at +fault; you ought to have exculpated yourself calmly and sensibly, +and the affair would have been immediately explained, instead of +which--Michael, can it be true that you lifted your hand against Count +Steinrueck?" + +"He called me a thief!" Michael gasped. "Oh, if you knew how he treated +me! I was to confess--to return what I had not stolen. He never asked +whether I were guilty or not. He would have liked to kick me out of the +castle." + +There was a degree of savage bitterness in the lad's words, and +Valentin could understand it; he saw that his pupil had been irritated +to madness. "They did you wrong," he said, "grievous wrong, but you +ought not to have given way to furious passion, and the consequences of +your anger will recoil heavily upon yourself. The Count is naturally +indignant at what has occurred. You need no longer reckon upon his aid, +he will hear nothing more of you." + +"Will he not? But he shall hear _from_ me! Once more at least." + +"What do you mean? You do not propose to----?" + +"Go to him! Yes, your reverence. Now that he knows to what unmerited +disgrace he subjected me, he shall take it all back!" + +"You propose to call Count Steinrueck to account?" the priest exclaimed +in dismay. "What an insane idea! You must give this up." + +"No!" said Michael, in a hard, cold tone. + +"Michael!" + +"No, your reverence, I will not, even although you forbid my going. I +choose to ask him why he called me thief." + +All his thoughts revolved about this one point, the disgrace which had +been heaped upon him, and which burned into his soul like red-hot iron. +Valentin was at his wit's end; he saw that here his remonstrances could +avail nothing, and the savage desire for revenge that was plain in this +intent of the lad's filled him with dread. If Michael really carried +out his plan of taking the Count to task, and if the Count should +undertake to chastise the 'rough, unbridled fellow,' some terrible +misfortune might ensue; it must be prevented at all hazards. + +"I never thought that my words would avail so little with you," he +said, sorrowfully. "Well, then, something else must appeal to you. +Whether the Count has wronged you or not, it would be a crime for you +to lift a finger against him; you must never--heed what I say--never +confront him as a foe; he stands nearer to you than you dream." + +"To me? Count Steinrueck?" + +"Yes. I meant to have told you hereafter of what I now reveal to you, +but your insane behaviour forces me to speak. You would else be in +danger of making a second assault upon--your grandfather!" + +Michael started, and stood staring wide-eyed at the speaker. "My +grandfather! He is----?" + +"Your mother's father. But you must cherish no hopes from the tie; your +mother was disinherited and cast off. Her marriage separated her +forever from her family, and was her ruin." + +He paused and looked at Michael, who for the moment said not a word, +although it was evident that the revelation had agitated him terribly. +His features worked, and his chest rose and fell as though he were +labouring for breath; at last after a long pause he said, gloomily, "Go +on,--is there no more to tell?" + +"No, my son, no more for the present. It is a sad story, ending in +grief and misery; a tissue of crime and misfortune that you could +hardly understand. Hereafter, when you are older and more mature, you +shall hear everything; for the present let the bare facts content you: +I vouch for their truth. You see now that the person of Count Steinrueck +should be sacred to you." + +"Sacred? When he hounded me like a thief from his door?" Michael +suddenly burst forth. "He knew that he was my grandfather, and yet +could treat me so! Like a dog! Ah, your reverence, you ought not to bid +me hold him sacred. I hated the Count because he was so hard and +pitiless to a stranger, but now,--I should like to----" + +He clinched his fist with so terrible a look that Valentin +involuntarily recoiled. "For the love of all the saints you would +not----?" + +"Touch him,--no! I know now that I must not lift my hand against him, +but if I could call him to account otherwise, I would give my life for +a chance to do so." + +Valentin stood speechless, dismayed, though this savage outbreak was +not alone what dismayed him. He too saw now what had so surprised his +brother, that strange gleam that flashed out suddenly like lightning to +vanish as instantly. The rugged, undeveloped features were the same, +but the dreamy face had gone; as if a veil had been raised all at once +there were revealed other eyes, another brow, and the movement with +which Michael turned to leave the room was full of savage resolve. + +"Where are you going?" the priest asked, hastily. "To the forest +lodge?" + +"No; I have nothing to do there now. Farewell, your reverence." + +"Stay! Where, then, are you going?" + +"I do not know,--away,--out into the world." + +"Alone? Without means? Utterly ignorant of the world and of life? What +will you do?" + +"Go to ruin like my mother," the lad replied, roughly. + +"No, by heaven, that you shall not!" exclaimed the priest, rising with +unwonted determination. "If my vows tie my hands,--if I cannot take +care of you,--I can intrust you to another. It was a special providence +that brought my brother here; he will not refuse to help me: I can rely +upon him." + +Michael shook his head in dissent. "Better let me go, your reverence; I +am accustomed to be maltreated and turned out everywhere; I do not want +to be a burden upon a stranger. I can scarcely be worse off out in the +world than I was with my parents. I can remember it from my earliest +childhood. Neither my mother nor I ever had a kind word from my father, +and he often used to beat us both; it was not very different from the +life at the lodge, except that I was not starved at the forester's." + +Valentin shuddered; he could not help it at the thought of the woman +whom he had formerly seen in all the pride of her beauty and rank. +This, then, had been the end of it all. A terrible glimpse into the +depths of human misery. + +"You _must_ not go, Michael," he said, gently but decidedly. "There can +be no question of your return to the lodge. Here you will stay until I +hear from my brother,--I know beforehand what he will say,--and until +then I take charge of you." + +Michael did not gainsay this, and made no further attempt to depart. He +turned darkly away to the window, and stood there with folded arms +looking out, the same sullen determination in his look that had +characterized it when he would have rushed away. Yes, the somnambulist +had wakened when his name had been called, out the call had been rude, +and the awakening bitter. + + + * * * * * + + +A golden autumnal day had arisen from the dim morning mists; the +mountains were unveiled and the valleys were filled with sunshine. + +The little mountain-town, which lay about a league from Castle +Steinrueck, nestling most picturesquely at the entrance of the valley, +was harbouring a distinguished guest. Professor Hans Wehlau, of +worldwide reputation as a light of science, was paying a visit to his +brother-in-law, the burgomaster of the little town. For ten years the +Professor had now been living in the capital of Northern Germany, where +he occupied a prominent position in the university. Since the death of +his wife he had rather withdrawn from society, from which his two sons +were also secluded by the duties of their several occupations; the +younger was completing at another university the studies in natural +science which he had begun under his father's tuition, and the elder, +an adopted son, the child of a friend who had died, having embraced a +military career, was stationed with his regiment in a provincial town. +All, however, were to share in this excursion to relatives among the +mountains. The Professor had been here for some weeks, and his sons had +arrived on the previous day. + +The burgomaster's fine spacious house looked out upon the market +square, and the upper rooms, usually unoccupied, had been placed at the +disposal of the guests. The Frau Burgomeisterin did all that she could +to make the stay beneath her roof of her dead sister's husband +agreeable to him, and her efforts in this direction were all the more +praiseworthy since she was always upon a war-footing with him. She was +perpetually vacillating between respect for his reputation, very +flattering to her vanity in so near a relative, and detestation for the +'godless' scientific doctrines to which he owed his fame, and it was a +great trial to her that her nephew, whom, in the absence of any +children of her own, she loved like a son, should have been compelled +by his father's command to pursue the path of science. + +It was early in the morning, and the Professor was standing at the +window of his room looking out upon the quiet market square. Wehlau had +changed but little in the last ten years. He had the same intellectual +face, with its sarcastic expression and piercing eyes; the hair, +however, had grown gray. Beside him stood the Frau Burgomeisterin, an +imposing figure, of whom the evil-disposed in Tannberg affirmed that +she ruled the ruler, and was the autocrat of her household. + +"And our boys are here at last!" said the Professor, in apparently high +good humour. "You'll have noise and confusion enough now, for Hans will +turn the house upside down. You know him of old. They both look very +well: Michael, especially, has a very manly air." + +"Hans is much the handsomer and more attractive," the lady rejoined, +very decidedly. "Michael has neither of these qualities." + +"Granted, in the eyes of you ladies, that is! On the other hand, he has +an earnestness and solidity of character by which our harum-scarum Hans +might well take example. It is no small distinction for so young an +officer to be ordered for service on the general's staff. He surprised +me yesterday with this piece of information, while Hans will have some +difficulty in getting his diploma." + +"That's not the poor boy's fault," his sister-in-law declared. "He has +never had more than a half-hearted interest in the profession that has +been forced upon him. It cost my poor sister many a secret tear to have +you insist so inexorably upon his burying his talent." + +"And you whole rivers of them," the Professor added, with a sneer. "You +all made my life wretched combining with the boy against me, until I +issued my mandate, which he was forced to obey." + +"With despair in his heart. In destroying his hope of an artistic +career you deprived him of his ideal,--of all the poesy of his young +life." + +"Don't mention Poesy, I entreat," Wehlau interrupted her. "I am on the +worst of terms with that lady for all the mischief she does and the +heads she turns. I set my son straight, I rejoice to say, in time. I +have not noticed any despair about him. Moreover, he has not a particle +of talent for it." + +"Good-morning, papa!" called a gay young voice, and the subject of the +conversation appeared in the door-way. + +Hans Wehlau junior was a slender and very handsome young fellow of +twenty-four, with nothing in his exterior to suggest the dignity of the +future professor. His straw hat, before he removed it, sat jauntily +upon his thick, light brown hair, and his very becoming summer suit, +with a 'turn-down' shirt collar, had an artistic, rather than a +learned, air. His fresh, youthful face was lit up by a pair of laughing +blue eyes, and altogether there was something so attractive and +endearing about him that the Professor's evident paternal pride was +very easy to understand. + +"Well, Head-over-heels, here you are!" he said, gayly. "I have been +preparing your aunt for the turmoil that you carry with you wherever +you go." + +"On the contrary, sir, I have grown monstrously sedate," Hans declared, +illustrating his assertion by putting his arm around the waist of his +aunt, who had just innocently set down her basket of keys, and waltzing +with her around the room in spite of her struggles. + +"Let me alone, you unmannerly boy!" she said, out of breath, when at +last he released her with a profound bow. + +"Forgive me, aunt, but it was the suitable preface to my errand. The +kitchen department urgently requires your presence; and, as I like to +make myself useful in a house, I offered to inform you of it." + +Her nephew's zeal in this respect seemed rather suspicious to the +mistress of the house, who asked, "What were you doing in the kitchen?" + +"Good heavens! I was only paying my respects to old Gretel." + +"Indeed? And young Leni was not there?" + +"Oh, I had her presented to me, as I had not seen her before. It was my +duty as one of the family. My tastes are very domestic." + +"My dear Hans," the Frau Burgomeisterin said, with decision, "I take no +interest in your domestic tastes, and if I find them leading you into +the kitchen, the doors will be locked in your face; remember that." She +nodded to her brother-in-law, and sailed majestically out of the room. + +"Take care, take care!" said the Professor. "Favourite as you are with +your aunt, there are certain points upon which she will have no +jesting; and she is right. At all events, her mind must now be set at +rest with regard to your despair, as she calls it. She clings +obstinately to the idea that you are unhappy in your profession." + +"No, sir, I am not at all unhappy," the young man asserted, seating +himself astride of a chair and looking cheerfully about him. + +"I never supposed you were. Such youthful nonsense is sure to vanish of +itself as soon as one is occupied with graver matters." + +"Of course, papa," Hans assented, occupying himself for the time with +rocking his chair to and fro, a proceeding which appeared to afford him +great gratification. + +"And these graver matters are comprised in science," Wehlau continued, +with emphasis. "Unfortunately, I have of late--those chairs are not +made to ride upon, Hans; such school-boy tricks are very unbecoming in +a future doctor--I have of late had too little time to examine you +thoroughly in your studies. The voluminous work which I have just +completed has, as you know, absorbed all my attention. But now I am +free, and we can make up for our delay." + +"Of course, papa," said Hans, who had taken the paternal admonition to +heart, and had left the chair, but was now seated on the corner of a +table, swinging his feet. + +Fortunately, the Professor, whose back was turned to him, did not +see this, so the father continued to arrange some papers upon his +study-table, and went on calmly: "Your student days are past, and I +hope they have carried with them all your nonsense. I depend upon +greater seriousness, now that we are to begin scientific study in +earnest. Be diligent, Hans; you will be grateful to me one of these +days when you succeed me as professor." + +"Of course, papa," the obedient son observed for the third time; but as +at the moment his father turned and cast an irritated glance at him, he +jumped lightly from the table. + +"Will you never have done with these school-boy pranks? Pray try to +take example by Michael; you never see him conduct himself so." + +"No, indeed," Hans laughed merrily. "The Herr Lieutenant is the +embodiment of military discipline at all times. Always in position, his +coat buttoned up to the throat. Who would have thought it when he came +to us first, a shy, awkward boy, staring about him at the world and +mankind as at something monstrous? I had to take him under my wing +perpetually." + +"I imagine he very soon outgrew any wing of yours," the Professor said, +sarcastically. + +"More's the pity. The case is reversed now, and he orders me about. But +confess, papa, that at first you despaired of making a human being of +Michael." + +"As far as conventionalities are concerned, I certainly did. He had +learned more, far more, than I had supposed. My brother had been an +excellent teacher to him, and when he was once aroused, he applied +himself with such unwearied diligence and interest that I often +wondered at the strength of character shown in divesting himself of all +his childish, dreamy ways." + +"Yes, Michael was always your favourite," Hans said, discontentedly. +"You never put any force upon him, but agreed instantly to his desire +to be a soldier, while I----" + +"It was a very different thing," his father interrupted him. "As +matters stand, Michael was forced to shape his future and his mode of +life himself, and with his temperament he is best fitted for a soldier. +The reckless dash at a goal without a glance either to the right or to +the left, the stern law of duty, the despotic subduing of antagonistic +qualities beneath the iron yoke of discipline, all accord perfectly +with his character, and he will inevitably rise in the army. You, on +the other hand, must reap what I have sown, and therefore abide in my +domain; your life is conveniently arranged for you." + +The young man's air betrayed but a small degree of satisfaction with +this arrangement; but he suddenly started up and exclaimed, gayly, +"Here comes Michael!" + +Ten years are a long time in a human existence, and they seem doubly +long when they occur at the season when a man develops most rapidly; in +Michael's case the change wrought by the years bordered on the +marvellous. The former foster-son of Wolfram the forester and the young +officer were two different individuals, who had not a characteristic in +common. + +Handsome, Michael Rodenberg certainly was not,--in that respect he was +far behind Hans Wehlau,--but he was one who could never pass unnoticed. +His tall, muscular figure seemed created to wear a uniform and to gird +on a sword. It had exchanged all the awkwardness of the boy for the +erect carriage of the soldier. His fair, close curls had lost none of +their luxuriance, but they were carefully arranged, and the bearded +face, if it could lay no claim to beauty, was interesting enough +without it. All that was boyish in it had vanished, the strong, +resolute head was that of ripe manhood,--a manhood too early ripened, +perchance, for the countenance expressed at times a degree of gravity +which was almost sternness, and which does not belong to youth. + +In the eyes, too, there was none of the old dreamy look; their gaze had +grown keen and firm, but they never had learned to sparkle with the +joyous inspiration of youth. There was something chilling in them, as +indeed in the whole air of the young man, which only at intervals, in +conversation, was animated by a genial glow. Yet, as he stood there, +erect, firm, resolute, he was the ideal of a soldier from head to heel. + +"In uniform?" asked the Professor, surprised, as Michael bade him +good-morning. "Have you an official visit to pay here?" + +"After a fashion, yes; I must go over to Elmsdorf. The former chief of +my regiment, Colonel von Reval, since he resigned, has always spent the +summer and autumn at his country-seat there. He probably thinks that I +have been here some time, for I found upon my arrival yesterday a few +lines from him inviting me to Elmsdorf. My aunt will, I hope, excuse +me; the colonel has been very kind to me." + +"You were always his special favourite," Hans remarked. "When he +returned at the close of the Danish war, he came to see papa to +congratulate him upon having so distinguished a son. I was furious at +the time, for as I had heard nothing for weeks except songs of praise +in your honour, with animadversions upon my insignificance, your +doughty deeds were deeply annoying to me." + +"Most certainly no one ever congratulated me upon possessing _you_, at +least during your university course," Wehlau observed, sharply. +"Moreover, we expected you here last week; why did you come so late?" + +"On Michael's account; he could not get leave until he had accompanied +his regiment into quarters after being on special duty. When I went to +his quarters to find him, I had a piece of luck----" + +"As usual!" the Professor interjected. + +"Yes. I had made up my mind to spend a week in that dull provincial +town, but on my arrival I heard that Michael was three miles away, in a +gay little watering-place, near which his regiment was exercising. Of +course I hurried after him, with a blessing upon the wisdom of the +military authorities. The Herr Lieutenant was indeed head over ears in +strict attention to duty, and quite deaf and blind to all else, even to +an acquaintance for which every other officer of his corps envied him, +and of which he would not take the least advantage. No one else could +gain admission at Countess Steinrueck's; she was very much of an +invalid." + +The Professor was evidently struck by the name, and cast a keen glance +at Michael. "Countess Steinrueck?" + +"Of Berkheim. You know her, papa; for, as she herself told me, you were +often at her father-in-law's when you were a young physician, and at +her request you went to her when her husband was dying. She is very +grateful yet to you for doing so." + +"Of course I know her; but how did you make her acquaintance, Michael?" + +"By accident," was the laconic reply. + +"It was certainly by no fault of his," Hans said, in a mocking tone +that plainly betrayed his ignorance of the part played in Michael's +life by the name of Steinrueck. "I must tell you the story in detail, +papa; it begins very romantically. Well, Michael was sitting in the +forest,--that is, he was in command of his men there and ordering them +to fire,--when a carriage came driving along a road in the distance. +The horses were frightened by the firing and ran away; the coachman +lost his reins, and the danger was imminent, when from the dim forest +near by a gallant knight rushed to the rescue, stopped the horses, tore +open the carriage door, and lifted out the fainting ladies----" + +"Stick to the truth, Hans," the young officer interposed, with some +irritation. "Neither the danger nor the heroism was as great as you +describe. I merely saw that the horses were frightened, and ran up to +avert an accident; but the brutes stopped as soon as I caught hold of +their bridles, and the ladies sat still in the carriage. No need of any +poetical exaggeration." + +"Nor of such prosaic treatment of facts," Hans retorted. "I heard the +story from the Countess herself, and she persists quite as obstinately +in saying that you saved her life as you persist in denying having done +so." + +Michael shrugged his shoulders and turned to the Professor. "In fact, +the Countess did thus persist, and as the house where I was staying was +near her villa I could not avoid frequent meetings with her. But I was +very much occupied with the service, and had but little time at my +disposal." + +"Yes, yes, that eternal 'service'!" exclaimed Hans, indignantly. "At +last he was never to be seen. It was with the greatest difficulty that +I persuaded him to find time to introduce me, and when he had done so +he went off, and left me to explain and apologize for his extraordinary +behaviour. The ladies made him the most amiable advances, but he was a +perfect icicle." + +"Michael probably has his own reasons for his conduct," said Wehlau; +"and if he thought best to maintain a degree of reserve, you would have +done well to follow his example." + +"Ah, no; that was simply out of the question. The young Countess was +too beautiful,--a perfect princess in a fairy-tale: superb golden hair +and eyes that shine like stars. They can beguile, those eyes of hers." + +"And can scorn," Michael added, in a tone the coldness of which +contrasted strongly with his friend's enthusiasm. "Beware of them, +Hans; it is a sad fate to be first beguiled and then scorned." + +"You say that because the Countess Hertha is thought very haughty. I +too believe that any man who could not reckon up ten generations of +ancestors at least would have but a poor chance if he were audacious +enough to woo her. Since, however, I do not covet that honour, nothing +hinders my admiration. And if I should really allow myself to be +beguiled by those eyes----" + +"Come, come; let all that alone," his father cut short his son's +sentence. "You have no business with fairy princesses or starry eyes; I +bar all such nonsense. All that you have to think about is your coming +thesis." + +The two young men exchanged a hasty, significant glance, and Michael +said, lightly, "Do not be troubled, uncle. If Hans is a little +scorched, it will do him no harm; he is used to it." + +"Yes, he has been childish and silly enough, but now he will have the +kindness to adopt a graver tone. I have an unoccupied morning to-day, +Hans, and we will have an exhaustive talk about your studies. The +sketch of them that you gave me in the holidays was very slight. I want +now to know all about them." + +Again the young men exchanged a glance that seemed to betoken a secret +understanding, as the Professor arose and said, casually, "I only want +to tell Leni that she must be careful to-day about sending my letters +to the post. I shall be back immediately," with which he left the room. + +Hans looked after him, folded his arms, and said, in an undertone, "Now +for the bursting of the bomb!" + +"Do not take the matter so easily," Michael admonished him. "You +certainly have a hard battle to fight; my uncle will be furious." + +"I know it; that's why I am all armed and equipped. You're not going; I +can't spare you. When the fight grows too hot I shall summon you as my +_corps de reserve_. Do stay and help me." + +"I am glad, at all events, that there is to be no more secrecy," said +the young officer, discontentedly, as he withdrew into the recess of a +window. "I promised you to be silent, but it was very hard for me; +harder than for you." + +"Bah! I did not know what else to do. And you soldiers admit that all's +fair in war. Hush! here he comes! Now for the assault!" + +The Professor re-entered the room, and took his seat comfortably in an +arm-chair, beckoning his son to take his place beside him. "You +certainly have been in good hands," he began. "My colleague, Bauer, is +an authority in his specialty, and shares my views entirely. That was +the reason why I yielded to your earnest entreaty and sent you for two +years to B----. I was afraid that the chief attraction for you lay in +the gay student life there, but I nevertheless judged it best that you +should pursue your studies under other guidance than my own, after I +had laid the foundation for them. Now let me hear." + +The young man was evidently made very uncomfortable by this prelude; he +twirled his handsome moustache, and stammered somewhat as he replied, +"Yes,--Professor Bauer; I attended his lectures--very regularly." + +"Of course; I recommended you to him particularly." + +"But I did not learn anything from him." + +Wehlau frowned, and said, reprovingly, "Hans, it is very unbecoming so +to criticise a worthy man of science. His delivery, to be sure, leaves +much to be desired, but his treatises are admirable." + +"Good heavens, I am not speaking of the Herr Professor's treatises, but +of my own, and they were unfortunately far from admirable. I felt that +myself, and accordingly I made a slight change in my course of study." + +"Against my express directions. I laid out your course precisely for +you. To whom did you go, then?" + +Hans hesitated to reply, and glanced towards the window where his +'reserves' were stationed, before he said, in a rather constrained +voice, "To--to Professor Walter." + +"Walter? Who is he? I do not know the name." + +"Oh, papa, you surely must have heard of Friedrich Walter. He has a +world-wide reputation as an artist." + +"As a what?" the Professor asked, not crediting his ears. + +"As an artist, and that was the reason why I wanted to go to B----. +Master Walter lives there, and did me the honour of receiving me into +his atelier. In fact, I have not applied myself to the study of natural +science; I have become a painter!" + +It was out at last. Wehlau sprang to his feet, and stared speechless at +his son. + +"Boy, are you mad?" he cried; but Hans, who knew well that his only +hope lay in not allowing his father to speak, rattled on very quickly, +"I have been very diligent all these two years, extremely diligent. My +teacher will tell you so; he thinks I may safely be left to myself now, +and when I came away he said to me, 'It will surely delight your father +to see the progress you have made; refer any one to me.'" + +All this was uttered with extreme volubility; the words fell like honey +from his lips, but it did him no good any longer; at last the Professor +understood that there was no jest about the 'slight change' of studies, +and he burst forth, "And you dare to brave me thus! You dare secretly, +behind my back, to play such a farce; to defy my command, to laugh my +wishes to scorn; and now you imagine that I shall yield in the matter, +and say 'yes,' and 'amen'? You will find yourself vastly mistaken." + +Hans hung his head and looked crushed. "Do not be so hard upon me, +papa! Art is my ideal, the poesy of my life, and if you knew how my +conscience has pricked me for my disobedience!" + +"You look as if your conscience pricked you," the Professor stormed, +still more furious. "Ideal,--Poesy,--the same cursed old trash! The +shibboleth to hide all the folly that men perpetrate. Never imagine +that such nonsense will go down with me. Whatever pranks you may have +played hitherto, now you are coming home, and I shall take you in hand. +You will shortly pass the examination for your degree! Do you hear? I +order you to do so." + +"But I have not learned anything," Hans declared, with positive +exultation. "While the lectures were going on I sketched or caricatured +either the professors or the audience, as the case might be, and all +that you taught me I forgot long ago; I could not write an essay a page +long, and you cannot send me to the university again." + +"You are actually boasting of your ignorance," said Wehlau, sternly; +"and the inconceivable deception you have practised upon me you perhaps +consider another piece of heroism to be proud of." + +"No; only as a necessary weapon, when all other means failed. How I +formerly implored and entreated you to yield to my desires, and all in +vain! You would have had me sacrifice my talent, my entire future, to a +profession for which I was not fitted, and in which I never could have +excelled. You denied me the means for my artistic education and thought +thereby to force my inclination. When I said to you, 'I want to be a +painter,' you met me with an inexorable 'no.' Now I say to you, 'I am a +painter,' and you will have to say 'yes.'" + +"That remains to be seen," Wehlau burst forth afresh. "I will see +whether I cannot govern my own son. I am master in my own house, and +I'll have no rebellion there; those who oppose me will have to leave +it." + +The young man's cheek paled at this threat; he stepped up close to his +father, and his voice sounded imploring, but gravely in earnest. +"Father, do not let matters go too far between you and me. I am not +made as you are. I have always had a horror of your cold lofty science +that makes life so clear and so--desolate. You do not comprehend that +there is another world, and that there is a temperament to which this +other world is as necessary as the air to the lungs. You wring from +nature her secrets; everything that lives and moves must be adjusted to +your rules and theories; you know the origin and end of every created +being. But you do not know your own son, whom you cannot fit to your +theories. He has clasped close his morsel of poesy and ideality, and +has pursued his own path, in which he will never disgrace you." + +With this he turned and walked towards the door; but the Professor, who +was in no wise disposed to end the interview thus, called angrily after +him, "Stay, Hans! Come back this instant!" + +But Hans thought fit not to hear the call, he saw that his _corps de +reserve_ was advancing, and he left it to Michael to cover his retreat +as best he might. + +"Let him go, uncle," said Michael, who had come forward some minutes +before, and now attempted to soothe the angry man. "You are too +irritated; you must be calmer before you speak to him again." + +The admonition was vain. Wehlau had no idea of becoming calmer, and +since his disobedient son was no longer present, he turned upon his +advocate. "And you too have been in the plot; you knew it all; do not +deny it. Hans tells you everything; why did you keep silence?" + +"Because I had given my word, and could not break it, however I might +dislike secrecy." + +"Then you ought to have taken the boy in hand yourself and brought him +to reason." + +"That I could not do, for he is right." + +"What! Are you beginning too?" shouted the Professor, shaking a +menacing finger; but Michael held his ground and repeated firmly, "Yes, +uncle, perfectly right. I never would have allowed myself to be forced +to adopt a calling which I disliked and for which I was not fit. I +should, it is true, have waged more open and therefore sterner warfare +than Hans has done; he has simply avoided a struggle. From the day when +you forced him to the course of study you approved, and to which he +ostensibly applied himself, he began to make a preliminary study of +painting, but he finally perceived the impossibility of completing his +artistic education beneath your eyes, and therefore he went to B----. +He must have done extremely well there, for if a man like Professor +Walter testifies to his artistic ability, it is indubitable, you may be +sure." + +"Silence!" growled the Professor. "I will not hear another word. I say +no, and no again,--and---- Are you coming to triumph too? I suppose you +also were in the plot." + +The last words were spoken to his sister-in-law, who came innocently +into the room to get her basket of keys which she had left behind her, +and who looked amazed at this angry reception. + +"What is the matter?" asked she. "What has happened?" + +"Happened? Nothing has happened! Only a very slight change in my son's +studies, as he is pleased to express it. But woe to the boy if he +appears before me again! He shall find out who and what I am." + +With these words Wehlau strode into the next room, slamming the door +behind him, while his sister-in-law gazed at Michael in dismay. "Tell +me, in heavens' name, what has occurred?" + +"A catastrophe. Hans has made a confession, which he could no longer +suppress, to his father. He did not pursue his studies at the +university, but used his time there in studying art with Professor +Walter. But excuse me, aunt, I must go and find him. He had really +better avoid meeting his father for the present." + +So saying, Michael hastily left the room, where the Frau Burgomeisterin +stood motionless for a few minutes; but at last her face broke into a +beaming smile, and with an expression of supreme satisfaction she said, +"And so he's played a trick upon the infallible Herr Professor, and +such a trick! Darling boy!" + + + * * * * * + + +Elmsdorf, the estate of Herr von Reval, was situated at no great +distance from the town. It was no old mountain stronghold, with an +historic past, like Steinrueck, but a pleasant modern country-seat which +its situation made a very desirable summer residence. The house, a +spacious villa with balconies and terraces, was surrounded by a park, +not very extensive indeed, but charmingly laid out, and the interior of +the mansion, without being magnificent, gave evidence of the taste and +wealth of its possessors. + +Colonel Reval had sent in his resignation from the army three years +previous to our present date in consequence of wounds received in the +last war. Since then he, with his wife, had spent the winters in the +capital and the summers at Elmsdorf, which he had converted from a very +simple abode into a charming country-seat. + +Michael Rodenberg, who had served in the colonel's regiment, and +afterwards had been his adjutant, had always enjoyed the special favour +of his chief, who even after he had quitted the service continued to +give proofs of his regard for the young officer. + +Elmsdorf to-day was holding high festival, celebrating the birthday of +its mistress, and, as the hospitable mansion was very popular in the +country around, the company assembled was very numerous. Michael was +present, of course, and Professor Wehlau and his son had also received +invitations. Unfortunately, there was no hope of seeing the +distinguished man of science among the guests. He excused his absence +on the plea of indisposition, but in truth he was averse to all society +at present, since his son's obstinate disobedience filled him with +indignation and controlled his mood to a great degree. Both the young +men, however, had driven over to Elmsdorf. + +Herr and Frau von Reval received their guests with all the hospitable +grace that made their house a social centre in all the country round +about. Hans Wehlau on this occasion justified his father's assertion +that he was fortune's favourite, to whom without any effort of his own +all hearts and homes were flung wide open. He had scarcely been +presented to the mistress of the house before she showed him special +marks of favour, every one thought him charming, and he moved among all +these strangers as if he had been intimate in the household from +boyhood. + +All the more of a stranger did Michael feel himself to be. He possessed +neither the inclination nor the capacity for so swift and easy an +adaptation of himself to his surroundings. With the exception of the +colonel and his wife he knew no one of the company, and the few words +possible upon a casual introduction interested him but little. This +brilliant assemblage, in the midst of which Hans swam like a fish in +its native element, won but a passing regard from his grave, unsocial +friend, who was a looker-on, not a sharer in its gayeties. +Wandering through the rooms, Michael came at last to the conservatory, +a quiet spot shut off from the suite of reception-rooms; with its +palms, laurel-trees, and flowers, it invited to rest. Here all was cool +and secluded, and the young man felt no inclination to return to the +heated rooms where he could not be missed. He passed slowly from one +group of plants to another, until he was interrupted by the entrance of +Colonel Reval. + +"Still unsocial, Lieutenant Rodenberg?" he said, in a tone half of +jest, half of reproach. "You are but a poor guest at our _fete_. What +are you doing here in this lonely conservatory?" + +"I have just found my way hither," Michael began; "and, moreover, I am +a stranger in society----" + +"Only an additional reason for frequenting it. Take pattern by your +young friend, who is already at home there. I missed you some time ago +from the drawing-room, where I wanted to present you to Count +Steinrueck. You do not know him?" + +"The general in command? No!" + +"He came only awhile ago, and you will shortly have to report yourself +to him officially. The general is extremely influential, but greatly +feared because of his inflexible severity in military matters. He +spares no one, least of all, indeed, himself; although he is over +seventy, his age never seems to enter his mind." + +Michael listened in silence; he had known that the Count was at +Steinrueck, and that he must be prepared for a meeting which had +hitherto been spared him, but which would be unavoidable in future, +since he must in time report himself to the general in command. + +"We hoped to see the young Count too," Reval continued, "but we have +just heard that he does not arrive until to-morrow evening. It is a +pity; he would have been an interesting acquaintance for you." + +"You mean the general's son, colonel?" + +"No, the son died some years ago; I mean his grand son, Count Raoul. He +certainly is one of the handsomest fellows I have ever seen; always +foremost in youthful follies, full of talent, and with a disposition so +charming that he takes everybody by storm. Indeed, he is a gifted +creature, but such a madcap that he will give his grandfather no end of +trouble if he does not succeed in controlling him betimes." + +"Apparently, Count Steinrueck is the very man to do so," Michael +remarked. + +"So it seems to me. Count Raoul, who fears neither man nor devil, has +nevertheless a very wholesome dread of his grandfather, and when His +Excellency issues an ukase, which, between ourselves, is not +infrequently necessary, the young fellow is ready to obey." + +A low rustle, as of silken robes, was heard behind the gentlemen, whose +backs were towards the entrance; they turned, and at that instant the +young officer stepped back so suddenly that the colonel looked at him +in surprise. + +Two ladies had entered; the elder, in dark velvet, pale, delicate, an +evident invalid, seemed desirous of reaching a long low seat beneath a +group of palms, where she could rest; the younger stood at the head of +the flight of steps leading into the conservatory, her figure full in +the light of the chandelier hanging above her head. + +Hans Wehlau had described her well; she was like the princess in a +fairy-tale, tall and slender, with a face of bewitching beauty, and +large eyes that shone like stars, the colour of which it was impossible +to define for at times they looked deeply dark, and then again +brilliantly light. The red curls that had formerly fallen upon the +child's shoulders had vanished; there was now only a slight reddish +tinge upon the thick golden braids, contrasting with the pale lustre of +the pearls twined among them; and yet, as she stood bathed in the light +from above her head, her hair gleamed like the 'red gold' of fairy +treasure-chambers. Over her blue silk gown a cloud of delicate lace was +looped with single flowers, with here and there a diamond dew-drop on +their petals. She looked a creature woven out of sun and air. + +"Ah, Countess Steinrueck!" exclaimed the colonel, as he hastened to +offer his arm to the elder lady, so evidently fatigued. "It was too +warm in the ballroom; I am afraid you have given us the pleasure of +seeing you at too great a sacrifice." + +"It is only fatigue, nothing more," the Countess assured him, as he +conducted her to a seat. "Why, there is Lieutenant Rodenberg!" + +Michael bowed; the blue silk rustled down the steps, and Countess +Hertha stood beside her mother. "Mamma is not very well," she said, +"and so we left the ball-room. She will soon feel better here where it +is so cool and quiet." + +"It would be better then----" Michael glanced towards the colonel, and +turned to leave the conservatory, but the Countess interposed with +gracious courtesy,-- + +"Oh, do not go! It is only that the heat and noise are too much for me. +I am so glad to see you again, Lieutenant Rodenberg." + +The colonel seemed surprised that the young officer was acquainted with +the ladies, and the Countess was pleased to tell him how the +acquaintance had been made. She insisted that Michael by his prompt +interference had saved her daughter's life and her own. He protested +against such a statement. + +Countess Hertha took no part in the conversation, which soon became +animated, but turned her entire attention to the flowers. She walked +slowly through the conservatory, which was but dimly lighted; there was +infinite grace in her movements, but there was nothing about her of the +half-shyness, half self-consciousness of girlhood. At nineteen she +displayed all the _aplomb_ of a woman of the world, of the wealthy +heiress who doubtless knew perfectly well that she was beautiful. She +paused before a group of exotic plants, and asked in an easy tone, +turning her head towards Michael, "Do you know this flower, Herr +Lieutenant? It is a strange, foreign-looking blossom, and I confess my +botany is at fault." + +Michael was forced to cross the conservatory to where she stood; he did +so very deliberately, but he was a shade paler as he gave her the +desired information: "It seems to be a Dionea, one of those murderous +blossoms that close upon an insect alighting upon them, and kill their +prisoner." + +A half-compassionate, half-contemptuous smile played about the young +girl's lips. "Poor thing! And yet it must be lovely to die in such +intoxicating fragrance. Do you not think so?" + +"No! Death is lovely only in freedom. No intoxication can atone for +imprisonment." + +The answer sounded almost rude, and Hertha bit her lip for an instant, +and then changed the subject, saying, with some sarcasm, "I am glad to +see that you are not so entirely monopolized by 'the service' here as +you were in F----; I never met you in society there." + +"We were exercising there; here I am on leave." + +"Staying with Colonel Reval?" + +"No, with relatives." + +The tip of the little satin slipper tapped the floor impatiently: +"Their name appears to be a state secret, since you so persistently +suppress it." + +"Not at all; there is no reason why I should do so. I am staying in +Tannberg, as the guest of the brother-in-law of Professor Wehlau." + +Hertha seemed surprised; she went on playing with a rose that she had +plucked, while her eyes scanned the young man's face. "Oh, the little +mountain town near Steinrueck. We are thinking of passing several weeks +at the castle." + +A sudden gleam lit up Michael's face for an instant; the next moment it +had vanished, and he rejoined, coolly, "Autumn is certainly very +beautiful in the mountains." + +This time the young Countess was not impatient; perhaps that sudden +gleam had not escaped her, for she smiled, as she continued to toy with +her rose: "We shall hardly meet, in spite of our being such near +neighbours, for I suspect that 'the service' will make demands upon you +even there." + +"You are pleased to jest, Countess Steinrueck." + +"I am perfectly serious. We first heard of your presence here to-night +from Herr Wehlau. Of course you had instantly rendered yourself +invisible, and were presumably deep in a strategic discussion with the +colonel, when we appeared here. We regret having interrupted it: it was +evident that our intrusion annoyed you." + +"You are quite mistaken; I was very glad to see you both again." + +"And yet you started when you first observed us." + +Michael looked up, and the glance that fell upon the young girl was +stern, almost menacing, but his voice was perfectly calm as he replied, +"I was surprised, as I knew that the Countess intended to return +directly to Berkheim from the baths." + +"We changed our plans, by special desire of my uncle Steinrueck, and, +moreover, the physician recommended several weeks of invigorating +mountain air. Shall we not see you at the castle? My mother would be so +glad, and--so should I." + +Her voice was low and beguilingly sweet as she uttered the last words, +standing close beside him, half in shadow, and still lovelier than when +in the bright light, while from the cups of the flowers a fragrant +incense arose around her. Her dress made a soft silken rustle, +and the delicate lace almost brushed the arm of the young officer, +who was still a little pale. He paused for a second, as if gaining +self-possession, then bowed low and formally, and said, "I shall be +most happy." + +In spite of his words there must have been something in the tone in +which they were spoken that told the young Countess that he did not +mean to come, for there appeared in her eyes the strange gleam that for +the moment robbed them of their beauty. She inclined her head and +turned to join her mother. As she did so the rose dropped, quite by +accident, from her hand, and lay upon the ground without being +perceived by her. + +Michael remained standing in the same spot, but a covetous glance +fell upon the flower that had but now been in her hand. The delicate +half-opened bud lay at his feet, rosy and fragrant, and just before him +shimmered the blossoms of the Dionea, that kill their prisoners in +intoxicating perfume. + +The young officer's hand involuntarily sought the earth, and a hasty +glance was cast at the group across the conservatory to discover +whether he were observed. He encountered the gaze of a pair of eyes +riveted upon him, expectant, exultant; he must bow. In an instant he +stood erect, and as he stepped aside he trod upon the rose, and the +delicate flower died beneath his heel. + +Countess Hertha fanned herself violently, as if the heat had suddenly +grown stifling, but Colonel Reval, who had just finished his +conversation, said, "We really must leave the Countess to entire repose +for a while. Come, my dear Rodenberg." + +They took leave of the ladies and returned to the crowded rooms, went +from the quiet, cool, fragrant conservatory, with its soft, dim light, +into the heat and brilliancy, the hum and stir of society. And yet +Michael breathed more freely, as if issuing from a stifling atmosphere +into the open air. + +Hans Wehlau, gliding upon the stream of social life, no sooner espied +his friend than he took his arm and drew him aside to ask, "Have you +seen the Countesses Steinrueck, our watering-place acquaintances? They +are here." + +"I know it," Michael replied, laconically. "I spoke to them just now." + +"Really? Where have you been hiding yourself? You're bored again, as +usual, in society. I am enjoying myself extremely, and I have been +presented to everybody." + +"Also as usual. You must represent your father to-day; every one wishes +to know the son of the distinguished scientist, since he himself----" + +"Are you at it too?" Hans interrupted him, petulantly. "At least twenty +times to-day I have been introduced and questioned as celebrity number +two, since celebrity number one is not present. They have goaded me +with my father's distinction until I am desperate." + +"Hans, if your father could hear you!" Michael said, reproachfully. + +"I can't help it. Every other man has at least an individuality of his +own, something subjective. I am 'the son of our distinguished,' and so +forth, and I am nothing more. As such I am introduced, flattered, +distinguished if you choose; but it's terrible to run about forever as +only something relative." + +The young officer smiled. "Well, you are on the way to change it all. +Probably in future it will be 'the distinguished artist, Hans Wehlau, +whose father has rendered such service,' and so forth." + +"In that case, I will assuredly forgive my father his fame. And so you +have spoken to the Steinrueck ladies. What a surprise it was to find +them here when we thought them in Berkheim! The Countess mother very +kindly invited me, or rather both of us, to the castle, and I accepted, +of course. We will call at Steinrueck together, eh?" + +"No; I shall not go there," Michael replied. + +"But why not, in heaven's name?" + +"Because I have no inducement, and feel no desire to make one of the +Steinrueck circle. The tone that prevails there is notorious. Every one +without a title must be constantly under arms if he would maintain his +position there." + +"Well, since the science of war is your profession, it would afford you +a good opportunity for study. For my part, I find it very tiresome to +be forever under arms like you and my father, who always feels obliged +to vindicate his principles in his intercourse with the aristocracy. I +amuse myself without principles of any kind, and always ground arms +before the ladies. Be reasonable, Michael, and come with me." + +"No!" + +"Very well; let it alone, then! There is nothing to be done with you +when once you take a notion into that obstinate head of yours, as I +found out long ago; but I shall certainly not throw away my opportunity +for seeing again that golden-haired fairy, the Countess Hertha. I +suppose you never even noticed how captivating, how bewitching she is +to-night in that cloud of silk and lace; the very embodiment of all +loveliness." + +"I certainly think the Countess beautiful, but----" + +"You only think her so?" Hans interrupted him, indignantly. "Indeed? +And you begin to criticise her with your 'but.' Let me tell you, +Michael, that I have unbounded respect for you; in fact, you have been +so long held up to me by my father as a model in every sense, that your +superiority has become a thorn in my flesh. But when there is any +question of women and women's loveliness, please hold your tongue; you +know nothing about them or it, and are no better than what you once +were,--a blockhead!" + +With these words, uttered half in jest, half indignantly, he left his +friend and joined a group of young people at a distance. Michael +wandered in an opposite direction, looking stern and gloomy enough. + +Meanwhile, at the other end of the room, Colonel Reval was talking with +Count Steinrueck. They had withdrawn into a small bow-window shut off +from the room by a half-drawn _portiere_, and Reval was saying, "I +should like to call your Excellency's attention to this young officer. +You will soon admit him to be in every way worthy your regard." + +"I am sure of it, since you recommend him so warmly," replied +Steinrueck. "You are usually chary of such praise. Did he serve in your +regiment from the beginning?" + +"Yes. I noticed him first in the Danish war. Although the youngest +lieutenant in the regiment, he contrived with a handful of men to +capture a position which had until then resisted all attack, and which +was of the greatest importance, and the way in which he performed this +feat showed as much energy as presence of mind. In the last campaign he +was my adjutant, and now he has just been ordered upon the general's +staff in consequence of an admirable treatise; you may have seen it, +your Excellency, since it discusses a point upon which you lately +expressed yourself very emphatically, and it was signed with the +writer's name." + +"Lieutenant Rodenberg; I remember," the general said, thoughtfully. The +name always affected him painfully, but did not arrest his attention, +since it was a frequent one in the army. There was a Colonel Rodenberg +who had three sons in the service, and the Count had so fully made up +his mind that the young officer in question was one of these that he +judged it superfluous to make any inquiries about him. + +"I know the treatise," he continued. "It betokens an unusual degree of +talent, and would have secured my regard for its author, even without +your warm recommendation; and, since you bear such brilliant testimony +to his capacity in other respects----" + +"Rodenberg is every way trustworthy; he maintains, it is true, rather +an isolated position among his comrades; his unsocial disposition and +his reserve make him but few friends, but he is universally respected." + +"That suffices," declared Steinrueck, who listened with evident +interest. "He who is ambitious and has a high aim in view rarely finds +time to be popular. I like natures which rely entirely upon themselves. +I understand them; in my youth I resembled them." + +"Here he is! His Excellency wishes to make your acquaintance, my dear +Rodenberg," said the colonel, beckoning Michael to approach. He +introduced him in due form, and then mingled with his other guests, +leaving his favourite to complete the impression already made upon the +general by the late conversation. + +Michael confronted the man whom he had seen but once, and that ten +years before, but whose image had remained ineffaceably impressed upon +his memory, connected as it was with the bitterest experience of his +life. + +Count Michael Steinrueck had already passed his seventieth year, but he +was one of those whom time seems afraid to attack, and the years which +are wont to bring decay found him still erect and strong as in the +prime of life. His hair and beard were silvered, but that was the only +change wrought by the last ten years. There was scarcely an added +wrinkle upon the proud, resolute features, the eyes were still keen and +fiery, and the carriage was as imposing as ever, betraying in every +gesture the habit of command. + +His iron constitution, strengthened and hardened as it had been by +every kind of physical and mental exercise, maintained in old age a +youthful vigour which many a young man might have envied. + +The general scanned the young officer keenly, and the result of his +examination was evidently a favourable one. He liked this strong, manly +carriage, this grave repose of expression betokening mental discipline, +and he opened the conversation with more geniality than was his wont. +"Colonel Reval has recommended you to me very warmly, Lieutenant +Rodenberg, and I value his judgment highly. You have been his +adjutant?" + +"I have, your Excellency." + +Steinrueck's attention was aroused, there was something familiar in that +tone of voice, he seemed to have heard it before, and yet the young man +was an utter stranger to him. He began to talk of military matters, +putting frequent questions upon various topics, but Michael underwent +excellently well this rigid examination in a conversational form. His +replies, to be sure, were monosyllabic, not a word was uttered that was +not absolutely necessary, but they were clear and to the point, +perfectly in accordance with the taste of the general, who became more +and more convinced that the colonel had not said too much. Count +Steinrueck was, indeed, feared on account of his severity, but he was +strictly just whenever he met with merit or talent, and he even +condescended to praise this young officer who was evidently most +deserving. + +"A great career is open to you," he said, at the close of the +interview. "You stand on the first step of the ladder, and the ascent +lies with yourself. I hear that you distinguished yourself in the field +while still very young, and your latest work proves that you can do +more than merely slash about with a sword. I shall be glad to see you +fulfil the promise you give; we have need of such vigorous young +natures. I shall remember you, Lieutenant Rodenberg. What is your first +name?" + +"Michael." + +The general started at this rather uncommon name; a strange suspicion +flashed upon his mind, only, however, to be banished instantly; but +again he scanned keenly the features of the man before him. "You are a +son of Colonel Rodenberg, commanding officer in W----?" + +"No, your Excellency." + +"Related to him, probably?" + +"No, your Excellency, I am not acquainted either with the colonel or +with his family." + +"What is your father's profession?" + +"My father has been dead for many years." + +"And your mother?" + +"Dead also." + +A pause of a few seconds ensued: the Count's eyes were riveted upon the +young officer's face; at last he asked, slowly, "And where,--where did +you pass your early youth?" + +"In a forest lodge in the neighbourhood of Saint Michael." + +The general recoiled; the revelation, which during the last few moments +he had indeed divined, came upon him like a blow. + +"It is you? Impossible!" he fairly gasped. + +"What was your Excellency pleased to observe?" Michael asked, in an icy +tone. He stood motionless in a strictly respectful attitude, but his +eyes flashed, and now Steinrueck recognized those eyes. He had seen them +once before flashing just as fiercely when he had heaped unmerited +disgrace upon the boy; they had just the same expression now as then. + +But Count Steinrueck did not lose his self-possession even at such a +moment. He had collected himself in an instant, and said in the old +imperious tone, "No matter! Let the past be past. I see Lieutenant +Rodenberg to-day for the first time. I recall neither the praise which +I bestowed upon you, nor the hopes that I expressed with regard to your +future. You may count now, as before, upon my good will." + +"I thank your Excellency," Michael rejoined, as coldly as possible. "It +suffices me to hear from your own lips that I am, at least, fit for +something in the world. I have made my way _alone_, and shall pursue it +alone." + +The general's brow grew dark. He had been willing to forget +magnanimously, and had thought to achieve great things by this +reluctant acknowledgment, and now his advances were rejected in the +bluntest manner. "Haughty enough!" he said, in a tone that was almost +menacing. "You would do well to bridle this untamed pride. Injustice +was once done you, and that may excuse your reply. I will forget that I +have heard it. You will surely come to a better state of mind." + +"Has your Excellency any further commands for me?" + +"No!" + +An angry glance was cast at the young officer who dared to leave his +general's presence without awaiting his dismissal, but Michael appeared +to consider as such that 'no,' and with a salute he turned and walked +away. + +The general, stern and mute, looked after him. He could scarcely +believe his eyes. He had, indeed, been informed that the +'good-for-nothing boy' had run away from his foster-father, and had +never returned, doubtless from fear of punishment. He had not thought +it worth the trouble to institute a search for the fugitive. If the +fellow had vanished, so much the better; they were rid of him, and with +him of the last reminder of the family tragedy that must be buried +forever; he would always have been in the way. Sometimes, indeed, there +was a shadow of dread in his mind lest the fellow should some day +emerge from disgrace and misery and make use of his connection with the +family, which could not be denied, to extort money; but they had got +rid of the father when he had tried that game, and they could likewise +get rid of the son. Count Michael was not the man to be afraid of +shadows. + +And now the vanished boy had indeed emerged again, but in the very +sphere to which the Count's family belonged. He was pronounced one of +those who are sure to rise without foreign aid by their own talent and +energy, and he had dared to reject the patronage offered him, +grudgingly enough, but still offered. Why, it almost looked as if _he_ +now wished to disown his mother's family. + +The Count's brow was still dark when he rejoined the other guests. +Hertha and her mother had just returned to the drawing-room, and the +young lady instantly became the centre of attraction. All crowded round +her to do her homage. Hans Wehlau actually swept like a comet through +the rooms to get near her, and even Steinrueck's gloomy brow cleared as +his glance rested upon his lovely ward. + +Lieutenant Rodenberg alone appeared not to observe the entrance of the +ladies. He stood apart, conversing with an old gentleman who discoursed +freely upon the disagreeable summer that had passed, and the delightful +autumn that had begun, and in whose remarks Michael appeared to take a +deep interest. But now, and then he cast at the circle, which he +forbore to approach, a glance as filled with longing as had been that +with which he had looked at the rose at his feet in the conservatory; +and when the garrulous old gentleman at last left him, he muttered to +himself, "'Blockhead!' I wish I had remained one!" + + + * * * * * + + +Count Michael Steinrueck occupied a very influential position in the +capital. Raised to the rank of general at the beginning of the last +campaign, he had proved himself one of the most capable of commanders, +and his voice had great weight in military affairs. + +Six years previously he had lost his only son, who was attached to the +German embassy in Paris, and since then his daughter-in-law and his +grandson had lived beneath his roof. The latter had originally, by his +grandfather's desire, or rather command, been destined for the army. +Count Michael had been resolved to carry out his plan in opposition to +the wishes of the boy's parents, but he had been unable to do so. +Raoul, who was in fact a delicate boy, sickened just at the time when a +final decision with regard to his future career was absolutely +necessary, and the physicians declared unanimously that he was unequal +to the duties of the military profession. They referred to the father's +already incipient consumption of the lungs, the germ of which might +develop in the son unless great care were taken, and this son was the +last and sole scion of an ancient line. These considerations at last +prevailed with Count Michael, but he had never yet overcome his regret +at the disappointment of his dearest hopes, especially since Raoul, +when once the critical period was past, had bloomed out in perfect +health and strength. After completing his studies at a German +university he had entered the service of the government, and was at +present in the Foreign Office, where, indeed, on account of his youth, +he occupied a subordinate position. + +The general, who had now been in possession of Steinrueck for ten years, +was still faithful to his deceased cousin's traditions, and regularly +spent some weeks there during the hunting season, his military duties +allowing him no more extended leave. His daughter-in-law and his +grandson usually accompanied him upon these visits, when the castle was +thrown open, guests were received, hunts were instituted, and the +desolate old mountain castle resounded with life and gayety for a short +time, after which it relapsed into its usual silence and solitude. + +It was the morning after Count Raoul's arrival. He was in his mother's +room, and the pair were engaged in an earnest conversation, the subject +of which, however, appeared to be far from pleasant, for both mother +and son looked annoyed. + +Countess Hortense Steinrueck had been a distinguished beauty, and, +mother though she were of a grown son, she was still a very lovely +woman. She perfectly understood how to heighten her beauty by the art +of dress, which did much to conceal her years. There was a charm beyond +that of youth in her intelligent face, with its dark, lively eyes, and +her matronly figure was still extremely graceful. + +Raoul was exceedingly like his mother, whose beauty he had inherited; +in his slender youthful figure there was nothing to remind one of his +father or his grandfather, or of the race of Steinruecks. He had a fine +head, crowned with dark curls, a broad brow, and dark, eloquent eyes, +but the fire lying hidden in their depths could leap up in an instant +like a consuming flame, and even in moments of quiet conversation there +was sometimes a hot devouring glow in them. Unquestionable as was the +young Count's beauty, there was something veiled and demonic about it, +which, however, only made it more attractive. + +"Then he sent for you yesterday evening?" Hortense said, in a tone of +displeasure. "I knew that a storm was brewing and tried to avert it, +but I did not suppose that it would burst forth on your first evening." + +"Yes, my grandfather was extremely ungracious," said Raoul, also in +high displeasure. "He took me to task about my follies as if they had +been state offences. I had confessed all to you, mamma, and hoped for +your advocacy." + +"My advocacy?" the Countess repeated, bitterly. "You ought to know how +powerless I am when you are under discussion. What can maternal love +and maternal right avail with a man who is accustomed ruthlessly to +subdue everything to his will, and to break what will not bend? I have +suffered intensely from your father's being so absolutely dependent +that I continue to be so after his death. I have no property of my own, +and this dependence constitutes a fetter that is often galling enough." + +"You are wrong, mamma," Raoul interposed. "My grandfather does not +control me through our pecuniary dependence upon him, but by his +personal characteristics. There is something in his eye, in his voice, +that I cannot defy. I can set myself in opposition to all the world, +but not to him." + +"Yes, he has schooled you admirably. This is the result of an education +designed to rob me of all influence with you, and to attach you solely +to himself. You are impressed by his tone of command, his imperious +air, while to me they merely represent the tyranny to which I have been +forced to submit ever since my marriage. But it cannot last forever." + +She breathed a sigh of relief as she uttered the last words. Raoul made +no reply; he leaned his head on his hand and looked down. + +"I wrote you that you would find Hertha and her mother here," the +Countess began again. "I was quite surprised by the change in Hertha; +since we saw her years ago she has developed into a beauty of the first +class. Do you not think so?" + +"Yes, she is very beautiful, and thoroughly spoiled,--full of caprices. +I found that out yesterday." + +Hortense slightly shrugged her shoulders. "She is conscious of being a +wealthy heiress, and, moreover, she is the only child of a very weak +mother, who has no will of her own. You have a will, however, Raoul, +and will know how to treat your future wife, I do not doubt. Upon this +point I find myself, strangely enough, absolutely in harmony with your +grandfather, who wishes to see you in possession of all the Steinrueck +estates. The income of the elder line is not very large, and little +more was left to your grandfather than a hunting castle, while Hertha, +on the other hand, is heiress to all the other property, and must one +day inherit her mother's very large jointure. Moreover, you and she are +the two last scions of the Steinrueck race, and a union between you two +is everyway desirable." + +"Yes, if family considerations alone were in question. You took good +care to impress this upon us when we were but children," Raoul said, +with a tinge of bitterness in his tone that did not escape his mother, +who looked at him in surprise. + +"I should suppose that you would have every reason to be satisfied with +this family arrangement. It contents even me, and my aspirations for +you are lofty. You were always seemingly in favor of it. What is it +that clouds your brow to-day? Have you been so displeased by a mere +caprice of Hertha's? I grant that she did not give you a very amiable +reception yesterday, but that should not cause you to hesitate about +entering upon the possession of a lovely wife and, with her, of a large +fortune, which would make you the envy of thousands." + +"It is not that, but I dislike resigning my freedom so soon." + +"Freedom!" Hortense laughed bitterly. "Do you really dare to utter +that word beneath this roof? Are you not weary of being treated at +twenty-five like a boy for whom every step is prescribed? Of being +scolded if your conduct does not please? Of having to entreat for the +fulfilment of every reasonable desire, and of being obliged to submit +humbly to an autocrat's refusal? Can you hesitate a moment to grasp the +independence offered to you? Next year, according to the will, your +grandfather's guardianship of Hertha is at an end, and she, and her +husband with her, will enter into full possession of what is hers by +right. Liberate yourself, Raoul, and me!" + +"Mamma!" said the young Count, with a warning glance towards the door, +but the excited woman went on, more passionately,-- + +"Yes, and me. For what is my life in this house but a perpetual +struggle, and a perpetual defeat? Hitherto you have had no power to +protect me from the thousand mortifications to which I have been +subjected day after day; now you will have it,--it rests with yourself. +I shall take refuge with you as soon as you are master of your own +house." + +Raoul arose with an angry gesture. His mother's passionate eloquence +was not without its effect; it was plain that the picture which she +drew of freedom and independence was very alluring to the young man, +who had just suffered so keenly from his grandfather's severity. +Nevertheless he hesitated to reply, and a struggle was evidently going +on within him. + +"You are right, mamma," he said at last, "perfectly right. I do not +object at all, but if the affair is to be precipitated, as would seem +at present----" + +"You have every reason to rejoice. I do not understand you, Raoul. I +cannot imagine---- You are not entangled elsewhere?" + +"No, no!" exclaimed the young Count, hastily, "nothing of the kind, I +assure you, mamma." + +His mother seemed but little relieved by this assertion, and was about +to question him further, when the door was noiselessly opened, and the +Countess's maid said, in an undertone,-- + +"His Excellency the general." + +She had scarcely time to retire when the general appeared. He paused on +the threshold for an instant, and looked inquiringly from mother to +son. "Since when have the laws of etiquette been so strictly observed +in our house?" he asked. "I am to be announced, I see, Hortense." + +"I do not know why Marion announced you; she knows that such formality +is quite superfluous." + +"Certainly, if it were not ordered; her voice sounded as if raised in +warning." + +With these words Steinrueck sat down beside his daughter-in-law, +acknowledging by only a slight nod his grandson's 'good-morning.' +Mother and son had hitherto spoken in French, but now they instantly +had recourse to German; and the general continued: "I came to ask for +an explanation, Hortense. I have just heard that two rooms in the +castle have been prepared for guests by your orders. I thought our +relatives were to be our only guests this year. Whom have you invited?" + +"It is only for a brief visit, papa," the Countess explained. "Some +acquaintances of ours have been staying at Wildbad, and on their way +home wish to spend two or three days with us. I heard of their coming +only this morning, or I should have told you." + +"Indeed! I should like to know whom you expect." + +"Henri de Clermont and his sister." + +"I am sorry that I was not consulted about this invitation,--I should +not have allowed it." + +"It was given for Raoul's sake, at his particular request." + +"No matter for that. I do not wish the Clermonts admitted to our +circle." + +Raoul started at this decided expression of disapproval, and his face +flushed darkly. "Excuse me, sir, but Henri and his sister were at our +house several times last winter." + +"To see your mother. I have nothing to say with regard to those whom +she personally receives, but this visit to Steinrueck, when we are here +a family party, would betoken a degree of intimacy which I do not +desire, and therefore it must not take place." + +"Impossible!" Hortense rejoined, with nervous irritability. "I have +sent the invitation now, and it cannot be recalled." + +"Why not? You can write simply that you are not well, and feel quite +unequal to the duties of a hostess." + +"That would make us perfectly ridiculous!" exclaimed Raoul. "The +pretext would be seen through immediately; it would be an insult to +Henri and his sister." + +"I think so too," Hortense added. + +"There I must differ from both of you," the general said, with +emphasis; "and in this case I am the only one to be consulted. It is +for you to recall the invitation as seems to you best. Recalled it must +be, for I will not receive the Clermonts in my castle." + +This was said in the commanding tone that always provoked the +passionate woman. She arose angrily. "Am I to be compelled to insult my +son's friends? To be sure they belong to my country, to my people, and +that excludes them from this house. My Love for my home has always been +cast up to me as a reproach, and Raoul's preference for it is regarded +as a crime. Since his father's death he has never been allowed to visit +France; his associates are selected for him as if he were a school-boy; +he hardly dares to correspond with my relatives. But I am weary of this +slavery; at last I will----" + +"Raoul, leave the room," Steinrueck interrupted her. He had not risen +from his seat, and he had preserved an unmoved countenance, but a frown +was gathering on his brow. + +"Stay, Raoul!" Hortense cried, passionately, "stay with your mother!" + +The young Count certainly seemed inclined to espouse his mother's +cause. He walked to her side as if to protect her and to defy his +grandfather, but at this instant the general also arose, and his eyes +flashed. "You heard what I said! Go!" + +There was such command in his tone that it put an end to Raoul's +resistance. He found it absolutely impossible to disobey those eyes and +that voice; he hesitated for an instant, but at an imperious gesture +from his grandfather he complied and left the room. + +"I do not desire that Raoul should be a witness to these scenes, which +are unfortunately so frequent between us," Steinrueck said, coldly, +turning to his daughter-in-law. "Now we are alone, what have you to +say?" + +If anything could irritate the angry woman still more, it was this +cold, grave manner which impressed her as contempt. She was beside +herself with indignation. "I will maintain my rights!" she exclaimed. +"I will rebel against the tyranny that oppresses both my son and +myself. It is an insult to me to compel me to recall my invitation to +the Clermonts, and it shall not be done, let the worst come to the +worst!" + +"I advise you, Hortense, not to go so far; you might repent it," the +Count rejoined, and he was no longer self-possessed; his voice sounded +stern and menacing. "If you want the plain truth you shall have it. +Yes, it is of the first importance that Raoul should be withdrawn from +influences and associations which I disapprove for my grandson. I +relied upon Albrecht's repeated solemn assurance that the boy should +have a German education. Upon your brief infrequent visits I could not +satisfy myself upon this point, and unfortunately the lad was schooled +for those visits. Not until after my son's death did I discover that he +had blindly acceded to your will in this matter, and had intentionally +deceived me." + +"Would you reproach my husband in his grave?" + +"Even there I cannot spare him the reproach with which I should have +heaped him living. He yielded when he never should have yielded. Raoul +was a stranger in his native land, ignorant of its history, of its +customs, of everything that ought to have been dear and sacred to him. +He was rooted deep in foreign soil. The revelation made to me when you +returned with him to my house forced me to interfere, and with energy. +It was high time, if it were not too late." + +"I assuredly did not return to your house voluntarily." The Countess's +voice was sharp and bitter. "I would have gone to my brother, but you +laid claim to Raoul, you took him from me by virtue of your +guardianship, and I could not be separated from my child. If I could +have taken him with me----" + +"And have made a thorough Montigny of him," Steinrueck completed her +sentence. "It would not have been difficult; there is in him only too +much of you and of yours. I look in vain to find traces of my blood in +the boy, but disown this blood he never shall. You know me in this +regard, and Raoul will learn to know me. Woe be to him if he ever +forgets the name he bears or that he belongs to a German race!" + +He spoke in an undertone, but there was so terrible a menace in his +voice that Hortense shuddered. She knew he was in terrible earnest, +and, conscious that she was again defeated in the old conflict, she +took refuge in tears, and burst into a passionate fit of sobbing. + +The general was too accustomed to such a termination to a stormy +interview to be surprised; he merely shrugged his shoulders and left +the room. In the next apartment he found Raoul pacing restlessly to and +fro. He paused and stood still upon his grandfather's entrance. + +"Go to your mother!" his Excellency said, bitterly. "Let her repeat to +you that I am a tyrant,--a despot who delights in tormenting her and +you. You hear it daily; you are regularly taught to suspect and dislike +me; such teaching bore fruit long since." + +Harsh as the words sounded, there was suppressed pain in them,--a pain +reflected in the Count's features. Raoul probably perceived it, for he +cast down his eyes and rejoined in a low tone, "You do me injustice, +grandfather." + +"Prove it to me. For once repose in me frank and entire confidence; you +will not repent it. I scolded and threatened yesterday; you have lately +often forced me to do so, but nevertheless you are dear to me, Raoul, +very dear." + +The voice, usually so stern and commanding, sounded kindly, nay, even +tender, and was not without its effect upon the young man. Affection +for the grandfather from whom he had been estranged from boyhood +stirred within him. He had always feared him, but at this moment he +felt no fear. "And you too are dear to me, grandfather," he exclaimed. + +"Come," said Steinrueck, with a warmth rarely manifested by him, "let us +have a pleasant hour together for once, with no adverse influence to +interfere. Come, Raoul." + +He put his arm around his grandson's shoulder, and was drawing him away +with him, when the door was hastily flung open and Marion appeared. +"For heaven's sake, Herr Count, come to the Frau Countess! She is very +unwell, and is asking for you." + +Raoul turned in dismay to hasten to his mother, but paused suddenly +upon encountering his grandfather's grave look of entreaty. "Your +mother has one of her nervous attacks," he said, quietly. "You know +them as well as I do, and that there is no cause for anxiety. Come with +me, Raoul." + +He still had his arm about the young man, and Raoul seemed to hesitate +for a few moments, then he tried to extricate himself. "Pardon me, +grandfather; my mother is suffering, and asking for me. I cannot leave +her alone now." + +"Then go!" Steinrueck exclaimed, harshly, almost thrusting the young man +from him. "I will not keep you from your filial duty. Go to your +mother!" + +And, without even another look towards Raoul, he turned and left the +room. + + + * * * * * + + +Saint Michael was one of the highest inhabited spots of the +mountain-range. The quiet little Alpine village would have been utterly +secluded had it not possessed a certain significance as a place of +pilgrimage. The single dwellings lay scattered upon the pasture-lands +and mountain-meadows, with the village church and the parsonage in +their midst. Everything was contracted, plain, even shabby; the special +church alone, which was the resort of pilgrims, and which stood upon a +solitary height at a little distance from the village, had an imposing +aspect. It had been founded by the Counts von Steinrueck who had built +this church, now old and gray, on the site of the ancient Saint +Michael's chapel that had once stood here, and they had since often +bestowed gifts upon it and had endowed it. Saint Michael was still the +patron saint of the family to which he had so often given a first name. +Its founder had been called Michael, and the name had been handed down +from generation to generation ever since. Even the Protestant branch of +the family, who had years previously left their ancestral home and +settled in Northern Germany, preserved this ancient tradition, which, +if it had no religious significance for them, still possessed an +historic importance. Thus, the present head of the house was a Count +Michael, and his son and grandson had been christened after him, +although each bore another name by which he was commonly called. The +interior of the church was not very remarkable; it showed the usual +adornment of pictures and gayly-painted statues of the saint, often +very imperfectly executed. But the high altar was an exception; it was +very richly and artistically carved, and the two figures of angels on +the sides of the steps with outspread wings and hands held aloft in +prayer, as if guarding the sacred place, were exquisite examples of +sculpture in wood. They with the altar were a gift from the Steinruecks, +as were the three gothic windows in the altar recess, the costly +stained glass of which glowed in gorgeous colour. The picture above the +altar, however, a large painting, dated from a period of great +simplicity in art. It had grown very dark with age, and was worn in +spots, but its details were still distinctly to be discerned. Saint +Michael, in a long blue robe and flowing mantle, the nimbus around his +head, was distinguished as the warlike angel by a short coat of mail, +but was otherwise of peaceful aspect. His sword of flame in his right +hand and the scales in his left, he was enthroned upon a cloud, and at +his feet crouched Satan, a horned monster with distorted features, and +a body ending in a serpent's tail. Blood-red flames flashed upwards +from the abyss, and a circle of cherubs looked down from above. The +picture was entirely without artistic merit. + +"And that is meant to betoken conflict and victory," said Hans Wehlau, +as he stood gazing at the picture. "Saint Michael looks so solemnly +comfortable on his cloud, and quite as if the Evil One below him were +of no consequence; if Satan were wise he would snatch that sword just +above the tip of his nose; that's no way to hold a sword! The saint +ought to swoop from above like an angel, and seize and destroy Satan +like a mighty blast, but he'd better not try flying in that long gown; +and as for his wings, they are quite too small to support him." + +"You show a godless want of respect in criticising pictures of saints," +said Michael, who stood beside him. "You are your father's own son +there." + +"Very likely. Do you know I should like to paint a picture of +that?--Saint Michael and the devil, the conflict of light with +darkness. Something might be made of it if a fellow really set himself +to work, and I have a model close at hand." + +He turned suddenly, and looked his friend full in the face, in a way +that provoked Michael to say, "What are you thinking of? I surely +have----" + +"Nothing angelic about you! No, most certainly not; and among the +heavenly host, hovering in ether in white robes and palm branches, you +would cut a comical figure. But to swoop down upon your enemy with a +flaming sword and put him to rout like your holy namesake would suit +you exactly. Of course you would have to be idealized, for you're far +from handsome, Michael, but you have just what is needed for such a +figure, especially when you are in a rage. At all events, you would +make a much better archangel than that one up there." + +"Nonsense!" said Michael, turning to go. "Moreover, you must come now, +Hans, if you mean to walk back to Tannberg. It is four good leagues +away." + +"By that tiresome road, which I shall not take. I am going through the +forest; it is nearer." + +"Then you will lose your way! You do not know this country as I do." + +"Then I will find it again," said Hans, as they walked out of the +church into the open air. "At least I shall not be received in Tannberg +by an angry face. I am glad my father has gone, and I think the whole +household breathes more easily. At the last he hung over us all like a +thunder-cloud; we always had to be prepared for thunder and lightning." + +"It was certainly better for him to shorten his stay and go home," +Michael rejoined, gravely. "Irritable and angry as he was, there was +always danger of a decided breach, which should be avoided at all +hazards. I advised him to return home." + +"Yes, you protected me to the best of your ability. You and my aunt +stood beside me like two angels of peace and shielded me with your +wings, but it did not do much good after all, my father was too angry. +You were the only one who could get along with him." + +"And so you regularly sent me into action when there was anything to be +done." + +"Of course; you risked nothing in the engagement. My father always +treats you with respect, even when you disagree with him. It's odd,--he +never had any respect for me." + +"Hans, be sensible; do stop jesting for a while. I should suppose you +had reason enough to be grave." + +"Good heavens! what am I to do? I never had the slightest talent for +the part of a grovelling sinner. At least you have contrived to extort +a gracious permission that I should remain in Tannberg while your leave +lasts, and when we go home the storm will have somewhat blown over. But +here is the path; my love to my uncle Valentin. I have, as my father's +son, 'compromised' him again by my visit, but he would have it. _Au +revoir_, Michael." + +He waved his hand to his friend and struck into a side-path leading +down the mountain. Michael looked after him until he vanished among the +hemlocks, and then took his way back to the village. + +He had been at Saint Michael for several days, and on the previous day +Hans had paid a short visit. It had been a rare and much-desired +gratification for the pastor, who regretted keenly that his nearest +relatives should hold themselves aloof from him. Any intercourse with +his brother, who was a declared opponent of Romanism, was made a +reproach to the priest. The two met only at intervals of years, when +the Professor visited his relatives in Tannberg; and in the fact of +their correspondence might perhaps be found the reason why Valentin +Wehlau was left in a lonely secluded Alpine village, and--forgotten. + +Michael, however, had of late years frequently visited his old friend +and teacher, but Lieutenant Rodenberg was an entire new-comer for the +inhabitants of Saint Michael, who scarcely remembered the shy, awkward +boy from the forest lodge,--indeed, they had seldom seen him. He had +been looked upon as a relative of Wolfram's, bearing the forester's +name, and the lodge had long since passed into other hands. Count +Steinrueck had found a better and more profitable situation for his +former huntsman upon one of his ward's estates, perhaps as a reward for +rendered service, perhaps because, upon his visits to his castle, he +did not wish to be reminded by Wolfram's presence of the past. At all +events, the forester had left this part of the country nearly ten years +previously. + +When Michael re-entered the parsonage, which he had left half an hour +before in its usual solitude and quiet, he found it in a state of +unusual turmoil. The old servant was bustling about in her kitchen, +among her pots and pans, as if some festival were in preparation. Two +young peasant girls from a neighbouring farm were running to and fro; +the upper rooms were being aired and arranged; the peaceful household +seemed to be turned topsy-turvy, and as Michael entered the study the +sacristan was taking a hurried leave of the priest, with much +importance of mien. + +Nothing was changed in the little room; the same monastic simplicity +reigned within it; the whitewashed walls, the huge tiled stove, the +carved crucifix in the corner, even the old pine furniture, were all +the same; time had left them unchanged. Not so their owner. + +The pastor had grown much older. Whilst his brother, who was in fact +several years his junior, still preserved his youthful freshness and +vigour, the priest produced the impression of old age. His form was +bent, his face furrowed with wrinkles, his hair white, but the same +mild lustre shone in the eyes which at times made one forget the +weariness and age evident in the man. + +"What is the matter, your reverence?" asked Michael, surprised. "The +whole house is astir, and old Katrin is so agitated that she ran away +without answering me." + +"We are to have an unexpected visit," replied Valentin,--"a +distinguished guest for whom some preparation is necessary. Scarcely +had you and Hans departed when a messenger arrived with a note from +Countess Steinrueck,--she will be here in a couple of hours." + +The young man, who was just about to take a seat, paused in amazement. +"Countess Steinrueck? What can she want here in Saint Michael?" + +"To visit the church. The Countess is very pious, and never fails to do +so when she is at the castle. Moreover, our church was endowed by her +family, and owes much to her personally. She visits her husband's grave +almost every year, and always comes here when she does so." + +"Is she coming alone?" The question was asked in an agitated tone, in +strong contrast to the priest's quiet reply. + +"No; her daughter is coming too, and the necessary attendants. You must +resign the guest-chamber for to-day, Michael. The double drive over the +mountains would be too fatiguing for the ladies; they will stay +overnight, and accept the simple hospitality of the parsonage. I spoke +with the sacristan about a room for you; he will have one ready for you +to occupy until to-morrow." + +Michael at first made no reply; he walked to the window and stood with +folded arms looking out. At last, after a long pause, he said, in an +undertone, "I wish I had gone home." + +"Why? Because these ladies bear the name of Steinrueck, and you have +chosen to outlaw, to put beyond the pale of your sympathy, all of that +name? How often have I entreated you to rid yourself of this +unchristian hatred!" + +"Hatred, do you call it?" the young man asked, in a voice that trembled +slightly. + +"What else is it? When you told me the other day of your meeting with +your grandfather, I saw how stubborn and implacable you still were, and +now you extend your ill feeling to the Count's innocent relatives, who +have shown you nothing but kindness. You, to be sure, told me nothing +of your acquaintance with them, but Hans was more communicative. He is +most enthusiastic about the young Countess." + +"For as long as he can see her. As soon as we return to town he will +forget all about her. It is his fashion." + +The words sounded contemptuous, and so bitter, that Valentin shook his +head disapprovingly. "It is fortunate in this case that it is so," he +rejoined. "It would be sad for Hans to be in earnest, for, apart from +the difference of rank, the hand of the Countess Hertha was disposed of +long ago." + +"Disposed of? To whom?" Michael asked, hastily, turning from the +window. + +"To Count Raoul Steinrueck, her relative. In their sphere marriages are +usually contracted for family reasons, and this one was thus arranged +years ago. There has been no betrothal as yet, because the Countess +could not bring herself to part with her daughter, but it is to take +place shortly." + +The priest had formerly been the Countess's confessor, and was still +perfectly aware of all the family affairs; he mentioned them now as +matters of course, and went on speaking of them in detail, not +observing that his listener seemed thunderstruck. Michael had turned to +the window again, and stood with his face pressed against the pane, +never stirring until Valentin had finished speaking. + +"There will be a great deal of disturbance in your house to-day, your +reverence," he said at last, "and I should be sorry to inconvenience +the sacristan. It would be better for me to go to the lodge, and stay +there until to-morrow." + +"What are you thinking of?" Valentin exclaimed, in displeasure. "I can +understand the reserve of which Hans accuses you, but this is going too +far." + +"The Countess knows nothing of my being here, and if you say nothing +about it----" + +"She will learn it through Katrin or the sacristan. A guest is so rare +in my lonely home that it is always discussed by my people; and how am +I to excuse your flight to the Countess?" + +"Flight?" the young officer said, angrily. + +"She cannot regard it as anything else, since she knows nothing of your +relations with the family." + +"You are right," said Michael, drawing a deep breath. "It would be +flight and cowardice. I will stay." + +"Yes, you are quite inaccessible to good sense," said Valentin, with a +fleeting smile, "but as soon as flight is mentioned the soldier in you +is astir, forcing you to stand your ground. But I must see after +Katrin; she is quite upset, and will need my aid and counsel." + +Michael was left alone. He had tried to go, he had been forced to stay, +and his eyes were bright as they sought the road winding up from the +valley. Flight! The young warrior had indignantly repudiated the word, +and yet for weeks he had been fleeing from a power to which he would +not bow, and which nevertheless threatened to master him. As if it were +in league with the fiend, it made constant assaults, now amid brilliant +social scenes, now here in a lonely Alpine village; just when he +thought it farthest away it suddenly appeared. Again he was to stand +face to face with it, and Michael well knew what that meant; but as he +stood erect, stern, and resolute, prepared for conflict, he did not +look like defeat. + + + * * * * * + + +The expected guests arrived in due time, the Countess in a little +mountain wagon intended for such excursions, her daughter having +preferred to travel the road on horseback. A lady's-maid also came in +the wagon, and a mounted servant accompanied the party, which was +originally to have comprised the Countess Hortense, but she was +suffering from one of her nervous attacks, and the mountain drive would +have been too exhausting for her. + +Immediately upon their arrival the ladies performed their devotions in +the church, and a solemn mass was appointed for the next morning. + +In the afternoon the pastor, with his two younger guests, sauntered +through the village. The Countess, who felt fatigued, remained in the +parsonage, and Michael had been compelled to walk with the priest and +the Countess Hertha, since the young lady, accustomed to rule those +about her with sovereign sway, had required him to do so in a tone that +was not to be gainsaid. It was in the middle of September, but the day +had been unusually warm. The heat made itself felt even at this +altitude: the temperature was sultry and oppressive. The pasture-lands +around Saint Michael were bathed in the sunlight, and the skies were +still clear, but mists hovered restlessly about the mountain-ranges, +and dark clouds began to gather above their summits, now darkly veiled, +and anon gleaming clear and distinct. + +"I fear we are going to have a storm this evening," said Valentin. +"This has been like a day in midsummer." + +"Yes, we felt it so as we were coming up the mountain," said Hertha. +"Do you think that we ought to be arranging for our return?" + +"No," replied Michael, scanning the mountains, "when the clouds gather, +as now, over there above the Eagle ridge, they will hang for hours +about the rocks before the storm comes, and then it is apt to take its +course down the valley and leave us untouched. But there will be a +storm. Saint Michael's flaming sword is flashing there." + +He pointed to the Eagle ridge, where in fact it was lightening, faintly +and in the distance, but still unmistakably. + +"Saint Michael's flaming sword?" Hertha repeated, inquiringly. + +"Certainly; do you not know the popular superstition so wide-spread in +these mountains?" + +"No; I have never been here except for a few weeks at a time, and know +nothing of the people." + +"Their belief is that the lightning is the sword of the avenging +archangel flashing from the skies, and that the storms, which often +enough do mischief in the valleys, are punishments wrought by him." + +"Saint Michael loves storm and flame," said Hertha, smiling. "I have +always felt very proud that the leader of the heavenly host, the mighty +angel of war and battle, is the patron saint of our family. You bear +his name, too; it is my uncle Steinrueck's." + +Valentin cast an anxious glance at his former pupil, but Michael looked +quite unmoved, and replied, composedly, "Yes--by chance." + +"The saint's day is close at hand," the young Countess observed to the +priest. "The church will be thronged then, will it not, your +reverence?" + +"The inhabitants of all the surrounding villages visit the church on +that day; but our chief church festival comes in May, upon the day when +the saint's appearance took place. Then the entire population of these +mountains flocks hither from the most distant heights and the most +secluded valleys, so that church and village can scarcely contain the +crowds. The legend is that on that day Saint Michael, although +invisible, descends from the Eagle ridge and ploughs the earth with his +flaming sword as he did visibly centuries ago, when his shrine was +founded here." + +As he uttered the last words they paused before a wayside crucifix +rising solitary from the green meadow and facing towards the Eagle +ridge. A wild rosebush wreathed about the base of the cross, almost +concealing the wood-work, and its thick, luxuriant shoots were woven +about the sacred image like a living frame; its time for blooming had +long since passed, but the warm, sunny autumn days had lured forth a +few late buds, not fragrant and rich in colour like their sisters of +the plain, but pale, wild mountain-roses, which, blooming to-day, are +torn by the wind to-morrow, and yet they gleamed pink amid the dark +green like a last greeting from departing summer. + +A peasant lad approached, hat in hand and rather timidly; he had a +message for his reverence, whom he had been seeking in the village. His +mother was very sick, and was fain to see his reverence; the house was +very near, hardly two hundred paces distant, and if his reverence could +spare a few minutes the sick woman would be very grateful and much +comforted. + +"I must go with Hies," said Valentin. "I leave the Countess in your +charge, Michael; if she wishes to return to the parsonage----" + +"No, your reverence, we will await you here," Hertha interrupted him. +"This view of the Eagle ridge is so magnificent!" + +"I shall be back again shortly," the priest rejoined, inclining his +head courteously, as he turned away with Hies, and walked to a small +house near by, within the door of which he vanished. + +The unexpected _tete-a--tete_--the first they had ever had since they +had known each other--seemed to embarrass the pair thus left alone, for +their animated conversation was suddenly arrested. + +Saint Michael, as it lay before Hertha and her companion, looked +like the most secluded of highland valleys, so embedded was it in the +green Alps that surrounded it. There was but one distant view, and it +might well vie with all others,--that of the Eagle ridge. The mighty +range of rocks rising there in gloomy majesty commanded the landscape, +and towered above all the surrounding summits; dark pine forests +clothed its sides, and its depths hid savage abysses, down which +mountain-torrents tumbled with a roar faintly audible in the clear air. +The summit of the ridge indeed, with its naked, jagged peaks and its +sheer precipices, seemed inaccessible for mortal man; those peaks +soared to dizzy heights, and the highest of them all, the Eagle's head, +wore a crown of glaciers that glittered in icy splendour, its giant +wings, on each side, seeming to shelter the little hamlet of Saint +Michael lying at its feet. The ridge was rightly named; it did, indeed, +bear a resemblance to an eagle with outstretched wings. + +The silence lasted some time, and was at last broken by Hertha. +"According to the legend, then, the archangel descends from that peak." + +"With the first ray of the morning sun," replied Michael. "The sun +rises there above the ridge. The people cling with unswerving fidelity +to their time-hallowed beliefs, and will not relinquish their spring +festivals and their worship of the sun. He is the ancient god of light, +who either blesses or curses mankind; who mutters in the thunder, and +then again ploughs the earth with his flaming sword that the spring may +bring forth fresh life and beauty; the Church has clothed him in the +shining mail of the archangel." + +"That sounds very heretical," the young Countess said, reproachfully. +"Do not let his reverence or my mother hear you. It is easy to see that +you were brought up beneath Professor Wehlau's roof. Was he an early +friend of your father's?" + +Michael bowed his head as if in assent. The Professor had insisted upon +this concession from him from the first, as it put a stop to all +annoying conjecture, and had quite satisfied even Hans himself. + +"You lost your father very early?" + +"Yes, very early." + +"And your mother too?" + +"And my mother too." + +There was evident distress in his tone, and Hertha, perceiving that she +had unconsciously touched some sore spot, hastened to remove the +impression by saying, "I, too, was a mere child when my father died. I +have but a dim remembrance of him, and of the love and tenderness which +he lavished upon me. Where did you live with your parents?" + +The young man's lip quivered, and there was bitterness in his heart as +he remembered his childhood, with its lack of love and tenderness. The +disgrace and misery which he had but half understood had nevertheless +stamped themselves upon the boy's memory, and were still vividly +present with the man after the lapse of twenty years. "My childhood was +far from happy," he said, evasively. "There was so little in it that +could possibly interest you that I should be sorry to annoy you with an +account of it." + +"But it does interest me," Hertha said, eagerly. "I do not mean, +however, to be importunate; and if my sympathy annoys you----" + +"Your sympathy! with me?" Michael suddenly broke forth, and then paused +as suddenly; but what his lips did not utter his eyes said clearly, as +he gazed as if spell-bound at the young Countess, whose beauty was +certainly not dependent upon dress. She had been bewitchingly lovely in +silk and lace, in the brilliant light of the chandeliers, and to-day, +in her simple, close-fitting, dark-blue riding-habit, she was even +lovelier. Beneath the little hat, with its blue veil, the golden braids +gleamed through the thin tissue, and the eyes beamed brightly. There +was something unusual in her air to-day; she seemed released from the +petty conventional code of the brilliant circle in which she was wont +to move, and as if breathed upon by the mighty mountain world around +her, and this lent her a new and dangerous charm. + +"Well?" she said, smiling, without noticing Michael's sudden pause. "I +am waiting." + +"For what?" + +"For the account of your childhood, which you have not yet given me." + +"Nor can I give it you, for I can relate nothing of home or of parental +affection. I have grown up among strangers, I owe everything to +strangers, and, kindly and generously as it was bestowed, I still feel +it as a debt which would crush me to the earth had I not vowed to +myself to pay it by my entire future. At last I have taken the helm +into my own hands, and can steer out into the open sea." + +"And can you trust that sea, with its winds and waves?" + +"Yes. Trust the sea and it will carry you safely. Of one thing I am +sure, however: I shall never drift ashore on a half-shattered wreck, +thankful to escape with mere life. No, I will either steer my vessel +into port or go to the bottom with it." + +He stood erect as he uttered the last words with resolute emphasis. +Hertha looked at him in surprise, and suddenly said, "Strange,--how +like you are at this moment to my uncle Steinrueck." + +"I? to the general?" + +"Extremely like him." + +"That must be an illusion," Michael rejoined, coldly. "I regret having +to disclaim the honour of a resemblance to his Excellency, but none can +possibly exist." + +"Certainly not; you have not a feature in common; the likeness lies in +the expression, and now it has vanished again. But at that moment you +had the general's eyes, his air, even his voice. It really startled +me." + +Her eyes still rested upon his countenance, as if she were expecting a +reply; but Michael turned somewhat aside, and said, changing the +conversation, "The prospect is growing more and more veiled; we shall +soon be surrounded by clouds." + +The weather did, in fact, look more threatening; the sun had begun to +set, but his rays were struggling with the mists floating up +everywhere, as if some leader of a mighty host had sounded his +trumpet-call, heard of the whole vast mountain world, and the +cloud-phantoms were rising on all sides to obey the summons, some with +slow majesty, some in desperate haste. Up from the deeps and abysses +soared the mist unceasingly, like a white veil, noiseless and +ghost-like, sweeping up over the forests, leaving a fluttering pennon +here and there amidst the tops of the pines, and then soaring aloft +again. From each side across the gray Alps single clouds came trooping, +followed by huge masses, all rolling towards the Eagle ridge, where +they gathered ever darker and more threatening. + +The meadows upon which lay Saint Michael soon looked like an island in +the midst of a billowy, swelling sea, the waves of which rose higher +each minute. There it gleamed white, like the foam of dashing, leaping +breakers, and there it lay gray and formless as in shade, while high +above on the peaks of the ridge, still lit by the sunlight, golden, +shimmering mists were sailing, shot by strange, quivering rays. A +gleaming magic veil was woven about the rocky head and the glacier +crown; they stood half veiled, half revealed in the golden atmosphere. + +But at their feet the storm was gathering thick, and now the first dull +thunder rolled, seeming to come from the very depths of the mountains, +and dying rumbling in the distance. + +The air had hitherto been quiet; now the wind began to rise. The young +Countess's veil fluttered aloft and caught in a hanging branch of the +wild-rose bush, from which she vainly tried to extricate it. The thorns +held their prey fast, and Rodenberg, who came to her aid, must have +been rather awkward, for the band of her hat slipped and the hat fell +off. Michael, who was stooping to disentangle the delicate tissue, +shrank suddenly and dropped his hand, for close before his eyes gleamed +uncovered the thick braids, the 'red fairy gold.' + +"Have you scratched your hand?" asked Hertha, noticing his start. + +"No!" He plunged his hand into the thorny tangle and pulled away both +hat and veil; but the thorns revenged themselves: the veil was torn, +and a few drops of blood trickled from the young man's hand. + +"Thank you," said Hertha, taking her hat from him; "but you are a rash +assistant. How wrong to plunge your hand in among the thorns! It is +bleeding." + +There was real commiseration in her tone, but the reply was all the +colder. "It is not worth mentioning; it is the merest scratch." + +He took out his handkerchief and pressed it upon the tiny wounds as he +glanced impatiently towards the little house, where the priest yet +lingered. His visit there seemed to be endless, and the rack here must +be tasted to the last. + +The young girl perhaps suspected his agony, but she did not feel called +upon to abbreviate it. The spoiled, petted beauty felt it as an offence +that this man should dare to defy a power which she had so often +exerted over others. He had recognized its might, as she had long since +perceived; he had not approached her with impunity, and yet here he +stood with that impregnable reserve, that haughty brow, which would not +bow. He must be punished! + +"I should like to ask you a question, Lieutenant Rodenberg," she began +again. "My mother reproached you awhile ago--I heard her--with never +having accepted her invitation." + +"I have already apologized to Madame the Countess. We have been quite +absorbed lately by a family matter, which was indeed the cause of the +Professor's departure. When I return from Saint Michael----" + +"You will find some other excuse," Hertha interposed. "You do not +_wish_ to come." + +Michael's face flushed, but he avoided meeting the eyes that sought +his; he looked across to the Eagle ridge. "You take that for granted +with a strange degree of certainty, Countess Steinrueck, and, +nevertheless, you wish me to come." + +"I only wish for an explanation of what keeps you away from us. You +have saved my own and my mother's life, and you reject our gratitude in +a way that is inexplicable to us if we refuse to consider it insulting. +With a stranger we should never waste a word upon the subject. To one +to whom we owe so much we may well put the question, 'What is there +between us? What have we done to you?'" + +The words had a gentle, half-veiled sound, but several seconds passed +before the reply came. Michael's gaze was still riveted upon the rocky +summits; he knew that storm-clouds were gathering around them, but he +saw only the golden mist, the gleaming magic veil; he heard the roll of +the thunder that sounded nearer and nearer, but he heeded only that +low, reproachful 'What have we done to you?' + +"You shame me," he said at last, with a final attempt to preserve a +tone of cool courtesy. "The slight service that I did you required no +gratitude; you have always overrated it." + +"Again you evade me; you are a master of the art," the young girl +exclaimed, with an expression of extreme impatience. "But I will not +release you from replying; I must know the truth at last." + +"And what if I should not comply with your command, for such it +certainly seems to be?" + +"It rests with you, of course, to refuse to do so; but it was no +command, only a request, which I now repeat: 'What have we done to you? +Why do you avoid us?'" + +A smile played about her lips, the enchanting smile usually so +irresistible, but now without effect. Rodenberg looked her full in the +face, and said, harshly, "You know why, Countess Steinrueck,--you have +long known." + +"I?" + +"Yes, you, Hertha; you know your power only too well; and now you drive +me to extremes, and leave me no means of escape. So be it,--I am at +your disposal!" + +Amazed, almost dismayed, Hertha looked up at him; she was quite +unprepared for this turn of affairs; she had pictured her moment of +triumph very differently. "I do not understand you, Lieutenant +Rodenberg," said she. "What does this strange language mean,--something +it would seem allied to hatred?" + +"Hatred?" he broke forth. "Would you add sarcasm to your trifling? You +have never for an instant been ignorant that I love you." + +It sounded strange enough, this confession of love, uttered in a voice +in which indignation and passion strove for the mastery, and with eyes +in which there was no tenderness, but a menacing gleam: the emotion +did, indeed, seem allied to hatred. + +"And is this the way in which to woo?--to seek a woman's love?" asked +Hertha, indignantly, while a secret dread, hitherto unknown to her, +stirred in her heart. + +"Woo?" he repeated, with extreme bitterness. "No, it is not; such +wooing would hardly be allowed me,--a young, insignificant officer with +a bourgeois name, owning nothing save himself and perhaps some hope for +the future. It would soon be made clear to me, and that after a +ruthless fashion, that I must not dare to lift my eyes to the Countess +Steinrueck; that her hand has long been promised to another who, like +herself, wears a coronet." + +Hertha bit her lip; the reproof went home,--such assuredly would have +been the conclusion of the affair. It had never occurred to the young +Countess Steinrueck to do more than trifle with the bourgeois officer, +but yet she felt disgraced by the discovery that she had been seen +through from the beginning. + +"You do not seem to perceive how insulting your words are," she said, +haughtily, "nor how offensive is this confession----" + +"Which, nevertheless, you insisted upon hearing," he interrupted her. +"Listen, then! I will not deny to you what cannot, indeed, be denied. I +will confront my fate, for it has come upon me like a fate. Yes, I have +loved you, Hertha, from the first moment of seeing you, and if I could +have hoped for your love in return the coronet of the Steinruecks would +not have deterred me for an instant. If my bliss were as far above me +and as unattainable as the Eagle ridge there, I would scale the heights +though every step threatened ruin. I would snatch it to my arms in +spite of all the world! But I was warned, warned by a child, who once +cozened from me my Alpine roses, to play with them for a while and then +to pluck them wantonly to pieces. Those are the same golden curls, +the same beautiful, evil eyes,--I knew them the first moment that we +met,--but never again shall those lips say to me with contempt, 'Go +away, I do not like you any more! I am tired of playing.' Those words +have rung in my ears through all the bewitching music of your voice. +The boy chose to have his flowers perish in the flames rather than +leave them in your grasp, and the man will crush and annihilate his +love, even though a part of his life dies with it,--it never shall be a +plaything in your hands!" + +Hertha had grown deadly pale; no one had ever before dared thus to +insult her, to hurl the truth so recklessly and unsparingly in her +face; but what did this man whom she had driven to extremity care +whether she were offended or not? The tempest which she herself had +evoked raged about her; she could no longer restrain its fury. She saw +this clearly as Michael stood before her all aflame and overwhelmed her +with this strange mixture of love and hatred. His every fibre vibrated +with intense passion, and yet he struggled against it with a force that +would not succumb. He was conquered, not subdued. + +"You will please release me, Lieutenant Rodenberg, from listening +further to such words as these," the young Countess said at last, +summoning up all her self-possession. "I will go and meet his +reverence." + +"No need to do so. I am going," said Michael; his voice was low but +firm. "I am aware that hereafter we can have nothing to say to each +other. Farewell, Countess Steinrueck." + +He bowed and went. Hertha did not see which way he turned, nor did she +perceive that the priest was approaching. She stood motionless. + +The wind was rising; the sprays of the wild rosebush waved and +fluttered above her head, the sea of clouds swelled and rolled nearer +and nearer, while the misty breakers seemed ready to descend in floods +upon the pastures. The transfiguring glow above the Eagle ridge had +faded, the golden phantoms had vanished: heavy gray masses of mist were +swimming there now; they sank lower and lower, and joined the dark +clouds below that were suddenly torn asunder, and with a quivering, +jagged flash it leaped forth,--the flaming sword of Saint Michael! + + + * * * * * + + +The storm passed down into the valleys in full force, and there, after +the lightning had flashed and the thunder had rolled for an hour, it +ended in a pouring rain. + +Through the dripping forest strode a young man whom the tempest had +overtaken. If Hans Wehlau had followed his friend's advice and pursued +the tiresome mountain-road, he would long since have reached Tannberg, +but he lost his way in the romantic forest, and struck into a path that +led him far away from his goal. A projecting rock afforded him some +shelter, but now, when it was growing dark and the rain was still +pouring, he had no choice save either to pass the night in the wet +forest, or to march on in hopes of finding a charcoal-burner's hut or +some other shelter for the night, and he decided upon the latter +course. + +At last the thick, close forest came to an end, and the young man, as +he emerged upon a clearing, saw at some distance a feeble ray of light. +The darkness and mist did not allow of his discovering what kind of +structure it was that lay before him upon a wooded height and +projecting only here and there from among the trees, but there +certainly were human beings living there, and thither, accordingly, the +young man directed his steps. + +The path leading up the height seemed to be in a very neglected +condition. Hans stuck fast several times in the swampy soil, and had to +cross first a brook that ran directly across the path, and then a +ruinous wooden bridge, and at last to pass through a gateway, where +only the stone pillars on either side were standing, the gate itself +being lacking. An apparently extensive building with walls and towers, +but in a ruinous condition, lay before the young man, but it had now +become very dark, so that it was with difficulty that, guided by the +ray of light he had first seen, he found a little closed door directly +beneath the lighted window. + +He knocked, at first gently, then louder and more persistently; after +the lapse of a few minutes the window above was opened, and a hoarse +voice asked who was there. + +"A stranger who has lost his way and begs for shelter for the night." + +"I have no shelter for vagabonds and tramps. Be off immediately!" + +"This is an amiable reception," exclaimed Hans, indignantly. "I am +neither a vagabond nor a tramp, but a respectable man, and quite ready +to pay for my night's lodging." + +"Pay? In the Ebersburg!" came from above just as indignantly. "This is +no tavern; go to where you came from." + +"That I shall certainly not do, for I came out of a rain-spout, and +have utterly lost my way in the forest. How can you leave a man +standing outside in such a storm and refuse to let him in? Open the +door!" + +"No!" said the hoarse voice, evidently provoked. "Stay outside!" + +"Deuce take it, my patience is exhausted!" cried the young man, +angrily, as a fresh fall of rain wetted him to the skin. "Open the +door, or I will break it down and take the old barracks by storm." + +And he began to beat at the door with his fists. What he had been +unable to procure by courteous means this change of manner effected; +his violence evidently impressed the invisible guardian of the place, +for after a few seconds his voice spoke in a much gentler tone, "Who +are you, and what do you want?" + +"I am at present a thoroughly drenched individual, and I want only to +be dried. Moreover, I am qualified to give the most satisfactory +explanations, if desired, with regard to my station, name, age, origin, +home, family, and so forth." + +"You are a man of family, then?" + +"Of course I am. Every man must have a family." + +"I mean noble family." + +"Of course. Now open the door." + +"Wait; I'll come," sounded encouragingly from above, and instantly the +window was closed and the ray of light vanished. + +"One has to be examined as to his pedigree before he is admitted here, +it seems," said Hans to himself, crowding up against the door to escape +the rain. "No matter. I should not mind in the least appropriating a +coronet if it would procure me a dry lodging for the night. Thank God, +they are opening the door at last!" + +In fact, a key was turned and a bolt drawn on the inside; the door then +opened, and an old man appeared, leaning upon a cane with his right +hand, and holding a lamp high in his left. + +His figure was lean and bent, but it must once have been tall and well +formed. The parchment-coloured skin, with its thousand lines and +wrinkles, made the face almost that of a mummy; the eyes were dim, and +from beneath a black cap a few straggling white locks stole forth. His +short walk seemed to have fatigued the old Herr, for he leaned more +heavily upon his cane, and coughed, while he lighted his guest into the +house. + +"I beg pardon for my rude persistence, but I was really almost +drowned," said Hans, with a bow, that sent the drops flying in all +directions. "Have I the honour of seeing the master of the house?" + +"Udo, Freiherr of Eberstein-Ortenau upon the Ebersburg," was the reply, +delivered with great solemnity. "And you, sir?" + +"Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg upon the Forschungstein," was the equally +solemn rejoinder. + +The name seemed to please the old gentleman; he inclined his head and +said, with dignity, "You are welcome, Herr Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg. +Follow me." + +He carefully closed and locked the door again, and then preceded his +guest to show him the way. They first passed through a hall, the roof +of which seemed to be defective, for the rain had left traces +everywhere on the floor. Then they ascended a narrow, steep staircase, +the stone steps of which were much worn, then traversed a seemingly +endless passage, where their footsteps on the tiles echoed loudly, and +in which the lamp carried by the lord of the castle was the only light. +At last he opened a door and entered with Hans. "Make use of this +apartment," he said, putting the lamp upon a table. "The storm has +disarranged your dress, I see. I will leave you while you change it, +and shall expect you at supper; until then, farewell, Herr von Wehlau +Wehlenberg." + +He waved his hand with an air of knightly courtesy and was gone. Hans +looked about him: the room was small, dark, and very scantily +furnished. The large canopied bed in one corner seemed the sole relic +of former grandeur, but its fine carving was shabby and worn, the +silken hangings were frayed, and the sheets were of the coarsest linen. + +"The best thing to do would be to go to bed as quickly as possible," +said Hans to himself, as he made arrangements for drying his clothes +near the stove; "but since this Freiherr von Eberstein-Ortenau has +invited me to supper, I must put in an appearance. Where shall I get +dry clothes? Perhaps I may find here somewhere an old suit of armour or +a mediaeval mantle that I can don. I think it would produce an +impression if I should walk into the ancestral hall clad in mail. Let +me see." + +He began to search, and soon found a cupboard in the wall, unlocked, +which seemed to contain the entire modest wardrobe of the lord of the +castle. Hans took possession, without compunction, of the best articles +in it, and had scarcely finished dressing when an old woman with a +kerchief tied round her head appeared, and in the broadest mountain +patois summoned 'the Herr Baron' to supper. + +"Only baron! I ought to have made myself a count at least," said Hans +to himself, as he obeyed the summons, following the old servant, who +conducted him to a room which seemed to be drawing-room and dining-room +combined. + +At the first glance it presented a stately aspect, but it was a strange +mixture of former splendour and present decay. The walls were covered +with fine wainscoting, but the ceiling was rudely whitewashed, and the +tiled stove was of a very common description. The same contrast +appeared in the furniture: high-backed oaken chairs stood around a +coarse pine table, articles of the meanest earthenware were ranged upon +a richly-carved corner cupboard, and the fine old pointed arched +window, the same whence had issued the ray of light seen by the +wanderer, was curtained with flowered chintz. + +"I must ask forgiveness for my presumption," said Hans, addressing the +master of the castle, who was seated in an arm-chair. "My dress was in +so disordered a state that, relying upon your kindness, I appropriated +this coat." + +He certainly did look oddly enough in the old-fashioned garb, but +withal so handsome, with his cheeks reddened by the keen mountain air, +and his curls still wet with the rain, that a smile hovered upon the +old Freiherr's thin lips, and he replied, kindly, "I am glad you found +what you wanted in my wardrobe. Sit down; I wish to ask you a +question." + +"Now comes the examination as to pedigree," thought Hans, and he was +not mistaken; his host went straight to the point. + +"Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg; that sounds well," he continued. "But the name +of your estate is rather uncommon. Where is the Forschungstein +situated?" + +"In Northern Germany, Herr Baron," replied Hans, without the quiver of +an eyelash. + +"I thought so, since I do not know it. I am thoroughly acquainted with +all the Southern German families of rank and their estates. My own +family is one of the most ancient. It dates from the tenth century, +according to historic proof, and is probably much older. I suppose +there are no families so old as that in Northern Germany?" + +He was evidently about to question his guest as to his genealogical +tree; but Hans, with great skill, frustrated his intent by asking a +question himself. "Pray, whom does this picture represent? It struck me +as soon as I entered." And he pointed to a painting upon the opposite +wall. It was the half-length portrait of a man of about forty, with +dark hair, brilliant dark eyes, and nobly-formed regular features, +which did not, however, express any high degree of intelligence. The +dress, apparently a uniform, was partly concealed by a cloak, and the +portrait was certainly modern. As the lord of the castle turned to look +at it he seemed utterly to forget pedigrees and centuries, and asked, +eagerly, "Do you like the picture?" + +"Extremely! What a handsome head! and admirably painted too. An +Eberstein of course?" + +The old gentleman looked half flattered, half displeased, as he +replied, slowly, "Yes, an Eberstein. You do not recognize him, then?" + +Hans started; he glanced first at the portrait, and then at the +shrunken figure before him, with its wrinkled features and weary eyes. +"It cannot--is it your own portrait, Herr Baron?" + +"It is mine, and thirty years ago it was said to be extremely like. I +take no offence at your not recognizing it; I am but an old ruin, like +my Ebersburg." + +The words sounded so infinitely sad that Hans made haste to try to +console the old man. "But I distinctly recognize the features now," he +said. "There was something familiar to me in them from the first, but I +took the picture for a likeness of one of your sons." + +"I have no sons," Eberstein rejoined, sadly; "my race perishes with me, +for my first marriage was childless, and my second brought me only a +daughter. I cannot imagine where Gerlinda is. I must call her." He +thereupon arose with difficulty, and hobbled to the closed door of the +next apartment. + +"Gerlinda von Eberstein,--ugh!" Hans said to himself. "It sounds like a +drawbridge and portcullis. A mediaeval chatelaine, I suppose; and as the +father is over seventy the daughter must be at least forty; at all +events I need not be shy about presenting myself before her in this +costume." + +He looked towards the door, although with a very moderate degree of +curiosity, but he suddenly arose as if electrified, for what appeared +upon the threshold in no wise answered his expectations. + +There stood before him a very young girl in a plain, gray stuff gown, +her dark hair simply parted, and braided at the back of her head. The +child-like face was rather pale, but, if not regularly beautiful, was +exquisitely lovely. The eyes were cast down, and were veiled by dark, +drooping lashes. The Freiherr must have married for the second time +very late in life, for his daughter was at the most but sixteen years +old. + +"Hans, Freiherr von Wehlau Wehlenberg of Forschungstein, my daughter +Gerlinda;" the lord of the castle made the introduction with all due +solemnity. Hans was so surprised that he bowed low twice, which +salutation the young girl returned by an extremely stiff inclination, +something between a courtesy and a nod. Then, with eyes still downcast, +she took her place at the table, where a cold supper was set forth, and +the very frugal meal began. + +The old Freiherr was loquacious, and talked incessantly with the guest, +who had won his heart by admiring the portrait, but Fraeulein Gerlinda +was very taciturn. She fulfilled quietly and attentively all her duties +as hostess, but maintained a perfectly stiff wooden demeanor, and met +with a persistent silence all Hans Wehlau's attempts to converse with +her. Her father replied in her stead to the young man's remarks, and +her face was as immovable as if she heard not a word. + +"The poor child seems to be deaf and dumb," Hans said to himself. "It +is a pity, for her face is lovely. I wish she would lift her eyes for a +moment." + +He made a last attempt to induce her to speak by asking her directly +how long she had lived upon the Ebersburg, and whether it was not very +lonely here in winter, but her father again replied in her stead: "We +live here all the year round, and my daughter has been used to this +solitude from her earliest childhood. I have given my consent, however, +to her shortly spending a few days at Steinrueck, at the urgent +invitation of the Countess, who is her godmother. You are acquainted +with the Countess Steinrueck?" + +"I have that honour." + +"An old family, but full two hundred years younger than mine," the old +man remarked, with much complacency. "The founder of their race is +first spoken of in the Crusades; unfortunately, there is a blot on +their scutcheon, a _mesalliance_ of the worst description, dating about +thirty years ago; until then the family records were stainless." + +"Ancient as the Crusades, and to be overtaken by such a misfortune in +the nineteenth century!" Hans exclaimed, with an indignant expression +that won him a nod of approval from his host. + +"A misfortune indeed! You are perfectly right, and seem to have a +lively appreciation of rank and position which it pleases me extremely +to see. Yes, Count Michael has recovered from the blow. I never could +have done so; it would have crushed me to the earth, for my escutcheon +is stainless, absolutely stainless!" + +He began a long heraldic dissertation upon the aforesaid escutcheon, in +which he played with the centuries and with the comparatively modern +race of Steinruecks as if they were but babies in arms. Hans paid very +little attention; he was racking his brain with conjectures as to +whether Fraeulein Gerlinda von Eberstein were really a deaf-mute or not; +and so absorbed was he that the Freiherr at last noticed his absent +manner, and asked him if he were listening. + +"Of course; so stainless a pedigree cannot but excite my admiration. +The Eberstein-Ortenaus, then----" + +"Have borne that double name since the fourteenth century," the +Freiherr completed the young man's sentence. "Gerlinda, child, tell our +guest how it occurred." + +Fraeulein Gerlinda clasped her hands upon the table, without raising her +eyes, and, with a face as expressionless as ever, she suddenly, to the +guest's dismay, began to speak, or rather to rattle off after the +manner of a child repeating a lesson learned by rote: "In the year +thirteen hundred and seventy a feud arose between Kunrad von Eberstein +and Balduin von Ortenau, because the hand of Hildegund of Ortenau had +been refused to the Knight Kunrad of Eberstein, and the Ebersburg, as +well as the fortress of Ortenau, was sacked several times, until, in +the year thirteen hundred and seventy-one, the Knight Balduin was taken +prisoner by the Ebersteiners and thrown into the castle dungeon, where +at last he consented to the union of Hildegund with Kunrad, which union +was celebrated with great pomp in the year thirteen hundred and +seventy-two, and in consequence, in the year thirteen hundred and +eighty-six, upon the death of the Knight Balduin, the fortress of +Ortenau and the lands belonging to it came into the possession +of the lords of Eberstein, who since then have borne the name of +Eberstein-Ortenau." + +"Wonderful!" said Hans, who was really thunderstruck at this +performance of the supposed deaf-mute. He could not understand where +she got the breath for her long speech; he had lost his with simply +listening. + +"Yes, my Gerlinda is well versed in the history of our house," said the +Freiherr, triumphantly. "She remembers it even better than I do, for my +memory is beginning to fail me. Yesterday she corrected me in a date, +when I was speaking of the enfeoffment of Udo von Eberstein. You +remember, my child?" + +As if the hitherto motionless pendulum of a clock had been set going by +this question, Fraeulein Gerlinda started off again and told a much +longer story, this time from the fifteenth century, about a certain +Eberstein who in a certain battle had saved the Emperor's life and had +been by him endowed with a certain castle. All the hard names and the +numerous dates fell from her lips with the greatest fluency and +certainty, but with a monotony of intonation that reminded one of the +clapper of a mill, the more so as her speech came to a pause as +suddenly as it began. Hans involuntarily pushed back his chair a +little, the whole scene partook of the supernatural. The Freiherr, +however, who received this as an expression of admiration, seemed +inclined to initiate him still further into the chronicles of his race, +when the old clock in the corner struck the hour of nine. + +"Nine o'clock already," said Eberstein, as he rose from his chair. "We +live very regularly, Herr von Wehlau, and are wont to retire at this +hour, a custom which I doubt not your fatiguing ramble in the forest +will make grateful to you. I wish you a calm and refreshing night in +the Ebersburg." + +"That was terrible!" said Hans, with a sigh, when he found himself +alone in his sleeping-room in the old castle. "That old man of the +tenth century, and that little chatelaine whom I took for deaf and +dumb, and who chatters out the old chronicles like a magpie, have +nearly turned my brain. I am completely mediaeval, and have become +extremely exclusive since I have been Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg of the +Forschungstein." + +Thereupon he went to bed, and dreamed that the old Freiherr was going +through all Northern Germany with a lantern to find the Forschungstein, +and that Fraeulein Gerlinda, disguised as a magpie, was fluttering +beside him, chattering incessantly about Kunrad von Eberstein and +Hildegund von Ortenau; and when they could not find the Forschungstein, +they seated themselves in the branches of their genealogical tree and +ascended with it up, up and away into the tenth century, and a very +imposing spectacle it was. + +When Hans waked the next morning the sun was shining brightly into his +room, and his clothes were sufficiently dry to be donned. It was still +very early, and no one seemed to be stirring in the house: so he +resolved to inspect by daylight the house, which he had reached in +darkness and storm. He issued from his room into the long corridor, +which was lit by a narrow window, and without much difficulty succeeded +in finding the winding staircase with the worn steps, by which he +descended into the front hall and thence into the open air. + +Undoubtedly the Ebersburg had formerly been a strong and stately +castle, perhaps destroyed and rebuilt several times in the course of +centuries. Now it was but a ruin. The greater part of it had fallen to +decay, and all that was left of the once solid masonry seemed tottering +to its fall. In the castle court-yard the grass grew luxuriantly, and +an entire generation of bushes and small trees had sprung up, making +the place an actual thicket. From the roof of the old watch-tower, +which was still apparently in repair, green grasses were nodding, and +rooks were flying in and out of the window openings. Fragments of +masonry were lying about, with here and there remains of the ancient +apartments. + +The only wing still standing, that which was now inhabited by the +Freiherr, presented a dreary aspect. The ruins were at least +picturesque, but the attempts to patch up this part of the castle only +brought into stronger relief the decay of the building. The crumbling +masonry had been coarsely whitewashed, the missing doors and windows +had been replaced in the rudest fashion, and where the rooms were not +used boards had been nailed over the apertures. The magnificent old +balcony had been supplied with a thatched roof, and the broad stone +steps of the entrance hall had been replaced by wooden ones. + +Hans Wehlau's artist's eye was outraged by this sight, and he turned +again to the ruins, forcing his way through the green thicket in the +court-yard, and at last, through an opening in the wall that might once +have been a gate-way, he emerged upon the former castle terrace. Here, +however, his wanderings were stayed, for from the lower story of the +watch-tower, apparently used as a stable, there issued a joyous +bleating, and immediately afterwards a goat came leaping through the +door-way into the open air, followed by Fraeulein Gerlinda, dressed, in +spite of the earliness of the hour, in the gray dress of the evening +before, and carrying carefully in both hands a small wooden milk-vessel +filled to the brim. + +This unexpected encounter astonished both the young people. Gerlinda +stood as if rooted to the spot, and the guest could not but divine that +Fraeulein von Eberstein, with her long line of ancestry dating from the +tenth century, had milked the goat with her own high-born hands that +there might be milk for breakfast. Her evident dismay embarrassed Hans +too, so that he could not utter any fitting phrase, but bowed in +silence. Fortunately, the goat comprehended the annoying nature of the +situation, and put an end to it by merrily leaping up upon the stranger +and then rubbing so affectionately against her young mistress that the +vessel in her hands was shaken and part of the milk was spilled. + +This was a happy interruption of the pause of embarrassment; Hans made +haste to take the milk, which Gerlinda allowed him to do, saying +gently, by way of excuse, "Muckerl is so glad to get out into the air." + +"Thank heaven she can utter something besides mediaeval chronicles!" +thought Hans, enchanted with her remark. He expressed his pleasure in +Muckerl's liveliness, asked exact information as to her age and state +of health, and meanwhile placed the milk in safety by setting the +vessel down upon a projection of the wall, for Muckerl was scanning him +with a highly critical air, and seemed rather inclined to repeat her +charge at him; the next moment, however, thinking better of it, she +turned her attention to the luxuriant grass that covered the ground. + +The view from the Ebersburg was not an extensive one; the castle lay +secluded in a deep hollow of the valley, and the mountains rising on +all sides were thickly wooded, but the old ruin nestled among delicious +green, the tree-tops rustled gently in the morning air, and the birds +twittered among them. + +The morning sun lay broad upon the ancient castle terrace. Here all +around, to be sure, were ruin and decay, but vigorous, luxuriant life +was striving compassionately to conceal the desolation. There were +broad breaches in the wall bounding the terrace, but wild shrubs and +bushes grew there, forming a living breastwork; the huge watch-tower, +where the rooks were flying in and out of the windows, was wreathed +round with thick dark-green ivy; amid the gray fragments of stone lying +about were nestling tender mosses, and vigorous wild vines were +trailing everywhere. Upon every stone, from every crack in the walls, +hardy plants were springing and thrusting themselves forth, while over +everything brooded the deep, dreamy stillness of early morning. + +In the midst of these relics of vanished splendour the last scion of +the Ebersteins, in her gray Cinderella costume, stood leaning against +the wall. All the primness and stiffness of the previous evening had +vanished; the young girl was evidently confused at finding herself +alone with the stranger guest, and looked up at him with the expression +of a frightened child. Thus for the first time he could see her +eyes,--a pair of beautiful brown eyes, soft and shy as those of a +gazelle; they were in perfect harmony with the lovely face. + +The silence lasted some time; Hans was so taken up with gazing into the +eyes that were at last unveiled for him that he forgot to resume the +conversation, and when he did so at last, it was in a purely mechanical +way, as he involuntarily continued the subject of the previous evening. + +"I have just been inspecting the Ebersburg," he began. "It must once +have been a stately pile, which could give its enemies enough to do, +and at the time of the feud, when Kunrad von Ortenau and Hildegund von +Eberstein--no, I have transposed their names." + +His mention of the names was unfortunate; as soon as Fraeulein Gerlinda +heard of the middle ages she became as prim and stiff as an image of +wood; her long eyelashes drooped, as did her head, and she began in the +old monotone, "Kunrad von Eberstein and Hildegund von Ortenau, in the +year of our Lord----" + +"Yes, yes, Fraeulein Gerlinda, I remember all about it;" Hans +interrupted her in dismay. "Through your kindness I am thoroughly well +informed as to the chronicles of your family. I merely meant to remark +that a residence in this old mountain stronghold must be very +monotonous. You make a great sacrifice to your father in staying here. +A young lady longs to be abroad in the world, to enjoy life." + +Gerlinda shook her head in dissent, and suddenly opened her mouth to +say, with all the infallible wisdom of a philosopher of seventy, "The +world and life are worth nothing!" + +"Nothing?" asked the young man, surprised. "Where did you learn to be +so sure of that?" + +"My papa says so," Gerlinda replied, with much solemnity. Evidently her +father's utterances were those of an oracle to her. "The world grows +worse with each century, and now shows abundant signs of final +annihilation, since the nobility no longer receive the homage due +them." + +Her eyes were again stubbornly downcast, and she spoke in a tone that +vividly recalled to her hearer his dream. His lips twitched oddly, but +he contrived to say, quite seriously, "Yes, the nobility. But there are +some other men beside them in the world." + +Fraeulein Gerlinda looked surprised; she seemed to mistrust this fact +and apparently reflected profoundly, remarking at last, as the result +of her reflections, "Yes, of course,--the peasants." + +"True. And we cannot utterly dispute the existence of even other +classes of human beings. Literary men, for instance, artists, in whose +ranks I belong----" + +Fraeulein Gerlinda opened wide her brown eyes and repeated, "Among the +artists?" + +"Absolutely," Hans said to himself, quite forgetting his elevated rank, +"she thinks me a mediaeval specimen too;" and he added, aloud, +"Assuredly, Fraeulein Gerlinda, I occupy myself with art, and flatter +myself that I have attained a degree of proficiency in it." + +The young lady seemed to think such an occupation very derogatory. +Fortunately, she recalled the fact that a certain Eberstein, in a +certain century, had taken up with astrology, and that partly explained +Herr Wehlau Wehlenberg's extraordinary tastes, but she nevertheless +felt herself called upon to repeat to him a saying of her father's: "My +papa says that a man of an ancient, noble line ought to make no +concessions to the present; it is beneath his dignity." + +"That is the Herr Baron's opinion," said Hans, with a shrug. "He seems +to have been so entirely secluded from the world that he has lost all +sympathy with it; others of his rank, however, feel very differently. +Look, for example, at the Counts von Steinrueck, whose family is just as +old as yours." + +"Two hundred years younger," Gerlinda interrupted him, indignantly. + +"Quite right; full two hundred years. I remember their ancestors are +first met with in the Crusades, while yours date from the eighth +century." + +"From the tenth." + +"Certainly, from the tenth! It was a slip of the tongue; I meant, of +course, from the tenth century. But to return to the Steinruecks: Count +Michael is a general in command; his son was, I think, attached to our +embassy in Paris; his grandson has some official position. They are all +men of the present, and would hardly coincide with your father in +opinion; and you, too, will differ from him when you have seen +something of life and the world." + +"I do not want to see anything of them," Gerlinda said, softly and +timidly. "I am afraid of them." + +Hans smiled; he drew a step nearer, and bent down towards the girl; his +voice sounded sweet and tender, as if he were speaking to a child. +"That is very natural; you live here in such seclusion, in a fairy +world, long since faded from reality, like the palace of the Sleeping +Beauty in the fairy-tale. But some time the day will come when the +hawthorn hedges will part asunder, and the green walls open, a day when +you will awaken from your enchanted sleep; and believe me, Fraeulein +Gerlinda, your eyes will open then not upon the dust and mould of +centuries, but upon the warm, golden sunshine that floods our present +age, in spite of all its conflicts and trials. Ah, you will learn to +love it all." + +Gerlinda listened in silence, but a faint, happy smile playing about +her lips betrayed her knowledge of the story of the Sleeping Beauty. +She slowly raised her eyes, only for an instant, and dropped them +hastily; that which shone upon her in the young man's gaze might +perhaps be a ray of the light he had promised her; she suddenly flushed +crimson and turned hastily away. + +Muckerl certainly was a very intelligent goat, for she had quietly +continued to browse, only glancing gravely now and then towards the +pair, and appearing on the whole quite satisfied with the course of the +conversation. But the matter now must have begun to look grave to her, +for she suddenly left her breakfast and ran to her young mistress, +beside whom she placed herself, as if on guard. + +"I believe--I ought to go back to the castle," said Gerlinda, scarcely +audibly. + +"Already?" asked Hans, who had not observed that half an hour had been +consumed in talk. + +They set out together, Hans carrying the milk, Fraeulein Gerlinda beside +him, and Muckerl following, gravely nodding her head from time to time. +The affair evidently had a suspicious look to her,--why had the two +suddenly fallen silent? + +An hour later Hans stood at the foot of the Ebersburg. He had taken +leave of the Freiherr and of his daughter without laying aside his +incognito, for fear of causing the old gentleman unnecessary annoyance. +What mattered it that the Freiherr should continue to regard him as a +'mediaeval specimen'? The adventure was at an end; it was not likely +that he should ever again see the Ebersburg. + +He glanced up once more at the gray pile, taking a last look at the +sunny castle-terrace, and the much-lauded present to which he was now +returning seemed terribly prosaic compared with the fairy-tale that he +had dreamed up there in the midst of the green waving forest, in those +ancient ruin? where all around was blooming fair and fresh, with the +little Dornroeschen who had retired to her solitude, and was dreaming of +the knight who was to break through the hedge and waken the Sleeping +Beauty with a kiss from her magic slumber. The young fellow suppressed +a sigh, and said, half aloud, as he turned away, "After all, it is a +pity that I am not really Hans Wehlau Wehlenberg of the +Forschungstein." + + + * * * * * + + +A gay company was assembled at Steinrueck, in thorough enjoyment of the +hunting season, and of the long sunny autumn days. No one was invited +to make a long visit, however, save Gerlinda von Eberstein, who had +arrived some days since; but each day new guests made their appearance +and others departed. Hertha and Raoul Steinrueck usually formed the +centre of this brilliant society. It had long been known that the two +were destined for each other, and that the announcement of the +betrothal would probably soon take place; therefore when the general +issued invitations for a large entertainment every one knew that it +would be the occasion for this public announcement. + +The evening was at hand, and the entire castle was filled with the +activity wont to precede some important festivity. Servants were +running to and fro, here and there decorations were being completed, +and the reception-rooms were already a blaze of light. + +The family, with the exception of Gerlinda and Hertha, had just entered +these rooms. Count Steinrueck, with the widowed Countess on his arm, +looked unusually cheerful: to-day was to bring him the fulfilment of +his dearest wish; the betrothal of the last two scions of his house was +to be celebrated at their ancestral castle, and thus the prosperity of +his line was assured,--all the Steinrueck possessions would be united +under one master. + +Hortense, who followed him leaning on her son's arm, also looked +proudly content. In her rich and tasteful toilette, and by the +artificial light, she looked very beautiful, and far outshone her +cousin; that pale, delicate woman was indeed cast into the shade. Raoul +was gay and good-humoured; a cloud now and then darkened his brow for a +moment, but it quickly vanished, and he lavished the tenderest +attentions upon his mother. + +"We limited the invitations as much as possible," said Hortense, as she +looked through the lighted apartments, "and yet there will scarcely be +room for our guests. That is the worst of these old mountain castles, +that have no large ball-room and no extended suite of rooms; it is +impossible to give an entertainment in them!" + +"They were not built for any such purpose," said the general, quietly. +"They were intended for a home within, and for protection and defence +without. They certainly do not conform to modern requirements, least of +all to yours, Hortense; you never loved Steinrueck." + +"In that respect I perfectly agree with mamma," Raoul interposed. "What +delights me here is the hunting in these mountain forests. The castle +itself, with its dim, confined rooms, its endless, echoing corridors, +and its steep, dark staircases, always seems to me like a prison. I +breathe a sigh of relief when I escape from it." + +"You seem entirely to forget that this ancient pile is the cradle of +your race, and as such should be dear and sacred to you even if it lay +in ruins," said the general, with some acerbity. + +Raoul bit his lip at this very distinct reproof. "Pardon me, +grandfather, I have all due reverence for our ancestral home, but I +cannot possibly think it beautiful. Now, if it were the cheerful sunny +castle in Provence, with its Eden-like surroundings, its past so rich +in legend and in song, where long ago I used----" + +"You mean the castle of Montigny?" Steinrueck interrupted him, in a tone +which admonished the young Count to desist. + +His mother, however, went on in his stead: "Certainly, papa, he means +my lovely sunny home. You can understand that it is as dear to us as +yours is to you." + +"Us?" the general repeated, in a tone of cold inquiry. "You should +speak only for yourself, Hortense. I think it very natural that you +should be attached to your paternal home, but Raoul is a Steinrueck, and +has nothing to do with Provence. His attachment belongs to his +fatherland." + +The words sounded half like a threat, and Hortense, irritated, seemed +about to reply angrily, when the Countess, her cousin, who perfectly +understood the state of feeling in the family, quickly changed the +subject. "Our young ladies seem to be late," she remarked. "I begged +Hertha to help Gerlinda a little with her toilette; the poor child has +not the least idea of how she ought to look." + +"The little demoiselle seems to be of a very limited capacity," Raoul +said, sarcastically. "She is usually as silent as the tombs of her +ancestors, but as soon as you touch the historic spring, she begins to +chatter like a parrot, and a whole century comes rattling down upon you +with terrific names and endless dates; it, really is fearful." + +"And yet you are always the one to induce Gerlinda to make herself thus +ridiculous," the Countess said, reproachfully. "She is much too +inexperienced and simple-hearted to suspect a sneer beneath your +immense courtesy and extravagant admiration of her acquirements. Can +you not leave her in peace?" + +"She really provokes ridicule," Hortense interposed. "Good heavens, +what toilettes! and what curtsies! And then when she opens her mouth! +You must forgive me, my dear Marianne, but it is almost impossible to +introduce your _protegee_ into society." + +"That is not the poor child's fault," said Marianne. "She was so +unfortunate as to lose her mother when she was very little; she has +seen nothing of the world, has known no one except her father, and he, +in his eccentricity, has absolutely done everything in his power to +make the girl unfit for social intercourse." + +"I admire your patience, Marianne, in still having anything to do with +Eberstein," said Steinrueck, "I went to see him once, long ago, because +I pitied him in his isolation, but I think he told me six times in the +course of my visit that his family was two centuries older than mine, +and there was no getting a sensible word out of him. He seems now to +have become almost childish." + +"He is old and ill, and it is a hard fate to pine away in poverty and +loneliness," the Countess said, gently. "Since he was forced by his +gout to retire from the army, he has nothing to live upon save his +pension and the old ruins of the Ebersburg. If he could only be +persuaded to let Gerlinda leave him for a while, I should like to take +her to Berkheim, or to the city, where we shall spend some time this +winter; but I suppose it will be impossible to induce him to spare +her." + +"Selfish old fool!" said the general. "What is to become of the poor +child when he closes his eyes? But our young ladies are indeed late; it +is time that they were here." + +This was true, but no exigencies of the toilette had caused the delay. +Hertha was in her room entirely dressed; she had dismissed her maid, +and was standing before her mirror gazing steadily into its depths. She +might have been supposed to be lost in the contemplation of her own +beauty, but her eyes had a strange dreamy look in them, and evidently +saw nothing of the image before them; they were gazing abroad into +space. + +The door was softly opened, and Gerlinda appeared. The two young girls +had always been much together whenever the family were at Steinrueck, +but there was not the slightest intimacy between them. Gerlinda looked +up with timid admiration to the brilliant Hertha, who accorded the girl +at most a compassionate toleration, and at times even ridiculed her +unmercifully. To-day, too, the 'little demoiselle' gazed at the young +Countess with admiration, devoid of the slightest envy of Hertha's +bridal loveliness, as she stood before the mirror dressed in white +satin falling in soft folds about her perfect figure. A single white +rose in her hair was its sole ornament, and a bunch of half-opened buds +lay on her dressing-table. + +"How beautiful you are!" said Gerlinda, involuntarily. + +The young Countess turned with a smile, which, however, was not one of +gratified vanity. "I can return the compliment," she replied. "You look +most lovely to-night." + +The young girl no longer wore the gray Cinderella gown: the Countess +had taken care that her god-child should be suitably attired on this +occasion; but Gerlinda was evidently oppressed by her unwonted +splendour. Perhaps, too, she felt how unsuited she was to this +brilliant circle, and this made her still more shy. She stood before +Hertha, timid and embarrassed, scarcely daring to raise her eyes. + +"Only you must not stand in that ridiculously prim attitude," said +Hertha. "On that lonely Ebersburg you absolutely forget how to move +about among people. You see no one there but your father, and perhaps +the peasants of the village where you attend mass." + +Gerlinda was silent and hung her head. No one? She thought of the guest +who had arrived in the storm and rain and had departed in the sunshine; +but she had never mentioned him hitherto, although his coming had been +a great event in her lonely life. An involuntary shyness closed her +lips; least of all could she have spoken of it here and now. The memory +of the sunny morning dream in the ruinous old castle was not for the +ear of the young lady who could so coolly tutor and criticise her +little friend. + +Hertha turned away, and as she did so she accidentally brushed from her +dressing-table her bouquet, without noticing its fall. Gerlinda picked +it up. + +"Thanks," said Hertha, indifferently, as she took the flowers. They +seemed to have been but loosely put together, for one of the roses had +become detached from its sister buds and lay directly at the feet of +the young Countess, who looked down at it with a rather strange +expression. Perhaps she was thinking of that other evening when just +such a fragrant half-opened bud had fallen from her hand, only to +perish beneath the tread of an iron heel. + +"Let it alone," she said, as Gerlinda was about to stoop again. "What +does a single rose matter? I have enough here." + +"But it is your lover's gift," said the young girl. + +"I am going to carry these this evening, and Raoul cannot ask anything +more. If the formal congratulations were only over! It is so deadly +tiresome to listen to the same thing from everybody, and to have to +respond to all those conventional phrases. I am not at all in the mood +for it to-night." + +The words sounded impatient, and there was nervous impatience in the +way in which she began to pace the room to and fro. Gerlinda's eyes, +opening wide with amazement, followed the proud, queenly figure in the +trailing satin robe; she could not understand how a girl at her +betrothal should not be in the mood to receive congratulations, and she +asked, naively, "Do you not like Count Raoul?" + +Hertha paused suddenly. "That's an odd question. What put it into your +head? Certainly I like him; we have been brought up for each other. I +knew when I was a child that he was to be my husband. He is handsome, +gallant, amiable, my equal in name and rank; why should I not like him? +I suppose you think that there ought to be in a marriage of to-day all +the romance of your old chronicles, where the lover had to fight and +struggle for his bride. You told us such a story yesterday about some +Gertrudis----" + +"Gertrudis von Eberstein and Dietrich Fernbacher," Gerlinda hastily +began, as if the name had been a cue. "But she could not marry him, +because he was not of knightly descent, but only the son of a +merchant." + +"She could not?" said Hertha, tossing her head. "Perhaps she would not; +probably she felt a repugnance at the idea of exchanging the ancient +name of her race for that of a wealthy tradesman. Can't you understand +that, Gerlinda? What would you do if, for example, you loved a man +beneath you in rank?" + +"It would be dreadful!" said the little demoiselle, with all the horror +natural to an offshoot of the tenth century, adding, with entire +conviction in her tone, "My papa says that could not happen." + +"But it has happened, and in your own race. How did the affair end? did +your ancestress give up her Dietrich?" + +Poor Gerlinda was not in the least aware that she was continually the +butt of Hertha's and Raoul's sarcasm, and that they were always +inducing her to make herself ridiculous. She was desirous of showing +her gratitude for the hospitality extended to her, and she supposed in +her ignorance and innocence that every one at Steinrueck was interested +in the stories which to her were so vastly important. So she clasped +her hands gravely, and began to recite, in her usual manner, an extract +from her family chronicles, which did not on this occasion end with a +happy marriage, as in the case of Kunrad von Eberstein and Hildegund +von Ortenau, but with a parting. The story was long, and there was an +endless succession of the noble names and the dates which Raoul found +so terrible, but the young Countess was not in a mocking mood to-day. +She had gone to the window, and stood there motionless, looking out, +until Gerlinda concluded: "And so Gertrudis was married to the noble +lord of Ringstetten, and Dietrich Fernbacher went on a crusade against +the infidels and never returned." + +"And never returned,--never!" Hertha's lips uttered the words softly +and dreamily, while again the strange expression appeared in her eyes +which seemed to be gazing at something in the far distance, beyond the +mist and gloom that veiled the landscape outside. + +There was a long silence, which Gerlinda hardly dared to break; but at +last she said, gently, "Hertha, I think it is time." + +Hertha looked up as if awaking from a dream. "Time? For what?" + +"For us to go down; they are expecting us." + +"True, true; I had forgotten! Go first, Gerlinda. I will come +immediately; I have a trifle to arrange about my dress. Pray go!" + +The words sounded so like a command that the young girl obeyed without +further delay, and she had hardly reached the staircase leading to the +lower story when she was met by a servant whom the general had sent to +beg that the young Countess would make haste, since the first carriage +had just driven into the courtyard. + +Gerlinda turned to deliver the message herself; her footfall was +noiseless, and she opened the door of Hertha's room as noiselessly, but +paused in dismay upon the threshold. + +Hertha was sitting, or rather lying, in an arm-chair by the window, +with hands clasped convulsively and head thrown back, while from +beneath her closed eyelids tear after tear coursed down her cheeks, and +her breast rose and fell with wild, passionate sobs. The young girl was +weeping,--weeping as violently and painfully as the child had wept +formerly when the white Alpine roses, snatched from her destructive +hands, had perished in the flames. + +"Hertha, dear Hertha, what is the matter?" Gerlinda exclaimed, +hastening to her side. + +The girl sprang up, her eyes flashing with anger. "What do yon want? +Why did you come back? Can I never be one moment alone?" + +"I wanted--I came only to get you," said the young girl, retreating +timidly. "Count Steinrueck begs you to come down; the guests are +beginning to arrive." + +Hertha arose and passed her handkerchief across her eyes. In a moment +all trace of tears had vanished, and the young Countess stood calmly +before her mirror, to give a last glance of inspection, as she took up +her bouquet. "Let us go, then." + +They went; the satin train rustled over the stairs, and a few minutes +later they entered the reception-room, where Countess Hertha was +awaited with impatience. + +Carriage after carriage rolled into the court-yard; the guests began to +fill the rooms, and at the end of an hour all were assembled, and +General Steinrueck announced in due form the betrothal of his grandson +to the Countess Hertha. + +Every cloud had vanished from Raoul's brow, he had eyes only for his +betrothed, standing proud, beautiful, and triumphant at his side, with +a smile for every congratulation, for every compliment. All thought +this very natural, as was the beaming content on the face of the +general, whose special work this betrothal was. He had with a firm hand +united those which birth, name, and wealth should of right join +together, and what a handsome, happy couple they made! + + + * * * * * + + +A dull October sky hung above the endless sea of houses of the capital, +extending more widely with every year. There was the usual bustle in +the principal streets, where the crowd, the noise, and the rattling of +carriages were confusing enough to any one coming from the quiet +seclusion of the mountains to plunge into this flood of life. + +General Steinrueck had his apartments in the military public buildings, +where he occupied a suite of rooms on the first floor. Its arrangement +was, so far as the Countess Hortense's apartments were concerned, +comfortable, and even luxurious. Steinrueck conformed to his +daughter-in-law's taste in this regard, and let her have her own way in +all outward matters, although otherwise he kept a tight rein on his +family affairs. His position enabled him to live expensively, in spite +of the comparatively small income derived from his estates. + +The general's special rooms, on the contrary, were plainly furnished, +and his study was almost Spartan in its simple arrangement. No tender +half-light reigned here, as in the Countess's drawing-room; there were +no soft rugs or Oriental hangings; even the artistic decoration of +pictures and statuary was lacking. The daylight entered broad and clear +through the tall windows, papers, letters, and books were carefully +arranged upon the writing-table, the furniture of light oak, destitute +of carving and covered with dark leather, could not have been plainer, +and the pictures on the walls were evidently of value only as family +relics or as mementos. The room was made for labour and not for luxury, +and in its strict simplicity it corresponded perfectly with the +character of its occupant. + +Steinrueck was seated at his writing-table, talking with his grandson, +who had just returned from Berkheim, whither he had escorted his +betrothed and her mother. Raoul really looked like a happy lover; his +face was all sunshine as he told of his journey; and the Count's stern +features too were lit up by a smile; the fulfilment of his favourite +scheme made him gentler and more accessible than was his wont. + +They had been talking of the visit which Hertha and her mother were to +pay them, and of the marriage which was to take place in the coming +summer, and Raoul said at last, "You will have to dismiss me, +grandfather; this is the time for your military audience." + +"Not yet," the general replied, with a glance at the clock. "We have a +quarter of an hour yet, and, moreover, there is nothing special for +to-day,--only a few introductions and reports from younger officers." + +He took a written list from his writing-table and looked over it. +Suddenly his face darkened, and he muttered, half aloud, "Ah, to-day, +then." + +Raoul, who was standing beside his grandfather's chair, had +also glanced at the list, and had noticed a name with which he +was acquainted. "Lieutenant Rodenberg. Has he been appointed +staff-officer?" + +"Do you know him?" asked Steinrueck, turning hastily. + +"Slightly. I went upon a hunting excursion last year with the +Rodenbergs. I suppose he is one of the sons of Colonel Rodenberg, +commanding officer at W----." + +"No," said the general, coldly. + +"Not? I did not know that there was any other of the name in the army." + +"Nor did I; and I made the same mistake that you have done. I ought to +explain to you, Raoul, who this Rodenberg is. Your mother has probably +informed you long since as to our family history." + +The young Count started, and looked inquiringly at his grandfather. "I +know that this name is one to arouse painful associations. It cannot +be----" + +"Louise's son," Steinrueck said, sternly. + +"Good heavens, this is too much!" exclaimed Raoul in dismay. "Is that +wretched story, which we supposed buried in oblivion long since, to be +revived? The boy was said to have run away, to be dead, or worse. How +comes this fellow, the son of an adventurer, to occupy such a +position?" + +The general frowned; at the moment the old warrior's _esprit de corps_ +outweighed all else, even his antipathy to the discarded and detested +son of 'the adventurer.' Michael wore a sword, and was therefore not to +be calumniated in his presence. "Take care!" he said, sternly. "You are +speaking of an officer in the army, of a very capable officer, with +regard to whom such expressions are not allowable." + +"But, grandfather, you cannot but perceive that this Rodenberg may +annoy us extremely, precisely because he is an officer, and as such +justified in meeting us on terms of social equality. How are we to +treat him? And he comes to the front just at this time, when my +betrothal to Hertha makes us especially conspicuous in society. Of +course his first object will be to proclaim abroad his relations with +us." + +"I doubt it, or it would have been done long ago. No one at present +knows anything of the matter, as I have taken pains to ascertain. He +certainly must know that we are not inclined to acknowledge any +relationship." + +"No matter for that. Acknowledged or not, he will sooner or later +proclaim himself the grandson of Count Steinrueck, and take advantage of +the fact. Do you really imagine that any bourgeois officer would +renounce such advantage and suppress his relationship with the general +in command?" + +"I shall certainly endeavour to silence him upon the subject. You are +right; at this particular time any revival of old, long-buried stories +should be avoided at all hazards. I have seen Rodenberg but once; but +from the impression I have of him I do not think that an appeal to his +sense of honour will be in vain. He will not obtrude himself upon a +family that does not choose to know him, and he has at least as much +reason as we have to consign his father's memory to oblivion. However +the affair may turn out, you must not utter a word concerning it to +your betrothed or to her mother. They accidentally became acquainted +with Rodenberg, and have not the slightest idea who he is." + +"Just as I said! This man's being an officer is a positive misfortune," +exclaimed Raoul, angrily. "In any other sphere of life he could be +ignored; now he has already found an opportunity for presenting himself +to the ladies of our family, doubtless with some ulterior motive. Of +course they must not know who he is. How Hertha, in her pride, would +scorn such a cousin! The matter must be kept absolutely secret, cost +what it may. We surely are willing to make any sacrifice if----" + +"You seem to forget that you are speaking of _Lieutenant_ Rodenberg," +the general sharply interrupted him. "One cannot purchase silence of an +officer in our army; the most that can be done is to appeal to his +pride. He must and will understand that there is no honour in a +connection with the son of his father; this is the only way in which he +can be influenced." + +Raoul was silent, but his manner showed that he did not share in this +view of the case. Further conversation was impossible, for Lieutenant +Rodenberg was at that moment announced, and the general gave orders +that he should be admitted. "Leave me," he said in an undertone to +Raoul; "I wish to speak with him alone." + +Raoul obeyed, but just as he was about to leave the room Rodenberg +entered, and the two young men met in the door-way. Michael bowed +slightly to the stranger, who merely bestowed upon him a half-hostile, +half-contemptuous glance, and was about to pass him without further +notice. The young officer, however, confronted him for a moment, +barring his way without a word, but with an expression in his eyes that +so authoritatively demanded the recognition of his salute that the +Count half involuntarily returned it. He inclined his head and +withdrew. Steinrueck observed this scene, which lasted only a few +seconds, and little as he approved of his grandson's discourtesy, he +was almost angry with him for yielding as he did. + +Michael now approached, and the keenest observer would never have +suspected the existence of a tie of relationship between the two men. + +The subaltern made his report in strict accordance with prescribed +rules, and his superior officer, cool, grave, and attentive, received +it in the usual way. Neither for an instant departed from strict +military rule. But when all that the occasion required had been said +and the young officer awaited his dismissal, the general addressed him: +"I should like to discuss with you a matter of some moment to us both. +When we first met, neither the time nor the place was fitting for such +a discussion; to-day we are undisturbed. May I request your attention?" + +"I am at your Excellency's command," was Michael's brief reply. + +"Your bearing at that first interview proved to me that you understand +in their entire scope the relations existing between us; how those +relations are regarded by each of us remains to be explained." + +"I see no necessity for any explanation on that point," Michael said, +coldly. + +The general bestowed a dark glance upon him; he had judged it best to +preserve a cold, proud demeanour during this interview that might repel +beforehand any familiarity of approach, and he now encountered a +behaviour quite as haughty as his own: there was nothing here to repel. +"But I see the necessity for our understanding each other," he rejoined +with sharp emphasis. "You are the son of the Countess Louise Steinrueck" +(he did not say "of my daughter"). "I can neither deny this nor prevent +you from laying claim to a perfectly legitimate relationship. Hitherto +you have refrained from doing so, and have treated the matter as a +secret, which leads me to hope that you yourself perceive the +undesirability of a revelation----" + +"Which you fear," Michael completed the sentence. + +"Which I at least deprecate. I will be perfectly frank with you. You +have probably heard from Colonel Reval that an entertainment was lately +given in my house to celebrate the betrothal of my grandson, Count +Raoul, with the Countess Hertha Steinrueck, with whom, I believe, you +are acquainted." + +Something like emotion flashed up for an instant in the young officer's +face, but it was gone before it could be perceived, and he replied, +with apparently perfect composure, "So I have heard." + +"Well, then. The marriage will shortly take place. During the winter +the betrothed couple will appear at court, and in society. This union +of the two last scions of my race renders it doubly my duty to keep the +escutcheon of that race free from every stain. I do not wish to offend +you, Lieutenant Rodenberg, but I presume that you are acquainted with +your father's mode of life and with his past?" + +"Yes." + +The word came harsh and curt from the quivering lips, but it did not +reveal the man's mental torture. + +"I am sorry to touch upon such a subject to a son, but unfortunately I +cannot avoid doing so. You are entirely guiltless in the matter, and +you will hardly be a sufferer by it. Your intimate connection with +Professor Wehlau prevents any annoying investigations. I hear that you +pass for the son of an early friend of his, who has been brought up in +his household; a perfectly satisfactory expedient. Moreover, your +father has been dead more than twenty years, and he spent the latter +part of his life in foreign countries. Then, too, so far as I know, he +never openly transgressed any law of the land." + +The words were like a dagger thrust,--'so far as I know!' Michael had +grown ghastly pale; he made no reply, but shot a baleful glance at the +man who so pitilessly stretched him on the rack, and who continued in +the same cold, calm manner: "The affair would wear an entirely +different aspect if you should mention your mother's name. It would, of +course, create a vast sensation in aristocratic circles, and in the +army it would give rise to endless gossip, which would be annoying, and +perhaps dangerous, for in such cases rumour always transcends reality, +and all that has been buried in oblivion for half a lifetime would be +ruthlessly dragged to light. I leave it to you whether you could or +would endure to have your father's memory thus resuscitated. With +regard to my position in the matter, I can only appeal to your sense of +justice, which will tell you----" + +"Stay!" the young officer interrupted him in a half-stifled tone. +"Spare me further words, your Excellency. I have already told you that +this entire explanation was superfluous, since I have never for an +instant contemplated giving publicity to a relationship quite as +distasteful to me as to you. I thought I had made this sufficiently +clear at our first interview, when I declined your offered 'patronage.' +I see now that it was to have been the price of my silence." + +Michael's words were uttered with extreme bitterness, and his hand +rested heavily upon the hilt of his sword, but he preserved his +self-control, although by an extreme effort of will. The general +probably perceived this, for he said, in a tone perceptibly gentler, +"That is a very erroneous view of the case. I repeat, I do not wish to +offend you." + +"You do not?" Michael burst forth, indignantly. "What is this entire +interview but an offence, an insult, from first to last? What do you +call it, then, this subjecting a son to listen to such words regarding +his father, clearly explaining to him the while that therefore he +himself has forfeited all claim to consideration? I can neither defend +nor avenge my father,--he has deprived me of the right to do so,--and +you suppose that I do not suffer under this consciousness! There was a +time when it wellnigh ruined me, until I roused myself to do battle +with the phantom. I am but at the outset of my career. I have no record +to show as yet. When a lifetime filled with honest effort and +fulfilment of duty lies behind me, that old phantom will have vanished. +Men are not all as pitiless as yourself, Count Steinrueck, and, thank +God! all have not an escutcheon that must be kept free from stain." + +The general suddenly arose with the commanding air with which he was +wont to rebuke presumption or arrogance. "Take care, Lieutenant +Rodenberg; you forget in whose presence you are." + +"In that of my grandfather, who can, perhaps, forget for a few moments +that he is also my general. Fear nothing; it is the first time that I +ever called you thus, and it will be the last. For me there are no +tender or sacred associations with the name. My mother died in misery +and want, in agony and despair, but she never once opened her lips to +ask aid of him who could have saved both her child and herself by a +word. She knew her father." + +"Yes, she knew him," said Steinrueck, sternly. "When she fled from her +father's house to be the wife of an adventurer she knew that every tie +binding her to her home was severed, that there could be no return, and +no reconciliation. Will her son presume to condemn the severity of an +outraged father?" + +"No," replied Michael; "I know that my mother openly defied you, that +she had forfeited her home, and that if the father's heart was silent, +and only his sense of justice spoke, he could not but repudiate her. +But I know, also, that her worst crime lay in her following a bourgeois +adventurer. Had he been her equal in rank, the prodigal, debauched son +of some noble family, she would not have been so irrevocably condemned, +her father's arms would have been opened to her in her misery, and her +son would not now have had his father's memory cast up to him as a +disgrace. I should have inherited an ancient name; all else would have +been carefully suppressed. Most assuredly I should not have been +consigned to the hands of a Wolfram, that I might go to ruin." + +The general's eyes flashed, but he gave up treating the young officer +any longer as a stranger; he now spoke angrily, but it was to a +grandson: "Not another word, Michael! I am not accustomed to be thus +addressed. Of what do you dare to accuse me?" + +"Of what I can vouch for, for it is the truth," declared Michael, +returning the Count's look of menace. "It would have been easy for you +to place the orphaned boy in some remote educational establishment, +where you never would have seen or heard of him, but where at least he +might have been made fit for something in life; but this was just what +must not be. Therefore I was exiled to a lonely forest, where, with +only rude and rough companionship, blows and hard words were all the +instruction I received; where all intellectual aspiration was +suppressed, all talent ignored, and the only aim was to make of me a +rude, ignorant boor, whose life was to be wasted in the depths of the +forest. A stranger hand snatched me from that misery. I owe my +education, the social position in which I now confront you, to a +stranger. To my near relatives I should have owed only intellectual +death." + +Steinrueck seemed speechless at the young officer's incredible audacity, +but it was not that alone that silenced him. Once before, years +previously, he had heard similar words; the same reproach had been +uttered by a priest. Now they were hurled in his face with fiery +energy, and the accusation came from the lips of him whom he certainly +had hoped to make harmless by a 'peasant life.' Count Michael was not +the man to receive an offence or an insult in silence; but now he had +no reply to make, for he felt the truth of what the young officer had +said. If he had formerly refrained from any clear analysis of his mode +of action, it was distinctly revealed to him now as in a mirror, and it +was an ugly sight,--one quite unworthy the proud wearer of the +Steinrueck name. + +"You seem not yet to have entirely forgotten Wolfram's teaching," he +said at last. "Do you wish to raise another disturbance, as you did +formerly at Steinrueck? This looks like it." + +He could not have done worse than to evoke this memory. Ten years had +passed, but Michael's blood still boiled at the remembrance which +goaded him to fresh indignation. "Then you called me thief," he said, +in a terrible tone; "without proof, without examination, upon a mere +suspicion! You would have allowed any one of your servants to exculpate +himself, but your grandson was immediately pronounced a criminal. Yes, +I then seized upon the first thing at hand that could serve as a +weapon; I did not know that it was my own grandfather that had so +disgraced me, but from the hour when I learned it I was filled with a +burning desire for retribution." + +"Michael!" the general interrupted him, warningly "Not another word in +that tone, which is unbecoming both to your superior officer and to +your mother's father. I forbid it, and you must obey!" + +When Count Steinrueck spoke in this tone he was accustomed to implicit +obedience; but here, for the first time, his personality failed of its +effect. Even Raoul, who was by no means easily daunted, bowed before +the angry glance of those eyes, but Michael did not bow. He did, +indeed, by an effort recover his self-possession, but if his voice +sounded more quiet and controlled, it had lost none of its firmness. + +"As your Excellency commands. I did not seek this interview: it was +forced upon me; but I imagine you are now entirely relieved of all fear +lest I should presume upon any tie of relationship. You fancy yourself, +with your ancient pedigree, exalted far above the world around us; you +have, with an iron hand, thrust out and blotted from your life the only +member of your family who dared to defy your pride of ancestry. But +your escutcheon is not, after all, as high as the sun in the heavens; +there may come a day when it will wear a stain that you cannot wipe +out. Then you will know what it is to be obliged, while a passionate +love of honour glows in your heart, to atone for the sin and the +disgrace of another, as you now force me to expiate the memory of my +father; then you will comprehend what a pitiless judge you have been +towards my mother. May I consider myself dismissed, your Excellency?" + +He stood erect in stiff military guise. The general did not reply; +something like a shudder thrilled through him at Michael's words, +sounding as they did almost prophetic; for an instant there rose before +his mind something dark and formless, like a foreboding of coming evil, +but it faded instantly. He mutely motioned to the young officer to +withdraw, and Michael went without one backward glance. In another +minute the door was closed behind him. + +When Steinrueck was alone he began to pace the room restlessly to and +fro, but his glance rested again and again upon a portrait on the wall +of himself as a young officer. No, there was no resemblance between +that handsome head, with its nobly-formed, regular features, and that +other characteristic but plain face, not the least! And yet those very +eyes had flashed at him from that face; it was his voice that he had +heard from Michael's lips, and his was the inflexible pride, the iron +resolve which did not shun a strife with whatever life might bring; the +resemblance lay, not in the features, but in the look and the air. + +This was borne in irresistibly upon the mind of the Count, as he stood +still at last, and gazed fixedly and gloomily at his youthful +presentment. He was indignant, offended, and yet there was in his soul +a glimmer of something which had always been lacking in his thoughts of +his son and his grandson,--the consciousness that there existed an heir +of his blood, and of his character. He had tried in vain to discover a +trace of it in Raoul,--in vain! But the repudiated son of the outcast +daughter, the young man who had just left his presence as a stranger, +had this blood in his veins, and in spite of all his hatred and +indignation his grandfather felt that he was an offshoot of his race. + + + * * * * * + + +Professor Wehlau occupied a moderately-sized but very pretty villa in +the western part of the city. The garden attached to it was large, and +the comfortable and tasteful arrangement of the whole bore witness to +the fact that advanced science is in no wise hostile to the amenities +of life. + +The winter was nearing its end; March had begun, and the air was full +of hints of spring. In the Wehlau mansion, however, there was always a +threatening of storm; the discord between father and son was still far +from being resolved into harmony, and the 'thunder-cloud,' as Hans +disrespectfully dubbed his father's mood, frequently lowered above his +head. This was the case to-day, when the young artist was sitting in +the study of the Professor, who had just emptied the vials of his wrath +upon his disobedient son. + +"Look at Michael," he said at last, in conclusion. "He knows what it is +to work, and he gets on in the world. Here he is a captain at only +twenty-nine,--and what are you?" + +"I wish Michael would for once make an infernal ass of himself!" Hans +said, fretfully, "just that I might not have his excellence forever +dinned into my ears. You behold in the new-fangled captain the future +general field-marshal, who will win no end of battles for our country, +and in your son, your own flesh and blood, a fellow of undoubted +genius, you see nothing to admire. Really, father, it is past +endurance." + +"Have done with your nonsense!" Wehlau interrupted him in the +worst possible humour. "You would fain persuade me that you are +'industrious'! Of course, according to your artistic conception of the +word! Run about and amuse yourself for half the day, under the pretence +of making studies, and spend the rest of it playing all kinds of pranks +in the various studios! And then comes the inevitable Italian tour, +when amusement is the order of the day, all of course in the interest +of art! And that you call working industriously! Oh, the life is +precisely to your taste, and, moreover, it is the only one for which +you are fit." + +These reproaches, unfortunately, produced not the slightest effect. +Hans seated himself astride of his chair and rejoined without any +irritation, "Don't scold, papa, or I will paint you life-size and +present the portrait to the university, which will, you may be sure, +return me a vote of thanks. I have long wanted to ask you to sit to +me." + +"This is too much!" the Professor burst forth. "I positively forbid you +to represent me with your daubs." + +"Then come at least and see my studio. You have never seen one of my +'daubs.'" + +"No," growled Wehlau, "I will not put myself in the way of being so +irritated; crazy, idealistic stuff,--faded sentimentality,--at best +some exasperating caricature. You never can go beyond that, as I know +well enough. I do not want to see or to hear anything of the matter." + +"But you have heard something of it already," the young artist said, +with exultation. "When I sent the portrait of my master, Professor +Walter, to the exhibition, various newspapers discussed it; one of them +even introduced a very agreeable variation of the usual theme, 'the son +of our distinguished investigator;' it said, 'the talented son of a +distinguished father!' Take care, papa, I shall one day cast all your +scientific fame into the shade. But will you excuse me now? I am to +have some distinguished visitors." + +Wehlau shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. "Fine visitors, I've no +doubt!" + +"The Countesses Steinrueck, an it please you." + +"What! they are going to pay _you_ a visit?" The Professor gazed at his +son in surprise. + +"Of course; we are beginning to be famous, and we receive the +aristocracy in our studio. It is not all in vain to be the 'talented +son of a distinguished father.' Are you really determined not to sit to +me for your portrait, papa?" + +"Confound you, no!" shouted the Professor. + +"Very well; then I shall paint you clandestinely, and shall send you +treacherously to the exhibition. Adieu, papa!" + +And with the most amiable smile, as if the best understanding reigned +between himself and his father, Hans withdrew. Outside the door he +encountered Michael, who had just come home, and who asked him whether +the Professor were in his study. + +"Yes; but there is thunder in the air again," said Hans. "Come to the +studio for half an hour, Michael, after you have seen my father. I want +to make a slight change in my picture, and I must have you." + +The young officer nodded compliance, and went to the Professor, whose +gloomy face brightened somewhat at his entrance. + +"I am glad you are come," he said. "Hans has just irritated me to such +a degree that I fairly long for the sight of a sensible man." + +"What has Hans been doing now?" + +"Nothing at all; that's just it. I have been remonstrating with him +about the idleness to which he has been given over for the past five +months, and which he is pleased to call work. And what effect do you +suppose I produced? None, except to make him more nonsensical than +ever. That boy will be my death." + +"Do not be unjust, uncle," said Michael, reproachfully. "You know that +Hans is at work upon an important picture, and I assure you that he +works very hard, although you persistently refuse to bestow a glance +upon it. I should suppose that you, as well as the rest of us, have had +sufficient proof of his talent. His portrait of Professor Walter made +quite a sensation; it was universally admired, and the newspapers even +alluded to----" + +"To 'the talented son of a distinguished father!'" Wehlau angrily +interrupted him. "Are you going to harp upon the same string? Have I +not had to endure all sorts of congratulations, and have I not been +rude enough in reply to them? But 'tis of no use. Every one sides with +the boy; everybody takes his part, and is immensely delighted with the +trick he played me at the university." + +"Even Professor Bauer took his part, as you call it, when he stopped to +see you on his way through the city," interposed Michael. + +"Yes, that capped the climax. 'Do you know,' I asked him, 'how that +wretched lad of mine employed himself at your lectures? He caricatured +you and your audience. He made a sketch of you, recognizable at once, +surrounded by all the emblems of natural science, stirring up the four +elements in a witches' caldron, while your favourite pupils were +blowing the fire.' And what was his reply? 'I know, my dear friend, I +know. I saw the picture, and it really was so clever, so capitally +done, that I had to laugh and forgive my recreant pupil on the spot; do +you do the same.'" + +"You had better take his advice, uncle. However, I only meant to say +good-morning. I promised Hans to go to his studio." + +"To his studio?" the Professor said, with a sneer. "There must be a +deal going on there. I wish that pavilion in the garden had been dark +as pitch, and foul with damp, rather than have that fellow daubing +there. He has taken up his abode right under my nose, as if it were the +most natural thing in the world. Go, go, for all I care, to the +'studio'! The aristocracy may stare, if they choose, at what it +contains,--I'll not set my foot inside it, you may rely upon that." + +He turned grumbling to his books, and Michael, who knew that it was +best to leave him alone in his present mood, betook himself to his +friend. + +The pavilion in which the young painter had temporarily set up his +modest studio was at the end of the garden, and contained one +good-sized room. A window had been closed up, another enlarged, a +skylight had been put in, and thus had been arranged the studio that so +outraged the Professor, all the more that his permission had never been +asked for these changes. Hans always pursued the same line of conduct +with his father. 'Certainly, sir,' was his constant phrase, while he +calmly and persistently acted in direct opposition to his parent's +commands; this being in fact the only way to deal with the choleric old +Herr. + +Wehlau had in the harshest terms refused to supply his son with the +means for renting a studio, and Hans, who as yet had no income of his +own, was forced to submit. But that very day he took possession of the +garden pavilion, sent for masons and carpenters, had everything +arranged according to his wishes, and when his father returned from a +short excursion he found the bill for the whole upon his writing-table. +Of course the Professor was furious; he protested that he would have +nothing of the kind upon his property, and would not even glance +towards the pavilion; but he paid the bill, and Hans had again carried +his point. + +At the present moment the young artist was standing before his easel, +painting away at a large picture, while Michael stood opposite him with +folded arms, leaning against a short pillar. Conversation was evidently +at a stand-still, quite ten minutes having passed without a word from +either of the two; suddenly Hans paused in his work and said, "I tell +you what, Michael, you're no good to-day." + +Michael seemed to have entirely forgotten that he was there as a model +for his friend. There was something in his look of the old boyish +dreaminess. At the sound of Hans's voice he started as if awakening. +"Who? I? Why not?" + +"There it is! Yon start like a somnambulist suddenly awakened. What +were you thinking of? You have been a perfect John-a-Dreams since we +came back from the mountains. You are not the same fellow at all." + +The young captain passed his hand across his forehead and smiled in a +constrained way. "I think I need active service. I may have overtasked +my brain during these last few months." + +"Probably. You are a thorough fanatic in respect to work,--quite unlike +myself. But please do me the favour of adopting another expression of +countenance; I can do nothing at all with your present melancholy air." + +"How shall I look, then?" + +"As furious as possible. Just as my papa looks when he surveys my +studio at the distance of a couple of hundred paces, only grander, more +heroic. Oh, you can look just as I want you to, and I have been +tormenting myself for weeks with trying to put what I mean on canvas, +and in vain. I must copy it from nature, and you must help me." + +"I cannot understand why you are so persistently determined to make use +of my face," Michael said, impatiently. "It is not at all suitable for +an ideal picture, and it is not in the least like the face you have put +upon your canvas." + +"You don't understand," Hans declared, with an air of conviction. "Your +face is the best model I could have. Of course I shall not make the +thing a portrait. All that I can use of your features is already in the +picture. But the expression,--the eyes are all wrong! I wish I could +provoke you to the last degree,--put you into such a passion with +something that you would like to hurl it into an abyss ten hundred +thousand fathoms deep, after the example of your namesake with the Evil +One,--then I should be all right!" + +"Your desire is very disinterested. Unfortunately, there is little hope +of its fulfilment, for I am not in a mood to be provoked." + +"No, you are in a very tiresome mood, to which your face is admirably +adapted; we must give it up for to-day. 'Tis a pity; I should like to +give the characteristic expression to my archangel to-day, for he is to +be marched out before the aristocratic family whose patron saint he +is." + +He laid aside his palette and brush with a sigh, but Michael had +suddenly grown attentive. + +"Before whom is he to be marched out?" said he. + +"Before the Countess Steinrueck and her daughter---- What's the matter?" + +"Nothing; I am only surprised that they should visit your studio. Did +you invite them to come?" + +"Not exactly, but it came about in the course of conversation. I met +the ladies yesterday at Frau von Reval's; they asked about my pictures, +the subject of this one seemed to interest them, and they arranged to +come here to-day. I have a suspicion that they are thinking of giving +me a commission for the church of their patron saint, which would +gratify me hugely, for it would prove to my father that my 'daubing' +might have practical results; at present he thinks it all child's play. +What! are you going?" + +"Certainly; you do not want me any longer." + +"No; but I told the Countess, who asked after you, that you were always +at home at this time, and would be delighted to pay your respects to +her." + +Michael's face grew dark; he seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then +said, coldly, "Then I cannot but stay." + +"Assuredly not, if you would atone in any degree for your +unconscionable behaviour in the summer. The Countess Hertha was +evidently provoked about it; I perceived that very clearly when you +were spoken of. Moreover, she was very grave and depressed yesterday." + +"Happily betrothed as she is?" + +There was contempt in the tone of inquiry, but Hans took no notice of +it as he went on: "Why, as for her future happiness, I should hardly go +surety for that. If the old general thinks he can restrain his grandson +and keep him within bounds by this marriage, he is greatly mistaken." + +"How so? What do you know of the young fellow?" asked Michael. + +"I hear enough of him. An artist frequents all kinds of society, and I +have met the young Count several times. He is undeniably attractive, +talented, chivalrously amiable, but I am afraid---- There come the +ladies. Their carriage has just driven up. I call that punctuality." + +He had cast a glance through the window, and had seen the Countess +Steinrueck and her daughter in the act of alighting from their carriage, +which was drawn up before the garden-gate. He hastened to receive them, +and in a few minutes ushered them into the studio. + +Captain Rodenberg had not seen the ladies since meeting them at St. +Michael's, although they had been in town for six weeks, for they +frequented aristocratic circles almost exclusively. The Countess +returned his salutation with her accustomed gentle cordiality. She no +longer reproached him for not coming to Castle Steinrueck, in spite of +her express invitation, for she had learned in conversation with the +general that the young officer for some reason or other was not liked +by his chief. He probably was aware of this, and hence his reserve; but +the gentle lady felt herself all the more called upon to treat him with +the greatest kindness. + +"We have not seen each other for a long time," she said, offering him +her hand; "and our last meeting at St. Michael was disturbed by my +daughter's indisposition. Hertha was very imprudent to stay out in the +open air while a storm was coming up, and then to come home through the +rising tempest. It was fortunate that the rain fell only in the +valleys, or her cold might have had serious results." + +Michael touched the offered hand with his lips, and bowed low to the +young Countess, who had taken advantage of the first available pretext +to avoid a meeting which, after the scene on the mountain roadside, +would have been impossible for each of those concerned. He had seen the +ladies only for an instant, when he had taken leave of them as they +were getting into their carriage. Now the young Countess hastily +interposed, "It was of no consequence, mamma; I begged you to hasten +your departure only because I knew how anxious you always are." + +"Nevertheless, you were indisposed for several days," observed her +mother. "I am sure that Lieutenant Rodenberg, or rather----" She +glanced at his uniform. "You have since been promoted, I see. Let me +congratulate you, Captain Rodenberg." + +"He has worn his new dignity for two weeks now," said Hans. "I have +begged permission to paint the future general as soon as that rank is +attained." + +The Countess smiled. "Well, who knows? Captain Rodenberg advances +quickly in his career. We, too, have had an event in our family, of +which you may have heard; my daughter has been betrothed." + +"I am aware of it." Michael turned to Hertha, whose eyes for the first +time encountered his own. He was forced to utter his good wishes upon +the occasion of her betrothal; but if she looked for any sign of +agitation in his manner, any trace of the passionate gleam that +sometimes proved the traitor to his cold reserve, she was mistaken. His +bow was as coolly courteous as his words were purely conventional. They +could not have been more politely or more indifferently uttered to one +whom he had never before seen. + +"Countess Hertha is in her haughtiest mood to-day," Hans thought, +observing the air with which she received Michael's good wishes, as he +led the ladies to the picture, which occupied the prominent place in +the studio, although it was only partly finished. The life-size figure +of the Archangel stood forth powerfully and effectively upon the +canvas, but the face was unfinished, and the head of the Fiend was only +sketched in. Nevertheless, the grandeur and boldness of the conception +of the picture were manifest, as were also the technical skill and the +artistic force of the young painter, who might well be content with the +impression produced by his work. + +Hertha, who first approached the picture, shuddered slightly, and cast +a glance of surprised inquiry at the artist, while her mother, who had +followed her immediately, exclaimed, eagerly, "That is--no, it is not +Captain Rodenberg, but you have made your archangel strikingly like +him." + +"Very naturally, since he was my model," Hans said, with a laugh. "I +have indeed only made use of his characteristic expression,--one of +indignant reproof." + +The Countess seemed quite carried away by the picture, and was lavish +in her praise. Hertha thought the conception fine, the composition +broad, the colouring magnificent, but while noticing and admiring all +this, she had no word of praise for the countenance of the Saint. + +Hans, with his wonted amiability, played the part of cicerone to the +ladies in his studio, since they were desirous to see all his work. He +brought out a picture that had been leaning face to the wall, set it +up, and was endeavouring to place it in the best light, while the +Countess opened a large portfolio lying upon the table, containing a +number of sketches and studies, all the result of the young artist's +last autumnal excursion,--clever drawings of huntsmen and peasants in +the national costume, with here and there a head of some pretty +peasant-girl; there was a sketch--slight enough, but wonderfully +like--of the priest of Saint Michael, and there were various mountain +and forest views, all so fresh and full of life that the Countess +turned over leaf after leaf with delight. Suddenly Hans perceived what +she was doing, and hurried towards her as if to guard his portfolio +from attack: "Allow me, madame,--the portfolio is very awkwardly +placed. Let me show you the sketches," he said, hastily, pushing +forward a chair with eager courtesy, and beginning to lay the sketches +out upon the table one by one. As he did so, he took one of them, +apparently by chance, and laid it aside. + +"Am I not to see that drawing?" the lady asked, a fleeting glimpse +having shown her a study of the head of a young girl. + +"Oh, it is not worth showing. A mere study,--a failure," the young man +declared, but his face flushed as he spoke. + +The Countess shook her finger at him: "Aha! Herr Hans Wehlau seems to +have secrets of his own. Who can tell what romances have been woven +among the mountains?" + +Hans defended himself with a laugh; but when the portfolio had been +looked through, and the Countess turned to the picture he had placed +on an easel, he thought it best to hide his 'failure' behind a +window-curtain, where it was quite safe from curious eyes. + +Hertha was still standing before the large painting, and Michael was at +her side. He made no attempt to avoid her, but kept his place with +perfect composure, and went on talking of his friend's talent, of his +prospects, of his intention to compete for the prize offered for a +large historical painting, and of the sketches he had already made of +it. The entire absence of constraint in his conversation was a relief +to the young Countess, although it slightly embarrassed her. Woman of +the world though she were, she could hardly adopt the same tone +after--after that hour at Saint Michael. + +"I frankly confess," she said, in an undertone, "that this picture of +Herr Wehlau's surprises me. We have known only one side of his talent. +His sketches and caricatures at M----, where we met him, were clever, +and abounded in merriment, like himself. I should not have credited him +with the force, the energy, shown in this work." + +"And yet it has been play to him," observed Rodenberg. "Hans is one of +those fortunate beings who attain the highest aims almost without any +effort. To all his other physical and mental endowments a kind fate +added this talent, which lifts him far above all commonplace +existence." + +"A kind fate, indeed. Do you not envy your friend these gifts?" + +"No; I should scarcely know how to prize them, for I value highest what +must be struggled for. Hans, with his constantly cheerful, sunny +disposition, is born for the smiles and sunshine of existence; I am +created more for the tempests and conflicts of life. Each has a part to +play." + +Hertha gazed at the picture that portrayed a scene of tempest and +conflict. She knew that the man beside her could contend not only with +an enemy from without, but with himself, if need were. She had seen him +when his every fibre was quivering with passion, and yet here he stood +beside her, perfectly composed and calm; not one traitorous glance gave +the lie to his repose of manner. Her presence seemed to produce not the +slightest effect upon him. + +"Do you prefer conflict, then?" she asked, with something of a sneer. +"You seem to me very ambitious, Captain Rodenberg." + +"It may be so. I certainly wish to rise, and no one can do so who does +not at the outset fix his eyes upon a lofty goal. I can never be aided +and abetted by circumstances, like my friend Hans, but it is surely +worth something to be conscious of being entirely self-dependent; to +know that you have no one save yourself, and that you likewise belong +to no one save yourself." + +Quietly as the words were uttered, there was iron resolution in them, +and they were comprehended. Hertha suddenly turned her eyes full upon +the speaker, with something like anger gleaming in their depths. "And +you really think thus? Can ambition, indeed, indemnify you for all +else?" + +"Yes," was the cold reply. "All that I carry towards the future with me +is gratitude to the man who has been a father to me, and friendship for +his son; in all other respects I have cleared away everything from my +path." + +The young Countess's lip quivered slightly, but she held her head +proudly erect as she said, "Good fortune attend you, Captain Rodenberg. +I do not doubt that you will make a career for yourself." + +She turned away to her mother, but while together they discussed his +sketches with the young painter, Hertha's thoughts were busy with the +last conversation. She could not have been more distinctly informed +that Michael had come off conqueror in his struggle, and the conviction +that this was the case aroused an inexplicable emotion within her. He +had chosen to crush out and annihilate his love, and speedy success had +crowned his efforts. + +When the Countess took leave of the young artist, Michael paid his +farewell respects in the studio, while Hans escorted the ladies to +their carriage. When he returned, he made haste to take the 'failure' +from its hiding-place and to put it in a separate portfolio, which he +locked up. "There would have been a pretty to-do if the Countess +had seen this," said he; "she would instantly have recognized her +god-child, and what would have become of the dignity of Hans Wehlau +Wehlenberg of the Forschungstein? He would no longer have formed a part +of the chivalric reminiscences of the Ebersburg." + +"Whom did the picture represent?" asked Michael, who had been pacing +the floor, lost in thought. + +"Gerlinda von Eberstein. I drew it from memory. I told you of my +adventure among the mountains, and of my promotion in rank. 'Tis odd, +but I cannot help thinking continually of the little Dornroeschen, who +seemed so ridiculous, and yet was so lovely; she thrusts herself +between me and all other memories. Just now, in presence of the Fair +One with the Golden Locks, I was haunted by her sweet little face with +its dark eyes looking out so dreamily upon a world that vanished ages +ago. Moreover, Countess Hertha seems to me changed since her betrothal. +It is sure to be so in these _mariages de convenance_, where there is +no question of love. Count Raoul is not so very much devoted, either, +to his fair betrothed; he certainly is wilder and more dissipated than +ever, and I am greatly mistaken if he is not entangled elsewhere." + +Michael suddenly stood still. "What? Now? And betrothed? That would be +villanous!" + +Hans looked at him in surprise. "What a tragic tone! Are you acquainted +with the young Count?" + +"I first saw him at the general's, and since then we have met several +times. I was compelled to make it emphatically clear to him that he was +in company of an officer who, if need were, would exact the +consideration he seemed inclined to deny him. He seemed to understand +at last." + +There was a peculiar expression in the glance which the young artist +riveted upon his friend, while with apparent unconcern he took up his +palette and brushes and began to paint again. "You surprise me. Count +Raoul probably prides himself upon his long line of ancestors, but I +have never found him as haughty as is usual with his class. He must +have some reason for disliking you." + +"Or I for disliking him? I think each is pretty well aware of the +other's sentiments." + +"Aha! now it's coming," Hans muttered to himself, while he painted +away. Then aloud, he continued, quietly: "You see, I have only known +the amiable side of the Count. As for his betrothal, every one knows +that it is all his grandfather's doing. His Excellency commanded, and +the grandson bowed to his august will." + +"So much the worse, and the more pitiable," Rodenberg burst forth. "Who +forced him to obey? Why did he not refuse to comply? The fact is that +this much-lauded, accomplished Steinrueck is, with all his boasted +chivalry, but a poor coward where there is any need of moral courage." + +There was so passionate a hatred expressed in his words that Hans was +startled. But with the egotism of the artist, who has no regard save +for his work, and who overlooks all else, he never sought to discover +the cause of his friend's almost savage irritability. He continued to +gaze at him steadily, while his brush made stroke after stroke upon the +canvas. "I think the Count would have come to grief if he had attempted +any resistance," he observed. "They say the general preserves the same +discipline in his household as among his soldiers, and will not suffer +any opposition to his will. You know your iron chief. How would you +like to confront him with a frank 'no'?" + +"I have said much more to him than merely 'no.'" + +"You--to the general?" Hans was so astonished that for a moment he +stopped painting. Michael forgot all his usual caution, and went on, +carried away by his emotion: "To General Count Steinrueck? Yes. He tried +to quell me with his commanding glance, and ordered me to be silent in +the tone to which every one else bows; but I was not silent. He had to +hear from my lips what he had probably never in his life heard before. +I hurled it ruthlessly in his teeth, and he listened. Now, indeed, we +are done with each other, but he knows how much I value his name and +his coronet, and that as for him and his entire race, I----" + +"Would fain dash them down ten hundred thousand fathoms deep into the +burning pit! At last!" the artist burst forth, exultantly, as he laid +down his brush. "Bravo, Michael! Now you can be good-humoured again; I +have got it!" + +"Got what?" asked Michael. + +"The expression, the glance of flame, for which I have been looking so +long. You were incomparable in your indignation,--you were Saint +Michael himself." + +Rodenberg seemed to recollect himself for the first time; he bit his +lip. "And you have been all this time studying me in cold blood? Hans, +it is unpardonable." + +"Possibly, but it was necessary. Look at the picture yourself; see that +brow and those eyes. I hit it off with a few strokes of the brush." + +Michael, still irritated and annoyed, approached the easel and looked +at the picture. He was struck with the change in it, but before he +could speak Hans threw his arm around his shoulder and said, with +sudden seriousness, "Come, tell me about yourself and the Steinruecks. +Why do you hate Count Raoul, and what gives you the right to say such +things to the general, your chief? There must be something here which +yon have concealed from me." + +Rodenberg made no reply, and turned away. + +"Do I not deserve your confidence?" Hans asked, reproachfully. "I never +have had a secret from you. What are your relations with Steinrueck?" + +There ensued a brief pause, and then Michael said, coldly and sternly, +"The same as Count Raoul's." + +Hans stared at him in blank incredulity; he could not trust his ears. +"What do you mean? The general----?" + +"Is the father of my mother. Her name was Louise Steinrueck." + + + * * * * * + + +March of this year was a very disagreeable month. After being ushered +in by a few bright sunny days it veiled the city in gray mist and rain +for weeks. The first buds perished of cold and damp, and people gazed +out from behind their window-panes, disgusted with the spring month +that did so little honour to its name. + +On one of these rainy afternoons Count Raoul Steinrueck mounted the +steps and pulled the bell of the apartments upon the first floor of a +house in the fashionable quarter of the city. He must have been well +known to the servant who opened the door, for he merely bowed in answer +to the inquiry whether Herr de Clermont was at home, and admitted the +visitor without further question. + +The young Count entered the drawing-room, in which, in spite of its +rich furniture, an air of comfort was lacking. All the demands of the +prevailing fashion were fully met in its arrangement, but there was +nothing to indicate the individuality of the owners of the apartment. +Everything seemed placed where it was only for the time being, and to +suggest that the entire interior might shortly be removed, to be put at +the disposal of others requiring a temporary home. + +At the Count's entrance a young man who had been standing at a window +turned and came towards him eagerly. "Ah, here you are, Raoul! We had +given you up for to-day." + +"I have only half an hour," said Raoul, taking off his overcoat and +throwing himself into a chair with an ease betokening that he was quite +at home here. "I have just come from the department." + +"And the future minister has of course brought away a fit of +ill-humour," said Clermont, laughing. "Important government +business,--oh, we have no chance at all where that is in question." + +The conversation was carried on in French. Henri de Clermont was +perhaps a few years older than the young Count Steinrueck, and was +wonderfully attractive in appearance and manner, although the innocent +gayety of his air was not entirely in harmony with the keen glance of +his dark eyes, which were those of a sharp observer. They now rested +searchingly upon Raoul's countenance as he replied, impatiently,-- + +"Minister--government business--of course! If you only knew what an +endless waste of dulness and ennui there is to be struggled through. I +have been an entire year in the department, and nothing has yet fallen +to my lot save the veriest trifles. A Count Steinrueck is of no more +importance to our chief than is any one of his bourgeois officials, and +indeed not of as much if the latter happens to have a greater power of +application. You must rise from the ranks." + +"Yes, you Germans are wonderfully thorough in such matters," Clermont +said, ironically. "With us one rises more quickly with a name and +connections to aid him. And so you have been intrusted as yet with +nothing important?" + +"No." Raoul glanced impatiently towards the door that led into the next +apartment, as if expecting some one. "At best a transcript of some +confidential transaction, in which the name and position of the one +concerned are due warranty for his silence; and this may go on for +years." + +"If you can endure it. Do you really mean to remain in the government +employ?" + +The young Count looked up surprised. "Certainly; why not?" + +"That's an odd question for a man who is about to marry a very wealthy +heiress. You might live in future as sovereign lord upon your estates, +although I hardly think such an existence would satisfy you. You need +life, society, the stir and action of a capital. Well, contrive to +become attached to the embassy at Paris, as your father was before you. +It cannot be a difficult position to attain if one pulls the right +wires, and the dearest wish of your mother's heart would then be +fulfilled." + +"And my grandfather? He never would consent." + +"If he were consulted; but his power ceases with the termination of his +guardianship of your future wife. The will settles that. When does the +Countess Hertha come of age?" + +"Upon her twentieth birthday,--next autumn." + +"And then you need consult no one, and heed nothing save the wishes of +your young wife, who will hardly refuse to live with you in the capital +of Europe, its brilliant centre. The general's views can then have no +weight with you or with her." + +"You do not know my grandfather," said Raoul, gloomily. "He will +maintain his authority even then, and I---- Is Madame de Nerac not +visible to-day?" + +"She is dressing; we are going out to dine. Where shall you be this +evening?" + +"With my betrothed." + +"And what a face you put on as you announce it!" Clermont said, +laughing. "Every one envies you your brilliant match, and with justice. +Countess Hertha is beautiful, wealthy, and----" + +"Cold as ice." Raoul completed the sentence with a bitter intonation. +"I can assure you that I am not so much to be envied as you suppose." + +"True, the young Countess has a certain reputation for caprice. But +that is the prerogative of handsome women." + +"If it were caprice only, that would be nothing new: she was always +capricious. But since our betrothal she has adopted a distant tone; she +is perfectly unapproachable. It puts my patience to the severest test. +I cannot stand it much longer." + +There was extreme irritation in his tone. Clermont shrugged his +shoulders. "Who of us can make his own choice? I cannot, although +sooner or later I must marry, and my sister was married at sixteen to a +man over fifty, Needs must." + +Raoul scarcely heard the last words; he had continued to watch the door +expectantly, and he suddenly started up, for it opened, and a silken +train rustled across the threshold. + +The lady who entered was of medium height, slender, and, although no +longer in her first youth, exquisitely graceful. Her face could not be +called beautiful, perhaps not even pretty, but it had an odd, piquant +charm of its own. The black hair dressed in short close curls all over +the head made the face look younger than it really was; there was a +tender, veiled look in the dark eyes, which could, nevertheless, +sparkle brilliantly, as they did now when they perceived the young +Count. In vain was all attempt to analyze the charm that lay in those +irregular and scarcely refined features; there it was, and when the +face grew animated in conversation every line of it was interesting and +brilliant. + +Raoul had risen instantly and hastened towards the new-comer, whose +hand he raised to his lips. "I have only a moment," he said, "but I +could not help waiting for a glimpse of you, since Henri tells me you +are going out." + +"Oh, we need not go for half an hour yet," Frau von Nerac said, with a +glance at the clock. "You see, Henri is not dressed yet." + +"I must go and dress now," said Clermont. "Excuse me, Raoul; I shall be +here again shortly." + +He left the room, and Raoul certainly seemed nothing loath to be left +to a _tete-a-tete_ with his friend's sister. He took a seat opposite +her, and in a few moments the pair were engaged in eager and lively +conversation, chiefly concerning airy trifles, but gay and brilliant in +the extreme. Frau von Nerac showed herself a mistress of persiflage, +and the young Count was no whit her inferior in this regard. The cloud +upon his brow vanished, leaving not a trace; he was in his element. + +But suddenly the talk took a different turn. Raoul casually mentioned +Castle Steinrueck, and the name evoked a smile from Frau von Nerac that +was half sarcastic, half malicious. "Ah, the castle in the mountains," +said she; "Henri and I were to have made acquaintance with it, but +unfortunately our visit was prevented by the indisposition of the +Countess." + +"My mother suffers frequently from those nervous attacks; they are very +sudden, and very distressing," said Raoul, quickly overcoming his +embarrassment. "They deprived her, on that occasion, of the pleasure of +receiving her guests." + +Frau von Nerac smiled again very sweetly and very significantly. "I am +afraid that the guests were the cause of the nervous attack." + +"Madame!" + +"The general may have had some share in it; but we certainly were the +innocent cause." + +"You still visit upon me that unfortunate occurrence," Raoul said; +"Henri does not; he knows how difficult is the position in which my +mother and I are placed, and makes allowances." + +"So do I. I persisted in going to see the Countess, although we were +obliged to confine ourselves to the merest call, since the general did +not feel called upon to renew the invitation. His Excellency seems to +be a very absolute monarch, and he certainly has a very obedient +grandson." + +"What can I do but obey!" exclaimed Raoul, with suppressed impatience. +"My mother is right: she and I are both subject to an iron will that is +wont recklessly to bend everything beneath it and to break what will +not bend. If you knew how humiliating it is to be lectured, examined, +hectored like a boy! I have had enough, and more than enough, of it +all!" + +He had started up in his agitation, whilst Frau von Nerac, leaning back +gracefully in her chair, toyed with her fan, and now rejoined, very +calmly, "Well, all that will end with your marriage." + +"Yes,--with my marriage," the Count slowly repeated. + +"How tragic that sounds! Take care that the Countess Hertha does not +hear you speak in that tone; she might resent it." + +Raoul did not reply, but went up to where the lady was sitting, and +bent over her: "Heloise!" + +The word sounded half reproachful, half entreating, but was apparently +not understood, for she looked up at the speaker as though in surprise. +"Well?" + +"You best know what this marriage is to me. I have been hurried into +it, over-persuaded by my mother, and I feel it to be a fetter even +before it has taken place." + +"And yet it will take place." + +"That is the question." + +There was a flash as of lightning in Heloise's dark eyes; then her +eyelashes drooped, and, as she seemed to examine the picture on her +fan, she said, in a careless tone, "Would you attempt a rebellion? It +would raise a tempest indeed, and would call down upon you supreme +displeasure." + +"What should I care, if I could but hope for a certain prize? For its +sake I would defy my grandfather's anger. I thought I should be able to +overcome--to forget--when Hertha should be my betrothed. I saw you +again, Heloise, and I knew that the old spell was still around me, and +would always hold me fast. You are silent? Have you no word of reply +for me?" + +His eyes sought and found hers; her glance was veiled and tender, and +her voice was as tender as she said, softly, "You are a fool, Raoul!" + +"Do you call it folly to desire happiness?" he exclaimed. "You are a +widow, Heloise, you are free, and if----" + +He could not finish his sentence, for the door opened rather noisily +and Clermont entered. The intruder did not seem to notice his friend's +start, or the annoyed glance which his sister bestowed upon him, but +called out, gayly, "Here I am! Now we can have a quarter of an hour +together, Raoul." + +The young Count's face betrayed his annoyance at this interruption, +and, in the worst possible humour, he replied, "Unfortunately, I have +no more time. I told you I had but a minute. Madame----" + +He turned to Heloise, and would apparently have addressed a question to +her in an undertone, but Clermont suddenly interposed between them, +and, laying his hand lightly upon his sister's arm, said, not without a +certain significance, "If you are really in such a hurry we will not +detain you, eh, Heloise? Until tomorrow, then." + +"Until to-morrow," Raoul repeated, grasping his hand hurriedly. He was +evidently not inclined to make a confidant of his friend, but took his +leave in no very satisfied mood. + +Scarcely had the door closed after him, when the young widow turned to +her brother with a very ungracious air: "You came most inopportunely, +Henri." + +"So I perceived," he replied, calmly; "but I thought it high time to +put an end to the scene, which you were inclined to take seriously." + +Heloise tossed her head defiantly. "And if I were? Would you interfere +to prevent it?" + +"No; but I should explain to you that you were inclined to commit an +act of supreme folly, and I trust nothing more would be required to +bring you to reason." + +"Do you think so? You may be mistaken," she said, exultingly. "You +underestimate my power over Raoul. I have but to speak the word, and he +will dissolve his betrothal and defy his family." + +"And what then?" + +The cool direct question put an end to the young widow's triumphant +tone; she looked in surprise at her brother, who continued, very +composedly: "You know the general. Do you suppose that he ever would +forgive such a step, that he would ever consent to Raoul's marrying +you? And Raoul _cannot_ marry against his will, for he is entirely +dependent upon him." + +"He is his grandfather's heir, and the general is over seventy----" + +"And has a constitution of iron," Clermont interposed. "He may live ten +years longer, and you are scarcely so infatuated as to suppose that +Raoul's passion or your own youth will last so long. You are full five +years older than he." + +Frau von Nerac folded her fan hastily and noisily. "Henri, you go +almost too far!" + +"I am sorry, but I cannot spare you. You cannot reckon upon the future; +therefore you must comprehend the present. In a few years there will be +no choice left you." + +Heloise made no reply, but her air was one of intense irritation. +Evidently she felt outraged, but Clermont coolly continued: "And even +supposing that Raoul should enter very shortly upon his inheritance, he +would still be no fitting match for you. The general's salary enables +him to live with a degree of elegance, but his grandson inherits +nothing of that. Castle Steinrueck is an article of luxury; it probably +costs a yearly outlay; it certainly brings in nothing, and all the +available property of the family belongs to the South German branch. +The North German cousins all have very good reasons for entering either +the army or the civil service. Their estates would, to be sure, be +sufficient for the support of a country nobleman who, with his family, +could consent to live upon his own soil and occupy himself with +agriculture. But for you and Raoul,--the idea is ridiculous. Moreover, +I am especially anxious that Raoul should remain at present upon good +terms with his grandfather; through him alone can we know aught of the +Steinrueck establishment." + +"You might do that much more easily through the Marquis de Montigny," +said Heloise, still irritated. "He has just been attached to our +embassy here, and of course goes to his sister's very frequently." + +"Certainly; but you are much mistaken if you imagine that the haughty +Montigny would lend himself to such matters. He already treats me with +a careless indifference that sometimes makes my blood boil. He would +sacrifice his position rather than condescend---- But enough of this! I +fancy you now comprehend that Raoul's circumstances could never adapt +themselves to your requirements; what those requirements are you proved +with sufficient clearness during Nerac's lifetime." + +"Was it my fault that he squandered his entire fortune?" + +"You certainly helped him honestly in doing so; but we will not discuss +that. The fact is that we are without means, and that you are forced to +make a brilliant marriage. Your romance with Raoul must be nothing but +a romance, and you would be very unwise to induce him to break with his +betrothed. As long as the general lives, a marriage between you is an +impossibility; after that it would be a folly. Remember this, and be +reasonable." + +"What is it?" asked the young widow, turning impatiently towards the +servant, who brought her a card. "We are just going out, and can +receive no visitors." + +"A gentleman from the embassy wishes to speak with Herr von Clermont +for a few minutes only," the servant said, by way of excuse. + +"Ah, that is another affair," Henri said quickly, taking the card; but +after a surprised glance at it he handed it to his sister, who, +evidently startled in her turn, said,-- + +"Montigny? Calling upon you? You said just now----" + +"Yes, I do not understand it; there must be some special cause for his +visit. Leave us for a few minutes, Heloise; I must receive him." + +The lady withdrew, and Clermont desired the servant to admit the +visitor, who straightway entered the room. + +The Marquis de Montigny was a man about fifty years old, of very +distinguished appearance, whose bearing, at all times rather haughty, +was at present characterized by a certain cold formality. In spite +of it, Henri received him with the greatest cordiality. "Ah, Herr +Marquis, I am charmed to have the pleasure of receiving you. Let me beg +you,"--he invited his guest by a gesture to be seated, but Montigny +remained standing, and coldly rejoined,-- + +"You are probably surprised to see me here, Herr von Clermont." + +"Not at all; our relations socially and nationally----" + +"Are of a very superficial nature," the Marquis interrupted him. "It is +an entirely personal matter that brings me here. I did not wish to +discuss it at the embassy." + +His tone was certainly slighting. Clermont compressed his lips and +darted a menacing glance at the man who ventured to treat him thus +cavalierly beneath his own roof, but he said nothing and awaited +further explanations. + +"I met my nephew a moment ago," Montigny began again; "he was probably +coming from you." + +"Certainly; he has just left here." + +"And he, Count Steinrueck, frequents your house daily, I hear." + +"He does; we are intimate friends." + +"Indeed?" was the cold rejoinder. "Well, Raoul is young and +inexperienced; but I would call your attention to the fact that this +friendship is quite worthless for you. No state secrets are confided to +so young and insignificant a member of the department. They are very +cautious here in such respects." + +"Herr Marquis!" Clermont burst forth, angrily. + +"Herr von Clermont?" + +"I have frequently had occasion to object to the tone which you see fit +to adopt towards me. I must beg you to alter it." + +Montigny shrugged his shoulders. "I was not aware that I had neglected +to treat you with due courtesy in society. Now that we are alone, you +must permit me to be frank. I learned but lately of Count Steinrueck's +intimacy in your household, and I do not know how great may be Frau von +Nerac's share in this intimacy. Be that as it may, however, you will +understand me when I beg, or rather require, that the Countess be left +entirely out of the question in the schemes which you are both +pursuing. Select another individual,--one who is not the son of the +Countess Hortense and the nephew of the Marquis de Montigny." + +Clermont had grown very pale; he clinched his hands and his voice was +hoarse as he rejoined, "You appear to forget that we are equals in +rank. My name is as ancient and as noble as your own, and I demand +respect for it." + +Montigny measured him from head to foot with a haughty glance as he +replied, "I respect your name, Herr von Clermont, but not your +calling." + +Henri made a movement as if to throw himself upon the insulter. "This +is too much! I demand satisfaction!" + +"No," said Montigny, as haughtily as before. + +"I shall force you to grant it----" + +"I advise you not to try to do that," the Marquis interposed. "You +would only force me to proclaim why I refuse you what you ask. It would +make you impossible in society, and impose upon me a responsibility +which I should assume only in a case of extreme necessity. I repeat my +demand. If it is not complied with, I must open the eyes of my sister +and of her son. I think you will scarcely drive me to do so." + +He inclined his head so haughtily and contemptuously that the +salutation was almost an insult, then turned and left the room. +Clermont looked after him, trembling with rage, as he muttered under +his breath, "You shall pay me for this!" + + + * * * * * + + +The house of Colonel von Reval was a kind of centre for the social life +of the capital, and was much frequented not only by people of rank and +fashion, but also by members of the aristocracy of intellect. The +colonel and his wife prided themselves upon numbering among their +intimate friends the most distinguished lights of Art and Science, and +their ample means enabled them to exercise a generous hospitality. + +To-night, at the close of the winter season, all their friends and +acquaintances were assembled beneath their roof at a final +entertainment. It was far more brilliant in these spacious princely +apartments than was possible in the comparative simplicity of their +country-seat Elmsdorf, and the guests were far more numerous. They +moved through rooms and halls bright with lights and flowers; there was +gay talk and laughter, and the cheerful, lively mood that seemed to +breathe in the very atmosphere of the Reval household reigned +everywhere. Among the throng of commonplace and insignificant +individuals, sure to be present at any great entertainment, there was +an unusually large proportion of beautiful women and distinguished men. +In fact, every one worth seeing and knowing in the capital seemed to be +present here to-night. + +General Steinrueck, the life-long friend of the Reval family, was +present with his family, and the brother of the Countess Hortense, the +Marquis de Montigny, was of their party. + +Even Professor Wehlau, who was not fond of large entertainments, and +who eschewed them for the most part, had made an exception to his rule +in favour of this evening, and had arrived with his two sons. Hans had +not yet made his appearance: he was helping to arrange the _tableaux +vivants_, which made part of the evening's entertainment, having +undertaken their management, while Michael, having declined to take any +part in them, was already among the guests. + +"A word with you, my dear Rodenberg," the colonel said in an undertone, +drawing the captain aside for a moment. "Have you done anything to +displease the general?" + +"No, Herr Colonel," replied Michael, quietly. + +"No? It occurred to me that he passed you by without a word and with +rather a cold acknowledgment of your undeniably formal salute. There is +really nothing the matter, then?" + +"Nothing whatever. I have talked with the general but once, when I +reported to him, and have only seen him now and again when on duty. Why +should he pay me any special attention?" + +"Because he knows you and what you have done. He spoke very highly of +it to me before he made your personal acquaintance, and, besides, I +know that my opinion has weight with him. Nevertheless, he has taken +scarcely any notice of you during the entire winter; you have never +received the invitation usually extended by him to his subalterns, and +when I speak of you he always tries to change the subject. It is +inexplicable." + +"The explanation is probably to be found in the fact that I have not +the good fortune to please his Excellency," Michael said, with a shrug. + +But the colonel shook his head: "The general is not whimsical; this +would be the first time that he ever treated unjustly an officer of +whose excellence he was convinced. You must have neglected some duty." + +Rodenberg was silent, preferring to suffer under this implication +rather than to prolong so annoying a discussion. Fortunately, the +colonel was called elsewhere and released him. + +Meanwhile, Professor Wehlau paid his respects to the Countess +Steinrueck, whom he had not seen for several years, and who received him +very cordially. She never forgot that he had once left important and +pressing affairs of his own to hasten to her husband's deathbed. To his +inquiries concerning her health she replied by complaints of her +invalid condition, expressing a desire to avail herself of his advice, +although aware that he had for many years ceased to practise medicine. +The Professor courteously declared himself always ready to make an +exception in her case, and placed himself entirely at her disposal. +Thus the best of understandings was established between them, when the +Countess unfortunately touched upon a dangerous subject. "I have an +appointment at your son's for tomorrow. He tells me that his large +picture is almost entirely finished and is to be placed on exhibition +next week. I am very anxious for a private view of it beforehand, since +it is already mine, as you are probably aware." + +"Yes," replied the Professor, laconically, his good humour all gone. +Hans had triumphantly announced to him that his picture had been bought +from the easel, and by the Countess Steinrueck, who now innocently +asked,-- + +"And what do you say to this work of our young artist?" + +"Nothing at all; I have never even seen it," was the curt reply. + +"What! His studio is in your garden." + +"Unfortunately. But I have never set foot inside it, and mean never to +do so." + +"Still so implacable?" said the Countess, reproachfully. "I grant that +the game that your son played with you was rather audacious and very +provoking, but you must be convinced by this time that so talented and +highly gifted a nature is not fitted for cold, grave, scientific +pursuits." + +"There you are right, madame," the Professor interrupted her, somewhat +harshly. "The lad is fit for nothing serious or sensible, and may be a +painter for all that I care." + +"Do you estimate Art so meanly? I should have thought it of equal rank +with Science." + +Wehlau shrugged his shoulders with all the arrogance of the scholar who +holds no calling equal in rank to his own, and by whom Art is regarded, +more or less, as a plaything. "Yes, yes, pictures look very pretty in a +drawing-room, I do not deny, and you have a whole gallery of them at +Berkheim. This latest acquisition of yours will find a place among +them." + +The Countess stared at him in surprise. "You do not seem to know the +subject of the picture; it is destined for the church at Saint +Michael." + +"For the church?" asked Wehlau, surprised in his turn. + +"Certainly, since it is a sacred picture." + +The Professor started to his feet. "What! _My_ son paint a sacred +picture!" + +"Assuredly. Did he never tell you of it?" + +"He took good care not to do that. Nor did Michael even mention it to +me, although he doubtless knew all about it." + +"He certainly did, for Captain Rodenberg stood to him for a model." + +"Ah! He must have made a charming saint!" the Professor laughed, +bitterly. "Michael is well suited to the part. Have the fellows gone +crazy? Excuse me, madame,--I am conscious of my discourtesy,--but it is +beyond belief,--that is, I must find out about it." + +He bowed hastily, and rushed off so quickly that he very nearly ran +against a young girl who was standing hidden in a window-recess, behind +the Countess, and who looked after him half terrified. + +"Gerlinda, are you there?" asked the Countess, turning towards her. "My +child, what is to be done if, whenever you go into society, you hide +yourself behind the window-curtains! If you had only been beside me you +would have been presented to one of the celebrities of the capital." + +The young girl advanced, and asked, timidly, "That angry old man who +does not like sacred pictures----?" + +"Is one of the first scientists of the age, a magnate in science, in +whom all eccentricity must be forgiven. He is, it is true, of a rather +choleric temperament." + +Gerlinda still gazed after the Professor with some anxiety. No name had +been mentioned in the conversation which she had overheard, and she +asked no further question, for the beginning of the tableaux was +announced, and all the guests betook themselves to the drawing-room, +where the stage was set up. + +Hans Wehlau, on this evening, covered himself with glory. The pictures +which he arranged, not after famous examples, but after his own ideas, +in illustration of familiar legends and poems, did honour to his +artistic capacity. Each was a creation in itself, and every time the +curtain was raised there was a fresh surprise. + +The laurels of the evening, however, were borne off by the Countess +Hertha Steinrueck, enthroned upon a rock, in the richest of robes, as +the Loreley. Hans knew very well why he chose to have this picture last +in the series, placing the young Countess alone in the frame, with no +companion-figure. A long-drawn 'Ah!' of admiration pervaded the +assembly at sight of a loveliness that threw all else that had been +seen into the shade. She was, indeed, the breathing embodiment of the +legend with its intoxicating witchery. + +Even Professor Wehlau forgot his vexation for a few minutes, although +he had been nursing it all through the entertainment, and was all +admiration. But when the curtain had fallen for the last time, and the +youthful manager with his assistants appeared in the drawing-room, +Wehlau's indignation began to boil afresh, and he tried to speak with +his son. This was no easy matter, however, for Hans was in great +requisition, the hero of the hour, flattered and caressed; he shared +with the Countess Hertha the triumph of the evening. Nearly a quarter +of an hour elapsed before the Professor succeeded in capturing him. "I +wish to speak with you," he said, with an ominous countenance, drawing +the young man aside into the window-recess where Fraeulein von Eberstein +had been standing. + +"With pleasure, papa," said Hans, who was positively beaming with +delight. + +This only increased the Professor's vexation, and he came to the point +at once. "Is what I heard just now from the Countess Steinrueck true? Is +the picture you have painted a sacred picture?" + +"It is, papa." + +"Indeed! Have you both lost your senses? Michael as a saint! It must be +a perfect caricature." + +"On the contrary, he makes an extremely striking archangel. The picture +you see represents Saint Michael----" + +"It may represent the devil, for all I care!" Wehlau angrily +interrupted him. + +"Oh, he's there, too, and as large as life. But how can the subject of +my picture affect you?" + +"How can it affect me?" the Professor burst out, having much ado to +preserve the low tone of voice required by the situation. "You know my +attitude with regard to the ecclesiastical party. You know that because +of it I am excommunicated by the priests, and here you are painting +pictures of saints for their churches. I will not permit it! I will not +have it! I forbid it!" + +"Impossible, papa," said Hans, composedly. "The picture belongs to the +Countess, and is, moreover, promised to the church at Saint Michael." + +"Where, of course, it will be installed with all due ecclesiastical +pomp." + +"To be sure, papa,--on the feast of Saint Michael." + +"Hans, you will be the death of me with your 'To be sure, papa.' At +the feast of Saint Michael, when all the mountain population is +assembled,--oh, this grows better and better! The clerical newspapers +will of course get hold of the affair; they will devote columns to the +procession, the mass, the worshippers, and among it all will appear +everywhere the name of Hans Wehlau,--_my_ name." + +"_My_ name, if you please," the young artist interposed with emphasis. + +"I wish to heaven I had had you christened Pancratius or Blasius, that +the world might have known the difference!" exclaimed the Professor, in +desperation. + +"Papa, why are you so furious?" asked Hans, complacently. "In fact, you +ought to be grateful to me if I should devote myself to the task of +reconciling you and your opponents; and, moreover, the picture is not a +sacred picture in the ordinary sense of the term. It is the conflict of +light with darkness. I intended, of course, to portray in the figure of +the archangel, Science, and in that of Satan, Superstition. It is after +your own heart, papa,--a glorification of your teaching. I should like +to hang the picture in the University, in your lecture-room, it is +painted so exactly to please you. I hope you will be grateful to me +and----" + +"Boy, you will send me to my grave!" gasped the Professor, taken aback +afresh by this extraordinary peroration. + +"God forbid! We shall live together long and happily. But now excuse +me. I must not stay here any longer." + +With which the young man, quite unconcernedly, mingled again with the +guests, and began to search for Michael. + +In a small room adjoining the large drawing-room Fraeulein von Eberstein +was sitting quite lonely and deserted. When the curtain fell and the +spectators began to circulate through the various rooms again, the +Countess Steinrueck had been in great requisition. All were anxious to +compliment her upon her lovely daughter, and thus Gerlinda lost sight +of her chaperon. Timid, and a total stranger among the crowd, she had +taken refuge in this deserted room, here to wait patiently until some +one should remember her and seek her out. + +The young girl had been for a week in the city. The Freiherr had at +last yielded to the Countess's wish, and to her repeated representation +that Gerlinda ought to see something of the world and have a chance at +least of marrying in her own station. This last consideration had +prevailed over the father's obstinacy his state of health was such as +to remind him constantly of the uncertainty of his life, and he well +knew that if he should die Berkheim would be his daughter's sole +refuge. She would be left quite alone, and, although the Countess had +declared most kindly that after her daughter's marriage she should look +to Gerlinda to replace her, old Eberstein's pride revolted at the idea +of accepting what was in fact a shelter for his child, delicately as it +might be proffered. + +For this reason he would have been very glad to see his daughter well +and suitably married. For him the word suitably signified a son-in-law +with a long and stainless pedigree, and the aristocratic principles of +the Steinruecks set his mind at ease on that score. Therefore he made +Gerlinda repeat once more to him the entire genealogical chronicle of +the Ebersteins, admonished her never to forget that she was sprung from +the tenth century, and let her set off with the maid, sent by the +Countess, for the capital, where she was to spend some weeks with the +Steinruecks, and then accompany them to Berkheim. + +The little chatelaine had of course no suspicion of any schemes devised +for her future, and had taken but a half-hearted interest in her visit. +The brilliant turmoil of society, of which she had a glimpse during her +stay at Steinrueck, and into which she was now plunged, distressed +rather than amused her. Thus she felt glad to be alone for a few +minutes on this evening, and sat quite contentedly, but timid as a +frightened bird, on a corner divan in the empty room. + +Suddenly the _portiere_ at the entrance was pulled aside, and a young +man, casting a hasty glance around the room as if in search of some +one, stood as if rooted to the spot upon perceiving its solitary +occupant. + +"Fraeulein von Eberstein!" + +Gerlinda started at the sound of that voice; she instantly recognized +its possessor. "Herr von Wehlau Wehlenberg." + +Hans was already at her side. He had had no suspicion of her presence +here, or, indeed, in the city; his duties as manager had kept him +behind the scenes, and when he entered the drawing-room Gerlinda had +already left it. Their meeting was a surprise to both, and certainly +not an unpleasant one, as was evident from the young man's sparkling +eyes and the little chatelaine's blushing cheeks. + +"I fancied you far away in your mountain home," said Hans, taking a +seat beside her. "How is your father?" + +"Poor papa has been very far from well this winter," replied Gerlinda; +"but as spring approached he grew better, so that I could leave him +without anxiety." + +"And Muckerl? How is Muckerl?" + +The account of Muckerl's health was very satisfactory: she was as gay +and hearty as she had been in the autumn; and as her young mistress +talked of her she half forgot her timidity; she was so glad to tell of +her home, and Hans did not interrupt her, but kept his eyes attentively +fixed upon her face. + +He had just seen the Countess Hertha in all the pride of triumphant +beauty, and his artist eye had revelled in the sight. Here he saw only +a delicate, child-like creature, who could not possibly be compared +with that other, and whose soft brown eyes gazed up into his own half +shyly, half confidingly. Nevertheless, little Dornroeschen looked to him +unutterably lovely to-night in her ball-dress of some airy, pale pink +material, relieved by bunches of wild roses and floating cloud-like +about the graceful figure. There was in her air and carriage something +of the dewy freshness of a rose-bud just opening to the light. + +"And how are you pleased here?" Hans asked, when the young girl paused. +"Is there not something intoxicating, bewildering, in the life of a +great city for one who mingles in it for the first time?" + +Gerlinda shook her head and looked down. "I do not like it," she +declared. "I would rather be at home with papa and my Muckerl. I feel +so lonely and forsaken among all these strange people; they do not +understand me, and I do not understand them." + +"Oh, you will soon learn to understand them," Hans said, consolingly. + +But she still shook her head; the poor child had a vague idea of what +was ridiculous about her, and she went on in a pathetic little voice: +"They seem to care so little here about their pedigrees! No one knows +that we date from the tenth century, and that our family is the very +oldest. If I begin to tell of it, Hertha says, 'Gerlinda, stop; you are +making yourself ridiculous,' and my godmother says, 'My child, that is +out of place here,' and Count Raoul smiles so disagreeably. I know now +that he laughs at me. Herr von Wehlau Wehlenberg, you do not think it +ridiculous, do you? Your aristocratic self-consciousness is so +admirably developed, my papa says." + +The knight of the Forschungstein felt extremely uncomfortable at this +appeal to his aristocratic self-consciousness. It suddenly occurred to +him that his sin had found him out, for as soon as Gerlinda returned to +the drawing-room and heard his name, all would be explained. There was +only one thing to be done,--make confession himself upon the spot. + +"We searched through all the books of heraldry, and at last we found +your family," the young girl continued, with an air of importance; and +then, falling into what might be called her heraldic style, she began +to repeat what had been found in the books: "The lords of Wehlenberg, +an ancient imperial race, settled in the Margraviate since sixteen +hundred and forty-three, owning estates of value in the various +provinces, the head of the family being Baron Friedrich von Wehlenberg +of Bernewitz----" Here she broke off to say, with some regret, "We +could not find the Forschungstein." + +"No, you could not find it, for there is no such place," said Hans, +whose resolution was formed. "You and your father have fallen into an +error for which I am accountable. I told you, however, at our first +interview that I was an artist." + +Gerlinda nodded gravely. "I told my papa; he thought it very unbecoming +in a man of an ancient noble line." + +"But I am not of an ancient noble line, nor even of a modern one." + +Gerlinda looked terrified, and recoiled from him. The young man +perceived it, and there was a trace of bitterness in his voice as he +went on: "I have a confession to make to you, Fraeulein von Eberstein, +and forgiveness to ask for a deception which sprang from necessity. I +reached the Ebersburg that evening wet through, and having lost my way; +there was no other shelter to be found far and wide, night was falling +fast, and the Baron refused me admittance because, as he would have +expressed it, I was not 'of rank.' I had no choice save to be thrust +out into the storm or to thrust myself into the ranks of the +aristocracy, and I preferred the latter course. But I owe it to you to +tell the truth. My name is simply Hans Wehlau, without any mediaeval +adjunct; I am a painter by profession; my father is a professor in the +university here, and we are both bourgeois from head to foot." + +The effect of these words was annihilating; the little chatelaine sat +stark and stiff as if paralyzed with horror, staring at this bourgeois +Hans Wehlau who told her so fearful a tale. At last she recovered her +voice, folded her hands, and said, with a profound sigh, "This is +horrible!" + +Hans rose and made her a formal bow. "I confess myself very guilty, but +I did not think that the truth would so startle you. I have, it seems, +lost all worth in your estimation, and shall please you best by leaving +you. Farewell, Fraeulein von Eberstein." + +He turned to go, but Gerlinda started and put out her hand as if to +detain him. "Herr Wehlau." + +He paused. "Fraeulein von Eberstein?" + +"Are you not very slightly related to the Freiherr Friedrich Wehlenberg +of Bernewitz? A very distant relative, I mean." + +"Not the most distant connection. I invented in a hurry a name that +sounded like my own, and I never dreamed that it belonged to any one in +reality." + +"Then papa never will forgive you," Gerlinda declared in a tone of +despair. "You can never come again to the Ebersburg." + +"Do you, then, still wish me to come?" asked Hans. + +She was silent, but her eyes filled with tears, and this disarmed the +young man's irritation. It was not the poor child's fault that she had +been brought up so ridiculously. He slowly approached her again, and +said, gently, "Are you very angry with me for my foolish jest? I meant +no harm." + +Gerlinda did not reply, but she allowed him to take her hand, and she +listened as he went on in the same tone: "Herr von Eberstein is greatly +attached, I know, to his family traditions, and no one could require +him, at his age, to resign what has been life to him for so long; he +belongs, body and soul, to the past. But you, Fraeulein von Eberstein, +are just entering upon life, and in the nineteenth century we must +adapt ourselves to the spirit of the age and see things as they are. Do +you remember what I said to you on the castle terrace?" + +"Yes," was the scarcely audible reply. + +Hans leaned towards her, and his voice had the same cordial, sincere +tone as on that sunny morning. "Around you, too, prejudices and +traditions have grown like a thorny hedge, tall and dense. Would you +dream away existence behind it? Perhaps a time will come when you will +have to make a choice between a dead past and a bright sunlit future: +should that time ever come, choose well!" + +He carried the trembling little hand, still lying in his own, to his +lips, and several moments passed before he released it; then he bowed +and left the room. + +The Countess Steinrueck was conversing with Herr von Montigny when +Gerlinda at last rejoined her. The Marquis expressed his pleasure in +his nephew's betrothal with apparent sincerity. He was enthusiastic +also in his admiration of Hertha, who had evidently fascinated him, as +she had every one else upon this evening, and he understood well how to +clothe his admiration in flattering phrases. When at last he took his +leave to join his sister, the Countess turned to the young girl: "Where +have you been for so long, my child? I lost sight of you. I suppose you +have been sitting alone in some corner. Will you never learn to be like +other young girls in society?" + +She looked compassionately at her _protegee_, who was wont to receive +such reproaches in timid silence, but who now, to the Countess's +amazement, replied, with an air of great wisdom,-- + +"Yes, dear godmother, I will try to learn, for in the nineteenth +century we must adapt ourselves to the spirit of the age and see things +as they are." + +Meanwhile, the Marquis de Montigny had found his sister sitting in an +adjoining room engaged in lively talk with Frau von Nerac, in which +Henri de Clermont took quite as lively a part. Both ladies seemed much +entertained, and were laughing at his sallies, when Montigny approached +the group. + +"Ah, here you are, Leon!" the Countess called out to him. "No need to +present our compatriots to you,--you have seen them at the embassy." + +The glances of the two men encountered each other. Clermont's eyes +gleamed for an instant with a look of hatred, but he bowed courteously; +Montigny returned his greeting coolly as he said, "Oh, yes, we know one +another." + +He turned then to Frau von Nerac, to whom also he paid his respects +courteously; but there must have been something in his manner offensive +to the young widow, for her eyes flashed, although an amiable smile +played about her lips. + +"Of course we know one another," she repeated. "We had the pleasure of +a visit from the Marquis the day before yesterday." + +"And you never mentioned it to me when I spoke of Frau von Nerac +yesterday," said Hortense, in some surprise. + +"I was not fortunate enough to see Madame de Nerac," Montigny replied, +with a degree of coldness which struck even his sister. "My visit was +paid to her brother, with whom I wished to arrange a matter of some +importance. You have not forgotten my request, Herr von Clermont?" + +Henri's hand trembled slightly as he leaned upon the cushion of the +lounge where he was sitting, but he replied, calmly, "No, Herr Marquis; +such things are not easily forgotten." + +"I am glad to hear you say so. I may rely upon it, then, that the +matter will be adjusted as we decided. Take my arm, Hortense; supper is +served." + +He offered his arm to his sister, inclined his head to Frau von Nerac, +and led the Countess away. As they left the room Henri leaned towards +the young widow, and said in a whisper, which did not, however, conceal +his agitation, "What do you mean, Heloise? You know why Montigny paid +that visit, you heard the whole conversation from the antechamber, and +yet you ventured to allude to his coming!" + +Heloise's lip curled contemptuously, but she replied, also in a +whisper, "You seem very much afraid of this Montigny." + +"And you are rash enough to irritate him. You surely understood what he +said as well as I did, and you know that he threatened----" + +"That which he never will carry out." + +Henri glanced around the room: it was quite empty; every one had gone +to supper. Nevertheless, he still spoke in a whisper as he said, "Do +you forget that we are in his power? He has but to speak the word----" + +"He dare not speak it; it would cost him too dear. He who ruins us +ruins himself also, and brings to light what there is every reason for +concealing. You are a fool, Henri, to be frightened by such threats. +Montigny must be silent; he risks his own position if he assault ours. +He never would be forgiven for speaking out." + +"No matter for that, he can do us an injury at the embassy; he can +deprive us of our standing there, and it is uncertain enough already. +We must yield, at least in appearance, and forego Raoul's visits for +the present." + +"Do you suppose that he will forego them?" asked Heloise. + +"That is for you to decide. You have only to say what will send him +away, for a time at least, and this you must do." + +"At the bidding of Herr von Montigny? Never!" + +"Heloise, be reasonable,--you must make a sacrifice of your personal +feeling. I am sure I set you the example." + +"Indeed you do! I never would have submitted to what you endured at +Montigny's hands." + +"Do you think I shall forget it?" asked Clermont, with an evil look. "I +bide my time. The day of reckoning will come. But let us go in to +supper; it will excite remark if we isolate ourselves thus. One thing +more: young Wehlau is to present to you his adopted brother, Captain +Rodenberg." + +"Indeed," said Heloise, with indifference, rising and taking her +brother's arm, as he added, significantly,-- + +"One of the general's staff." + +"Ah, indeed!" + +"See that you persuade him to come with Wehlau, when the latter calls +upon us. I rely upon you, Heloise." + +The pair sauntered arm in arm towards the supper-room, where all the +guests were assembled. + + + * * * * * + + +Hans Wehlau, prudently avoiding another encounter with his father, had +joined Michael, and was listening, with apparent interest, to what the +latter had to say. + +"You have seen her and talked with her then?" asked Hans. + +"Seen her?--yes; talked with her?--no. The Countess presented me to +Fraeulein von Eberstein, but I received no reply to my remarks, save an +extraordinary courtesy. She is almost a child,--far too young to be +introduced into society." + +"A girl of sixteen is no longer a child," said Hans, irritably. "And +how did you like her altogether?" + +"She has a lovely little face. To be sure, I have not seen her +eyes,--she held them obstinately downcast,--and I really have not heard +her speak at all. The little chatelaine, as you call her, seems to +possess rather a limited capacity." + +The young artist bestowed upon his friend a glance of sovereign +contempt. "Michael, I always doubted your taste, and now I doubt your +judgment. 'Limited capacity!' Let me tell you, Gerlinda von Eberstein +is cleverer than all the rest put together." + +"That is a bold assertion," said Michael. "You seem very much provoked +by any unfavourable word with regard to the young lady. Have you lost +your heart again? How many times does this make?" + +"Nothing of the sort this time; my interest in this lovely, childlike +creature is entirely disinterested." + +"Indeed?" + +"Michael, I will not have you speak in that tone," declared Hans, with +irritation. "But I am quite forgetting that Clermont asked me to +present you to Frau von Nerac." + +"Clermont? Ah, yes, the young Frenchman at whose house you have been +visiting so often this winter. You asked me once to go there with you, +I remember." + +"And you refused, as usual." + +"Because I have neither the time nor the inclination to extend my +circle of acquaintances, at least not this year. It is very different +with you; you are an artist. Have you known this Clermont long?" + +"No, only this last winter, and he very politely invited me to his +house. He and his sister have several times asked me to induce you to +accompany me." + +Rodenberg looked surprised. "Me? That is strange; they do not know me +at all." + +"No matter for that; they asked it out of politeness. Moreover, you +will find the young widow very interesting, perhaps even dangerous." + +"Indeed?" + +"Oh, of course not for you. Your icy nature never melts, even in +presence of the lovely Countess Steinrueck, and Heloise von Nerac cannot +be called beautiful; nevertheless she might prove the fair Hertha's +successful rival in a certain quarter. I once hinted to you that Count +Raoul was hardly loyal to his betrothed; he frequents Clermont's house +daily." + +"And you think that Frau von Nerac is the attraction?" asked Michael, +becoming attentive. + +"Apparently. The Count certainly is more devoted to her than is +consistent with his duty as a betrothed man. How far the affair has +gone of course I cannot---- Hush, there he is!" + +In fact, Raoul was just passing where they stood, and, although he had +but a slight acquaintance with Hans Wehlau, he stopped and addressed +him cordially. And whilst he talked with the young artist, +complimenting him upon the very successful entertainment of the +evening, he so persistently ignored Captain Rodenberg, who stood close +by, that his intention was evident. Michael took no part in the +conversation, but when the Count turned away, he looked after him in a +way which caused Hans hastily and as if in sudden alarm to lay his hand +upon his arm, saying, "You will not attach any importance to his +rudeness? There is a feud between you and Steinrueck----" + +"Which found expression just now after a very childish fashion," +Michael completed the sentence. "Count Raoul must be taught that I do +not allow myself to be so treated." + +"What do you intend to do?" said Hans, uneasily; but there was no time +for a reply, for they had encountered Clermont and his sister, to whom +he presented his friend. + +The brother and sister received the captain with great courtesy, and +Henri left him to talk with Frau von Nerac, while he entered into +conversation with Hans with regard to a picture upon an opposite wall, +pronouncing an opinion with which the young artist disagreed. A lively +discussion between the two ensued, in the course of which they walked +across the room to examine the picture more closely, leaving Frau von +Nerac to bestow her entire attention upon Rodenberg. + +Their conversation turned at first upon the assembled guests, and the +young widow, looking towards Hertha, who was the centre of an admiring +group, said, "Countess Steinrueck is indeed a brilliant beauty! The +entire assemblage is at her feet, and she receives its homage with the +air of a princess to whom such tribute is due. She will surely rule her +future husband supremely." + +"The question is whether the husband will submit to her sway," observed +Rodenberg. + +"A husband always submits to the sway of a beautiful and beloved wife. +You, indeed, seem unaccustomed to submit." + +"Only because I am quieter and graver than most men; even where a +beautiful woman is concerned, I do not easily lose my head. I am +ignorant of Count Steinrueck's views in this respect. You know him +intimately, madame?" + +"He is a friend of my brother's, and I naturally see him often." + +The answer sounded as innocent as did the question, but there was +something like dawning mistrust in the look which encountered Michael's +cool observant gaze. It lasted but for an instant, and then Heloise +began with a smile to talk of something else. + +She talked well and fluently, and Michael, although he spoke French +with ease if not with elegance, contented himself with listening. All +manner of subjects were touched upon, politics, the news of the day, +art, and society. Frau von Nerac was evidently a mistress of the art of +conversation. + +Rodenberg had perceived at the first glance that she was not beautiful, +but at the end of five minutes he comprehended that she did not need +beauty to be dangerous; there was something intoxicating in her mere +proximity. She leaned back in her chair with a grace all her own as she +toyed with her fan, presenting a picture to which the most tasteful of +toilets added a charm. Her smile was bewitching, and the gleam in her +dark eyes was wont to work like a spell. Unfortunately, Captain +Rodenberg seemed quite insensible to this charm; as often as the +brilliant eyes met his they encountered the same cold, scrutinizing +glance, and Heloise knew well that it expressed no admiration. + +At last Clermont and Hans finished their discussion and approached the +others. For a few moments the conversation was general, and then the +two young men took their leave, and Henri again seated himself beside +his sister. + +"Well, what about Rodenberg?" he asked. "So far as I could hear, he was +extremely monosyllabic. You did almost all the talking. I suppose he is +a clumsy, pedantic German." + +Heloise gave a scarcely perceptible shrug. "Give that man up, Henri, +once for all; he is as stolid and inaccessible as a rock." + +"No one is absolutely inaccessible; all must be besieged on the right +side, and it is just these stolid natures that are most easily +captured." + +"You are mistaken here. There is something in the air and expression of +this Rodenberg that reminds me constantly of General Steinrueck. He has +the iron, inexorable look--that cold, keen gaze--of the old Count. I +cannot endure him!" + +"He is of great importance to me," said Henri. "Did you ask him to the +house?" + +"No; he would not come if I were to do so; and if by any chance he did +come, it would be to observe, to watch, as he has just done all the +while I have been talking. I have no fancy for encountering those eyes +again. Be on your guard with him, Henri!" + +Clermont did not seem to attach much importance to this warning, for he +saw that Heloise was out of sorts, and he knew why she was so. She +could not endure to be cast into the shade by another, and on this +evening all lesser lights paled before the day-star of Hertha's beauty. +The young Countess Steinrueck was enjoying a triumph that might well +satisfy the most extravagant vanity. Wherever she turned she +encountered looks of admiration; all thronged about her to offer her a +homage which she received graciously but haughtily. + +Raoul scarcely left her side. He seemed to-night to be fully conscious +of the value of the prize which had fallen to his share so easily, and +the old love for his cousin, dating from his boyhood, flamed up afresh. +It was one of those crises when one loving glance from Hertha's eyes, +one cordial word from her lips, might perhaps have delivered him from +those other fetters, and have won him back to his betrothed,--bridging +over the gulf which each day yawned more widely between them. But there +was a cold reserve, imperceptible to strangers, in her demeanour +towards him which cut him to the soul, chilling all warmth of feeling +and awakening his antagonism. + +For the moment the young Countess was not in the reception-rooms, but +in Frau von Reval's dressing-room. Like all who had taken part in the +tableaux, she had retained her costume; the veil that floated over her +shoulders had become disarranged; Frau von Reval's maid was fastening +it afresh. It was soon adjusted, and the maid dismissed; but Hertha, +instead of returning to the reception-rooms, sat motionless in an +arm-chair, gazing dreamily into space. + +Frau von Reval's dressing-room was one of a suite of rooms quite +removed from those used for entertaining, and upon this evening the +entire range of apartments upon this side of the house was deserted, +and but dimly lighted,--a quiet, agreeable refuge for any one wishing +to withdraw for a few minutes from the heat and turmoil of the +drawing-rooms. The young Countess seemed, indeed, weary, worn out with +conquest and homage. + +Yes, the evening had been one long triumph for her. All had bowed +before the victorious power of her beauty,--all save one. One alone had +dared to defy her; he only had retained sufficient strength of will in +the tempest of passion to break the meshes of the net thrown around +him, and go on his way free from all bondage. Had he not greeted her +to-night as coldly and formally, complimented her with as conventional +a courtesy, as if that hour at Saint Michael were forgotten, +obliterated from his memory? + +All the more vividly did it live in Hertha's remembrance. Her anger +stirred afresh as she thought how this man had dared to tell her to her +face that he knew her to be a coquette, that he would root out from his +heart, like some vile weed, his love for her. But, in the midst of her +indignation, a voice within her whispered that he was right. Yes, she +had played a reckless game with him. It was the result of the +waywardness of a nature spoiled by fortune, trained by a weak mother to +disregard all save its own desires, and learning all too early to +despise the homage of the other sex, or to use it as a plaything. But +then, formerly, she had still been free! The proud, self-willed girl +had not yet felt as a fetter the disposal of her hand; she could still +have said 'no' when asked to decide. Instead of this she had given her +consent to Raoul freely, without compulsion,--as, indeed, without love. +But was love a reality? Had she not seen how an intense passion, which +seemed to fill a man's entire soul, could die away and perish in a few +months? + +The opening of a door in an adjoining room and approaching footsteps +roused Hertha from her revery, and admonished her that it was time to +return to the assemblage. She was about to rise, when a voice which she +recognized held her motionless. + +"Here we are alone. I shall detain you for but a few moments, Count +Steinrueck." + +"You wished to speak with me alone, Captain Rodenberg; I am at your +service," was the reply in Raoul's voice. + +Hertha could neither see the new-comers nor be seen by them, but she +listened, startled; what she heard sounded harsh, hostile. + +In fact, the two young men in the next room confronted each other with +a hostility which neither now took pains to conceal, but Raoul was +irritated and excited, while Michael was calm and cool; this, of +course, gave him an advantage from the beginning. + +"I have only one question to ask," the latter began. "Was it by +accident, or by intention, that just now, when you spoke to my friend, +you so entirely overlooked me?" + +"Do you attach such value to my notice of you?" There was an offensive +smile upon the young Count's face, and the tone in which the question +was put was still more offensive. + +"I attach not the slightest value to your regard. I am not at all +covetous of the honour of your acquaintance. But since we do know each +other, I exact from you the observance of the forms of good society, +with which you scarcely seem familiar." + +"Captain Rodenberg!" Raoul burst forth in a tone of menace. + +"Count Steinrueck?" was the cold rejoinder. + +"You seem to wish to force me to admit relations between us which I do +not acknowledge. You will achieve nothing in this way." + +Michael shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. "I think I have made +sufficiently manifest the value I attach to relations with the family +of Count Steinrueck. Ask the general, he can satisfy you on that score. +But I do not mean any longer to permit on your part conduct intended +from the first to be insulting. Will you alter this conduct in future? +Yes, or no?" + +The question sounded so imperious that Raoul stared at the speaker, +half indignant, half amazed. "It must be admitted, Captain Rodenberg, +that for arrogance you are unrivalled." + +"Certain individuals can be reached only with their own weapons. May I +beg for an answer?" + +"I am not accustomed to answer questions put in such a tone," the young +Count said, haughtily,--"least of all from the son of an adventurer, +and of a mother who----" + +He paused, for Michael stepped up to him, pale as death, but with +flashing eyes. "Silence, Count Steinrueck! One slighting word of my +mother,--one only, and I shall forget myself and fell you to the +ground!" + +"With your fists?" asked Raoul, contemptuously. "I am used to fight +with the weapons of gentlemen." + +His words produced their effect,--Rodenberg controlled himself. "And +yet you are so ungentlemanly as to goad on your adversary with insults +which no man could endure calmly," he said, bitterly. "I have not +provoked this quarrel, but I see that any continuation of this +conversation would be useless. You shall hear from me to-morrow." + +"I shall look to do so," replied Raoul, and, with a brief salutation, +he left the room. + +Michael remained for a time; he did not wish to rejoin the company with +the Count. He paced the room several times with folded arms, and then +threw himself into an arm-chair. + +Meanwhile, Hertha's first surprise had been gradually transformed to +anxiety, and at last to terror, upon hearing the issue of the +conversation. She now rose, and pale, but resolute, appeared upon the +threshold of the next room. "Captain Rodenberg," she said, softly. + +He sprang up dismayed, for at the moment of her appearance he had +perceived that the door of the adjoining apartment was open, and that +every word that had been uttered might have been overheard. + +"You here, Countess Steinrueck?" he said, hastily. "I thought I saw you +just now in the reception-rooms." + +"No; I was sitting there,"--she pointed to the next room,--"and I have +been the involuntary auditor of a conversation not intended for +stranger ears." + +Michael bit his lip. Just as he had thought! However, he collected +himself and said, as carelessly as possible, "We certainly thought +ourselves alone, but the affair is of no consequence. I had a slight +difference with Count Steinrueck, which we discussed with some heat, but +it will doubtless be adjusted." + +"Is that 'doubtless' sincere? The close of the conversation seemed to +imply the contrary." + +Rodenberg avoided her glance, and replied, composedly, "Our +conversation had reached a point at which it threatened to become +stormy, and therefore we broke it off. We shall discuss the matter more +calmly to-morrow." + +"Yes,--with arms in your hands,--I know it!" + +"You are unnecessarily distressed. There has been no mention of +anything of the kind." + +"Do you think me so inexperienced as not to understand the significance +of your last words?" said Hertha, approaching him. "A challenge was +given and accepted." + +Michael was silent; he saw that subterfuge was useless. "It was a very +unfortunate chance that made you the witness of our interview," he said +at last. "It will surely be as painful for the Count as for me that you +should have been so, but there is no help for it now, any more than for +the affair itself, and I must entreat your silence in the name of each +of us. Forget what was not intended for your ears." + +"Forget! when I know that to-morrow each will confront the other with +deadly intent?" Hertha exclaimed, in extreme agitation. + +Rodenberg looked at her in surprise. "Each? For you there is no +question of danger save for your betrothed. It is natural that you +should tremble for him; my death must be a matter of supreme +indifference to the Countess Hertha,--nay, even desirable in this case, +for it means life for my adversary." + +Hertha did not reply for a moment,--she slowly raised her eyes to his, +with a strange expression in them, somewhat like reproach, still more +like trembling anxiety. But Michael either could not or would not read +those eyes. Was the old game to begin anew? He stood stiffly erect, as +if already confronting his adversary. + +The young Countess perhaps comprehended his thoughts, for her cheek +flushed; she hastily retreated a few steps, and her manner grew more +formal. + +"Is no adjustment possible, then?" she asked. + +"No." + +"Not even if I speak to my betrothed, if I beg him----" + +"It will avail nothing. The Count could scarcely be persuaded to +retract his words, which is what I insist upon. Let me beg you to give +up all thought of such a course; these matters are not to be adjusted +by a lady." + +"But a lady was the cause of the quarrel, although you refuse to allow +her to attempt a reconciliation," Hertha said, with indignation. "Do +not look at me in such surprise; I know the cause of this quarrel, +whatever may be the ostensible pretext for it. You never forget an +offence, Captain Rodenberg,--never,--as I know, and this is the way in +which you avenge yourself." + +Michael's face grew dark. "Do you really hold me capable of so mean a +revenge? I do not think I deserve this!" + +"And yet you hate Raoul? I know why only too well----" + +"You do not know why," he interposed, with emphasis. "You are entirely +mistaken. I never sought this quarrel, but I was compelled by the +Count's behaviour to call him to an account. The provocation came from +him. I admit that I reciprocate his dislike, but its justification lies +in circumstances of which you have no idea, and which have no +connection whatever with that hour at Saint Michael!" + +It was the first time that he had made any allusion to the hour in +question, and as he did so there was no change either in his stern +voice or in his formal demeanour; he seemed to grow even more hard and +stern. But his eyes dwelt upon the young Countess, who did, indeed, +justify all that Hans had said of her,--she looked the heroine of a +fairy legend. + +Standing beneath the hanging lamp that lighted the room but dimly, her +half-mediaeval, half-fantastic robe, a costly combination of heavy gold +brocade velvet and transparent lace-like material, glistening with gems +and embroidery, shimmered and gleamed with a strange lustre. But from +her head, crowned with a starry diadem, there waved over her shoulders +and below her waist a magnificent veil,--her unbound hair, which, +falling on each side of her face, encircled it like a halo. + +Michael stood beyond the circle of light and gazed at the wondrous +vision. He had seen her thus in the tableau, throned upon a rock,--the +enchanting sorceress of the legend. In his ears had rung the sweet, +alluring song, and what had terrified him had not been the dangerous +rock or the depths beneath the billows, but the prize itself! He would +not risk life and safety to embrace, perhaps--a fiend. He had torn +himself loose from the spell with all the force of his will. And yet at +this moment the old wild longing stirred again. It seemed as if one +blissful moment would be well purchased at the price of life, +salvation, the future; as if to be dashed against the rocks to his +destruction were naught so that he might for a moment clasp his bliss +in his arms and call it his. + +But, whilst such thoughts made havoc within him, he stood calm and +cold, without the quiver of an eyelash. Hertha saw only the frigid +bearing, heard only the stern words, and her words were as cold. "Since +that hour we have been foes! Do not deny it, Captain Rodenberg,--no +need for falsehood between us. Of all that you then told me in your +anger, hate alone has survived; I should have remembered this before +appealing to you. It is ill depending upon the magnanimity of an angry +foe." + +Michael endured her reproach without a word in self-defence; he grew +pale,--always with him a sign of extreme emotion. "And to whom should I +display magnanimity?" he asked at last. "Should I spare the Count, +knowing that I have nothing but relentless hostility to expect from +him? I am not of the stuff of which martyrs are made! But, once more, +you do me injustice, Countess Steinrueck, when you accuse me of a mean +desire for revenge. Show me how this quarrel may be adjusted +consistently with my honour, and it shall be done. But I see no +possibility of such an arrangement; and whatever the conclusion of the +affair might be, it would leave us enemies were we not so already. +Perhaps it is best so." + +He looked an instant longer towards the lovely head beneath the +lamp-light, then bowed and left the room. + +Meanwhile, the festivity was still going on, although some of the +guests soon took their leave, and among them the members of the +Steinrueck family, who were always wont to make their appearance late +and to leave early. The ladies had already said farewell to Frau von +Reval, when Michael, who was passing through the hall, suddenly heard +himself addressed, "Captain Rodenberg, a word with you." + +The young officer turned, surprised; it was the first time this evening +that General Steinrueck had deigned to notice him. "I am at your +Excellency's command." + +The Count beckoned him to one side. "I wish to speak with you," he +said, briefly, "to-morrow morning at nine o'clock, at my house." + +Michael started; he scarcely understood. "Is this a military order, +your Excellency?" + +"Regard it as such. Nothing of any nature whatsoever must interpose to +prevent your appearance at the time stated." + +Rodenberg bowed silently. The general approached him, and, lowering his +voice, went on: "And if by any chance you should be called upon to make +a decision, I beg you to postpone it until after our interview. I shall +see that the same course is pursued by----the other side." + +"My decision is already made," said Michael, quietly, "but I shall +obey." + +"Good! Until to-morrow, then!" + +Steinrueck turned away, and the captain saw him join the Countess +Hertha, who came hastily to meet him. She had told, then; she had +invoked another authority, finding her own interference of no avail, +and that other could not lightly be set aside, although the expression +of Michael's face as he perceived all this showed no inclination to bow +to it. + +In the mean time the general had offered his arm to Hertha to conduct +her to her mother; she uttered no question, but her eyes were full of +anxious inquiry. + +"All right, my child," Steinrueck said in an undertone. "I have taken +the matter in hand, and you need not be afraid. Only remember that this +must be kept secret. I rely upon your discretion." + +Hertha drew a long breath and forced a smile. "Thanks, Uncle Michael. I +trust you implicitly,--you will avert all misfortune." + + + * * * * * + + +It was early the next clay. The Countess Hortense was sitting at +breakfast, when the Marquis de Montigny entered. + +"I am an early visitor, but I was passing the house," he said, greeting +his sister affectionately. "Are you alone? I thought all breakfasted +together here." + +Hortense shrugged her shoulders. "Not at all; my father-in-law rises +with the dawn, and has usually been at work for three hours when I get +up. There is something frightful in such strong, restless natures, +which never feel the need for repose." + +"They seem to me rather to be envied, especially at the general's age," +remarked Montigny. + +"Perhaps so; but he thinks others should emulate him. Our household is +regulated like a barracks; everything is done at the word of command, +and woe to the servant who is guilty of unpunctuality! It has cost me a +positive struggle to preserve my personal liberty. I carried my point +at last, but poor Raoul is absolutely forced to submit to this martinet +rule." + +"I am afraid such a rule is sometimes necessary; Raoul is not easily +controlled," said Montigny, dryly. "You, as a woman, are of course +ignorant of much which I have learned since my arrival here, and of +which the general is also cognizant. It is time that your son were +married, Hortense." + +"I have no doubt that he sometimes goes rather far in his youthful +exuberance," the Countess admitted. "His is a fiery, enthusiastic +nature, that rebels against rules and barriers, but marriage will put +an end to his follies, and Hertha is beautiful enough to hold him +captive always. You admire her, I am sure; she had a brilliant triumph +last evening." + +"No wonder. By the way, Hortense, the Clermonts were there last night. +Are they intimate with Herr von Reval?" + +"I think Raoul introduced them there. It is the fashion to frequent the +Reval house." + +"Indeed? Then Raoul is intimate with young Clermont?" + +"He is, and I should like to have him and his sister here, but--here +you have a proof of my father-in-law's incredible tyranny--the general +absolutely forbids my inviting them. I was once obliged to recall an +invitation which I had sent them at Raoul's request. The general is +determined to exclude the Clermonts from our circle." + +The marquis suddenly grew attentive. "That is strange. What reasons +does he assign?" + +"Reasons? He never condescends to give me any. He simply commands, and +I must obey." + +"I think you do well to obey in this instance," the Marquis said, in so +significant a tone that his sister looked at him in surprise. + +"Why? Have you heard anything against the Clermonts? They do not seem +to be very brilliantly circumstanced pecuniarily, but they brought +excellent letters of introduction, and they belong to a very ancient +French family." + +"Certainly; there is no doubt of that." + +"Well, then, I do not understand you, Leon." + +The Marquis moved his chair a little nearer, and laid his hand upon the +Countess's arm: "Hortense, I am forced to open your eyes, for you seem +utterly blind in this matter. You are desirous that Raoul should marry +Hertha?" + +"Desirous? Why, I rest all my hopes upon it. This marriage means wealth +and splendour for Raoul, and for me the freedom I have so long desired. +How can you ask such a question?" + +"Then let me advise you not to encourage your son's intimacy with the +Clermonts. I hear he is there every day, and--Frau von Nerac is a +widow." + +Heloise smiled incredulously. "Heloise von Nerac? She is not even +pretty." + +"But she is very dangerous." + +"Not as a rival of Hertha. Such a betrothed could hold any man +captive." + +"If she chose; but she does not seem to choose. The young Countess +treats her betrothed very strangely; she is very reserved, while Frau +von Nerac, on the other hand, is very engaging." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Hortense, her anxiety at last aroused. "Raoul's +marriage is to take place so shortly; he never would be so insane as to +sacrifice his entire future for the sake of this Heloise." + +"He would not be the first whom passion has blinded to self-interest. +But I meant only to warn, not to terrify you. I only suspect; it is for +you to discover the truth. But be cautious; a false step might ruin +everything." + +The Countess changed colour; the thing thus hinted at might well +terrify her, for it meant the destruction of all her hopes. "You are +right; there may be mischief to be feared," she said. "I thank you for +your warning." + +Montigny rose, quite satisfied with the result of the conversation. The +diplomat had achieved his purpose without mentioning what was not to be +mentioned. He knew that Hortense's maternal solicitude would prompt her +to use all her influence to withdraw Raoul from his intercourse with +the Clermonts, and he thought that he had amply provided for Henri de +Clermont's acquiescence in such cessation of intercourse. As to whether +the suspicion he had expressed were well founded or not the Marquis +cared little; what he desired was that his nephew should be delivered +from associations the pernicious nature of which was but too well known +to him. He once more advised his sister to be cautious, and then he +took his leave. + +In the mean time another conversation, of a far more stormy character, +had been taking place above-stairs in the general's study. Steinrueck +had confined himself on the previous evening to forbidding his grandson +to take any further steps in the quarrel with Michael; but this morning +he had sent for him, and was now emptying the vials of his wrath upon +the young man's head. + +"Are you dead to all reason, to all prudence whatsoever, that you must +select Michael Rodenberg with whom to pick a quarrel?" he asked. "If +you had been led in a moment of passion to insult him, I could have +understood it; but from what I hear from Hertha, your rudeness seems to +have been deliberate and intentional." + +"It was by the most unfortunate chance that Hertha happened to be in +the next room," said Raoul, confronting his grandfather with an air of +defiance, "and that she should have taken it into her head to tell +you----" + +"Was the wisest, the most sensible course she could have adopted," the +Count interrupted him. "Another girl would have appealed to you with +tears and entreaties, which would have availed nothing, for, as matters +stand, you alone cannot put a stop to the affair. Your betrothed +applied to me, rightly judging that I was the one to interfere here. +This duel must under no circumstances take place." + +"It is an affair of honour, in which I shall permit no interference!" +exclaimed Raoul, angrily; "and it is, besides, my own personal affair." + +"No, it is _not_, or I should let it take its course, for you are no +longer a boy, and are responsible for your own actions. But this +quarrel affects our family interests most painfully. Have you never +reflected that it will drag to light circumstances which should be kept +strictly private?" + +The young Count looked dismayed. He certainly had not thus reflected, +and he replied, somewhat abashed, "I do not think that such a +consequence is inevitable." + +"But certainly it is most probable. However the duel may terminate, it +will attract universal attention to its principals; there will be all +sorts of inquiries as to what provoked it, and the required explanation +will be found in the name of Rodenberg. Hitherto it has escaped special +notice, because it occurs several times in the army list, and because +the captain has occupied towards us the position of an entire stranger; +it will soon be discovered that he is no stranger to us, for as soon as +he is seriously questioned by his comrades or his superior officers he +must confess the truth. At first you were outraged by the bare +possibility of such a revelation, and yet you are the one wantonly to +provoke it." + +The truth of this was so apparent that even Raoul could not gainsay it. +"Perhaps I did not perceive all the bearings of the matter," he said, +sullenly. "One can't always control his mood, and this Rodenberg's +arrogance irritated me. He behaves as if he were entirely my equal." + +"I fear the arrogance was on your side," said Steinrueck, sternly. "I +had a sample of it when you first met Michael here; he was forced to +compel you to show him the merest courtesy, and I have no doubt this +was the case when you met him afterwards. Did you provoke a challenge +or not?" + +Raoul evaded a direct reply; he said, contemptuously, "How was I to +know that the adventurer's son was so sensitive on a point of honour? +But no wonder!" + +"Captain Rodenberg is one of my officers, and his honour is stainless, +you will please to remember!" The general's voice was sharp and stern. +"I beg that there may be no fresh insult to make a reconciliation +impossible. It is just nine o'clock; your antagonist may be here at any +moment." + +"Here? You are expecting him?" + +"Of course; the affair must be adjusted among us personally. He +received my summons coldly enough, but he will be here, and I trust you +now see clearly why this duel must be prevented. You were the one to +offend, from you must come the apology." + +"Never!" Raoul burst forth. "Rather let the worst come to the worst!" + +"That I will not allow!" said Steinrueck. "Is Captain Rodenberg there? +Admit him." + +The last words were addressed to a servant who appeared at the door, +and in a moment Michael presented himself. + +He saluted the general, but seemed not to observe the presence of the +young Count, who, standing aside, cast at him an angry glance. + +"I have summoned you hither to adjust the affair between you and my +grandson," the general began. "First of all, it is necessary that you +should take notice of each other. I beg you to do so." + +The request sounded like a command, and as such was obeyed; the young +men bowed to each other, very formally indeed, and the general +continued: "Captain Rodenberg, I have learned--from whom, is of no +consequence--that you consider yourself as having been insulted by +young Count Steinrueck, and that you purpose demanding satisfaction of +him. Is this so?" + +"It is, your Excellency," was the calm reply. + +"The Count is, of course, ready at any moment to grant you +satisfaction, but this duel I neither can nor will permit. In any other +affair of the kind I should leave the arrangement to those principally +concerned, but this cannot be here, in view of the peculiar relations +in which you stand to our family. You must be aware of this." + +"Not at all. Those relations have been so entirely ignored hitherto +that there is no reason for regarding them now, and strangers are +ignorant of them." + +"They will be so no longer if matters are pushed to a bloody issue. The +public and the press are wont on such occasions to investigate +curiously the personal connections of those concerned, and the truth +would be speedily discovered." + +Michael shrugged his shoulders. "Count Steinrueck should have remembered +this before provoking such an issue. It is now too late for such +considerations." + +"It is not too late. Some means of adjustment must be devised. I repeat +to you what I have just declared to my grandson, that under no +consideration can this duel take place." + +The words were uttered emphatically, but they produced no effect; +Michael's reply was still more emphatic. "Upon a point of honour, your +Excellency, I can permit no control. If the Count can bow to a command +in such a case, I cannot!" + +Raoul looked at him half indignantly, half in surprise. He, the son and +heir of the house, had never ventured so to confront his grandfather, +neither would the general have suffered such open rebellion against his +authority; but from Rodenberg he did not resent it. He frowned, indeed, +ominously, but he condescended to a kind of explanation. + +"I am a soldier like yourself, and would not ask of you what is +inconsistent with your honour. You believe yourself to have in no wise +provoked this quarrel?" + +"I do." + +Steinrueck turned to his grandson: "Raoul, I now desire to hear from you +whether what Captain Rodenberg regarded as insulting on your part was +accidental or intentional. In the first case the affair is arranged." + +Raoul was sufficiently familiar with this tone, but he had no intention +of embracing the means of adjustment thus afforded him. He had meant to +insult, and was only restrained from frankly declaring the fact by fear +of his grandfather; he took refuge in a sullen silence. + +"It was intentional, then!" said the general, with slow emphasis. "You +will, then, retract this insult, this wanton insult, here in my +presence." + +"Never!" exclaimed Raoul. "Grandfather, do not drive me to extremes. +The limit of my submission to you is reached when I allow such words to +be used to me before my antagonist. I refuse to be humiliated further. +Captain Rodenberg, I am at your service; appoint the time and the +place." + +"It shall be done to-day," Michael replied. "Will your Excellency +permit me to take my leave?" + +"No, not yet!" exclaimed Steinrueck, suddenly dropping his formal tone +and stepping between the young men. "I must remind you both of what you +seem to have forgotten. You are blood relations, and this tie of blood +I will have respected. Strangers may have recourse to pistols in such +cases; the sons of my children must settle their quarrel by other +means." + +"Grandfather!" "Your Excellency!" There was the same tone of defiance +in each voice, but the general went on, imperiously: + +"Hush, and listen to me! This is a family matter, in which the public +should have no share: it is for the head of the family alone to adjust +it. I am the authority here, I alone have the right to interfere, and I +forbid you to have recourse to weapons. The blood flowing in the veins +of each of you is mine, and I will not have it thus spilled. As head of +the family, as your grandfather, I demand implicit obedience from my +grandsons." + +His tone and manner were so commanding that rebellion seemed +impossible,--the old chief of the Steinruecks compelled obedience. In +fact, neither of the young men gainsaid him. Raoul stood still in sheer +bewilderment at what he had just heard. 'My grandsons,' and 'the blood +flowing in the veins of each of you is mine!' Why, it amounted to a +formal recognition. + +Michael too felt this; his eyes gleamed, but not with delight, and his +bearing was still more haughty than before, although he did not speak. + +"Raoul is the offender, as he himself admits," Steinrueck began again. +"In his name I declare to you, Michael, that he retracts everything +that could bear an insulting construction; and you, on your part, will +relinquish your haughty bearing, which is a kind of provocation. Does +this content you?" + +"If Count Raoul confirms your words--yes." + +"He will do so. Raoul!" + +The young Count did not reply. He stood biting his lip, his hand +clinched, as he cast a glance of hatred at his antagonist. Apparently +he was resolved to defy his grandfather's authority. + +"Well?" said Steinrueck, after a pause. "I am waiting." + +"No, I will not!" burst forth Raoul. + +But the general stepped up to him, and, looking him full in the eye, +said, "You must, for you are in the wrong. If Michael were the offender +I should require the same from him, and he would obey; since you +insulted him, it is your part to yield. I require only a simple 'yes;' +nothing more. Will you confirm my words, or not?" + +Raoul made a final attempt to maintain his defiant attitude, but his +grandfather's flashing eyes cast their wonted spell upon him,--they +forced him to obey. A few seconds passed, and then the young Count +uttered the desired 'yes,' half inaudibly indeed, but it was uttered. + +Michael inclined his head. "I withdraw my challenge; the affair is +adjusted." + +Steinrueck gave a sigh of relief. He was not quite so iron as he seemed. +His sigh betrayed his suffering at the thought of his two grandsons +confronting each other in mortal combat. + +"And now shake hands," he went on, in a gentler tone, "and remember in +future that you are of the same race,--although it must in future, as +hitherto, be kept a secret from the world." + +But Raoul's obedience would go no further: he turned away with an +expression of frank hostility; and Michael said, "Pardon me, your +Excellency, but you must allow us to do as we choose in this respect. +The Count, as I perceive, is not anxious for a reconciliation, nor am +I. I promise to give no occasion for a renewal of the quarrel. As for a +tie of relationship between us, we are alike determined to ignore +anything of the kind." + +"Wherefore?-- Does my recognition not satisfy you?" Steinrueck asked, +indignantly. + +"A recognition forced from you by necessity, by fear of a public +scandal, which must be kept secret because it is considered a +disgrace,--no, it does not satisfy me! Count Raoul has enjoyed his +grandfather's affection all his life, he may yield obedience to his +commands; I have always been outcast, repudiated every hour of my life; +I have been made to feel that the Steinruecks considered me beneath them +in rank, and would fain banish me from their social circle. Here, in +this very room, you declared to me that for you there was no tie of +relationship between us. I now make the same declaration to you. I do +not choose to accept privately as a favour what is mine of right before +all the world; however you may acknowledge me as your grandson, I shall +never admit that you are my grandfather, never! And now may I entreat +General Count Steinrueck to dismiss me?" + +He spoke with perfect mastery of himself, but there was a sound in his +voice that made Raoul start and look at him in surprise; he seemed to +hear his grandfather speaking. In fact, the resemblance had never been +so striking as now, when the two men stood erect confronting each +other. The eyes, the carriage, everything bore witness to the +relationship just disowned; the young man's stern resolve was an +inheritance from his grandfather. He was the old Count's youthful +presentment. + +"Go, then!" said the general. "You choose to see in me only your +superior officer. So be it for the future." + +Rodenberg saluted, bowed to his cousin, and left the room, where for +some minutes after his departure an oppressive silence reigned, broken +at last by Raoul: "Grandfather!" + +"What is it?" said Steinrueck, who was still looking towards the door +behind which Michael had disappeared. + +"I think you have now had sufficient proof of the arrogance of your +'grandson.'" The word was uttered with infinite contempt. "He was quite +magnificent as he rejected the recognition that you offered him, and +actually refused to admit any tie of blood between us. And you have +forced me to humiliate myself to that man!" + +"Yes, this Michael is iron," Steinrueck muttered, between his teeth. +"Nothing avails with him, neither kindness nor severity." + +"And, moreover, he resembles you immensely," Raoul went on, in his +indignation and in his irritation against his grandfather seizing upon +the chance to irritate him in turn. "I never noticed it before, but +just now when he stood opposite you the resemblance was almost +terrifying." + +The general slowly turned his gaze from the door and riveted it upon +his grandson, with an odd expression in his eyes. "Did you perceive it +too? I knew it long ago." + +Raoul did not comprehend this calm. He had looked for an angry retort, +an indignant disclaimer of any resemblance. The Count perceived his +surprise, and, suddenly adopting his old authoritative tone, he said, +"But no matter! The quarrel between you is now made up, and I do not +believe that even you have any temptation to renew it. Avoid each other +in future; it will not be difficult. And now leave me." + +Raoul went, but with rage in his heart. Whereas hitherto he had felt +only a haughty dislike for Michael, he now hated him with all the +intensity of his passionate temperament. Perhaps General Steinrueck +would have done more wisely not to subject him to the humiliation he +had undergone,--it could never be forgotten by either cousin. + + + * * * * * + + +Hertha was standing alone at her window gazing out, but she saw nothing +of the surging life in the principal street of the capital. Her eyes +were persistently turned in the direction of the general's place of +abode. He had promised to send her tidings in the course of the +forenoon, and if he had really succeeded in preventing the duel his +messenger should have already arrived, but there was no sign as yet of +the Steinrueck livery, and the young Countess's impatience and anxiety +increased with each minute that passed. + +All at once she leaned far forward. She had recognized the general, who +was just turning the corner; yes, it was he himself, and as he +recognized her he waved his hand to her. Thank God, he was smiling! +That could not betoken any unhappy termination. + +She left the window, but did not dare to hasten to meet the Count. No +one must suspect anything unusual. Only when she heard his step in the +anteroom did she fling open the door and hurry towards him. "You come +yourself,--you bring me good news?" + +The question was uttered breathlessly, and Steinrueck replied in a +soothing tone, "Certainly, my child; there is no cause for further +anxiety: the affair is arranged." + +Hertha drew a long breath of intense relief: "Thank God! I hardly dared +to hope." + +The general cast a searching glance at her pale, weary face; then, +taking her by the arm, he led her back into the room and closed the +door. "I certainly have had a hard time with the obstinate fellows," he +began. "Neither would yield, neither would make the slightest advance. +At last I had to exert all my authority to bring them to reason. +Nevertheless the affair was not so grave as you supposed; a couple of +thoughtless words of Raoul's, a sharp reply from Rodenberg,--it was +quite enough to send such a couple of Hotspurs to mortal combat. They +would fain have sprung at each other's throats there and then. +Fortunately, I heard of the matter in time to prevent mischief." + +He spoke in a half-jesting tone, but Hertha perceived that his smile, +as well as his gayety, was forced. She was not deceived: she knew the +gravity of what he seemed to esteem so lightly. + +"And they have given you a sleepless night, too; you show that," he +continued. "Our coy little betrothed repents her treatment of poor +Raoul yesterday, eh? Let it be a warning to you, Hertha. No man can +endure such treatment, even at the hands of the woman he loves the +best." + +"Least of all, perhaps, at her hands. But do you imagine that Raoul +really loves me?" + +The general was startled by the tone of bitterness in which she spoke. +"Has he not wooed and won you?" + +"According to a family arrangement, in compliance with your express +desire. I know the value of this love 'to order.'" + +"Surely this is nothing new to you," said Steinrueck, gravely. "You knew +it all from the first. You both yielded to considerations deemed very +important by those of our rank. There is no great amount of romance +about such unions; but, so far as I know, you have never missed it. Why +should you suddenly adopt this bitter tone with regard to Raoul, who +might with justice accuse you in return?" + +The young Countess was silent; she had no answer for this question. + +"The old evil spirit is stirring again; it must be conjured and +banished," the general said, with a fleeting smile. "I have had to do +it once before, in the early days of my guardianship. Then I was +obliged to discipline a spoiled and idolized child, who had known no +will save her own. You rebelled passionately, and your mother shed +tears because I was so stern, and prevented her also from yielding. We +had a stormy scene, but when the child's passion was exhausted she +carne to me of her own accord, put her little arms around my neck, and +said---- Do you remember, Hertha?" + +She smiled, and, laying her head upon his shoulder, completed the +sentence: "'I love you dearly, Uncle Michael. Very dearly!'" + +He inclined his head and kissed her forehead. "Because I knew how to +control you. Ever since I have been secure of your affection; but Raoul +does not understand yet. I could wellnigh believe that the knight who +is the ideal of the dreams of this proud, wayward girl must have +something in him of the dragon-slayer, or he can never rule her." + +"He must be like you!" exclaimed Hertha, eagerly,--"like you, Uncle +Michael, with your iron force of character, your invincible will, even +your sternness. I could have fallen in love with you if I had known you +in your youth." + +Steinrueck shook his head, smiling. "What! Flattering your old uncle? +But in truth your nature craves to be striven for, to be won by storm. +My child, fate seldom gives us our choice in these matters: we must +yield to destiny, as you are now learning. Believe me, in the eyes of a +hundred other women Raoul is the ideal of manliness and chivalry; since +I have learned that you love him in spite of his not being the hero of +your dreams, I am not disturbed. And, to be frank with you, Hertha, I +did not know this before yesterday. Until then I had grave doubts of +your sentiments, but the mortal anxiety that you betrayed last evening +when you entreated my interference, and the way in which you received +me this morning, have shown me how you trembled for Raoul." + +A crimson flush slowly mounted to the cheek of the girl, and she hung +her head without a word in reply. + +"Was it necessary that some danger should threaten your betrothed to +wring from you such an avowal?" the general went on, reproachfully. +"Hitherto you have played but a cold, formal part towards Raoul, and it +has estranged him from you. Only show him the trembling anxiety for his +life that you showed me, and you can do with him what you will; he will +be a willing captive." + +Hertha's blush deepened, and hurriedly, as if eager at all hazards to +change the subject, she said, "You really think all danger over?" + +"Yes; the insult as well as the challenge has been retracted in due +form. The quarrel is at an end." + +"But not the enmity! I could only give you a faint idea last evening of +what really passed between them. You do not know what words Raoul made +use of,--not concerning the captain himself, but concerning his +parents." + +"Ah, it was that, then!" muttered Steinrueck. + +"Do you know anything about them?" the Countess asked, hastily. + +"I only know that there is not the slightest stain upon Rodenberg's +honour, and that suffices me. How did he receive Raoul's words?" + +"Like a wounded lion. He was absolutely terrible: if Raoul had said +another word I believe he would have struck him down." + +The general's attention was roused by the girl's passionate tone, and +he gazed at her with a dawning suspicion in his look, while Hertha, all +unconscious of his glance, went on, with flashing eyes and glowing +cheeks: "Rodenberg was indignant to the last degree; he silenced Raoul +with a look and a tone such as I have never seen and heard before, save +once; in you, Uncle Michael, that time at Berkheim, when they brought +before you the poacher who had shot our forester; it brought you +directly to my mind as you were then." + +Steinrueck made no reply to these last remarks; he still gazed fixedly +at the young Countess, as if trying to decipher something in her +features. "Perhaps Raoul's words were not unfounded," he said at last, +very slowly. "Who can tell what he may know of Rodenberg's origin?" + +"He was all the more inexcusable for touching upon the matter," Hertha +persisted, with a vehemence of which she herself was unconscious. "You +yourself say that the captain's honour is stainless, and Raoul surely +knows it as well as you; and therefore he attacked the parents. It was +cowardly and malicious; it was base and----" + +"Hertha, you are speaking of your betrothed!" the general sternly +interrupted her. + +Hertha paused, and her colour faded. Steinrueck laid his hand heavily +upon her own, and said in an undertone, but with severity, "For whose +life did you tremble? For whom were you anxious?" + +She was silent, although she knew but too well,--the sleepless hours of +the past night had revealed the truth to her,--but no sound escaped her +lips. The Count gazed steadily at her. "Hertha, I demand an answer. +Will you not, or can you not, give me one? Surely the betrothed of +Count Steinrueck knows what she owes to him and to herself." + +"Yes, she knows well," said Hertha, gravely and firmly. "Have no fear; +I shall redeem my word." + +"I look for no less from you!" He clasped her hand tightly in his own +for a moment, then dropped it and arose. "What time is appointed for +your departure?" he asked, after a pause. + +"The beginning of next week." + +"That is well. I thought of persuading your mother to remain here; but +I now think you had best go as soon as possible. You need--change of +air. And one word more, Hertha. Could Raoul have seen and heard you +just now, when you spoke of his antagonist, he never would have receded +from the duel, and I could not have blamed him for refusing to do so. +Farewell!" + +He spoke coldly and sternly, leaving the room as proudly erect as ever; +but in the hall outside he stayed his steps for a moment and covered +his eyes with his hand. Was it tottering to its fall, the structure +that he had reared so proudly upon what he had deemed so sure a +foundation? + +'He must be like you, with your iron force of character, your +invincible will, even your sternness.' Those words had roused the +Count's suspicion. Yes, there was one who resembled him trait for +trait, and who could understand how to control the wayward child if he +were but allowed free play. This must be put a stop to at all hazards. +Hertha must go,--must be removed from so perilous a proximity. Her +whim--it could be nothing further--would change when deprived of the +object that had gratified it. It was not to be supposed serious in any +way. But it was hard for the general that the peril should come from +such a quarter, that it should be just this man that threatened +destruction to his plans. He could not have thought it possible. + +Upon this same forenoon Professor Wehlau was sitting at his +writing-table in his study, where, for a wonder, he was not at work, +but was poring over a newspaper which seemed to contain something that +annoyed him greatly; there was a black cloud upon his brow. + +The newspaper, the best and most brilliantly conducted in the capital, +did, in fact, contain a long article concerning 'Saint Michael,' the +first important work of a young artist, a pupil of Professor Walter, +which was to be publicly exhibited in a few days. The critic, who had +seen it on the easel, spoke of it with enthusiastic admiration, and did +not fail to inform the public that the picture was already sold. It was +destined for the pilgrimage church of Saint Michael, where it was to be +installed the ensuing week with due solemnity. This last announcement +was too much for the Professor's equanimity,--he fairly gnashed his +teeth. + +"Why, this is better and better!" he growled. "If they are already +beginning to turn the lad's head in this fashion, there will be no +doing anything with him. 'Magnificent composition, brilliant execution, +talent of the highest order justifying the most extravagant +expectations'! Oh, yes, here it comes again; I know the jargon! 'The +talented son of a distinguished father.' The deuce take these admirers, +and Hans too, and Michael into the bargain!" + +He threw the sheet aside and began to pace to and fro. Wehlau was one +of those who cannot endure to be in the wrong. He would rather have +maintained that white was black than have confessed that his eye, which +was wont to see so clearly in scientific affairs, had been utterly +deceived with regard to his own son. Hans was and must remain a +good-for-naught, who, since he had declined to become his father's +pupil and successor, was fit for no grave pursuit in life. He was +wedded to this opinion, and he clung to it with all the obstinacy of +his character. Had the article denounced his son as a dauber he would +have triumphed. But it called him a genius, and this he looked upon as +an insult, since it proved himself in the wrong. + +"Does the man hope to persuade me that the boy is good for something?" +he soliloquized, angrily. "I say it is false! The lad is a fool,--a +booby, who with his face and his amiability has bribed the critic as he +bribes everybody. _He_ do anything of any consequence! He'll not impose +upon me; I'll never set foot in his studio, nor look at one of his +pictures, although ten critics should praise them and twenty countesses +buy them!" + +He raised his hand as if to make a solemn vow, when suddenly the door +was opened, and the old gardener, who likewise did duty in the studio +as Hans's servant, of course without any permission from the Professor, +made his appearance. + +"What is the matter?" snarled Wehlau, in the worst of humours. "You +know, Anton, that I am not to be disturbed in my study. What do you +want?" + +"Excuse me, Herr Professor," said the old man in evident distress. "I +have just come from the studio,--from the young master." + +"That's no excuse; I'll have no such interruptions in future. Do you +hear?" + +"But, Herr Professor, the young master is so ill,--so very ill,--I +thought he would die in my arms!" + +"What!" Wehlau exclaimed. "What is the matter with my son?" + +"I do not know. I was working in the garden, when he opened the window +and called me, and when I went to him he was lying on the floor half +dead. He had been taken suddenly ill,--mortally ill, and had only +strength enough to say 'Call my father!' And I came running to find +you." + +"Good God! the boy has been in perfect health hitherto!" cried Wehlau, +hurrying out of the room. All his vexation and annoyance were +forgotten, as well as the vow he had made, as he ran through the garden +towards the studio, followed by Anton. + +Upon opening the door of the atelier he was shocked to find the +young artist lying back in an arm-chair with closed eyes; his +hand was pressed upon his heart, whence the breath came in short, +laboured gasps. His face could not be clearly seen, since the heavy +window-curtain was drawn closely, and there was but a dim light in +the part of the room where he lay. + +The Professor was at his son's side in an instant, bending over him. +"Hans, what is the matter with you? You cannot be ill? It is the only +folly in which you have not indulged hitherto, and I positively forbid +it. Speak to me, at least." + +Hans opened his eyes, and said, in a broken voice, "Is that you, papa? +Forgive me for sending for you. I thought----" + +"But what is the matter with you?" The Professor would have felt his +son's pulse, but the young man withdrew his hand, as if unconsciously, +to put it beneath his head. + +"I do not know. I suddenly grew fearfully dizzy; everything was dark +before my eyes; it was terrible." + +"It all comes from this confounded paint,--your cursed daubing," Wehlau +exclaimed, in despair. "Anton, open the window, let in the fresh air, +and bring some water instantly." + +He seized the left arm of the sick man, who tried to repeat the +man[oe]uvre previously executed by the right one. This time, however, +his father was too quick for him, and clasped the wrist firmly. "Why, +how is this? Your pulse is perfectly normal." There was suspicion in +his tone, and he turned hastily and dashed aside the window-curtain. +The daylight streamed into the room and showed the young man's face as +fresh and rosy in colour as ever. Its expression of suffering did not +for an instant deceive the experienced physician. + +"This is another of your infernal tricks," he burst forth. "Heaven have +mercy on you if you have played this farce with me just to get me +inside your studio." + +"But, at all events, here you are, papa," cried Hans, who, seeing that +any further attempt to feign illness would be useless, sprang to his +feet. "And you certainly will not go away without a glance at least at +my 'Saint Michael.' There it stands against the wall; you have only to +turn round." + +The entreaty sounded very fervent, but Wehlau marched straight towards +the door. "Do you suppose you can force me in this way? I shall have a +word to say to you hereafter about your base deceit. Now let me out." + +Instead of obeying, Hans closed the door in the face of old Anton, who +was bringing the water ordered by the Professor, and turned the key. +"No use to try to get out, papa. There is no help for you. This is my +kingdom; I have duly captured you, and shall not release you. Look at +the picture." + +This was more than the Professor could bear. The tempest that had been +gathering strength during the last few minutes broke forth with fury, +but it failed to affect Hans, who showed an amount of strategic +capacity that would have done honour to his friend Michael. He talked +fast and loud, edging his father, meanwhile, towards the opposite wall, +and, when he thought him near enough, he suddenly seized him by the +shoulders and turned him round. + +"Hans, I tell you if you dare to----" Wehlau suddenly paused, for +involuntarily he had glanced at the picture. He looked at it again, and +then slowly approached it. + +The young artist's eyes sparkled triumphantly. He was sure of his cause +now, but he stationed himself behind his father to cut off retreat, +which, however, the Professor had ceased to contemplate. He stood as if +spell-bound, staring at the picture. + +"It is my first work of any importance, papa," Hans began in his most +caressing voice. "I could not possibly send it out into the world +without showing it to you. You must not be vexed with me for the +stratagem I had to employ to get you here; it was the only way to +induce you to enter my studio." + +"Hold your tongue, and let me look at the thing in peace and quiet," +Wehlau growled, moving to get the best point of view. + +Thus several minutes passed, and then the Professor began to mutter to +himself in a way that sounded half angry, half approving. At last he +turned to his son and asked in a low tone, "And you mean to tell me +that you did this thing all yourself?" + +"Certainly, papa." + +"I don't believe it." + +"You will surely not refuse me credit for my own work? How do you like +it?" + +The Professor began to mutter again, but this time it sounded more +promising. "Hm! the thing is not so bad; there is force and life in it. +Where did you get the idea?" + +"Out of my head, papa." + +Wehlau looked from the picture to his son, in whose head he had +declared there was no room for anything save folly: the matter seemed +to him inconceivable. + +"Michael deserves the principal credit in the affair," the young artist +said, laughing. "He has been an incomparable model. Of course I had no +end of trouble in getting him into the right mood, but on one occasion +I succeeded in irritating him so that he burst into a furious passion, +and then I caught the expression and fixed it on the canvas. But you +don't tell me what you think of my daubing." + +The Professor's features twitched oddly; apparently he would fain +have scolded and fumed afresh, but it was impossible, and at +last he said, very gently, "But in future you will paint no more +altar-pieces,--promise me that." + +"No, papa; my next picture will portray natural science in the person +of 'our distinguished investigator.' When will you sit to me?" + +"Let me alone!" + +"That is only half a promise, and I want a whole one. Shall we begin +to-morrow?" + +"Deuce take it! yes,--since there's no help for it." + +"Victory!" shouted Hans, throwing his arms around his father, who no +longer resisted; on the contrary, he clasped his son close, and looking +into the young man's sunny blue eyes, he said, in a burst of +tenderness, "You'll never make a scholar, my boy, of that I am now +convinced, but, nevertheless, you may be good for something after all!" + + + * * * * * + + +At Saint Michael preparations were making for the festival of the +saint; a very great occasion this year, since the new altar-picture was +to be consecrated in its place with all due solemnity. The pilgrimage +church was in festal array, and the Alpine hamlet, usually so quiet, +was filled with the bustle of joyous excitement; preparations were +making to receive the thousands of pilgrims who would arrive on the +morrow from all parts of the mountains to pay their devotions in the +sanctuary of the archangel: all was not yet ready, and it was the eve +of the holiday. + +On this afternoon the pastor had been as much pleased as surprised by +the sudden and unexpected appearance of his former pupil, Captain +Rodenberg. There was something pathetic in the old priest's delight. +"Such a surprise!" he said, detaining the young man's hand in his +clasp. "The last thing that I dreamed of was seeing you just at this +time." + +"I have only a single day at my disposal," replied Michael. "I must be +in M---- the day after tomorrow again to join Colonel Fernau, whom I +accompanied thither. I managed to get a three days' leave, and I made +this little excursion to see your reverence." + +Valentin smiled and shook his head. "Do you call it a little excursion? +Why, it is almost a day's journey from here to M----; you have to drive +alone through the mountains for five hours. But I am glad you think +your old teacher worth the trouble; I shall at least have you on St. +Michael's day; my faint hope that Hans might come has been +disappointed." + +"He wished to come, but he thought he owed it to his father to stay +away. The Professor takes it to heart that the name of Hans Wehlau +should be in such close connection with a festival of the church. You +know----" + +"Yes, I am perfectly aware of my brother's attitude with regard to the +church," said Valentin, with a half-smothered sigh. "I made an abject +apology to Hans when his 'Saint Michael' arrived, for I had never given +our madcap credit for the earnestness and depth of character shown in +this work of his." + +"You all did him injustice; his own father especially underrated him," +Michael warmly declared. "I alone, seeing the picture from the first +sketch, was aware of what it promised. Hans has had a great triumph +during its exhibition. It was instantly appreciated by the public, and +elicited a burst of admiration; the critics praised it with rare +unanimity, and everything has been done to spoil the artist with +flattery. Fortunately, he is one of those who cannot be spoiled. Is the +picture in its place yet?" + +"It has been hung since the day before yesterday,--a costly and +beautiful gift from the Countess to our church. She meant to be present +at its consecration, and came from Berkheim to Castle Steinrueck for the +purpose." + +"She will be here to-morrow, then?" Michael asked. + +"No; unfortunately, she has been taken ill; she caught cold on the +journey, and is seriously indisposed, so she sent me----" + +Here they were interrupted by the sacristan, very hurried, very +worried, with a number of questions to ask and communications to make +with regard to the festival. His reverence had to arrange, decide, and +oversee; there was a deal to be done. + +"I think I ought not to monopolize you any longer," said Rodenberg. +"The Herr Pastor appears to be in constant requisition. I will go up to +the church for a while, to see how Saint Michael looks in his present +surroundings. We shall have some quiet hours together this evening." + +"I am afraid that can hardly be. You do not yet know,--I was just going +to tell you, but----" + +His reverence did not finish his sentence, for old Katrin came in at +that moment with her arms filled with evergreens and garlands, and +wanted to know where they were to be put, and the sacristan too stood +waiting. Valentin was at his wits' end. + +Michael left him and took the familiar road to the pilgrimage church. +It was early in May, and the mountains were beginning to show the +presence of spring, always so late to arrive among them. + +The Eagle ridge was still girdled with ice, in dazzling crystal +splendour, but the brooks from the glaciers, their chains broken by the +sun, were dashing foaming down to the valleys, and the dark hemlock +forest nestling against the rocky wall had already shaken the burden of +snow from its boughs. From the alps and meadows surrounding Saint +Michael the snow had also disappeared; they were laughing in fresh +sunny green, while through them here and there trickled tiny rivulets +from the heights; it was as if the whole mountain world had awaked to +life. Still, however, above the heights and depths, above forest and +meadow, the wild spring blasts were careering, sounding their note of +promise and of victory. + +Michael entered the church, quite empty at this hour of the afternoon, +but having donned its modest festal garment. Here upon these lonely +heights there were no fragrant blossoms of the spring,--column and +portal were wreathed about with dark evergreen, and little nosegays of +Alpine flowers were the sole decoration of the altar. There was, +nevertheless, a breath of spring in the solemnity reigning in the +quiet, spacious structure, now filled with the golden light of the +declining sun. The church might wear a more festal aspect when thronged +with a devout crowd, but it was much more beautiful in the profound +consecrated repose in which it awaited its festival, still untouched, +as it were, by all the aspirations, prayers, and laments which would +arise from within its walls on the morrow. No inharmonious sound +disturbed its quiet; even the roaring of the wind outside, dying away +in long-drawn notes, sounded like the tones of a distant organ. + +Saint Michael was enthroned above the high altar; not the dim picture +of the saint which time had half destroyed, and which had been but the +crude outcome of mediaeval piety,--that had been respectfully +transferred to the church vestibule,--but the work of the young artist +who was making a name and fame for himself. Michael had been familiar +with it from its first conception, he had seen it repeatedly; but it +had been for him, as for the public, and even for the painter himself, +only a picture, a scene of conflict, accidentally illustrating a legend +of the church. He was surprised to the last degree by the impression +produced by the picture in its present place. In the twilight of the +chancel, between the tall Gothic windows with their glowing colours, it +took on quite another appearance; it seemed freed from all earthly +taint, the embodiment of the ancient sacred legend, repeated in all +religions and among all races of mankind, of the victory of light over +darkness. + +Rodenberg slowly approached the high altar, and as he did so he became +aware of a kneeling female figure, hitherto concealed by a column from +his observation. It was no peasant: a gown of dark silk fell in folds +upon the ground, and beneath the veil of black lace that had been +thrown over the head there was a gleam as of red gold which Michael +knew only too well. He paused as if stayed by a spell. Was this a freak +of his fancy which was always bringing up before him the same image? +Just then the lady, roused by the sound of his footstep, turned her +head; an exclamation of surprise that was almost terror escaped her +lips. Those were Hertha's eyes gazing at him. + +It was surely a fate that had brought these two together for the second +time in a lonely Alpine village, at an hour when each had believed the +other miles away,--at least thus this unexpected meeting seemed to +them. Both so lost their self-possession that neither observed the +other's embarrassment; there was a pause, which Michael was the first +to break. "I am sorry to have disturbed you, Countess Steinrueck; I +thought the church was empty, and did not perceive you until this +moment." + +Hertha slowly arose from her knees, conscious that her exclamation, her +apparent dismay, called for some explanation. She had been lost in +contemplation of the picture; she could not have told how long she had +been gazing at Saint Michael, when suddenly he whom the saint suggested +stood before her. There was a tremor in her voice as she rejoined, "I +was, indeed, surprised. His reverence had not told me that you also +were to be his guest." + +"I arrived unexpectedly only half an hour ago, and had not heard of +your being here, having been told only that you, with the Countess your +mother, were at Steinrueck." + +"We both meant to come to Saint Michael," said Hertha, who by this time +had regained her self-possession, "but my mother was taken ill,--not +seriously, however,--yet I came with some anxiety. It was her express +wish that at least one member of our family should be present at the +festival and at the consecration of her gift, and so I yielded to her +desire." + +Michael uttered a few words of condolence and sympathy, mere phrases, +which fell mechanically from his lips and were scarcely heeded. He did +not look at Hertha as he spoke, and she avoided glancing at him. +Instinctively their looks refused to encounter each other; they dwelt +upon the picture, now fully illumined by the setting sun, which, +streaming through the side windows into the nave of the church, cast a +broad band of golden light upon the high altar. + +The picture had none of the traditional setting of its predecessor: no +circle of angelic heads looked down from above; no flames flickered up +from the abyss; the two life-size figures were alone within the frame, +each powerful and effective in its way. Above them arched the clear +shining heavens; beneath them yawned a rocky gulf, the abode of eternal +night. + +Dashed from on high, on the very edge of the abyss, Satan was writhing +upwards with the last desperate effort of a conquered foe not in the +guise of the horned dragon-like monster of the legend, but in a human +form of strange demoniac beauty, with dark wings like those of a bird +of night. The face expressed agony, rage, and at the same time horror +of the power that had hurled him to destruction; while in the upturned +eyes there was the hopeless despair of a lost soul conscious of the +light that had been radiant about it, but to be henceforth quenched in +eternal night. It was Lucifer, once the Son of the Morning, and now +showing in his ruin a gleam of his former splendour. + +Above him, in the clear heavens, Saint Michael, in glittering mail, was +sustained by two mighty wings, like those of an eagle, and like an +eagle he was swooping down upon the foe. In his right hand flashed the +sword of flame, and flame also flashed from his large blue eyes, while +his hair, loosened by his impetuous flight, waved above his brow. His +look, his bearing, bore witness to the battle that had been fought, and +yet the entire figure of the archangel was as if bathed in the halo of +glory that beamed about the strong, victorious champion of light. + +"The picture produces a totally different effect in these +surroundings," said Hertha, her gaze still fixed upon it. "Much more +solemn, and much more powerful! The archangel has something terrible in +his aspect; one can almost feel the fiery breath of annihilation +proceeding from him. I am only afraid that the peasants will not +comprehend this conception; they may perhaps regret the solemn +indifference of the old picture." + +"Ah, you do not know our mountaineers," rejoined Rodenberg. "This is +just the picture that they will comprehend, as they could no other, for +this is their Saint Michael, who sweeps in wind and storm above their +mountains and valleys, and whose lightnings flash destruction. This is +not the heavenly champion of the ecclesiastical legend, but the +archangel of the popular faith in his original form. You thought me +heretical once because I saw in the story the old Pagan worship of +light and the ancient German god of thunder. You see now that my +friend's conception coincided with my own: he has given something of +the aspect of Wotan to his saint." + +"And Professor Wehlau inoculated you both with these ideas," Hertha +interposed, reproachfully. "He cannot endure the thought that his son +has painted a genuinely sacred picture; something Pagan and old German +must be discovered in it. As if the people would see in Saint Michael +only the avenger! Tomorrow, on the anniversary of his appearance, he +will be in their minds all beneficence, as he sweeps down from the +Eagle ridge; his sword of flame only ploughs the soil, and the sparks +of light that stream from it bestow the vigour and life of spring upon +the earth. I have been hearing the beautiful legend again today." + +"Well, this year he seems to have determined to descend in storm," said +Michael. "The wind is rising on the heights, and in all probability the +Eagle ridge will send down to us in the night one of those spring +storms which are dreaded in all the country round. I know the signs." + +As if in confirmation of his words, the wind outside grew louder and +fiercer. It sounded no longer like the tone of an organ, but like the +dull roar of distant breakers, now rising, now falling. The sun sank, +attended by a few light clouds, in a sea of flame, the splendour of +which filled the entire church. The faded old pictures on the walls, +the statues of saints on pillar and column, the crosses and church +banners, all looked instinct with a strange, ghostly life in the red +light. The carved angels upon the altar steps seemed to stir their +wings gently, and the broad band of gold which streamed across the +picture turned to crimson and grew deeper as it mounted higher. +Gradually the rocky abyss and Lucifer faded into shadow and darkness, +while Saint Michael's mighty form, with its eagle-wings, was still +surrounded by a halo of light. + +There was a long silence. Hertha broke it, and there was an uncertain +sound, a hesitation in her voice as she began: "Captain Rodenberg, I +have a request to make of you." + +He looked at her. "I am at your service." + +"I should like to know the truth with regard to a certain affair,--the +entire, unvarnished truth. May I learn it from you?" + +"If it be in my power----" + +"Most certainly, your consent is all that is needed. My uncle Steinrueck +has told me that the matter in which I entreated his interference is +entirely arranged; of course I do not doubt his words, but nevertheless +I fear----" She paused. + +"You fear?" + +"That the reconciliation is only momentary and apparent. You could not, +perhaps, refuse your general the obedience he required of you, any more +than Raoul could refuse it to his grandfather, and when you next meet +the quarrel may be renewed." + +"Not by me," said Michael. "Since Count Steinrueck retracted, in the +general's presence, his offensive words, I am entirely satisfied." + +"Raoul? Did he really do that?" exclaimed Hertha, half incredulously, +half indignantly. + +"Under any other circumstances no reconciliation would have been +possible. The Count, in fact, submitted to his grandfather's authority, +when the general expressly required him to retract his words." + +"Raoul submitted thus? Impossible!" + +"You do not question the truth of what I say?" + +"No, Captain Rodenberg, no; but I am more and more convinced that there +is something concealed from me at the root of this matter. Very strange +expressions were made use of during that scene at Colonel Reval's, and +yet you are a stranger to our family, are you not?" + +"I am," replied Michael, with cold emphasis. + +"There was an allusion to associations which you, as well as Raoul, +seemed to repudiate. What associations were those?" + +"Do you not think that the general or Count Raoul could answer you +better than I?" + +Hertha shook her head. "They could or would tell me nothing. I have +asked them. I hope to hear the truth at last from you." + +"And I must beg you to excuse me. An explanation would only be painful, +and to what it might lead you are aware." + +"I heard only the beginning of the conversation," said the young +Countess, divining that here a point was touched that were best +avoided. "It was enough to cause me to fear the issue; but indeed +I----" + +"Do not trouble yourself to spare me," Rodenberg interposed, with +intense bitterness. "I know you heard the entire conversation, and the +word can scarcely have escaped you with which Count Steinrueck--insulted +my father's memory." + +Hertha was silent for a moment, and then said, in a low voice, "Yes, I +heard it, but I knew that it was a mistake. Raoul, too, sees the error +now, and therefore retracted his words. Is this not so?" + +Michael's lips quivered; he saw that the young Countess had not the +slightest suspicion of his relations to her family, or of the tragedy +that had been enacted in it, and it was not for him to explain it to +her; but neither would he listen any longer to that voice so filled +with tender sympathy; its tones were more potent to enthrall than ever +were the songs of the sirens of old. He knew, indeed, that his next +word would open a gulf between them that never could be bridged over. +So much the better. It could not be helped, if he would retain his +self-control, and in the hardest tone he could command he replied, +"No!" + +"No?" repeated Hertha, recoiling a step in dismay. + +"It startles you, Countess Steinrueck, does it not? But it must be said, +nevertheless. I can defend my own honour against all attack, by +whomsoever made. Against an assault upon my father I am powerless. I +can strike the insulter down. I cannot give him the lie." + +His voice was calm, although monotonous, but Hertha saw and felt how +the man's entire nature was writhing beneath the wound which he thus +ruthlessly tore open before her. She could best appreciate his +pride,--pride that refused to bow even where he loved. She could +estimate what this confession cost him, and, forgetting all else, +yielding to the impulse of the moment, she exclaimed, "Good God! How +terribly you must have suffered!" + +Michael started and gazed at her inquiringly. It was the first time +that he had heard her speak in this tone which came from her very soul, +and vibrated with passionate sympathy, as if she felt his torture in +every fibre of her frame. It was like the first glimmer of a bliss of +which he had indeed sometimes dreamed, but from which he had turned +with all the pride of a man resolved never to be the sport of a +caprice. What he now saw and heard was no sport; it was an outburst of +entire self-forgetfulness, of reckless frankness. + +"Can you thus understand and feel for me?" he asked, and his heart beat +high. "You, born and bred upon sunny heights of existence, with never a +glimpse of the dark depths of human misery? Yes, I have suffered +terribly, and I still suffer, when forced to connect the idea of +disgrace with what should be sacred and dear to me--my father's +memory." + +Hertha stopped close to his side, and her voice fell on his ear soft +and tender as a soothing touch upon a painful wound. "If you could not +love your father, you had a mother,--her memory at least is stainless." + +"Her memory! Yes. But she was a wretched woman, who had given up home +and family to follow the man whom she loved, and by whom she believed +herself beloved. She paid for her delusion with the misery of a +lifetime, and it killed her." + +"And her family knew this and permitted her thus to die?" + +"Why not? It had been her free choice, She only expiated her fault. Can +you not understand this, Countess Steinrueck?" + +The words were as bitter as ever. Hertha slowly raised her eyes to +his,--there was nothing in them of the keen brilliancy that sometimes +made their expression half demonic; their light now shone through +tears. + +"No, but I can understand how she could follow the man whom she loved, +and could believe in him in spite of all the world, although her path +lay through darkness and disgrace, and even led to ruin. I could have +done this too." + +"Hertha, what words are these from you to me?" Michael burst forth +passionately, seizing her hand before she was aware and pressing it +eagerly to his lips. This recalled the young Countess to herself, and +she hastily tried to withdraw her hand. + +"Captain Rodenberg, for the love of heaven! you forget----" + +"What?" he asked, clasping her hand still more firmly. + +"That I am Raoul's betrothed." + +"Only his betrothed, not his wife! The tie may yet be severed. Give me +the right to do so and I will break----" + +"No, Michael, never! It is too late. I am bound." + +"You are free if you will only say the word, but you will not say it." + +"I cannot!" + +"Is that your final decision?" + +"It is." + +Michael dropped her hand and retreated. + +"Then I can only pray your forgiveness for my temerity." + +Hertha saw how profound was his emotion. She was now expiating the +early frivolity of her conduct towards him. He had no faith in her. The +old evil spirit, the old suspicion was stirring within him again, +whispering to him that her courage was that of words, not of deeds, and +that she surely must prefer an alliance with a count's coronet to the +love of the son of an adventurer. One word from her lips would convince +him of his error, but before the young Countess there arose at this +moment the stern dark face of the old general. She felt the iron clasp +of his hand, she heard his words: 'Surely the betrothed of Count +Steinrueck knows what she owes to him and to herself!' The remembrance +admonished her imperiously of the sacredness of her promise. A woman +could not a few weeks before marriage sever an alliance into which she +had entered voluntarily, because she had changed her mind. Hertha hung +her head and was silent. + +Meanwhile the sun had set, and with it had departed the golden glory in +which the interior of the church had been bathed. Pictures and statues +were cold and lifeless again, and gray twilight shadows were softly +descending over all. The bright figure of the archangel alone could be +discerned in the recess behind the altar. But the wind that roared +about the walls outside had found an entrance somewhere: it wailed ill +long-drawn notes through the vaulted arches, to die away whispering +like spirit-tones. + +Hertha shuddered involuntarily at the strange moaning sound, and then +turned to go. Michael followed her, but at some slight distance, and +neither spoke. They came out into the vestibule of the church, where +they were met by the pastor looking much distressed. "I was in search +of you, Countess Hertha," said he, out of breath with his hurried walk. +"Here you are too, Michael. A messenger has arrived from Castle +Steinrueck----" + +"From the castle?" Hertha interposed. "I trust my mother is no worse?" + +"The Countess's illness seems to have become graver, and Fraeulein von +Eberstein wished you to know it; here is a letter for you." + +Hertha opened the letter hurriedly and glanced through it. Valentin saw +her grow pale. + +"I must go; there is not a moment to be lost. I entreat your reverence +to have the wagon made ready immediately." + +"Do you wish to go now?" Valentin asked in dismay. "It is growing dark; +the night will have fallen absolutely in half an hour, and there is a +storm brewing. You cannot possibly take that long mountain drive in the +night." + +"I must! Gerlinda would not write as she does if my mother were not +dangerously ill." + +"But you yourself run a great risk in persisting in going. What do you +think, Michael?" + +"It will be a stormy night," said Michael, advancing. "_Must_ you go, +Countess Steinrueck?" + +For answer she handed to him and to the pastor the letter she had +received. It consisted of a few hasty lines: "My godmother has suddenly +grown worse; she is asking for you, and I am terribly anxious. The +physician talks of a severe, perhaps dangerous attack. Come +immediately! GERLINDA." + +"You see I have no choice," the young Countess said in a trembling +voice. "If I start immediately I can reach the castle before midnight. +I must go, your reverence." + +During the last few moments they had been walking towards the village. +Hertha and the priest had some trouble in making their way against the +wind. Valentin made one more attempt to persuade her to wait at least +until daybreak before setting forth, but in vain. + +At the parsonage they questioned the servant from the castle, who had +ridden over on horseback, but he could give his young mistress no +consoling tidings. The Frau Countess was certainly very ill; the Herr +Doctor had looked very grave, and had bidden him make all the haste he +could. + +Michael had taken no part in the priest's remonstrances, but now he +stepped to Hertha's side and asked, in a low voice, "May I go with +you?" + +"No!" was the reply, in a voice as low, but none the less decided. He +retired with a frown. + +Ten minutes later Hertha was seated in the little mountain wagon which +her mother always used when she came to Saint Michael, and in which she +herself had arrived at the parsonage. The coachman was skilful, and the +servant who had accompanied her was mounted upon a stout mountain pony, +as was also the messenger from the castle. Nevertheless the old priest +stood with anxious looks beside the vehicle from which the young +Countess held out her hand to him to bid him farewell. Then the +beautiful face, now very pale, turned towards the door of the +parsonage, where Michael was standing. Their glances met once more; +there was in them a last farewell! + +"God grant the storm do not increase during the night!" said Valentin, +sighing, as the wagon drove off. "Those servants would all lose their +heads in any actual peril. I hoped you would offer to accompany the +Countess, Michael." + +"I did so, but my offer was rejected in the most decided manner, and of +course I could not persist." + +The pastor shook his gray head disapprovingly. "How can you be +sensitive and irritable at such a time? You could not but see how +agitated the poor girl was; but in all matters where the Steinruecks are +concerned your sense of justice is dulled. I have long seen that." + +Michael made no reply to this reproach; his gaze followed the wagon, +which soon disappeared in a bend of the road, and then he looked across +to the Eagle ridge, which towered white and ghostly in the gathering +darkness. It was still distinct, but the clouds were beginning to +gather about its summits,--storm-clouds that loomed up slowly and +threateningly. + +When Valentin and his guest were once more seated in the priest's +modest apartment, although they had not met since autumn, and each had +much to hear and to tell, there was no ready flow of conversation. +Michael especially was uncommonly absent and monosyllabic; he seemed +scarcely to hear some of the priest's questions, and his answers to +others were quite irrelevant. The pastor perceived with surprise that +his thoughts were preoccupied. + +The light had quite faded, and old Katrin had just set the lamp upon +the table, when there was a knock at the door, and an elderly man in a +hunting costume entered the room, baring his head as he advanced to the +pastor. + +"God bless your reverence, here I am in Saint Michael once more! Do you +remember me? It must be ten years since I left the forest lodge." + +"Wolfram, is it you?" exclaimed Valentin, much surprised. "Whence do +you come?" + +"From Tannberg. I had to go to the sessions there on account of a small +property left me by an old cousin, and as to-morrow is Saint Michael's +day, I thought I would take a look at my old home and see after your +reverence. I got here half an hour ago and went to the inn, but I +thought I'd look in on your reverence this evening." + +The priest glanced with a degree of embarrassment at Michael. This +unexpected arrival must be far from agreeable for the young officer, +for if Wolfram did not recognize him at first, he certainly would do so +shortly. + +"You are right not to forget me or your old home," said he, with some +hesitation. "I am not alone, as you see. I have a guest----" + +"So I heard,--an officer," the forester interposed, standing erect and +saluting in true military fashion. "I heard it at the inn,--a son of +your reverence's brother in Berlin." + +Michael had recognized his former foster-father at the first glance. +The powerful, thick-set figure was unchanged, as were the hard +features, and the hair and beard, now grizzled, were as neglected as +formerly. The man was as rude and rough as ever. At sight of him +Rodenberg was for a moment filled with bitterness at the thought that +under such brutal guardianship his boyhood and the first years of his +youth had been wasted. True, his sense of justice told him that the +forester had acted according to his light, but, nevertheless, he could +not bring himself to accost him with the old familiarity. There could +not but be a certain condescension in his manner as he offered his hand +to the new-comer. "The officer is not quite a stranger to you, +forester," he said, quietly. "I think we have seen each other before." + +Wolfram started at sound of the voice, and scanned the speaker from +head to foot, then shook his head. "I have not the honour, so far as I +know, Herr Captain. I seem to know the voice, and there is something in +the face--what is it? I believe, your reverence, that the gentleman is +like that queer fellow Michael who ran away." + +"And of whom you seem to have but a poor opinion." + +"You're right there!" said the forester, after his blunt fashion. "I +had trouble and worry enough with the young rascal. He was as strong as +a bear, but so stupid that no one could do anything with him; he did +not understand anything, and at last he got me into disgrace with the +Herr Count. I was glad to be rid of him when he ran away; he must have +gone to ruin somewhere, for he was good for nothing." + +Michael smiled slightly at this rather unflattering sketch of +character, but the priest said, gravely,-- + +"You are greatly mistaken, Wolfram; you always were mistaken with +regard to your foster-son. Look more closely at my guest,--he is +Captain Michael Rodenberg." + +Wolfram started and stared speechless at Michael as if he had seen a +ghost. "The Herr Captain--he--Michael?" he stammered at last. + +"Who did not quite go to ruin," said Michael. "You see he managed to +get a captaincy." + +The forester still stood as if thunderstruck, trying in vain to grasp +the incredible fact. He looked up in helpless bewilderment at Michael, +now a head taller than his former foster-father, and scarcely ventured +to take the young man's offered band. He stammered a few words, half in +salutation, half in excuse, but he evidently found it impossible to +comprehend the situation. + +Valentin benevolently came to his relief with a few questions as to his +welfare during the last ten years, but it was some minutes before the +forester could collect himself sufficiently to reply, and even then his +answers were rather incoherent. There was not much to tell; his present +situation on the young Countess's estates brought him a better salary +than his former one, but he lived as before in the forest, with no +associates save his underlings, rarely saw anything of the world, and +seemed to lead the same half-savage life as formerly at the forest +lodge. He saw the general frequently, for the Count was very +conscientious in the discharge of his duties as guardian, and himself +inspected his ward's estates, but he had seen his young mistress to-day +for the first time for ten years; he had met her on his way to the +village, as she was returning to the castle. + +This was told in a broken, disconnected fashion, the speaker's eyes +being all the while riveted persistently upon Michael. If the captain +took any part in the conversation the forester was mute; his shyness +seemed to increase rather than to diminish; his wonted self-assertion +had vanished. Michael, moreover, was as taciturn and absent-minded as +he had previously been in talking with the priest; even this unexpected +meeting could not keep his thoughts from incessantly following the +little mountain wagon, which had now probably accomplished a third of +its journey, and he suddenly left the room to see if the moon, which +had just risen, were shining brightly enough for the mountain drive. + +Wolfram looked after him, and then said to the priest in a +strangely--subdued tone, "Is it really true, your reverence? Is that +really and truly Michael,--our Michael?" + +Valentin could not forbear smiling, as he replied, "I should think you +could see that for yourself." + +"Yes, I do see it, but I can't believe it," the man declared. "_That_ +the boy to whom I have given many a blow for his stupidity and +obstinacy? The innkeeper said the captain was so wonderfully clever +that they had put him on the general's staff, and in the last war he +fought furiously, and made short work with the enemy. And now he's a +captain, just like my Herr Count when I entered his service forty years +ago, and some day he may be a general like his Excellency." + +"It is quite possible. But did not the innkeeper mention his name when +he told you all this?" + +"No; he called him only 'the captain.' Oh, he has a great respect for +him. Well, so far as I can see, there's no being very familiar with +Herr Michael now. He is friendly enough, but there is a kind of way +about him that makes you keep your distance. He calls me Herr Forester; +I suppose I must call him Herr Captain." + +"You certainly must conform yourself to altered circumstances," said +the priest, gravely. "And one thing more, Wolfram. It is not necessary +that you should tell the innkeeper and your other acquaintances that +Captain Rodenberg is your former foster-son. He had very little +intercourse with the villagers in old times, and is so much altered +that no one recognized him when he returned here an officer. I know +that Count Steinrueck enjoined silence upon you with regard to your +foster-son, and you were silent. You would oblige Michael and myself if +you would pursue the same course now." + +"I never was a tattler, as your reverence knows," rejoined Wolfram. "I +shouldn't gain much by my former prophecies about Michael; the people +would be sure to tease me with them, and I must go home the day after +to-morrow; I don't want anybody here to get wind of the matter until +after I have gone." + +Michael's return put a stop to the conversation. Immediately afterwards +the forester took his leave and returned to the little village inn, +which stood at a considerable distance from the parsonage. Meanwhile +the night had set in, and St. Michael soon lay buried in slumber. + + + * * * * * + + +The signs in the heavens, which had been so evident to a practised eye, +had not prophesied falsely. Towards midnight the storm burst with a +savage fury rarely equalled even in these mountains. The little Alpine +hamlet was sufficiently familiar with the storms of autumn and of +spring, and its inhabitants were wont to sleep calmly and quietly while +the wind raged above the low stone-laden roofs and rattled at the doors +and windows. But to-night the uproar was so terrible that it roused +them from their repose. They crossed themselves and lay awake +listening; it seemed as if Saint Michael were to be swept off the face +of the earth. + +There was a gleam of light in the parsonage. The priest had risen, and +was standing at the window, entirely dressed, when he heard Michael's +step upon the stairs. + +"I saw a light in your room, and so came down," the captain said as he +entered. "The storm has roused you from your bed. I thought it would do +so." + +"And you have not been in bed at all," rejoined Valentin. "At least I +have heard your step continually above my head. You must have paced +your room for hours." + +"I could not sleep, and I forgot that I should disturb you." + +"Not at all; my sleep was broken with anxiety about the Countess Hertha +and her mountain drive. Thank God, the storm did not come until near +midnight! She must have reached the castle by eleven." + +"Are you perfectly sure of that?" asked Michael, eagerly. + +"Yes; the drive down could not, even with extreme caution, take more +than three hours, and for that length of time the sky was tolerably +clear; moreover, the moon is at the full. What I feared was that the +storm would overtake the Countess on the way. Once in the valley she +was out of danger." + +"If she arrived there. But how can we be sure of it?" murmured Michael. +He could not but admit that the priest was right; in all probability +Hertha had long since been safe in the castle; but the restless anxiety +which had robbed him of sleep would not leave him; it possessed him +with a vague dread, a foreboding of evil. + +He, too, had gone to the window, and both men stood looking out +silently into the storm and night, illuminated by a gray light from the +moon, which behind its veil of clouds shone brightly enough to reveal +objects at some distance. Suddenly the dim figure of a man appeared, +seeming to come directly from the village, and making his way with +sturdy steps in the teeth of the wind towards the parsonage. Michael's +keen eye first detected him; he pointed him out to the priest, who +shook his head, surprised. "In such weather! Some one must be +desperately ill and requiring the sacrament, but I know of no one in +the village who is ailing. The man is certainly coming here. I must go +and let him in." + +He went to open the door himself, and immediately afterwards Wolfram's +voice was heard. "It is I, your reverence. I come like a ghost in the +night, but it can't be helped. If you had been asleep I should have had +to knock you up." + +"What is the matter? What brings you here?" Valentin asked, anxiously, +as he conducted his visitor into the room. + +"No good, your reverence. First let me get my breath. That cursed +wind,--it nearly knocked me down! I come about the young Countess----" + +"Countess Steinrueck? Where is she?" Michael hastily interrupted him. + +"Heaven only knows! She has not returned to the parsonage?" + +"Good God, no!" exclaimed Valentin. "The Countess set out for the +castle." + +"Yes, but she had to turn back. That confounded horse shied at a +mountain brook! I should like to wring the brute's neck! And the +coachman, instead of holding on to the reins, was tossed off the box, +and there he lies with a hole an inch deep in his head. The servant got +him back with difficulty to the inn, and the young Countess was lost on +the way back. Not a soul knows where she is,--and in such a night, when +all the fiends are abroad!" + +He paused to take breath. Michael had grown very pale. Confused and +vague as was the man's tale, he saw that his forebodings were +justified. + +"Was the Countess uninjured. Where did the accident happen? At what +time? Answer! answer!" + +He assailed the forester so peremptorily with his questions that +Valentin, in spite of his anxiety, gazed at him in amazement. Wolfram +did his best to tell his story more connectedly, and was partly +successful, but his tidings were not more consoling. "At first all went +well. The road was perfectly clear in the moonlight, and they drove on +tolerably fast. Then the brute, the horse, suddenly shied at a brook +that tumbled swollen down the mountain, rushed into the stones by the +wayside, fell, and pulled over the carriage with him." + +"And the Countess was not injured?" The question was as eager as the +foregoing ones. + +"No, she was on her feet in an instant, but the coachman lay bleeding +on the ground, and the wagon had lost a wheel. Of course the men lost +their heads,--that kind of folk never have any sense outside the walls +of their castle. The young Countess seems to have been the only one to +have her wits about her, and she brought the others to order. She could +not go on with the broken wagon; there was nothing for it but to +return. The coachman, who could not walk, was put into the wagon among +the cushions, and one of the servants with the shying horse stayed with +him, while the Countess and the other servant mounted the other horses +and set out to go back to Saint Michael, promising to send help. +Nothing has been seen or heard of her since." + +"At what time did this happen?" Michael interrupted him. + +"At about nine o'clock." + +"Then she ought to have been here by ten, and it is now one hour past +midnight!" + +He uttered the words in a tone of such anguish that the priest again +cast at him a look half inquiry, half dismay. But Michael had eyes and +ears only for the forester and his tidings, and he urged him +impatiently, "Go on! go on!" + +"There's not much more to say," Wolfram declared. "The two men waited +for help for two hours, and when it did not come, and the weather grew +more threatening, they had the sense to set out by themselves. The +coachman had somewhat recovered, and was put upon the horse, which the +other man led by the bridle, and so at last they reached the inn, but +could go no farther, for the storm was too furious; they were perfectly +sure that the Countess was at the parsonage. But she never got back to +the village; she would have had to pass the inn, and no one had seen +her. The servant is crying like an old woman about his young mistress, +but he could not be prevailed upon to go to the parsonage through the +storm. So I came,--and there your reverence has the whole story. What +is to be done?" + +"There has been an accident!" exclaimed the priest, his anxiety +increasing with every moment. "I feared it when this wretched mountain +journey was undertaken. They have fallen down some roadside precipice." + +"They are more likely to have lost their way," said Michael, his voice +faltering in spite of his effort to steady it. "Did the two servants +who returned find no trace of the others?" + +"No, not the least." + +"Then there can have been no plunge down a precipice; two persons, and +two horses, could not disappear from a tolerably safe road without a +trace left behind. They have lost their way." + +"But that is impossible,--there is no other road," said the priest. + +"Yes, one, your reverence, near Almenbach, where the path winds upward +to the mountain chapel. The roads are very similar, moonlight is +illusive, and if the Countess did not soon find out her mistake, she +must have got among the clefts of the Eagle ridge!" + +"God protect us!" exclaimed the priest. "That would be almost as bad as +a plunge down a precipice!" + +Michael bit his lip; he knew that this was no exaggeration; from his +boyhood he had been familiar with the clefts and abysses of the Eagle +ridge. + +"It is the only imaginable possibility," he rejoined. "At all events, +there is not a moment to be wasted; hours have been lost already. We +must set out immediately." + +"Now? In such a night?" asked Wolfram, staring at the captain as if he +thought him insane, while Valentin exclaimed,-- + +"What are you thinking of, Michael? You do not mean----?" + +"To go in search of the Countess. Of course. Do you suppose I could +stay quietly here while she is exposed to all the horrors of this +night?" + +"You ought to wait, and not attempt impossibilities. You know our +mountains, and that nothing is to be done while the storm is raging +thus. As soon as it subsides, as soon as the morning dawns, we will do +all that men can do. To go out now would be worse than folly,--it would +be madness!" + +"Madness or not, it must be attempted!" Michael burst forth. "Do you +imagine that I set the least value on my life weighed against hers? If +I had to follow her to the summit of the Eagle ridge, where death +seemed certain, I would either deliver her from peril or perish with +her!" + +Valentin clasped his hands in dismay. This burst of despair and anguish +betrayed to him the well-guarded secret of which he had, indeed, within +the last few minutes had some suspicion, and he exclaimed under his +breath, "Can this be? Good God!" + +Michael paid him no heed; he had turned to Wolfram, and said, hastily, +"I need companions; we must search in different directions; will you go +with me?" + +"I? Now, when all the fiends of hell are loose in the mountains? The +Wild Huntsman was never so furious in all the years I spent at the +forest lodge." + +"Infernal superstition!" muttered Rodenberg, stamping his foot. "Then +go for the innkeeper; he is a good mountaineer and a brave man." + +"That may be, but he'll not stir out in weather like this. He took his +oath of that when some one spoke of it awhile ago, and he said a ton of +gold would not tempt him, for he had a wife and children to take care +of." + +"Then I will go alone. Send help after me as soon as the morning dawns. +Let the innkeeper and a party take the road towards the mountain +chapel, which I shall follow, and pursue it to the Eagle ridge, if +necessary. You, Wolfram, with some others, search the forest around the +lodge, your former domain. Your reverence will please to have the road +gone over again as far as to the spot where the accident occurred. +Summon the whole village to help. I have no more time to lose." + +In spite of his terrible agitation, he spoke in the energetic tone of +command which he was wont to use to his subordinates, and as he hastily +left the room the forester looked after him with a bewildered air, +evidently greatly impressed. + +"He has learned how to command. That's plain!" he said, in an +undertone. "He behaves as if the entire village belonged to his +regiment and had to obey orders. Queer! My Herr Count was just so. +Michael's look and tone are just like his; he might have learned them +from him, or have been his son. There's something queer in it, your +reverence; it looks like witchcraft." + +The priest made no reply,--he was as if stunned. Hertha's danger, +Michael's reckless resolve to follow her, the discovery he had just +made with regard to the pair, everything coming at once upon the +venerable man, unused as he was to any passionate emotion, overpowered +him: he felt dizzy. + +In a few moments Michael returned, completely equipped for his midnight +expedition in a rough plaid, with his mountain staff; he held out his +hand to his old teacher: "Farewell, your reverence, and if we should +not see each other again, God protect us!" + +Valentin clasped his hand and held it fast; fear lest he should lose +his favourite outweighed the thought of Hertha's peril. "Michael, be +reasonable. Hark! how the wind is roaring! You'll not be able to get a +hundred steps from the house. Wait at least for half an hour!" + +Rodenberg withdrew his hand impatiently. "No, every minute may be +fraught with life and death. Farewell." + +He walked to the door, where Wolfram was standing motionless. His hard +features worked strangely as he asked, with hesitation, "You really +mean to go, Herr Captain, and all alone?" + +"Yes, since no one has the courage to go with me," said Michael, +bluntly. + +"Oho! we are not cowards either!" exclaimed the forester, offended. "A +Christian man like the innkeeper, who has a wife and children, ought +not, indeed, to venture, but I have nothing of the kind, and since +there's no help for it--why, I don't care--I'll go too!" + +Valentin was greatly relieved by these words,--glad that Michael was +not, at least, to go alone; but Rodenberg merely said, "Come, then! Two +are always better than one." + +"That depends," said Wolfram. "Perhaps the Wild Huntsman thinks so too, +and will carry off both of us. Good-bye, your reverence; it can do no +harm for you to pray hard for us while we are gone. You are a holy man, +and if you will speak a good word for us to Saint Michael, he may, +perhaps, interfere and put the hellish crew outside to rout; 'tis high +time." + +Michael waved his hand to the priest from the threshold of the door; +Wolfram followed him, and in a few minuses both were lost to sight +outside. + + + * * * * * + + +The Eagle ridge had, in fact, sent forth one of the spring storms, so +justly dreaded in all the country round. Those who shared the +forester's superstition might well believe that a rabble of fiends from +the pit were abroad dealing destruction about them. There was a wild +uproar in the air, a crashing and howling in the forest, while the +moon, veiled by the rack of clouds, shed over earth and sky a weird +ghostly light more dreary than any darkness. Wolfram crossed himself +from time to time when the wind shrieked its loudest, but he tramped +bravely onward through the storm,--it needed a man of his physical +vigour and one familiar with the mountains to make headway on such a +night and in such a place. + +Both men reached the road to the mountain chapel without discovering a +trace of those whom they were seeking; here they separated. + +Michael, in spite of his companion's remonstrances, pressed on to the +Eagle ridge, which began here, while Wolfram turned aside towards his +old domain about the forest lodge. It was agreed that he who first +discovered the missing ones should conduct them to the mountain chapel +and there await daybreak. In any case the two men were to meet there at +dawn, in order, if their search had been fruitless, to wait for the +villagers from Saint Michael, and to continue the quest by daylight. +These were Captain Rodenberg's orders. + +"I wonder if he will ever get back again!" muttered Wolfram, pausing +for a short breathing-space in the midst of the forest. "It is sheer +madness to go among the cliffs of the Eagle ridge; but he'll climb it +if he does not find the Countess below. I'll wager my head on that! No +use to gainsay him; on the contrary, he orders me round as if he were +my lord and master. I wonder why I put up with it, and why on earth I +came with him. His reverence is right; it is madness to climb the +mountains on such an infernal night, when not a cry could be heard, no +signal be seen. We don't even know which way to go, but Michael doesn't +care for that. And I thought him cowardly! To be sure he always, as a +boy, wanted to run into the midst of the Wild Huntsman's crew to see +them closer,--it was only men that he ran away from. Now he seems to +have stopped running away from them, but he orders them about like a +lord. And you have to obey,--there's no help for it,--just like my old +master the Count." + +He heaved a sigh, and was about to march on. Just then there was a +slight lull in the blast, and the forester gave a long, loud shout, as +he had been doing at intervals. This time, however, he started and +listened, for he seemed to hear something like the sound of a human +voice. Again Wolfram shouted with all the force of his lungs, and from +no great distance came the wailing tones, "Here! Help!" + +"At last!" exclaimed the forester, turning in the direction whence came +the voice. "It is not the Countess, I can hear that; but where one is +the other must be." + +Giving repeated calls, he hurried on, the answers coming more and more +distinctly, until in about ten minutes he came upon Hertha's attendant, +who no sooner saw him than he threw his arms about him, clinging to him +like a drowning man. + +"Take care, you'll upset me!" growled Wolfram. "Did you not hear me +shout before? For two hours we have been hallooing in every direction. +Where is the Countess?" + +"I don't know; I lost her an hour ago." + +The forester roughly shook the man off the arm to which he was still +clinging: "What? Lost? Thunder and lightning, man! what do you mean? +Just when I think I have found the Countess, you turn up without her. +Why did you not stay with her, as was your bounden duty?" + +"It was not my fault," wailed the man. "The fog--the storm--and the +horses have gone too!" + +"Hold your tongue about the horses!" Wolfram interposed, roughly. +"Men's lives are at stake, and you tell me nothing that I can +understand. How came you here without the Countess?" + +It was some time before the exhausted man was able to answer the +forester's questions. He was an old family servant, faithful and +trustworthy, and had therefore been chosen by the Countess to attend +her daughter on this expedition, but he had completely lost his +presence of mind in the face of the present peril, and had been of no +service whatever to his mistress. + +As Michael had surmised, they had taken the wrong road, and had +discovered their mistake only upon reaching the mountain chapel. Then +they had turned their horses' heads; but the moon, which until then had +shone brightly, began to be obscured, and their ignorance of the +country was disastrous. In vain did they turn in every direction; they +could not find the road again and were completely lost. The horses, +bewildered and nettled by the aimless wandering to and fro, finally +refused to stir a step. There was nothing for it but to alight. + +Then the tempest began; clouds gathered from all quarters. The Countess +sent her attendant back a short distance for the horses, which had been +left at the foot of a declivity, in a last hope that by trusting to +their instinct the way might be found; but the servant had no sooner +left her than the gathering mist closed about him, obscuring +everything. He could not find the horses, nor make his way back to his +mistress. His cry of distress was drowned by the roar of the tempest, +and he had probably wandered away from her in his attempt to find her. +How he had gone astray he could not tell. + +"That is the worst of all!" exclaimed the forester. "The Countess is +now entirely alone, and very likely has wandered towards the Eagle +ridge, as Captain Rodenberg supposed. I should like to know why he +chooses to run blindly into all kinds of danger after her? What we have +to do, however, is to get to the mountain chapel as soon as possible. +Come along! On the way we can go on shouting; it may do some good." + +The storm raged with undiminished fury. Black clouds swept overhead and +enveloped the mountains, breaking from time to time into a host of +misty phantom shapes. And there was a roaring, a shrieking, and a +howling, as of a myriad voices of the night echoing from the air above +and from chasm and abyss below. + +At the foot of a huge fir, the summit of which soared bare and dead +into the air, a female figure was crouching, worn out by fruitless +wandering, chilled by the mist and despairing of succour. The delicate +child of luxury, whom hitherto the winds of heaven had not been allowed +to visit too roughly, had nevertheless bravely confronted a real peril, +and had done everything to encourage her attendant while they were +together. The trembling old servant could neither advise nor aid his +mistress; but he had at least given her a sense of human companionship, +and now he had disappeared. No searching for him, no call, was of any +avail; she was alone amid the horrors of this night,--entirely alone. + +More than an hour had passed thus,--a time which must always be +dream-like in her memory. She wandered on and on. Gloomy forests; dark +rocky crests reared aloft like phantoms; mountain streams, whose +foaming waters gleamed dimly in the fitful glimpses of the moon,--all +passed her by, shadowy and indistinct. Like a somnambulist, she +wandered on the brink of clefts and abysses, not heeding the perils of +a path which she never would have dreamed of traversing in the broad +light of day. But at last it came to an end in its upward course, and +she could go no farther; she sank down exhausted. + +There was a moment's lull in the storm; the clouds broke, and the moon, +sailing into the clear space, illumined the scene clearly. Hertha saw +that she had reached a narrow rocky eminence, and that an abyss yawned +close beside her. Around her was a broken sea of cliffs and rocks, +below her was the black night of the forest, and above her soared the +dizzy heights of the Eagle ridge, about whose rocky crests the clouds +were flying, while the topmost peaks gleamed ghost-like in their robes +of snow. The distant muffled roar of the glacier streams fell upon her +ear, but only for a few moments. Then the roaring of the wind began +afresh, drowning all other sounds; the moon vanished, and the dim, +weird twilight fell on all. + +The old fir-tree creaks and groans and sways; it seems as if the blast +would tear it loose from its rocky bed. Hertha clasps her arms about +the trunk, neither moaning nor weeping, but a tremor runs through her +entire frame, and there is an icy pressure upon her temples. Her eyes +are fixed upon the white gleaming peaks still glistening distinctly, +and the old legend recurs to her. From those summits Saint Michael +sweeps down at dawn the next day. Cannot the mighty patron saint of her +race, the victorious leader of the heavenly host, to whom thousands +will pray on the morrow, come to the rescue of a poor child of +mortality whose warm young life shudders at the thought of the icy +embrace of death? But his dominion begins with the dawn,--it is with +the first ray of morning that his sword of flame flashes forth +beneficently over the earth; and now night and destruction reign. + +A fervent prayer bursts from the poor girl's very soul. Clearly and +distinctly the picture rises upon her mental vision: the archangel with +the eagle's wings and eyes of flame enthroned above the high altar, +surrounded as by a halo by the light of the setting sun, and by her +side stands one, strangely like the picture,--one who had once declared +to her, 'If my bliss were as lofty and unattainable as the Eagle ridge, +I would scale the heights though each step threatened destruction.' + +Ah! she knew it was no empty boast. Michael would follow her through +peril of all kinds: he would seek her and find her if he knew of her +danger; but he now supposed her long since safe at the castle. And yet +it seemed to her as if the intense passionate yearning that filled her +heart, mind, and soul must draw him to her side, as if he could and +would hear the desperate cry that burst from her lips, half a prayer to +St. Michael and half a call to him whom she loved: "Michael,--help!" + +Surely there was an answering call, distant and faint, but still his +voice, and she hears it through the tempest as he has heard hers: +"Hertha!" And again it comes louder, and with an exultant sound: +"Hertha!" + +She rises to her feet and answers. Nearer and nearer sounds the +succouring call, until just below her she hears: "What! Up there? +Courage, dearest, I am coming." + +Then ensue minutes that seem endless. Michael is ascending slowly, +laboriously, but at last she sees him; he plants his mountain-staff +firmly and swings himself up beside her, clasps her in his arms, and +she clings to him as if never to leave him more. + +But this blissful moment of forgetfulness is brief: danger still +threatens; not an instant must be lost. + +"We must go," urged Michael. "The fir is tottering, and may fall at any +moment; these clefts are never safe. Come, dearest." + +He clasped his arm about her, and she leaned upon him in unquestioning +confidence, as he half led, half carried her down the rocky slope. The +moon had emerged again, and lighted them on their way, revealing at the +same time all the terrors of the path by which Hertha had ascended half +unconsciously, and the perils of which were doubled in descending. But +not in vain had Michael lived for ten years in these mountains; the man +had not forgotten what had been familiar to the boy for whom no rocky +summit had been too lofty, no cleft too deep. Thus they made the +descent, the abyss close beside them, the wild uproar of the stormy +night about them, their hearts filled with an exultant joy that no +tempest, no abyss, could affect. At last they reached a place of +safety. Michael had kept his word: he had snatched his bliss from the +Eagle ridge. + +Morning was approaching, and the tempest was subsiding; it no longer +raged with savage fury, and the heavens were gradually clearing; the +clouds slowly dispersed, and about the mountain-tops the first gray +glimmer of dawn appeared. + +Michael made a halt as they issued from the rocky gorge. The mountain +chapel was almost a mile away, and his exhausted companion was obliged +to rest. All peril was past; there was no difficulty about the rest of +the way if it were traversed by daylight. He found a shelter for Hertha +beneath a protecting rock, where she sat shielded from the wind, while +he stood beside her. The young Countess's attire had suffered sadly: +her dark wrap was torn and muddy, she had lost her hat, her heavy +braids hung loose about her shoulders, as, pale and weary, she leaned +her head back against the wall of rock. And yet Michael thought he +never had seen her look half so lovely as at this moment,--his love, +whom he had battled for and won through storm and tempest. + +They had scarcely spoken on the way hither, each step was taken at the +risk of life, and now they were still silent, gazing upward at the +Eagle ridge, where the gray dawn was beginning to yield to a crimson +tint that deepened every moment. At last Michael bent over her and +said, gently, "Hertha!" + +She looked up at him, and suddenly held out to him both her hands. +"Michael, how did you ever find me in those abysses? You could have had +no clue to guide you." + +He smiled and carried her hands to his lips. "No; but I divined where +my Hertha was,--where she must be. And you, too, dearest, knew that I +should come to you: you called me before you heard my voice. Now I no +longer dread that harsh refusal which fell from your lips yesterday. I +have no fear of the promise given by you to one whom you do not love. I +have won you from the Eagle ridge, and I shall surely triumph over +Raoul Steinrueck." + +"I can never be his wife!" exclaimed Hertha. "I know now that it is +impossible! But do not quarrel with him again, Michael, I implore you. +If it is possible----" + +"But it is not possible!" Michael gravely interrupted her. "Do not +deceive yourself, Hertha; there must come a struggle, probably a break +with your entire family, who never will forgive you for dissolving a +tie so desired by all of them,--for sacrificing a Count Steinrueck to a +bourgeois officer. And there is something beside with which they will +taunt both you and me,--I told you of it yesterday in the church,--the +blot upon my life." + +"Your father's memory," she said, softly. + +"Yes; they will never cease to remind you that you are giving yourself +to the son of an adventurer, whose name is not without stain. I thought +to terrify you with this yesterday, but, God bless you! you thought +only of my suffering. Nevertheless, shall you be able to endure the +shadow upon your life when that name shall be your own?" + +His eyes sought hers with a look in them of the old mistrust of the +former Countess Steinrueck with her haughty self-consciousness. But the +delusive gleam had vanished from the eyes which the boy had pronounced +'beautiful evil eyes,'--they were shining with the clear sunshine of +love and happiness. + +"Must I repeat to you, then, what I said to you yesterday when you +spoke of your mother?--'I, too, can follow him whom I love even into +misery and disgrace,--ay, even to ruin.'" + +He clasped her in his arms, and she rested there as she had done before +on the Eagle ridge, behind which there was a dark crimson glow,--a +flaming herald of the morning as it mounted aloft. The snowy summits +began to blush with rosy tints, and the clouds still lying on the +horizon were all 'in crimson liveries dight.' + +"The day is breaking," said Michael, pressing his lips again and again +upon the 'red fairy gold' of the head resting on his breast. "As soon +as you are able we will set out upon our homeward way. I will take you +to your mother to-day." + +"My mother!" exclaimed Hertha, regretfully. "Oh, how could I so far +forget her! God grant I have been nearer death than she! My mother +would give ear to my entreaties, I know, but she submits blindly in +everything to my uncle Michael, and there will be a severe struggle +with him." + +"Leave him to me," Michael interposed. "Immediately upon my return I +will inform the general that you wish to annul your contract with +Raoul, that----" + +"No, no!" she remonstrated. "I must bear the first brunt of his anger. +You do not know my guardian." + +"I know him better than you think; this will not be our first +encounter. If any one can measure himself against the general it is +I,--his near of kin." + +Hertha looked at him in bewilderment. "What do you mean? I do not +understand." + +He released her from his clasping arms, and, gazing into her eyes, +said, "I have intentionally delayed a disclosure that must be made to +you, dearest. I could not make it until I was sure that you were mine, +even although you saw in me only the son of a homeless adventurer. I am +no alien to you or to your people, nor was my father. Did you never +hear of the general's other child, his daughter?" + +"Certainly,--Louise Steinrueck. She was once, I think, on the eve of +betrothal to my father; but she died very young,--scarcely eighteen." + +"You have been told, then, that she died. I thought so. She did die for +her father, her family, who cast her off when she married the man of +her choice. She was my mother." + +The young Countess looked at him in utter amazement. "Is it possible? +You a Steinrueck?" + +"No; a Rodenberg, Hertha. Do not forget that I have no share in the +name of my mother or of her family, nor do I wish to have." + +"And your grandfather? Does he know----" + +"Yes; but he sees in me only the son of an outcast father, whose name, +even, must not be mentioned in his presence; and now that I shall +snatch you from his heir, Raoul, he will oppose us to the utmost. But +what matters it? You are mine of your own free will, and I shall know +how to guard my treasure." + +He did, indeed, look ready to defy the world for her sake. Then he +clasped her hand in his to guide her back to that world which lay in +the depths below them, still woven about by mist and twilight. Up +above, the snowy summits were bathed in crimson light; the eastern +skies gleamed and flamed; there was a flash, as of the waving of a +sword, and the sun rose slowly, red and glowing. Born of the tempest, +the young day gave greeting to the earth. On the brilliant beams of the +morning sun Saint Michael descended from the Eagle ridge. + + + * * * * * + + +The Countess Steinrueck was indeed seriously ill, so seriously that by +the advice of the physician she was kept in ignorance of the peril +through which her daughter had passed. Hertha, upon her arrival, simply +told her mother that the storm had detained her in Saint Michael for +the night, and thus the Countess was not even aware of the meeting with +Captain Rodenberg. + +About a week later, in one of the reception-rooms of the castle, the +priest of Saint Michael was sitting with his brother, who had lately +arrived, and had sent a messenger to summon Valentin. The conversation +between the brothers was evidently of a serious nature, and Professor +Wehlau said at last, "Unfortunately, I can give you no hope. This last +attack of the disease from which the Countess has suffered for so many +years, is a mortal one. Her condition is, happily, free from pain, but +it is hopeless. She may live four or five weeks longer; she will never +witness her daughter's marriage." + +"I feared this when I saw the Countess last," rejoined Valentin. "But +it is a comfort to have you here. I know what a sacrifice you make in +coming in the midst of your university course, and when you have so +entirely given up practice." + +Wehlau shrugged his shoulders: "What else could I do? My relations with +the Steinruecks are almost as old and as intimate as your own; and then +Michael, who brought the news of the Countess's illness, gave me no +peace. He urged me so strongly that at last I consented to come. I +thought it odd, for he knows the Countess only in society, but he +insisted that I should yield to her request and come." + +The priest was evidently interested to hear this, but he merely asked, +"And you brought Hans with you? I shall see him, then." + +"Certainly; he will go to you in a day or two. He of course stays with +our relatives in Tannberg, while I take up my abode here on the +Countess's account. The boy's whims are unaccountable. Early in April +he began to talk of going to the mountains to sketch, and I had to +convince him that it would be folly, since the mountains were then deep +in snow. And when I made up my mind to come here, he suddenly +discovered that it was necessary he should go to Tannberg for +'relaxation.' He must need it after all the flattery and nonsense that +have been put into his head of late, and which my sister-in-law will +doubtless keep fresh in his memory." + +"But you brought him?" + +"Brought him? As if I had anything to do with it! Oh, my gentleman is +quite independent now. I dare not do anything to clip the wings of such +a genius, however ridiculous may be the flights it undertakes. He came +with me, and comes over here every day with the greatest regularity to +inquire after me and the Countess. I can't understand the fellow any +more than I can Michael. They could not show more tender interest in +the Countess if she were their own mother. And she is in very good +hands with the country physician here, and that young god-daughter of +hers,--what is her name?" + +"Gerlinda von Eberstein." + +"Ah, yes! A queer little thing, who scarcely opens her lips, and makes +the most remarkable courtesies. But she is a capital nurse, with her +quiet, gentle ways. Countess Hertha is too agitated and anxious beside +a sick-bed." + +They were interrupted. The physician had arrived and wished to speak +with his distinguished colleague. Wehlau rose and left the room. Then +the servant added that the forester, Wolfram, was below, desiring to +see his reverence. Valentin told the man to admit him, and upon his +entrance said, kindly, "You here still, Wolfram? I thought you had gone +home some days ago." + +"I am going to-morrow," the forester replied. "My business is finished +in Tannberg; I wanted to ask once more after the gracious Countess. The +servants told me that your reverence was here, and so I thought I----" +He stammered and hesitated and seemed unable to proceed. + +"You wished to bid me good-bye," Valentin interposed. + +"Yes, I wanted that, and something else besides. I've been worried +about the thing for a week, your reverence, and haven't breathed a word +of it to a living soul; but I can't help it, I must tell your +reverence." + +"Tell me, then. What is it?" + +Wolfram glanced towards the door, and then, approaching the priest, +said, almost in a whisper,-- + +"'Tis Michael,--Captain Rodenberg, I mean. The next thing he'll snatch +the sun from the sky if he takes it into his head to want it. What he's +at now is not much less. It will make no end of a fuss in the Count's +family. The general will rage and scold, and then Michael will be down +upon him just as he was before. Oh, he'll stop at nothing." + +"Are you talking of Michael?" Valentin asked, bewildered. "He went to +town long ago; my brother has just brought me a message from him." + +"That may be. I only know about the night of the storm. When I took the +servant whom I found to the mountain chapel, as had been agreed, I +left him there and went some distance towards the Eagle ridge just at +day-dawn, in hopes of finding some trace of the captain or the +Countess. I really did not think that I should ever see either of them +again alive. But after a while I saw them both on a rock, and they were +very much alive: he kissed her!" + +"What!" exclaimed the pastor, recoiling. + +"No wonder your reverence is shocked. I was too, but I saw it with my +bodily eyes. He, Michael,--Captain Rodenberg I mean,--had his arm +around the Countess's waist, and he kissed her. I thought the world had +come to an end." + +Valentin would probably have thought the same had he not been in some +measure prepared for the revelation; therefore he was more troubled +than surprised as he said, more to himself than to the man, "It has +come to a declaration, then. I feared this." + +"And the young Countess seemed very well pleased; she made no objection +at all. They neither of them saw or heard me, but I plainly heard him +say 'My Hertha!'--quite as if she belonged to him; and she betrothed to +the young Count! Now, I ask your reverence, what is to be done? That +boy was always at some mischief. And he's at it still. He'll never be +content with a kiss; he'll marry the Countess right out of the midst of +her ancestors and her millions. If they won't give her to him he'll +shoot the young Count, send the general and all the family to the right +about, turn every one out of doors, and carry off 'his Hertha' from the +castle, just as he got her away from the Eagle ridge, and marry her. +Ah, your reverence, I know him!" + +Wolfram had apparently fallen into the other extreme; whereas he had +formerly despised his foster-son, he now entertained a boundless +respect for his capability, which he veiled, it is true, in grumbling, +discontented words. He was quite sure that Michael could do what he +chose in spite of every one, even of the general, in Wolfram's eyes the +most awe-inspiring of individuals. + +The priest was much distressed by this revelation, confirming as it did +his worst fears, but he could do nothing at present save enjoin silence +upon the forester. There was no fear that his injunction would be +disobeyed. Wolfram evidently regarded his communication in the light of +a confession, and readily promised to divulge no word of his discovery. +When he had gone, the old man clasped his hands and said to himself, +"The struggle will be for life and death. And when those two +unyielding, iron natures confront each other in enmity--Good God! what +will be the issue?" + + + * * * * * + + +On the afternoon of the same day Valentin was already on his way back +to Saint Michael, and the Professor sat in his room answering some +letters, when the Freiherr von Eberstein was announced. + +The old gentleman had come to see his daughter and to inquire after the +Countess, and when he heard of the arrival of the famous professor from +the capital he resolved to take advantage of the occasion to consult +him with regard to his own ailments. Wehlau suspected something of the +kind when the frail, stooping figure appeared, and instantly assumed a +reserved demeanour, for he was nowise inclined to extend to strangers +the exceptional privilege accorded to the Countess. + +"Udo, Freiherr von Eberstein-Ortenau on the Ebersburg," said the old +man, inclining his head with solemn dignity. + +"So I have just heard," said Wehlau, dryly, offering his visitor a +chair. "What can I do for you?" + +The Freiherr took a seat, rather discomfited by this reception. His +name and title had not apparently produced the slightest effect. + +"I hear that you have been summoned to attend the Countess Steinrueck," +he began again, "and I wished to speak with you about her." + +The Professor muttered some inarticulate words. He was not fond of +discussing cases of illness with unprofessional people, and was not at +all inclined to retail here the opinion he had expressed to his +brother. Eberstein, however, took his inarticulate mutterings for +assent, and continued,-- + +"At the same time I wish to consult you with regard to an ailment of my +own, which for years----" + +"Excuse me," Wehlau bluntly interrupted him, "I no longer practise +medicine, and was not summoned hither professionally. I hastened to the +Countess's sick-bed from motives of friendship. I could not possibly +accept a stranger as a patient." + +The Freiherr stared in surprise and indignation at the bourgeois +professor who could speak of the medical treatment of a Countess +Steinrueck as a matter of friendship, and refuse to accept as a patient +a Freiherr von Eberstein. In his seclusion he had formed no idea of the +social position of the famous investigator, but he had heard formerly +that scientific men were all eccentric, entirely unacquainted with the +usages of polite society, and consequently rude and unpolished in the +extreme. He therefore magnanimously forgave the Professor for these +characteristics of his class, and, since he really needed his advice, +he determined to make him understand clearly who and what his visitor +was. + +"I am a near friend of the Countess's family," he began again. "We two +are the oldest lines in the country; my family is in fact two hundred +years the elder: it dates from the tenth century." + +"Very remarkable," said Wehlau, without the least idea of what the +tenth century had to do with the matter. + +"It is a fact," declared Eberstein, "an historically authenticated +fact. Count Michael, the Steinruecks' ancestor, first emerges from the +twilight of legend during the crusades, while Udo von Eberstein----" +And off he went into the ancient chronicles of his house, beginning a +discourse similar to the one with which Gerlinda had so terrified the +guest at the Ebersburg. It swarmed with knightly names and feuds, and +with all the glorious mediaeval blood and murder in which the Ebersteins +had a share. + +At first the Professor seemed desirous of discovering some means of +cutting short this unwelcome visit, but he gradually became attentive, +even drawing up his chair close to that of the old Freiherr and gazing +steadily into his eyes. Suddenly he interrupted him in the middle of a +sentence and seized his hand. + +"Permit me,--your case interests me. Strange, the pulse is all right!" + +The Freiherr exulted; this discourteous professor knew now that he was +in presence of the scion of a lofty line, and was ready to give the +advice he had at first refused. + +"You find my pulse all right?" he asked. "I am glad of that; but you +will nevertheless prescribe for----" + +"Applications of ice to the head during twenty-four hours at least," +said Wehlau, laconically. + +"What! with my gout!" the old gentleman exclaimed, in dismay. "I cannot +endure the least cold, and if you will investigate my case----" + +"Not the slightest necessity. I know perfectly well what ails you," +declared the Professor. + +The Freiherr's respect increased for this famous physician, who could +pronounce upon a patient's condition by merely looking at him, without +asking a single question. + +"The Countess certainly spoke in the highest terms of your keenness of +apprehension," he rejoined; "but I should like to ask you a question, +Herr Professor Wehlau. Your name strikes me as familiar. Can you be in +anywise related to Wehlau Wehlenberg of the Forschungstein?" + +"Forschungstein?" Again the Professor hastily felt the Freiherr's +pulse, while the old man resumed, condescendingly,-- + +"It would not be the first time that a member of an ancient family had +refused to adopt a title when forced by circumstances to embrace a +bourgeois profession." + +"Bourgeois profession!" exclaimed Wehlau. "Herr von Eberstein, do you +imagine that scientific pursuits are followed like--shoemaking, for +example?" + +"They certainly are very unbefitting noble blood," said Eberstein, +haughtily. "As for the Forschungstein, it is the ancestral seat of a +young nobleman who came to the Ebersburg last autumn and partook of my +hospitality during a stormy night. An amiable young man that Hans +Wehlau Wehlenberg----" + +"Of the Forschungstein!" the Professor interposed, with a burst of +laughter. "Now I understand it all. It is another prank of that +graceless boy of mine. I remember his telling me that he had passed +a stormy night in an old castle. I am sorry, Herr Baron, that my +good-for-naught should so have imposed upon you. His Forschungstein is, +however, all the antiquity that either he or I can lay claim to. No, he +is plain Hans Wehlau like myself, and when next I lay eyes upon him I +shall give him my opinion of his promotion to the nobility." + +He laughed again loud and long, but the old Freiherr evidently did not +appreciate the joke of the affair; he sat at first speechless with +indignation, and at last broke forth: "Your son? Only Hans Wehlau? And +I received him as an equal, and treated him like one of my own rank! A +young man of no name, no family----" + +"Pardon me," interrupted the Professor. "I do not mean to excuse the +trick, but as for a name and a family, in the first place Hans is _my_ +son, and I have achieved somewhat in the scientific world, and in the +second place he himself is not without fame in another domain. The name +of Wehlau may well compare with that of Eberstein, which owes all its +importance to mouldy old traditions, entirely disregarded nowadays." + +This touched the Freiherr on his most sensitive side; he arose in +furious indignation: "Mouldy traditions? Disregarded? Herr Wehlau, I +cannot, of course, require from you any appreciation of matters far too +lofty for your bourgeois apprehension, but I demand respect for----" + +"But I have none,--none at all!" shouted the Professor, angry in his +turn. "I am a scientific man of enlightened ideas, and I have not the +slightest respect for the mouldy dust of the tenth century, nor for the +Udos and Kunos and Conrads and whatever else the fellows were called +who knew nothing save how to drink themselves drunk, and kill one +another. Those times, thank God, are past, and when your old owls' +nest, the Ebersburg, has quite fallen to decay, no human being will +know anything more about it." + +"Herr Professor!" exclaimed Eberstein, fairly growing purple in the +face; he could get no further, for his fury brought on so violent a +paroxysm of coughing that at sight of his distress all the physician +stirred within Wehlau, and in spite of his anger he forced his visitor +into a chair, and supported his head, while the old man repulsed +his aid, gasping, "Leave me! I wish no help at the hands of an +iconoclast--a blasphemer--a----" + +With a sudden accession of strength he regained his feet, seized his +cane, and hobbled out of the room. + +"Applications of ice to the head during twenty-four hours; don't +forget!" the Professor called after him, throwing himself into a chair +and allowing his wrath to cool. The Freiherr, on the contrary, hobbled +along, nursing his ire, to his daughter's room to relate the dreadful +story to her. She knew the 'young man of no name, no family,' who had +insinuated himself as an equal into the Ebersburg; she would, of +course, share his indignation at the deceit. + + + * * * * * + + +While this passage at arms had been taking place between the two +fathers, their children had been enjoying the most peaceful and +friendly _tete-a--tete_. Hans Wehlau had come over from Tannberg, as +was his wont, to see his dear father and to inquire after the Countess. +This last seemed to be the most important purpose of his coming, for it +was his first care, and he made his inquiries, not of his father, who +was surely more than able to satisfy his anxiety, but of Fraeulein von +Eberstein in person. The Professor, of course, knew nothing of these +interviews, but supposed that his son came directly to himself, and was +deeply touched by his recent increase of filial devotion. + +On this day the young artist had been sitting in the reception-room +with Fraeulein von Eberstein for full half an hour, and they had been +talking of other things besides the Countess's illness. Hans had just +said, "Then you have not told your father yet? He still thinks me a +Wehlau Wehlenberg?" + +"I--I have had no opportunity," replied Gerlinda, with hesitation. "I +did not want to write it to papa, for I knew it would vex him, and so I +did not mention meeting you. Then we went to Berkheim, and then when we +came here my poor godmamma was taken ill, and I could not think of +anything else." + +The words sounded very timid, and Hans plainly perceived that she had +lacked, not opportunity, but courage to make the disclosure. + +"And, besides, you feared the Freiherr's anger," he went on. "I can +easily conceive it, and of course I must save you the dreaded +explanation. In a day or two I will drive over to the Ebersburg and +confess my sins myself." + +"Oh, for heaven's sake don't do that!" exclaimed Gerlinda, in dismay. +"You do not know my papa; his principles are so strict in this respect, +and he never would permit----" + +"The bourgeois Hans Wehlau to come to his house, or to visit his +daughter. That may be. But the only question is whether you, Fraeulein +von Eberstein, will permit it?" + +"I?" asked the young girl, in extreme confusion. "I can neither forbid +nor permit." + +"And yet I ask for an answer from you, and you only! Why have I come +hither, do you think? Not for the sake of my relations in Tannberg. I +could not stay in town, although I have lately had so much to gratify +me there. The first recognition of an artist by the public has +something intoxicating in it, and this I have had in fuller measure +than I had ventured to hope for. It came from all quarters, and yet I +was besieged by one memory, one longing that would not be banished, +that left me no repose, and that at last drew me away to where alone it +could be stilled." + +Gerlinda sat with downcast eyes and glowing cheeks. Young and +inexperienced as she was, she yet understood this language. She knew +whither his longing had drawn him. He was standing beside her, and as +he bent over her there was again in his voice the gentle, fervent tone +that was but rarely heard from the gay young artist. + +"May I come to the Ebersburg? I should so like to have another sunny +morning hour on the old castle terrace, high above the green sea of +forest. There, beside you, the poetry of the past, the splendour of the +world of fairy-lore, were first revealed to me. If I might but gaze +again into Dornroeschen's dark dreamy eyes! I have not forgotten those +eyes; they sank deep into my heart. May I come, Gerlinda?" + +The crimson on the girl's cheek deepened, but the downcast eyes were +not raised, and her reply was almost inaudible: "I always hoped you +would come again,--all through the long winter,--but always in vain." + +"But I am here now!" exclaimed Hans, "and I will not leave you until my +happiness is assured. Ah, sweet little Dornroeschen, did I not tell you +that the day would come when the knight would appear and break through +the thick hedge, and rouse the Sleeping Beauty with a kiss? And all the +while, deep in my heart, I cherished the hope that the knight's name +might be--Hans Wehlau." + +He put his arm around her waist as he uttered the last words. Gerlinda +shrank, but did not withdraw from his clasp; she slowly raised the +'dark dreamy eyes' to his, and said, softly, very softly, but with the +fervour of intense happiness, "So did I." + +The young man was not to blame if, in view of this confession, he +carried out the fairy legend in detail, and kissed his Dornroeschen +nestling so contentedly beside him. But when he clasped her closer, +calling her his 'dear little betrothed,' Gerlinda started and grew very +pale. "Ah, Hans, dear Hans, it will not do! I had quite forgotten; we +never can marry each other." + +"And why not?" + +"Oh, papa never will allow it. Why, we date from the tenth century." + +"The tenth century presents no obstacle to my marriage in the +nineteenth. Of course there will be a row with the Freiherr; I am quite +prepared for that; but I am proof against storms of that kind. I know +from experience what it is to brave a furious papa and have my own way +in the end." + +"But we never shall succeed," the little chatelaine moaned, drearily. +"We shall be just like Gertrudis von Eberstein and Dietrich Fernbacher, +who loved each other so dearly. Oh, Gertrudis was married to the Lord +of Ringstetten, and Dietrich went on a crusade against the infidels, +and never came back." + +"That was very silly of Dietrich," rejoined Hans. "What business had he +with the infidels? He ought to have stayed at home and married his +Gertrudis." + +"But she could not espouse him, because he was not of knightly descent, +but a merchant's son," cried Gerlinda, the tears gathering in her eyes, +while she dutifully repeated the exact words of the ancient chronicle. + +"That was in the Middle Ages," Hans said, soothingly. "They are far +more sensible in such matters nowadays. I shall certainly not march +against the infidels. The most I shall attempt will be the siege of the +Ebersburg, and I shall surely carry it by storm." + +"Good heavens! Papa! I hear his step!" exclaimed Gerlinda, freeing +herself from the arm Hans had clasped about her, and running to the +window. "Oh, Hans, what shall we do now?" + +"Present ourselves to him as a betrothed pair and ask his blessing," +the young man promptly replied. "It has got to be done, and the sooner +the better." + +The heavy, shuffling step of the Freiherr was in fact audible in the +next room, with the tap of his cane on the floor. He opened the door +and stood as if paralyzed on the threshold. He saw the man 'of no name, +no family,' with his daughter; at a respectful distance from her, to be +sure, but the mere fact of their being together was enough to rouse his +indignation. He advanced slowly into the room. "Ah, Herr Hans Wehlau!" +he said, emphasizing the name with contempt. + +Hans bowed. "At your service, Herr von Eberstein." + +The old gentleman was evidently desirous of assuming the angry attitude +required by the occasion, but his gout played him an ill turn; just at +this point his feet refused to sustain him, and he sank into the +nearest arm-chair, where he presented a spectacle that was pitiable +rather than terrible. Nevertheless, he controlled himself, and +continued: "I have just come from a"--he suppressed a more violent +expression--"a certain Professor Wehlau, who declares himself your +father." + +"Which he assuredly is," said Hans, perceiving clearly that his +confession was unnecessary. + +"And you admit it?" cried the Freiherr, angrily. "You confess that you +have played a disgraceful farce with me; that you sneaked into my house +under a false name, assuming a title----" + +"Beg pardon, Herr Baron, that I did not do," Hans interposed. "I only +took the liberty of adding a second name to the one belonging to me of +right. You yourself prefixed the 'Baron.' But you are quite right to +reproach me, and I frankly beg your forgiveness for the stupid trick by +which I extorted a hospitality at first denied me. I call upon Fraeulein +von Eberstein to witness that it was my intention to go to the +Ebersburg to tell you the truth. A jest might well be forgiven to the +passing guest who appeared at night and departed in the morning; but to +prolong the jest would be deceit. This I perceived as soon as I met +Fraeulein von Eberstein in the capital, and I did not delay an instant +in revealing the truth to her." + +Eberstein cast a surprised and indignant glance at his daughter. "What, +Gerlinda! you knew this and concealed it from me? You have allowed this +Hans Wehlau to approach you, and have even perhaps accepted his excuses +for what is entirely inexcusable? Highly unbecoming conduct!" + +Gerlinda answered not a word; she stood by the window, pale and +trembling, gazing anxiously at Hans. The little Dornroeschen was no +heroine. All the more undaunted was the Knight of the Forschungstein. +He saw that nothing was to be gained hereby temporizing; the danger +must be braved, and he attacked the high thorny hedge with ardour. + +"Fraeulein von Eberstein has done even more," he began. "She has given +me a highly gratifying reply to a question that I put to her. I have +just told her of my love for her, and have had her confession that it +is returned. We pray you, therefore, Herr Baron, to bestow upon us your +paternal blessing." + +Very unexpectedly the old Freiherr received this declaration with a +tolerable degree of composure, but this was simply because he did not +comprehend it. He thought it a fresh 'disgraceful farce,' for it never +occurred to him that the son of a bourgeois professor could presume to +woo a Fraeulein von Eberstein. + +"Herr Wehlau, I must beg you to desist from such ill-timed pleasantry!" +he said, loftily. "You appear ignorant of the presumption of your +conduct, and you surely have reason enough to be serious in my +presence." + +"Then I must pray you to speak, Gerlinda, and to confirm my words. Tell +your father that you have given me the right to ask him for your hand; +that you consent to belong to me, and to me alone." + +The words were uttered with extreme tenderness, but for Gerlinda they +contained a serious admonition to overcome her timidity and to second +her Hans bravely. Moreover, was he not beside her, ready to protect +her? She accordingly broke forth with, "Oh, papa, I love him so dearly, +so very dearly! Even if he is not of noble blood and has no coat of +arms, I care for nobody but my Hans!" + +"My darling!" cried the young fellow, clasping her to his heart. And +then an incredible, an inconceivable occurrence took place. Before the +very eyes of the Baron Udo von Eberstein-Ortenau the man of 'no name, +no family,' _kissed_ the last scion of the lofty race dating from the +tenth century, and not only once, but twice in succession! + +For a moment the old Baron was unable either to speak or to stir. He +gazed at the pair, and then lifted his eyes to the ceiling, evidently +expecting nothing less than that the walls should tumble in and crush +this daring wretch. Castle Steinrueck, however, seemed to be of opinion +that this affair belonged entirely to the Ebersburg, which was +doubtless falling in ruins at this moment with a dull crash. The Baron +perceived that the end of the world delayed incomprehensibly in putting +in an appearance, and conceiving that it was his part to supply its +place, he tried to spring to his feet. But the gout was in league with +the lovers: it held him fast. Instead of stepping between the pair like +an avenging angel, he swayed to and fro in a helpless way, and then +sank feebly back in his arm-chair. + +"Gerlinda!" he called, hoarsely. "Degenerate child! Come here! Come to +me this instant!" + +Gerlinda made a faint effort to obey, but when Hans clasped his arm +about her more closely she submitted, and repeated, sobbing, "Oh, papa, +I love him so dearly!" + +"Herr Hans Wehlau," Eberstein fairly yelled, losing all self-control, +"release my daughter on the spot, I command you! Retire immediately!" + +"In a moment, Herr Baron. Permit me first to take leave of my +betrothed," said Hans, calmly, kissing Gerlinda's brow. Again the +Freiherr made convulsive efforts to rise. + +"I will call for help! I will summon the servants! I will sound the +alarm!" he screamed, vainly endeavouring to reach a small table-bell at +a little distance from his chair. Suddenly the door opened, and Hertha, +having heard the disturbance, entered. + +"Countess Hertha!" exclaimed Eberstein, with an appealing look, "I pray +you save my child, whom this man has bewitched; turn him out of your +castle!" + +Hertha paused in dismay. There stood Hans Wehlau with his arm around +Gerlinda, taking a tender leave of her, while the old Baron writhed +about in vain efforts to rise from his arm-chair. The scene was +incomprehensible to her. + +Hans finally made up his mind to obey the old Freiherr's command; but +he did not resign his betrothed to her father, but to the young +Countess, to whom he said, in a tone of entreaty, "I beseech your +kindness and protection, Countess Steinrueck, for my betrothed. For the +present the Herr Baron refuses to entertain my proposal, and I must +yield for a while, since my future father-in-law----" + +"Insolent wretch!" shouted Eberstein, who really seemed in danger of +falling into a fit. + +"----is entitled to a certain degree of respect, although I can no +longer submit to his insulting remarks," the young man completed his +sentence. "I therefore pray you to take charge of my Gerlinda. I shall +return as soon as Herr von Eberstein recovers some degree of +composure." + +Then he calmly kissed his Gerlinda for the fourth time, carried the +Countess's hand to his lips, bowed low and gracefully to the Freiherr, +and left the room. + +Professor Wehlau, in the mean time, had got over his vexation, and had +answered his letters. After all, that crazy old Freiherr of the tenth +century was nothing to him. The man was evidently irresponsible, and +Wehlau was disposed to judge his son's conduct more leniently than at +first. The idea of the Forschungstein amused him much, but he +nevertheless resolved to read his graceless scion a lecture when he +should next see him, and the opportunity immediately presented itself, +for Hans at that moment entered the room. + +"I've just heard of another of your pranks," were the words with which +his father received him. "What nonsense have you been about at the +Ebersburg? You, a knight of the Forschungstein!" + +"Was it not a capital idea, papa?" asked the young fellow, laughing. "I +have just heard that you have had an interview with the Freiherr. He +probably wished to consult you about his gout?" + +"Possibly; I diagnosed insanity," said Wehlau, dryly, "and ordered +applications of ice. They will not help him much, however, since the +disease is too deep-seated, but they will calm him, and that is +something." + +"How so? Did you quarrel?" + +"We certainly did. I never advise humouring fixed ideas, as do some of +the profession. My system is to rouse patients from their illusions, +and when this Udo von Eberstein began to recite his old chronicles I +quickly made clear to him my views with regard to his mediaeval +nonsense." + +"Oh, dear!" sighed Hans; "you must have touched him on the raw. He +never will forgive either you or me." + +"What of that? What have either you or I to do with that old Ebersburg +owl?" + +"Very much, since I am betrothed to his daughter." + +The Professor honoured his son with a long stare, then frowned, and +said, crossly, "What! more nonsense? I should suppose we had had +enough." + +"I am perfectly serious, papa. I have just betrothed myself to Gerlinda +von Eberstein. You have known her at the bedside of the Countess, and +you cannot but rejoice in such a lovely creature for a daughter." + +"Hans, are you utterly insane? The daughter of a notorious lunatic! +Why, it may be hereditary in the family. The girl has something shy and +strange in her air, and the father is as mad as a March hare." + +"Not at all," said Hans; "he only dates from the tenth century; a +certain abnormal condition of the brain must be looked for, otherwise +my father-in-law is quite sensible." + +"Father-in-law!" repeated the Professor. "I have a word to say in the +matter, and I wish to declare now, upon the spot, that if you really +have this nonsensical idea in your head you had best get rid of it +without delay. I forbid you to entertain it." + +"Oh, you can't do that, papa. The Freiherr forbade Gerlinda, too. He +nearly fell into convulsions when I proposed for her, but all to no +purpose; we are going to be married." + +Wehlau, who now perceived that his son was in earnest, threw up his +hands in despair. "Have you lost your senses? There is no doubt that +the old man is crazy, and I tell you as a physician that the germ +of insanity is hereditary. Would you entail such misery upon your +family?--bring unhappiness upon an entire generation? Be reasonable." + +This gloomy picture of the future made not the least impression upon +the young man, who coolly rejoined, "It really is extraordinary, papa, +that you and I never can agree. And we were getting along so +delightfully together. You had just become reconciled to my 'daubing,' +and were even in a fair way to be proud of it, and now you quarrel with +my betrothal, when you ought to be highly gratified. Aged aristocracy +applies to you only when it has the rheumatism; I ally myself with +youthful aristocracy by marrying it,--a palpable advance." + +"It is the most nonsensical of all your nonsensical exploits," +exclaimed the Professor, angrily. "Once for all----" + +He was interrupted by a servant, who came to summon him to the +Countess's bedside, since he had given orders to be so summoned as soon +as his patient should awake. Wehlau went on the instant, desiring his +son to await his return; he should not be gone longer than a quarter of +an hour. + +Upon leaving the Countess's room the Professor encountered Gerlinda, +who had hailed as a relief a summons to her godmother's bedside. For +the moment she could escape her father's anger, and Hertha undertook to +restore the Freiherr to some degree of calm. + +The instant Wehlau perceived the young girl he hurried up to her. +"Fraeulein von Eberstein, I should like to see you alone for a minute. +Will you allow me to ask you a few questions?" + +"Certainly, Herr Professor," replied Gerlinda, quite dismayed by being +thus addressed. She always felt unconquerably shy in presence of the +Professor, who had never seemed to notice her, and his rather imperious +demeanour, even at the sick-bed, was not calculated to put her at her +ease. She was overpowered by timidity now at the thought that this man +was the father of her Hans, as he came close up to her, and began to +ask her all kinds of questions which she did not understand, staring at +her the while so fixedly that she began to be afraid. The poor child +never dreamed that she was to undergo a test as to the soundness of her +intellect, and in her bewilderment she made uncertain replies, which of +course confirmed Wehlau in his previous opinion. + +At last he questioned her as to the family traditions of the +Ebersteins,--the subject of the old Freiherr's monomania. During her +stay in the capital and at Berkheim Gerlinda had not bestowed much +attention upon the Eberstein chronicles; the Countess and Hertha had +exercised a beneficial influence upon her in this respect, but it was +of no avail on the present occasion. She was spell-bound by Wehlau's +gaze, as is the fluttering bird by the eye of the serpent. All she +desired was to satisfy her examiner, and when he most unfortunately +asked, "Your name is a double one, is it not,--Eberstein--Ortenau?" she +instantly folded her hands and began: "In the year of grace thirteen +hundred and seventy a feud broke out between Kunrad von Eberstein and +Balduin von Ortenau, because----" and then there was no stopping her. +She told the endless tale of Kunrad and Hildegard, of dungeon and +marriage, from first to last, without stopping an instant to take +breath, and all in the old monotone. She never even noticed that the +door opened, and that Hans, who had foreboded mischief, appeared upon +the threshold. He came in time to hear the familiar conclusion. + +"Just as I thought!" the Professor exclaimed, in triumph. He rushed to +his son, hurried him into a corner of the room, and said, in an eager +whisper, "I told you so! She is already astray in mind: the wretched +germ is entirely developed, and is doubtless hereditary. If you persist +in your senseless purpose you will bring wretchedness upon yourself, +your family, and your entire posterity. I protest against it both as a +physician and as a father. I forbid it in the interest of humanity; you +have no right to impose upon the world a generation of lunatics." + +"Papa, I believe you are 'astray in mind' yourself!" exclaimed Hans, +hastening to Gerlinda's side. "I will not allow my betrothed to be so +tormented. I really cannot see what right the fathers have to meddle +here; our marriage is our own affair, and we can see to it ourselves." + + + * * * * * + + +Summer had come. July had begun, but the marriage which was to have +been solemnized in the Steinrueck family had been of necessity +indefinitely postponed. Although Professor Wehlau had concealed the +truth from the young Countess and had allowed her to cherish illusive +hopes, the general and the rest of the family were aware of the +calamity that awaited her. But they had convinced themselves that +Hertha would be drawn to them more closely by her mother's death, and +as soon as her period of mourning was over the celebration of her +marriage could take place. + +Count Steinrueck had no suspicion that fate had already shattered the +proud structure of his hopes. He knew nothing of that eventful night of +storm, or of Captain Rodenberg's presence at Saint Michael; all his +knowledge of affairs at Castle Steinrueck was derived from Hertha's +letters and from the report of the physician. + +On that St. Michael's morning, at the young Countess's earnest +entreaty, Michael had conducted her merely to the end of the mountain +road in the valley, whence, accompanied by the servant, she easily +reached the castle, where her mother's condition forbade any +explanation of what had occurred. The physicians prescribed entire +repose of mind for their patient, and thus the affair would have to +remain a secret until the hoped-for recovery of the Countess. Michael, +indeed, knew through Professor Wehlau that there could be no recovery, +and was all the more strongly moved to shield from any agitation the +woman from whom he had received only kindness and consideration. If +there were to be a struggle, it should be after her death. + +And now this had taken place. The physician had just telegraphed to the +general that his patient had passed away gently during the night. +Steinrueck, in common with all the family, had been prepared for this +intelligence, but still the death of the gentle, amiable woman, who had +always submitted so unconditionally to his guidance, affected him very +deeply, and he could not even pay her the last offices of friendship, +and follow her remains to the grave. + +These July days were ominous, and filled with signs of the approaching +tempest, of which, whatever may have been the ignorance of the public, +military men were well aware. General Steinrueck knew that he could not +leave the capital for even a few days; that he must hold himself ready +for orders. His duties as head of his family must yield to those of the +soldier. Raoul, indeed, could leave at any time; the youthful diplomat +could easily be spared for a while, especially in a case like the +present, when he was called upon to represent his grandfather. + +Steinrueck was sitting with a very grave face in his study, reading over +the telegram received that morning, when an orderly announced a +staff-officer. There was but a small portion of his time that could be +given to family affairs: he was constantly interrupted by messages, +despatches,--communications of a military nature. He gave orders to +admit the officer at once, and Captain Rodenberg entered. + +The general was painfully affected by this meeting, although he was +quite prepared for it. He had, indeed, seen Michael several times on +service since he had interfered between him and Raoul, but he had not +spoken with him; this was their first interview, and the young officer +must be made to feel that he was not forgiven for having repulsed all +advances. He found, in fact, only his superior officer, who received +him with great coolness. + +"You have some special information for me?" + +"No, your Excellency; I come this time upon personal business, and must +beg you to grant me a brief interview." + +Steinrueck looked surprised. "Personal business? It must be something +extraordinary." He waved his hand and said, laconically, "Go on." + +"The Countess Marianne Steinrueck died last night----" + +"Have you heard of it already?" the general interrupted him. "From +whom? How long since?" + +"Two hours ago." + +"How can that be? I have but just received the despatch; no one is +aware of its contents, not even my grandson. How should you know of +this?" + +"My old friend and teacher, the pastor of Saint Michael, who, by the +Countess's desire, was with her in her last moments, telegraphed to me +the intelligence of her death." + +This declaration seemed still more surprising to the Count. He said, +sharply, "This is certainly--strange! What reason could the pastor have +for sending you intelligence in which you could not possibly take any +interest, even before it was known to the family? The thing seems to me +so extraordinary that I must beg you for an explanation." + +"That is what brings me here. The telegram was sent me at the request +of the Countess Hertha." + +"To you?" + +"To me." + +The general changed colour. At last a suspicion of the truth seemed to +dawn upon him. He raised his head haughtily. "What does this mean? How +do you happen to be on terms of such intimacy with the betrothed of +Count Steinrueck?" + +"It is my duty, in her name, to recall the promise given by her to the +Count," said Michael, returning the Count's haughty look. "This would +have been done long since but for the severe illness of the Countess +Marianne. Beside her death-bed there could be no conflict, no thought +of personal considerations. I know that it must seem heartless to allow +any such to intrude now, when Hertha is still weeping beside her dead +mother, but I act by her desire, for Count Raoul will presumably hasten +to her when he hears of her loss, and she neither can nor will receive +him as her betrothed. This is what I wished to explain to your +Excellency; all other explanations can be made hereafter. This is no +time for----" + +"No time for what?" Steinrueck angrily interrupted him. "I should +suppose you had said everything already. Go on." + +"As you please. Hertha has given me the right to act as her +representative. I speak in the name of my betrothed." + +This was intelligible enough, and transcended the general's worst +fears. He had divined the possibility of danger, and had tried to +separate the pair. It had been of no avail. His lofty scheme was +utterly overthrown; the prize which he had destined for his heir had at +the last moment fallen to the lot of another. He ought to have +denounced with indignant scorn the audacious insolence of the man +before him, instead of which he cast at him a long, strangely gloomy +look, and was silent. It was only when Michael, puzzled to understand +this silence, gazed at him in surprise that he seemed to collect +himself, and then he burst out, angrily,-- + +"These are most extraordinary announcements to be made so calmly. You +appear to find it perfectly natural that the betrothed of my grandson +should belong to you, simply because you have the audacity to stretch +forth your hand for her. Raoul will reckon with you for such +presumption. I advise you to reflect that such a prize is beyond the +reach of a--Rodenberg." + +"No prize that I can win is beyond my reach, and I have won Hertha's +love," said Michael, coldly. "She submitted to a family arrangement +that disposed of her hand while she was but a child, but she must not +atone for her too hasty consent by life-long misery. Any opposition +from Count Raoul is hardly to be expected. He certainly has lost all +right to claim his former betrothed." + +"What do you mean by such words, Captain Rodenberg?" + +"I must request you to ask the Count himself that question. Since, as I +see, your Excellency has no knowledge of the state of the case, I +prefer not to be your informant." + +"But I insist upon an explanation. I must know to what you refer." + +"To the relations of the Count to Frau von Nerac." + +Steinrueck started. This was the danger of which he had had a vague +foreboding. + +"Heloise von Nerac?" he repeated, in a low tone. + +"The sister of Herr von Clermont. This knowledge, I assure you, was +unsought; accident alone revealed it to me. Hertha asks of the Count +only the formal retraction of a promise long since broken by him, and I +cannot think that it will cause him any regret to comply with her +request. Fear of his grandfather's interference alone prevented him +from himself dissolving the tie binding him to the young Countess." + +A pause ensued. The blow was so sudden and unexpected that the general +needed time to collect himself. + +"I shall question Raoul," he said at last. "If he admits what you say +to be the fact, the Countess certainly has a right to ask to be +released from her promise; but that cannot further your hopes, for I +neither can nor will consent that my ward----" + +"Should follow the fortunes of a Rodenberg," Michael bluntly completed +the sentence. "I am aware of it, but I must remind your Excellency that +your power as guardian comes to an end in a few months." + +Steinrueck advanced towards the young man, the old fire in his eye, the +imperious tone in his voice. "My power as guardian, yes! But then my +power as head of the family comes into play, and to that you will +submit." + +"No!" + +"Michael!" + +"No, Count Steinrueck. I do not belong to your family, as you have just +shown me. However unworthy of his betrothed Count Raoul may prove +himself, in your eyes he is still the wearer of a coronet, as I am +still the adventurer's son, who must not dare to lift his eyes to a +member of your family, even although beloved by her. Fortunately, +Hertha thinks otherwise. She knows everything, and yet gladly consents +to bear my name." + +"And I tell you you will rue asking her to share it. You do not know +the girl's pride. Avoid her." + +"No, no," said Michael, with a half-contemptuous smile. "I know my +Hertha better. For months we contended with each other like bitter +foes, conscious all the while that we could not live apart. She has +been hardly gained, my fair, proud darling. In storm and tempest I won +my betrothed from the clefts of the Eagle ridge. No human power can +snatch her from me!" + +The cold, grave man seemed transformed; passionate delight glowed in +his eyes and rang in his voice as he confronted the Count triumphantly. + +Again the general gazed at him with that strange expression, in which +there was more pain than anger. "Enough," he said, collecting himself. +"I must settle with Raoul next. You shall hear from me shortly. Now +go." + +Michael bowed and went. The Count gazed after him gloomily. It was +strange that neither of them could maintain the cold, unfamiliar tone +and manner which each tried so hard to assume. They always met at first +as superior and subaltern, as unfamiliarly and coldly as if they had +never seen each other before; but in a little while they were +grandfather and grandson, even in their angry contention. To-day, too, +there was open warfare between them when they parted, and yet the Count +murmured, when he was alone, "What would I not give if he were Raoul +Steinrueck!" + +Half an hour afterwards, when the young Count returned from his morning +ride, he was told that his Excellency had been inquiring for him, and +wished to speak with him. In a few moments he entered the general's +study. "You wished to see me, grandfather? Have you any news from +Steinrueck?" + +For answer his grandfather handed him the telegram. "Read it yourself." + +Raoul glanced through it and laid it down. "Sad news, but not +unexpected. The last letters prepared us for the end. You said +yesterday that if it came you should not be able to leave the capital, +so I shall go alone with my mother." + +"Yes, _if you can_." + +"There will be no difficulty about my leave. The Minister offered to +give it to me when he heard of the state of affairs at Steinrueck. I can +go at any moment to----" + +"Console your betrothed," the general completed the sentence. + +"Of course. I have the first right to do so." + +"Have you still that right?" + +The young Count started at the tone in which the words were spoken, but +his grandfather left him no time for surmise, but asked, sharply,-- + +"What are your relations with Heloise von Nerac?" + +The question was so unexpected that for a moment Raoul was confused, +but in the next he replied, "Why, she is the sister of my friend +Clermont." + +"I know it. But is she not something more? No subterfuges! I require +the plain, unvarnished truth. Is your intimacy with her such as your +betrothed would approve? Yes or no." + +Raoul was silent. He was no liar, nor could he feign while those eyes +were fixed upon him as if to search his very soul and wring the truth +from him however he might try to conceal it. + +"It is true, then," said Steinrueck, hoarsely. "I could not and would +not believe it." + +"Grandfather----" + +"Hush! I need no further reply; your silence has spoken. Can it be? A +girl like Hertha sacrificed, and to whom? Have you lost both sight and +sense? The thing is as incomprehensible as it is disgraceful." + +Raoul stood biting his lip and chafing at reproaches uttered in such a +tone. It irritated him beyond endurance, and his air when he spoke was +defiant rather than ashamed. "You load me with reproaches, grandfather, +but Hertha, with her insulting coldness, her frigid reserve, is most to +blame for our estrangement. She never loved me; she is incapable of +loving." + +"You are greatly mistaken there," the general said, bitterly. "You, to +be sure, failed to win her love, but another knew how to succeed. To +him she is neither proud nor cold; to him she willingly sacrifices her +rank, and he dares to offer her a name not without stain,--Michael +Rodenberg!" + +The young Count at first stood gazing at his grandfather as if +thunderstruck, and then his whole nature seemed to rise in revolt. He +had, in spite of all, once loved his cold, beautiful betrothed; her +invincible reserve had driven him from her. The thought that she could +belong to another, and that other the man whom he hated, robbed him of +all self-possession, and he burst forth furiously, "Rodenberg? He dare +to woo a Countess Steinrueck, to beguile her secretly while she is +betrothed to me! Scoundrel----" + +"Hush!" the general said, in a tone of command. "You have been the +scoundrel, not Michael. He has just been here to recall in Hertha's +name her promise to you, and to disclose everything to me. You kept +silence, while you betrayed your betrothed." + +"How could I speak? You would have annihilated me with your anger if I +had dared to tell you of my love for Heloise." + +Steinrueck's lip quivered contemptuously. + +"It was from fear of me, then? Do you suppose that I care for an +obedience founded upon falsehood and treachery? Ah! I fear that even +without your breach of faith Hertha would have been lost to you as soon +as Michael entered the lists against you." + +"Grandfather, this is too much!" Raoul's voice was wellnigh choked with +anger. "Would you rank above me, your grandson, the last scion of your +house, a man disgraced by his father's shame?" + +"A man who will, nevertheless, mount to a height you can never hope to +attain. He marches on to his goal although a world in arms oppose him, +while you, with all the splendour of your name and of your descent, +with all your rich endowments, will never be aught save one of +thousands lost in the crowd. You both are of my race, but only one of +you has inherited my blood. You are your mother's image; there is in +you nothing of your father save his weakness of character. Michael is +my own, and if his name were tenfold Rodenberg, I acknowledge him a +Steinrueck." + +It had come at last, the recognition which the old Count's pride had so +long refused to his grandson, which he had never admitted to his face. +It broke forth now, almost against his will. + +At his grandfather's last words Raoul grew pale; he said nothing, but +if anything could increase his hatred of Michael, it was this +declaration. Steinrueck paced the room to and fro several times, as if +to regain his composure, and then paused before the young Count. + +"Your betrothal is annulled. After what you have just admitted to me I +cannot dissuade Hertha from recalling the troth she plighted to you. +Your mother will tell you of all that you have lost in a worldly point +of view. In this matter we are exceptionally of one mind, and she seems +to have had a suspicion of the danger that threatened you, for she +lately assured me that in compliance with her urgent entreaty you had +given up all intercourse with the Clermonts. You have deceived her as +you have deceived me, and for the sake of a woman----" + +"Whom I love!" exclaimed Raoul, goaded to reply; "whom I love to +distraction. Not one word against Heloise, grandfather. I will not +suffer it, although I know that you hate both her and her brother +because they belong to my mother's native land." + +Steinrueck shrugged his shoulders. "Your uncle Montigny belongs to the +same land, and you know that my respect and esteem for him are great. +But there is something suspicious about this brother and sister, in +spite of their lofty descent which seems to be genuine. They mingle +aimlessly and idly in society here, and will probably vanish from it +some day as suddenly as they appeared in it. Then your foolish romance +will come to an end, but it will have cost you a brilliant future." + +"Who says it will come to an end? If Hertha can venture to brave your +anger, and outrage every tradition of our family, I surely have a right +to marry a woman whose name confers more honour upon our house than a +Rodenberg can boast." + +"You intend to marry Frau von Nerac!" said the general, coldly. "Is +your household to be supported by your salary in the Foreign Office? +There is no need of explaining my position in the affair. I once +allowed that foreign element to mingle among us; it never shall do so +again,--it has wrought mischief enough." + +"Grandfather, you are speaking of my mother!" cried Raoul, angrily. + +"Yes, of your mother, to whom I owe your estrangement from me and from +your fatherland,--your indifference to, nay, dislike for what should be +most sacred to you. What is there that I have not done to withdraw you +from this baneful influence? But kindness and severity have alike +proved in vain. The poorest peasant is more devoted to the soil upon +which he was born than are you to your country, and linked to a Heloise +von Nerac your fate would be sealed. When fear of me no longer +restrained you, when death had closed my eyes, it might well be that +the last of the Steinruecks turned his back contemptuously upon his +fatherland to become body and soul a Frenchman!" + +There was in the midst of the old man's indignation such bitter pain in +the tone in which these last words were uttered that the angry retort +died upon Raoul's lips. His answer was cut short by the opening of the +door and by his mother's appearance. + +She had no suspicion of what had occurred. The general had gone to her +for a few moments after his interview with Michael to tell her of the +death of the Countess; his sense of justice forbade his accusing Raoul +to her before the young man had been heard in his own defence. + +"Oh, you are here, Raoul," she said. "They told me your grandfather had +sent for you, and I knew it was to tell you of the despatch from +Steinrueck. Are we to start together to-day, or will you follow me +tomorrow? I had better take the express train to-night, to be with +Hertha as soon as possible." + +The general turned with apparent composure to his daughter-in-law: +"Raoul is not going to Steinrueck. Circumstances oblige him to remain +here." + +The Countess looked surprised, but her surmises were wide of the truth. +"Can they refuse him a leave upon such an occasion?" she asked. "And +you tell me that you cannot go, either, papa? Then what Leon hinted to +me yesterday is true. War is unavoidable?" + +"I can give you no assurance on that head," replied Steinrueck, ignoring +all but her last words. "Every one knows how grave is the situation, +and Raoul, like the rest of us, must be ready to stand by the flag." + +"Stand by the flag?" repeated the Countess. "He is not a soldier. His +delicate health always excluded him from a military career. He was even +released from the usual year of service on account of the weakness of +his chest." + +"That was, it is true, the verdict of the physicians formerly,--a +verdict which I never could understand, for Raoul always seemed healthy +to me. That he is so at present you will surely not deny. A man who +makes it his boast that no hunting-expedition ever fatigues him, who +can ride all night and be ready for any madcap exploit in the morning, +must be able to serve in time of war." + +"And you could be so cruel as to require----" + +"What?" the general asked, hastily. "Ah, you dread his serving as a +common soldier. Unfortunately, that must be; but it will not be for +long, and I shall take care that he is placed near me. Every one knows +that he is my grandson, and he has but to fulfil his duty as a +soldier." + +"But to fight against my people!" Hortense exclaimed, passionately. "If +it came to that it would kill me." + +"We live through much, Hortense, that is harder to bear. I know how +many tears it would cost you, and I could not ask you to stay here in +the capital if war with France were really declared. You cannot +sympathize with us. But Raoul is the son of a German, and must do his +duty as such. He was formerly unfit for service, now he is strong and +well enough to act a soldier's part." + +The words sounded calm, but iron in firmness. Hortense, however, was +incapable of understanding her father-in-law,--she always would beat +upon this rock although she knew she could not stir it. "You can free +him from any necessity for such a part," she said, impetuously. "One +word from you to the examining physician, a simple statement from +General Steinrueck that he does not consider the weakness of his +grandson's lungs yet overcome, and no one will venture----" + +"To accuse him of falsehood? Assuredly not; but some one ventures, I +find, to consider him capable of falsehood. I make allowance for you on +account of your present agitation, Hortense, or----" His look completed +the sentence. + +Raoul had hitherto taken no part in a conversation in which his +passionate interest was plain; now he advanced. "Grandfather, you know +that I am no coward. You have often reproached me with rashness and +foolhardiness, restraining me where I would have ventured, but you must +see that I cannot take part in this conflict; my whole nature revolts +at the idea of lifting my hand against my mother's country and her +people." + +"I cannot spare you this," Steinrueck declared, unmoved. "In such a case +self-control must be exercised and duty must be done. But why waste +words? It is a necessity to which you must both submit. Enough has been +said." + +"But I neither can nor will submit!" exclaimed the young Count in great +agitation. "I have never served in the army, and shall not be called +upon to do so now, unless you insist upon it. You mean to force me into +this war with my other fatherland. I see but too clearly----" + +He paused suddenly, the general's look was so stern and forbidding. + +"I should suppose that you could have but _one_ fatherland. Are you to +learn this now for the first time? You _must_ take part in this war; +you must fight it out from first to last, that you may finally come to +the consciousness of who you are. In the storm of battle, in the +uprising of your entire nation, you may perhaps learn to know where you +belong; you may find again your lost love of country. It is my sole, my +last hope. As soon as war is declared you will enlist,--enlist +immediately." + +The tone was the same to which Raoul had always submitted, but now he +burst forth in open rebellion: "Grandfather, do not goad me too far. +You have always reproached me with having my mother's blood in my +veins, and you are right. All that I knew of happiness and freedom in +the sunny days of my youth belonged to France, and there alone does +life seem to me really worth the living. Here, in cold, gray Germany, I +have never felt at home. Every joy is doled out to me grudgingly here; +the phantom of duty is always held up to me. Do not inexorably force me +to choose. The result might be other than what you desire. I do not +love your Germany; I never loved it; and, come what may, I will not +fight against my France!" + +"My Raoul,--I knew it!" cried Hortense, exultantly, extending her arms +to him. + +Steinrueck stood still, gazing at the pair. He had not looked for this. +Raoul's fear of him had hitherto kept him within bounds; he had not +dared to give utterance to his sentiments. These bounds were broken, +and even the old Count's iron nature was shaken. His voice sounded +strangely when he spoke again,--"Raoul, come here!" + +The young man did not stir; he stayed beside his mother, who had thrown +one arm around him as if to detain him. Thus they stood, hostile and +defiant; but the general was not the man to endure such revolt beneath +his roof. + +"Did you not hear my command? I must repeat it, then: Come here to me!" + +His tone and look once more exercised their old power. Raoul obeyed +mechanically, as if yielding to an irresistible force. + +"You will not fight?" said Steinrueck, seizing the young man's hand in a +vice-like grasp. "That remains to be seen. I shall volunteer in your +name, and once enlisted, you will be taught the meaning of discipline. +You are aware of what awaits the soldier who disobeys, or--deserts. +Hush! not a word!" he continued, as the young man started as if to +protest against words so full of disgrace. "In spite of your threat, I +bid you choose. And that you may not lavish too much admiration upon +your son's courage, Hortense, I tell you what could not long be kept +from you; Raoul's betrothal to Hertha is annulled, and by his own +fault. For love of Frau von Nerac he has been false to the duty he owed +to his betrothed." + +"Raoul!" exclaimed the Countess, in utter dismay. The general slowly +released his grandson's hand from his clasp and turned away. + +"You must settle all that with him. I shall know how to avert the worse +evil. I will see to it that the last of the Steinruecks is saved from +the disgrace of betraying his fatherland as he has betrayed his +betrothed." + +With these words he left the room. + + + * * * * * + + +The discord in the Steinrueck family weighed heavily upon its members. +Hortense left for Steinrueck, since the general insisted that one member +at least of his household should follow his relative to the grave. He +could not leave town himself, and political events might well account +for Raoul's absence. But had Hortense also been absent the world would +have suspected the family dissension, and she complied all the more +readily with her father-in-law's desire on this occasion, since she +still had some confidence in her personal influence with Hertha. In the +stormy scene between Raoul and herself that preceded her departure, +Michael's name had not been mentioned; she knew nothing of his +relations with Hertha, or of his connection with the Steinruecks. In her +mind Heloise von Nerac was the sole cause of the breach between the +young people, and she still hoped that she should succeed in appeasing +the offended girl, and in recovering for her son all that he had so +wantonly sacrificed with Hertha's hand. + +The general and his grandson had met but for a few moments in the +twenty-four hours following their decisive interview, and these moments +had been painful enough. At present the young man had gone to his +friend Clermont's, determined to prove to his mother and grandfather +that he was no longer a boy to be disposed of according to their +pleasure. He found Heloise alone, and informed her of all that had +taken place on the previous day, the passionate agitation of his manner +showing how profoundly he had been moved. + +"The die is cast," he concluded. "My betrothal with Hertha is at an +end. I am as free as you are, and there is no longer any reason for +concealment. Tell me at last, Heloise, that you consent to be mine, to +bear my name. You have never yet really done so." + +Heloise had listened in silence, and with a slight frown. It seemed +almost as if this turn of affairs were an unwelcome one to her. + +"Stay! not so fast, Raoul!" she said, in reply to his ardent words. +"You acknowledge that your grandfather never will consent to our union, +and you are entirely dependent upon him." + +"For the moment. But I am his heir-at-law; nothing can affect that, as +you know." + +Heloise was quite aware of it, but she was also aware of how little the +income to which the young Count would fall heir would comport with her +requirements. The matter had been the subject of an exhaustive +discussion, but a little while previously, between herself and her +brother, and the picture that Henri had then so ruthlessly drawn, of +the dull life of a retired provincial town, had little in it to allure +a woman to whom luxury and splendour were as her vital air. + +"Then let us hope for the future," she said. "The present is hostile +enough to us. Not only your family dissensions, but political events +threaten to part us." + +"Part us? And wherefore?" + +"Why, you must see that we cannot stay here if the war, which Henri +thinks unavoidable, should really be declared. As soon as our +ambassador leaves the capital we must go too. Henri tells me to be +ready for a hasty departure." + +"Then let Henri go, but stay yourself. I cannot let you go. I know that +I ask a sacrifice of you, but remember what I have sacrificed for your +sake. To lose you now would be too horrible! You must stay!" + +"What should I stay for?" she asked, sternly. "To look on while the +general carries out his threat, and sends you in full uniform to fight +against France?" + +Raoul clinched his fist. "Heloise, do not you too drive me to +desperation. If you knew all that I have had, and yet have, to bear! My +grandfather has scarcely spoken to me since yesterday, but his eyes, +when he looks at me, make my blood boil, they are so full of scorn. My +mother, from whom I have hitherto never known anything save love and +tenderness, reproaches me bitterly. And now you talk of our parting, +and I must brave it all alone. It is beyond endurance." + +He did indeed look like a desperate man, and Heloise gazed at him with +mingled pity and indignation. With all his gallantry, his reckless +bravery, and his scorn of danger, he was but as a reed shaken by the +wind when moral courage was in question. + +"Must we be parted?" she asked, gently. "It is for you to decide that, +Raoul." + +He looked up surprised. "For me?" + +"Certainly. I cannot stay any more than can Henri. We know that you are +ours at heart, and that only compulsion keeps you among Germans. Break +loose from your bonds, and follow us to France!" + +"What madness!" exclaimed Raoul, springing to his feet. "Now, when war +is imminent! It would be rank treachery!" + +"No, it would be a bold, courageous step to take,--a fearless +confession of the truth. If you stay here you are false to yourself as +well as to others. What should you resign? A country where you always +have been, and always must be, a stranger, circumstances that have +become intolerable, and a grandfather with whom you are in open +warfare. The only one whom you have to consider--your mother--may, +indeed, grieve over the destruction of her schemes, but she never would +grieve over such a step on your part." + +"My name is Steinrueck," said Raoul, gloomily. "You seem to forget that, +Heloise." + +"Yes, that is your name, but you are a Montigny from head to heel. You +have often boasted to us that this was so; why deny it now? Is your +father's name to dictate to you what you must think and feel? Has not +your mother's blood an equal right? It draws you in every fibre towards +her land, to her people, and should the holiest force in nature be +outraged and denied? They would compel you to fight against us. _That_ +would be 'rank treachery,'--a use to which you never can allow yourself +to be put." + +Raoul had turned away; he would fain have been deaf to her words, but +yet he drank them in eagerly. These were his own thoughts as they had +besieged him day after day, refusing to be banished. + +The only thing that could now be his safeguard he did not possess,--a +sense of duty. Duty had always been to him a ghastly phantom, and thus +it appeared to him now; but it possessed the power to appall. + +"Hush, Heloise!" he said, hoarsely. "I must not listen,--nay, I will +not listen. Let me go." + +And in fact he turned as if to leave the room, but Heloise approached +him and laid her hand upon his arm. Her voice was full of eloquent +entreaty, and there was the soft veiled look in her eyes which he knew +but too well. + +"Come with us, Raoul. You will be consumed in this wretched struggle +with yourself. It will be your ruin, and I--ah, do you think I can +endure to part from you? that I shall suffer less than your mother in +knowing you in the ranks of our foes? Follow us to France." + +"Heloise, spare me!" The young Count made a desperate effort to escape; +in vain. Sweeter and more alluring rang the tones from which he could +not flee. The toils of the glittering serpent were thrown more and more +closely around him. + +"Ah, he will find means to bend you to his will, that inexorable old +man. Escape from him before he makes good his threat. War is not yet +declared. You are still free to act. Procure your leave from the +Foreign Office, no matter under what pretext. When you are far away, +when orders can no longer reach you----" + +"Never! never!" exclaimed Raoul. He felt himself about to succumb, and +his sense of honour, all of it that was left, revolted. His +grandfather's image arose before him,--the 'inexorable old man' with +scorn in his eyes. Once more it won the victory over the threatened +loss of his love, once more it snatched him from danger. + +"Never!" he repeated. "I could not live beneath such a burden, even +beside you, Heloise. Farewell!" + +He hurried to the door, where he encountered Henri Clermont, who had +just returned from a walk, and who would have detained him. + +"Whither so fast, Raoul? Have you not a moment to give me?" + +"No!" the young Count gasped. "I must go on the instant. Farewell!" + +He rushed away. Clermont looked after him, surprised, and then turned +to his sister: "What ails the fellow? why is he in such desperate +haste?" + +"It is his reply to my suggestion that he should follow us to France," +Heloise replied, in a deeply irritated tone. "You heard it. He bade me +farewell." + +Henri shrugged his shoulders. "He will be here again to-morrow. I +should suppose you would be aware by this time of your power over him. +He has resigned Hertha Steinrueck and a princely fortune for your sake. +You he never will resign!" + + + * * * * * + + +The storm had burst: war was declared, and events followed one another +with such rapidity that all personal considerations, all personal +interests, were overwhelmed by them. + +In the house occupied by the Marquis de Montigny everything was packed +and ready for departure. He had remained to share the last cares of the +Ambassador, and was now to leave the capital in a few hours. He seemed +still to be awaiting some one, for from time to time he went to the +window and looked out impatiently. At last the servant announced young +Count Steinrueck, who instantly appeared. + +Raoul looked unusually pale, and his air was strangely disturbed, but +it passed unnoticed by his uncle; at that time every one was in a state +of feverish agitation. He held out his hand to the young man. + +"Did you get my note? I am just about to start, but I cannot go without +a few words with you." + +"I was coming, at all events, to bid you good-by," replied Raoul. "My +mother will be inconsolable at the idea of not having taken leave of +you." + +"I must go back to Paris immediately," Montigny declared, with a shrug; +"but your mother has written to me from Steinrueck, and it is of the +contents of her letter that I wish to speak to you." + +The young Count braced himself to meet what he knew was coming. +Hortense, who had not been able to see her brother before leaving town, +had poured out her heart to him by letter, and a tempest from this +quarter was to be expected. In fact, the Marquis, without any +circumlocution, went directly to the point: + +"I hear that your betrothal to Hertha is annulled. It is impossible for +me to understand how you could resign her, and I fear you will only too +soon appreciate what you have lost. Still, after all, that is your own +affair. But my sister writes me that you intend to marry the lady, Frau +von Nerac, who has caused the breach, and she is in despair at the +thought. I, however, assured her, in my letter of farewell, that she +might be quite easy upon that point, that matters would never go so +far." + +"And why not?" Raoul burst forth. "Am I a child in leading-strings, to +be dictated to? I am legally of age; you all seem to forget this; and +in spite of all opposition Heloise is mine, and shall not be snatched +from me." + +There was more than mere obstinate determination in his words: they +were uttered with a passionate recklessness that revealed the feverish +agitation of the speaker so plainly that Montigny involuntarily +softened his voice, and, taking his nephew's hand, drew him down to a +seat beside him. + +"First of all, Raoul, promise me to be more calm. If my mere hint is +met by such excitement on your part, how can you endure the whole +truth? Had I suspected that you were so deeply entangled I should have +spoken long ago. The certainty of war does away with many of the +considerations that hitherto have kept me silent. Nevertheless, I must +ask you to give me your word that no one, not even your mother, shall +learn what I am about to tell you." + +His grave, calm words, in which there was a distinct tone of +compassion, did not fail of their effect, but Raoul made no reply, and +the Marquis continued: + +"I threatened Clermont some months ago that if he did not withdraw from +all intimacy with you I would open your eyes, and he was prudent enough +to induce you from that time to conceal your relations with him. +Hortense and I have both been deceived, but I shall not permit my +sister's only son to fall a victim to such snares. You do not know who +and what this Clermont is----" + +"Uncle Leon," Raoul interrupted him, eagerly and with intense emotion, +"do not go on, I entreat you. I do not wish to know. Spare me!" + +Montigny looked at him in surprise and dismay. "You do not wish to +know? You seem to be partly aware of what I would say, and still you +could----" + +"No, no, I do but suspect, and that only since yesterday. By chance--do +not ask me----" + +"Do you fear to have the bandage torn from your eyes?" Montigny asked, +sternly. "Nevertheless, it must be done. You know Clermont and his +sister only as private individuals, spending their time in travelling +because their income does not suffice for a life in Paris suited to +their inclinations. The purpose of their stay here is much less +innocent. Their errand is a means of which every government must avail +itself, but to which no man of honour can ever lend himself. Only those +to whom any means for maintaining a superficial position in society is +welcome ever accept such employment. That those thus engaged in this +instance are really the scions of an ancient noble family only makes +their trade the more disgraceful. I think you understand me." + +Raoul did indeed seem to understand, although he made a hasty gesture +of dissent. "You are speaking of Henri; you may be right, but Heloise +is innocent,--she has no share in her brother's acts,--she knows +nothing of them. Do not slander her; I will not believe you!" + +"You must believe facts. I tell you, and I vouch for what I say, that +in the 'instructions' given the brother and sister Frau von Nerac has +the principal part to play, because as a woman she is less liable to be +suspected, and in consequence has greater freedom of action. I can give +you proofs, can tell you what amount has been paid----" + +"No, no!" groaned Raoul. "For God's sake hush, or you will drive me +mad!" + +"She seems to have driven you mad indeed, or you never could have +sacrificed Hertha to her," said Montigny, bitterly. "You were nothing +but a tool in the hands of the pair, a key to open to them doors that +would else have been closed against them. Through you they hoped for +admission to military circles, perhaps even for information in +diplomatic quarters. Hence Clermont forced his friendship upon you, and +his sister played a part towards you which you unfortunately took for +earnest, blindly falling into the trap thus laid. Surely you are now +cured, and will think no more of marriage with a hired spy!" + +Raoul winced at the word, then sprang up and hurried to the door. +Montigny barred his way. "Where are you going?" + +"In search of them!" + +"Folly!" said the Marquis, detaining him. "Where would be the use? +Contempt is the only punishment for such villany." + +Raoul made no reply, but the pallid face which he turned towards his +uncle wore an expression that startled the elder man. "What is the +matter? This is not merely the anguish of betrayed affection; you are +in mortal dread--of what? Tell me----" + +"I cannot! Do not keep me here!" cried the young Count, releasing +himself violently from his uncle's detaining hand and rushing from the +room without a word of farewell. + +Montigny looked after him with a dark frown. "What can this mean? I +wish I had spoken before." + + + * * * * * + + +All was made ready for departure in the Steinrueck abode. The general +was to join his corps on this very evening, while the young Count was +to remain behind for a few days. He had on the previous day received +orders to report to the military authorities. His grandfather, in this +instance as always, had carried out his determination in spite of +Raoul's opposition. + +For the last few days the general had been so incessantly occupied that +he had scarcely seen his grandson. On the previous evening he had +attended a military council held for the last time before the departure +of the army, and lasting far into the night. He reached home towards +morning, and when, after a couple of hours of sleep, he again entered +his study, all kinds of despatches and messages were awaiting him +there, and through the forenoon one matter after another engaged his +time and attention in addition to the arrangements for departure. It +needed the old Count's iron strength of physical and mental +constitution to meet the requirements of the hour. + +It was noon when Captain Rodenberg made his appearance. He had been +here on the previous day upon some military errand to the general, on +which occasion another of his superior officers had been present, and +the interview had been of an entirely formal nature. To-day also +Michael's demeanour was in strict accordance with military rule, but +instead of the message which the general expected to receive by him he +said, "I have no message to deliver to your Excellency to-day, but the +business that brings me here is of such importance that I must beg for +an immediate hearing. Will you allow me to close the door, that we may +not be interrupted?" + +Steinrueck looked surprised at this strange prelude, and asked, "Is the +affair in question connected with the service?" + +"It is." + +"Then close the door." + +Michael complied, and then returned to his place. There was an +agitation in his air which it evidently needed all his self-command to +control, and which his voice betrayed as he said, "I delivered to your +Excellency yesterday a document that was of the greatest importance. My +orders were strict to give it to no one save yourself, and not to let +it leave my hands except to place it in your Excellency's." + +"Certainly, I received it from you. Were you aware of its contents?" + +"I was, your Excellency. The paper was in my handwriting, as I acted as +secretary during its composition. It concerns the initiative movements +of the Steinrueck corps; of course my orders were strict as to its +delivery." + +"And I confirm that delivery; the paper is in my desk." + +"Is it really there?" + +"To what can this lead?" asked the general, sharply. "I tell you that I +locked it up there with my own hands." + +"And I pray your Excellency to convince yourself that it is still where +you placed it. The immense importance of the matter must excuse my +audacity. I willingly incur the reproach of presumption to be assured +of the safety of this document." + +Steinrueck shrugged his shoulders impatiently, but he took the key which +he always carried about him and went to his writing-desk. The lock was +a complicated one, and usually yielded with reluctance to the key. +To-day the lid of the desk sprang open at a slight touch. The general +changed colour. + +"The desk has been broken into," Michael said, in a low voice, pointing +to the key-hole, which showed evident signs of having been tampered +with. "I thought so." + +Steinrueck said not a word, nor did he waste an instant upon an +examination of the papers that lay before him, and which were +probably of little importance. He hurriedly pressed a spot in the +wooden side of the desk, to all appearance identical with the rest of +the partition, but which instantly slipped aside, revealing an +ingeniously--constructed secret drawer, now, to Steinrueck's dismay, +entirely empty. + +"This is the work of a traitor!" the Count exclaimed, angrily. "No one +except myself is aware of this secret drawer, or how to open it. +Captain Rodenberg, what do you know of this robbery? You have some +suspicion, some trace. Tell me!" + +Michael was wont, in speaking to his superior officers, to be brief and +to the point; to-day he departed from his rule and went into detail, as +if to prepare his hearer for what was to come before it should be +uttered. + +"Late last evening I was sent, with a despatch that had just arrived, +to the conference at which your Excellency was assisting. On my return +I was obliged to pass by your house upon the garden side. As I turned +the corner--it was about midnight--I saw a man disappear through the +small door in the wall beside the grated iron gate. I should hardly +have noticed his doing so--the servants probably had a right to use +this entrance--had I not thought that I recognized the figure, although +I saw it but for a moment beneath the light of the street-lamp." + +"And who did you think it was?" the general asked, with intense +eagerness. + +"The brother of Frau von Nerac,--Henri Clermont." + +"Clermont? I always have considered him as an adventurer, and have +closed my doors against him. You are right: his appearance on that spot +at that hour was more than suspicious. Did you not follow up the clue?" + +"I did, your Excellency, but it ended where all was above +suspicion--or, at least, seemed to be so." + +He laid significant emphasis upon the last words, but Steinrueck paid no +heed; he insisted, impatiently, "Go on! go on!" + +"' I tried to persuade myself that I had been mistaken, and walked on, +but the matter left me no rest. I turned after a while, and as I walked +around the house I noticed a strange light in your Excellency's study; +it was not the light of a lamp, but like that of a solitary candle +burning at the farther end of the room. It might well be accident, but, +my suspicions roused by the sight of Clermont, I determined to have the +matter explained at all hazards. I rang the bell, and told the servant +that in passing I had observed a singular light in the study, which +might possibly proceed from the beginning of a fire, and advised his +seeing to it immediately. The man was startled, and hurried away, +returning after a few moments, however, to inform me that I was +mistaken; he begged pardon, but there was only a single candle burning +in the room, and there was no one there except----" + +"Well? Why hesitate? Go on! Who was there?" + +"Count Raoul Steinrueck." + +The general's face was ghastly pale, and his breath came short and +quick as he said, "My grandson--here?" + +"Yes, your Excellency." + +"At midnight?" + +"At midnight." + +A long pause ensued; neither man spoke. The eyes of the old Count +looked strangely fixed; the dim, dark foreboding that had once before +assailed him again emerged from the gloom and took on shape and form. +But this dark presage faded; he collected himself and repelled the +horrible thought. + +"Then we must apply to Raoul," he said, regaining his composure. "I +will send for him." + +"The Count is not at home," interposed Michael. + +"Then he is at the Foreign Office; I will send there instantly. This +matter must be cleared up; there is not a minute to lose." + +He stretched out his hand towards the bell, but suddenly paused, +encountering Rodenberg's glance. There must have been something +terrible in the young man's eyes, for the general slowly withdrew his +outstretched hand and said, in a low tone, "What is it? Out with it!" + +"I have bad news for you, Count Steinrueck,--news hard to bear; you must +prepare for the worst." + +The general passed his hand across his forehead and gazed as if +spell-bound at the speaker. "The worst? Where is Raoul?" + +"Gone!--to France!" + +Steinrueck did not start, did not even exclaim. He put his hand to his +heart without a word, and would have fallen if Michael had not +supported him as he sank into a seat. + +Several minutes passed thus. Michael stood silent beside the arm-chair, +where the Count leaned back half unconscious. The young officer felt +that any word, any offer of help, would be useless. At last he stooped +over him. + +"Your Excellency!" + +There was no reply. The general seemed to know nothing of what was +around him. + +"Count Steinrueck!" + +Still the same distressing silence. The Count leaned back motionless, +his eyes gazing into vacancy, his labouring breath the only sign that +he still lived. + +"Grandfather!" + +The word came gently and with hesitation from the lips that had +resolved never to utter it, but it was spoken, and it dissolved the old +man's icy torpor. Steinrueck started, and suddenly buried his face in +his hands. + +"Grandfather, look at me!" Michael at last broke forth. "Break this +fearful silence; say at least one word to me." + +Obeying as if mechanically, the general dropped his hands and looked up +at the young man. "Michael," he groaned, "you are avenged!" + +It was indeed a Nemesis. Upon this very spot the son, tortured by the +disgrace of his father's memory, had declared to his pitiless +grandfather, "Your scutcheon is not so lofty and unimpeachable as the +sun in the heavens; a day may come when it will wear a stain that you +cannot efface, and then you will feel what an implacable judge you have +been." The day had come, and had felled at one stroke the mighty old +oak that had defied so many tempests. + +"Courage!" said Michael. "You must not succumb now. Remember what is at +stake. We must devise some plan." + +It was the right appeal to make. The thought of the peril that menaced +him roused the general from his dull despair. He arose, at first with +difficulty, but as he stood once more erect he seemed to recover his +self-possession. + +"If I could but overtake the scoundrel! With my own hands I would force +him--but there is no time. The hour is fixed for my arrival at +headquarters." + +"Then send me," interposed Michael. "Orders from my general in relation +to a secret and important mission will relieve me from all other duty. +Railway travel is obstructed and delayed everywhere by the +transportation of troops; it takes double time to make even a short +journey. My uniform and your orders will place every military train at +my disposal; I shall overtake Raoul this side of the border." + +"Then you know which way he has gone?" + +"Yes, and I have kept trace of the Clermonts also. I would not, I could +not give utterance to a suspicion founded upon mere possibilities so +long as proof was lacking, and I was upon duty from which I was +relieved only an hour ago, when I hurried to Clermont's lodgings. He +had departed with his sister, and by the South German line, as being +the swiftest. I drove directly to that station, which was thronged with +troops for transportation. The morning train had already left, the +mid-day train was just ready to depart. How far it could go and what +delays it might encounter could not be foreseen. As I was speaking with +an official I saw Raoul on the other side of the platform, alone and +hurrying along beside the carriages, in which he seemed to be searching +for some one. Suddenly the final signal was given, he tore open the +first door at hand, entered the train, and was whirled away. I could +not overtake him, the breadth of the railway-station was between us, +but I hurried to the office to learn for what point the last single +passenger had purchased his ticket, and was told for Strasburg." + +The general leaned heavily upon the back of the arm-chair by which he +stood as he listened to this hasty report, but he lost not a syllable +of it; and at the last word, which might well have crushed him, he +stood erect again with much of his old vigour. + +"You are right. There is still a chance of overtaking him." He did not +mention Raoul's name. "If any one can come to the rescue it is you, +Michael! This I know. Recover the papers from him, living--or dead!" + +"Grandfather!" exclaimed the young officer, recoiling. + +"On my head be the consequences. You shall be scathless. I once +required you to spare my blood flowing in the veins of each of +you,--now I tell you not to spare the traitor. Wrest his booty from +him,--you know what is at stake,--wrest it from him, living or dead!" + +The words were terrible, and more terrible still was the expression in +the old man's eyes, gleaming with no ray of pity, but filled with the +iron resolution of the inexorable judge. It was plain that he would +have sacrificed his grandson, the heir of his name, who had once been +so dear to his heart, without the quiver of an eyelash. + +"I shall do my duty," Michael said, in an undertone that, nevertheless, +had in it an echo of that other voice. + +The general went to his writing-table and took up a pen; his hand +trembled and almost refused to perform its duty, but he controlled the +weakness and wrote a few lines, which he handed to the captain. + +"I trust everything to you, Michael. Go! Perhaps you will succeed in +saving me from the worst. If I hear nothing from you in the course of +the next twenty-four hours I must speak, and must declare the last +Steinrueck----" + +He could not finish the sentence; his voice broke, but he grasped +Michael's hand in a convulsive clasp. The repudiated son of the outcast +daughter was to be the saviour of the honour of the family; he was the +old Count's last, sole hope, and the young man answered the clasp of +his hand,-- + +"Rely upon me, grandfather! Have you not said that I can do all that +can be done? You shall hear from me at your head-quarters. Farewell!" + + + * * * * * + + +The confusion and bustle reigning in the South-German railway-station +at E---- had increased incredibly, for the comparatively insignificant +little town was the point of meeting of three railway lines, and lay in +the direct road to the Rhine. Trains for the transportation of troops +were running day and night, and the town itself was crowded with +soldiers. + +Some hundred paces from the station there was a third-rate inn, usually +frequented by peasants only, and certainly no fit stopping-place for +the strangers who had reached it an hour previously,--a young lady, +apparently of high rank, accompanied by an elderly priest and a +servant. The apartment to which they had been shown was neither +comfortable nor clean, and yet it was the only shelter that they could +find. + +The lady, who sat at a table leaning her head upon her hand, was in +mourning, and looked very grave and pale, although this in no wise +detracted from the beauty of the face beneath her crape veil. The +priest was seated opposite her at the table, and had just said, "I am +afraid we must stay here for a while; your servant has searched the +entire town: all the hotels are overcrowded, and various private +mansions are occupied by strangers. You might perhaps endure this house +for a night, but any longer stay would be impossible for you, Countess +Hertha." + +"But why?" asked Hertha, calmly. "We shall have no choice to-morrow +either, and at a time like the present we must yield to necessity." + +The priest of St. Michael, for it was he, looked in amazement at the +petted young Countess, now so ready to content herself with +accommodations that would under other circumstances have been +indignantly rejected by her. + +"But there really was no necessity," he observed. "Michael wrote +expressly that he could not be here with his regiment until the day +after to-morrow, and that he would telegraph you beforehand. Until then +we might have stayed quietly in Berkheim." + +Hertha shook her head. "Berkheim is full four leagues away. The orders +might be changed, the telegram might be delayed, and then I should be +too late. Only here on the spot can I be sure of the time of the +arrival of the regiment. Do not blame me, your reverence! I must bid +Michael farewell; when he is going perhaps to death, even the bare +possibility of missing him is terrible!" + +Valentin did not look inclined to blame her, but he marvelled at the +dominion which Michael exercised over the proud, wayward girl. + +"I am thankful that I was able to come with you," said he. "The pastor +of Tannberg was quite ready to send me his chaplain to take my place +for a while, and I can conduct you back to Berkheim." + +Hertha gratefully held out her hand to him. "I have no one but you! My +guardian is angry with me, as I foresaw that he would be. He never even +answered my letter, and Aunt Hortense was so furious when she learned +of my betrothal to Michael, that I could not possibly remain a day +longer at Steinrueck, loath as I was to leave my mother's grave so soon. +I am grieved to have caused your reverence so much trouble and +exertion. I am afraid that your accommodations are even worse than +mine." + +"For the present I have a room upon the ground-floor which certainly is +not very inviting," said Valentin, smiling, "but the host has promised +me for the night the gable-room in the upper story, since the strangers +now occupying it will leave by the evening train. The time for its +departure is at hand; I will go and attend to matters." + +He left the room, and Hertha walked to the window, which she opened +wide. The day had been very hot, and the evening brought no +refreshment; the air was sultry and oppressive. Not a star was visible +in the clouded heavens, and on the distant horizon there was from time +to time a gleam of lightning, unveiling the dim mountain-range. Near at +hand sparkled the lights of the railway-station, and close to the house +the river rushed, seeming to emerge from the darkness only to be lost +in it again. The ripple and dash of its waters were the only signs of +its existence. + +The young Countess leaned her glowing forehead against the +window-frame, resolving to be steadfast and brave. Michael should see +no grief that could make departure harder for him; but now that she was +alone she could weep her fill. Her sense of loss in her mother's death, +the pain occasioned by the strife with her family, all faded in her +anguish for the lover whom perhaps she had won only to lose again +forever. + +Suddenly she heard voices close beneath her window. The host was +standing at the inn door with a stranger, and Hertha could hear that +they were speaking of the gable-room. The innkeeper asked civilly when +the room would be vacant, as some one was waiting to occupy it, and the +stranger replied that he had just learned at the station that the +evening train would not leave for two hours; for so long he and the +lady with him must retain the room. His voice attracted the young +Countess's attention. She knew that fluent German spoken with a slight +foreign accent, and in another moment she recognized, by the light of +the lamp just lit before the house, the speaker, Henri Clermont, who, +since he spoke of a lady with him, must be on his way back to France +with his sister. + +Hertha retired from the window with a pained sensation. Until a short +time previously she had had but the merest superficial acquaintance +with these people, meeting them from time to time in society. Only +lately had she learned of Raoul's relations with Frau von Nerac. A +chance meeting was certainly to be avoided, and the young Countess +resolved not to leave her room for the next two hours. + +Meanwhile, bustle and noise were on the increase at the +railway-station. Trains came and went, engines whistled, and the +platform was crowded with travellers and onlookers, making inquiries or +condemned to an involuntary delay. + +This last was the fate that had befallen the passengers who had arrived +half an hour previously by a train already delayed several hours. They +were told that it could not proceed immediately, since, in addition to +the military transport which was just gliding into the station, other +troops were expected, and the passenger-trains must wait until the road +was clear again. All had patiently resigned themselves to +circumstances, with the exception of a solitary passenger, who +evidently was in great haste and found the delay hard to endure. He had +retired to a dark, secluded part of the station, where he was pacing to +and fro with signs of intense impatience, consulting his watch every +five minutes. Suddenly he paused, and then withdrew into still deeper +shadow, for an officer who had arrived with the military train came +talking with a railway official, directly towards where he stood. + +"The express--train passed through with but little delay, then?" asked +the officer. "But the passenger-train that arrived at noon is still +here? Are its passengers here also?" + +"Certainly, Herr Captain," replied the official. "They are still +waiting, and must wait for some time yet." + +The solitary passenger seemed to recognize the officer's voice, and to +wish to avoid meeting him, for he turned hastily and walked in another +direction. His sudden movement, however, betrayed his presence to the +sharp eyes of the officer searching the gloom. He briefly thanked the +official, and in a few steps overtook the stranger, and barred his way. + +"Count Raoul Steinrueck!" + +The encounter was most unwelcome to the young Count, this was plain, +but he thought it purely accidental,--the captain was doubtless on his +way with his regiment to the seat of war. He stood still, and asked, +bluntly, "What do you wish, Captain Rodenberg?" + +"First of all, I wish for a private interview with you." + +"I regret that I am in great haste." + +"So am I. But I trust that the matter I have to settle can be disposed +of briefly." + +Raoul hesitated an instant, and then called out to the official, who +still stood near, "How long will the passenger-train be delayed?" + +"For an hour at least," the man replied, shrugging his shoulders and +walking away. Raoul turned to Rodenberg. + +"Well, then, I am ready; but here at the station, where every word can +be overheard, we cannot----" + +"No, but over there I see a small inn. We can go there; it is close at +hand." + +"As you please, since the matter admits of no delay. I beg you to be +very brief, however, since, as you see, I am on my way elsewhere," the +young Count said, haughtily, turning in the desired direction. Michael +followed him closely, never taking his eyes from him, and evidently +surprised by his ready compliance. + +They reached the house, and entered the gloomy, dim inn-parlour, at +present deserted. The host showed them into a small adjoining room, +which seemed appropriated to the use of the better sort of guests. Ho +brought a light, and then, finding they had no further orders to give, +vanished. They were left alone. + +Raoul stood in the centre of the room. He was ghastly pale; there was a +feverish gleam in his eyes, and with all his effort at self-control he +could not conceal his intense agitation. + +"Time and place seem to me but ill chosen for an explanation," he +began. "I should certainly have called you to an account later with +regard to the disclosures made by you to my grandfather in the name of +the Countess Hertha." + +"No need to refer to that now," Michael interrupted him. "I have a +question to put to you. You are on your way to Strasburg; what do you +want there?" + +"What does this mean?" exclaimed Raoul, indignantly. "You forget that +you are speaking to Count Steinrueck." + +"I speak in the name of General Steinrueck, who has sent me to recover +the papers which you have with you, and the value of which you know as +well as I do." + +The young Count started as if he had received a blow. "The papers? My +grandfather believes----?" + +"He and I believe! And I think we are justified in so doing. Pray let +us have no circumlocution. I have but little time to lose, and am +resolved to use force if necessary. Will you compel me to do so?" + +Raoul gazed at him as if dazed; suddenly he covered his face with his +hands and groaned, "Ah, this is terrible!" + +"Spare me this farce!" said Rodenberg, harshly. "It can avail nothing. +The general's desk has been broken open, the document stolen, and the +servant who unexpectedly entered the room found the thief----" + +A savage exclamation from Raoul interrupted him; the young Count seemed +about to throw himself upon him. Michael raised his hand. "Control +yourself, Count Steinrueck; you have lost the right to be treated with +any consideration." + +"But it is a lie!" Raoul burst forth, violently. "Not I--but Henri +Clermont----" + +"I have no doubt that Clermont was the instigator. I myself saw him +lurking in the garden at midnight. But another must have lent his hand +to the shameful work. A stranger, a Frenchman, could hardly have gained +access to the general's rooms." + +"But he could to mine. He had the key of the garden gate and of my +bedroom. My grandfather always disliked him, as did my mother also of +late: we chose to escape the perpetual reproach that was sure to follow +Henri's visits. I did not dream of his vile purpose in asking me to +give him the keys." + +Michael leaned against the table with folded arms, gazing steadily at +the speaker; it was plain that he did not believe him. + +"The son of the house then opened its doors to the spy? And how did he +find the secret drawer, so well concealed in the desk? How did he find +the spring that alone could open it?" + +"My own desk, which he knew well, is similarly arranged. It was given +me by my grandfather, who had it made for me after the model of his." + +"Ah, indeed! Go on." + +Raoul clinched his hands convulsively. "Rodenberg, do not goad me too +far. You see in me a desperate man. You must believe me, you must +disabuse my grandfather of his terrible suspicion, or I never would +answer questions put in such a tone and with such an air. I came home +last night late and found the doors, which are always locked between my +rooms and the general's, open. Since we alone have the keys opening +them, my suspicions were awakened. I went to the study, and found the +man whom I had called my friend----" + +"At his work," Michael concluded the sentence. "Apparently you did not +interrupt it, since he found time to complete the robbery." + +"He had already completed it. As I stood in utter dismay, crushed by +the frightful discovery, we heard the door of the antechamber open, and +approaching footsteps. In mortal terror Henri clasped my arm and +conjured me to save him. Discovery would be his ruin, as I knew, and I +hurried to the door and prevented the servant's entrance by telling him +of my presence. When the man had gone and I turned round, Clermont had +escaped." + +"And you did not pursue him and wrest his booty from him? You did not +tell the general what had happened?" + +Raoul's eyes were downcast, and he replied, scarcely audibly, "He was +my nearest friend, the brother of the woman whom I loved to madness, +and whom I then believed guiltless. The next morning I hurried to them; +they were gone, and an hour afterwards I made a terrible discovery; +then, reckless of all other considerations, I set out to pursue them." + +He paused as if exhausted. Michael had listened with apparent +composure, except for a slight contemptuous quiver of the lip. Now he +stood erect. "Have you finished? My patience is at an end; I did not +come here to listen to fanciful tales. Give me the papers, or I shall +be forced to resort to violence." + +"You do not believe me?" exclaimed Raoul. "You still do not believe +me?" + +"No, I do not believe one word of this tissue of falsehood. For the +last time, then, give me the papers, or by the eternal God I will obey +the order which my grandfather gave me when I left him,--'Wrest the +papers from him, living or--dead!'" + +A shiver ran through Raoul's frame. Here it was again,--the strange +resemblance. He knew those flashing eyes, that iron tone; he seemed to +see his grandfather's self before him pronouncing upon him sentence of +death. + +"Fulfil your orders, then!" he said, dully; "and then you will know +that the dead did not lie." + +There was something in this dull submission that had a more powerful +effect than could have been produced by the most passionate +asseverations. Michael was impressed by it. He knew that Raoul +possessed sufficient physical courage to defend to the death what he +did not choose to resign, had it been in his possession; and, stepping +up close to him, he laid his hand upon his arm. + +"Count Raoul Steinrueck, in the name of the man from whom we both are +sprung I demand of you the truth. The papers upon which the safety of +our army depends are not in your possession?" + +"No!" said Raoul, firmly; and once more his down cast eyes were lifted +to meet his questioner's gaze. + +"And Clermont has them?" + +"Doubtless they are in his hands." + +"Then I am losing time here; he must be pursued and overtaken. The +train that brought me here leaves in half an hour. I must go to the +station." + +He turned to go, but the young Count detained him. "Take me with you! +Give me a place in the military train. Our paths are the same----" + +"No, they are not!" Michael interrupted him, coldly. "Stay behind, +Count Steinrueck. I may perhaps be compelled to demand the papers of +Herr von Clermont pistol in hand, and at the decisive moment you might +possibly remember again that he is your 'nearest friend,' and the +brother of the woman whom you 'love to madness.'" + +"Rodenberg, I give you my word of honour----" + +"_Your word of honour?_" + +The emphasis that Michael gave to these words was so crushing that +Raoul stood mute, as the captain went on in the same pitiless tone,-- + +"If you have not been guilty of the worst of crimes you have permitted +it, and even shielded it from discovery. Either act is high treason; +the accomplice is as bad as the thief." + +He went without a backward glance. As he passed through the hall a door +opened, and Valentin appeared, stood for a moment mute with +astonishment, and then advanced hastily. "Michael! Is this you?" + +"Your reverence!" was the rejoinder, in the same tone of astonishment. +"You here?" + +"That I ask you. You appointed the day after tomorrow, and if Hertha +had not in her anxiety hastened her journey----" + +"Hertha here? With you? Where is she?" Michael eagerly interrupted him; +and when the priest pointed to the door in the upper story opening upon +the staircase, the young officer heard no more, but rushed up the +steps, tore open the door, and in another instant clasped Hertha in his +arms. + +But this interview had to be as brief as it was passionately tender. +Rodenberg clasped his betrothed to his heart, but his first word to her +was one of farewell. + +"I cannot stay. I only wanted to see you, to snatch one moment of +bliss. I must go." + +"Go?" Hertha repeated, clinging to him, half dazed with sudden joy and +dread. "Now, in this first moment of reunion? You cannot." + +"I must," he insisted. "Perhaps we may see each other again the day +after to-morrow." + +"Only perhaps! And if we do not? Can you not spare me a moment for +farewell?" + +"My darling, you cannot dream what it costs me to leave you now; but +duty claims me. I must obey." + +Duty! Hertha had heard the word often enough from the general's lips, +and she comprehended its significance. Her eyes filled with tears, but +she made no further effort to detain her lover. Once more he pressed +his lips to hers. + +"Farewell! One thing more,--Raoul is here. Possibly he may attempt to +see you if he should hear of your presence in the house. Promise me +neither to see him nor to speak with him." + +A contemptuous expression flitted across the young girl's face. "_Her_ +presence would forbid on his part any such attempt as you fear." + +"Whose presence? Whom do you mean?" asked Michael, with intense +eagerness. + +"Heloise von Nerac!" + +"What? here? And Clermont----" + +"He is with her." + +"Thank God! Where--where are they?" + +"Just above us, in the gable-room. But tell me----" + +"I cannot! Do not ask me, do not follow me. _Everything_ depends upon +my finding them, and then--then I can stay with you." + +He hurried from the room, past the priest, who looked after him in +dismayed surprise; nor could Hertha in the least understand this scene, +although she clung for comfort to Michael's last words,--'Then I can +stay with you.' + +The gable-room, in which a single candle was burning, was even more +scantily furnished than were the other rooms in the house, but the +strangers occupying it, who had arrived by the noonday train, had taken +possession of it without complaint, since they needed it for only a few +hours. They were each in travelling-dress, apparently waiting +impatiently for the signal for departure. Henri Clermont was pacing the +room restlessly, whilst Heloise sat leaning back in an old arm-chair. + +"What a delay this is!" she exclaimed, in despair. "It seems as if we +never should get away from here. It will be impossible for us to cross +the borders tomorrow morning as we hoped." + +"And it is entirely your fault," Henri interposed, irritably. "How +could you be guilty of such imprudence as to speak French just as we +were about to change cars? You might have known that the excited crowd +at the station would insult us." + +"How could I know that the German mob was so irritable? And after all +there were only two or three who were insulting; the better sort took +our part. There was no need for the police to interfere as they did." + +"True, but while matters were being adjusted the train moved off, and +we, hemmed in on every side, could not get to it. We have lost half a +day, when every minute is full of peril for us. Moreover, we have +attracted attention, and may be glad that we could disappear in this +wretched inn. We must not venture to show ourselves again at the +station until just before the train starts. They may be even now upon +our track." + +"Impossible! Even if the discovery has been made, Raoul will be +silent." + +"Raoul behaved like a madman. In another instant he would have called +for help, and betrayed me. Had I not whispered, 'Remember Heloise. If +you betray me she is lost to you!' he would not have let me go." + +"And we have left him to bear the brunt of the tempest!" + +Heloise's voice trembled as she spoke the words, but Henri shrugged his +shoulders. + +"That can't be helped. It was either I or he; there was no other choice +when matters had gone so far." + +The conversation was carried on of course in French, but in so low a +tone that not a word could be heard beyond the walls of the room. Now +Henri's voice sank to a whisper as he went close up to his sister. + +"It was not easy for you to give him up, I know, but the reward is +worth the sacrifice. What I have here assures our entire future. We may +ask what we will, and they----" + +He broke off suddenly and turned to the door, which was quietly opened. +Heloise started up with an exclamation of terror; the instant she +recognized the man standing on the threshold she knew that their +schemes and calculations were fruitless. Not in vain had been her dread +of those 'cold, hard eyes:' they brought ruin to her brother and +herself. + +Rodenberg closed the door and approached the pair. "Herr von Clermont, +there is no need to tell you why I am here. I trust you will spare me +all explanation, and that a few minutes will suffice for the business +between us." + +Clermont had grown very pale, but he made an effort to maintain his +composure. + +"What do you mean, Captain Rodenberg? I do not understand you." + +"Then I must be more explicit. I demand the papers which have been +stolen from General Steinrueck's desk. No need to put your hand to your +breast; you see I, too, have a pistol here, and I am probably the +better shot. Moreover, it might be uncomfortable for you to have shots +exchanged here; the station is very near, and is crowded with troops; +escape would be impossible. You had better resign yourself to +circumstances." + +Clermont in fact dropped his hand from his breast and said through his +closed teeth, "And if I refuse to do so?" + +"Then you must bear the consequences. War is declared, and a spy would +have but a short shrift. I leave you to choose. One word from me, and +you are lost." + +"That word, however, you will not speak," said Clermont, with a sneer; +"for then I should have something to say which might not be exactly +agreeable to one of your generals in command." + +The threat touched a sore spot, but Michael with instant presence of +mind deprived it of its point, rejoining, coolly, "You are mistaken; +Count Raoul Steinrueck is here with me, upon your track. He may well be +forgiven the heedlessness of a moment. But enough of this idle talk. +Must I use force? My shot will rouse the neighbourhood." + +He stood, pistol in hand, gazing steadily at his opponent, who saw +clearly that the game was lost. Clermont was no coward in the usual +sense of the word, but he knew that strife with this man would be vain, +and his weapon, Raoul's share in his treachery, had been wrenched from +his hand. In fact, he believed that Raoul himself had revealed the +theft. After a moment's delay he slowly drew forth the papers from his +breast-pocket and handed them to the captain, who took them without +altering his menacing attitude. + +"Retire to the window," he said, authoritatively. "I must see that the +papers are all here and intact." + +Clermont obeyed, going to the window, where Heloise had already taken +refuge. Michael tore open the envelope which bore the general's +address, and which had apparently been opened. The superscription of +the papers revealed their contents, their seals were unbroken, and, +after a brief, keen scrutiny, he was satisfied that none had been +abstracted. + +Meanwhile, Henri had whispered a few words to his sister, who now +timidly approached the captain. "Captain Rodenberg--we are in your +power." + +The words sounded imploring and distressed, but as she confronted the +captain and raised her eyes to his, he encountered that strange gleam +which many men had found so perilous, and which had wrought Raoul's +ruin; it was harmless here. + +"The way to the station lies open for your brother and yourself, +madame," said Michael, coldly. "I shall place no further obstacle in +your path; but allow me to hope that in future you will choose some +other country--not Germany--for the scene of your operations." + +Heloise recoiled; his tone of utter contempt was worse than a blow. + +As Rodenberg went down the stairs his old teacher came to meet him. +"Michael, what in heaven's name has been going on up there? Countess +Hertha has been in mortal terror, and so have I; but we did not venture +to follow you." + +"Reassure Hertha, I pray your reverence, and tell her I shall be with +her in five minutes." + +He spoke the words hurriedly as he passed the priest and went through +the inn-parlour to the little room where he had left Raoul. + +The young Count was sitting at the table, his head leaning upon his +hands, in an attitude of despair. He looked up as the captain entered, +but his eyes were dull and lifeless. + +"The peril is past," said Michael. "By chance Clermont and his sister +were in this very house. I forced him to relinquish his booty, and I +think I can answer for his silence, since no plotter is anxious to tell +of disgraceful schemes frustrated. For the sake of the honour of the +Steinrueck name, we too must hold our tongues. The name is saved from +disgrace, and there is nothing to prevent your return to your home, +Count Raoul; no one will ever know that the papers have been in hands +other than those for which they were intended. I shall instantly +telegraph to my grandfather, and early to-morrow I shall leave here to +carry to him the missing packet. This is what I wished to tell you." + +Raoul sat as if stunned, listening to the words that lifted such a +terrible burden from his soul; the strange rigidity of his features did +not relax. He seemed to wish to speak, perhaps a word of gratitude, but +the scorn in his cousin's look and bearing closed his lips. 'My +grandfather,'--the words sounded so natural, so exultant. Count Michael +had indeed found a grandson who was bone of his bone, flesh of his +flesh. They belonged together, and after this exploit of Michael's the +old Count's' arms would be opened wide to receive him. + +When Rodenberg had gone, Raoul arose and slowly left the room and the +house. Outside, he paused as if reflecting, and then retreated into the +shadow as two figures emerged from the door-way. He recognized them as +they glided past him on their way to the station, but he betrayed his +presence by no sign, no sound. The proximity of the woman who but a +short time before had possessed such power over him scarcely made any +impression upon him. He knew that she was vanishing from him forever, +but the knowledge gave him no pain. All within him seemed empty and +dead, incapable of sensation. + +From the open window just above him came the same voice that he had +heard a few moments before, but how different was its tone! + +"Hertha, my darling, forgive me for leaving you as I did. I had to +fight for one hour of farewell. Now there is no duty to keep me from +you. But we will have no tears,--we are still together." + +Then another voice spoke,--a voice which the listener also knew well, +and which sounded strange to him in its tenderness and sweetness. + +"No, Michael, you shall not see a tear. I will think of nothing save +the joy of having you here." + +Was that really Hertha? Ah, she had learned to love indeed, and he who +had once been her betrothed knew now what he had sacrificed. It drove +him far from the lovers; he walked on aimlessly in the darkness, beside +the rushing river, until a wall barred his way. It was one of the +supports of the bridge, above the arches of which the railway crossed +the river; below the current ran strong, and an old willow dipped its +boughs deep into the water. + +The air was close and sultry, but a storm was at hand, and the +lightning flashed sharply and incessantly. Raoul leaned against the +trunk of the willow and gazed down into the dark whirling water; it +cost him an effort to think clearly. + +What should he do now? Go home? He could be there on the morrow, and +some pretext for his absence could easily be invented. + +No one knew what had happened, with the exception of the two who would +keep silence for the sake of the honour of the Steinruecks, but the last +of the name felt utterly unable to confront his grandfather again. +The stern old man had pronounced sentence upon the traitor to his +country,--the look of cool contempt beneath which Raoul had winced half +an hour ago would fall upon him day after day from his grandfather's +eyes,--death were indeed preferable to such a fate! + +Loud hurrahs resounded from the railway-station, where the crowd were +cheering the troops who were about to take their departure, and behind +those dimly-lighted windows a young soldier was bidding farewell to his +betrothed whom he might never see again. But here, beneath this willow, +stood one for whom all was lost,--betrothed, honour, even a country. + +The military train came rushing along, and just as it reached the +bridge there was a flash of lightning. For an instant everything stood +revealed in the dazzling light, the heavy threatening clouds, the dim +distant mountains, and the whirling river, but the spot beneath the +willow was vacant, and there was a plash in the foaming waters. In a +moment the night swallowed all up again, the train thundered across the +bridge, and in the west there was a zigzag gleam,--Saint Michael's +sword of flame. + + + * * * * * + + +Two days later at General Steinrueck's head-quarters various officers +were assembled waiting for orders, but with unusually grave faces, and +conversing in undertones. They had learned the sad misfortune that had +befallen their chief. His grandson, the handsome, gallant, and gay +Count Raoul, was dead; he had been walking at night on the river-bank, +a false step had precipitated him from it into the river at a spot +where the current was unusually strong, and he had been drowned. + +It was terrible for the old man thus in the evening of his days to see +the last of his name and race vanish in the bloom of youth, while he +could not even stand beside his coffin or follow it to his ancestral +tomb. Duty detained him at the head of his corps; indeed, in the two +days that had elapsed since he had heard the sad news no duty of his +position had been neglected; he was now giving audience to Captain +Rodenberg, a bearer of important despatches. Not one of the officers +suspected the nature of the scene--the closing scene of a family +drama--that was enacting behind those closed doors. Michael was +standing there beside the general, saying,-- + +"They found him at daybreak, quite near the house where we were +staying. I had time to make the necessary arrangements, and then I was +obliged to leave, intrusting everything else to the care of my dear old +teacher, who also undertook the sad duty of carrying the news to +Countess Hortense of her son's death and of having the body taken to +Steinrueck." + +The general had listened in silence; now he asked, "And does no one +know----?" + +"No one save ourselves. Clermont and his sister will be silent,--must +be silent for their own sakes. Were anything known of what has +occurred, existence would be impossible for them anywhere. Here are the +papers. I deliver them into the hands of my general, and the honour of +the Steinrueck name is intact." + +Steinrueck received the papers, and held out his hand to his grandson: +"I thank you, Michael." + +The young officer looked at him anxiously, not deceived by the rigid +composure of his manner; he knew what lay behind it. + +"Grandfather," he said, gently, "now you can mourn for him." + +The general shook his head. "I have no time for tears, and they belong +only to the beloved dead. That he could so wound me---- But enough; let +him rest in peace." + +He turned away and went into the antechamber, where the officers were +assembled, and where he was received with the silent respect accorded +to affliction. One of the group then stepped forward, and, in the name +of all present, expressed to their leader the sympathy felt for him in +the heavy loss which he had sustained. Steinrueck listened calmly, +apparently unmoved; he merely bowed in acknowledgment. + +"I thank you, gentlemen. The blow which soon must strike thousands +has fallen first upon me, but heaven has already sent me consolation, +for here,"--and with the words a flash of his former energy broke +through his forced composure, and the old soldier stood erect and +vigorous,--"here beside me stands the son of my dead daughter, _my +grandson_, Michael Rodenberg!" + + + * * * * * + + +A year had passed, a year full of terrible conflict and of tremendous +results, full of shouts of victory and of wailing for the dead, and +when summer again greeted the earth it greeted a newly-arisen kingdom. + +Upon the mountain road leading from Tannberg to Castle Steinrueck was +rolling an open carriage in which were two officers. The captain, who +sat on the right, would easily have been recognized as a soldier, even +in civilian's dress; but his companion, who wore the uniform of a +lieutenant of reserves, had an artistic rather than a military air, in +spite of being tanned very brown by exposure to the sun and wind. + +"The luck is all yours, Michael," he said, with all his old gayety. +"You are returning crowned with laurels to your betrothed, while I +still have a hard battle to fight. My little Dornroeschen has indeed +been faithful and brave, but the tall thorny hedge still confronts me +in all the toughness of the tenth century. This uniform of mine is very +uncomfortable in travelling, but I hope to impress my father-in-law +with it. Perhaps it may move him to be confronted by the nineteenth +century in all its warlike pomp." + +"As usual, you regard the matter in its ludicrous aspect," rejoined +Michael; "but indeed you ought to reflect that not only the old +Freiherr, but your father also, refuses his consent." + +"Yes, fathers are undoubtedly very difficult to deal with," Hans +assented. "By dint of reading Gerlinda's letters to my father I have at +last convinced him that she is sane, but he obstinately insists that +lunacy is hereditary in the Eberstein family, and admonishes me to have +regard for future generations. The Freiherr, on the other hand, +maintains that godless irreverence is hereditary. Moreover, he must +have an inkling that since the troops are dismissed I shall shortly +come to the surface, for he has forbidden Gerlinda to drive to +Steinrueck. As if there were any use in that! I shall as the Knight of +Forschungstein attack the Ebersburg, and as a preliminary climb the +castle wall, and find my Dornroeschen waiting for me on the terrace." + +Michael listened rather absently, gazing the while towards Castle +Steinrueck, which had been visible for some time and was now close at +hand. He remarked, casually, "You seem to be in constant correspondence +with her,--was not an interchange of letters forbidden?" + +"Of course it was, by both fathers. That is why we wrote so constantly +to each other during the war. The archives of the family will be +wonderfully enriched by the letters recounting the story of our love +and misfortunes. But these last have gone on long enough, and if the +old Freiherr will not listen to reason he must be clapped into the +castle dungeon, and be kept there, as was Balduin of blessed memory six +hundred years ago, until he consented to the marriage of Kunrad von +Eberstein and Hildegard von Ortenau. Oh, I am well up now in the family +chronicles. I make no more mistakes in the names." + +Michael made no answer; as the carriage was driving up the hill he +gazed eagerly towards the castle windows. Hans followed the direction +of his eyes. + +"And your grandfather is there too?" + +"Yes, he came a week ago, and he has been obliged to ask for a long +leave; the fatigue he has undergone has told terribly upon his health. +But I hope everything from this mountain air." + +The young artist shook his head, and said with sudden seriousness, "The +general is very much altered. I was shocked when I saw him again. True, +a campaign at his age, and then the sudden death of his grandson,--it +is but natural. I think, however, that he is much fonder of you than he +ever was of Count Raoul." + +"Perhaps so. But at his time of life the effect of such shocks is never +quite overcome," said Michael, evasively. He knew well what his +grandfather could not overcome, but it was a secret between them. + +Hans talked on, receiving ever briefer and more absent replies; his +friend seemed scarcely to hear him, as he sat gazing towards the +castle. Suddenly he drew forth his handkerchief and waved it in the +air. + +"What are you about?" asked Hans. "Ah, I see; there waves another +handkerchief, and--yes, there stands the Countess Hertha on the +balcony. She is beautiful indeed, your golden-haired fairy princess up +there in the brilliant sunshine! My Dornroeschen cannot vie with her, +and my betrothed, instead of millions by way of dowry, has only an +obstinate old papa. But then her family is full two hundred years older +than the Steinruecks. Don't forget that, Michael! In the Middle Ages my +future wife would decidedly have taken precedence of yours." + +At last the carriage drove into the court-yard, far too slowly for the +impatience of the young officer, who tore open the door, alighted, and +ran up the steps to the hall, and, in spite of the servants there +assembled, clasped in his arms Hertha, who had come to meet him. It was +the first public acknowledgment of their betrothal. + +"And I must look on, and cannot do likewise, just because I have a +foolish papa and papa-in-law," grumbled Hans. "But only wait, my +gentlemen, hardhearted parents as you are, and I will bring you to your +knees." + + + * * * * * + + +In the wainscoted room with the large bow-window, where the ancestral +portraits looked down from the walls, and the escutcheon of the +Steinruecks was carved above the fireplace, Count Michael now sat with +his grandson, whom he had seen for the first time in this very room, +where the boy had suffered under so false an accusation. Fate had +devised a terrible requital, and the general evidently suffered +severely from it. + +In fact, he was greatly altered, and in twelve months had grown older +by as many years. While the campaign lasted, the responsibilities of +his position, his military duties, nerved his arm, and his will forced +mind and body to do his bidding. But his strength failed him when his +duties were ended. The features of the handsome old face looked pinched +and hollow, the eyes had lost their fire, even the carriage was bowed +and weary. At this moment, however, his eyes rested with intense +satisfaction upon his grandson, whose hand he held in his own. + +"I should think you might well be content," said he. "It is seldom that +so young an officer receives such distinguished honours as have been +heaped upon you, and I can bear witness that you deserve them. Your +conduct in the field surpassed my expectations, and I expected a great +deal from you, Michael." + +"Perhaps the recognition of my services would not have been so +flattering if it had not been accorded to the grandson of the general +in command," rejoined Michael, with a smile. "From the moment when you +introduced me as your near of kin I was but too well aware of the +especial attention paid me." + +"At all events, the recognition you have received was your due, and +Hertha may well be proud of her hero. Have you settled upon the time +for your marriage?" + +"Not yet. Hertha takes various considerations into account, and, hard +though it be, I must submit. Her betrothal to Raoul has never been +publicly annulled, and the year of mourning is just ended. We meant, +however, to leave the decision to you, grandfather. If you think we +ought to wait----" + +"No!" Steinrueck declared. "You have agreed to have the marriage +celebrated very quietly, and I should like to give you to each other +myself. In a few months--it may be too late." + +"Grandfather!" said Michael, half in remonstrance, half in reproach. + +"Why should I not speak of it to you? You must confront the +inevitable." + +"But it is not inevitable. Why will you not rouse yourself from the +melancholy that is sapping your physical strength? Has every pleasure +in life vanished in Raoul's grave? Hertha and I are still with you to +help you to forget the past." + +The general slowly shook his head. "You best know what you are to me, +Michael, but my vigour has departed, and you know, too, when it left +me. That blow struck at the very root of the old tree; it cannot +recover." + +Michael made no reply; he knew that, although his grandfather had been +spared the worst, enough had occurred to wound to the quick the pride +and the sense of honour of the old Count, who had always been devoted +heart and soul to his country. + +"The Countess Hortense is, I hear, with her brother again--with your +consent?" asked Rodenberg. + +"Yes; while the war lasted I neither could nor would permit my son's +widow to remain in France. Now, however, she has gone back to Montigny. +She has never felt at home here, and Raoul's death has severed the only +tie that united us. I have assured her an independence as far as it lay +in my power. You know the disposition that I have made of my property. +Castle Steinrueck falls to you as my sole heir, and with Hertha's hand +you come into possession of all the family estates, which I was so +anxious to assure to my grandson. My plans are fulfilled, but not as I +had devised them, and it is better thus. You will fill your position +well, and will guard and protect Hertha with a strong arm. God bless +you both!" + + + * * * * * + + +It was by no mere chance that Hans Wehlau accompanied his friend. He +hoped to enlist Michael's betrothed as an ally in his last decisive +attack upon the prejudices of his father and of his father-in-law _in +spe_. This attack could take place only at Steinrueck, for it was there +only that Gerlinda's father was to be met, and it was there only that +he could be brought into contact with Professor Wehlau, who was at +present paying a visit to his relatives in Tannberg. + +Hertha had already done all that she could to encourage her little +friend, and to prevail with the old Freiherr, but to no more purpose +than was Hans's second presentation of his suit a few days after his +arrival at Steinrueck. In vain had he donned his uniform; the warlike +pomp of the nineteenth century made no impression whatever upon the +tenth. Udo von Eberstein was determined to adhere to the traditions of +his house, and threatened to shut his daughter up in a convent rather +than allow her to marry a man of no rank. He was inexorable, and +neither the lover's insistence nor Gerlinda's tears availed to soften +his heart. + +It was not very difficult to entice Professor Wehlau to Steinrueck. He +willingly accepted an invitation from Michael, but one which Hertha +extended to the inmates of the Ebersburg, 'by chance' for the same day, +was only half successful. The Freiherr made his appearance, but he +prudently left his daughter at home, moved to this precautionary +measure by the possibility of meeting at Steinrueck the man who +persisted in wanting to be his son-in-law, and who was upheld by +Gerlinda in his irreverent presumption. The visit, however, appeared +about to pass without any disturbance; the enemy who threatened the +race of Eberstein with a plebeian name was nowhere to be seen, and the +Freiherr, who had had a long talk with the general of the times when +they were brothers-in-arms, was in the best of spirits. + +Count Steinrueck having been called away for a few minutes, the Freiherr +was left alone in the bow-windowed room. He turned as the door opened, +expecting to see the general again, but started violently upon +confronting Professor Wehlau. + +The Professor was startled in his turn; he knew nothing of his +opponent's presence here, and was for an instant undecided what manner +to adopt towards him. A gentler disposition gained the upper hand, +however, and he muttered, "Good-day, Herr von Eberstein." + +"Herr Professor Wehlau, are you here?" asked Eberstein, returning his +salutation with a very stiff inclination. "I hope you have not brought +your son with you." + +"No; he is in Tannberg." + +"I rejoice to hear it. My daughter is at the Ebersburg." + +Wehlau shrugged his shoulders. "Not much cause for rejoicing. I'll +wager that the pair are together the instant our backs are turned." + +"I beg your pardon," said Eberstein, with dignity. "I have strictly +forbidden Gerlinda either to see or to speak to Herr Wehlau." + +"Of course, and you forbade her to write to him, but my Hans brought +home a whole wagon-load of her letters. Fraeulein Gerlinda possesses a +like number, I suppose." + +"This is disgraceful!" exclaimed the old Freiherr, informed thus for +the first time of his child's disobedience. "Why do you not employ your +paternal authority? Why have you permitted your son to come hither?" + +"Because he is twenty-six years old, and a child no longer," replied +Wehlau, dryly. "You, indeed, keep your daughter under lock and key. I +wish I could do the same with my madcap; but it would not help matters: +he would scramble out of the window and into the Ebersburg, if he had +to do it by the chimney. The affair cannot be allowed to go on thus; we +must have recourse to serious measures." + +"Yes, we must!" Eberstein agreed, with an energetic thump of his cane +on the floor. "I shall shut Gerlinda up in a convent for the present as +a boarder. Then we'll see whether my gentleman can visit her by way of +the chimney." + +"A very sensible idea!" exclaimed the Professor, almost tempted to +shake his opponent by the hand. "Stick to it, Herr von Eberstein. I am +really glad to see you, in your condition, capable of such energy." + +The old Freiherr, who had no idea of the insulting nature of the +Professor's diagnosis of his case, and who thought he alluded to his +gout, sighed heavily. "Yea, my condition grows worse every day." + +"Are you aware of it yourself?" asked Wehlau, drawing up a chair and +seating himself. "Of what did your father die, Herr Baron?" + +"My father, Colonel Kuno von Eberstein-Ortenau, fell in the battle of +Leipsic at the head of his regiment," was the reply, given with much +conscious dignity. + +Wehlau looked surprised; he seemed to have expected a different answer, +and he forthwith began a regular cross-examination. He asked about the +Freiherr's grandfather and great-grandfather, about his first and +second wife, about his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Any other man would +have been irritated by such inquiries, but Eberstein thought only that +the Professor was greatly changed for the better; it did him good to be +questioned thus with such interest about all the Udos, Kunos, and +Kunrads, to whom this very man had formerly alluded in such +disrespectful terms. He paraded his pedigree to the best advantage, and +willingly answered all questions. + +"Extraordinary!" said Wehlau at last, shaking his head. "Not a single +case of mental disease, then, in your entire family?" + +"Mental disease?" Eberstein repeated, in some dudgeon. "What can you be +thinking of? I suppose that is your specialty, however. No, the +Ebersteins have died of all sorts of diseases, but their minds have +never been affected." + +"That really seems to have been the case---- Is it possible that I have +been mistaken?" murmured the Professor. He turned the conversation to +the family chronicles, to the origin of the Ebersteins in the tenth +century, but the Freiherr's replies were perfectly clear and sensible, +and at last he clasped his hands and said, in a tone of deep emotion, +"Yes, yes, my ancient noble line, known and honoured in history for +nine centuries, goes to the grave with me! Whether Gerlinda marries or +not, the name must die with me, and that soon, as my old Ebersburg will +ere long be but a heap of ruins. The present generation knows nothing, +wishes to know nothing, of the splendour and glory of ancient times, +and I have no son to preserve their memory. The scutcheon of my race +will be broken above my coffin and thrown into the grave with me, with +the last sad words, 'Freiherr von Eberstein-Ortenau, known to-day, but +never more.'" + +There was such bitter pain in the tone in which these words were +uttered that Wehlau suddenly grew very grave, and looked with genuine +emotion at the old man, down whose withered cheeks two tears rolled +slowly. The man of science and of the present had never appreciated the +pride of the noble in his ancestors; but he understood the suffering of +the old man bewailing the downfall of his race, conscious, in spite of +every effort to the contrary, of the iron heel of modern times crushing +and obliterating the traces of centuries. At the moment all that was +ridiculous fell away from Udo von Eberstein, extinguished by the tragic +melancholy of a fading world, over which sentence was pronounced in the +words, 'Known to-day, but never more!' + +There was silence for a few moments, and then the Professor suddenly +offered his hand to his former antagonist. "Herr von Eberstein, I have +done you injustice. We are liable to err, and there really was much +that was strange in your---- Enough, I beg to apologize." + +The old Freiherr was far from guessing the reason tor this apology; he +thought it referred to the want of respect formerly shown for the +Eberstein pedigree, and it pleased him greatly that the irreverent man +of science should be so thoroughly converted. He took the offered hand +and pressed it cordially. + +At this point Michael made his appearance in some dismay, having just +learned that the two men, whose meeting was to be arranged with such +caution, were alone together in the general's room. They were probably +by this time flying at each other's throats, and Captain Rodenberg came +instantly in hopes of averting a misfortune. To his astonishment, he +found the pair engaged in peaceful converse, in fact with clasped +hands. + +"I am sorry to disturb you," said Michael, scarcely believing his eyes. +"The Countess Hertha is very desirous of seeing you, but if you are +engaged in conversation----" + +"No, we have finished," said Wehlau, assisting the old Freiherr, who +was very infirm, to rise. Thus they proceeded to the drawing-room, +where Hertha received them, but beside her stood a man at sight of whom +the Freiherr's melancholy gave place to anger. + +"Herr Hans Wehlau! I thought you were in Tannberg!" he exclaimed. + +"And he was there when I left," interposed the Professor. "How did you +get here, you rascal? through the air?" + +"No, papa, I only drove after you. I wanted especially to speak with +Herr von Eberstein upon a most important matter----" + +"I will not listen to anything," protested the Freiherr; "I know all +about your important matter, but I have just agreed with your father +that we must have recourse to serious measures, very serious measures, +to frustrate your matrimonial schemes." + +"Yes, very serious measures," the Professor reiterated. "We certainly +agreed upon this,--but, after all, why do you refuse to let your +daughter marry my son?" + +Eberstein looked at him completely puzzled. The question was +extraordinary, just when an alliance had been formed against this +marriage, but he was spared the trouble of replying, for Hertha +demanded his attention at the moment, and Wehlau availed himself of the +opportunity to draw his son aside. + +"I was mistaken," he said, bluntly. "This time you were right. The old +Freiherr is quite rational, with the exception of a few abnormal ideas +which must be laid to the charge of the tenth century; such a pedigree +is not normal. Such whims, however, are not hereditary, and so, if +there is no help for it, marry your Gerlinda if you choose." + +"Thank heaven, papa!" said Hans, with a sigh of relief. "You have +caused me worry enough with your anxieties about generations not yet in +existence." + +"It was my duty. But, as I told you, my mind is now easy with regard to +your posterity. Let us see how you will manage the old Baron and his +pedigree." + +"I shall carry them both by storm," exclaimed the young artist, +triumphantly, "and win my Dornroeschen in spite of them." + +Meanwhile, Hertha was assisting the young lover's plans. She led the +conversation with the Freiherr to the subject of her own betrothal, +reminding the old man that she, like Gerlinda, was the last of her +race, and that her name too was to be merged in one without a title; +but Eberstein opposed her angrily. + +"That is quite a different thing. Your betrothed is the Count's +grandson, the son of a Steinrueck; on the mother's side he belongs to +your family. Moreover,"--he turned courteously to Michael, whose manly +form and carriage were greatly to his taste,--"moreover, Captain +Rodenberg has served with distinction during the war. Even in the times +of our glorious ancestors brave deeds were worth a patent of nobility +and won the accolade. But a son-in-law with a paint-brush for a sword +and a palette for a shield,--oh, never, never!" + +"At all events, he can perpetuate brave deeds," said Michael, smiling. +"Perhaps you are not aware that my friend has just gained the victory +in a trial of artistic skill. His name is lauded throughout the public +press, and is unanimously----" + +"Don't talk to me of the 'public press!'" exclaimed Eberstein, in high +dudgeon. "It, too, is an invention of to-day, and worse than all the +rest. Reckless, indiscreet, slanderous, it tramples everything in the +dust, holds nothing sacred, and is the devil's own work." + +"You are quite right, Herr Baron; the press is terrible," assented +Hans, who had approached in time to hear the Freiherr's last words. +"But I pray you to permit me to tell you what I ask. Do not put your +fingers in your ears; it really has nothing to do with Gerlinda and me, +but only with the contest of which Michael has just told you. I engaged +in it before the war, and during the campaign received intelligence +that my sketch had taken the prize and that the picture had been +ordered. To carry out this order your permission is necessary." + +"My permission?" asked Eberstein. "What have I to do with your +pictures?" + +"That you can understand if you will kindly condescend to glance at the +sketch. It is an historical picture to hang in the principal hall of +the new Rathhaus in B., and, of course, in such a place it will be very +conspicuous, which is why I must ask your permission to paint it. +Should you refuse me I must make another sketch. Here it is." + +He opened the door of the adjoining room. Fortunately, the old Freiherr +was not so obstinate as Professor Wehlau had been with regard to the +picture of Saint Michael, and, half curiously, half mistrustfully, he +entered the room, followed by the others. + +The picture referred to was in fact then leaning against the wall, only +a cartoon as yet, done in charcoal, but a faithful presentment of the +future picture. The artist had succeeded in rendering with vivid effect +a scene from the mediaeval wars under the Hohenstauffen. On the right of +the picture was the Emperor, a majestic, powerful figure, surrounded by +princes and prelates; on the left the people were crowding, while the +centre of the canvas was occupied by the victorious warriors returning +home to lay at the feet of their sovereign the trophies of their +prowess. The composition was stirring and characteristic; the interest +centred upon one man, evidently the hero of the hour, the leader of the +victors; a splendid figure, with dark hair and eyes, and noble regular +features, mail-clad, and full of manly vigour. Erect, pointing towards +the trophies heaped upon the ground, he seemed to be recounting to the +Emperor his tale of victory. This single warrior was the central point +of the composition; upon him was concentrated the interest of the +spectators; and his helm and breastplate bore the insignia of the +Ebersteins, while upon his shield was the scutcheon now crumbling to +decay above the gates of the Ebersburg. Here was its resurrection. + +The old Freiherr had approached the picture to examine it; suddenly he +started, his sad eyes brightened, his bowed form stood erect, and, with +a gesture that was almost youthful, he turned to the young artist +standing behind him. "Did you do this? And that is----" + +"The reproduction of a portrait which I saw upon my first visit to the +Ebersburg," Hans completed the sentence. "You, perhaps, remember our +conversation upon that occasion, and can now understand why I ask your +permission to paint this picture." + +Eberstein made no reply; he stood gazing fixedly at the picture, at the +image of himself when he was still young and happy, and fit to bear +arms. His eyes grew moist at the memory of that time. + +"What does all this mean?" asked the Professor, who knew the picture, +but had not been informed of its secret significance. The old Baron +turned to him and said, in a tone half of melancholy, half of conscious +pride,-- + +"Those are my features. Thus looked Udo von Eberstein forty years ago." + +"You are very much changed since then," said Wehlau, in his blunt +fashion; but Hans hastily interposed. + +"No, no, papa! Look closely at the Freiherr and you will recognize the +features. The picture is to be painted in fresco, Herr Baron, and will +probably last as long as the Rathhaus is in existence, for some +hundreds of years at least." + +"Some hundreds of years," murmured Eberstein, ecstatically. "But no one +will know that scutcheon." + +Hans stepped close to his side. "Unfortunately, it is known already. +That terrible press--you know I share your horror of it--has mastered +the whole matter, and has printed the names in full. An article in the +principal newspaper of our imperial capital--permit me to read you the +close of it." + +He produced a newspaper and read aloud: "'After this detailed +description we cannot withhold from our readers the information +that the central figure of the picture,--the knight with the +fine characteristic head,'--here it is in black and white, Herr +Baron,--'the fine characteristic head, is an only slightly idealized +portrait,--the portrait of the Freiherr Udo von Eberstein-Ortenau of +the Ebersburg, the last scion of a once famous race, which traces its +pedigree back to the tenth century; the scutcheon of the Ebersteins, +seen upon the helmet and shield of the knight, is thus immortalized.' +Indeed I could not help this, Herr Baron,--a couple of innocent remarks +of mine to acquaintances,--shall I have the article contradicted?--it +will else go the entire round of Germany, in all the newspapers." + +"No, my young friend," replied Eberstein, with dignity. "I forbid you +to contradict it; on the contrary, the press seems to me to have been +in this instance neither reckless nor indiscreet. It does but fulfil a +duty in bringing to light facts that have escaped the memory of +thousands of our contemporaries. Let the article go the entire round of +Germany!" + +"The fellow has a terrific talent for intrigue," muttered the +Professor. "The old Baron has actually swallowed the hook." + +Hans twisted the paper to and fro in his hands with well-feigned +embarrassment. "Yes, Herr Baron, but there is a concluding sentence +which you ought also to hear----" + +"Read it," said Eberstein, with solemn condescension, and Hans read on: + +"'And now for a final communication which will interest especially our +fair readers of the other sex. The young artist worked _con amore_ when +he painted the knight of the Eberstein arms, with the Eberstein +features also, since he is about to be united to the only daughter of +the Freiherr in question----'" + +"Stay--stop,--that must be contradicted!" exclaimed Eberstein; but, +without further ado, Hans forced the newspaper upon him, and drew out +from behind the tall picture something which, upon closer inspection, +proved to be Fraeulein Gerlinda von Eberstein. There she stood, the +little Dornroeschen, not quite so much of a child as when we first saw +her, but lovelier than ever as she lifted eyes and hands of entreaty to +her father. + +"Oh, papa, do not be so cruel! I love him so dearly!" + +"Did not I tell you they were sure to be together?" exclaimed the +Professor, advancing. "Herr von Eberstein, there is nothing to do but +to say 'yes.' My Hans will do as he chooses, as you see; and that +delicate little thing, your daughter, is quite capable of dying of +grief if you separate her from him. And when she is dead you will be +left alone with your stainless pedigree." + +"That would be terrible!" said Eberstein, with a look of dismay at his +child. + +"Then let us put an end to the matter!" And the Professor put his arm +around the young girl and gave her a paternal kiss, after which all was +settled so far as he was concerned. + +The old Freiherr was scarcely conscious of what happened then,--he was +really taken by storm. He found himself embracing his daughter and a +future son-in-law. Gerlinda sobbed upon his breast and Hans hailed him +as his beloved father-in-law. There was nothing for it but to clasp the +pair in his arms, which he did. Udo von Eberstein relented, and +consented. In spite of brush and palette, Hans had been the one to +perpetuate the memory of the ancient name. + + + * * * * * + + +Towards the end of July a marriage was quietly celebrated in the +pilgrimage church of Saint Michael,--the marriage of Captain Michael +Rodenberg to the Countess Hertha von Steinrueck. As Michael was a +Protestant, like his mother and his grandfather, the Protestant +marriage had first taken place in Castle Steinrueck. Now, in presence of +a small circle of relatives and friends, among whom were the betrothed +couple, Hans and Gerlinda, beaming with happiness, the reverend pastor +of the little Alpine village united before the altar of his church, as +they had desired, the two young people to whom he was so closely bound +by ties of affection. + +The morning mists were still veiling the Eagle ridge, but they were +beginning to roll away to lie like a translucent veil at its feet, when +the bells in the old church rang out a joyous peal that echoed among +the mountains, while upon Michael and his young wife, now one for life, +looked down from above the altar the mighty archangel with eagle's +wings and eyes of flame, the victorious leader of the heavenly +host,--Saint Michael! + + + + THE END. + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Saint Michael, by E. Werner + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SAINT MICHAEL *** + +***** This file should be named 35116.txt or 35116.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/1/1/35116/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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