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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/36494-8.txt b/36494-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d60acfb --- /dev/null +++ b/36494-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7661 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Devil's Elixir, by E. T. A. Hoffmann + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Devil's Elixir + Vol. I (of 2) + +Author: E. T. A. Hoffmann + +Release Date: June 22, 2011 [EBook #36494] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR *** + + + + +Produced by Irma Špehar, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + + + + + + THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR. + + FROM THE GERMAN OF + E. T. A. HOFFMANN. + + + _In diesem Jahre wandelte auch her Deuvel offentlich auf den + Strassen von Berlin.----_ + + _Haftit Microc. Berol. p. 1043._ + + In that yeare, the Deville was alsoe seene walking publiclie + on the streetes of Berline.---- + + VOL. I. + + WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, EDINBURGH: + AND T. CADELL, LONDON. + + 1829. + + + + +THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +My life, from my fourth to my sixteenth year, was spent at a lonely +farm-house, on the banks of the river Saale, near the Cistertian +Monastery of Kreuzberg. The house, though not large, had once been the +residence of a baronial family, that was now extinct, and of whose +representatives strange stories were narrated. Of course, therefore, +their castle was gloomy; of course, also, said to be haunted, and its +immediate environs were in keeping with the character of the principal +mansion. + +There was, for example, a garden in the old style, with steps and +terrace walks, now ruined and neglected; thick hedges of yew and +cypress, with trees cut into fantastic shapes, which the present owner +had not found leisure, or perhaps had not permission, to destroy. The +surrounding country, however, at some distance, was very beautiful, +presenting a fine diversity of hill and dale, rock, wood, and water. The +situation of the Cistertian Convent, too, is particularly admired; but +in the recollections which I am thus commencing, rapid, simple narrative +must be my leading object; I have no time for diffuse and verbose +description. + +Being an only child, I was left much alone, and it is therefore not to +be wondered at, that even at this early age, I should have exemplified +an undue developement of the faculty of imagination, and betrayed +singularities of thought and conduct, with proportionate defects in the +more useful qualities of prudence and judgment. It is requisite to +observe, however, that I was not born in this neighbourhood, but at the +convent of the Holy Lime-Tree in Prussia, of which place, even at this +day, I seem to retain the most accurate reminiscence. That I should be +able to describe scenes and events which happened in my earliest +infancy, need not be considered inexplicable, as I have heard so much of +them from the narratives of others, that an impression was of course +very powerfully made on my imagination, or rather, the impressions once +made, have never been suffered to decay, like cyphers carved on a tree, +which some fond lover fails not at frequent intervals to revisit and to +renovate. Of my father's rank or station in the world, I know little or +nothing. From all that I have heard, he must have been a person of +considerable experience and knowledge of life; yet, by various anecdotes +which have only of late become intelligible, it appears that my parents, +from the enjoyment of affluence and prosperity, had sunk, all at once, +into a state of the bitterest poverty and comparative degradation. I +learn, moreover, that my father, having been once enticed by stratagems +of the Arch Enemy into the commission of a mortal sin, wished, when, in +his latter years, the grace of God had brought him to repentance, to +expiate his guilt by a penitential pilgrimage from Italy to the convent +of the Holy Lime-Tree, in the distant and cold climate of Prussia. On +their laborious journey thither, his faithful partner in affliction +perceived, for the first time after several years of a married life, +that she was about to become a mother; and notwithstanding his extreme +poverty, my father was by this occurrence greatly rejoiced, as it tended +to the fulfilment of a mysterious vision, in which the blessed St +Bernard had appeared, and promised to him forgiveness and consolation +through the birth of a son. + +In the convent of the Lime-Tree, my father was attacked by severe +illness, and as, notwithstanding his debility, he would on no account +forego any of the prescribed devotional exercises, his disease rapidly +gained ground, till at last, in mysterious conformity to the words of St +Bernard, he died consoled and absolved, almost at the same moment in +which I came into the world. + +With my first consciousness of existence dawned on my perceptions the +beautiful imagery of the cloister and celebrated church of the +Lime-Tree. Even at this moment, methinks the dark oak wood yet rustles +around me; I breathe once more the fragrance of the luxuriant grass and +variegated flowers which were my cradle. No noxious insect, no poisonous +reptile, is found within the limits of that sanctuary. Scarce even the +buzzing of a fly, or chirping of a grasshopper, interrupts the solemn +stillness, diversified only by the pious songs of the monks, who walk +about in long solemn processions, accompanied by pilgrims of all +nations, waving their censers of consecrated perfume. + +Even now, I seem yet vividly to behold in the middle of the church, the +stem of the lime-tree cased in silver, that far-famed tree, on which +supernatural visitants had placed the miraculous and wonder-working +image of the Virgin, while from the walls and lofty dome, the well-known +features of Saints and Angels are once more smiling upon me. + +In like manner, it appears to me also, as if I had once beheld in the +same place the mysterious figure of a tall, grave, and austere-looking +man, of whom I was given to understand, that he could be no other but +the far-famed Italian painter, who had, in times long past, been here +professionally employed. No one understood his language, nor was his +real history known to any one of the monks. This much only was certain, +that he had, in a space of time incredibly short, filled the church with +its richest ornaments, and then, as soon as his work was finished, +immediately disappeared, no one could tell how or whither. + +Not less vividly could I paint the portrait of a venerable pilgrim, who +carried me about in his arms, and assisted me in my childish plays of +searching for all sorts of variegated moss and pebbles in the forest. +Yet, though the apparition of the painter was certainly real, that of +the pilgrim, were it not for its influence on my after life, would seem +to me but a dream. + +One day this personage brought with him a boy of uncommon beauty, and +about my equal in years, with whom I seated myself on the grass, sharing +with him my treasured store of moss and pebbles, which he already knew +how to form into various regular figures, and above all, into the holy +sign of the cross. My mother, meanwhile, sat near us on a stone bench, +and the old pilgrim stood behind her, contemplating with mild gravity +our infantine employments. + +Suddenly, while we were thus occupied, a troop of young people emerged +from the thicket, of whom, judging by their dress and whole demeanour, +it was easy to decide, that curiosity and idleness, not devotion, had +led them to the Lime-Tree. On perceiving us, one of them began to laugh +aloud, and exclaiming to his companions, "See there!--See there!--A +holy family!--Here at last is something for my portfolio;" with these +words he drew out paper and pencils, and set himself as if to sketch our +portraits. Hereupon the old pilgrim was violently incensed, "Miserable +scoffer!" he exclaimed, "thou forsooth wouldst be an artist, while to +thy heart, the inspiration of faith and divine love is yet utterly +unknown! But thy works will, like thyself, remain cold, senseless, and +inanimate, and in the poverty of thine own soul, like an outcast in the +desert, shalt thou perish!" + +Terrified by this reproof, the young people hastened away. The old +pilgrim also soon afterwards prepared for departure. "For this one day," +said he to my mother, "I have been permitted to bring to you this +miraculous child, in order that, by sympathy, he might kindle the flames +of divine love in your son's heart; but I must now take him from you, +nor shall you ever behold either of us in this world again. Your son +will prove by nature admirably endowed with many valuable gifts; nor +will the lessons which have now been impressed on his mind be from +thence ever wholly effaced. Though the passions of his sinful father +should boil and ferment in his veins, yet by proper education their +influence might be repressed, and he might even raise himself up to be a +valiant champion of our holy faith. Let him therefore be a monk!" + +With these words he disappeared; and my mother could never sufficiently +express how deep was the impression that his warning had left on her +mind. She resolved, however, by no means to place any restraint on my +natural inclinations, but quietly to acquiesce in whatever destination +Providence, and the limited education she was able to bestow, might seem +to point out for me. + +The interval between this period and the time when my mother, on her +homeward journey, stopped at the convent of Kreuzberg, remains a mere +blank; not a trace of any event is left to me. The Abbess of the +Cistertians (by birth a princess) had been formerly acquainted with my +father, and on that account received us very kindly. I recover myself +for the first time, when one morning my mother bestowed extraordinary +care upon my dress; she also cut and arranged my wildly-grown hair, +adorned it with ribbons which she had bought in the town, and +instructed me as well as she could how I was to behave when presented at +the convent. + +At length, holding by my mother's hand, I had ascended the broad marble +staircase, and entered a high vaulted apartment, adorned with devotional +pictures, in which we found the Lady Abbess. She was a tall, majestic, +and still handsome woman, to whom the dress of her order gave +extraordinary dignity. "Is this your son?" said she to my mother, fixing +on me at the same time her dark and penetrating eyes. Her voice, her +dress, her _tout ensemble_,--even, the high vaulted room and strange +objects by which I was surrounded, altogether had such an effect on my +imagination, that, seized with a kind of horror, I began to weep +bitterly. "How is this?" said the Abbess; "are you afraid of me? What is +your name, child?"--"Francis," answered my mother.--"Franciscus!" +repeated the Abbess, in a tone of deep melancholy, at the same time +lifting me up in her arms, and pressing me to her bosom. + +But here a new misfortune awaited us; I suddenly felt real and violent +pain, and screamed aloud. The Abbess; terrified, let me go; and my +mother, utterly confounded by my behaviour would have directly snatched +me up and retired. This, however, our new friend would by no means +permit. It was now perceived that a diamond cross, worn by the Princess, +had, at the moment when she pressed me in her arms, wounded my neck in +such manner, that the impression, in the form of a cross, was already +quite visible, and even suffused with blood. "Poor Francis!" said the +Abbess, "I have indeed been very cruel to you; but we shall yet, +notwithstanding all this, be good friends."--An attendant nun now +entered with wine and refreshments, at the sight of which I soon +recovered my courage; and at last, seated on the Abbess's lap, began to +eat boldly of the sweetmeats, which she with her own hand kindly held to +my lips. + +Afterwards, when I had, for the first time in my life, also tasted a few +drops of good wine, that liveliness of humour, which, according to my +mother's account, had been natural to me from infancy, was completely +restored. I laughed and talked, to the great delight of the Princess and +the nun, who remained in the room. To this moment, I know not how it +occurred to my mother, or how she succeeded in leading me on to talk +freely to the Abbess about all the wonders of my native monastery, or +how, as if supernaturally inspired, I was able to describe the works of +the unknown painter as correctly and livelily as if I had comprehended +their whole import and excellence. Not contented with this, I went on +into all the legends of the saints, as if I had already become +intimately acquainted with the records of the church. + +The Princess, and even my mother, looked at me with astonishment. At +last, "Tell me, child," said the Abbess, "how is it possible that you +can have learned all this?"--Without a moment's hesitation, I answered +that a miraculous boy, who had been brought to us by the old pilgrim, +had explained to me all the paintings in the church--nay, that he +himself was able to make beautiful pictures, with moss and pebbles, on +the ground; and had not only explained to me their import, but told me +many legends of the saints. + +The bell now rung for vespers. The nun had packed up and given to me a +quantity of sweetmeats in a paper bag, which I grasped and pocketed with +great satisfaction. The Abbess then rose from her seat: "Henceforward," +said she, turning to my mother, "I shall look upon your son as my chosen +_eléve_, and shall provide for him accordingly."--My mother was so much +affected by this unexpected generosity, that she could only reply with +tears, grasping in silence the hand of the Abbess. We had reached the +door on our retreat, when the Princess came after us, took me up once +more in her arms, first carefully putting aside the diamond cross, and +weeping so that her tears dropped on my forehead, "Franciscus," said +she, "be good and pious!" I was moved also, and wept without knowing +wherefore. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +By the assistance of the Abbess we were not long afterwards established +at the farm-house already mentioned, and, through her generosity, the +small household of my mother soon assumed a more prosperous appearance. +I was also well clothed and cared for, enjoying the freedom and +tranquillity of a country life, so congenial to childhood; but, above +all, I profited in due time by the instructions of the neighbouring +village priest, whom, while yet very young, I attended as sacristan at +the altar. + +How like a fairy dream the remembrance of those happy days yet hovers +around me! Alas! like a far distant land, the realm of peace and joy, +_home_ now lies far far behind me; and when I would look back, a gulf +yawns to meet me, by which I am separated from these blissful regions +for ever. One lovely form I yet seem to recognize, wandering amid the +roseate light of the morning--one that haunted my early dreams, even +before I was conscious that such beauty could ever on earth be realized. +I beheld her amid the fresh verdure--beneath the fragrant, beaming +sun-showers of May--and not less amid the desolate wildness of autumn, +when even the beech-trees lost their leaves; and her voice in sweet +music rose on me through the moaning sighs of the departing year. + +With ardent longing, I strive once more to catch the soothing chords of +that angelic voice, to behold the contour of that form, and to meet once +more the radiance of her smile--in vain! Alas! are there then barriers +over which the strong wings of Love cannot bear him across? Lies not his +kingdom in thought, and must thought, too, be subject to slavish +limitations? But dark spectral forms rise up around me;--always denser +and denser draws together their hideous circle;--they close out every +prospect, they oppress my senses with the horrors of reality,--till even +that longing, which had been a source of nameless pleasureable pain, is +converted into deadly and insupportable torment. + + * * * * * + +The priest was goodness itself. He knew how to fetter my too lively +spirit, and to attract my attention in such manner, that I was delighted +by his instructions, and made rapid progress in my studies. Even at this +moment I can yet recal his calm, contented, and somewhat weather-beaten +features. He was in manners simple as a child, perplexed often about +trifles, of which the contemptible characters around him were completely +_au fait_; yet clear and decisive in judgment on matters of which +ordinary characters could have no comprehension. + +At this moment, how vividly do I recal, not only his own appearance, but +that of his dwelling-house in the village of Heidebach, which town, +though small and insignificant, is yet in situation very romantic. The +walls of his house were covered up to the roof with vines, which he +carefully trained. The interior of his humble habitation was also +arranged with the utmost neatness; and behind was a large garden, in +which he sedulously worked for recreation at intervals, when not engaged +in teaching his scholars, or in his clerical functions. + +In all my studies I was also very much assisted and encouraged by that +unbounded respect and admiration which I cherished towards the Lady +Abbess. Every time that I was to appear in her presence, I proposed to +myself that I would shine before her, with my newly acquired knowledge; +and as soon as she came into the room, I could only look at her, and +listen to her alone. Every word that she uttered remained deeply graven +on my remembrance; and through the whole day after I had thus met with +her, her image accompanied me wherever I went, and I felt exalted to an +extraordinary solemn and devotional mood of mind. + +By what nameless feelings have I been agitated, when, during my office +of Sacristan, I stood swinging my censer on the steps of the high altar, +when the deep full tones of the organ streamed down from the choir, and +bore my soul with them as on the waves of a stormy sea! Then in the +anthem, above all others, I recognised her voice, which came down like a +seraphic warning from Heaven, penetrating my heart, and filling my mind +with the highest and holiest aspirations. + +But the most impressive of all days, to which for weeks preceding I +could not help looking forward with rapture, was that of the Festival +of St Bernard, which (he being the tutelary Saint of the Cistertians) +was celebrated at the convent with extraordinary grandeur. Even on the +day preceding, multitudes of people streamed out of the town, and from +the surrounding country. Encamping themselves on the beautiful level +meadows by which Kreuzberg is surrounded, day and night the lively +assemblage were in commotion. In the motley crowd were to be found +all varieties of people--devout pilgrims in foreign habits +singing anthems--peasant lads flirting with their well-dressed +mistresses--monks, who, with folded arms, in abstract contemplation, +gazed up to Heaven--and whole families of citizens, who comfortably +unpacked and enjoyed their well-stored baskets of provisions on the +grass. Mirthful catches, pious hymns, groans of the penitent, and +laughter of the merry, rejoicing, lamentation, jesting, and prayer, +sounded at once in a strange stupifying concert through the atmosphere. + +If, however, the convent bell rung, then, far as the eye could reach, +the multitude were at once fallen on their knees. Confusion was at an +end, and only the hollow murmurs of prayer interrupted the solemn +stillness. When the last sounds of the bell had died away, then the +merry crowds, as before, streamed about on their varied occupations, and +of new the rejoicing, which for a few minutes had been interrupted, was +eagerly resumed. + +On St Bernard's day, the Bishop himself, who resided in the neighbouring +town, officiated in divine service at the church of the convent. He was +attended by all the inferior clergy of his diocese; his _capelle_, or +choir, performed the music on a kind of temporary tribune, erected on +one side of the high altar, and adorned with rich and costly hangings. +Even now, the feelings which then vibrated through my bosom are not +decayed. When I think of that happy period, which only too soon past +away, they revive in all their youthful freshness. With especial +liveliness I can still remember the notes of a certain _Gloria_; which +composition being a great favourite with the Princess, was frequently +performed. + +When the Bishop had intoned the first notes of this anthem, and the +powerful voices of the choir thundered after him, "_Gloria in excelsis +Deo_," did it not seem as if the painted clouds over the high altar +were rolled asunder, and as if by a divine miracle the cherubim and +seraphim came forward into life, moved, and spread abroad their powerful +wings, hovering up and down, and praising God with song and supernatural +music? + +I sank thereafter into the most mysterious mood of inspired devotion. I +was borne through resplendent clouds into the far distant regions of +home. Through the fragrant woods of the Lime-Tree Monastery, I once more +heard the music of angelic voices. From thickets of roses and lilies, +the miraculous boy stepped forward to meet me, and said, with a smile, +"Where have you been so long, Franciscus? See, I have a world of +beautiful flowers, and will give them all to you, if you will but stay +with me and love me!" + +After divine service, the nuns, with the Abbess at their head, held a +solemn procession through the aisles of the church and convent. She was +in the full dress of her order, wearing the Insul, and carrying the +silver shepherd's-staff in her hand. What sanctity, what dignity, what +supernatural grandeur, beamed from every look, and animated every +gesture, of this admirable woman! She herself impersonized the +triumphant church, affording to pious believers the assurance of +blessing and protection. If by chance her looks fell on me, I could have +thrown myself prostrate before her in the dust. + +When the ceremonies of the day were completely brought to an end, the +attendant clergy, including the choir of the Bishop, were hospitably +entertained in the refectory. Several friends of the convent, civil +officers, merchants from the town, etc., had their share in this +entertainment; and by means of the Bishop's choir-master, who had +conceived a favourable opinion of me, and willingly had me beside him, I +also was allowed to take my place at the table. + +If before I had been excited by mysterious feelings of devotion, no less +now did convivial life, with its varied imagery, gain its full influence +over my senses. The guests enjoyed themselves with great freedom, +telling stories, and laughing at their own wit, during which the bottles +of old wine were zealously drained, until, at a stated hour in the +evening, the carriages of the dignitaries were at the gate, and all, in +the most orderly manner, took their departure. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +I was now in my sixteenth year, when the priest declared that I was +qualified to begin the study of the higher branches of theology, at the +college of the neighbouring town. I had fully determined on the clerical +life, by which resolution my mother was greatly delighted, as she +perceived that the mysterious hints of the pilgrim were intimately +connected with my father's vision of St Bernard; and by this resolution +of mine, she for the first time believed, that his soul was fully +absolved, and saved from the risk of eternal destruction. The Princess, +too, approved my intentions, and repeated her generous promises of +support and assistance. + +Though the town of Königswald was so near, that we beheld its towers in +the back ground of the landscape, and though bold walkers frequently +came from thence on foot to our convent, yet to me this first +separation from the Abbess, whom I regarded with such veneration,--from +my kind mother, whom I tenderly loved,--and the good old priest, was +very painful. So true it is, that even the shortest step out of the +immediate circle of one's best friends, is equal, in effect, to the +remotest separation. Even the Princess was on this occasion agitated to +an extraordinary degree, and her voice faltered while she pronounced +over me some energetic words of admonishment. She presented me with an +ornamental rosary, and a small prayer-book, with fine illuminations. She +then gave me a letter of recommendation to the Prior of the Capuchin +Convent in Königswald, whom she advised me directly to visit, as he +would be prepared to afford me whatever advice or aid I could require. + +There are certainly few situations so beautiful as that of the Capuchin +Monastery, right before the eastern gates of Königswald. The flourishing +and extensive gardens, with their fine prospect towards the mountains, +seemed to me at every visit more and more attractive. Here it became +afterwards my delight to wander in deep meditation, reposing now at +this, now at that group of finely grown trees; and in this garden, when +I went to deliver my letter of recommendation from the Abbess, I met, +for the first time, the Prior Leonardus. + +The natural politeness of the Superior was obviously increased when he +had read through the letter, and he said so much in praise of the +Princess, whom he had formerly known at Rome, that by this means alone +he directly won my affections. He was then surrounded by his brethren, +and it was easy to perceive at once the beneficial effects of his +arrangements and mode of discipline in the monastery. + +The same cheerfulness, amenity, and composure of spirit, which were so +striking in the Prior, spread their influence also through the brethren. +There was nowhere visible the slightest trace of ill humour, or of that +inwardly-corroding reserve, which is elsewhere to be found in the +countenances of Monks. Notwithstanding the severe rules of his order, +devotional exercises were to the Prior Leonardus more like a necessary +indulgence of a divine soul aspiring to Heaven, than penitential +inflictions to efface the stains of mortal frailty. And he knew so well +how to instil the same principles among his brethren, that in their +performance of every duty, to which they were by their vows subjected, +there prevailed a liveliness and good humour, which even in this +terrestrial sphere gave rise to a new and higher mood of existence. + +The Prior even allowed and approved a certain degree of intercourse with +the world, which could not but be advantageous for the monks. The rich +gifts which from all quarters were presented to the monastery, rendered +it possible to entertain, on certain days, the friends and patrons of +the institution, in the refectory. + +Then, in the middle of the banquet-hall was spread a large table, at +which were seated the Prior Leonardus and his guests. The brethren, +meanwhile, remained at a small narrow board, stretching along the walls, +contenting themselves with the humblest fare, and coarsest utensils, +while, at the Prior's table, all was elegantly served on silver, glass, +and porcelain; and even on fast-days the cook of the convent could +prepare meagre dishes in such a manner, that they seemed to the guests +highly luxurious. They themselves provided wine; and thus the dinners at +the Capuchin Convent presented a friendly intercourse of spiritual with +profane characters, which could not fail to be beneficial to both +parties. + +Those who were too eagerly occupied in worldly pursuits, were obliged to +confess, that here, by a new mode of life, in direct opposition to their +own, quiet and composure were to be obtained; nay, they might conclude, +that the more the soul is in this world elevated above terrestrial +considerations, the more it becomes capable of enjoyment. On the other +hand, the monks gained a knowledge of life, which otherwise would have +remained from them wholly veiled, and which supplied important +_materiel_ for contemplation, enabling them many times more clearly to +perceive, that, without the aid of some divine principle to support the +mind, all in this world becomes "weary, flat, stale, and unprofitable." + +Over all the brethren, highly exalted, both in regard to sacred and +profane accomplishments, stood the Prior Leonardus. Besides that he was +looked on as a great theologian, and consulted on the most difficult +questions, he was, much more than could have been expected from a monk, +also a man of the world. He spoke the French and Italian languages with +fluency and elegance, and on account of his extraordinary versatility, +he had formerly been employed on weighty diplomacies. + +At the time when I knew him first, he was already advanced in years; but +though his hair was white, his eyes yet gleamed with youthful fire--and +the agreeable smile which hovered on his lips was the surest evidence of +his inward serenity and activity of mind. The same grace which prevailed +in his discourse, regulated every gesture, and his figure, even in the +unbecoming dress of his order, appeared to extraordinary advantage. + +There was not a single individual among the inhabitants of the convent, +who had not come into it from his own free choice. But had it been +otherwise, as, for example, in the case of unfortunate criminals, who +came thither as to a place of refuge from persecution, the penitence +prescribed by Leonardus was but the short passage to recovered repose; +and reconciled with himself, without heeding the world or its follies, +the convert would, while yet living on earth, have become elevated in +mind over all that is terrestrial. This unusual tendency of monachism, +had been learned by Leonardus in Italy, where the mode of education, +and all the views of a religious life, are much more cheerful than among +the Catholics of Germany. + +Leonardus conceived a very favourable opinion of my talents; he +instructed me in Italian and French; but it was especially the great +variety of books which he lent to me, and his agreeable conversation, +which contributed most to my improvement. Almost the whole time which +could be spared from my studies in the College, was spent in the +Capuchin Convent; and my inclination towards a monastic life became +always more and more determined. I disclosed to the Prior my wishes in +this respect; but, without directly dissuading me, he advised me at any +rate to wait for a few years, during which time I might look around me +in the world. As to society, since I came into the town, I had, by means +of the Bishop's choir-master, found myself on that score by no means +deficient, but in every party, especially if women were present, I had +uniformly found myself so disagreeably embarrassed, that even this +alone, independent of my disposition to solitude and contemplation, +seemed to decide, that I was by nature destined for a monk. + +One day, the Prior spoke with me at great length on the danger of +risking too early a decision on a mode of life, which involves so many +requisites. "Is it possible," said he, "that at so early an age, you are +prepared to renounce all the delusive pleasures of this world? If so, +but not otherwise, you may then embrace the duties of monachism. Are you +thoroughly convinced, that you have formed no attachment,--that you wish +for no enjoyments, but those which the mysterious influences of an +existence devoted to voluntary suffering can bestow?" + +He fixed on me his dark penetrating eyes, and I was obliged to cast mine +on the ground, and remain without answering a word; for at that moment a +form, which had been long banished from my recollection, stepped forward +to the mind's eye in colours more than ever lively and distracting. + +The choir-master had a sister, who, without being an absolute beauty, +was yet in the highest bloom of youth, and especially on account of her +figure, was what is called a very charming girl. One morning, having +formed some other engagements, I had gone at an earlier hour than usual +to receive my lesson in music at the choir-master's house, stepped +without hesitation into his lodgings, expecting to find him alone, and +wholly unconscious that the apartment was used as a dressing-room (or, +as it happened on this occasion, as an _un_dressing-room) by +Mademoiselle Therese, whom, instead of her brother, I now discovered. So +utterly was I confounded, that I stood motionless for a few seconds, +without retiring or advancing. My heart beat, my limbs tottered--I could +hardly breathe--But when Therese, with her usual _naiveté_ and +_nonchalance_, had recourse to a large shawl, then came forward without +the least confusion, even offered me her hand, and asked what was the +matter, and why I looked so pale--this increased my embarrassment +tenfold, so that I had almost fainted. + +It was a fortunate relief when the door of the adjoining room opened, +and the choir-master made his appearance. But never had I struck such +false chords, or sung so completely out of tune, as on that day. +Afterwards I was pious enough to believe that the whole was a temptation +of the devil, and thought myself very fortunate in having, by ascetic +exercises, driven him out of the field. + +Now, however, these questions of the Prior, though his intentions were +very praiseworthy, revived the lost image in tenfold strength. I blushed +deeply, and said not a word. "I see, my dear son," resumed the Prior, +"that you have understood me; you are yet free from the vices of +artifice and concealment, nor do you cherish an undue confidence in +yourself. Heaven protect you from the temptations of this life! Its +enjoyments are but of short duration, and one may well say, that there +rests on them a curse. In possession they expire; and what is worse, +leave behind them a disgust, a disappointment, a bluntness of the +faculties for all that is truly praiseworthy and exalted, so that the +better and spiritual attributes of our nature are at last utterly +destroyed!" + + * * * * * + +Notwithstanding my endeavours to forget both the questions of the Prior, +and the image to which they had given rise, yet I could in this by no +means succeed; and though formerly I had been tolerably composed, even +in the presence of Therese, yet now I was obliged with the utmost care +to avoid every meeting. Even the very thoughts of her distracted my +attention completely; and this appeared to me so much the more sinful, +as I could not disguise from myself that such thoughts were attended +with pleasure. + +The adventure of one evening, however, was soon to determine all this. +The choir-master invited me, as he had often done before, to a music +party at his house. On entering the room, I perceived that there were +many other young ladies besides Mamselle Therese, and that she was on +this occasion dressed more becomingly and elegantly than I had ever seen +her. I would willingly have excused myself and fled, but it was now too +late. An irresistible longing drew me towards her. I was as if +spell-bound, and through the evening stationed myself near her, happy if +by accident I came into momentary contact with this enchantress, though +it were but to touch the hem of her garment. + +Of all this she appeared by no means inobservant, nor did it seem to +displease her. The adventures of the night, however, were drawing to a +close. She had sat long at the harpsichord, but at length rose, and went +towards the window. One of her gloves was left on the chair. This, +believing myself unobserved, I directly took possession of, first +pressing it to my lips, and then placing it in my bosom. One young lady, +however, (who, by the by, was my utter aversion,) had not failed to +notice this _etourderie_. She rose directly from her station at the +tea-table, and went to Therese, who was standing with another +_demoiselle_ at the window. She whispered something to Therese, who +immediately began to smile. The looks of all three were directed towards +me. They tittered and laughed all together. I believed it was in scorn +and mockery, which to my feelings was insupportable. + +I was as if annihilated. The blood flowed ice-cold through my veins. +Losing all self-possession I left the room--rushed away into the +college, and locked myself up in my cell. I threw myself in despair and +rage upon the floor. Tears of anguish and disappointment gushed from my +eyes. I renounced--I cursed the girl and myself; then prayed and laughed +alternately like a madman. Tittering voices of scorn and mockery rose, +and sounded gibbering all around me. I was in the very act of throwing +myself out of the window, but by good luck the iron bars hindered me. +It was not till the morning broke that I was more tranquil; but I was +firmly resolved never to see her any more, and, in a word, to renounce +the world. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +My vocation to the monastic life was thus, according to my own opinion, +rendered clear and unalterable. On that very day after the fatal music +party, I hastened, as soon as I could escape from my usual studies in +the school, to the Capuchin Prior, and informed him that it was my fixed +intention directly to begin my noviciate, and that I had already, by +letters, announced my design to my mother, and to the Abbess. Leonardus +seemed surprised at my sudden zeal, and without being impolitely urgent, +he yet endeavoured, by one means or another, to find out what could have +led me all at once to this resolve, to which he rightly concluded that +some extraordinary event must have given rise. + +A painful emotion of shame, which I could not overcome, prevented me +from telling the truth. On the other hand, I dwelt, with all the +fervour of excitement, on the visions, warnings, and strange adventures +of my youth, which all seemed decidedly to point to a monastic +retirement. Without in the least disputing the authenticity of the +events which I had described, he suggested that I might, nevertheless, +have drawn from them false conclusions, as there was no certainty that I +had interpreted correctly the warnings, whatever they might be, which I +had received. + +Indeed, the Prior did not at any time speak willingly of supernatural +agency--not even of those instances recorded by inspired writers, so +that there were moments in which I had almost set him down for an +infidel and a sceptic. Once I emboldened myself so far, as to force from +him some decided expressions as to the adversaries of our Catholic +faith, who stigmatize all belief of that which cannot be interpreted +according to the laws of our corporeal senses, with the name of +Superstition. "My son," said Leonardus, "infidelity itself is indeed the +worst species of that mental weakness, which, under the name of +Superstition, such people ascribe to believers." Thereafter he directly +changed the subject to lighter and more ordinary topics of discourse. + +Not till long afterwards was I able to enter into his admirable views of +the mysteries of our religion, which involves the supernatural communing +of our spirits with beings of a celestial order, and was then obliged to +confess, that Leonardus, with great propriety, reserved these ideas for +students who were sufficiently advanced in years and experience. + +I now received a letter from my mother, describing new visions and +warnings, such as those to which I had attached so much importance in my +conversation with the Prior. She had by this means long since +anticipated that the situation of a lay brother would not satisfy my +wishes, but that I would make choice of the conventual life. On St +Medardus' day, the old Pilgrim from the Holy Lime-Tree had appeared to +her, and had led me by the hand, in the habit of a Capuchin monk. The +Princess also completely approved of my resolution; which accordingly +was carried as rapidly as possible into effect. + +I saw both of them once more before my investiture, which (as, according +to my earnest request, the half of my noviciate was dispensed with) very +soon followed. In conformity with my mother's last letter, I assumed +the conventual name of Medardus. + + * * * * * + +The reciprocal confidence and friendship of the brethren with regard to +each other--the internal arrangements of the convent--and, in short, the +whole mode of life among the Capuchins, appeared to me for a long time +exactly as it had done at first. That composure of spirit, which was +universally apparent, failed not by sympathy to pour the balm of peace +into my soul; and I was visited often by delightful inspirations, +especially by faëry dreams, derived from the period of my earliest years +in the Convent of the Holy Lime-Tree. + +I must not omit to mention, that, during the solemn act of my +investiture, I beheld the choir-master's sister. She looked quite sunk +in melancholy, and her eyes evidently shone in tears. But the time of +temptation was now past and gone; and, perhaps, out of a sinful pride +over a triumph too easily won, I could not help smiling, which did not +fail to be remarked by a certain monk, named Cyrillus, who at that +moment stood near me. "What makes you so merry, brother?" said +he.--"When I am renouncing this contemptible world," said I, "and its +vanities, ought I not to rejoice?" + +It was not to be denied, however, that, at the moment when I pronounced +these words, an involuntary feeling of regret vibrated through my inmost +heart, and was at direct variance with what I had said. Yet this was the +last attack of earthly passion, after which composure of spirit +gradually gained complete ascendancy. Oh, had it never departed! But who +may trust to the strength of his armour? Who may rely on his own +courage, if the supernatural and unseen powers of darkness are combined +against him, and for ever on the watch? + + * * * * * + +I had now been five years in the convent, when, according to +arrangements made by the Prior, the care of the reliquiary chamber was +transferred to me from Brother Cyrillus, who was now become old and +infirm. + +In this room (it was an old grotesque Gothic chamber) there were all +sorts of devotional treasures:--bones of the saints, and remnants of +their dress--fragments of the cross, &c. etc.--which were preserved in +costly glass cases, set in silver, and exposed to view only on certain +days, for the edification of the people. When the transfer of duties +took place, Brother Cyrillus fully acquainted me with the character of +each article, and with the documents proving the miracles which the +relics had severally performed. + +In regard to talents and literary acquirements, this monk stood next in +rank to the Prior Leonardus, for which reason I had the less hesitation +in imparting to him freely whatever doubts or difficulties came into my +mind. "Must we, then," said I, "absolutely and truly, look upon every +article in this collection as that for which it is given out? or, +rather, may not avarice and deceit have here foisted in many things as +relics of this or that saint, which in reality are base impostures? As, +for example, what shall we say if one convent, according to its +archives, possesses the whole cross, and yet there are so many fragments +in circulation, that (as a brother of our own once irreverently +observed) they might, if collected together, supply our house for a +whole twelvemonth with fuel?" + +"Truly," said Cyrillus, "it does not become us to subject matters of +this kind to profane inquiry; but, to speak unreservedly, my opinion is, +that very few of the things which are here preserved really are that +which they are given out to be. But in this there seems to be no real or +important objection whatever. If you will take notice, Brother Medardus, +of the doctrine which the Prior and I have always held on these +mysteries, you will, on the contrary, perceive that our religion only +beams forth more and more in renovated lustre. + +"Is it not worthy of admiration, dear Brother, that our Church +endeavours in such manner to catch hold of those mysterious links, which +in this world connect together sensual and spiritual existences--in +other words, so to influence our corporeal frame, that our higher origin +and dependance on the Divinity may be more clearly perceived--that we +may enjoy, too, the anticipation of that spiritual life, of which we +bear the germs within us, and of which a fore-feeling hovers around us, +as if like the fanning of seraph's wings? + +"What is this or that morsel of wood--that crumbling bone, or fragment +of cloth? In themselves they are, of course, worthless; but it is said, +that the one was cut from the real cross, and that the others are from +the body or garment of a saint. Hence, to the believer, who, without +scrutinizing, takes the relic for what it is _said to be_, is directly +supplied a source of supernatural excitement, and the most enviable +associations. Hence, too, is awoke the spiritual influence of that saint +from whom the relic is derived; and he draws consolation and support +from that glorified being, whom, with full confidence and faith, he had +invoked. By this kind of excitement, also, there is no doubt that many +bodily diseases may be overcome, and in this manner, for the most part, +are effected the miracles, which, as they often take place before the +eyes of the assembled people, it is impossible to dispute or deny." + +I recollected immediately many expressions of the Prior which +corresponded exactly with those now used by Cyrillus, and began to look +on these things which I had formerly regarded as mere toys and baubles, +with a degree of respect and devotional veneration. The old monk did not +fail to perceive this effect of his own discourse, and went on, with +increased zeal and energy, to explain, one by one, the remaining +relics. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +At last, Brother Cyrillus had recourse to an old and strangely carved +wooden press, which he carefully unlocked, and out of which he took a +small square box. "Herein, Brother Medardus," said he, "is contained the +most wonderful and mysterious relic of which our convent is possessed. +As long as I have been resident here, no one but the Prior and myself +has had this box in his hands. Even the other brethren (not to speak of +strangers) are unaware of its existence. For my own part, I cannot even +touch this casket without an inward shuddering; for it seems to me as if +there were some malignant spell, or rather, some living demon, locked up +within it, which, were the bonds broken by which this evil principle is +now confined, would bring destruction on all who came within its +accursed range. + +"That which is therein contained is known to have been derived +immediately from the Arch-Fiend, at the time when he was still allowed +_visibly_, and in personal shape, to contend against the weal of +mankind." + +I looked at Brother Cyrillus with the greatest astonishment; but without +leaving me time to answer, he went on. + +"I shall abstain, Brother Medardus, from offering you any opinion of my +own on this mysterious affair, but merely relate to you faithfully what +our documents say upon the subject. You will find the papers in that +press, and can read them afterwards at your leisure. + +"The life of St Anthony is already well known to you. You are aware, +that in order to be completely withdrawn from the distractions of the +world, he went out into the desert, and there devoted himself to the +severest penitential exercises. The Devil, of course, followed him, and +came often in his way, in order to disturb him in his pious +contemplations. + +"One evening it happened accordingly, that St Anthony was returning +home, and had arrived near his cell, when he perceived a dark figure +approaching him rapidly along the heath. As his visitant came nearer, +he observed with surprise, through the holes in a torn mantle worn by +the stranger, the long necks of oddly-shaped bottles, which of course +produced an effect the most extraordinary and grotesque. It was the +Devil, who, in this absurd masquerade, smiled on him ironically, and +inquired if he would not choose to taste of the Elixir which he carried +in these bottles? At this insolence, St Anthony was not even incensed, +but remained perfectly calm; for the Enemy, having now become powerless +and contemptible, was no longer in a condition to venture a real combat, +but must confine himself to scornful words. + +"The Saint, however, inquired for what reason he carried about so many +bottles in that unheard-of manner. + +"'For this very reason,' said the Devil, 'that people may be induced to +ask me the question; for as soon as any mortal meets with me, he looks +on me with astonishment, makes the same inquiry that you have done, and, +in the next place, cannot forbear desiring to taste, and try what sort +of elixirs I am possessed of. Among so many bottles, if he finds one +which suits his taste, and _drinks it out_, and becomes drunk, he is +then irrecoverably mine, and belongs to me and my kingdom for ever.' + +"So far the story is the same in all legends, though some of them add, +that, according to the Devil's confession, if two individuals should +drink out of the same flask, they would henceforth become addicted to +the same crimes, possessing a wonderful reciprocity of thoughts and +feelings, yet mutually and unconsciously acting for the destruction of +each other. By our own manuscripts, it is narrated farther, that when +the Devil went from thence, he left some of his flasks on the ground, +which St Anthony directly took with him into his cave, fearing that they +might fall into the way of accidental travellers, or even deceive some +of his own pupils, who came to visit him in that retirement. By chance, +so we are also told, St Anthony once opened one of these bottles, out of +which there arose directly a strange and stupifying vapour, whereupon +all sorts of hideous apparitions and spectral phantoms from hell had +environed the Saint, in order to terrify and delude him. Above all, too, +there were forms of women, who sought to entice him into shameless +indecencies. These altogether tormented him, until, by constant prayer, +and severe penitential exercises, he had driven them again out of the +field. + +"In this very box there is now deposited a bottle of that kind, saved +from the relics of St Anthony; and the documents thereto relating, are +so precise and complete, that the fact of its having been derived from +the Saint is hardly to be doubted. Besides, I can assure you, Brother +Medardus, that so often as I have chanced to touch this bottle, or even +the box in which it is contained, I have been struck with a mysterious +horror. It seems to me also, as if I smelt a peculiar, odoriferous +vapour, which stuns the senses, and the effects of which do not stop +there, but utterly rob me of composure of spirit afterwards, and +distract my attention from devotional exercises. + +"Whether I do or not believe in this immediate intercourse with the +devil in visible shape, yet, that such distraction proceeds from the +direct influence of some hostile power, there can be no doubt. However, +I overcame this gradually by zealous and unceasing prayer. As for you, +Brother Medardus, whose fervent imagination will colour all things with +a strength beyond that of reality, and who, in consequence of youth, +also will be apt to trust too much to your own power of resistance, I +would earnestly impress on you this advice,--'Never, or at least, for +many years, to open the box; and in order that it may not tempt and +entice you, to put it as much as possible out of your reach and sight.'" + +Hereupon Brother Cyrillus shut up the mysterious Box in the press from +which it had come, and consigned over to me a large bunch of keys, among +which that of the formidable press had its place. The whole story had +made on me a deep impression, and the more that I felt an inward longing +to contemplate the wonderful relic, the more I was resolved to render +this to myself difficult, or even impossible. + +When Cyrillus left me, I looked over once more, one by one, the +treasures thus committed to my charge; I then returned to my cell, and +untied the key of the Devil's press from the bunch to which it belonged, +and hid it deeply among the papers in my writing-desk. + +One temptation, said I to myself, I have already overcome. I have +emancipated myself from the thraldom of Therese. Never more shall the +Devil, by his insidious artifices, gain ascendancy over me! + + * * * * * + +Among the professors in the College, there was one, distinguished as an +extraordinary orator. Every time that he preached, the church was filled +to overflowing. His words, like a stream of lava fire, bore with him the +hearts and souls of his hearers, and kindled in every one the most +fervid and unaffected devotion. + +The inspiration of his discourses animated me, among others, in a +pre-eminent degree; and although I certainly looked on this +extraordinary man as an especial favourite of Heaven, and gifted with no +every-day talents, yet it seemed as if some mighty warning voice spoke +within me, commanding me to rouse from my slumbers,--to go and do +likewise! + +After I had returned from hearing him, I used to preach with great +energy in my own cell, giving myself up to the inspiration of the +moment, till I had succeeded in arresting and embodying my thoughts in +proper words, which I then committed to paper. + +The brother who used to preach in the convent now became obviously +weaker. Wholly destitute of energy, like a half-dried rivulet in summer, +his discourses dragged laboriously and feebly along; and an intolerable +diffuseness of language, resulting from the want of thought, rendered +his discourses so long and tedious, that most of his hearers, as if +lulled by the unceasing clapper of a mill, long before he concluded, +fell asleep, and were only roused after he had pronounced "amen," by the +sound of the anthem and the organ. + +The Prior Leonardus was indeed an admirable orator; but he was at this +time afraid to preach, as, on account of his advanced age, the exertion +fatigued him too much: and except the Prior, there was no one in the +convent who could supply the place of the superannuated brother. + +The Prior one day happened to converse with me on this state of affairs, +which he deplored, as it deprived the monastery of many pious visitors. +I took courage, and told him that I had many times felt an inward call +to the pulpit, and had even written several discourses. + +Accordingly, he desired to see some specimens from my manuscripts, and +was with them so highly pleased, that he earnestly exhorted me, on the +next holiday, to make a trial in public, in which attempt I ran the less +risk of failure, being by nature gifted with an expressive cast of +features, and a deep, sonorous tone of voice. As to the subsidiary +acquirements, of action and of delivery, the Prior promised himself to +instruct me. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The eventful holiday soon arrived. The church was unusually crowded, and +it was not without considerable trepidation that I mounted the pulpit. +At the commencement, I remained timidly faithful to my manuscript; and +Leonardus told me that I had spoken with a faltering voice, which, +however, exactly corresponded with certain plaintive and pathetic +considerations with which I had begun my discourse, and which, +therefore, was interpreted by most of my auditors into a very skilful +example of rhetorical _tact_. + +Soon afterwards, however, it seemed as if my inward mind were gradually +lighted up by the glowing fire of supernatural inspiration. I thought no +more of the manuscript, but gave myself up to the influence of the +moment. I felt how every nerve and fibre was attuned and energized. I +heard my own voice thunder through the vaulted roof. I beheld, as if by +miracle, the halo of divine light shed around my own elevated head and +outstretched arms. By what means I was enabled to preserve connection in +my periods, or to deliver my conceptions with any degree of logical +precision, I know not, for I was carried out of myself. I could not +afterwards have declared whether my discourse had been short or +long--the time past like a dream! With a grand euphonical sentence, in +which I concentrated, as if into one _focus_, all the blessed doctrines +that I had been announcing, I concluded my sermon; of which the effect +was such as had been in the convent wholly unexampled. + +Long after I had ceased to speak, there were heard through the church +the sounds of passionate weeping, exclamations of heartfelt rapture, and +audible prayers. The brethren paid me their tribute of the highest +approbation. Leonardus embraced me, and named me the pride of their +institution! + + * * * * * + +With unexampled rapidity my renown was spread abroad; and henceforward, +on every Sunday or holiday, crowds of the most respectable inhabitants +of the town used to be assembled, even before the doors were opened, +while the church, after all, was found insufficient to hold them. By +this homage, my zeal was proportionably increased. I endeavoured more +and more to give to my periods the proper rounding, and to adorn my +discourses throughout, with all the flowers of eloquence. I succeeded +always more and more in fettering the attention of my audience, until my +fame became such, that the attention paid to me was more like the homage +and veneration due to a saint, than approbation bestowed on any ordinary +mortal. A kind of religious delirium now prevailed through the town. +Even on ordinary week days, and on half-holidays, the inhabitants came +in crowds, merely to see Brother Medardus, and to hear him speak, though +but a few words. + +Thus vanity gradually, by imperceptible, but sure approaches, took +possession of my heart. Almost unconsciously, I began to look upon +myself as the _one elect_,--the pre-eminently _chosen_ of Heaven. Then +the miraculous circumstances attending my birth at the Lime-Tree; my +father's forgiveness of a mortal crime; the visionary adventures of my +childhood;--all seemed to indicate that my lofty spirit, in immediate +commerce with supernatural beings, belonged not properly to earth, but +to Heaven, and was but suffered, for a space, to wander here, for the +benefit and consolation of mortals! It became, according to my own +judgment, quite certain, that the venerable old Pilgrim, together with +the wonderful boy that he had brought with him, had been _supernatural_ +visitants,--that they had descended on earth, for the express purpose of +greeting me as the chosen saint, who was destined for the instruction of +mankind, to sojourn transiently among them. + +But the more vividly all these ideas came before me, the more did my +present situation become oppressive and disagreeable. That unaffected +cheerfulness and inward serenity which had formerly brightened my +existence, was completely banished from my soul. Even all the +good-hearted expressions of the Prior, and friendly behaviour of the +monks, awoke within me only discontent and resentment. By their mode of +conduct, my vanity was bitterly mortified. In me they ought clearly to +have recognised the chosen saint who was above them so highly elevated. +Nay, they should even have prostrated themselves in the dust, and +implored my intercession before the throne of Heaven! + +I considered them, therefore, as beings influenced by the most +deplorable obduracy and refractoriness of spirit. Even in my discourses +I contrived to interweave certain mysterious allusions. I ventured to +assert, that now a wholly new and mighty revolution had begun, as with +the roseate light of morning, to dawn upon the earth, announcing to +pious believers, that one of the specially elect of Heaven had been sent +for a space to wander in sublunary regions. My supposed mission I +continued to clothe in mysterious and obscure imagery, which, indeed, +the less it was understood, seemed the more to work like a charm among +the people. + +Leonardus now became visibly colder in his manner, avoiding to speak +with me, unless before witnesses. At last, one day, when we were left +alone in the great _allée_ of the convent garden, he broke out--"Brother +Medardus, I can no longer conceal from you, that for some time past +your whole behaviour has been such as to excite in me the greatest +displeasure. There has arisen in your mind some adverse and hostile +principle, by which you have become wholly alienated from a life of +pious simplicity. In your discourses, there prevails a dangerous +obscurity; and from this darkness many things appear ready, if you dared +utter them, to start forward, which if plainly spoken, would effectually +separate you and me for ever. To be candid--at this moment you bear +about with you, and betray that unalterable curse of our sinful origin, +by which even every powerful struggle of our spiritual energies is +rendered a means of opening to us the realms of destruction, whereinto +we thoughtless mortals are, alas! too apt to go astray! + +"The approbation, nay, the idolatrous admiration, which has been paid to +you by the capricious multitude, who are always in search of novelty, +has dazzled you, and you behold yourself in an artificial character, +which is not your own, but a deceitful phantom, which will entice you +rapidly into the gulf of perdition. Return, then, into yourself, +Medardus--renounce the delusion which thus besets and overpowers you! I +believe that I thoroughly understand this delusion,--at least, I am +well aware of its effects. Already have you lost utterly that calmness +and complacence of spirit, without which there is, on this earth, no +hope of real improvement. Take warning, then, in time! Resist the fiend +who besets you! Be once more that good-humoured and open-hearted youth +whom with my whole soul I loved!" + +Tears involuntarily flowed from the eyes of the good Prior while he +spoke thus. He had taken my hand, but now letting it fall, he departed +quickly without waiting for any answer. + +His words had indeed penetrated my heart; but, alas! the impressions +that they had left were only those of anger, distrust, and resentment. +He had spoken of the approbation, nay, the admiration and respect, which +I had obtained by my wonderful talents; and it became but too obvious +that only pitiful envy had been the real source of that displeasure, +which he so candidly expressed towards me. + +Silent, and wrapt up within myself, I remained at the next meeting of +the brethren, a prey to devouring indignation. Still buoyed up and +excited by the wild inspirations which had risen up within me, I +continued through whole days and long sleepless nights my laborious +contrivances how I might best commit to paper (without a too candid +avowal of my self-idolatry) the glorious ideas that crowded on my mind. + +Meanwhile, the more that I became estranged from Leonardus and the +monks, the better I succeeded in attracting the homage of the people; +and my discourses never failed to rivet their attention. + +On St Anthony's day this year, it happened that the church was more than +ever thronged--in such manner, that the vestry-men were obliged to keep +the doors open, in order that those who could not get in might at least +hear me from without. Never had I spoken more ardently, more +impressively,--in a word, with more _onction_. I had related, as usual, +many wonderful anecdotes from the lives of the saints, and had +demonstrated in what degree their examples, though not imitable in their +fullest extent, might yet be advantageously applied in real life. I +spoke, too, of the manifold arts of the Devil, to whom the fall of our +first parents had given the power of seducing mankind; and +involuntarily, before I was aware, the stream of eloquence led me away +into the legend of the Elixir, which I wished to represent as an +ingenious allegory. + +Then suddenly, my looks, in wandering through the church, fell upon a +tall haggard figure, who had mounted upon a bench, and stood in a +direction nearly opposite to me, leaning against a pillar. He was in a +strange foreign garb, with a dark violet-coloured mantle, of which the +folds were twined round his crossed arms. His countenance was deadly +pale; but there was an unearthly glare in his large black staring eyes, +which struck into my very heart. I trembled involuntarily--a mysterious +horror pervaded my whole frame. I turned away my looks, however, and, +summoning up my utmost courage, forced myself to continue my discourse. +But, as if constrained by some inexplicable spell of an enchanter--as if +fascinated by the basilisk's eyes--I was always obliged to look back +again, where the man stood as before, changeless and motionless, with +his large spectral eyes glaring upon me. + +On his high wrinkled forehead, and in the lineaments of his down-drawn +mouth, there was an expression of bitter scorn, of disdain mixed almost +with hatred. His whole figure presented something indescribably and +supernaturally horrid, such as belonged not to this life. The whole +truth now came on my remembrance. It was, it could be no other, than the +unknown miraculous painter from the Lime-Tree, whose form, beheld in +infancy, had never wholly vanished from my mind, and who now haunted me +like the visible impersonification of that hereditary guilt by which my +life was overshadowed. + +I felt as if seized on and grappled with by ice-cold talons: My periods +faltered;--my whole discourse became always more and more confused. +There arose a whispering and murmuring in the church;--but the stranger +remained utterly unmoved; and the fixed regard of his eyes never for a +moment relented. At last, in the full paroxysm--the climax of terror and +despair--I screamed aloud--"Thou revenant!--Thou accursed +sorcerer!--Away with thee from hence!--Begone! for I myself am he!--I am +the blessed St Anthony!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +From that moment, I remember nothing more, until, on recovering from the +state of utter unconsciousness into which I fell with these words, I +found myself in my cell, on my couch, and carefully watched by Cyrillus. +The frightful vision of the unknown stood yet vividly before mine eyes. +Cyrillus, however, laboured to convince me, that this had been but an +illusory phantom of my own brain--heated by the zeal and ardour of my +discourse. + +But the more that he exerted himself for this purpose, the more deeply +did I feel shame and repentance at my own behaviour in the pulpit--As to +the audience, they, as I afterwards understood, concluded that a sudden +madness had seized upon me; for which notion, my last exclamation had, +no doubt, afforded them abundant reason. + +I was in spirit utterly crushed and annihilated. Shut up like a +prisoner in my cell, I subjected myself to the severest penitential +inflictions; and strengthened myself by zealous prayer for contention +with the adversary, who had appeared to me, even on consecrated ground, +and only in malice and mockery had put on the features and garb of the +miraculous painter of the Lime-Tree. + +No one but myself would acknowledge that he had seen the man in the +violet-coloured mantle; and, with his usual kindness, the Prior +Leonardus, very zealously spread a report, that my conduct had arisen +merely from the first attack of a severe nervous fever, by which I had +been so frightfully borne away in my discourse, and confused in my +ideas. Indeed, without any pretence, I was, for a long time, extremely +ill, and this too for several weeks after I had again resumed the +ordinary conventual mode of life. + +However, I at last undertook once more to mount the pulpit;--but, +tormented by my own inward agitation, and still haunted by the restless +remembrance of that horrid pale spectre, I was scarcely able to speak +connectedly, much less to give myself up as before to the spontaneous +fire of eloquence. My sermons, on the contrary, were now stiff, +constrained, and laboriously patched up from disjointed fragments. The +audience bewailed the loss of my rhetorical powers,--gradually gave up +their attendance,--and the superannuated brother who had formerly +preached, and who was now much superior to me, again took his place; so +that I was utterly superseded. + + * * * * * + +After some time lost in this manner, it happened, that a certain young +Count, then on his travels, (under a feigned name,) with his tutor, came +to the monastery, and desired to see whatever we had to boast of that +was rare and curious. I was accordingly obliged to open the reliquary +chamber,--the gleam of a fine sunset shone upon the strange furniture of +this ghastly old room, and the visitors, with an ironical smile on their +features, marched in. To my vexation, I was left with them alone; for +the Prior, who had till now been with us, was called away to attend a +sick person in the town of Königswald. + + * * * * * + +Gradually I had got through all that I intended to shew, and had +minutely described every article, when, by chance, the Count's eye fell +upon the curious old cabinet, adorned with grotesque carvings, in which +was deposited the box with the Devil's Elixir. + +Though for some time I dexterously evaded their questions, yet, at last, +the Count and his tutor, joining together, urged me so far, that I could +not avoid telling them, at once, the legends relating to the contents of +this cabinet. In short, I repeated to them the whole story of St Anthony +and the devil, nor (unluckily) did I leave out the warning which brother +Cyrillus had given me, as to the danger of opening the box, or even the +cabinet. Notwithstanding that the Count was of the Catholic religion, +both he and his tutor seemed to have little or no faith in sacred +legends. They both indulged in an exuberance of odd fancies and witty +remarks on this comical devil, who had carried about bottles under his +ragged mantle. At last, the tutor thought proper to assume a serious +demeanour, and spoke as follows:-- + +"Do not, reverend sir, be offended with the levity of us men of the +world. Be assured, on the contrary, that we both honour the Saints, and +look on them as the most admirable examples of mortals inspired by +religion, who, for the salvation of their souls, and edification of +mankind, sacrificed all the enjoyments of life, and even life itself. +But as to legends and stories such as you have just now related, in my +opinion, these are, though not always, yet in many instances, (of which +this is one,) only ingenious allegories, which, by misconception, are +absurdly supposed to be histories of events that took place in real +life." + +With these words, the tutor had suddenly drawn aside the sliding cover +of the box, and taken out the black strangely-formed bottle. Now, +indeed, as brother Cyrillus had remarked to me, there spread itself +abroad a strong odour, which appeared, however, anything rather than +stupifying. It was, in a high degree, agreeable, generous, and +refreshing. + +"Hah!" exclaimed the Count, "now would I take any bet, that the Devil's +Elixir is neither more nor less, than excellent old wine of Syracuse!" + +"Unquestionably," said the tutor; "and if the bottle really came from +the posthumous property of St Anthony, then, brother, you are more +fortunate than the King of Naples, who, on one occasion, expected to be +able to taste real old Roman wine; but, from the bad custom among the +Romans, of pouring oil into the necks of their bottles instead of using +corks, was debarred that gratification. + +"Though this bottle," continued he, "is by no means so old as the +Augustan age, yet, having been St Anthony's, it is certainly by far the +most ancient that we are likely to meet with; and, therefore, reverend +sir, you would, in my opinion, do well to apply the relic to your own +use, and to sip up its contents with good faith and courage." + +"Undoubtedly," resumed the Count, "this old Syracusan wine would pour +new strength into your veins, and put to flight that bodily +indisposition under which, reverend sir, you now seem to labour." + +Hereupon the tutor pulled a cork-screw from his pocket, and, +notwithstanding all my protestations to the contrary, opened the bottle. +It seemed to me, as if, upon drawing the cork, a blue flame ascended +into the air, which directly afterwards vanished. More powerfully then, +the vaporous odour mounted out of the flask, and spread itself through +the chamber! + +The tutor tasted in the first place, and cried out with +rapture--"Admirable, admirable Syracusan! In truth, the wine cellar of +St Anthony was by no means a bad one; and if the devil really was his +butler, then certainly he had no such evil intentions towards the Saint +as people commonly suppose!--Now, my Lord Count, taste the wine!" + +The Count did so, and confirmed what the tutor had said. Indeed he took +a long draught, instead of a taste, from the bottle. They renewed their +witticisms and merriment over the relic, which, according to them, was +decidedly the finest in all the collection. They wished heartily, that +they could have a whole cellar of such rarities, etc. etc. + +I heard all this in silence, with my head sunk down, and with eyes fixed +on the ground. The _badinage_ of the strangers was to me, in my present +mood of mind, abhorrent and tormenting. In vain did they urge me to +taste the wine of St Anthony! I resolutely refused, and at last was +allowed to shut up the bottle, well corked, into its proper receptacle. + +Thus, then, I had _for once_ triumphed and escaped. The strangers, +indeed, would have endeavoured to prove, that this trial of the wine was +but a venial transgression; but even of _venial_ transgressions, I had +at that time a proper abhorrence, knowing that they formed the sure and +ample foundation for mortal sins. + +The strangers left the monastery. But, as I sat alone in my cell, I +could not disguise from myself, or deny, that I felt a certain +cheerfulness of mind, and exhilaration of spirit. It was obvious that +the powerful and spirituous odour of the wine had revived me. No trace +or symptom of the bad effects of which Cyrillus had spoken did I +experience. On the contrary, an influence the most opposite became +decidedly manifest. + + * * * * * + +The more that I now meditated on the legend of St. Anthony, and the more +livelily that I called to mind the words of the tutor, the more certain +did it appear to me, that the explanations of the latter were correct +and well-founded. Then, first, with the rapidity and vehemence of +lightning, the thought rushed through me, that on that unhappy day, when +the horrible vision broke the thread of my discourse, I too had been on +the point of interpreting the legend of St Anthony in the same manner as +an ingenious allegory. With this thought another soon was united, which +filled my mind so completely, that every other consideration almost +faded away. + +"How," said I to myself, "if this extraordinary and odoriferous drink +actually possessed the secret efficacy of restoring thy strength, and +rekindling that intellectual fire which has been so frightfully +extinguished? What, if already some mysterious relationship of thy +spirit, with the mystical powers contained in that bottle, has been +plainly indicated, and even proved, if it were no more than by +this,--that the very same odour which stunned and distracted the weakly +Cyrillus, has, on thee, only produced the most beneficial effects?" + + * * * * * + +When already I had at various times even resolved to follow the counsel +of the strangers, and was in the act of walking through the church +towards the reliquary room, I perceived an inward, and, to myself, +inexplicable resistance, which held me back. Nay, once, when on the very +point of unlocking the cabinet, it seemed to me as if I beheld in the +powerful _alto relievo_ of the antique carvings on the pannel, the +horrible countenance of the painter, with his fixed glaring eyes, of +which the intolerable expression still penetrated through my heart, and +vehemently seized by a supernatural horror, I fled from the room, in +order to prostrate myself at one of the altars in the church, and repent +of my temerity! + +But, notwithstanding all my endeavours, the same thought continued to +persecute me, that only by participation in that miraculous wine could +my now sunk spirit be refreshed and restored. The behaviour of the Prior +and the monks, who treated me with the most mortifying, however well +intended, kindness, as a person disordered in intellect, brought me to +absolute despair; and as Leonardus granted me a dispensation from the +usual devotional exercises, in order that I might completely recover my +strength, I had more time for reflection. In the course of one long +sleepless night, persecuted and tortured by my inward sense of +degradation, I resolved that I would venture all things, even to death, +and the eternal destruction of my soul, in order to regain the station +that I had lost. I was, in short, determined to obtain my former powers +of mind, or to perish in the attempt. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +I rose from bed, and glided like a ghost through the great aisle of the +church towards the reliquary chamber. I had my lamp with me, which I +lighted at the altar of the Virgin. Illuminated by the glimmering +radiance, the sacred portraits of the Saints seemed to move and start +into life. Methought they looked down upon me with an aspect of +compassion. In the hollow murmurs of the night wind, which poured in +through the high and partly broken windows of the choir, I heard +melancholy warning voices. Among others, I distinguished that of my +mother. Though from a far distance, these words were clearly +audible:--"Medardus! Son Medardus! What wouldst thou do?--Renounce, oh! +renounce, ere it is too late, this fearful undertaking!" + +I disregarded them all, however: for my courage was wound up by despair. +As I came into the ghastly old chamber of relics, all was silent and +tranquil. I walked with rapid and resolved steps across the floor, so +that my lamp was almost extinguished. I unlocked the cabinet--I seized +the box--opened it--beheld the bottle--drew the cork--and in an instant +had swallowed a deep and powerful draught! + +It seemed immediately as if fire streamed through my veins, and filled +me with a sensation of indescribable delight! I drank once more, (but +sparingly,) and the raptures of a new and glorious life began at once to +dawn on my perception. In haste, as if from dread of being overlooked, I +locked up the empty box into the cabinet, and rapidly fled with the +inestimable treasure into my cell, where I placed it carefully in my +secretaire. + +At that moment, while turning over my papers, the identical small key +fell into my hands, which formerly, in order to escape from temptation, +I had separated from the rest; and yet, notwithstanding my precaution, I +had found, both on this occasion, and at the time when the strangers +were with me, the means of unlocking the cabinet! I examined my bunch of +keys, and found among them one strangely shaped and unknown, with which +I had now, and without, in my distraction, remarking it, made my way to +the relic. + +Hereupon I shuddered involuntarily; but my terror soon wore away. As if +on the transparent medium of a _phantasmagorie_, one bright and smiling +image chased another before the mind's eye--before that mind, which now, +for the first time, seemed to be awoke from deep sleep; yet the visions +of my youth awoke not--I thought not of the past; but, under the +feverish excitement of newly acquired energy, dwelt only (if thought +could be said to dwell where all was restless confusion) on the +brilliant prospects which awaited me for _the future_. It was ambition +that possessed me. I should have once more the power of obtaining that +noblest of earthly supremacies, an empire over the minds of others! + +I had no sleep nor rest through the night, but eagerly waited till the +brightness of the next morning beamed through the high window into my +cell, when I hastened down into the monastery gardens to bask in the +warm splendour of the rising sun, which now ascended fieryly, and +glowing red from behind the mountains. + +Leonardus and the brethren directly remarked the change which had taken +place in my outward appearance and behaviour. Instead of being, as +formerly, reserved and wrapt up within myself, without uttering a word, +I was now become once more lively and cheerful, and spoke again in the +same tone with which I used to address the assembled multitudes, and +with the fervid eloquence which used to be peculiarly my own. + +On being at last left alone with Leonardus, he looked stedfastly at me +for a long space, as if he would read my inmost thoughts. Then, while a +slight ironical smile coursed over his features, he said only, "Brother +Medardus has had some new vision perhaps--has drawn fresh energy and new +life from supernatural revelations?" + +The irony with which the virtuous, the prudent, and immaculate, treat a +fallen brother, is seldom beneficial in its influence; seldom indeed is +it really consistent with virtue. It commonly proceeds either from +selfish coldness of heart, (this utter antithesis of christian charity,) +or from that sort of worldly knowledge, which consists in believing that +no one is to be trusted. Hanging down my head, and with eyes fixed on +the ground, I stood without uttering a word, and as for Leonardus, he +departed and left me to my own contemplations. + +I had already been but too much afraid that the state of excitement +produced by wine could not possibly continue long, but, on the contrary, +might, to my utter grief and discomfiture, draw after it a state of yet +more miserable weakness than that which I had already experienced. It +was not so, however; with the perfect recovery of my health, I +experienced a degree even of long-lost youthful courage. I felt once +more that restless and vehement striving after the highest and most +extended sphere of action, which the convent could allow to me. +Accordingly, I insisted on being allowed to preach again on the next +holiday, which after some consideration was granted to me. + +Shortly before mounting the pulpit, I allowed myself another draught of +the miraculous wine. The effects were even beyond my most sanguine +expectations. Never had I spoken more ardently, impressively, or with +greater _onction_, than on this day. My audience, as before, were +confounded, and the rumour of my complete recovery was with +inconceivable rapidity spread abroad. + +Henceforward the church was regularly crowded, as on the first weeks of +my former celebrity; but the more that I gained the applause of the +people, the more serious and reserved did Leonardus appear, so that I +began at last with my whole soul to hate him. My object, in acquiring an +ascendancy over the multitude, was now fully attained; but in all other +respects, my mind was disappointed, disquieted, and gloomy. In the +friendship of my brethren I had lost all confidence. As for Leonardus, I +believed that he was wholly actuated by selfish pride, and mean-spirited +envy. + + * * * * * + +The grand festival of St Bernard drew near, and I burned with impatience +to let my light shine in its fullest lustre before the Lady Abbess; on +which account, I begged the Prior to form his arrangements in such a +manner, that I might be appointed on that day to preach in the +Cistertian Convent. Leonardus seemed greatly surprised by my request. He +confessed to me, without hesitation, that he himself had intended to +preach in the Cistertian Monastery; and had already fixed his plans +accordingly. "However," added he, "it will no doubt be on this account +the more easy for me to comply with your request; as I can excuse +myself, on the plea of illness, and appoint you to attend in my place." + +I attempted no apology for the indelicacy of such conduct; for my mind +was possessed wholly by one object. The Prior changed his arrangements +in the manner he had promised. I went to Kreuzberg, and saw my mother +and the Princess on the evening preceding the ceremony. My thoughts, +however, were so much taken up with the discourse that I was to deliver, +of which the eloquence was to reach the very climax of excellence, that +the meeting with them again made but a very trifling impression upon me. + +I was at the old farm-house, too, in which my early days had passed away +like a dream. I walked again through the neglected garden, where the +trees were now in their fullest luxuriance. I stood upon the moss-grown +terrace, mounted upon the tottering _altan_,[1] on the top of the old +tower, at one end, the better to behold the features of the landscape. +Thence I saw the wanderings of the Saale gleaming amid the pine-tree +forests; the towers of Kreuzberg and Heidebach on the north, and the +Thuringian mountains, with the spires of Königswald, in the distance +towards the south. The sunbeams played and shifted over the +landscape;--the summer winds breathed fragrance, wafting to my ears the +choral anthems from the Monastery, and from the assembled pilgrims. The +scenes and their influences were the same, but I saw them with unheeding +eyes. I felt them not; the days of innocence were already past, and my +heart was agitated with earthly passions. + +[Footnote 1: Balcony or Platform.] + +I felt no reproaching pangs of conscience, however, no sadness, nor +regret; I pursued my ONE and _only_ object, elated with the certainty of +success. + + * * * * * + +The report had been duly spread through the town, that I was to preach, +instead of the invalid Leonardus; and, therefore, an audience, perhaps +greater than on any former occasion, was drawn together. Without having +written a single note, and merely arranging mentally into parts the +discourse which I was about to deliver, I mounted the pulpit, trusting +only to that inspiration which the solemnity of the occasion, the +multitude of devout listeners, and the lofty-vaulted church, would of +necessity excite in my peculiarly constituted mind. + +In this, indeed, I had not been mistaken. Like a fiery lava stream, the +torrent of my eloquence flowed irresistibly onward. With many real +anecdotes out of the life of St Bernard, I interwove ingenious pictures +from my own invention, and the most pious applications of his glorious +examples to the conduct of ordinary mortals, till in the looks of all, +which were universally directed towards me, I read only astonishment and +admiration. Thus my triumph was complete, and methought the trophy would +be more brilliant than any that I had before won. + + * * * * * + +How anxiously were wound up my anticipations as to the reception which I +was to receive from the Princess! How confidently, indeed, did I look +for the highest and most unqualified expression of her delight! Nay, it +seemed to me, as if she, in her turn, must now pay the homage of +respect and deference to that individual, whom, but a few years before, +she had filled with awe and unlimited veneration. + +But in these hopes I was miserably disappointed. Having desired an +interview, I received from her a message, that being attacked by sudden +illness, she could not speak with any one. This notice was so much the +more vexatious, since, according to my proud anticipations, illness +should have only inclined her the more to receive consolation and +spiritual aid from a being so nobly gifted and so highly inspired. + +As to my mother, she seemed oppressed, and weighed down by a secret and +overpowering grief, as to the cause of which, I did not venture to +inquire, because the silent admonitions of my own conscience almost +convinced me, that I myself had brought this distress upon her; although +the particular means by which it had been produced, I was unable to +define. She gave me a small billet from the Princess, of which, till my +return to the Capuchin Monastery, I was not to break the seal. + +For the rest of the day, (which was, as usual, spent in feasting and +mirth,) I could think of nothing else, and scarcely was I arrived at +home and in my cell, when with the utmost impatience I broke the seal, +and read what follows: + + "My dear son, (for still must I address you in this manner, the + slightest variation of expression is like an external farewell + to those whom we love,) by your discourse of to-day, you have + thrown me into the deepest affliction. No longer has your + eloquence been that of a heart whose affections are turned + towards Heaven. Your inspiration was not that which bears the + pious soul as if on seraph's wings aloft, so that it is + enabled, in holy rapture and by anticipation, to behold the + kingdoms of the blest. Alas! the pompous adornments of your + discourse,--your visible effort, only to utter that which might + be striking and brilliant, have sufficiently proved to me, that + instead of labouring to instruct the community, and to stir up + among them pious affections, you have striven only to acquire + the approbation and wonder of the light and worldly-minded + multitude. You have hypocritically counterfeited feelings which + have no real existence in your heart. Nay, like a profane actor + on the stage, you have practised gestures and a studied mien, + all for the sake of the same base meed of wonder and applause. + The demon of deceit has taken possession of you, and, if you do + not return into yourself, and renounce the sins by which you + are beset, will soon bring you to destruction. + + "For, sinful, very sinful, are your present actions and + conduct; in so much the more, as, by your vows, you are bound + to renounce the world and its vanities. May the blessed St + Bernard, whom to-day you have so shamefully offended, according + to his celestial patience and long sufferance, forgive you, and + enlighten your mind, so that you may recover the right path, + from which, by stratagems of the devil, you have been thus + distracted; and may he intercede for the salvation of your + soul!--Farewell!" + +As if I had been pierced by an hundred fiery daggers, these words of the +Princess struck to my very heart; and, instead of receiving such +admonitions gratefully, as a trial of patience and obedience, I burned +with rage and resentment. Nothing appeared to me more unequivocal, than +that the Prior had taken advantage of the overstrained piety (or +methodism) of the Abbess, and sedulously prejudiced her against me. +Henceforth I could scarcely bear to look upon him without trembling with +indignation. Nay, there often came into my mind thoughts of _revenge_, +at which I myself could not help shuddering. + +The reproaches of the Abbess and the Prior were to me, on this account, +only the more intolerable, that I was obliged, from the very bottom of +my soul, to acknowledge their validity and truth. Yet always more and +more firmly persisting in my course, and strengthening myself from time +to time, with a few drops of the mysterious wine, I went on adorning my +sermons with all the arts of rhetoric, and studying theatric gestures +and gesticulations. Thus I secured always more and more the meed of +applause and admiration. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +The beams of the morning sun broke in roseate deep lustre through the +painted windows of the church. Alone, and lost in deep thought, I sat in +the confessional. Only the steps of the officiating lay brother, whose +duty it was to sweep the church, sounded through the vaulted roof. I did +not expect any visitors at such an hour; but suddenly I heard near me a +rustling sound; and, behold! there came a tall, slender, but exquisitely +proportioned, figure of a young woman, in a foreign dress, with a long +veil over her face, who must have entered at one of the private doors, +and was approaching me as if for confession. In her movements was +indescribable grace--she drew nearer--she entered the confessional, and +kneeled down. Deep sighs, as if involuntarily, were heaved from her +bosom. It seemed as if, even before she spoke, some irresistible spell +of enchantment pervaded the atmosphere, and overpowered me with +emotions, such as, till now, I had never experienced. + +How can I describe the tone of her voice, which was wholly new and +peculiar; but which penetrated even into my inmost heart! She began her +confession. Every word that she uttered rivetted more and more my +attention, and ruled, like a supernatural charm, over my feelings. She +confessed, in the first place, that she cherished a forbidden love, with +which she had long struggled in vain; and this love was so much the more +sinful, because holy vows for ever fettered the object of her affection. +Yet, in this hopeless delirium of her despair, she had many times cursed +the bonds, however sacred, which held them thus asunder.--She here +faltered--paused--then, with a torrent of tears, which almost stifled +her utterance, added, "Thou thyself, Medardus, art the consecrated being +whom I so unspeakably love!" + +As if in deadly convulsions, all my nerves irresistibly vibrated. I was +out of myself. An impulse, till now never known, almost raged in my +bosom. A passionate desire to behold her features--to press her to my +heart--to perish at once in delight and despair--wholly took possession +of me! A moment of pleasure to be purchased by an eternity of pain! She +was now silent; but I heard still the deep heaving of her breath. In a +kind of wild despair, I violently summoned up all my strength. In what +words I answered her, I cannot now remember, nor durst I look on her as +she departed; but I perceived that she silently rose up, and retired; +while, with the cloth curtains firmly pressed upon my eyelids, I +remained fixed, motionless, and almost unconscious, in the confessional. + + * * * * * + +By good chance, no one else came into the church, and I had an +opportunity, therefore, to escape quietly into my cell. How completely +different all things now appeared to me! How foolish--how insipid all my +former endeavours! I had not seen the countenance of the unknown; and +yet, by the force of my own imagination, her image lived within my +heart. She looked on me with her mild blue eyes, in which tears were +glistening, and from which glances fell into my soul like consuming +fire, which no prayer and no penitential exercises any more could +extinguish. Such penitence, indeed, I did not spare; but, on the +contrary, chastised myself with the knotted cords of our order, till +blood streamed from my mangled flesh, that I might, if possible, escape +from that eternal destruction by which I was now threatened. + + * * * * * + +There was an altar in our church dedicated to St Rosalia; and her +picture, admirably painted, was hung over it, representing the Saint at +the moment when she suffered martyrdom. In this picture, which had never +particularly struck me before, I now at once recognised the likeness of +my beloved! Even her dress exactly resembled the foreign habit of the +unknown! + +Here, therefore, like a victim of the most horrible insanity, I used to +lie, for hours together, prostrate upon the steps of the altar, uttering +hideous groans, and even howling in despair, so that the monks were +terrified, and fled from me in dismay. + +In more tranquil moments, I used to walk hurriedly up and down the +convent garden. I beheld her well-known from wandering through the misty +fragrant regions of the distant landscape. I saw her emerging from the +thickets of the dense wood, rising like a naiad from the +fountains--hovering, like some goddess of the olden time, over the +flowery meadows. Everywhere I beheld her, and lived but for her alone. +Then I cursed my vows, and my now miserable existence. I resolved to go +forth into the world, and not to rest until I had discovered her, and +purchased happiness, though at the expense of my soul's eternal weal! + +At last, however, I succeeded so far, that I could, at least in presence +of the Prior and the monks, moderate the ebullitions of my (to them) +unaccountable delirium. I could appear more tranquil; yet, by this +means, my inward agitations were only the more wasting and destructive. +No slumber, no rest by night or by day! Incessantly persecuted and +tormented by one and the same phantom, I passed, especially the night, +always in intolerable conflicts. I called, severally, on all the +Saints; but not to rescue me from the seductive image by which I was +beset--not to save my soul from eternal misery--No! but to bestow on me +the object of my affections--to annihilate my vows, and to give me +freedom, that I might, without _double_ guilt, fall into the abyss of +sin. + + * * * * * + +At last, I had firmly resolved, that I would make an end of my torments, +by a sudden flight from the convent. For, by some strange hallucination, +nothing more than freedom from my monastic engagements seemed to me +necessary to bring the unknown within my arms, and to put an end to the +passions by which I was tormented. + +I resolved that, having disguised my appearance sufficiently by cutting +off my long beard, and assuming a lay dress, I would linger and wander +about in the town till I had found her. I never once took into +consideration how difficult, nay, how impossible, this would prove, or +that, perhaps, having no money, I would not be able to live for a single +day beyond the walls of the monastery. + + * * * * * + +The last day that I intended to spend among the capuchins had now +arrived. By a lucky chance, I had been able to obtain a genteel dress, +like that of an ordinary citizen. On the following night, I was resolved +to leave the convent, never more to return. + + * * * * * + +Evening had already closed in, when, suddenly, I received from the Prior +a summons to attend him. I trembled involuntarily at the message; for +nothing appeared to me more certain, than that he had discovered more or +less of my secret plans. + +Leonardus received me with unusual gravity--nay, with an imposing +dignity of demeanour, by which I was quite overawed. + +"Brother Medardus," he began, "your unreasonable behaviour, which I look +upon only as the too powerful ebullition of mental excitement, (but +which excitement you have for a long time, perhaps not with the purest +intentions, sought to foster,)--this behaviour, I say, has utterly +disturbed our community, and torn asunder those peaceful bands by which +the society was here united. Such conduct operates in the most +destructive manner against that cheerfulness and good humour which, till +now, I had successfully striven to establish among the monks, as the +surest proof and demonstration of a consistent and pious life. + +"Perhaps, however, some peculiar and unfortunate event during your +sojourn among us bears the blame of all this. You should, however, have +sought consolation from me, as from a friend and father, to whom you +might confide all things; but you have been silent, and I am the less +inclined now to trouble you with questions, as the possession of such a +secret might, in a great measure, deprive me of that mental freedom and +tranquillity, which, at my years, I prize above all earthly treasures. + +"You have many times, and especially at the altar of St Rosalia, by +horrible and extraordinary expressions, which seemed to escape from you +in the unconsciousness of delirium, given great scandal, not only to the +brethren, but to strangers who happened to be visiting among us. +Therefore, according to the laws of the monastery, I could punish you +severely; but I shall not do so, since, perhaps, some evil influence, +some demon, or, in short, the Arch-fiend himself, against whom you have +not sufficiently striven, is the direct cause of your errors; and I +shall only give you up to the guidance of your own conscience, with the +injunction to be ardent and faithful in penitence and prayer.--Medardus, +I can read deep into thy soul!--Thou wishest for freedom, and to be +abroad in the world." + +Leonardus fixed on me his most penetrating glances, which I was quite +unable to encounter; but, on the contrary, felt myself wholly +overpowered, and, conscious of my own wicked designs, remained silent. + +"I understand you," said Leonardus, "and believe, indeed, that this +world, if you walk through it piously, may contribute more to your +welfare than the lonely life in our convent. An occurrence, involving +the best interests of our order, renders it necessary to send one of the +brethren to Rome--I have chosen you for this purpose; and, even +to-morrow, you may be provided with the necessary powers and +instructions, and set forward on your journey. You are so much the +better qualified for this expedition, being still young and active, +clever in business, and a perfect master of the Italian language. + +"Betake yourself now to your cell--pray with fervour for the welfare of +your soul. I shall meanwhile offer up my prayers for you; but leave out +all corporeal chastisement, which would only weaken you, and render you +unfit for the journey. At day-break, I shall await you in my chamber." + +Like a gleam from Heaven, these words of Leonardus fell upon the +darkness of my soul. Instead of the hatred which I had been cherishing, +the attachment which I had before felt towards him regained its full +sway. I even burst into tears; for it appeared to me as if he indeed +read my most secret thoughts, and bestowed on me the free liberty of +giving myself up to that imperious destiny, which, perhaps, after +granting a few moments of delusive pleasure, might precipitate me into +an abyss of irremediable destruction. + +Flight and secrecy were now become wholly needless. I could openly leave +the convent, and freely give myself up to my own plans of following that +being, without whom there could be for me no happiness upon earth, and +whom I was resolved, at all rides, to discover. + +The journey to Rome, and the commissions with which I was to be charged, +appeared to me only inventions of Leonardus, in order that I might, in a +becoming manner, quit the monastery. + +I passed the night, according to his injunctions, in prayer and in +preparation for the journey. The rest of the miraculous wine I put into +a basket-bottle, in order to guard it as a precious cordial, and +afterwards, going to the relic room, deposited the empty flask in the +cabinet. + +It was not without astonishment that when, on the following day, I +waited on the Prior, I perceived, from his diffuse and serious +instructions, that there was a real cause for my being sent to Rome, and +that the dispatches to which he had alluded were of considerable weight +and importance. The reflection, therefore, fell heavily on my +conscience, that, after receiving these credentials, I should yet be +determined, from the moment that I left the convent, to give myself +wholly up to my own impulses, without the slightest regard to any duty +whatever. The thoughts, however, of _her_--the mistress of my +soul--failed not to encourage me again, and I resolved to remain +faithful to my own plans. The brethren soon after assembled together; +and my leave-taking of them, and especially of the Prior Leonardus, +filled me with the deepest melancholy. At last, the convent gates closed +behind me, and I was equipped for my journey into a far distant land. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +I had walked for nearly an hour, and had now come to a rising ground. I +looked back to have a last prospect of the convent and the town, whose +well-known outlines were already become obscured by distance, and by the +white masses of vapour that yet lingered in the valley. But on the +eminence to which I had arrived, the fresh morning breezes awoke, and +played coolly on my brows. Methought I heard music in the air. It was +the pious hymns of the monks that were yet borne up towards me, as if to +express once more their parting blessing and long farewell. +Involuntarily I joined in the anthem, and lingered on the spot, +unwilling to break a train of intricate associations, which it would +require volumes to analyse and develope. + +But now the sun rose in full glory over the towers of Königswald. The +glossy foliage of the trees, already tinged by the first hues of +autumn, shone in his dazzling golden light. There was pleasure even in +the rustling sound of the dew-drops that fell like showers of diamonds, +amid the myriads of insects that danced hummingly through the stilly air +of the sheltering thickets. The birds, too, were awake, and fluttered, +singing and rejoicing in amorous play, through the woods. To crown all, +it was a holiday, and there came a religious procession of peasant lads +and girls, in their best attire, up the hill side. + +Never had I before enjoyed such a mood of mind. I seemed to myself +wholly metamorphosed; and as if inspired by some newly awoke energies, I +strode rapidly down the opposite side of the hill. + +To the first _bauer_ whom I happened to meet, I put the question, +whether he knew the place where, according to the route that had been +given to me, I was first to pass the night; and he described to me very +accurately a footpath leading off from the high road, and winding +through the mountains, by which I should reach more rapidly than by any +other course, the place of my destination. + +I had parted with the _Bauer_, and had walked on for a considerable +space in complete solitude, when, for the first time since my setting +out, the thoughts occurred to me of the unknown beauty, and my +fantastical plan of going in search of her. But, as if by some new and +supernatural influence, her image had now vanished almost quite away; so +that it was with difficulty I could trace the pale disfigured +lineaments. The more that I laboured to retain this apparition firmly in +my remembrance, the more fallaciously it melted, as if into vapour, from +my sight; only my extravagant behaviour in the convent, after that +mysterious adventure, remained fresh in my recollection. It was now even +to myself inconceivable with what patience the Prior had borne with all +this; and how, instead of inflicting the punishment I so justly +deserved, he had sent me forth into the world. + +I soon became convinced, that the visit of the unknown beauty had been +nothing more nor less than a vision, the consequence of too stedfast +application. Instead of imputing this, as I would formerly have done, to +any direct interference of the devil, I ascribed it to the natural +deception of my own disordered senses. Nay, the circumstance of the +stranger being dressed exactly like St Rosalia, seemed to prove, that +the animated and excellent picture of that saint, which, in an oblique +direction, I could behold from the confessional, had a great share in +producing my delusion. + +Deeply did I admire the wisdom of the Prior, who had chosen the only +proper means for my recovery; for, shut up within the convent walls, +always brooding over my own gloomy thoughts, and surrounded ever by the +same objects, I must irretrievably have fallen into utter madness. +Becoming always more reconciled to the rational conclusion, that I had +but dreamed, I could scarcely help laughing at myself; nay, with a +levity which before had been most remote from my character, I made a +jest of my own supposition, that a female saint had fallen in love with +me; whereupon I recollected also, with equal merriment, that I had once +imagined myself to be transformed into St Anthony. + + * * * * * + +One morning, (it was after I had been already several days wandering +amid the mountains,) I found myself amid bold, frightfully piled up +masses of rock, and was obliged to proceed by narrow, dangerous +footpaths, beneath which the mountain rivulets roared and foamed in +their contracted ravines. The path became always more lonely, wild, and +arduous. The autumnal sun (it was in September) rose high in heaven, and +burned upon my uncovered head. I panted for thirst, for no spring was +near, and I could not reach the torrents, though their voice was +audible; moreover, there was yet no sign of my approach to the village, +which had been marked for my next resting place. + +At last, quite exhausted, I sat down upon a mass of rocks, and could not +resist taking a draught from my basket-bottle, notwithstanding that I +wished to reserve as much as possible of the extraordinary liquor. I +felt instantly the mantling glow of quickened circulation in every vein, +and energetic bracing of every fibre, while, refreshed and strengthened, +I boldly marched forward, in order to gain the appointed station, which +now could not be far distant. + +The dark pine-tree woods became always more and more dense, and the +ground more steep and uneven. Suddenly I heard near me a rustling in +the thickets, and then a horse neighed aloud, which was there bound to a +tree. I advanced some steps farther, as the path guided me onwards, +till, almost petrified with terror, I suddenly found myself on the verge +of a tremendous precipice, beyond which the river, which I have already +mentioned, was thundering and foaming at an immeasurable distance below. + +With astonishment, too, I beheld, on a projecting point of rock which +jutted over the chasm, what appeared to me the figure of a man. At +first, I suspected some new delusion; but, recovering in some degree +from my fear, I ventured nearer, and perceived a young man in uniform, +on the very outermost point of the rocky cliff. His sabre, his hat, with +a high plume of feathers, and a portefeuille, lay beside him;--with half +his body hanging over the abyss, he seemed to be asleep, and always to +sink down lower and lower! His fall was inevitable! + +I ventured nearer. Seizing him with one hand, and endeavouring to pull +him back, I shouted aloud, "For God's sake, sir, awake! For Heaven's +sake, beware!"--I said no more; for, at that moment, starting from his +sleep, and at the same moment losing his equilibrium, he fell down into +the cataract! + +His mangled form must have dashed from point to point of the rocks in +his descent. I heard one piercing yell of agony, which echoed through +the immeasurable abyss, from which at last only a hollow moaning arose, +which soon also died away. + +Struck with unutterable horror, I stood silent and motionless. At last, +by a momentary impulse, I seized the hat, the sword, the portefeuille, +and wished to withdraw myself as quickly as possible from the fatal +spot. + +Now, however, I observed a young man dressed as a _chasseur_ emerge from +the wood, and coming forward to meet me. At first, he looked at me +earnestly and scrutinizingly--then, all at once, broke out into +immoderate laughter; whereat an ice-cold shuddering vibrated through all +my frame. + +"_Sapperment!_ my Lord Count," said the youth, "your masquerade is +indeed admirable and complete; and if the Lady Baroness were not +apprized before hand, I question if even she would recognize you in this +disguise.--But what have you done with the uniform, my lord?" + +"As for that," replied I, "I threw it down the rocks into the +water."--Yet these words were _not mine_! I only gave utterance, +involuntarily and almost unconsciously, to expressions, which, by means +of some supernatural influence, rose up within me. + +I stood afterwards silent, and absorbed in thought, with my staring eyes +always turned to the rocks, as if from thence the mangled frame of the +unfortunate Count would ascend to bear witness against me. My conscience +accused me as his murderer; but, though thus unnerved, I continued to +hold the hat, the sword, and the portefeuille, convulsively firm in my +grasp. + +"Now, my lord," resumed the chasseur, "I shall ride on by the carriage +road to the village, where I shall keep myself _incognito_ in the small +house to the left-hand side of the gate. Of course, you will now walk +down to the castle, where you are probably expected by this time. Your +hat and sword I shall take with me." + +I gave them to him accordingly.--"Now, farewell, my lord," added the +youth; "much pleasure attend you in the castle!" + +Hereupon, whistling and singing, he vanished away into the woods. I +heard him afterwards untie the horse, that was there bound to a tree, +and ride off. + +When I had recovered myself in some measure from my confusion, and +reflected on the adventure, I was obliged to confess, that I had become +wholly the victim of chance or destiny, which had at once thrown me into +the most extraordinary circumstances. It was quite obvious, that an +exact resemblance of my face and figure with those of the unfortunate +Count, had deceived the chasseur; and that his master must have chosen +the dress of a capuchin, in order to carry on some adventure in the +castle, of which the completion had now devolved upon me! Death had +overtaken him, and at the same moment a wonderful fatality had _forced_ +me into his place. An inward irresistible impulse to act the part of the +deceased Count, overpowered every doubt, and stunned the warning voice +of conscience, which accused me of murder _now_, and of shameless +intended crimes _yet to come_! + +I now opened the portefeuille. Letters, money, and bank-bills, to a +considerable amount, fell into my hands. I wished to go through the +papers, one by one, in order that I might be aware of the late Count's +situation. But my internal disquietude, the confusion of a thousand +strange ideas, which crowded through my brain, did not admit of this. + +After walking a few paces, I again stood still. I seated myself on a +rock, and endeavoured to force myself into a quieter mood of mind. I saw +the danger of stepping, thus wholly unprepared, into a circle of people, +of whom I knew nothing. Then suddenly I heard a sound of hunting horns +through the wood, and voices shouting and rejoicing, which came always +nearer and nearer. My heart beat with violence--my breath +faltered.--Now, indeed, a new life, a new world, were about to be opened +upon me! + +I turned into a small, narrow footpath, which led me down a steep +declivity. On stepping out of the thicket, I beheld an extensive, nobly +built castle, lying beneath me in the valley. _There_, of course, was +the intended scene of the adventure which the late Count had in +contemplation, and I walked courageously onwards. I soon found myself in +the finely kept walks of the park, by which the castle was surrounded. +At last, in a dark side allée, in a kind of _berçeau_, I saw two male +figures, of whom one was in the dress of a lay monk. They came nearer, +but were engaged in deep discourse, and never once observed me. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +The lay monk was a young man, on whose features lay the death-like +paleness of a deeply corroding and inward grief. Of the other I could +only say, that he was plainly, but genteelly dressed, and was +considerably advanced in years. They seated themselves on a stone bench, +with their backs turned towards me. I could understand every word that +they said. + +"Hermogen," said the old man, "by this obstinate silence, you bring your +nearest friends to utter despair. Your dark melancholy increases; your +youthful strength is withered. This extravagant resolution of becoming a +monk, ruins all your father's hopes and wishes. Yet he would willingly +give up the hopes that he had formed, if, from youth onwards, you had +shewn any real tendency of character to loneliness and monachism. In +such case, he certainly would not struggle against the fate that hung +over him and you. + +"But the sudden and violent change in your whole disposition, has proved +only too plainly, that some concealed and unfortunate event--some +mysterious adventure, at which we cannot guess, is the cause of your +melancholy; which cause, however remote, still continues to exercise +over you the same destructive influence. + +"Your mind in former days was invariably cheerful, buoyant, and +disengaged. What, then, can all at once have rendered you so +misanthropical, that you should now suppose there cannot be in the +breast of any living mortal, counsel or consolation for your +afflictions?--You are silent--you stare only with your eyes fixed on +vacancy. + +"Hermogen, you once not only respected, but loved your father. If it has +now become impossible for you to open your heart, and to have confidence +in him, yet, at least, do not torment him by the daily sight of this +dress, which announces only your perseverance in the most inimical and +fantastic resolutions. I conjure you, Hermogen, to lay aside this +hateful garb. Believe me, there lies in such outward things, more +consequence than is usually ascribed to them. Surely you will not +misunderstand, or suspect me of levity, when I remind you of the effect +produced by dress on an actor. On assuming the costume of any character, +he experiences in himself a corresponding change of feelings. Are you +not yourself of opinion, that if these detestable long garments did not +come in your way to confine you, you would be able to walk and run--nay, +to skip, jump, and dance, just as readily and lightly as before? The +gleam and glitter of the bright dazzling epaulet, which formerly shone +upon your shoulders, might again reflect upon your pale cheeks their +wonted colour; and the clang of your military accoutrements would sound +like cheering music in the ears of your noble horse, who would come +neighing and prancing with joy to meet you, bending his neck proudly +before his beloved master. + +"Rouse yourself, then, Baron!--Away with these black robes, which, to +tell the truth, are by no means becoming.--Say, shall Frederick now run +and search out your uniform?" + +The old man rose up as if to go. The youth detained him, and, evidently +quite overpowered by emotion, fell into his arms.--"Alas! Reinhold," +said he, "you torment me indeed inexpressibly. The more that you +endeavour in this manner to awaken within me those chords which formerly +sounded harmoniously, the more forcibly I feel how my relentless fate, +as with an iron hand, has seized upon me, and crushed my whole frame, +mental and bodily; so that, like a broken lute, I must either be silent, +or respond in discord." + +"These, Baron," said Reinhold, "are but your own delusions. You speak of +some horrible and monstrous destiny which tyrannizes over you; but as to +_wherein_ or _how_ this destiny exists, you are invariably silent. Yet, +be that as it may, a young man like you, endowed both with mental +energy, and courage which is the natural result of animal spirits, +should be able to arm himself against those demons--those invisible +foes, with their iron fangs, of whom you so often speak. As if aided by +divine inspiration, he should exalt himself above that destiny, which +would otherwise crush him into the earth; and, cherishing within his own +heart the principles of life, wing his way above the petty torments of +this world. Indeed, I can scarcely imagine to myself any circumstances +that will not finally yield to a patient, reasonable, and yet energetic +inward volition." + +Hereupon Hermogen drew himself one step backwards, and fixing on the old +man, a dark, gloomy look, almost with an expression of repressed rage, +which was truly frightful:-- + +"Know, then," said he, "that _I myself_ am the destiny--the demon, as +thou sayest, by whom I am persecuted and destroyed, that my conscience +is loaded with guilt, nay, with the stain of a shameful, infamous, and +mortal crime, which I thus endeavour to expiate in misery and in +despair!--Therefore, I beseech you, be compassionate, and implore, too, +my father's consent, that he may allow me to go into a monastery!" + +"Hermogen," said the old man, "you are now in a situation peculiar to +those who are disordered both in body and in mind--you, therefore, +cannot judge for yourself; and, in short, you should, on no account, go +from hence. Besides, in a few days the Baroness will return home with +Aurelia, and you must of necessity stay to see them." + +A smile of bitter mockery coursed over the young man's features. He even +laughed aloud, and cried, in a voice at which my heart recoiled and +shuddered, "_Must_ stay?--Must _therefore_ stay?--Ay, truly, old man, +thou art in the right--I must indeed stay; and my penitence will be here +far more frightful than in the dreariest cloister." + +With these words, he broke away, and disappeared in the thicket, leaving +the old man motionless, and apparently lost in the most gloomy +reflections. + +"_Gelobt sey Jesu Christus!_" said I, pronouncing the conventual +salutation in my best manner, and advancing towards him. He started, +looked at me with surprise, and then seemed to call something to mind +that he already knew, but could not _clearly_ remember. + +At last, "Reverend sir," said he, "it was perhaps to your coming that +the Baroness alluded in a letter received by us four days ago; and you +are sent hither for the benefit and consolation of this afflicted +family." + +I answered without hesitation in the affirmative, and the stranger (or +Reinhold, as he has been styled) then immediately recovered that +cheerfulness which seemed natural to his disposition. We walked on +together through a very beautiful park, and came at last to a _boskett_ +near the castle, from whence there was a magnificent prospect towards +the mountains. + +On his giving orders to a servant, who just then appeared near us, a +plentiful _dejeuner a-la-fourchette_ was immediately served up, with a +bottle of excellent French wine. + +On joining glasses, and looking at each other, it appeared to me as if +Reinhold watched me with great attention, and seemed labouring with some +obscure reminiscence. + +At last he broke out--"Good Heaven! reverend sir, I must be grossly +deceiving myself if you are not Brother Medardus, from the capuchin +convent in Königswald: And yet, how is this possible? But, certainly, +there can be no doubt!--Speak only, I beg of you, and clear up this +mystery." + +As if struck to the earth by lightning, I was, by these words of +Reinhold, quite paralyzed and overpowered. I saw myself at once +discovered, unmasked--accused, perhaps, as a murderer! Despair gave me +strength. Life and death depended on that moment. + +"I am indeed Brother Medardus, from the capuchin convent in Königswald," +said I; "and am now employed on a diplomatic mission as legate from our +monastery to Rome." + +These words I uttered with all the quiet and composure which I was able +to counterfeit. "Perhaps, then," said Reinhold, "it is only chance that +brought you hither. You may have wandered from the high road. Or, if +otherwise, how could it happen that the Baroness became acquainted with +you, and sent you hither?" + +Without a moment's reflection, but once more only _repeating_ words +which seemed by some strange voice to be whispered into my ears, I +replied, "On my journey I became acquainted with the Baroness's +confessor, and, at his request, I agreed to come hither." + +"True," said Reinhold; "now I remember that the Baroness indeed wrote +somewhat to this effect: Well, Heaven be praised that it is so, and that +you have been induced to come to our assistance. I was, by chance, some +years ago, in Königswald, and heard one of your admirable discourses, in +which you seemed to be indeed gifted with divine inspiration. To your +piety, your unaffected eloquence, your true calling to be the champion +of souls otherwise lost, I can safely trust for the fulfilment of that, +which, to all of us, would have been impossible. + +"I consider myself particularly fortunate, however, in having met you +before you were introduced to the Baron, and will take advantage of this +opportunity to make you acquainted with the circumstances of the family, +and to be perfectly sincere and undisguised, as is fitting before a man +of your sanctity and dignified character. It is indeed requisite, that, +in order to give the proper tendency and guidance to your endeavours, +you should receive from me hints on many points, on which (for other +reasons) I would rather have been silent. I shall endeavour, however, to +go through the whole in as few words as possible. + +"With the Baron I was brought up from infancy. A certain similarity of +temper made us like brothers, and annihilated those barriers which +difference of birth would otherwise have raised up betwixt us. I was +never absent from him; and, accordingly, after his father's death, and +when he had finished his academical studies, he directly appointed me +steward over his paternal property in these mountains. + +"I continued still to be his most intimate friend and companion; nor +were the most secret occurrences and circumstances of the house +concealed from me. The late Baron had wished for his son's connection by +marriage with an Italian family, whom he had highly respected; and my +patron so much the more readily fulfilled his father's wishes, as he +found himself irresistibly attracted to the young lady, who was by +nature beautiful, and by education highly accomplished. + +"Seldom, in truth, are the wishes and plans of parents either so +judiciously framed, or so prosperously fulfilled, as in this instance. +The young couple seemed to have been born for each other,--and of this +happy marriage, a son and daughter, Hermogen and Aurelia, were the +offspring. + +"For the most part, we spent our winters in the town; but when, soon +after the birth of Aurelia, the Baroness began to decline in health, we +remained there for the summer also, as she indispensably required the +assistance of physicians. She died just as, on the approach of another +spring, her visible amendment had filled the Baron with the most +delightful hopes. + +"We then fled to the country, and there only time could meliorate the +deep-consuming grief by which he had become wholly possessed. Hermogen, +meanwhile, grew up to be a fine youth, and Aurelia became every day more +and more the image of her mother. The careful education of these +children was our daily task and delight. Hermogen shewed a decided turn +for the military life, and this constrained the Baron to send him into +town, in order that he might begin his career there under the care of +our old friend the governor of the fort. + +"For the first time, three years ago, we again spent a winter together, +as in old times, at the _residenz_; partly in order that the Baron might +be near his son, and partly that he might visit his old acquaintances, +who had constantly beset him with letters complaining of his absence. + +"Universal attention was at that time excited by the appearance of a +niece of the governor's, who had come hither out of the neighbouring +_residenz_ of R----. She was an orphan, and had betaken herself to her +uncle's house for protection; though _there_ she had a whole wing of the +castle to herself, had also her own private _economie_, and was in the +habit of assembling the _beau monde_ around her. + +"Without describing Mademoiselle Euphemia too minutely, (which is the +more needless, as you, reverend sir, will soon see her, and judge for +yourself,) suffice it to say, that in all that she said or did, there +was an indescribable grace, refinement, and self-possession, by which +the natural charms of her beauty were heightened to an almost +irresistible degree. + +"Wherever she appeared, all that were around her seemed to be animated +with new spirit; and every one, with the most glowing enthusiasm, paid +her homage. Indeed the more insignificant and lifeless characters +appeared in her company to be carried quite out of themselves, and to be +so completely warmed with fire not their own, that, as if inspired, they +revelled in enjoyments, of which till then they had never been capable. + +"Of course, there was no want of lovers, who daily paid their court to +this new divinity. They were numerous and indefatigable in their +attentions. But meanwhile, one could never with certainty say, that she +distinguished either this or that individual from his competitors; but, +on the contrary, with a kind of playful, yet wicked irony, which +provoked without giving absolute offence, she contrived to involve them +all in a perplexing, but indissoluble, kind of thraldom. They moved +about her, completely under subjection, as if within the limits of some +enchanted circle. + +"On the Baron, this new Circe had gradually and imperceptibly made a +wonderful impression. Immediately on his first appearance, she shewed to +him a degree of attention, which appeared to be the result of youthful, +almost childish, veneration. In conversation afterwards, she displayed +her usual skill, proving herself (in his estimation at least) to be +possessed of the most cultivated understanding and the deepest +sensibility, such as, till now, he had scarcely ever found among women. + +"With indescribable delicacy, she sought for and obtained Aurelia's +friendship, and took such a warm interest in her fate, that by degrees +she began to perform for her all the duties of her untimely lost mother. +In brilliant circles especially, she knew how to assist the modest, +inexperienced girl; and, without being observed, to set off Aurelia's +natural good sense and talents to such advantage, that the latter became +every day more distinguished, admired, and sought after. + +"The Baron took every opportunity of becoming quite eloquent in praise +of Euphemia; and here, for the first time, probably, in our lives, it +happened that he and I were completely at variance. + +"In society I was generally a spectator merely, rather than an actor, in +whatever was going forward. In this way, looking on Euphemia as an +object worthy of investigation, I had considered her with great +attention. On her part, she had only, in compliance with her system of +not neglecting any one, now and then interchanged with me a few +insignificant words. + +"I must confess, that she was, above all other women, beautiful and +attractive;--that whatever she said was marked by sense and sensibility, +(in other words, by _tact_ and by prudence;) yet, notwithstanding all +this, I was conscious to myself of an inexplicable feeling of distrust +and aversion. Nay, whenever she addressed her discourse to me, or her +looks by chance fell upon me, I could not escape from a certain +disquietude and apprehension that were quite overpowering. Her eyes, +especially when she believed herself unobserved, glowed with an +extraordinary and quite peculiar light, as if some unquenchable fire +dwelt within her, which, at all times with difficulty kept down, had +then irresistibly broken forth. + +"Besides all this, there was too often on her otherwise finely formed +lips, the expression of a hateful irony--the decided indication even of +a malignant and fiendish scorn, at which my very heart shuddered. + +"In this manner, especially, she often looked at Hermogen, who, for his +part, troubled himself very little about her;--but such looks alone were +quite sufficient to convince me, that, under a specious and beautiful +mask, much was concealed, of which no one but myself suspected the +existence. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +"Against the unmeasured praise of the Baron," continued the old man, "I +had indeed nothing to offer, but my own physiognomical observations, to +which he did not allow the slightest importance; but, on the contrary, +perceived in my dislike of Euphemia only a highly absurd species of +idiosyncrasy. He even confessed to me, that the young lady would soon +become one of his family, as he would do all in his power to bring about +a marriage betwixt her and Hermogen. + +"The latter happened to come into the room just as we spoke with +considerable warmth on this subject, and when I was endeavouring to +defend my notions about Euphemia. The Baron, accustomed always to act +openly, and on the spur of the moment, made his son instantly acquainted +with all his plans and wishes. + +"Hermogen very quietly listened to his father's enthusiastic praises of +the young lady; and when the eulogy was ended, answered that he did not +feel himself in the least attracted towards Euphemia; that he could +never love her; and therefore earnestly begged that any schemes for a +marriage between her and himself might be given over. + +"The Baron was not a little confounded, when all his favourite projects +were thus at once set aside, but at the same time, said the less to +Hermogen, as he recollected that Euphemia herself had never been +consulted on the subject. With a cheerfulness and good humour which are +indeed quite his own, he soon began to jest over the complete failure of +his endeavours, and said that Hermogen evidently shared in my +idiosyncrasy; though, for his part, how a beautiful young woman could +inspire such dislike, he was quite unable to perceive. + +"His own intercourse with Euphemia of course remained the same as +before. He had been so accustomed to her society, that he was unable to +spend any day without seeing her. + + * * * * * + +"Consequently, it soon after happened, that one day, in a careless and +cheerful humour, he remarked to her, that there was but _one_ individual +within her enchanted circle, who had not become enamoured, and that was +Hermogen. The latter, he added, had flatly refused to listen to a plan +of marriage, which his father had wished to set on foot for him. + +"Euphemia, in the same style of badinage, replied, that it might have +been as well to consult her also on the subject, and that although she +would gladly be more nearly allied to the Baron, yet this must by no +means take place through Hermogen, who was for her far too serious, and +too particular in his humour. + +"From the time that this discourse took place with the Baron, (who +immediately communicated it to me,) Euphemia continued, even in an +unusual degree, her attentions towards him and Aurelia. At last, by many +slight but intelligible hints, she gradually brought the Baron to the +idea that a union with herself would exactly realize the _beau ideal_ +which she had formed of happiness in marriage. Every objection which +could be urged on the score of years, or otherwise, she was able in the +most convincing manner to refute, and with-all, advanced in her +operations so gradually, delicately, and imperceptibly, that the Baron +believed all the ideas which she directly put into his head to be the +growth of his own feelings and his own ingenuity. + +"Still sound and unbroken in health, and by nature lively and energetic, +he now felt himself inspired, even like a young man, by a glowing and +fervent passion. I could no longer damp nor restrain this wild flight, +for it was already too late. In short, not long afterwards, to the +astonishment of all the _residenz_, Euphemia became the wife of the +Baron!! + +"It seemed to me now, as if this formidable being, whom even I had +before regarded with such distrust, having thus stepped at last into our +very domestic circle, I must now be doubly and trebly on the watch for +my friend and for myself. Hermogen attended the marriage of his father +with the coldest indifference, but Aurelia, the dear child, who was +haunted with a thousand indefinable apprehensions, burst into tears. + +"Soon after the marriage, Euphemia longed to visit the Baron's castle +here among the mountains. Her wish was gratified accordingly, and I +must confess, that her whole behaviour was, for a long time, so +consistent and correct, that she extorted from me involuntary +admiration. Thus, two years flowed on in perfect quietness and domestic +enjoyment. Both winters we spent in the _residenz_, but even there too, +the Baroness shewed towards her husband so much unfeigned respect, and +such attention even to his slightest wishes, that even the voice of envy +and detraction were at last put to silence, and not one of the young +libertines who thought that they would here have sufficient scope for +their gallantry, allowed themselves even the least freedom in her +presence. During the last winter, I was probably the only one left, who, +still influenced by the old _idiosyncrasy_, ventured to cherish doubts +and mistrust against her. + +"Before the Baron's marriage, a certain Count Victorin, major in the +Prince's _Garde d'Honneur_, and only now and then professionally +established at the _residenz_, was one of Euphemia's regular suitors, +and the only one of whom it could ever have been said, that he at times +appeared to be honoured by her particular regard. It had once been +whispered indeed, that a much nearer and more intimate acquaintance +existed between them, than was yet indicated by their outward behaviour. +But the rumour immediately died away, as obscurely as it had arisen. + +"Be that as it may, the Count Victorin was again this last winter in the +_residenz_, and of course, made his appearance in the circles of the +Baroness. He seemed, however, not in the least to concern himself about +her, but rather even to avoid her conversation. Notwithstanding all +this, I imagined that frequently their looks met, when they believed +themselves unobserved; and that in these looks--but I shall not describe +more particularly--suffice it to say, that their expression was such, as +in my opinion could not be misunderstood, and such as to cause to me the +utmost disquietude. + +"More especially, it happened one night at the house of the Governor, +where a large party was assembled, that I stood crowded and squeezed up +into a window, where I was more than half concealed by the furniture +drapery, and only two or three steps before me was the Count Victorin. + +"Then Euphemia, more than ever brilliant and tasteful in her dress, and +beaming in luxuriant beauty, swept up to him as if to pass by. No one, +probably, remarked them but myself. He seized her arm, with a kind of +passionate vehemence, but so that it was observed by me alone. Their +eyes met; her expressive looks were turned directly and full upon him. +She whispered some words, of which I could not seize the import. +Euphemia must have seen me. She turned round quickly; but I distinctly +heard the words, 'We are observed!' + +"I stood as if petrified by the shock of this discovery. Alas! reverend +sir, think of my conflicting feelings at that moment--think of my +gratitude and respect--of that faithful attachment with which I was +devoted to the Baron--and recollect, too, the apprehensions by which I +had been so long persecuted, and which were thus so cruelly and +unequivocally realized! + +"These few words, however unimportant in themselves, had completely +revealed to me that there was a secret understanding between the +Baroness and the Count! For the present I was obliged to be silent; but +I was resolved to watch Euphemia with Argus eyes, and then, as soon as I +had obtained _proofs_ of her crime, to break asunder at once the +disgraceful bands in which she had fettered my unhappy friend. + +"Yet who is able to counteract successfully the contrivances of devilish +cunning and hypocrisy? _My_ endeavours, at least, were all utterly in +vain, and it would only have been absurd to impart to the Baron what I +had seen and heard. My opponents would directly have found ways and +means to represent me as a half-witted, tiresome visionary. + +"The snow still lay upon the mountains, when we came, last spring, over +to the castle; but I made my usual excursions over all the grounds. One +morning I met, in a neighbouring village, _a bauer_, who had something +odd in his walk and gestures. Happening to turn round his head, he +betrayed to me, on the first glance, the features of the Count Victorin! +However, in the same moment he had vanished among the houses, and was no +more to be seen. + +"Any mistake on my part was here impossible. And what could have led him +to this disguise, but the continuance of his old intrigue with the +Baroness? Even now, I know for certain that he is again in this +neighbourhood, for I have seen his _chasseur_ riding past; and yet it +is inexplicable to me how it happened that he did not rather attend the +Baroness in town. + +"It is now three months since we received intelligence that her uncle +the Governor was attacked by severe and dangerous illness. Without +delay, therefore, she obtained the Baron's consent to visit her +relation, and set off, taking only Aurelia with her, indisposition +preventing the Baron from accompanying her at that time; and he has +since chosen to remain here. + +"Now, however, misfortune had begun to make determined inroads into our +house; for the Baroness had not been long absent before she wrote home, +that Hermogen was suddenly seized by a melancholy, on which no society +or advice of physicians seemed to have any beneficial influence; and +that this even broke out oftentimes into fits of delirious rage. Day +after day he wandered about all alone, cursing and denouncing himself +and his cruel destiny; while all endeavours of his friends to recover +him from this frightful state had been hitherto ineffectual. + +"You may suppose, reverend sir, how painful and distressing was the +impression that all this made upon the Baron. The sight of his son +under such a fearful malady, would, in his present state, have agitated +him too much. I therefore went to town alone. + +"By the strong measures that had been adopted, Hermogen was already +cured of these violent out-breakings of madness described by the +Baroness; but a settled melancholy had fallen upon him, against which +the physicians seemed to think that all aid would be unavailing. + +"On seeing me, he was deeply moved. He told me that an unhappy destiny, +with which it was in vain to struggle, drove him to renounce for ever +the station which he had till then held; and that only as a monk could +he hope for tranquillity in this world, or rescue his soul from eternal +destruction. Accordingly, I found him already in the dress, in which +you, reverend sir, may have observed him this morning; but +notwithstanding his resistance, I succeeded in bringing him hither. + +"He is now tranquil, but never for a moment relinquishes the _one_ +insane idea which has taken possession of him; and all attempts to +extort a disclosure of the event which has brought him into his misery +remain fruitless, though the revealing of this secret would probably +afford the first means of contributing to its alleviation. + +"Some time ago the Baroness wrote, that, by advice of her confessor, she +would send hither a monk of his acquaintance, whose intercourse and +consoling admonitions would probably have more influence than anything +else on Hermogen, as his madness had evidently taken a devotional turn. +I am greatly rejoiced, sir, that the choice has fallen on you, whom a +chance the most fortunate for us had led to the _residenz_. By attending +to the directions that I now give you, I trust that you may restore to a +broken-hearted and deeply-afflicted family, that repose which they have +so long lost. + +"Your endeavours ought, in my opinion, to be directed to _two_ especial +objects. In the first place, inquire out this horrible secret, by which +Hermogen is oppressed. His bosom will be lighter if it is once +disclosed, whether in ordinary conversation, or in the confessional; and +the church, instead of burying him within its walls, will again restore +him to the world. + +"In the second place, you should make yourself better acquainted with +the Baroness. You know all that I have to communicate--You are probably +already of my opinion, though I have not sufficient _proofs_ for +entering into an open accusation; but I know, that when you see, and +become intimate with Euphemia, you will entertain the same conviction +that I do. She is, however, by temperament, inclined to religion, at +least her imagination is easily roused. Perhaps, therefore, by your +extraordinary gifts of eloquence, you may penetrate deeply into her +heart. You may agitate and terrify her into repentance of her crimes, +and of that treachery against her best friends, by which, of necessity, +she must work for herself everlasting torments. + +"Yet one remark more, reverend sir, I must hazard. Many times it has +appeared to me as if the Baron, too, had on his mind some secret grief, +of which he conceals from me the cause. Besides his openly declared +anxiety on account of Hermogen, he contends visibly with painful +thoughts, which constantly harass him. It has often suggested itself to +me, that he may perhaps, by some evil chance, have discovered the +Baroness's criminality, and this by traces more certain and unambiguous +than those which have occurred to me. Therefore, reverend sir, I must +finally recommend also the Baron to your spiritual care and attention." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +With these words Reinhold closed his long narrative, which had, +meanwhile, in a hundred different ways, tormented me. The most +extraordinary and irreconcilable contradictions laboured, crossing and +re-crossing each other, through my brain. + +My very identity, my individuality, was cruelly become the game--the +mere plaything, of chance, while as it were, losing myself, and melting +away into forms and features not my own, I swam, without hold or stay, +upon that wild sea of events, which broke in upon me like raging waves. + +I had, indeed, virtually lost myself, for I could no longer recover any +power of voluntary action. It was through the interference of my arm +that Victorin had been hurled into the abyss; but it was chance, and no +impulse of volition, by which I was guided on that occasion. "Now," +said I to myself, "I come into his place; but then Reinhold knows Father +Medardus, the preacher in the Capuchin Convent, and thus in his +estimation I appear only that which I truly am. On the other hand, the +adventure with the Baroness, which the Count had in contemplation, falls +upon my shoulders, so that in this respect I become again Victorin! To +myself an inexplicable riddle, thought becomes a mere chaos. Like the +fabulous knight, who fought with his DOUBLE in the dark forest, I am at +variance, and combating with myself." + +Notwithstanding these internal commotions, I succeeded in counterfeiting +tolerably well such composure as is becoming to a priest; and in this +mood I came for the first time into the presence of the Baron. + +I found him a man advanced in years; but in his now shrunk features, lay +yet the evidences of the strength and vivacity which he had once +possessed. Not age, indeed, but grief, had ploughed wrinkles in his +forehead, and blanched his hair. Notwithstanding this, there prevailed +in all that he said, and in his whole behaviour, a cheerfulness and +good humour, by which every one must be attracted, and prepossessed in +his favour. + +When the old steward presented me to him as the monk, whose intended +arrival had been noticed by the Baroness, his looks, at first rather +doubtful and suspicious, became always more friendly, as, in the +meanwhile, Reinhold related how he had heard me preach in the Capuchin +Convent of Königswald, and had there convinced himself of my +extraordinary gifts of piety and eloquence. + +"I know not, my dear Reinhold," said the Baron, "how, or for what +reason, the features of this reverend gentleman interest me so much at +our first meeting. They certainly awake some remembrance, which yet +struggles in vain to come clearly and fully into light." + +It seemed to me, as if he would, in that very moment, break out with the +name "Count Victorin!"--In truth, however miraculous it may appear, I +had now become actually persuaded that I was the Count; and thereby +(aided perhaps by the wine at breakfast, not to speak of the draught +from the basket bottle,) I felt the circulation of the blood more +powerfully in every vein, and colouring my cheeks with a deeper crimson. + +I depended, however, upon Reinhold, who indeed knew me as Brother +Medardus, though this now appeared to myself a mere fiction! Nothing +could untie or unravel those intricate knots, by which the strange web +of my destiny was thus bound together. + +According to the Baron's wishes, I was immediately to make acquaintance +with Hermogen; but he was nowhere to be found. He had been seen +wandering towards the mountains; but the family were on that score quite +unconcerned, as he had frequently for days together absented himself in +that manner. Accordingly, through the whole afternoon, I remained in the +society of the Baron and Reinhold, and by degrees recollected myself so +completely, that towards evening I became quite calm, and courageous +enough to grapple with the wonderful events and difficulties which now +seemed to lie in wait for me. + +In the solitude of the night, I opened the Count's portfolio, and +convinced myself more particularly that it was Count Victorin who had +been hurled into the abyss; yet the letters addressed to him were but +of indifferent import, and not one of them gave me any very clear +insight as to his real circumstances and condition in life. + +Without, therefore, harassing my brain any farther about the matter, I +resolved to accommodate myself as skilfully as I could to whatever +course _chance_ might point out for me; especially, it was requisite +that I should wait the issue of my first interview with the mysterious +Euphemia. + + * * * * * + +On the very next day, the Baroness, with Aurelia, unexpectedly made her +appearance. I saw them alight from their carriage, and, received by the +Baron, entering the gates of the castle. Unnerved and disquieted, I +stepped restlessly up and down in my chamber, under a tempest of +extraordinary anticipations. This, however, did not continue long, ere I +was summoned down stairs. + +The Baroness came forward to meet me. She was an eminently beautiful +woman, still in the full bloom of her charms. There was in her +countenance and _tout ensemble_ a voluptuous tranquillity, diversified +only by the restless gleam of her eyes, which were to an unparalleled +degree fiery and expressive. + +As soon as she beheld me she seemed involuntarily to start, and betrayed +extraordinary emotion. Her voice faltered, she could scarcely command +words. + +This visible embarrassment on her part gave me courage. I looked her +boldly in the face, and, in the conventual manner, gave her my blessing. +Hereupon she became all at once deadly pale, and was obliged to seat +herself on a sofa. Reinhold meanwhile looked on me as if quite +satisfied, and even with smiles of good humour. + +At that moment the door opened, and the Baron entered with Aurelia. + +As soon as I had set eyes on this girl, it seemed as if a gleam of light +from heaven flashed around me, and penetrated to my very heart, kindling +up mysterious and long-lost emotions--the most ardent longings--the +raptures of the most fervent love. All indeed that I had formerly felt +seemed only like obscure and shadowy indications of that which now +stepped forth at once into reality and life. Nay, life itself dawned for +the first time, glittering, variegated, and splendid before me, and all +that I had known before lay cold and dead, as if under the desolate +shadows of night. + +It was she herself--the same mysterious unknown whom I had beheld in the +vision of the confessional. The melancholy, pious, childlike expression +of the dark blue eyes--the delicately formed lips--the neck gently bent +down, as if in devout prayer--the tall, slender, yet voluptuous form; +all these--they belonged not to Aurelia--it was herself, the blessed St +Rosalia! Even the minutest particulars of dress--for example, the +sky-blue shawl, which the young Baroness had now thrown over her +shoulders, was precisely the same worn by the saint in the picture, and +by the unknown of my vision. + +What was now the luxuriant beauty of Euphemia compared with the divine +charms of this celestial visitant? Only _her, her_ alone could I behold, +while all around was faded into coldness and obscurity. + +It was impossible that my inward emotion could escape the notice of the +by-standers. + +"What is the matter with you, reverend sir?" said the Baron; "you seem +agitated in an extraordinary degree."--By these words I was directly +brought to myself, and I felt rising up within me a supernatural +power,--a courage till then unknown,--to encounter all obstacles, if +_she_--if _Aurelia_ were to be the prize to reward me for the combat. + +"Rejoice, _Herr Baron_!" cried I, as if seized by a sudden fit of +inspiration--"rejoice, for a female saint is sent down from heaven among +us. The heavens, too, will soon be opened in cloudless serenity, and the +immaculate St Rosalia will diffuse blessings and consolation on the +devout souls who humbly and faithfully pay to her their homage and +adoration. Even now I hear the anthem,--the choral notes of glorified +spirits, who long for the society of the saint, and who, calling on her +in song, hover down from their resplendent thrones. I see her features, +beaming in the divine _halo_ of beatification, lifted up towards the +seraphic choir, that are already visible to her eyes. _Sancta Rosalia, +ora pro nobis!_" + +Hereupon I fell on my knees, with mine eyes uplifted to heaven, my hands +folded in prayer, and all present mechanically followed my example. No +one ventured to question me any farther. This sudden ebullition was +imputed to some extraordinary inspiration, and the Baron gravely +resolved to have mass said at the altar of St Rosalia in the _residenz_. + +In this manner I had completely rescued myself from my present +embarrassment; and I was resolved from henceforward to venture all +things, for Aurelia was at stake, who was now far dearer to me than +life. + +The Baroness meanwhile appeared in a very strange and inexplicable mood. +Her looks followed me; but when I met them, quite composedly and +unconcerned, she averted her eyes, which then wandered about unsteadily +and wildly. As for Aurelia, I could only guess at her agitation; for she +had drawn down her veil, and gazed stedfastly on a cross which was hung +by a rosary from her neck. At last the family retired into another +chamber. I made use of the opportunity, and hastened down into the +garden, where, in a state of the wildest excitement, I rushed through +the walks, labouring with, and revolving a thousand resolutions, ideas, +and plans, for my future life in the castle. + + * * * * * + +Through this day I did not again meet Aurelia. It was already evening, +when Reinhold appeared, and said that the Baroness, who had been deeply +affected by my pious and inspired discourse of that morning, wished to +speak with me alone in her chamber. + + * * * * * + +When I had entered the room, and had, by her directions, closed and +bolted the door, she advanced a few steps towards me, then taking me by +both arms, and looking fixedly in my face, "Is it possible?" said +she--"art thou Medardus, the Capuchin monk?--But the voice--the +figure--your eyes--your hair,--speak, or I shall perish in this torment +of suspense and apprehension!" + +"VICTORIN!" replied I, in a whisper; and again this word was not mine, +but suggested to me by some unknown and supernatural power;--then, to +my utter astonishment and consternation---- + + [There is a hiatus in the MS. at this place.] + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +It was in my power, doubtless, to have fled from the castle, but in +doing so--in saving myself from new crimes--I must have fled also _from +Aurelia_. I had made the resolution (in which I was determined to +persevere) to venture all things for _her_ sake, and especially for the +chance of renewing that conversation which the sanctity of the +confessional wholly prohibited. + +It was on her account, therefore, that I had now involved myself in +enormous guilt; but though conscious of this as the cause, I did not +escape the torments of remorse and the bitterest self-condemnation. A +kind of horror seized on me when I thought of meeting Aurelia again, +which, however, was very soon to happen, namely, at the supper-table. It +seemed as if her pious angelic looks would directly accuse me of mortal +sin, and as if, unmasked and detected, I should sink into utter +disgrace and annihilation. From similar reasons, also, I could not bear +to see the Baroness immediately after that interview, and all this +induced me, under the pretext of having my devotions to perform, to shut +myself up in my room, and remain there, when intimation was sent to me +that supper was ready. + +Only a few days, however, were required in order to banish all fear and +embarrassment. The outward behaviour of the Baroness was in the highest +degree guarded and amiable; and the more that, in my character of Count +Victorin, I acquired ascendancy over her, the more she seemed to +redouble her attention and affectionate solicitude for the Baron. + +She confessed to me, however, that she many times laboured under the +most fearful perplexity; that my _tonsure_, my long beard, and my +genuine conventual gait, (which last, however, I did not now keep up so +strictly as before,) had caused to her a thousand indefinable +apprehensions; nay, upon my sudden inspired invocation of St Rosalia, +she had become almost persuaded that some extraordinary fatality had +annihilated the plan which, along with Victorin, she had so admirably +laid, and had brought a miserable Capuchin monk into his place. + +She admired, however, the extent of my precautions in actually taking +the tonsure, in allowing my beard to grow, and in having studied my part +so exactly, that, even now, she was obliged often to look me sharply in +the face, to avoid falling again into painful doubts. + + * * * * * + +Meanwhile, Victorin's _chasseur_, disguised as a _bauer_, made his +appearance now and then at the end of the park, and I did not neglect to +speak with him privately, and admonish him to hold himself in readiness +for momentary flight, if any evil chance should render this necessary. + +As for the Baron and Reinhold, they seemed, on the whole, perfectly +satisfied, yet frequently troubled me with urgent suggestions that I +should direct the best energies of my mind to acquire an influence over +the deeply pensive and obstinate Hermogen. + +On the contrary, however, I had never been able to interchange with him +a single word, so sedulously did he avoid every opportunity of being +alone with me; and if by chance we met in the society of his father and +the steward, he looked upon me with an expression so marked and +extraordinary, that I had considerable difficulty in avoiding obvious +embarrassment. It seemed almost as if he could read my very soul, and +spy out my most secret thoughts; and as often as he was thus forced into +my presence, an unconquerable ill-humour, a malicious irony, and indeed +rage, with difficulty restrained, were visible on his pale features. + +It happened that once when I was taking a walk in the park, I perceived +him, quite unexpectedly, coming up to meet me. I held this for the +fittest possible moment to clear up the painful circumstances in which I +was placed with regard to him; and accordingly, when, as usual, he +wished to escape, I ventured to take him by the arm, and my old talent +of eloquence enabled me now to speak so impressively, and with so much +energy, that at last he could not help being attentive, and shewed, as I +thought, some favourable symptoms of emotion. + +We had seated ourselves on a stone bench at the end of a walk which led +towards the castle. In discourse, my inspiration, as usual, increased. +I maintained, that it was in the highest degree sinful for a man, thus +devoured by inward grief, to despise the consolation and assistance of +the church, which can raise up the fallen, and might enable him to +fulfil all purposes and duties of this life, which, by the goodness of +the Supreme Power, were yet held invitingly before him. + +I insisted, that even the most depraved criminal need not doubt of the +grace and favour of Heaven, and that the indulgence of such doubts might +alone deprive him of the temporal happiness, and salvation hereafter, +which he would otherwise obtain. At last I demanded that he should +directly unload his conscience by confessing to me, promising him, at +the same time, on the usual conditions of contrition, penance, and +amendment, absolution for every sin that he might have committed. + +Hereupon he rose up. His frame seemed to heave and dilate with +indignation;--his brows were contracted--his eyes glared--a burning red +flew at once over his before pale countenance. + +"Art thou," cried he, with a voice, by the depth and wildness of whose +tones I was involuntarily agitated,--"art thou then thyself free from +sin, that thou venturest, like the most pure--nay, like the Divinity +whom thou blasphemest, to look into the secrets of my bosom?--Thou, +forsooth, would'st promise me forgiveness--thou, who for thyself wilt +vainly strive for pardon, and against whom the regions of the blest are +for ever closed!--Miserable hypocrite! soon will the hour of retribution +be at hand, and trodden into the dust like a poisonous reptile, shalt +thou writhe in misery and death, struggling in vain for aid and release +from thy nameless torment, till thou perishest in madness and despair!" + +Hereupon he turned round, and quickly disappeared. I had no power to +detain him--I was, indeed, utterly crushed and annihilated. All my +composure and courage had fled, and I saw no means by which confidence +and safety could again be recovered. + + * * * * * + +At length I observed the Baroness coming out of the castle, dressed as +if for a walk. With her only, in this difficulty, could I hope to find +assistance or consolation. I hastened, therefore, to meet her. + +At first she seemed terrified at my disordered appearance--inquired +after the cause of it; and I described to her the whole scene which I +had just now encountered with the insane Hermogen, expressing also my +terror and apprehension, lest he might, perhaps, by some inexplicable +chance, have got possession of, and might betray, our secret +intercourse. + +By all this Euphemia did not appear in the least moved. On the contrary, +she smiled with an expression of irony and malice so extraordinary, that +I was seized with involuntary horror. + +"Let us go deeper into the park," said she, "for here we might be +observed, and it might be deemed mysterious if the reverend Father +Medardus were to speak to me with such vehemence." + + [A few sentences are here left out by the Editor.] + +"Be composed then, Victorin," said Euphemia; "you may make yourself +perfectly tranquil as to all this, which has brought you into such fear +and trouble. Indeed, it is on the whole fortunate, that this adventure +has happened with Hermogen; for I have thus an opportunity of speaking +to you on many things of which I had too long been silent. + +"You must confess, that I wield a strange kind of intellectual supremacy +over all those by whom I am in this life surrounded; and to possess and +exercise this privilege, is, I believe, much more easy for a woman than +for a man. Not only, however, must we for this purpose enjoy that +superiority of personal beauty which Nature has granted to us, but also +many peculiar attributes of mind. Above all, the individual, who, in +such undertakings, expects to succeed, must possess the power of +stepping, as it were, out of herself,--of contemplating her _own +individuality_ from an external point, (that is to say, as it is beheld +by others;) for our own identity, when viewed in this manner, serves +like an obedient implement--a passive means of obtaining whatever object +we have proposed to ourselves, as the highest and most desirable in +life. + +"Can there be anything more admirable than an existence which rules over +that of others, so that we may exert perfect empire over the insipid +beings--the phantom shapes, by which we are here surrounded, and command +them, as if by magic spells, to minister to our enjoyments? + +"You, Victorin, belong to the few who have hitherto understood me. You +had also acquired this power of looking, as if with others' eyes, upon +yourself; and I have therefore judged you not unworthy to be raised as +my partner on the throne of this intellectual kingdom. The mystery which +we were obliged to keep up, heightened the charm of this union; our +apparent separation only gave wider scope for our fantastic humour, +which played with and scorned the conventional laws of ordinary life. + +"Do not our present meetings constitute the boldest piece of adventure, +that spirits, mocking at all conventional limitations, ever dared to +encounter? Even in this new character which you have assumed, the +metamorphosis depends not on your dress merely. It seems, also, as if +the mind, accommodating itself to the ruling principle, worked outwardly +in such a manner, that even the bodily form becomes plastic and +obedient, moulding itself in turns, according to that plan and +destination which the higher powers of volition had conceived and laid +down. + +"How completely I myself despise all ordinary rules, you, Victorin, are +already aware. The Baron has now become, in my estimation, a disgusting, +worn-out implement, which, having been used for my past purposes, lies +dead, like a run-down piece of clock-work, before me--Reinhold is too +contemptible and narrow-minded to be worthy of a thought--Aurelia is a +good, pious, and simple-hearted child--We have nothing to do but with +Hermogen. + +"Already have I confessed to you, that the first time I saw this youth, +he made on me a wonderful and indelible impression; but of what +afterwards passed betwixt us, you have never yet been fully aware. I had +even looked on him as capable of entering into those lofty schemes, into +that higher sphere of enjoyment, which I could have opened for him; but +for once, I was completely deceived. There existed within him some +principle inimical and hostile towards me, which manifested itself in +perpetual contradiction to my plans--nay, the very spells by which I +fettered others, had on him an effect quite opposite and repelling. He +remained always cold, darkly reserved, or, at best, utterly indifferent, +till at last my resentment was roused; I determined on revenge, but, +above all, I resolved that my former power should not be thus meanly +baffled and subdued, and that his indifference should sooner or later be +fearfully overcome. + +"On this combat I had already decided, when the Baron happened to say, +that he had proposed for me a marriage with Hermogen, to which the +latter would by no means agree. Like a gleam of inspiration, the thought +at that moment rose within me, that I might myself, by a marriage with +the Baron, at once clear away those conventional limitations which had +hitherto at times disgustingly forced themselves in my way. + +"But as to that marriage, Victorin, I have already frequently spoken +with you. To your doubts, as to whether it could ever take place, I soon +opposed actual performance. In short, as you know, in the course of a +few days, I succeeded in transforming the grave old gentleman into a +silly tender lover. Nay, he was forced to look on those plans which +wholly originated from my agency, (and to which he scarcely dared to +give utterance,) as the offspring of his own foolish brain, and the +fulfilment of his own heartfelt wishes. Still, in the back ground, +concealed indeed, but not less deeply traced, lay the thoughts of my +revenge on Hermogen, which would now be more easy, and in execution far +more perfect. + +"If I knew less of your character, if I were not aware that you are +fully capable of entering into my views, I would no doubt hesitate to +inform you of what afterwards occurred. + +"I took various opportunities of attracting Hermogen's attention. When +in the _residenz_, I appeared gloomy and reserved--and afforded, in this +respect, a powerful contrast with himself, for he was then cheerful and +active in his own pursuits, and, to most people, frank and disengaged in +manner. The interval was long and tedious, however, before my designs +could be brought into execution. + +"During my last visit in town, my uncle's illness forbade all brilliant +assemblies, and I was obliged even to decline the visits of my nearest +acquaintance. Hermogen called upon me, perhaps only to fulfil the duty +which he owed to a step-mother. He found me sunk in the most gloomy +reflections; and when, astonished at this sudden revolution, he +anxiously inquired the cause, I confessed to him that the Baron's infirm +state of health, which he only with difficulty concealed, made me afraid +that I should soon lose him, which idea was to me terrible and +insupportable. + +"On hearing this, he was obviously affected; and when I went on to paint +to him, in the liveliest colours, the happiness of my domestic +circumstances with the Baron, entering into minute details of our mode +of life in the country--when, moreover, I spoke at greater length of the +Baron's admirable disposition, and represented his whole character in +the most glowing terms, so that it always appeared more and more how +deeply I honoured him, nay, how my very existence depended on +his,--then, obviously, Hermogen's astonishment and perplexity increased +to an even unexpected degree. He visibly struggled and contended with +himself, but I had already triumphed. The principle, whatever it was, +that lived within him, and had hitherto so hostilely acted against me, +was overcome--he had spoken with me alone, and was deeply moved--he had +beheld me in a new light--his indifference was subdued, and his +tranquillity lost. My triumph became the more certain, when, on the +following evening, he came again to visit me. + +"He found me alone, still more gloomy and more agitated than on the +preceding night. I spoke as before of the Baron, and of my inexpressible +longing to return to the country, and to see him again. Hermogen soon +lost all self-possession--he hung enraptured on my looks, and their +light fell like consuming fire into his heart. + + * * * * * + +"In a word, I succeeded. The consequences were more horrible than I had +supposed; yet on this account my victory was the more brilliant. The +dominion which I had now so unequivocally gained over Hermogen had +utterly broken his spirit. He fell, as you know, into madness, though +till now you were not aware of the exact reason of this. + +"It is a peculiar attribute of madmen, that they can often look more +deeply than others into the hearts of those by whom they are surrounded. +It seems as if their own minds, being free from rational control, stand +in nearer relationship with the spiritual world, and are more liable to +be excited sympathetically by the emotions of another. Thus oftentimes +they pronounce aloud our own thoughts, like a supernatural echo, whence +we are startled as if we heard the voice even of a second self. + +"On these principles, it may indeed have happened that Hermogen, +considering the peculiar footing on which we stand, has actually looked +through your disguise, and on this account is hostilely disposed toward +us; but as to any danger from him on this account, that is by no means +to be apprehended. Suppose even that he were to break out into open +enmity--should proclaim aloud, 'Trust not this cowled priest--he is not +what he seems!' yet who would look upon this as less or more than a +delirious phantasm of his malady, more especially as Reinhold has been +so good as to recognize in you the reverend Father Medardus? + +"In the meanwhile, however, it remains certain, that you cannot, as I +had hoped, gain a favourable influence over Hermogen. My revenge, +however, is fulfilled, and I now look upon him, even as I regard the +Baron, like a broken _marionette_--a worn-out plaything; become, at +last, so much the more tiresome, as he probably considers his meeting +with me here as an act of penitence, and, on this account, haunts and +persecutes me, as you must have observed, with his dead-alive, staring, +and spectral eyes. + +"In short, he must, in one way or another, be got rid of; and I thought, +by your acquiring an influence over him, he might have been confirmed in +his notions of going into a convent, and to have contrived, that the +Baron and Reinhold should be persuaded of the propriety of this design. +Hermogen, to say the truth, is to me, in the highest degree, +intolerable. His looks often agitate me, so that I can hardly command +myself; and, for certain, he must, by some means or other, be removed. + +"The only person before whom he appears quite in a different character, +is Aurelia. By means of that girl only, can you gain any influence over +Hermogen; for which reason, I shall take care that, for the future, you +may to her also obtain nearer access. + +"If you find a suitable opportunity, you may communicate to the Baron +and Reinhold, that Hermogen has disclosed to you, in confession, a +heavy crime, which, according to your religious vows, you are obliged to +conceal. But of this, more at another time: act for the best, and only +be stedfast and faithful. Let us reign together over this contemptible +world of puppets, which move around us only according to our sovereign +will and pleasure. This life must bestow on us its best enjoyments, +without forcing on our necks the yoke of its narrow and despicable +laws!" + +We now saw the Baron at a distance, and went towards him, as if occupied +in pious and edifying discourse. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +There had been nothing wanting, perhaps, but this explanation from +Euphemia, to render me fully sensible of my own powers and advantages. I +was now placed in a situation from which all things appeared in wholly +new colours. As to Euphemia's boast of her mental energy and power over +the conduct of others, it only rendered her, in my estimation, worthy of +utter contempt. At the very moment when this miserable woman believed +that she sported in safety with all laws and regulations of this life, +she was in reality given up a helpless victim to that destiny, which my +hand might in a moment wield against her. + +It was, indeed, only by means of that spiritual influence and empire +lent to me by the powers of darkness, that she could have been led to +look on _that being_ as a friend and trust-worthy companion, who, +wearing only for her destruction the countenance and figure of her +former lover, held her like a demon in his relentless grasp, so that +liberation and escape were for her no longer possible. + +Euphemia, under the dominion of this wretched illusion, became every +moment more despicable in my estimation, and the intercourse which I was +obliged to keep up with her, became so much the more disgusting, as +Aurelia's image had every day acquired more and more power over my +heart;--and it was for her sake only, that I had involved myself in +society and in crimes, from which I should otherwise have fled with +horror. + +I resolved, therefore, from henceforth, to exercise, in the fullest +extent, the powers that I now felt were given to me; to seize with mine +own hands, that enchanter's rod, of which Euphemia so vainly boasted the +possession; and with it, to describe the magic circle, in which the +beings around me should move only according to my sovereign wishes. + +The Baron and Reinhold were still void of all suspicions, and continued +to vie with each other in their endeavours to render my abode at the +castle as agreeable as possible. They had not the most distant +apprehensions of the circumstances in which I stood with regard to +Euphemia. On the contrary, the Baron frequently became eloquent in +expressions of gratitude, even assuring me in confidence, that by my +interference her affections had been completely restored to him; +whereupon I recollected Reinhold's notion, that the Baron, by some means +or other, had received intimation of his wife's former infidelity. + +Hermogen I now saw but very seldom. He visibly avoided me with fear and +trembling, which the Baron and Reinhold very kindly interpreted into +devoted awe and reverence for the sanctity and intuitive energy of my +character, of which he could not bear the scrutiny. + +Aurelia, too, appeared to avoid me as much as possible; and if, by +chance, I spoke with her, she was, like Hermogen, timid and embarrassed. +I had, therefore, no doubt that the latter had imparted to his sister +those apprehensions by which I had been so much alarmed; and yet it +seemed to me by no means impracticable to counteract their evil +influence. + +Probably by the instigation of the Baroness, who wished to bring me +nearer to Aurelia, in order that, through her, I might acquire an +ascendancy over Hermogen, the Baron requested, that I would give a +share of my time to the instruction of his daughter in the higher +mysteries of religion. Thus Euphemia herself unconsciously supplied me +with the means of arriving at that wished-for goal, which formed the +climax of all my most sanguine prospects, and which imagination had so +often painted in the most glowing colours. + +I shall pass rapidly over the rest of my adventures during my residence +in the Baron's castle, the impression of which remains like that of an +hideous dream, on which I have no desire to dwell longer than is +requisite to preserve connection in the narrative. + +For some days, indeed, I remained influenced, for the most part, by the +most sanguine hopes, which were yet constantly liable to disappointment. +I had hitherto seen Aurelia only at short intervals, and in the society +of others;--then, at every meeting, her beauty appeared more and more +heavenly; her voice breathed more exquisite music; and the passionate +impressions under which I laboured, were such, that I used, after these +interviews, to run forth, if possible, into the park--search out some +covert the wildest and most secluded, where I threw myself on the +ground, and gave up my whole soul to the delirium of love. + +At other times, I sought in meetings with the Baroness a temporary +refuge from agitations, with which I could scarcely contend. I formed a +thousand plans for leaving the castle, and of inducing Aurelia to be the +companion of my flight; but all were one by one renounced as hopeless. + +_Now_, however, I was to meet her frequently--and _alone_. I summoned, +therefore, all my talents of eloquence and energies of mind, to clothe +my religious instructions in such language, that I might by this means +direct her affections to her instructor, until, overpowered by her own +feelings, she should at last throw herself into my arms. + +Instead, however, of succeeding in my designs against Aurelia, the only +consequence of my endeavours was to augment tenfold my own intolerable +disquietude. A thousand times did I say to myself, How is this possible? +Can Aurelia be the same Unknown--the visitant of the confessional? +Devoutly, with folded hands and downcast eyes, she listened to me; but +not one symptom of emotion, not the slightest sigh, betrayed any deeper +operation of my words. Even if I dropt obscure hints of our former +meeting, she remained unmoved. + +I was therefore, of necessity, brought back to the belief and +conviction, that the adventure of the confessional was but a dream. Yet +if so, what import could be attached to the supernatural liveliness of +that vision, except that it must have been an anticipation of what was +now to come--the promise of a higher power, that Aurelia--the living +realization of that phantom--was yet to be mine? + +Baffled, however, in all my attempts,--driven oftentimes to rage and +despondency,--I brooded over new plans; and while obliged to counterfeit +pleasure in the society of Euphemia, and feeling only hatred and +impatience, my looks and behaviour assumed a horrible expression, at +which she seemed involuntarily to tremble. Still, of the _real_ mystery +concealed in my bosom, she had no suspicion, but gave way without a +struggle to that supremacy which I exerted over her, and which daily +continued to increase. + +Frequently the thought occurred to my mind, that, by assuming proper +courage, by one decisive step, however violent, I might put an end to +the torments of suspense under which I laboured,--that on my very next +meeting with Aurelia, I might cast off the mask, and renounce all +subterfuge and stratagem. I went to her more than once, _resolved_ to +carry some plan of this kind into effect; but when I looked at Aurelia, +and beheld the calm piety, the energy of innocence in her seraphic +features, it seemed as if an angel stood by her, protecting her, and +bidding defiance to the power of the enemy. At such times, a cold +shuddering vibrated through my limbs, and my former resolutions were +completely broken. + +At last, the thought occurred to me of joining with her more frequently +in prayer. + + [One page is here left out by the Editor.] + +I had no power to prevent this. I was crushed and annihilated, as if a +thunderbolt had struck me to the earth. She fled instantly to the next +room. The door opened, and there appeared--Hermogen! He stood glaring +upon me with the fixed, horrid look of the wildest insanity. Then, +recollecting that such persons are most likely to be tamed by cool, and +daring defiance, I collected all my strength, and went up to +him.--"Madman," cried I, with a deep commanding voice, "wherefore this +intrusion? What wouldst thou here?" + +In this plan, however, I was completely baffled. Hermogen stretched out +his right hand, and, in a hollow, frightful tone,--"I would contend with +thee," said he, "but I have no sword; and there is blood on thy face! +Thou art a murderer!" + +Thereupon he abruptly vanished, slamming the door violently behind him, +and left me alone, grinding my teeth with rage and despair. No one +appeared, however. It was evident that he had not spread any immediate +alarm, so that I had time to recover self-possession, and began, ere +long, to feel confident, that I should yet fall on means to avoid any +evil consequences of this error. + + * * * * * + +[The monk here goes on to relate, that he remained yet several days in +the Baron's castle, during which he encountered many adventures, which +it is thought not advisable to transcribe. Indeed, perhaps the _whole_ +of this section might have well been condensed, or given but in outline. +It is requisite to observe, that these adventures are wound up by the +death of the Baroness and of Hermogen; that of the former, by means of +poison, which she had prepared for Medardus; and of the latter, in +single combat with the monk, who, in self-defence, killed his +antagonist.] + + [At this point the Editor recommences his transcription.] + +When Hermogen fell, I ran in wild frenzy down stairs. Then I heard +shrilling voices through the castle, that cried aloud, "Murder! murder!" + +Lights hovered about here and there, and I heard hasty steps sounding +along the corridor and passages. Terror now utterly overpowered me, so +that, from exhaustion, I fell down on a remote private staircase. The +noise always became louder, and there was more and more light in the +castle. I heard too that the outcries came nearer and nearer--"Murder! +murder!" At last I distinguished the voices of the Baron and Reinhold, +who spoke violently with the servants. Whither now could I possibly fly? +Where conceal myself? Only a few moments before, when I had spoken, for +the last time, with the detestable Euphemia, it had seemed to me, as if, +with the deadly weapon in my hand, I could have boldly stepped forth, +and that no one would have dared to withstand me. + +Now, however, I contended in vain with my unconquerable fear. At last, I +found myself on the great staircase. The tumult had withdrawn itself to +the chambers of the Baroness, and there was an interval, therefore, of +comparative tranquillity. I roused myself accordingly; and, with three +vehement bounds, clinging by the staircase rail, I was arrived at the +ground-floor, and within a few steps of the outward gate. + +Then, suddenly, I heard a frightful piercing shriek, which reverberated +through the vaulted passages, and resembled that which I had observed +on the preceding night. "She is dead," said I to myself, in a hollow +voice; "she has worked her own destruction, by means of the poison that +she had prepared for me!" + +But now, once more, I heard new and fearful shrieks from the apartments +of the Baroness. It was the voice of Aurelia, screaming in terror, for +help; and, by this, my whole feelings were once more changed. Again the +reiterated cry of "Murder! murder!" sounded through the castle. The +footsteps approached nearer through a staircase leading downwards. They +were bearing, as I conceived, the dead body of Hermogen. + +"Haste, haste, after him!--seize the murderer!" These words were uttered +in the voice of Reinhold. + +Hereupon I broke out into a vehement and horrid laughter, so that my +voice echoed through the vaulted corridors, and I cried aloud, "Poor +insane wretches! would you strive to interfere with and arrest that +destiny, which inflicts only just and righteous punishment on the +guilty?" + +They stopped suddenly. They remained as if rooted to one spot on the +staircase. I wished no longer to fly. I thought rather of advancing +decidedly and boldly to meet them, and announcing the vengeance of God +in words of thunder on the wicked. + +But, oh horrible sight! at that moment arose, and stood bodily before +me, the hideous blood-stained and distorted figure of Victorin! +Methought it was not _I_, but _he_, that had spoken the words in which I +thought to triumph! At the first glance of this apparition, (whether +real or imaginary,) my hair stood on end with horror. + +I thought no longer of resistance, but of flight. I rushed through the +gates of the castle, and fled in delirious terror away through the +well-known walks of the park. + +I was soon in the free, open country; but I had intuitively chosen the +road towards the village where Victorin's chasseur had been stationed. +Yet I thought not of this. It was instinct only, or chance, that had +guided me thither. + +I heard behind me the trampling of horses, and summoned up my whole +strength to avoid the pursuit which, of course, awaited me. My speed, +however, would have availed little; for, though the moon was up, yet +dark shadows crossed over my path. At last I fell against the root of a +tree, almost fainting and insensible, to the ground. + +Soon after, the horses that I had heard came up to me, and halted. +Fortunately, my pursuer retained his senses, though I had lost mine. It +was Victorin's chasseur. + +"For God's sake, my lord," said he, "what has happened in the castle! +There is a cry of murder. Already the whole village is in an uproar." + +To this I made him no answer; indeed I was unable to speak. + +"Well, whatever the truth may be," continued he, "some good genius has +put it into my head to pack up, and to ride hither from the village. +Everything is in the small portmanteau on your horse, my lord; for, of +course, we shall have to separate for some time. Something dangerous +must have happened. Is it not so?" + +I raised myself up without a word, and not without great difficulty +mounting my horse, I directed the chasseur to return to the village, and +there to await my farther commands. As soon as he had disappeared amid +the darkness, finding that to ride was disagreeable, I dismounted, and +carefully led my horse through the thickets of the pine-tree forest, +which now wildly spread itself out before me. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +When the first gleams of the morning sun broke through the dense wood, I +found myself on the borders of a clear rivulet, rapidly flowing over a +bright bed of pebbles. The horse, which I had laboriously led through +the thicket, stood quietly beside me; and I had nothing better to do, +than to search into the contents of the portmanteau, with which he was +loaded. Accordingly, having found the keys in the portefeuille, I +unlocked the small military equipage, and discovered suits of clothes, +linen, etc., and, what was of most importance, a purse well filled with +ducats and _Frederichs d'or_. + +I resolved immediately to change my dress, and disguise as much as +possible my appearance. With the help of scissars and a comb, which I +found in a dressing-case, I cut off my beard, and brought my head of +hair, as well as I could, into order. I then threw off my monk's habit, +in which I still found the fatal stiletto, Victorin's letters, and the +basket-bottle, with the remainder of the Devil's Elixir. + +In a short time I stood there in a lay dress, which fitted well enough, +and with a travelling-cap upon my head; so that when I saw my reflection +in the rivulet, I could scarcely recognize myself. Soon afterwards, +having packed up the portmanteau, and resumed my journey, I came to the +outskirts of the wood, and a smoke, which I saw rising before me, +accompanied by the clear sound of a bell, gave me to understand that +there was a town or hamlet at no great distance. Scarcely had I reached +the summit of a rising ground opposite, when a pleasant well-cultivated +valley expanded itself before me, in which there was a large flourishing +village. + +I struck, forthwith, into the broad carriage-road which wound thither, +and as soon as the declivity became less steep, mounted my horse, that I +might accustom myself as much as possible to riding, in which I had +hitherto had no practice whatever. + +My character seemed to have changed with my dress. As for my capuchin +robes, I had thrown them into the hollow of a decayed tree, and with +them had dismissed and banished from my thoughts all the hideous +adventures in the castle. I found myself once more spirited and +courageous. It now seemed to me that the horrid phantom of Victorin had +been only a vision of my own fevered brain, but that my last address to +the inhabitants of the castle had indeed been an effect of divine +inspiration. It seemed as if I had thus unconsciously wound up and +completed the purposes of that mysterious destiny which led me to the +Baron's house, and that, like the agent of Omnipotent Providence, I had +stepped in, inflicting just vengeance on the guilty. + +Only the delightful image of Aurelia lived, as before, unchanged in my +remembrance; and I could not think on my thus inevitable separation from +her, without extreme pain and affliction. Yet oftentimes it appeared to +me, as if, perhaps in some far distant land, I should yet behold her +again,--nay, as if borne away by irresistible impulse, she must, at one +period or another, become mine. + + * * * * * + +I observed that the people whom I met on the road, invariably stood +still to look and gaze after me, so that there must have been something +quite unusual and unaccountable in my appearance. I was not interrupted, +however, but arrived in due time at the village. It was of considerable +extent, badly paved, and composed of poor ill-furnished houses, many of +which were more like animated monsters, like gigantic visages mounted on +claw feet, after the distorted imagination of Teniers, than dwellings to +reside in. The soil on which they stood was damp, therefore most of them +were raised on wooden posts, as if on legs, from the ground. The roofs, +moreover, had sky-lights like protruding eyes, while the door, with its +staircase, might be compared to mouth and chin, and the windows would, +in a drawing, have served for cheek-bones. It was a grotesque town; a +spot such as can only be found in the retired inland parts of Germany, +where trade exists not, husbandry is but indifferent, and where the +post-roads are not much frequented. + +It was not difficult, therefore, in such a place, to find out the best +inn, (where there was but one.) When I pulled up the reins at the door, +the landlord, a heavy fat man, with a green glazed night-cap on his +head, was so completely confounded by my looks, that he was evidently +struck speechless. He said nothing, but stared as if half petrified by +his own apprehensions, or occasionally twisted his mouth into an +ironical grin. + +Without attending to these symptoms, I desired that my horse should be +put carefully into the stable, and ordered breakfast for myself. I was +shewn into the public room, where there were several tables, and while I +was engaged over a warm ragout, and a bottle of wine, there were +gradually a large company of _bauers_ collecting around me, that looked +occasionally as if half afraid, casting significant glances, and +whispering with each other. + +The party became always more and more numerous. Evidently not being +restrained by the laws of good breeding, they at last formed a regular +circle, and stared at me in stupid astonishment. All the while, I +endeavoured to preserve the most perfect composure; and when I had +finished the ragout and bottle of _vin ordinaire_, I called in a loud +tone for the landlord, desiring him to "saddle my horse, and replace my +portmanteau." + +He came accordingly, and retired with a significant grin upon his +visage. Soon afterwards he returned, in company with a tall +formal-looking man, who, with a stern official air, and a truly +ridiculous gravity, stepped up to me. He looked me directly in the face. +I boldly answered his looks, rose up also, and placed myself right +before him. This seemed in a considerable degree to disturb his +composure, and he looked round rather confusedly on the numerous +assemblage. + +"Well, sir," said I, "what's the matter?--You seem to have something +particular to say to me, and I shall be obliged by your getting through +with it as quickly as possible." + +After divers hums and ha's, he then began to speak, endeavouring to give +to every word and tone prodigious importance. + +"Sir," said he, "you cannot go from this place without rendering an +account to us, the Judge, circumstantially, who you are, according to +all particulars, as to birth, rank, and dignity; _item_, whence you +came; _item_, whither you intend to go, with all particulars; _item_, +the situation of place, the name of province and town, and whatever is +farther requisite to be known and observed. And besides all this, you +must exhibit to us, the Judge, a pass, written and subscribed, and +sealed, according to all particulars, as is legal and customary." + +I had indeed never once recollected that it would be necessary for me to +assume some name or another; and still less had I reflected that the +peculiarities of my appearance, so unsuitable to my remains of monastic +mien and gesture, and even my extraordinary beard and tonsure, would +bring me every moment under the embarrassment of questions and +misunderstandings. + +The demands of the village Judge, therefore, came upon me so +unexpectedly, that I considered for some moments in vain, how I should +give him a satisfactory answer. + +I resolved, in the first place, to try what decisive boldness would do, +and pronounced in a firm voice,--"Who I am, I have reason to conceal; +and therefore you will ask in vain for my pass. Besides, I recommend it +to you to beware how, with your contemptible circumlocutions, you +detain, even for a moment, a person of rank and consequence." + +"Ho, ho!" cried the village Judge, taking out a great snuff-box, into +which, as he helped himself, the hands of no less than five bailiffs +behind him were thrust at once, delving out enormous pinches--"Ho, ho! +not so rough, if you please, most worshipful sir. Your excellency must +be pleased to submit to the examination of us, the Judge; for, in a +word, there have been some very suspicious figures seen here for some +time, wandering among the mountains, that look out and vanish again as +if the very devil were among us. But we know that these are neither more +nor less than cursed vagabonds and thieves, who lie in wait for +travellers, committing all sorts of enormities by fire and sword. Now, +your appearance, sir, with reverence be it spoken, is exactly that of a +portrait which has been sent to us by government, of a most notorious +robber and bandit, according to all particulars. So, without any more +circumlocutions, or needless discourse, your pass, or you go directly to +the tower." + +I saw that nothing was to be gained over the man in this way, and +prepared myself therefore for a new attempt. + +"Mr Judge," said I, "if you would grant me the favour of speaking to you +alone, I should easily clear up all your doubts; and in full reliance on +your prudence, would reveal to you the cause of my present strange +appearance, which seems to you so formidable. There is indeed a +mystery--" + +"Ha! ha!" replied the Judge, "mysteries to be revealed! I see already +how this business is to conclude. Only get away with you there, good +people. Watch the doors and windows, and see that nobody gets in or +out." + +Accordingly we were left alone. + +"Mr Judge," said I, "you behold in me an unhappy fugitive, who has +succeeded in escaping from a shameful imprisonment, and from the danger +of being immured for ever within the walls of a convent. Excuse me for +not entering more into particulars of my history, which would only be +unravelling a web of the private quarrels and animosities of a +revengeful family. A love affair with a girl of low rank was the cause +of my misfortune. During my long confinement my beard had grown, and +they had also forced me, as you may perceive, to take the tonsure; +besides all which, I was, of course, obliged to assume the habit of a +monk. It was for the first time here, in the neighbouring forest, that I +ventured to stop and change my dress, as I should otherwise have been +overtaken in my flight. + +"You now perceive whence proceeds that peculiarity in my looks and +dress, which appeared so suspicious. You may be convinced, also, that I +cannot shew you any pass; but of the truth of my assertions I have here +certain illustrations, which I hope will be satisfactory." + +With these words I drew out my purse, and laid three glittering ducats +on the table; whereupon the assumed gravity of the Judge was +involuntarily twisted into smirks and smiles. + +"Your proofs, sir," said he, "are sufficiently clear and striking; but +don't take it amiss, your excellency, if I remark, that there is yet +wanting a certain equality and consistency, according to all +particulars. If you wish that I should take the unright for the right, +the irregular for the regular, your proofs, at least, must be equally +proportioned." + +I perfectly understood the rascal, and directly laid another ducat on +the table. "Now," said the Judge, "I perceive, indeed, that I had done +you injustice by my suspicions. Travel on, sir, in God's name; but +observe (as you are probably well accustomed) to avoid, as much as +possible, the high roads, till you get rid of your present peculiarity +of appearance." + +He then opened the door as wide as he could, and called aloud to the +people, "The gentleman here is a man of rank and quality, according to +all particulars. He has satisfied us the Judge, in a private audience, +that he travels _incognito_, that is to say, unknown; and that you, good +people, have with this nothing to do.--Now, sir, _bon voyage_!" + +Accordingly, my horse was brought from the stable, and as I essayed to +mount, the _bauers_, in respectful silence, took off their caps. I +wished to get away from them, and to ride as quickly as possible through +the gate; but to my extreme confusion, my horse was restive, and began +to snort and rear, while my utter ignorance and want of practice in +riding rendered it quite impossible for me to bring him forward. Indeed, +I soon lost all self-possession; for he wheeled round in circles, till +at last, amid the loud laughter of the peasants, I was thrown off into +the arms of the innkeeper and the Judge. + +"That is a devil of a horse, sir," said the Judge, with a suppressed +grin. + +"A devil of a horse, indeed!" answered I, beating the dust from my +clothes, for I had slipped through their arms to the ground. + +They now joined in assisting me once more to mount; but, for the second +time, the horse behaved just as before, snorting and foaming; in short, +would by no means be brought through the gate. + +At last an old man among the crowd cried out, "See, there! see, there! +the old witch _Elise_ is sitting at the gate, and won't let the +gentleman pass, because he has not given her _groschen_." + +For the first time now I perceived an old beggar sitting, coiled up like +a ball, in a corner by the gate, and with the grin of idiotcy on her +features. + +"Will the d--d witch not get out of the way?" cried the Judge. + +Hereupon the old woman croaked out, "The bloody brother--the bloody +brother has given me no groschen!--Do you not see the dead man there +lying before him?--The murderer cannot get over him, for the dead man +raises himself up; but I will crush him down, if the bloody brother will +give me a groschen!" + +The Judge had taken the horse by the rein, and, not minding the old +woman, would have led it through the gate. In vain, however, were all +his endeavours; and the witch continued to cry without ceasing, "Bloody +brother, bloody brother--give me groschen!" + +At last I forced my hand into my pocket, and threw her money. Shouting +and rejoicing, she then started up--"See the groschen!" cried she, "see +the groschen that the murderer has given me--see the beautiful +groschen!" + +Meanwhile my horse neighed aloud; and on the Judge's letting him go, +went curvetting and caprioling through the gate. "Now, sir," said he, +"the riding goes on fine and admirably, according to all particulars!" + +The _bauers_, who had followed me through the gate, laughed again out of +all measure, when they beheld me dancing up and down to the powerful +movements of my too lively horse, and cried aloud, "See only, see +only--he rides like a Capuchin!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +This whole adventure in the village, especially the disgusting and +strange words of the mad-woman, had not a little discomposed me. The +best rule which I could now adopt, was of course to get rid as soon as +possible of every remarkable trait in my outward appearance, and to +assume some name or other, under which I might appear unobserved and +unsuspected in the world. + +Life now lay before me, as if beneath the dark clouds of impenetrable +mystery. What was it possible for me to do, but to give myself up to the +current of that stream which bore me irresistibly onward? All bonds by +which I was formerly connected with certain duties or situations in the +world were now broken and dissevered,--so that I could find no hold or +stay by which to pilot my course. + + * * * * * + +The high road became always more lively and populous. I met carriages +and horsemen, as well as foot passengers. The country was more +cultivated, and the hedge-rows were planted with orchard-trees, some of +which were yet loaded with the later fruits of autumn. In short, +everything already announced, from a distance, the existence of the rich +and flourishing commercial town to which I was now drawing near. + +In due time it lay visibly before me. Without being questioned, nay, +without even being rudely stared at, I rode at once into the suburbs. + +A large house, with bright plate-glass windows, over the door of which +there was a golden lion, immediately struck my attention. Crowds of +people were here streaming in and out at the gate--carriages arrived and +departed, while from the rooms on the ground-floor I heard the jovial +sounds of laughter and the ringing of glasses. + +Scarcely had I pulled up the reins, being yet undecided, when the +_hausknecht_ officiously sprung out, took my horse by the bridle, and on +my dismounting, led him, without asking any questions, to the stable. + +The head waiter, smartly dressed, came bustling and rattling, with his +bunch of keys at his girdle, and walked before me up stairs. When we +came into the second story, he looked at me with a flitting glance of +inquiry, and then led me up an _etage_ higher, where he shewed me a +chamber of moderate dimensions; then politely asked "if I had any +commands;" said that "dinner would be ready at two o'clock, in the great +hall, No. 10." etc. etc. + +"Bring me a bottle of wine," said I. These were indeed the first words +which the officious assiduity of these people had left me an opportunity +to interpose. + +Scarcely had the waiter left me alone, when there was a knocking at the +door, and a face looked in, which at once reminded me of the +representations that are seen in allegorical pictures, of a comic mask. +A pointed red nose--a pair of small glistening eyes--lips drawn upwards +into an exquisite grin--a long chin--and, above all this, a high +powdered toupée, which, as I afterwards perceived, declined backwards +most unexpectedly into a _Titus_;--for his dress, a large ostentatious +frill, a fiery-red waistcoat, under which protruded two massy +watch-chains--pantaloons--a frock-coat, which in some places was too +narrow, in others too wide; of course did not fit anywhere!--Such was +the figure that now stepped into the room, retaining all the way the +same angle of obeisance which he had assumed at his first entrance, and +talking all the time. "I am the _frizeur_ of this house," said he; "and +beg leave, with the greatest respect, and in the most immeasurable +degree, to offer my services!" + +There was about this little shrivelled wretch an air and character so +irresistibly comical, that I could hardly suppress laughter. His visit, +however, was now very _apropos_; and accordingly I told him that my hair +had been both neglected, in the course of a long journey, and spoiled by +bad cutting. I therefore desired to know, whether he could bring my head +into proper order. + +He looked at me accordingly with the significant eyes of an artist and +_connoisseur_, laid his right hand with an elegant and _gracioso_ bend +on his breast, and said-- + +"Bring into order, forsooth! Oh, heavens! Pietro Belcampo, thou whom +malignant enviers and traducers have chosen to call Peter Fairfield, +even as that divine military fifer and hornist, Giacomo Punto, was +called Jack Stitch,--thou, like him, art in truth calumniated and +misunderstood. But, indeed, hast thou not thyself placed thy light +under a bushel, instead of letting it shine before the world? And yet, +should not even the formation of this hand and fingers, the brightness +of genius which beams from these eyes, and colours the nose in passing +with a beautiful morning red; in short, should not thy _tout ensemble_ +betray to the first glance of the connoisseur, that there dwells within +thee that spirit which strives after the _ideal_? 'Bring into +order!'--These are indeed cold words, sir!" + +I begged the strange little man not to put himself into such a flutter, +as I had the fullest reliance on his skill and cleverness. + +"Cleverness!" resumed he with great fervour; "what is cleverness? Who +was clever? He who took the measure at five eye-lengths, and then +jumping thirty yards, tumbled into the ditch? He who could throw the +grain of linseed at thirty steps distance through the eye of a needle? +He who hung five hundred weight on the point of his sword, and then +balanced it on his nose for six hours, six minutes, six seconds, and a +half?--Ha! what is cleverness? Be it what it may, it is foreign to +Belcampo, whose whole soul is imbued by art, sacred art. + +"_Art_, sir, _art_! My fancy revels in the wonderful formation, the +_creation_ of locks--in that moulding of character, which indeed the +breath of a zephyr in wiry curls builds and annihilates. There, art (or +science, as it may, for variety's sake, be called) conceives, developes, +labours, and originates! In this, sir, there is indeed something truly +divine; for art is not properly that of which men, under this name, +speak so much, but rather springs out of all to which this name has been +given. + +"You understand me, sir; for I perceive that you have a meditative head, +as I conclude from that lock which hangs over your excellency's right +temple." + +I assured him (however falsely) that I completely understood him; and +being diverted with the man's originality of humour, I resolved that, +holding his boasted science in due respect, I would by no means +interrupt his eloquence, however diffuse. + +"What then," said I, "do you intend to make of this confused head of +mine?" + +"All, everything that you please or wish," said the man. "If, however, +it may be allowed to Pietro Belcampo to give counsel, then let me first +contemplate your excellency's head, in its proper length, breadth, and +circumference--your whole figure, too, your mien, your gait, your play +of gesture; then I shall be able finally to say whether you belong +properly to the antique or romantic, the heroic or pastoral, the +_grandios_ or _ordinaire_, the _naive_ or _satyric_, the humorous or +severe; then, accordingly, I shall call up the spirits of Caracalla, of +Titus, of Charlemagne, of _Henri Quatre_, of Gustave Adolph, of Virgil, +of Tasso, or Boccaccio! + +"Inspired by them, the muscles of my fingers will vibrate and quiver, +and under the sonorous twittering of the scissars, will proceed the +masterpiece of art! I shall be the man, sir, who will perfect your +leading characteristic, as it should exhibit itself in real life. But +now, let me beg of you, sir, to step up and down through the room. I +shall meanwhile contemplate, remark, and record. Let me beg of you, +sir!" + +I must, of course, accommodate myself to the strange man, therefore did +as I was desired, walking up and down the room, endeavouring at the same +time to conceal, as much as I could, my inclination to the monastic +gait, which, however, it is almost impossible for one by whom it has +been thoroughly learned, even after many years, wholly to conquer. + +The little man contemplated me with great attention, then began to trip +about the room. He sighed and shrugged, even panted and sobbed, then +drew out his handkerchief, and wiped the drops from his forehead; at +last he stood still, and I inquired "if he was yet resolved how he +should operate?" Then, with a deep sigh, he broke out--"Alas, sir! what +is the meaning of all this? You have not resigned yourself to your +natural character. There was constraint in every movement--a conflict of +contending principles. Yet, a few more steps, sir." + +Hereupon I absolutely refused to set myself up for show any longer in +that manner, and told him plainly, that if he could not _now_ resolve +what to make of my hair, I must refuse altogether to have anything to do +with him or his art. + +"Bury thyself, Pietro!" cried the little man, with great fervour; "go to +the grave, for in this world thou art wholly and utterly misunderstood. +Here is no confidence, no truth any more to be found! + +"Yet, sir, you shall be compelled to acknowledge the depth of my +perceptions, and do honour to my genius. In vain did I labour to +amalgamate together all the contradictions and conflicts in your +character and gestures. In the latter there is something that directly +points at monachism. '_Ex profundis clamavi ad te, Domine. Oremus. Et in +omnia secula seculorum!_'" + +With bitter scorn and mockery the man pronounced these words from the +Ritual, in a hoarse croaking voice, imitating, at the same time, to the +very life, the postures and gesture of a monk. He turned himself as if +before the altar, he kneeled, and rose again. At last he stopped, drew +himself up, and assumed a proud look of defiance, stared widely, and +cried, "MINE is the world! I am more wealthy, more wise, prudent, and +intelligent, than all of ye, ye blind moles! Bend, then, and kneel down +before me, in humble submission! + +"Look you, sir, that which I have mentioned forms the chief attribute +and ingredient in your appearance; and, with your permission, I shall, +contemplating your features, your figure, and moods of mind, blend +together something of Caracalla, Abelard, and Boccaccio; and proceeding +on the idea thus gained, shall, like an inspired sculptor, begin the +glorious creation of antique, ethereal, classic locks and curls!" + +Imperfect and ridiculous as the man's _expressions_ were, yet there was +so much home _truth_ in his remarks, that I judged it best to conceal +nothing from him; I therefore confessed that I had indeed been a monk, +and had received the _tonsure_, which, for certain reasons, I now wished +as much as possible to keep unobserved. + +With the most absurd writhing, twisting, grimaces, and extravagant +discourse, the man at last proceeded with his operations on my hair. Now +he looked cross and gloomy--now smiled--anon stamped and clenched his +fist--then smiled again and stood on tiptoe; in short, it became +impossible for me to refrain from laughing, in which I at last indulged +very heartily. + +After about an hour's work, he had finished, and before he could break +afresh into words, which were already on the tip of his tongue, I begged +him immediately to go and send up some one who, as a barber, might +exhibit the same skill that he had done as a _frizeur_. + +With a significant grin, he stepped to the door on tiptoe, shut and +bolted it, then tripped back into the middle of the room, and +began--"Oh, golden age! where still the hair of the head and of the +beard, in one plenitude of waving locks, poured itself out for the +adornment of man and the delightful care of the artist! But those days +are for ever gone! Man has insanely cast away his noblest ornament, and +a shameful race have set themselves to work, with their horrible +instruments, to raze and extirpate the beard even to the skin! O ye +despicable band of beard-scrapers! whetting your abominable knives upon +black strops stinking with oil, and, in scornful defiance of art, +swinging about your tasselled bags, clattering with your pewter basons, +splashing about your scalding-hot froth, and asking your unhappy +patients whether they will be shaved over the thumb or the spoon! +Luckily there are men still--there is at least one Pietro, who labours +against your infamous trade, and who, though lowering himself to your +wretched office of rooting out the beard, still endeavours to preserve +and cherish that little which is allowed to lift itself from the +desolate wrecks of Time! + +"What are the numberless varieties of whiskers in their elegant +windings and curvatures, now softly bending around the cheek, in the +fashion of the delicate oval--now melancholily sinking straight down +into the depth of the neck--now boldly mounting up even to the corner of +the mouth--anon narrowing modestly into small delicate lines, anon +spreading out in full unchastised luxuriance,--what, I say, are all +these but the invention of our science, in which the high striving after +the sublime, the beautiful, and the _ideal_, is unfolded? Ha, then, +Pietro, shew what a spirit dwells within thee! Shew what thou art in +reality prepared to undertake for the sacred cause of art, while, to the +eyes of the ignorant, you appear to be lowering yourself to a mere +beard-scraper!" + +With these words, the little man had drawn out a complete barber's +apparatus, and begun, with, light and skilful touches, to free me from +that remaining incumbrance, which had so much offended the eyes of my +old friend the Judge. In truth, I came out of his hands completely +metamorphosed; and nothing more was necessary but a proper change of +dress, in order to escape all danger of provoking, by my appearance, +questions or impertinent curiosity. + +Belcampo, having packed up his implements, stood smiling on me with +great satisfaction. I then said to him, that I was quite unacquainted +with the town; and that it would be very satisfactory if he could inform +me, how to procure immediately a suit of clothes, according to the +newest fashion of the time and place. To reward his trouble, and +encourage him in my service, I slipped a ducat into his hand. + +Hereupon he seemed absolutely inspired--cast his eyes to the ceiling, +and then ogled the ducat in the palm of his hand. "Worthiest of patrons +and masters," said he, "in you I have not been deceived. A guardian +spirit, indeed, guided my hand, and in the proud waving of these +curls--in the eagle flight of these whiskers--your high sentiments are +clearly expressed! + +"I have, indeed, a friend, a Damon, an Orestes, who will fulfil upon the +rest of the body, that which I have commenced upon the head, with the +same depth of reflection, and the same light of genius. You perceive, +sir, that the individual whom I mean is an artist of costume; which +expression I prefer to the trivial one of tailor. + +"He, too, willingly luxuriates and loses himself in the _ideal_; and +thus forming in his own mind shapes, characters, and physiognomies, he +has planned a magazine, a _depot_ of the most exquisite dresses. You +behold there the modern _elegant_, in all possible shadowings of +character, now boldly and energetically out-shining all competitors--now +reserved within himself, and lost to all that is external--now witty and +ironical--now melancholy and out of humour--anon bizarre and +extravagant, anon plain and citizen-like, according as he wishes to +appear, _so_ or _so_! + +"The youth who, for the first time, ventures to order a coat for +himself, without the assistance of mamma, or his tutor,--the man of +forty, who must wear powder to conceal grey hairs,--the old man, still +vigorous in his enjoyment of life,--the profound student,--the bustling +merchant,--the opulent, retired citizen,--all these varieties of +character rise up before your eyes, as on a theatre, when you enter the +shop of my Damon. But, in a few moments, the masterpieces of my friend's +art shall be presented in this very room, for your inspection." + +Accordingly, he hopped away in great haste, and soon after re-appeared +with a tall, stout, genteelly dressed man, who, as well in his whole +behaviour as in his exterior, made the most perfect contrast possible, +with the little _frizeur_; and yet, nevertheless, he introduced him to +me as his Damon! + +Damon sedately measured me with his eyes, and then searched out of a +large bale that a boy had carried, several suits of clothes, which +exactly corresponded with the wishes that I had expressed. Indeed I +then, for the first time, acknowledged the fine _tact_ of the +_costume-artist_, as the little man had styled him; for he had chosen +for me precisely that style of dress, in which, without any hints of +reference to rank, profession, birth-place, and so forth, one might +glide unobserved through the world. It is, in truth, no easy matter to +dress one's self in such manner, that all suspicions of a particular +character or pursuit may be avoided. The costume of a citizen of the +world should be regulated by the _negative_ principle, as, in polite +behaviour, more depends on judicious unobtrusive _leaving out_, than on +actual performance. + +The little man all the while indulged himself in his own absurd and +wandering discourse; and as he probably did not meet every day with a +listener so willing as I had been, he was, no doubt, unusually +brilliant. Damon, however, a grave, and, as it seemed to me, intelligent +man, at last cut him short, without mercy; and shaking him by the +shoulder, "Fairfield," said he, "you are got again to-day into the old +vein--upon the right '_jawing tack_,' as the Dutch mariners say. I would +bet any sum, that the gentleman's ears must have ached already with the +nonsense which you are pouring out!" + +With an air of the deepest melancholy, Belcampo now hung down his head. +He then suddenly seized his old weather-beaten hat; and, running quickly +to the door, "Such," cried he, "is the lamentable fate--such are the +misfortunes of genius! Thus is the character of Belcampo prostituted and +defamed, even by his best friends!" + +Damon also then took his leave, and, in retiring, said, "He is a coxcomb +quite of his own kind, this Fairfield! Much reading has turned his +brain; otherwise he is a good-natured fellow, and clever in his own +business, on which account I can bear him well enough, since, if a man +has good success in any _one_ trade, he may be excused a little +extravagance on other occasions." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +As soon as I was left alone, I began to look in a large mirror, which +hung in the room, and to give myself formal lessons in gait and +demeanour. For this purpose, the discovery made by the _frizeur_ had +given me very necessary hints. Monks acquire a peculiar awkwardness of +walk from their long dresses, which confine the limbs, and from their +attempt at the same time to move quickly, which the rules of our order +enjoin. There is also something farther characteristic in a submissive +bending forward of the body, and in the carriage of the arms, which must +never hang downwards. All this I endeavoured to unlearn as effectually +as possible. + +Now, however, I derived most encouragement from the idea, that I was +completely transformed in mind, as well as in appearance; that the +thread of my former life was wholly broken, so that I could look on its +adventures as on transactions foreign to myself, which I had now done +with for ever. I had entered on a new state of existence, wherein, if +recollections still haunted me, these would every day become fainter and +fainter, until at last they wore out, and perished altogether. + +When I looked out from the window, the tumult of people, the +uninterrupted noise of business which was kept up upon the streets--all +was new to me, and was exactly calculated to prolong that levity of +mind, which the loquacity of the little man, and my being forced to +laugh at him, had excited. + +In my new dress I ventured down to the crowded _table d'hote_, and all +apprehension vanished, when I found that no one observed me, nay, that +even my nearest neighbour did not give himself the trouble of looking at +me when I set myself beside him. + +In the list of strangers, I had entered my name simply as Mr Leonard, +and given myself out for a _particulier_, who travelled for his own +pleasure. Of such travellers there might be many in the town, and of +course I would escape farther questioning. + +After dinner, it afforded me a new and incalculable pleasure to wander +through the town, where I found streets much broader and better paved, +with far finer houses, than any to which I had yet been accustomed. +Luckily there were now preparations set on foot for the approaching +great yearly fair, which caused an unusual bustle in every quarter; and +I had been told at my hotel that a few days later it would have been +impossible for me to obtain lodgings. The richness of the booths, which +already began to open, exceeded all that my imagination had ever +conceived. _There_ were the _choicest_ goods from all quarters of the +globe; from France, Italy, England, the East and West Indies; from +Persia, Turkey, Russia, down to the nearer kingdoms of Hungary and +Poland; and I became confirmed in my conviction that here no one would +observe my dress or appearance, since there were natives of all +countries, in their proper costumes, parading the streets, or arranging +their merchandize. The air was perfumed by the fragrance of Turkish +tobacco, as the natives of Constantinople stalked silently about with +their long pipes, in dresses which I had till then only seen in books; +and there were Persians, who, from their splendour of attire, might +have passed for sultans, had not their present occupations proved the +contrary. + +But as I found my way at last to the streets more particularly allotted +to the dealers in all sorts of _bijouterie_, toys, paintings, +engravings, and other works of art, my wonder and delight were increased +at every step. Amid the infinite variety of objects conducive to luxury +and amusement here exhibited, time passed on like a dream. I did not +fail to indulge myself in the purchase of several articles of ornament +and convenience. A watch and chain, two seal rings, a large _meerschaum_ +pipe, (which the vender rightly declared to be a _chef d'oeuvre_,) a +few books and prints, etc.; all which I ordered to be sent home to my +hotel. + +On arriving afterwards at the Great Square, in the centre of the town, I +was confounded by finding it already occupied by caravans and temporary +theatres, filled with wild beasts, travelling players, puppet-shows, +giants, dwarfs, panoramas, jugglers, etc. etc. etc. + +These sights, however, I did not venture for the present to examine more +narrowly, but made my way into the public walks and gardens by which +the town is surrounded, and which were now gay with genteel parties, +enjoying the afternoon's promenade, enlivened, moreover, with excellent +music from harp-players, singers, organists, etc., many of whom, +especially of the singers, reminded me of the best music that I had +heard in early days, in the house of the choir-master at Königswald. + +For a moment, too, I was reminded of his sister, by the countenance, and +yet more by the figure, of a girl that passed me, in the midst of a +thicket of very dark massive pines, near the Bockenheimer gate; but the +recollection was transient; for now, though surrounded by gaiety and +music, by sparkling groups and beautiful countenances, (for at +Frankenburg, as at Saxe Gotha, almost every female, not in the extreme +of old age, is beautiful,) yet by rapid degrees the cheerfulness which I +had felt at the commencement of my walk vanished quite away. + +All at once I felt within me the solution of the riddle, the explanation +of the cause why I was thus changed. I was _alone_ in the midst of these +happy groups. The trees, the flowers, (withered and yellowed already by +the blasts of autumn,) the ruddy gleams of the western sky, and the +varieties of the landscape--these, indeed, were like society--these I +partook in common with the parties around me--but of all the shapes and +forms of men and women, smiling or grave, meditative or gay, that moved +about me, I knew _not one_. There was not a single individual in whose +breast I could imagine a shadow of apprehension who I really was--what +strange chance had brought me hither, or even the least atom of that +overpowering load of mystery by which I was weighed down, and which was +wholly locked up within my own bosom. + +All this, however convenient at the present moment, made on me an +impression hostile, destructive, and almost insupportable. As long as I +had the gay booths, the paintings, toys, jewels, sparkling dresses, +liqueurs, and confections, tobacco-pipes, books, and engravings around +me,--such things, however contemptible in the eyes of one accustomed to +the world, had, from their novelty, power enough to rivet my attention, +and alienate it from _selfish_ fears and despondency. But now, amid +these rural walks, surrounded only by happy groups, of whom each +individual enjoyed mutual confidence with his neighbour--by husbands +and wives, lovers and mistresses, parents and children; amid scenes that +reminded me of my early days of innocence, methought I was like a +condemned spirit--like a _revenant_, doomed involuntarily to wander on +the earth, from whence all, and every one to whom he had been attached, +had long since died away! + +If I called to mind how, formerly, every visitant at the Capuchin +Convent so kindly and respectfully greeted the pulpit orator, and how +the whole neighbourhood, and even strangers from remote countries, +thirsted after his conversation, rejoicing even in the opportunity of a +few words, then my heart was wrung with the bitterest anguish. + +I strove against this, however, as much as possible. "That pulpit +orator," said I to myself, "was the Monk Medardus, he who is now dead, +buried, and (ought to be) forgotten, in the abysses of the mountains--in +the darkness of the far-distant pine-tree forest. With him I have +nothing to do, for I am alive and active, nay, life itself has for the +first time dawned upon me, and begun to offer its varied and substantial +enjoyments." + +Thus, when in my involuntary waking dreams I recalled the strange and +frightful adventures at the castle, I said to myself, "These things are +indeed known to me, yet it is to some one else that they refer; over me +they can have no influence." This _other_ was again the Capuchin; but I +was no longer a monk. It was only the never-dying thoughts of Aurelia +that united still, by indissoluble ties, my former with my present +existence; but when this feeling was truly awoke, like the torment of an +incurable malady, it killed and annihilated that spirit of pleasure +which had risen up within me. I was then suddenly torn out of those +brilliant circles of glittering forms and fantastic imagery, by which +life had begun to surround me. The delusions fled. I despised myself for +having been pleased for a moment, like a child, with toys and rattles, +and once more sunk down, a prey to the darkest and most rayless +despondency. + +This evening, on my return from the public walks, I visited, for the +first time in my life, a theatre. This was to me another new enjoyment; +but before reaching thither, my despondency had gained its full +influence. The piece performed happened to be a tragedy, and I thought, +during the whole performance, only of Aurelia. + + * * * * * + +During my residence at Frankenburg, I did not omit to visit some of the +many houses of public resort, in which people met to breakfast, _a la +fourchette_; to dine, to sup, and enjoy the pleasures of wine, gaming, +and conversation. Accordingly, I soon felt a particular preference for a +certain hotel in the middle of the town, where, on account of the +superior quality of the wines, a numerous society were to be found every +night. + +At a table, in a room adjoining to the great _salle_, I found regularly, +at a fixed hour in the evening, the same persons assembled. Their +conversation was always lively and ingenious. Accident at last brought +me acquainted with these people, who had thus formed an especial circle +for themselves, and who for some time shewed no disposition to bestow on +me any share of their attention. + +At first, I used to sit quietly in a corner of the room, and drink my +wine alone; but on one occasion it so happened that I was able to afford +them information on a literary topic which they were discussing, and +was in consequence invited to a place at their table, which afterwards +was the more willingly kept open for me, as my good address and the +extent of my reading and acquirements exactly suited their dispositions. + +Thus I obtained, without trouble, some very agreeable acquaintances; and +accustoming myself more and more to the world, I became every day more +unconcerned, and was able, in great measure, to rub off the rust of my +former habits. + +For several evenings there had been much talk in this society of a +certain painter, (an entire stranger in the town,) who had lately +arrived, and during the fair was to hold an exhibition of his works. +Every member of the society but myself had seen his pictures, and +praised them so highly, that I of course felt anxious for an opportunity +of judging for myself, and went accordingly. + +The painter was absent when I entered his exhibition-room, but an old +man acted as _cicerone_, and named the masters of various old pictures +which the artist exhibited along with his own. Among them were many +admirable pieces, most of them originals, of celebrated Italian masters, +with which I was highly delighted. + +At last, I came to a series of pictures which the man said were copies +from certain large _frescoes_, designed many years ago. What was now my +astonishment, when involuntarily the recollections of my youth here +began to dawn upon me, every moment acquiring more distinct forms and +livelier colours! These were obviously copies from the Convent of the +Lime-Tree. Above all, I recognized most unequivocally, in a holy family, +the features of the old pilgrim who had come to us with the miraculous +boy! At this sight, the levity in which I had for some time indulged, +once more completely declined; and, sunk into the deepest melancholy, I +stood long gazing at the group. But when my sight next fell on a +portrait (large as life, and admirably done) of my adoptive mother, the +Princess, I could not forbear a loud outcry of wonder. This portrait +exhibited a most accurate resemblance, (such as Vandyke never failed to +give to all his pictures,) the costume was the same in which she used to +walk before the nuns in their procession through the church, and the +painter had seized the moment, when, having finished her private +devotions, she was leaving her room in full dress, in order to join in +that solemnity. The perspective behind shewed the interior of the +church, crowded with the expectant congregation. + +In the looks of this admirable woman, was fully developed that +expression of a mind wholly devoted to Heaven, which was so +pre-eminently her own. It now seemed to me as if she implored +forgiveness for that unhappy sinner, whom his own crimes had torn from +her maternal embraces. I felt once more all the bitterness of contrast +between what I now was, and what I _had been_! Feelings long lost and +estranged gained their full influence over my heart, and I was borne +away by an unspeakable longing after the scenes and impressions of my +youth. + +Methought I once more heard the south wind sigh through the dark +yew-hedges and tall beech-trees of the old manor-house, and traced again +the bright wanderings of the Saale, but _not_, as on the occasion of my +last visit there, with coldness and indifference! The delusion for a +moment was perfect, only to be followed by the bitterness of reality and +remorse. Anon, it seemed as if I were again with the good priest of the +Cistertian Convent, a cheerful, free-minded, and courageous boy, +wandering at will through the wild country, losing himself in rocky +recesses of the Thuringian mountains, or shouting and rejoicing because +the grand festival of St Bernard was drawing near! + +That well-known form of her whom I so deeply revered, was again +presented, as if living, before me. Methought, too, I heard her +voice.--"Medardus," said she, "hast thou been good and pious?" The +well-known tones, deepened by anxiety and love, floated like soft music +around me. "Hast thou been good and pious?" Alas! what must now be my +answer? The beautiful picture, traced by the pencil of Innocence and +Hope, is clouded and defaced for ever--the vernal skies are +darkened--the cold tempest winds of grief and remorse desolate the +landscape. I have heaped up crime on crime. On the first breach of my +monastic vows followed murder; and _now_, is not my daily life of +dissipation and deceit, but the certain commencement of crimes yet to +come? + +These thoughts, and many more, that it would require a volume to +delineate, rushed at once upon me, so that, completely overpowered, I +sunk, half-fainting, into a chair, and burst into tears. + +The old man was terrified. "For God's sake, sir," said he, "what's the +matter? what has happened to you?" + +"That picture," said I, in a hollow suppressed voice, "resembles with +such accuracy a near relation whom I lost by a cruel and untimely death, +that it has deeply affected me." With these words I arose, and assumed +as much composure as possible. + +"Come, sir," said this man, "such recollections are far too painful, and +should be avoided. There is yet one portrait here, which my master +considers his best, and which you have not seen. It is painted after the +life, and has only just now been finished. We have hung a curtain before +it, that the sun might not injure the fresh colours." + +The old man placed me carefully in the proper light, and then drew up +the curtain--IT WAS AURELIA! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +At first, a kind of horror seized upon me; for I knew not if this could +be reality, or the mockery of that relentless Fiend, that would lure me +on to destruction. But, with a violent effort, I summoned up courage; an +entire revolution again took place in my mind; new hopes and feelings +began to break through the gloom and melancholy, which for a space had +gathered around me. + +With eager eyes, I devoured the charms of Aurelia, which from the +enchanted canvass now gleamed out in full splendour before me. Yet, +alas! did not these childlike pious looks seem only to complain against +the murderer of her brother? The mystery of his guilt, however, which +had been deposited in my bosom, gave me confidence; and even a malicious +spirit of scorn and irony rose within me. I only regretted now, that in +that fatal night of Hermogen's death, Aurelia had not become mine. His +appearance had then frustrated my plans; but with death he had expiated +the rashness of his attempts against me.--"Aurelia," said I, "yet +survives; and this alone is sufficient to encourage my hopes of one day +possessing her. From the destiny in which she is involved, it is +impossible for her to escape; for am not I myself the living +impersonization of the fate to which she is subjected?" + +All the sadly-cherished dreams of youth, all feelings of piety which the +Abbess's portrait had inspired, were thus banished; and, still gazing on +Aurelia, I encouraged myself to the commission of deliberate and +premeditated crime. The old man was astonished at my conduct. He drawled +out a long string of words, about drawing, tone, colouring, etc. etc.; but +I heard him not. The thoughts of Aurelia, the hopes that I might yet +fulfil some one of those many plans, which had only been delayed, +absorbed me so completely, that I walked away, as in a dream, from the +exhibition-room, without once asking for the painter--thus losing, +perhaps, the best opportunity of learning what sort of connection there +existed betwixt myself and these pictures, which seemed to comprehend +in that magic circle the chief impressions of my whole life. + +Once more, I was now resolved to venture all things for Aurelia. Nay, it +seemed almost as if the clouds of mystery would soon be broken--as if, +elevated to a station from which I could overlook all the characters and +events connected with my life, I could have from them nothing to fear, +and therefore nothing to risk. I brooded, as formerly, over a thousand +plans and resolutions, in order to arrive nearer to my object. In the +first place, I perceived that I should, no doubt, learn much from the +strange painter, and, by conversation with him, develope many trains of +evidence, of which the possession was to me most important. At last, I +had nearly resolved that I would return, in my present state of complete +disguise and metamorphosis, to the Baron's castle. Nor, to my excited +feelings and disordered imagination, did this appear as an act of +extraordinary hazard and daring. + +In the evening, I went, as usual, to the club-room, where I had trouble +enough to restrain the vehemence of my emotions, and to prevent the +ebullitions of my overheated phantasy from being observed. I heard much +of the strange painter's productions, especially of that wonderful power +of expression which he had displayed in his portraits, above all in that +of Aurelia. I had now the means of joining in this approbation, and, +with a peculiar splendour, and strength of language, (heightened, too, +by a kind of scorn and irony, for I felt my own superiority in speaking +of this picture,) I described the nameless graces, the angelic charms, +which were spread over that saint-like countenance. Hereupon, one of the +party declared his intention of bringing the painter himself to the club +on the following evening, adding, that, though advanced in years, he was +still an interesting and agreeable companion, and that he would be +detained here for some time longer, having been employed professionally +by several rich families in the town. + + * * * * * + +Agitated by a tempest of conflicting feelings and indefinable +apprehensions, I could scarcely summon up resolution for the encounter +which I had so much wished, and, on the following night, went at a later +hour than usual to the club-room. + +On my entrance, I perceived at once which was the stranger, though his +countenance was not turned towards me. A conviction of the truth +immediately flashed on my mind; and, when I went round, and took my +place opposite to him--then, oh Heaven! there glared out upon me the +never-to-be-forgotten features of that horrible Unknown, the same who, +on St Anthony's day, had leaned against the pillar of the church, and +filled me with abhorrence and consternation! + +Now, too, even as then, he looked at me with the same fixed solemnity of +aspect--the same cold spectral self-possession. But the mood of mind +which I had so recently been cherishing, the thoughts of Aurelia, and my +determination to brave all things for her sake, gave me courage and +stability to bear up against his inspection, apparently unmoved. I could +no longer suppose that I but dreamed. The enemy had now visibly started +into life; and I was necessitated to venture the combat. + +I resolved, however, not to begin, but wait for his attack; and, should +he attempt to tear off the mask by which I was now concealed, to beat +him back with weapons, on the strength of which I flattered myself that +I could rely. + +After a short interval, however, the stranger appeared to take no +particular notice of me, but, turning his looks another way, continued +the conversation in which he had been engaged at my entrance. The party +began, at length, to speak of his own works, and bestowed especial +praise on the portrait of Aurelia. Some one among them maintained, that, +although this picture was, even at first sight, evidently a portrait, +yet it might serve for an imaginative study, and be taken for the _beau_ +(or _belle_) _ideal_ of a female saint. As I had, on the preceding +evening, been so eloquent in praise of this work, they now asked my +opinion, and, almost unconsciously, I said that I coincided with the +last speaker, and that I could not imagine to myself the blessed St +Rosalia otherwise than as a counterpart of the female here represented. + +The painter seemed scarcely to notice my words, but again broke +in--"Indeed, that young lady, whom the portrait, whatever may be its +merit as a work of art, very faithfully resembles, is a real and +immaculate saint--who, in the spiritual combat, exalts herself even to +supernatural excellence. I have painted her at the moment when, under +the influence of the most overwhelming griefs, she yet placed her hope +and trust in religious consolation,--in the aid of that Divine +Providence which unceasingly watches over us. + +"The expression of this hope, which, in a perfect degree, can dwell only +in a mind elevated above all that is terrestrial, I have endeavoured to +give to my picture--I cannot flatter myself that I have adequately +succeeded, but the principle, '_in magnis voluisse_,' seems to me to +have rendered it at least one of the most tolerable of my productions." + +The conversation now wandered away to other subjects.--The wine, which +to-day, in honour of the stranger-guest, was of a better sort, and drunk +more freely than usual, soon did its good office in enlivening the +party--Every one of them at last found something diverting to relate, or +some comical song to sing. The painter, meanwhile, seemed only to laugh +inwardly. If any change was produced in his countenance, it was to be +observed in his eyes, which were lighted up occasionally with a certain +mysterious lustre,--yet, by means of a few striking and powerful words +occasionally thrown in, he was able to play his part, and to keep the +whole company in admirable good humour. + +Although, whenever the stranger happened to fix his looks on me, I could +not repress a certain feeling of apprehension, yet I gradually overcame +that still worse mood of mind into which I had been brought, on my first +_reconnoissance_ of his features. I even told stories of the absurd +Belcampo, who was known less or more to all the party, and, to their +great amusement, gave such a lively account of his behaviour on the day +of my arrival, (with imitations of his voice and gesticulations,) that a +good-humoured fat merchant who sat opposite to me, declared, with tears +of laughter in his eyes, "That was the most delightful evening he had +ever spent in his life!" + +When the merriment that I had raised had begun to decline away, the +stranger suddenly inquired--"Gentlemen, has any one among you ever seen +the Devil?" + +This question was received but as the prelude to some new and comical +story. Of course, every one assured him, in turn, "that he had never yet +had that honour." + +"Well," said the stranger, "it so happened, that I was very lately +within a hair-breadth of attaining myself to that honour, and this, +namely, at the Castle of the Baron von R----, among the Thuringian +mountains." + +I now trembled in every limb; but the others laughed aloud, crying out, +"Go on--go on!" + +"Gentlemen," said the painter, "you probably all know that wild district +in the Thuringian mountains, through which every one must pass, who +travels in that direction northwards. But there is especially, on a +by-road, one romantic spot, where, if the traveller emerges out of the +dark pine-tree forests, and advances to the height of the rocky cliffs, +he finds himself suddenly, to his amazement, on the extreme verge of an +awful, deep, and, indeed, bottomless abyss. This is called the devil's +ground, and the projecting promontory of the rock the devil's chair. + +"Of the devil's chair it is related, that once, when a certain Count +Victorin, with his head full of wicked projects, had sat down upon this +rock, the devil suddenly appeared beside him; and because he was himself +resolved to carry the Count's wicked designs into execution, he +incontinently hurled Victorin down into the unfathomable gulf. + +"Thereafter, the devil appeared as a capuchin monk, at the castle of the +Baron von R----; and when he had taken his pleasure with the Baroness, +he first sent her out of the world, (no one knew how,) and then, because +the Baron's son, a madman, would by no means allow of this masquerade, +but always called out, 'The devil, the devil is among us!' he strangled +him. However, by that persevering _annonce_ of the madman, _one_ pious +soul at least was saved from the destruction which the devil had +intended for them all; and this was the young Baroness Aurelia, the +subject of the picture, which you have this night been commending. + +"Afterwards, the capuchin, (or the devil,) in an inconceivable manner, +vanished; and it is said, that he fled, coward-like, from Victorin, who +had risen like a bloody spectre from the grave against him. + +"Let all this be as it may, I can assure you, in plain truth, that the +Baroness died mysteriously--probably by poison; and that Hermogen (the +madman) was assassinated. The Baron himself, shortly afterwards, died of +grief; and Aurelia, the pious Saint, whose portrait I painted, at the +very time when these horrible events had taken place at the castle, fled +as a desolate orphan into a distant Cistertian Convent, of which the +Abbess had been in terms of friendship with her father. + +"You have seen and admired in my gallery the likeness of this admirable +and unfortunate young lady. But as to other circumstances, this +gentleman (pointing to me) will be better able to inform you than I am, +since, during the whole of the adventures to which I have alluded, he +was an inhabitant of the castle!" + +All looks, full of astonishment, were now directed towards me. Quite +unnerved, and lost to all self-possession, I started up--"How, sir!" +exclaimed I, in a violent tone--"What have I to do with your absurd +stories of capuchins, and devils, and assassinations? You mistake +me--you mistake me completely, I assure you; and I must beg that, for +this once, you will leave me completely out of the question." + +Considering the tumult of my mind, it was difficult for me to give my +words even this much of connection and propriety, or to assume any +degree of composure. The powerful influence of the painter's narrative, +and my excessive disquietude, were only too visible. The cheerful tone +which prevailed through the party rapidly declined; and as the members +of the club gradually recollected that I was a complete stranger, and +had only by accident obtained my place among them, they began to fix on +me mistrustful and suspicious glances. + +Meanwhile, the painter had risen from his chair, and, standing opposite, +transfixed me once more with his dead-alive glaring eyes, as formerly in +the Capuchin church. He did not utter a word; he stood cold, stiff, and, +but for the expression of his eyes, as if lifeless. + +But at those ghostly looks, my hair rose on end; cold drops gathered on +my forehead, and, seized by the most intense horror, I trembled through +every fibre. "Avaunt!--away with thee!" I exclaimed, out of myself with +agitation; "for thou thyself art Satan! Thou art the murderer--yet over +me thou hast no power!" + +The whole party instantly left their seats.--"What's the matter? Who is +that?" was heard from all quarters; and out of the adjoining _salle_, +the people, terrified by my voice, having left their amusements, came +thronging into our room.--"A drunk man!--A madman!--Turn him out!" cried +several voices. + +Meanwhile, the painter stood there steadfast, and immovably staring upon +me. The power which he thus (I know not how) exerted over my very mind +and thoughts--the whole train of consequences which the discovery he was +determined to force out would bring upon me--the wretched thraldom in +which I should remain at present, and the destruction which must +ensue--all these ideas conflicted together in my mind. But even without +their aid, the looks of the spectral painter alone were more than I +could endure. Methought his detestable features at length enlarged, +moved, and were writhen in mockery and scorn. At last, driven to the +uttermost paroxysm of rage and despair, I drew forth the stiletto with +which I had, in self-defence, killed Hermogen, and which I always +carried in my breast-pocket. + +With this weapon in my hand, I now fell upon my enemy; but his quick eye +had caught every movement, and one blow of his powerful arm brought me +to the ground. Methought I heard him laugh aloud, in hideous and +scornful triumph, so that his voice resounded through the chamber. + +"Brother Medardus!" said he, "Brother Medardus, play no longer this +false game! Go, return to the sanctuary of thy convent, and humble +thyself to the dust in shame and repentance!" + +I now felt myself seized by the people in the room; and allowing them to +raise me up, pretended at first to be quite exhausted; then, all at +once, rousing my whole strength, I drove and struck like a raging wild +beast against my assailants; and this so unexpectedly, that several of +them fell to the ground, and I made myself a passage towards the door; +but had scarcely rushed into the corridor, when a small side door +opened, and I felt myself seized on by an invisible arm, by which I was +drawn into a dark chamber. To this I made no resistance, for the +multitude of pursuers were raging behind me. + +Into this dark room I had been drawn just as I turned round a corner of +the corridor, and the mob of people, imagining that I had run onwards +and escaped down stairs, passed by the door and left me for the moment +unmolested. My invisible companion listened to their proceedings, and +in a few moments led me by the arm down a dark, private staircase, into +a back court, and then through the buildings behind into the open +street. By the light of the lamps I here recognised as my deliverer the +absurd Belcampo! + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +"Your excellency," said Belcampo, "appears to have laboured under a +strange fatality with regard to this painter. I was drinking my wine in +an adjoining room when the uproar began, and resolved, if possible, to +rescue you, for I alone am the author of all this disturbance." + +"How can that be?" said I; "what share could you possibly have in the +disaster?" + +"Who can resist momentary impulse?" said the little man, in a tone of +great pathos; "who can withstand the influences of that unseen, but +predominant Spirit, that rules over and inspires all our thoughts and +actions? + +"When I arranged your excellency's hair, my mind was, as usual, lighted +up by the sublimest ideas. I resigned myself up to the unbridled impulse +of wild phantasy, and accordingly I not only forgot to bring the lock of +anger on the topmost curls into a state of proper softness and +roundness, but even left seven-and-twenty hairs of fear and horror upon +the forehead. + +"The twenty-seven hairs that were thus left, raised themselves erect at +the stern looks of the painter, (who is, in truth, neither more nor less +than a _revenant_,) and inclined themselves longingly towards the lock +of anger on the toupée, which, in return, hissing and rustling, became +dishevelled. All this I could perceive with my own eyes. + +"Then, roused to extreme rage, your excellency pulled out a stiletto, on +which I distinguished that there were already drops of blood. But it was +a vain and needless attempt to send to hell him who to hell already +belongs. For this painter is Ahasuerus, the Wandering Jew, or Bertram de +Bornis, or Mephistopheles, or Benvenuto Cellini, or Judas Iscariot; in +short, a wicked _revenant_, and, in my opinion, to be banished by no +other means than by burning-hot curling-irons, which shall twist away +into annihilation that idea in which he properly consists; or, by the +dexterous and energetic use of electrical combs, against those thoughts +which, in order to his own existence, he must suck up and imbibe. + +"Your excellency perceives that to me, _phantast_ and artist by +profession, such things are, as the French say, _veritable pomade_, +which proverb, borrowed from our science, has more meaning than one +would otherwise suppose, as soon as the pomade is known to contain +genuine oil of cloves." + +This mad and unintelligible gibberish of the little man, who, meanwhile, +ran along with me through the streets, had for me, in my present mood of +mind, something truly horrible; and yet, when I looked now and then at +his incredible leaps and springs, his grotesque gestures, and comical +countenances, I was forced, as if by an involuntary convulsion, to +laugh. + +At last we were in my own chamber, in the inn of the suburb, and beyond +the town gates. Here Belcampo assisted me to pack up my clothes, etc. and +in a short time all was ready for my departure. Thereafter, I slipped +not one only, but several ducats, into his hand, whereupon he jumped up +into the air for joy, and cried aloud, "Hurrah!--hurrah!--now I have got +gold, indeed--honourable gold, dyed in heart's-blood, streaming and +beaming with its red effulgence! Excuse me, sir," (for at these words I +looked at him with amazement,) "'twas but a passing thought, and now +'tis gone!" + +He then offered his services to give to the "lock of anger" the proper +degree of roundness, and cut away the "twenty-seven hairs of horror," +requesting also that he might be allowed to choose for himself a small +"love-lock," to keep as a remembrance. This I accordingly granted, and +with indescribable gestures and grimaces, he fulfilled his task. + +After this, he seized the stiletto, which, on undressing, I had laid +upon the table, and taking the position of a fencer, made with it divers +cuts and thrusts into the air. + +"Ha!" said he, "now shall I make an end of your adversary, for he +is but an idea, probably he may also be extirpated by a thought. Let him +die, then, by this thought of mine, which, in order to render more +powerful, I accompany with suitable gestures of the body--_Apage, +Satanas!--apage, Ahasuerus!--Allez vous en!_--Now, that was +something like! That was working to some purpose," said he, laying down +the stiletto, breathing hard, and wiping his brows, like one that has +exerted his utmost to get through some great labour. + +Luckily I now got possession of the stiletto, and, wishing to conceal +it, groped with it into my sleeve, forgetting that I no longer wore my +capuchin robes. This gesture the man seemed to remark, and slyly to +laugh at. Meanwhile the postilion (for I had ordered horses) began to +blow his bugle before the house. + +Then Belcampo suddenly changed his posture and tone. He drew out a small +pocket-handkerchief, bent himself several times with deep reverence, at +last kneeled before me, and entreated in a lamentable voice-- + +"Two masses, reverend father, I beseech you, for my poor grandmother, +who died of a surfeit; four for my father, who died of involuntary +fasting; but for myself, one every week when I am dead. Above all, +however, and in the first place, an indulgence for my many faults and +sins now, while I am yet living! + +"Alas! sir, there is an infamous wicked fellow that lurks concealed +within me, and says, 'Peter Fairfield, be no longer an ass, and believe +that thou existest; for _I_ am properly _thou_, and am called +Belcampo--moreover am a genial idea; and if thou dost not believe this, +I will strike thee down to the earth with an acute thought, finely +pointed as a hair!' + +"This damnable fellow, sir, commits all sorts of sins and wicked pranks. +Oftentimes he doubts of the Real Presence--gets drunk--falls into +quarrels and pommelling matches, and commits gross indelicacies against +pure virgin thoughts. This Pietro Belcampo, sir, has made me, Peter +Fairfield, quite confused and dissipated; so that I frequently jump +about in an absurd and unbecoming manner, and defile the spotless garb +of innocence, when, with white silk stockings, and singing _dulce +jubilo_, I splash unawares into the dirt. Forgiveness, then, venerable +father, for both, for Peter Fairfield and Pietro Belcampo." + +He continued prostrate, and pretended to sob violently. The folly of the +man became tiresome to me. "Be reasonable at least," said I to him, "and +give us no more of this." The head-waiter now came in to take my +luggage. Belcampo sprung up, and resuming at once his mirthful humour, +he assisted, talking, however, all the time, to collect together +whatever property of mine was in the room. In a few moments I found +myself seated in my cabriolet. + +"That fellow is a most complete puppy," said the waiter, in a low voice, +and pointing to Belcampo; "the less one has to do with him the better." + +The door was closed, and the postilion mounted. Belcampo waved his hat, +and began, "Even to the last breath of my life--" but with a significant +look, I laid my finger on my lips, and he was silent. Anon the postilion +drove off, blowing the _Tyroler-lied_ on his bugle as we clattered along +the _chaussée_, and I was once more, emancipated from all ties, whether +hostile or friendly, thrown upon the world. + + * * * * * + +When the morning began to dawn, the town from which I had fled lay far +behind me; and as I contemplated with some interest the new scenes +through which we passed, the form of that frightful man, who pursued and +haunted me like a visible impersonization of the guilt and mystery by +which my life had been darkened, had again almost vanished away. On +setting out, I had merely desired to be driven to the first stage on the +high road leading southwards; but at every new station, the questions of +the postmaster, "_Whence and whither?_" revived to my mind how +completely I was now separated and cut off from every relationship in +life; and like the wandering Ahasuerus, of whom Belcampo had spoken, was +utterly given up, a prey to the stormy waves of chance, that bore me +like a powerless wreck along. + +But had not my ruling destiny drawn me thus out of my former +relationships and dependencies, only that the internal efforts of my +spirit might be exerted with greater life and vigour? Something must be +accomplished, in order to still those yearnings of the soul, by which I +was convinced that a great and important result was before me. Restless +I travelled on, through a beautiful and flourishing country. Nowhere +could I find repose, but was driven irresistibly onward, always farther +and farther, towards the south. I had hitherto, without any +consciousness or attention on my own part, scarcely made any important +deviation from the route recommended to me by Leonardus; so that the +impulse which he had given to me at first setting out, seemed to work +always in a straight-forward direction, and with an influence wholly +uninterrupted. + + * * * * * + +It happened, one very dark night, that I travelled through a dense wood +of pine and beech-trees, which was said to extend as far as the next +station, on which account the postmaster had advised me to remain with +him till the next morning; but from an impatience, to myself +unaccountable, as I was unable to put a name on any goal or object which +I wished to reach, I peremptorily refused his proposal. + +Already, at the time of my departure, lightning, which is not usual at +that season of the year, gleamed on the distant horizon; and very soon, +clouds, collected by the approaching storm, rolled together, darker and +darker, in threatening volumes. The postilion observed what sort of +weather we should of necessity encounter; pointed to the clouds, and +asked if he might return? To this I gave a peremptory answer in the +negative. We entered accordingly that long, interminable, and tangled +forest which stretches between Holzenheim and Rosenthurm, where the wood +alternately consists of tall beech-trees and dense thickets of Norway +and Scotch fir. Having laid aside his tobacco-pipe, he began here, for +his diversion, to play "Malbrook" on his bugle; but anon the thunder +began to roll, and even to crack above our heads, with numberless +reverberations; while, far as the eye could reach, there was nothing but +the crossing and re-crossing of red lightnings on the horizon. Such a +tempest I have never witnessed, neither before nor since. During a +thunderstorm, the air is generally calm, but now there were +unaccountable gusts of wind, such as usually occur only in the depth of +winter. The tall fir-trees, shaken to their very roots, groaned and +crashed. The rain poured down in torrents. Every moment we ran the risk +of being killed by the falling of the trees, and the horses constantly +reared, and ran back from the flashes of lightning. + +At last, after a long struggle, and many vicissitudes, we were "beat to +a _stand still_," for the carriage (as a climax) was overturned, on a +piece of rough road, so violently, that one of the hinder wheels broke +in pieces. Thus we had no alternative, but must remain on the spot, till +the storm should abate, and the moon break through the clouds. + +The postilion now remarked, that, on account of the darkness, and the +rain driving in his face, he had quite wandered away from the right +road, and had fallen into an avenue of the forest. There was now no +other method, but to follow out this avenue as far as it would go, and +thus perhaps to arrive at some woodman's hut or village. + +Though the darkness continued, yet we contrived to prop up the carriage +with a kind of wooden leg, and thus it was dragged gradually onwards. We +had not gone far, till, marching in the van, I perceived now and then +the gleaming of a light, and thought that I could distinguish the baying +of dogs. + +I had not deceived myself; for we had not persevered in our laborious +progress above a few minutes longer, before I distinctly heard the +dogs' voices; and in due time we came to an opening in the wood, where +the road became more passable. At last we arrived at a large +respectable-looking house, though, as far as the dim light enabled us to +perceive, old, gloomy, and surrounded by the high walls of a +regularly-built square court. + +The postilion, without hesitation, knocked loudly at the outer gate. The +dogs immediately grew outrageous, and sprang out from their kennels +against us. In the house, (or _keep_,) however, all remained quiet and +dead, till the postilion had recourse to his horn, (lending me a spare +one, that we might play a duet,) and blew "Wilhelmus von Nassau" with +such vehemence, that the old vaulted building re-echoed to the notes. + +Then a window in the upper story, from which I had before seen the +light, was opened, and a deep, rough voice called out, "Christian! +Christian!"--"Ay, ay, sir," cried a voice from below. Then we knocked +again, and blew our horns. + +"There is a knocking and blowing of bugles at our gate," said the voice +from above, "and the dogs are raging like devils. Take the lantern +down, with the blunderbuss number three, and see what is the +matter."--Soon after, we heard Christian's voice, quieting the dogs, and +saw him at last come with the lantern. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +The postilion now found out where we were. Instead of going straight +forward, he had quitted the road, and driven almost in a retrograde +direction, so that we were now at the Prince von Rosenthurm's +_forst-haus_, distant only about a league to the right of the station +which we had quitted. + +As soon as we had explained to Christian the mischance that we had met +with, he directly opened both wings of the gate, and let the carriage +pass into the court. The dogs, who were now pacified, came fawning and +snuffling about us; and the man above, who was still stationed at the +window, cried out incessantly, in a voice by no means of good-humour, +"Who's there?--who's there? _What for a_ caravan is that?" to which +neither Christian nor I returned a word in answer. + +At last I stepped into the house, and was walking up stairs, when I met +a powerful tall man, with a sun-burnt visage, a large hat, with a plume +of green feathers, on his head, (which was oddly contrasted with the +rest of his figure, for he appeared in his shirt and slippers,) and a +drawn stiletto (or hunting dagger) in his hand. In a rough voice, he +called out to me, "Whence do you come? How dare you disturb people in +the dead of night? This is no public-house; no post station. Here no one +lives but the _Ober-revier-forster_, and for want of a better, I am he. +Christian is an ass, for having opened the gates without my permission." + +In a tone of great humility, I now related the story of my mischance, +explaining that nothing but necessity had brought me hither. Hereupon +the man was somewhat conciliated. He said, "Well, no doubt, the storm +was very violent; but your postilion must be a stupid rascal, to drive +out of the road, and break your carriage in that manner. Such a fellow +should have been able to go blindfolded through these woods. He should +be at home among them, like any one of us." + +With these words, he led me up stairs into a large hall, furnished with +a long oak table and benches; the walls adorned with stag's antlers, +hunting weapons, bugle-horns, etc. An enormous stove was at one end, and +an open _kamin_, where there were yet the warm embers of a wood-fire, at +the other. + +The _Ober-revier-forster_ now laid aside his hat and dagger, and drawing +on his clothes, requested I would not take it ill that he had received +me so roughly; for, in his remote habitation, he must be constantly on +his guard. All sorts of bad people were in the habit of haunting these +woods--and especially with poachers, he lived almost always in open +warfare--"However," added he, "the rogues can gain no advantage over me, +for, with the help of God, I fulfil my duty to the prince +conscientiously and faithfully. They have more than once attacked my +house by night; but, in reliance on Providence, and my trusty dogs and +fire-arms, I bid them defiance." + +Involuntarily, and led away by the force of old habits, I here thrust in +some common-place words about the power and efficacy of trust in +God.--However, such expressions were not lost on the forester, but +seemed to gain for me his confidence and good opinion. He became always +more cheerful, and notwithstanding my earnest entreaties to the +contrary, roused up his wife--a matron in years, of a quiet, +good-humoured demeanour, who, though thus disturbed from her sleep, +welcomed, in a very friendly manner, her unexpected guest, and began, by +her husband's orders, to prepare supper. + +As for the postilion, he, by the forester's decision, was obliged, for a +punishment, that night, to drive back (as he best could) to the station +from which he had come,--and on the following morning I should be +carried on by the forester to the place of my destination. I agreed the +more readily to this plan, as I found myself now much in want of repose. + +I therefore said to my host that I would gladly stay with him even till +the middle of the following day, as, by constant travelling, I had been +greatly fatigued, and would be much the better for such refreshment. + +"If I might advise you, sir," said the forester, "you had better remain +here through the whole of to-morrow--After that, my son, whom I must at +any rate send to the _residenz_, will himself take you forward in my +carriage." + +I was, of course, well contented with this proposal; and by way of +conversation, while supper was placed on the table, began to praise the +solitude and retirement of his house, by which I professed myself to be +greatly attracted. + +"It is remote, sir, no doubt," said the forester; "at the same time, our +life here is the farthest possible from being dull or gloomy, as a +townsman would probably conclude it to be.--To such people every +situation in the country appears both lonely and stupid;--but much +depends on the temper and disposition of the party by whom a house like +this of ours is inhabited. + +"If, as in former years in this castle, an old gloomy Baron were the +master,--one who shuts himself up within the four walls of his court, +and takes no pleasure in the woods or the chase--then, indeed, it would +be a dull and lonely habitation--But since this old Baron died, and our +gracious Prince has been pleased to fit it up as a _forst-haus_, it has +been kept in constant liveliness and mirth. + +"Probably you, sir, may be one of those townspeople, who know nothing, +unless by report, of our pleasures, and therefore can have no adequate +idea, what a joyous pleasant life we hunters lead in the forest--As to +solitude, I know nothing either of its pains or pleasures--for, along +with my huntsmen lads, we live all equally, and make but one family. +Indeed, however absurd this may seem to you, I reckon my staunch wise +dogs also among the number--And why not? They understand every word that +I say to them. They obey even my slightest signals, and are attached, +and faithful even to death. + +"Mark there, only, how intelligently my Waldmann looks up, because he +knows already that I am speaking about him! + +"Now, sir, not only is there every day something to be done with the +huntsmen and dogs in the forest--but every evening before, there is the +pleasure of preparation, and a hospitable well-supplied board, (at which +we enjoy ourselves with a zest, that you townsmen never experience;) +then, with the first dawn of day, I am always out of bed, and make my +appearance, blowing all the way a cheering _réveille_ upon my +hunting-horn. + +"At that sound every one directly starts up--The dogs, too, begin to +give tongue, and join in one great concert, of barking and rejoicing, +from their delight at the anticipation of the coming sport. The +huntsmen are quickly dressed--They throw the game-bags and fire-arms on +their shoulders, and assemble directly in this room, where my old woman +(my wife, I mean) prepares for us a right stout hunter's breakfast, an +enormous _schüssel_ of hot ragout, with a bottle of vin-ordinaire, a +reaming flagon of home-brewed ale, with another of _Stettiner beer_, +sent us from the _residenz_; then, after a glass of _schnaps_, we all +sally forth in the highest possible spirits, shouting and rejoicing. + +"Thereafter, we have a long march before us--(I speak of our employments +at this present season)--but at last we arrive at the spot where the +game lies in cover--There every one takes his stand apart from the rest; +the dogs grope about with their noses on the ground, snuffing the scent, +and looking back every now and then to give notice to the huntsman, who, +in his turn, stands with his gun cocked, motionless and scarcely daring +to breathe, as if rooted to the ground. But when at last the game starts +out of the thicket, when the guns crack, and the dogs rush in after the +shot, ah! then, sir, one's heart beats--every fibre is trembling with +youthful energy; old as I am, I thus feel transformed into a new man. + +"Moreover, and above all, there are no two adventures of this kind +exactly like each other. In every one is something new, and there is +always something to talk over that never happened before. If it were no +more than the variety of game at different seasons of the year, this +alone renders the pursuit so delightful, that one never can have enough +of it. + +"But setting aside these diversions, I assure you, sir, that the mere +superintendance and care of the woods is an employment which would amply +fill up my time from January to December. So far am I from feeling +lonely, that every tree of the forest is to me like a companion. + +"Absolutely, it appears to me as if every plant which has grown up under +my inspection, and stretches up its glossy waving head into the air, +should know me and love me, because I have watched over, and protected +it. Nay, many times, when I hear the whispering and rushing of the +leaves in the wind, it seems as if the trees themselves spoke with an +intelligible voice, that this was indeed a true praising of God and his +omnipotence; a prayer, which, in no articulate words, could so well +have been expressed. + +"In short, sir, an honest huntsman and forester, who has the fear of God +before him, leads, even in these degenerate times, an admirable and +happy life. Something is yet left to him of that fine old state of +liberty, when the habits of men were according to nature, and they knew +nothing of all that conventional artifice, parade, and frippery, +wherewith they are now tormented in their walled-up garrisons and +cities. _There_, indeed, they become totally estranged from all those +delightful influences which God, in the midst of his works in this +world, is ready to shower upon them, by which, on the contrary, they +ought to be edified and rejoiced, as the free sylvan people were in +former ages, who lived in love and friendship with nature, as we read in +the old histories." + +All this (though his style was somewhat rambling and methodistic) the +old forester uttered with a _gusto_ and emphasis, by which one could not +fail to perceive that he felt whatever he had said deeply in his own +heart; and I truly envied him his station in life, together with his +deeply-grounded quiet moods of mind, to which my own bore so little +resemblance, or rather presented so painful a contrast. + + * * * * * + +In another part of the building, which was of considerable extent, the +old man shewed me a small and neatly-fitted-up apartment, in which was a +bed, and where I found my luggage already deposited. There he left me, +with the assurance that the early disturbance in the house would not +break my sleep, as I was quite separated from the other inhabitants of +the castle, and might rest as long as I chose. My breakfast would not be +carried in until I rung the bell, or came down stairs to order it. He +added, that I should not see him again till we met at the dinner-table, +as he should set out early with his lads to the forest, and would not +return before mid-day. + +I gave myself no farther trouble therefore, but being much fatigued, +undressed hastily, and threw myself into bed, where I soon fell into a +deep sleep. After this, however, I was persecuted by a horrible dream. +In a manner the most extraordinary, it began with the consciousness of +slumber. I said to myself, "Now this is fortunate, that I have fallen +asleep so readily; I shall by this means quite recover from my fatigue, +and, for fear of awaking, must only take special care to keep my eyes +shut." + +Notwithstanding this resolution, it seemed to me as if I must, of +necessity, open my eyes, and yet continued at the same time to sleep. +Then the door of my room opened, and a dark form entered, in whom, to my +extreme horror and amazement, I recognised _myself_ in the capuchin +habit, with the beard and tonsure! + +The monk came nearer and nearer to the bed, till he stood leaning over +me, and grinned scornfully. "Now, then," said he, in a hollow sepulchral +voice, and yet with a strange cadence of exultation--"now, then, thou +shalt come along with me; we shall mount on the _altan_[2] on the roof +of the house beside the weather-cock, who will sing us a merry +bridal-song, because the owl to-night holds his wedding-feast--there +shall we contend together, and whoever beats the other from the roof of +the house is king, and may drink blood!" + +[Footnote 2: Balcony.] + +I felt now that the figure seized upon me, and tried to lift me up from +the bed. Then despair gave me courage, and I exclaimed, "Thou art not +Medardus!--thou art the devil!" and as if with the claws of a demon, I +grappled at the throat and visage of this detestable spectre. + +But when I did so, it seemed as if my fingers forced their way into +empty skeleton sockets, or held only dry withered joints, and the +spectre laughed aloud in shrilling tones of scorn and mockery. + +At that moment, as if forcibly roused by some one violently wrenching me +about, I awoke! + +The laughter still continued in the room. I raised myself up. The +morning had broken in bright gleams through the window, and I actually +beheld at the table, with his back turned towards me, a figure dressed +in the capuchin habit! + +I was petrified with horror. The abominable dream had started into real +life! The capuchin tossed and tumbled among the things which lay upon +the table, till by accident he turned round, and thereupon I recovered +all my courage, for his visage, thank Heaven, was _not mine_! Certain +features, indeed, bore the closest resemblance, but I was in health and +vigour; he was, on the contrary, worn and emaciated, disguised too by an +overgrown head of hair, and grizzly black beard. Moreover, his eyes +rolled and glared with the workings of a thoughtless and vacant +delirium. + +I resolved not to give any alarm, but remain quietly on the watch for +whatever he might do, and not interrupt him unless he attempted +something formidably mischievous, for my stiletto lay near me on the +bed, and on that account, together with my superior strength, I could +soon be completely master of this intruder. + +He appeared to look at, and to play with, the things that lay upon the +table, as a child would do with toys; especially, he seemed delighted +with the red _portefeuille_, which he turned over and over towards the +light of the window, at the same time making strange grimaces, and +jumping up like a patient in the dance of St Vitus. + +At last, he found the bottle with the rest of the Devil's Elixir, which +he directly opened and smelt at; then he seemed to tremble convulsively +through every limb. He uttered a loud and indescribable cry--"He, he, +he!--He, he, he!" which echoed in faltering reverberations through the +room, and passages. + +A clear-toned clock in the house just then struck three (but the hour +must have been much later.) Thereupon, to my great annoyance, he lifted +up his voice, and howled as if seized by some horrible torment; then +broke out once more into the same shrill laughter that I had heard in my +dream. He heaved himself about into the wildest attitudes and caprioles, +concluding with a long draught from the bottle with the Devil's Elixir, +which (after having exhausted the last drops) he then hurled from him +against the wall, and ran out at the door. + +I now instantly rose up and looked after him, but he was already out of +sight, and I heard him clamping and clattering down a distant staircase; +and, lastly, the violent hollow clank of a door, as he closed it after +him. + +I then carefully locked and bolted that of my own room, that I might be +secured against any second intrusion, and threw myself once more into +bed. I had been too much excited to be able for some time to sleep +again; but at last slumber fell heavily upon me, and I did not awake +till a late hour, when, refreshed and strengthened, I found the bright +warm sun beating into my apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +Having dressed, I found a bell in the corridor, which I rung, to give +notice that I was awake. The forester, according to what he had said, +had gone out early with his huntsmen; but a very blooming, and indeed +beautiful girl, his youngest daughter, appeared, and served me with +breakfast, while her elder sister, as she told me, was busied with her +mother in household concerns. + +The girl was frank and unembarrassed. She described to me, very +prettily, how the inhabitants of the _forst-haus_ all lived on the best +terms together, and that only now and then, their usual quiet routine +was interrupted when the Prince came to hunt in this district, who on +such occasions frequently staid through the night with the forester. + + * * * * * + +Thus a few hours glided away. Then it was mid-day, and the mirthful +sounds of shouting and bugle-horns announced that the forester was on +his return. He appeared soon after, attended by his four sons, (of whom +the youngest was about fifteen,) all blooming, handsome young men, and +three servants. They were all dressed uniformly, in dark green and gold, +with complete accoutrements for the _chasse_. + +The forester directly inquired how I had rested in the night, and if the +early alarm in the court had not awoke me. I did not like to relate to +him the adventure which had befallen me; for the living appearance of +the horrible monk had joined itself so closely to the phantom of my +dream, that I could scarcely distinguish that point at which the vision +had passed onwards into reality. + +The long oak table was spread. Two large dishes smoked at head and +foot;--the old man took off his cap in order to say grace. Then the door +suddenly burst open, and the emaciated, grizzly capuchin, habited +precisely as I had seen him in the night, marched in. The wildness of +insanity had indeed somewhat relaxed upon his visage; but he still +looked gloomy, discontented, and scowled around him. + +"Welcome, reverend sir," cried the forester. "You are come in good time. +Do you say grace for me, and then take your place with us at the +dinner-table." + +Hereupon the monk's eyes kindled with furious rage;--he looked wildly on +every one; and, in a frightful tone, cried out, "May the devil fetch +you, with your reverend sirs, and your damned hypocritical graces! Have +you enticed me hither, in order that I might be the _thirteenth_, and +that you might allow me to be butchered by the strange murderer? Have +you stuck me into this tunic, that no one might recognise the Count, who +is thy lord and master? But beware, thou miscreant!--beware of my just +anger!" + +With these words, the monk seized a heavy earthen bottle, which stood +upon the table, and hurled it at the old man, who, only by his +professional quickness of eye, and a very clever turn of his head, +escaped the blow, which otherwise must have been his instant +destruction. + +At that moment, the three servants started up, seized the madman, and +pinioned his arms. + +"What!" cried the forester, "thou cursed, blasphemous wretch, is it thus +that, with thy old bedlamite pranks, thou venturest to come into the +society of honest Christians? Thou venturest again to aim against my +life--against me, by whom thou wert raised from the condition of the +beasts of the field, and from the certainty of everlasting +perdition?--Away--away with thee to prison!" + +The monk now fell upon his knees. He prayed--even wept--moaned, and +howled for mercy. But in vain. "Thou must and shalt go to prison," said +the forester; "and never shalt thou dare to come hither again, until +such time as I know that thou hast renounced the Satan that thus blinds +thee; and if not, thou shalt die!" + +Hereupon the maniac shrieked out in the hopeless agony of grief. He was +seized, however, and led away by the huntsmen, who, returning soon +afterwards, announced to us, that he had become quieter as soon as he +was deposited in his dungeon. They added, that Christian, who generally +watched over him, had said, that the monk, through the whole preceding +night, had been restless, and tumbling about through the walks and +corridors of the castle; and that, more especially towards the morning, +he had been heard often to exclaim--"More wine, and I will give myself +up wholly to thee!--More wine--more wine!" Besides, it had seemed to +Christian as if the man absolutely rolled about like a drunken person, +though it was impossible for him to conceive how he could have got at +any kind of intoxicating liquor. + +Now, therefore, I of course did not any longer hesitate to relate my +adventures of the night; nor did I forget the circumstance of his +drinking out of my basket-bottle. + +"Ha, worthy sir," said the forester, "I owe you indeed many apologies. +You must have been cruelly disturbed. But you seem a pious good man, and +therefore courageous. Another might have absolutely died of terror." + +I begged him to tell me, somewhat minutely, what was the real history of +his connection with the monk. "At another opportunity, sir, if you +please," said the forester; "it is too long a narrative to begin during +dinner; and indeed it is bad enough that this abominable man has +disturbed us in such manner just as we were about to enjoy, gratefully +and tranquilly, that which the goodness of God bestows upon us. +However, let us lose no farther time." + +Thereupon he took off his hat, and said the grace, with much emphasis +and devotion. The conversation became animated and cheerful, as if +nothing had happened;--the dishes, though served in a rustic style, were +plentiful, and admirably cooked; so that I had never partaken of a more +refreshing and agreeable repast. There were excellent strong soup, and +boiled meat; afterwards, a course of venison and other game, prepared in +different ways, (of which I preferred the _sour braten_,) salmon, etc. In +honour of his guest, the old man produced some bottles of noble old +wine, which was drunk, according to patriarchal custom, out of a +magnificent goblet, and passed round the table. + +While the wine thus went round, the dishes were cleared away. The +huntsmen then took their bugle-horns from the wall, and, by way of +concert, blew a loud, inspiring _jager-lied_;[3] first without +accompaniment, but, at the second repetition, they blew more softly, and +the girls joined in with very sweet voices. Then, at the third and +concluding part, the forester's four sons also joined, and finished the +performance with a grand chorus. + +[Footnote 3: Hunting-song.] + +My heart was in a wonderful degree lightened and expanded. For a long +period, I had not felt myself in so genial a mood of mind as now, among +these honest, simple-hearted people. There were afterwards many songs, +very musically and effectively given, by the girls, assisted by the +young men, till at last the forester rose up, and with the toast, "Long +life to all brave men who love the noble art of hunting," he emptied his +glass. We all followed his example; and thus the agreeable banquet, +which, on my account, had been enlivened with wine and with song, was +concluded. + +"Now, sir," said the forester, "I shall sleep for half an hour, or +thereabouts; but after that, we go once more to the wood; and if you are +pleased to accompany us, I shall, on the way, relate to you how the monk +came to my house, and all that I know of him. We must wait till the +twilight, however. Then we go to our appointed station, where _Franz_ +has informed me, that there are a noble covey of partridges. You shall +have a gun also, if it is agreeable to you, and try your fortune." + +The thing was new to me; for though I had, as a _seminarist_, many times +practised shooting at a mark, yet I had never tried at living game. I +therefore accepted the forester's offer, who appeared quite delighted +that I did so; and even before going to sleep, instructed me in various +rules and precautions, by means of which he thought that I would make +sure of booty. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + +Accordingly, I was in due time accoutred with a huntsman's bag, and a +fowling-piece slung over my shoulder, and, in company with the old man, +marched away through the woods, while, in the following manner, he began +the story of the monk. + +"This harvest, it must be now about six months since, my lads first +announced that they heard oftentimes a tremendous howling in the forest, +which, though the noise could not well be called human, yet my _Franz_ +always insisted it must be the voice of a man. Francis, indeed, seemed +to be particularly aimed at, as the _butt_ or prey of this howling +spectre, for, when he went to a good station, the howling always +frightened away the game; and, at last, whenever he wanted to shoot at a +deer or hare, he saw a large bristly human monster burst out of the +thicket, against whom he did not venture to draw the trigger. + +"This youth had his head full of all the ghostly hunting legends which +his father, an old _chasseur_, had related to him;--and he was inclined +to hold that strange intruder for the devil himself, who wanted to +destroy his sport, or entice him to destruction. + +"The other lads,--even my own sons, to whom also the same devil had +appeared,--at last joined with Francis, and my desire to obtain an +explanation of all this mystery, was so much the greater, as I held it +for a contrivance of the poachers, to frighten away my people from the +proper covers. + +"Consequently, I gave strict orders that the next time they met with the +devil, they should stop and question him; and if he would not answer, +they should, without hesitation, according to the rules of the forest, +shoot him dead on the spot. + +"Francis happened once more to be the first who encountered +him.--Recollecting my orders, he commanded him to stand, at the same +time presenting his fowling-piece--Thereupon the spectre rushed away +into the thicket; Francis thought to send a thundering shot after him, +but the gun missed fire; and now looking on this as supernatural, he ran +homewards more horrified than ever. Of course, he told every adventure +of this kind to his companions, who became all convinced that it was the +devil who thus, frighted away the game, and frustrated his attempts in +shooting--for it was quite true, that ever since he was persecuted by +this demon, he had killed nothing, though, before that time, he had been +an excellent and successful marksman. + +"The rumour of the devil being in our wood spread itself abroad, and in +the nearest village the people had got long stories, how Satan had come +to Francis, and offered him _freikügeln_, (enchanted balls,) with a deal +of other absurd nonsense. I resolved, therefore, that I would myself +make an end of all this, and watch at the places where he was usually +found, for the monster, who had hitherto never once appeared to me. + +"For a long time, my endeavours were unsuccessful, but at length, when I +was at the station where he had first appeared to Francis, there was +heard a rustling in the thickets--softly I raised up my gun, expecting a +wild boar, or some other animal, but to my utter astonishment, there +started up a horrible human figure, with flaming red eyes, bristly black +hair, and his body hung (I cannot say clothed) with rags.--The spectre +glared on me with his fiery eyes--uttering at the same time the +tremendous howlings, which had been before now so faithfully described +to me. + +"In truth, sir, that was a moment which might have inspired terror even +into the most courageous heart. I must confess I thought it was the +devil who thus stood visibly before me,--and felt a cold sweat +involuntarily burst from every pore--But in a powerful energetic prayer, +which I uttered aloud, I completely recovered my courage. While I thus +prayed, and pronounced audibly the name of Christ, the monster howled +more outrageously than ever, and at last broke out into horrible +blasphemies and execrations. + +"Then I cried out--'Thou cursed, wicked, lubberly fellow, desist from +these blasphemous words, and resign thyself into my power, otherwise I +shall instantly shoot thee through the head!' + +"Hereupon, with moans and lamentations, the man instantly fell upon the +earth before me, and prayed for compassion. My servants came up--we +seized the wretch, and led him home, where I shut him up in the prison +of the tower, at the corner of the court, and next morning I intended to +give notice of what had happened to the magistrates. + +"As soon as he came into the tower, he had fallen into a state of almost +utter insensibility.--When I went to him next morning, he was sitting on +a bed of straw, which we had prepared for him, and wept violently. He +fell at my feet, and begged that I would take compassion on him.--He +told me that he had already lived several weeks in the woods, eating +nothing but roots and wild fruit. He was a poor Capuchin from a distant +convent, and had escaped out of the prison, in which, on account of his +madness, he had been shut up. + +"The man was, to say the truth, in a most miserable condition--I had +compassion upon him, and desired that food and wine should be +administered for his restoration, after which he visibly recovered. He +begged of me in the most earnest and abject manner, that I would bear +with him for a few days in the house, and that I would, if possible, +get him a new dress of his order. He would then alone, and of his own +accord, walk back to his convent. + +"I complied with his wishes, and his madness seemed visibly to leave +him. The paroxysms were more rare, and far less vehement. In the +exasperations of his madness he uttered horrible cries, and I observed, +that when on this account I spoke to him harshly, and threatened him +with death, he fell into a state of almost utter annihilation, threw +himself on the earth, chastised himself with a knotted rope, and called +on God and the Saints, to free him from the torments and terrors of hell +which awaited him. + +"At such intervals he seemed to look on himself as St Anthony, and at +other times, in his violent paroxysms, affirmed that he was an +_herrgraf_, and supreme Prince, adding, that he would have us all put to +death as soon as his servants appeared to rescue him. + +"In his lucid moments, he begged of me for God's sake not to turn him +out of this house, as he felt that his cure depended on his residence +with me. Only once I had another disagreeable adventure with him, and, +as luck would have it, it befell just at the time when the Prince was +hunting in our forest, and spent the night in my house. + +"The monk, after he had beheld the Prince with his brilliant train of +attendants, was completely changed. He remained gloomy and reserved. +When we went as usual to prayers, he retired abruptly. If he heard even +a word uttered in the spirit of devotion, there was a trembling through +all his limbs, and at the same time, he looked on my daughter Anne with +an aspect so strange and ambiguous, that I resolved to get him directly +away from the house, in order to prevent all sorts of misdemeanours, +which of necessity would ensue. + +"In the course of the very night preceding the day on which I had +intended to pack him off, I was alarmed about one o'clock by a piercing +cry, which vibrated along the corridor. I sprung out of bed, got a +light, and ran towards the room where my daughters slept. The monk had +contrived to break from the dungeon in which I always kept him shut up, +and giving the reins to his abominable impulses, had betaken himself +directly to the door of my daughters' room, which he had burst in with +his foot. + +"By good luck, the lad Francis had been awoke by extreme thirst, and was +going to get water in the court, when he heard the monk's heavy step in +the corridor. He ran up to him accordingly, and seized him from behind, +just at the moment when he was entering the room; but the lad was too +weak to get the better of the madman. They wrestled together, and both +fell out of the room again into the corridor, the girls, meanwhile, +screaming loudly. + +"Just at this time I came up. The monk had got Francis on the ground, +and was grappling him by the throat in such a manner that he would very +soon have made an end of his victim. Without losing a moment, therefore, +I seized the maniac, and tore him away. Then suddenly, before I could +understand how he could accomplish it, I saw a knife gleaming in his +clenched hand, with which he directly struck at me; but Francis, who had +now recovered, seized his arm, and, as I am a strong man, we succeeded +in pinning the wretched man to the wall, in such manner, that his breath +was almost squeezed out of his body. + +"The noise had by that time roused all my people from their sleep, and +they came running to the spot. We bound the monk with ropes, and threw +him into the tower; then I brought a horse-whip, and inflicted on him +such a castigation, that he sobbed and moaned most lamentably. + +"'Thou incorrigible miscreant!' said I, 'this is all far too little for +thy deserts. Thou, who wouldst have seduced my daughter, and hast, with +thy knife, aimed at the life of thy preserver, were I to do justice, +death itself would be too little for thee!' + +"Hereupon he howled aloud with horror; for the apprehension of death +seemed always quite to annihilate him. The following morning we found +that he could not be removed; for he lay there as if dead, in the most +miserable depression and exhaustion, so that involuntarily I could not +help once more taking compassion upon him. + +"Consequently I made a bed be prepared for him in a better apartment, +where my wife nursed him with strong soups, and gave him from our +domestic dispensary whatever drugs were requisite. Moreover, you must +know, sir, that my wife, when alone, has the good Christian habit of +singing to herself some pious hymn or favourite anthem, in which she +sometimes desires my daughter Anne to join with her. This happened to +take place several times near the bed of the sick man. Then he began to +sigh heavily, and to look at my wife and Anne with an aspect of the +deepest melancholy, and frequently tears forced their way over his +cheeks. Sometimes he moved his hand and fingers as if he would cross +himself; but could not succeed in it, his hand fell down powerless; many +times, too, he uttered low and imperfect tones, as if he were about to +join in the anthem; in short, he began perceptibly to recover. + +"Then, according to monastic habits, he crossed himself very often, and +prayed in a low voice. At last he began to sing Latin songs, the words +of which my wife and daughter, of course, did not understand; but their +music, their admirably deep, solemn cadence, penetrated so deeply into +their hearts, that they could not express how much they had been, by the +sick man's conduct, moved and edified. + +"The monk was now so far recovered, that he rose from bed, and could +walk about the house; but his appearance, and whole manner were +completely changed. His eyes now looked mild and tranquil, whereas +before they had gleamed with a malicious fire. According to conventual +rules, he now walked about softly, and with clasped hands, in an +attitude of constant devotion. Every trace of madness had vanished from +his aspect and conduct. He would take nothing for food, but vegetables, +bread, and water. It was only of late that I had forced him to sit at my +table; to eat our ordinary provisions, and to allow himself, now and +then, a small draught of wine. At these times he said grace, and we were +delighted with his discourse, which was often unusually eloquent. + +"Frequently he went alone, walking through the woods, where it chanced +that I met him one day, and, without attaching much importance to the +question, I asked him whether he now thought of returning to his +convent. He seemed much affected. 'My friend,' said he, 'it is to you +that I am indebted, under Heaven, for the rescue of my soul. You have +saved me from eternal destruction. Even now I cannot bear to part with +you; let me, therefore, remain here. Alas! have compassion on me, whom +the devil has thus enticed and misled, and who would have been for ever +lost, if the guardian saint, to whom he yet prayed in hours of terror, +had not brought him, in his madness, to this forest. + +"'You found me,' continued the monk, after a short pause, 'in a +condition altogether depraved, and therefore cannot have guessed that I +was once a promising youth, gifted by nature with many excellent +endowments; whom nothing but an enthusiastic love of solitude, and of +deep meditation, led to a convent. My brethren there all looked on me +with regard and affection, and I lived as happily as any one within the +walls of a cloister can possibly do. By piety and exemplary conduct I +gained a high reputation, and already people beheld in me the future +prior. + +"'It happened, unfortunately for me, that one of the brethren returned +home from distant travels, and brought with him to our convent various +relics, which he had carefully collected on his journey. Among them was +an extraordinary sealed-up bottle, which, it was said, St Anthony had +one time taken from the devil. This relic was, like all the rest, +preserved with great reverence, though there appeared to me something in +the nature of it wholly opposite to the true spirit of devotion, and +indeed ludicrous and absurd. However, by commencing in this manner, my +attention was gradually directed more and more to the subject, till at +last an indescribable longing took possession of me to know what was +actually in the bottle. I succeeded at last in getting it into my +possession, opened it, and found therein a strong drink, which exhaled a +very delightful perfume, and tasted very sweetly, and which, therefore, +I drank out, even to the last drops. + +"'In what manner my spirit and disposition were now at once wholly +changed,--how I felt a burning thirst for the pleasures of the +world,--how vice, in seductive form, appeared to me as the very highest +object of pursuit in this life, I can only hint at, but cannot +adequately describe. In short, my life became a continued chain of +shameful crimes, till at last, notwithstanding my devilish artifice and +cunning, I was betrayed to the prior, who, accordingly, sentenced me to +perpetual imprisonment in the dungeons of the convent. + +"'When I had passed several weeks in a damp dark prison, I cursed myself +and my existence--I blasphemed God and the Saints. Thereupon the devil +came to me in a glowing atmosphere of red flame, and said to me, that if +I would turn away my soul wholly and utterly from the service of the +Most High, and swear allegiance to him alone, he would set me directly +at liberty. Howling, I fell upon my knees, and cried out, 'There is no +God whom I serve!--Thou alone art my master; and from the fervour of thy +fire stream forth all the pleasures and enjoyments of this life!' + +"'Scarcely had I uttered these wild words, when there arose a roaring +wind like a hurricane, and my prison walls groaned and cracked, as if +agitated by an earthquake. An indescribable voice, like the piping +shrill tone of the wind in autumn, vibrated through the air. The iron +bars of the window fell down, broken into fragments; and, hurled out by +some invisible power, I found myself standing in the court of the +convent. + +"'At that moment the moon gleamed clear and powerful through the clouds, +and in her light shone above me the statue of St Anthony, which was +erected at a fountain in the middle of the court. An inexpressible +horror now seized on me; my frame shook with the agony of conscious +guilt. I threw myself prostrate and annihilated before the Saint, +renounced the devil, and prayed for mercy. But then dark clouds rose up +into the sky, and again the hurricane roared around me. My senses were +lost, and I recovered myself, for the first time, in the forest, where I +raged about, delirious with hunger and despair, out of which situation +you rescued me.' + + * * * * * + +"Such," continued the forester, "was the Capuchin's story, and it made +upon me an impression so deep, that, even after the lapse of many +months, I am able thus to repeat it, word for word. Since that time the +monk has behaved himself with so much piety and consistency, that we all +conceived an affection for him; and on this account it is to me the more +inexplicable how his madness during the last night should have broken +out so violently again." + +"Do you not know, then," said I, "from what Capuchin convent the +fugitive has come?" + +"He has been silent on that head," said the forester; "and I am the less +inclined to ask him regarding it, because it is probable this may be the +same unhappy man, who, not long ago, was a constant subject of discourse +at our Prince's court. Yet there was no knowledge of his being in this +neighbourhood; and for the monk's sake, I by no means wished that my +suspicions should be changed into conviction, as I should then have been +compelled to announce the truth at the _residenz_." + +"But I at least may hear your suspicions," said I; "for, being a +stranger, I am not involved in the consequences; besides, I shall +solemnly promise not to repeat what you may communicate." + +"You must know, then," said the forester, "that the sister of our +reigning Princess is Abbess of the Cistertian Convent at Kreuzberg. The +Abbess had taken under her care the son of a poor woman, (betwixt whose +husband and our Prince's family some mysterious connection subsisted,) +and provided for his support and education. By his own desire, he became +a Capuchin monk, and acquired, as a pulpit orator, great reputation. The +Abbess frequently wrote to her sister in praise of her chosen _eléve_; +but not long ago her style on this subject became completely changed, +and she deeply deplored that she had irrecoverably lost him. It was +rumoured that, on account of the misuse of a certain relic, he had been +banished from that convent, of which he had been so long the chief +ornament. All this I learned from a conversation of the Prince's +physician with another gentleman of the court, at which I happened, not +long ago, to be present. They mentioned some other very remarkable +circumstances, which, however, have escaped me, as I did not hear the +whole distinctly, and durst not trouble them with questions. I am, +therefore, not prepared on all particulars of the story, which in part +remains to me inexplicable. + +"Yet, though the monk, who is now in our house, describes his leaving +the monastery in a different manner, this may be the work of his own +imagination. He may have dreamed all that he tells about his escape; +and, in short, I am persuaded that this monk is no other than Brother +Medardus, the Capuchin, whom the Prioress educated, and whom the devil +enticed to all sorts of crimes, until Heaven at last punished him with +the infliction of utter insanity." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + +When the forester pronounced the name of Medardus, my whole frame +violently shook, nay, the story throughout had even, physically and +corporeally, tormented me, so that at every word I felt almost as if +daggers were piercing to my heart; and it was with great difficulty that +I prevented my agitation from being observed by my companion. I felt +convinced that the monk had spoken only the truth, both with regard to +the relic and direct agency of the devil; nay, that it could have been +nothing else but a repetition of the same infernal drink that had now +renewed in him this horrible delirium. + +But my own situation had again become degraded. I found myself more and +more confirmed into the mere plaything of that mysterious and malicious +destiny, which had so effectually wrapt its indissoluble toils around +me, so that, while I madly believed myself free, I was, in truth, only +beating about, like a captive bird in a cage, within barriers, from +which I could find no outlet. + +The good and pious lessons of my old friend Cyrillus, on which I had +bestowed no attention; the appearance of the young Count and his +volatile tutor, all came back on my memory. I was now clearly instructed +whence had proceeded that sudden alteration which I had experienced both +in mind and body. I was utterly ashamed of the delusions to which I had +been subjected, and of my criminal conduct. But, alas! this shame, which +was the emotion of a selfish worldling, rather than a penitent, appeared +to me at the moment as equivalent to the deep repentance, the +self-annihilation which I ought in my inmost heart to have felt and +cherished. + +Thus I had sunk into deep reflection, and scarcely listened to the old +man, who once more recurred to his hunting stories, describing to me +various adventures which he had encountered with poachers, etc. etc. + +The twilight had now drawn on, and at last we stood opposite to the +covert in which it was said that there were black game or partridges. +The forester placed me in a proper station and attitude, admonished me +once more that I was not to speak nor move, but, with the utmost care, +to hold my gun on the cock, and ready to fire. + +The huntsmen softly glided away to their several places, and I was left +standing alone in the dim light, which always became more obscure. +Seldom have I known visions more strange than what arose to my +bewildered senses at that moment. Forms and features, imagery and +adventures out of my past life, stept out vividly, like the illusions of +a phantasmagorie, amid the gloom of the dark forest, before me. Among +them were visions even of my earliest years. I beheld alternately my +mother and the Abbess. They looked at me with a severe and reproving +aspect. Euphemia, too, habited in luxurious splendour, came floating and +rustling up, as if to salute me. But her visage was deadly pale, and I +liked not the gleam of her darkly-glaring eyes. I shrunk, therefore, +from her proffered embrace, whereupon she lifted up her hands, in a +threatening attitude, against me. "They are steeped in blood," cried I, +"that drops reeking to the earth. They are died in the life-blood from +Hermogen's wounds!" + +Instantly, as I uttered aloud these delirious words, there came over my +head a great whirring of wings, so that by the noise I was quite stunned +and confounded. It was a large covey of partridges. I directly put my +gun to my shoulder, and shot, blindfold and at random, into the air, +whereupon two birds fell directly to the ground. + +"Bravo!" cried one of the huntsmen, who had been standing at a short +distance, while at the same moment, as the stragglers of the covey +started up, he fired, and brought down a third partridge. Shots +afterwards reverberated all round us. The air was filled with smoke, and +the _chasseurs_ at last assembled, every one bearing his own proper +booty. + +The lad to whom I had been stationed nearest, related, not without sly +side-looks at me, how, when the partridges rose on the wing, I had cried +out aloud, as if in great affright, and then, without once taking aim, +had shot blindly into the midst of them, though he was obliged to allow, +that I had at the same time killed two birds. Nay, he insisted that, in +the twilight, it had appeared to him as if I held the gun in a direction +totally wrong; yet the birds were struck, by which result he seemed to +have been brought into great perplexity. + +The old forester was mightily diverted, and laughed aloud at the notion +that I could be frightened in such manner by a covey of partridges, and +that I had then only shot at random among them. "However," added he, "I +shall nevertheless trust that you are an honest Christian hunter, and no +_freischutz_--no devil's marksman--who can hit whatever he likes, +whether he aims at it or not." This unpremeditated jest of the old man +struck my inmost heart, and even the good luck attending my random shot, +at that moment filled me with horror. More than ever discontented, and +torn by conflicting impulses, I became wholly involved in doubt and +mystery, which, by their destructive influence, continued to darken my +whole existence. + + * * * * * + +On our return to the _forst-haus_, Christian announced that the monk had +kept himself quite quiet in his prison, had not spoken a word, and would +not accept of any nourishment. + +"It is impossible now," said the forester, "that he can remain any +longer with me; for who can say that his madness, which is obviously +incurable, might not break out again, and, in consequence, some horrible +misfortune be brought upon our house? To-morrow, therefore, he must, as +early as possible, be sent off with Christian into the town. The +deposition that I thought it best to draw up, as to my whole adventures +with him, has been long since ready, and in town he may be at once taken +to the mad-house." + + * * * * * + +This night, when I was again left alone in my chamber, the same +frightful visions that had haunted me in the wood, once more regained +their full influence. More especially Hermogen, like a horrible ghastly +spectre, stood, in the dimness of the half-lighted room, before me, and +when mustering courage to dare the worst, I tried to look fixedly on the +apparition, it was changed into that of the delirious monk. Both seemed, +according to my confused perceptions, to be melted into one, and thus +perhaps impersonized the warning influence of a higher power, which +interposed to save me just as I stood upon the very brink of +destruction. + +While undressing, I stumbled over the basket-bottle, which still lay +upon the floor. The monk had drained it even to the last drops; thus I +was protected completely from any temptation to drink more. But even the +bottle itself, from which there exhaled a strong stupifying odour, I +hurled away through the open window, over the wall of the court, in +order to annihilate at once every operation of this damnable Elixir. + +By degrees I became more tranquil, and found at last some consolation in +the belief, that in point of intellect, I must be greatly elevated over +that monk, who, by a scanty draught out of my bottle, had been roused +into furious madness. I felt also that the present dangers had passed +over me, for the forester believed that his maniac monk was the Capuchin +Medardus; and, from all this, I inferred the favourable warning of +Providence, whose purpose it was not that I should utterly perish. + + * * * * * + +Irresistibly I felt myself drawn towards the Prince's _residenz_. There +it was possible that an introduction to the sister of the Abbess, who +was said to bear a great resemblance to the latter, might restore to me +my long-lost disposition towards a life of simple piety, and to those +pure enjoyments which had attracted me in youth. In order to reanimate +the most vivid recollections of that period, even a sight of the +Princess was, in my present tone of feelings, all that would be +requisite; but as to the means by which an interview with her might be +obtained, I resolved to submit myself wholly to chance. + +Scarcely was it day-break when I heard the voice of the forester in the +court. I had agreed to set out early with his son, and therefore dressed +as quickly as possible. When I came down stairs, there was a rough +_leiter-wagen_ at the door, prepared for departure. The three servants +now brought out the monk, who, with a deadly-pale and distorted +countenance, allowed himself to be led, without uttering a word. He +would answer no questions--he would accept of no food; indeed, scarcely +seemed to notice those who were around him. Accordingly, they lifted him +upon the carriage, and bound him with ropes; for his present condition +appeared very doubtful, and no one could be secure against the sudden +breaking out of his malady. + +As they bound his limbs, his visage was convulsively writhen, and he +heaved a deep sigh, with an expression so piteous, that his situation +wounded me to the heart. Between him and me there subsisted some +mysterious relationship, as to the nature of which, I could not yet even +guess; but to his misery and probable destruction I owed my present +hopes of safety. + +Christian, and one of the huntsmen, took their places beside him in the +carriage. It was not till they were driving away that his looks happened +to fall directly on me, whereupon his features immediately assumed an +expression of wonder and perplexity. As the carriage receded, his eyes +still remained intently gazing on me. + +"Mark you," said the forester, "how strangely he watches you. I do +believe that your presence in the dining-room contributed very much to +his frenzy; for even in his lucid intervals he has always been timid, +and has cherished the suspicion that a stranger was to come who would +put him to death, of which he always entertains an unbounded horror. +Being aware of this, I have often, when in the wildest of his paroxysms, +by threatening to shoot him, produced perfect calmness and submission." + +I now felt lightened and relieved by the consciousness that this monk, +who seemed to present a horrible and distorted shadow of myself, was +effectually removed from my presence. I rejoiced, too, in my +anticipation of the _residenz_, believing that the load of that gloomy +and obscure fate by which I had been oppressed, would at last be taken +from my shoulders,--that I should be gifted with new energies, and +acquire strength to tear myself from the grasp of that malicious demon, +to whom I had hitherto been subjected. + +After breakfast, the handsome travelling equipage of the forester drove +up to the door; I could not prevail on his wife to accept of a little +money in requital for the hospitality that she had shewn to me; but to +his daughters I was luckily able to give some articles of _bijouterie_ +which I found in my portmanteau, having purchased them at the fair in +Frankenburg. The whole family took leave of me as affectionately as if I +had been for a long time resident among them; but the old man did not +let me go without some farther jokes upon my peculiar genius and success +as a sportsman. Under the bright golden gleams of a fine autumnal day, +we at last drove off. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + +The _residenz_ of the Prince presented a complete contrast to the +trading town which I had left. In extent, it was much smaller, but was +more regularly and handsomely built. Several broad streets, planted with +double rows of flourishing trees, seemed more to belong to the laying +out of a park, or English garden, than to a town. There was here no +bustle of trade; all was, on the contrary, still and solemn--an +impression perhaps deepened by the kind of atmosphere peculiar to that +season of the year (the decline of autumn) when I arrived at the +capital. The quiet was only now and then interrupted by the rattling +course of some coroneted carriage. In the dress and demeanour even of +the lower ranks, there was an attempt at the polite and ornamental, yet +without vain ostentation; while, as I walked through the streets, +although a perfect stranger, yet my appearance probably being approved +of, I was saluted with a respectful bow, and wave of the hat, from every +passenger. + +The palace of the Prince was by no means large, nor even built in a +grand style; yet, with regard to elegance and just proportions, it was +one of the finest buildings that I had ever seen. Around it was a very +beautiful park, which, by the possessor's liberality, was thrown open to +all the world, while, as usual in Germany, not a single flower was +plucked, nor an ornament displaced or disfigured, not even a blade of +grass injured by passengers quitting the gravel walks. + +At the hotel where I had put up, I was told that the Prince frequently +enjoyed an evening promenade with his family through the park; and that +many inhabitants of the town watched that opportunity of paying their +respects to, or seeing, _en passant_, their respected sovereign. + +Accordingly, at the proper hour, I hastened to the grounds, and observed +the Prince, with his consort and a small train of attendants, step out +from the _vestibule_ of the palace. Very soon, as they drew nearer, my +whole attention was directed to the Princess, whom I should have +instantly recognised, only by her resemblance to the Abbess, which was +striking and extraordinary. The same height and dignity; the same grace +in every gesture; the same intellectual gleam of the eyes, and the free, +unclouded forehead and fascinating smile. Only she appeared younger in +years, and in shape fuller and rounder than the Abbess. She came close +past me, so that I heard also the tone of her voice, as she spoke with +some ladies who happened to be in the _allée_, while the Prince walked +behind, seemingly absorbed in deep discussion with a grave, +formal-looking man. + +The looks and behaviour of this noble family, and the simplicity of +dress, the total absence of display evinced both by them and their +immediate train, were all in harmony. One could easily perceive that the +good manners and spirit of respectful order which prevailed through the +town, had their origin in the example of the court. By chance I had my +station near a lively little man, who gave me answers readily to all the +questions that I was inclined to put to him, adding spontaneously many +remarks of his own, which to me were very opportune and interesting. + +When the Prince and Princess had passed by, he proposed to me, as a +stranger, to take a walk through the park, and to point out to me the +various objects which, as works of art, were there most to be admired. + +This was an offer precisely such as I had wished for, and I gladly +availed myself of his politeness. As we proceeded through the grounds, +beneath dark shadowy rows of beeches, elms, and poplars, I expressed +with great sincerity my admiration of the delightful soil and climate of +the _residenz_, and the luxuriant growth of the noble trees. + +But as to the numberless buildings in imitation of ancient temples, +where pillars, that should have been of gigantic height, could be +measured at an arm-length from the ground;--Gothic chapels, for example, +where the attention of the builder had been concentrated on trifling +ornaments, instead of the construction of a grand and intellectual +_whole_;--of all _these_ I expressed freely my decided disapprobation; +consequently, he endeavoured to defend these erections by the usual +argument, that they were in a park _indispensable_, if it were no more +than to guard against the inconvenience of a sudden shower. To this I +replied, that simple buildings, such as romantic cottages, root-houses, +etc. would be equally useful, and free from that blame of bad taste which +I attached to the now existing temples, mosques, and chapels. + +"To say the truth, I am quite of your opinion," said the stranger; "but, +meanwhile, you must know, that the design of all these buildings, and of +the whole park, proceeds from our Prince himself; and this circumstance, +of course, softens down, at least to us, who are under his dominion, all +tendency to severe criticism or censure. + +"The Prince is, in truth, one of the best of men. He has acted always on +that admirable principle, that his subjects are not there to serve and +minister to him, but that he is appointed guardian over them, and is +responsible for their comfort and welfare. The liberty of speaking +freely and aloud whatever one thinks; the low rate of taxes and +consequent cheapness of provisions; the extreme lenity, nay, +invisibility, of the police, (who, though always watchful, never make +their appearance except on occasion of some flagrant misdemeanour,) the +removal of all troublesome and superfluous soldiery, the calm regularity +with which affairs of business and merchandize are carried on; all +these circumstances must make a residence in our capital very agreeable +to a stranger. + +"I would lay any bet, that you have never yet been asked after your name +and rank; nor has the innkeeper at your hotel, as it happens in other +places, marched in with a great book under his arm, in which one is +obliged, _nolens volens_, with an abominable stump of a pen, and ink +made of soot and water, to enter his name and condition in the world. + +"In short, the whole economy and arrangements of our small kingdom, in +which there prevail a real prudence and wisdom, proceed directly from +our excellent Prince; whereas, _formerly_, at this very town, people +were tormented by the pedantic formality of a court, whose only aim was +to represent the expenses and parade of a neighbouring government of far +greater power and wealth, in a _pocket-edition_. + +"Our Prince is a sincere and unaffected lover of the arts and sciences. +Therefore, every good artist, and every man of real learning, is welcome +to him; for, as to rank in life, he lays on that no stress whatever. He +considers only the degree of intellectual acquirements which a stranger +actually does or does not possess; and accordingly shews or withdraws +his favourable countenance. + +"But even in the accomplishments of our Prince, it is impossible to +deny, that something of an alloy of pedantry has crept in, which is +partly owing to errors in his early education, and which expresses +itself in his improvements, by an overstrained and slavish adherence to +this or that particular school or fashion. He himself drew out, with the +most laborious minuteness, the plans for every building in the park; and +even the slightest departure of the workmen from the given models, which +he had searched out and put together from an hundred antiquarian +repositories, vexed him in the highest degree. Every pillar, portico, +tower, and cupola, must have its representative, however ludicrous the +imitation in point of height and dimensions must of necessity be. + +"By the same disposition to carry one or other favourite system to an +_extreme_, our theatre now suffers, where the principles that he has +once laid down, must on no account be departed from, although, in order +to retain them, sometimes the most heterogeneous incongruities are +forced together. In short, the Prince has a boundless variety of +_hobbies_, which (to keep up the metaphor) he rides alternately; yet not +one of them is of a description calculated to give offence, or do any +real injury to his subjects. When this park was laid out, then he was +architect and gardener _à la folie_. After that, some new fantasies +about music wholly absorbed his attention; to which inspiration, +however, we owe the fitting up of a most admirable and unrivalled choir +and opera. Then painting took the _pas_, and occupied him so entirely, +that, as an artist, he is no mean proficient. + +"Even in the daily amusements of the Court, he shews the same +disposition to extremes, and the same variability. Formerly, dancing was +kept up almost every evening; _now_, there is on company-days a +Pharo-Bank, and the Prince, without being in the least what is properly +called a gamester, delights in watching and calculating all the +intricacies of chance. But the pharo-table has continued already long +enough; and there is wanting only some very trifling occurrence or +impulse to bring something altogether new again on the carpet. + +"This versatility has sometimes drawn upon our good Prince the reproach +of a weak understanding. There are people who insist, that the mind of +a wise man should always be like a still and waveless lake, reflecting +the same images with calm and unchangeable fidelity. But, in my opinion, +injustice is done him; for it is merely from an extraordinary vivacity +of spirit, that he thus gives the reins at all times to some favourite +and passionate impulse. Hence no expense is spared on establishments +contributing to the amusement and intellectual improvement of his +subjects. These grounds, for example, whatever may be their defects, are +always kept in the nicest order; our opera, chapel choir, and theatre, +are munificently endowed; and our collection of pictures is at every +opportunity augmented. As to the court amusements of gaming, etc. these +are recreations, which, considering the Prince's sedulous application at +other times to business, surely cannot be refused to him." + +During this conversation, we passed by many very beautiful and +picturesque masses and groups of trees, of which I renewed my +expressions of admiration, praising also the fine varieties, which, from +rising grounds, the eye commanded in the landscape. + +"I ought not to forget," said my companion, "that although the Prince +designed every architectural ornament, and had generally the +superintendance of the park, yet he was indebted for the position of +every thicket, group, or _allée_ of trees, to the taste of our admirable +Princess. She is indeed a complete landscape painter, after which, +natural history, especially botany, is her favourite study. Hence you +will find the rarest and most curious foreign plants and flowers, not +arranged as if merely brought hither for show, but growing in artificial +parterres as if on their native soil. The Princess, however, expressed +an especial disgust to the awkwardly cut gods and goddesses in +freestone, naiads and dryads, with which the park, in former days, was +filled. These statues have therefore vanished; and you find only a few +copies after the antique, which the Prince, on account of certain +cherished remembrances, would not part with." + + * * * * * + +It was now late in the evening, and we left the park. My companion +readily accepted an invitation which I gave him to my hotel, where he +at last announced himself as the _Inspector_ of the Prince's +picture-gallery. + +After supper, and a bottle of excellent wine, when we had become better +acquainted, I mentioned to him my earnest wish to obtain an introduction +at court; whereupon he assured me, that nothing could be more easy than +this, as every well-educated stranger was welcomed in the circle of his +sovereign. I had only to make a visit to the Court-Marshal, and beg of +him to present me to the Prince. + +This diplomatic mode of introduction, however, by no means suited me, as +I could scarcely hope to escape certain troublesome questions of whence +I had come--what was my rank and profession, etc. I therefore resolved to +trust to chance, which would soon throw a favourable opportunity in my +way; and, accordingly, this soon after occurred. + +One morning, as I was taking an early walk in the yet solitary park, the +Prince, dressed in a simple blue surtout, and quite alone, came along an +_allée_, directly meeting me. I saluted him _en passant_, as if he had +been some one of whom I had no previous knowledge. Hereupon he stood +still, and began a conversation with the question, "Whether I was a +stranger here?" I answered in the affirmative, adding, "that I had +arrived only a few days before, with the intention of passing directly +through; but that the charms of the situation, with the tranquillity, +good order, and spirit of calm enjoyment, which everywhere seemed to +prevail, had induced me to stay longer. Quite independent, and living +merely for literature and the arts, I had now resolved to make this +place my residence for some time, as everything by which I was +surrounded had become to me more and more delightful and attractive." + +By these expressions the Prince seemed obviously flattered, and he even +offered himself as my _cicerone_, to explore the beauties of the park. I +took special care not to betray that I had already seen everything, but +availed myself of my previous knowledge, in order to throw in apt +remarks and exclamations. I allowed myself to be led through all the +temples, grottos, chapels, and pavilions, patiently listening to the +Prince's long lectures about every building. He regularly named the +ancient models after which every structure had been imitated; made me +attend particularly to their minutest details; then referred, ever and +anon, to the grand _morale_, the intellectual system which prevailed +through the whole plan of the park; that harmony in confusion, "where +all things differ, and yet all agree," which he thought should be +adopted as the leading principle in laying out grounds of this sort. + +The Prince then desired my opinion. I approved very cordially the +natural charms of the place, and the luxuriant vegetation also of the +well-disposed masses and groups of wood, with the shadowy _berceaux_; +but as to the buildings, I expressed myself just as freely as I had +before done to the gallery inspector. He listened to me attentively; +seemed not altogether to reject my remarks, but at last cut all +discussion short, by saying, that my notions were very good in theory, +but that as to the actual practice, it was a different affair, of which +I seemed to have but very little notion. + +The conversation then turned upon the arts. I soon proved that I was a +tolerable _connoisseur_ of painting; and, as a practical musician, I +ventured many observations, in opposition to his ideas, which, though +ingeniously and precisely delivered, only served to shew that he was far +more studied than persons of his rank generally are; but, at the same +time, that of the _real attributes_ of musical genius he had no +comprehension whatever. On the other hand, my objections only proved to +the Prince that I was a _dilletante_, one of a class who are generally +not much enlightened by the actual practice of their theories. He +instructed me, however, in the proper characteristics (or what, +according to him, ought to be the proper characteristics) of a sublime +picture, and a perfect opera. + +I heard much about colouring, drapery, pyramidal groups; of serious and +of comic music; of scenes for the _prima donna_; of choruses; of effect, +_chiaro oscuro_, light and shade, etc. etc.; to all which medley I +listened quietly, for I perceived that the Prince took a pleasure in his +own discourse. + +At last he abruptly cut short his own eloquence with the question, "Do +you play pharo?" to which I answered in the negative.--"Well, sir," said +he, "that is a most admirable game. In its lofty simplicity, it is the +true and proper pastime for a man of genius. One is thereby carried out +of himself; or, to speak better, if he is possessed of due powers of +mind, he is lifted up to a station from which he can contemplate all the +strange complications and entanglements which are (otherwise invisibly) +spun by the mysterious power which we call Chance. Loss and gain are the +two points on which, like pivots, the grand machine is moved; and by +this machine we are irresistibly carried onward, while it is impelled +ceaselessly by its own internal springs. This game, sir, you must +absolutely learn. I will myself be your teacher." + +I assured him that I had hitherto felt no particular turn for gaming, +and that I had always understood the inclination for it to be highly +pernicious and destructive. The Prince smiled, and fixing on me his +bright, penetrating eyes, resumed; "Ay, there are indeed childish +superficial minds, who maintain that argument; and, consequently, you +will suppose that I am a gamester, who wishes to draw you into his nets; +know, then, that I am the Prince! If you are pleased with your residence +at my capital, then remain here, and visit at my palace, where you will +find that we sometimes play pharo. Yet I by no means allow that any one +under my roof shall subject himself to loss, though the stake must of +necessity be high in order to excite interest; for fortune herself is +lazy and stupid as long as nothing but what is insignificant is offered +to her arbitration." + +Already on the point of leaving me, the Prince turned round, and asked, +"With whom have I been speaking?"--I answered that my name was Leonard; +that I lived as a literary man, _particulier_; for the rest, I was by no +means a _nobile_, nor a man of rank; and, therefore, perhaps did not +dare to make use of the advantages which his highness had thus offered +to me. + +"What the devil," said he, "has nobility to do with it? You are, as I +have clearly convinced myself, a very ingenious and well-informed man. +Literature, science, and the arts, confer on you nobility, and render +you fully qualified to appear in our circles. Adieu, Mr Leonard!--_Au +revoir!_" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + +Thus my wishes were far more readily, and more early than I could have +expected, fulfilled. For the first time in my life I should appear as a +courtier. All the absurd stories, therefore, which I had read in +romances, of cabals, quarrels, intrigues, and conspiracies, floated +through my brain. According to the most received authorities among novel +writers, the Prince must be surrounded and blindly led by all sorts of +impostors; especially, too, the Court-Marshal must be an insipid, proud, +high-born coxcomb; the Prime Minister a malicious, miserly villain; the +lords in waiting gay and unprincipled libertines. Every countenance must +artificially wear the most agreeable expression, while in the heart all +is selfishness and deception. In society they (the courtiers) must +profess to each other the most unbounded friendship and attachment. They +must bend to the very earth in apparent humility, while every one +endeavours to trip up his neighbour's heels in the dark, so that he may +fall unpitied, and his pretended friend come into his place, which he +may keep only till some one else plays off the same manoeuvre against +him. Finally, the court ladies must be ugly, proud, revengeful; +glistening with diamonds, nodding with feathers, painted up to the eyes, +but withal, amorous, constantly engaged in venal intrigues, and laying +snares for the unwary stranger, which he must fly from as he would from +the devil. + +Such was the absurd picture which, from the books I had read at college, +had remained vividly on my recollection. The conversation of the Prior, +indeed, might have afforded me more rational ideas; still it seemed to +me that a court must be the sphere, of all others, where the Arch-Enemy +of mankind exerted his pre-eminent and unresisted dominion. Hence it was +not without timidity that I looked forward to my promised introduction; +but an inward conviction, that _here_ my lot in life was finally to be +decided, and the veil of mystery withdrawn, drove me still onwards, so +that, at the appointed hour, with a palpitating heart, but struggling +as manfully as I could with my disquietude, I found myself in the outer +hall of the palace. + +My residence at the commercial town of Frankenburg had done much to rub +off the rust of my conventual habits. Being by nature gifted with a +graceful and prepossessing exterior, I soon accustomed myself to that +free and unembarrassed demeanour, which is proper to the man of the +world. That paleness, which generally disfigures even handsome features +among the inhabitants of the cloister, had now vanished from my +countenance. I was at that time of life when our mental and bodily +energies are generally in their zenith. Conscious power, therefore, gave +colour to my cheeks and lustre to my eyes, while my luxuriant dark hair +completely concealed all remains of the _tonsure_. Besides all this, I +wore a handsome full dress suit of black, a chef-d'oeuvre of Damon, +which I had brought with me from Frankenburg. + +Thus it was not to be wondered at that I made a favourable impression on +those who were already assembled in the outer hall, and this they did +not fail to prove, by their polite advances and courteous expressions. +As, according to my romantic authorities, the Prince, when he revealed +his rank to me in the park, should have thrown back his _surtout_, and +discovered to my sight a brilliant star, (which he had failed to do,) so +I had expected that every one whom I should meet in the palace should be +clad in the richest silks and embroidery. How much was I surprised, +therefore, to find that, with the exception of ribbons and orders, their +dresses were all as plain as that in which I myself appeared. + +By the time, therefore, that we were summoned to the audience-chamber, +my prejudices and embarrassment had worn off; and the manners of the +Prince himself, who came up to me, with the words, "Ha! there is Mr +Leonard," completely restored my courage. His highness continued for +some time in conversation with me, and seemed particularly diverted by +the freedom and severity with which I had criticised his buildings in +the park. + +The folding doors were now opened, and the Princess, accompanied by some +of her ladies, came into the room. Immediately on her appearance, as the +glare of the lustres fell on her features, I recognised, more forcibly +than ever, her exact likeness to the Abbess. The ladies of the assembly +surrounded her for some time, but at last I was summoned, and +introduced, after which ceremony her eyes followed me, with a gaze +obviously betraying astonishment and inward emotion. Then turning to an +old lady who stood near her, she said a few words in a whisper, at which +the latter also seemed disquieted, and looked on me with a scrutinizing +aspect. + +All this was over in a moment, for other presentations took place; after +which the assembly divided into groups, and engaged in lively +conversation. One recollected, indeed, that he was in the circle of a +court, and under the eye of the sovereign, yet without feeling on that +account constrained or embarrassed.--I scarcely recognised a single +figure that would have been in keeping with the caricatures that I had +previously drawn. The Court-Marshal was a lively and happy-looking old +man, without any particular attributes, either of pride or formality. +The lords in waiting were sprightly youths, who, by no one symptom, +betrayed that their characters were depraved and vicious. Two ladies, +who immediately waited on the Princess, seemed to be sisters. They were +uninteresting, insignificant, and, as luck would have it, dressed with +extraordinary plainness. + +There was, however, one little man in the room, with a comical visage, +long nose, and sparkling eyes, who irresistibly engaged my attention. He +was dressed in black, with a long steel-mounted sword, and wound +himself, with incredible dexterity, like a serpent through the crowd, +appearing now here, now there, but resting never, and apparently raising +laughter (whether with him, or at him, I knew not) wherever he went. +This person (having ventured an inquiry) I understood was the Prince's +physician. + +The old lady with whom the Princess had spoken had kept her eyes on me, +and contrived to manoeuvre so skilfully, that, before I was aware of +her plans, I found myself alone with her in a window recess. She began a +conversation with me, in which, guardedly as it was managed, I perceived +very clearly that her only object was to gain a knowledge of my +situation and circumstances in life. I was prepared for some occurrence +of this kind, and being convinced that the simplest story was always the +safest, I told her that I had formerly studied theology, but that +having received from my father a competent fortune, I now travelled +about for my own pleasure and improvement. + +My birth-place, I said, was on the Polish frontiers of Prussia; and I +gave it by the way such a horrible unpronounceable name, that the old +lady made no attempt to repeat it after me. "Well, sir," said she, "you +have a countenance which might here raise many, and not altogether +pleasant recollections; and you are, perhaps, as to rank, more than you +wish to appear, for your demeanour by no means resembles that of a +student of theology." + + * * * * * + +After refreshments had been handed round, we went into another room, +where the pharo-table was in readiness. The Court-Marshal was the +banker; but I understood afterwards that his agreement with the Prince +allowed him to retain all his winnings, while the latter indemnified him +against every loss, so that the bank remained always in the same state. + +The gentlemen now assembled themselves round the table, with the +exception of the physician, who never played, but remained with the +ladies, who took no interest in the game. The Prince desired that I +would station myself next to him, while, in a few words, he very clearly +explained to me the rules and principles of pharo, at the same time +selecting my cards, as I was here completely a novice. + +But there was not a single card chosen by the Prince for himself, that +was not attended by the worst possible luck; and as long as I followed +his counsel, the same fate attended mine. Besides, I was suffering +considerable losses. A louis d'or was the very lowest point; my limited +exchequer was fast ebbing away, and this painfully brought back on me +the question that had often occurred, "What was I to do in the world, +when my last ducat was expended?" + +A new _taille_ was begun, and I begged of the Prince that he would now +leave me to myself, as it seemed that I was born to be unlucky, and was +drawing him into the same fatality. The Prince agreed, with a smile of +perfect good humour. He said, that the best way to recover my loss +would, in his opinion, have been, to follow the lead of an experienced +player; however, that he was very curious to learn how I would behave +when alone, having in myself such confidence. + +I had not said that I had any such confidence; and now blindfold and at +random, I drew out a card from my hand; it was the Queen. It may seem +absurd, but is nevertheless true, that I thought the caricature features +on this card had a resemblance to Aurelia! I stared at it accordingly, +and became so lost in my own reflections, that it was only the call of +the banker, "All's ready," that awoke me from my reverie. + +Then, without a moment's hesitation, I drew out the five louis d'ors, +all that I had left, and staked them on the Queen. Beyond my +expectations this succeeded! Then I always staked more and more on the +Queen always higher as my gains increased, and I never lost a single +round. + +At every new stake my antagonists and the by-standers cried out--"No; it +is impossible! This time she must prove unfaithful!" But, on the +contrary, I won, and the cards of every other player turned against +him--"Now, this is unheard of--this is miraculous!" resounded from all +quarters, while, completely reserved, and wrapt up within myself, with +my whole thoughts fixed only on Aurelia, I scarcely noticed the +_rouleaux_ of gold, which the banker shoved one after another over to +me. + +In short, the Queen had, in the four last _tailles_, invariably gained, +and I had my pockets full of gold. I had won about two thousand louis +d'ors; and though I thus found myself suddenly freed from all pecuniary +embarrassment, yet I could not repress a strange feeling of perplexity, +and inward self-condemnation. + +Of course, I perceived an exact coincidence between my success at pharo, +and my good fortune in shooting, with eyes closed and at random, the two +partridges when in company with the forester. It was obvious that the +result on both occasions was not owing to any superior skill or +management of mine, but to some higher power to which I was wholly +subservient. This constant recurrence too, and reflection of Aurelia's +form and features, could be nothing but an abominable scheme of the +devil to draw me into wickedness, and the misuse which I had now made of +that truly sacred and beloved image filled me with horror and aversion! + +In the most gloomy mood of mind, and utterly at variance with myself, I +was gliding about in the morning through the park, when the Prince, who +was accustomed to take a walk at the same hour, joined me. + +"Well, Mr Leonard," said he, "how do you like my game of pharo? What +think you of the humours and caprices of Fortune, who kindly excused +your absurd conduct, and flung the gold into your hands?" I was not +ready with an answer, and the Prince therefore resumed--"You had luckily +stumbled on the _carte favorite_, but you must not trust to your luck +again in this manner. You might carry the principle too far." + +His highness now went into a long discussion, founded on this idea of +the _carte favorite_, imparted to me various rules as to the doctrine of +chances, and concluded by expressing his conviction that I would no +doubt follow up zealously this commencement of my _bonne fortune_ at +play. + +On the contrary, I assured his highness, "that it was my firm resolution +never more to touch a card!" The Prince looked at me with surprise. +"Even my yesterday's wonderful luck," said I, "has been the natural +cause of this resolution; for all that I had formerly conceived of the +pernicious and ruinous tendency of this game, has truly been realized +and confirmed. In truth, there was in my very success something +repugnant, and even horrible to my feelings. I drew out a card, +blindfold, and unawares. That card awoke in my mind painful, though +cherished remembrances, of which I could not resist the influences. I +went on accordingly, venturing stake after stake, as if some demon had +placed it in my power to _command_ fortune, though I had no real and +moral right to the gain which thus fell to my share." + +"I understand perfectly," said the Prince, "what you mean by painful and +cherished remembrances. You have been an unfortunate lover, and the card +brought to your recollection the image of the lost fair one; though, +begging your pardon, Mr Leonard, when I think of the pale complexion and +flat features of your favourite Queen, this seems not a little +capricious. However, you thought on your lost mistress, and in that game +of pharo, she was perhaps more true and faithful than she had been in +real life. But what you are able to discover in all this that is +horrible and frightful, I cannot possibly conceive. On the contrary, +you should rejoice that Fortune, even on any grounds, is so much +inclined to favour you. Besides, if you are really vexed, this is not to +be imputed to the pharo-table, but to the individual moods, the +idiosyncrasies of your own mind." + +"All that your highness has stated," said I, "may be perfectly correct; +but I feel deeply that it is not merely the fear of loss on which my +present dislike to gaming is founded. Gain itself, which only brings us +more and more under a state of slavery to a mysterious fate, which would +one day lead us to destruction, is equally dangerous. Yet, sire, I +confess that I was yesterday on the point of seeing my travelling +exchequer completely drained, which, considering my present distance +from home, would have been to me no slight misfortune." + +"Nay," said the Prince, "I should have infallibly learned this +occurrence, and would have taken care that the loss should have been to +you threefold repaid, for I certainly do not choose that any one should +be ruined, in order to contribute to my amusement. Besides, any real +evil of this kind cannot happen under my roof, for I know my players, +and do not trust them out of my own sight." + +"Yet, with submission," said I, "may not these very precautions take +away all that freedom from the player, and thereby annihilate those fine +involvements of chance, in which your highness takes delight? Or may not +some individual, on whom the passion for play has violently seized, +break out of such trammels, and rush on, unobserved, to his own +destruction? Forgive my candour, sire. I believe also, that those very +methods which your highness would adopt to prevent evil consequences, +would, from the perverse nature of mankind, be looked upon by many as a +disgusting and intolerable restraint." + +"Say no more, Mr Leonard," said the Prince, "it is obvious, that from +every opinion or idea of mine you are resolved to dissent." With these +words he hastily retired, adding only an unceremonious and careless +"adieu." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + +I knew not myself how I had been led to speak so freely on the subject, +never having till now thought of gaming or its consequences; but the +words, as on former occasions, seemed to be prompted for me by some +invisible power, after whom I only repeated them. However this might be, +I believed that I had now lost the favour of the Prince, and with it, +the right of appearing on any future occasion within the walls of his +palace. + +In this belief, however, I was mistaken, for, on the same day, I +received a card inviting me to a concert; and the Prince, whom I once +more met in the park, said, _en passant_, with much politeness, "Good +evening, Mr Leonard! You are to be with us to-night, and it is to be +hoped that my _capelle_ may gain some credit, and please you better than +my park and my pharo-table have done." + +The music was indeed very commendable. All was performed with great +accuracy; but, at the same time, the pieces appeared to me not well +chosen; for one destroyed, by contrast, the effect of the other; and, +especially, there was one long act, which seemed to have been got up +with particular care, and which, nevertheless, produced in me a hearty +fit of _ennui_. + +I took good care not to express my opinion audibly; and in this respect +acted, for once, with prudence, as I was afterwards informed that this +same long act, or scene, was one of the Prince's own composition. + +When the music had concluded, I found myself unawares in the innermost +circles of the court, and would have been willing even to take a hand at +pharo, in order to reconcile myself wholly with the Prince. But, on +entering the room where pharo had been played, I was not a little +surprised to find no preparations for that game. On the contrary, small +parties were seated at ordinary tables, over hands of Boston-whist, +while the rest of the company kept up lively conversation. Even a +regular course of story-telling was introduced. Old bon-mots were +revived, and fresh anecdotes attentively listened to, provided they +were agreeably delivered, even though not intrinsically of much +importance. + +Here my old gifts of loquacity and eloquence came opportunely to my aid; +and, under the guise of romantic and poetical legends, I contrived to +narrate many events out of my own life. + +Thus I attracted attention and won applause from many listeners. The +Prince, however, liked best whatever was cheerful and humorous; in which +respects, the physician was not to be equalled. He was indeed +inexhaustible. + +This kind of pastime was at last carried so far, that individuals were +chosen to read from their own MS. compositions, whatever they considered +best suited for the present society. A kind of regular _esthetical_ club +was thus formed, where the Prince presided, and every one contributed as +he best could. Among the rest, there was a certain professor from the +_gymnasium_, who chose to read a very long paper on some new +discoveries; and precisely in proportion as the few who knew anything +about his science were interested and delighted, the others were +_ennuyés_ and restless. Among this majority was the Prince, who was +evidently rejoiced when the physician very judiciously seized this time +to introduce one of his stories, which, if not very original and witty +in themselves, yet, from the drollery of his manner, were irresistible, +and had at least a _naiveté_ and facility which were highly acceptable, +after the tiresome lecture of the professor. + +"Your highness knows," said the physician, turning to the Prince, "that +I never failed, when on my travels, to enter into my memorandum-book, +portraits (in writing I mean) of all the strange characters and odd +adventurers that fell in my way; and from this journal I am now about to +repeat some notices to which I have hitherto not alluded, on account of +their being perhaps too common-place, yet they seem to me not altogether +undiverting. + +"On my way home, about a year ago, I came to a large handsome village, +about four German miles from Berlin; and being much fatigued, resolved +to rest there, instead of going on to the capital. The landlord directly +shewed me to a good room, where, after supper, I threw myself into bed, +and directly fell asleep. About one in the morning, however, I was +suddenly awoke by a noise, which, assimilating with a fearful dream +with which I had just then been haunted, I imagined to be either the +shrieking of an owl at the window, or the cries of a person in distress, +for I had dreamed of both. + +"It was, however, the sound of a German flute, which proceeded from a +room very near me; but in my whole life, before or since, I have never +heard such an attempt at music. The man must have had monstrous and +gigantic powers of lungs; for in one loud shrill cutting key, he went on +without mercy, so that the character of the instrument was perfectly +annihilated. What added, if possible, to this enormity, was, that he +blew everlastingly the same identical passage over and over, not +granting me the slightest relief, by an endeavour at a tune, so that +nothing could be conceived more abominable. + +"I raved at, cursed, and abused this infernal musician, who so cruelly +deprived me of needful rest, and by whom my ears were so barbarously +outraged; but, like a wound-up piece of clock-work, the diabolical flute +continued to utter the same notes over and over, until I thought the +devil himself must be the player, for no one else could have had +physical strength to hold out so long. At last I heard something thrown +with great violence, and a loud crack, against the wainscot; after which +there was dead silence, and I could for the rest of the night sleep in +peace. + +"In the morning I heard a great noise of quarrelling and scolding in the +lower floor of the house. In the _row_ I could now and then distinguish +the voice of mine host, who was scarcely allowed, however, to throw in a +word, by a man who roared without ceasing, in broken German--'May your +house be damned! Would that I had never been so unlucky as to cross the +threshold! The devil himself must have brought me hither, where one can +neither drink, eat, nor enjoy himself--where everything is infamously +bad, and dog dear. There, sir, you have your money; and as for your +rascally gin-shop, you shall never more see me again within its walls!' + +"Having just then finished my toilet, I was in time to behold the author +of all this disturbance. He was a little, withered man, in a +coffee-brown coat, and a round _fox-red_ wig, on which, with a martial +air of defiance, he stuck a little grey hat; then ran out of the house +towards the stable, from which I soon afterwards saw him re-appear, with +a horse fully as odd-looking as himself, on which he mounted, and, at a +heavy, awkward gallop, rode off the field. + +"Of course I supposed he was like myself, an entire stranger, who had +quarrelled with the landlord, and had now taken his final departure. I +dismissed him, therefore, from my thoughts; but, at dinner-time, (having +been induced to remain another day at the village,) how I was surprised, +on taking my place at the _table d'Hote_, to perceive the same absurd +coffee-brown figure, with the fox-red wig, who, without ceremony, drew +in his chair opposite to mine! + +"He had one of the ugliest, and most laughable visages that I had ever +beheld. In his whole demeanour, there was a kind of grave and solemn +absurdity that was irresistible. During dinner, I kept up a monosyllabic +dialogue with my host, while the stranger continued to eat voraciously, +and took no notice whatever of any one. + +"At last, the innkeeper, with a sly wink at me, led the discourse to +national peculiarities, and asked me, whether I had ever been +acquainted with an Irishman, or knew what was meant by Irish bulls, for +which that country was celebrated? 'Unquestionably,' said I; 'I have +heard many such;' and a whole string of these blunders came at once into +my head. I then told the story of the Irishman, who, when asked why he +wore stockings with the wrong side out, answered, 'Because there was a +hole in the other side;'--of the still better anecdote of another +disciple of St Patrick, who was sleeping in the same bed with a choleric +Scotch Highlander. An English wag, who was lodged in the same room, by +way of a practical joke, took one of the Irishman's spurs, and, +perceiving that he wast fast asleep, buckled it on his heel. Soon after, +the Irishman happening to turn round, tore the Scotchman's legs with his +spur; whereupon the latter, in great wrath, gave his companion a violent +box on the ear, and the Englishman had the satisfaction of hearing +betwixt them the following ingenious discourse:-- + +"'What devil,' said the Irishman, 'has got possession of you? and why +are you beating me?'--'Because,' said the other, 'you have torn me with +your spurs.'--'How is that possible? I took off my clothes.'--'And yet +it is so--see only here.'--'Damnation!--you are in the right. The +rascally waiter has pulled off my boots, but left on the spurs!' + +"The story, however old, was new to the innkeeper, who broke out into +immoderate laughter; but the stranger, who had now wound up his dinner +with a great draught of beer from a glass as high as a church tower, +looked at me gravely, and said--'You have spoken well, sir. The Irishmen +certainly do make these bulls; but this by no means depends on the +character of the people, who are ingenious and witty, but on the cursed +air of that damp country, which infects one with them, as with coughs +and catarrhs. I myself, sir, am an Englishman, though born and bred in +Ireland, and therefore am, on that account, subjected to the vile +propensity of making bulls.' + +"Hereupon the innkeeper laughed more and more, and I was obliged to join +him heartily, for it was delightful that the Irishman, gravely lecturing +on bulls, should _unconsciously_ give us one of the very best as a +specimen. + +"The stranger seemed not in the least offended by our laughing. 'In +England,' said he, with his finger on his nose, and dilating _his_ +eyes--'in England, the Irishmen are like strong spices added to society +to render it tasteful. I am myself, in one respect, like Falstaff; I am +not only witty in myself, but the cause of wit in others, which, in +these times, is no slight accomplishment. Could you suppose it possible, +that in the empty leathern brain of this innkeeper, wit, generated by +me, is now and then roused? But mine host is, in this respect, a prudent +man. He takes care not to draw on the small capital that he possesses of +his own, but lends out a thought now and then at interest, when he finds +himself in the society of the rich!' + +"With these words, the little original rose and left us. I immediately +begged the innkeeper to give me something of his history. + +"'This Irishman,' said mine host, 'whose name is Ewson, and who, on that +account, will have himself to be an Englishman, has now been here for +the short period of twenty-two years! As a young man, I had just set up +in the world, purchased a lease of this inn, and it happened to be on my +wedding-day when Mr Ewson first arrived among us. He was then a youth, +but wore his fox-red wig, his grey hat, and coffee-brown coat, exactly +as you saw him to-day. He then seemed to be travelling in great haste, +and said that he was on his return to his own country; however, hearing +the band of music which played at my wedding feast, he was so much +delighted with it, that he came into the house and insisted on making +one of the party. + +"'Hereupon, though he approved our music, yet he swore that it was only +on board an English war ship that people knew how to dance; and to prove +his assertion, gave us a hornpipe, whistling to it all the while most +horribly through his teeth, fell down, dislocated his ancle, and was, of +course, obliged to remain with us till it was cured. + +"'Since that time he has never left my house, though I have had enough +to do with his peculiarities. Every day through these twenty-two years, +he has quarrelled with me. He despises my mode of life, complains that +my bills are over-charged; that he cannot live any longer without +roast-beef and porter; packs up his portmanteau, with his three red wigs +one above the other, mounts an old broken-winded horse, and rides away. + +"'This, however, turns out nothing more than a ride for exercise; for at +dinner-time he comes in at the other end of the town, and in due time +makes his appearance at my table, eating as much of the despised dishes +as might serve for any three men! + +"'Once every year he receives from his own country a valuable bank-bill. +Then, with an air of the deepest melancholy, he bids me farewell, calls +me his best friend, and sheds tears, which I do also; but with me they +are tears of laughter. After having, by his own account, made his will, +and provided a fortune for my eldest daughter, he rides away slowly and +pensively, so that the first time I believed he certainly was gone for +good and all. + +"'His journey, however, is only four German miles, viz. into the +_residenz_, from whence he never fails to return on the third or fourth +day, bringing with him two new coffee-brown coats, six new shirts, three +wigs, all of the same staring and frightful red, a new grey hat, and +other requisites for his wardrobe; finally, to my eldest daughter, +though she is now eighteen, a paper of sugar-plums. + +"'He then thinks no more either of residing in the capital, nor of his +homeward journey. His afternoon expenses are paid every night, and his +money for breakfast is thrown angrily at my head every morning. + +"'At other times, however, he is the best-tempered man in the world. He +gives presents every holiday to all my children, and in the village has +done much real good among the poor; only, he cannot bear the priest, +because he learned from the schoolmaster that the former had changed a +gold piece that Mr Ewson had put into the box, and given it out in +copper pennies! Since that time, he avoids him on all occasions, and +never goes to church, and the priest calls him an atheist. + +"'As before said, however, I have often trouble enough with his temper. +On coming home just yesterday, I heard a great noise in the house, and a +voice in furious wrath, which I knew to be Ewson's. Accordingly I found +him in vehement altercation with the house-maid. He had, as usual with +him, thrown away his wig, and was standing bald-pated in his +shirt-sleeves before her, and holding a great book under her nose, +wherein he obstinately pointed at something with his finger. The maid +stuck her hands in her sides, told him he might get somebody else to +play his tricks upon, that he was a bad wicked man, who believed in +nothing, etc. etc. etc. + +"'With considerable difficulty I succeeded in parting the disputants, +and bringing the matter under arbitration. Mr Ewson had desired the maid +to bring him a wafer to seal a letter. The girl never having written or +sealed a letter in her life, at first did not in the least understand +him. At last it occurred to her that the wafers he spoke of were those +used at mass, and thought Mr E. wanted to mock at religion, because the +priest had said he was an atheist. She therefore refused to obey him. +Hereupon he had recourse to the dictionary, and at last got into such a +rage, that he spoke nothing but English, which she imagined was +gibberish of the devil's own inspiration. Only my coming in prevented a +personal encounter, in which probably Mr Ewson would have come off with +the worst.' + +"I here interrupted mine host with the question, 'Whether it was Mr +Ewson also who tormented me so much in the night with his +flute-playing?' 'Alas! sir,' said he, 'that is another of his +eccentricities, by which he frightens away all my night-lodgers. Three +years ago one of my sons came on a visit here from the _residenz_. He +plays well on the flute, and practises a good deal. Then, by evil +chance, it occurred to Mr Ewson that he had also in former days learned +to blow the flute, and never gave over till he prevailed on my son to +sell him his instrument for a good round sum, and also a difficult +concerto which he had brought with him from town. + +"'Thereafter Mr Ewson, who has not the slightest pretensions to a +musical ear, began with furious zeal to blow at this concerto. He came, +however, only to the second solo of the first allegro. There he met with +a passage which he could by no possible means bring out; and this one +passage he has now blown at, through these three years, about a hundred +times per day, till at last, in the utmost rage, he throws his flute and +wig together against the wall. + +"'As few instruments can long hold out against such treatment, he +therefore frequently gets a new one, and has indeed three or four in use +at the same time. If any of them exhibits the smallest flaw in one of +the keys or joinings, then, with a 'God d--n me, it is only in England +that musical instruments can be made!' he throws it out of the window. + +"'What is worst of all, however, is, that this passion for blowing the +flute of his, seizes him in the night, and he then never fails to diddle +all my guests out of their first sleep. + +"'Could you believe it, however, that there is in our town another +foreigner, an Englishman, by name Doctor Green, who has been in the +house of the _Amtmann_ about as long as Mr Ewson has lived with me, and +that the one is just as absurd an original as the other? These two are +constantly quarrelling, and yet without each other could not live. It +has just now occurred to me that Mr Ewson has, for this evening, ordered +a bowl of punch at my house, to which he has invited Doctor Green. If, +sir, you choose to stay here till to-morrow, you will see the most +absurd trio that this whole world could afford.' + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + +"Your highness will readily conclude," continued the physician, "that I +was very willing on this account to delay my journey, as I had thereby +an opportunity of seeing Mr Ewson in his glory. As soon as the morning +drew on, he came into my room, and was so good as to invite me to his +bowl of punch, although he regretted that he could only give me that +contemptible drink which, in this country, bore the honoured name of a +far different liquor. It was only in England where good punch could be +drunk, and if ever I came to see him in his own country, he would +convince me that he knew how to prepare, in its best fashion, that +divine panacea. + +"Not long afterwards, the two other guests whom he had invited, made +their appearance. The _Amtmann_ was, like Ewson, a little figure, but +round as a ball, happy and contented, with a red snub nose, and large +sparkling eyes. Dr Green, on the contrary, was a tall, powerful, and +middle-aged man, with a countenance strikingly national, carelessly, yet +fashionably dressed, spectacles on his nose, and a round white hat on +his head. + +"'Give me sack, that mine eyes may be red,' cried this hero, (marching +up to the innkeeper, whom he seized by the breast, shaking him +heartily,) 'Speak, thou rascally Cambyses, where are the princesses? +There is here a base odour of coffee and Bremen cigars, but no +fumigation yet floats on the air from the ambrosial drink of the gods.' + +"'Have mercy, oh champion! Away with thy hands--relax thy potent grasp,' +answered the host, coughing; 'otherwise, in thine ire, thou might'st +crush my ribs like an eggshell." + +"'Not till thy duties are fulfilled,' replied Dr Green; 'not before the +sweet vapour of punch, ambrosial punch, delights our nostrils. Why are +thy functions thus delayed? Not till then shall I let thee go, thou most +unrighteous host!' + +"Now, however, Ewson darted out ferociously against the Doctor, crying, +'Green, thou brute, thou rascal!--Green shalt thou be, beneath the +eyes,--nay, thou shalt be green and yellow with grief, if thou dost not +immediately desist from thy shameful deeds.' + +"Accordingly, I expected a violent quarrel, and prepared myself for +departure; but I was for once mistaken. 'In contempt, then, of his +cowardly impotence, I shall desist,' said the Doctor, 'and wait +patiently for the divine drink which thou, Ewson, shalt prepare for us.' + +"With these words he let go the innkeeper, (who instantly ran out of the +room,) seated himself, with the demeanour of a Cato, at the table, +lighted his pipe, which was ready filled, and blew out great volumes of +smoke. + +"'Is not all this as if one were at the play?' said the good-humoured +_Amtmann_, addressing himself to me. 'The Doctor, who generally never +reads a German book, borrowed from us a volume of Schlegel's +Shakespeare, and since that time he has, according to his own +expression, never ceased playing old well-known tunes upon a strange +instrument. You must have observed, that even the innkeeper speaks in +measured verse, the Doctor having drilled him for that purpose.' + +"He was interrupted by the appearance of the landlord with his +punch-bowl, ready filled with liquor, smoking hot; and although Green +and Ewson both swore that it was scarcely drinkable, yet they did not +fail to swallow glass after glass with the greatest expedition. + +"We kept up a tolerable conversation. Green, however, remained very +silent, only now and then falling in with most comical contradictions of +what other people had said. Thus, for example, the _Amtmann_ spoke of +the theatre at Berlin, and I assured him that the tragedy hero played +admirably. 'That I cannot admit,' said Dr Green. 'Do you not think if +the actor had performed six times better, that he might have been +tolerable?' Of necessity I could not but answer in the affirmative, but +was of opinion, that to play six times better would cost him a deal of +unnecessary trouble, as he had already played the part of Lear (in which +I had already seen him) most movingly. 'This,' said Green, 'quite passes +the bounds of my perceptions. The man, indeed, gives us all that he has +to give. Can he help it, if he is by nature and destiny inclined to be +stupid? However, in his own way, he has brought the art to tolerable +perfection; therefore one must bear with him.' + +"The _Amtmann_ sat between the two originals, exerting his own +particular talent, which was, like that of a demon, to excite them to +all sorts of folly; and thus the night wore on, till the powerful +ambrosia began to operate. + +"At last Ewson became extravagantly merry. With a hoarse, croaking +voice, he sung divers national songs, of which I did not understand a +word; but if the words were like the music, they must have been every +way detestable. Moreover, he threw his periwig and coat through the +window into the court, and began to dance a hornpipe, with such +unutterable grimaces, and in a style so supernaturally grotesque, that I +had almost split my sides with laughing. + +"The Doctor, meanwhile, remained obstinately solemn, but it was obvious +that the strangest visions were passing through his brain. He looked +upon the punch-bowl as a bass fiddle, and would not give over playing +upon it with the spoon, to accompany Ewson's songs, though the innkeeper +earnestly entreated of him to desist. + +"As for the _Amtmann_, he had always become more and more quiet; at last +he tottered away into a corner of the room, where he took a chair, and +began to weep bitterly. I understood a signal of the innkeeper, and +inquired of this dignitary the cause of his deep sorrow. 'Alas! alas!' +said he, 'the Prince Eugene was a great, very great general, and yet +even he, that heroic prince, was under the necessity to die!' Thereupon +he wept more vehemently, so that the tears ran down his cheeks. + +"I endeavoured as well as I could to console him for the loss of this +brave hero of the last century, but in vain. + +"Dr Green, meanwhile, had seized a great pair of snuffers, and with all +his might drove and laboured with them towards the open window. He had +nothing less in view than to clip the moon, which he had mistaken for a +candle. + +"Ewson, meanwhile, danced and yelled as if he were possessed by a +thousand devils, till at last the under-waiter came, with a great +lantern, notwithstanding the clear moonlight shone into the apartment, +and cried out, 'Here I am, gentlemen. Now you can march.' + +"The Doctor arose, lighted his pipe, (which he had laid aside while the +enjoyments of the punch-bowl lasted,) and now placed himself right +opposite to the waiter, blowing great clouds into his face. + +"'Welcome, friend,' cried he; 'Art thou Peter Quince, who bearest about +moonshine, and dog, and thorn-bush? 'Tis I that have trimmed your light +for you, you lubber, and therefore you shine so brightly! + +"'Good night then! Much have I quaffed of the contemptible juice here +denominated ambrosial punch. Good night, mine honest host--Good night, +mine Pylades!' + +"Ewson swore that he would instantly break the head of any one who +should offer to go home, but no one heeded him. On the contrary, the +waiter took the Doctor under one arm, and the _Amtmann_, still weeping +for Prince Eugene, under the other; and thus they reeled along through +the streets, towards the _Amthaus_. + +"With considerable difficulty, we carried the delirious Ewson to his own +room, where he raged and blew for half the night on his flute, so that I +could not possibly obtain any rest; nor did I recover from the +influences of the mad evening, until I found myself once more in my +travelling carriage." + +The physician's story was (more, perhaps, from the _naive_ quaintness of +his delivery, than the _materiel_ of his narrative,) interrupted +frequently by peals of laughter, louder and longer than are usually to +be heard in a court circle. The Prince himself appeared particularly +delighted. + +"There is only one figure," said his highness, "which, in the punch-bowl +scene, you have kept too much in the back-ground, and that is your +own--for I am fully persuaded, that you must have been the means of +leading the Doctor and Ewson to a thousand extravagancies, and that you +were, in truth, the exciting principle of mischief, for which you would +have us take the poor devil of an _Amtmann_." + +"I assure your highness," said the Doctor, "that the club was, on the +contrary, so rounded and complete in itself, that every addition would +have been both discordant and superfluous. The three originals were +tuned up, and adapted, one to the other, each on his proper key, so as +to produce a most perfect trio. The host added thereto what we musicians +call a _septime_." + +In this manner the conversations and the readings were kept up till the +hour when the Prince's family retired to their private apartments, +after which the numerous assembly all separated in the greatest good +humour. + + * * * * * + +I now found myself, day after day, moving happily and cheerfully in a +world entirely new. But the more that I learned to accommodate myself to +the quiet pleasant mode of life in the town, and at the court, the less +I thought of the past, or troubled myself with reflections that my +situation here was held by a very frail tenure. A place was gradually +opened for me, which I could hold with honour and credit. The Prince +seemed to take particular pleasure in my society, and from various +hints, I could very easily perceive that he thought of retaining me +permanently at his court. + +It was not to be denied, that to many individuals the restraint imposed +by the constant presence of the sovereign, and the necessity of +accommodating one's pursuits and opinions to those which prevailed at +court, might have been very disagreeable. But here I possessed the +peculiar advantage of having been already accustomed to the formal +restrained life of the convent; so that I suffered less than any other +stranger would have done. + +One circumstance, however, was exceedingly irksome to me. I perceived +that, although the Prince always distinguished me by the most +unequivocal tokens of his favour, yet the Princess invariably remained, +in her manner towards me, cold, haughty, and reserved. Nay, my presence +seemed often to disquiet her in an extraordinary degree, and it seemed +to cost her a great effort to bestow on me now and then, for form's +sake, a few words of ordinary politeness. + +With the ladies, however, by whom she was surrounded, I had better +fortune. My appearance seemed to have made on them a favourable +impression; and as I was often with them, I succeeded at last in +acquiring the arts of gallantry, that is to say, of accommodating myself +to the notions of the ladies, whoever they were, among whom I happened +to be thrown, and of talking on subjects, in themselves trifling and +contemptible, as if they were of some importance. + +Is not this oftentimes a key to the female heart? It is not difficult to +possess one's self of the ideas that usually prevail there, and if +these ideas, commonly not very deep nor sublime, are repeated and +embellished by the eloquence of a handsome lover, is not this far better +than downright flattery? It sounds, indeed, to female ears, like a hymn +of self-adoration. The beauty, hearing her own slender ideas thus +improved, is as delighted as if she beheld herself (dressed with +elegance and splendour) in a mirror. + +I was satisfied that my transformation was complete. Who could now have +recognised in me the monk Medardus? The only dangerous place for me now +was the church, where I could scarcely avoid mechanically betraying the +force of old habits. + +Among the constant hangers-on of the court, the physician was almost the +only one, except myself, who seemed to have any decided character of his +own. He was, therefore, partial to me, and approved highly the boldness +of my expressions, by which I had strangely succeeded in banishing from +the Prince's parties, the pleasures of the pharo-table. + +It thus happened that we were often together, and spoke now of +literature and the arts--now of the goings on of those that were around +us. For the Princess, the physician had, like myself, a high veneration; +and assured me, that it was only through her influence that the Prince +was restrained from many other follies. It was this only that could +charm away that kind of restless _ennui_ by which he was tormented; and +it seemed often as if she were obliged to treat him as a child, and put +into his hands some harmless plaything. + +I did not lose this opportunity of lamenting that I seemed to be out of +favour with the Princess, without being able to explain to myself any +cause for it. + +The Doctor immediately rose, and, as we happened to be in his room, +brought a small miniature picture from his writing-desk, desiring me to +examine it with great care. I did so--but how was I confounded when I +perceived that the features of the male figure whom it represented were +precisely my own! It was only the old fashion of hair-dressing and of +garb in the portrait, and the luxuriant whiskers (Belcampo's +chef-d'oeuvre) on my part, that presented any difference. + +Without hesitation I imparted my astonishment to the physician. "Well, +sir," said he, "it is neither more nor less than this resemblance which +now terrifies and disquiets the Princess as often as you come into her +presence; for your appearance never fails to bring to her mind the +recollection of a tremendous adventure, which formerly happened at this +court, and which I knew not whether I ought to relate. + +"My precursor in the duties of physician, who has been some years dead, +and of whom I was a pupil, entrusted me with the particulars of that +event, and at the same time gave me this picture, which represents a +former favourite in the Prince's family, known here by the name of +Francesco. You perceive, by the way, that the miniature itself is a +masterpiece of art. + +"It is one of the numerous works of that celebrated foreign painter who +was then at our court, and became a principal actor in the tragedy to +which I have alluded." + +On contemplating the picture, my mind was overpowered by confused and +stupifying apprehensions, which I vainly endeavoured to arrange into +some definite shape. This only was certain, that some mystery, in which +I was myself involved, would now be cleared up; and I entreated the +physician to wave his scruples, and acquaint me with the adventure to +which he had alluded, as it probably might account to me for the +extraordinary likeness between my features and those of Francesco. + +"Truly," said the physician, "I cannot wonder at your curiosity being +thus awakened; and though I speak very unwillingly of these +circumstances, on which, to this day, there lies a veil of mystery which +I have never been able to lift up, yet you shall now hear all that I +know of the matter. Many years have now passed since that occurrence, +and the principal actors have retired altogether from the stage; yet the +mere recollection of them is here so hazardous, that I must beg of you +not to repeat to any one what I may now communicate." + +Of course I promised secrecy, and the physician went on as follows:-- + +"It happened just at the time of our Prince's marriage, that his brother +the Duke of Neuenburg returned from his travels in the society of a man +whom he called Francesco, though it was known that he was not an +Italian, but by birth a German. They brought with him also a painter, +said to have acquired, as an artist, the highest celebrity. + +"The Duke of Neuenburg was one of the handsomest men that have ever +lived; and, on this account alone, would have outshone our sovereign, +even if he had not also excelled him both in vivacity and energy of +mind. + +"On the young and newly-married Princess, therefore, who was then very +lively, and for whose disposition her consort was not very well suited, +the Duke made an extraordinary impression. Without the slightest shade +of criminal intentions, of any premeditated crime, the parties were +gradually and almost unconsciously involved in an attachment, at first +more distinguishable to by-standers than to themselves, and from which +they would, on _timely_ reflection, have fled with terror. + +"It was the stranger Francesco alone, who, both in talents and in +personal beauty, could be compared to the Duke; and as the Duke +interested our reigning Princess, so Francesco completely acquired the +affections of her elder sister, who was then an inmate of our court. + +"Francesco soon became aware of his good fortune, and did not fail to +lay the craftiest plans for profiting by the advantages then put within +his power. Meanwhile, although our sovereign was perfectly convinced of +his wife's virtue, yet the overstrained attentions of his brother, and +the satisfaction with which they were received, gave him considerable +vexation, and Francesco alone, who was become a great favourite, was +able at certain times to keep him in good humour. On this man he wished +to confer some distinguished situation; but the foreigner was contented +with the advantages derived from the system of favouritism, and the +affection of the Princess's unmarried sister. + +"Such was the situation of affairs for some time. No particular event +occurred to disturb the family; but it was easy to perceive that some +among them were in no enviable state of mind. At this very juncture, by +the invitation probably of the Duke, there appeared with great splendour +at our court a certain Italian Countess, to whom, it was said, that, in +the course of his travels, he had at one time been greatly attached, and +who had even been spoken of as his betrothed bride. + +"Be this as it may, she is said to have been wonderfully beautiful, to +have concentrated in her person and manners the very _belle ideal_ of +grace and elegance. Indeed these attributes speak for themselves in her +portrait, which you may see in the gallery. Her presence at first +greatly enlivened the court, where a kind of languor had begun to +predominate. She outshone every lady, even the Royal Princesses not +excepted. + +"Francesco, however, after the arrival of this Italian beauty, became +most unfavourably changed. It seemed as if he were preyed upon by some +inward grief, which wore away the fresh bloom that had been formerly on +his features. Moreover, he became peevish, reserved, and melancholy. He +neglected even the society of his noble mistress, to whom he had before +shewn such obsequious attention. + +"After some time, too, the Duke became morose and meditative, seemingly +carried away by some new passion, which he was unable to resist. But, +above all, it was on Francesco's mistress, the unmarried Princess, that +the strange lady's arrival had the most painful influence. Being +naturally inclined to enthusiasm, and to feel in extremes, it seemed to +her, that with the loss of Francesco's love, all the hopes and joys of +this life were, for her, withered for ever. + +"Amid these dark clouds of disappointment and melancholy, by which all +were more or less affected, the Duke was the first to recover an outward +show of cheerfulness. That his attentions formerly to the reigning +Princess had been perfectly innocent, there can be no doubt; but these +were now changed for a vehement revival of his old attachment to the +Italian Countess, so that he lay once more under the same fetters, +which, but a short time before he came hither, he had successfully +broken! + +"The more that the Duke gave himself to this passion, the more +remarkable for gloom and discontent was the behaviour of Francesco, who +now scarcely ever made his appearance at court, but wandered about +through the country alone, and was often for weeks together absent from +the _residenz_. + +"On the other hand, the painter, who, as I have mentioned before, had +also accompanied the Duke from Italy, and who at first had been so shy +and reserved, that he was almost invisible, now made his appearance very +frequently in society, and laboured with great success and industry in +a large room, which the Italian Countess had fitted up for him in her +house, and where he took many portraits of her and of others, with +matchless fidelity and strength of expression. + +"To the reigning Princess, meanwhile, he seemed to cherish a decided +aversion. He absolutely refused to paint her portrait, while, at the +same time, of her unmarried sister he took a most perfect likeness, +without her having allowed him a single sitting. Many other strange +stories are told of this painter's capricious and unaccountable conduct, +which I do not think it necessary to detail. Suffice it to say, that +though for the most part employed sedulously in his own profession, he +seemed to be utterly careless of what others said or thought of his +productions. One day, however, when the Duke had made some remarks which +did not suit with the stranger's particular humour, an irreconcilable +and violent quarrel took place betwixt them; and the artist only +requested, that, before retiring from the court, he might be allowed to +bestow some finishing touches on a favourite picture of the Italian +lady, which he was then painting for his patron. This being agreed to, +by two or three masterly strokes of his pencil, he converted in a few +seconds the countenance which had been so beautiful, into the most +hideous monster of deformity, on which no one could bear to look. Then, +with the words, 'Now art thou for ever lost,' he slowly and solemnly +left the apartment. + +"This happened when the Italian Princess was already become the +betrothed bride of the Duke, and the marriage was appointed to take +place in a few days. As to the painter's strange conduct, less notice +was taken of it, as he was, by prevalent report, liable frequently to +madness. He returned, as it was said, to his own small and confined +apartments, where he sat staring at a great piece of stretched canvass, +without, as the by-standers believed, making any progress, though he +himself said that he was engaged on magnificent works. So he completely +forgot his attendance at court, and was himself forgotten. + +"The marriage of the Duke with the Italian lady, was solemnly celebrated +in the palace. The reigning Princess had, of course, accommodated +herself to circumstances, and if she really loved her brother-in-law, +had renounced a passion which was without legitimate object, and which +never could have been gratified. + +"Her unmarried sister once more seemed in high spirits, for her lover, +Francesco, now re-appeared at court, more blooming and joyous than ever. + +"The Duke, with his consent, was to inhabit a wing of the palace, which +our Sovereign had ordered to be prepared for them. The Prince was, +indeed, at that time, quite in his element. He was never visible, +without a crowd of architects, painters, and upholsterers around him, +turning over great books, and spreading out on the table plans, +sketches, and outlines, which he partly devised himself; and which, +among them all, turned out sufficiently incommodious and absurd. + +"Neither the Duke nor his bride was allowed to see any of these +arrangements, till on the eve of their marriage-day, when they were led +by the Prince, in a long solemn procession, into the rooms, which were +really decorated with great splendour; and on the evening of that day, +the festivities were concluded by a ball, given in the great banquet +_salle_, which was made to resemble a blooming garden. + +"The nuptials were regularly solemnized on the following day; and all +was conducted as usual on such occasions; till about midnight, when, +from the Duke's wing of the house, there was heard a strange +disturbance, of which the noise became always louder and louder, till it +reached our Sovereign's ears, who, in great alarm, started from his bed. + +"Having dressed himself hastily, and attended by his guards, he reached +the distant corridor of his brother's apartments, just as the servants +were lifting up the dead body of the Duke, who had been found murdered, +and lying at the door of the bridal chamber! + +"I make the narrative as short as possible. It is easier to conceive +than describe the horror of the sovereign, the affliction of his +consort, and the whole court. + +"Of course, the first inquiries of the Prince were, how and by whom the +murder had been committed? Watches were placed in all the corridors. +How, therefore, was it possible, that an assassin could have got +admittance, or how could he escape if he had once got in? All the +private passages were searched, but in vain! + +"The page who usually waited on the Duke, related that he had assisted +his master to undress, who was for a long while agitated by fearful and +undefinable apprehensions, and had walked up and down, greatly +disquieted, in his dressing-room, then, carrying a large wax candle, he +had accompanied him to the anti-room of the bridal chamber. The Duke had +there taken the light out of his hand, and sent him away. + +"Scarcely was he out of the anti-room, when he heard a hollow stifled +cry, the noise of a heavy fall, and the rattling of the overthrown +candlestick. He then ran directly back, and, by the gleam of a lamp, +which still burned, beheld the Duke stretched, dying or dead, before the +door of the bridal chamber, and near him he saw lying a small bloody +stiletto. Thereupon he directly gave the alarm. + +"On the other hand, the Italian Duchess gave a totally different, and +quite inexplicable account. She said, that directly after her maids had +left her, the Duke had hastily come into her room without a light, and +had directly put out the other lights, so that the apartment was left in +darkness. He had remained with her a good half-hour, and had then risen +and departed. According to her statement, it must have been only a few +minutes after this that the murder was perpetrated. + +"In short, people wore themselves out with conjectures as to who could +have been the murderer, while not a single trace of him was to be +obtained. But at this juncture, there stepped forward a certain +waiting-maid of the Princess's unmarried sister, who had been +accidentally and privately a witness of the scene between the Duke and +the painter, when the portrait was destroyed. After hearing her opinion +and evidence, no one doubted that the painter was the man who had found +his way secretly into the palace, and become the murderer. + +"Orders were of course given to arrest this man; but ere the +waiting-maid's evidence was given, he had found time to escape, and not +the slightest tidings of him were to be found. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + +"After this horrible tragedy," continued the physician, "the court +remained sunk in the profoundest melancholy, which was shared by all the +inhabitants of the town; and it was only Francesco, (whose attachment +continued unabated to the unmarried Princess,) who still seemed +cheerful, and, by sympathy, spread a gleam of satisfaction through the +otherwise melancholy circles. + +"I have stated only such facts as I can vouch for on my own knowledge. +As to the conjectures and rumours that were now abroad, they were, of +course, many and various, and, especially, a strange story was told of +some individual, who, on the marriage night, had played, in the dark, +the part of the bridegroom. + +"Be that as it may, the Italian Countess afterwards retired to a distant +castle belonging to our Prince; and as to her mode of life there, it +was kept entirely secret, all that was made known being that her +extreme grief had disgusted her with the world. + +"Notwithstanding the influence of this horrible misfortune, Francesco's +intercourse with the sister of our reigning Princess became always more +and more intimate, and the friendship of this Sovereign towards him more +publicly confirmed. The mystery, whatever it was, that hung over this +man's birth and fortunes, had now been fully explained to him; and at +last, after many consultations and entreaties, he agreed to a private +marriage between Francesco and his sister-in-law. The former was to be +raised to a high rank in the army, under another government, where our +Prince had influence; and not till that event took place, was his +marriage to be made public. + +"The day of the solemnization arrived. The Prince and Princess, with two +other confidential witnesses, of whom my predecessor was one, were the +only persons present at this occasion. One page, who was also in the +secret, kept watch at the chapel-door. + +"The couple were kneeling before the altar. The Prince's confessor, a +venerable old man, after an appropriate prayer and lecture, began the +ceremony, when, to the astonishment of every one, Francesco grew +suddenly pale as marble, staring at some object which as yet none but +himself beheld. 'What would'st thou have?' cried he, in a deep hollow +voice, and letting go his bride's hand. + +"Following the direction of his looks, they now observed, leaning +against a pillar of the church, in his Italian dress, with a dark +violet-coloured mantle drawn closely round him--the painter! He +continued to fix his dark glaring eyes on Francesco, who seemed +transfixed with some inexplicable apprehension. + +"The Princess nearly fainted, and every one but the priest was too much +astonished to speak--'Why should the figure of this man affright you?' +said he, to Francesco. 'It is true that his presence here was +unexpected; but if your own conscience is at rest, wherefore should you +tremble before him?' + +"Then Francesco, who had till now kept this kneeling posture at the +altar, started up, and, with a small stiletto in his hand, rushed +towards the painter. But before he reached him, he himself fell, with a +frightful cry, to the ground, and in the same moment the painter +vanished behind the pillar. + +"The marriage ceremony, of course, was thought of no more. All started +up as from a dream, and ran to the help of Francesco, who had fainted, +and lay on the ground as if dead. To avoid risk of publicity, the two +witnesses, with the page's help, carried him into the Prince's +apartments. When he recovered from his faint, he demanded vehemently +that he should be conveyed to his own lodgings, and left there alone. To +the Prince's questions as to his strange conduct in the church, he would +make no answer whatever. + +"On the following morning, Francesco had fled from the _residenz_, +taking with him all the valuables which the favour of the late Duke, and +of our Sovereign, had bestowed upon him. The latter used every possible +means to unravel these mysteries, and, above all, to explain the ghostly +apparition of the painter. The chapel had only two entrances, of which +one led from the rooms of the palace to the seats near the high altar; +the other, from the great corridor into the aisle of the chapel. This +last entrance had been watched by the page, in order that no prying +observer should gain admittance. The other had been carefully closed, so +that it remained inexplicable both how the painter appeared in, and +vanished from, the chapel. + +"Another circumstance very remarkable was noticed by the page. This +person had been the confidential attendant of the late Duke, and he +declared himself convinced, that the stiletto which Francesco had +continued to grasp convulsively during his faint, was the same which he +had seen lying by the body of his master on that fatal evening, and +which had soon afterwards been unaccountably lost. + +"Not long after Francesco's flight, news came of the Italian Duchess. On +the very day when the former should have been married, she had been +delivered of a son, and soon after her accouchement had died. The Prince +deplored her untimely fate, though the circumstances of the bridal-night +had weighed so heavily on her, that her future life must, of necessity, +have been unhappy. Nor were there wanting individuals malicious enough +to raise against her evil rumours and suspicions. Her son never appeared +here, but was educated in distant countries, under the Italian title of +Count Victorin. + +"The Princess--I mean the sister-in-law of our Sovereign--being reduced +to utter despair by these horrid events following like links of a chain +so closely on one another, determined on devoting the rest of her life +to the cloister. She is, as you already know, Abbess of the Cistertian +Convent at Kreuzberg. + +"But, between these adventures which happened in our court, there has +lately been traced a wonderful, and almost supernatural coincidence, +with others which occurred very lately at the castle of the Baron von +F----, in the Thuringian mountains, and by which his house was thrown +precisely into the same state of distraction and misery under which ours +had suffered. You must know that the Abbess, who had been moved with the +distress of a poor woman with a child in her arms, who came to her from +a pilgrimage to the Convent of the Lime-Tree"-- + +Here the entrance of a visitor put an end to the physician's narrative; +and hastily taking my leave, I succeeded tolerably well in concealing +the tempest of emotions which now raged within me. + +Scarcely a doubt remained on my mind that Francesco had been my father. +He had murdered the Duke with the identical stiletto with which, in +self-defence, I had afterwards killed Hermogen! Here, then, was the +origin of that hereditary guilt, of which the darkening clouds hung like +a curse upon my existence, and which it should have been my earnest +endeavour to expiate, by a life of voluntary suffering, of penance, and +exemplary piety. + +Hence, therefore, I resolved instantly to follow the Prior's +injunctions, and betake myself to Italy; thus breaking out at once from +that dangerous circle into which I had been seduced by the malicious +powers of darkness. + +On that very evening, however, I had been engaged to a party at court, +and went accordingly. The assembly was as numerous and varied as that +which I have described on a former occasion; but, through them all, +there prevailed _one only_ subject of conversation, viz. the +extraordinary beauty of a young lady who had arrived only the day +preceding at our court, and had been appointed one of the maids of +honour to the Princess. + +At last the folding-doors were thrown open, the Princess, as usual, +stepped in, but not with her usual attendant. The stranger was with her, +and in that stranger I recognized at once--AURELIA!! + + +END OF VOLUME FIRST. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Devil's Elixir, by E. T. A. Hoffmann + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR *** + +***** This file should be named 36494-8.txt or 36494-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/4/9/36494/ + +Produced by Irma Špehar, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + +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. 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T. A. Hoffmann + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Devil's Elixir + Vol. I (of 2) + +Author: E. T. A. Hoffmann + +Release Date: June 22, 2011 [EBook #36494] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR *** + + + + +Produced by Irma Špehar, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR.</h1> + +<h2>FROM THE GERMAN OF<br /> +E. T. A. HOFFMANN.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +<i>In diesem Jahre wandelte auch her Deuvel offentlich auf den +Strassen von Berlin.——</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i20"><i>Haftit Microc. Berol. p. 1043.</i><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<blockquote> +<p>In that yeare, the Deville was alsoe seene walking publiclie on the streetes of Berline.——</p> +</blockquote> + +<h3>VOL. I.</h3> + +<h3>WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, EDINBURGH:<br /> +AND T. CADELL, LONDON.</h3> + +<h3>1829.</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p>My life, from my fourth to my sixteenth year, was spent at a lonely +farm-house, on the banks of the river Saale, near the Cistertian +Monastery of Kreuzberg. The house, though not large, had once been the +residence of a baronial family, that was now extinct, and of whose +representatives strange stories were narrated. Of course, therefore, +their castle was gloomy; of course, also, said to be haunted, and its +immediate environs were in keeping with the character of the principal +mansion.</p> + +<p>There was, for example, a garden in the old style, with steps and +terrace walks, now ruined and neglected; thick hedges of yew and +cypress, with trees cut into fantastic shapes, which the present owner +had not found leisure, or perhaps had not permission, to destroy. The +surrounding country, however, at some distance, was very beautiful, +presenting a fine diversity of hill and dale, rock, wood, and water. The +situation of the Cistertian Convent, too, is particularly admired; but +in the recollections which I am thus commencing, rapid, simple narrative +must be my leading object; I have no time for diffuse and verbose +description.</p> + +<p>Being an only child, I was left much alone, and it is therefore not to +be wondered at, that even at this early age, I should have exemplified +an undue developement of the faculty of imagination, and betrayed +singularities of thought and conduct, with proportionate defects in the +more useful qualities of prudence and judgment. It is requisite to +observe, however, that I was not born in this neighbourhood, but at the +convent of the Holy Lime-Tree in Prussia, of which place, even at this +day, I seem to retain the most accurate reminiscence. That I should be +able to describe scenes and events which happened in my earliest +infancy, need not be considered inexplicable, as I have heard so much of +them from the narratives of others, that an impression was of course +very powerfully made on my imagination, or rather, the impressions once +made, have never been suffered to decay, like cyphers carved on a tree, +which some fond lover fails not at frequent intervals to revisit and to +renovate. Of my father's rank or station in the world, I know little or +nothing. From all that I have heard, he must have been a person of +considerable experience and knowledge of life; yet, by various anecdotes +which have only of late become intelligible, it appears that my parents, +from the enjoyment of affluence and prosperity, had sunk, all at once, +into a state of the bitterest poverty and comparative degradation. I +learn, moreover, that my father, having been once enticed by stratagems +of the Arch Enemy into the commission of a mortal sin, wished, when, in +his latter years, the grace of God had brought him to repentance, to +expiate his guilt by a penitential pilgrimage from Italy to the convent +of the Holy Lime-Tree, in the distant and cold climate of Prussia. On +their laborious journey thither, his faithful partner in affliction +perceived, for the first time after several years of a married life, +that she was about to become a mother; and notwithstanding his extreme +poverty, my father was by this occurrence greatly rejoiced, as it tended +to the fulfilment of a mysterious vision, in which the blessed St +Bernard had appeared, and promised to him forgiveness and consolation +through the birth of a son.</p> + +<p>In the convent of the Lime-Tree, my father was attacked by severe +illness, and as, notwithstanding his debility, he would on no account +forego any of the prescribed devotional exercises, his disease rapidly +gained ground, till at last, in mysterious conformity to the words of St +Bernard, he died consoled and absolved, almost at the same moment in +which I came into the world.</p> + +<p>With my first consciousness of existence dawned on my perceptions the +beautiful imagery of the cloister and celebrated church of the +Lime-Tree. Even at this moment, methinks the dark oak wood yet rustles +around me; I breathe once more the fragrance of the luxuriant grass and +variegated flowers which were my cradle. No noxious insect, no poisonous +reptile, is found within the limits of that sanctuary. Scarce even the +buzzing of a fly, or chirping of a grasshopper, interrupts the solemn +stillness, diversified only by the pious songs of the monks, who walk +about in long solemn processions, accompanied by pilgrims of all +nations, waving their censers of consecrated perfume.</p> + +<p>Even now, I seem yet vividly to behold in the middle of the church, the +stem of the lime-tree cased in silver, that far-famed tree, on which +supernatural visitants had placed the miraculous and wonder-working +image of the Virgin, while from the walls and lofty dome, the well-known +features of Saints and Angels are once more smiling upon me.</p> + +<p>In like manner, it appears to me also, as if I had once beheld in the +same place the mysterious figure of a tall, grave, and austere-looking +man, of whom I was given to understand, that he could be no other but +the far-famed Italian painter, who had, in times long past, been here +professionally employed. No one understood his language, nor was his +real history known to any one of the monks. This much only was certain, +that he had, in a space of time incredibly short, filled the church with +its richest ornaments, and then, as soon as his work was finished, +immediately disappeared, no one could tell how or whither.</p> + +<p>Not less vividly could I paint the portrait of a venerable pilgrim, who +carried me about in his arms, and assisted me in my childish plays of +searching for all sorts of variegated moss and pebbles in the forest. +Yet, though the apparition of the painter was certainly real, that of +the pilgrim, were it not for its influence on my after life, would seem +to me but a dream.</p> + +<p>One day this personage brought with him a boy of uncommon beauty, and +about my equal in years, with whom I seated myself on the grass, sharing +with him my treasured store of moss and pebbles, which he already knew +how to form into various regular figures, and above all, into the holy +sign of the cross. My mother, meanwhile, sat near us on a stone bench, +and the old pilgrim stood behind her, contemplating with mild gravity +our infantine employments.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, while we were thus occupied, a troop of young people emerged +from the thicket, of whom, judging by their dress and whole demeanour, +it was easy to decide, that curiosity and idleness, not devotion, had +led them to the Lime-Tree. On perceiving us, one of them began to laugh +aloud, and exclaiming to his companions, "See there!—See there!—A +holy family!—Here at last is something for my portfolio;" with these +words he drew out paper and pencils, and set himself as if to sketch our +portraits. Hereupon the old pilgrim was violently incensed, "Miserable +scoffer!" he exclaimed, "thou forsooth wouldst be an artist, while to +thy heart, the inspiration of faith and divine love is yet utterly +unknown! But thy works will, like thyself, remain cold, senseless, and +inanimate, and in the poverty of thine own soul, like an outcast in the +desert, shalt thou perish!"</p> + +<p>Terrified by this reproof, the young people hastened away. The old +pilgrim also soon afterwards prepared for departure. "For this one day," +said he to my mother, "I have been permitted to bring to you this +miraculous child, in order that, by sympathy, he might kindle the flames +of divine love in your son's heart; but I must now take him from you, +nor shall you ever behold either of us in this world again. Your son +will prove by nature admirably endowed with many valuable gifts; nor +will the lessons which have now been impressed on his mind be from +thence ever wholly effaced. Though the passions of his sinful father +should boil and ferment in his veins, yet by proper education their +influence might be repressed, and he might even raise himself up to be a +valiant champion of our holy faith. Let him therefore be a monk!"</p> + +<p>With these words he disappeared; and my mother could never sufficiently +express how deep was the impression that his warning had left on her +mind. She resolved, however, by no means to place any restraint on my +natural inclinations, but quietly to acquiesce in whatever destination +Providence, and the limited education she was able to bestow, might seem +to point out for me.</p> + +<p>The interval between this period and the time when my mother, on her +homeward journey, stopped at the convent of Kreuzberg, remains a mere +blank; not a trace of any event is left to me. The Abbess of the +Cistertians (by birth a princess) had been formerly acquainted with my +father, and on that account received us very kindly. I recover myself +for the first time, when one morning my mother bestowed extraordinary +care upon my dress; she also cut and arranged my wildly-grown hair, +adorned it with ribbons which she had bought in the town, and +instructed me as well as she could how I was to behave when presented at +the convent.</p> + +<p>At length, holding by my mother's hand, I had ascended the broad marble +staircase, and entered a high vaulted apartment, adorned with devotional +pictures, in which we found the Lady Abbess. She was a tall, majestic, +and still handsome woman, to whom the dress of her order gave +extraordinary dignity. "Is this your son?" said she to my mother, fixing +on me at the same time her dark and penetrating eyes. Her voice, her +dress, her <i>tout ensemble</i>,—even, the high vaulted room and strange +objects by which I was surrounded, altogether had such an effect on my +imagination, that, seized with a kind of horror, I began to weep +bitterly. "How is this?" said the Abbess; "are you afraid of me? What is +your name, child?"—"Francis," answered my mother.—"Franciscus!" +repeated the Abbess, in a tone of deep melancholy, at the same time +lifting me up in her arms, and pressing me to her bosom.</p> + +<p>But here a new misfortune awaited us; I suddenly felt real and violent +pain, and screamed aloud. The Abbess; terrified, let me go; and my +mother, utterly confounded by my behaviour would have directly snatched +me up and retired. This, however, our new friend would by no means +permit. It was now perceived that a diamond cross, worn by the Princess, +had, at the moment when she pressed me in her arms, wounded my neck in +such manner, that the impression, in the form of a cross, was already +quite visible, and even suffused with blood. "Poor Francis!" said the +Abbess, "I have indeed been very cruel to you; but we shall yet, +notwithstanding all this, be good friends."—An attendant nun now +entered with wine and refreshments, at the sight of which I soon +recovered my courage; and at last, seated on the Abbess's lap, began to +eat boldly of the sweetmeats, which she with her own hand kindly held to +my lips.</p> + +<p>Afterwards, when I had, for the first time in my life, also tasted a few +drops of good wine, that liveliness of humour, which, according to my +mother's account, had been natural to me from infancy, was completely +restored. I laughed and talked, to the great delight of the Princess and +the nun, who remained in the room. To this moment, I know not how it +occurred to my mother, or how she succeeded in leading me on to talk +freely to the Abbess about all the wonders of my native monastery, or +how, as if supernaturally inspired, I was able to describe the works of +the unknown painter as correctly and livelily as if I had comprehended +their whole import and excellence. Not contented with this, I went on +into all the legends of the saints, as if I had already become +intimately acquainted with the records of the church.</p> + +<p>The Princess, and even my mother, looked at me with astonishment. At +last, "Tell me, child," said the Abbess, "how is it possible that you +can have learned all this?"—Without a moment's hesitation, I answered +that a miraculous boy, who had been brought to us by the old pilgrim, +had explained to me all the paintings in the church—nay, that he +himself was able to make beautiful pictures, with moss and pebbles, on +the ground; and had not only explained to me their import, but told me +many legends of the saints.</p> + +<p>The bell now rung for vespers. The nun had packed up and given to me a +quantity of sweetmeats in a paper bag, which I grasped and pocketed with +great satisfaction. The Abbess then rose from her seat: "Henceforward," +said she, turning to my mother, "I shall look upon your son as my chosen +<i>eléve</i>, and shall provide for him accordingly."—My mother was so much +affected by this unexpected generosity, that she could only reply with +tears, grasping in silence the hand of the Abbess. We had reached the +door on our retreat, when the Princess came after us, took me up once +more in her arms, first carefully putting aside the diamond cross, and +weeping so that her tears dropped on my forehead, "Franciscus," said +she, "be good and pious!" I was moved also, and wept without knowing +wherefore.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>By the assistance of the Abbess we were not long afterwards established +at the farm-house already mentioned, and, through her generosity, the +small household of my mother soon assumed a more prosperous appearance. +I was also well clothed and cared for, enjoying the freedom and +tranquillity of a country life, so congenial to childhood; but, above +all, I profited in due time by the instructions of the neighbouring +village priest, whom, while yet very young, I attended as sacristan at +the altar.</p> + +<p>How like a fairy dream the remembrance of those happy days yet hovers +around me! Alas! like a far distant land, the realm of peace and joy, +<i>home</i> now lies far far behind me; and when I would look back, a gulf +yawns to meet me, by which I am separated from these blissful regions +for ever. One lovely form I yet seem to recognize, wandering amid the +roseate light of the morning—one that haunted my early dreams, even +before I was conscious that such beauty could ever on earth be realized. +I beheld her amid the fresh verdure—beneath the fragrant, beaming +sun-showers of May—and not less amid the desolate wildness of autumn, +when even the beech-trees lost their leaves; and her voice in sweet +music rose on me through the moaning sighs of the departing year.</p> + +<p>With ardent longing, I strive once more to catch the soothing chords of +that angelic voice, to behold the contour of that form, and to meet once +more the radiance of her smile—in vain! Alas! are there then barriers +over which the strong wings of Love cannot bear him across? Lies not his +kingdom in thought, and must thought, too, be subject to slavish +limitations? But dark spectral forms rise up around me;—always denser +and denser draws together their hideous circle;—they close out every +prospect, they oppress my senses with the horrors of reality,—till even +that longing, which had been a source of nameless pleasureable pain, is +converted into deadly and insupportable torment.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The priest was goodness itself. He knew how to fetter my too lively +spirit, and to attract my attention in such manner, that I was delighted +by his instructions, and made rapid progress in my studies. Even at this +moment I can yet recal his calm, contented, and somewhat weather-beaten +features. He was in manners simple as a child, perplexed often about +trifles, of which the contemptible characters around him were completely +<i>au fait</i>; yet clear and decisive in judgment on matters of which +ordinary characters could have no comprehension.</p> + +<p>At this moment, how vividly do I recal, not only his own appearance, but +that of his dwelling-house in the village of Heidebach, which town, +though small and insignificant, is yet in situation very romantic. The +walls of his house were covered up to the roof with vines, which he +carefully trained. The interior of his humble habitation was also +arranged with the utmost neatness; and behind was a large garden, in +which he sedulously worked for recreation at intervals, when not engaged +in teaching his scholars, or in his clerical functions.</p> + +<p>In all my studies I was also very much assisted and encouraged by that +unbounded respect and admiration which I cherished towards the Lady +Abbess. Every time that I was to appear in her presence, I proposed to +myself that I would shine before her, with my newly acquired knowledge; +and as soon as she came into the room, I could only look at her, and +listen to her alone. Every word that she uttered remained deeply graven +on my remembrance; and through the whole day after I had thus met with +her, her image accompanied me wherever I went, and I felt exalted to an +extraordinary solemn and devotional mood of mind.</p> + +<p>By what nameless feelings have I been agitated, when, during my office +of Sacristan, I stood swinging my censer on the steps of the high altar, +when the deep full tones of the organ streamed down from the choir, and +bore my soul with them as on the waves of a stormy sea! Then in the +anthem, above all others, I recognised her voice, which came down like a +seraphic warning from Heaven, penetrating my heart, and filling my mind +with the highest and holiest aspirations.</p> + +<p>But the most impressive of all days, to which for weeks preceding I +could not help looking forward with rapture, was that of the Festival +of St Bernard, which (he being the tutelary Saint of the Cistertians) +was celebrated at the convent with extraordinary grandeur. Even on the +day preceding, multitudes of people streamed out of the town, and from +the surrounding country. Encamping themselves on the beautiful level +meadows by which Kreuzberg is surrounded, day and night the lively +assemblage were in commotion. In the motley crowd were to be found +all varieties of people—devout pilgrims in foreign habits +singing anthems—peasant lads flirting with their well-dressed +mistresses—monks, who, with folded arms, in abstract contemplation, +gazed up to Heaven—and whole families of citizens, who comfortably +unpacked and enjoyed their well-stored baskets of provisions on the +grass. Mirthful catches, pious hymns, groans of the penitent, and +laughter of the merry, rejoicing, lamentation, jesting, and prayer, +sounded at once in a strange stupifying concert through the atmosphere.</p> + +<p>If, however, the convent bell rung, then, far as the eye could reach, +the multitude were at once fallen on their knees. Confusion was at an +end, and only the hollow murmurs of prayer interrupted the solemn +stillness. When the last sounds of the bell had died away, then the +merry crowds, as before, streamed about on their varied occupations, and +of new the rejoicing, which for a few minutes had been interrupted, was +eagerly resumed.</p> + +<p>On St Bernard's day, the Bishop himself, who resided in the neighbouring +town, officiated in divine service at the church of the convent. He was +attended by all the inferior clergy of his diocese; his <i>capelle</i>, or +choir, performed the music on a kind of temporary tribune, erected on +one side of the high altar, and adorned with rich and costly hangings. +Even now, the feelings which then vibrated through my bosom are not +decayed. When I think of that happy period, which only too soon past +away, they revive in all their youthful freshness. With especial +liveliness I can still remember the notes of a certain <i>Gloria</i>; which +composition being a great favourite with the Princess, was frequently +performed.</p> + +<p>When the Bishop had intoned the first notes of this anthem, and the +powerful voices of the choir thundered after him, "<i>Gloria in excelsis +Deo</i>," did it not seem as if the painted clouds over the high altar +were rolled asunder, and as if by a divine miracle the cherubim and +seraphim came forward into life, moved, and spread abroad their powerful +wings, hovering up and down, and praising God with song and supernatural +music?</p> + +<p>I sank thereafter into the most mysterious mood of inspired devotion. I +was borne through resplendent clouds into the far distant regions of +home. Through the fragrant woods of the Lime-Tree Monastery, I once more +heard the music of angelic voices. From thickets of roses and lilies, +the miraculous boy stepped forward to meet me, and said, with a smile, +"Where have you been so long, Franciscus? See, I have a world of +beautiful flowers, and will give them all to you, if you will but stay +with me and love me!"</p> + +<p>After divine service, the nuns, with the Abbess at their head, held a +solemn procession through the aisles of the church and convent. She was +in the full dress of her order, wearing the Insul, and carrying the +silver shepherd's-staff in her hand. What sanctity, what dignity, what +supernatural grandeur, beamed from every look, and animated every +gesture, of this admirable woman! She herself impersonized the +triumphant church, affording to pious believers the assurance of +blessing and protection. If by chance her looks fell on me, I could have +thrown myself prostrate before her in the dust.</p> + +<p>When the ceremonies of the day were completely brought to an end, the +attendant clergy, including the choir of the Bishop, were hospitably +entertained in the refectory. Several friends of the convent, civil +officers, merchants from the town, &c., had their share in this +entertainment; and by means of the Bishop's choir-master, who had +conceived a favourable opinion of me, and willingly had me beside him, I +also was allowed to take my place at the table.</p> + +<p>If before I had been excited by mysterious feelings of devotion, no less +now did convivial life, with its varied imagery, gain its full influence +over my senses. The guests enjoyed themselves with great freedom, +telling stories, and laughing at their own wit, during which the bottles +of old wine were zealously drained, until, at a stated hour in the +evening, the carriages of the dignitaries were at the gate, and all, in +the most orderly manner, took their departure.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>I was now in my sixteenth year, when the priest declared that I was +qualified to begin the study of the higher branches of theology, at the +college of the neighbouring town. I had fully determined on the clerical +life, by which resolution my mother was greatly delighted, as she +perceived that the mysterious hints of the pilgrim were intimately +connected with my father's vision of St Bernard; and by this resolution +of mine, she for the first time believed, that his soul was fully +absolved, and saved from the risk of eternal destruction. The Princess, +too, approved my intentions, and repeated her generous promises of +support and assistance.</p> + +<p>Though the town of Königswald was so near, that we beheld its towers in +the back ground of the landscape, and though bold walkers frequently +came from thence on foot to our convent, yet to me this first +separation from the Abbess, whom I regarded with such veneration,—from +my kind mother, whom I tenderly loved,—and the good old priest, was +very painful. So true it is, that even the shortest step out of the +immediate circle of one's best friends, is equal, in effect, to the +remotest separation. Even the Princess was on this occasion agitated to +an extraordinary degree, and her voice faltered while she pronounced +over me some energetic words of admonishment. She presented me with an +ornamental rosary, and a small prayer-book, with fine illuminations. She +then gave me a letter of recommendation to the Prior of the Capuchin +Convent in Königswald, whom she advised me directly to visit, as he +would be prepared to afford me whatever advice or aid I could require.</p> + +<p>There are certainly few situations so beautiful as that of the Capuchin +Monastery, right before the eastern gates of Königswald. The flourishing +and extensive gardens, with their fine prospect towards the mountains, +seemed to me at every visit more and more attractive. Here it became +afterwards my delight to wander in deep meditation, reposing now at +this, now at that group of finely grown trees; and in this garden, when +I went to deliver my letter of recommendation from the Abbess, I met, +for the first time, the Prior Leonardus.</p> + +<p>The natural politeness of the Superior was obviously increased when he +had read through the letter, and he said so much in praise of the +Princess, whom he had formerly known at Rome, that by this means alone +he directly won my affections. He was then surrounded by his brethren, +and it was easy to perceive at once the beneficial effects of his +arrangements and mode of discipline in the monastery.</p> + +<p>The same cheerfulness, amenity, and composure of spirit, which were so +striking in the Prior, spread their influence also through the brethren. +There was nowhere visible the slightest trace of ill humour, or of that +inwardly-corroding reserve, which is elsewhere to be found in the +countenances of Monks. Notwithstanding the severe rules of his order, +devotional exercises were to the Prior Leonardus more like a necessary +indulgence of a divine soul aspiring to Heaven, than penitential +inflictions to efface the stains of mortal frailty. And he knew so well +how to instil the same principles among his brethren, that in their +performance of every duty, to which they were by their vows subjected, +there prevailed a liveliness and good humour, which even in this +terrestrial sphere gave rise to a new and higher mood of existence.</p> + +<p>The Prior even allowed and approved a certain degree of intercourse with +the world, which could not but be advantageous for the monks. The rich +gifts which from all quarters were presented to the monastery, rendered +it possible to entertain, on certain days, the friends and patrons of +the institution, in the refectory.</p> + +<p>Then, in the middle of the banquet-hall was spread a large table, at +which were seated the Prior Leonardus and his guests. The brethren, +meanwhile, remained at a small narrow board, stretching along the walls, +contenting themselves with the humblest fare, and coarsest utensils, +while, at the Prior's table, all was elegantly served on silver, glass, +and porcelain; and even on fast-days the cook of the convent could +prepare meagre dishes in such a manner, that they seemed to the guests +highly luxurious. They themselves provided wine; and thus the dinners at +the Capuchin Convent presented a friendly intercourse of spiritual with +profane characters, which could not fail to be beneficial to both +parties.</p> + +<p>Those who were too eagerly occupied in worldly pursuits, were obliged to +confess, that here, by a new mode of life, in direct opposition to their +own, quiet and composure were to be obtained; nay, they might conclude, +that the more the soul is in this world elevated above terrestrial +considerations, the more it becomes capable of enjoyment. On the other +hand, the monks gained a knowledge of life, which otherwise would have +remained from them wholly veiled, and which supplied important +<i>materiel</i> for contemplation, enabling them many times more clearly to +perceive, that, without the aid of some divine principle to support the +mind, all in this world becomes "weary, flat, stale, and unprofitable."</p> + +<p>Over all the brethren, highly exalted, both in regard to sacred and +profane accomplishments, stood the Prior Leonardus. Besides that he was +looked on as a great theologian, and consulted on the most difficult +questions, he was, much more than could have been expected from a monk, +also a man of the world. He spoke the French and Italian languages with +fluency and elegance, and on account of his extraordinary versatility, +he had formerly been employed on weighty diplomacies.</p> + +<p>At the time when I knew him first, he was already advanced in years; but +though his hair was white, his eyes yet gleamed with youthful fire—and +the agreeable smile which hovered on his lips was the surest evidence of +his inward serenity and activity of mind. The same grace which prevailed +in his discourse, regulated every gesture, and his figure, even in the +unbecoming dress of his order, appeared to extraordinary advantage.</p> + +<p>There was not a single individual among the inhabitants of the convent, +who had not come into it from his own free choice. But had it been +otherwise, as, for example, in the case of unfortunate criminals, who +came thither as to a place of refuge from persecution, the penitence +prescribed by Leonardus was but the short passage to recovered repose; +and reconciled with himself, without heeding the world or its follies, +the convert would, while yet living on earth, have become elevated in +mind over all that is terrestrial. This unusual tendency of monachism, +had been learned by Leonardus in Italy, where the mode of education, +and all the views of a religious life, are much more cheerful than among +the Catholics of Germany.</p> + +<p>Leonardus conceived a very favourable opinion of my talents; he +instructed me in Italian and French; but it was especially the great +variety of books which he lent to me, and his agreeable conversation, +which contributed most to my improvement. Almost the whole time which +could be spared from my studies in the College, was spent in the +Capuchin Convent; and my inclination towards a monastic life became +always more and more determined. I disclosed to the Prior my wishes in +this respect; but, without directly dissuading me, he advised me at any +rate to wait for a few years, during which time I might look around me +in the world. As to society, since I came into the town, I had, by means +of the Bishop's choir-master, found myself on that score by no means +deficient, but in every party, especially if women were present, I had +uniformly found myself so disagreeably embarrassed, that even this +alone, independent of my disposition to solitude and contemplation, +seemed to decide, that I was by nature destined for a monk.</p> + +<p>One day, the Prior spoke with me at great length on the danger of +risking too early a decision on a mode of life, which involves so many +requisites. "Is it possible," said he, "that at so early an age, you are +prepared to renounce all the delusive pleasures of this world? If so, +but not otherwise, you may then embrace the duties of monachism. Are you +thoroughly convinced, that you have formed no attachment,—that you wish +for no enjoyments, but those which the mysterious influences of an +existence devoted to voluntary suffering can bestow?"</p> + +<p>He fixed on me his dark penetrating eyes, and I was obliged to cast mine +on the ground, and remain without answering a word; for at that moment a +form, which had been long banished from my recollection, stepped forward +to the mind's eye in colours more than ever lively and distracting.</p> + +<p>The choir-master had a sister, who, without being an absolute beauty, +was yet in the highest bloom of youth, and especially on account of her +figure, was what is called a very charming girl. One morning, having +formed some other engagements, I had gone at an earlier hour than usual +to receive my lesson in music at the choir-master's house, stepped +without hesitation into his lodgings, expecting to find him alone, and +wholly unconscious that the apartment was used as a dressing-room (or, +as it happened on this occasion, as an <i>un</i>dressing-room) by +Mademoiselle Therese, whom, instead of her brother, I now discovered. So +utterly was I confounded, that I stood motionless for a few seconds, +without retiring or advancing. My heart beat, my limbs tottered—I could +hardly breathe—But when Therese, with her usual <i>naiveté</i> and +<i>nonchalance</i>, had recourse to a large shawl, then came forward without +the least confusion, even offered me her hand, and asked what was the +matter, and why I looked so pale—this increased my embarrassment +tenfold, so that I had almost fainted.</p> + +<p>It was a fortunate relief when the door of the adjoining room opened, +and the choir-master made his appearance. But never had I struck such +false chords, or sung so completely out of tune, as on that day. +Afterwards I was pious enough to believe that the whole was a temptation +of the devil, and thought myself very fortunate in having, by ascetic +exercises, driven him out of the field.</p> + +<p>Now, however, these questions of the Prior, though his intentions were +very praiseworthy, revived the lost image in tenfold strength. I blushed +deeply, and said not a word. "I see, my dear son," resumed the Prior, +"that you have understood me; you are yet free from the vices of +artifice and concealment, nor do you cherish an undue confidence in +yourself. Heaven protect you from the temptations of this life! Its +enjoyments are but of short duration, and one may well say, that there +rests on them a curse. In possession they expire; and what is worse, +leave behind them a disgust, a disappointment, a bluntness of the +faculties for all that is truly praiseworthy and exalted, so that the +better and spiritual attributes of our nature are at last utterly +destroyed!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Notwithstanding my endeavours to forget both the questions of the Prior, +and the image to which they had given rise, yet I could in this by no +means succeed; and though formerly I had been tolerably composed, even +in the presence of Therese, yet now I was obliged with the utmost care +to avoid every meeting. Even the very thoughts of her distracted my +attention completely; and this appeared to me so much the more sinful, +as I could not disguise from myself that such thoughts were attended +with pleasure.</p> + +<p>The adventure of one evening, however, was soon to determine all this. +The choir-master invited me, as he had often done before, to a music +party at his house. On entering the room, I perceived that there were +many other young ladies besides Mamselle Therese, and that she was on +this occasion dressed more becomingly and elegantly than I had ever seen +her. I would willingly have excused myself and fled, but it was now too +late. An irresistible longing drew me towards her. I was as if +spell-bound, and through the evening stationed myself near her, happy if +by accident I came into momentary contact with this enchantress, though +it were but to touch the hem of her garment.</p> + +<p>Of all this she appeared by no means inobservant, nor did it seem to +displease her. The adventures of the night, however, were drawing to a +close. She had sat long at the harpsichord, but at length rose, and went +towards the window. One of her gloves was left on the chair. This, +believing myself unobserved, I directly took possession of, first +pressing it to my lips, and then placing it in my bosom. One young lady, +however, (who, by the by, was my utter aversion,) had not failed to +notice this <i>etourderie</i>. She rose directly from her station at the +tea-table, and went to Therese, who was standing with another +<i>demoiselle</i> at the window. She whispered something to Therese, who +immediately began to smile. The looks of all three were directed towards +me. They tittered and laughed all together. I believed it was in scorn +and mockery, which to my feelings was insupportable.</p> + +<p>I was as if annihilated. The blood flowed ice-cold through my veins. +Losing all self-possession I left the room—rushed away into the +college, and locked myself up in my cell. I threw myself in despair and +rage upon the floor. Tears of anguish and disappointment gushed from my +eyes. I renounced—I cursed the girl and myself; then prayed and laughed +alternately like a madman. Tittering voices of scorn and mockery rose, +and sounded gibbering all around me. I was in the very act of throwing +myself out of the window, but by good luck the iron bars hindered me. +It was not till the morning broke that I was more tranquil; but I was +firmly resolved never to see her any more, and, in a word, to renounce +the world.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + +<p>My vocation to the monastic life was thus, according to my own opinion, +rendered clear and unalterable. On that very day after the fatal music +party, I hastened, as soon as I could escape from my usual studies in +the school, to the Capuchin Prior, and informed him that it was my fixed +intention directly to begin my noviciate, and that I had already, by +letters, announced my design to my mother, and to the Abbess. Leonardus +seemed surprised at my sudden zeal, and without being impolitely urgent, +he yet endeavoured, by one means or another, to find out what could have +led me all at once to this resolve, to which he rightly concluded that +some extraordinary event must have given rise.</p> + +<p>A painful emotion of shame, which I could not overcome, prevented me +from telling the truth. On the other hand, I dwelt, with all the +fervour of excitement, on the visions, warnings, and strange adventures +of my youth, which all seemed decidedly to point to a monastic +retirement. Without in the least disputing the authenticity of the +events which I had described, he suggested that I might, nevertheless, +have drawn from them false conclusions, as there was no certainty that I +had interpreted correctly the warnings, whatever they might be, which I +had received.</p> + +<p>Indeed, the Prior did not at any time speak willingly of supernatural +agency—not even of those instances recorded by inspired writers, so +that there were moments in which I had almost set him down for an +infidel and a sceptic. Once I emboldened myself so far, as to force from +him some decided expressions as to the adversaries of our Catholic +faith, who stigmatize all belief of that which cannot be interpreted +according to the laws of our corporeal senses, with the name of +Superstition. "My son," said Leonardus, "infidelity itself is indeed the +worst species of that mental weakness, which, under the name of +Superstition, such people ascribe to believers." Thereafter he directly +changed the subject to lighter and more ordinary topics of discourse.</p> + +<p>Not till long afterwards was I able to enter into his admirable views of +the mysteries of our religion, which involves the supernatural communing +of our spirits with beings of a celestial order, and was then obliged to +confess, that Leonardus, with great propriety, reserved these ideas for +students who were sufficiently advanced in years and experience.</p> + +<p>I now received a letter from my mother, describing new visions and +warnings, such as those to which I had attached so much importance in my +conversation with the Prior. She had by this means long since +anticipated that the situation of a lay brother would not satisfy my +wishes, but that I would make choice of the conventual life. On St +Medardus' day, the old Pilgrim from the Holy Lime-Tree had appeared to +her, and had led me by the hand, in the habit of a Capuchin monk. The +Princess also completely approved of my resolution; which accordingly +was carried as rapidly as possible into effect.</p> + +<p>I saw both of them once more before my investiture, which (as, according +to my earnest request, the half of my noviciate was dispensed with) very +soon followed. In conformity with my mother's last letter, I assumed +the conventual name of Medardus.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The reciprocal confidence and friendship of the brethren with regard to +each other—the internal arrangements of the convent—and, in short, the +whole mode of life among the Capuchins, appeared to me for a long time +exactly as it had done at first. That composure of spirit, which was +universally apparent, failed not by sympathy to pour the balm of peace +into my soul; and I was visited often by delightful inspirations, +especially by faëry dreams, derived from the period of my earliest years +in the Convent of the Holy Lime-Tree.</p> + +<p>I must not omit to mention, that, during the solemn act of my +investiture, I beheld the choir-master's sister. She looked quite sunk +in melancholy, and her eyes evidently shone in tears. But the time of +temptation was now past and gone; and, perhaps, out of a sinful pride +over a triumph too easily won, I could not help smiling, which did not +fail to be remarked by a certain monk, named Cyrillus, who at that +moment stood near me. "What makes you so merry, brother?" said +he.—"When I am renouncing this contemptible world," said I, "and its +vanities, ought I not to rejoice?"</p> + +<p>It was not to be denied, however, that, at the moment when I pronounced +these words, an involuntary feeling of regret vibrated through my inmost +heart, and was at direct variance with what I had said. Yet this was the +last attack of earthly passion, after which composure of spirit +gradually gained complete ascendancy. Oh, had it never departed! But who +may trust to the strength of his armour? Who may rely on his own +courage, if the supernatural and unseen powers of darkness are combined +against him, and for ever on the watch?</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>I had now been five years in the convent, when, according to +arrangements made by the Prior, the care of the reliquiary chamber was +transferred to me from Brother Cyrillus, who was now become old and +infirm.</p> + +<p>In this room (it was an old grotesque Gothic chamber) there were all +sorts of devotional treasures:—bones of the saints, and remnants of +their dress—fragments of the cross, &c. &c.—which were preserved in +costly glass cases, set in silver, and exposed to view only on certain +days, for the edification of the people. When the transfer of duties +took place, Brother Cyrillus fully acquainted me with the character of +each article, and with the documents proving the miracles which the +relics had severally performed.</p> + +<p>In regard to talents and literary acquirements, this monk stood next in +rank to the Prior Leonardus, for which reason I had the less hesitation +in imparting to him freely whatever doubts or difficulties came into my +mind. "Must we, then," said I, "absolutely and truly, look upon every +article in this collection as that for which it is given out? or, +rather, may not avarice and deceit have here foisted in many things as +relics of this or that saint, which in reality are base impostures? As, +for example, what shall we say if one convent, according to its +archives, possesses the whole cross, and yet there are so many fragments +in circulation, that (as a brother of our own once irreverently +observed) they might, if collected together, supply our house for a +whole twelvemonth with fuel?"</p> + +<p>"Truly," said Cyrillus, "it does not become us to subject matters of +this kind to profane inquiry; but, to speak unreservedly, my opinion is, +that very few of the things which are here preserved really are that +which they are given out to be. But in this there seems to be no real or +important objection whatever. If you will take notice, Brother Medardus, +of the doctrine which the Prior and I have always held on these +mysteries, you will, on the contrary, perceive that our religion only +beams forth more and more in renovated lustre.</p> + +<p>"Is it not worthy of admiration, dear Brother, that our Church +endeavours in such manner to catch hold of those mysterious links, which +in this world connect together sensual and spiritual existences—in +other words, so to influence our corporeal frame, that our higher origin +and dependance on the Divinity may be more clearly perceived—that we +may enjoy, too, the anticipation of that spiritual life, of which we +bear the germs within us, and of which a fore-feeling hovers around us, +as if like the fanning of seraph's wings?</p> + +<p>"What is this or that morsel of wood—that crumbling bone, or fragment +of cloth? In themselves they are, of course, worthless; but it is said, +that the one was cut from the real cross, and that the others are from +the body or garment of a saint. Hence, to the believer, who, without +scrutinizing, takes the relic for what it is <i>said to be</i>, is directly +supplied a source of supernatural excitement, and the most enviable +associations. Hence, too, is awoke the spiritual influence of that saint +from whom the relic is derived; and he draws consolation and support +from that glorified being, whom, with full confidence and faith, he had +invoked. By this kind of excitement, also, there is no doubt that many +bodily diseases may be overcome, and in this manner, for the most part, +are effected the miracles, which, as they often take place before the +eyes of the assembled people, it is impossible to dispute or deny."</p> + +<p>I recollected immediately many expressions of the Prior which +corresponded exactly with those now used by Cyrillus, and began to look +on these things which I had formerly regarded as mere toys and baubles, +with a degree of respect and devotional veneration. The old monk did not +fail to perceive this effect of his own discourse, and went on, with +increased zeal and energy, to explain, one by one, the remaining +relics.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + +<p>At last, Brother Cyrillus had recourse to an old and strangely carved +wooden press, which he carefully unlocked, and out of which he took a +small square box. "Herein, Brother Medardus," said he, "is contained the +most wonderful and mysterious relic of which our convent is possessed. +As long as I have been resident here, no one but the Prior and myself +has had this box in his hands. Even the other brethren (not to speak of +strangers) are unaware of its existence. For my own part, I cannot even +touch this casket without an inward shuddering; for it seems to me as if +there were some malignant spell, or rather, some living demon, locked up +within it, which, were the bonds broken by which this evil principle is +now confined, would bring destruction on all who came within its +accursed range.</p> + +<p>"That which is therein contained is known to have been derived +immediately from the Arch-Fiend, at the time when he was still allowed +<i>visibly</i>, and in personal shape, to contend against the weal of +mankind."</p> + +<p>I looked at Brother Cyrillus with the greatest astonishment; but without +leaving me time to answer, he went on.</p> + +<p>"I shall abstain, Brother Medardus, from offering you any opinion of my +own on this mysterious affair, but merely relate to you faithfully what +our documents say upon the subject. You will find the papers in that +press, and can read them afterwards at your leisure.</p> + +<p>"The life of St Anthony is already well known to you. You are aware, +that in order to be completely withdrawn from the distractions of the +world, he went out into the desert, and there devoted himself to the +severest penitential exercises. The Devil, of course, followed him, and +came often in his way, in order to disturb him in his pious +contemplations.</p> + +<p>"One evening it happened accordingly, that St Anthony was returning +home, and had arrived near his cell, when he perceived a dark figure +approaching him rapidly along the heath. As his visitant came nearer, +he observed with surprise, through the holes in a torn mantle worn by +the stranger, the long necks of oddly-shaped bottles, which of course +produced an effect the most extraordinary and grotesque. It was the +Devil, who, in this absurd masquerade, smiled on him ironically, and +inquired if he would not choose to taste of the Elixir which he carried +in these bottles? At this insolence, St Anthony was not even incensed, +but remained perfectly calm; for the Enemy, having now become powerless +and contemptible, was no longer in a condition to venture a real combat, +but must confine himself to scornful words.</p> + +<p>"The Saint, however, inquired for what reason he carried about so many +bottles in that unheard-of manner.</p> + +<p>"'For this very reason,' said the Devil, 'that people may be induced to +ask me the question; for as soon as any mortal meets with me, he looks +on me with astonishment, makes the same inquiry that you have done, and, +in the next place, cannot forbear desiring to taste, and try what sort +of elixirs I am possessed of. Among so many bottles, if he finds one +which suits his taste, and <i>drinks it out</i>, and becomes drunk, he is +then irrecoverably mine, and belongs to me and my kingdom for ever.'</p> + +<p>"So far the story is the same in all legends, though some of them add, +that, according to the Devil's confession, if two individuals should +drink out of the same flask, they would henceforth become addicted to +the same crimes, possessing a wonderful reciprocity of thoughts and +feelings, yet mutually and unconsciously acting for the destruction of +each other. By our own manuscripts, it is narrated farther, that when +the Devil went from thence, he left some of his flasks on the ground, +which St Anthony directly took with him into his cave, fearing that they +might fall into the way of accidental travellers, or even deceive some +of his own pupils, who came to visit him in that retirement. By chance, +so we are also told, St Anthony once opened one of these bottles, out of +which there arose directly a strange and stupifying vapour, whereupon +all sorts of hideous apparitions and spectral phantoms from hell had +environed the Saint, in order to terrify and delude him. Above all, too, +there were forms of women, who sought to entice him into shameless +indecencies. These altogether tormented him, until, by constant prayer, +and severe penitential exercises, he had driven them again out of the +field.</p> + +<p>"In this very box there is now deposited a bottle of that kind, saved +from the relics of St Anthony; and the documents thereto relating, are +so precise and complete, that the fact of its having been derived from +the Saint is hardly to be doubted. Besides, I can assure you, Brother +Medardus, that so often as I have chanced to touch this bottle, or even +the box in which it is contained, I have been struck with a mysterious +horror. It seems to me also, as if I smelt a peculiar, odoriferous +vapour, which stuns the senses, and the effects of which do not stop +there, but utterly rob me of composure of spirit afterwards, and +distract my attention from devotional exercises.</p> + +<p>"Whether I do or not believe in this immediate intercourse with the +devil in visible shape, yet, that such distraction proceeds from the +direct influence of some hostile power, there can be no doubt. However, +I overcame this gradually by zealous and unceasing prayer. As for you, +Brother Medardus, whose fervent imagination will colour all things with +a strength beyond that of reality, and who, in consequence of youth, +also will be apt to trust too much to your own power of resistance, I +would earnestly impress on you this advice,—'Never, or at least, for +many years, to open the box; and in order that it may not tempt and +entice you, to put it as much as possible out of your reach and sight.'"</p> + +<p>Hereupon Brother Cyrillus shut up the mysterious Box in the press from +which it had come, and consigned over to me a large bunch of keys, among +which that of the formidable press had its place. The whole story had +made on me a deep impression, and the more that I felt an inward longing +to contemplate the wonderful relic, the more I was resolved to render +this to myself difficult, or even impossible.</p> + +<p>When Cyrillus left me, I looked over once more, one by one, the +treasures thus committed to my charge; I then returned to my cell, and +untied the key of the Devil's press from the bunch to which it belonged, +and hid it deeply among the papers in my writing-desk.</p> + +<p>One temptation, said I to myself, I have already overcome. I have +emancipated myself from the thraldom of Therese. Never more shall the +Devil, by his insidious artifices, gain ascendancy over me!</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Among the professors in the College, there was one, distinguished as an +extraordinary orator. Every time that he preached, the church was filled +to overflowing. His words, like a stream of lava fire, bore with him the +hearts and souls of his hearers, and kindled in every one the most +fervid and unaffected devotion.</p> + +<p>The inspiration of his discourses animated me, among others, in a +pre-eminent degree; and although I certainly looked on this +extraordinary man as an especial favourite of Heaven, and gifted with no +every-day talents, yet it seemed as if some mighty warning voice spoke +within me, commanding me to rouse from my slumbers,—to go and do +likewise!</p> + +<p>After I had returned from hearing him, I used to preach with great +energy in my own cell, giving myself up to the inspiration of the +moment, till I had succeeded in arresting and embodying my thoughts in +proper words, which I then committed to paper.</p> + +<p>The brother who used to preach in the convent now became obviously +weaker. Wholly destitute of energy, like a half-dried rivulet in summer, +his discourses dragged laboriously and feebly along; and an intolerable +diffuseness of language, resulting from the want of thought, rendered +his discourses so long and tedious, that most of his hearers, as if +lulled by the unceasing clapper of a mill, long before he concluded, +fell asleep, and were only roused after he had pronounced "amen," by the +sound of the anthem and the organ.</p> + +<p>The Prior Leonardus was indeed an admirable orator; but he was at this +time afraid to preach, as, on account of his advanced age, the exertion +fatigued him too much: and except the Prior, there was no one in the +convent who could supply the place of the superannuated brother.</p> + +<p>The Prior one day happened to converse with me on this state of affairs, +which he deplored, as it deprived the monastery of many pious visitors. +I took courage, and told him that I had many times felt an inward call +to the pulpit, and had even written several discourses.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, he desired to see some specimens from my manuscripts, and +was with them so highly pleased, that he earnestly exhorted me, on the +next holiday, to make a trial in public, in which attempt I ran the less +risk of failure, being by nature gifted with an expressive cast of +features, and a deep, sonorous tone of voice. As to the subsidiary +acquirements, of action and of delivery, the Prior promised himself to +instruct me.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + +<p>The eventful holiday soon arrived. The church was unusually crowded, and +it was not without considerable trepidation that I mounted the pulpit. +At the commencement, I remained timidly faithful to my manuscript; and +Leonardus told me that I had spoken with a faltering voice, which, +however, exactly corresponded with certain plaintive and pathetic +considerations with which I had begun my discourse, and which, +therefore, was interpreted by most of my auditors into a very skilful +example of rhetorical <i>tact</i>.</p> + +<p>Soon afterwards, however, it seemed as if my inward mind were gradually +lighted up by the glowing fire of supernatural inspiration. I thought no +more of the manuscript, but gave myself up to the influence of the +moment. I felt how every nerve and fibre was attuned and energized. I +heard my own voice thunder through the vaulted roof. I beheld, as if by +miracle, the halo of divine light shed around my own elevated head and +outstretched arms. By what means I was enabled to preserve connection in +my periods, or to deliver my conceptions with any degree of logical +precision, I know not, for I was carried out of myself. I could not +afterwards have declared whether my discourse had been short or +long—the time past like a dream! With a grand euphonical sentence, in +which I concentrated, as if into one <i>focus</i>, all the blessed doctrines +that I had been announcing, I concluded my sermon; of which the effect +was such as had been in the convent wholly unexampled.</p> + +<p>Long after I had ceased to speak, there were heard through the church +the sounds of passionate weeping, exclamations of heartfelt rapture, and +audible prayers. The brethren paid me their tribute of the highest +approbation. Leonardus embraced me, and named me the pride of their +institution!</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>With unexampled rapidity my renown was spread abroad; and henceforward, +on every Sunday or holiday, crowds of the most respectable inhabitants +of the town used to be assembled, even before the doors were opened, +while the church, after all, was found insufficient to hold them. By +this homage, my zeal was proportionably increased. I endeavoured more +and more to give to my periods the proper rounding, and to adorn my +discourses throughout, with all the flowers of eloquence. I succeeded +always more and more in fettering the attention of my audience, until my +fame became such, that the attention paid to me was more like the homage +and veneration due to a saint, than approbation bestowed on any ordinary +mortal. A kind of religious delirium now prevailed through the town. +Even on ordinary week days, and on half-holidays, the inhabitants came +in crowds, merely to see Brother Medardus, and to hear him speak, though +but a few words.</p> + +<p>Thus vanity gradually, by imperceptible, but sure approaches, took +possession of my heart. Almost unconsciously, I began to look upon +myself as the <i>one elect</i>,—the pre-eminently <i>chosen</i> of Heaven. Then +the miraculous circumstances attending my birth at the Lime-Tree; my +father's forgiveness of a mortal crime; the visionary adventures of my +childhood;—all seemed to indicate that my lofty spirit, in immediate +commerce with supernatural beings, belonged not properly to earth, but +to Heaven, and was but suffered, for a space, to wander here, for the +benefit and consolation of mortals! It became, according to my own +judgment, quite certain, that the venerable old Pilgrim, together with +the wonderful boy that he had brought with him, had been <i>supernatural</i> +visitants,—that they had descended on earth, for the express purpose of +greeting me as the chosen saint, who was destined for the instruction of +mankind, to sojourn transiently among them.</p> + +<p>But the more vividly all these ideas came before me, the more did my +present situation become oppressive and disagreeable. That unaffected +cheerfulness and inward serenity which had formerly brightened my +existence, was completely banished from my soul. Even all the +good-hearted expressions of the Prior, and friendly behaviour of the +monks, awoke within me only discontent and resentment. By their mode of +conduct, my vanity was bitterly mortified. In me they ought clearly to +have recognised the chosen saint who was above them so highly elevated. +Nay, they should even have prostrated themselves in the dust, and +implored my intercession before the throne of Heaven!</p> + +<p>I considered them, therefore, as beings influenced by the most +deplorable obduracy and refractoriness of spirit. Even in my discourses +I contrived to interweave certain mysterious allusions. I ventured to +assert, that now a wholly new and mighty revolution had begun, as with +the roseate light of morning, to dawn upon the earth, announcing to +pious believers, that one of the specially elect of Heaven had been sent +for a space to wander in sublunary regions. My supposed mission I +continued to clothe in mysterious and obscure imagery, which, indeed, +the less it was understood, seemed the more to work like a charm among +the people.</p> + +<p>Leonardus now became visibly colder in his manner, avoiding to speak +with me, unless before witnesses. At last, one day, when we were left +alone in the great <i>allée</i> of the convent garden, he broke out—"Brother +Medardus, I can no longer conceal from you, that for some time past +your whole behaviour has been such as to excite in me the greatest +displeasure. There has arisen in your mind some adverse and hostile +principle, by which you have become wholly alienated from a life of +pious simplicity. In your discourses, there prevails a dangerous +obscurity; and from this darkness many things appear ready, if you dared +utter them, to start forward, which if plainly spoken, would effectually +separate you and me for ever. To be candid—at this moment you bear +about with you, and betray that unalterable curse of our sinful origin, +by which even every powerful struggle of our spiritual energies is +rendered a means of opening to us the realms of destruction, whereinto +we thoughtless mortals are, alas! too apt to go astray!</p> + +<p>"The approbation, nay, the idolatrous admiration, which has been paid to +you by the capricious multitude, who are always in search of novelty, +has dazzled you, and you behold yourself in an artificial character, +which is not your own, but a deceitful phantom, which will entice you +rapidly into the gulf of perdition. Return, then, into yourself, +Medardus—renounce the delusion which thus besets and overpowers you! I +believe that I thoroughly understand this delusion,—at least, I am +well aware of its effects. Already have you lost utterly that calmness +and complacence of spirit, without which there is, on this earth, no +hope of real improvement. Take warning, then, in time! Resist the fiend +who besets you! Be once more that good-humoured and open-hearted youth +whom with my whole soul I loved!"</p> + +<p>Tears involuntarily flowed from the eyes of the good Prior while he +spoke thus. He had taken my hand, but now letting it fall, he departed +quickly without waiting for any answer.</p> + +<p>His words had indeed penetrated my heart; but, alas! the impressions +that they had left were only those of anger, distrust, and resentment. +He had spoken of the approbation, nay, the admiration and respect, which +I had obtained by my wonderful talents; and it became but too obvious +that only pitiful envy had been the real source of that displeasure, +which he so candidly expressed towards me.</p> + +<p>Silent, and wrapt up within myself, I remained at the next meeting of +the brethren, a prey to devouring indignation. Still buoyed up and +excited by the wild inspirations which had risen up within me, I +continued through whole days and long sleepless nights my laborious +contrivances how I might best commit to paper (without a too candid +avowal of my self-idolatry) the glorious ideas that crowded on my mind.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the more that I became estranged from Leonardus and the +monks, the better I succeeded in attracting the homage of the people; +and my discourses never failed to rivet their attention.</p> + +<p>On St Anthony's day this year, it happened that the church was more than +ever thronged—in such manner, that the vestry-men were obliged to keep +the doors open, in order that those who could not get in might at least +hear me from without. Never had I spoken more ardently, more +impressively,—in a word, with more <i>onction</i>. I had related, as usual, +many wonderful anecdotes from the lives of the saints, and had +demonstrated in what degree their examples, though not imitable in their +fullest extent, might yet be advantageously applied in real life. I +spoke, too, of the manifold arts of the Devil, to whom the fall of our +first parents had given the power of seducing mankind; and +involuntarily, before I was aware, the stream of eloquence led me away +into the legend of the Elixir, which I wished to represent as an +ingenious allegory.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly, my looks, in wandering through the church, fell upon a +tall haggard figure, who had mounted upon a bench, and stood in a +direction nearly opposite to me, leaning against a pillar. He was in a +strange foreign garb, with a dark violet-coloured mantle, of which the +folds were twined round his crossed arms. His countenance was deadly +pale; but there was an unearthly glare in his large black staring eyes, +which struck into my very heart. I trembled involuntarily—a mysterious +horror pervaded my whole frame. I turned away my looks, however, and, +summoning up my utmost courage, forced myself to continue my discourse. +But, as if constrained by some inexplicable spell of an enchanter—as if +fascinated by the basilisk's eyes—I was always obliged to look back +again, where the man stood as before, changeless and motionless, with +his large spectral eyes glaring upon me.</p> + +<p>On his high wrinkled forehead, and in the lineaments of his down-drawn +mouth, there was an expression of bitter scorn, of disdain mixed almost +with hatred. His whole figure presented something indescribably and +supernaturally horrid, such as belonged not to this life. The whole +truth now came on my remembrance. It was, it could be no other, than the +unknown miraculous painter from the Lime-Tree, whose form, beheld in +infancy, had never wholly vanished from my mind, and who now haunted me +like the visible impersonification of that hereditary guilt by which my +life was overshadowed.</p> + +<p>I felt as if seized on and grappled with by ice-cold talons: My periods +faltered;—my whole discourse became always more and more confused. +There arose a whispering and murmuring in the church;—but the stranger +remained utterly unmoved; and the fixed regard of his eyes never for a +moment relented. At last, in the full paroxysm—the climax of terror and +despair—I screamed aloud—"Thou revenant!—Thou accursed +sorcerer!—Away with thee from hence!—Begone! for I myself am he!—I am +the blessed St Anthony!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + +<p>From that moment, I remember nothing more, until, on recovering from the +state of utter unconsciousness into which I fell with these words, I +found myself in my cell, on my couch, and carefully watched by Cyrillus. +The frightful vision of the unknown stood yet vividly before mine eyes. +Cyrillus, however, laboured to convince me, that this had been but an +illusory phantom of my own brain—heated by the zeal and ardour of my +discourse.</p> + +<p>But the more that he exerted himself for this purpose, the more deeply +did I feel shame and repentance at my own behaviour in the pulpit—As to +the audience, they, as I afterwards understood, concluded that a sudden +madness had seized upon me; for which notion, my last exclamation had, +no doubt, afforded them abundant reason.</p> + +<p>I was in spirit utterly crushed and annihilated. Shut up like a +prisoner in my cell, I subjected myself to the severest penitential +inflictions; and strengthened myself by zealous prayer for contention +with the adversary, who had appeared to me, even on consecrated ground, +and only in malice and mockery had put on the features and garb of the +miraculous painter of the Lime-Tree.</p> + +<p>No one but myself would acknowledge that he had seen the man in the +violet-coloured mantle; and, with his usual kindness, the Prior +Leonardus, very zealously spread a report, that my conduct had arisen +merely from the first attack of a severe nervous fever, by which I had +been so frightfully borne away in my discourse, and confused in my +ideas. Indeed, without any pretence, I was, for a long time, extremely +ill, and this too for several weeks after I had again resumed the +ordinary conventual mode of life.</p> + +<p>However, I at last undertook once more to mount the pulpit;—but, +tormented by my own inward agitation, and still haunted by the restless +remembrance of that horrid pale spectre, I was scarcely able to speak +connectedly, much less to give myself up as before to the spontaneous +fire of eloquence. My sermons, on the contrary, were now stiff, +constrained, and laboriously patched up from disjointed fragments. The +audience bewailed the loss of my rhetorical powers,—gradually gave up +their attendance,—and the superannuated brother who had formerly +preached, and who was now much superior to me, again took his place; so +that I was utterly superseded.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>After some time lost in this manner, it happened, that a certain young +Count, then on his travels, (under a feigned name,) with his tutor, came +to the monastery, and desired to see whatever we had to boast of that +was rare and curious. I was accordingly obliged to open the reliquary +chamber,—the gleam of a fine sunset shone upon the strange furniture of +this ghastly old room, and the visitors, with an ironical smile on their +features, marched in. To my vexation, I was left with them alone; for +the Prior, who had till now been with us, was called away to attend a +sick person in the town of Königswald.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Gradually I had got through all that I intended to shew, and had +minutely described every article, when, by chance, the Count's eye fell +upon the curious old cabinet, adorned with grotesque carvings, in which +was deposited the box with the Devil's Elixir.</p> + +<p>Though for some time I dexterously evaded their questions, yet, at last, +the Count and his tutor, joining together, urged me so far, that I could +not avoid telling them, at once, the legends relating to the contents of +this cabinet. In short, I repeated to them the whole story of St Anthony +and the devil, nor (unluckily) did I leave out the warning which brother +Cyrillus had given me, as to the danger of opening the box, or even the +cabinet. Notwithstanding that the Count was of the Catholic religion, +both he and his tutor seemed to have little or no faith in sacred +legends. They both indulged in an exuberance of odd fancies and witty +remarks on this comical devil, who had carried about bottles under his +ragged mantle. At last, the tutor thought proper to assume a serious +demeanour, and spoke as follows:—</p> + +<p>"Do not, reverend sir, be offended with the levity of us men of the +world. Be assured, on the contrary, that we both honour the Saints, and +look on them as the most admirable examples of mortals inspired by +religion, who, for the salvation of their souls, and edification of +mankind, sacrificed all the enjoyments of life, and even life itself. +But as to legends and stories such as you have just now related, in my +opinion, these are, though not always, yet in many instances, (of which +this is one,) only ingenious allegories, which, by misconception, are +absurdly supposed to be histories of events that took place in real +life."</p> + +<p>With these words, the tutor had suddenly drawn aside the sliding cover +of the box, and taken out the black strangely-formed bottle. Now, +indeed, as brother Cyrillus had remarked to me, there spread itself +abroad a strong odour, which appeared, however, anything rather than +stupifying. It was, in a high degree, agreeable, generous, and +refreshing.</p> + +<p>"Hah!" exclaimed the Count, "now would I take any bet, that the Devil's +Elixir is neither more nor less, than excellent old wine of Syracuse!"</p> + +<p>"Unquestionably," said the tutor; "and if the bottle really came from +the posthumous property of St Anthony, then, brother, you are more +fortunate than the King of Naples, who, on one occasion, expected to be +able to taste real old Roman wine; but, from the bad custom among the +Romans, of pouring oil into the necks of their bottles instead of using +corks, was debarred that gratification.</p> + +<p>"Though this bottle," continued he, "is by no means so old as the +Augustan age, yet, having been St Anthony's, it is certainly by far the +most ancient that we are likely to meet with; and, therefore, reverend +sir, you would, in my opinion, do well to apply the relic to your own +use, and to sip up its contents with good faith and courage."</p> + +<p>"Undoubtedly," resumed the Count, "this old Syracusan wine would pour +new strength into your veins, and put to flight that bodily +indisposition under which, reverend sir, you now seem to labour."</p> + +<p>Hereupon the tutor pulled a cork-screw from his pocket, and, +notwithstanding all my protestations to the contrary, opened the bottle. +It seemed to me, as if, upon drawing the cork, a blue flame ascended +into the air, which directly afterwards vanished. More powerfully then, +the vaporous odour mounted out of the flask, and spread itself through +the chamber!</p> + +<p>The tutor tasted in the first place, and cried out with +rapture—"Admirable, admirable Syracusan! In truth, the wine cellar of +St Anthony was by no means a bad one; and if the devil really was his +butler, then certainly he had no such evil intentions towards the Saint +as people commonly suppose!—Now, my Lord Count, taste the wine!"</p> + +<p>The Count did so, and confirmed what the tutor had said. Indeed he took +a long draught, instead of a taste, from the bottle. They renewed their +witticisms and merriment over the relic, which, according to them, was +decidedly the finest in all the collection. They wished heartily, that +they could have a whole cellar of such rarities, &c. &c.</p> + +<p>I heard all this in silence, with my head sunk down, and with eyes fixed +on the ground. The <i>badinage</i> of the strangers was to me, in my present +mood of mind, abhorrent and tormenting. In vain did they urge me to +taste the wine of St Anthony! I resolutely refused, and at last was +allowed to shut up the bottle, well corked, into its proper receptacle.</p> + +<p>Thus, then, I had <i>for once</i> triumphed and escaped. The strangers, +indeed, would have endeavoured to prove, that this trial of the wine was +but a venial transgression; but even of <i>venial</i> transgressions, I had +at that time a proper abhorrence, knowing that they formed the sure and +ample foundation for mortal sins.</p> + +<p>The strangers left the monastery. But, as I sat alone in my cell, I +could not disguise from myself, or deny, that I felt a certain +cheerfulness of mind, and exhilaration of spirit. It was obvious that +the powerful and spirituous odour of the wine had revived me. No trace +or symptom of the bad effects of which Cyrillus had spoken did I +experience. On the contrary, an influence the most opposite became +decidedly manifest.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The more that I now meditated on the legend of St. Anthony, and the more +livelily that I called to mind the words of the tutor, the more certain +did it appear to me, that the explanations of the latter were correct +and well-founded. Then, first, with the rapidity and vehemence of +lightning, the thought rushed through me, that on that unhappy day, when +the horrible vision broke the thread of my discourse, I too had been on +the point of interpreting the legend of St Anthony in the same manner as +an ingenious allegory. With this thought another soon was united, which +filled my mind so completely, that every other consideration almost +faded away.</p> + +<p>"How," said I to myself, "if this extraordinary and odoriferous drink +actually possessed the secret efficacy of restoring thy strength, and +rekindling that intellectual fire which has been so frightfully +extinguished? What, if already some mysterious relationship of thy +spirit, with the mystical powers contained in that bottle, has been +plainly indicated, and even proved, if it were no more than by +this,—that the very same odour which stunned and distracted the weakly +Cyrillus, has, on thee, only produced the most beneficial effects?"</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>When already I had at various times even resolved to follow the counsel +of the strangers, and was in the act of walking through the church +towards the reliquary room, I perceived an inward, and, to myself, +inexplicable resistance, which held me back. Nay, once, when on the very +point of unlocking the cabinet, it seemed to me as if I beheld in the +powerful <i>alto relievo</i> of the antique carvings on the pannel, the +horrible countenance of the painter, with his fixed glaring eyes, of +which the intolerable expression still penetrated through my heart, and +vehemently seized by a supernatural horror, I fled from the room, in +order to prostrate myself at one of the altars in the church, and repent +of my temerity!</p> + +<p>But, notwithstanding all my endeavours, the same thought continued to +persecute me, that only by participation in that miraculous wine could +my now sunk spirit be refreshed and restored. The behaviour of the Prior +and the monks, who treated me with the most mortifying, however well +intended, kindness, as a person disordered in intellect, brought me to +absolute despair; and as Leonardus granted me a dispensation from the +usual devotional exercises, in order that I might completely recover my +strength, I had more time for reflection. In the course of one long +sleepless night, persecuted and tortured by my inward sense of +degradation, I resolved that I would venture all things, even to death, +and the eternal destruction of my soul, in order to regain the station +that I had lost. I was, in short, determined to obtain my former powers +of mind, or to perish in the attempt.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + + +<p>I rose from bed, and glided like a ghost through the great aisle of the +church towards the reliquary chamber. I had my lamp with me, which I +lighted at the altar of the Virgin. Illuminated by the glimmering +radiance, the sacred portraits of the Saints seemed to move and start +into life. Methought they looked down upon me with an aspect of +compassion. In the hollow murmurs of the night wind, which poured in +through the high and partly broken windows of the choir, I heard +melancholy warning voices. Among others, I distinguished that of my +mother. Though from a far distance, these words were clearly +audible:—"Medardus! Son Medardus! What wouldst thou do?—Renounce, oh! +renounce, ere it is too late, this fearful undertaking!"</p> + +<p>I disregarded them all, however: for my courage was wound up by despair. +As I came into the ghastly old chamber of relics, all was silent and +tranquil. I walked with rapid and resolved steps across the floor, so +that my lamp was almost extinguished. I unlocked the cabinet—I seized +the box—opened it—beheld the bottle—drew the cork—and in an instant +had swallowed a deep and powerful draught!</p> + +<p>It seemed immediately as if fire streamed through my veins, and filled +me with a sensation of indescribable delight! I drank once more, (but +sparingly,) and the raptures of a new and glorious life began at once to +dawn on my perception. In haste, as if from dread of being overlooked, I +locked up the empty box into the cabinet, and rapidly fled with the +inestimable treasure into my cell, where I placed it carefully in my +secretaire.</p> + +<p>At that moment, while turning over my papers, the identical small key +fell into my hands, which formerly, in order to escape from temptation, +I had separated from the rest; and yet, notwithstanding my precaution, I +had found, both on this occasion, and at the time when the strangers +were with me, the means of unlocking the cabinet! I examined my bunch of +keys, and found among them one strangely shaped and unknown, with which +I had now, and without, in my distraction, remarking it, made my way to +the relic.</p> + +<p>Hereupon I shuddered involuntarily; but my terror soon wore away. As if +on the transparent medium of a <i>phantasmagorie</i>, one bright and smiling +image chased another before the mind's eye—before that mind, which now, +for the first time, seemed to be awoke from deep sleep; yet the visions +of my youth awoke not—I thought not of the past; but, under the +feverish excitement of newly acquired energy, dwelt only (if thought +could be said to dwell where all was restless confusion) on the +brilliant prospects which awaited me for <i>the future</i>. It was ambition +that possessed me. I should have once more the power of obtaining that +noblest of earthly supremacies, an empire over the minds of others!</p> + +<p>I had no sleep nor rest through the night, but eagerly waited till the +brightness of the next morning beamed through the high window into my +cell, when I hastened down into the monastery gardens to bask in the +warm splendour of the rising sun, which now ascended fieryly, and +glowing red from behind the mountains.</p> + +<p>Leonardus and the brethren directly remarked the change which had taken +place in my outward appearance and behaviour. Instead of being, as +formerly, reserved and wrapt up within myself, without uttering a word, +I was now become once more lively and cheerful, and spoke again in the +same tone with which I used to address the assembled multitudes, and +with the fervid eloquence which used to be peculiarly my own.</p> + +<p>On being at last left alone with Leonardus, he looked stedfastly at me +for a long space, as if he would read my inmost thoughts. Then, while a +slight ironical smile coursed over his features, he said only, "Brother +Medardus has had some new vision perhaps—has drawn fresh energy and new +life from supernatural revelations?"</p> + +<p>The irony with which the virtuous, the prudent, and immaculate, treat a +fallen brother, is seldom beneficial in its influence; seldom indeed is +it really consistent with virtue. It commonly proceeds either from +selfish coldness of heart, (this utter antithesis of christian charity,) +or from that sort of worldly knowledge, which consists in believing that +no one is to be trusted. Hanging down my head, and with eyes fixed on +the ground, I stood without uttering a word, and as for Leonardus, he +departed and left me to my own contemplations.</p> + +<p>I had already been but too much afraid that the state of excitement +produced by wine could not possibly continue long, but, on the contrary, +might, to my utter grief and discomfiture, draw after it a state of yet +more miserable weakness than that which I had already experienced. It +was not so, however; with the perfect recovery of my health, I +experienced a degree even of long-lost youthful courage. I felt once +more that restless and vehement striving after the highest and most +extended sphere of action, which the convent could allow to me. +Accordingly, I insisted on being allowed to preach again on the next +holiday, which after some consideration was granted to me.</p> + +<p>Shortly before mounting the pulpit, I allowed myself another draught of +the miraculous wine. The effects were even beyond my most sanguine +expectations. Never had I spoken more ardently, impressively, or with +greater <i>onction</i>, than on this day. My audience, as before, were +confounded, and the rumour of my complete recovery was with +inconceivable rapidity spread abroad.</p> + +<p>Henceforward the church was regularly crowded, as on the first weeks of +my former celebrity; but the more that I gained the applause of the +people, the more serious and reserved did Leonardus appear, so that I +began at last with my whole soul to hate him. My object, in acquiring an +ascendancy over the multitude, was now fully attained; but in all other +respects, my mind was disappointed, disquieted, and gloomy. In the +friendship of my brethren I had lost all confidence. As for Leonardus, I +believed that he was wholly actuated by selfish pride, and mean-spirited +envy.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The grand festival of St Bernard drew near, and I burned with impatience +to let my light shine in its fullest lustre before the Lady Abbess; on +which account, I begged the Prior to form his arrangements in such a +manner, that I might be appointed on that day to preach in the +Cistertian Convent. Leonardus seemed greatly surprised by my request. He +confessed to me, without hesitation, that he himself had intended to +preach in the Cistertian Monastery; and had already fixed his plans +accordingly. "However," added he, "it will no doubt be on this account +the more easy for me to comply with your request; as I can excuse +myself, on the plea of illness, and appoint you to attend in my place."</p> + +<p>I attempted no apology for the indelicacy of such conduct; for my mind +was possessed wholly by one object. The Prior changed his arrangements +in the manner he had promised. I went to Kreuzberg, and saw my mother +and the Princess on the evening preceding the ceremony. My thoughts, +however, were so much taken up with the discourse that I was to deliver, +of which the eloquence was to reach the very climax of excellence, that +the meeting with them again made but a very trifling impression upon me.</p> + +<p>I was at the old farm-house, too, in which my early days had passed away +like a dream. I walked again through the neglected garden, where the +trees were now in their fullest luxuriance. I stood upon the moss-grown +terrace, mounted upon the tottering <i>altan</i>,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> on the top of the old +tower, at one end, the better to behold the features of the landscape. +Thence I saw the wanderings of the Saale gleaming amid the pine-tree +forests; the towers of Kreuzberg and Heidebach on the north, and the +Thuringian mountains, with the spires of Königswald, in the distance +towards the south. The sunbeams played and shifted over the +landscape;—the summer winds breathed fragrance, wafting to my ears the +choral anthems from the Monastery, and from the assembled pilgrims. The +scenes and their influences were the same, but I saw them with unheeding +eyes. I felt them not; the days of innocence were already past, and my +heart was agitated with earthly passions.</p> + +<p>I felt no reproaching pangs of conscience, however, no sadness, nor +regret; I pursued my <span class="smcap">one</span> and <i>only</i> object, elated with the certainty of +success.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The report had been duly spread through the town, that I was to preach, +instead of the invalid Leonardus; and, therefore, an audience, perhaps +greater than on any former occasion, was drawn together. Without having +written a single note, and merely arranging mentally into parts the +discourse which I was about to deliver, I mounted the pulpit, trusting +only to that inspiration which the solemnity of the occasion, the +multitude of devout listeners, and the lofty-vaulted church, would of +necessity excite in my peculiarly constituted mind.</p> + +<p>In this, indeed, I had not been mistaken. Like a fiery lava stream, the +torrent of my eloquence flowed irresistibly onward. With many real +anecdotes out of the life of St Bernard, I interwove ingenious pictures +from my own invention, and the most pious applications of his glorious +examples to the conduct of ordinary mortals, till in the looks of all, +which were universally directed towards me, I read only astonishment and +admiration. Thus my triumph was complete, and methought the trophy would +be more brilliant than any that I had before won.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>How anxiously were wound up my anticipations as to the reception which I +was to receive from the Princess! How confidently, indeed, did I look +for the highest and most unqualified expression of her delight! Nay, it +seemed to me, as if she, in her turn, must now pay the homage of +respect and deference to that individual, whom, but a few years before, +she had filled with awe and unlimited veneration.</p> + +<p>But in these hopes I was miserably disappointed. Having desired an +interview, I received from her a message, that being attacked by sudden +illness, she could not speak with any one. This notice was so much the +more vexatious, since, according to my proud anticipations, illness +should have only inclined her the more to receive consolation and +spiritual aid from a being so nobly gifted and so highly inspired.</p> + +<p>As to my mother, she seemed oppressed, and weighed down by a secret and +overpowering grief, as to the cause of which, I did not venture to +inquire, because the silent admonitions of my own conscience almost +convinced me, that I myself had brought this distress upon her; although +the particular means by which it had been produced, I was unable to +define. She gave me a small billet from the Princess, of which, till my +return to the Capuchin Monastery, I was not to break the seal.</p> + +<p>For the rest of the day, (which was, as usual, spent in feasting and +mirth,) I could think of nothing else, and scarcely was I arrived at +home and in my cell, when with the utmost impatience I broke the seal, +and read what follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"My dear son, (for still must I address you in this manner, the +slightest variation of expression is like an external farewell +to those whom we love,) by your discourse of to-day, you have +thrown me into the deepest affliction. No longer has your +eloquence been that of a heart whose affections are turned +towards Heaven. Your inspiration was not that which bears the +pious soul as if on seraph's wings aloft, so that it is +enabled, in holy rapture and by anticipation, to behold the +kingdoms of the blest. Alas! the pompous adornments of your +discourse,—your visible effort, only to utter that which might +be striking and brilliant, have sufficiently proved to me, that +instead of labouring to instruct the community, and to stir up +among them pious affections, you have striven only to acquire +the approbation and wonder of the light and worldly-minded +multitude. You have hypocritically counterfeited feelings which +have no real existence in your heart. Nay, like a profane actor +on the stage, you have practised gestures and a studied mien, +all for the sake of the same base meed of wonder and applause. +The demon of deceit has taken possession of you, and, if you do +not return into yourself, and renounce the sins by which you +are beset, will soon bring you to destruction.</p> + +<p>"For, sinful, very sinful, are your present actions and +conduct; in so much the more, as, by your vows, you are bound +to renounce the world and its vanities. May the blessed St +Bernard, whom to-day you have so shamefully offended, according +to his celestial patience and long sufferance, forgive you, and +enlighten your mind, so that you may recover the right path, +from which, by stratagems of the devil, you have been thus +distracted; and may he intercede for the salvation of your +soul!—Farewell!"</p></blockquote> + +<p>As if I had been pierced by an hundred fiery daggers, these words of the +Princess struck to my very heart; and, instead of receiving such +admonitions gratefully, as a trial of patience and obedience, I burned +with rage and resentment. Nothing appeared to me more unequivocal, than +that the Prior had taken advantage of the overstrained piety (or +methodism) of the Abbess, and sedulously prejudiced her against me. +Henceforth I could scarcely bear to look upon him without trembling with +indignation. Nay, there often came into my mind thoughts of <i>revenge</i>, +at which I myself could not help shuddering.</p> + +<p>The reproaches of the Abbess and the Prior were to me, on this account, +only the more intolerable, that I was obliged, from the very bottom of +my soul, to acknowledge their validity and truth. Yet always more and +more firmly persisting in my course, and strengthening myself from time +to time, with a few drops of the mysterious wine, I went on adorning my +sermons with all the arts of rhetoric, and studying theatric gestures +and gesticulations. Thus I secured always more and more the meed of +applause and admiration.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + +<p>The beams of the morning sun broke in roseate deep lustre through the +painted windows of the church. Alone, and lost in deep thought, I sat in +the confessional. Only the steps of the officiating lay brother, whose +duty it was to sweep the church, sounded through the vaulted roof. I did +not expect any visitors at such an hour; but suddenly I heard near me a +rustling sound; and, behold! there came a tall, slender, but exquisitely +proportioned, figure of a young woman, in a foreign dress, with a long +veil over her face, who must have entered at one of the private doors, +and was approaching me as if for confession. In her movements was +indescribable grace—she drew nearer—she entered the confessional, and +kneeled down. Deep sighs, as if involuntarily, were heaved from her +bosom. It seemed as if, even before she spoke, some irresistible spell +of enchantment pervaded the atmosphere, and overpowered me with +emotions, such as, till now, I had never experienced.</p> + +<p>How can I describe the tone of her voice, which was wholly new and +peculiar; but which penetrated even into my inmost heart! She began her +confession. Every word that she uttered rivetted more and more my +attention, and ruled, like a supernatural charm, over my feelings. She +confessed, in the first place, that she cherished a forbidden love, with +which she had long struggled in vain; and this love was so much the more +sinful, because holy vows for ever fettered the object of her affection. +Yet, in this hopeless delirium of her despair, she had many times cursed +the bonds, however sacred, which held them thus asunder.—She here +faltered—paused—then, with a torrent of tears, which almost stifled +her utterance, added, "Thou thyself, Medardus, art the consecrated being +whom I so unspeakably love!"</p> + +<p>As if in deadly convulsions, all my nerves irresistibly vibrated. I was +out of myself. An impulse, till now never known, almost raged in my +bosom. A passionate desire to behold her features—to press her to my +heart—to perish at once in delight and despair—wholly took possession +of me! A moment of pleasure to be purchased by an eternity of pain! She +was now silent; but I heard still the deep heaving of her breath. In a +kind of wild despair, I violently summoned up all my strength. In what +words I answered her, I cannot now remember, nor durst I look on her as +she departed; but I perceived that she silently rose up, and retired; +while, with the cloth curtains firmly pressed upon my eyelids, I +remained fixed, motionless, and almost unconscious, in the confessional.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>By good chance, no one else came into the church, and I had an +opportunity, therefore, to escape quietly into my cell. How completely +different all things now appeared to me! How foolish—how insipid all my +former endeavours! I had not seen the countenance of the unknown; and +yet, by the force of my own imagination, her image lived within my +heart. She looked on me with her mild blue eyes, in which tears were +glistening, and from which glances fell into my soul like consuming +fire, which no prayer and no penitential exercises any more could +extinguish. Such penitence, indeed, I did not spare; but, on the +contrary, chastised myself with the knotted cords of our order, till +blood streamed from my mangled flesh, that I might, if possible, escape +from that eternal destruction by which I was now threatened.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>There was an altar in our church dedicated to St Rosalia; and her +picture, admirably painted, was hung over it, representing the Saint at +the moment when she suffered martyrdom. In this picture, which had never +particularly struck me before, I now at once recognised the likeness of +my beloved! Even her dress exactly resembled the foreign habit of the +unknown!</p> + +<p>Here, therefore, like a victim of the most horrible insanity, I used to +lie, for hours together, prostrate upon the steps of the altar, uttering +hideous groans, and even howling in despair, so that the monks were +terrified, and fled from me in dismay.</p> + +<p>In more tranquil moments, I used to walk hurriedly up and down the +convent garden. I beheld her well-known from wandering through the misty +fragrant regions of the distant landscape. I saw her emerging from the +thickets of the dense wood, rising like a naiad from the +fountains—hovering, like some goddess of the olden time, over the +flowery meadows. Everywhere I beheld her, and lived but for her alone. +Then I cursed my vows, and my now miserable existence. I resolved to go +forth into the world, and not to rest until I had discovered her, and +purchased happiness, though at the expense of my soul's eternal weal!</p> + +<p>At last, however, I succeeded so far, that I could, at least in presence +of the Prior and the monks, moderate the ebullitions of my (to them) +unaccountable delirium. I could appear more tranquil; yet, by this +means, my inward agitations were only the more wasting and destructive. +No slumber, no rest by night or by day! Incessantly persecuted and +tormented by one and the same phantom, I passed, especially the night, +always in intolerable conflicts. I called, severally, on all the +Saints; but not to rescue me from the seductive image by which I was +beset—not to save my soul from eternal misery—No! but to bestow on me +the object of my affections—to annihilate my vows, and to give me +freedom, that I might, without <i>double</i> guilt, fall into the abyss of +sin.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>At last, I had firmly resolved, that I would make an end of my torments, +by a sudden flight from the convent. For, by some strange hallucination, +nothing more than freedom from my monastic engagements seemed to me +necessary to bring the unknown within my arms, and to put an end to the +passions by which I was tormented.</p> + +<p>I resolved that, having disguised my appearance sufficiently by cutting +off my long beard, and assuming a lay dress, I would linger and wander +about in the town till I had found her. I never once took into +consideration how difficult, nay, how impossible, this would prove, or +that, perhaps, having no money, I would not be able to live for a single +day beyond the walls of the monastery.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The last day that I intended to spend among the capuchins had now +arrived. By a lucky chance, I had been able to obtain a genteel dress, +like that of an ordinary citizen. On the following night, I was resolved +to leave the convent, never more to return.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Evening had already closed in, when, suddenly, I received from the Prior +a summons to attend him. I trembled involuntarily at the message; for +nothing appeared to me more certain, than that he had discovered more or +less of my secret plans.</p> + +<p>Leonardus received me with unusual gravity—nay, with an imposing +dignity of demeanour, by which I was quite overawed.</p> + +<p>"Brother Medardus," he began, "your unreasonable behaviour, which I look +upon only as the too powerful ebullition of mental excitement, (but +which excitement you have for a long time, perhaps not with the purest +intentions, sought to foster,)—this behaviour, I say, has utterly +disturbed our community, and torn asunder those peaceful bands by which +the society was here united. Such conduct operates in the most +destructive manner against that cheerfulness and good humour which, till +now, I had successfully striven to establish among the monks, as the +surest proof and demonstration of a consistent and pious life.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, however, some peculiar and unfortunate event during your +sojourn among us bears the blame of all this. You should, however, have +sought consolation from me, as from a friend and father, to whom you +might confide all things; but you have been silent, and I am the less +inclined now to trouble you with questions, as the possession of such a +secret might, in a great measure, deprive me of that mental freedom and +tranquillity, which, at my years, I prize above all earthly treasures.</p> + +<p>"You have many times, and especially at the altar of St Rosalia, by +horrible and extraordinary expressions, which seemed to escape from you +in the unconsciousness of delirium, given great scandal, not only to the +brethren, but to strangers who happened to be visiting among us. +Therefore, according to the laws of the monastery, I could punish you +severely; but I shall not do so, since, perhaps, some evil influence, +some demon, or, in short, the Arch-fiend himself, against whom you have +not sufficiently striven, is the direct cause of your errors; and I +shall only give you up to the guidance of your own conscience, with the +injunction to be ardent and faithful in penitence and prayer.—Medardus, +I can read deep into thy soul!—Thou wishest for freedom, and to be +abroad in the world."</p> + +<p>Leonardus fixed on me his most penetrating glances, which I was quite +unable to encounter; but, on the contrary, felt myself wholly +overpowered, and, conscious of my own wicked designs, remained silent.</p> + +<p>"I understand you," said Leonardus, "and believe, indeed, that this +world, if you walk through it piously, may contribute more to your +welfare than the lonely life in our convent. An occurrence, involving +the best interests of our order, renders it necessary to send one of the +brethren to Rome—I have chosen you for this purpose; and, even +to-morrow, you may be provided with the necessary powers and +instructions, and set forward on your journey. You are so much the +better qualified for this expedition, being still young and active, +clever in business, and a perfect master of the Italian language.</p> + +<p>"Betake yourself now to your cell—pray with fervour for the welfare of +your soul. I shall meanwhile offer up my prayers for you; but leave out +all corporeal chastisement, which would only weaken you, and render you +unfit for the journey. At day-break, I shall await you in my chamber."</p> + +<p>Like a gleam from Heaven, these words of Leonardus fell upon the +darkness of my soul. Instead of the hatred which I had been cherishing, +the attachment which I had before felt towards him regained its full +sway. I even burst into tears; for it appeared to me as if he indeed +read my most secret thoughts, and bestowed on me the free liberty of +giving myself up to that imperious destiny, which, perhaps, after +granting a few moments of delusive pleasure, might precipitate me into +an abyss of irremediable destruction.</p> + +<p>Flight and secrecy were now become wholly needless. I could openly leave +the convent, and freely give myself up to my own plans of following that +being, without whom there could be for me no happiness upon earth, and +whom I was resolved, at all rides, to discover.</p> + +<p>The journey to Rome, and the commissions with which I was to be charged, +appeared to me only inventions of Leonardus, in order that I might, in a +becoming manner, quit the monastery.</p> + +<p>I passed the night, according to his injunctions, in prayer and in +preparation for the journey. The rest of the miraculous wine I put into +a basket-bottle, in order to guard it as a precious cordial, and +afterwards, going to the relic room, deposited the empty flask in the +cabinet.</p> + +<p>It was not without astonishment that when, on the following day, I +waited on the Prior, I perceived, from his diffuse and serious +instructions, that there was a real cause for my being sent to Rome, and +that the dispatches to which he had alluded were of considerable weight +and importance. The reflection, therefore, fell heavily on my +conscience, that, after receiving these credentials, I should yet be +determined, from the moment that I left the convent, to give myself +wholly up to my own impulses, without the slightest regard to any duty +whatever. The thoughts, however, of <i>her</i>—the mistress of my +soul—failed not to encourage me again, and I resolved to remain +faithful to my own plans. The brethren soon after assembled together; +and my leave-taking of them, and especially of the Prior Leonardus, +filled me with the deepest melancholy. At last, the convent gates closed +behind me, and I was equipped for my journey into a far distant land.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + + +<p>I had walked for nearly an hour, and had now come to a rising ground. I +looked back to have a last prospect of the convent and the town, whose +well-known outlines were already become obscured by distance, and by the +white masses of vapour that yet lingered in the valley. But on the +eminence to which I had arrived, the fresh morning breezes awoke, and +played coolly on my brows. Methought I heard music in the air. It was +the pious hymns of the monks that were yet borne up towards me, as if to +express once more their parting blessing and long farewell. +Involuntarily I joined in the anthem, and lingered on the spot, +unwilling to break a train of intricate associations, which it would +require volumes to analyse and develope.</p> + +<p>But now the sun rose in full glory over the towers of Königswald. The +glossy foliage of the trees, already tinged by the first hues of +autumn, shone in his dazzling golden light. There was pleasure even in +the rustling sound of the dew-drops that fell like showers of diamonds, +amid the myriads of insects that danced hummingly through the stilly air +of the sheltering thickets. The birds, too, were awake, and fluttered, +singing and rejoicing in amorous play, through the woods. To crown all, +it was a holiday, and there came a religious procession of peasant lads +and girls, in their best attire, up the hill side.</p> + +<p>Never had I before enjoyed such a mood of mind. I seemed to myself +wholly metamorphosed; and as if inspired by some newly awoke energies, I +strode rapidly down the opposite side of the hill.</p> + +<p>To the first <i>bauer</i> whom I happened to meet, I put the question, +whether he knew the place where, according to the route that had been +given to me, I was first to pass the night; and he described to me very +accurately a footpath leading off from the high road, and winding +through the mountains, by which I should reach more rapidly than by any +other course, the place of my destination.</p> + +<p>I had parted with the <i>Bauer</i>, and had walked on for a considerable +space in complete solitude, when, for the first time since my setting +out, the thoughts occurred to me of the unknown beauty, and my +fantastical plan of going in search of her. But, as if by some new and +supernatural influence, her image had now vanished almost quite away; so +that it was with difficulty I could trace the pale disfigured +lineaments. The more that I laboured to retain this apparition firmly in +my remembrance, the more fallaciously it melted, as if into vapour, from +my sight; only my extravagant behaviour in the convent, after that +mysterious adventure, remained fresh in my recollection. It was now even +to myself inconceivable with what patience the Prior had borne with all +this; and how, instead of inflicting the punishment I so justly +deserved, he had sent me forth into the world.</p> + +<p>I soon became convinced, that the visit of the unknown beauty had been +nothing more nor less than a vision, the consequence of too stedfast +application. Instead of imputing this, as I would formerly have done, to +any direct interference of the devil, I ascribed it to the natural +deception of my own disordered senses. Nay, the circumstance of the +stranger being dressed exactly like St Rosalia, seemed to prove, that +the animated and excellent picture of that saint, which, in an oblique +direction, I could behold from the confessional, had a great share in +producing my delusion.</p> + +<p>Deeply did I admire the wisdom of the Prior, who had chosen the only +proper means for my recovery; for, shut up within the convent walls, +always brooding over my own gloomy thoughts, and surrounded ever by the +same objects, I must irretrievably have fallen into utter madness. +Becoming always more reconciled to the rational conclusion, that I had +but dreamed, I could scarcely help laughing at myself; nay, with a +levity which before had been most remote from my character, I made a +jest of my own supposition, that a female saint had fallen in love with +me; whereupon I recollected also, with equal merriment, that I had once +imagined myself to be transformed into St Anthony.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>One morning, (it was after I had been already several days wandering +amid the mountains,) I found myself amid bold, frightfully piled up +masses of rock, and was obliged to proceed by narrow, dangerous +footpaths, beneath which the mountain rivulets roared and foamed in +their contracted ravines. The path became always more lonely, wild, and +arduous. The autumnal sun (it was in September) rose high in heaven, and +burned upon my uncovered head. I panted for thirst, for no spring was +near, and I could not reach the torrents, though their voice was +audible; moreover, there was yet no sign of my approach to the village, +which had been marked for my next resting place.</p> + +<p>At last, quite exhausted, I sat down upon a mass of rocks, and could not +resist taking a draught from my basket-bottle, notwithstanding that I +wished to reserve as much as possible of the extraordinary liquor. I +felt instantly the mantling glow of quickened circulation in every vein, +and energetic bracing of every fibre, while, refreshed and strengthened, +I boldly marched forward, in order to gain the appointed station, which +now could not be far distant.</p> + +<p>The dark pine-tree woods became always more and more dense, and the +ground more steep and uneven. Suddenly I heard near me a rustling in +the thickets, and then a horse neighed aloud, which was there bound to a +tree. I advanced some steps farther, as the path guided me onwards, +till, almost petrified with terror, I suddenly found myself on the verge +of a tremendous precipice, beyond which the river, which I have already +mentioned, was thundering and foaming at an immeasurable distance below.</p> + +<p>With astonishment, too, I beheld, on a projecting point of rock which +jutted over the chasm, what appeared to me the figure of a man. At +first, I suspected some new delusion; but, recovering in some degree +from my fear, I ventured nearer, and perceived a young man in uniform, +on the very outermost point of the rocky cliff. His sabre, his hat, with +a high plume of feathers, and a portefeuille, lay beside him;—with half +his body hanging over the abyss, he seemed to be asleep, and always to +sink down lower and lower! His fall was inevitable!</p> + +<p>I ventured nearer. Seizing him with one hand, and endeavouring to pull +him back, I shouted aloud, "For God's sake, sir, awake! For Heaven's +sake, beware!"—I said no more; for, at that moment, starting from his +sleep, and at the same moment losing his equilibrium, he fell down into +the cataract!</p> + +<p>His mangled form must have dashed from point to point of the rocks in +his descent. I heard one piercing yell of agony, which echoed through +the immeasurable abyss, from which at last only a hollow moaning arose, +which soon also died away.</p> + +<p>Struck with unutterable horror, I stood silent and motionless. At last, +by a momentary impulse, I seized the hat, the sword, the portefeuille, +and wished to withdraw myself as quickly as possible from the fatal +spot.</p> + +<p>Now, however, I observed a young man dressed as a <i>chasseur</i> emerge from +the wood, and coming forward to meet me. At first, he looked at me +earnestly and scrutinizingly—then, all at once, broke out into +immoderate laughter; whereat an ice-cold shuddering vibrated through all +my frame.</p> + +<p>"<i>Sapperment!</i> my Lord Count," said the youth, "your masquerade is +indeed admirable and complete; and if the Lady Baroness were not +apprized before hand, I question if even she would recognize you in this +disguise.—But what have you done with the uniform, my lord?"</p> + +<p>"As for that," replied I, "I threw it down the rocks into the +water."—Yet these words were <i>not mine</i>! I only gave utterance, +involuntarily and almost unconsciously, to expressions, which, by means +of some supernatural influence, rose up within me.</p> + +<p>I stood afterwards silent, and absorbed in thought, with my staring eyes +always turned to the rocks, as if from thence the mangled frame of the +unfortunate Count would ascend to bear witness against me. My conscience +accused me as his murderer; but, though thus unnerved, I continued to +hold the hat, the sword, and the portefeuille, convulsively firm in my +grasp.</p> + +<p>"Now, my lord," resumed the chasseur, "I shall ride on by the carriage +road to the village, where I shall keep myself <i>incognito</i> in the small +house to the left-hand side of the gate. Of course, you will now walk +down to the castle, where you are probably expected by this time. Your +hat and sword I shall take with me."</p> + +<p>I gave them to him accordingly.—"Now, farewell, my lord," added the +youth; "much pleasure attend you in the castle!"</p> + +<p>Hereupon, whistling and singing, he vanished away into the woods. I +heard him afterwards untie the horse, that was there bound to a tree, +and ride off.</p> + +<p>When I had recovered myself in some measure from my confusion, and +reflected on the adventure, I was obliged to confess, that I had become +wholly the victim of chance or destiny, which had at once thrown me into +the most extraordinary circumstances. It was quite obvious, that an +exact resemblance of my face and figure with those of the unfortunate +Count, had deceived the chasseur; and that his master must have chosen +the dress of a capuchin, in order to carry on some adventure in the +castle, of which the completion had now devolved upon me! Death had +overtaken him, and at the same moment a wonderful fatality had <i>forced</i> +me into his place. An inward irresistible impulse to act the part of the +deceased Count, overpowered every doubt, and stunned the warning voice +of conscience, which accused me of murder <i>now</i>, and of shameless +intended crimes <i>yet to come</i>!</p> + +<p>I now opened the portefeuille. Letters, money, and bank-bills, to a +considerable amount, fell into my hands. I wished to go through the +papers, one by one, in order that I might be aware of the late Count's +situation. But my internal disquietude, the confusion of a thousand +strange ideas, which crowded through my brain, did not admit of this.</p> + +<p>After walking a few paces, I again stood still. I seated myself on a +rock, and endeavoured to force myself into a quieter mood of mind. I saw +the danger of stepping, thus wholly unprepared, into a circle of people, +of whom I knew nothing. Then suddenly I heard a sound of hunting horns +through the wood, and voices shouting and rejoicing, which came always +nearer and nearer. My heart beat with violence—my breath +faltered.—Now, indeed, a new life, a new world, were about to be opened +upon me!</p> + +<p>I turned into a small, narrow footpath, which led me down a steep +declivity. On stepping out of the thicket, I beheld an extensive, nobly +built castle, lying beneath me in the valley. <i>There</i>, of course, was +the intended scene of the adventure which the late Count had in +contemplation, and I walked courageously onwards. I soon found myself in +the finely kept walks of the park, by which the castle was surrounded. +At last, in a dark side allée, in a kind of <i>berçeau</i>, I saw two male +figures, of whom one was in the dress of a lay monk. They came nearer, +but were engaged in deep discourse, and never once observed me.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + + +<p>The lay monk was a young man, on whose features lay the death-like +paleness of a deeply corroding and inward grief. Of the other I could +only say, that he was plainly, but genteelly dressed, and was +considerably advanced in years. They seated themselves on a stone bench, +with their backs turned towards me. I could understand every word that +they said.</p> + +<p>"Hermogen," said the old man, "by this obstinate silence, you bring your +nearest friends to utter despair. Your dark melancholy increases; your +youthful strength is withered. This extravagant resolution of becoming a +monk, ruins all your father's hopes and wishes. Yet he would willingly +give up the hopes that he had formed, if, from youth onwards, you had +shewn any real tendency of character to loneliness and monachism. In +such case, he certainly would not struggle against the fate that hung +over him and you.</p> + +<p>"But the sudden and violent change in your whole disposition, has proved +only too plainly, that some concealed and unfortunate event—some +mysterious adventure, at which we cannot guess, is the cause of your +melancholy; which cause, however remote, still continues to exercise +over you the same destructive influence.</p> + +<p>"Your mind in former days was invariably cheerful, buoyant, and +disengaged. What, then, can all at once have rendered you so +misanthropical, that you should now suppose there cannot be in the +breast of any living mortal, counsel or consolation for your +afflictions?—You are silent—you stare only with your eyes fixed on +vacancy.</p> + +<p>"Hermogen, you once not only respected, but loved your father. If it has +now become impossible for you to open your heart, and to have confidence +in him, yet, at least, do not torment him by the daily sight of this +dress, which announces only your perseverance in the most inimical and +fantastic resolutions. I conjure you, Hermogen, to lay aside this +hateful garb. Believe me, there lies in such outward things, more +consequence than is usually ascribed to them. Surely you will not +misunderstand, or suspect me of levity, when I remind you of the effect +produced by dress on an actor. On assuming the costume of any character, +he experiences in himself a corresponding change of feelings. Are you +not yourself of opinion, that if these detestable long garments did not +come in your way to confine you, you would be able to walk and run—nay, +to skip, jump, and dance, just as readily and lightly as before? The +gleam and glitter of the bright dazzling epaulet, which formerly shone +upon your shoulders, might again reflect upon your pale cheeks their +wonted colour; and the clang of your military accoutrements would sound +like cheering music in the ears of your noble horse, who would come +neighing and prancing with joy to meet you, bending his neck proudly +before his beloved master.</p> + +<p>"Rouse yourself, then, Baron!—Away with these black robes, which, to +tell the truth, are by no means becoming.—Say, shall Frederick now run +and search out your uniform?"</p> + +<p>The old man rose up as if to go. The youth detained him, and, evidently +quite overpowered by emotion, fell into his arms.—"Alas! Reinhold," +said he, "you torment me indeed inexpressibly. The more that you +endeavour in this manner to awaken within me those chords which formerly +sounded harmoniously, the more forcibly I feel how my relentless fate, +as with an iron hand, has seized upon me, and crushed my whole frame, +mental and bodily; so that, like a broken lute, I must either be silent, +or respond in discord."</p> + +<p>"These, Baron," said Reinhold, "are but your own delusions. You speak of +some horrible and monstrous destiny which tyrannizes over you; but as to +<i>wherein</i> or <i>how</i> this destiny exists, you are invariably silent. Yet, +be that as it may, a young man like you, endowed both with mental +energy, and courage which is the natural result of animal spirits, +should be able to arm himself against those demons—those invisible +foes, with their iron fangs, of whom you so often speak. As if aided by +divine inspiration, he should exalt himself above that destiny, which +would otherwise crush him into the earth; and, cherishing within his own +heart the principles of life, wing his way above the petty torments of +this world. Indeed, I can scarcely imagine to myself any circumstances +that will not finally yield to a patient, reasonable, and yet energetic +inward volition."</p> + +<p>Hereupon Hermogen drew himself one step backwards, and fixing on the old +man, a dark, gloomy look, almost with an expression of repressed rage, +which was truly frightful:—</p> + +<p>"Know, then," said he, "that <i>I myself</i> am the destiny—the demon, as +thou sayest, by whom I am persecuted and destroyed, that my conscience +is loaded with guilt, nay, with the stain of a shameful, infamous, and +mortal crime, which I thus endeavour to expiate in misery and in +despair!—Therefore, I beseech you, be compassionate, and implore, too, +my father's consent, that he may allow me to go into a monastery!"</p> + +<p>"Hermogen," said the old man, "you are now in a situation peculiar to +those who are disordered both in body and in mind—you, therefore, +cannot judge for yourself; and, in short, you should, on no account, go +from hence. Besides, in a few days the Baroness will return home with +Aurelia, and you must of necessity stay to see them."</p> + +<p>A smile of bitter mockery coursed over the young man's features. He even +laughed aloud, and cried, in a voice at which my heart recoiled and +shuddered, "<i>Must</i> stay?—Must <i>therefore</i> stay?—Ay, truly, old man, +thou art in the right—I must indeed stay; and my penitence will be here +far more frightful than in the dreariest cloister."</p> + +<p>With these words, he broke away, and disappeared in the thicket, leaving +the old man motionless, and apparently lost in the most gloomy +reflections.</p> + +<p>"<i>Gelobt sey Jesu Christus!</i>" said I, pronouncing the conventual +salutation in my best manner, and advancing towards him. He started, +looked at me with surprise, and then seemed to call something to mind +that he already knew, but could not <i>clearly</i> remember.</p> + +<p>At last, "Reverend sir," said he, "it was perhaps to your coming that +the Baroness alluded in a letter received by us four days ago; and you +are sent hither for the benefit and consolation of this afflicted +family."</p> + +<p>I answered without hesitation in the affirmative, and the stranger (or +Reinhold, as he has been styled) then immediately recovered that +cheerfulness which seemed natural to his disposition. We walked on +together through a very beautiful park, and came at last to a <i>boskett</i> +near the castle, from whence there was a magnificent prospect towards +the mountains.</p> + +<p>On his giving orders to a servant, who just then appeared near us, a +plentiful <i>dejeuner a-la-fourchette</i> was immediately served up, with a +bottle of excellent French wine.</p> + +<p>On joining glasses, and looking at each other, it appeared to me as if +Reinhold watched me with great attention, and seemed labouring with some +obscure reminiscence.</p> + +<p>At last he broke out—"Good Heaven! reverend sir, I must be grossly +deceiving myself if you are not Brother Medardus, from the capuchin +convent in Königswald: And yet, how is this possible? But, certainly, +there can be no doubt!—Speak only, I beg of you, and clear up this +mystery."</p> + +<p>As if struck to the earth by lightning, I was, by these words of +Reinhold, quite paralyzed and overpowered. I saw myself at once +discovered, unmasked—accused, perhaps, as a murderer! Despair gave me +strength. Life and death depended on that moment.</p> + +<p>"I am indeed Brother Medardus, from the capuchin convent in Königswald," +said I; "and am now employed on a diplomatic mission as legate from our +monastery to Rome."</p> + +<p>These words I uttered with all the quiet and composure which I was able +to counterfeit. "Perhaps, then," said Reinhold, "it is only chance that +brought you hither. You may have wandered from the high road. Or, if +otherwise, how could it happen that the Baroness became acquainted with +you, and sent you hither?"</p> + +<p>Without a moment's reflection, but once more only <i>repeating</i> words +which seemed by some strange voice to be whispered into my ears, I +replied, "On my journey I became acquainted with the Baroness's +confessor, and, at his request, I agreed to come hither."</p> + +<p>"True," said Reinhold; "now I remember that the Baroness indeed wrote +somewhat to this effect: Well, Heaven be praised that it is so, and that +you have been induced to come to our assistance. I was, by chance, some +years ago, in Königswald, and heard one of your admirable discourses, in +which you seemed to be indeed gifted with divine inspiration. To your +piety, your unaffected eloquence, your true calling to be the champion +of souls otherwise lost, I can safely trust for the fulfilment of that, +which, to all of us, would have been impossible.</p> + +<p>"I consider myself particularly fortunate, however, in having met you +before you were introduced to the Baron, and will take advantage of this +opportunity to make you acquainted with the circumstances of the family, +and to be perfectly sincere and undisguised, as is fitting before a man +of your sanctity and dignified character. It is indeed requisite, that, +in order to give the proper tendency and guidance to your endeavours, +you should receive from me hints on many points, on which (for other +reasons) I would rather have been silent. I shall endeavour, however, to +go through the whole in as few words as possible.</p> + +<p>"With the Baron I was brought up from infancy. A certain similarity of +temper made us like brothers, and annihilated those barriers which +difference of birth would otherwise have raised up betwixt us. I was +never absent from him; and, accordingly, after his father's death, and +when he had finished his academical studies, he directly appointed me +steward over his paternal property in these mountains.</p> + +<p>"I continued still to be his most intimate friend and companion; nor +were the most secret occurrences and circumstances of the house +concealed from me. The late Baron had wished for his son's connection by +marriage with an Italian family, whom he had highly respected; and my +patron so much the more readily fulfilled his father's wishes, as he +found himself irresistibly attracted to the young lady, who was by +nature beautiful, and by education highly accomplished.</p> + +<p>"Seldom, in truth, are the wishes and plans of parents either so +judiciously framed, or so prosperously fulfilled, as in this instance. +The young couple seemed to have been born for each other,—and of this +happy marriage, a son and daughter, Hermogen and Aurelia, were the +offspring.</p> + +<p>"For the most part, we spent our winters in the town; but when, soon +after the birth of Aurelia, the Baroness began to decline in health, we +remained there for the summer also, as she indispensably required the +assistance of physicians. She died just as, on the approach of another +spring, her visible amendment had filled the Baron with the most +delightful hopes.</p> + +<p>"We then fled to the country, and there only time could meliorate the +deep-consuming grief by which he had become wholly possessed. Hermogen, +meanwhile, grew up to be a fine youth, and Aurelia became every day more +and more the image of her mother. The careful education of these +children was our daily task and delight. Hermogen shewed a decided turn +for the military life, and this constrained the Baron to send him into +town, in order that he might begin his career there under the care of +our old friend the governor of the fort.</p> + +<p>"For the first time, three years ago, we again spent a winter together, +as in old times, at the <i>residenz</i>; partly in order that the Baron might +be near his son, and partly that he might visit his old acquaintances, +who had constantly beset him with letters complaining of his absence.</p> + +<p>"Universal attention was at that time excited by the appearance of a +niece of the governor's, who had come hither out of the neighbouring +<i>residenz</i> of R——. She was an orphan, and had betaken herself to her +uncle's house for protection; though <i>there</i> she had a whole wing of the +castle to herself, had also her own private <i>economie</i>, and was in the +habit of assembling the <i>beau monde</i> around her.</p> + +<p>"Without describing Mademoiselle Euphemia too minutely, (which is the +more needless, as you, reverend sir, will soon see her, and judge for +yourself,) suffice it to say, that in all that she said or did, there +was an indescribable grace, refinement, and self-possession, by which +the natural charms of her beauty were heightened to an almost +irresistible degree.</p> + +<p>"Wherever she appeared, all that were around her seemed to be animated +with new spirit; and every one, with the most glowing enthusiasm, paid +her homage. Indeed the more insignificant and lifeless characters +appeared in her company to be carried quite out of themselves, and to be +so completely warmed with fire not their own, that, as if inspired, they +revelled in enjoyments, of which till then they had never been capable.</p> + +<p>"Of course, there was no want of lovers, who daily paid their court to +this new divinity. They were numerous and indefatigable in their +attentions. But meanwhile, one could never with certainty say, that she +distinguished either this or that individual from his competitors; but, +on the contrary, with a kind of playful, yet wicked irony, which +provoked without giving absolute offence, she contrived to involve them +all in a perplexing, but indissoluble, kind of thraldom. They moved +about her, completely under subjection, as if within the limits of some +enchanted circle.</p> + +<p>"On the Baron, this new Circe had gradually and imperceptibly made a +wonderful impression. Immediately on his first appearance, she shewed to +him a degree of attention, which appeared to be the result of youthful, +almost childish, veneration. In conversation afterwards, she displayed +her usual skill, proving herself (in his estimation at least) to be +possessed of the most cultivated understanding and the deepest +sensibility, such as, till now, he had scarcely ever found among women.</p> + +<p>"With indescribable delicacy, she sought for and obtained Aurelia's +friendship, and took such a warm interest in her fate, that by degrees +she began to perform for her all the duties of her untimely lost mother. +In brilliant circles especially, she knew how to assist the modest, +inexperienced girl; and, without being observed, to set off Aurelia's +natural good sense and talents to such advantage, that the latter became +every day more distinguished, admired, and sought after.</p> + +<p>"The Baron took every opportunity of becoming quite eloquent in praise +of Euphemia; and here, for the first time, probably, in our lives, it +happened that he and I were completely at variance.</p> + +<p>"In society I was generally a spectator merely, rather than an actor, in +whatever was going forward. In this way, looking on Euphemia as an +object worthy of investigation, I had considered her with great +attention. On her part, she had only, in compliance with her system of +not neglecting any one, now and then interchanged with me a few +insignificant words.</p> + +<p>"I must confess, that she was, above all other women, beautiful and +attractive;—that whatever she said was marked by sense and sensibility, +(in other words, by <i>tact</i> and by prudence;) yet, notwithstanding all +this, I was conscious to myself of an inexplicable feeling of distrust +and aversion. Nay, whenever she addressed her discourse to me, or her +looks by chance fell upon me, I could not escape from a certain +disquietude and apprehension that were quite overpowering. Her eyes, +especially when she believed herself unobserved, glowed with an +extraordinary and quite peculiar light, as if some unquenchable fire +dwelt within her, which, at all times with difficulty kept down, had +then irresistibly broken forth.</p> + +<p>"Besides all this, there was too often on her otherwise finely formed +lips, the expression of a hateful irony—the decided indication even of +a malignant and fiendish scorn, at which my very heart shuddered.</p> + +<p>"In this manner, especially, she often looked at Hermogen, who, for his +part, troubled himself very little about her;—but such looks alone were +quite sufficient to convince me, that, under a specious and beautiful +mask, much was concealed, of which no one but myself suspected the +existence.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + + +<p>"Against the unmeasured praise of the Baron," continued the old man, "I +had indeed nothing to offer, but my own physiognomical observations, to +which he did not allow the slightest importance; but, on the contrary, +perceived in my dislike of Euphemia only a highly absurd species of +idiosyncrasy. He even confessed to me, that the young lady would soon +become one of his family, as he would do all in his power to bring about +a marriage betwixt her and Hermogen.</p> + +<p>"The latter happened to come into the room just as we spoke with +considerable warmth on this subject, and when I was endeavouring to +defend my notions about Euphemia. The Baron, accustomed always to act +openly, and on the spur of the moment, made his son instantly acquainted +with all his plans and wishes.</p> + +<p>"Hermogen very quietly listened to his father's enthusiastic praises of +the young lady; and when the eulogy was ended, answered that he did not +feel himself in the least attracted towards Euphemia; that he could +never love her; and therefore earnestly begged that any schemes for a +marriage between her and himself might be given over.</p> + +<p>"The Baron was not a little confounded, when all his favourite projects +were thus at once set aside, but at the same time, said the less to +Hermogen, as he recollected that Euphemia herself had never been +consulted on the subject. With a cheerfulness and good humour which are +indeed quite his own, he soon began to jest over the complete failure of +his endeavours, and said that Hermogen evidently shared in my +idiosyncrasy; though, for his part, how a beautiful young woman could +inspire such dislike, he was quite unable to perceive.</p> + +<p>"His own intercourse with Euphemia of course remained the same as +before. He had been so accustomed to her society, that he was unable to +spend any day without seeing her.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"Consequently, it soon after happened, that one day, in a careless and +cheerful humour, he remarked to her, that there was but <i>one</i> individual +within her enchanted circle, who had not become enamoured, and that was +Hermogen. The latter, he added, had flatly refused to listen to a plan +of marriage, which his father had wished to set on foot for him.</p> + +<p>"Euphemia, in the same style of badinage, replied, that it might have +been as well to consult her also on the subject, and that although she +would gladly be more nearly allied to the Baron, yet this must by no +means take place through Hermogen, who was for her far too serious, and +too particular in his humour.</p> + +<p>"From the time that this discourse took place with the Baron, (who +immediately communicated it to me,) Euphemia continued, even in an +unusual degree, her attentions towards him and Aurelia. At last, by many +slight but intelligible hints, she gradually brought the Baron to the +idea that a union with herself would exactly realize the <i>beau ideal</i> +which she had formed of happiness in marriage. Every objection which +could be urged on the score of years, or otherwise, she was able in the +most convincing manner to refute, and with-all, advanced in her +operations so gradually, delicately, and imperceptibly, that the Baron +believed all the ideas which she directly put into his head to be the +growth of his own feelings and his own ingenuity.</p> + +<p>"Still sound and unbroken in health, and by nature lively and energetic, +he now felt himself inspired, even like a young man, by a glowing and +fervent passion. I could no longer damp nor restrain this wild flight, +for it was already too late. In short, not long afterwards, to the +astonishment of all the <i>residenz</i>, Euphemia became the wife of the +Baron!!</p> + +<p>"It seemed to me now, as if this formidable being, whom even I had +before regarded with such distrust, having thus stepped at last into our +very domestic circle, I must now be doubly and trebly on the watch for +my friend and for myself. Hermogen attended the marriage of his father +with the coldest indifference, but Aurelia, the dear child, who was +haunted with a thousand indefinable apprehensions, burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"Soon after the marriage, Euphemia longed to visit the Baron's castle +here among the mountains. Her wish was gratified accordingly, and I +must confess, that her whole behaviour was, for a long time, so +consistent and correct, that she extorted from me involuntary +admiration. Thus, two years flowed on in perfect quietness and domestic +enjoyment. Both winters we spent in the <i>residenz</i>, but even there too, +the Baroness shewed towards her husband so much unfeigned respect, and +such attention even to his slightest wishes, that even the voice of envy +and detraction were at last put to silence, and not one of the young +libertines who thought that they would here have sufficient scope for +their gallantry, allowed themselves even the least freedom in her +presence. During the last winter, I was probably the only one left, who, +still influenced by the old <i>idiosyncrasy</i>, ventured to cherish doubts +and mistrust against her.</p> + +<p>"Before the Baron's marriage, a certain Count Victorin, major in the +Prince's <i>Garde d'Honneur</i>, and only now and then professionally +established at the <i>residenz</i>, was one of Euphemia's regular suitors, +and the only one of whom it could ever have been said, that he at times +appeared to be honoured by her particular regard. It had once been +whispered indeed, that a much nearer and more intimate acquaintance +existed between them, than was yet indicated by their outward behaviour. +But the rumour immediately died away, as obscurely as it had arisen.</p> + +<p>"Be that as it may, the Count Victorin was again this last winter in the +<i>residenz</i>, and of course, made his appearance in the circles of the +Baroness. He seemed, however, not in the least to concern himself about +her, but rather even to avoid her conversation. Notwithstanding all +this, I imagined that frequently their looks met, when they believed +themselves unobserved; and that in these looks—but I shall not describe +more particularly—suffice it to say, that their expression was such, as +in my opinion could not be misunderstood, and such as to cause to me the +utmost disquietude.</p> + +<p>"More especially, it happened one night at the house of the Governor, +where a large party was assembled, that I stood crowded and squeezed up +into a window, where I was more than half concealed by the furniture +drapery, and only two or three steps before me was the Count Victorin.</p> + +<p>"Then Euphemia, more than ever brilliant and tasteful in her dress, and +beaming in luxuriant beauty, swept up to him as if to pass by. No one, +probably, remarked them but myself. He seized her arm, with a kind of +passionate vehemence, but so that it was observed by me alone. Their +eyes met; her expressive looks were turned directly and full upon him. +She whispered some words, of which I could not seize the import. +Euphemia must have seen me. She turned round quickly; but I distinctly +heard the words, 'We are observed!'</p> + +<p>"I stood as if petrified by the shock of this discovery. Alas! reverend +sir, think of my conflicting feelings at that moment—think of my +gratitude and respect—of that faithful attachment with which I was +devoted to the Baron—and recollect, too, the apprehensions by which I +had been so long persecuted, and which were thus so cruelly and +unequivocally realized!</p> + +<p>"These few words, however unimportant in themselves, had completely +revealed to me that there was a secret understanding between the +Baroness and the Count! For the present I was obliged to be silent; but +I was resolved to watch Euphemia with Argus eyes, and then, as soon as I +had obtained <i>proofs</i> of her crime, to break asunder at once the +disgraceful bands in which she had fettered my unhappy friend.</p> + +<p>"Yet who is able to counteract successfully the contrivances of devilish +cunning and hypocrisy? <i>My</i> endeavours, at least, were all utterly in +vain, and it would only have been absurd to impart to the Baron what I +had seen and heard. My opponents would directly have found ways and +means to represent me as a half-witted, tiresome visionary.</p> + +<p>"The snow still lay upon the mountains, when we came, last spring, over +to the castle; but I made my usual excursions over all the grounds. One +morning I met, in a neighbouring village, <i>a bauer</i>, who had something +odd in his walk and gestures. Happening to turn round his head, he +betrayed to me, on the first glance, the features of the Count Victorin! +However, in the same moment he had vanished among the houses, and was no +more to be seen.</p> + +<p>"Any mistake on my part was here impossible. And what could have led him +to this disguise, but the continuance of his old intrigue with the +Baroness? Even now, I know for certain that he is again in this +neighbourhood, for I have seen his <i>chasseur</i> riding past; and yet it +is inexplicable to me how it happened that he did not rather attend the +Baroness in town.</p> + +<p>"It is now three months since we received intelligence that her uncle +the Governor was attacked by severe and dangerous illness. Without +delay, therefore, she obtained the Baron's consent to visit her +relation, and set off, taking only Aurelia with her, indisposition +preventing the Baron from accompanying her at that time; and he has +since chosen to remain here.</p> + +<p>"Now, however, misfortune had begun to make determined inroads into our +house; for the Baroness had not been long absent before she wrote home, +that Hermogen was suddenly seized by a melancholy, on which no society +or advice of physicians seemed to have any beneficial influence; and +that this even broke out oftentimes into fits of delirious rage. Day +after day he wandered about all alone, cursing and denouncing himself +and his cruel destiny; while all endeavours of his friends to recover +him from this frightful state had been hitherto ineffectual.</p> + +<p>"You may suppose, reverend sir, how painful and distressing was the +impression that all this made upon the Baron. The sight of his son +under such a fearful malady, would, in his present state, have agitated +him too much. I therefore went to town alone.</p> + +<p>"By the strong measures that had been adopted, Hermogen was already +cured of these violent out-breakings of madness described by the +Baroness; but a settled melancholy had fallen upon him, against which +the physicians seemed to think that all aid would be unavailing.</p> + +<p>"On seeing me, he was deeply moved. He told me that an unhappy destiny, +with which it was in vain to struggle, drove him to renounce for ever +the station which he had till then held; and that only as a monk could +he hope for tranquillity in this world, or rescue his soul from eternal +destruction. Accordingly, I found him already in the dress, in which +you, reverend sir, may have observed him this morning; but +notwithstanding his resistance, I succeeded in bringing him hither.</p> + +<p>"He is now tranquil, but never for a moment relinquishes the <i>one</i> +insane idea which has taken possession of him; and all attempts to +extort a disclosure of the event which has brought him into his misery +remain fruitless, though the revealing of this secret would probably +afford the first means of contributing to its alleviation.</p> + +<p>"Some time ago the Baroness wrote, that, by advice of her confessor, she +would send hither a monk of his acquaintance, whose intercourse and +consoling admonitions would probably have more influence than anything +else on Hermogen, as his madness had evidently taken a devotional turn. +I am greatly rejoiced, sir, that the choice has fallen on you, whom a +chance the most fortunate for us had led to the <i>residenz</i>. By attending +to the directions that I now give you, I trust that you may restore to a +broken-hearted and deeply-afflicted family, that repose which they have +so long lost.</p> + +<p>"Your endeavours ought, in my opinion, to be directed to <i>two</i> especial +objects. In the first place, inquire out this horrible secret, by which +Hermogen is oppressed. His bosom will be lighter if it is once +disclosed, whether in ordinary conversation, or in the confessional; and +the church, instead of burying him within its walls, will again restore +him to the world.</p> + +<p>"In the second place, you should make yourself better acquainted with +the Baroness. You know all that I have to communicate—You are probably +already of my opinion, though I have not sufficient <i>proofs</i> for +entering into an open accusation; but I know, that when you see, and +become intimate with Euphemia, you will entertain the same conviction +that I do. She is, however, by temperament, inclined to religion, at +least her imagination is easily roused. Perhaps, therefore, by your +extraordinary gifts of eloquence, you may penetrate deeply into her +heart. You may agitate and terrify her into repentance of her crimes, +and of that treachery against her best friends, by which, of necessity, +she must work for herself everlasting torments.</p> + +<p>"Yet one remark more, reverend sir, I must hazard. Many times it has +appeared to me as if the Baron, too, had on his mind some secret grief, +of which he conceals from me the cause. Besides his openly declared +anxiety on account of Hermogen, he contends visibly with painful +thoughts, which constantly harass him. It has often suggested itself to +me, that he may perhaps, by some evil chance, have discovered the +Baroness's criminality, and this by traces more certain and unambiguous +than those which have occurred to me. Therefore, reverend sir, I must +finally recommend also the Baron to your spiritual care and attention."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + + +<p>With these words Reinhold closed his long narrative, which had, +meanwhile, in a hundred different ways, tormented me. The most +extraordinary and irreconcilable contradictions laboured, crossing and +re-crossing each other, through my brain.</p> + +<p>My very identity, my individuality, was cruelly become the game—the +mere plaything, of chance, while as it were, losing myself, and melting +away into forms and features not my own, I swam, without hold or stay, +upon that wild sea of events, which broke in upon me like raging waves.</p> + +<p>I had, indeed, virtually lost myself, for I could no longer recover any +power of voluntary action. It was through the interference of my arm +that Victorin had been hurled into the abyss; but it was chance, and no +impulse of volition, by which I was guided on that occasion. "Now," +said I to myself, "I come into his place; but then Reinhold knows Father +Medardus, the preacher in the Capuchin Convent, and thus in his +estimation I appear only that which I truly am. On the other hand, the +adventure with the Baroness, which the Count had in contemplation, falls +upon my shoulders, so that in this respect I become again Victorin! To +myself an inexplicable riddle, thought becomes a mere chaos. Like the +fabulous knight, who fought with his DOUBLE in the dark forest, I am at +variance, and combating with myself."</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding these internal commotions, I succeeded in counterfeiting +tolerably well such composure as is becoming to a priest; and in this +mood I came for the first time into the presence of the Baron.</p> + +<p>I found him a man advanced in years; but in his now shrunk features, lay +yet the evidences of the strength and vivacity which he had once +possessed. Not age, indeed, but grief, had ploughed wrinkles in his +forehead, and blanched his hair. Notwithstanding this, there prevailed +in all that he said, and in his whole behaviour, a cheerfulness and +good humour, by which every one must be attracted, and prepossessed in +his favour.</p> + +<p>When the old steward presented me to him as the monk, whose intended +arrival had been noticed by the Baroness, his looks, at first rather +doubtful and suspicious, became always more friendly, as, in the +meanwhile, Reinhold related how he had heard me preach in the Capuchin +Convent of Königswald, and had there convinced himself of my +extraordinary gifts of piety and eloquence.</p> + +<p>"I know not, my dear Reinhold," said the Baron, "how, or for what +reason, the features of this reverend gentleman interest me so much at +our first meeting. They certainly awake some remembrance, which yet +struggles in vain to come clearly and fully into light."</p> + +<p>It seemed to me, as if he would, in that very moment, break out with the +name "Count Victorin!"—In truth, however miraculous it may appear, I +had now become actually persuaded that I was the Count; and thereby +(aided perhaps by the wine at breakfast, not to speak of the draught +from the basket bottle,) I felt the circulation of the blood more +powerfully in every vein, and colouring my cheeks with a deeper crimson.</p> + +<p>I depended, however, upon Reinhold, who indeed knew me as Brother +Medardus, though this now appeared to myself a mere fiction! Nothing +could untie or unravel those intricate knots, by which the strange web +of my destiny was thus bound together.</p> + +<p>According to the Baron's wishes, I was immediately to make acquaintance +with Hermogen; but he was nowhere to be found. He had been seen +wandering towards the mountains; but the family were on that score quite +unconcerned, as he had frequently for days together absented himself in +that manner. Accordingly, through the whole afternoon, I remained in the +society of the Baron and Reinhold, and by degrees recollected myself so +completely, that towards evening I became quite calm, and courageous +enough to grapple with the wonderful events and difficulties which now +seemed to lie in wait for me.</p> + +<p>In the solitude of the night, I opened the Count's portfolio, and +convinced myself more particularly that it was Count Victorin who had +been hurled into the abyss; yet the letters addressed to him were but +of indifferent import, and not one of them gave me any very clear +insight as to his real circumstances and condition in life.</p> + +<p>Without, therefore, harassing my brain any farther about the matter, I +resolved to accommodate myself as skilfully as I could to whatever +course <i>chance</i> might point out for me; especially, it was requisite +that I should wait the issue of my first interview with the mysterious +Euphemia.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>On the very next day, the Baroness, with Aurelia, unexpectedly made her +appearance. I saw them alight from their carriage, and, received by the +Baron, entering the gates of the castle. Unnerved and disquieted, I +stepped restlessly up and down in my chamber, under a tempest of +extraordinary anticipations. This, however, did not continue long, ere I +was summoned down stairs.</p> + +<p>The Baroness came forward to meet me. She was an eminently beautiful +woman, still in the full bloom of her charms. There was in her +countenance and <i>tout ensemble</i> a voluptuous tranquillity, diversified +only by the restless gleam of her eyes, which were to an unparalleled +degree fiery and expressive.</p> + +<p>As soon as she beheld me she seemed involuntarily to start, and betrayed +extraordinary emotion. Her voice faltered, she could scarcely command +words.</p> + +<p>This visible embarrassment on her part gave me courage. I looked her +boldly in the face, and, in the conventual manner, gave her my blessing. +Hereupon she became all at once deadly pale, and was obliged to seat +herself on a sofa. Reinhold meanwhile looked on me as if quite +satisfied, and even with smiles of good humour.</p> + +<p>At that moment the door opened, and the Baron entered with Aurelia.</p> + +<p>As soon as I had set eyes on this girl, it seemed as if a gleam of light +from heaven flashed around me, and penetrated to my very heart, kindling +up mysterious and long-lost emotions—the most ardent longings—the +raptures of the most fervent love. All indeed that I had formerly felt +seemed only like obscure and shadowy indications of that which now +stepped forth at once into reality and life. Nay, life itself dawned for +the first time, glittering, variegated, and splendid before me, and all +that I had known before lay cold and dead, as if under the desolate +shadows of night.</p> + +<p>It was she herself—the same mysterious unknown whom I had beheld in the +vision of the confessional. The melancholy, pious, childlike expression +of the dark blue eyes—the delicately formed lips—the neck gently bent +down, as if in devout prayer—the tall, slender, yet voluptuous form; +all these—they belonged not to Aurelia—it was herself, the blessed St +Rosalia! Even the minutest particulars of dress—for example, the +sky-blue shawl, which the young Baroness had now thrown over her +shoulders, was precisely the same worn by the saint in the picture, and +by the unknown of my vision.</p> + +<p>What was now the luxuriant beauty of Euphemia compared with the divine +charms of this celestial visitant? Only <i>her, her</i> alone could I behold, +while all around was faded into coldness and obscurity.</p> + +<p>It was impossible that my inward emotion could escape the notice of the +by-standers.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with you, reverend sir?" said the Baron; "you seem +agitated in an extraordinary degree."—By these words I was directly +brought to myself, and I felt rising up within me a supernatural +power,—a courage till then unknown,—to encounter all obstacles, if +<i>she</i>—if <i>Aurelia</i> were to be the prize to reward me for the combat.</p> + +<p>"Rejoice, <i>Herr Baron</i>!" cried I, as if seized by a sudden fit of +inspiration—"rejoice, for a female saint is sent down from heaven among +us. The heavens, too, will soon be opened in cloudless serenity, and the +immaculate St Rosalia will diffuse blessings and consolation on the +devout souls who humbly and faithfully pay to her their homage and +adoration. Even now I hear the anthem,—the choral notes of glorified +spirits, who long for the society of the saint, and who, calling on her +in song, hover down from their resplendent thrones. I see her features, +beaming in the divine <i>halo</i> of beatification, lifted up towards the +seraphic choir, that are already visible to her eyes. <i>Sancta Rosalia, +ora pro nobis!</i>"</p> + +<p>Hereupon I fell on my knees, with mine eyes uplifted to heaven, my hands +folded in prayer, and all present mechanically followed my example. No +one ventured to question me any farther. This sudden ebullition was +imputed to some extraordinary inspiration, and the Baron gravely +resolved to have mass said at the altar of St Rosalia in the <i>residenz</i>.</p> + +<p>In this manner I had completely rescued myself from my present +embarrassment; and I was resolved from henceforward to venture all +things, for Aurelia was at stake, who was now far dearer to me than +life.</p> + +<p>The Baroness meanwhile appeared in a very strange and inexplicable mood. +Her looks followed me; but when I met them, quite composedly and +unconcerned, she averted her eyes, which then wandered about unsteadily +and wildly. As for Aurelia, I could only guess at her agitation; for she +had drawn down her veil, and gazed stedfastly on a cross which was hung +by a rosary from her neck. At last the family retired into another +chamber. I made use of the opportunity, and hastened down into the +garden, where, in a state of the wildest excitement, I rushed through +the walks, labouring with, and revolving a thousand resolutions, ideas, +and plans, for my future life in the castle.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Through this day I did not again meet Aurelia. It was already evening, +when Reinhold appeared, and said that the Baroness, who had been deeply +affected by my pious and inspired discourse of that morning, wished to +speak with me alone in her chamber.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>When I had entered the room, and had, by her directions, closed and +bolted the door, she advanced a few steps towards me, then taking me by +both arms, and looking fixedly in my face, "Is it possible?" said +she—"art thou Medardus, the Capuchin monk?—But the voice—the +figure—your eyes—your hair,—speak, or I shall perish in this torment +of suspense and apprehension!"</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Victorin!</span>" replied I, in a whisper; and again this word was not mine, +but suggested to me by some unknown and supernatural power;—then, to +my utter astonishment and consternation——</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">[There is a hiatus in the MS. at this place.]<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + + +<p>It was in my power, doubtless, to have fled from the castle, but in +doing so—in saving myself from new crimes—I must have fled also <i>from +Aurelia</i>. I had made the resolution (in which I was determined to +persevere) to venture all things for <i>her</i> sake, and especially for the +chance of renewing that conversation which the sanctity of the +confessional wholly prohibited.</p> + +<p>It was on her account, therefore, that I had now involved myself in +enormous guilt; but though conscious of this as the cause, I did not +escape the torments of remorse and the bitterest self-condemnation. A +kind of horror seized on me when I thought of meeting Aurelia again, +which, however, was very soon to happen, namely, at the supper-table. It +seemed as if her pious angelic looks would directly accuse me of mortal +sin, and as if, unmasked and detected, I should sink into utter +disgrace and annihilation. From similar reasons, also, I could not bear +to see the Baroness immediately after that interview, and all this +induced me, under the pretext of having my devotions to perform, to shut +myself up in my room, and remain there, when intimation was sent to me +that supper was ready.</p> + +<p>Only a few days, however, were required in order to banish all fear and +embarrassment. The outward behaviour of the Baroness was in the highest +degree guarded and amiable; and the more that, in my character of Count +Victorin, I acquired ascendancy over her, the more she seemed to +redouble her attention and affectionate solicitude for the Baron.</p> + +<p>She confessed to me, however, that she many times laboured under the +most fearful perplexity; that my <i>tonsure</i>, my long beard, and my +genuine conventual gait, (which last, however, I did not now keep up so +strictly as before,) had caused to her a thousand indefinable +apprehensions; nay, upon my sudden inspired invocation of St Rosalia, +she had become almost persuaded that some extraordinary fatality had +annihilated the plan which, along with Victorin, she had so admirably +laid, and had brought a miserable Capuchin monk into his place.</p> + +<p>She admired, however, the extent of my precautions in actually taking +the tonsure, in allowing my beard to grow, and in having studied my part +so exactly, that, even now, she was obliged often to look me sharply in +the face, to avoid falling again into painful doubts.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Meanwhile, Victorin's <i>chasseur</i>, disguised as a <i>bauer</i>, made his +appearance now and then at the end of the park, and I did not neglect to +speak with him privately, and admonish him to hold himself in readiness +for momentary flight, if any evil chance should render this necessary.</p> + +<p>As for the Baron and Reinhold, they seemed, on the whole, perfectly +satisfied, yet frequently troubled me with urgent suggestions that I +should direct the best energies of my mind to acquire an influence over +the deeply pensive and obstinate Hermogen.</p> + +<p>On the contrary, however, I had never been able to interchange with him +a single word, so sedulously did he avoid every opportunity of being +alone with me; and if by chance we met in the society of his father and +the steward, he looked upon me with an expression so marked and +extraordinary, that I had considerable difficulty in avoiding obvious +embarrassment. It seemed almost as if he could read my very soul, and +spy out my most secret thoughts; and as often as he was thus forced into +my presence, an unconquerable ill-humour, a malicious irony, and indeed +rage, with difficulty restrained, were visible on his pale features.</p> + +<p>It happened that once when I was taking a walk in the park, I perceived +him, quite unexpectedly, coming up to meet me. I held this for the +fittest possible moment to clear up the painful circumstances in which I +was placed with regard to him; and accordingly, when, as usual, he +wished to escape, I ventured to take him by the arm, and my old talent +of eloquence enabled me now to speak so impressively, and with so much +energy, that at last he could not help being attentive, and shewed, as I +thought, some favourable symptoms of emotion.</p> + +<p>We had seated ourselves on a stone bench at the end of a walk which led +towards the castle. In discourse, my inspiration, as usual, increased. +I maintained, that it was in the highest degree sinful for a man, thus +devoured by inward grief, to despise the consolation and assistance of +the church, which can raise up the fallen, and might enable him to +fulfil all purposes and duties of this life, which, by the goodness of +the Supreme Power, were yet held invitingly before him.</p> + +<p>I insisted, that even the most depraved criminal need not doubt of the +grace and favour of Heaven, and that the indulgence of such doubts might +alone deprive him of the temporal happiness, and salvation hereafter, +which he would otherwise obtain. At last I demanded that he should +directly unload his conscience by confessing to me, promising him, at +the same time, on the usual conditions of contrition, penance, and +amendment, absolution for every sin that he might have committed.</p> + +<p>Hereupon he rose up. His frame seemed to heave and dilate with +indignation;—his brows were contracted—his eyes glared—a burning red +flew at once over his before pale countenance.</p> + +<p>"Art thou," cried he, with a voice, by the depth and wildness of whose +tones I was involuntarily agitated,—"art thou then thyself free from +sin, that thou venturest, like the most pure—nay, like the Divinity +whom thou blasphemest, to look into the secrets of my bosom?—Thou, +forsooth, would'st promise me forgiveness—thou, who for thyself wilt +vainly strive for pardon, and against whom the regions of the blest are +for ever closed!—Miserable hypocrite! soon will the hour of retribution +be at hand, and trodden into the dust like a poisonous reptile, shalt +thou writhe in misery and death, struggling in vain for aid and release +from thy nameless torment, till thou perishest in madness and despair!"</p> + +<p>Hereupon he turned round, and quickly disappeared. I had no power to +detain him—I was, indeed, utterly crushed and annihilated. All my +composure and courage had fled, and I saw no means by which confidence +and safety could again be recovered.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>At length I observed the Baroness coming out of the castle, dressed as +if for a walk. With her only, in this difficulty, could I hope to find +assistance or consolation. I hastened, therefore, to meet her.</p> + +<p>At first she seemed terrified at my disordered appearance—inquired +after the cause of it; and I described to her the whole scene which I +had just now encountered with the insane Hermogen, expressing also my +terror and apprehension, lest he might, perhaps, by some inexplicable +chance, have got possession of, and might betray, our secret +intercourse.</p> + +<p>By all this Euphemia did not appear in the least moved. On the contrary, +she smiled with an expression of irony and malice so extraordinary, that +I was seized with involuntary horror.</p> + +<p>"Let us go deeper into the park," said she, "for here we might be +observed, and it might be deemed mysterious if the reverend Father +Medardus were to speak to me with such vehemence."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">[A few sentences are here left out by the Editor.]<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Be composed then, Victorin," said Euphemia; "you may make yourself +perfectly tranquil as to all this, which has brought you into such fear +and trouble. Indeed, it is on the whole fortunate, that this adventure +has happened with Hermogen; for I have thus an opportunity of speaking +to you on many things of which I had too long been silent.</p> + +<p>"You must confess, that I wield a strange kind of intellectual supremacy +over all those by whom I am in this life surrounded; and to possess and +exercise this privilege, is, I believe, much more easy for a woman than +for a man. Not only, however, must we for this purpose enjoy that +superiority of personal beauty which Nature has granted to us, but also +many peculiar attributes of mind. Above all, the individual, who, in +such undertakings, expects to succeed, must possess the power of +stepping, as it were, out of herself,—of contemplating her <i>own +individuality</i> from an external point, (that is to say, as it is beheld +by others;) for our own identity, when viewed in this manner, serves +like an obedient implement—a passive means of obtaining whatever object +we have proposed to ourselves, as the highest and most desirable in +life.</p> + +<p>"Can there be anything more admirable than an existence which rules over +that of others, so that we may exert perfect empire over the insipid +beings—the phantom shapes, by which we are here surrounded, and command +them, as if by magic spells, to minister to our enjoyments?</p> + +<p>"You, Victorin, belong to the few who have hitherto understood me. You +had also acquired this power of looking, as if with others' eyes, upon +yourself; and I have therefore judged you not unworthy to be raised as +my partner on the throne of this intellectual kingdom. The mystery which +we were obliged to keep up, heightened the charm of this union; our +apparent separation only gave wider scope for our fantastic humour, +which played with and scorned the conventional laws of ordinary life.</p> + +<p>"Do not our present meetings constitute the boldest piece of adventure, +that spirits, mocking at all conventional limitations, ever dared to +encounter? Even in this new character which you have assumed, the +metamorphosis depends not on your dress merely. It seems, also, as if +the mind, accommodating itself to the ruling principle, worked outwardly +in such a manner, that even the bodily form becomes plastic and +obedient, moulding itself in turns, according to that plan and +destination which the higher powers of volition had conceived and laid +down.</p> + +<p>"How completely I myself despise all ordinary rules, you, Victorin, are +already aware. The Baron has now become, in my estimation, a disgusting, +worn-out implement, which, having been used for my past purposes, lies +dead, like a run-down piece of clock-work, before me—Reinhold is too +contemptible and narrow-minded to be worthy of a thought—Aurelia is a +good, pious, and simple-hearted child—We have nothing to do but with +Hermogen.</p> + +<p>"Already have I confessed to you, that the first time I saw this youth, +he made on me a wonderful and indelible impression; but of what +afterwards passed betwixt us, you have never yet been fully aware. I had +even looked on him as capable of entering into those lofty schemes, into +that higher sphere of enjoyment, which I could have opened for him; but +for once, I was completely deceived. There existed within him some +principle inimical and hostile towards me, which manifested itself in +perpetual contradiction to my plans—nay, the very spells by which I +fettered others, had on him an effect quite opposite and repelling. He +remained always cold, darkly reserved, or, at best, utterly indifferent, +till at last my resentment was roused; I determined on revenge, but, +above all, I resolved that my former power should not be thus meanly +baffled and subdued, and that his indifference should sooner or later be +fearfully overcome.</p> + +<p>"On this combat I had already decided, when the Baron happened to say, +that he had proposed for me a marriage with Hermogen, to which the +latter would by no means agree. Like a gleam of inspiration, the thought +at that moment rose within me, that I might myself, by a marriage with +the Baron, at once clear away those conventional limitations which had +hitherto at times disgustingly forced themselves in my way.</p> + +<p>"But as to that marriage, Victorin, I have already frequently spoken +with you. To your doubts, as to whether it could ever take place, I soon +opposed actual performance. In short, as you know, in the course of a +few days, I succeeded in transforming the grave old gentleman into a +silly tender lover. Nay, he was forced to look on those plans which +wholly originated from my agency, (and to which he scarcely dared to +give utterance,) as the offspring of his own foolish brain, and the +fulfilment of his own heartfelt wishes. Still, in the back ground, +concealed indeed, but not less deeply traced, lay the thoughts of my +revenge on Hermogen, which would now be more easy, and in execution far +more perfect.</p> + +<p>"If I knew less of your character, if I were not aware that you are +fully capable of entering into my views, I would no doubt hesitate to +inform you of what afterwards occurred.</p> + +<p>"I took various opportunities of attracting Hermogen's attention. When +in the <i>residenz</i>, I appeared gloomy and reserved—and afforded, in this +respect, a powerful contrast with himself, for he was then cheerful and +active in his own pursuits, and, to most people, frank and disengaged in +manner. The interval was long and tedious, however, before my designs +could be brought into execution.</p> + +<p>"During my last visit in town, my uncle's illness forbade all brilliant +assemblies, and I was obliged even to decline the visits of my nearest +acquaintance. Hermogen called upon me, perhaps only to fulfil the duty +which he owed to a step-mother. He found me sunk in the most gloomy +reflections; and when, astonished at this sudden revolution, he +anxiously inquired the cause, I confessed to him that the Baron's infirm +state of health, which he only with difficulty concealed, made me afraid +that I should soon lose him, which idea was to me terrible and +insupportable.</p> + +<p>"On hearing this, he was obviously affected; and when I went on to paint +to him, in the liveliest colours, the happiness of my domestic +circumstances with the Baron, entering into minute details of our mode +of life in the country—when, moreover, I spoke at greater length of the +Baron's admirable disposition, and represented his whole character in +the most glowing terms, so that it always appeared more and more how +deeply I honoured him, nay, how my very existence depended on +his,—then, obviously, Hermogen's astonishment and perplexity increased +to an even unexpected degree. He visibly struggled and contended with +himself, but I had already triumphed. The principle, whatever it was, +that lived within him, and had hitherto so hostilely acted against me, +was overcome—he had spoken with me alone, and was deeply moved—he had +beheld me in a new light—his indifference was subdued, and his +tranquillity lost. My triumph became the more certain, when, on the +following evening, he came again to visit me.</p> + +<p>"He found me alone, still more gloomy and more agitated than on the +preceding night. I spoke as before of the Baron, and of my inexpressible +longing to return to the country, and to see him again. Hermogen soon +lost all self-possession—he hung enraptured on my looks, and their +light fell like consuming fire into his heart.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"In a word, I succeeded. The consequences were more horrible than I had +supposed; yet on this account my victory was the more brilliant. The +dominion which I had now so unequivocally gained over Hermogen had +utterly broken his spirit. He fell, as you know, into madness, though +till now you were not aware of the exact reason of this.</p> + +<p>"It is a peculiar attribute of madmen, that they can often look more +deeply than others into the hearts of those by whom they are surrounded. +It seems as if their own minds, being free from rational control, stand +in nearer relationship with the spiritual world, and are more liable to +be excited sympathetically by the emotions of another. Thus oftentimes +they pronounce aloud our own thoughts, like a supernatural echo, whence +we are startled as if we heard the voice even of a second self.</p> + +<p>"On these principles, it may indeed have happened that Hermogen, +considering the peculiar footing on which we stand, has actually looked +through your disguise, and on this account is hostilely disposed toward +us; but as to any danger from him on this account, that is by no means +to be apprehended. Suppose even that he were to break out into open +enmity—should proclaim aloud, 'Trust not this cowled priest—he is not +what he seems!' yet who would look upon this as less or more than a +delirious phantasm of his malady, more especially as Reinhold has been +so good as to recognize in you the reverend Father Medardus?</p> + +<p>"In the meanwhile, however, it remains certain, that you cannot, as I +had hoped, gain a favourable influence over Hermogen. My revenge, +however, is fulfilled, and I now look upon him, even as I regard the +Baron, like a broken <i>marionette</i>—a worn-out plaything; become, at +last, so much the more tiresome, as he probably considers his meeting +with me here as an act of penitence, and, on this account, haunts and +persecutes me, as you must have observed, with his dead-alive, staring, +and spectral eyes.</p> + +<p>"In short, he must, in one way or another, be got rid of; and I thought, +by your acquiring an influence over him, he might have been confirmed in +his notions of going into a convent, and to have contrived, that the +Baron and Reinhold should be persuaded of the propriety of this design. +Hermogen, to say the truth, is to me, in the highest degree, +intolerable. His looks often agitate me, so that I can hardly command +myself; and, for certain, he must, by some means or other, be removed.</p> + +<p>"The only person before whom he appears quite in a different character, +is Aurelia. By means of that girl only, can you gain any influence over +Hermogen; for which reason, I shall take care that, for the future, you +may to her also obtain nearer access.</p> + +<p>"If you find a suitable opportunity, you may communicate to the Baron +and Reinhold, that Hermogen has disclosed to you, in confession, a +heavy crime, which, according to your religious vows, you are obliged to +conceal. But of this, more at another time: act for the best, and only +be stedfast and faithful. Let us reign together over this contemptible +world of puppets, which move around us only according to our sovereign +will and pleasure. This life must bestow on us its best enjoyments, +without forcing on our necks the yoke of its narrow and despicable +laws!"</p> + +<p>We now saw the Baron at a distance, and went towards him, as if occupied +in pious and edifying discourse.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + + +<p>There had been nothing wanting, perhaps, but this explanation from +Euphemia, to render me fully sensible of my own powers and advantages. I +was now placed in a situation from which all things appeared in wholly +new colours. As to Euphemia's boast of her mental energy and power over +the conduct of others, it only rendered her, in my estimation, worthy of +utter contempt. At the very moment when this miserable woman believed +that she sported in safety with all laws and regulations of this life, +she was in reality given up a helpless victim to that destiny, which my +hand might in a moment wield against her.</p> + +<p>It was, indeed, only by means of that spiritual influence and empire +lent to me by the powers of darkness, that she could have been led to +look on <i>that being</i> as a friend and trust-worthy companion, who, +wearing only for her destruction the countenance and figure of her +former lover, held her like a demon in his relentless grasp, so that +liberation and escape were for her no longer possible.</p> + +<p>Euphemia, under the dominion of this wretched illusion, became every +moment more despicable in my estimation, and the intercourse which I was +obliged to keep up with her, became so much the more disgusting, as +Aurelia's image had every day acquired more and more power over my +heart;—and it was for her sake only, that I had involved myself in +society and in crimes, from which I should otherwise have fled with +horror.</p> + +<p>I resolved, therefore, from henceforth, to exercise, in the fullest +extent, the powers that I now felt were given to me; to seize with mine +own hands, that enchanter's rod, of which Euphemia so vainly boasted the +possession; and with it, to describe the magic circle, in which the +beings around me should move only according to my sovereign wishes.</p> + +<p>The Baron and Reinhold were still void of all suspicions, and continued +to vie with each other in their endeavours to render my abode at the +castle as agreeable as possible. They had not the most distant +apprehensions of the circumstances in which I stood with regard to +Euphemia. On the contrary, the Baron frequently became eloquent in +expressions of gratitude, even assuring me in confidence, that by my +interference her affections had been completely restored to him; +whereupon I recollected Reinhold's notion, that the Baron, by some means +or other, had received intimation of his wife's former infidelity.</p> + +<p>Hermogen I now saw but very seldom. He visibly avoided me with fear and +trembling, which the Baron and Reinhold very kindly interpreted into +devoted awe and reverence for the sanctity and intuitive energy of my +character, of which he could not bear the scrutiny.</p> + +<p>Aurelia, too, appeared to avoid me as much as possible; and if, by +chance, I spoke with her, she was, like Hermogen, timid and embarrassed. +I had, therefore, no doubt that the latter had imparted to his sister +those apprehensions by which I had been so much alarmed; and yet it +seemed to me by no means impracticable to counteract their evil +influence.</p> + +<p>Probably by the instigation of the Baroness, who wished to bring me +nearer to Aurelia, in order that, through her, I might acquire an +ascendancy over Hermogen, the Baron requested, that I would give a +share of my time to the instruction of his daughter in the higher +mysteries of religion. Thus Euphemia herself unconsciously supplied me +with the means of arriving at that wished-for goal, which formed the +climax of all my most sanguine prospects, and which imagination had so +often painted in the most glowing colours.</p> + +<p>I shall pass rapidly over the rest of my adventures during my residence +in the Baron's castle, the impression of which remains like that of an +hideous dream, on which I have no desire to dwell longer than is +requisite to preserve connection in the narrative.</p> + +<p>For some days, indeed, I remained influenced, for the most part, by the +most sanguine hopes, which were yet constantly liable to disappointment. +I had hitherto seen Aurelia only at short intervals, and in the society +of others;—then, at every meeting, her beauty appeared more and more +heavenly; her voice breathed more exquisite music; and the passionate +impressions under which I laboured, were such, that I used, after these +interviews, to run forth, if possible, into the park—search out some +covert the wildest and most secluded, where I threw myself on the +ground, and gave up my whole soul to the delirium of love.</p> + +<p>At other times, I sought in meetings with the Baroness a temporary +refuge from agitations, with which I could scarcely contend. I formed a +thousand plans for leaving the castle, and of inducing Aurelia to be the +companion of my flight; but all were one by one renounced as hopeless.</p> + +<p><i>Now</i>, however, I was to meet her frequently—and <i>alone</i>. I summoned, +therefore, all my talents of eloquence and energies of mind, to clothe +my religious instructions in such language, that I might by this means +direct her affections to her instructor, until, overpowered by her own +feelings, she should at last throw herself into my arms.</p> + +<p>Instead, however, of succeeding in my designs against Aurelia, the only +consequence of my endeavours was to augment tenfold my own intolerable +disquietude. A thousand times did I say to myself, How is this possible? +Can Aurelia be the same Unknown—the visitant of the confessional? +Devoutly, with folded hands and downcast eyes, she listened to me; but +not one symptom of emotion, not the slightest sigh, betrayed any deeper +operation of my words. Even if I dropt obscure hints of our former +meeting, she remained unmoved.</p> + +<p>I was therefore, of necessity, brought back to the belief and +conviction, that the adventure of the confessional was but a dream. Yet +if so, what import could be attached to the supernatural liveliness of +that vision, except that it must have been an anticipation of what was +now to come—the promise of a higher power, that Aurelia—the living +realization of that phantom—was yet to be mine?</p> + +<p>Baffled, however, in all my attempts,—driven oftentimes to rage and +despondency,—I brooded over new plans; and while obliged to counterfeit +pleasure in the society of Euphemia, and feeling only hatred and +impatience, my looks and behaviour assumed a horrible expression, at +which she seemed involuntarily to tremble. Still, of the <i>real</i> mystery +concealed in my bosom, she had no suspicion, but gave way without a +struggle to that supremacy which I exerted over her, and which daily +continued to increase.</p> + +<p>Frequently the thought occurred to my mind, that, by assuming proper +courage, by one decisive step, however violent, I might put an end to +the torments of suspense under which I laboured,—that on my very next +meeting with Aurelia, I might cast off the mask, and renounce all +subterfuge and stratagem. I went to her more than once, <i>resolved</i> to +carry some plan of this kind into effect; but when I looked at Aurelia, +and beheld the calm piety, the energy of innocence in her seraphic +features, it seemed as if an angel stood by her, protecting her, and +bidding defiance to the power of the enemy. At such times, a cold +shuddering vibrated through my limbs, and my former resolutions were +completely broken.</p> + +<p>At last, the thought occurred to me of joining with her more frequently +in prayer.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">[One page is here left out by the Editor.]<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>I had no power to prevent this. I was crushed and annihilated, as if a +thunderbolt had struck me to the earth. She fled instantly to the next +room. The door opened, and there appeared—Hermogen! He stood glaring +upon me with the fixed, horrid look of the wildest insanity. Then, +recollecting that such persons are most likely to be tamed by cool, and +daring defiance, I collected all my strength, and went up to +him.—"Madman," cried I, with a deep commanding voice, "wherefore this +intrusion? What wouldst thou here?"</p> + +<p>In this plan, however, I was completely baffled. Hermogen stretched out +his right hand, and, in a hollow, frightful tone,—"I would contend with +thee," said he, "but I have no sword; and there is blood on thy face! +Thou art a murderer!"</p> + +<p>Thereupon he abruptly vanished, slamming the door violently behind him, +and left me alone, grinding my teeth with rage and despair. No one +appeared, however. It was evident that he had not spread any immediate +alarm, so that I had time to recover self-possession, and began, ere +long, to feel confident, that I should yet fall on means to avoid any +evil consequences of this error.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>[The monk here goes on to relate, that he remained yet several days in +the Baron's castle, during which he encountered many adventures, which +it is thought not advisable to transcribe. Indeed, perhaps the <i>whole</i> +of this section might have well been condensed, or given but in outline. +It is requisite to observe, that these adventures are wound up by the +death of the Baroness and of Hermogen; that of the former, by means of +poison, which she had prepared for Medardus; and of the latter, in +single combat with the monk, who, in self-defence, killed his +antagonist.]</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">[At this point the Editor recommences his transcription.]<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>When Hermogen fell, I ran in wild frenzy down stairs. Then I heard +shrilling voices through the castle, that cried aloud, "Murder! murder!"</p> + +<p>Lights hovered about here and there, and I heard hasty steps sounding +along the corridor and passages. Terror now utterly overpowered me, so +that, from exhaustion, I fell down on a remote private staircase. The +noise always became louder, and there was more and more light in the +castle. I heard too that the outcries came nearer and nearer—"Murder! +murder!" At last I distinguished the voices of the Baron and Reinhold, +who spoke violently with the servants. Whither now could I possibly fly? +Where conceal myself? Only a few moments before, when I had spoken, for +the last time, with the detestable Euphemia, it had seemed to me, as if, +with the deadly weapon in my hand, I could have boldly stepped forth, +and that no one would have dared to withstand me.</p> + +<p>Now, however, I contended in vain with my unconquerable fear. At last, I +found myself on the great staircase. The tumult had withdrawn itself to +the chambers of the Baroness, and there was an interval, therefore, of +comparative tranquillity. I roused myself accordingly; and, with three +vehement bounds, clinging by the staircase rail, I was arrived at the +ground-floor, and within a few steps of the outward gate.</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly, I heard a frightful piercing shriek, which reverberated +through the vaulted passages, and resembled that which I had observed +on the preceding night. "She is dead," said I to myself, in a hollow +voice; "she has worked her own destruction, by means of the poison that +she had prepared for me!"</p> + +<p>But now, once more, I heard new and fearful shrieks from the apartments +of the Baroness. It was the voice of Aurelia, screaming in terror, for +help; and, by this, my whole feelings were once more changed. Again the +reiterated cry of "Murder! murder!" sounded through the castle. The +footsteps approached nearer through a staircase leading downwards. They +were bearing, as I conceived, the dead body of Hermogen.</p> + +<p>"Haste, haste, after him!—seize the murderer!" These words were uttered +in the voice of Reinhold.</p> + +<p>Hereupon I broke out into a vehement and horrid laughter, so that my +voice echoed through the vaulted corridors, and I cried aloud, "Poor +insane wretches! would you strive to interfere with and arrest that +destiny, which inflicts only just and righteous punishment on the +guilty?"</p> + +<p>They stopped suddenly. They remained as if rooted to one spot on the +staircase. I wished no longer to fly. I thought rather of advancing +decidedly and boldly to meet them, and announcing the vengeance of God +in words of thunder on the wicked.</p> + +<p>But, oh horrible sight! at that moment arose, and stood bodily before +me, the hideous blood-stained and distorted figure of Victorin! +Methought it was not <i>I</i>, but <i>he</i>, that had spoken the words in which I +thought to triumph! At the first glance of this apparition, (whether +real or imaginary,) my hair stood on end with horror.</p> + +<p>I thought no longer of resistance, but of flight. I rushed through the +gates of the castle, and fled in delirious terror away through the +well-known walks of the park.</p> + +<p>I was soon in the free, open country; but I had intuitively chosen the +road towards the village where Victorin's chasseur had been stationed. +Yet I thought not of this. It was instinct only, or chance, that had +guided me thither.</p> + +<p>I heard behind me the trampling of horses, and summoned up my whole +strength to avoid the pursuit which, of course, awaited me. My speed, +however, would have availed little; for, though the moon was up, yet +dark shadows crossed over my path. At last I fell against the root of a +tree, almost fainting and insensible, to the ground.</p> + +<p>Soon after, the horses that I had heard came up to me, and halted. +Fortunately, my pursuer retained his senses, though I had lost mine. It +was Victorin's chasseur.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, my lord," said he, "what has happened in the castle! +There is a cry of murder. Already the whole village is in an uproar."</p> + +<p>To this I made him no answer; indeed I was unable to speak.</p> + +<p>"Well, whatever the truth may be," continued he, "some good genius has +put it into my head to pack up, and to ride hither from the village. +Everything is in the small portmanteau on your horse, my lord; for, of +course, we shall have to separate for some time. Something dangerous +must have happened. Is it not so?"</p> + +<p>I raised myself up without a word, and not without great difficulty +mounting my horse, I directed the chasseur to return to the village, and +there to await my farther commands. As soon as he had disappeared amid +the darkness, finding that to ride was disagreeable, I dismounted, and +carefully led my horse through the thickets of the pine-tree forest, +which now wildly spread itself out before me.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + + +<p>When the first gleams of the morning sun broke through the dense wood, I +found myself on the borders of a clear rivulet, rapidly flowing over a +bright bed of pebbles. The horse, which I had laboriously led through +the thicket, stood quietly beside me; and I had nothing better to do, +than to search into the contents of the portmanteau, with which he was +loaded. Accordingly, having found the keys in the portefeuille, I +unlocked the small military equipage, and discovered suits of clothes, +linen, &c., and, what was of most importance, a purse well filled with +ducats and <i>Frederichs d'or</i>.</p> + +<p>I resolved immediately to change my dress, and disguise as much as +possible my appearance. With the help of scissars and a comb, which I +found in a dressing-case, I cut off my beard, and brought my head of +hair, as well as I could, into order. I then threw off my monk's habit, +in which I still found the fatal stiletto, Victorin's letters, and the +basket-bottle, with the remainder of the Devil's Elixir.</p> + +<p>In a short time I stood there in a lay dress, which fitted well enough, +and with a travelling-cap upon my head; so that when I saw my reflection +in the rivulet, I could scarcely recognize myself. Soon afterwards, +having packed up the portmanteau, and resumed my journey, I came to the +outskirts of the wood, and a smoke, which I saw rising before me, +accompanied by the clear sound of a bell, gave me to understand that +there was a town or hamlet at no great distance. Scarcely had I reached +the summit of a rising ground opposite, when a pleasant well-cultivated +valley expanded itself before me, in which there was a large flourishing +village.</p> + +<p>I struck, forthwith, into the broad carriage-road which wound thither, +and as soon as the declivity became less steep, mounted my horse, that I +might accustom myself as much as possible to riding, in which I had +hitherto had no practice whatever.</p> + +<p>My character seemed to have changed with my dress. As for my capuchin +robes, I had thrown them into the hollow of a decayed tree, and with +them had dismissed and banished from my thoughts all the hideous +adventures in the castle. I found myself once more spirited and +courageous. It now seemed to me that the horrid phantom of Victorin had +been only a vision of my own fevered brain, but that my last address to +the inhabitants of the castle had indeed been an effect of divine +inspiration. It seemed as if I had thus unconsciously wound up and +completed the purposes of that mysterious destiny which led me to the +Baron's house, and that, like the agent of Omnipotent Providence, I had +stepped in, inflicting just vengeance on the guilty.</p> + +<p>Only the delightful image of Aurelia lived, as before, unchanged in my +remembrance; and I could not think on my thus inevitable separation from +her, without extreme pain and affliction. Yet oftentimes it appeared to +me, as if, perhaps in some far distant land, I should yet behold her +again,—nay, as if borne away by irresistible impulse, she must, at one +period or another, become mine.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>I observed that the people whom I met on the road, invariably stood +still to look and gaze after me, so that there must have been something +quite unusual and unaccountable in my appearance. I was not interrupted, +however, but arrived in due time at the village. It was of considerable +extent, badly paved, and composed of poor ill-furnished houses, many of +which were more like animated monsters, like gigantic visages mounted on +claw feet, after the distorted imagination of Teniers, than dwellings to +reside in. The soil on which they stood was damp, therefore most of them +were raised on wooden posts, as if on legs, from the ground. The roofs, +moreover, had sky-lights like protruding eyes, while the door, with its +staircase, might be compared to mouth and chin, and the windows would, +in a drawing, have served for cheek-bones. It was a grotesque town; a +spot such as can only be found in the retired inland parts of Germany, +where trade exists not, husbandry is but indifferent, and where the +post-roads are not much frequented.</p> + +<p>It was not difficult, therefore, in such a place, to find out the best +inn, (where there was but one.) When I pulled up the reins at the door, +the landlord, a heavy fat man, with a green glazed night-cap on his +head, was so completely confounded by my looks, that he was evidently +struck speechless. He said nothing, but stared as if half petrified by +his own apprehensions, or occasionally twisted his mouth into an +ironical grin.</p> + +<p>Without attending to these symptoms, I desired that my horse should be +put carefully into the stable, and ordered breakfast for myself. I was +shewn into the public room, where there were several tables, and while I +was engaged over a warm ragout, and a bottle of wine, there were +gradually a large company of <i>bauers</i> collecting around me, that looked +occasionally as if half afraid, casting significant glances, and +whispering with each other.</p> + +<p>The party became always more and more numerous. Evidently not being +restrained by the laws of good breeding, they at last formed a regular +circle, and stared at me in stupid astonishment. All the while, I +endeavoured to preserve the most perfect composure; and when I had +finished the ragout and bottle of <i>vin ordinaire</i>, I called in a loud +tone for the landlord, desiring him to "saddle my horse, and replace my +portmanteau."</p> + +<p>He came accordingly, and retired with a significant grin upon his +visage. Soon afterwards he returned, in company with a tall +formal-looking man, who, with a stern official air, and a truly +ridiculous gravity, stepped up to me. He looked me directly in the face. +I boldly answered his looks, rose up also, and placed myself right +before him. This seemed in a considerable degree to disturb his +composure, and he looked round rather confusedly on the numerous +assemblage.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir," said I, "what's the matter?—You seem to have something +particular to say to me, and I shall be obliged by your getting through +with it as quickly as possible."</p> + +<p>After divers hums and ha's, he then began to speak, endeavouring to give +to every word and tone prodigious importance.</p> + +<p>"Sir," said he, "you cannot go from this place without rendering an +account to us, the Judge, circumstantially, who you are, according to +all particulars, as to birth, rank, and dignity; <i>item</i>, whence you +came; <i>item</i>, whither you intend to go, with all particulars; <i>item</i>, +the situation of place, the name of province and town, and whatever is +farther requisite to be known and observed. And besides all this, you +must exhibit to us, the Judge, a pass, written and subscribed, and +sealed, according to all particulars, as is legal and customary."</p> + +<p>I had indeed never once recollected that it would be necessary for me to +assume some name or another; and still less had I reflected that the +peculiarities of my appearance, so unsuitable to my remains of monastic +mien and gesture, and even my extraordinary beard and tonsure, would +bring me every moment under the embarrassment of questions and +misunderstandings.</p> + +<p>The demands of the village Judge, therefore, came upon me so +unexpectedly, that I considered for some moments in vain, how I should +give him a satisfactory answer.</p> + +<p>I resolved, in the first place, to try what decisive boldness would do, +and pronounced in a firm voice,—"Who I am, I have reason to conceal; +and therefore you will ask in vain for my pass. Besides, I recommend it +to you to beware how, with your contemptible circumlocutions, you +detain, even for a moment, a person of rank and consequence."</p> + +<p>"Ho, ho!" cried the village Judge, taking out a great snuff-box, into +which, as he helped himself, the hands of no less than five bailiffs +behind him were thrust at once, delving out enormous pinches—"Ho, ho! +not so rough, if you please, most worshipful sir. Your excellency must +be pleased to submit to the examination of us, the Judge; for, in a +word, there have been some very suspicious figures seen here for some +time, wandering among the mountains, that look out and vanish again as +if the very devil were among us. But we know that these are neither more +nor less than cursed vagabonds and thieves, who lie in wait for +travellers, committing all sorts of enormities by fire and sword. Now, +your appearance, sir, with reverence be it spoken, is exactly that of a +portrait which has been sent to us by government, of a most notorious +robber and bandit, according to all particulars. So, without any more +circumlocutions, or needless discourse, your pass, or you go directly to +the tower."</p> + +<p>I saw that nothing was to be gained over the man in this way, and +prepared myself therefore for a new attempt.</p> + +<p>"Mr Judge," said I, "if you would grant me the favour of speaking to you +alone, I should easily clear up all your doubts; and in full reliance on +your prudence, would reveal to you the cause of my present strange +appearance, which seems to you so formidable. There is indeed a +mystery—"</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" replied the Judge, "mysteries to be revealed! I see already +how this business is to conclude. Only get away with you there, good +people. Watch the doors and windows, and see that nobody gets in or +out."</p> + +<p>Accordingly we were left alone.</p> + +<p>"Mr Judge," said I, "you behold in me an unhappy fugitive, who has +succeeded in escaping from a shameful imprisonment, and from the danger +of being immured for ever within the walls of a convent. Excuse me for +not entering more into particulars of my history, which would only be +unravelling a web of the private quarrels and animosities of a +revengeful family. A love affair with a girl of low rank was the cause +of my misfortune. During my long confinement my beard had grown, and +they had also forced me, as you may perceive, to take the tonsure; +besides all which, I was, of course, obliged to assume the habit of a +monk. It was for the first time here, in the neighbouring forest, that I +ventured to stop and change my dress, as I should otherwise have been +overtaken in my flight.</p> + +<p>"You now perceive whence proceeds that peculiarity in my looks and +dress, which appeared so suspicious. You may be convinced, also, that I +cannot shew you any pass; but of the truth of my assertions I have here +certain illustrations, which I hope will be satisfactory."</p> + +<p>With these words I drew out my purse, and laid three glittering ducats +on the table; whereupon the assumed gravity of the Judge was +involuntarily twisted into smirks and smiles.</p> + +<p>"Your proofs, sir," said he, "are sufficiently clear and striking; but +don't take it amiss, your excellency, if I remark, that there is yet +wanting a certain equality and consistency, according to all +particulars. If you wish that I should take the unright for the right, +the irregular for the regular, your proofs, at least, must be equally +proportioned."</p> + +<p>I perfectly understood the rascal, and directly laid another ducat on +the table. "Now," said the Judge, "I perceive, indeed, that I had done +you injustice by my suspicions. Travel on, sir, in God's name; but +observe (as you are probably well accustomed) to avoid, as much as +possible, the high roads, till you get rid of your present peculiarity +of appearance."</p> + +<p>He then opened the door as wide as he could, and called aloud to the +people, "The gentleman here is a man of rank and quality, according to +all particulars. He has satisfied us the Judge, in a private audience, +that he travels <i>incognito</i>, that is to say, unknown; and that you, good +people, have with this nothing to do.—Now, sir, <i>bon voyage</i>!"</p> + +<p>Accordingly, my horse was brought from the stable, and as I essayed to +mount, the <i>bauers</i>, in respectful silence, took off their caps. I +wished to get away from them, and to ride as quickly as possible through +the gate; but to my extreme confusion, my horse was restive, and began +to snort and rear, while my utter ignorance and want of practice in +riding rendered it quite impossible for me to bring him forward. Indeed, +I soon lost all self-possession; for he wheeled round in circles, till +at last, amid the loud laughter of the peasants, I was thrown off into +the arms of the innkeeper and the Judge.</p> + +<p>"That is a devil of a horse, sir," said the Judge, with a suppressed +grin.</p> + +<p>"A devil of a horse, indeed!" answered I, beating the dust from my +clothes, for I had slipped through their arms to the ground.</p> + +<p>They now joined in assisting me once more to mount; but, for the second +time, the horse behaved just as before, snorting and foaming; in short, +would by no means be brought through the gate.</p> + +<p>At last an old man among the crowd cried out, "See, there! see, there! +the old witch <i>Elise</i> is sitting at the gate, and won't let the +gentleman pass, because he has not given her <i>groschen</i>."</p> + +<p>For the first time now I perceived an old beggar sitting, coiled up like +a ball, in a corner by the gate, and with the grin of idiotcy on her +features.</p> + +<p>"Will the d—d witch not get out of the way?" cried the Judge.</p> + +<p>Hereupon the old woman croaked out, "The bloody brother—the bloody +brother has given me no groschen!—Do you not see the dead man there +lying before him?—The murderer cannot get over him, for the dead man +raises himself up; but I will crush him down, if the bloody brother will +give me a groschen!"</p> + +<p>The Judge had taken the horse by the rein, and, not minding the old +woman, would have led it through the gate. In vain, however, were all +his endeavours; and the witch continued to cry without ceasing, "Bloody +brother, bloody brother—give me groschen!"</p> + +<p>At last I forced my hand into my pocket, and threw her money. Shouting +and rejoicing, she then started up—"See the groschen!" cried she, "see +the groschen that the murderer has given me—see the beautiful +groschen!"</p> + +<p>Meanwhile my horse neighed aloud; and on the Judge's letting him go, +went curvetting and caprioling through the gate. "Now, sir," said he, +"the riding goes on fine and admirably, according to all particulars!"</p> + +<p>The <i>bauers</i>, who had followed me through the gate, laughed again out of +all measure, when they beheld me dancing up and down to the powerful +movements of my too lively horse, and cried aloud, "See only, see +only—he rides like a Capuchin!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + + +<p>This whole adventure in the village, especially the disgusting and +strange words of the mad-woman, had not a little discomposed me. The +best rule which I could now adopt, was of course to get rid as soon as +possible of every remarkable trait in my outward appearance, and to +assume some name or other, under which I might appear unobserved and +unsuspected in the world.</p> + +<p>Life now lay before me, as if beneath the dark clouds of impenetrable +mystery. What was it possible for me to do, but to give myself up to the +current of that stream which bore me irresistibly onward? All bonds by +which I was formerly connected with certain duties or situations in the +world were now broken and dissevered,—so that I could find no hold or +stay by which to pilot my course.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The high road became always more lively and populous. I met carriages +and horsemen, as well as foot passengers. The country was more +cultivated, and the hedge-rows were planted with orchard-trees, some of +which were yet loaded with the later fruits of autumn. In short, +everything already announced, from a distance, the existence of the rich +and flourishing commercial town to which I was now drawing near.</p> + +<p>In due time it lay visibly before me. Without being questioned, nay, +without even being rudely stared at, I rode at once into the suburbs.</p> + +<p>A large house, with bright plate-glass windows, over the door of which +there was a golden lion, immediately struck my attention. Crowds of +people were here streaming in and out at the gate—carriages arrived and +departed, while from the rooms on the ground-floor I heard the jovial +sounds of laughter and the ringing of glasses.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had I pulled up the reins, being yet undecided, when the +<i>hausknecht</i> officiously sprung out, took my horse by the bridle, and on +my dismounting, led him, without asking any questions, to the stable.</p> + +<p>The head waiter, smartly dressed, came bustling and rattling, with his +bunch of keys at his girdle, and walked before me up stairs. When we +came into the second story, he looked at me with a flitting glance of +inquiry, and then led me up an <i>etage</i> higher, where he shewed me a +chamber of moderate dimensions; then politely asked "if I had any +commands;" said that "dinner would be ready at two o'clock, in the great +hall, No. 10." &c. &c.</p> + +<p>"Bring me a bottle of wine," said I. These were indeed the first words +which the officious assiduity of these people had left me an opportunity +to interpose.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had the waiter left me alone, when there was a knocking at the +door, and a face looked in, which at once reminded me of the +representations that are seen in allegorical pictures, of a comic mask. +A pointed red nose—a pair of small glistening eyes—lips drawn upwards +into an exquisite grin—a long chin—and, above all this, a high +powdered toupée, which, as I afterwards perceived, declined backwards +most unexpectedly into a <i>Titus</i>;—for his dress, a large ostentatious +frill, a fiery-red waistcoat, under which protruded two massy +watch-chains—pantaloons—a frock-coat, which in some places was too +narrow, in others too wide; of course did not fit anywhere!—Such was +the figure that now stepped into the room, retaining all the way the +same angle of obeisance which he had assumed at his first entrance, and +talking all the time. "I am the <i>frizeur</i> of this house," said he; "and +beg leave, with the greatest respect, and in the most immeasurable +degree, to offer my services!"</p> + +<p>There was about this little shrivelled wretch an air and character so +irresistibly comical, that I could hardly suppress laughter. His visit, +however, was now very <i>apropos</i>; and accordingly I told him that my hair +had been both neglected, in the course of a long journey, and spoiled by +bad cutting. I therefore desired to know, whether he could bring my head +into proper order.</p> + +<p>He looked at me accordingly with the significant eyes of an artist and +<i>connoisseur</i>, laid his right hand with an elegant and <i>gracioso</i> bend +on his breast, and said—</p> + +<p>"Bring into order, forsooth! Oh, heavens! Pietro Belcampo, thou whom +malignant enviers and traducers have chosen to call Peter Fairfield, +even as that divine military fifer and hornist, Giacomo Punto, was +called Jack Stitch,—thou, like him, art in truth calumniated and +misunderstood. But, indeed, hast thou not thyself placed thy light +under a bushel, instead of letting it shine before the world? And yet, +should not even the formation of this hand and fingers, the brightness +of genius which beams from these eyes, and colours the nose in passing +with a beautiful morning red; in short, should not thy <i>tout ensemble</i> +betray to the first glance of the connoisseur, that there dwells within +thee that spirit which strives after the <i>ideal</i>? 'Bring into +order!'—These are indeed cold words, sir!"</p> + +<p>I begged the strange little man not to put himself into such a flutter, +as I had the fullest reliance on his skill and cleverness.</p> + +<p>"Cleverness!" resumed he with great fervour; "what is cleverness? Who +was clever? He who took the measure at five eye-lengths, and then +jumping thirty yards, tumbled into the ditch? He who could throw the +grain of linseed at thirty steps distance through the eye of a needle? +He who hung five hundred weight on the point of his sword, and then +balanced it on his nose for six hours, six minutes, six seconds, and a +half?—Ha! what is cleverness? Be it what it may, it is foreign to +Belcampo, whose whole soul is imbued by art, sacred art.</p> + +<p>"<i>Art</i>, sir, <i>art</i>! My fancy revels in the wonderful formation, the +<i>creation</i> of locks—in that moulding of character, which indeed the +breath of a zephyr in wiry curls builds and annihilates. There, art (or +science, as it may, for variety's sake, be called) conceives, developes, +labours, and originates! In this, sir, there is indeed something truly +divine; for art is not properly that of which men, under this name, +speak so much, but rather springs out of all to which this name has been +given.</p> + +<p>"You understand me, sir; for I perceive that you have a meditative head, +as I conclude from that lock which hangs over your excellency's right +temple."</p> + +<p>I assured him (however falsely) that I completely understood him; and +being diverted with the man's originality of humour, I resolved that, +holding his boasted science in due respect, I would by no means +interrupt his eloquence, however diffuse.</p> + +<p>"What then," said I, "do you intend to make of this confused head of +mine?"</p> + +<p>"All, everything that you please or wish," said the man. "If, however, +it may be allowed to Pietro Belcampo to give counsel, then let me first +contemplate your excellency's head, in its proper length, breadth, and +circumference—your whole figure, too, your mien, your gait, your play +of gesture; then I shall be able finally to say whether you belong +properly to the antique or romantic, the heroic or pastoral, the +<i>grandios</i> or <i>ordinaire</i>, the <i>naive</i> or <i>satyric</i>, the humorous or +severe; then, accordingly, I shall call up the spirits of Caracalla, of +Titus, of Charlemagne, of <i>Henri Quatre</i>, of Gustave Adolph, of Virgil, +of Tasso, or Boccaccio!</p> + +<p>"Inspired by them, the muscles of my fingers will vibrate and quiver, +and under the sonorous twittering of the scissars, will proceed the +masterpiece of art! I shall be the man, sir, who will perfect your +leading characteristic, as it should exhibit itself in real life. But +now, let me beg of you, sir, to step up and down through the room. I +shall meanwhile contemplate, remark, and record. Let me beg of you, +sir!"</p> + +<p>I must, of course, accommodate myself to the strange man, therefore did +as I was desired, walking up and down the room, endeavouring at the same +time to conceal, as much as I could, my inclination to the monastic +gait, which, however, it is almost impossible for one by whom it has +been thoroughly learned, even after many years, wholly to conquer.</p> + +<p>The little man contemplated me with great attention, then began to trip +about the room. He sighed and shrugged, even panted and sobbed, then +drew out his handkerchief, and wiped the drops from his forehead; at +last he stood still, and I inquired "if he was yet resolved how he +should operate?" Then, with a deep sigh, he broke out—"Alas, sir! what +is the meaning of all this? You have not resigned yourself to your +natural character. There was constraint in every movement—a conflict of +contending principles. Yet, a few more steps, sir."</p> + +<p>Hereupon I absolutely refused to set myself up for show any longer in +that manner, and told him plainly, that if he could not <i>now</i> resolve +what to make of my hair, I must refuse altogether to have anything to do +with him or his art.</p> + +<p>"Bury thyself, Pietro!" cried the little man, with great fervour; "go to +the grave, for in this world thou art wholly and utterly misunderstood. +Here is no confidence, no truth any more to be found!</p> + +<p>"Yet, sir, you shall be compelled to acknowledge the depth of my +perceptions, and do honour to my genius. In vain did I labour to +amalgamate together all the contradictions and conflicts in your +character and gestures. In the latter there is something that directly +points at monachism. '<i>Ex profundis clamavi ad te, Domine. Oremus. Et in +omnia secula seculorum!</i>'"</p> + +<p>With bitter scorn and mockery the man pronounced these words from the +Ritual, in a hoarse croaking voice, imitating, at the same time, to the +very life, the postures and gesture of a monk. He turned himself as if +before the altar, he kneeled, and rose again. At last he stopped, drew +himself up, and assumed a proud look of defiance, stared widely, and +cried, "<span class="smcap">Mine</span> is the world! I am more wealthy, more wise, prudent, and +intelligent, than all of ye, ye blind moles! Bend, then, and kneel down +before me, in humble submission!</p> + +<p>"Look you, sir, that which I have mentioned forms the chief attribute +and ingredient in your appearance; and, with your permission, I shall, +contemplating your features, your figure, and moods of mind, blend +together something of Caracalla, Abelard, and Boccaccio; and proceeding +on the idea thus gained, shall, like an inspired sculptor, begin the +glorious creation of antique, ethereal, classic locks and curls!"</p> + +<p>Imperfect and ridiculous as the man's <i>expressions</i> were, yet there was +so much home <i>truth</i> in his remarks, that I judged it best to conceal +nothing from him; I therefore confessed that I had indeed been a monk, +and had received the <i>tonsure</i>, which, for certain reasons, I now wished +as much as possible to keep unobserved.</p> + +<p>With the most absurd writhing, twisting, grimaces, and extravagant +discourse, the man at last proceeded with his operations on my hair. Now +he looked cross and gloomy—now smiled—anon stamped and clenched his +fist—then smiled again and stood on tiptoe; in short, it became +impossible for me to refrain from laughing, in which I at last indulged +very heartily.</p> + +<p>After about an hour's work, he had finished, and before he could break +afresh into words, which were already on the tip of his tongue, I begged +him immediately to go and send up some one who, as a barber, might +exhibit the same skill that he had done as a <i>frizeur</i>.</p> + +<p>With a significant grin, he stepped to the door on tiptoe, shut and +bolted it, then tripped back into the middle of the room, and +began—"Oh, golden age! where still the hair of the head and of the +beard, in one plenitude of waving locks, poured itself out for the +adornment of man and the delightful care of the artist! But those days +are for ever gone! Man has insanely cast away his noblest ornament, and +a shameful race have set themselves to work, with their horrible +instruments, to raze and extirpate the beard even to the skin! O ye +despicable band of beard-scrapers! whetting your abominable knives upon +black strops stinking with oil, and, in scornful defiance of art, +swinging about your tasselled bags, clattering with your pewter basons, +splashing about your scalding-hot froth, and asking your unhappy +patients whether they will be shaved over the thumb or the spoon! +Luckily there are men still—there is at least one Pietro, who labours +against your infamous trade, and who, though lowering himself to your +wretched office of rooting out the beard, still endeavours to preserve +and cherish that little which is allowed to lift itself from the +desolate wrecks of Time!</p> + +<p>"What are the numberless varieties of whiskers in their elegant +windings and curvatures, now softly bending around the cheek, in the +fashion of the delicate oval—now melancholily sinking straight down +into the depth of the neck—now boldly mounting up even to the corner of +the mouth—anon narrowing modestly into small delicate lines, anon +spreading out in full unchastised luxuriance,—what, I say, are all +these but the invention of our science, in which the high striving after +the sublime, the beautiful, and the <i>ideal</i>, is unfolded? Ha, then, +Pietro, shew what a spirit dwells within thee! Shew what thou art in +reality prepared to undertake for the sacred cause of art, while, to the +eyes of the ignorant, you appear to be lowering yourself to a mere +beard-scraper!"</p> + +<p>With these words, the little man had drawn out a complete barber's +apparatus, and begun, with, light and skilful touches, to free me from +that remaining incumbrance, which had so much offended the eyes of my +old friend the Judge. In truth, I came out of his hands completely +metamorphosed; and nothing more was necessary but a proper change of +dress, in order to escape all danger of provoking, by my appearance, +questions or impertinent curiosity.</p> + +<p>Belcampo, having packed up his implements, stood smiling on me with +great satisfaction. I then said to him, that I was quite unacquainted +with the town; and that it would be very satisfactory if he could inform +me, how to procure immediately a suit of clothes, according to the +newest fashion of the time and place. To reward his trouble, and +encourage him in my service, I slipped a ducat into his hand.</p> + +<p>Hereupon he seemed absolutely inspired—cast his eyes to the ceiling, +and then ogled the ducat in the palm of his hand. "Worthiest of patrons +and masters," said he, "in you I have not been deceived. A guardian +spirit, indeed, guided my hand, and in the proud waving of these +curls—in the eagle flight of these whiskers—your high sentiments are +clearly expressed!</p> + +<p>"I have, indeed, a friend, a Damon, an Orestes, who will fulfil upon the +rest of the body, that which I have commenced upon the head, with the +same depth of reflection, and the same light of genius. You perceive, +sir, that the individual whom I mean is an artist of costume; which +expression I prefer to the trivial one of tailor.</p> + +<p>"He, too, willingly luxuriates and loses himself in the <i>ideal</i>; and +thus forming in his own mind shapes, characters, and physiognomies, he +has planned a magazine, a <i>depot</i> of the most exquisite dresses. You +behold there the modern <i>elegant</i>, in all possible shadowings of +character, now boldly and energetically out-shining all competitors—now +reserved within himself, and lost to all that is external—now witty and +ironical—now melancholy and out of humour—anon bizarre and +extravagant, anon plain and citizen-like, according as he wishes to +appear, <i>so</i> or <i>so</i>!</p> + +<p>"The youth who, for the first time, ventures to order a coat for +himself, without the assistance of mamma, or his tutor,—the man of +forty, who must wear powder to conceal grey hairs,—the old man, still +vigorous in his enjoyment of life,—the profound student,—the bustling +merchant,—the opulent, retired citizen,—all these varieties of +character rise up before your eyes, as on a theatre, when you enter the +shop of my Damon. But, in a few moments, the masterpieces of my friend's +art shall be presented in this very room, for your inspection."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, he hopped away in great haste, and soon after re-appeared +with a tall, stout, genteelly dressed man, who, as well in his whole +behaviour as in his exterior, made the most perfect contrast possible, +with the little <i>frizeur</i>; and yet, nevertheless, he introduced him to +me as his Damon!</p> + +<p>Damon sedately measured me with his eyes, and then searched out of a +large bale that a boy had carried, several suits of clothes, which +exactly corresponded with the wishes that I had expressed. Indeed I +then, for the first time, acknowledged the fine <i>tact</i> of the +<i>costume-artist</i>, as the little man had styled him; for he had chosen +for me precisely that style of dress, in which, without any hints of +reference to rank, profession, birth-place, and so forth, one might +glide unobserved through the world. It is, in truth, no easy matter to +dress one's self in such manner, that all suspicions of a particular +character or pursuit may be avoided. The costume of a citizen of the +world should be regulated by the <i>negative</i> principle, as, in polite +behaviour, more depends on judicious unobtrusive <i>leaving out</i>, than on +actual performance.</p> + +<p>The little man all the while indulged himself in his own absurd and +wandering discourse; and as he probably did not meet every day with a +listener so willing as I had been, he was, no doubt, unusually +brilliant. Damon, however, a grave, and, as it seemed to me, intelligent +man, at last cut him short, without mercy; and shaking him by the +shoulder, "Fairfield," said he, "you are got again to-day into the old +vein—upon the right '<i>jawing tack</i>,' as the Dutch mariners say. I would +bet any sum, that the gentleman's ears must have ached already with the +nonsense which you are pouring out!"</p> + +<p>With an air of the deepest melancholy, Belcampo now hung down his head. +He then suddenly seized his old weather-beaten hat; and, running quickly +to the door, "Such," cried he, "is the lamentable fate—such are the +misfortunes of genius! Thus is the character of Belcampo prostituted and +defamed, even by his best friends!"</p> + +<p>Damon also then took his leave, and, in retiring, said, "He is a coxcomb +quite of his own kind, this Fairfield! Much reading has turned his +brain; otherwise he is a good-natured fellow, and clever in his own +business, on which account I can bear him well enough, since, if a man +has good success in any <i>one</i> trade, he may be excused a little +extravagance on other occasions."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + + +<p>As soon as I was left alone, I began to look in a large mirror, which +hung in the room, and to give myself formal lessons in gait and +demeanour. For this purpose, the discovery made by the <i>frizeur</i> had +given me very necessary hints. Monks acquire a peculiar awkwardness of +walk from their long dresses, which confine the limbs, and from their +attempt at the same time to move quickly, which the rules of our order +enjoin. There is also something farther characteristic in a submissive +bending forward of the body, and in the carriage of the arms, which must +never hang downwards. All this I endeavoured to unlearn as effectually +as possible.</p> + +<p>Now, however, I derived most encouragement from the idea, that I was +completely transformed in mind, as well as in appearance; that the +thread of my former life was wholly broken, so that I could look on its +adventures as on transactions foreign to myself, which I had now done +with for ever. I had entered on a new state of existence, wherein, if +recollections still haunted me, these would every day become fainter and +fainter, until at last they wore out, and perished altogether.</p> + +<p>When I looked out from the window, the tumult of people, the +uninterrupted noise of business which was kept up upon the streets—all +was new to me, and was exactly calculated to prolong that levity of +mind, which the loquacity of the little man, and my being forced to +laugh at him, had excited.</p> + +<p>In my new dress I ventured down to the crowded <i>table d'hote</i>, and all +apprehension vanished, when I found that no one observed me, nay, that +even my nearest neighbour did not give himself the trouble of looking at +me when I set myself beside him.</p> + +<p>In the list of strangers, I had entered my name simply as Mr Leonard, +and given myself out for a <i>particulier</i>, who travelled for his own +pleasure. Of such travellers there might be many in the town, and of +course I would escape farther questioning.</p> + +<p>After dinner, it afforded me a new and incalculable pleasure to wander +through the town, where I found streets much broader and better paved, +with far finer houses, than any to which I had yet been accustomed. +Luckily there were now preparations set on foot for the approaching +great yearly fair, which caused an unusual bustle in every quarter; and +I had been told at my hotel that a few days later it would have been +impossible for me to obtain lodgings. The richness of the booths, which +already began to open, exceeded all that my imagination had ever +conceived. <i>There</i> were the <i>choicest</i> goods from all quarters of the +globe; from France, Italy, England, the East and West Indies; from +Persia, Turkey, Russia, down to the nearer kingdoms of Hungary and +Poland; and I became confirmed in my conviction that here no one would +observe my dress or appearance, since there were natives of all +countries, in their proper costumes, parading the streets, or arranging +their merchandize. The air was perfumed by the fragrance of Turkish +tobacco, as the natives of Constantinople stalked silently about with +their long pipes, in dresses which I had till then only seen in books; +and there were Persians, who, from their splendour of attire, might +have passed for sultans, had not their present occupations proved the +contrary.</p> + +<p>But as I found my way at last to the streets more particularly allotted +to the dealers in all sorts of <i>bijouterie</i>, toys, paintings, +engravings, and other works of art, my wonder and delight were increased +at every step. Amid the infinite variety of objects conducive to luxury +and amusement here exhibited, time passed on like a dream. I did not +fail to indulge myself in the purchase of several articles of ornament +and convenience. A watch and chain, two seal rings, a large <i>meerschaum</i> +pipe, (which the vender rightly declared to be a <i>chef d'[oe]uvre</i>,) a +few books and prints, &c.; all which I ordered to be sent home to my +hotel.</p> + +<p>On arriving afterwards at the Great Square, in the centre of the town, I +was confounded by finding it already occupied by caravans and temporary +theatres, filled with wild beasts, travelling players, puppet-shows, +giants, dwarfs, panoramas, jugglers, &c. &c. &c.</p> + +<p>These sights, however, I did not venture for the present to examine more +narrowly, but made my way into the public walks and gardens by which +the town is surrounded, and which were now gay with genteel parties, +enjoying the afternoon's promenade, enlivened, moreover, with excellent +music from harp-players, singers, organists, &c., many of whom, +especially of the singers, reminded me of the best music that I had +heard in early days, in the house of the choir-master at Königswald.</p> + +<p>For a moment, too, I was reminded of his sister, by the countenance, and +yet more by the figure, of a girl that passed me, in the midst of a +thicket of very dark massive pines, near the Bockenheimer gate; but the +recollection was transient; for now, though surrounded by gaiety and +music, by sparkling groups and beautiful countenances, (for at +Frankenburg, as at Saxe Gotha, almost every female, not in the extreme +of old age, is beautiful,) yet by rapid degrees the cheerfulness which I +had felt at the commencement of my walk vanished quite away.</p> + +<p>All at once I felt within me the solution of the riddle, the explanation +of the cause why I was thus changed. I was <i>alone</i> in the midst of these +happy groups. The trees, the flowers, (withered and yellowed already by +the blasts of autumn,) the ruddy gleams of the western sky, and the +varieties of the landscape—these, indeed, were like society—these I +partook in common with the parties around me—but of all the shapes and +forms of men and women, smiling or grave, meditative or gay, that moved +about me, I knew <i>not one</i>. There was not a single individual in whose +breast I could imagine a shadow of apprehension who I really was—what +strange chance had brought me hither, or even the least atom of that +overpowering load of mystery by which I was weighed down, and which was +wholly locked up within my own bosom.</p> + +<p>All this, however convenient at the present moment, made on me an +impression hostile, destructive, and almost insupportable. As long as I +had the gay booths, the paintings, toys, jewels, sparkling dresses, +liqueurs, and confections, tobacco-pipes, books, and engravings around +me,—such things, however contemptible in the eyes of one accustomed to +the world, had, from their novelty, power enough to rivet my attention, +and alienate it from <i>selfish</i> fears and despondency. But now, amid +these rural walks, surrounded only by happy groups, of whom each +individual enjoyed mutual confidence with his neighbour—by husbands +and wives, lovers and mistresses, parents and children; amid scenes that +reminded me of my early days of innocence, methought I was like a +condemned spirit—like a <i>revenant</i>, doomed involuntarily to wander on +the earth, from whence all, and every one to whom he had been attached, +had long since died away!</p> + +<p>If I called to mind how, formerly, every visitant at the Capuchin +Convent so kindly and respectfully greeted the pulpit orator, and how +the whole neighbourhood, and even strangers from remote countries, +thirsted after his conversation, rejoicing even in the opportunity of a +few words, then my heart was wrung with the bitterest anguish.</p> + +<p>I strove against this, however, as much as possible. "That pulpit +orator," said I to myself, "was the Monk Medardus, he who is now dead, +buried, and (ought to be) forgotten, in the abysses of the mountains—in +the darkness of the far-distant pine-tree forest. With him I have +nothing to do, for I am alive and active, nay, life itself has for the +first time dawned upon me, and begun to offer its varied and substantial +enjoyments."</p> + +<p>Thus, when in my involuntary waking dreams I recalled the strange and +frightful adventures at the castle, I said to myself, "These things are +indeed known to me, yet it is to some one else that they refer; over me +they can have no influence." This <i>other</i> was again the Capuchin; but I +was no longer a monk. It was only the never-dying thoughts of Aurelia +that united still, by indissoluble ties, my former with my present +existence; but when this feeling was truly awoke, like the torment of an +incurable malady, it killed and annihilated that spirit of pleasure +which had risen up within me. I was then suddenly torn out of those +brilliant circles of glittering forms and fantastic imagery, by which +life had begun to surround me. The delusions fled. I despised myself for +having been pleased for a moment, like a child, with toys and rattles, +and once more sunk down, a prey to the darkest and most rayless +despondency.</p> + +<p>This evening, on my return from the public walks, I visited, for the +first time in my life, a theatre. This was to me another new enjoyment; +but before reaching thither, my despondency had gained its full +influence. The piece performed happened to be a tragedy, and I thought, +during the whole performance, only of Aurelia.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>During my residence at Frankenburg, I did not omit to visit some of the +many houses of public resort, in which people met to breakfast, <i>a la +fourchette</i>; to dine, to sup, and enjoy the pleasures of wine, gaming, +and conversation. Accordingly, I soon felt a particular preference for a +certain hotel in the middle of the town, where, on account of the +superior quality of the wines, a numerous society were to be found every +night.</p> + +<p>At a table, in a room adjoining to the great <i>salle</i>, I found regularly, +at a fixed hour in the evening, the same persons assembled. Their +conversation was always lively and ingenious. Accident at last brought +me acquainted with these people, who had thus formed an especial circle +for themselves, and who for some time shewed no disposition to bestow on +me any share of their attention.</p> + +<p>At first, I used to sit quietly in a corner of the room, and drink my +wine alone; but on one occasion it so happened that I was able to afford +them information on a literary topic which they were discussing, and +was in consequence invited to a place at their table, which afterwards +was the more willingly kept open for me, as my good address and the +extent of my reading and acquirements exactly suited their dispositions.</p> + +<p>Thus I obtained, without trouble, some very agreeable acquaintances; and +accustoming myself more and more to the world, I became every day more +unconcerned, and was able, in great measure, to rub off the rust of my +former habits.</p> + +<p>For several evenings there had been much talk in this society of a +certain painter, (an entire stranger in the town,) who had lately +arrived, and during the fair was to hold an exhibition of his works. +Every member of the society but myself had seen his pictures, and +praised them so highly, that I of course felt anxious for an opportunity +of judging for myself, and went accordingly.</p> + +<p>The painter was absent when I entered his exhibition-room, but an old +man acted as <i>cicerone</i>, and named the masters of various old pictures +which the artist exhibited along with his own. Among them were many +admirable pieces, most of them originals, of celebrated Italian masters, +with which I was highly delighted.</p> + +<p>At last, I came to a series of pictures which the man said were copies +from certain large <i>frescoes</i>, designed many years ago. What was now my +astonishment, when involuntarily the recollections of my youth here +began to dawn upon me, every moment acquiring more distinct forms and +livelier colours! These were obviously copies from the Convent of the +Lime-Tree. Above all, I recognized most unequivocally, in a holy family, +the features of the old pilgrim who had come to us with the miraculous +boy! At this sight, the levity in which I had for some time indulged, +once more completely declined; and, sunk into the deepest melancholy, I +stood long gazing at the group. But when my sight next fell on a +portrait (large as life, and admirably done) of my adoptive mother, the +Princess, I could not forbear a loud outcry of wonder. This portrait +exhibited a most accurate resemblance, (such as Vandyke never failed to +give to all his pictures,) the costume was the same in which she used to +walk before the nuns in their procession through the church, and the +painter had seized the moment, when, having finished her private +devotions, she was leaving her room in full dress, in order to join in +that solemnity. The perspective behind shewed the interior of the +church, crowded with the expectant congregation.</p> + +<p>In the looks of this admirable woman, was fully developed that +expression of a mind wholly devoted to Heaven, which was so +pre-eminently her own. It now seemed to me as if she implored +forgiveness for that unhappy sinner, whom his own crimes had torn from +her maternal embraces. I felt once more all the bitterness of contrast +between what I now was, and what I <i>had been</i>! Feelings long lost and +estranged gained their full influence over my heart, and I was borne +away by an unspeakable longing after the scenes and impressions of my +youth.</p> + +<p>Methought I once more heard the south wind sigh through the dark +yew-hedges and tall beech-trees of the old manor-house, and traced again +the bright wanderings of the Saale, but <i>not</i>, as on the occasion of my +last visit there, with coldness and indifference! The delusion for a +moment was perfect, only to be followed by the bitterness of reality and +remorse. Anon, it seemed as if I were again with the good priest of the +Cistertian Convent, a cheerful, free-minded, and courageous boy, +wandering at will through the wild country, losing himself in rocky +recesses of the Thuringian mountains, or shouting and rejoicing because +the grand festival of St Bernard was drawing near!</p> + +<p>That well-known form of her whom I so deeply revered, was again +presented, as if living, before me. Methought, too, I heard her +voice.—"Medardus," said she, "hast thou been good and pious?" The +well-known tones, deepened by anxiety and love, floated like soft music +around me. "Hast thou been good and pious?" Alas! what must now be my +answer? The beautiful picture, traced by the pencil of Innocence and +Hope, is clouded and defaced for ever—the vernal skies are +darkened—the cold tempest winds of grief and remorse desolate the +landscape. I have heaped up crime on crime. On the first breach of my +monastic vows followed murder; and <i>now</i>, is not my daily life of +dissipation and deceit, but the certain commencement of crimes yet to +come?</p> + +<p>These thoughts, and many more, that it would require a volume to +delineate, rushed at once upon me, so that, completely overpowered, I +sunk, half-fainting, into a chair, and burst into tears.</p> + +<p>The old man was terrified. "For God's sake, sir," said he, "what's the +matter? what has happened to you?"</p> + +<p>"That picture," said I, in a hollow suppressed voice, "resembles with +such accuracy a near relation whom I lost by a cruel and untimely death, +that it has deeply affected me." With these words I arose, and assumed +as much composure as possible.</p> + +<p>"Come, sir," said this man, "such recollections are far too painful, and +should be avoided. There is yet one portrait here, which my master +considers his best, and which you have not seen. It is painted after the +life, and has only just now been finished. We have hung a curtain before +it, that the sun might not injure the fresh colours."</p> + +<p>The old man placed me carefully in the proper light, and then drew up +the curtain—<span class="smcap">It was Aurelia</span>!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + + +<p>At first, a kind of horror seized upon me; for I knew not if this could +be reality, or the mockery of that relentless Fiend, that would lure me +on to destruction. But, with a violent effort, I summoned up courage; an +entire revolution again took place in my mind; new hopes and feelings +began to break through the gloom and melancholy, which for a space had +gathered around me.</p> + +<p>With eager eyes, I devoured the charms of Aurelia, which from the +enchanted canvass now gleamed out in full splendour before me. Yet, +alas! did not these childlike pious looks seem only to complain against +the murderer of her brother? The mystery of his guilt, however, which +had been deposited in my bosom, gave me confidence; and even a malicious +spirit of scorn and irony rose within me. I only regretted now, that in +that fatal night of Hermogen's death, Aurelia had not become mine. His +appearance had then frustrated my plans; but with death he had expiated +the rashness of his attempts against me.—"Aurelia," said I, "yet +survives; and this alone is sufficient to encourage my hopes of one day +possessing her. From the destiny in which she is involved, it is +impossible for her to escape; for am not I myself the living +impersonization of the fate to which she is subjected?"</p> + +<p>All the sadly-cherished dreams of youth, all feelings of piety which the +Abbess's portrait had inspired, were thus banished; and, still gazing on +Aurelia, I encouraged myself to the commission of deliberate and +premeditated crime. The old man was astonished at my conduct. He drawled +out a long string of words, about drawing, tone, colouring, &c. &c.; but +I heard him not. The thoughts of Aurelia, the hopes that I might yet +fulfil some one of those many plans, which had only been delayed, +absorbed me so completely, that I walked away, as in a dream, from the +exhibition-room, without once asking for the painter—thus losing, +perhaps, the best opportunity of learning what sort of connection there +existed betwixt myself and these pictures, which seemed to comprehend +in that magic circle the chief impressions of my whole life.</p> + +<p>Once more, I was now resolved to venture all things for Aurelia. Nay, it +seemed almost as if the clouds of mystery would soon be broken—as if, +elevated to a station from which I could overlook all the characters and +events connected with my life, I could have from them nothing to fear, +and therefore nothing to risk. I brooded, as formerly, over a thousand +plans and resolutions, in order to arrive nearer to my object. In the +first place, I perceived that I should, no doubt, learn much from the +strange painter, and, by conversation with him, develope many trains of +evidence, of which the possession was to me most important. At last, I +had nearly resolved that I would return, in my present state of complete +disguise and metamorphosis, to the Baron's castle. Nor, to my excited +feelings and disordered imagination, did this appear as an act of +extraordinary hazard and daring.</p> + +<p>In the evening, I went, as usual, to the club-room, where I had trouble +enough to restrain the vehemence of my emotions, and to prevent the +ebullitions of my overheated phantasy from being observed. I heard much +of the strange painter's productions, especially of that wonderful power +of expression which he had displayed in his portraits, above all in that +of Aurelia. I had now the means of joining in this approbation, and, +with a peculiar splendour, and strength of language, (heightened, too, +by a kind of scorn and irony, for I felt my own superiority in speaking +of this picture,) I described the nameless graces, the angelic charms, +which were spread over that saint-like countenance. Hereupon, one of the +party declared his intention of bringing the painter himself to the club +on the following evening, adding, that, though advanced in years, he was +still an interesting and agreeable companion, and that he would be +detained here for some time longer, having been employed professionally +by several rich families in the town.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Agitated by a tempest of conflicting feelings and indefinable +apprehensions, I could scarcely summon up resolution for the encounter +which I had so much wished, and, on the following night, went at a later +hour than usual to the club-room.</p> + +<p>On my entrance, I perceived at once which was the stranger, though his +countenance was not turned towards me. A conviction of the truth +immediately flashed on my mind; and, when I went round, and took my +place opposite to him—then, oh Heaven! there glared out upon me the +never-to-be-forgotten features of that horrible Unknown, the same who, +on St Anthony's day, had leaned against the pillar of the church, and +filled me with abhorrence and consternation!</p> + +<p>Now, too, even as then, he looked at me with the same fixed solemnity of +aspect—the same cold spectral self-possession. But the mood of mind +which I had so recently been cherishing, the thoughts of Aurelia, and my +determination to brave all things for her sake, gave me courage and +stability to bear up against his inspection, apparently unmoved. I could +no longer suppose that I but dreamed. The enemy had now visibly started +into life; and I was necessitated to venture the combat.</p> + +<p>I resolved, however, not to begin, but wait for his attack; and, should +he attempt to tear off the mask by which I was now concealed, to beat +him back with weapons, on the strength of which I flattered myself that +I could rely.</p> + +<p>After a short interval, however, the stranger appeared to take no +particular notice of me, but, turning his looks another way, continued +the conversation in which he had been engaged at my entrance. The party +began, at length, to speak of his own works, and bestowed especial +praise on the portrait of Aurelia. Some one among them maintained, that, +although this picture was, even at first sight, evidently a portrait, +yet it might serve for an imaginative study, and be taken for the <i>beau</i> +(or <i>belle</i>) <i>ideal</i> of a female saint. As I had, on the preceding +evening, been so eloquent in praise of this work, they now asked my +opinion, and, almost unconsciously, I said that I coincided with the +last speaker, and that I could not imagine to myself the blessed St +Rosalia otherwise than as a counterpart of the female here represented.</p> + +<p>The painter seemed scarcely to notice my words, but again broke +in—"Indeed, that young lady, whom the portrait, whatever may be its +merit as a work of art, very faithfully resembles, is a real and +immaculate saint—who, in the spiritual combat, exalts herself even to +supernatural excellence. I have painted her at the moment when, under +the influence of the most overwhelming griefs, she yet placed her hope +and trust in religious consolation,—in the aid of that Divine +Providence which unceasingly watches over us.</p> + +<p>"The expression of this hope, which, in a perfect degree, can dwell only +in a mind elevated above all that is terrestrial, I have endeavoured to +give to my picture—I cannot flatter myself that I have adequately +succeeded, but the principle, '<i>in magnis voluisse</i>,' seems to me to +have rendered it at least one of the most tolerable of my productions."</p> + +<p>The conversation now wandered away to other subjects.—The wine, which +to-day, in honour of the stranger-guest, was of a better sort, and drunk +more freely than usual, soon did its good office in enlivening the +party—Every one of them at last found something diverting to relate, or +some comical song to sing. The painter, meanwhile, seemed only to laugh +inwardly. If any change was produced in his countenance, it was to be +observed in his eyes, which were lighted up occasionally with a certain +mysterious lustre,—yet, by means of a few striking and powerful words +occasionally thrown in, he was able to play his part, and to keep the +whole company in admirable good humour.</p> + +<p>Although, whenever the stranger happened to fix his looks on me, I could +not repress a certain feeling of apprehension, yet I gradually overcame +that still worse mood of mind into which I had been brought, on my first +<i>reconnoissance</i> of his features. I even told stories of the absurd +Belcampo, who was known less or more to all the party, and, to their +great amusement, gave such a lively account of his behaviour on the day +of my arrival, (with imitations of his voice and gesticulations,) that a +good-humoured fat merchant who sat opposite to me, declared, with tears +of laughter in his eyes, "That was the most delightful evening he had +ever spent in his life!"</p> + +<p>When the merriment that I had raised had begun to decline away, the +stranger suddenly inquired—"Gentlemen, has any one among you ever seen +the Devil?"</p> + +<p>This question was received but as the prelude to some new and comical +story. Of course, every one assured him, in turn, "that he had never yet +had that honour."</p> + +<p>"Well," said the stranger, "it so happened, that I was very lately +within a hair-breadth of attaining myself to that honour, and this, +namely, at the Castle of the Baron von R——, among the Thuringian +mountains."</p> + +<p>I now trembled in every limb; but the others laughed aloud, crying out, +"Go on—go on!"</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said the painter, "you probably all know that wild district +in the Thuringian mountains, through which every one must pass, who +travels in that direction northwards. But there is especially, on a +by-road, one romantic spot, where, if the traveller emerges out of the +dark pine-tree forests, and advances to the height of the rocky cliffs, +he finds himself suddenly, to his amazement, on the extreme verge of an +awful, deep, and, indeed, bottomless abyss. This is called the devil's +ground, and the projecting promontory of the rock the devil's chair.</p> + +<p>"Of the devil's chair it is related, that once, when a certain Count +Victorin, with his head full of wicked projects, had sat down upon this +rock, the devil suddenly appeared beside him; and because he was himself +resolved to carry the Count's wicked designs into execution, he +incontinently hurled Victorin down into the unfathomable gulf.</p> + +<p>"Thereafter, the devil appeared as a capuchin monk, at the castle of the +Baron von R——; and when he had taken his pleasure with the Baroness, +he first sent her out of the world, (no one knew how,) and then, because +the Baron's son, a madman, would by no means allow of this masquerade, +but always called out, 'The devil, the devil is among us!' he strangled +him. However, by that persevering <i>annonce</i> of the madman, <i>one</i> pious +soul at least was saved from the destruction which the devil had +intended for them all; and this was the young Baroness Aurelia, the +subject of the picture, which you have this night been commending.</p> + +<p>"Afterwards, the capuchin, (or the devil,) in an inconceivable manner, +vanished; and it is said, that he fled, coward-like, from Victorin, who +had risen like a bloody spectre from the grave against him.</p> + +<p>"Let all this be as it may, I can assure you, in plain truth, that the +Baroness died mysteriously—probably by poison; and that Hermogen (the +madman) was assassinated. The Baron himself, shortly afterwards, died of +grief; and Aurelia, the pious Saint, whose portrait I painted, at the +very time when these horrible events had taken place at the castle, fled +as a desolate orphan into a distant Cistertian Convent, of which the +Abbess had been in terms of friendship with her father.</p> + +<p>"You have seen and admired in my gallery the likeness of this admirable +and unfortunate young lady. But as to other circumstances, this +gentleman (pointing to me) will be better able to inform you than I am, +since, during the whole of the adventures to which I have alluded, he +was an inhabitant of the castle!"</p> + +<p>All looks, full of astonishment, were now directed towards me. Quite +unnerved, and lost to all self-possession, I started up—"How, sir!" +exclaimed I, in a violent tone—"What have I to do with your absurd +stories of capuchins, and devils, and assassinations? You mistake +me—you mistake me completely, I assure you; and I must beg that, for +this once, you will leave me completely out of the question."</p> + +<p>Considering the tumult of my mind, it was difficult for me to give my +words even this much of connection and propriety, or to assume any +degree of composure. The powerful influence of the painter's narrative, +and my excessive disquietude, were only too visible. The cheerful tone +which prevailed through the party rapidly declined; and as the members +of the club gradually recollected that I was a complete stranger, and +had only by accident obtained my place among them, they began to fix on +me mistrustful and suspicious glances.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the painter had risen from his chair, and, standing opposite, +transfixed me once more with his dead-alive glaring eyes, as formerly in +the Capuchin church. He did not utter a word; he stood cold, stiff, and, +but for the expression of his eyes, as if lifeless.</p> + +<p>But at those ghostly looks, my hair rose on end; cold drops gathered on +my forehead, and, seized by the most intense horror, I trembled through +every fibre. "Avaunt!—away with thee!" I exclaimed, out of myself with +agitation; "for thou thyself art Satan! Thou art the murderer—yet over +me thou hast no power!"</p> + +<p>The whole party instantly left their seats.—"What's the matter? Who is +that?" was heard from all quarters; and out of the adjoining <i>salle</i>, +the people, terrified by my voice, having left their amusements, came +thronging into our room.—"A drunk man!—A madman!—Turn him out!" cried +several voices.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the painter stood there steadfast, and immovably staring upon +me. The power which he thus (I know not how) exerted over my very mind +and thoughts—the whole train of consequences which the discovery he was +determined to force out would bring upon me—the wretched thraldom in +which I should remain at present, and the destruction which must +ensue—all these ideas conflicted together in my mind. But even without +their aid, the looks of the spectral painter alone were more than I +could endure. Methought his detestable features at length enlarged, +moved, and were writhen in mockery and scorn. At last, driven to the +uttermost paroxysm of rage and despair, I drew forth the stiletto with +which I had, in self-defence, killed Hermogen, and which I always +carried in my breast-pocket.</p> + +<p>With this weapon in my hand, I now fell upon my enemy; but his quick eye +had caught every movement, and one blow of his powerful arm brought me +to the ground. Methought I heard him laugh aloud, in hideous and +scornful triumph, so that his voice resounded through the chamber.</p> + +<p>"Brother Medardus!" said he, "Brother Medardus, play no longer this +false game! Go, return to the sanctuary of thy convent, and humble +thyself to the dust in shame and repentance!"</p> + +<p>I now felt myself seized by the people in the room; and allowing them to +raise me up, pretended at first to be quite exhausted; then, all at +once, rousing my whole strength, I drove and struck like a raging wild +beast against my assailants; and this so unexpectedly, that several of +them fell to the ground, and I made myself a passage towards the door; +but had scarcely rushed into the corridor, when a small side door +opened, and I felt myself seized on by an invisible arm, by which I was +drawn into a dark chamber. To this I made no resistance, for the +multitude of pursuers were raging behind me.</p> + +<p>Into this dark room I had been drawn just as I turned round a corner of +the corridor, and the mob of people, imagining that I had run onwards +and escaped down stairs, passed by the door and left me for the moment +unmolested. My invisible companion listened to their proceedings, and +in a few moments led me by the arm down a dark, private staircase, into +a back court, and then through the buildings behind into the open +street. By the light of the lamps I here recognised as my deliverer the +absurd Belcampo!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + + +<p>"Your excellency," said Belcampo, "appears to have laboured under a +strange fatality with regard to this painter. I was drinking my wine in +an adjoining room when the uproar began, and resolved, if possible, to +rescue you, for I alone am the author of all this disturbance."</p> + +<p>"How can that be?" said I; "what share could you possibly have in the +disaster?"</p> + +<p>"Who can resist momentary impulse?" said the little man, in a tone of +great pathos; "who can withstand the influences of that unseen, but +predominant Spirit, that rules over and inspires all our thoughts and +actions?</p> + +<p>"When I arranged your excellency's hair, my mind was, as usual, lighted +up by the sublimest ideas. I resigned myself up to the unbridled impulse +of wild phantasy, and accordingly I not only forgot to bring the lock of +anger on the topmost curls into a state of proper softness and +roundness, but even left seven-and-twenty hairs of fear and horror upon +the forehead.</p> + +<p>"The twenty-seven hairs that were thus left, raised themselves erect at +the stern looks of the painter, (who is, in truth, neither more nor less +than a <i>revenant</i>,) and inclined themselves longingly towards the lock +of anger on the toupée, which, in return, hissing and rustling, became +dishevelled. All this I could perceive with my own eyes.</p> + +<p>"Then, roused to extreme rage, your excellency pulled out a stiletto, on +which I distinguished that there were already drops of blood. But it was +a vain and needless attempt to send to hell him who to hell already +belongs. For this painter is Ahasuerus, the Wandering Jew, or Bertram de +Bornis, or Mephistopheles, or Benvenuto Cellini, or Judas Iscariot; in +short, a wicked <i>revenant</i>, and, in my opinion, to be banished by no +other means than by burning-hot curling-irons, which shall twist away +into annihilation that idea in which he properly consists; or, by the +dexterous and energetic use of electrical combs, against those thoughts +which, in order to his own existence, he must suck up and imbibe.</p> + +<p>"Your excellency perceives that to me, <i>phantast</i> and artist by +profession, such things are, as the French say, <i>veritable pomade</i>, +which proverb, borrowed from our science, has more meaning than one +would otherwise suppose, as soon as the pomade is known to contain +genuine oil of cloves."</p> + +<p>This mad and unintelligible gibberish of the little man, who, meanwhile, +ran along with me through the streets, had for me, in my present mood of +mind, something truly horrible; and yet, when I looked now and then at +his incredible leaps and springs, his grotesque gestures, and comical +countenances, I was forced, as if by an involuntary convulsion, to +laugh.</p> + +<p>At last we were in my own chamber, in the inn of the suburb, and beyond +the town gates. Here Belcampo assisted me to pack up my clothes, &c. and +in a short time all was ready for my departure. Thereafter, I slipped +not one only, but several ducats, into his hand, whereupon he jumped up +into the air for joy, and cried aloud, "Hurrah!—hurrah!—now I have got +gold, indeed—honourable gold, dyed in heart's-blood, streaming and +beaming with its red effulgence! Excuse me, sir," (for at these words I +looked at him with amazement,) "'twas but a passing thought, and now +'tis gone!"</p> + +<p>He then offered his services to give to the "lock of anger" the proper +degree of roundness, and cut away the "twenty-seven hairs of horror," +requesting also that he might be allowed to choose for himself a small +"love-lock," to keep as a remembrance. This I accordingly granted, and +with indescribable gestures and grimaces, he fulfilled his task.</p> + +<p>After this, he seized the stiletto, which, on undressing, I had laid +upon the table, and taking the position of a fencer, made with it divers +cuts and thrusts into the air.</p> + +<p>"Ha!" said he, "now shall I make an end of your adversary, for he +is but an idea, probably he may also be extirpated by a thought. Let him +die, then, by this thought of mine, which, in order to render more +powerful, I accompany with suitable gestures of the body—<i>Apage, +Satanas!—apage, Ahasuerus!—Allez vous en!</i>—Now, that was +something like! That was working to some purpose," said he, laying down +the stiletto, breathing hard, and wiping his brows, like one that has +exerted his utmost to get through some great labour.</p> + +<p>Luckily I now got possession of the stiletto, and, wishing to conceal +it, groped with it into my sleeve, forgetting that I no longer wore my +capuchin robes. This gesture the man seemed to remark, and slyly to +laugh at. Meanwhile the postilion (for I had ordered horses) began to +blow his bugle before the house.</p> + +<p>Then Belcampo suddenly changed his posture and tone. He drew out a small +pocket-handkerchief, bent himself several times with deep reverence, at +last kneeled before me, and entreated in a lamentable voice—</p> + +<p>"Two masses, reverend father, I beseech you, for my poor grandmother, +who died of a surfeit; four for my father, who died of involuntary +fasting; but for myself, one every week when I am dead. Above all, +however, and in the first place, an indulgence for my many faults and +sins now, while I am yet living!</p> + +<p>"Alas! sir, there is an infamous wicked fellow that lurks concealed +within me, and says, 'Peter Fairfield, be no longer an ass, and believe +that thou existest; for <i>I</i> am properly <i>thou</i>, and am called +Belcampo—moreover am a genial idea; and if thou dost not believe this, +I will strike thee down to the earth with an acute thought, finely +pointed as a hair!'</p> + +<p>"This damnable fellow, sir, commits all sorts of sins and wicked pranks. +Oftentimes he doubts of the Real Presence—gets drunk—falls into +quarrels and pommelling matches, and commits gross indelicacies against +pure virgin thoughts. This Pietro Belcampo, sir, has made me, Peter +Fairfield, quite confused and dissipated; so that I frequently jump +about in an absurd and unbecoming manner, and defile the spotless garb +of innocence, when, with white silk stockings, and singing <i>dulce +jubilo</i>, I splash unawares into the dirt. Forgiveness, then, venerable +father, for both, for Peter Fairfield and Pietro Belcampo."</p> + +<p>He continued prostrate, and pretended to sob violently. The folly of the +man became tiresome to me. "Be reasonable at least," said I to him, "and +give us no more of this." The head-waiter now came in to take my +luggage. Belcampo sprung up, and resuming at once his mirthful humour, +he assisted, talking, however, all the time, to collect together +whatever property of mine was in the room. In a few moments I found +myself seated in my cabriolet.</p> + +<p>"That fellow is a most complete puppy," said the waiter, in a low voice, +and pointing to Belcampo; "the less one has to do with him the better."</p> + +<p>The door was closed, and the postilion mounted. Belcampo waved his hat, +and began, "Even to the last breath of my life—" but with a significant +look, I laid my finger on my lips, and he was silent. Anon the postilion +drove off, blowing the <i>Tyroler-lied</i> on his bugle as we clattered along +the <i>chaussée</i>, and I was once more, emancipated from all ties, whether +hostile or friendly, thrown upon the world.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>When the morning began to dawn, the town from which I had fled lay far +behind me; and as I contemplated with some interest the new scenes +through which we passed, the form of that frightful man, who pursued and +haunted me like a visible impersonization of the guilt and mystery by +which my life had been darkened, had again almost vanished away. On +setting out, I had merely desired to be driven to the first stage on the +high road leading southwards; but at every new station, the questions of +the postmaster, "<i>Whence and whither?</i>" revived to my mind how +completely I was now separated and cut off from every relationship in +life; and like the wandering Ahasuerus, of whom Belcampo had spoken, was +utterly given up, a prey to the stormy waves of chance, that bore me +like a powerless wreck along.</p> + +<p>But had not my ruling destiny drawn me thus out of my former +relationships and dependencies, only that the internal efforts of my +spirit might be exerted with greater life and vigour? Something must be +accomplished, in order to still those yearnings of the soul, by which I +was convinced that a great and important result was before me. Restless +I travelled on, through a beautiful and flourishing country. Nowhere +could I find repose, but was driven irresistibly onward, always farther +and farther, towards the south. I had hitherto, without any +consciousness or attention on my own part, scarcely made any important +deviation from the route recommended to me by Leonardus; so that the +impulse which he had given to me at first setting out, seemed to work +always in a straight-forward direction, and with an influence wholly +uninterrupted.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>It happened, one very dark night, that I travelled through a dense wood +of pine and beech-trees, which was said to extend as far as the next +station, on which account the postmaster had advised me to remain with +him till the next morning; but from an impatience, to myself +unaccountable, as I was unable to put a name on any goal or object which +I wished to reach, I peremptorily refused his proposal.</p> + +<p>Already, at the time of my departure, lightning, which is not usual at +that season of the year, gleamed on the distant horizon; and very soon, +clouds, collected by the approaching storm, rolled together, darker and +darker, in threatening volumes. The postilion observed what sort of +weather we should of necessity encounter; pointed to the clouds, and +asked if he might return? To this I gave a peremptory answer in the +negative. We entered accordingly that long, interminable, and tangled +forest which stretches between Holzenheim and Rosenthurm, where the wood +alternately consists of tall beech-trees and dense thickets of Norway +and Scotch fir. Having laid aside his tobacco-pipe, he began here, for +his diversion, to play "Malbrook" on his bugle; but anon the thunder +began to roll, and even to crack above our heads, with numberless +reverberations; while, far as the eye could reach, there was nothing but +the crossing and re-crossing of red lightnings on the horizon. Such a +tempest I have never witnessed, neither before nor since. During a +thunderstorm, the air is generally calm, but now there were +unaccountable gusts of wind, such as usually occur only in the depth of +winter. The tall fir-trees, shaken to their very roots, groaned and +crashed. The rain poured down in torrents. Every moment we ran the risk +of being killed by the falling of the trees, and the horses constantly +reared, and ran back from the flashes of lightning.</p> + +<p>At last, after a long struggle, and many vicissitudes, we were "beat to +a <i>stand still</i>," for the carriage (as a climax) was overturned, on a +piece of rough road, so violently, that one of the hinder wheels broke +in pieces. Thus we had no alternative, but must remain on the spot, till +the storm should abate, and the moon break through the clouds.</p> + +<p>The postilion now remarked, that, on account of the darkness, and the +rain driving in his face, he had quite wandered away from the right +road, and had fallen into an avenue of the forest. There was now no +other method, but to follow out this avenue as far as it would go, and +thus perhaps to arrive at some woodman's hut or village.</p> + +<p>Though the darkness continued, yet we contrived to prop up the carriage +with a kind of wooden leg, and thus it was dragged gradually onwards. We +had not gone far, till, marching in the van, I perceived now and then +the gleaming of a light, and thought that I could distinguish the baying +of dogs.</p> + +<p>I had not deceived myself; for we had not persevered in our laborious +progress above a few minutes longer, before I distinctly heard the +dogs' voices; and in due time we came to an opening in the wood, where +the road became more passable. At last we arrived at a large +respectable-looking house, though, as far as the dim light enabled us to +perceive, old, gloomy, and surrounded by the high walls of a +regularly-built square court.</p> + +<p>The postilion, without hesitation, knocked loudly at the outer gate. The +dogs immediately grew outrageous, and sprang out from their kennels +against us. In the house, (or <i>keep</i>,) however, all remained quiet and +dead, till the postilion had recourse to his horn, (lending me a spare +one, that we might play a duet,) and blew "Wilhelmus von Nassau" with +such vehemence, that the old vaulted building re-echoed to the notes.</p> + +<p>Then a window in the upper story, from which I had before seen the +light, was opened, and a deep, rough voice called out, "Christian! +Christian!"—"Ay, ay, sir," cried a voice from below. Then we knocked +again, and blew our horns.</p> + +<p>"There is a knocking and blowing of bugles at our gate," said the voice +from above, "and the dogs are raging like devils. Take the lantern +down, with the blunderbuss number three, and see what is the +matter."—Soon after, we heard Christian's voice, quieting the dogs, and +saw him at last come with the lantern.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + + +<p>The postilion now found out where we were. Instead of going straight +forward, he had quitted the road, and driven almost in a retrograde +direction, so that we were now at the Prince von Rosenthurm's +<i>forst-haus</i>, distant only about a league to the right of the station +which we had quitted.</p> + +<p>As soon as we had explained to Christian the mischance that we had met +with, he directly opened both wings of the gate, and let the carriage +pass into the court. The dogs, who were now pacified, came fawning and +snuffling about us; and the man above, who was still stationed at the +window, cried out incessantly, in a voice by no means of good-humour, +"Who's there?—who's there? <i>What for a</i> caravan is that?" to which +neither Christian nor I returned a word in answer.</p> + +<p>At last I stepped into the house, and was walking up stairs, when I met +a powerful tall man, with a sun-burnt visage, a large hat, with a plume +of green feathers, on his head, (which was oddly contrasted with the +rest of his figure, for he appeared in his shirt and slippers,) and a +drawn stiletto (or hunting dagger) in his hand. In a rough voice, he +called out to me, "Whence do you come? How dare you disturb people in +the dead of night? This is no public-house; no post station. Here no one +lives but the <i>Ober-revier-forster</i>, and for want of a better, I am he. +Christian is an ass, for having opened the gates without my permission."</p> + +<p>In a tone of great humility, I now related the story of my mischance, +explaining that nothing but necessity had brought me hither. Hereupon +the man was somewhat conciliated. He said, "Well, no doubt, the storm +was very violent; but your postilion must be a stupid rascal, to drive +out of the road, and break your carriage in that manner. Such a fellow +should have been able to go blindfolded through these woods. He should +be at home among them, like any one of us."</p> + +<p>With these words, he led me up stairs into a large hall, furnished with +a long oak table and benches; the walls adorned with stag's antlers, +hunting weapons, bugle-horns, &c. An enormous stove was at one end, and +an open <i>kamin</i>, where there were yet the warm embers of a wood-fire, at +the other.</p> + +<p>The <i>Ober-revier-forster</i> now laid aside his hat and dagger, and drawing +on his clothes, requested I would not take it ill that he had received +me so roughly; for, in his remote habitation, he must be constantly on +his guard. All sorts of bad people were in the habit of haunting these +woods—and especially with poachers, he lived almost always in open +warfare—"However," added he, "the rogues can gain no advantage over me, +for, with the help of God, I fulfil my duty to the prince +conscientiously and faithfully. They have more than once attacked my +house by night; but, in reliance on Providence, and my trusty dogs and +fire-arms, I bid them defiance."</p> + +<p>Involuntarily, and led away by the force of old habits, I here thrust in +some common-place words about the power and efficacy of trust in +God.—However, such expressions were not lost on the forester, but +seemed to gain for me his confidence and good opinion. He became always +more cheerful, and notwithstanding my earnest entreaties to the +contrary, roused up his wife—a matron in years, of a quiet, +good-humoured demeanour, who, though thus disturbed from her sleep, +welcomed, in a very friendly manner, her unexpected guest, and began, by +her husband's orders, to prepare supper.</p> + +<p>As for the postilion, he, by the forester's decision, was obliged, for a +punishment, that night, to drive back (as he best could) to the station +from which he had come,—and on the following morning I should be +carried on by the forester to the place of my destination. I agreed the +more readily to this plan, as I found myself now much in want of repose.</p> + +<p>I therefore said to my host that I would gladly stay with him even till +the middle of the following day, as, by constant travelling, I had been +greatly fatigued, and would be much the better for such refreshment.</p> + +<p>"If I might advise you, sir," said the forester, "you had better remain +here through the whole of to-morrow—After that, my son, whom I must at +any rate send to the <i>residenz</i>, will himself take you forward in my +carriage."</p> + +<p>I was, of course, well contented with this proposal; and by way of +conversation, while supper was placed on the table, began to praise the +solitude and retirement of his house, by which I professed myself to be +greatly attracted.</p> + +<p>"It is remote, sir, no doubt," said the forester; "at the same time, our +life here is the farthest possible from being dull or gloomy, as a +townsman would probably conclude it to be.—To such people every +situation in the country appears both lonely and stupid;—but much +depends on the temper and disposition of the party by whom a house like +this of ours is inhabited.</p> + +<p>"If, as in former years in this castle, an old gloomy Baron were the +master,—one who shuts himself up within the four walls of his court, +and takes no pleasure in the woods or the chase—then, indeed, it would +be a dull and lonely habitation—But since this old Baron died, and our +gracious Prince has been pleased to fit it up as a <i>forst-haus</i>, it has +been kept in constant liveliness and mirth.</p> + +<p>"Probably you, sir, may be one of those townspeople, who know nothing, +unless by report, of our pleasures, and therefore can have no adequate +idea, what a joyous pleasant life we hunters lead in the forest—As to +solitude, I know nothing either of its pains or pleasures—for, along +with my huntsmen lads, we live all equally, and make but one family. +Indeed, however absurd this may seem to you, I reckon my staunch wise +dogs also among the number—And why not? They understand every word that +I say to them. They obey even my slightest signals, and are attached, +and faithful even to death.</p> + +<p>"Mark there, only, how intelligently my Waldmann looks up, because he +knows already that I am speaking about him!</p> + +<p>"Now, sir, not only is there every day something to be done with the +huntsmen and dogs in the forest—but every evening before, there is the +pleasure of preparation, and a hospitable well-supplied board, (at which +we enjoy ourselves with a zest, that you townsmen never experience;) +then, with the first dawn of day, I am always out of bed, and make my +appearance, blowing all the way a cheering <i>réveille</i> upon my +hunting-horn.</p> + +<p>"At that sound every one directly starts up—The dogs, too, begin to +give tongue, and join in one great concert, of barking and rejoicing, +from their delight at the anticipation of the coming sport. The +huntsmen are quickly dressed—They throw the game-bags and fire-arms on +their shoulders, and assemble directly in this room, where my old woman +(my wife, I mean) prepares for us a right stout hunter's breakfast, an +enormous <i>schüssel</i> of hot ragout, with a bottle of vin-ordinaire, a +reaming flagon of home-brewed ale, with another of <i>Stettiner beer</i>, +sent us from the <i>residenz</i>; then, after a glass of <i>schnaps</i>, we all +sally forth in the highest possible spirits, shouting and rejoicing.</p> + +<p>"Thereafter, we have a long march before us—(I speak of our employments +at this present season)—but at last we arrive at the spot where the +game lies in cover—There every one takes his stand apart from the rest; +the dogs grope about with their noses on the ground, snuffing the scent, +and looking back every now and then to give notice to the huntsman, who, +in his turn, stands with his gun cocked, motionless and scarcely daring +to breathe, as if rooted to the ground. But when at last the game starts +out of the thicket, when the guns crack, and the dogs rush in after the +shot, ah! then, sir, one's heart beats—every fibre is trembling with +youthful energy; old as I am, I thus feel transformed into a new man.</p> + +<p>"Moreover, and above all, there are no two adventures of this kind +exactly like each other. In every one is something new, and there is +always something to talk over that never happened before. If it were no +more than the variety of game at different seasons of the year, this +alone renders the pursuit so delightful, that one never can have enough +of it.</p> + +<p>"But setting aside these diversions, I assure you, sir, that the mere +superintendance and care of the woods is an employment which would amply +fill up my time from January to December. So far am I from feeling +lonely, that every tree of the forest is to me like a companion.</p> + +<p>"Absolutely, it appears to me as if every plant which has grown up under +my inspection, and stretches up its glossy waving head into the air, +should know me and love me, because I have watched over, and protected +it. Nay, many times, when I hear the whispering and rushing of the +leaves in the wind, it seems as if the trees themselves spoke with an +intelligible voice, that this was indeed a true praising of God and his +omnipotence; a prayer, which, in no articulate words, could so well +have been expressed.</p> + +<p>"In short, sir, an honest huntsman and forester, who has the fear of God +before him, leads, even in these degenerate times, an admirable and +happy life. Something is yet left to him of that fine old state of +liberty, when the habits of men were according to nature, and they knew +nothing of all that conventional artifice, parade, and frippery, +wherewith they are now tormented in their walled-up garrisons and +cities. <i>There</i>, indeed, they become totally estranged from all those +delightful influences which God, in the midst of his works in this +world, is ready to shower upon them, by which, on the contrary, they +ought to be edified and rejoiced, as the free sylvan people were in +former ages, who lived in love and friendship with nature, as we read in +the old histories."</p> + +<p>All this (though his style was somewhat rambling and methodistic) the +old forester uttered with a <i>gusto</i> and emphasis, by which one could not +fail to perceive that he felt whatever he had said deeply in his own +heart; and I truly envied him his station in life, together with his +deeply-grounded quiet moods of mind, to which my own bore so little +resemblance, or rather presented so painful a contrast.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>In another part of the building, which was of considerable extent, the +old man shewed me a small and neatly-fitted-up apartment, in which was a +bed, and where I found my luggage already deposited. There he left me, +with the assurance that the early disturbance in the house would not +break my sleep, as I was quite separated from the other inhabitants of +the castle, and might rest as long as I chose. My breakfast would not be +carried in until I rung the bell, or came down stairs to order it. He +added, that I should not see him again till we met at the dinner-table, +as he should set out early with his lads to the forest, and would not +return before mid-day.</p> + +<p>I gave myself no farther trouble therefore, but being much fatigued, +undressed hastily, and threw myself into bed, where I soon fell into a +deep sleep. After this, however, I was persecuted by a horrible dream. +In a manner the most extraordinary, it began with the consciousness of +slumber. I said to myself, "Now this is fortunate, that I have fallen +asleep so readily; I shall by this means quite recover from my fatigue, +and, for fear of awaking, must only take special care to keep my eyes +shut."</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding this resolution, it seemed to me as if I must, of +necessity, open my eyes, and yet continued at the same time to sleep. +Then the door of my room opened, and a dark form entered, in whom, to my +extreme horror and amazement, I recognised <i>myself</i> in the capuchin +habit, with the beard and tonsure!</p> + +<p>The monk came nearer and nearer to the bed, till he stood leaning over +me, and grinned scornfully. "Now, then," said he, in a hollow sepulchral +voice, and yet with a strange cadence of exultation—"now, then, thou +shalt come along with me; we shall mount on the <i>altan</i><a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> on the roof +of the house beside the weather-cock, who will sing us a merry +bridal-song, because the owl to-night holds his wedding-feast—there +shall we contend together, and whoever beats the other from the roof of +the house is king, and may drink blood!"</p> + +<p>I felt now that the figure seized upon me, and tried to lift me up from +the bed. Then despair gave me courage, and I exclaimed, "Thou art not +Medardus!—thou art the devil!" and as if with the claws of a demon, I +grappled at the throat and visage of this detestable spectre.</p> + +<p>But when I did so, it seemed as if my fingers forced their way into +empty skeleton sockets, or held only dry withered joints, and the +spectre laughed aloud in shrilling tones of scorn and mockery.</p> + +<p>At that moment, as if forcibly roused by some one violently wrenching me +about, I awoke!</p> + +<p>The laughter still continued in the room. I raised myself up. The +morning had broken in bright gleams through the window, and I actually +beheld at the table, with his back turned towards me, a figure dressed +in the capuchin habit!</p> + +<p>I was petrified with horror. The abominable dream had started into real +life! The capuchin tossed and tumbled among the things which lay upon +the table, till by accident he turned round, and thereupon I recovered +all my courage, for his visage, thank Heaven, was <i>not mine</i>! Certain +features, indeed, bore the closest resemblance, but I was in health and +vigour; he was, on the contrary, worn and emaciated, disguised too by an +overgrown head of hair, and grizzly black beard. Moreover, his eyes +rolled and glared with the workings of a thoughtless and vacant +delirium.</p> + +<p>I resolved not to give any alarm, but remain quietly on the watch for +whatever he might do, and not interrupt him unless he attempted +something formidably mischievous, for my stiletto lay near me on the +bed, and on that account, together with my superior strength, I could +soon be completely master of this intruder.</p> + +<p>He appeared to look at, and to play with, the things that lay upon the +table, as a child would do with toys; especially, he seemed delighted +with the red <i>portefeuille</i>, which he turned over and over towards the +light of the window, at the same time making strange grimaces, and +jumping up like a patient in the dance of St Vitus.</p> + +<p>At last, he found the bottle with the rest of the Devil's Elixir, which +he directly opened and smelt at; then he seemed to tremble convulsively +through every limb. He uttered a loud and indescribable cry—"He, he, +he!—He, he, he!" which echoed in faltering reverberations through the +room, and passages.</p> + +<p>A clear-toned clock in the house just then struck three (but the hour +must have been much later.) Thereupon, to my great annoyance, he lifted +up his voice, and howled as if seized by some horrible torment; then +broke out once more into the same shrill laughter that I had heard in my +dream. He heaved himself about into the wildest attitudes and caprioles, +concluding with a long draught from the bottle with the Devil's Elixir, +which (after having exhausted the last drops) he then hurled from him +against the wall, and ran out at the door.</p> + +<p>I now instantly rose up and looked after him, but he was already out of +sight, and I heard him clamping and clattering down a distant staircase; +and, lastly, the violent hollow clank of a door, as he closed it after +him.</p> + +<p>I then carefully locked and bolted that of my own room, that I might be +secured against any second intrusion, and threw myself once more into +bed. I had been too much excited to be able for some time to sleep +again; but at last slumber fell heavily upon me, and I did not awake +till a late hour, when, refreshed and strengthened, I found the bright +warm sun beating into my apartment.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + + +<p>Having dressed, I found a bell in the corridor, which I rung, to give +notice that I was awake. The forester, according to what he had said, +had gone out early with his huntsmen; but a very blooming, and indeed +beautiful girl, his youngest daughter, appeared, and served me with +breakfast, while her elder sister, as she told me, was busied with her +mother in household concerns.</p> + +<p>The girl was frank and unembarrassed. She described to me, very +prettily, how the inhabitants of the <i>forst-haus</i> all lived on the best +terms together, and that only now and then, their usual quiet routine +was interrupted when the Prince came to hunt in this district, who on +such occasions frequently staid through the night with the forester.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Thus a few hours glided away. Then it was mid-day, and the mirthful +sounds of shouting and bugle-horns announced that the forester was on +his return. He appeared soon after, attended by his four sons, (of whom +the youngest was about fifteen,) all blooming, handsome young men, and +three servants. They were all dressed uniformly, in dark green and gold, +with complete accoutrements for the <i>chasse</i>.</p> + +<p>The forester directly inquired how I had rested in the night, and if the +early alarm in the court had not awoke me. I did not like to relate to +him the adventure which had befallen me; for the living appearance of +the horrible monk had joined itself so closely to the phantom of my +dream, that I could scarcely distinguish that point at which the vision +had passed onwards into reality.</p> + +<p>The long oak table was spread. Two large dishes smoked at head and +foot;—the old man took off his cap in order to say grace. Then the door +suddenly burst open, and the emaciated, grizzly capuchin, habited +precisely as I had seen him in the night, marched in. The wildness of +insanity had indeed somewhat relaxed upon his visage; but he still +looked gloomy, discontented, and scowled around him.</p> + +<p>"Welcome, reverend sir," cried the forester. "You are come in good time. +Do you say grace for me, and then take your place with us at the +dinner-table."</p> + +<p>Hereupon the monk's eyes kindled with furious rage;—he looked wildly on +every one; and, in a frightful tone, cried out, "May the devil fetch +you, with your reverend sirs, and your damned hypocritical graces! Have +you enticed me hither, in order that I might be the <i>thirteenth</i>, and +that you might allow me to be butchered by the strange murderer? Have +you stuck me into this tunic, that no one might recognise the Count, who +is thy lord and master? But beware, thou miscreant!—beware of my just +anger!"</p> + +<p>With these words, the monk seized a heavy earthen bottle, which stood +upon the table, and hurled it at the old man, who, only by his +professional quickness of eye, and a very clever turn of his head, +escaped the blow, which otherwise must have been his instant +destruction.</p> + +<p>At that moment, the three servants started up, seized the madman, and +pinioned his arms.</p> + +<p>"What!" cried the forester, "thou cursed, blasphemous wretch, is it thus +that, with thy old bedlamite pranks, thou venturest to come into the +society of honest Christians? Thou venturest again to aim against my +life—against me, by whom thou wert raised from the condition of the +beasts of the field, and from the certainty of everlasting +perdition?—Away—away with thee to prison!"</p> + +<p>The monk now fell upon his knees. He prayed—even wept—moaned, and +howled for mercy. But in vain. "Thou must and shalt go to prison," said +the forester; "and never shalt thou dare to come hither again, until +such time as I know that thou hast renounced the Satan that thus blinds +thee; and if not, thou shalt die!"</p> + +<p>Hereupon the maniac shrieked out in the hopeless agony of grief. He was +seized, however, and led away by the huntsmen, who, returning soon +afterwards, announced to us, that he had become quieter as soon as he +was deposited in his dungeon. They added, that Christian, who generally +watched over him, had said, that the monk, through the whole preceding +night, had been restless, and tumbling about through the walks and +corridors of the castle; and that, more especially towards the morning, +he had been heard often to exclaim—"More wine, and I will give myself +up wholly to thee!—More wine—more wine!" Besides, it had seemed to +Christian as if the man absolutely rolled about like a drunken person, +though it was impossible for him to conceive how he could have got at +any kind of intoxicating liquor.</p> + +<p>Now, therefore, I of course did not any longer hesitate to relate my +adventures of the night; nor did I forget the circumstance of his +drinking out of my basket-bottle.</p> + +<p>"Ha, worthy sir," said the forester, "I owe you indeed many apologies. +You must have been cruelly disturbed. But you seem a pious good man, and +therefore courageous. Another might have absolutely died of terror."</p> + +<p>I begged him to tell me, somewhat minutely, what was the real history of +his connection with the monk. "At another opportunity, sir, if you +please," said the forester; "it is too long a narrative to begin during +dinner; and indeed it is bad enough that this abominable man has +disturbed us in such manner just as we were about to enjoy, gratefully +and tranquilly, that which the goodness of God bestows upon us. +However, let us lose no farther time."</p> + +<p>Thereupon he took off his hat, and said the grace, with much emphasis +and devotion. The conversation became animated and cheerful, as if +nothing had happened;—the dishes, though served in a rustic style, were +plentiful, and admirably cooked; so that I had never partaken of a more +refreshing and agreeable repast. There were excellent strong soup, and +boiled meat; afterwards, a course of venison and other game, prepared in +different ways, (of which I preferred the <i>sour braten</i>,) salmon, &c. In +honour of his guest, the old man produced some bottles of noble old +wine, which was drunk, according to patriarchal custom, out of a +magnificent goblet, and passed round the table.</p> + +<p>While the wine thus went round, the dishes were cleared away. The +huntsmen then took their bugle-horns from the wall, and, by way of +concert, blew a loud, inspiring <i>jager-lied</i>;<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> first without +accompaniment, but, at the second repetition, they blew more softly, and +the girls joined in with very sweet voices. Then, at the third and +concluding part, the forester's four sons also joined, and finished the +performance with a grand chorus.</p> + +<p>My heart was in a wonderful degree lightened and expanded. For a long +period, I had not felt myself in so genial a mood of mind as now, among +these honest, simple-hearted people. There were afterwards many songs, +very musically and effectively given, by the girls, assisted by the +young men, till at last the forester rose up, and with the toast, "Long +life to all brave men who love the noble art of hunting," he emptied his +glass. We all followed his example; and thus the agreeable banquet, +which, on my account, had been enlivened with wine and with song, was +concluded.</p> + +<p>"Now, sir," said the forester, "I shall sleep for half an hour, or +thereabouts; but after that, we go once more to the wood; and if you are +pleased to accompany us, I shall, on the way, relate to you how the monk +came to my house, and all that I know of him. We must wait till the +twilight, however. Then we go to our appointed station, where <i>Franz</i> +has informed me, that there are a noble covey of partridges. You shall +have a gun also, if it is agreeable to you, and try your fortune."</p> + +<p>The thing was new to me; for though I had, as a <i>seminarist</i>, many times +practised shooting at a mark, yet I had never tried at living game. I +therefore accepted the forester's offer, who appeared quite delighted +that I did so; and even before going to sleep, instructed me in various +rules and precautions, by means of which he thought that I would make +sure of booty.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + + +<p>Accordingly, I was in due time accoutred with a huntsman's bag, and a +fowling-piece slung over my shoulder, and, in company with the old man, +marched away through the woods, while, in the following manner, he began +the story of the monk.</p> + +<p>"This harvest, it must be now about six months since, my lads first +announced that they heard oftentimes a tremendous howling in the forest, +which, though the noise could not well be called human, yet my <i>Franz</i> +always insisted it must be the voice of a man. Francis, indeed, seemed +to be particularly aimed at, as the <i>butt</i> or prey of this howling +spectre, for, when he went to a good station, the howling always +frightened away the game; and, at last, whenever he wanted to shoot at a +deer or hare, he saw a large bristly human monster burst out of the +thicket, against whom he did not venture to draw the trigger.</p> + +<p>"This youth had his head full of all the ghostly hunting legends which +his father, an old <i>chasseur</i>, had related to him;—and he was inclined +to hold that strange intruder for the devil himself, who wanted to +destroy his sport, or entice him to destruction.</p> + +<p>"The other lads,—even my own sons, to whom also the same devil had +appeared,—at last joined with Francis, and my desire to obtain an +explanation of all this mystery, was so much the greater, as I held it +for a contrivance of the poachers, to frighten away my people from the +proper covers.</p> + +<p>"Consequently, I gave strict orders that the next time they met with the +devil, they should stop and question him; and if he would not answer, +they should, without hesitation, according to the rules of the forest, +shoot him dead on the spot.</p> + +<p>"Francis happened once more to be the first who encountered +him.—Recollecting my orders, he commanded him to stand, at the same +time presenting his fowling-piece—Thereupon the spectre rushed away +into the thicket; Francis thought to send a thundering shot after him, +but the gun missed fire; and now looking on this as supernatural, he ran +homewards more horrified than ever. Of course, he told every adventure +of this kind to his companions, who became all convinced that it was the +devil who thus, frighted away the game, and frustrated his attempts in +shooting—for it was quite true, that ever since he was persecuted by +this demon, he had killed nothing, though, before that time, he had been +an excellent and successful marksman.</p> + +<p>"The rumour of the devil being in our wood spread itself abroad, and in +the nearest village the people had got long stories, how Satan had come +to Francis, and offered him <i>freikügeln</i>, (enchanted balls,) with a deal +of other absurd nonsense. I resolved, therefore, that I would myself +make an end of all this, and watch at the places where he was usually +found, for the monster, who had hitherto never once appeared to me.</p> + +<p>"For a long time, my endeavours were unsuccessful, but at length, when I +was at the station where he had first appeared to Francis, there was +heard a rustling in the thickets—softly I raised up my gun, expecting a +wild boar, or some other animal, but to my utter astonishment, there +started up a horrible human figure, with flaming red eyes, bristly black +hair, and his body hung (I cannot say clothed) with rags.—The spectre +glared on me with his fiery eyes—uttering at the same time the +tremendous howlings, which had been before now so faithfully described +to me.</p> + +<p>"In truth, sir, that was a moment which might have inspired terror even +into the most courageous heart. I must confess I thought it was the +devil who thus stood visibly before me,—and felt a cold sweat +involuntarily burst from every pore—But in a powerful energetic prayer, +which I uttered aloud, I completely recovered my courage. While I thus +prayed, and pronounced audibly the name of Christ, the monster howled +more outrageously than ever, and at last broke out into horrible +blasphemies and execrations.</p> + +<p>"Then I cried out—'Thou cursed, wicked, lubberly fellow, desist from +these blasphemous words, and resign thyself into my power, otherwise I +shall instantly shoot thee through the head!'</p> + +<p>"Hereupon, with moans and lamentations, the man instantly fell upon the +earth before me, and prayed for compassion. My servants came up—we +seized the wretch, and led him home, where I shut him up in the prison +of the tower, at the corner of the court, and next morning I intended to +give notice of what had happened to the magistrates.</p> + +<p>"As soon as he came into the tower, he had fallen into a state of almost +utter insensibility.—When I went to him next morning, he was sitting on +a bed of straw, which we had prepared for him, and wept violently. He +fell at my feet, and begged that I would take compassion on him.—He +told me that he had already lived several weeks in the woods, eating +nothing but roots and wild fruit. He was a poor Capuchin from a distant +convent, and had escaped out of the prison, in which, on account of his +madness, he had been shut up.</p> + +<p>"The man was, to say the truth, in a most miserable condition—I had +compassion upon him, and desired that food and wine should be +administered for his restoration, after which he visibly recovered. He +begged of me in the most earnest and abject manner, that I would bear +with him for a few days in the house, and that I would, if possible, +get him a new dress of his order. He would then alone, and of his own +accord, walk back to his convent.</p> + +<p>"I complied with his wishes, and his madness seemed visibly to leave +him. The paroxysms were more rare, and far less vehement. In the +exasperations of his madness he uttered horrible cries, and I observed, +that when on this account I spoke to him harshly, and threatened him +with death, he fell into a state of almost utter annihilation, threw +himself on the earth, chastised himself with a knotted rope, and called +on God and the Saints, to free him from the torments and terrors of hell +which awaited him.</p> + +<p>"At such intervals he seemed to look on himself as St Anthony, and at +other times, in his violent paroxysms, affirmed that he was an +<i>herrgraf</i>, and supreme Prince, adding, that he would have us all put to +death as soon as his servants appeared to rescue him.</p> + +<p>"In his lucid moments, he begged of me for God's sake not to turn him +out of this house, as he felt that his cure depended on his residence +with me. Only once I had another disagreeable adventure with him, and, +as luck would have it, it befell just at the time when the Prince was +hunting in our forest, and spent the night in my house.</p> + +<p>"The monk, after he had beheld the Prince with his brilliant train of +attendants, was completely changed. He remained gloomy and reserved. +When we went as usual to prayers, he retired abruptly. If he heard even +a word uttered in the spirit of devotion, there was a trembling through +all his limbs, and at the same time, he looked on my daughter Anne with +an aspect so strange and ambiguous, that I resolved to get him directly +away from the house, in order to prevent all sorts of misdemeanours, +which of necessity would ensue.</p> + +<p>"In the course of the very night preceding the day on which I had +intended to pack him off, I was alarmed about one o'clock by a piercing +cry, which vibrated along the corridor. I sprung out of bed, got a +light, and ran towards the room where my daughters slept. The monk had +contrived to break from the dungeon in which I always kept him shut up, +and giving the reins to his abominable impulses, had betaken himself +directly to the door of my daughters' room, which he had burst in with +his foot.</p> + +<p>"By good luck, the lad Francis had been awoke by extreme thirst, and was +going to get water in the court, when he heard the monk's heavy step in +the corridor. He ran up to him accordingly, and seized him from behind, +just at the moment when he was entering the room; but the lad was too +weak to get the better of the madman. They wrestled together, and both +fell out of the room again into the corridor, the girls, meanwhile, +screaming loudly.</p> + +<p>"Just at this time I came up. The monk had got Francis on the ground, +and was grappling him by the throat in such a manner that he would very +soon have made an end of his victim. Without losing a moment, therefore, +I seized the maniac, and tore him away. Then suddenly, before I could +understand how he could accomplish it, I saw a knife gleaming in his +clenched hand, with which he directly struck at me; but Francis, who had +now recovered, seized his arm, and, as I am a strong man, we succeeded +in pinning the wretched man to the wall, in such manner, that his breath +was almost squeezed out of his body.</p> + +<p>"The noise had by that time roused all my people from their sleep, and +they came running to the spot. We bound the monk with ropes, and threw +him into the tower; then I brought a horse-whip, and inflicted on him +such a castigation, that he sobbed and moaned most lamentably.</p> + +<p>"'Thou incorrigible miscreant!' said I, 'this is all far too little for +thy deserts. Thou, who wouldst have seduced my daughter, and hast, with +thy knife, aimed at the life of thy preserver, were I to do justice, +death itself would be too little for thee!'</p> + +<p>"Hereupon he howled aloud with horror; for the apprehension of death +seemed always quite to annihilate him. The following morning we found +that he could not be removed; for he lay there as if dead, in the most +miserable depression and exhaustion, so that involuntarily I could not +help once more taking compassion upon him.</p> + +<p>"Consequently I made a bed be prepared for him in a better apartment, +where my wife nursed him with strong soups, and gave him from our +domestic dispensary whatever drugs were requisite. Moreover, you must +know, sir, that my wife, when alone, has the good Christian habit of +singing to herself some pious hymn or favourite anthem, in which she +sometimes desires my daughter Anne to join with her. This happened to +take place several times near the bed of the sick man. Then he began to +sigh heavily, and to look at my wife and Anne with an aspect of the +deepest melancholy, and frequently tears forced their way over his +cheeks. Sometimes he moved his hand and fingers as if he would cross +himself; but could not succeed in it, his hand fell down powerless; many +times, too, he uttered low and imperfect tones, as if he were about to +join in the anthem; in short, he began perceptibly to recover.</p> + +<p>"Then, according to monastic habits, he crossed himself very often, and +prayed in a low voice. At last he began to sing Latin songs, the words +of which my wife and daughter, of course, did not understand; but their +music, their admirably deep, solemn cadence, penetrated so deeply into +their hearts, that they could not express how much they had been, by the +sick man's conduct, moved and edified.</p> + +<p>"The monk was now so far recovered, that he rose from bed, and could +walk about the house; but his appearance, and whole manner were +completely changed. His eyes now looked mild and tranquil, whereas +before they had gleamed with a malicious fire. According to conventual +rules, he now walked about softly, and with clasped hands, in an +attitude of constant devotion. Every trace of madness had vanished from +his aspect and conduct. He would take nothing for food, but vegetables, +bread, and water. It was only of late that I had forced him to sit at my +table; to eat our ordinary provisions, and to allow himself, now and +then, a small draught of wine. At these times he said grace, and we were +delighted with his discourse, which was often unusually eloquent.</p> + +<p>"Frequently he went alone, walking through the woods, where it chanced +that I met him one day, and, without attaching much importance to the +question, I asked him whether he now thought of returning to his +convent. He seemed much affected. 'My friend,' said he, 'it is to you +that I am indebted, under Heaven, for the rescue of my soul. You have +saved me from eternal destruction. Even now I cannot bear to part with +you; let me, therefore, remain here. Alas! have compassion on me, whom +the devil has thus enticed and misled, and who would have been for ever +lost, if the guardian saint, to whom he yet prayed in hours of terror, +had not brought him, in his madness, to this forest.</p> + +<p>"'You found me,' continued the monk, after a short pause, 'in a +condition altogether depraved, and therefore cannot have guessed that I +was once a promising youth, gifted by nature with many excellent +endowments; whom nothing but an enthusiastic love of solitude, and of +deep meditation, led to a convent. My brethren there all looked on me +with regard and affection, and I lived as happily as any one within the +walls of a cloister can possibly do. By piety and exemplary conduct I +gained a high reputation, and already people beheld in me the future +prior.</p> + +<p>"'It happened, unfortunately for me, that one of the brethren returned +home from distant travels, and brought with him to our convent various +relics, which he had carefully collected on his journey. Among them was +an extraordinary sealed-up bottle, which, it was said, St Anthony had +one time taken from the devil. This relic was, like all the rest, +preserved with great reverence, though there appeared to me something in +the nature of it wholly opposite to the true spirit of devotion, and +indeed ludicrous and absurd. However, by commencing in this manner, my +attention was gradually directed more and more to the subject, till at +last an indescribable longing took possession of me to know what was +actually in the bottle. I succeeded at last in getting it into my +possession, opened it, and found therein a strong drink, which exhaled a +very delightful perfume, and tasted very sweetly, and which, therefore, +I drank out, even to the last drops.</p> + +<p>"'In what manner my spirit and disposition were now at once wholly +changed,—how I felt a burning thirst for the pleasures of the +world,—how vice, in seductive form, appeared to me as the very highest +object of pursuit in this life, I can only hint at, but cannot +adequately describe. In short, my life became a continued chain of +shameful crimes, till at last, notwithstanding my devilish artifice and +cunning, I was betrayed to the prior, who, accordingly, sentenced me to +perpetual imprisonment in the dungeons of the convent.</p> + +<p>"'When I had passed several weeks in a damp dark prison, I cursed myself +and my existence—I blasphemed God and the Saints. Thereupon the devil +came to me in a glowing atmosphere of red flame, and said to me, that if +I would turn away my soul wholly and utterly from the service of the +Most High, and swear allegiance to him alone, he would set me directly +at liberty. Howling, I fell upon my knees, and cried out, 'There is no +God whom I serve!—Thou alone art my master; and from the fervour of thy +fire stream forth all the pleasures and enjoyments of this life!'</p> + +<p>"'Scarcely had I uttered these wild words, when there arose a roaring +wind like a hurricane, and my prison walls groaned and cracked, as if +agitated by an earthquake. An indescribable voice, like the piping +shrill tone of the wind in autumn, vibrated through the air. The iron +bars of the window fell down, broken into fragments; and, hurled out by +some invisible power, I found myself standing in the court of the +convent.</p> + +<p>"'At that moment the moon gleamed clear and powerful through the clouds, +and in her light shone above me the statue of St Anthony, which was +erected at a fountain in the middle of the court. An inexpressible +horror now seized on me; my frame shook with the agony of conscious +guilt. I threw myself prostrate and annihilated before the Saint, +renounced the devil, and prayed for mercy. But then dark clouds rose up +into the sky, and again the hurricane roared around me. My senses were +lost, and I recovered myself, for the first time, in the forest, where I +raged about, delirious with hunger and despair, out of which situation +you rescued me.'</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"Such," continued the forester, "was the Capuchin's story, and it made +upon me an impression so deep, that, even after the lapse of many +months, I am able thus to repeat it, word for word. Since that time the +monk has behaved himself with so much piety and consistency, that we all +conceived an affection for him; and on this account it is to me the more +inexplicable how his madness during the last night should have broken +out so violently again."</p> + +<p>"Do you not know, then," said I, "from what Capuchin convent the +fugitive has come?"</p> + +<p>"He has been silent on that head," said the forester; "and I am the less +inclined to ask him regarding it, because it is probable this may be the +same unhappy man, who, not long ago, was a constant subject of discourse +at our Prince's court. Yet there was no knowledge of his being in this +neighbourhood; and for the monk's sake, I by no means wished that my +suspicions should be changed into conviction, as I should then have been +compelled to announce the truth at the <i>residenz</i>."</p> + +<p>"But I at least may hear your suspicions," said I; "for, being a +stranger, I am not involved in the consequences; besides, I shall +solemnly promise not to repeat what you may communicate."</p> + +<p>"You must know, then," said the forester, "that the sister of our +reigning Princess is Abbess of the Cistertian Convent at Kreuzberg. The +Abbess had taken under her care the son of a poor woman, (betwixt whose +husband and our Prince's family some mysterious connection subsisted,) +and provided for his support and education. By his own desire, he became +a Capuchin monk, and acquired, as a pulpit orator, great reputation. The +Abbess frequently wrote to her sister in praise of her chosen <i>eléve</i>; +but not long ago her style on this subject became completely changed, +and she deeply deplored that she had irrecoverably lost him. It was +rumoured that, on account of the misuse of a certain relic, he had been +banished from that convent, of which he had been so long the chief +ornament. All this I learned from a conversation of the Prince's +physician with another gentleman of the court, at which I happened, not +long ago, to be present. They mentioned some other very remarkable +circumstances, which, however, have escaped me, as I did not hear the +whole distinctly, and durst not trouble them with questions. I am, +therefore, not prepared on all particulars of the story, which in part +remains to me inexplicable.</p> + +<p>"Yet, though the monk, who is now in our house, describes his leaving +the monastery in a different manner, this may be the work of his own +imagination. He may have dreamed all that he tells about his escape; +and, in short, I am persuaded that this monk is no other than Brother +Medardus, the Capuchin, whom the Prioress educated, and whom the devil +enticed to all sorts of crimes, until Heaven at last punished him with +the infliction of utter insanity."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + + +<p>When the forester pronounced the name of Medardus, my whole frame +violently shook, nay, the story throughout had even, physically and +corporeally, tormented me, so that at every word I felt almost as if +daggers were piercing to my heart; and it was with great difficulty that +I prevented my agitation from being observed by my companion. I felt +convinced that the monk had spoken only the truth, both with regard to +the relic and direct agency of the devil; nay, that it could have been +nothing else but a repetition of the same infernal drink that had now +renewed in him this horrible delirium.</p> + +<p>But my own situation had again become degraded. I found myself more and +more confirmed into the mere plaything of that mysterious and malicious +destiny, which had so effectually wrapt its indissoluble toils around +me, so that, while I madly believed myself free, I was, in truth, only +beating about, like a captive bird in a cage, within barriers, from +which I could find no outlet.</p> + +<p>The good and pious lessons of my old friend Cyrillus, on which I had +bestowed no attention; the appearance of the young Count and his +volatile tutor, all came back on my memory. I was now clearly instructed +whence had proceeded that sudden alteration which I had experienced both +in mind and body. I was utterly ashamed of the delusions to which I had +been subjected, and of my criminal conduct. But, alas! this shame, which +was the emotion of a selfish worldling, rather than a penitent, appeared +to me at the moment as equivalent to the deep repentance, the +self-annihilation which I ought in my inmost heart to have felt and +cherished.</p> + +<p>Thus I had sunk into deep reflection, and scarcely listened to the old +man, who once more recurred to his hunting stories, describing to me +various adventures which he had encountered with poachers, &c. &c.</p> + +<p>The twilight had now drawn on, and at last we stood opposite to the +covert in which it was said that there were black game or partridges. +The forester placed me in a proper station and attitude, admonished me +once more that I was not to speak nor move, but, with the utmost care, +to hold my gun on the cock, and ready to fire.</p> + +<p>The huntsmen softly glided away to their several places, and I was left +standing alone in the dim light, which always became more obscure. +Seldom have I known visions more strange than what arose to my +bewildered senses at that moment. Forms and features, imagery and +adventures out of my past life, stept out vividly, like the illusions of +a phantasmagorie, amid the gloom of the dark forest, before me. Among +them were visions even of my earliest years. I beheld alternately my +mother and the Abbess. They looked at me with a severe and reproving +aspect. Euphemia, too, habited in luxurious splendour, came floating and +rustling up, as if to salute me. But her visage was deadly pale, and I +liked not the gleam of her darkly-glaring eyes. I shrunk, therefore, +from her proffered embrace, whereupon she lifted up her hands, in a +threatening attitude, against me. "They are steeped in blood," cried I, +"that drops reeking to the earth. They are died in the life-blood from +Hermogen's wounds!"</p> + +<p>Instantly, as I uttered aloud these delirious words, there came over my +head a great whirring of wings, so that by the noise I was quite stunned +and confounded. It was a large covey of partridges. I directly put my +gun to my shoulder, and shot, blindfold and at random, into the air, +whereupon two birds fell directly to the ground.</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" cried one of the huntsmen, who had been standing at a short +distance, while at the same moment, as the stragglers of the covey +started up, he fired, and brought down a third partridge. Shots +afterwards reverberated all round us. The air was filled with smoke, and +the <i>chasseurs</i> at last assembled, every one bearing his own proper +booty.</p> + +<p>The lad to whom I had been stationed nearest, related, not without sly +side-looks at me, how, when the partridges rose on the wing, I had cried +out aloud, as if in great affright, and then, without once taking aim, +had shot blindly into the midst of them, though he was obliged to allow, +that I had at the same time killed two birds. Nay, he insisted that, in +the twilight, it had appeared to him as if I held the gun in a direction +totally wrong; yet the birds were struck, by which result he seemed to +have been brought into great perplexity.</p> + +<p>The old forester was mightily diverted, and laughed aloud at the notion +that I could be frightened in such manner by a covey of partridges, and +that I had then only shot at random among them. "However," added he, "I +shall nevertheless trust that you are an honest Christian hunter, and no +<i>freischutz</i>—no devil's marksman—who can hit whatever he likes, +whether he aims at it or not." This unpremeditated jest of the old man +struck my inmost heart, and even the good luck attending my random shot, +at that moment filled me with horror. More than ever discontented, and +torn by conflicting impulses, I became wholly involved in doubt and +mystery, which, by their destructive influence, continued to darken my +whole existence.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>On our return to the <i>forst-haus</i>, Christian announced that the monk had +kept himself quite quiet in his prison, had not spoken a word, and would +not accept of any nourishment.</p> + +<p>"It is impossible now," said the forester, "that he can remain any +longer with me; for who can say that his madness, which is obviously +incurable, might not break out again, and, in consequence, some horrible +misfortune be brought upon our house? To-morrow, therefore, he must, as +early as possible, be sent off with Christian into the town. The +deposition that I thought it best to draw up, as to my whole adventures +with him, has been long since ready, and in town he may be at once taken +to the mad-house."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>This night, when I was again left alone in my chamber, the same +frightful visions that had haunted me in the wood, once more regained +their full influence. More especially Hermogen, like a horrible ghastly +spectre, stood, in the dimness of the half-lighted room, before me, and +when mustering courage to dare the worst, I tried to look fixedly on the +apparition, it was changed into that of the delirious monk. Both seemed, +according to my confused perceptions, to be melted into one, and thus +perhaps impersonized the warning influence of a higher power, which +interposed to save me just as I stood upon the very brink of +destruction.</p> + +<p>While undressing, I stumbled over the basket-bottle, which still lay +upon the floor. The monk had drained it even to the last drops; thus I +was protected completely from any temptation to drink more. But even the +bottle itself, from which there exhaled a strong stupifying odour, I +hurled away through the open window, over the wall of the court, in +order to annihilate at once every operation of this damnable Elixir.</p> + +<p>By degrees I became more tranquil, and found at last some consolation in +the belief, that in point of intellect, I must be greatly elevated over +that monk, who, by a scanty draught out of my bottle, had been roused +into furious madness. I felt also that the present dangers had passed +over me, for the forester believed that his maniac monk was the Capuchin +Medardus; and, from all this, I inferred the favourable warning of +Providence, whose purpose it was not that I should utterly perish.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Irresistibly I felt myself drawn towards the Prince's <i>residenz</i>. There +it was possible that an introduction to the sister of the Abbess, who +was said to bear a great resemblance to the latter, might restore to me +my long-lost disposition towards a life of simple piety, and to those +pure enjoyments which had attracted me in youth. In order to reanimate +the most vivid recollections of that period, even a sight of the +Princess was, in my present tone of feelings, all that would be +requisite; but as to the means by which an interview with her might be +obtained, I resolved to submit myself wholly to chance.</p> + +<p>Scarcely was it day-break when I heard the voice of the forester in the +court. I had agreed to set out early with his son, and therefore dressed +as quickly as possible. When I came down stairs, there was a rough +<i>leiter-wagen</i> at the door, prepared for departure. The three servants +now brought out the monk, who, with a deadly-pale and distorted +countenance, allowed himself to be led, without uttering a word. He +would answer no questions—he would accept of no food; indeed, scarcely +seemed to notice those who were around him. Accordingly, they lifted him +upon the carriage, and bound him with ropes; for his present condition +appeared very doubtful, and no one could be secure against the sudden +breaking out of his malady.</p> + +<p>As they bound his limbs, his visage was convulsively writhen, and he +heaved a deep sigh, with an expression so piteous, that his situation +wounded me to the heart. Between him and me there subsisted some +mysterious relationship, as to the nature of which, I could not yet even +guess; but to his misery and probable destruction I owed my present +hopes of safety.</p> + +<p>Christian, and one of the huntsmen, took their places beside him in the +carriage. It was not till they were driving away that his looks happened +to fall directly on me, whereupon his features immediately assumed an +expression of wonder and perplexity. As the carriage receded, his eyes +still remained intently gazing on me.</p> + +<p>"Mark you," said the forester, "how strangely he watches you. I do +believe that your presence in the dining-room contributed very much to +his frenzy; for even in his lucid intervals he has always been timid, +and has cherished the suspicion that a stranger was to come who would +put him to death, of which he always entertains an unbounded horror. +Being aware of this, I have often, when in the wildest of his paroxysms, +by threatening to shoot him, produced perfect calmness and submission."</p> + +<p>I now felt lightened and relieved by the consciousness that this monk, +who seemed to present a horrible and distorted shadow of myself, was +effectually removed from my presence. I rejoiced, too, in my +anticipation of the <i>residenz</i>, believing that the load of that gloomy +and obscure fate by which I had been oppressed, would at last be taken +from my shoulders,—that I should be gifted with new energies, and +acquire strength to tear myself from the grasp of that malicious demon, +to whom I had hitherto been subjected.</p> + +<p>After breakfast, the handsome travelling equipage of the forester drove +up to the door; I could not prevail on his wife to accept of a little +money in requital for the hospitality that she had shewn to me; but to +his daughters I was luckily able to give some articles of <i>bijouterie</i> +which I found in my portmanteau, having purchased them at the fair in +Frankenburg. The whole family took leave of me as affectionately as if I +had been for a long time resident among them; but the old man did not +let me go without some farther jokes upon my peculiar genius and success +as a sportsman. Under the bright golden gleams of a fine autumnal day, +we at last drove off.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + + +<p>The <i>residenz</i> of the Prince presented a complete contrast to the +trading town which I had left. In extent, it was much smaller, but was +more regularly and handsomely built. Several broad streets, planted with +double rows of flourishing trees, seemed more to belong to the laying +out of a park, or English garden, than to a town. There was here no +bustle of trade; all was, on the contrary, still and solemn—an +impression perhaps deepened by the kind of atmosphere peculiar to that +season of the year (the decline of autumn) when I arrived at the +capital. The quiet was only now and then interrupted by the rattling +course of some coroneted carriage. In the dress and demeanour even of +the lower ranks, there was an attempt at the polite and ornamental, yet +without vain ostentation; while, as I walked through the streets, +although a perfect stranger, yet my appearance probably being approved +of, I was saluted with a respectful bow, and wave of the hat, from every +passenger.</p> + +<p>The palace of the Prince was by no means large, nor even built in a +grand style; yet, with regard to elegance and just proportions, it was +one of the finest buildings that I had ever seen. Around it was a very +beautiful park, which, by the possessor's liberality, was thrown open to +all the world, while, as usual in Germany, not a single flower was +plucked, nor an ornament displaced or disfigured, not even a blade of +grass injured by passengers quitting the gravel walks.</p> + +<p>At the hotel where I had put up, I was told that the Prince frequently +enjoyed an evening promenade with his family through the park; and that +many inhabitants of the town watched that opportunity of paying their +respects to, or seeing, <i>en passant</i>, their respected sovereign.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, at the proper hour, I hastened to the grounds, and observed +the Prince, with his consort and a small train of attendants, step out +from the <i>vestibule</i> of the palace. Very soon, as they drew nearer, my +whole attention was directed to the Princess, whom I should have +instantly recognised, only by her resemblance to the Abbess, which was +striking and extraordinary. The same height and dignity; the same grace +in every gesture; the same intellectual gleam of the eyes, and the free, +unclouded forehead and fascinating smile. Only she appeared younger in +years, and in shape fuller and rounder than the Abbess. She came close +past me, so that I heard also the tone of her voice, as she spoke with +some ladies who happened to be in the <i>allée</i>, while the Prince walked +behind, seemingly absorbed in deep discussion with a grave, +formal-looking man.</p> + +<p>The looks and behaviour of this noble family, and the simplicity of +dress, the total absence of display evinced both by them and their +immediate train, were all in harmony. One could easily perceive that the +good manners and spirit of respectful order which prevailed through the +town, had their origin in the example of the court. By chance I had my +station near a lively little man, who gave me answers readily to all the +questions that I was inclined to put to him, adding spontaneously many +remarks of his own, which to me were very opportune and interesting.</p> + +<p>When the Prince and Princess had passed by, he proposed to me, as a +stranger, to take a walk through the park, and to point out to me the +various objects which, as works of art, were there most to be admired.</p> + +<p>This was an offer precisely such as I had wished for, and I gladly +availed myself of his politeness. As we proceeded through the grounds, +beneath dark shadowy rows of beeches, elms, and poplars, I expressed +with great sincerity my admiration of the delightful soil and climate of +the <i>residenz</i>, and the luxuriant growth of the noble trees.</p> + +<p>But as to the numberless buildings in imitation of ancient temples, +where pillars, that should have been of gigantic height, could be +measured at an arm-length from the ground;—Gothic chapels, for example, +where the attention of the builder had been concentrated on trifling +ornaments, instead of the construction of a grand and intellectual +<i>whole</i>;—of all <i>these</i> I expressed freely my decided disapprobation; +consequently, he endeavoured to defend these erections by the usual +argument, that they were in a park <i>indispensable</i>, if it were no more +than to guard against the inconvenience of a sudden shower. To this I +replied, that simple buildings, such as romantic cottages, root-houses, +&c. would be equally useful, and free from that blame of bad taste which +I attached to the now existing temples, mosques, and chapels.</p> + +<p>"To say the truth, I am quite of your opinion," said the stranger; "but, +meanwhile, you must know, that the design of all these buildings, and of +the whole park, proceeds from our Prince himself; and this circumstance, +of course, softens down, at least to us, who are under his dominion, all +tendency to severe criticism or censure.</p> + +<p>"The Prince is, in truth, one of the best of men. He has acted always on +that admirable principle, that his subjects are not there to serve and +minister to him, but that he is appointed guardian over them, and is +responsible for their comfort and welfare. The liberty of speaking +freely and aloud whatever one thinks; the low rate of taxes and +consequent cheapness of provisions; the extreme lenity, nay, +invisibility, of the police, (who, though always watchful, never make +their appearance except on occasion of some flagrant misdemeanour,) the +removal of all troublesome and superfluous soldiery, the calm regularity +with which affairs of business and merchandize are carried on; all +these circumstances must make a residence in our capital very agreeable +to a stranger.</p> + +<p>"I would lay any bet, that you have never yet been asked after your name +and rank; nor has the innkeeper at your hotel, as it happens in other +places, marched in with a great book under his arm, in which one is +obliged, <i>nolens volens</i>, with an abominable stump of a pen, and ink +made of soot and water, to enter his name and condition in the world.</p> + +<p>"In short, the whole economy and arrangements of our small kingdom, in +which there prevail a real prudence and wisdom, proceed directly from +our excellent Prince; whereas, <i>formerly</i>, at this very town, people +were tormented by the pedantic formality of a court, whose only aim was +to represent the expenses and parade of a neighbouring government of far +greater power and wealth, in a <i>pocket-edition</i>.</p> + +<p>"Our Prince is a sincere and unaffected lover of the arts and sciences. +Therefore, every good artist, and every man of real learning, is welcome +to him; for, as to rank in life, he lays on that no stress whatever. He +considers only the degree of intellectual acquirements which a stranger +actually does or does not possess; and accordingly shews or withdraws +his favourable countenance.</p> + +<p>"But even in the accomplishments of our Prince, it is impossible to +deny, that something of an alloy of pedantry has crept in, which is +partly owing to errors in his early education, and which expresses +itself in his improvements, by an overstrained and slavish adherence to +this or that particular school or fashion. He himself drew out, with the +most laborious minuteness, the plans for every building in the park; and +even the slightest departure of the workmen from the given models, which +he had searched out and put together from an hundred antiquarian +repositories, vexed him in the highest degree. Every pillar, portico, +tower, and cupola, must have its representative, however ludicrous the +imitation in point of height and dimensions must of necessity be.</p> + +<p>"By the same disposition to carry one or other favourite system to an +<i>extreme</i>, our theatre now suffers, where the principles that he has +once laid down, must on no account be departed from, although, in order +to retain them, sometimes the most heterogeneous incongruities are +forced together. In short, the Prince has a boundless variety of +<i>hobbies</i>, which (to keep up the metaphor) he rides alternately; yet not +one of them is of a description calculated to give offence, or do any +real injury to his subjects. When this park was laid out, then he was +architect and gardener <i>à la folie</i>. After that, some new fantasies +about music wholly absorbed his attention; to which inspiration, +however, we owe the fitting up of a most admirable and unrivalled choir +and opera. Then painting took the <i>pas</i>, and occupied him so entirely, +that, as an artist, he is no mean proficient.</p> + +<p>"Even in the daily amusements of the Court, he shews the same +disposition to extremes, and the same variability. Formerly, dancing was +kept up almost every evening; <i>now</i>, there is on company-days a +Pharo-Bank, and the Prince, without being in the least what is properly +called a gamester, delights in watching and calculating all the +intricacies of chance. But the pharo-table has continued already long +enough; and there is wanting only some very trifling occurrence or +impulse to bring something altogether new again on the carpet.</p> + +<p>"This versatility has sometimes drawn upon our good Prince the reproach +of a weak understanding. There are people who insist, that the mind of +a wise man should always be like a still and waveless lake, reflecting +the same images with calm and unchangeable fidelity. But, in my opinion, +injustice is done him; for it is merely from an extraordinary vivacity +of spirit, that he thus gives the reins at all times to some favourite +and passionate impulse. Hence no expense is spared on establishments +contributing to the amusement and intellectual improvement of his +subjects. These grounds, for example, whatever may be their defects, are +always kept in the nicest order; our opera, chapel choir, and theatre, +are munificently endowed; and our collection of pictures is at every +opportunity augmented. As to the court amusements of gaming, &c. these +are recreations, which, considering the Prince's sedulous application at +other times to business, surely cannot be refused to him."</p> + +<p>During this conversation, we passed by many very beautiful and +picturesque masses and groups of trees, of which I renewed my +expressions of admiration, praising also the fine varieties, which, from +rising grounds, the eye commanded in the landscape.</p> + +<p>"I ought not to forget," said my companion, "that although the Prince +designed every architectural ornament, and had generally the +superintendance of the park, yet he was indebted for the position of +every thicket, group, or <i>allée</i> of trees, to the taste of our admirable +Princess. She is indeed a complete landscape painter, after which, +natural history, especially botany, is her favourite study. Hence you +will find the rarest and most curious foreign plants and flowers, not +arranged as if merely brought hither for show, but growing in artificial +parterres as if on their native soil. The Princess, however, expressed +an especial disgust to the awkwardly cut gods and goddesses in +freestone, naiads and dryads, with which the park, in former days, was +filled. These statues have therefore vanished; and you find only a few +copies after the antique, which the Prince, on account of certain +cherished remembrances, would not part with."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>It was now late in the evening, and we left the park. My companion +readily accepted an invitation which I gave him to my hotel, where he +at last announced himself as the <i>Inspector</i> of the Prince's +picture-gallery.</p> + +<p>After supper, and a bottle of excellent wine, when we had become better +acquainted, I mentioned to him my earnest wish to obtain an introduction +at court; whereupon he assured me, that nothing could be more easy than +this, as every well-educated stranger was welcomed in the circle of his +sovereign. I had only to make a visit to the Court-Marshal, and beg of +him to present me to the Prince.</p> + +<p>This diplomatic mode of introduction, however, by no means suited me, as +I could scarcely hope to escape certain troublesome questions of whence +I had come—what was my rank and profession, &c. I therefore resolved to +trust to chance, which would soon throw a favourable opportunity in my +way; and, accordingly, this soon after occurred.</p> + +<p>One morning, as I was taking an early walk in the yet solitary park, the +Prince, dressed in a simple blue surtout, and quite alone, came along an +<i>allée</i>, directly meeting me. I saluted him <i>en passant</i>, as if he had +been some one of whom I had no previous knowledge. Hereupon he stood +still, and began a conversation with the question, "Whether I was a +stranger here?" I answered in the affirmative, adding, "that I had +arrived only a few days before, with the intention of passing directly +through; but that the charms of the situation, with the tranquillity, +good order, and spirit of calm enjoyment, which everywhere seemed to +prevail, had induced me to stay longer. Quite independent, and living +merely for literature and the arts, I had now resolved to make this +place my residence for some time, as everything by which I was +surrounded had become to me more and more delightful and attractive."</p> + +<p>By these expressions the Prince seemed obviously flattered, and he even +offered himself as my <i>cicerone</i>, to explore the beauties of the park. I +took special care not to betray that I had already seen everything, but +availed myself of my previous knowledge, in order to throw in apt +remarks and exclamations. I allowed myself to be led through all the +temples, grottos, chapels, and pavilions, patiently listening to the +Prince's long lectures about every building. He regularly named the +ancient models after which every structure had been imitated; made me +attend particularly to their minutest details; then referred, ever and +anon, to the grand <i>morale</i>, the intellectual system which prevailed +through the whole plan of the park; that harmony in confusion, "where +all things differ, and yet all agree," which he thought should be +adopted as the leading principle in laying out grounds of this sort.</p> + +<p>The Prince then desired my opinion. I approved very cordially the +natural charms of the place, and the luxuriant vegetation also of the +well-disposed masses and groups of wood, with the shadowy <i>berceaux</i>; +but as to the buildings, I expressed myself just as freely as I had +before done to the gallery inspector. He listened to me attentively; +seemed not altogether to reject my remarks, but at last cut all +discussion short, by saying, that my notions were very good in theory, +but that as to the actual practice, it was a different affair, of which +I seemed to have but very little notion.</p> + +<p>The conversation then turned upon the arts. I soon proved that I was a +tolerable <i>connoisseur</i> of painting; and, as a practical musician, I +ventured many observations, in opposition to his ideas, which, though +ingeniously and precisely delivered, only served to shew that he was far +more studied than persons of his rank generally are; but, at the same +time, that of the <i>real attributes</i> of musical genius he had no +comprehension whatever. On the other hand, my objections only proved to +the Prince that I was a <i>dilletante</i>, one of a class who are generally +not much enlightened by the actual practice of their theories. He +instructed me, however, in the proper characteristics (or what, +according to him, ought to be the proper characteristics) of a sublime +picture, and a perfect opera.</p> + +<p>I heard much about colouring, drapery, pyramidal groups; of serious and +of comic music; of scenes for the <i>prima donna</i>; of choruses; of effect, +<i>chiaro oscuro</i>, light and shade, &c. &c.; to all which medley I +listened quietly, for I perceived that the Prince took a pleasure in his +own discourse.</p> + +<p>At last he abruptly cut short his own eloquence with the question, "Do +you play pharo?" to which I answered in the negative.—"Well, sir," said +he, "that is a most admirable game. In its lofty simplicity, it is the +true and proper pastime for a man of genius. One is thereby carried out +of himself; or, to speak better, if he is possessed of due powers of +mind, he is lifted up to a station from which he can contemplate all the +strange complications and entanglements which are (otherwise invisibly) +spun by the mysterious power which we call Chance. Loss and gain are the +two points on which, like pivots, the grand machine is moved; and by +this machine we are irresistibly carried onward, while it is impelled +ceaselessly by its own internal springs. This game, sir, you must +absolutely learn. I will myself be your teacher."</p> + +<p>I assured him that I had hitherto felt no particular turn for gaming, +and that I had always understood the inclination for it to be highly +pernicious and destructive. The Prince smiled, and fixing on me his +bright, penetrating eyes, resumed; "Ay, there are indeed childish +superficial minds, who maintain that argument; and, consequently, you +will suppose that I am a gamester, who wishes to draw you into his nets; +know, then, that I am the Prince! If you are pleased with your residence +at my capital, then remain here, and visit at my palace, where you will +find that we sometimes play pharo. Yet I by no means allow that any one +under my roof shall subject himself to loss, though the stake must of +necessity be high in order to excite interest; for fortune herself is +lazy and stupid as long as nothing but what is insignificant is offered +to her arbitration."</p> + +<p>Already on the point of leaving me, the Prince turned round, and asked, +"With whom have I been speaking?"—I answered that my name was Leonard; +that I lived as a literary man, <i>particulier</i>; for the rest, I was by no +means a <i>nobile</i>, nor a man of rank; and, therefore, perhaps did not +dare to make use of the advantages which his highness had thus offered +to me.</p> + +<p>"What the devil," said he, "has nobility to do with it? You are, as I +have clearly convinced myself, a very ingenious and well-informed man. +Literature, science, and the arts, confer on you nobility, and render +you fully qualified to appear in our circles. Adieu, Mr Leonard!—<i>Au +revoir!</i>"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + + +<p>Thus my wishes were far more readily, and more early than I could have +expected, fulfilled. For the first time in my life I should appear as a +courtier. All the absurd stories, therefore, which I had read in +romances, of cabals, quarrels, intrigues, and conspiracies, floated +through my brain. According to the most received authorities among novel +writers, the Prince must be surrounded and blindly led by all sorts of +impostors; especially, too, the Court-Marshal must be an insipid, proud, +high-born coxcomb; the Prime Minister a malicious, miserly villain; the +lords in waiting gay and unprincipled libertines. Every countenance must +artificially wear the most agreeable expression, while in the heart all +is selfishness and deception. In society they (the courtiers) must +profess to each other the most unbounded friendship and attachment. They +must bend to the very earth in apparent humility, while every one +endeavours to trip up his neighbour's heels in the dark, so that he may +fall unpitied, and his pretended friend come into his place, which he +may keep only till some one else plays off the same man[oe]uvre against +him. Finally, the court ladies must be ugly, proud, revengeful; +glistening with diamonds, nodding with feathers, painted up to the eyes, +but withal, amorous, constantly engaged in venal intrigues, and laying +snares for the unwary stranger, which he must fly from as he would from +the devil.</p> + +<p>Such was the absurd picture which, from the books I had read at college, +had remained vividly on my recollection. The conversation of the Prior, +indeed, might have afforded me more rational ideas; still it seemed to +me that a court must be the sphere, of all others, where the Arch-Enemy +of mankind exerted his pre-eminent and unresisted dominion. Hence it was +not without timidity that I looked forward to my promised introduction; +but an inward conviction, that <i>here</i> my lot in life was finally to be +decided, and the veil of mystery withdrawn, drove me still onwards, so +that, at the appointed hour, with a palpitating heart, but struggling +as manfully as I could with my disquietude, I found myself in the outer +hall of the palace.</p> + +<p>My residence at the commercial town of Frankenburg had done much to rub +off the rust of my conventual habits. Being by nature gifted with a +graceful and prepossessing exterior, I soon accustomed myself to that +free and unembarrassed demeanour, which is proper to the man of the +world. That paleness, which generally disfigures even handsome features +among the inhabitants of the cloister, had now vanished from my +countenance. I was at that time of life when our mental and bodily +energies are generally in their zenith. Conscious power, therefore, gave +colour to my cheeks and lustre to my eyes, while my luxuriant dark hair +completely concealed all remains of the <i>tonsure</i>. Besides all this, I +wore a handsome full dress suit of black, a chef-d'[oe]uvre of Damon, +which I had brought with me from Frankenburg.</p> + +<p>Thus it was not to be wondered at that I made a favourable impression on +those who were already assembled in the outer hall, and this they did +not fail to prove, by their polite advances and courteous expressions. +As, according to my romantic authorities, the Prince, when he revealed +his rank to me in the park, should have thrown back his <i>surtout</i>, and +discovered to my sight a brilliant star, (which he had failed to do,) so +I had expected that every one whom I should meet in the palace should be +clad in the richest silks and embroidery. How much was I surprised, +therefore, to find that, with the exception of ribbons and orders, their +dresses were all as plain as that in which I myself appeared.</p> + +<p>By the time, therefore, that we were summoned to the audience-chamber, +my prejudices and embarrassment had worn off; and the manners of the +Prince himself, who came up to me, with the words, "Ha! there is Mr +Leonard," completely restored my courage. His highness continued for +some time in conversation with me, and seemed particularly diverted by +the freedom and severity with which I had criticised his buildings in +the park.</p> + +<p>The folding doors were now opened, and the Princess, accompanied by some +of her ladies, came into the room. Immediately on her appearance, as the +glare of the lustres fell on her features, I recognised, more forcibly +than ever, her exact likeness to the Abbess. The ladies of the assembly +surrounded her for some time, but at last I was summoned, and +introduced, after which ceremony her eyes followed me, with a gaze +obviously betraying astonishment and inward emotion. Then turning to an +old lady who stood near her, she said a few words in a whisper, at which +the latter also seemed disquieted, and looked on me with a scrutinizing +aspect.</p> + +<p>All this was over in a moment, for other presentations took place; after +which the assembly divided into groups, and engaged in lively +conversation. One recollected, indeed, that he was in the circle of a +court, and under the eye of the sovereign, yet without feeling on that +account constrained or embarrassed.—I scarcely recognised a single +figure that would have been in keeping with the caricatures that I had +previously drawn. The Court-Marshal was a lively and happy-looking old +man, without any particular attributes, either of pride or formality. +The lords in waiting were sprightly youths, who, by no one symptom, +betrayed that their characters were depraved and vicious. Two ladies, +who immediately waited on the Princess, seemed to be sisters. They were +uninteresting, insignificant, and, as luck would have it, dressed with +extraordinary plainness.</p> + +<p>There was, however, one little man in the room, with a comical visage, +long nose, and sparkling eyes, who irresistibly engaged my attention. He +was dressed in black, with a long steel-mounted sword, and wound +himself, with incredible dexterity, like a serpent through the crowd, +appearing now here, now there, but resting never, and apparently raising +laughter (whether with him, or at him, I knew not) wherever he went. +This person (having ventured an inquiry) I understood was the Prince's +physician.</p> + +<p>The old lady with whom the Princess had spoken had kept her eyes on me, +and contrived to man[oe]uvre so skilfully, that, before I was aware of +her plans, I found myself alone with her in a window recess. She began a +conversation with me, in which, guardedly as it was managed, I perceived +very clearly that her only object was to gain a knowledge of my +situation and circumstances in life. I was prepared for some occurrence +of this kind, and being convinced that the simplest story was always the +safest, I told her that I had formerly studied theology, but that +having received from my father a competent fortune, I now travelled +about for my own pleasure and improvement.</p> + +<p>My birth-place, I said, was on the Polish frontiers of Prussia; and I +gave it by the way such a horrible unpronounceable name, that the old +lady made no attempt to repeat it after me. "Well, sir," said she, "you +have a countenance which might here raise many, and not altogether +pleasant recollections; and you are, perhaps, as to rank, more than you +wish to appear, for your demeanour by no means resembles that of a +student of theology."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>After refreshments had been handed round, we went into another room, +where the pharo-table was in readiness. The Court-Marshal was the +banker; but I understood afterwards that his agreement with the Prince +allowed him to retain all his winnings, while the latter indemnified him +against every loss, so that the bank remained always in the same state.</p> + +<p>The gentlemen now assembled themselves round the table, with the +exception of the physician, who never played, but remained with the +ladies, who took no interest in the game. The Prince desired that I +would station myself next to him, while, in a few words, he very clearly +explained to me the rules and principles of pharo, at the same time +selecting my cards, as I was here completely a novice.</p> + +<p>But there was not a single card chosen by the Prince for himself, that +was not attended by the worst possible luck; and as long as I followed +his counsel, the same fate attended mine. Besides, I was suffering +considerable losses. A louis d'or was the very lowest point; my limited +exchequer was fast ebbing away, and this painfully brought back on me +the question that had often occurred, "What was I to do in the world, +when my last ducat was expended?"</p> + +<p>A new <i>taille</i> was begun, and I begged of the Prince that he would now +leave me to myself, as it seemed that I was born to be unlucky, and was +drawing him into the same fatality. The Prince agreed, with a smile of +perfect good humour. He said, that the best way to recover my loss +would, in his opinion, have been, to follow the lead of an experienced +player; however, that he was very curious to learn how I would behave +when alone, having in myself such confidence.</p> + +<p>I had not said that I had any such confidence; and now blindfold and at +random, I drew out a card from my hand; it was the Queen. It may seem +absurd, but is nevertheless true, that I thought the caricature features +on this card had a resemblance to Aurelia! I stared at it accordingly, +and became so lost in my own reflections, that it was only the call of +the banker, "All's ready," that awoke me from my reverie.</p> + +<p>Then, without a moment's hesitation, I drew out the five louis d'ors, +all that I had left, and staked them on the Queen. Beyond my +expectations this succeeded! Then I always staked more and more on the +Queen always higher as my gains increased, and I never lost a single +round.</p> + +<p>At every new stake my antagonists and the by-standers cried out—"No; it +is impossible! This time she must prove unfaithful!" But, on the +contrary, I won, and the cards of every other player turned against +him—"Now, this is unheard of—this is miraculous!" resounded from all +quarters, while, completely reserved, and wrapt up within myself, with +my whole thoughts fixed only on Aurelia, I scarcely noticed the +<i>rouleaux</i> of gold, which the banker shoved one after another over to +me.</p> + +<p>In short, the Queen had, in the four last <i>tailles</i>, invariably gained, +and I had my pockets full of gold. I had won about two thousand louis +d'ors; and though I thus found myself suddenly freed from all pecuniary +embarrassment, yet I could not repress a strange feeling of perplexity, +and inward self-condemnation.</p> + +<p>Of course, I perceived an exact coincidence between my success at pharo, +and my good fortune in shooting, with eyes closed and at random, the two +partridges when in company with the forester. It was obvious that the +result on both occasions was not owing to any superior skill or +management of mine, but to some higher power to which I was wholly +subservient. This constant recurrence too, and reflection of Aurelia's +form and features, could be nothing but an abominable scheme of the +devil to draw me into wickedness, and the misuse which I had now made of +that truly sacred and beloved image filled me with horror and aversion!</p> + +<p>In the most gloomy mood of mind, and utterly at variance with myself, I +was gliding about in the morning through the park, when the Prince, who +was accustomed to take a walk at the same hour, joined me.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr Leonard," said he, "how do you like my game of pharo? What +think you of the humours and caprices of Fortune, who kindly excused +your absurd conduct, and flung the gold into your hands?" I was not +ready with an answer, and the Prince therefore resumed—"You had luckily +stumbled on the <i>carte favorite</i>, but you must not trust to your luck +again in this manner. You might carry the principle too far."</p> + +<p>His highness now went into a long discussion, founded on this idea of +the <i>carte favorite</i>, imparted to me various rules as to the doctrine of +chances, and concluded by expressing his conviction that I would no +doubt follow up zealously this commencement of my <i>bonne fortune</i> at +play.</p> + +<p>On the contrary, I assured his highness, "that it was my firm resolution +never more to touch a card!" The Prince looked at me with surprise. +"Even my yesterday's wonderful luck," said I, "has been the natural +cause of this resolution; for all that I had formerly conceived of the +pernicious and ruinous tendency of this game, has truly been realized +and confirmed. In truth, there was in my very success something +repugnant, and even horrible to my feelings. I drew out a card, +blindfold, and unawares. That card awoke in my mind painful, though +cherished remembrances, of which I could not resist the influences. I +went on accordingly, venturing stake after stake, as if some demon had +placed it in my power to <i>command</i> fortune, though I had no real and +moral right to the gain which thus fell to my share."</p> + +<p>"I understand perfectly," said the Prince, "what you mean by painful and +cherished remembrances. You have been an unfortunate lover, and the card +brought to your recollection the image of the lost fair one; though, +begging your pardon, Mr Leonard, when I think of the pale complexion and +flat features of your favourite Queen, this seems not a little +capricious. However, you thought on your lost mistress, and in that game +of pharo, she was perhaps more true and faithful than she had been in +real life. But what you are able to discover in all this that is +horrible and frightful, I cannot possibly conceive. On the contrary, +you should rejoice that Fortune, even on any grounds, is so much +inclined to favour you. Besides, if you are really vexed, this is not to +be imputed to the pharo-table, but to the individual moods, the +idiosyncrasies of your own mind."</p> + +<p>"All that your highness has stated," said I, "may be perfectly correct; +but I feel deeply that it is not merely the fear of loss on which my +present dislike to gaming is founded. Gain itself, which only brings us +more and more under a state of slavery to a mysterious fate, which would +one day lead us to destruction, is equally dangerous. Yet, sire, I +confess that I was yesterday on the point of seeing my travelling +exchequer completely drained, which, considering my present distance +from home, would have been to me no slight misfortune."</p> + +<p>"Nay," said the Prince, "I should have infallibly learned this +occurrence, and would have taken care that the loss should have been to +you threefold repaid, for I certainly do not choose that any one should +be ruined, in order to contribute to my amusement. Besides, any real +evil of this kind cannot happen under my roof, for I know my players, +and do not trust them out of my own sight."</p> + +<p>"Yet, with submission," said I, "may not these very precautions take +away all that freedom from the player, and thereby annihilate those fine +involvements of chance, in which your highness takes delight? Or may not +some individual, on whom the passion for play has violently seized, +break out of such trammels, and rush on, unobserved, to his own +destruction? Forgive my candour, sire. I believe also, that those very +methods which your highness would adopt to prevent evil consequences, +would, from the perverse nature of mankind, be looked upon by many as a +disgusting and intolerable restraint."</p> + +<p>"Say no more, Mr Leonard," said the Prince, "it is obvious, that from +every opinion or idea of mine you are resolved to dissent." With these +words he hastily retired, adding only an unceremonious and careless +"adieu."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + + +<p>I knew not myself how I had been led to speak so freely on the subject, +never having till now thought of gaming or its consequences; but the +words, as on former occasions, seemed to be prompted for me by some +invisible power, after whom I only repeated them. However this might be, +I believed that I had now lost the favour of the Prince, and with it, +the right of appearing on any future occasion within the walls of his +palace.</p> + +<p>In this belief, however, I was mistaken, for, on the same day, I +received a card inviting me to a concert; and the Prince, whom I once +more met in the park, said, <i>en passant</i>, with much politeness, "Good +evening, Mr Leonard! You are to be with us to-night, and it is to be +hoped that my <i>capelle</i> may gain some credit, and please you better than +my park and my pharo-table have done."</p> + +<p>The music was indeed very commendable. All was performed with great +accuracy; but, at the same time, the pieces appeared to me not well +chosen; for one destroyed, by contrast, the effect of the other; and, +especially, there was one long act, which seemed to have been got up +with particular care, and which, nevertheless, produced in me a hearty +fit of <i>ennui</i>.</p> + +<p>I took good care not to express my opinion audibly; and in this respect +acted, for once, with prudence, as I was afterwards informed that this +same long act, or scene, was one of the Prince's own composition.</p> + +<p>When the music had concluded, I found myself unawares in the innermost +circles of the court, and would have been willing even to take a hand at +pharo, in order to reconcile myself wholly with the Prince. But, on +entering the room where pharo had been played, I was not a little +surprised to find no preparations for that game. On the contrary, small +parties were seated at ordinary tables, over hands of Boston-whist, +while the rest of the company kept up lively conversation. Even a +regular course of story-telling was introduced. Old bon-mots were +revived, and fresh anecdotes attentively listened to, provided they +were agreeably delivered, even though not intrinsically of much +importance.</p> + +<p>Here my old gifts of loquacity and eloquence came opportunely to my aid; +and, under the guise of romantic and poetical legends, I contrived to +narrate many events out of my own life.</p> + +<p>Thus I attracted attention and won applause from many listeners. The +Prince, however, liked best whatever was cheerful and humorous; in which +respects, the physician was not to be equalled. He was indeed +inexhaustible.</p> + +<p>This kind of pastime was at last carried so far, that individuals were +chosen to read from their own MS. compositions, whatever they considered +best suited for the present society. A kind of regular <i>esthetical</i> club +was thus formed, where the Prince presided, and every one contributed as +he best could. Among the rest, there was a certain professor from the +<i>gymnasium</i>, who chose to read a very long paper on some new +discoveries; and precisely in proportion as the few who knew anything +about his science were interested and delighted, the others were +<i>ennuyés</i> and restless. Among this majority was the Prince, who was +evidently rejoiced when the physician very judiciously seized this time +to introduce one of his stories, which, if not very original and witty +in themselves, yet, from the drollery of his manner, were irresistible, +and had at least a <i>naiveté</i> and facility which were highly acceptable, +after the tiresome lecture of the professor.</p> + +<p>"Your highness knows," said the physician, turning to the Prince, "that +I never failed, when on my travels, to enter into my memorandum-book, +portraits (in writing I mean) of all the strange characters and odd +adventurers that fell in my way; and from this journal I am now about to +repeat some notices to which I have hitherto not alluded, on account of +their being perhaps too common-place, yet they seem to me not altogether +undiverting.</p> + +<p>"On my way home, about a year ago, I came to a large handsome village, +about four German miles from Berlin; and being much fatigued, resolved +to rest there, instead of going on to the capital. The landlord directly +shewed me to a good room, where, after supper, I threw myself into bed, +and directly fell asleep. About one in the morning, however, I was +suddenly awoke by a noise, which, assimilating with a fearful dream +with which I had just then been haunted, I imagined to be either the +shrieking of an owl at the window, or the cries of a person in distress, +for I had dreamed of both.</p> + +<p>"It was, however, the sound of a German flute, which proceeded from a +room very near me; but in my whole life, before or since, I have never +heard such an attempt at music. The man must have had monstrous and +gigantic powers of lungs; for in one loud shrill cutting key, he went on +without mercy, so that the character of the instrument was perfectly +annihilated. What added, if possible, to this enormity, was, that he +blew everlastingly the same identical passage over and over, not +granting me the slightest relief, by an endeavour at a tune, so that +nothing could be conceived more abominable.</p> + +<p>"I raved at, cursed, and abused this infernal musician, who so cruelly +deprived me of needful rest, and by whom my ears were so barbarously +outraged; but, like a wound-up piece of clock-work, the diabolical flute +continued to utter the same notes over and over, until I thought the +devil himself must be the player, for no one else could have had +physical strength to hold out so long. At last I heard something thrown +with great violence, and a loud crack, against the wainscot; after which +there was dead silence, and I could for the rest of the night sleep in +peace.</p> + +<p>"In the morning I heard a great noise of quarrelling and scolding in the +lower floor of the house. In the <i>row</i> I could now and then distinguish +the voice of mine host, who was scarcely allowed, however, to throw in a +word, by a man who roared without ceasing, in broken German—'May your +house be damned! Would that I had never been so unlucky as to cross the +threshold! The devil himself must have brought me hither, where one can +neither drink, eat, nor enjoy himself—where everything is infamously +bad, and dog dear. There, sir, you have your money; and as for your +rascally gin-shop, you shall never more see me again within its walls!'</p> + +<p>"Having just then finished my toilet, I was in time to behold the author +of all this disturbance. He was a little, withered man, in a +coffee-brown coat, and a round <i>fox-red</i> wig, on which, with a martial +air of defiance, he stuck a little grey hat; then ran out of the house +towards the stable, from which I soon afterwards saw him re-appear, with +a horse fully as odd-looking as himself, on which he mounted, and, at a +heavy, awkward gallop, rode off the field.</p> + +<p>"Of course I supposed he was like myself, an entire stranger, who had +quarrelled with the landlord, and had now taken his final departure. I +dismissed him, therefore, from my thoughts; but, at dinner-time, (having +been induced to remain another day at the village,) how I was surprised, +on taking my place at the <i>table d'Hote</i>, to perceive the same absurd +coffee-brown figure, with the fox-red wig, who, without ceremony, drew +in his chair opposite to mine!</p> + +<p>"He had one of the ugliest, and most laughable visages that I had ever +beheld. In his whole demeanour, there was a kind of grave and solemn +absurdity that was irresistible. During dinner, I kept up a monosyllabic +dialogue with my host, while the stranger continued to eat voraciously, +and took no notice whatever of any one.</p> + +<p>"At last, the innkeeper, with a sly wink at me, led the discourse to +national peculiarities, and asked me, whether I had ever been +acquainted with an Irishman, or knew what was meant by Irish bulls, for +which that country was celebrated? 'Unquestionably,' said I; 'I have +heard many such;' and a whole string of these blunders came at once into +my head. I then told the story of the Irishman, who, when asked why he +wore stockings with the wrong side out, answered, 'Because there was a +hole in the other side;'—of the still better anecdote of another +disciple of St Patrick, who was sleeping in the same bed with a choleric +Scotch Highlander. An English wag, who was lodged in the same room, by +way of a practical joke, took one of the Irishman's spurs, and, +perceiving that he wast fast asleep, buckled it on his heel. Soon after, +the Irishman happening to turn round, tore the Scotchman's legs with his +spur; whereupon the latter, in great wrath, gave his companion a violent +box on the ear, and the Englishman had the satisfaction of hearing +betwixt them the following ingenious discourse:—</p> + +<p>"'What devil,' said the Irishman, 'has got possession of you? and why +are you beating me?'—'Because,' said the other, 'you have torn me with +your spurs.'—'How is that possible? I took off my clothes.'—'And yet +it is so—see only here.'—'Damnation!—you are in the right. The +rascally waiter has pulled off my boots, but left on the spurs!'</p> + +<p>"The story, however old, was new to the innkeeper, who broke out into +immoderate laughter; but the stranger, who had now wound up his dinner +with a great draught of beer from a glass as high as a church tower, +looked at me gravely, and said—'You have spoken well, sir. The Irishmen +certainly do make these bulls; but this by no means depends on the +character of the people, who are ingenious and witty, but on the cursed +air of that damp country, which infects one with them, as with coughs +and catarrhs. I myself, sir, am an Englishman, though born and bred in +Ireland, and therefore am, on that account, subjected to the vile +propensity of making bulls.'</p> + +<p>"Hereupon the innkeeper laughed more and more, and I was obliged to join +him heartily, for it was delightful that the Irishman, gravely lecturing +on bulls, should <i>unconsciously</i> give us one of the very best as a +specimen.</p> + +<p>"The stranger seemed not in the least offended by our laughing. 'In +England,' said he, with his finger on his nose, and dilating <i>his</i> +eyes—'in England, the Irishmen are like strong spices added to society +to render it tasteful. I am myself, in one respect, like Falstaff; I am +not only witty in myself, but the cause of wit in others, which, in +these times, is no slight accomplishment. Could you suppose it possible, +that in the empty leathern brain of this innkeeper, wit, generated by +me, is now and then roused? But mine host is, in this respect, a prudent +man. He takes care not to draw on the small capital that he possesses of +his own, but lends out a thought now and then at interest, when he finds +himself in the society of the rich!'</p> + +<p>"With these words, the little original rose and left us. I immediately +begged the innkeeper to give me something of his history.</p> + +<p>"'This Irishman,' said mine host, 'whose name is Ewson, and who, on that +account, will have himself to be an Englishman, has now been here for +the short period of twenty-two years! As a young man, I had just set up +in the world, purchased a lease of this inn, and it happened to be on my +wedding-day when Mr Ewson first arrived among us. He was then a youth, +but wore his fox-red wig, his grey hat, and coffee-brown coat, exactly +as you saw him to-day. He then seemed to be travelling in great haste, +and said that he was on his return to his own country; however, hearing +the band of music which played at my wedding feast, he was so much +delighted with it, that he came into the house and insisted on making +one of the party.</p> + +<p>"'Hereupon, though he approved our music, yet he swore that it was only +on board an English war ship that people knew how to dance; and to prove +his assertion, gave us a hornpipe, whistling to it all the while most +horribly through his teeth, fell down, dislocated his ancle, and was, of +course, obliged to remain with us till it was cured.</p> + +<p>"'Since that time he has never left my house, though I have had enough +to do with his peculiarities. Every day through these twenty-two years, +he has quarrelled with me. He despises my mode of life, complains that +my bills are over-charged; that he cannot live any longer without +roast-beef and porter; packs up his portmanteau, with his three red wigs +one above the other, mounts an old broken-winded horse, and rides away.</p> + +<p>"'This, however, turns out nothing more than a ride for exercise; for at +dinner-time he comes in at the other end of the town, and in due time +makes his appearance at my table, eating as much of the despised dishes +as might serve for any three men!</p> + +<p>"'Once every year he receives from his own country a valuable bank-bill. +Then, with an air of the deepest melancholy, he bids me farewell, calls +me his best friend, and sheds tears, which I do also; but with me they +are tears of laughter. After having, by his own account, made his will, +and provided a fortune for my eldest daughter, he rides away slowly and +pensively, so that the first time I believed he certainly was gone for +good and all.</p> + +<p>"'His journey, however, is only four German miles, viz. into the +<i>residenz</i>, from whence he never fails to return on the third or fourth +day, bringing with him two new coffee-brown coats, six new shirts, three +wigs, all of the same staring and frightful red, a new grey hat, and +other requisites for his wardrobe; finally, to my eldest daughter, +though she is now eighteen, a paper of sugar-plums.</p> + +<p>"'He then thinks no more either of residing in the capital, nor of his +homeward journey. His afternoon expenses are paid every night, and his +money for breakfast is thrown angrily at my head every morning.</p> + +<p>"'At other times, however, he is the best-tempered man in the world. He +gives presents every holiday to all my children, and in the village has +done much real good among the poor; only, he cannot bear the priest, +because he learned from the schoolmaster that the former had changed a +gold piece that Mr Ewson had put into the box, and given it out in +copper pennies! Since that time, he avoids him on all occasions, and +never goes to church, and the priest calls him an atheist.</p> + +<p>"'As before said, however, I have often trouble enough with his temper. +On coming home just yesterday, I heard a great noise in the house, and a +voice in furious wrath, which I knew to be Ewson's. Accordingly I found +him in vehement altercation with the house-maid. He had, as usual with +him, thrown away his wig, and was standing bald-pated in his +shirt-sleeves before her, and holding a great book under her nose, +wherein he obstinately pointed at something with his finger. The maid +stuck her hands in her sides, told him he might get somebody else to +play his tricks upon, that he was a bad wicked man, who believed in +nothing, &c. &c. &c.</p> + +<p>"'With considerable difficulty I succeeded in parting the disputants, +and bringing the matter under arbitration. Mr Ewson had desired the maid +to bring him a wafer to seal a letter. The girl never having written or +sealed a letter in her life, at first did not in the least understand +him. At last it occurred to her that the wafers he spoke of were those +used at mass, and thought Mr E. wanted to mock at religion, because the +priest had said he was an atheist. She therefore refused to obey him. +Hereupon he had recourse to the dictionary, and at last got into such a +rage, that he spoke nothing but English, which she imagined was +gibberish of the devil's own inspiration. Only my coming in prevented a +personal encounter, in which probably Mr Ewson would have come off with +the worst.'</p> + +<p>"I here interrupted mine host with the question, 'Whether it was Mr +Ewson also who tormented me so much in the night with his +flute-playing?' 'Alas! sir,' said he, 'that is another of his +eccentricities, by which he frightens away all my night-lodgers. Three +years ago one of my sons came on a visit here from the <i>residenz</i>. He +plays well on the flute, and practises a good deal. Then, by evil +chance, it occurred to Mr Ewson that he had also in former days learned +to blow the flute, and never gave over till he prevailed on my son to +sell him his instrument for a good round sum, and also a difficult +concerto which he had brought with him from town.</p> + +<p>"'Thereafter Mr Ewson, who has not the slightest pretensions to a +musical ear, began with furious zeal to blow at this concerto. He came, +however, only to the second solo of the first allegro. There he met with +a passage which he could by no possible means bring out; and this one +passage he has now blown at, through these three years, about a hundred +times per day, till at last, in the utmost rage, he throws his flute and +wig together against the wall.</p> + +<p>"'As few instruments can long hold out against such treatment, he +therefore frequently gets a new one, and has indeed three or four in use +at the same time. If any of them exhibits the smallest flaw in one of +the keys or joinings, then, with a 'God d—n me, it is only in England +that musical instruments can be made!' he throws it out of the window.</p> + +<p>"'What is worst of all, however, is, that this passion for blowing the +flute of his, seizes him in the night, and he then never fails to diddle +all my guests out of their first sleep.</p> + +<p>"'Could you believe it, however, that there is in our town another +foreigner, an Englishman, by name Doctor Green, who has been in the +house of the <i>Amtmann</i> about as long as Mr Ewson has lived with me, and +that the one is just as absurd an original as the other? These two are +constantly quarrelling, and yet without each other could not live. It +has just now occurred to me that Mr Ewson has, for this evening, ordered +a bowl of punch at my house, to which he has invited Doctor Green. If, +sir, you choose to stay here till to-morrow, you will see the most +absurd trio that this whole world could afford.'</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + + +<p>"Your highness will readily conclude," continued the physician, "that I +was very willing on this account to delay my journey, as I had thereby +an opportunity of seeing Mr Ewson in his glory. As soon as the morning +drew on, he came into my room, and was so good as to invite me to his +bowl of punch, although he regretted that he could only give me that +contemptible drink which, in this country, bore the honoured name of a +far different liquor. It was only in England where good punch could be +drunk, and if ever I came to see him in his own country, he would +convince me that he knew how to prepare, in its best fashion, that +divine panacea.</p> + +<p>"Not long afterwards, the two other guests whom he had invited, made +their appearance. The <i>Amtmann</i> was, like Ewson, a little figure, but +round as a ball, happy and contented, with a red snub nose, and large +sparkling eyes. Dr Green, on the contrary, was a tall, powerful, and +middle-aged man, with a countenance strikingly national, carelessly, yet +fashionably dressed, spectacles on his nose, and a round white hat on +his head.</p> + +<p>"'Give me sack, that mine eyes may be red,' cried this hero, (marching +up to the innkeeper, whom he seized by the breast, shaking him +heartily,) 'Speak, thou rascally Cambyses, where are the princesses? +There is here a base odour of coffee and Bremen cigars, but no +fumigation yet floats on the air from the ambrosial drink of the gods.'</p> + +<p>"'Have mercy, oh champion! Away with thy hands—relax thy potent grasp,' +answered the host, coughing; 'otherwise, in thine ire, thou might'st +crush my ribs like an eggshell."</p> + +<p>"'Not till thy duties are fulfilled,' replied Dr Green; 'not before the +sweet vapour of punch, ambrosial punch, delights our nostrils. Why are +thy functions thus delayed? Not till then shall I let thee go, thou most +unrighteous host!'</p> + +<p>"Now, however, Ewson darted out ferociously against the Doctor, crying, +'Green, thou brute, thou rascal!—Green shalt thou be, beneath the +eyes,—nay, thou shalt be green and yellow with grief, if thou dost not +immediately desist from thy shameful deeds.'</p> + +<p>"Accordingly, I expected a violent quarrel, and prepared myself for +departure; but I was for once mistaken. 'In contempt, then, of his +cowardly impotence, I shall desist,' said the Doctor, 'and wait +patiently for the divine drink which thou, Ewson, shalt prepare for us.'</p> + +<p>"With these words he let go the innkeeper, (who instantly ran out of the +room,) seated himself, with the demeanour of a Cato, at the table, +lighted his pipe, which was ready filled, and blew out great volumes of +smoke.</p> + +<p>"'Is not all this as if one were at the play?' said the good-humoured +<i>Amtmann</i>, addressing himself to me. 'The Doctor, who generally never +reads a German book, borrowed from us a volume of Schlegel's +Shakespeare, and since that time he has, according to his own +expression, never ceased playing old well-known tunes upon a strange +instrument. You must have observed, that even the innkeeper speaks in +measured verse, the Doctor having drilled him for that purpose.'</p> + +<p>"He was interrupted by the appearance of the landlord with his +punch-bowl, ready filled with liquor, smoking hot; and although Green +and Ewson both swore that it was scarcely drinkable, yet they did not +fail to swallow glass after glass with the greatest expedition.</p> + +<p>"We kept up a tolerable conversation. Green, however, remained very +silent, only now and then falling in with most comical contradictions of +what other people had said. Thus, for example, the <i>Amtmann</i> spoke of +the theatre at Berlin, and I assured him that the tragedy hero played +admirably. 'That I cannot admit,' said Dr Green. 'Do you not think if +the actor had performed six times better, that he might have been +tolerable?' Of necessity I could not but answer in the affirmative, but +was of opinion, that to play six times better would cost him a deal of +unnecessary trouble, as he had already played the part of Lear (in which +I had already seen him) most movingly. 'This,' said Green, 'quite passes +the bounds of my perceptions. The man, indeed, gives us all that he has +to give. Can he help it, if he is by nature and destiny inclined to be +stupid? However, in his own way, he has brought the art to tolerable +perfection; therefore one must bear with him.'</p> + +<p>"The <i>Amtmann</i> sat between the two originals, exerting his own +particular talent, which was, like that of a demon, to excite them to +all sorts of folly; and thus the night wore on, till the powerful +ambrosia began to operate.</p> + +<p>"At last Ewson became extravagantly merry. With a hoarse, croaking +voice, he sung divers national songs, of which I did not understand a +word; but if the words were like the music, they must have been every +way detestable. Moreover, he threw his periwig and coat through the +window into the court, and began to dance a hornpipe, with such +unutterable grimaces, and in a style so supernaturally grotesque, that I +had almost split my sides with laughing.</p> + +<p>"The Doctor, meanwhile, remained obstinately solemn, but it was obvious +that the strangest visions were passing through his brain. He looked +upon the punch-bowl as a bass fiddle, and would not give over playing +upon it with the spoon, to accompany Ewson's songs, though the innkeeper +earnestly entreated of him to desist.</p> + +<p>"As for the <i>Amtmann</i>, he had always become more and more quiet; at last +he tottered away into a corner of the room, where he took a chair, and +began to weep bitterly. I understood a signal of the innkeeper, and +inquired of this dignitary the cause of his deep sorrow. 'Alas! alas!' +said he, 'the Prince Eugene was a great, very great general, and yet +even he, that heroic prince, was under the necessity to die!' Thereupon +he wept more vehemently, so that the tears ran down his cheeks.</p> + +<p>"I endeavoured as well as I could to console him for the loss of this +brave hero of the last century, but in vain.</p> + +<p>"Dr Green, meanwhile, had seized a great pair of snuffers, and with all +his might drove and laboured with them towards the open window. He had +nothing less in view than to clip the moon, which he had mistaken for a +candle.</p> + +<p>"Ewson, meanwhile, danced and yelled as if he were possessed by a +thousand devils, till at last the under-waiter came, with a great +lantern, notwithstanding the clear moonlight shone into the apartment, +and cried out, 'Here I am, gentlemen. Now you can march.'</p> + +<p>"The Doctor arose, lighted his pipe, (which he had laid aside while the +enjoyments of the punch-bowl lasted,) and now placed himself right +opposite to the waiter, blowing great clouds into his face.</p> + +<p>"'Welcome, friend,' cried he; 'Art thou Peter Quince, who bearest about +moonshine, and dog, and thorn-bush? 'Tis I that have trimmed your light +for you, you lubber, and therefore you shine so brightly!</p> + +<p>"'Good night then! Much have I quaffed of the contemptible juice here +denominated ambrosial punch. Good night, mine honest host—Good night, +mine Pylades!'</p> + +<p>"Ewson swore that he would instantly break the head of any one who +should offer to go home, but no one heeded him. On the contrary, the +waiter took the Doctor under one arm, and the <i>Amtmann</i>, still weeping +for Prince Eugene, under the other; and thus they reeled along through +the streets, towards the <i>Amthaus</i>.</p> + +<p>"With considerable difficulty, we carried the delirious Ewson to his own +room, where he raged and blew for half the night on his flute, so that I +could not possibly obtain any rest; nor did I recover from the +influences of the mad evening, until I found myself once more in my +travelling carriage."</p> + +<p>The physician's story was (more, perhaps, from the <i>naive</i> quaintness of +his delivery, than the <i>materiel</i> of his narrative,) interrupted +frequently by peals of laughter, louder and longer than are usually to +be heard in a court circle. The Prince himself appeared particularly +delighted.</p> + +<p>"There is only one figure," said his highness, "which, in the punch-bowl +scene, you have kept too much in the back-ground, and that is your +own—for I am fully persuaded, that you must have been the means of +leading the Doctor and Ewson to a thousand extravagancies, and that you +were, in truth, the exciting principle of mischief, for which you would +have us take the poor devil of an <i>Amtmann</i>."</p> + +<p>"I assure your highness," said the Doctor, "that the club was, on the +contrary, so rounded and complete in itself, that every addition would +have been both discordant and superfluous. The three originals were +tuned up, and adapted, one to the other, each on his proper key, so as +to produce a most perfect trio. The host added thereto what we musicians +call a <i>septime</i>."</p> + +<p>In this manner the conversations and the readings were kept up till the +hour when the Prince's family retired to their private apartments, +after which the numerous assembly all separated in the greatest good +humour.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>I now found myself, day after day, moving happily and cheerfully in a +world entirely new. But the more that I learned to accommodate myself to +the quiet pleasant mode of life in the town, and at the court, the less +I thought of the past, or troubled myself with reflections that my +situation here was held by a very frail tenure. A place was gradually +opened for me, which I could hold with honour and credit. The Prince +seemed to take particular pleasure in my society, and from various +hints, I could very easily perceive that he thought of retaining me +permanently at his court.</p> + +<p>It was not to be denied, that to many individuals the restraint imposed +by the constant presence of the sovereign, and the necessity of +accommodating one's pursuits and opinions to those which prevailed at +court, might have been very disagreeable. But here I possessed the +peculiar advantage of having been already accustomed to the formal +restrained life of the convent; so that I suffered less than any other +stranger would have done.</p> + +<p>One circumstance, however, was exceedingly irksome to me. I perceived +that, although the Prince always distinguished me by the most +unequivocal tokens of his favour, yet the Princess invariably remained, +in her manner towards me, cold, haughty, and reserved. Nay, my presence +seemed often to disquiet her in an extraordinary degree, and it seemed +to cost her a great effort to bestow on me now and then, for form's +sake, a few words of ordinary politeness.</p> + +<p>With the ladies, however, by whom she was surrounded, I had better +fortune. My appearance seemed to have made on them a favourable +impression; and as I was often with them, I succeeded at last in +acquiring the arts of gallantry, that is to say, of accommodating myself +to the notions of the ladies, whoever they were, among whom I happened +to be thrown, and of talking on subjects, in themselves trifling and +contemptible, as if they were of some importance.</p> + +<p>Is not this oftentimes a key to the female heart? It is not difficult to +possess one's self of the ideas that usually prevail there, and if +these ideas, commonly not very deep nor sublime, are repeated and +embellished by the eloquence of a handsome lover, is not this far better +than downright flattery? It sounds, indeed, to female ears, like a hymn +of self-adoration. The beauty, hearing her own slender ideas thus +improved, is as delighted as if she beheld herself (dressed with +elegance and splendour) in a mirror.</p> + +<p>I was satisfied that my transformation was complete. Who could now have +recognised in me the monk Medardus? The only dangerous place for me now +was the church, where I could scarcely avoid mechanically betraying the +force of old habits.</p> + +<p>Among the constant hangers-on of the court, the physician was almost the +only one, except myself, who seemed to have any decided character of his +own. He was, therefore, partial to me, and approved highly the boldness +of my expressions, by which I had strangely succeeded in banishing from +the Prince's parties, the pleasures of the pharo-table.</p> + +<p>It thus happened that we were often together, and spoke now of +literature and the arts—now of the goings on of those that were around +us. For the Princess, the physician had, like myself, a high veneration; +and assured me, that it was only through her influence that the Prince +was restrained from many other follies. It was this only that could +charm away that kind of restless <i>ennui</i> by which he was tormented; and +it seemed often as if she were obliged to treat him as a child, and put +into his hands some harmless plaything.</p> + +<p>I did not lose this opportunity of lamenting that I seemed to be out of +favour with the Princess, without being able to explain to myself any +cause for it.</p> + +<p>The Doctor immediately rose, and, as we happened to be in his room, +brought a small miniature picture from his writing-desk, desiring me to +examine it with great care. I did so—but how was I confounded when I +perceived that the features of the male figure whom it represented were +precisely my own! It was only the old fashion of hair-dressing and of +garb in the portrait, and the luxuriant whiskers (Belcampo's +chef-d'[oe]uvre) on my part, that presented any difference.</p> + +<p>Without hesitation I imparted my astonishment to the physician. "Well, +sir," said he, "it is neither more nor less than this resemblance which +now terrifies and disquiets the Princess as often as you come into her +presence; for your appearance never fails to bring to her mind the +recollection of a tremendous adventure, which formerly happened at this +court, and which I knew not whether I ought to relate.</p> + +<p>"My precursor in the duties of physician, who has been some years dead, +and of whom I was a pupil, entrusted me with the particulars of that +event, and at the same time gave me this picture, which represents a +former favourite in the Prince's family, known here by the name of +Francesco. You perceive, by the way, that the miniature itself is a +masterpiece of art.</p> + +<p>"It is one of the numerous works of that celebrated foreign painter who +was then at our court, and became a principal actor in the tragedy to +which I have alluded."</p> + +<p>On contemplating the picture, my mind was overpowered by confused and +stupifying apprehensions, which I vainly endeavoured to arrange into +some definite shape. This only was certain, that some mystery, in which +I was myself involved, would now be cleared up; and I entreated the +physician to wave his scruples, and acquaint me with the adventure to +which he had alluded, as it probably might account to me for the +extraordinary likeness between my features and those of Francesco.</p> + +<p>"Truly," said the physician, "I cannot wonder at your curiosity being +thus awakened; and though I speak very unwillingly of these +circumstances, on which, to this day, there lies a veil of mystery which +I have never been able to lift up, yet you shall now hear all that I +know of the matter. Many years have now passed since that occurrence, +and the principal actors have retired altogether from the stage; yet the +mere recollection of them is here so hazardous, that I must beg of you +not to repeat to any one what I may now communicate."</p> + +<p>Of course I promised secrecy, and the physician went on as follows:—</p> + +<p>"It happened just at the time of our Prince's marriage, that his brother +the Duke of Neuenburg returned from his travels in the society of a man +whom he called Francesco, though it was known that he was not an +Italian, but by birth a German. They brought with him also a painter, +said to have acquired, as an artist, the highest celebrity.</p> + +<p>"The Duke of Neuenburg was one of the handsomest men that have ever +lived; and, on this account alone, would have outshone our sovereign, +even if he had not also excelled him both in vivacity and energy of +mind.</p> + +<p>"On the young and newly-married Princess, therefore, who was then very +lively, and for whose disposition her consort was not very well suited, +the Duke made an extraordinary impression. Without the slightest shade +of criminal intentions, of any premeditated crime, the parties were +gradually and almost unconsciously involved in an attachment, at first +more distinguishable to by-standers than to themselves, and from which +they would, on <i>timely</i> reflection, have fled with terror.</p> + +<p>"It was the stranger Francesco alone, who, both in talents and in +personal beauty, could be compared to the Duke; and as the Duke +interested our reigning Princess, so Francesco completely acquired the +affections of her elder sister, who was then an inmate of our court.</p> + +<p>"Francesco soon became aware of his good fortune, and did not fail to +lay the craftiest plans for profiting by the advantages then put within +his power. Meanwhile, although our sovereign was perfectly convinced of +his wife's virtue, yet the overstrained attentions of his brother, and +the satisfaction with which they were received, gave him considerable +vexation, and Francesco alone, who was become a great favourite, was +able at certain times to keep him in good humour. On this man he wished +to confer some distinguished situation; but the foreigner was contented +with the advantages derived from the system of favouritism, and the +affection of the Princess's unmarried sister.</p> + +<p>"Such was the situation of affairs for some time. No particular event +occurred to disturb the family; but it was easy to perceive that some +among them were in no enviable state of mind. At this very juncture, by +the invitation probably of the Duke, there appeared with great splendour +at our court a certain Italian Countess, to whom, it was said, that, in +the course of his travels, he had at one time been greatly attached, and +who had even been spoken of as his betrothed bride.</p> + +<p>"Be this as it may, she is said to have been wonderfully beautiful, to +have concentrated in her person and manners the very <i>belle ideal</i> of +grace and elegance. Indeed these attributes speak for themselves in her +portrait, which you may see in the gallery. Her presence at first +greatly enlivened the court, where a kind of languor had begun to +predominate. She outshone every lady, even the Royal Princesses not +excepted.</p> + +<p>"Francesco, however, after the arrival of this Italian beauty, became +most unfavourably changed. It seemed as if he were preyed upon by some +inward grief, which wore away the fresh bloom that had been formerly on +his features. Moreover, he became peevish, reserved, and melancholy. He +neglected even the society of his noble mistress, to whom he had before +shewn such obsequious attention.</p> + +<p>"After some time, too, the Duke became morose and meditative, seemingly +carried away by some new passion, which he was unable to resist. But, +above all, it was on Francesco's mistress, the unmarried Princess, that +the strange lady's arrival had the most painful influence. Being +naturally inclined to enthusiasm, and to feel in extremes, it seemed to +her, that with the loss of Francesco's love, all the hopes and joys of +this life were, for her, withered for ever.</p> + +<p>"Amid these dark clouds of disappointment and melancholy, by which all +were more or less affected, the Duke was the first to recover an outward +show of cheerfulness. That his attentions formerly to the reigning +Princess had been perfectly innocent, there can be no doubt; but these +were now changed for a vehement revival of his old attachment to the +Italian Countess, so that he lay once more under the same fetters, +which, but a short time before he came hither, he had successfully +broken!</p> + +<p>"The more that the Duke gave himself to this passion, the more +remarkable for gloom and discontent was the behaviour of Francesco, who +now scarcely ever made his appearance at court, but wandered about +through the country alone, and was often for weeks together absent from +the <i>residenz</i>.</p> + +<p>"On the other hand, the painter, who, as I have mentioned before, had +also accompanied the Duke from Italy, and who at first had been so shy +and reserved, that he was almost invisible, now made his appearance very +frequently in society, and laboured with great success and industry in +a large room, which the Italian Countess had fitted up for him in her +house, and where he took many portraits of her and of others, with +matchless fidelity and strength of expression.</p> + +<p>"To the reigning Princess, meanwhile, he seemed to cherish a decided +aversion. He absolutely refused to paint her portrait, while, at the +same time, of her unmarried sister he took a most perfect likeness, +without her having allowed him a single sitting. Many other strange +stories are told of this painter's capricious and unaccountable conduct, +which I do not think it necessary to detail. Suffice it to say, that +though for the most part employed sedulously in his own profession, he +seemed to be utterly careless of what others said or thought of his +productions. One day, however, when the Duke had made some remarks which +did not suit with the stranger's particular humour, an irreconcilable +and violent quarrel took place betwixt them; and the artist only +requested, that, before retiring from the court, he might be allowed to +bestow some finishing touches on a favourite picture of the Italian +lady, which he was then painting for his patron. This being agreed to, +by two or three masterly strokes of his pencil, he converted in a few +seconds the countenance which had been so beautiful, into the most +hideous monster of deformity, on which no one could bear to look. Then, +with the words, 'Now art thou for ever lost,' he slowly and solemnly +left the apartment.</p> + +<p>"This happened when the Italian Princess was already become the +betrothed bride of the Duke, and the marriage was appointed to take +place in a few days. As to the painter's strange conduct, less notice +was taken of it, as he was, by prevalent report, liable frequently to +madness. He returned, as it was said, to his own small and confined +apartments, where he sat staring at a great piece of stretched canvass, +without, as the by-standers believed, making any progress, though he +himself said that he was engaged on magnificent works. So he completely +forgot his attendance at court, and was himself forgotten.</p> + +<p>"The marriage of the Duke with the Italian lady, was solemnly celebrated +in the palace. The reigning Princess had, of course, accommodated +herself to circumstances, and if she really loved her brother-in-law, +had renounced a passion which was without legitimate object, and which +never could have been gratified.</p> + +<p>"Her unmarried sister once more seemed in high spirits, for her lover, +Francesco, now re-appeared at court, more blooming and joyous than ever.</p> + +<p>"The Duke, with his consent, was to inhabit a wing of the palace, which +our Sovereign had ordered to be prepared for them. The Prince was, +indeed, at that time, quite in his element. He was never visible, +without a crowd of architects, painters, and upholsterers around him, +turning over great books, and spreading out on the table plans, +sketches, and outlines, which he partly devised himself; and which, +among them all, turned out sufficiently incommodious and absurd.</p> + +<p>"Neither the Duke nor his bride was allowed to see any of these +arrangements, till on the eve of their marriage-day, when they were led +by the Prince, in a long solemn procession, into the rooms, which were +really decorated with great splendour; and on the evening of that day, +the festivities were concluded by a ball, given in the great banquet +<i>salle</i>, which was made to resemble a blooming garden.</p> + +<p>"The nuptials were regularly solemnized on the following day; and all +was conducted as usual on such occasions; till about midnight, when, +from the Duke's wing of the house, there was heard a strange +disturbance, of which the noise became always louder and louder, till it +reached our Sovereign's ears, who, in great alarm, started from his bed.</p> + +<p>"Having dressed himself hastily, and attended by his guards, he reached +the distant corridor of his brother's apartments, just as the servants +were lifting up the dead body of the Duke, who had been found murdered, +and lying at the door of the bridal chamber!</p> + +<p>"I make the narrative as short as possible. It is easier to conceive +than describe the horror of the sovereign, the affliction of his +consort, and the whole court.</p> + +<p>"Of course, the first inquiries of the Prince were, how and by whom the +murder had been committed? Watches were placed in all the corridors. +How, therefore, was it possible, that an assassin could have got +admittance, or how could he escape if he had once got in? All the +private passages were searched, but in vain!</p> + +<p>"The page who usually waited on the Duke, related that he had assisted +his master to undress, who was for a long while agitated by fearful and +undefinable apprehensions, and had walked up and down, greatly +disquieted, in his dressing-room, then, carrying a large wax candle, he +had accompanied him to the anti-room of the bridal chamber. The Duke had +there taken the light out of his hand, and sent him away.</p> + +<p>"Scarcely was he out of the anti-room, when he heard a hollow stifled +cry, the noise of a heavy fall, and the rattling of the overthrown +candlestick. He then ran directly back, and, by the gleam of a lamp, +which still burned, beheld the Duke stretched, dying or dead, before the +door of the bridal chamber, and near him he saw lying a small bloody +stiletto. Thereupon he directly gave the alarm.</p> + +<p>"On the other hand, the Italian Duchess gave a totally different, and +quite inexplicable account. She said, that directly after her maids had +left her, the Duke had hastily come into her room without a light, and +had directly put out the other lights, so that the apartment was left in +darkness. He had remained with her a good half-hour, and had then risen +and departed. According to her statement, it must have been only a few +minutes after this that the murder was perpetrated.</p> + +<p>"In short, people wore themselves out with conjectures as to who could +have been the murderer, while not a single trace of him was to be +obtained. But at this juncture, there stepped forward a certain +waiting-maid of the Princess's unmarried sister, who had been +accidentally and privately a witness of the scene between the Duke and +the painter, when the portrait was destroyed. After hearing her opinion +and evidence, no one doubted that the painter was the man who had found +his way secretly into the palace, and become the murderer.</p> + +<p>"Orders were of course given to arrest this man; but ere the +waiting-maid's evidence was given, he had found time to escape, and not +the slightest tidings of him were to be found.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + + +<p>"After this horrible tragedy," continued the physician, "the court +remained sunk in the profoundest melancholy, which was shared by all the +inhabitants of the town; and it was only Francesco, (whose attachment +continued unabated to the unmarried Princess,) who still seemed +cheerful, and, by sympathy, spread a gleam of satisfaction through the +otherwise melancholy circles.</p> + +<p>"I have stated only such facts as I can vouch for on my own knowledge. +As to the conjectures and rumours that were now abroad, they were, of +course, many and various, and, especially, a strange story was told of +some individual, who, on the marriage night, had played, in the dark, +the part of the bridegroom.</p> + +<p>"Be that as it may, the Italian Countess afterwards retired to a distant +castle belonging to our Prince; and as to her mode of life there, it +was kept entirely secret, all that was made known being that her +extreme grief had disgusted her with the world.</p> + +<p>"Notwithstanding the influence of this horrible misfortune, Francesco's +intercourse with the sister of our reigning Princess became always more +and more intimate, and the friendship of this Sovereign towards him more +publicly confirmed. The mystery, whatever it was, that hung over this +man's birth and fortunes, had now been fully explained to him; and at +last, after many consultations and entreaties, he agreed to a private +marriage between Francesco and his sister-in-law. The former was to be +raised to a high rank in the army, under another government, where our +Prince had influence; and not till that event took place, was his +marriage to be made public.</p> + +<p>"The day of the solemnization arrived. The Prince and Princess, with two +other confidential witnesses, of whom my predecessor was one, were the +only persons present at this occasion. One page, who was also in the +secret, kept watch at the chapel-door.</p> + +<p>"The couple were kneeling before the altar. The Prince's confessor, a +venerable old man, after an appropriate prayer and lecture, began the +ceremony, when, to the astonishment of every one, Francesco grew +suddenly pale as marble, staring at some object which as yet none but +himself beheld. 'What would'st thou have?' cried he, in a deep hollow +voice, and letting go his bride's hand.</p> + +<p>"Following the direction of his looks, they now observed, leaning +against a pillar of the church, in his Italian dress, with a dark +violet-coloured mantle drawn closely round him—the painter! He +continued to fix his dark glaring eyes on Francesco, who seemed +transfixed with some inexplicable apprehension.</p> + +<p>"The Princess nearly fainted, and every one but the priest was too much +astonished to speak—'Why should the figure of this man affright you?' +said he, to Francesco. 'It is true that his presence here was +unexpected; but if your own conscience is at rest, wherefore should you +tremble before him?'</p> + +<p>"Then Francesco, who had till now kept this kneeling posture at the +altar, started up, and, with a small stiletto in his hand, rushed +towards the painter. But before he reached him, he himself fell, with a +frightful cry, to the ground, and in the same moment the painter +vanished behind the pillar.</p> + +<p>"The marriage ceremony, of course, was thought of no more. All started +up as from a dream, and ran to the help of Francesco, who had fainted, +and lay on the ground as if dead. To avoid risk of publicity, the two +witnesses, with the page's help, carried him into the Prince's +apartments. When he recovered from his faint, he demanded vehemently +that he should be conveyed to his own lodgings, and left there alone. To +the Prince's questions as to his strange conduct in the church, he would +make no answer whatever.</p> + +<p>"On the following morning, Francesco had fled from the <i>residenz</i>, +taking with him all the valuables which the favour of the late Duke, and +of our Sovereign, had bestowed upon him. The latter used every possible +means to unravel these mysteries, and, above all, to explain the ghostly +apparition of the painter. The chapel had only two entrances, of which +one led from the rooms of the palace to the seats near the high altar; +the other, from the great corridor into the aisle of the chapel. This +last entrance had been watched by the page, in order that no prying +observer should gain admittance. The other had been carefully closed, so +that it remained inexplicable both how the painter appeared in, and +vanished from, the chapel.</p> + +<p>"Another circumstance very remarkable was noticed by the page. This +person had been the confidential attendant of the late Duke, and he +declared himself convinced, that the stiletto which Francesco had +continued to grasp convulsively during his faint, was the same which he +had seen lying by the body of his master on that fatal evening, and +which had soon afterwards been unaccountably lost.</p> + +<p>"Not long after Francesco's flight, news came of the Italian Duchess. On +the very day when the former should have been married, she had been +delivered of a son, and soon after her accouchement had died. The Prince +deplored her untimely fate, though the circumstances of the bridal-night +had weighed so heavily on her, that her future life must, of necessity, +have been unhappy. Nor were there wanting individuals malicious enough +to raise against her evil rumours and suspicions. Her son never appeared +here, but was educated in distant countries, under the Italian title of +Count Victorin.</p> + +<p>"The Princess—I mean the sister-in-law of our Sovereign—being reduced +to utter despair by these horrid events following like links of a chain +so closely on one another, determined on devoting the rest of her life +to the cloister. She is, as you already know, Abbess of the Cistertian +Convent at Kreuzberg.</p> + +<p>"But, between these adventures which happened in our court, there has +lately been traced a wonderful, and almost supernatural coincidence, +with others which occurred very lately at the castle of the Baron von +F——, in the Thuringian mountains, and by which his house was thrown +precisely into the same state of distraction and misery under which ours +had suffered. You must know that the Abbess, who had been moved with the +distress of a poor woman with a child in her arms, who came to her from +a pilgrimage to the Convent of the Lime-Tree"—</p> + +<p>Here the entrance of a visitor put an end to the physician's narrative; +and hastily taking my leave, I succeeded tolerably well in concealing +the tempest of emotions which now raged within me.</p> + +<p>Scarcely a doubt remained on my mind that Francesco had been my father. +He had murdered the Duke with the identical stiletto with which, in +self-defence, I had afterwards killed Hermogen! Here, then, was the +origin of that hereditary guilt, of which the darkening clouds hung like +a curse upon my existence, and which it should have been my earnest +endeavour to expiate, by a life of voluntary suffering, of penance, and +exemplary piety.</p> + +<p>Hence, therefore, I resolved instantly to follow the Prior's +injunctions, and betake myself to Italy; thus breaking out at once from +that dangerous circle into which I had been seduced by the malicious +powers of darkness.</p> + +<p>On that very evening, however, I had been engaged to a party at court, +and went accordingly. The assembly was as numerous and varied as that +which I have described on a former occasion; but, through them all, +there prevailed <i>one only</i> subject of conversation, viz. the +extraordinary beauty of a young lady who had arrived only the day +preceding at our court, and had been appointed one of the maids of +honour to the Princess.</p> + +<p>At last the folding-doors were thrown open, the Princess, as usual, +stepped in, but not with her usual attendant. The stranger was with her, +and in that stranger I recognized at once—<span class="smcap">Aurelia</span>!!</p> + + +<h3>END OF VOLUME FIRST.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Balcony or Platform.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Balcony.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Hunting-song.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Devil's Elixir, by E. T. A. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Devil's Elixir + Vol. I (of 2) + +Author: E. T. A. Hoffmann + +Release Date: June 22, 2011 [EBook #36494] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR *** + + + + +Produced by Irma Spehar, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) + + + + + + + + + + + THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR. + + FROM THE GERMAN OF + E. T. A. HOFFMANN. + + + _In diesem Jahre wandelte auch her Deuvel offentlich auf den + Strassen von Berlin.----_ + + _Haftit Microc. Berol. p. 1043._ + + In that yeare, the Deville was alsoe seene walking publiclie + on the streetes of Berline.---- + + VOL. I. + + WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, EDINBURGH: + AND T. CADELL, LONDON. + + 1829. + + + + +THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +My life, from my fourth to my sixteenth year, was spent at a lonely +farm-house, on the banks of the river Saale, near the Cistertian +Monastery of Kreuzberg. The house, though not large, had once been the +residence of a baronial family, that was now extinct, and of whose +representatives strange stories were narrated. Of course, therefore, +their castle was gloomy; of course, also, said to be haunted, and its +immediate environs were in keeping with the character of the principal +mansion. + +There was, for example, a garden in the old style, with steps and +terrace walks, now ruined and neglected; thick hedges of yew and +cypress, with trees cut into fantastic shapes, which the present owner +had not found leisure, or perhaps had not permission, to destroy. The +surrounding country, however, at some distance, was very beautiful, +presenting a fine diversity of hill and dale, rock, wood, and water. The +situation of the Cistertian Convent, too, is particularly admired; but +in the recollections which I am thus commencing, rapid, simple narrative +must be my leading object; I have no time for diffuse and verbose +description. + +Being an only child, I was left much alone, and it is therefore not to +be wondered at, that even at this early age, I should have exemplified +an undue developement of the faculty of imagination, and betrayed +singularities of thought and conduct, with proportionate defects in the +more useful qualities of prudence and judgment. It is requisite to +observe, however, that I was not born in this neighbourhood, but at the +convent of the Holy Lime-Tree in Prussia, of which place, even at this +day, I seem to retain the most accurate reminiscence. That I should be +able to describe scenes and events which happened in my earliest +infancy, need not be considered inexplicable, as I have heard so much of +them from the narratives of others, that an impression was of course +very powerfully made on my imagination, or rather, the impressions once +made, have never been suffered to decay, like cyphers carved on a tree, +which some fond lover fails not at frequent intervals to revisit and to +renovate. Of my father's rank or station in the world, I know little or +nothing. From all that I have heard, he must have been a person of +considerable experience and knowledge of life; yet, by various anecdotes +which have only of late become intelligible, it appears that my parents, +from the enjoyment of affluence and prosperity, had sunk, all at once, +into a state of the bitterest poverty and comparative degradation. I +learn, moreover, that my father, having been once enticed by stratagems +of the Arch Enemy into the commission of a mortal sin, wished, when, in +his latter years, the grace of God had brought him to repentance, to +expiate his guilt by a penitential pilgrimage from Italy to the convent +of the Holy Lime-Tree, in the distant and cold climate of Prussia. On +their laborious journey thither, his faithful partner in affliction +perceived, for the first time after several years of a married life, +that she was about to become a mother; and notwithstanding his extreme +poverty, my father was by this occurrence greatly rejoiced, as it tended +to the fulfilment of a mysterious vision, in which the blessed St +Bernard had appeared, and promised to him forgiveness and consolation +through the birth of a son. + +In the convent of the Lime-Tree, my father was attacked by severe +illness, and as, notwithstanding his debility, he would on no account +forego any of the prescribed devotional exercises, his disease rapidly +gained ground, till at last, in mysterious conformity to the words of St +Bernard, he died consoled and absolved, almost at the same moment in +which I came into the world. + +With my first consciousness of existence dawned on my perceptions the +beautiful imagery of the cloister and celebrated church of the +Lime-Tree. Even at this moment, methinks the dark oak wood yet rustles +around me; I breathe once more the fragrance of the luxuriant grass and +variegated flowers which were my cradle. No noxious insect, no poisonous +reptile, is found within the limits of that sanctuary. Scarce even the +buzzing of a fly, or chirping of a grasshopper, interrupts the solemn +stillness, diversified only by the pious songs of the monks, who walk +about in long solemn processions, accompanied by pilgrims of all +nations, waving their censers of consecrated perfume. + +Even now, I seem yet vividly to behold in the middle of the church, the +stem of the lime-tree cased in silver, that far-famed tree, on which +supernatural visitants had placed the miraculous and wonder-working +image of the Virgin, while from the walls and lofty dome, the well-known +features of Saints and Angels are once more smiling upon me. + +In like manner, it appears to me also, as if I had once beheld in the +same place the mysterious figure of a tall, grave, and austere-looking +man, of whom I was given to understand, that he could be no other but +the far-famed Italian painter, who had, in times long past, been here +professionally employed. No one understood his language, nor was his +real history known to any one of the monks. This much only was certain, +that he had, in a space of time incredibly short, filled the church with +its richest ornaments, and then, as soon as his work was finished, +immediately disappeared, no one could tell how or whither. + +Not less vividly could I paint the portrait of a venerable pilgrim, who +carried me about in his arms, and assisted me in my childish plays of +searching for all sorts of variegated moss and pebbles in the forest. +Yet, though the apparition of the painter was certainly real, that of +the pilgrim, were it not for its influence on my after life, would seem +to me but a dream. + +One day this personage brought with him a boy of uncommon beauty, and +about my equal in years, with whom I seated myself on the grass, sharing +with him my treasured store of moss and pebbles, which he already knew +how to form into various regular figures, and above all, into the holy +sign of the cross. My mother, meanwhile, sat near us on a stone bench, +and the old pilgrim stood behind her, contemplating with mild gravity +our infantine employments. + +Suddenly, while we were thus occupied, a troop of young people emerged +from the thicket, of whom, judging by their dress and whole demeanour, +it was easy to decide, that curiosity and idleness, not devotion, had +led them to the Lime-Tree. On perceiving us, one of them began to laugh +aloud, and exclaiming to his companions, "See there!--See there!--A +holy family!--Here at last is something for my portfolio;" with these +words he drew out paper and pencils, and set himself as if to sketch our +portraits. Hereupon the old pilgrim was violently incensed, "Miserable +scoffer!" he exclaimed, "thou forsooth wouldst be an artist, while to +thy heart, the inspiration of faith and divine love is yet utterly +unknown! But thy works will, like thyself, remain cold, senseless, and +inanimate, and in the poverty of thine own soul, like an outcast in the +desert, shalt thou perish!" + +Terrified by this reproof, the young people hastened away. The old +pilgrim also soon afterwards prepared for departure. "For this one day," +said he to my mother, "I have been permitted to bring to you this +miraculous child, in order that, by sympathy, he might kindle the flames +of divine love in your son's heart; but I must now take him from you, +nor shall you ever behold either of us in this world again. Your son +will prove by nature admirably endowed with many valuable gifts; nor +will the lessons which have now been impressed on his mind be from +thence ever wholly effaced. Though the passions of his sinful father +should boil and ferment in his veins, yet by proper education their +influence might be repressed, and he might even raise himself up to be a +valiant champion of our holy faith. Let him therefore be a monk!" + +With these words he disappeared; and my mother could never sufficiently +express how deep was the impression that his warning had left on her +mind. She resolved, however, by no means to place any restraint on my +natural inclinations, but quietly to acquiesce in whatever destination +Providence, and the limited education she was able to bestow, might seem +to point out for me. + +The interval between this period and the time when my mother, on her +homeward journey, stopped at the convent of Kreuzberg, remains a mere +blank; not a trace of any event is left to me. The Abbess of the +Cistertians (by birth a princess) had been formerly acquainted with my +father, and on that account received us very kindly. I recover myself +for the first time, when one morning my mother bestowed extraordinary +care upon my dress; she also cut and arranged my wildly-grown hair, +adorned it with ribbons which she had bought in the town, and +instructed me as well as she could how I was to behave when presented at +the convent. + +At length, holding by my mother's hand, I had ascended the broad marble +staircase, and entered a high vaulted apartment, adorned with devotional +pictures, in which we found the Lady Abbess. She was a tall, majestic, +and still handsome woman, to whom the dress of her order gave +extraordinary dignity. "Is this your son?" said she to my mother, fixing +on me at the same time her dark and penetrating eyes. Her voice, her +dress, her _tout ensemble_,--even, the high vaulted room and strange +objects by which I was surrounded, altogether had such an effect on my +imagination, that, seized with a kind of horror, I began to weep +bitterly. "How is this?" said the Abbess; "are you afraid of me? What is +your name, child?"--"Francis," answered my mother.--"Franciscus!" +repeated the Abbess, in a tone of deep melancholy, at the same time +lifting me up in her arms, and pressing me to her bosom. + +But here a new misfortune awaited us; I suddenly felt real and violent +pain, and screamed aloud. The Abbess; terrified, let me go; and my +mother, utterly confounded by my behaviour would have directly snatched +me up and retired. This, however, our new friend would by no means +permit. It was now perceived that a diamond cross, worn by the Princess, +had, at the moment when she pressed me in her arms, wounded my neck in +such manner, that the impression, in the form of a cross, was already +quite visible, and even suffused with blood. "Poor Francis!" said the +Abbess, "I have indeed been very cruel to you; but we shall yet, +notwithstanding all this, be good friends."--An attendant nun now +entered with wine and refreshments, at the sight of which I soon +recovered my courage; and at last, seated on the Abbess's lap, began to +eat boldly of the sweetmeats, which she with her own hand kindly held to +my lips. + +Afterwards, when I had, for the first time in my life, also tasted a few +drops of good wine, that liveliness of humour, which, according to my +mother's account, had been natural to me from infancy, was completely +restored. I laughed and talked, to the great delight of the Princess and +the nun, who remained in the room. To this moment, I know not how it +occurred to my mother, or how she succeeded in leading me on to talk +freely to the Abbess about all the wonders of my native monastery, or +how, as if supernaturally inspired, I was able to describe the works of +the unknown painter as correctly and livelily as if I had comprehended +their whole import and excellence. Not contented with this, I went on +into all the legends of the saints, as if I had already become +intimately acquainted with the records of the church. + +The Princess, and even my mother, looked at me with astonishment. At +last, "Tell me, child," said the Abbess, "how is it possible that you +can have learned all this?"--Without a moment's hesitation, I answered +that a miraculous boy, who had been brought to us by the old pilgrim, +had explained to me all the paintings in the church--nay, that he +himself was able to make beautiful pictures, with moss and pebbles, on +the ground; and had not only explained to me their import, but told me +many legends of the saints. + +The bell now rung for vespers. The nun had packed up and given to me a +quantity of sweetmeats in a paper bag, which I grasped and pocketed with +great satisfaction. The Abbess then rose from her seat: "Henceforward," +said she, turning to my mother, "I shall look upon your son as my chosen +_eleve_, and shall provide for him accordingly."--My mother was so much +affected by this unexpected generosity, that she could only reply with +tears, grasping in silence the hand of the Abbess. We had reached the +door on our retreat, when the Princess came after us, took me up once +more in her arms, first carefully putting aside the diamond cross, and +weeping so that her tears dropped on my forehead, "Franciscus," said +she, "be good and pious!" I was moved also, and wept without knowing +wherefore. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +By the assistance of the Abbess we were not long afterwards established +at the farm-house already mentioned, and, through her generosity, the +small household of my mother soon assumed a more prosperous appearance. +I was also well clothed and cared for, enjoying the freedom and +tranquillity of a country life, so congenial to childhood; but, above +all, I profited in due time by the instructions of the neighbouring +village priest, whom, while yet very young, I attended as sacristan at +the altar. + +How like a fairy dream the remembrance of those happy days yet hovers +around me! Alas! like a far distant land, the realm of peace and joy, +_home_ now lies far far behind me; and when I would look back, a gulf +yawns to meet me, by which I am separated from these blissful regions +for ever. One lovely form I yet seem to recognize, wandering amid the +roseate light of the morning--one that haunted my early dreams, even +before I was conscious that such beauty could ever on earth be realized. +I beheld her amid the fresh verdure--beneath the fragrant, beaming +sun-showers of May--and not less amid the desolate wildness of autumn, +when even the beech-trees lost their leaves; and her voice in sweet +music rose on me through the moaning sighs of the departing year. + +With ardent longing, I strive once more to catch the soothing chords of +that angelic voice, to behold the contour of that form, and to meet once +more the radiance of her smile--in vain! Alas! are there then barriers +over which the strong wings of Love cannot bear him across? Lies not his +kingdom in thought, and must thought, too, be subject to slavish +limitations? But dark spectral forms rise up around me;--always denser +and denser draws together their hideous circle;--they close out every +prospect, they oppress my senses with the horrors of reality,--till even +that longing, which had been a source of nameless pleasureable pain, is +converted into deadly and insupportable torment. + + * * * * * + +The priest was goodness itself. He knew how to fetter my too lively +spirit, and to attract my attention in such manner, that I was delighted +by his instructions, and made rapid progress in my studies. Even at this +moment I can yet recal his calm, contented, and somewhat weather-beaten +features. He was in manners simple as a child, perplexed often about +trifles, of which the contemptible characters around him were completely +_au fait_; yet clear and decisive in judgment on matters of which +ordinary characters could have no comprehension. + +At this moment, how vividly do I recal, not only his own appearance, but +that of his dwelling-house in the village of Heidebach, which town, +though small and insignificant, is yet in situation very romantic. The +walls of his house were covered up to the roof with vines, which he +carefully trained. The interior of his humble habitation was also +arranged with the utmost neatness; and behind was a large garden, in +which he sedulously worked for recreation at intervals, when not engaged +in teaching his scholars, or in his clerical functions. + +In all my studies I was also very much assisted and encouraged by that +unbounded respect and admiration which I cherished towards the Lady +Abbess. Every time that I was to appear in her presence, I proposed to +myself that I would shine before her, with my newly acquired knowledge; +and as soon as she came into the room, I could only look at her, and +listen to her alone. Every word that she uttered remained deeply graven +on my remembrance; and through the whole day after I had thus met with +her, her image accompanied me wherever I went, and I felt exalted to an +extraordinary solemn and devotional mood of mind. + +By what nameless feelings have I been agitated, when, during my office +of Sacristan, I stood swinging my censer on the steps of the high altar, +when the deep full tones of the organ streamed down from the choir, and +bore my soul with them as on the waves of a stormy sea! Then in the +anthem, above all others, I recognised her voice, which came down like a +seraphic warning from Heaven, penetrating my heart, and filling my mind +with the highest and holiest aspirations. + +But the most impressive of all days, to which for weeks preceding I +could not help looking forward with rapture, was that of the Festival +of St Bernard, which (he being the tutelary Saint of the Cistertians) +was celebrated at the convent with extraordinary grandeur. Even on the +day preceding, multitudes of people streamed out of the town, and from +the surrounding country. Encamping themselves on the beautiful level +meadows by which Kreuzberg is surrounded, day and night the lively +assemblage were in commotion. In the motley crowd were to be found +all varieties of people--devout pilgrims in foreign habits +singing anthems--peasant lads flirting with their well-dressed +mistresses--monks, who, with folded arms, in abstract contemplation, +gazed up to Heaven--and whole families of citizens, who comfortably +unpacked and enjoyed their well-stored baskets of provisions on the +grass. Mirthful catches, pious hymns, groans of the penitent, and +laughter of the merry, rejoicing, lamentation, jesting, and prayer, +sounded at once in a strange stupifying concert through the atmosphere. + +If, however, the convent bell rung, then, far as the eye could reach, +the multitude were at once fallen on their knees. Confusion was at an +end, and only the hollow murmurs of prayer interrupted the solemn +stillness. When the last sounds of the bell had died away, then the +merry crowds, as before, streamed about on their varied occupations, and +of new the rejoicing, which for a few minutes had been interrupted, was +eagerly resumed. + +On St Bernard's day, the Bishop himself, who resided in the neighbouring +town, officiated in divine service at the church of the convent. He was +attended by all the inferior clergy of his diocese; his _capelle_, or +choir, performed the music on a kind of temporary tribune, erected on +one side of the high altar, and adorned with rich and costly hangings. +Even now, the feelings which then vibrated through my bosom are not +decayed. When I think of that happy period, which only too soon past +away, they revive in all their youthful freshness. With especial +liveliness I can still remember the notes of a certain _Gloria_; which +composition being a great favourite with the Princess, was frequently +performed. + +When the Bishop had intoned the first notes of this anthem, and the +powerful voices of the choir thundered after him, "_Gloria in excelsis +Deo_," did it not seem as if the painted clouds over the high altar +were rolled asunder, and as if by a divine miracle the cherubim and +seraphim came forward into life, moved, and spread abroad their powerful +wings, hovering up and down, and praising God with song and supernatural +music? + +I sank thereafter into the most mysterious mood of inspired devotion. I +was borne through resplendent clouds into the far distant regions of +home. Through the fragrant woods of the Lime-Tree Monastery, I once more +heard the music of angelic voices. From thickets of roses and lilies, +the miraculous boy stepped forward to meet me, and said, with a smile, +"Where have you been so long, Franciscus? See, I have a world of +beautiful flowers, and will give them all to you, if you will but stay +with me and love me!" + +After divine service, the nuns, with the Abbess at their head, held a +solemn procession through the aisles of the church and convent. She was +in the full dress of her order, wearing the Insul, and carrying the +silver shepherd's-staff in her hand. What sanctity, what dignity, what +supernatural grandeur, beamed from every look, and animated every +gesture, of this admirable woman! She herself impersonized the +triumphant church, affording to pious believers the assurance of +blessing and protection. If by chance her looks fell on me, I could have +thrown myself prostrate before her in the dust. + +When the ceremonies of the day were completely brought to an end, the +attendant clergy, including the choir of the Bishop, were hospitably +entertained in the refectory. Several friends of the convent, civil +officers, merchants from the town, etc., had their share in this +entertainment; and by means of the Bishop's choir-master, who had +conceived a favourable opinion of me, and willingly had me beside him, I +also was allowed to take my place at the table. + +If before I had been excited by mysterious feelings of devotion, no less +now did convivial life, with its varied imagery, gain its full influence +over my senses. The guests enjoyed themselves with great freedom, +telling stories, and laughing at their own wit, during which the bottles +of old wine were zealously drained, until, at a stated hour in the +evening, the carriages of the dignitaries were at the gate, and all, in +the most orderly manner, took their departure. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +I was now in my sixteenth year, when the priest declared that I was +qualified to begin the study of the higher branches of theology, at the +college of the neighbouring town. I had fully determined on the clerical +life, by which resolution my mother was greatly delighted, as she +perceived that the mysterious hints of the pilgrim were intimately +connected with my father's vision of St Bernard; and by this resolution +of mine, she for the first time believed, that his soul was fully +absolved, and saved from the risk of eternal destruction. The Princess, +too, approved my intentions, and repeated her generous promises of +support and assistance. + +Though the town of Koenigswald was so near, that we beheld its towers in +the back ground of the landscape, and though bold walkers frequently +came from thence on foot to our convent, yet to me this first +separation from the Abbess, whom I regarded with such veneration,--from +my kind mother, whom I tenderly loved,--and the good old priest, was +very painful. So true it is, that even the shortest step out of the +immediate circle of one's best friends, is equal, in effect, to the +remotest separation. Even the Princess was on this occasion agitated to +an extraordinary degree, and her voice faltered while she pronounced +over me some energetic words of admonishment. She presented me with an +ornamental rosary, and a small prayer-book, with fine illuminations. She +then gave me a letter of recommendation to the Prior of the Capuchin +Convent in Koenigswald, whom she advised me directly to visit, as he +would be prepared to afford me whatever advice or aid I could require. + +There are certainly few situations so beautiful as that of the Capuchin +Monastery, right before the eastern gates of Koenigswald. The flourishing +and extensive gardens, with their fine prospect towards the mountains, +seemed to me at every visit more and more attractive. Here it became +afterwards my delight to wander in deep meditation, reposing now at +this, now at that group of finely grown trees; and in this garden, when +I went to deliver my letter of recommendation from the Abbess, I met, +for the first time, the Prior Leonardus. + +The natural politeness of the Superior was obviously increased when he +had read through the letter, and he said so much in praise of the +Princess, whom he had formerly known at Rome, that by this means alone +he directly won my affections. He was then surrounded by his brethren, +and it was easy to perceive at once the beneficial effects of his +arrangements and mode of discipline in the monastery. + +The same cheerfulness, amenity, and composure of spirit, which were so +striking in the Prior, spread their influence also through the brethren. +There was nowhere visible the slightest trace of ill humour, or of that +inwardly-corroding reserve, which is elsewhere to be found in the +countenances of Monks. Notwithstanding the severe rules of his order, +devotional exercises were to the Prior Leonardus more like a necessary +indulgence of a divine soul aspiring to Heaven, than penitential +inflictions to efface the stains of mortal frailty. And he knew so well +how to instil the same principles among his brethren, that in their +performance of every duty, to which they were by their vows subjected, +there prevailed a liveliness and good humour, which even in this +terrestrial sphere gave rise to a new and higher mood of existence. + +The Prior even allowed and approved a certain degree of intercourse with +the world, which could not but be advantageous for the monks. The rich +gifts which from all quarters were presented to the monastery, rendered +it possible to entertain, on certain days, the friends and patrons of +the institution, in the refectory. + +Then, in the middle of the banquet-hall was spread a large table, at +which were seated the Prior Leonardus and his guests. The brethren, +meanwhile, remained at a small narrow board, stretching along the walls, +contenting themselves with the humblest fare, and coarsest utensils, +while, at the Prior's table, all was elegantly served on silver, glass, +and porcelain; and even on fast-days the cook of the convent could +prepare meagre dishes in such a manner, that they seemed to the guests +highly luxurious. They themselves provided wine; and thus the dinners at +the Capuchin Convent presented a friendly intercourse of spiritual with +profane characters, which could not fail to be beneficial to both +parties. + +Those who were too eagerly occupied in worldly pursuits, were obliged to +confess, that here, by a new mode of life, in direct opposition to their +own, quiet and composure were to be obtained; nay, they might conclude, +that the more the soul is in this world elevated above terrestrial +considerations, the more it becomes capable of enjoyment. On the other +hand, the monks gained a knowledge of life, which otherwise would have +remained from them wholly veiled, and which supplied important +_materiel_ for contemplation, enabling them many times more clearly to +perceive, that, without the aid of some divine principle to support the +mind, all in this world becomes "weary, flat, stale, and unprofitable." + +Over all the brethren, highly exalted, both in regard to sacred and +profane accomplishments, stood the Prior Leonardus. Besides that he was +looked on as a great theologian, and consulted on the most difficult +questions, he was, much more than could have been expected from a monk, +also a man of the world. He spoke the French and Italian languages with +fluency and elegance, and on account of his extraordinary versatility, +he had formerly been employed on weighty diplomacies. + +At the time when I knew him first, he was already advanced in years; but +though his hair was white, his eyes yet gleamed with youthful fire--and +the agreeable smile which hovered on his lips was the surest evidence of +his inward serenity and activity of mind. The same grace which prevailed +in his discourse, regulated every gesture, and his figure, even in the +unbecoming dress of his order, appeared to extraordinary advantage. + +There was not a single individual among the inhabitants of the convent, +who had not come into it from his own free choice. But had it been +otherwise, as, for example, in the case of unfortunate criminals, who +came thither as to a place of refuge from persecution, the penitence +prescribed by Leonardus was but the short passage to recovered repose; +and reconciled with himself, without heeding the world or its follies, +the convert would, while yet living on earth, have become elevated in +mind over all that is terrestrial. This unusual tendency of monachism, +had been learned by Leonardus in Italy, where the mode of education, +and all the views of a religious life, are much more cheerful than among +the Catholics of Germany. + +Leonardus conceived a very favourable opinion of my talents; he +instructed me in Italian and French; but it was especially the great +variety of books which he lent to me, and his agreeable conversation, +which contributed most to my improvement. Almost the whole time which +could be spared from my studies in the College, was spent in the +Capuchin Convent; and my inclination towards a monastic life became +always more and more determined. I disclosed to the Prior my wishes in +this respect; but, without directly dissuading me, he advised me at any +rate to wait for a few years, during which time I might look around me +in the world. As to society, since I came into the town, I had, by means +of the Bishop's choir-master, found myself on that score by no means +deficient, but in every party, especially if women were present, I had +uniformly found myself so disagreeably embarrassed, that even this +alone, independent of my disposition to solitude and contemplation, +seemed to decide, that I was by nature destined for a monk. + +One day, the Prior spoke with me at great length on the danger of +risking too early a decision on a mode of life, which involves so many +requisites. "Is it possible," said he, "that at so early an age, you are +prepared to renounce all the delusive pleasures of this world? If so, +but not otherwise, you may then embrace the duties of monachism. Are you +thoroughly convinced, that you have formed no attachment,--that you wish +for no enjoyments, but those which the mysterious influences of an +existence devoted to voluntary suffering can bestow?" + +He fixed on me his dark penetrating eyes, and I was obliged to cast mine +on the ground, and remain without answering a word; for at that moment a +form, which had been long banished from my recollection, stepped forward +to the mind's eye in colours more than ever lively and distracting. + +The choir-master had a sister, who, without being an absolute beauty, +was yet in the highest bloom of youth, and especially on account of her +figure, was what is called a very charming girl. One morning, having +formed some other engagements, I had gone at an earlier hour than usual +to receive my lesson in music at the choir-master's house, stepped +without hesitation into his lodgings, expecting to find him alone, and +wholly unconscious that the apartment was used as a dressing-room (or, +as it happened on this occasion, as an _un_dressing-room) by +Mademoiselle Therese, whom, instead of her brother, I now discovered. So +utterly was I confounded, that I stood motionless for a few seconds, +without retiring or advancing. My heart beat, my limbs tottered--I could +hardly breathe--But when Therese, with her usual _naivete_ and +_nonchalance_, had recourse to a large shawl, then came forward without +the least confusion, even offered me her hand, and asked what was the +matter, and why I looked so pale--this increased my embarrassment +tenfold, so that I had almost fainted. + +It was a fortunate relief when the door of the adjoining room opened, +and the choir-master made his appearance. But never had I struck such +false chords, or sung so completely out of tune, as on that day. +Afterwards I was pious enough to believe that the whole was a temptation +of the devil, and thought myself very fortunate in having, by ascetic +exercises, driven him out of the field. + +Now, however, these questions of the Prior, though his intentions were +very praiseworthy, revived the lost image in tenfold strength. I blushed +deeply, and said not a word. "I see, my dear son," resumed the Prior, +"that you have understood me; you are yet free from the vices of +artifice and concealment, nor do you cherish an undue confidence in +yourself. Heaven protect you from the temptations of this life! Its +enjoyments are but of short duration, and one may well say, that there +rests on them a curse. In possession they expire; and what is worse, +leave behind them a disgust, a disappointment, a bluntness of the +faculties for all that is truly praiseworthy and exalted, so that the +better and spiritual attributes of our nature are at last utterly +destroyed!" + + * * * * * + +Notwithstanding my endeavours to forget both the questions of the Prior, +and the image to which they had given rise, yet I could in this by no +means succeed; and though formerly I had been tolerably composed, even +in the presence of Therese, yet now I was obliged with the utmost care +to avoid every meeting. Even the very thoughts of her distracted my +attention completely; and this appeared to me so much the more sinful, +as I could not disguise from myself that such thoughts were attended +with pleasure. + +The adventure of one evening, however, was soon to determine all this. +The choir-master invited me, as he had often done before, to a music +party at his house. On entering the room, I perceived that there were +many other young ladies besides Mamselle Therese, and that she was on +this occasion dressed more becomingly and elegantly than I had ever seen +her. I would willingly have excused myself and fled, but it was now too +late. An irresistible longing drew me towards her. I was as if +spell-bound, and through the evening stationed myself near her, happy if +by accident I came into momentary contact with this enchantress, though +it were but to touch the hem of her garment. + +Of all this she appeared by no means inobservant, nor did it seem to +displease her. The adventures of the night, however, were drawing to a +close. She had sat long at the harpsichord, but at length rose, and went +towards the window. One of her gloves was left on the chair. This, +believing myself unobserved, I directly took possession of, first +pressing it to my lips, and then placing it in my bosom. One young lady, +however, (who, by the by, was my utter aversion,) had not failed to +notice this _etourderie_. She rose directly from her station at the +tea-table, and went to Therese, who was standing with another +_demoiselle_ at the window. She whispered something to Therese, who +immediately began to smile. The looks of all three were directed towards +me. They tittered and laughed all together. I believed it was in scorn +and mockery, which to my feelings was insupportable. + +I was as if annihilated. The blood flowed ice-cold through my veins. +Losing all self-possession I left the room--rushed away into the +college, and locked myself up in my cell. I threw myself in despair and +rage upon the floor. Tears of anguish and disappointment gushed from my +eyes. I renounced--I cursed the girl and myself; then prayed and laughed +alternately like a madman. Tittering voices of scorn and mockery rose, +and sounded gibbering all around me. I was in the very act of throwing +myself out of the window, but by good luck the iron bars hindered me. +It was not till the morning broke that I was more tranquil; but I was +firmly resolved never to see her any more, and, in a word, to renounce +the world. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +My vocation to the monastic life was thus, according to my own opinion, +rendered clear and unalterable. On that very day after the fatal music +party, I hastened, as soon as I could escape from my usual studies in +the school, to the Capuchin Prior, and informed him that it was my fixed +intention directly to begin my noviciate, and that I had already, by +letters, announced my design to my mother, and to the Abbess. Leonardus +seemed surprised at my sudden zeal, and without being impolitely urgent, +he yet endeavoured, by one means or another, to find out what could have +led me all at once to this resolve, to which he rightly concluded that +some extraordinary event must have given rise. + +A painful emotion of shame, which I could not overcome, prevented me +from telling the truth. On the other hand, I dwelt, with all the +fervour of excitement, on the visions, warnings, and strange adventures +of my youth, which all seemed decidedly to point to a monastic +retirement. Without in the least disputing the authenticity of the +events which I had described, he suggested that I might, nevertheless, +have drawn from them false conclusions, as there was no certainty that I +had interpreted correctly the warnings, whatever they might be, which I +had received. + +Indeed, the Prior did not at any time speak willingly of supernatural +agency--not even of those instances recorded by inspired writers, so +that there were moments in which I had almost set him down for an +infidel and a sceptic. Once I emboldened myself so far, as to force from +him some decided expressions as to the adversaries of our Catholic +faith, who stigmatize all belief of that which cannot be interpreted +according to the laws of our corporeal senses, with the name of +Superstition. "My son," said Leonardus, "infidelity itself is indeed the +worst species of that mental weakness, which, under the name of +Superstition, such people ascribe to believers." Thereafter he directly +changed the subject to lighter and more ordinary topics of discourse. + +Not till long afterwards was I able to enter into his admirable views of +the mysteries of our religion, which involves the supernatural communing +of our spirits with beings of a celestial order, and was then obliged to +confess, that Leonardus, with great propriety, reserved these ideas for +students who were sufficiently advanced in years and experience. + +I now received a letter from my mother, describing new visions and +warnings, such as those to which I had attached so much importance in my +conversation with the Prior. She had by this means long since +anticipated that the situation of a lay brother would not satisfy my +wishes, but that I would make choice of the conventual life. On St +Medardus' day, the old Pilgrim from the Holy Lime-Tree had appeared to +her, and had led me by the hand, in the habit of a Capuchin monk. The +Princess also completely approved of my resolution; which accordingly +was carried as rapidly as possible into effect. + +I saw both of them once more before my investiture, which (as, according +to my earnest request, the half of my noviciate was dispensed with) very +soon followed. In conformity with my mother's last letter, I assumed +the conventual name of Medardus. + + * * * * * + +The reciprocal confidence and friendship of the brethren with regard to +each other--the internal arrangements of the convent--and, in short, the +whole mode of life among the Capuchins, appeared to me for a long time +exactly as it had done at first. That composure of spirit, which was +universally apparent, failed not by sympathy to pour the balm of peace +into my soul; and I was visited often by delightful inspirations, +especially by faery dreams, derived from the period of my earliest years +in the Convent of the Holy Lime-Tree. + +I must not omit to mention, that, during the solemn act of my +investiture, I beheld the choir-master's sister. She looked quite sunk +in melancholy, and her eyes evidently shone in tears. But the time of +temptation was now past and gone; and, perhaps, out of a sinful pride +over a triumph too easily won, I could not help smiling, which did not +fail to be remarked by a certain monk, named Cyrillus, who at that +moment stood near me. "What makes you so merry, brother?" said +he.--"When I am renouncing this contemptible world," said I, "and its +vanities, ought I not to rejoice?" + +It was not to be denied, however, that, at the moment when I pronounced +these words, an involuntary feeling of regret vibrated through my inmost +heart, and was at direct variance with what I had said. Yet this was the +last attack of earthly passion, after which composure of spirit +gradually gained complete ascendancy. Oh, had it never departed! But who +may trust to the strength of his armour? Who may rely on his own +courage, if the supernatural and unseen powers of darkness are combined +against him, and for ever on the watch? + + * * * * * + +I had now been five years in the convent, when, according to +arrangements made by the Prior, the care of the reliquiary chamber was +transferred to me from Brother Cyrillus, who was now become old and +infirm. + +In this room (it was an old grotesque Gothic chamber) there were all +sorts of devotional treasures:--bones of the saints, and remnants of +their dress--fragments of the cross, &c. etc.--which were preserved in +costly glass cases, set in silver, and exposed to view only on certain +days, for the edification of the people. When the transfer of duties +took place, Brother Cyrillus fully acquainted me with the character of +each article, and with the documents proving the miracles which the +relics had severally performed. + +In regard to talents and literary acquirements, this monk stood next in +rank to the Prior Leonardus, for which reason I had the less hesitation +in imparting to him freely whatever doubts or difficulties came into my +mind. "Must we, then," said I, "absolutely and truly, look upon every +article in this collection as that for which it is given out? or, +rather, may not avarice and deceit have here foisted in many things as +relics of this or that saint, which in reality are base impostures? As, +for example, what shall we say if one convent, according to its +archives, possesses the whole cross, and yet there are so many fragments +in circulation, that (as a brother of our own once irreverently +observed) they might, if collected together, supply our house for a +whole twelvemonth with fuel?" + +"Truly," said Cyrillus, "it does not become us to subject matters of +this kind to profane inquiry; but, to speak unreservedly, my opinion is, +that very few of the things which are here preserved really are that +which they are given out to be. But in this there seems to be no real or +important objection whatever. If you will take notice, Brother Medardus, +of the doctrine which the Prior and I have always held on these +mysteries, you will, on the contrary, perceive that our religion only +beams forth more and more in renovated lustre. + +"Is it not worthy of admiration, dear Brother, that our Church +endeavours in such manner to catch hold of those mysterious links, which +in this world connect together sensual and spiritual existences--in +other words, so to influence our corporeal frame, that our higher origin +and dependance on the Divinity may be more clearly perceived--that we +may enjoy, too, the anticipation of that spiritual life, of which we +bear the germs within us, and of which a fore-feeling hovers around us, +as if like the fanning of seraph's wings? + +"What is this or that morsel of wood--that crumbling bone, or fragment +of cloth? In themselves they are, of course, worthless; but it is said, +that the one was cut from the real cross, and that the others are from +the body or garment of a saint. Hence, to the believer, who, without +scrutinizing, takes the relic for what it is _said to be_, is directly +supplied a source of supernatural excitement, and the most enviable +associations. Hence, too, is awoke the spiritual influence of that saint +from whom the relic is derived; and he draws consolation and support +from that glorified being, whom, with full confidence and faith, he had +invoked. By this kind of excitement, also, there is no doubt that many +bodily diseases may be overcome, and in this manner, for the most part, +are effected the miracles, which, as they often take place before the +eyes of the assembled people, it is impossible to dispute or deny." + +I recollected immediately many expressions of the Prior which +corresponded exactly with those now used by Cyrillus, and began to look +on these things which I had formerly regarded as mere toys and baubles, +with a degree of respect and devotional veneration. The old monk did not +fail to perceive this effect of his own discourse, and went on, with +increased zeal and energy, to explain, one by one, the remaining +relics. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +At last, Brother Cyrillus had recourse to an old and strangely carved +wooden press, which he carefully unlocked, and out of which he took a +small square box. "Herein, Brother Medardus," said he, "is contained the +most wonderful and mysterious relic of which our convent is possessed. +As long as I have been resident here, no one but the Prior and myself +has had this box in his hands. Even the other brethren (not to speak of +strangers) are unaware of its existence. For my own part, I cannot even +touch this casket without an inward shuddering; for it seems to me as if +there were some malignant spell, or rather, some living demon, locked up +within it, which, were the bonds broken by which this evil principle is +now confined, would bring destruction on all who came within its +accursed range. + +"That which is therein contained is known to have been derived +immediately from the Arch-Fiend, at the time when he was still allowed +_visibly_, and in personal shape, to contend against the weal of +mankind." + +I looked at Brother Cyrillus with the greatest astonishment; but without +leaving me time to answer, he went on. + +"I shall abstain, Brother Medardus, from offering you any opinion of my +own on this mysterious affair, but merely relate to you faithfully what +our documents say upon the subject. You will find the papers in that +press, and can read them afterwards at your leisure. + +"The life of St Anthony is already well known to you. You are aware, +that in order to be completely withdrawn from the distractions of the +world, he went out into the desert, and there devoted himself to the +severest penitential exercises. The Devil, of course, followed him, and +came often in his way, in order to disturb him in his pious +contemplations. + +"One evening it happened accordingly, that St Anthony was returning +home, and had arrived near his cell, when he perceived a dark figure +approaching him rapidly along the heath. As his visitant came nearer, +he observed with surprise, through the holes in a torn mantle worn by +the stranger, the long necks of oddly-shaped bottles, which of course +produced an effect the most extraordinary and grotesque. It was the +Devil, who, in this absurd masquerade, smiled on him ironically, and +inquired if he would not choose to taste of the Elixir which he carried +in these bottles? At this insolence, St Anthony was not even incensed, +but remained perfectly calm; for the Enemy, having now become powerless +and contemptible, was no longer in a condition to venture a real combat, +but must confine himself to scornful words. + +"The Saint, however, inquired for what reason he carried about so many +bottles in that unheard-of manner. + +"'For this very reason,' said the Devil, 'that people may be induced to +ask me the question; for as soon as any mortal meets with me, he looks +on me with astonishment, makes the same inquiry that you have done, and, +in the next place, cannot forbear desiring to taste, and try what sort +of elixirs I am possessed of. Among so many bottles, if he finds one +which suits his taste, and _drinks it out_, and becomes drunk, he is +then irrecoverably mine, and belongs to me and my kingdom for ever.' + +"So far the story is the same in all legends, though some of them add, +that, according to the Devil's confession, if two individuals should +drink out of the same flask, they would henceforth become addicted to +the same crimes, possessing a wonderful reciprocity of thoughts and +feelings, yet mutually and unconsciously acting for the destruction of +each other. By our own manuscripts, it is narrated farther, that when +the Devil went from thence, he left some of his flasks on the ground, +which St Anthony directly took with him into his cave, fearing that they +might fall into the way of accidental travellers, or even deceive some +of his own pupils, who came to visit him in that retirement. By chance, +so we are also told, St Anthony once opened one of these bottles, out of +which there arose directly a strange and stupifying vapour, whereupon +all sorts of hideous apparitions and spectral phantoms from hell had +environed the Saint, in order to terrify and delude him. Above all, too, +there were forms of women, who sought to entice him into shameless +indecencies. These altogether tormented him, until, by constant prayer, +and severe penitential exercises, he had driven them again out of the +field. + +"In this very box there is now deposited a bottle of that kind, saved +from the relics of St Anthony; and the documents thereto relating, are +so precise and complete, that the fact of its having been derived from +the Saint is hardly to be doubted. Besides, I can assure you, Brother +Medardus, that so often as I have chanced to touch this bottle, or even +the box in which it is contained, I have been struck with a mysterious +horror. It seems to me also, as if I smelt a peculiar, odoriferous +vapour, which stuns the senses, and the effects of which do not stop +there, but utterly rob me of composure of spirit afterwards, and +distract my attention from devotional exercises. + +"Whether I do or not believe in this immediate intercourse with the +devil in visible shape, yet, that such distraction proceeds from the +direct influence of some hostile power, there can be no doubt. However, +I overcame this gradually by zealous and unceasing prayer. As for you, +Brother Medardus, whose fervent imagination will colour all things with +a strength beyond that of reality, and who, in consequence of youth, +also will be apt to trust too much to your own power of resistance, I +would earnestly impress on you this advice,--'Never, or at least, for +many years, to open the box; and in order that it may not tempt and +entice you, to put it as much as possible out of your reach and sight.'" + +Hereupon Brother Cyrillus shut up the mysterious Box in the press from +which it had come, and consigned over to me a large bunch of keys, among +which that of the formidable press had its place. The whole story had +made on me a deep impression, and the more that I felt an inward longing +to contemplate the wonderful relic, the more I was resolved to render +this to myself difficult, or even impossible. + +When Cyrillus left me, I looked over once more, one by one, the +treasures thus committed to my charge; I then returned to my cell, and +untied the key of the Devil's press from the bunch to which it belonged, +and hid it deeply among the papers in my writing-desk. + +One temptation, said I to myself, I have already overcome. I have +emancipated myself from the thraldom of Therese. Never more shall the +Devil, by his insidious artifices, gain ascendancy over me! + + * * * * * + +Among the professors in the College, there was one, distinguished as an +extraordinary orator. Every time that he preached, the church was filled +to overflowing. His words, like a stream of lava fire, bore with him the +hearts and souls of his hearers, and kindled in every one the most +fervid and unaffected devotion. + +The inspiration of his discourses animated me, among others, in a +pre-eminent degree; and although I certainly looked on this +extraordinary man as an especial favourite of Heaven, and gifted with no +every-day talents, yet it seemed as if some mighty warning voice spoke +within me, commanding me to rouse from my slumbers,--to go and do +likewise! + +After I had returned from hearing him, I used to preach with great +energy in my own cell, giving myself up to the inspiration of the +moment, till I had succeeded in arresting and embodying my thoughts in +proper words, which I then committed to paper. + +The brother who used to preach in the convent now became obviously +weaker. Wholly destitute of energy, like a half-dried rivulet in summer, +his discourses dragged laboriously and feebly along; and an intolerable +diffuseness of language, resulting from the want of thought, rendered +his discourses so long and tedious, that most of his hearers, as if +lulled by the unceasing clapper of a mill, long before he concluded, +fell asleep, and were only roused after he had pronounced "amen," by the +sound of the anthem and the organ. + +The Prior Leonardus was indeed an admirable orator; but he was at this +time afraid to preach, as, on account of his advanced age, the exertion +fatigued him too much: and except the Prior, there was no one in the +convent who could supply the place of the superannuated brother. + +The Prior one day happened to converse with me on this state of affairs, +which he deplored, as it deprived the monastery of many pious visitors. +I took courage, and told him that I had many times felt an inward call +to the pulpit, and had even written several discourses. + +Accordingly, he desired to see some specimens from my manuscripts, and +was with them so highly pleased, that he earnestly exhorted me, on the +next holiday, to make a trial in public, in which attempt I ran the less +risk of failure, being by nature gifted with an expressive cast of +features, and a deep, sonorous tone of voice. As to the subsidiary +acquirements, of action and of delivery, the Prior promised himself to +instruct me. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +The eventful holiday soon arrived. The church was unusually crowded, and +it was not without considerable trepidation that I mounted the pulpit. +At the commencement, I remained timidly faithful to my manuscript; and +Leonardus told me that I had spoken with a faltering voice, which, +however, exactly corresponded with certain plaintive and pathetic +considerations with which I had begun my discourse, and which, +therefore, was interpreted by most of my auditors into a very skilful +example of rhetorical _tact_. + +Soon afterwards, however, it seemed as if my inward mind were gradually +lighted up by the glowing fire of supernatural inspiration. I thought no +more of the manuscript, but gave myself up to the influence of the +moment. I felt how every nerve and fibre was attuned and energized. I +heard my own voice thunder through the vaulted roof. I beheld, as if by +miracle, the halo of divine light shed around my own elevated head and +outstretched arms. By what means I was enabled to preserve connection in +my periods, or to deliver my conceptions with any degree of logical +precision, I know not, for I was carried out of myself. I could not +afterwards have declared whether my discourse had been short or +long--the time past like a dream! With a grand euphonical sentence, in +which I concentrated, as if into one _focus_, all the blessed doctrines +that I had been announcing, I concluded my sermon; of which the effect +was such as had been in the convent wholly unexampled. + +Long after I had ceased to speak, there were heard through the church +the sounds of passionate weeping, exclamations of heartfelt rapture, and +audible prayers. The brethren paid me their tribute of the highest +approbation. Leonardus embraced me, and named me the pride of their +institution! + + * * * * * + +With unexampled rapidity my renown was spread abroad; and henceforward, +on every Sunday or holiday, crowds of the most respectable inhabitants +of the town used to be assembled, even before the doors were opened, +while the church, after all, was found insufficient to hold them. By +this homage, my zeal was proportionably increased. I endeavoured more +and more to give to my periods the proper rounding, and to adorn my +discourses throughout, with all the flowers of eloquence. I succeeded +always more and more in fettering the attention of my audience, until my +fame became such, that the attention paid to me was more like the homage +and veneration due to a saint, than approbation bestowed on any ordinary +mortal. A kind of religious delirium now prevailed through the town. +Even on ordinary week days, and on half-holidays, the inhabitants came +in crowds, merely to see Brother Medardus, and to hear him speak, though +but a few words. + +Thus vanity gradually, by imperceptible, but sure approaches, took +possession of my heart. Almost unconsciously, I began to look upon +myself as the _one elect_,--the pre-eminently _chosen_ of Heaven. Then +the miraculous circumstances attending my birth at the Lime-Tree; my +father's forgiveness of a mortal crime; the visionary adventures of my +childhood;--all seemed to indicate that my lofty spirit, in immediate +commerce with supernatural beings, belonged not properly to earth, but +to Heaven, and was but suffered, for a space, to wander here, for the +benefit and consolation of mortals! It became, according to my own +judgment, quite certain, that the venerable old Pilgrim, together with +the wonderful boy that he had brought with him, had been _supernatural_ +visitants,--that they had descended on earth, for the express purpose of +greeting me as the chosen saint, who was destined for the instruction of +mankind, to sojourn transiently among them. + +But the more vividly all these ideas came before me, the more did my +present situation become oppressive and disagreeable. That unaffected +cheerfulness and inward serenity which had formerly brightened my +existence, was completely banished from my soul. Even all the +good-hearted expressions of the Prior, and friendly behaviour of the +monks, awoke within me only discontent and resentment. By their mode of +conduct, my vanity was bitterly mortified. In me they ought clearly to +have recognised the chosen saint who was above them so highly elevated. +Nay, they should even have prostrated themselves in the dust, and +implored my intercession before the throne of Heaven! + +I considered them, therefore, as beings influenced by the most +deplorable obduracy and refractoriness of spirit. Even in my discourses +I contrived to interweave certain mysterious allusions. I ventured to +assert, that now a wholly new and mighty revolution had begun, as with +the roseate light of morning, to dawn upon the earth, announcing to +pious believers, that one of the specially elect of Heaven had been sent +for a space to wander in sublunary regions. My supposed mission I +continued to clothe in mysterious and obscure imagery, which, indeed, +the less it was understood, seemed the more to work like a charm among +the people. + +Leonardus now became visibly colder in his manner, avoiding to speak +with me, unless before witnesses. At last, one day, when we were left +alone in the great _allee_ of the convent garden, he broke out--"Brother +Medardus, I can no longer conceal from you, that for some time past +your whole behaviour has been such as to excite in me the greatest +displeasure. There has arisen in your mind some adverse and hostile +principle, by which you have become wholly alienated from a life of +pious simplicity. In your discourses, there prevails a dangerous +obscurity; and from this darkness many things appear ready, if you dared +utter them, to start forward, which if plainly spoken, would effectually +separate you and me for ever. To be candid--at this moment you bear +about with you, and betray that unalterable curse of our sinful origin, +by which even every powerful struggle of our spiritual energies is +rendered a means of opening to us the realms of destruction, whereinto +we thoughtless mortals are, alas! too apt to go astray! + +"The approbation, nay, the idolatrous admiration, which has been paid to +you by the capricious multitude, who are always in search of novelty, +has dazzled you, and you behold yourself in an artificial character, +which is not your own, but a deceitful phantom, which will entice you +rapidly into the gulf of perdition. Return, then, into yourself, +Medardus--renounce the delusion which thus besets and overpowers you! I +believe that I thoroughly understand this delusion,--at least, I am +well aware of its effects. Already have you lost utterly that calmness +and complacence of spirit, without which there is, on this earth, no +hope of real improvement. Take warning, then, in time! Resist the fiend +who besets you! Be once more that good-humoured and open-hearted youth +whom with my whole soul I loved!" + +Tears involuntarily flowed from the eyes of the good Prior while he +spoke thus. He had taken my hand, but now letting it fall, he departed +quickly without waiting for any answer. + +His words had indeed penetrated my heart; but, alas! the impressions +that they had left were only those of anger, distrust, and resentment. +He had spoken of the approbation, nay, the admiration and respect, which +I had obtained by my wonderful talents; and it became but too obvious +that only pitiful envy had been the real source of that displeasure, +which he so candidly expressed towards me. + +Silent, and wrapt up within myself, I remained at the next meeting of +the brethren, a prey to devouring indignation. Still buoyed up and +excited by the wild inspirations which had risen up within me, I +continued through whole days and long sleepless nights my laborious +contrivances how I might best commit to paper (without a too candid +avowal of my self-idolatry) the glorious ideas that crowded on my mind. + +Meanwhile, the more that I became estranged from Leonardus and the +monks, the better I succeeded in attracting the homage of the people; +and my discourses never failed to rivet their attention. + +On St Anthony's day this year, it happened that the church was more than +ever thronged--in such manner, that the vestry-men were obliged to keep +the doors open, in order that those who could not get in might at least +hear me from without. Never had I spoken more ardently, more +impressively,--in a word, with more _onction_. I had related, as usual, +many wonderful anecdotes from the lives of the saints, and had +demonstrated in what degree their examples, though not imitable in their +fullest extent, might yet be advantageously applied in real life. I +spoke, too, of the manifold arts of the Devil, to whom the fall of our +first parents had given the power of seducing mankind; and +involuntarily, before I was aware, the stream of eloquence led me away +into the legend of the Elixir, which I wished to represent as an +ingenious allegory. + +Then suddenly, my looks, in wandering through the church, fell upon a +tall haggard figure, who had mounted upon a bench, and stood in a +direction nearly opposite to me, leaning against a pillar. He was in a +strange foreign garb, with a dark violet-coloured mantle, of which the +folds were twined round his crossed arms. His countenance was deadly +pale; but there was an unearthly glare in his large black staring eyes, +which struck into my very heart. I trembled involuntarily--a mysterious +horror pervaded my whole frame. I turned away my looks, however, and, +summoning up my utmost courage, forced myself to continue my discourse. +But, as if constrained by some inexplicable spell of an enchanter--as if +fascinated by the basilisk's eyes--I was always obliged to look back +again, where the man stood as before, changeless and motionless, with +his large spectral eyes glaring upon me. + +On his high wrinkled forehead, and in the lineaments of his down-drawn +mouth, there was an expression of bitter scorn, of disdain mixed almost +with hatred. His whole figure presented something indescribably and +supernaturally horrid, such as belonged not to this life. The whole +truth now came on my remembrance. It was, it could be no other, than the +unknown miraculous painter from the Lime-Tree, whose form, beheld in +infancy, had never wholly vanished from my mind, and who now haunted me +like the visible impersonification of that hereditary guilt by which my +life was overshadowed. + +I felt as if seized on and grappled with by ice-cold talons: My periods +faltered;--my whole discourse became always more and more confused. +There arose a whispering and murmuring in the church;--but the stranger +remained utterly unmoved; and the fixed regard of his eyes never for a +moment relented. At last, in the full paroxysm--the climax of terror and +despair--I screamed aloud--"Thou revenant!--Thou accursed +sorcerer!--Away with thee from hence!--Begone! for I myself am he!--I am +the blessed St Anthony!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +From that moment, I remember nothing more, until, on recovering from the +state of utter unconsciousness into which I fell with these words, I +found myself in my cell, on my couch, and carefully watched by Cyrillus. +The frightful vision of the unknown stood yet vividly before mine eyes. +Cyrillus, however, laboured to convince me, that this had been but an +illusory phantom of my own brain--heated by the zeal and ardour of my +discourse. + +But the more that he exerted himself for this purpose, the more deeply +did I feel shame and repentance at my own behaviour in the pulpit--As to +the audience, they, as I afterwards understood, concluded that a sudden +madness had seized upon me; for which notion, my last exclamation had, +no doubt, afforded them abundant reason. + +I was in spirit utterly crushed and annihilated. Shut up like a +prisoner in my cell, I subjected myself to the severest penitential +inflictions; and strengthened myself by zealous prayer for contention +with the adversary, who had appeared to me, even on consecrated ground, +and only in malice and mockery had put on the features and garb of the +miraculous painter of the Lime-Tree. + +No one but myself would acknowledge that he had seen the man in the +violet-coloured mantle; and, with his usual kindness, the Prior +Leonardus, very zealously spread a report, that my conduct had arisen +merely from the first attack of a severe nervous fever, by which I had +been so frightfully borne away in my discourse, and confused in my +ideas. Indeed, without any pretence, I was, for a long time, extremely +ill, and this too for several weeks after I had again resumed the +ordinary conventual mode of life. + +However, I at last undertook once more to mount the pulpit;--but, +tormented by my own inward agitation, and still haunted by the restless +remembrance of that horrid pale spectre, I was scarcely able to speak +connectedly, much less to give myself up as before to the spontaneous +fire of eloquence. My sermons, on the contrary, were now stiff, +constrained, and laboriously patched up from disjointed fragments. The +audience bewailed the loss of my rhetorical powers,--gradually gave up +their attendance,--and the superannuated brother who had formerly +preached, and who was now much superior to me, again took his place; so +that I was utterly superseded. + + * * * * * + +After some time lost in this manner, it happened, that a certain young +Count, then on his travels, (under a feigned name,) with his tutor, came +to the monastery, and desired to see whatever we had to boast of that +was rare and curious. I was accordingly obliged to open the reliquary +chamber,--the gleam of a fine sunset shone upon the strange furniture of +this ghastly old room, and the visitors, with an ironical smile on their +features, marched in. To my vexation, I was left with them alone; for +the Prior, who had till now been with us, was called away to attend a +sick person in the town of Koenigswald. + + * * * * * + +Gradually I had got through all that I intended to shew, and had +minutely described every article, when, by chance, the Count's eye fell +upon the curious old cabinet, adorned with grotesque carvings, in which +was deposited the box with the Devil's Elixir. + +Though for some time I dexterously evaded their questions, yet, at last, +the Count and his tutor, joining together, urged me so far, that I could +not avoid telling them, at once, the legends relating to the contents of +this cabinet. In short, I repeated to them the whole story of St Anthony +and the devil, nor (unluckily) did I leave out the warning which brother +Cyrillus had given me, as to the danger of opening the box, or even the +cabinet. Notwithstanding that the Count was of the Catholic religion, +both he and his tutor seemed to have little or no faith in sacred +legends. They both indulged in an exuberance of odd fancies and witty +remarks on this comical devil, who had carried about bottles under his +ragged mantle. At last, the tutor thought proper to assume a serious +demeanour, and spoke as follows:-- + +"Do not, reverend sir, be offended with the levity of us men of the +world. Be assured, on the contrary, that we both honour the Saints, and +look on them as the most admirable examples of mortals inspired by +religion, who, for the salvation of their souls, and edification of +mankind, sacrificed all the enjoyments of life, and even life itself. +But as to legends and stories such as you have just now related, in my +opinion, these are, though not always, yet in many instances, (of which +this is one,) only ingenious allegories, which, by misconception, are +absurdly supposed to be histories of events that took place in real +life." + +With these words, the tutor had suddenly drawn aside the sliding cover +of the box, and taken out the black strangely-formed bottle. Now, +indeed, as brother Cyrillus had remarked to me, there spread itself +abroad a strong odour, which appeared, however, anything rather than +stupifying. It was, in a high degree, agreeable, generous, and +refreshing. + +"Hah!" exclaimed the Count, "now would I take any bet, that the Devil's +Elixir is neither more nor less, than excellent old wine of Syracuse!" + +"Unquestionably," said the tutor; "and if the bottle really came from +the posthumous property of St Anthony, then, brother, you are more +fortunate than the King of Naples, who, on one occasion, expected to be +able to taste real old Roman wine; but, from the bad custom among the +Romans, of pouring oil into the necks of their bottles instead of using +corks, was debarred that gratification. + +"Though this bottle," continued he, "is by no means so old as the +Augustan age, yet, having been St Anthony's, it is certainly by far the +most ancient that we are likely to meet with; and, therefore, reverend +sir, you would, in my opinion, do well to apply the relic to your own +use, and to sip up its contents with good faith and courage." + +"Undoubtedly," resumed the Count, "this old Syracusan wine would pour +new strength into your veins, and put to flight that bodily +indisposition under which, reverend sir, you now seem to labour." + +Hereupon the tutor pulled a cork-screw from his pocket, and, +notwithstanding all my protestations to the contrary, opened the bottle. +It seemed to me, as if, upon drawing the cork, a blue flame ascended +into the air, which directly afterwards vanished. More powerfully then, +the vaporous odour mounted out of the flask, and spread itself through +the chamber! + +The tutor tasted in the first place, and cried out with +rapture--"Admirable, admirable Syracusan! In truth, the wine cellar of +St Anthony was by no means a bad one; and if the devil really was his +butler, then certainly he had no such evil intentions towards the Saint +as people commonly suppose!--Now, my Lord Count, taste the wine!" + +The Count did so, and confirmed what the tutor had said. Indeed he took +a long draught, instead of a taste, from the bottle. They renewed their +witticisms and merriment over the relic, which, according to them, was +decidedly the finest in all the collection. They wished heartily, that +they could have a whole cellar of such rarities, etc. etc. + +I heard all this in silence, with my head sunk down, and with eyes fixed +on the ground. The _badinage_ of the strangers was to me, in my present +mood of mind, abhorrent and tormenting. In vain did they urge me to +taste the wine of St Anthony! I resolutely refused, and at last was +allowed to shut up the bottle, well corked, into its proper receptacle. + +Thus, then, I had _for once_ triumphed and escaped. The strangers, +indeed, would have endeavoured to prove, that this trial of the wine was +but a venial transgression; but even of _venial_ transgressions, I had +at that time a proper abhorrence, knowing that they formed the sure and +ample foundation for mortal sins. + +The strangers left the monastery. But, as I sat alone in my cell, I +could not disguise from myself, or deny, that I felt a certain +cheerfulness of mind, and exhilaration of spirit. It was obvious that +the powerful and spirituous odour of the wine had revived me. No trace +or symptom of the bad effects of which Cyrillus had spoken did I +experience. On the contrary, an influence the most opposite became +decidedly manifest. + + * * * * * + +The more that I now meditated on the legend of St. Anthony, and the more +livelily that I called to mind the words of the tutor, the more certain +did it appear to me, that the explanations of the latter were correct +and well-founded. Then, first, with the rapidity and vehemence of +lightning, the thought rushed through me, that on that unhappy day, when +the horrible vision broke the thread of my discourse, I too had been on +the point of interpreting the legend of St Anthony in the same manner as +an ingenious allegory. With this thought another soon was united, which +filled my mind so completely, that every other consideration almost +faded away. + +"How," said I to myself, "if this extraordinary and odoriferous drink +actually possessed the secret efficacy of restoring thy strength, and +rekindling that intellectual fire which has been so frightfully +extinguished? What, if already some mysterious relationship of thy +spirit, with the mystical powers contained in that bottle, has been +plainly indicated, and even proved, if it were no more than by +this,--that the very same odour which stunned and distracted the weakly +Cyrillus, has, on thee, only produced the most beneficial effects?" + + * * * * * + +When already I had at various times even resolved to follow the counsel +of the strangers, and was in the act of walking through the church +towards the reliquary room, I perceived an inward, and, to myself, +inexplicable resistance, which held me back. Nay, once, when on the very +point of unlocking the cabinet, it seemed to me as if I beheld in the +powerful _alto relievo_ of the antique carvings on the pannel, the +horrible countenance of the painter, with his fixed glaring eyes, of +which the intolerable expression still penetrated through my heart, and +vehemently seized by a supernatural horror, I fled from the room, in +order to prostrate myself at one of the altars in the church, and repent +of my temerity! + +But, notwithstanding all my endeavours, the same thought continued to +persecute me, that only by participation in that miraculous wine could +my now sunk spirit be refreshed and restored. The behaviour of the Prior +and the monks, who treated me with the most mortifying, however well +intended, kindness, as a person disordered in intellect, brought me to +absolute despair; and as Leonardus granted me a dispensation from the +usual devotional exercises, in order that I might completely recover my +strength, I had more time for reflection. In the course of one long +sleepless night, persecuted and tortured by my inward sense of +degradation, I resolved that I would venture all things, even to death, +and the eternal destruction of my soul, in order to regain the station +that I had lost. I was, in short, determined to obtain my former powers +of mind, or to perish in the attempt. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +I rose from bed, and glided like a ghost through the great aisle of the +church towards the reliquary chamber. I had my lamp with me, which I +lighted at the altar of the Virgin. Illuminated by the glimmering +radiance, the sacred portraits of the Saints seemed to move and start +into life. Methought they looked down upon me with an aspect of +compassion. In the hollow murmurs of the night wind, which poured in +through the high and partly broken windows of the choir, I heard +melancholy warning voices. Among others, I distinguished that of my +mother. Though from a far distance, these words were clearly +audible:--"Medardus! Son Medardus! What wouldst thou do?--Renounce, oh! +renounce, ere it is too late, this fearful undertaking!" + +I disregarded them all, however: for my courage was wound up by despair. +As I came into the ghastly old chamber of relics, all was silent and +tranquil. I walked with rapid and resolved steps across the floor, so +that my lamp was almost extinguished. I unlocked the cabinet--I seized +the box--opened it--beheld the bottle--drew the cork--and in an instant +had swallowed a deep and powerful draught! + +It seemed immediately as if fire streamed through my veins, and filled +me with a sensation of indescribable delight! I drank once more, (but +sparingly,) and the raptures of a new and glorious life began at once to +dawn on my perception. In haste, as if from dread of being overlooked, I +locked up the empty box into the cabinet, and rapidly fled with the +inestimable treasure into my cell, where I placed it carefully in my +secretaire. + +At that moment, while turning over my papers, the identical small key +fell into my hands, which formerly, in order to escape from temptation, +I had separated from the rest; and yet, notwithstanding my precaution, I +had found, both on this occasion, and at the time when the strangers +were with me, the means of unlocking the cabinet! I examined my bunch of +keys, and found among them one strangely shaped and unknown, with which +I had now, and without, in my distraction, remarking it, made my way to +the relic. + +Hereupon I shuddered involuntarily; but my terror soon wore away. As if +on the transparent medium of a _phantasmagorie_, one bright and smiling +image chased another before the mind's eye--before that mind, which now, +for the first time, seemed to be awoke from deep sleep; yet the visions +of my youth awoke not--I thought not of the past; but, under the +feverish excitement of newly acquired energy, dwelt only (if thought +could be said to dwell where all was restless confusion) on the +brilliant prospects which awaited me for _the future_. It was ambition +that possessed me. I should have once more the power of obtaining that +noblest of earthly supremacies, an empire over the minds of others! + +I had no sleep nor rest through the night, but eagerly waited till the +brightness of the next morning beamed through the high window into my +cell, when I hastened down into the monastery gardens to bask in the +warm splendour of the rising sun, which now ascended fieryly, and +glowing red from behind the mountains. + +Leonardus and the brethren directly remarked the change which had taken +place in my outward appearance and behaviour. Instead of being, as +formerly, reserved and wrapt up within myself, without uttering a word, +I was now become once more lively and cheerful, and spoke again in the +same tone with which I used to address the assembled multitudes, and +with the fervid eloquence which used to be peculiarly my own. + +On being at last left alone with Leonardus, he looked stedfastly at me +for a long space, as if he would read my inmost thoughts. Then, while a +slight ironical smile coursed over his features, he said only, "Brother +Medardus has had some new vision perhaps--has drawn fresh energy and new +life from supernatural revelations?" + +The irony with which the virtuous, the prudent, and immaculate, treat a +fallen brother, is seldom beneficial in its influence; seldom indeed is +it really consistent with virtue. It commonly proceeds either from +selfish coldness of heart, (this utter antithesis of christian charity,) +or from that sort of worldly knowledge, which consists in believing that +no one is to be trusted. Hanging down my head, and with eyes fixed on +the ground, I stood without uttering a word, and as for Leonardus, he +departed and left me to my own contemplations. + +I had already been but too much afraid that the state of excitement +produced by wine could not possibly continue long, but, on the contrary, +might, to my utter grief and discomfiture, draw after it a state of yet +more miserable weakness than that which I had already experienced. It +was not so, however; with the perfect recovery of my health, I +experienced a degree even of long-lost youthful courage. I felt once +more that restless and vehement striving after the highest and most +extended sphere of action, which the convent could allow to me. +Accordingly, I insisted on being allowed to preach again on the next +holiday, which after some consideration was granted to me. + +Shortly before mounting the pulpit, I allowed myself another draught of +the miraculous wine. The effects were even beyond my most sanguine +expectations. Never had I spoken more ardently, impressively, or with +greater _onction_, than on this day. My audience, as before, were +confounded, and the rumour of my complete recovery was with +inconceivable rapidity spread abroad. + +Henceforward the church was regularly crowded, as on the first weeks of +my former celebrity; but the more that I gained the applause of the +people, the more serious and reserved did Leonardus appear, so that I +began at last with my whole soul to hate him. My object, in acquiring an +ascendancy over the multitude, was now fully attained; but in all other +respects, my mind was disappointed, disquieted, and gloomy. In the +friendship of my brethren I had lost all confidence. As for Leonardus, I +believed that he was wholly actuated by selfish pride, and mean-spirited +envy. + + * * * * * + +The grand festival of St Bernard drew near, and I burned with impatience +to let my light shine in its fullest lustre before the Lady Abbess; on +which account, I begged the Prior to form his arrangements in such a +manner, that I might be appointed on that day to preach in the +Cistertian Convent. Leonardus seemed greatly surprised by my request. He +confessed to me, without hesitation, that he himself had intended to +preach in the Cistertian Monastery; and had already fixed his plans +accordingly. "However," added he, "it will no doubt be on this account +the more easy for me to comply with your request; as I can excuse +myself, on the plea of illness, and appoint you to attend in my place." + +I attempted no apology for the indelicacy of such conduct; for my mind +was possessed wholly by one object. The Prior changed his arrangements +in the manner he had promised. I went to Kreuzberg, and saw my mother +and the Princess on the evening preceding the ceremony. My thoughts, +however, were so much taken up with the discourse that I was to deliver, +of which the eloquence was to reach the very climax of excellence, that +the meeting with them again made but a very trifling impression upon me. + +I was at the old farm-house, too, in which my early days had passed away +like a dream. I walked again through the neglected garden, where the +trees were now in their fullest luxuriance. I stood upon the moss-grown +terrace, mounted upon the tottering _altan_,[1] on the top of the old +tower, at one end, the better to behold the features of the landscape. +Thence I saw the wanderings of the Saale gleaming amid the pine-tree +forests; the towers of Kreuzberg and Heidebach on the north, and the +Thuringian mountains, with the spires of Koenigswald, in the distance +towards the south. The sunbeams played and shifted over the +landscape;--the summer winds breathed fragrance, wafting to my ears the +choral anthems from the Monastery, and from the assembled pilgrims. The +scenes and their influences were the same, but I saw them with unheeding +eyes. I felt them not; the days of innocence were already past, and my +heart was agitated with earthly passions. + +[Footnote 1: Balcony or Platform.] + +I felt no reproaching pangs of conscience, however, no sadness, nor +regret; I pursued my ONE and _only_ object, elated with the certainty of +success. + + * * * * * + +The report had been duly spread through the town, that I was to preach, +instead of the invalid Leonardus; and, therefore, an audience, perhaps +greater than on any former occasion, was drawn together. Without having +written a single note, and merely arranging mentally into parts the +discourse which I was about to deliver, I mounted the pulpit, trusting +only to that inspiration which the solemnity of the occasion, the +multitude of devout listeners, and the lofty-vaulted church, would of +necessity excite in my peculiarly constituted mind. + +In this, indeed, I had not been mistaken. Like a fiery lava stream, the +torrent of my eloquence flowed irresistibly onward. With many real +anecdotes out of the life of St Bernard, I interwove ingenious pictures +from my own invention, and the most pious applications of his glorious +examples to the conduct of ordinary mortals, till in the looks of all, +which were universally directed towards me, I read only astonishment and +admiration. Thus my triumph was complete, and methought the trophy would +be more brilliant than any that I had before won. + + * * * * * + +How anxiously were wound up my anticipations as to the reception which I +was to receive from the Princess! How confidently, indeed, did I look +for the highest and most unqualified expression of her delight! Nay, it +seemed to me, as if she, in her turn, must now pay the homage of +respect and deference to that individual, whom, but a few years before, +she had filled with awe and unlimited veneration. + +But in these hopes I was miserably disappointed. Having desired an +interview, I received from her a message, that being attacked by sudden +illness, she could not speak with any one. This notice was so much the +more vexatious, since, according to my proud anticipations, illness +should have only inclined her the more to receive consolation and +spiritual aid from a being so nobly gifted and so highly inspired. + +As to my mother, she seemed oppressed, and weighed down by a secret and +overpowering grief, as to the cause of which, I did not venture to +inquire, because the silent admonitions of my own conscience almost +convinced me, that I myself had brought this distress upon her; although +the particular means by which it had been produced, I was unable to +define. She gave me a small billet from the Princess, of which, till my +return to the Capuchin Monastery, I was not to break the seal. + +For the rest of the day, (which was, as usual, spent in feasting and +mirth,) I could think of nothing else, and scarcely was I arrived at +home and in my cell, when with the utmost impatience I broke the seal, +and read what follows: + + "My dear son, (for still must I address you in this manner, the + slightest variation of expression is like an external farewell + to those whom we love,) by your discourse of to-day, you have + thrown me into the deepest affliction. No longer has your + eloquence been that of a heart whose affections are turned + towards Heaven. Your inspiration was not that which bears the + pious soul as if on seraph's wings aloft, so that it is + enabled, in holy rapture and by anticipation, to behold the + kingdoms of the blest. Alas! the pompous adornments of your + discourse,--your visible effort, only to utter that which might + be striking and brilliant, have sufficiently proved to me, that + instead of labouring to instruct the community, and to stir up + among them pious affections, you have striven only to acquire + the approbation and wonder of the light and worldly-minded + multitude. You have hypocritically counterfeited feelings which + have no real existence in your heart. Nay, like a profane actor + on the stage, you have practised gestures and a studied mien, + all for the sake of the same base meed of wonder and applause. + The demon of deceit has taken possession of you, and, if you do + not return into yourself, and renounce the sins by which you + are beset, will soon bring you to destruction. + + "For, sinful, very sinful, are your present actions and + conduct; in so much the more, as, by your vows, you are bound + to renounce the world and its vanities. May the blessed St + Bernard, whom to-day you have so shamefully offended, according + to his celestial patience and long sufferance, forgive you, and + enlighten your mind, so that you may recover the right path, + from which, by stratagems of the devil, you have been thus + distracted; and may he intercede for the salvation of your + soul!--Farewell!" + +As if I had been pierced by an hundred fiery daggers, these words of the +Princess struck to my very heart; and, instead of receiving such +admonitions gratefully, as a trial of patience and obedience, I burned +with rage and resentment. Nothing appeared to me more unequivocal, than +that the Prior had taken advantage of the overstrained piety (or +methodism) of the Abbess, and sedulously prejudiced her against me. +Henceforth I could scarcely bear to look upon him without trembling with +indignation. Nay, there often came into my mind thoughts of _revenge_, +at which I myself could not help shuddering. + +The reproaches of the Abbess and the Prior were to me, on this account, +only the more intolerable, that I was obliged, from the very bottom of +my soul, to acknowledge their validity and truth. Yet always more and +more firmly persisting in my course, and strengthening myself from time +to time, with a few drops of the mysterious wine, I went on adorning my +sermons with all the arts of rhetoric, and studying theatric gestures +and gesticulations. Thus I secured always more and more the meed of +applause and admiration. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +The beams of the morning sun broke in roseate deep lustre through the +painted windows of the church. Alone, and lost in deep thought, I sat in +the confessional. Only the steps of the officiating lay brother, whose +duty it was to sweep the church, sounded through the vaulted roof. I did +not expect any visitors at such an hour; but suddenly I heard near me a +rustling sound; and, behold! there came a tall, slender, but exquisitely +proportioned, figure of a young woman, in a foreign dress, with a long +veil over her face, who must have entered at one of the private doors, +and was approaching me as if for confession. In her movements was +indescribable grace--she drew nearer--she entered the confessional, and +kneeled down. Deep sighs, as if involuntarily, were heaved from her +bosom. It seemed as if, even before she spoke, some irresistible spell +of enchantment pervaded the atmosphere, and overpowered me with +emotions, such as, till now, I had never experienced. + +How can I describe the tone of her voice, which was wholly new and +peculiar; but which penetrated even into my inmost heart! She began her +confession. Every word that she uttered rivetted more and more my +attention, and ruled, like a supernatural charm, over my feelings. She +confessed, in the first place, that she cherished a forbidden love, with +which she had long struggled in vain; and this love was so much the more +sinful, because holy vows for ever fettered the object of her affection. +Yet, in this hopeless delirium of her despair, she had many times cursed +the bonds, however sacred, which held them thus asunder.--She here +faltered--paused--then, with a torrent of tears, which almost stifled +her utterance, added, "Thou thyself, Medardus, art the consecrated being +whom I so unspeakably love!" + +As if in deadly convulsions, all my nerves irresistibly vibrated. I was +out of myself. An impulse, till now never known, almost raged in my +bosom. A passionate desire to behold her features--to press her to my +heart--to perish at once in delight and despair--wholly took possession +of me! A moment of pleasure to be purchased by an eternity of pain! She +was now silent; but I heard still the deep heaving of her breath. In a +kind of wild despair, I violently summoned up all my strength. In what +words I answered her, I cannot now remember, nor durst I look on her as +she departed; but I perceived that she silently rose up, and retired; +while, with the cloth curtains firmly pressed upon my eyelids, I +remained fixed, motionless, and almost unconscious, in the confessional. + + * * * * * + +By good chance, no one else came into the church, and I had an +opportunity, therefore, to escape quietly into my cell. How completely +different all things now appeared to me! How foolish--how insipid all my +former endeavours! I had not seen the countenance of the unknown; and +yet, by the force of my own imagination, her image lived within my +heart. She looked on me with her mild blue eyes, in which tears were +glistening, and from which glances fell into my soul like consuming +fire, which no prayer and no penitential exercises any more could +extinguish. Such penitence, indeed, I did not spare; but, on the +contrary, chastised myself with the knotted cords of our order, till +blood streamed from my mangled flesh, that I might, if possible, escape +from that eternal destruction by which I was now threatened. + + * * * * * + +There was an altar in our church dedicated to St Rosalia; and her +picture, admirably painted, was hung over it, representing the Saint at +the moment when she suffered martyrdom. In this picture, which had never +particularly struck me before, I now at once recognised the likeness of +my beloved! Even her dress exactly resembled the foreign habit of the +unknown! + +Here, therefore, like a victim of the most horrible insanity, I used to +lie, for hours together, prostrate upon the steps of the altar, uttering +hideous groans, and even howling in despair, so that the monks were +terrified, and fled from me in dismay. + +In more tranquil moments, I used to walk hurriedly up and down the +convent garden. I beheld her well-known from wandering through the misty +fragrant regions of the distant landscape. I saw her emerging from the +thickets of the dense wood, rising like a naiad from the +fountains--hovering, like some goddess of the olden time, over the +flowery meadows. Everywhere I beheld her, and lived but for her alone. +Then I cursed my vows, and my now miserable existence. I resolved to go +forth into the world, and not to rest until I had discovered her, and +purchased happiness, though at the expense of my soul's eternal weal! + +At last, however, I succeeded so far, that I could, at least in presence +of the Prior and the monks, moderate the ebullitions of my (to them) +unaccountable delirium. I could appear more tranquil; yet, by this +means, my inward agitations were only the more wasting and destructive. +No slumber, no rest by night or by day! Incessantly persecuted and +tormented by one and the same phantom, I passed, especially the night, +always in intolerable conflicts. I called, severally, on all the +Saints; but not to rescue me from the seductive image by which I was +beset--not to save my soul from eternal misery--No! but to bestow on me +the object of my affections--to annihilate my vows, and to give me +freedom, that I might, without _double_ guilt, fall into the abyss of +sin. + + * * * * * + +At last, I had firmly resolved, that I would make an end of my torments, +by a sudden flight from the convent. For, by some strange hallucination, +nothing more than freedom from my monastic engagements seemed to me +necessary to bring the unknown within my arms, and to put an end to the +passions by which I was tormented. + +I resolved that, having disguised my appearance sufficiently by cutting +off my long beard, and assuming a lay dress, I would linger and wander +about in the town till I had found her. I never once took into +consideration how difficult, nay, how impossible, this would prove, or +that, perhaps, having no money, I would not be able to live for a single +day beyond the walls of the monastery. + + * * * * * + +The last day that I intended to spend among the capuchins had now +arrived. By a lucky chance, I had been able to obtain a genteel dress, +like that of an ordinary citizen. On the following night, I was resolved +to leave the convent, never more to return. + + * * * * * + +Evening had already closed in, when, suddenly, I received from the Prior +a summons to attend him. I trembled involuntarily at the message; for +nothing appeared to me more certain, than that he had discovered more or +less of my secret plans. + +Leonardus received me with unusual gravity--nay, with an imposing +dignity of demeanour, by which I was quite overawed. + +"Brother Medardus," he began, "your unreasonable behaviour, which I look +upon only as the too powerful ebullition of mental excitement, (but +which excitement you have for a long time, perhaps not with the purest +intentions, sought to foster,)--this behaviour, I say, has utterly +disturbed our community, and torn asunder those peaceful bands by which +the society was here united. Such conduct operates in the most +destructive manner against that cheerfulness and good humour which, till +now, I had successfully striven to establish among the monks, as the +surest proof and demonstration of a consistent and pious life. + +"Perhaps, however, some peculiar and unfortunate event during your +sojourn among us bears the blame of all this. You should, however, have +sought consolation from me, as from a friend and father, to whom you +might confide all things; but you have been silent, and I am the less +inclined now to trouble you with questions, as the possession of such a +secret might, in a great measure, deprive me of that mental freedom and +tranquillity, which, at my years, I prize above all earthly treasures. + +"You have many times, and especially at the altar of St Rosalia, by +horrible and extraordinary expressions, which seemed to escape from you +in the unconsciousness of delirium, given great scandal, not only to the +brethren, but to strangers who happened to be visiting among us. +Therefore, according to the laws of the monastery, I could punish you +severely; but I shall not do so, since, perhaps, some evil influence, +some demon, or, in short, the Arch-fiend himself, against whom you have +not sufficiently striven, is the direct cause of your errors; and I +shall only give you up to the guidance of your own conscience, with the +injunction to be ardent and faithful in penitence and prayer.--Medardus, +I can read deep into thy soul!--Thou wishest for freedom, and to be +abroad in the world." + +Leonardus fixed on me his most penetrating glances, which I was quite +unable to encounter; but, on the contrary, felt myself wholly +overpowered, and, conscious of my own wicked designs, remained silent. + +"I understand you," said Leonardus, "and believe, indeed, that this +world, if you walk through it piously, may contribute more to your +welfare than the lonely life in our convent. An occurrence, involving +the best interests of our order, renders it necessary to send one of the +brethren to Rome--I have chosen you for this purpose; and, even +to-morrow, you may be provided with the necessary powers and +instructions, and set forward on your journey. You are so much the +better qualified for this expedition, being still young and active, +clever in business, and a perfect master of the Italian language. + +"Betake yourself now to your cell--pray with fervour for the welfare of +your soul. I shall meanwhile offer up my prayers for you; but leave out +all corporeal chastisement, which would only weaken you, and render you +unfit for the journey. At day-break, I shall await you in my chamber." + +Like a gleam from Heaven, these words of Leonardus fell upon the +darkness of my soul. Instead of the hatred which I had been cherishing, +the attachment which I had before felt towards him regained its full +sway. I even burst into tears; for it appeared to me as if he indeed +read my most secret thoughts, and bestowed on me the free liberty of +giving myself up to that imperious destiny, which, perhaps, after +granting a few moments of delusive pleasure, might precipitate me into +an abyss of irremediable destruction. + +Flight and secrecy were now become wholly needless. I could openly leave +the convent, and freely give myself up to my own plans of following that +being, without whom there could be for me no happiness upon earth, and +whom I was resolved, at all rides, to discover. + +The journey to Rome, and the commissions with which I was to be charged, +appeared to me only inventions of Leonardus, in order that I might, in a +becoming manner, quit the monastery. + +I passed the night, according to his injunctions, in prayer and in +preparation for the journey. The rest of the miraculous wine I put into +a basket-bottle, in order to guard it as a precious cordial, and +afterwards, going to the relic room, deposited the empty flask in the +cabinet. + +It was not without astonishment that when, on the following day, I +waited on the Prior, I perceived, from his diffuse and serious +instructions, that there was a real cause for my being sent to Rome, and +that the dispatches to which he had alluded were of considerable weight +and importance. The reflection, therefore, fell heavily on my +conscience, that, after receiving these credentials, I should yet be +determined, from the moment that I left the convent, to give myself +wholly up to my own impulses, without the slightest regard to any duty +whatever. The thoughts, however, of _her_--the mistress of my +soul--failed not to encourage me again, and I resolved to remain +faithful to my own plans. The brethren soon after assembled together; +and my leave-taking of them, and especially of the Prior Leonardus, +filled me with the deepest melancholy. At last, the convent gates closed +behind me, and I was equipped for my journey into a far distant land. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +I had walked for nearly an hour, and had now come to a rising ground. I +looked back to have a last prospect of the convent and the town, whose +well-known outlines were already become obscured by distance, and by the +white masses of vapour that yet lingered in the valley. But on the +eminence to which I had arrived, the fresh morning breezes awoke, and +played coolly on my brows. Methought I heard music in the air. It was +the pious hymns of the monks that were yet borne up towards me, as if to +express once more their parting blessing and long farewell. +Involuntarily I joined in the anthem, and lingered on the spot, +unwilling to break a train of intricate associations, which it would +require volumes to analyse and develope. + +But now the sun rose in full glory over the towers of Koenigswald. The +glossy foliage of the trees, already tinged by the first hues of +autumn, shone in his dazzling golden light. There was pleasure even in +the rustling sound of the dew-drops that fell like showers of diamonds, +amid the myriads of insects that danced hummingly through the stilly air +of the sheltering thickets. The birds, too, were awake, and fluttered, +singing and rejoicing in amorous play, through the woods. To crown all, +it was a holiday, and there came a religious procession of peasant lads +and girls, in their best attire, up the hill side. + +Never had I before enjoyed such a mood of mind. I seemed to myself +wholly metamorphosed; and as if inspired by some newly awoke energies, I +strode rapidly down the opposite side of the hill. + +To the first _bauer_ whom I happened to meet, I put the question, +whether he knew the place where, according to the route that had been +given to me, I was first to pass the night; and he described to me very +accurately a footpath leading off from the high road, and winding +through the mountains, by which I should reach more rapidly than by any +other course, the place of my destination. + +I had parted with the _Bauer_, and had walked on for a considerable +space in complete solitude, when, for the first time since my setting +out, the thoughts occurred to me of the unknown beauty, and my +fantastical plan of going in search of her. But, as if by some new and +supernatural influence, her image had now vanished almost quite away; so +that it was with difficulty I could trace the pale disfigured +lineaments. The more that I laboured to retain this apparition firmly in +my remembrance, the more fallaciously it melted, as if into vapour, from +my sight; only my extravagant behaviour in the convent, after that +mysterious adventure, remained fresh in my recollection. It was now even +to myself inconceivable with what patience the Prior had borne with all +this; and how, instead of inflicting the punishment I so justly +deserved, he had sent me forth into the world. + +I soon became convinced, that the visit of the unknown beauty had been +nothing more nor less than a vision, the consequence of too stedfast +application. Instead of imputing this, as I would formerly have done, to +any direct interference of the devil, I ascribed it to the natural +deception of my own disordered senses. Nay, the circumstance of the +stranger being dressed exactly like St Rosalia, seemed to prove, that +the animated and excellent picture of that saint, which, in an oblique +direction, I could behold from the confessional, had a great share in +producing my delusion. + +Deeply did I admire the wisdom of the Prior, who had chosen the only +proper means for my recovery; for, shut up within the convent walls, +always brooding over my own gloomy thoughts, and surrounded ever by the +same objects, I must irretrievably have fallen into utter madness. +Becoming always more reconciled to the rational conclusion, that I had +but dreamed, I could scarcely help laughing at myself; nay, with a +levity which before had been most remote from my character, I made a +jest of my own supposition, that a female saint had fallen in love with +me; whereupon I recollected also, with equal merriment, that I had once +imagined myself to be transformed into St Anthony. + + * * * * * + +One morning, (it was after I had been already several days wandering +amid the mountains,) I found myself amid bold, frightfully piled up +masses of rock, and was obliged to proceed by narrow, dangerous +footpaths, beneath which the mountain rivulets roared and foamed in +their contracted ravines. The path became always more lonely, wild, and +arduous. The autumnal sun (it was in September) rose high in heaven, and +burned upon my uncovered head. I panted for thirst, for no spring was +near, and I could not reach the torrents, though their voice was +audible; moreover, there was yet no sign of my approach to the village, +which had been marked for my next resting place. + +At last, quite exhausted, I sat down upon a mass of rocks, and could not +resist taking a draught from my basket-bottle, notwithstanding that I +wished to reserve as much as possible of the extraordinary liquor. I +felt instantly the mantling glow of quickened circulation in every vein, +and energetic bracing of every fibre, while, refreshed and strengthened, +I boldly marched forward, in order to gain the appointed station, which +now could not be far distant. + +The dark pine-tree woods became always more and more dense, and the +ground more steep and uneven. Suddenly I heard near me a rustling in +the thickets, and then a horse neighed aloud, which was there bound to a +tree. I advanced some steps farther, as the path guided me onwards, +till, almost petrified with terror, I suddenly found myself on the verge +of a tremendous precipice, beyond which the river, which I have already +mentioned, was thundering and foaming at an immeasurable distance below. + +With astonishment, too, I beheld, on a projecting point of rock which +jutted over the chasm, what appeared to me the figure of a man. At +first, I suspected some new delusion; but, recovering in some degree +from my fear, I ventured nearer, and perceived a young man in uniform, +on the very outermost point of the rocky cliff. His sabre, his hat, with +a high plume of feathers, and a portefeuille, lay beside him;--with half +his body hanging over the abyss, he seemed to be asleep, and always to +sink down lower and lower! His fall was inevitable! + +I ventured nearer. Seizing him with one hand, and endeavouring to pull +him back, I shouted aloud, "For God's sake, sir, awake! For Heaven's +sake, beware!"--I said no more; for, at that moment, starting from his +sleep, and at the same moment losing his equilibrium, he fell down into +the cataract! + +His mangled form must have dashed from point to point of the rocks in +his descent. I heard one piercing yell of agony, which echoed through +the immeasurable abyss, from which at last only a hollow moaning arose, +which soon also died away. + +Struck with unutterable horror, I stood silent and motionless. At last, +by a momentary impulse, I seized the hat, the sword, the portefeuille, +and wished to withdraw myself as quickly as possible from the fatal +spot. + +Now, however, I observed a young man dressed as a _chasseur_ emerge from +the wood, and coming forward to meet me. At first, he looked at me +earnestly and scrutinizingly--then, all at once, broke out into +immoderate laughter; whereat an ice-cold shuddering vibrated through all +my frame. + +"_Sapperment!_ my Lord Count," said the youth, "your masquerade is +indeed admirable and complete; and if the Lady Baroness were not +apprized before hand, I question if even she would recognize you in this +disguise.--But what have you done with the uniform, my lord?" + +"As for that," replied I, "I threw it down the rocks into the +water."--Yet these words were _not mine_! I only gave utterance, +involuntarily and almost unconsciously, to expressions, which, by means +of some supernatural influence, rose up within me. + +I stood afterwards silent, and absorbed in thought, with my staring eyes +always turned to the rocks, as if from thence the mangled frame of the +unfortunate Count would ascend to bear witness against me. My conscience +accused me as his murderer; but, though thus unnerved, I continued to +hold the hat, the sword, and the portefeuille, convulsively firm in my +grasp. + +"Now, my lord," resumed the chasseur, "I shall ride on by the carriage +road to the village, where I shall keep myself _incognito_ in the small +house to the left-hand side of the gate. Of course, you will now walk +down to the castle, where you are probably expected by this time. Your +hat and sword I shall take with me." + +I gave them to him accordingly.--"Now, farewell, my lord," added the +youth; "much pleasure attend you in the castle!" + +Hereupon, whistling and singing, he vanished away into the woods. I +heard him afterwards untie the horse, that was there bound to a tree, +and ride off. + +When I had recovered myself in some measure from my confusion, and +reflected on the adventure, I was obliged to confess, that I had become +wholly the victim of chance or destiny, which had at once thrown me into +the most extraordinary circumstances. It was quite obvious, that an +exact resemblance of my face and figure with those of the unfortunate +Count, had deceived the chasseur; and that his master must have chosen +the dress of a capuchin, in order to carry on some adventure in the +castle, of which the completion had now devolved upon me! Death had +overtaken him, and at the same moment a wonderful fatality had _forced_ +me into his place. An inward irresistible impulse to act the part of the +deceased Count, overpowered every doubt, and stunned the warning voice +of conscience, which accused me of murder _now_, and of shameless +intended crimes _yet to come_! + +I now opened the portefeuille. Letters, money, and bank-bills, to a +considerable amount, fell into my hands. I wished to go through the +papers, one by one, in order that I might be aware of the late Count's +situation. But my internal disquietude, the confusion of a thousand +strange ideas, which crowded through my brain, did not admit of this. + +After walking a few paces, I again stood still. I seated myself on a +rock, and endeavoured to force myself into a quieter mood of mind. I saw +the danger of stepping, thus wholly unprepared, into a circle of people, +of whom I knew nothing. Then suddenly I heard a sound of hunting horns +through the wood, and voices shouting and rejoicing, which came always +nearer and nearer. My heart beat with violence--my breath +faltered.--Now, indeed, a new life, a new world, were about to be opened +upon me! + +I turned into a small, narrow footpath, which led me down a steep +declivity. On stepping out of the thicket, I beheld an extensive, nobly +built castle, lying beneath me in the valley. _There_, of course, was +the intended scene of the adventure which the late Count had in +contemplation, and I walked courageously onwards. I soon found myself in +the finely kept walks of the park, by which the castle was surrounded. +At last, in a dark side allee, in a kind of _berceau_, I saw two male +figures, of whom one was in the dress of a lay monk. They came nearer, +but were engaged in deep discourse, and never once observed me. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +The lay monk was a young man, on whose features lay the death-like +paleness of a deeply corroding and inward grief. Of the other I could +only say, that he was plainly, but genteelly dressed, and was +considerably advanced in years. They seated themselves on a stone bench, +with their backs turned towards me. I could understand every word that +they said. + +"Hermogen," said the old man, "by this obstinate silence, you bring your +nearest friends to utter despair. Your dark melancholy increases; your +youthful strength is withered. This extravagant resolution of becoming a +monk, ruins all your father's hopes and wishes. Yet he would willingly +give up the hopes that he had formed, if, from youth onwards, you had +shewn any real tendency of character to loneliness and monachism. In +such case, he certainly would not struggle against the fate that hung +over him and you. + +"But the sudden and violent change in your whole disposition, has proved +only too plainly, that some concealed and unfortunate event--some +mysterious adventure, at which we cannot guess, is the cause of your +melancholy; which cause, however remote, still continues to exercise +over you the same destructive influence. + +"Your mind in former days was invariably cheerful, buoyant, and +disengaged. What, then, can all at once have rendered you so +misanthropical, that you should now suppose there cannot be in the +breast of any living mortal, counsel or consolation for your +afflictions?--You are silent--you stare only with your eyes fixed on +vacancy. + +"Hermogen, you once not only respected, but loved your father. If it has +now become impossible for you to open your heart, and to have confidence +in him, yet, at least, do not torment him by the daily sight of this +dress, which announces only your perseverance in the most inimical and +fantastic resolutions. I conjure you, Hermogen, to lay aside this +hateful garb. Believe me, there lies in such outward things, more +consequence than is usually ascribed to them. Surely you will not +misunderstand, or suspect me of levity, when I remind you of the effect +produced by dress on an actor. On assuming the costume of any character, +he experiences in himself a corresponding change of feelings. Are you +not yourself of opinion, that if these detestable long garments did not +come in your way to confine you, you would be able to walk and run--nay, +to skip, jump, and dance, just as readily and lightly as before? The +gleam and glitter of the bright dazzling epaulet, which formerly shone +upon your shoulders, might again reflect upon your pale cheeks their +wonted colour; and the clang of your military accoutrements would sound +like cheering music in the ears of your noble horse, who would come +neighing and prancing with joy to meet you, bending his neck proudly +before his beloved master. + +"Rouse yourself, then, Baron!--Away with these black robes, which, to +tell the truth, are by no means becoming.--Say, shall Frederick now run +and search out your uniform?" + +The old man rose up as if to go. The youth detained him, and, evidently +quite overpowered by emotion, fell into his arms.--"Alas! Reinhold," +said he, "you torment me indeed inexpressibly. The more that you +endeavour in this manner to awaken within me those chords which formerly +sounded harmoniously, the more forcibly I feel how my relentless fate, +as with an iron hand, has seized upon me, and crushed my whole frame, +mental and bodily; so that, like a broken lute, I must either be silent, +or respond in discord." + +"These, Baron," said Reinhold, "are but your own delusions. You speak of +some horrible and monstrous destiny which tyrannizes over you; but as to +_wherein_ or _how_ this destiny exists, you are invariably silent. Yet, +be that as it may, a young man like you, endowed both with mental +energy, and courage which is the natural result of animal spirits, +should be able to arm himself against those demons--those invisible +foes, with their iron fangs, of whom you so often speak. As if aided by +divine inspiration, he should exalt himself above that destiny, which +would otherwise crush him into the earth; and, cherishing within his own +heart the principles of life, wing his way above the petty torments of +this world. Indeed, I can scarcely imagine to myself any circumstances +that will not finally yield to a patient, reasonable, and yet energetic +inward volition." + +Hereupon Hermogen drew himself one step backwards, and fixing on the old +man, a dark, gloomy look, almost with an expression of repressed rage, +which was truly frightful:-- + +"Know, then," said he, "that _I myself_ am the destiny--the demon, as +thou sayest, by whom I am persecuted and destroyed, that my conscience +is loaded with guilt, nay, with the stain of a shameful, infamous, and +mortal crime, which I thus endeavour to expiate in misery and in +despair!--Therefore, I beseech you, be compassionate, and implore, too, +my father's consent, that he may allow me to go into a monastery!" + +"Hermogen," said the old man, "you are now in a situation peculiar to +those who are disordered both in body and in mind--you, therefore, +cannot judge for yourself; and, in short, you should, on no account, go +from hence. Besides, in a few days the Baroness will return home with +Aurelia, and you must of necessity stay to see them." + +A smile of bitter mockery coursed over the young man's features. He even +laughed aloud, and cried, in a voice at which my heart recoiled and +shuddered, "_Must_ stay?--Must _therefore_ stay?--Ay, truly, old man, +thou art in the right--I must indeed stay; and my penitence will be here +far more frightful than in the dreariest cloister." + +With these words, he broke away, and disappeared in the thicket, leaving +the old man motionless, and apparently lost in the most gloomy +reflections. + +"_Gelobt sey Jesu Christus!_" said I, pronouncing the conventual +salutation in my best manner, and advancing towards him. He started, +looked at me with surprise, and then seemed to call something to mind +that he already knew, but could not _clearly_ remember. + +At last, "Reverend sir," said he, "it was perhaps to your coming that +the Baroness alluded in a letter received by us four days ago; and you +are sent hither for the benefit and consolation of this afflicted +family." + +I answered without hesitation in the affirmative, and the stranger (or +Reinhold, as he has been styled) then immediately recovered that +cheerfulness which seemed natural to his disposition. We walked on +together through a very beautiful park, and came at last to a _boskett_ +near the castle, from whence there was a magnificent prospect towards +the mountains. + +On his giving orders to a servant, who just then appeared near us, a +plentiful _dejeuner a-la-fourchette_ was immediately served up, with a +bottle of excellent French wine. + +On joining glasses, and looking at each other, it appeared to me as if +Reinhold watched me with great attention, and seemed labouring with some +obscure reminiscence. + +At last he broke out--"Good Heaven! reverend sir, I must be grossly +deceiving myself if you are not Brother Medardus, from the capuchin +convent in Koenigswald: And yet, how is this possible? But, certainly, +there can be no doubt!--Speak only, I beg of you, and clear up this +mystery." + +As if struck to the earth by lightning, I was, by these words of +Reinhold, quite paralyzed and overpowered. I saw myself at once +discovered, unmasked--accused, perhaps, as a murderer! Despair gave me +strength. Life and death depended on that moment. + +"I am indeed Brother Medardus, from the capuchin convent in Koenigswald," +said I; "and am now employed on a diplomatic mission as legate from our +monastery to Rome." + +These words I uttered with all the quiet and composure which I was able +to counterfeit. "Perhaps, then," said Reinhold, "it is only chance that +brought you hither. You may have wandered from the high road. Or, if +otherwise, how could it happen that the Baroness became acquainted with +you, and sent you hither?" + +Without a moment's reflection, but once more only _repeating_ words +which seemed by some strange voice to be whispered into my ears, I +replied, "On my journey I became acquainted with the Baroness's +confessor, and, at his request, I agreed to come hither." + +"True," said Reinhold; "now I remember that the Baroness indeed wrote +somewhat to this effect: Well, Heaven be praised that it is so, and that +you have been induced to come to our assistance. I was, by chance, some +years ago, in Koenigswald, and heard one of your admirable discourses, in +which you seemed to be indeed gifted with divine inspiration. To your +piety, your unaffected eloquence, your true calling to be the champion +of souls otherwise lost, I can safely trust for the fulfilment of that, +which, to all of us, would have been impossible. + +"I consider myself particularly fortunate, however, in having met you +before you were introduced to the Baron, and will take advantage of this +opportunity to make you acquainted with the circumstances of the family, +and to be perfectly sincere and undisguised, as is fitting before a man +of your sanctity and dignified character. It is indeed requisite, that, +in order to give the proper tendency and guidance to your endeavours, +you should receive from me hints on many points, on which (for other +reasons) I would rather have been silent. I shall endeavour, however, to +go through the whole in as few words as possible. + +"With the Baron I was brought up from infancy. A certain similarity of +temper made us like brothers, and annihilated those barriers which +difference of birth would otherwise have raised up betwixt us. I was +never absent from him; and, accordingly, after his father's death, and +when he had finished his academical studies, he directly appointed me +steward over his paternal property in these mountains. + +"I continued still to be his most intimate friend and companion; nor +were the most secret occurrences and circumstances of the house +concealed from me. The late Baron had wished for his son's connection by +marriage with an Italian family, whom he had highly respected; and my +patron so much the more readily fulfilled his father's wishes, as he +found himself irresistibly attracted to the young lady, who was by +nature beautiful, and by education highly accomplished. + +"Seldom, in truth, are the wishes and plans of parents either so +judiciously framed, or so prosperously fulfilled, as in this instance. +The young couple seemed to have been born for each other,--and of this +happy marriage, a son and daughter, Hermogen and Aurelia, were the +offspring. + +"For the most part, we spent our winters in the town; but when, soon +after the birth of Aurelia, the Baroness began to decline in health, we +remained there for the summer also, as she indispensably required the +assistance of physicians. She died just as, on the approach of another +spring, her visible amendment had filled the Baron with the most +delightful hopes. + +"We then fled to the country, and there only time could meliorate the +deep-consuming grief by which he had become wholly possessed. Hermogen, +meanwhile, grew up to be a fine youth, and Aurelia became every day more +and more the image of her mother. The careful education of these +children was our daily task and delight. Hermogen shewed a decided turn +for the military life, and this constrained the Baron to send him into +town, in order that he might begin his career there under the care of +our old friend the governor of the fort. + +"For the first time, three years ago, we again spent a winter together, +as in old times, at the _residenz_; partly in order that the Baron might +be near his son, and partly that he might visit his old acquaintances, +who had constantly beset him with letters complaining of his absence. + +"Universal attention was at that time excited by the appearance of a +niece of the governor's, who had come hither out of the neighbouring +_residenz_ of R----. She was an orphan, and had betaken herself to her +uncle's house for protection; though _there_ she had a whole wing of the +castle to herself, had also her own private _economie_, and was in the +habit of assembling the _beau monde_ around her. + +"Without describing Mademoiselle Euphemia too minutely, (which is the +more needless, as you, reverend sir, will soon see her, and judge for +yourself,) suffice it to say, that in all that she said or did, there +was an indescribable grace, refinement, and self-possession, by which +the natural charms of her beauty were heightened to an almost +irresistible degree. + +"Wherever she appeared, all that were around her seemed to be animated +with new spirit; and every one, with the most glowing enthusiasm, paid +her homage. Indeed the more insignificant and lifeless characters +appeared in her company to be carried quite out of themselves, and to be +so completely warmed with fire not their own, that, as if inspired, they +revelled in enjoyments, of which till then they had never been capable. + +"Of course, there was no want of lovers, who daily paid their court to +this new divinity. They were numerous and indefatigable in their +attentions. But meanwhile, one could never with certainty say, that she +distinguished either this or that individual from his competitors; but, +on the contrary, with a kind of playful, yet wicked irony, which +provoked without giving absolute offence, she contrived to involve them +all in a perplexing, but indissoluble, kind of thraldom. They moved +about her, completely under subjection, as if within the limits of some +enchanted circle. + +"On the Baron, this new Circe had gradually and imperceptibly made a +wonderful impression. Immediately on his first appearance, she shewed to +him a degree of attention, which appeared to be the result of youthful, +almost childish, veneration. In conversation afterwards, she displayed +her usual skill, proving herself (in his estimation at least) to be +possessed of the most cultivated understanding and the deepest +sensibility, such as, till now, he had scarcely ever found among women. + +"With indescribable delicacy, she sought for and obtained Aurelia's +friendship, and took such a warm interest in her fate, that by degrees +she began to perform for her all the duties of her untimely lost mother. +In brilliant circles especially, she knew how to assist the modest, +inexperienced girl; and, without being observed, to set off Aurelia's +natural good sense and talents to such advantage, that the latter became +every day more distinguished, admired, and sought after. + +"The Baron took every opportunity of becoming quite eloquent in praise +of Euphemia; and here, for the first time, probably, in our lives, it +happened that he and I were completely at variance. + +"In society I was generally a spectator merely, rather than an actor, in +whatever was going forward. In this way, looking on Euphemia as an +object worthy of investigation, I had considered her with great +attention. On her part, she had only, in compliance with her system of +not neglecting any one, now and then interchanged with me a few +insignificant words. + +"I must confess, that she was, above all other women, beautiful and +attractive;--that whatever she said was marked by sense and sensibility, +(in other words, by _tact_ and by prudence;) yet, notwithstanding all +this, I was conscious to myself of an inexplicable feeling of distrust +and aversion. Nay, whenever she addressed her discourse to me, or her +looks by chance fell upon me, I could not escape from a certain +disquietude and apprehension that were quite overpowering. Her eyes, +especially when she believed herself unobserved, glowed with an +extraordinary and quite peculiar light, as if some unquenchable fire +dwelt within her, which, at all times with difficulty kept down, had +then irresistibly broken forth. + +"Besides all this, there was too often on her otherwise finely formed +lips, the expression of a hateful irony--the decided indication even of +a malignant and fiendish scorn, at which my very heart shuddered. + +"In this manner, especially, she often looked at Hermogen, who, for his +part, troubled himself very little about her;--but such looks alone were +quite sufficient to convince me, that, under a specious and beautiful +mask, much was concealed, of which no one but myself suspected the +existence. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +"Against the unmeasured praise of the Baron," continued the old man, "I +had indeed nothing to offer, but my own physiognomical observations, to +which he did not allow the slightest importance; but, on the contrary, +perceived in my dislike of Euphemia only a highly absurd species of +idiosyncrasy. He even confessed to me, that the young lady would soon +become one of his family, as he would do all in his power to bring about +a marriage betwixt her and Hermogen. + +"The latter happened to come into the room just as we spoke with +considerable warmth on this subject, and when I was endeavouring to +defend my notions about Euphemia. The Baron, accustomed always to act +openly, and on the spur of the moment, made his son instantly acquainted +with all his plans and wishes. + +"Hermogen very quietly listened to his father's enthusiastic praises of +the young lady; and when the eulogy was ended, answered that he did not +feel himself in the least attracted towards Euphemia; that he could +never love her; and therefore earnestly begged that any schemes for a +marriage between her and himself might be given over. + +"The Baron was not a little confounded, when all his favourite projects +were thus at once set aside, but at the same time, said the less to +Hermogen, as he recollected that Euphemia herself had never been +consulted on the subject. With a cheerfulness and good humour which are +indeed quite his own, he soon began to jest over the complete failure of +his endeavours, and said that Hermogen evidently shared in my +idiosyncrasy; though, for his part, how a beautiful young woman could +inspire such dislike, he was quite unable to perceive. + +"His own intercourse with Euphemia of course remained the same as +before. He had been so accustomed to her society, that he was unable to +spend any day without seeing her. + + * * * * * + +"Consequently, it soon after happened, that one day, in a careless and +cheerful humour, he remarked to her, that there was but _one_ individual +within her enchanted circle, who had not become enamoured, and that was +Hermogen. The latter, he added, had flatly refused to listen to a plan +of marriage, which his father had wished to set on foot for him. + +"Euphemia, in the same style of badinage, replied, that it might have +been as well to consult her also on the subject, and that although she +would gladly be more nearly allied to the Baron, yet this must by no +means take place through Hermogen, who was for her far too serious, and +too particular in his humour. + +"From the time that this discourse took place with the Baron, (who +immediately communicated it to me,) Euphemia continued, even in an +unusual degree, her attentions towards him and Aurelia. At last, by many +slight but intelligible hints, she gradually brought the Baron to the +idea that a union with herself would exactly realize the _beau ideal_ +which she had formed of happiness in marriage. Every objection which +could be urged on the score of years, or otherwise, she was able in the +most convincing manner to refute, and with-all, advanced in her +operations so gradually, delicately, and imperceptibly, that the Baron +believed all the ideas which she directly put into his head to be the +growth of his own feelings and his own ingenuity. + +"Still sound and unbroken in health, and by nature lively and energetic, +he now felt himself inspired, even like a young man, by a glowing and +fervent passion. I could no longer damp nor restrain this wild flight, +for it was already too late. In short, not long afterwards, to the +astonishment of all the _residenz_, Euphemia became the wife of the +Baron!! + +"It seemed to me now, as if this formidable being, whom even I had +before regarded with such distrust, having thus stepped at last into our +very domestic circle, I must now be doubly and trebly on the watch for +my friend and for myself. Hermogen attended the marriage of his father +with the coldest indifference, but Aurelia, the dear child, who was +haunted with a thousand indefinable apprehensions, burst into tears. + +"Soon after the marriage, Euphemia longed to visit the Baron's castle +here among the mountains. Her wish was gratified accordingly, and I +must confess, that her whole behaviour was, for a long time, so +consistent and correct, that she extorted from me involuntary +admiration. Thus, two years flowed on in perfect quietness and domestic +enjoyment. Both winters we spent in the _residenz_, but even there too, +the Baroness shewed towards her husband so much unfeigned respect, and +such attention even to his slightest wishes, that even the voice of envy +and detraction were at last put to silence, and not one of the young +libertines who thought that they would here have sufficient scope for +their gallantry, allowed themselves even the least freedom in her +presence. During the last winter, I was probably the only one left, who, +still influenced by the old _idiosyncrasy_, ventured to cherish doubts +and mistrust against her. + +"Before the Baron's marriage, a certain Count Victorin, major in the +Prince's _Garde d'Honneur_, and only now and then professionally +established at the _residenz_, was one of Euphemia's regular suitors, +and the only one of whom it could ever have been said, that he at times +appeared to be honoured by her particular regard. It had once been +whispered indeed, that a much nearer and more intimate acquaintance +existed between them, than was yet indicated by their outward behaviour. +But the rumour immediately died away, as obscurely as it had arisen. + +"Be that as it may, the Count Victorin was again this last winter in the +_residenz_, and of course, made his appearance in the circles of the +Baroness. He seemed, however, not in the least to concern himself about +her, but rather even to avoid her conversation. Notwithstanding all +this, I imagined that frequently their looks met, when they believed +themselves unobserved; and that in these looks--but I shall not describe +more particularly--suffice it to say, that their expression was such, as +in my opinion could not be misunderstood, and such as to cause to me the +utmost disquietude. + +"More especially, it happened one night at the house of the Governor, +where a large party was assembled, that I stood crowded and squeezed up +into a window, where I was more than half concealed by the furniture +drapery, and only two or three steps before me was the Count Victorin. + +"Then Euphemia, more than ever brilliant and tasteful in her dress, and +beaming in luxuriant beauty, swept up to him as if to pass by. No one, +probably, remarked them but myself. He seized her arm, with a kind of +passionate vehemence, but so that it was observed by me alone. Their +eyes met; her expressive looks were turned directly and full upon him. +She whispered some words, of which I could not seize the import. +Euphemia must have seen me. She turned round quickly; but I distinctly +heard the words, 'We are observed!' + +"I stood as if petrified by the shock of this discovery. Alas! reverend +sir, think of my conflicting feelings at that moment--think of my +gratitude and respect--of that faithful attachment with which I was +devoted to the Baron--and recollect, too, the apprehensions by which I +had been so long persecuted, and which were thus so cruelly and +unequivocally realized! + +"These few words, however unimportant in themselves, had completely +revealed to me that there was a secret understanding between the +Baroness and the Count! For the present I was obliged to be silent; but +I was resolved to watch Euphemia with Argus eyes, and then, as soon as I +had obtained _proofs_ of her crime, to break asunder at once the +disgraceful bands in which she had fettered my unhappy friend. + +"Yet who is able to counteract successfully the contrivances of devilish +cunning and hypocrisy? _My_ endeavours, at least, were all utterly in +vain, and it would only have been absurd to impart to the Baron what I +had seen and heard. My opponents would directly have found ways and +means to represent me as a half-witted, tiresome visionary. + +"The snow still lay upon the mountains, when we came, last spring, over +to the castle; but I made my usual excursions over all the grounds. One +morning I met, in a neighbouring village, _a bauer_, who had something +odd in his walk and gestures. Happening to turn round his head, he +betrayed to me, on the first glance, the features of the Count Victorin! +However, in the same moment he had vanished among the houses, and was no +more to be seen. + +"Any mistake on my part was here impossible. And what could have led him +to this disguise, but the continuance of his old intrigue with the +Baroness? Even now, I know for certain that he is again in this +neighbourhood, for I have seen his _chasseur_ riding past; and yet it +is inexplicable to me how it happened that he did not rather attend the +Baroness in town. + +"It is now three months since we received intelligence that her uncle +the Governor was attacked by severe and dangerous illness. Without +delay, therefore, she obtained the Baron's consent to visit her +relation, and set off, taking only Aurelia with her, indisposition +preventing the Baron from accompanying her at that time; and he has +since chosen to remain here. + +"Now, however, misfortune had begun to make determined inroads into our +house; for the Baroness had not been long absent before she wrote home, +that Hermogen was suddenly seized by a melancholy, on which no society +or advice of physicians seemed to have any beneficial influence; and +that this even broke out oftentimes into fits of delirious rage. Day +after day he wandered about all alone, cursing and denouncing himself +and his cruel destiny; while all endeavours of his friends to recover +him from this frightful state had been hitherto ineffectual. + +"You may suppose, reverend sir, how painful and distressing was the +impression that all this made upon the Baron. The sight of his son +under such a fearful malady, would, in his present state, have agitated +him too much. I therefore went to town alone. + +"By the strong measures that had been adopted, Hermogen was already +cured of these violent out-breakings of madness described by the +Baroness; but a settled melancholy had fallen upon him, against which +the physicians seemed to think that all aid would be unavailing. + +"On seeing me, he was deeply moved. He told me that an unhappy destiny, +with which it was in vain to struggle, drove him to renounce for ever +the station which he had till then held; and that only as a monk could +he hope for tranquillity in this world, or rescue his soul from eternal +destruction. Accordingly, I found him already in the dress, in which +you, reverend sir, may have observed him this morning; but +notwithstanding his resistance, I succeeded in bringing him hither. + +"He is now tranquil, but never for a moment relinquishes the _one_ +insane idea which has taken possession of him; and all attempts to +extort a disclosure of the event which has brought him into his misery +remain fruitless, though the revealing of this secret would probably +afford the first means of contributing to its alleviation. + +"Some time ago the Baroness wrote, that, by advice of her confessor, she +would send hither a monk of his acquaintance, whose intercourse and +consoling admonitions would probably have more influence than anything +else on Hermogen, as his madness had evidently taken a devotional turn. +I am greatly rejoiced, sir, that the choice has fallen on you, whom a +chance the most fortunate for us had led to the _residenz_. By attending +to the directions that I now give you, I trust that you may restore to a +broken-hearted and deeply-afflicted family, that repose which they have +so long lost. + +"Your endeavours ought, in my opinion, to be directed to _two_ especial +objects. In the first place, inquire out this horrible secret, by which +Hermogen is oppressed. His bosom will be lighter if it is once +disclosed, whether in ordinary conversation, or in the confessional; and +the church, instead of burying him within its walls, will again restore +him to the world. + +"In the second place, you should make yourself better acquainted with +the Baroness. You know all that I have to communicate--You are probably +already of my opinion, though I have not sufficient _proofs_ for +entering into an open accusation; but I know, that when you see, and +become intimate with Euphemia, you will entertain the same conviction +that I do. She is, however, by temperament, inclined to religion, at +least her imagination is easily roused. Perhaps, therefore, by your +extraordinary gifts of eloquence, you may penetrate deeply into her +heart. You may agitate and terrify her into repentance of her crimes, +and of that treachery against her best friends, by which, of necessity, +she must work for herself everlasting torments. + +"Yet one remark more, reverend sir, I must hazard. Many times it has +appeared to me as if the Baron, too, had on his mind some secret grief, +of which he conceals from me the cause. Besides his openly declared +anxiety on account of Hermogen, he contends visibly with painful +thoughts, which constantly harass him. It has often suggested itself to +me, that he may perhaps, by some evil chance, have discovered the +Baroness's criminality, and this by traces more certain and unambiguous +than those which have occurred to me. Therefore, reverend sir, I must +finally recommend also the Baron to your spiritual care and attention." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +With these words Reinhold closed his long narrative, which had, +meanwhile, in a hundred different ways, tormented me. The most +extraordinary and irreconcilable contradictions laboured, crossing and +re-crossing each other, through my brain. + +My very identity, my individuality, was cruelly become the game--the +mere plaything, of chance, while as it were, losing myself, and melting +away into forms and features not my own, I swam, without hold or stay, +upon that wild sea of events, which broke in upon me like raging waves. + +I had, indeed, virtually lost myself, for I could no longer recover any +power of voluntary action. It was through the interference of my arm +that Victorin had been hurled into the abyss; but it was chance, and no +impulse of volition, by which I was guided on that occasion. "Now," +said I to myself, "I come into his place; but then Reinhold knows Father +Medardus, the preacher in the Capuchin Convent, and thus in his +estimation I appear only that which I truly am. On the other hand, the +adventure with the Baroness, which the Count had in contemplation, falls +upon my shoulders, so that in this respect I become again Victorin! To +myself an inexplicable riddle, thought becomes a mere chaos. Like the +fabulous knight, who fought with his DOUBLE in the dark forest, I am at +variance, and combating with myself." + +Notwithstanding these internal commotions, I succeeded in counterfeiting +tolerably well such composure as is becoming to a priest; and in this +mood I came for the first time into the presence of the Baron. + +I found him a man advanced in years; but in his now shrunk features, lay +yet the evidences of the strength and vivacity which he had once +possessed. Not age, indeed, but grief, had ploughed wrinkles in his +forehead, and blanched his hair. Notwithstanding this, there prevailed +in all that he said, and in his whole behaviour, a cheerfulness and +good humour, by which every one must be attracted, and prepossessed in +his favour. + +When the old steward presented me to him as the monk, whose intended +arrival had been noticed by the Baroness, his looks, at first rather +doubtful and suspicious, became always more friendly, as, in the +meanwhile, Reinhold related how he had heard me preach in the Capuchin +Convent of Koenigswald, and had there convinced himself of my +extraordinary gifts of piety and eloquence. + +"I know not, my dear Reinhold," said the Baron, "how, or for what +reason, the features of this reverend gentleman interest me so much at +our first meeting. They certainly awake some remembrance, which yet +struggles in vain to come clearly and fully into light." + +It seemed to me, as if he would, in that very moment, break out with the +name "Count Victorin!"--In truth, however miraculous it may appear, I +had now become actually persuaded that I was the Count; and thereby +(aided perhaps by the wine at breakfast, not to speak of the draught +from the basket bottle,) I felt the circulation of the blood more +powerfully in every vein, and colouring my cheeks with a deeper crimson. + +I depended, however, upon Reinhold, who indeed knew me as Brother +Medardus, though this now appeared to myself a mere fiction! Nothing +could untie or unravel those intricate knots, by which the strange web +of my destiny was thus bound together. + +According to the Baron's wishes, I was immediately to make acquaintance +with Hermogen; but he was nowhere to be found. He had been seen +wandering towards the mountains; but the family were on that score quite +unconcerned, as he had frequently for days together absented himself in +that manner. Accordingly, through the whole afternoon, I remained in the +society of the Baron and Reinhold, and by degrees recollected myself so +completely, that towards evening I became quite calm, and courageous +enough to grapple with the wonderful events and difficulties which now +seemed to lie in wait for me. + +In the solitude of the night, I opened the Count's portfolio, and +convinced myself more particularly that it was Count Victorin who had +been hurled into the abyss; yet the letters addressed to him were but +of indifferent import, and not one of them gave me any very clear +insight as to his real circumstances and condition in life. + +Without, therefore, harassing my brain any farther about the matter, I +resolved to accommodate myself as skilfully as I could to whatever +course _chance_ might point out for me; especially, it was requisite +that I should wait the issue of my first interview with the mysterious +Euphemia. + + * * * * * + +On the very next day, the Baroness, with Aurelia, unexpectedly made her +appearance. I saw them alight from their carriage, and, received by the +Baron, entering the gates of the castle. Unnerved and disquieted, I +stepped restlessly up and down in my chamber, under a tempest of +extraordinary anticipations. This, however, did not continue long, ere I +was summoned down stairs. + +The Baroness came forward to meet me. She was an eminently beautiful +woman, still in the full bloom of her charms. There was in her +countenance and _tout ensemble_ a voluptuous tranquillity, diversified +only by the restless gleam of her eyes, which were to an unparalleled +degree fiery and expressive. + +As soon as she beheld me she seemed involuntarily to start, and betrayed +extraordinary emotion. Her voice faltered, she could scarcely command +words. + +This visible embarrassment on her part gave me courage. I looked her +boldly in the face, and, in the conventual manner, gave her my blessing. +Hereupon she became all at once deadly pale, and was obliged to seat +herself on a sofa. Reinhold meanwhile looked on me as if quite +satisfied, and even with smiles of good humour. + +At that moment the door opened, and the Baron entered with Aurelia. + +As soon as I had set eyes on this girl, it seemed as if a gleam of light +from heaven flashed around me, and penetrated to my very heart, kindling +up mysterious and long-lost emotions--the most ardent longings--the +raptures of the most fervent love. All indeed that I had formerly felt +seemed only like obscure and shadowy indications of that which now +stepped forth at once into reality and life. Nay, life itself dawned for +the first time, glittering, variegated, and splendid before me, and all +that I had known before lay cold and dead, as if under the desolate +shadows of night. + +It was she herself--the same mysterious unknown whom I had beheld in the +vision of the confessional. The melancholy, pious, childlike expression +of the dark blue eyes--the delicately formed lips--the neck gently bent +down, as if in devout prayer--the tall, slender, yet voluptuous form; +all these--they belonged not to Aurelia--it was herself, the blessed St +Rosalia! Even the minutest particulars of dress--for example, the +sky-blue shawl, which the young Baroness had now thrown over her +shoulders, was precisely the same worn by the saint in the picture, and +by the unknown of my vision. + +What was now the luxuriant beauty of Euphemia compared with the divine +charms of this celestial visitant? Only _her, her_ alone could I behold, +while all around was faded into coldness and obscurity. + +It was impossible that my inward emotion could escape the notice of the +by-standers. + +"What is the matter with you, reverend sir?" said the Baron; "you seem +agitated in an extraordinary degree."--By these words I was directly +brought to myself, and I felt rising up within me a supernatural +power,--a courage till then unknown,--to encounter all obstacles, if +_she_--if _Aurelia_ were to be the prize to reward me for the combat. + +"Rejoice, _Herr Baron_!" cried I, as if seized by a sudden fit of +inspiration--"rejoice, for a female saint is sent down from heaven among +us. The heavens, too, will soon be opened in cloudless serenity, and the +immaculate St Rosalia will diffuse blessings and consolation on the +devout souls who humbly and faithfully pay to her their homage and +adoration. Even now I hear the anthem,--the choral notes of glorified +spirits, who long for the society of the saint, and who, calling on her +in song, hover down from their resplendent thrones. I see her features, +beaming in the divine _halo_ of beatification, lifted up towards the +seraphic choir, that are already visible to her eyes. _Sancta Rosalia, +ora pro nobis!_" + +Hereupon I fell on my knees, with mine eyes uplifted to heaven, my hands +folded in prayer, and all present mechanically followed my example. No +one ventured to question me any farther. This sudden ebullition was +imputed to some extraordinary inspiration, and the Baron gravely +resolved to have mass said at the altar of St Rosalia in the _residenz_. + +In this manner I had completely rescued myself from my present +embarrassment; and I was resolved from henceforward to venture all +things, for Aurelia was at stake, who was now far dearer to me than +life. + +The Baroness meanwhile appeared in a very strange and inexplicable mood. +Her looks followed me; but when I met them, quite composedly and +unconcerned, she averted her eyes, which then wandered about unsteadily +and wildly. As for Aurelia, I could only guess at her agitation; for she +had drawn down her veil, and gazed stedfastly on a cross which was hung +by a rosary from her neck. At last the family retired into another +chamber. I made use of the opportunity, and hastened down into the +garden, where, in a state of the wildest excitement, I rushed through +the walks, labouring with, and revolving a thousand resolutions, ideas, +and plans, for my future life in the castle. + + * * * * * + +Through this day I did not again meet Aurelia. It was already evening, +when Reinhold appeared, and said that the Baroness, who had been deeply +affected by my pious and inspired discourse of that morning, wished to +speak with me alone in her chamber. + + * * * * * + +When I had entered the room, and had, by her directions, closed and +bolted the door, she advanced a few steps towards me, then taking me by +both arms, and looking fixedly in my face, "Is it possible?" said +she--"art thou Medardus, the Capuchin monk?--But the voice--the +figure--your eyes--your hair,--speak, or I shall perish in this torment +of suspense and apprehension!" + +"VICTORIN!" replied I, in a whisper; and again this word was not mine, +but suggested to me by some unknown and supernatural power;--then, to +my utter astonishment and consternation---- + + [There is a hiatus in the MS. at this place.] + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +It was in my power, doubtless, to have fled from the castle, but in +doing so--in saving myself from new crimes--I must have fled also _from +Aurelia_. I had made the resolution (in which I was determined to +persevere) to venture all things for _her_ sake, and especially for the +chance of renewing that conversation which the sanctity of the +confessional wholly prohibited. + +It was on her account, therefore, that I had now involved myself in +enormous guilt; but though conscious of this as the cause, I did not +escape the torments of remorse and the bitterest self-condemnation. A +kind of horror seized on me when I thought of meeting Aurelia again, +which, however, was very soon to happen, namely, at the supper-table. It +seemed as if her pious angelic looks would directly accuse me of mortal +sin, and as if, unmasked and detected, I should sink into utter +disgrace and annihilation. From similar reasons, also, I could not bear +to see the Baroness immediately after that interview, and all this +induced me, under the pretext of having my devotions to perform, to shut +myself up in my room, and remain there, when intimation was sent to me +that supper was ready. + +Only a few days, however, were required in order to banish all fear and +embarrassment. The outward behaviour of the Baroness was in the highest +degree guarded and amiable; and the more that, in my character of Count +Victorin, I acquired ascendancy over her, the more she seemed to +redouble her attention and affectionate solicitude for the Baron. + +She confessed to me, however, that she many times laboured under the +most fearful perplexity; that my _tonsure_, my long beard, and my +genuine conventual gait, (which last, however, I did not now keep up so +strictly as before,) had caused to her a thousand indefinable +apprehensions; nay, upon my sudden inspired invocation of St Rosalia, +she had become almost persuaded that some extraordinary fatality had +annihilated the plan which, along with Victorin, she had so admirably +laid, and had brought a miserable Capuchin monk into his place. + +She admired, however, the extent of my precautions in actually taking +the tonsure, in allowing my beard to grow, and in having studied my part +so exactly, that, even now, she was obliged often to look me sharply in +the face, to avoid falling again into painful doubts. + + * * * * * + +Meanwhile, Victorin's _chasseur_, disguised as a _bauer_, made his +appearance now and then at the end of the park, and I did not neglect to +speak with him privately, and admonish him to hold himself in readiness +for momentary flight, if any evil chance should render this necessary. + +As for the Baron and Reinhold, they seemed, on the whole, perfectly +satisfied, yet frequently troubled me with urgent suggestions that I +should direct the best energies of my mind to acquire an influence over +the deeply pensive and obstinate Hermogen. + +On the contrary, however, I had never been able to interchange with him +a single word, so sedulously did he avoid every opportunity of being +alone with me; and if by chance we met in the society of his father and +the steward, he looked upon me with an expression so marked and +extraordinary, that I had considerable difficulty in avoiding obvious +embarrassment. It seemed almost as if he could read my very soul, and +spy out my most secret thoughts; and as often as he was thus forced into +my presence, an unconquerable ill-humour, a malicious irony, and indeed +rage, with difficulty restrained, were visible on his pale features. + +It happened that once when I was taking a walk in the park, I perceived +him, quite unexpectedly, coming up to meet me. I held this for the +fittest possible moment to clear up the painful circumstances in which I +was placed with regard to him; and accordingly, when, as usual, he +wished to escape, I ventured to take him by the arm, and my old talent +of eloquence enabled me now to speak so impressively, and with so much +energy, that at last he could not help being attentive, and shewed, as I +thought, some favourable symptoms of emotion. + +We had seated ourselves on a stone bench at the end of a walk which led +towards the castle. In discourse, my inspiration, as usual, increased. +I maintained, that it was in the highest degree sinful for a man, thus +devoured by inward grief, to despise the consolation and assistance of +the church, which can raise up the fallen, and might enable him to +fulfil all purposes and duties of this life, which, by the goodness of +the Supreme Power, were yet held invitingly before him. + +I insisted, that even the most depraved criminal need not doubt of the +grace and favour of Heaven, and that the indulgence of such doubts might +alone deprive him of the temporal happiness, and salvation hereafter, +which he would otherwise obtain. At last I demanded that he should +directly unload his conscience by confessing to me, promising him, at +the same time, on the usual conditions of contrition, penance, and +amendment, absolution for every sin that he might have committed. + +Hereupon he rose up. His frame seemed to heave and dilate with +indignation;--his brows were contracted--his eyes glared--a burning red +flew at once over his before pale countenance. + +"Art thou," cried he, with a voice, by the depth and wildness of whose +tones I was involuntarily agitated,--"art thou then thyself free from +sin, that thou venturest, like the most pure--nay, like the Divinity +whom thou blasphemest, to look into the secrets of my bosom?--Thou, +forsooth, would'st promise me forgiveness--thou, who for thyself wilt +vainly strive for pardon, and against whom the regions of the blest are +for ever closed!--Miserable hypocrite! soon will the hour of retribution +be at hand, and trodden into the dust like a poisonous reptile, shalt +thou writhe in misery and death, struggling in vain for aid and release +from thy nameless torment, till thou perishest in madness and despair!" + +Hereupon he turned round, and quickly disappeared. I had no power to +detain him--I was, indeed, utterly crushed and annihilated. All my +composure and courage had fled, and I saw no means by which confidence +and safety could again be recovered. + + * * * * * + +At length I observed the Baroness coming out of the castle, dressed as +if for a walk. With her only, in this difficulty, could I hope to find +assistance or consolation. I hastened, therefore, to meet her. + +At first she seemed terrified at my disordered appearance--inquired +after the cause of it; and I described to her the whole scene which I +had just now encountered with the insane Hermogen, expressing also my +terror and apprehension, lest he might, perhaps, by some inexplicable +chance, have got possession of, and might betray, our secret +intercourse. + +By all this Euphemia did not appear in the least moved. On the contrary, +she smiled with an expression of irony and malice so extraordinary, that +I was seized with involuntary horror. + +"Let us go deeper into the park," said she, "for here we might be +observed, and it might be deemed mysterious if the reverend Father +Medardus were to speak to me with such vehemence." + + [A few sentences are here left out by the Editor.] + +"Be composed then, Victorin," said Euphemia; "you may make yourself +perfectly tranquil as to all this, which has brought you into such fear +and trouble. Indeed, it is on the whole fortunate, that this adventure +has happened with Hermogen; for I have thus an opportunity of speaking +to you on many things of which I had too long been silent. + +"You must confess, that I wield a strange kind of intellectual supremacy +over all those by whom I am in this life surrounded; and to possess and +exercise this privilege, is, I believe, much more easy for a woman than +for a man. Not only, however, must we for this purpose enjoy that +superiority of personal beauty which Nature has granted to us, but also +many peculiar attributes of mind. Above all, the individual, who, in +such undertakings, expects to succeed, must possess the power of +stepping, as it were, out of herself,--of contemplating her _own +individuality_ from an external point, (that is to say, as it is beheld +by others;) for our own identity, when viewed in this manner, serves +like an obedient implement--a passive means of obtaining whatever object +we have proposed to ourselves, as the highest and most desirable in +life. + +"Can there be anything more admirable than an existence which rules over +that of others, so that we may exert perfect empire over the insipid +beings--the phantom shapes, by which we are here surrounded, and command +them, as if by magic spells, to minister to our enjoyments? + +"You, Victorin, belong to the few who have hitherto understood me. You +had also acquired this power of looking, as if with others' eyes, upon +yourself; and I have therefore judged you not unworthy to be raised as +my partner on the throne of this intellectual kingdom. The mystery which +we were obliged to keep up, heightened the charm of this union; our +apparent separation only gave wider scope for our fantastic humour, +which played with and scorned the conventional laws of ordinary life. + +"Do not our present meetings constitute the boldest piece of adventure, +that spirits, mocking at all conventional limitations, ever dared to +encounter? Even in this new character which you have assumed, the +metamorphosis depends not on your dress merely. It seems, also, as if +the mind, accommodating itself to the ruling principle, worked outwardly +in such a manner, that even the bodily form becomes plastic and +obedient, moulding itself in turns, according to that plan and +destination which the higher powers of volition had conceived and laid +down. + +"How completely I myself despise all ordinary rules, you, Victorin, are +already aware. The Baron has now become, in my estimation, a disgusting, +worn-out implement, which, having been used for my past purposes, lies +dead, like a run-down piece of clock-work, before me--Reinhold is too +contemptible and narrow-minded to be worthy of a thought--Aurelia is a +good, pious, and simple-hearted child--We have nothing to do but with +Hermogen. + +"Already have I confessed to you, that the first time I saw this youth, +he made on me a wonderful and indelible impression; but of what +afterwards passed betwixt us, you have never yet been fully aware. I had +even looked on him as capable of entering into those lofty schemes, into +that higher sphere of enjoyment, which I could have opened for him; but +for once, I was completely deceived. There existed within him some +principle inimical and hostile towards me, which manifested itself in +perpetual contradiction to my plans--nay, the very spells by which I +fettered others, had on him an effect quite opposite and repelling. He +remained always cold, darkly reserved, or, at best, utterly indifferent, +till at last my resentment was roused; I determined on revenge, but, +above all, I resolved that my former power should not be thus meanly +baffled and subdued, and that his indifference should sooner or later be +fearfully overcome. + +"On this combat I had already decided, when the Baron happened to say, +that he had proposed for me a marriage with Hermogen, to which the +latter would by no means agree. Like a gleam of inspiration, the thought +at that moment rose within me, that I might myself, by a marriage with +the Baron, at once clear away those conventional limitations which had +hitherto at times disgustingly forced themselves in my way. + +"But as to that marriage, Victorin, I have already frequently spoken +with you. To your doubts, as to whether it could ever take place, I soon +opposed actual performance. In short, as you know, in the course of a +few days, I succeeded in transforming the grave old gentleman into a +silly tender lover. Nay, he was forced to look on those plans which +wholly originated from my agency, (and to which he scarcely dared to +give utterance,) as the offspring of his own foolish brain, and the +fulfilment of his own heartfelt wishes. Still, in the back ground, +concealed indeed, but not less deeply traced, lay the thoughts of my +revenge on Hermogen, which would now be more easy, and in execution far +more perfect. + +"If I knew less of your character, if I were not aware that you are +fully capable of entering into my views, I would no doubt hesitate to +inform you of what afterwards occurred. + +"I took various opportunities of attracting Hermogen's attention. When +in the _residenz_, I appeared gloomy and reserved--and afforded, in this +respect, a powerful contrast with himself, for he was then cheerful and +active in his own pursuits, and, to most people, frank and disengaged in +manner. The interval was long and tedious, however, before my designs +could be brought into execution. + +"During my last visit in town, my uncle's illness forbade all brilliant +assemblies, and I was obliged even to decline the visits of my nearest +acquaintance. Hermogen called upon me, perhaps only to fulfil the duty +which he owed to a step-mother. He found me sunk in the most gloomy +reflections; and when, astonished at this sudden revolution, he +anxiously inquired the cause, I confessed to him that the Baron's infirm +state of health, which he only with difficulty concealed, made me afraid +that I should soon lose him, which idea was to me terrible and +insupportable. + +"On hearing this, he was obviously affected; and when I went on to paint +to him, in the liveliest colours, the happiness of my domestic +circumstances with the Baron, entering into minute details of our mode +of life in the country--when, moreover, I spoke at greater length of the +Baron's admirable disposition, and represented his whole character in +the most glowing terms, so that it always appeared more and more how +deeply I honoured him, nay, how my very existence depended on +his,--then, obviously, Hermogen's astonishment and perplexity increased +to an even unexpected degree. He visibly struggled and contended with +himself, but I had already triumphed. The principle, whatever it was, +that lived within him, and had hitherto so hostilely acted against me, +was overcome--he had spoken with me alone, and was deeply moved--he had +beheld me in a new light--his indifference was subdued, and his +tranquillity lost. My triumph became the more certain, when, on the +following evening, he came again to visit me. + +"He found me alone, still more gloomy and more agitated than on the +preceding night. I spoke as before of the Baron, and of my inexpressible +longing to return to the country, and to see him again. Hermogen soon +lost all self-possession--he hung enraptured on my looks, and their +light fell like consuming fire into his heart. + + * * * * * + +"In a word, I succeeded. The consequences were more horrible than I had +supposed; yet on this account my victory was the more brilliant. The +dominion which I had now so unequivocally gained over Hermogen had +utterly broken his spirit. He fell, as you know, into madness, though +till now you were not aware of the exact reason of this. + +"It is a peculiar attribute of madmen, that they can often look more +deeply than others into the hearts of those by whom they are surrounded. +It seems as if their own minds, being free from rational control, stand +in nearer relationship with the spiritual world, and are more liable to +be excited sympathetically by the emotions of another. Thus oftentimes +they pronounce aloud our own thoughts, like a supernatural echo, whence +we are startled as if we heard the voice even of a second self. + +"On these principles, it may indeed have happened that Hermogen, +considering the peculiar footing on which we stand, has actually looked +through your disguise, and on this account is hostilely disposed toward +us; but as to any danger from him on this account, that is by no means +to be apprehended. Suppose even that he were to break out into open +enmity--should proclaim aloud, 'Trust not this cowled priest--he is not +what he seems!' yet who would look upon this as less or more than a +delirious phantasm of his malady, more especially as Reinhold has been +so good as to recognize in you the reverend Father Medardus? + +"In the meanwhile, however, it remains certain, that you cannot, as I +had hoped, gain a favourable influence over Hermogen. My revenge, +however, is fulfilled, and I now look upon him, even as I regard the +Baron, like a broken _marionette_--a worn-out plaything; become, at +last, so much the more tiresome, as he probably considers his meeting +with me here as an act of penitence, and, on this account, haunts and +persecutes me, as you must have observed, with his dead-alive, staring, +and spectral eyes. + +"In short, he must, in one way or another, be got rid of; and I thought, +by your acquiring an influence over him, he might have been confirmed in +his notions of going into a convent, and to have contrived, that the +Baron and Reinhold should be persuaded of the propriety of this design. +Hermogen, to say the truth, is to me, in the highest degree, +intolerable. His looks often agitate me, so that I can hardly command +myself; and, for certain, he must, by some means or other, be removed. + +"The only person before whom he appears quite in a different character, +is Aurelia. By means of that girl only, can you gain any influence over +Hermogen; for which reason, I shall take care that, for the future, you +may to her also obtain nearer access. + +"If you find a suitable opportunity, you may communicate to the Baron +and Reinhold, that Hermogen has disclosed to you, in confession, a +heavy crime, which, according to your religious vows, you are obliged to +conceal. But of this, more at another time: act for the best, and only +be stedfast and faithful. Let us reign together over this contemptible +world of puppets, which move around us only according to our sovereign +will and pleasure. This life must bestow on us its best enjoyments, +without forcing on our necks the yoke of its narrow and despicable +laws!" + +We now saw the Baron at a distance, and went towards him, as if occupied +in pious and edifying discourse. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +There had been nothing wanting, perhaps, but this explanation from +Euphemia, to render me fully sensible of my own powers and advantages. I +was now placed in a situation from which all things appeared in wholly +new colours. As to Euphemia's boast of her mental energy and power over +the conduct of others, it only rendered her, in my estimation, worthy of +utter contempt. At the very moment when this miserable woman believed +that she sported in safety with all laws and regulations of this life, +she was in reality given up a helpless victim to that destiny, which my +hand might in a moment wield against her. + +It was, indeed, only by means of that spiritual influence and empire +lent to me by the powers of darkness, that she could have been led to +look on _that being_ as a friend and trust-worthy companion, who, +wearing only for her destruction the countenance and figure of her +former lover, held her like a demon in his relentless grasp, so that +liberation and escape were for her no longer possible. + +Euphemia, under the dominion of this wretched illusion, became every +moment more despicable in my estimation, and the intercourse which I was +obliged to keep up with her, became so much the more disgusting, as +Aurelia's image had every day acquired more and more power over my +heart;--and it was for her sake only, that I had involved myself in +society and in crimes, from which I should otherwise have fled with +horror. + +I resolved, therefore, from henceforth, to exercise, in the fullest +extent, the powers that I now felt were given to me; to seize with mine +own hands, that enchanter's rod, of which Euphemia so vainly boasted the +possession; and with it, to describe the magic circle, in which the +beings around me should move only according to my sovereign wishes. + +The Baron and Reinhold were still void of all suspicions, and continued +to vie with each other in their endeavours to render my abode at the +castle as agreeable as possible. They had not the most distant +apprehensions of the circumstances in which I stood with regard to +Euphemia. On the contrary, the Baron frequently became eloquent in +expressions of gratitude, even assuring me in confidence, that by my +interference her affections had been completely restored to him; +whereupon I recollected Reinhold's notion, that the Baron, by some means +or other, had received intimation of his wife's former infidelity. + +Hermogen I now saw but very seldom. He visibly avoided me with fear and +trembling, which the Baron and Reinhold very kindly interpreted into +devoted awe and reverence for the sanctity and intuitive energy of my +character, of which he could not bear the scrutiny. + +Aurelia, too, appeared to avoid me as much as possible; and if, by +chance, I spoke with her, she was, like Hermogen, timid and embarrassed. +I had, therefore, no doubt that the latter had imparted to his sister +those apprehensions by which I had been so much alarmed; and yet it +seemed to me by no means impracticable to counteract their evil +influence. + +Probably by the instigation of the Baroness, who wished to bring me +nearer to Aurelia, in order that, through her, I might acquire an +ascendancy over Hermogen, the Baron requested, that I would give a +share of my time to the instruction of his daughter in the higher +mysteries of religion. Thus Euphemia herself unconsciously supplied me +with the means of arriving at that wished-for goal, which formed the +climax of all my most sanguine prospects, and which imagination had so +often painted in the most glowing colours. + +I shall pass rapidly over the rest of my adventures during my residence +in the Baron's castle, the impression of which remains like that of an +hideous dream, on which I have no desire to dwell longer than is +requisite to preserve connection in the narrative. + +For some days, indeed, I remained influenced, for the most part, by the +most sanguine hopes, which were yet constantly liable to disappointment. +I had hitherto seen Aurelia only at short intervals, and in the society +of others;--then, at every meeting, her beauty appeared more and more +heavenly; her voice breathed more exquisite music; and the passionate +impressions under which I laboured, were such, that I used, after these +interviews, to run forth, if possible, into the park--search out some +covert the wildest and most secluded, where I threw myself on the +ground, and gave up my whole soul to the delirium of love. + +At other times, I sought in meetings with the Baroness a temporary +refuge from agitations, with which I could scarcely contend. I formed a +thousand plans for leaving the castle, and of inducing Aurelia to be the +companion of my flight; but all were one by one renounced as hopeless. + +_Now_, however, I was to meet her frequently--and _alone_. I summoned, +therefore, all my talents of eloquence and energies of mind, to clothe +my religious instructions in such language, that I might by this means +direct her affections to her instructor, until, overpowered by her own +feelings, she should at last throw herself into my arms. + +Instead, however, of succeeding in my designs against Aurelia, the only +consequence of my endeavours was to augment tenfold my own intolerable +disquietude. A thousand times did I say to myself, How is this possible? +Can Aurelia be the same Unknown--the visitant of the confessional? +Devoutly, with folded hands and downcast eyes, she listened to me; but +not one symptom of emotion, not the slightest sigh, betrayed any deeper +operation of my words. Even if I dropt obscure hints of our former +meeting, she remained unmoved. + +I was therefore, of necessity, brought back to the belief and +conviction, that the adventure of the confessional was but a dream. Yet +if so, what import could be attached to the supernatural liveliness of +that vision, except that it must have been an anticipation of what was +now to come--the promise of a higher power, that Aurelia--the living +realization of that phantom--was yet to be mine? + +Baffled, however, in all my attempts,--driven oftentimes to rage and +despondency,--I brooded over new plans; and while obliged to counterfeit +pleasure in the society of Euphemia, and feeling only hatred and +impatience, my looks and behaviour assumed a horrible expression, at +which she seemed involuntarily to tremble. Still, of the _real_ mystery +concealed in my bosom, she had no suspicion, but gave way without a +struggle to that supremacy which I exerted over her, and which daily +continued to increase. + +Frequently the thought occurred to my mind, that, by assuming proper +courage, by one decisive step, however violent, I might put an end to +the torments of suspense under which I laboured,--that on my very next +meeting with Aurelia, I might cast off the mask, and renounce all +subterfuge and stratagem. I went to her more than once, _resolved_ to +carry some plan of this kind into effect; but when I looked at Aurelia, +and beheld the calm piety, the energy of innocence in her seraphic +features, it seemed as if an angel stood by her, protecting her, and +bidding defiance to the power of the enemy. At such times, a cold +shuddering vibrated through my limbs, and my former resolutions were +completely broken. + +At last, the thought occurred to me of joining with her more frequently +in prayer. + + [One page is here left out by the Editor.] + +I had no power to prevent this. I was crushed and annihilated, as if a +thunderbolt had struck me to the earth. She fled instantly to the next +room. The door opened, and there appeared--Hermogen! He stood glaring +upon me with the fixed, horrid look of the wildest insanity. Then, +recollecting that such persons are most likely to be tamed by cool, and +daring defiance, I collected all my strength, and went up to +him.--"Madman," cried I, with a deep commanding voice, "wherefore this +intrusion? What wouldst thou here?" + +In this plan, however, I was completely baffled. Hermogen stretched out +his right hand, and, in a hollow, frightful tone,--"I would contend with +thee," said he, "but I have no sword; and there is blood on thy face! +Thou art a murderer!" + +Thereupon he abruptly vanished, slamming the door violently behind him, +and left me alone, grinding my teeth with rage and despair. No one +appeared, however. It was evident that he had not spread any immediate +alarm, so that I had time to recover self-possession, and began, ere +long, to feel confident, that I should yet fall on means to avoid any +evil consequences of this error. + + * * * * * + +[The monk here goes on to relate, that he remained yet several days in +the Baron's castle, during which he encountered many adventures, which +it is thought not advisable to transcribe. Indeed, perhaps the _whole_ +of this section might have well been condensed, or given but in outline. +It is requisite to observe, that these adventures are wound up by the +death of the Baroness and of Hermogen; that of the former, by means of +poison, which she had prepared for Medardus; and of the latter, in +single combat with the monk, who, in self-defence, killed his +antagonist.] + + [At this point the Editor recommences his transcription.] + +When Hermogen fell, I ran in wild frenzy down stairs. Then I heard +shrilling voices through the castle, that cried aloud, "Murder! murder!" + +Lights hovered about here and there, and I heard hasty steps sounding +along the corridor and passages. Terror now utterly overpowered me, so +that, from exhaustion, I fell down on a remote private staircase. The +noise always became louder, and there was more and more light in the +castle. I heard too that the outcries came nearer and nearer--"Murder! +murder!" At last I distinguished the voices of the Baron and Reinhold, +who spoke violently with the servants. Whither now could I possibly fly? +Where conceal myself? Only a few moments before, when I had spoken, for +the last time, with the detestable Euphemia, it had seemed to me, as if, +with the deadly weapon in my hand, I could have boldly stepped forth, +and that no one would have dared to withstand me. + +Now, however, I contended in vain with my unconquerable fear. At last, I +found myself on the great staircase. The tumult had withdrawn itself to +the chambers of the Baroness, and there was an interval, therefore, of +comparative tranquillity. I roused myself accordingly; and, with three +vehement bounds, clinging by the staircase rail, I was arrived at the +ground-floor, and within a few steps of the outward gate. + +Then, suddenly, I heard a frightful piercing shriek, which reverberated +through the vaulted passages, and resembled that which I had observed +on the preceding night. "She is dead," said I to myself, in a hollow +voice; "she has worked her own destruction, by means of the poison that +she had prepared for me!" + +But now, once more, I heard new and fearful shrieks from the apartments +of the Baroness. It was the voice of Aurelia, screaming in terror, for +help; and, by this, my whole feelings were once more changed. Again the +reiterated cry of "Murder! murder!" sounded through the castle. The +footsteps approached nearer through a staircase leading downwards. They +were bearing, as I conceived, the dead body of Hermogen. + +"Haste, haste, after him!--seize the murderer!" These words were uttered +in the voice of Reinhold. + +Hereupon I broke out into a vehement and horrid laughter, so that my +voice echoed through the vaulted corridors, and I cried aloud, "Poor +insane wretches! would you strive to interfere with and arrest that +destiny, which inflicts only just and righteous punishment on the +guilty?" + +They stopped suddenly. They remained as if rooted to one spot on the +staircase. I wished no longer to fly. I thought rather of advancing +decidedly and boldly to meet them, and announcing the vengeance of God +in words of thunder on the wicked. + +But, oh horrible sight! at that moment arose, and stood bodily before +me, the hideous blood-stained and distorted figure of Victorin! +Methought it was not _I_, but _he_, that had spoken the words in which I +thought to triumph! At the first glance of this apparition, (whether +real or imaginary,) my hair stood on end with horror. + +I thought no longer of resistance, but of flight. I rushed through the +gates of the castle, and fled in delirious terror away through the +well-known walks of the park. + +I was soon in the free, open country; but I had intuitively chosen the +road towards the village where Victorin's chasseur had been stationed. +Yet I thought not of this. It was instinct only, or chance, that had +guided me thither. + +I heard behind me the trampling of horses, and summoned up my whole +strength to avoid the pursuit which, of course, awaited me. My speed, +however, would have availed little; for, though the moon was up, yet +dark shadows crossed over my path. At last I fell against the root of a +tree, almost fainting and insensible, to the ground. + +Soon after, the horses that I had heard came up to me, and halted. +Fortunately, my pursuer retained his senses, though I had lost mine. It +was Victorin's chasseur. + +"For God's sake, my lord," said he, "what has happened in the castle! +There is a cry of murder. Already the whole village is in an uproar." + +To this I made him no answer; indeed I was unable to speak. + +"Well, whatever the truth may be," continued he, "some good genius has +put it into my head to pack up, and to ride hither from the village. +Everything is in the small portmanteau on your horse, my lord; for, of +course, we shall have to separate for some time. Something dangerous +must have happened. Is it not so?" + +I raised myself up without a word, and not without great difficulty +mounting my horse, I directed the chasseur to return to the village, and +there to await my farther commands. As soon as he had disappeared amid +the darkness, finding that to ride was disagreeable, I dismounted, and +carefully led my horse through the thickets of the pine-tree forest, +which now wildly spread itself out before me. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +When the first gleams of the morning sun broke through the dense wood, I +found myself on the borders of a clear rivulet, rapidly flowing over a +bright bed of pebbles. The horse, which I had laboriously led through +the thicket, stood quietly beside me; and I had nothing better to do, +than to search into the contents of the portmanteau, with which he was +loaded. Accordingly, having found the keys in the portefeuille, I +unlocked the small military equipage, and discovered suits of clothes, +linen, etc., and, what was of most importance, a purse well filled with +ducats and _Frederichs d'or_. + +I resolved immediately to change my dress, and disguise as much as +possible my appearance. With the help of scissars and a comb, which I +found in a dressing-case, I cut off my beard, and brought my head of +hair, as well as I could, into order. I then threw off my monk's habit, +in which I still found the fatal stiletto, Victorin's letters, and the +basket-bottle, with the remainder of the Devil's Elixir. + +In a short time I stood there in a lay dress, which fitted well enough, +and with a travelling-cap upon my head; so that when I saw my reflection +in the rivulet, I could scarcely recognize myself. Soon afterwards, +having packed up the portmanteau, and resumed my journey, I came to the +outskirts of the wood, and a smoke, which I saw rising before me, +accompanied by the clear sound of a bell, gave me to understand that +there was a town or hamlet at no great distance. Scarcely had I reached +the summit of a rising ground opposite, when a pleasant well-cultivated +valley expanded itself before me, in which there was a large flourishing +village. + +I struck, forthwith, into the broad carriage-road which wound thither, +and as soon as the declivity became less steep, mounted my horse, that I +might accustom myself as much as possible to riding, in which I had +hitherto had no practice whatever. + +My character seemed to have changed with my dress. As for my capuchin +robes, I had thrown them into the hollow of a decayed tree, and with +them had dismissed and banished from my thoughts all the hideous +adventures in the castle. I found myself once more spirited and +courageous. It now seemed to me that the horrid phantom of Victorin had +been only a vision of my own fevered brain, but that my last address to +the inhabitants of the castle had indeed been an effect of divine +inspiration. It seemed as if I had thus unconsciously wound up and +completed the purposes of that mysterious destiny which led me to the +Baron's house, and that, like the agent of Omnipotent Providence, I had +stepped in, inflicting just vengeance on the guilty. + +Only the delightful image of Aurelia lived, as before, unchanged in my +remembrance; and I could not think on my thus inevitable separation from +her, without extreme pain and affliction. Yet oftentimes it appeared to +me, as if, perhaps in some far distant land, I should yet behold her +again,--nay, as if borne away by irresistible impulse, she must, at one +period or another, become mine. + + * * * * * + +I observed that the people whom I met on the road, invariably stood +still to look and gaze after me, so that there must have been something +quite unusual and unaccountable in my appearance. I was not interrupted, +however, but arrived in due time at the village. It was of considerable +extent, badly paved, and composed of poor ill-furnished houses, many of +which were more like animated monsters, like gigantic visages mounted on +claw feet, after the distorted imagination of Teniers, than dwellings to +reside in. The soil on which they stood was damp, therefore most of them +were raised on wooden posts, as if on legs, from the ground. The roofs, +moreover, had sky-lights like protruding eyes, while the door, with its +staircase, might be compared to mouth and chin, and the windows would, +in a drawing, have served for cheek-bones. It was a grotesque town; a +spot such as can only be found in the retired inland parts of Germany, +where trade exists not, husbandry is but indifferent, and where the +post-roads are not much frequented. + +It was not difficult, therefore, in such a place, to find out the best +inn, (where there was but one.) When I pulled up the reins at the door, +the landlord, a heavy fat man, with a green glazed night-cap on his +head, was so completely confounded by my looks, that he was evidently +struck speechless. He said nothing, but stared as if half petrified by +his own apprehensions, or occasionally twisted his mouth into an +ironical grin. + +Without attending to these symptoms, I desired that my horse should be +put carefully into the stable, and ordered breakfast for myself. I was +shewn into the public room, where there were several tables, and while I +was engaged over a warm ragout, and a bottle of wine, there were +gradually a large company of _bauers_ collecting around me, that looked +occasionally as if half afraid, casting significant glances, and +whispering with each other. + +The party became always more and more numerous. Evidently not being +restrained by the laws of good breeding, they at last formed a regular +circle, and stared at me in stupid astonishment. All the while, I +endeavoured to preserve the most perfect composure; and when I had +finished the ragout and bottle of _vin ordinaire_, I called in a loud +tone for the landlord, desiring him to "saddle my horse, and replace my +portmanteau." + +He came accordingly, and retired with a significant grin upon his +visage. Soon afterwards he returned, in company with a tall +formal-looking man, who, with a stern official air, and a truly +ridiculous gravity, stepped up to me. He looked me directly in the face. +I boldly answered his looks, rose up also, and placed myself right +before him. This seemed in a considerable degree to disturb his +composure, and he looked round rather confusedly on the numerous +assemblage. + +"Well, sir," said I, "what's the matter?--You seem to have something +particular to say to me, and I shall be obliged by your getting through +with it as quickly as possible." + +After divers hums and ha's, he then began to speak, endeavouring to give +to every word and tone prodigious importance. + +"Sir," said he, "you cannot go from this place without rendering an +account to us, the Judge, circumstantially, who you are, according to +all particulars, as to birth, rank, and dignity; _item_, whence you +came; _item_, whither you intend to go, with all particulars; _item_, +the situation of place, the name of province and town, and whatever is +farther requisite to be known and observed. And besides all this, you +must exhibit to us, the Judge, a pass, written and subscribed, and +sealed, according to all particulars, as is legal and customary." + +I had indeed never once recollected that it would be necessary for me to +assume some name or another; and still less had I reflected that the +peculiarities of my appearance, so unsuitable to my remains of monastic +mien and gesture, and even my extraordinary beard and tonsure, would +bring me every moment under the embarrassment of questions and +misunderstandings. + +The demands of the village Judge, therefore, came upon me so +unexpectedly, that I considered for some moments in vain, how I should +give him a satisfactory answer. + +I resolved, in the first place, to try what decisive boldness would do, +and pronounced in a firm voice,--"Who I am, I have reason to conceal; +and therefore you will ask in vain for my pass. Besides, I recommend it +to you to beware how, with your contemptible circumlocutions, you +detain, even for a moment, a person of rank and consequence." + +"Ho, ho!" cried the village Judge, taking out a great snuff-box, into +which, as he helped himself, the hands of no less than five bailiffs +behind him were thrust at once, delving out enormous pinches--"Ho, ho! +not so rough, if you please, most worshipful sir. Your excellency must +be pleased to submit to the examination of us, the Judge; for, in a +word, there have been some very suspicious figures seen here for some +time, wandering among the mountains, that look out and vanish again as +if the very devil were among us. But we know that these are neither more +nor less than cursed vagabonds and thieves, who lie in wait for +travellers, committing all sorts of enormities by fire and sword. Now, +your appearance, sir, with reverence be it spoken, is exactly that of a +portrait which has been sent to us by government, of a most notorious +robber and bandit, according to all particulars. So, without any more +circumlocutions, or needless discourse, your pass, or you go directly to +the tower." + +I saw that nothing was to be gained over the man in this way, and +prepared myself therefore for a new attempt. + +"Mr Judge," said I, "if you would grant me the favour of speaking to you +alone, I should easily clear up all your doubts; and in full reliance on +your prudence, would reveal to you the cause of my present strange +appearance, which seems to you so formidable. There is indeed a +mystery--" + +"Ha! ha!" replied the Judge, "mysteries to be revealed! I see already +how this business is to conclude. Only get away with you there, good +people. Watch the doors and windows, and see that nobody gets in or +out." + +Accordingly we were left alone. + +"Mr Judge," said I, "you behold in me an unhappy fugitive, who has +succeeded in escaping from a shameful imprisonment, and from the danger +of being immured for ever within the walls of a convent. Excuse me for +not entering more into particulars of my history, which would only be +unravelling a web of the private quarrels and animosities of a +revengeful family. A love affair with a girl of low rank was the cause +of my misfortune. During my long confinement my beard had grown, and +they had also forced me, as you may perceive, to take the tonsure; +besides all which, I was, of course, obliged to assume the habit of a +monk. It was for the first time here, in the neighbouring forest, that I +ventured to stop and change my dress, as I should otherwise have been +overtaken in my flight. + +"You now perceive whence proceeds that peculiarity in my looks and +dress, which appeared so suspicious. You may be convinced, also, that I +cannot shew you any pass; but of the truth of my assertions I have here +certain illustrations, which I hope will be satisfactory." + +With these words I drew out my purse, and laid three glittering ducats +on the table; whereupon the assumed gravity of the Judge was +involuntarily twisted into smirks and smiles. + +"Your proofs, sir," said he, "are sufficiently clear and striking; but +don't take it amiss, your excellency, if I remark, that there is yet +wanting a certain equality and consistency, according to all +particulars. If you wish that I should take the unright for the right, +the irregular for the regular, your proofs, at least, must be equally +proportioned." + +I perfectly understood the rascal, and directly laid another ducat on +the table. "Now," said the Judge, "I perceive, indeed, that I had done +you injustice by my suspicions. Travel on, sir, in God's name; but +observe (as you are probably well accustomed) to avoid, as much as +possible, the high roads, till you get rid of your present peculiarity +of appearance." + +He then opened the door as wide as he could, and called aloud to the +people, "The gentleman here is a man of rank and quality, according to +all particulars. He has satisfied us the Judge, in a private audience, +that he travels _incognito_, that is to say, unknown; and that you, good +people, have with this nothing to do.--Now, sir, _bon voyage_!" + +Accordingly, my horse was brought from the stable, and as I essayed to +mount, the _bauers_, in respectful silence, took off their caps. I +wished to get away from them, and to ride as quickly as possible through +the gate; but to my extreme confusion, my horse was restive, and began +to snort and rear, while my utter ignorance and want of practice in +riding rendered it quite impossible for me to bring him forward. Indeed, +I soon lost all self-possession; for he wheeled round in circles, till +at last, amid the loud laughter of the peasants, I was thrown off into +the arms of the innkeeper and the Judge. + +"That is a devil of a horse, sir," said the Judge, with a suppressed +grin. + +"A devil of a horse, indeed!" answered I, beating the dust from my +clothes, for I had slipped through their arms to the ground. + +They now joined in assisting me once more to mount; but, for the second +time, the horse behaved just as before, snorting and foaming; in short, +would by no means be brought through the gate. + +At last an old man among the crowd cried out, "See, there! see, there! +the old witch _Elise_ is sitting at the gate, and won't let the +gentleman pass, because he has not given her _groschen_." + +For the first time now I perceived an old beggar sitting, coiled up like +a ball, in a corner by the gate, and with the grin of idiotcy on her +features. + +"Will the d--d witch not get out of the way?" cried the Judge. + +Hereupon the old woman croaked out, "The bloody brother--the bloody +brother has given me no groschen!--Do you not see the dead man there +lying before him?--The murderer cannot get over him, for the dead man +raises himself up; but I will crush him down, if the bloody brother will +give me a groschen!" + +The Judge had taken the horse by the rein, and, not minding the old +woman, would have led it through the gate. In vain, however, were all +his endeavours; and the witch continued to cry without ceasing, "Bloody +brother, bloody brother--give me groschen!" + +At last I forced my hand into my pocket, and threw her money. Shouting +and rejoicing, she then started up--"See the groschen!" cried she, "see +the groschen that the murderer has given me--see the beautiful +groschen!" + +Meanwhile my horse neighed aloud; and on the Judge's letting him go, +went curvetting and caprioling through the gate. "Now, sir," said he, +"the riding goes on fine and admirably, according to all particulars!" + +The _bauers_, who had followed me through the gate, laughed again out of +all measure, when they beheld me dancing up and down to the powerful +movements of my too lively horse, and cried aloud, "See only, see +only--he rides like a Capuchin!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +This whole adventure in the village, especially the disgusting and +strange words of the mad-woman, had not a little discomposed me. The +best rule which I could now adopt, was of course to get rid as soon as +possible of every remarkable trait in my outward appearance, and to +assume some name or other, under which I might appear unobserved and +unsuspected in the world. + +Life now lay before me, as if beneath the dark clouds of impenetrable +mystery. What was it possible for me to do, but to give myself up to the +current of that stream which bore me irresistibly onward? All bonds by +which I was formerly connected with certain duties or situations in the +world were now broken and dissevered,--so that I could find no hold or +stay by which to pilot my course. + + * * * * * + +The high road became always more lively and populous. I met carriages +and horsemen, as well as foot passengers. The country was more +cultivated, and the hedge-rows were planted with orchard-trees, some of +which were yet loaded with the later fruits of autumn. In short, +everything already announced, from a distance, the existence of the rich +and flourishing commercial town to which I was now drawing near. + +In due time it lay visibly before me. Without being questioned, nay, +without even being rudely stared at, I rode at once into the suburbs. + +A large house, with bright plate-glass windows, over the door of which +there was a golden lion, immediately struck my attention. Crowds of +people were here streaming in and out at the gate--carriages arrived and +departed, while from the rooms on the ground-floor I heard the jovial +sounds of laughter and the ringing of glasses. + +Scarcely had I pulled up the reins, being yet undecided, when the +_hausknecht_ officiously sprung out, took my horse by the bridle, and on +my dismounting, led him, without asking any questions, to the stable. + +The head waiter, smartly dressed, came bustling and rattling, with his +bunch of keys at his girdle, and walked before me up stairs. When we +came into the second story, he looked at me with a flitting glance of +inquiry, and then led me up an _etage_ higher, where he shewed me a +chamber of moderate dimensions; then politely asked "if I had any +commands;" said that "dinner would be ready at two o'clock, in the great +hall, No. 10." etc. etc. + +"Bring me a bottle of wine," said I. These were indeed the first words +which the officious assiduity of these people had left me an opportunity +to interpose. + +Scarcely had the waiter left me alone, when there was a knocking at the +door, and a face looked in, which at once reminded me of the +representations that are seen in allegorical pictures, of a comic mask. +A pointed red nose--a pair of small glistening eyes--lips drawn upwards +into an exquisite grin--a long chin--and, above all this, a high +powdered toupee, which, as I afterwards perceived, declined backwards +most unexpectedly into a _Titus_;--for his dress, a large ostentatious +frill, a fiery-red waistcoat, under which protruded two massy +watch-chains--pantaloons--a frock-coat, which in some places was too +narrow, in others too wide; of course did not fit anywhere!--Such was +the figure that now stepped into the room, retaining all the way the +same angle of obeisance which he had assumed at his first entrance, and +talking all the time. "I am the _frizeur_ of this house," said he; "and +beg leave, with the greatest respect, and in the most immeasurable +degree, to offer my services!" + +There was about this little shrivelled wretch an air and character so +irresistibly comical, that I could hardly suppress laughter. His visit, +however, was now very _apropos_; and accordingly I told him that my hair +had been both neglected, in the course of a long journey, and spoiled by +bad cutting. I therefore desired to know, whether he could bring my head +into proper order. + +He looked at me accordingly with the significant eyes of an artist and +_connoisseur_, laid his right hand with an elegant and _gracioso_ bend +on his breast, and said-- + +"Bring into order, forsooth! Oh, heavens! Pietro Belcampo, thou whom +malignant enviers and traducers have chosen to call Peter Fairfield, +even as that divine military fifer and hornist, Giacomo Punto, was +called Jack Stitch,--thou, like him, art in truth calumniated and +misunderstood. But, indeed, hast thou not thyself placed thy light +under a bushel, instead of letting it shine before the world? And yet, +should not even the formation of this hand and fingers, the brightness +of genius which beams from these eyes, and colours the nose in passing +with a beautiful morning red; in short, should not thy _tout ensemble_ +betray to the first glance of the connoisseur, that there dwells within +thee that spirit which strives after the _ideal_? 'Bring into +order!'--These are indeed cold words, sir!" + +I begged the strange little man not to put himself into such a flutter, +as I had the fullest reliance on his skill and cleverness. + +"Cleverness!" resumed he with great fervour; "what is cleverness? Who +was clever? He who took the measure at five eye-lengths, and then +jumping thirty yards, tumbled into the ditch? He who could throw the +grain of linseed at thirty steps distance through the eye of a needle? +He who hung five hundred weight on the point of his sword, and then +balanced it on his nose for six hours, six minutes, six seconds, and a +half?--Ha! what is cleverness? Be it what it may, it is foreign to +Belcampo, whose whole soul is imbued by art, sacred art. + +"_Art_, sir, _art_! My fancy revels in the wonderful formation, the +_creation_ of locks--in that moulding of character, which indeed the +breath of a zephyr in wiry curls builds and annihilates. There, art (or +science, as it may, for variety's sake, be called) conceives, developes, +labours, and originates! In this, sir, there is indeed something truly +divine; for art is not properly that of which men, under this name, +speak so much, but rather springs out of all to which this name has been +given. + +"You understand me, sir; for I perceive that you have a meditative head, +as I conclude from that lock which hangs over your excellency's right +temple." + +I assured him (however falsely) that I completely understood him; and +being diverted with the man's originality of humour, I resolved that, +holding his boasted science in due respect, I would by no means +interrupt his eloquence, however diffuse. + +"What then," said I, "do you intend to make of this confused head of +mine?" + +"All, everything that you please or wish," said the man. "If, however, +it may be allowed to Pietro Belcampo to give counsel, then let me first +contemplate your excellency's head, in its proper length, breadth, and +circumference--your whole figure, too, your mien, your gait, your play +of gesture; then I shall be able finally to say whether you belong +properly to the antique or romantic, the heroic or pastoral, the +_grandios_ or _ordinaire_, the _naive_ or _satyric_, the humorous or +severe; then, accordingly, I shall call up the spirits of Caracalla, of +Titus, of Charlemagne, of _Henri Quatre_, of Gustave Adolph, of Virgil, +of Tasso, or Boccaccio! + +"Inspired by them, the muscles of my fingers will vibrate and quiver, +and under the sonorous twittering of the scissars, will proceed the +masterpiece of art! I shall be the man, sir, who will perfect your +leading characteristic, as it should exhibit itself in real life. But +now, let me beg of you, sir, to step up and down through the room. I +shall meanwhile contemplate, remark, and record. Let me beg of you, +sir!" + +I must, of course, accommodate myself to the strange man, therefore did +as I was desired, walking up and down the room, endeavouring at the same +time to conceal, as much as I could, my inclination to the monastic +gait, which, however, it is almost impossible for one by whom it has +been thoroughly learned, even after many years, wholly to conquer. + +The little man contemplated me with great attention, then began to trip +about the room. He sighed and shrugged, even panted and sobbed, then +drew out his handkerchief, and wiped the drops from his forehead; at +last he stood still, and I inquired "if he was yet resolved how he +should operate?" Then, with a deep sigh, he broke out--"Alas, sir! what +is the meaning of all this? You have not resigned yourself to your +natural character. There was constraint in every movement--a conflict of +contending principles. Yet, a few more steps, sir." + +Hereupon I absolutely refused to set myself up for show any longer in +that manner, and told him plainly, that if he could not _now_ resolve +what to make of my hair, I must refuse altogether to have anything to do +with him or his art. + +"Bury thyself, Pietro!" cried the little man, with great fervour; "go to +the grave, for in this world thou art wholly and utterly misunderstood. +Here is no confidence, no truth any more to be found! + +"Yet, sir, you shall be compelled to acknowledge the depth of my +perceptions, and do honour to my genius. In vain did I labour to +amalgamate together all the contradictions and conflicts in your +character and gestures. In the latter there is something that directly +points at monachism. '_Ex profundis clamavi ad te, Domine. Oremus. Et in +omnia secula seculorum!_'" + +With bitter scorn and mockery the man pronounced these words from the +Ritual, in a hoarse croaking voice, imitating, at the same time, to the +very life, the postures and gesture of a monk. He turned himself as if +before the altar, he kneeled, and rose again. At last he stopped, drew +himself up, and assumed a proud look of defiance, stared widely, and +cried, "MINE is the world! I am more wealthy, more wise, prudent, and +intelligent, than all of ye, ye blind moles! Bend, then, and kneel down +before me, in humble submission! + +"Look you, sir, that which I have mentioned forms the chief attribute +and ingredient in your appearance; and, with your permission, I shall, +contemplating your features, your figure, and moods of mind, blend +together something of Caracalla, Abelard, and Boccaccio; and proceeding +on the idea thus gained, shall, like an inspired sculptor, begin the +glorious creation of antique, ethereal, classic locks and curls!" + +Imperfect and ridiculous as the man's _expressions_ were, yet there was +so much home _truth_ in his remarks, that I judged it best to conceal +nothing from him; I therefore confessed that I had indeed been a monk, +and had received the _tonsure_, which, for certain reasons, I now wished +as much as possible to keep unobserved. + +With the most absurd writhing, twisting, grimaces, and extravagant +discourse, the man at last proceeded with his operations on my hair. Now +he looked cross and gloomy--now smiled--anon stamped and clenched his +fist--then smiled again and stood on tiptoe; in short, it became +impossible for me to refrain from laughing, in which I at last indulged +very heartily. + +After about an hour's work, he had finished, and before he could break +afresh into words, which were already on the tip of his tongue, I begged +him immediately to go and send up some one who, as a barber, might +exhibit the same skill that he had done as a _frizeur_. + +With a significant grin, he stepped to the door on tiptoe, shut and +bolted it, then tripped back into the middle of the room, and +began--"Oh, golden age! where still the hair of the head and of the +beard, in one plenitude of waving locks, poured itself out for the +adornment of man and the delightful care of the artist! But those days +are for ever gone! Man has insanely cast away his noblest ornament, and +a shameful race have set themselves to work, with their horrible +instruments, to raze and extirpate the beard even to the skin! O ye +despicable band of beard-scrapers! whetting your abominable knives upon +black strops stinking with oil, and, in scornful defiance of art, +swinging about your tasselled bags, clattering with your pewter basons, +splashing about your scalding-hot froth, and asking your unhappy +patients whether they will be shaved over the thumb or the spoon! +Luckily there are men still--there is at least one Pietro, who labours +against your infamous trade, and who, though lowering himself to your +wretched office of rooting out the beard, still endeavours to preserve +and cherish that little which is allowed to lift itself from the +desolate wrecks of Time! + +"What are the numberless varieties of whiskers in their elegant +windings and curvatures, now softly bending around the cheek, in the +fashion of the delicate oval--now melancholily sinking straight down +into the depth of the neck--now boldly mounting up even to the corner of +the mouth--anon narrowing modestly into small delicate lines, anon +spreading out in full unchastised luxuriance,--what, I say, are all +these but the invention of our science, in which the high striving after +the sublime, the beautiful, and the _ideal_, is unfolded? Ha, then, +Pietro, shew what a spirit dwells within thee! Shew what thou art in +reality prepared to undertake for the sacred cause of art, while, to the +eyes of the ignorant, you appear to be lowering yourself to a mere +beard-scraper!" + +With these words, the little man had drawn out a complete barber's +apparatus, and begun, with, light and skilful touches, to free me from +that remaining incumbrance, which had so much offended the eyes of my +old friend the Judge. In truth, I came out of his hands completely +metamorphosed; and nothing more was necessary but a proper change of +dress, in order to escape all danger of provoking, by my appearance, +questions or impertinent curiosity. + +Belcampo, having packed up his implements, stood smiling on me with +great satisfaction. I then said to him, that I was quite unacquainted +with the town; and that it would be very satisfactory if he could inform +me, how to procure immediately a suit of clothes, according to the +newest fashion of the time and place. To reward his trouble, and +encourage him in my service, I slipped a ducat into his hand. + +Hereupon he seemed absolutely inspired--cast his eyes to the ceiling, +and then ogled the ducat in the palm of his hand. "Worthiest of patrons +and masters," said he, "in you I have not been deceived. A guardian +spirit, indeed, guided my hand, and in the proud waving of these +curls--in the eagle flight of these whiskers--your high sentiments are +clearly expressed! + +"I have, indeed, a friend, a Damon, an Orestes, who will fulfil upon the +rest of the body, that which I have commenced upon the head, with the +same depth of reflection, and the same light of genius. You perceive, +sir, that the individual whom I mean is an artist of costume; which +expression I prefer to the trivial one of tailor. + +"He, too, willingly luxuriates and loses himself in the _ideal_; and +thus forming in his own mind shapes, characters, and physiognomies, he +has planned a magazine, a _depot_ of the most exquisite dresses. You +behold there the modern _elegant_, in all possible shadowings of +character, now boldly and energetically out-shining all competitors--now +reserved within himself, and lost to all that is external--now witty and +ironical--now melancholy and out of humour--anon bizarre and +extravagant, anon plain and citizen-like, according as he wishes to +appear, _so_ or _so_! + +"The youth who, for the first time, ventures to order a coat for +himself, without the assistance of mamma, or his tutor,--the man of +forty, who must wear powder to conceal grey hairs,--the old man, still +vigorous in his enjoyment of life,--the profound student,--the bustling +merchant,--the opulent, retired citizen,--all these varieties of +character rise up before your eyes, as on a theatre, when you enter the +shop of my Damon. But, in a few moments, the masterpieces of my friend's +art shall be presented in this very room, for your inspection." + +Accordingly, he hopped away in great haste, and soon after re-appeared +with a tall, stout, genteelly dressed man, who, as well in his whole +behaviour as in his exterior, made the most perfect contrast possible, +with the little _frizeur_; and yet, nevertheless, he introduced him to +me as his Damon! + +Damon sedately measured me with his eyes, and then searched out of a +large bale that a boy had carried, several suits of clothes, which +exactly corresponded with the wishes that I had expressed. Indeed I +then, for the first time, acknowledged the fine _tact_ of the +_costume-artist_, as the little man had styled him; for he had chosen +for me precisely that style of dress, in which, without any hints of +reference to rank, profession, birth-place, and so forth, one might +glide unobserved through the world. It is, in truth, no easy matter to +dress one's self in such manner, that all suspicions of a particular +character or pursuit may be avoided. The costume of a citizen of the +world should be regulated by the _negative_ principle, as, in polite +behaviour, more depends on judicious unobtrusive _leaving out_, than on +actual performance. + +The little man all the while indulged himself in his own absurd and +wandering discourse; and as he probably did not meet every day with a +listener so willing as I had been, he was, no doubt, unusually +brilliant. Damon, however, a grave, and, as it seemed to me, intelligent +man, at last cut him short, without mercy; and shaking him by the +shoulder, "Fairfield," said he, "you are got again to-day into the old +vein--upon the right '_jawing tack_,' as the Dutch mariners say. I would +bet any sum, that the gentleman's ears must have ached already with the +nonsense which you are pouring out!" + +With an air of the deepest melancholy, Belcampo now hung down his head. +He then suddenly seized his old weather-beaten hat; and, running quickly +to the door, "Such," cried he, "is the lamentable fate--such are the +misfortunes of genius! Thus is the character of Belcampo prostituted and +defamed, even by his best friends!" + +Damon also then took his leave, and, in retiring, said, "He is a coxcomb +quite of his own kind, this Fairfield! Much reading has turned his +brain; otherwise he is a good-natured fellow, and clever in his own +business, on which account I can bear him well enough, since, if a man +has good success in any _one_ trade, he may be excused a little +extravagance on other occasions." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +As soon as I was left alone, I began to look in a large mirror, which +hung in the room, and to give myself formal lessons in gait and +demeanour. For this purpose, the discovery made by the _frizeur_ had +given me very necessary hints. Monks acquire a peculiar awkwardness of +walk from their long dresses, which confine the limbs, and from their +attempt at the same time to move quickly, which the rules of our order +enjoin. There is also something farther characteristic in a submissive +bending forward of the body, and in the carriage of the arms, which must +never hang downwards. All this I endeavoured to unlearn as effectually +as possible. + +Now, however, I derived most encouragement from the idea, that I was +completely transformed in mind, as well as in appearance; that the +thread of my former life was wholly broken, so that I could look on its +adventures as on transactions foreign to myself, which I had now done +with for ever. I had entered on a new state of existence, wherein, if +recollections still haunted me, these would every day become fainter and +fainter, until at last they wore out, and perished altogether. + +When I looked out from the window, the tumult of people, the +uninterrupted noise of business which was kept up upon the streets--all +was new to me, and was exactly calculated to prolong that levity of +mind, which the loquacity of the little man, and my being forced to +laugh at him, had excited. + +In my new dress I ventured down to the crowded _table d'hote_, and all +apprehension vanished, when I found that no one observed me, nay, that +even my nearest neighbour did not give himself the trouble of looking at +me when I set myself beside him. + +In the list of strangers, I had entered my name simply as Mr Leonard, +and given myself out for a _particulier_, who travelled for his own +pleasure. Of such travellers there might be many in the town, and of +course I would escape farther questioning. + +After dinner, it afforded me a new and incalculable pleasure to wander +through the town, where I found streets much broader and better paved, +with far finer houses, than any to which I had yet been accustomed. +Luckily there were now preparations set on foot for the approaching +great yearly fair, which caused an unusual bustle in every quarter; and +I had been told at my hotel that a few days later it would have been +impossible for me to obtain lodgings. The richness of the booths, which +already began to open, exceeded all that my imagination had ever +conceived. _There_ were the _choicest_ goods from all quarters of the +globe; from France, Italy, England, the East and West Indies; from +Persia, Turkey, Russia, down to the nearer kingdoms of Hungary and +Poland; and I became confirmed in my conviction that here no one would +observe my dress or appearance, since there were natives of all +countries, in their proper costumes, parading the streets, or arranging +their merchandize. The air was perfumed by the fragrance of Turkish +tobacco, as the natives of Constantinople stalked silently about with +their long pipes, in dresses which I had till then only seen in books; +and there were Persians, who, from their splendour of attire, might +have passed for sultans, had not their present occupations proved the +contrary. + +But as I found my way at last to the streets more particularly allotted +to the dealers in all sorts of _bijouterie_, toys, paintings, +engravings, and other works of art, my wonder and delight were increased +at every step. Amid the infinite variety of objects conducive to luxury +and amusement here exhibited, time passed on like a dream. I did not +fail to indulge myself in the purchase of several articles of ornament +and convenience. A watch and chain, two seal rings, a large _meerschaum_ +pipe, (which the vender rightly declared to be a _chef d'oeuvre_,) a +few books and prints, etc.; all which I ordered to be sent home to my +hotel. + +On arriving afterwards at the Great Square, in the centre of the town, I +was confounded by finding it already occupied by caravans and temporary +theatres, filled with wild beasts, travelling players, puppet-shows, +giants, dwarfs, panoramas, jugglers, etc. etc. etc. + +These sights, however, I did not venture for the present to examine more +narrowly, but made my way into the public walks and gardens by which +the town is surrounded, and which were now gay with genteel parties, +enjoying the afternoon's promenade, enlivened, moreover, with excellent +music from harp-players, singers, organists, etc., many of whom, +especially of the singers, reminded me of the best music that I had +heard in early days, in the house of the choir-master at Koenigswald. + +For a moment, too, I was reminded of his sister, by the countenance, and +yet more by the figure, of a girl that passed me, in the midst of a +thicket of very dark massive pines, near the Bockenheimer gate; but the +recollection was transient; for now, though surrounded by gaiety and +music, by sparkling groups and beautiful countenances, (for at +Frankenburg, as at Saxe Gotha, almost every female, not in the extreme +of old age, is beautiful,) yet by rapid degrees the cheerfulness which I +had felt at the commencement of my walk vanished quite away. + +All at once I felt within me the solution of the riddle, the explanation +of the cause why I was thus changed. I was _alone_ in the midst of these +happy groups. The trees, the flowers, (withered and yellowed already by +the blasts of autumn,) the ruddy gleams of the western sky, and the +varieties of the landscape--these, indeed, were like society--these I +partook in common with the parties around me--but of all the shapes and +forms of men and women, smiling or grave, meditative or gay, that moved +about me, I knew _not one_. There was not a single individual in whose +breast I could imagine a shadow of apprehension who I really was--what +strange chance had brought me hither, or even the least atom of that +overpowering load of mystery by which I was weighed down, and which was +wholly locked up within my own bosom. + +All this, however convenient at the present moment, made on me an +impression hostile, destructive, and almost insupportable. As long as I +had the gay booths, the paintings, toys, jewels, sparkling dresses, +liqueurs, and confections, tobacco-pipes, books, and engravings around +me,--such things, however contemptible in the eyes of one accustomed to +the world, had, from their novelty, power enough to rivet my attention, +and alienate it from _selfish_ fears and despondency. But now, amid +these rural walks, surrounded only by happy groups, of whom each +individual enjoyed mutual confidence with his neighbour--by husbands +and wives, lovers and mistresses, parents and children; amid scenes that +reminded me of my early days of innocence, methought I was like a +condemned spirit--like a _revenant_, doomed involuntarily to wander on +the earth, from whence all, and every one to whom he had been attached, +had long since died away! + +If I called to mind how, formerly, every visitant at the Capuchin +Convent so kindly and respectfully greeted the pulpit orator, and how +the whole neighbourhood, and even strangers from remote countries, +thirsted after his conversation, rejoicing even in the opportunity of a +few words, then my heart was wrung with the bitterest anguish. + +I strove against this, however, as much as possible. "That pulpit +orator," said I to myself, "was the Monk Medardus, he who is now dead, +buried, and (ought to be) forgotten, in the abysses of the mountains--in +the darkness of the far-distant pine-tree forest. With him I have +nothing to do, for I am alive and active, nay, life itself has for the +first time dawned upon me, and begun to offer its varied and substantial +enjoyments." + +Thus, when in my involuntary waking dreams I recalled the strange and +frightful adventures at the castle, I said to myself, "These things are +indeed known to me, yet it is to some one else that they refer; over me +they can have no influence." This _other_ was again the Capuchin; but I +was no longer a monk. It was only the never-dying thoughts of Aurelia +that united still, by indissoluble ties, my former with my present +existence; but when this feeling was truly awoke, like the torment of an +incurable malady, it killed and annihilated that spirit of pleasure +which had risen up within me. I was then suddenly torn out of those +brilliant circles of glittering forms and fantastic imagery, by which +life had begun to surround me. The delusions fled. I despised myself for +having been pleased for a moment, like a child, with toys and rattles, +and once more sunk down, a prey to the darkest and most rayless +despondency. + +This evening, on my return from the public walks, I visited, for the +first time in my life, a theatre. This was to me another new enjoyment; +but before reaching thither, my despondency had gained its full +influence. The piece performed happened to be a tragedy, and I thought, +during the whole performance, only of Aurelia. + + * * * * * + +During my residence at Frankenburg, I did not omit to visit some of the +many houses of public resort, in which people met to breakfast, _a la +fourchette_; to dine, to sup, and enjoy the pleasures of wine, gaming, +and conversation. Accordingly, I soon felt a particular preference for a +certain hotel in the middle of the town, where, on account of the +superior quality of the wines, a numerous society were to be found every +night. + +At a table, in a room adjoining to the great _salle_, I found regularly, +at a fixed hour in the evening, the same persons assembled. Their +conversation was always lively and ingenious. Accident at last brought +me acquainted with these people, who had thus formed an especial circle +for themselves, and who for some time shewed no disposition to bestow on +me any share of their attention. + +At first, I used to sit quietly in a corner of the room, and drink my +wine alone; but on one occasion it so happened that I was able to afford +them information on a literary topic which they were discussing, and +was in consequence invited to a place at their table, which afterwards +was the more willingly kept open for me, as my good address and the +extent of my reading and acquirements exactly suited their dispositions. + +Thus I obtained, without trouble, some very agreeable acquaintances; and +accustoming myself more and more to the world, I became every day more +unconcerned, and was able, in great measure, to rub off the rust of my +former habits. + +For several evenings there had been much talk in this society of a +certain painter, (an entire stranger in the town,) who had lately +arrived, and during the fair was to hold an exhibition of his works. +Every member of the society but myself had seen his pictures, and +praised them so highly, that I of course felt anxious for an opportunity +of judging for myself, and went accordingly. + +The painter was absent when I entered his exhibition-room, but an old +man acted as _cicerone_, and named the masters of various old pictures +which the artist exhibited along with his own. Among them were many +admirable pieces, most of them originals, of celebrated Italian masters, +with which I was highly delighted. + +At last, I came to a series of pictures which the man said were copies +from certain large _frescoes_, designed many years ago. What was now my +astonishment, when involuntarily the recollections of my youth here +began to dawn upon me, every moment acquiring more distinct forms and +livelier colours! These were obviously copies from the Convent of the +Lime-Tree. Above all, I recognized most unequivocally, in a holy family, +the features of the old pilgrim who had come to us with the miraculous +boy! At this sight, the levity in which I had for some time indulged, +once more completely declined; and, sunk into the deepest melancholy, I +stood long gazing at the group. But when my sight next fell on a +portrait (large as life, and admirably done) of my adoptive mother, the +Princess, I could not forbear a loud outcry of wonder. This portrait +exhibited a most accurate resemblance, (such as Vandyke never failed to +give to all his pictures,) the costume was the same in which she used to +walk before the nuns in their procession through the church, and the +painter had seized the moment, when, having finished her private +devotions, she was leaving her room in full dress, in order to join in +that solemnity. The perspective behind shewed the interior of the +church, crowded with the expectant congregation. + +In the looks of this admirable woman, was fully developed that +expression of a mind wholly devoted to Heaven, which was so +pre-eminently her own. It now seemed to me as if she implored +forgiveness for that unhappy sinner, whom his own crimes had torn from +her maternal embraces. I felt once more all the bitterness of contrast +between what I now was, and what I _had been_! Feelings long lost and +estranged gained their full influence over my heart, and I was borne +away by an unspeakable longing after the scenes and impressions of my +youth. + +Methought I once more heard the south wind sigh through the dark +yew-hedges and tall beech-trees of the old manor-house, and traced again +the bright wanderings of the Saale, but _not_, as on the occasion of my +last visit there, with coldness and indifference! The delusion for a +moment was perfect, only to be followed by the bitterness of reality and +remorse. Anon, it seemed as if I were again with the good priest of the +Cistertian Convent, a cheerful, free-minded, and courageous boy, +wandering at will through the wild country, losing himself in rocky +recesses of the Thuringian mountains, or shouting and rejoicing because +the grand festival of St Bernard was drawing near! + +That well-known form of her whom I so deeply revered, was again +presented, as if living, before me. Methought, too, I heard her +voice.--"Medardus," said she, "hast thou been good and pious?" The +well-known tones, deepened by anxiety and love, floated like soft music +around me. "Hast thou been good and pious?" Alas! what must now be my +answer? The beautiful picture, traced by the pencil of Innocence and +Hope, is clouded and defaced for ever--the vernal skies are +darkened--the cold tempest winds of grief and remorse desolate the +landscape. I have heaped up crime on crime. On the first breach of my +monastic vows followed murder; and _now_, is not my daily life of +dissipation and deceit, but the certain commencement of crimes yet to +come? + +These thoughts, and many more, that it would require a volume to +delineate, rushed at once upon me, so that, completely overpowered, I +sunk, half-fainting, into a chair, and burst into tears. + +The old man was terrified. "For God's sake, sir," said he, "what's the +matter? what has happened to you?" + +"That picture," said I, in a hollow suppressed voice, "resembles with +such accuracy a near relation whom I lost by a cruel and untimely death, +that it has deeply affected me." With these words I arose, and assumed +as much composure as possible. + +"Come, sir," said this man, "such recollections are far too painful, and +should be avoided. There is yet one portrait here, which my master +considers his best, and which you have not seen. It is painted after the +life, and has only just now been finished. We have hung a curtain before +it, that the sun might not injure the fresh colours." + +The old man placed me carefully in the proper light, and then drew up +the curtain--IT WAS AURELIA! + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +At first, a kind of horror seized upon me; for I knew not if this could +be reality, or the mockery of that relentless Fiend, that would lure me +on to destruction. But, with a violent effort, I summoned up courage; an +entire revolution again took place in my mind; new hopes and feelings +began to break through the gloom and melancholy, which for a space had +gathered around me. + +With eager eyes, I devoured the charms of Aurelia, which from the +enchanted canvass now gleamed out in full splendour before me. Yet, +alas! did not these childlike pious looks seem only to complain against +the murderer of her brother? The mystery of his guilt, however, which +had been deposited in my bosom, gave me confidence; and even a malicious +spirit of scorn and irony rose within me. I only regretted now, that in +that fatal night of Hermogen's death, Aurelia had not become mine. His +appearance had then frustrated my plans; but with death he had expiated +the rashness of his attempts against me.--"Aurelia," said I, "yet +survives; and this alone is sufficient to encourage my hopes of one day +possessing her. From the destiny in which she is involved, it is +impossible for her to escape; for am not I myself the living +impersonization of the fate to which she is subjected?" + +All the sadly-cherished dreams of youth, all feelings of piety which the +Abbess's portrait had inspired, were thus banished; and, still gazing on +Aurelia, I encouraged myself to the commission of deliberate and +premeditated crime. The old man was astonished at my conduct. He drawled +out a long string of words, about drawing, tone, colouring, etc. etc.; but +I heard him not. The thoughts of Aurelia, the hopes that I might yet +fulfil some one of those many plans, which had only been delayed, +absorbed me so completely, that I walked away, as in a dream, from the +exhibition-room, without once asking for the painter--thus losing, +perhaps, the best opportunity of learning what sort of connection there +existed betwixt myself and these pictures, which seemed to comprehend +in that magic circle the chief impressions of my whole life. + +Once more, I was now resolved to venture all things for Aurelia. Nay, it +seemed almost as if the clouds of mystery would soon be broken--as if, +elevated to a station from which I could overlook all the characters and +events connected with my life, I could have from them nothing to fear, +and therefore nothing to risk. I brooded, as formerly, over a thousand +plans and resolutions, in order to arrive nearer to my object. In the +first place, I perceived that I should, no doubt, learn much from the +strange painter, and, by conversation with him, develope many trains of +evidence, of which the possession was to me most important. At last, I +had nearly resolved that I would return, in my present state of complete +disguise and metamorphosis, to the Baron's castle. Nor, to my excited +feelings and disordered imagination, did this appear as an act of +extraordinary hazard and daring. + +In the evening, I went, as usual, to the club-room, where I had trouble +enough to restrain the vehemence of my emotions, and to prevent the +ebullitions of my overheated phantasy from being observed. I heard much +of the strange painter's productions, especially of that wonderful power +of expression which he had displayed in his portraits, above all in that +of Aurelia. I had now the means of joining in this approbation, and, +with a peculiar splendour, and strength of language, (heightened, too, +by a kind of scorn and irony, for I felt my own superiority in speaking +of this picture,) I described the nameless graces, the angelic charms, +which were spread over that saint-like countenance. Hereupon, one of the +party declared his intention of bringing the painter himself to the club +on the following evening, adding, that, though advanced in years, he was +still an interesting and agreeable companion, and that he would be +detained here for some time longer, having been employed professionally +by several rich families in the town. + + * * * * * + +Agitated by a tempest of conflicting feelings and indefinable +apprehensions, I could scarcely summon up resolution for the encounter +which I had so much wished, and, on the following night, went at a later +hour than usual to the club-room. + +On my entrance, I perceived at once which was the stranger, though his +countenance was not turned towards me. A conviction of the truth +immediately flashed on my mind; and, when I went round, and took my +place opposite to him--then, oh Heaven! there glared out upon me the +never-to-be-forgotten features of that horrible Unknown, the same who, +on St Anthony's day, had leaned against the pillar of the church, and +filled me with abhorrence and consternation! + +Now, too, even as then, he looked at me with the same fixed solemnity of +aspect--the same cold spectral self-possession. But the mood of mind +which I had so recently been cherishing, the thoughts of Aurelia, and my +determination to brave all things for her sake, gave me courage and +stability to bear up against his inspection, apparently unmoved. I could +no longer suppose that I but dreamed. The enemy had now visibly started +into life; and I was necessitated to venture the combat. + +I resolved, however, not to begin, but wait for his attack; and, should +he attempt to tear off the mask by which I was now concealed, to beat +him back with weapons, on the strength of which I flattered myself that +I could rely. + +After a short interval, however, the stranger appeared to take no +particular notice of me, but, turning his looks another way, continued +the conversation in which he had been engaged at my entrance. The party +began, at length, to speak of his own works, and bestowed especial +praise on the portrait of Aurelia. Some one among them maintained, that, +although this picture was, even at first sight, evidently a portrait, +yet it might serve for an imaginative study, and be taken for the _beau_ +(or _belle_) _ideal_ of a female saint. As I had, on the preceding +evening, been so eloquent in praise of this work, they now asked my +opinion, and, almost unconsciously, I said that I coincided with the +last speaker, and that I could not imagine to myself the blessed St +Rosalia otherwise than as a counterpart of the female here represented. + +The painter seemed scarcely to notice my words, but again broke +in--"Indeed, that young lady, whom the portrait, whatever may be its +merit as a work of art, very faithfully resembles, is a real and +immaculate saint--who, in the spiritual combat, exalts herself even to +supernatural excellence. I have painted her at the moment when, under +the influence of the most overwhelming griefs, she yet placed her hope +and trust in religious consolation,--in the aid of that Divine +Providence which unceasingly watches over us. + +"The expression of this hope, which, in a perfect degree, can dwell only +in a mind elevated above all that is terrestrial, I have endeavoured to +give to my picture--I cannot flatter myself that I have adequately +succeeded, but the principle, '_in magnis voluisse_,' seems to me to +have rendered it at least one of the most tolerable of my productions." + +The conversation now wandered away to other subjects.--The wine, which +to-day, in honour of the stranger-guest, was of a better sort, and drunk +more freely than usual, soon did its good office in enlivening the +party--Every one of them at last found something diverting to relate, or +some comical song to sing. The painter, meanwhile, seemed only to laugh +inwardly. If any change was produced in his countenance, it was to be +observed in his eyes, which were lighted up occasionally with a certain +mysterious lustre,--yet, by means of a few striking and powerful words +occasionally thrown in, he was able to play his part, and to keep the +whole company in admirable good humour. + +Although, whenever the stranger happened to fix his looks on me, I could +not repress a certain feeling of apprehension, yet I gradually overcame +that still worse mood of mind into which I had been brought, on my first +_reconnoissance_ of his features. I even told stories of the absurd +Belcampo, who was known less or more to all the party, and, to their +great amusement, gave such a lively account of his behaviour on the day +of my arrival, (with imitations of his voice and gesticulations,) that a +good-humoured fat merchant who sat opposite to me, declared, with tears +of laughter in his eyes, "That was the most delightful evening he had +ever spent in his life!" + +When the merriment that I had raised had begun to decline away, the +stranger suddenly inquired--"Gentlemen, has any one among you ever seen +the Devil?" + +This question was received but as the prelude to some new and comical +story. Of course, every one assured him, in turn, "that he had never yet +had that honour." + +"Well," said the stranger, "it so happened, that I was very lately +within a hair-breadth of attaining myself to that honour, and this, +namely, at the Castle of the Baron von R----, among the Thuringian +mountains." + +I now trembled in every limb; but the others laughed aloud, crying out, +"Go on--go on!" + +"Gentlemen," said the painter, "you probably all know that wild district +in the Thuringian mountains, through which every one must pass, who +travels in that direction northwards. But there is especially, on a +by-road, one romantic spot, where, if the traveller emerges out of the +dark pine-tree forests, and advances to the height of the rocky cliffs, +he finds himself suddenly, to his amazement, on the extreme verge of an +awful, deep, and, indeed, bottomless abyss. This is called the devil's +ground, and the projecting promontory of the rock the devil's chair. + +"Of the devil's chair it is related, that once, when a certain Count +Victorin, with his head full of wicked projects, had sat down upon this +rock, the devil suddenly appeared beside him; and because he was himself +resolved to carry the Count's wicked designs into execution, he +incontinently hurled Victorin down into the unfathomable gulf. + +"Thereafter, the devil appeared as a capuchin monk, at the castle of the +Baron von R----; and when he had taken his pleasure with the Baroness, +he first sent her out of the world, (no one knew how,) and then, because +the Baron's son, a madman, would by no means allow of this masquerade, +but always called out, 'The devil, the devil is among us!' he strangled +him. However, by that persevering _annonce_ of the madman, _one_ pious +soul at least was saved from the destruction which the devil had +intended for them all; and this was the young Baroness Aurelia, the +subject of the picture, which you have this night been commending. + +"Afterwards, the capuchin, (or the devil,) in an inconceivable manner, +vanished; and it is said, that he fled, coward-like, from Victorin, who +had risen like a bloody spectre from the grave against him. + +"Let all this be as it may, I can assure you, in plain truth, that the +Baroness died mysteriously--probably by poison; and that Hermogen (the +madman) was assassinated. The Baron himself, shortly afterwards, died of +grief; and Aurelia, the pious Saint, whose portrait I painted, at the +very time when these horrible events had taken place at the castle, fled +as a desolate orphan into a distant Cistertian Convent, of which the +Abbess had been in terms of friendship with her father. + +"You have seen and admired in my gallery the likeness of this admirable +and unfortunate young lady. But as to other circumstances, this +gentleman (pointing to me) will be better able to inform you than I am, +since, during the whole of the adventures to which I have alluded, he +was an inhabitant of the castle!" + +All looks, full of astonishment, were now directed towards me. Quite +unnerved, and lost to all self-possession, I started up--"How, sir!" +exclaimed I, in a violent tone--"What have I to do with your absurd +stories of capuchins, and devils, and assassinations? You mistake +me--you mistake me completely, I assure you; and I must beg that, for +this once, you will leave me completely out of the question." + +Considering the tumult of my mind, it was difficult for me to give my +words even this much of connection and propriety, or to assume any +degree of composure. The powerful influence of the painter's narrative, +and my excessive disquietude, were only too visible. The cheerful tone +which prevailed through the party rapidly declined; and as the members +of the club gradually recollected that I was a complete stranger, and +had only by accident obtained my place among them, they began to fix on +me mistrustful and suspicious glances. + +Meanwhile, the painter had risen from his chair, and, standing opposite, +transfixed me once more with his dead-alive glaring eyes, as formerly in +the Capuchin church. He did not utter a word; he stood cold, stiff, and, +but for the expression of his eyes, as if lifeless. + +But at those ghostly looks, my hair rose on end; cold drops gathered on +my forehead, and, seized by the most intense horror, I trembled through +every fibre. "Avaunt!--away with thee!" I exclaimed, out of myself with +agitation; "for thou thyself art Satan! Thou art the murderer--yet over +me thou hast no power!" + +The whole party instantly left their seats.--"What's the matter? Who is +that?" was heard from all quarters; and out of the adjoining _salle_, +the people, terrified by my voice, having left their amusements, came +thronging into our room.--"A drunk man!--A madman!--Turn him out!" cried +several voices. + +Meanwhile, the painter stood there steadfast, and immovably staring upon +me. The power which he thus (I know not how) exerted over my very mind +and thoughts--the whole train of consequences which the discovery he was +determined to force out would bring upon me--the wretched thraldom in +which I should remain at present, and the destruction which must +ensue--all these ideas conflicted together in my mind. But even without +their aid, the looks of the spectral painter alone were more than I +could endure. Methought his detestable features at length enlarged, +moved, and were writhen in mockery and scorn. At last, driven to the +uttermost paroxysm of rage and despair, I drew forth the stiletto with +which I had, in self-defence, killed Hermogen, and which I always +carried in my breast-pocket. + +With this weapon in my hand, I now fell upon my enemy; but his quick eye +had caught every movement, and one blow of his powerful arm brought me +to the ground. Methought I heard him laugh aloud, in hideous and +scornful triumph, so that his voice resounded through the chamber. + +"Brother Medardus!" said he, "Brother Medardus, play no longer this +false game! Go, return to the sanctuary of thy convent, and humble +thyself to the dust in shame and repentance!" + +I now felt myself seized by the people in the room; and allowing them to +raise me up, pretended at first to be quite exhausted; then, all at +once, rousing my whole strength, I drove and struck like a raging wild +beast against my assailants; and this so unexpectedly, that several of +them fell to the ground, and I made myself a passage towards the door; +but had scarcely rushed into the corridor, when a small side door +opened, and I felt myself seized on by an invisible arm, by which I was +drawn into a dark chamber. To this I made no resistance, for the +multitude of pursuers were raging behind me. + +Into this dark room I had been drawn just as I turned round a corner of +the corridor, and the mob of people, imagining that I had run onwards +and escaped down stairs, passed by the door and left me for the moment +unmolested. My invisible companion listened to their proceedings, and +in a few moments led me by the arm down a dark, private staircase, into +a back court, and then through the buildings behind into the open +street. By the light of the lamps I here recognised as my deliverer the +absurd Belcampo! + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +"Your excellency," said Belcampo, "appears to have laboured under a +strange fatality with regard to this painter. I was drinking my wine in +an adjoining room when the uproar began, and resolved, if possible, to +rescue you, for I alone am the author of all this disturbance." + +"How can that be?" said I; "what share could you possibly have in the +disaster?" + +"Who can resist momentary impulse?" said the little man, in a tone of +great pathos; "who can withstand the influences of that unseen, but +predominant Spirit, that rules over and inspires all our thoughts and +actions? + +"When I arranged your excellency's hair, my mind was, as usual, lighted +up by the sublimest ideas. I resigned myself up to the unbridled impulse +of wild phantasy, and accordingly I not only forgot to bring the lock of +anger on the topmost curls into a state of proper softness and +roundness, but even left seven-and-twenty hairs of fear and horror upon +the forehead. + +"The twenty-seven hairs that were thus left, raised themselves erect at +the stern looks of the painter, (who is, in truth, neither more nor less +than a _revenant_,) and inclined themselves longingly towards the lock +of anger on the toupee, which, in return, hissing and rustling, became +dishevelled. All this I could perceive with my own eyes. + +"Then, roused to extreme rage, your excellency pulled out a stiletto, on +which I distinguished that there were already drops of blood. But it was +a vain and needless attempt to send to hell him who to hell already +belongs. For this painter is Ahasuerus, the Wandering Jew, or Bertram de +Bornis, or Mephistopheles, or Benvenuto Cellini, or Judas Iscariot; in +short, a wicked _revenant_, and, in my opinion, to be banished by no +other means than by burning-hot curling-irons, which shall twist away +into annihilation that idea in which he properly consists; or, by the +dexterous and energetic use of electrical combs, against those thoughts +which, in order to his own existence, he must suck up and imbibe. + +"Your excellency perceives that to me, _phantast_ and artist by +profession, such things are, as the French say, _veritable pomade_, +which proverb, borrowed from our science, has more meaning than one +would otherwise suppose, as soon as the pomade is known to contain +genuine oil of cloves." + +This mad and unintelligible gibberish of the little man, who, meanwhile, +ran along with me through the streets, had for me, in my present mood of +mind, something truly horrible; and yet, when I looked now and then at +his incredible leaps and springs, his grotesque gestures, and comical +countenances, I was forced, as if by an involuntary convulsion, to +laugh. + +At last we were in my own chamber, in the inn of the suburb, and beyond +the town gates. Here Belcampo assisted me to pack up my clothes, etc. and +in a short time all was ready for my departure. Thereafter, I slipped +not one only, but several ducats, into his hand, whereupon he jumped up +into the air for joy, and cried aloud, "Hurrah!--hurrah!--now I have got +gold, indeed--honourable gold, dyed in heart's-blood, streaming and +beaming with its red effulgence! Excuse me, sir," (for at these words I +looked at him with amazement,) "'twas but a passing thought, and now +'tis gone!" + +He then offered his services to give to the "lock of anger" the proper +degree of roundness, and cut away the "twenty-seven hairs of horror," +requesting also that he might be allowed to choose for himself a small +"love-lock," to keep as a remembrance. This I accordingly granted, and +with indescribable gestures and grimaces, he fulfilled his task. + +After this, he seized the stiletto, which, on undressing, I had laid +upon the table, and taking the position of a fencer, made with it divers +cuts and thrusts into the air. + +"Ha!" said he, "now shall I make an end of your adversary, for he +is but an idea, probably he may also be extirpated by a thought. Let him +die, then, by this thought of mine, which, in order to render more +powerful, I accompany with suitable gestures of the body--_Apage, +Satanas!--apage, Ahasuerus!--Allez vous en!_--Now, that was +something like! That was working to some purpose," said he, laying down +the stiletto, breathing hard, and wiping his brows, like one that has +exerted his utmost to get through some great labour. + +Luckily I now got possession of the stiletto, and, wishing to conceal +it, groped with it into my sleeve, forgetting that I no longer wore my +capuchin robes. This gesture the man seemed to remark, and slyly to +laugh at. Meanwhile the postilion (for I had ordered horses) began to +blow his bugle before the house. + +Then Belcampo suddenly changed his posture and tone. He drew out a small +pocket-handkerchief, bent himself several times with deep reverence, at +last kneeled before me, and entreated in a lamentable voice-- + +"Two masses, reverend father, I beseech you, for my poor grandmother, +who died of a surfeit; four for my father, who died of involuntary +fasting; but for myself, one every week when I am dead. Above all, +however, and in the first place, an indulgence for my many faults and +sins now, while I am yet living! + +"Alas! sir, there is an infamous wicked fellow that lurks concealed +within me, and says, 'Peter Fairfield, be no longer an ass, and believe +that thou existest; for _I_ am properly _thou_, and am called +Belcampo--moreover am a genial idea; and if thou dost not believe this, +I will strike thee down to the earth with an acute thought, finely +pointed as a hair!' + +"This damnable fellow, sir, commits all sorts of sins and wicked pranks. +Oftentimes he doubts of the Real Presence--gets drunk--falls into +quarrels and pommelling matches, and commits gross indelicacies against +pure virgin thoughts. This Pietro Belcampo, sir, has made me, Peter +Fairfield, quite confused and dissipated; so that I frequently jump +about in an absurd and unbecoming manner, and defile the spotless garb +of innocence, when, with white silk stockings, and singing _dulce +jubilo_, I splash unawares into the dirt. Forgiveness, then, venerable +father, for both, for Peter Fairfield and Pietro Belcampo." + +He continued prostrate, and pretended to sob violently. The folly of the +man became tiresome to me. "Be reasonable at least," said I to him, "and +give us no more of this." The head-waiter now came in to take my +luggage. Belcampo sprung up, and resuming at once his mirthful humour, +he assisted, talking, however, all the time, to collect together +whatever property of mine was in the room. In a few moments I found +myself seated in my cabriolet. + +"That fellow is a most complete puppy," said the waiter, in a low voice, +and pointing to Belcampo; "the less one has to do with him the better." + +The door was closed, and the postilion mounted. Belcampo waved his hat, +and began, "Even to the last breath of my life--" but with a significant +look, I laid my finger on my lips, and he was silent. Anon the postilion +drove off, blowing the _Tyroler-lied_ on his bugle as we clattered along +the _chaussee_, and I was once more, emancipated from all ties, whether +hostile or friendly, thrown upon the world. + + * * * * * + +When the morning began to dawn, the town from which I had fled lay far +behind me; and as I contemplated with some interest the new scenes +through which we passed, the form of that frightful man, who pursued and +haunted me like a visible impersonization of the guilt and mystery by +which my life had been darkened, had again almost vanished away. On +setting out, I had merely desired to be driven to the first stage on the +high road leading southwards; but at every new station, the questions of +the postmaster, "_Whence and whither?_" revived to my mind how +completely I was now separated and cut off from every relationship in +life; and like the wandering Ahasuerus, of whom Belcampo had spoken, was +utterly given up, a prey to the stormy waves of chance, that bore me +like a powerless wreck along. + +But had not my ruling destiny drawn me thus out of my former +relationships and dependencies, only that the internal efforts of my +spirit might be exerted with greater life and vigour? Something must be +accomplished, in order to still those yearnings of the soul, by which I +was convinced that a great and important result was before me. Restless +I travelled on, through a beautiful and flourishing country. Nowhere +could I find repose, but was driven irresistibly onward, always farther +and farther, towards the south. I had hitherto, without any +consciousness or attention on my own part, scarcely made any important +deviation from the route recommended to me by Leonardus; so that the +impulse which he had given to me at first setting out, seemed to work +always in a straight-forward direction, and with an influence wholly +uninterrupted. + + * * * * * + +It happened, one very dark night, that I travelled through a dense wood +of pine and beech-trees, which was said to extend as far as the next +station, on which account the postmaster had advised me to remain with +him till the next morning; but from an impatience, to myself +unaccountable, as I was unable to put a name on any goal or object which +I wished to reach, I peremptorily refused his proposal. + +Already, at the time of my departure, lightning, which is not usual at +that season of the year, gleamed on the distant horizon; and very soon, +clouds, collected by the approaching storm, rolled together, darker and +darker, in threatening volumes. The postilion observed what sort of +weather we should of necessity encounter; pointed to the clouds, and +asked if he might return? To this I gave a peremptory answer in the +negative. We entered accordingly that long, interminable, and tangled +forest which stretches between Holzenheim and Rosenthurm, where the wood +alternately consists of tall beech-trees and dense thickets of Norway +and Scotch fir. Having laid aside his tobacco-pipe, he began here, for +his diversion, to play "Malbrook" on his bugle; but anon the thunder +began to roll, and even to crack above our heads, with numberless +reverberations; while, far as the eye could reach, there was nothing but +the crossing and re-crossing of red lightnings on the horizon. Such a +tempest I have never witnessed, neither before nor since. During a +thunderstorm, the air is generally calm, but now there were +unaccountable gusts of wind, such as usually occur only in the depth of +winter. The tall fir-trees, shaken to their very roots, groaned and +crashed. The rain poured down in torrents. Every moment we ran the risk +of being killed by the falling of the trees, and the horses constantly +reared, and ran back from the flashes of lightning. + +At last, after a long struggle, and many vicissitudes, we were "beat to +a _stand still_," for the carriage (as a climax) was overturned, on a +piece of rough road, so violently, that one of the hinder wheels broke +in pieces. Thus we had no alternative, but must remain on the spot, till +the storm should abate, and the moon break through the clouds. + +The postilion now remarked, that, on account of the darkness, and the +rain driving in his face, he had quite wandered away from the right +road, and had fallen into an avenue of the forest. There was now no +other method, but to follow out this avenue as far as it would go, and +thus perhaps to arrive at some woodman's hut or village. + +Though the darkness continued, yet we contrived to prop up the carriage +with a kind of wooden leg, and thus it was dragged gradually onwards. We +had not gone far, till, marching in the van, I perceived now and then +the gleaming of a light, and thought that I could distinguish the baying +of dogs. + +I had not deceived myself; for we had not persevered in our laborious +progress above a few minutes longer, before I distinctly heard the +dogs' voices; and in due time we came to an opening in the wood, where +the road became more passable. At last we arrived at a large +respectable-looking house, though, as far as the dim light enabled us to +perceive, old, gloomy, and surrounded by the high walls of a +regularly-built square court. + +The postilion, without hesitation, knocked loudly at the outer gate. The +dogs immediately grew outrageous, and sprang out from their kennels +against us. In the house, (or _keep_,) however, all remained quiet and +dead, till the postilion had recourse to his horn, (lending me a spare +one, that we might play a duet,) and blew "Wilhelmus von Nassau" with +such vehemence, that the old vaulted building re-echoed to the notes. + +Then a window in the upper story, from which I had before seen the +light, was opened, and a deep, rough voice called out, "Christian! +Christian!"--"Ay, ay, sir," cried a voice from below. Then we knocked +again, and blew our horns. + +"There is a knocking and blowing of bugles at our gate," said the voice +from above, "and the dogs are raging like devils. Take the lantern +down, with the blunderbuss number three, and see what is the +matter."--Soon after, we heard Christian's voice, quieting the dogs, and +saw him at last come with the lantern. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +The postilion now found out where we were. Instead of going straight +forward, he had quitted the road, and driven almost in a retrograde +direction, so that we were now at the Prince von Rosenthurm's +_forst-haus_, distant only about a league to the right of the station +which we had quitted. + +As soon as we had explained to Christian the mischance that we had met +with, he directly opened both wings of the gate, and let the carriage +pass into the court. The dogs, who were now pacified, came fawning and +snuffling about us; and the man above, who was still stationed at the +window, cried out incessantly, in a voice by no means of good-humour, +"Who's there?--who's there? _What for a_ caravan is that?" to which +neither Christian nor I returned a word in answer. + +At last I stepped into the house, and was walking up stairs, when I met +a powerful tall man, with a sun-burnt visage, a large hat, with a plume +of green feathers, on his head, (which was oddly contrasted with the +rest of his figure, for he appeared in his shirt and slippers,) and a +drawn stiletto (or hunting dagger) in his hand. In a rough voice, he +called out to me, "Whence do you come? How dare you disturb people in +the dead of night? This is no public-house; no post station. Here no one +lives but the _Ober-revier-forster_, and for want of a better, I am he. +Christian is an ass, for having opened the gates without my permission." + +In a tone of great humility, I now related the story of my mischance, +explaining that nothing but necessity had brought me hither. Hereupon +the man was somewhat conciliated. He said, "Well, no doubt, the storm +was very violent; but your postilion must be a stupid rascal, to drive +out of the road, and break your carriage in that manner. Such a fellow +should have been able to go blindfolded through these woods. He should +be at home among them, like any one of us." + +With these words, he led me up stairs into a large hall, furnished with +a long oak table and benches; the walls adorned with stag's antlers, +hunting weapons, bugle-horns, etc. An enormous stove was at one end, and +an open _kamin_, where there were yet the warm embers of a wood-fire, at +the other. + +The _Ober-revier-forster_ now laid aside his hat and dagger, and drawing +on his clothes, requested I would not take it ill that he had received +me so roughly; for, in his remote habitation, he must be constantly on +his guard. All sorts of bad people were in the habit of haunting these +woods--and especially with poachers, he lived almost always in open +warfare--"However," added he, "the rogues can gain no advantage over me, +for, with the help of God, I fulfil my duty to the prince +conscientiously and faithfully. They have more than once attacked my +house by night; but, in reliance on Providence, and my trusty dogs and +fire-arms, I bid them defiance." + +Involuntarily, and led away by the force of old habits, I here thrust in +some common-place words about the power and efficacy of trust in +God.--However, such expressions were not lost on the forester, but +seemed to gain for me his confidence and good opinion. He became always +more cheerful, and notwithstanding my earnest entreaties to the +contrary, roused up his wife--a matron in years, of a quiet, +good-humoured demeanour, who, though thus disturbed from her sleep, +welcomed, in a very friendly manner, her unexpected guest, and began, by +her husband's orders, to prepare supper. + +As for the postilion, he, by the forester's decision, was obliged, for a +punishment, that night, to drive back (as he best could) to the station +from which he had come,--and on the following morning I should be +carried on by the forester to the place of my destination. I agreed the +more readily to this plan, as I found myself now much in want of repose. + +I therefore said to my host that I would gladly stay with him even till +the middle of the following day, as, by constant travelling, I had been +greatly fatigued, and would be much the better for such refreshment. + +"If I might advise you, sir," said the forester, "you had better remain +here through the whole of to-morrow--After that, my son, whom I must at +any rate send to the _residenz_, will himself take you forward in my +carriage." + +I was, of course, well contented with this proposal; and by way of +conversation, while supper was placed on the table, began to praise the +solitude and retirement of his house, by which I professed myself to be +greatly attracted. + +"It is remote, sir, no doubt," said the forester; "at the same time, our +life here is the farthest possible from being dull or gloomy, as a +townsman would probably conclude it to be.--To such people every +situation in the country appears both lonely and stupid;--but much +depends on the temper and disposition of the party by whom a house like +this of ours is inhabited. + +"If, as in former years in this castle, an old gloomy Baron were the +master,--one who shuts himself up within the four walls of his court, +and takes no pleasure in the woods or the chase--then, indeed, it would +be a dull and lonely habitation--But since this old Baron died, and our +gracious Prince has been pleased to fit it up as a _forst-haus_, it has +been kept in constant liveliness and mirth. + +"Probably you, sir, may be one of those townspeople, who know nothing, +unless by report, of our pleasures, and therefore can have no adequate +idea, what a joyous pleasant life we hunters lead in the forest--As to +solitude, I know nothing either of its pains or pleasures--for, along +with my huntsmen lads, we live all equally, and make but one family. +Indeed, however absurd this may seem to you, I reckon my staunch wise +dogs also among the number--And why not? They understand every word that +I say to them. They obey even my slightest signals, and are attached, +and faithful even to death. + +"Mark there, only, how intelligently my Waldmann looks up, because he +knows already that I am speaking about him! + +"Now, sir, not only is there every day something to be done with the +huntsmen and dogs in the forest--but every evening before, there is the +pleasure of preparation, and a hospitable well-supplied board, (at which +we enjoy ourselves with a zest, that you townsmen never experience;) +then, with the first dawn of day, I am always out of bed, and make my +appearance, blowing all the way a cheering _reveille_ upon my +hunting-horn. + +"At that sound every one directly starts up--The dogs, too, begin to +give tongue, and join in one great concert, of barking and rejoicing, +from their delight at the anticipation of the coming sport. The +huntsmen are quickly dressed--They throw the game-bags and fire-arms on +their shoulders, and assemble directly in this room, where my old woman +(my wife, I mean) prepares for us a right stout hunter's breakfast, an +enormous _schuessel_ of hot ragout, with a bottle of vin-ordinaire, a +reaming flagon of home-brewed ale, with another of _Stettiner beer_, +sent us from the _residenz_; then, after a glass of _schnaps_, we all +sally forth in the highest possible spirits, shouting and rejoicing. + +"Thereafter, we have a long march before us--(I speak of our employments +at this present season)--but at last we arrive at the spot where the +game lies in cover--There every one takes his stand apart from the rest; +the dogs grope about with their noses on the ground, snuffing the scent, +and looking back every now and then to give notice to the huntsman, who, +in his turn, stands with his gun cocked, motionless and scarcely daring +to breathe, as if rooted to the ground. But when at last the game starts +out of the thicket, when the guns crack, and the dogs rush in after the +shot, ah! then, sir, one's heart beats--every fibre is trembling with +youthful energy; old as I am, I thus feel transformed into a new man. + +"Moreover, and above all, there are no two adventures of this kind +exactly like each other. In every one is something new, and there is +always something to talk over that never happened before. If it were no +more than the variety of game at different seasons of the year, this +alone renders the pursuit so delightful, that one never can have enough +of it. + +"But setting aside these diversions, I assure you, sir, that the mere +superintendance and care of the woods is an employment which would amply +fill up my time from January to December. So far am I from feeling +lonely, that every tree of the forest is to me like a companion. + +"Absolutely, it appears to me as if every plant which has grown up under +my inspection, and stretches up its glossy waving head into the air, +should know me and love me, because I have watched over, and protected +it. Nay, many times, when I hear the whispering and rushing of the +leaves in the wind, it seems as if the trees themselves spoke with an +intelligible voice, that this was indeed a true praising of God and his +omnipotence; a prayer, which, in no articulate words, could so well +have been expressed. + +"In short, sir, an honest huntsman and forester, who has the fear of God +before him, leads, even in these degenerate times, an admirable and +happy life. Something is yet left to him of that fine old state of +liberty, when the habits of men were according to nature, and they knew +nothing of all that conventional artifice, parade, and frippery, +wherewith they are now tormented in their walled-up garrisons and +cities. _There_, indeed, they become totally estranged from all those +delightful influences which God, in the midst of his works in this +world, is ready to shower upon them, by which, on the contrary, they +ought to be edified and rejoiced, as the free sylvan people were in +former ages, who lived in love and friendship with nature, as we read in +the old histories." + +All this (though his style was somewhat rambling and methodistic) the +old forester uttered with a _gusto_ and emphasis, by which one could not +fail to perceive that he felt whatever he had said deeply in his own +heart; and I truly envied him his station in life, together with his +deeply-grounded quiet moods of mind, to which my own bore so little +resemblance, or rather presented so painful a contrast. + + * * * * * + +In another part of the building, which was of considerable extent, the +old man shewed me a small and neatly-fitted-up apartment, in which was a +bed, and where I found my luggage already deposited. There he left me, +with the assurance that the early disturbance in the house would not +break my sleep, as I was quite separated from the other inhabitants of +the castle, and might rest as long as I chose. My breakfast would not be +carried in until I rung the bell, or came down stairs to order it. He +added, that I should not see him again till we met at the dinner-table, +as he should set out early with his lads to the forest, and would not +return before mid-day. + +I gave myself no farther trouble therefore, but being much fatigued, +undressed hastily, and threw myself into bed, where I soon fell into a +deep sleep. After this, however, I was persecuted by a horrible dream. +In a manner the most extraordinary, it began with the consciousness of +slumber. I said to myself, "Now this is fortunate, that I have fallen +asleep so readily; I shall by this means quite recover from my fatigue, +and, for fear of awaking, must only take special care to keep my eyes +shut." + +Notwithstanding this resolution, it seemed to me as if I must, of +necessity, open my eyes, and yet continued at the same time to sleep. +Then the door of my room opened, and a dark form entered, in whom, to my +extreme horror and amazement, I recognised _myself_ in the capuchin +habit, with the beard and tonsure! + +The monk came nearer and nearer to the bed, till he stood leaning over +me, and grinned scornfully. "Now, then," said he, in a hollow sepulchral +voice, and yet with a strange cadence of exultation--"now, then, thou +shalt come along with me; we shall mount on the _altan_[2] on the roof +of the house beside the weather-cock, who will sing us a merry +bridal-song, because the owl to-night holds his wedding-feast--there +shall we contend together, and whoever beats the other from the roof of +the house is king, and may drink blood!" + +[Footnote 2: Balcony.] + +I felt now that the figure seized upon me, and tried to lift me up from +the bed. Then despair gave me courage, and I exclaimed, "Thou art not +Medardus!--thou art the devil!" and as if with the claws of a demon, I +grappled at the throat and visage of this detestable spectre. + +But when I did so, it seemed as if my fingers forced their way into +empty skeleton sockets, or held only dry withered joints, and the +spectre laughed aloud in shrilling tones of scorn and mockery. + +At that moment, as if forcibly roused by some one violently wrenching me +about, I awoke! + +The laughter still continued in the room. I raised myself up. The +morning had broken in bright gleams through the window, and I actually +beheld at the table, with his back turned towards me, a figure dressed +in the capuchin habit! + +I was petrified with horror. The abominable dream had started into real +life! The capuchin tossed and tumbled among the things which lay upon +the table, till by accident he turned round, and thereupon I recovered +all my courage, for his visage, thank Heaven, was _not mine_! Certain +features, indeed, bore the closest resemblance, but I was in health and +vigour; he was, on the contrary, worn and emaciated, disguised too by an +overgrown head of hair, and grizzly black beard. Moreover, his eyes +rolled and glared with the workings of a thoughtless and vacant +delirium. + +I resolved not to give any alarm, but remain quietly on the watch for +whatever he might do, and not interrupt him unless he attempted +something formidably mischievous, for my stiletto lay near me on the +bed, and on that account, together with my superior strength, I could +soon be completely master of this intruder. + +He appeared to look at, and to play with, the things that lay upon the +table, as a child would do with toys; especially, he seemed delighted +with the red _portefeuille_, which he turned over and over towards the +light of the window, at the same time making strange grimaces, and +jumping up like a patient in the dance of St Vitus. + +At last, he found the bottle with the rest of the Devil's Elixir, which +he directly opened and smelt at; then he seemed to tremble convulsively +through every limb. He uttered a loud and indescribable cry--"He, he, +he!--He, he, he!" which echoed in faltering reverberations through the +room, and passages. + +A clear-toned clock in the house just then struck three (but the hour +must have been much later.) Thereupon, to my great annoyance, he lifted +up his voice, and howled as if seized by some horrible torment; then +broke out once more into the same shrill laughter that I had heard in my +dream. He heaved himself about into the wildest attitudes and caprioles, +concluding with a long draught from the bottle with the Devil's Elixir, +which (after having exhausted the last drops) he then hurled from him +against the wall, and ran out at the door. + +I now instantly rose up and looked after him, but he was already out of +sight, and I heard him clamping and clattering down a distant staircase; +and, lastly, the violent hollow clank of a door, as he closed it after +him. + +I then carefully locked and bolted that of my own room, that I might be +secured against any second intrusion, and threw myself once more into +bed. I had been too much excited to be able for some time to sleep +again; but at last slumber fell heavily upon me, and I did not awake +till a late hour, when, refreshed and strengthened, I found the bright +warm sun beating into my apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +Having dressed, I found a bell in the corridor, which I rung, to give +notice that I was awake. The forester, according to what he had said, +had gone out early with his huntsmen; but a very blooming, and indeed +beautiful girl, his youngest daughter, appeared, and served me with +breakfast, while her elder sister, as she told me, was busied with her +mother in household concerns. + +The girl was frank and unembarrassed. She described to me, very +prettily, how the inhabitants of the _forst-haus_ all lived on the best +terms together, and that only now and then, their usual quiet routine +was interrupted when the Prince came to hunt in this district, who on +such occasions frequently staid through the night with the forester. + + * * * * * + +Thus a few hours glided away. Then it was mid-day, and the mirthful +sounds of shouting and bugle-horns announced that the forester was on +his return. He appeared soon after, attended by his four sons, (of whom +the youngest was about fifteen,) all blooming, handsome young men, and +three servants. They were all dressed uniformly, in dark green and gold, +with complete accoutrements for the _chasse_. + +The forester directly inquired how I had rested in the night, and if the +early alarm in the court had not awoke me. I did not like to relate to +him the adventure which had befallen me; for the living appearance of +the horrible monk had joined itself so closely to the phantom of my +dream, that I could scarcely distinguish that point at which the vision +had passed onwards into reality. + +The long oak table was spread. Two large dishes smoked at head and +foot;--the old man took off his cap in order to say grace. Then the door +suddenly burst open, and the emaciated, grizzly capuchin, habited +precisely as I had seen him in the night, marched in. The wildness of +insanity had indeed somewhat relaxed upon his visage; but he still +looked gloomy, discontented, and scowled around him. + +"Welcome, reverend sir," cried the forester. "You are come in good time. +Do you say grace for me, and then take your place with us at the +dinner-table." + +Hereupon the monk's eyes kindled with furious rage;--he looked wildly on +every one; and, in a frightful tone, cried out, "May the devil fetch +you, with your reverend sirs, and your damned hypocritical graces! Have +you enticed me hither, in order that I might be the _thirteenth_, and +that you might allow me to be butchered by the strange murderer? Have +you stuck me into this tunic, that no one might recognise the Count, who +is thy lord and master? But beware, thou miscreant!--beware of my just +anger!" + +With these words, the monk seized a heavy earthen bottle, which stood +upon the table, and hurled it at the old man, who, only by his +professional quickness of eye, and a very clever turn of his head, +escaped the blow, which otherwise must have been his instant +destruction. + +At that moment, the three servants started up, seized the madman, and +pinioned his arms. + +"What!" cried the forester, "thou cursed, blasphemous wretch, is it thus +that, with thy old bedlamite pranks, thou venturest to come into the +society of honest Christians? Thou venturest again to aim against my +life--against me, by whom thou wert raised from the condition of the +beasts of the field, and from the certainty of everlasting +perdition?--Away--away with thee to prison!" + +The monk now fell upon his knees. He prayed--even wept--moaned, and +howled for mercy. But in vain. "Thou must and shalt go to prison," said +the forester; "and never shalt thou dare to come hither again, until +such time as I know that thou hast renounced the Satan that thus blinds +thee; and if not, thou shalt die!" + +Hereupon the maniac shrieked out in the hopeless agony of grief. He was +seized, however, and led away by the huntsmen, who, returning soon +afterwards, announced to us, that he had become quieter as soon as he +was deposited in his dungeon. They added, that Christian, who generally +watched over him, had said, that the monk, through the whole preceding +night, had been restless, and tumbling about through the walks and +corridors of the castle; and that, more especially towards the morning, +he had been heard often to exclaim--"More wine, and I will give myself +up wholly to thee!--More wine--more wine!" Besides, it had seemed to +Christian as if the man absolutely rolled about like a drunken person, +though it was impossible for him to conceive how he could have got at +any kind of intoxicating liquor. + +Now, therefore, I of course did not any longer hesitate to relate my +adventures of the night; nor did I forget the circumstance of his +drinking out of my basket-bottle. + +"Ha, worthy sir," said the forester, "I owe you indeed many apologies. +You must have been cruelly disturbed. But you seem a pious good man, and +therefore courageous. Another might have absolutely died of terror." + +I begged him to tell me, somewhat minutely, what was the real history of +his connection with the monk. "At another opportunity, sir, if you +please," said the forester; "it is too long a narrative to begin during +dinner; and indeed it is bad enough that this abominable man has +disturbed us in such manner just as we were about to enjoy, gratefully +and tranquilly, that which the goodness of God bestows upon us. +However, let us lose no farther time." + +Thereupon he took off his hat, and said the grace, with much emphasis +and devotion. The conversation became animated and cheerful, as if +nothing had happened;--the dishes, though served in a rustic style, were +plentiful, and admirably cooked; so that I had never partaken of a more +refreshing and agreeable repast. There were excellent strong soup, and +boiled meat; afterwards, a course of venison and other game, prepared in +different ways, (of which I preferred the _sour braten_,) salmon, etc. In +honour of his guest, the old man produced some bottles of noble old +wine, which was drunk, according to patriarchal custom, out of a +magnificent goblet, and passed round the table. + +While the wine thus went round, the dishes were cleared away. The +huntsmen then took their bugle-horns from the wall, and, by way of +concert, blew a loud, inspiring _jager-lied_;[3] first without +accompaniment, but, at the second repetition, they blew more softly, and +the girls joined in with very sweet voices. Then, at the third and +concluding part, the forester's four sons also joined, and finished the +performance with a grand chorus. + +[Footnote 3: Hunting-song.] + +My heart was in a wonderful degree lightened and expanded. For a long +period, I had not felt myself in so genial a mood of mind as now, among +these honest, simple-hearted people. There were afterwards many songs, +very musically and effectively given, by the girls, assisted by the +young men, till at last the forester rose up, and with the toast, "Long +life to all brave men who love the noble art of hunting," he emptied his +glass. We all followed his example; and thus the agreeable banquet, +which, on my account, had been enlivened with wine and with song, was +concluded. + +"Now, sir," said the forester, "I shall sleep for half an hour, or +thereabouts; but after that, we go once more to the wood; and if you are +pleased to accompany us, I shall, on the way, relate to you how the monk +came to my house, and all that I know of him. We must wait till the +twilight, however. Then we go to our appointed station, where _Franz_ +has informed me, that there are a noble covey of partridges. You shall +have a gun also, if it is agreeable to you, and try your fortune." + +The thing was new to me; for though I had, as a _seminarist_, many times +practised shooting at a mark, yet I had never tried at living game. I +therefore accepted the forester's offer, who appeared quite delighted +that I did so; and even before going to sleep, instructed me in various +rules and precautions, by means of which he thought that I would make +sure of booty. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + +Accordingly, I was in due time accoutred with a huntsman's bag, and a +fowling-piece slung over my shoulder, and, in company with the old man, +marched away through the woods, while, in the following manner, he began +the story of the monk. + +"This harvest, it must be now about six months since, my lads first +announced that they heard oftentimes a tremendous howling in the forest, +which, though the noise could not well be called human, yet my _Franz_ +always insisted it must be the voice of a man. Francis, indeed, seemed +to be particularly aimed at, as the _butt_ or prey of this howling +spectre, for, when he went to a good station, the howling always +frightened away the game; and, at last, whenever he wanted to shoot at a +deer or hare, he saw a large bristly human monster burst out of the +thicket, against whom he did not venture to draw the trigger. + +"This youth had his head full of all the ghostly hunting legends which +his father, an old _chasseur_, had related to him;--and he was inclined +to hold that strange intruder for the devil himself, who wanted to +destroy his sport, or entice him to destruction. + +"The other lads,--even my own sons, to whom also the same devil had +appeared,--at last joined with Francis, and my desire to obtain an +explanation of all this mystery, was so much the greater, as I held it +for a contrivance of the poachers, to frighten away my people from the +proper covers. + +"Consequently, I gave strict orders that the next time they met with the +devil, they should stop and question him; and if he would not answer, +they should, without hesitation, according to the rules of the forest, +shoot him dead on the spot. + +"Francis happened once more to be the first who encountered +him.--Recollecting my orders, he commanded him to stand, at the same +time presenting his fowling-piece--Thereupon the spectre rushed away +into the thicket; Francis thought to send a thundering shot after him, +but the gun missed fire; and now looking on this as supernatural, he ran +homewards more horrified than ever. Of course, he told every adventure +of this kind to his companions, who became all convinced that it was the +devil who thus, frighted away the game, and frustrated his attempts in +shooting--for it was quite true, that ever since he was persecuted by +this demon, he had killed nothing, though, before that time, he had been +an excellent and successful marksman. + +"The rumour of the devil being in our wood spread itself abroad, and in +the nearest village the people had got long stories, how Satan had come +to Francis, and offered him _freikuegeln_, (enchanted balls,) with a deal +of other absurd nonsense. I resolved, therefore, that I would myself +make an end of all this, and watch at the places where he was usually +found, for the monster, who had hitherto never once appeared to me. + +"For a long time, my endeavours were unsuccessful, but at length, when I +was at the station where he had first appeared to Francis, there was +heard a rustling in the thickets--softly I raised up my gun, expecting a +wild boar, or some other animal, but to my utter astonishment, there +started up a horrible human figure, with flaming red eyes, bristly black +hair, and his body hung (I cannot say clothed) with rags.--The spectre +glared on me with his fiery eyes--uttering at the same time the +tremendous howlings, which had been before now so faithfully described +to me. + +"In truth, sir, that was a moment which might have inspired terror even +into the most courageous heart. I must confess I thought it was the +devil who thus stood visibly before me,--and felt a cold sweat +involuntarily burst from every pore--But in a powerful energetic prayer, +which I uttered aloud, I completely recovered my courage. While I thus +prayed, and pronounced audibly the name of Christ, the monster howled +more outrageously than ever, and at last broke out into horrible +blasphemies and execrations. + +"Then I cried out--'Thou cursed, wicked, lubberly fellow, desist from +these blasphemous words, and resign thyself into my power, otherwise I +shall instantly shoot thee through the head!' + +"Hereupon, with moans and lamentations, the man instantly fell upon the +earth before me, and prayed for compassion. My servants came up--we +seized the wretch, and led him home, where I shut him up in the prison +of the tower, at the corner of the court, and next morning I intended to +give notice of what had happened to the magistrates. + +"As soon as he came into the tower, he had fallen into a state of almost +utter insensibility.--When I went to him next morning, he was sitting on +a bed of straw, which we had prepared for him, and wept violently. He +fell at my feet, and begged that I would take compassion on him.--He +told me that he had already lived several weeks in the woods, eating +nothing but roots and wild fruit. He was a poor Capuchin from a distant +convent, and had escaped out of the prison, in which, on account of his +madness, he had been shut up. + +"The man was, to say the truth, in a most miserable condition--I had +compassion upon him, and desired that food and wine should be +administered for his restoration, after which he visibly recovered. He +begged of me in the most earnest and abject manner, that I would bear +with him for a few days in the house, and that I would, if possible, +get him a new dress of his order. He would then alone, and of his own +accord, walk back to his convent. + +"I complied with his wishes, and his madness seemed visibly to leave +him. The paroxysms were more rare, and far less vehement. In the +exasperations of his madness he uttered horrible cries, and I observed, +that when on this account I spoke to him harshly, and threatened him +with death, he fell into a state of almost utter annihilation, threw +himself on the earth, chastised himself with a knotted rope, and called +on God and the Saints, to free him from the torments and terrors of hell +which awaited him. + +"At such intervals he seemed to look on himself as St Anthony, and at +other times, in his violent paroxysms, affirmed that he was an +_herrgraf_, and supreme Prince, adding, that he would have us all put to +death as soon as his servants appeared to rescue him. + +"In his lucid moments, he begged of me for God's sake not to turn him +out of this house, as he felt that his cure depended on his residence +with me. Only once I had another disagreeable adventure with him, and, +as luck would have it, it befell just at the time when the Prince was +hunting in our forest, and spent the night in my house. + +"The monk, after he had beheld the Prince with his brilliant train of +attendants, was completely changed. He remained gloomy and reserved. +When we went as usual to prayers, he retired abruptly. If he heard even +a word uttered in the spirit of devotion, there was a trembling through +all his limbs, and at the same time, he looked on my daughter Anne with +an aspect so strange and ambiguous, that I resolved to get him directly +away from the house, in order to prevent all sorts of misdemeanours, +which of necessity would ensue. + +"In the course of the very night preceding the day on which I had +intended to pack him off, I was alarmed about one o'clock by a piercing +cry, which vibrated along the corridor. I sprung out of bed, got a +light, and ran towards the room where my daughters slept. The monk had +contrived to break from the dungeon in which I always kept him shut up, +and giving the reins to his abominable impulses, had betaken himself +directly to the door of my daughters' room, which he had burst in with +his foot. + +"By good luck, the lad Francis had been awoke by extreme thirst, and was +going to get water in the court, when he heard the monk's heavy step in +the corridor. He ran up to him accordingly, and seized him from behind, +just at the moment when he was entering the room; but the lad was too +weak to get the better of the madman. They wrestled together, and both +fell out of the room again into the corridor, the girls, meanwhile, +screaming loudly. + +"Just at this time I came up. The monk had got Francis on the ground, +and was grappling him by the throat in such a manner that he would very +soon have made an end of his victim. Without losing a moment, therefore, +I seized the maniac, and tore him away. Then suddenly, before I could +understand how he could accomplish it, I saw a knife gleaming in his +clenched hand, with which he directly struck at me; but Francis, who had +now recovered, seized his arm, and, as I am a strong man, we succeeded +in pinning the wretched man to the wall, in such manner, that his breath +was almost squeezed out of his body. + +"The noise had by that time roused all my people from their sleep, and +they came running to the spot. We bound the monk with ropes, and threw +him into the tower; then I brought a horse-whip, and inflicted on him +such a castigation, that he sobbed and moaned most lamentably. + +"'Thou incorrigible miscreant!' said I, 'this is all far too little for +thy deserts. Thou, who wouldst have seduced my daughter, and hast, with +thy knife, aimed at the life of thy preserver, were I to do justice, +death itself would be too little for thee!' + +"Hereupon he howled aloud with horror; for the apprehension of death +seemed always quite to annihilate him. The following morning we found +that he could not be removed; for he lay there as if dead, in the most +miserable depression and exhaustion, so that involuntarily I could not +help once more taking compassion upon him. + +"Consequently I made a bed be prepared for him in a better apartment, +where my wife nursed him with strong soups, and gave him from our +domestic dispensary whatever drugs were requisite. Moreover, you must +know, sir, that my wife, when alone, has the good Christian habit of +singing to herself some pious hymn or favourite anthem, in which she +sometimes desires my daughter Anne to join with her. This happened to +take place several times near the bed of the sick man. Then he began to +sigh heavily, and to look at my wife and Anne with an aspect of the +deepest melancholy, and frequently tears forced their way over his +cheeks. Sometimes he moved his hand and fingers as if he would cross +himself; but could not succeed in it, his hand fell down powerless; many +times, too, he uttered low and imperfect tones, as if he were about to +join in the anthem; in short, he began perceptibly to recover. + +"Then, according to monastic habits, he crossed himself very often, and +prayed in a low voice. At last he began to sing Latin songs, the words +of which my wife and daughter, of course, did not understand; but their +music, their admirably deep, solemn cadence, penetrated so deeply into +their hearts, that they could not express how much they had been, by the +sick man's conduct, moved and edified. + +"The monk was now so far recovered, that he rose from bed, and could +walk about the house; but his appearance, and whole manner were +completely changed. His eyes now looked mild and tranquil, whereas +before they had gleamed with a malicious fire. According to conventual +rules, he now walked about softly, and with clasped hands, in an +attitude of constant devotion. Every trace of madness had vanished from +his aspect and conduct. He would take nothing for food, but vegetables, +bread, and water. It was only of late that I had forced him to sit at my +table; to eat our ordinary provisions, and to allow himself, now and +then, a small draught of wine. At these times he said grace, and we were +delighted with his discourse, which was often unusually eloquent. + +"Frequently he went alone, walking through the woods, where it chanced +that I met him one day, and, without attaching much importance to the +question, I asked him whether he now thought of returning to his +convent. He seemed much affected. 'My friend,' said he, 'it is to you +that I am indebted, under Heaven, for the rescue of my soul. You have +saved me from eternal destruction. Even now I cannot bear to part with +you; let me, therefore, remain here. Alas! have compassion on me, whom +the devil has thus enticed and misled, and who would have been for ever +lost, if the guardian saint, to whom he yet prayed in hours of terror, +had not brought him, in his madness, to this forest. + +"'You found me,' continued the monk, after a short pause, 'in a +condition altogether depraved, and therefore cannot have guessed that I +was once a promising youth, gifted by nature with many excellent +endowments; whom nothing but an enthusiastic love of solitude, and of +deep meditation, led to a convent. My brethren there all looked on me +with regard and affection, and I lived as happily as any one within the +walls of a cloister can possibly do. By piety and exemplary conduct I +gained a high reputation, and already people beheld in me the future +prior. + +"'It happened, unfortunately for me, that one of the brethren returned +home from distant travels, and brought with him to our convent various +relics, which he had carefully collected on his journey. Among them was +an extraordinary sealed-up bottle, which, it was said, St Anthony had +one time taken from the devil. This relic was, like all the rest, +preserved with great reverence, though there appeared to me something in +the nature of it wholly opposite to the true spirit of devotion, and +indeed ludicrous and absurd. However, by commencing in this manner, my +attention was gradually directed more and more to the subject, till at +last an indescribable longing took possession of me to know what was +actually in the bottle. I succeeded at last in getting it into my +possession, opened it, and found therein a strong drink, which exhaled a +very delightful perfume, and tasted very sweetly, and which, therefore, +I drank out, even to the last drops. + +"'In what manner my spirit and disposition were now at once wholly +changed,--how I felt a burning thirst for the pleasures of the +world,--how vice, in seductive form, appeared to me as the very highest +object of pursuit in this life, I can only hint at, but cannot +adequately describe. In short, my life became a continued chain of +shameful crimes, till at last, notwithstanding my devilish artifice and +cunning, I was betrayed to the prior, who, accordingly, sentenced me to +perpetual imprisonment in the dungeons of the convent. + +"'When I had passed several weeks in a damp dark prison, I cursed myself +and my existence--I blasphemed God and the Saints. Thereupon the devil +came to me in a glowing atmosphere of red flame, and said to me, that if +I would turn away my soul wholly and utterly from the service of the +Most High, and swear allegiance to him alone, he would set me directly +at liberty. Howling, I fell upon my knees, and cried out, 'There is no +God whom I serve!--Thou alone art my master; and from the fervour of thy +fire stream forth all the pleasures and enjoyments of this life!' + +"'Scarcely had I uttered these wild words, when there arose a roaring +wind like a hurricane, and my prison walls groaned and cracked, as if +agitated by an earthquake. An indescribable voice, like the piping +shrill tone of the wind in autumn, vibrated through the air. The iron +bars of the window fell down, broken into fragments; and, hurled out by +some invisible power, I found myself standing in the court of the +convent. + +"'At that moment the moon gleamed clear and powerful through the clouds, +and in her light shone above me the statue of St Anthony, which was +erected at a fountain in the middle of the court. An inexpressible +horror now seized on me; my frame shook with the agony of conscious +guilt. I threw myself prostrate and annihilated before the Saint, +renounced the devil, and prayed for mercy. But then dark clouds rose up +into the sky, and again the hurricane roared around me. My senses were +lost, and I recovered myself, for the first time, in the forest, where I +raged about, delirious with hunger and despair, out of which situation +you rescued me.' + + * * * * * + +"Such," continued the forester, "was the Capuchin's story, and it made +upon me an impression so deep, that, even after the lapse of many +months, I am able thus to repeat it, word for word. Since that time the +monk has behaved himself with so much piety and consistency, that we all +conceived an affection for him; and on this account it is to me the more +inexplicable how his madness during the last night should have broken +out so violently again." + +"Do you not know, then," said I, "from what Capuchin convent the +fugitive has come?" + +"He has been silent on that head," said the forester; "and I am the less +inclined to ask him regarding it, because it is probable this may be the +same unhappy man, who, not long ago, was a constant subject of discourse +at our Prince's court. Yet there was no knowledge of his being in this +neighbourhood; and for the monk's sake, I by no means wished that my +suspicions should be changed into conviction, as I should then have been +compelled to announce the truth at the _residenz_." + +"But I at least may hear your suspicions," said I; "for, being a +stranger, I am not involved in the consequences; besides, I shall +solemnly promise not to repeat what you may communicate." + +"You must know, then," said the forester, "that the sister of our +reigning Princess is Abbess of the Cistertian Convent at Kreuzberg. The +Abbess had taken under her care the son of a poor woman, (betwixt whose +husband and our Prince's family some mysterious connection subsisted,) +and provided for his support and education. By his own desire, he became +a Capuchin monk, and acquired, as a pulpit orator, great reputation. The +Abbess frequently wrote to her sister in praise of her chosen _eleve_; +but not long ago her style on this subject became completely changed, +and she deeply deplored that she had irrecoverably lost him. It was +rumoured that, on account of the misuse of a certain relic, he had been +banished from that convent, of which he had been so long the chief +ornament. All this I learned from a conversation of the Prince's +physician with another gentleman of the court, at which I happened, not +long ago, to be present. They mentioned some other very remarkable +circumstances, which, however, have escaped me, as I did not hear the +whole distinctly, and durst not trouble them with questions. I am, +therefore, not prepared on all particulars of the story, which in part +remains to me inexplicable. + +"Yet, though the monk, who is now in our house, describes his leaving +the monastery in a different manner, this may be the work of his own +imagination. He may have dreamed all that he tells about his escape; +and, in short, I am persuaded that this monk is no other than Brother +Medardus, the Capuchin, whom the Prioress educated, and whom the devil +enticed to all sorts of crimes, until Heaven at last punished him with +the infliction of utter insanity." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + +When the forester pronounced the name of Medardus, my whole frame +violently shook, nay, the story throughout had even, physically and +corporeally, tormented me, so that at every word I felt almost as if +daggers were piercing to my heart; and it was with great difficulty that +I prevented my agitation from being observed by my companion. I felt +convinced that the monk had spoken only the truth, both with regard to +the relic and direct agency of the devil; nay, that it could have been +nothing else but a repetition of the same infernal drink that had now +renewed in him this horrible delirium. + +But my own situation had again become degraded. I found myself more and +more confirmed into the mere plaything of that mysterious and malicious +destiny, which had so effectually wrapt its indissoluble toils around +me, so that, while I madly believed myself free, I was, in truth, only +beating about, like a captive bird in a cage, within barriers, from +which I could find no outlet. + +The good and pious lessons of my old friend Cyrillus, on which I had +bestowed no attention; the appearance of the young Count and his +volatile tutor, all came back on my memory. I was now clearly instructed +whence had proceeded that sudden alteration which I had experienced both +in mind and body. I was utterly ashamed of the delusions to which I had +been subjected, and of my criminal conduct. But, alas! this shame, which +was the emotion of a selfish worldling, rather than a penitent, appeared +to me at the moment as equivalent to the deep repentance, the +self-annihilation which I ought in my inmost heart to have felt and +cherished. + +Thus I had sunk into deep reflection, and scarcely listened to the old +man, who once more recurred to his hunting stories, describing to me +various adventures which he had encountered with poachers, etc. etc. + +The twilight had now drawn on, and at last we stood opposite to the +covert in which it was said that there were black game or partridges. +The forester placed me in a proper station and attitude, admonished me +once more that I was not to speak nor move, but, with the utmost care, +to hold my gun on the cock, and ready to fire. + +The huntsmen softly glided away to their several places, and I was left +standing alone in the dim light, which always became more obscure. +Seldom have I known visions more strange than what arose to my +bewildered senses at that moment. Forms and features, imagery and +adventures out of my past life, stept out vividly, like the illusions of +a phantasmagorie, amid the gloom of the dark forest, before me. Among +them were visions even of my earliest years. I beheld alternately my +mother and the Abbess. They looked at me with a severe and reproving +aspect. Euphemia, too, habited in luxurious splendour, came floating and +rustling up, as if to salute me. But her visage was deadly pale, and I +liked not the gleam of her darkly-glaring eyes. I shrunk, therefore, +from her proffered embrace, whereupon she lifted up her hands, in a +threatening attitude, against me. "They are steeped in blood," cried I, +"that drops reeking to the earth. They are died in the life-blood from +Hermogen's wounds!" + +Instantly, as I uttered aloud these delirious words, there came over my +head a great whirring of wings, so that by the noise I was quite stunned +and confounded. It was a large covey of partridges. I directly put my +gun to my shoulder, and shot, blindfold and at random, into the air, +whereupon two birds fell directly to the ground. + +"Bravo!" cried one of the huntsmen, who had been standing at a short +distance, while at the same moment, as the stragglers of the covey +started up, he fired, and brought down a third partridge. Shots +afterwards reverberated all round us. The air was filled with smoke, and +the _chasseurs_ at last assembled, every one bearing his own proper +booty. + +The lad to whom I had been stationed nearest, related, not without sly +side-looks at me, how, when the partridges rose on the wing, I had cried +out aloud, as if in great affright, and then, without once taking aim, +had shot blindly into the midst of them, though he was obliged to allow, +that I had at the same time killed two birds. Nay, he insisted that, in +the twilight, it had appeared to him as if I held the gun in a direction +totally wrong; yet the birds were struck, by which result he seemed to +have been brought into great perplexity. + +The old forester was mightily diverted, and laughed aloud at the notion +that I could be frightened in such manner by a covey of partridges, and +that I had then only shot at random among them. "However," added he, "I +shall nevertheless trust that you are an honest Christian hunter, and no +_freischutz_--no devil's marksman--who can hit whatever he likes, +whether he aims at it or not." This unpremeditated jest of the old man +struck my inmost heart, and even the good luck attending my random shot, +at that moment filled me with horror. More than ever discontented, and +torn by conflicting impulses, I became wholly involved in doubt and +mystery, which, by their destructive influence, continued to darken my +whole existence. + + * * * * * + +On our return to the _forst-haus_, Christian announced that the monk had +kept himself quite quiet in his prison, had not spoken a word, and would +not accept of any nourishment. + +"It is impossible now," said the forester, "that he can remain any +longer with me; for who can say that his madness, which is obviously +incurable, might not break out again, and, in consequence, some horrible +misfortune be brought upon our house? To-morrow, therefore, he must, as +early as possible, be sent off with Christian into the town. The +deposition that I thought it best to draw up, as to my whole adventures +with him, has been long since ready, and in town he may be at once taken +to the mad-house." + + * * * * * + +This night, when I was again left alone in my chamber, the same +frightful visions that had haunted me in the wood, once more regained +their full influence. More especially Hermogen, like a horrible ghastly +spectre, stood, in the dimness of the half-lighted room, before me, and +when mustering courage to dare the worst, I tried to look fixedly on the +apparition, it was changed into that of the delirious monk. Both seemed, +according to my confused perceptions, to be melted into one, and thus +perhaps impersonized the warning influence of a higher power, which +interposed to save me just as I stood upon the very brink of +destruction. + +While undressing, I stumbled over the basket-bottle, which still lay +upon the floor. The monk had drained it even to the last drops; thus I +was protected completely from any temptation to drink more. But even the +bottle itself, from which there exhaled a strong stupifying odour, I +hurled away through the open window, over the wall of the court, in +order to annihilate at once every operation of this damnable Elixir. + +By degrees I became more tranquil, and found at last some consolation in +the belief, that in point of intellect, I must be greatly elevated over +that monk, who, by a scanty draught out of my bottle, had been roused +into furious madness. I felt also that the present dangers had passed +over me, for the forester believed that his maniac monk was the Capuchin +Medardus; and, from all this, I inferred the favourable warning of +Providence, whose purpose it was not that I should utterly perish. + + * * * * * + +Irresistibly I felt myself drawn towards the Prince's _residenz_. There +it was possible that an introduction to the sister of the Abbess, who +was said to bear a great resemblance to the latter, might restore to me +my long-lost disposition towards a life of simple piety, and to those +pure enjoyments which had attracted me in youth. In order to reanimate +the most vivid recollections of that period, even a sight of the +Princess was, in my present tone of feelings, all that would be +requisite; but as to the means by which an interview with her might be +obtained, I resolved to submit myself wholly to chance. + +Scarcely was it day-break when I heard the voice of the forester in the +court. I had agreed to set out early with his son, and therefore dressed +as quickly as possible. When I came down stairs, there was a rough +_leiter-wagen_ at the door, prepared for departure. The three servants +now brought out the monk, who, with a deadly-pale and distorted +countenance, allowed himself to be led, without uttering a word. He +would answer no questions--he would accept of no food; indeed, scarcely +seemed to notice those who were around him. Accordingly, they lifted him +upon the carriage, and bound him with ropes; for his present condition +appeared very doubtful, and no one could be secure against the sudden +breaking out of his malady. + +As they bound his limbs, his visage was convulsively writhen, and he +heaved a deep sigh, with an expression so piteous, that his situation +wounded me to the heart. Between him and me there subsisted some +mysterious relationship, as to the nature of which, I could not yet even +guess; but to his misery and probable destruction I owed my present +hopes of safety. + +Christian, and one of the huntsmen, took their places beside him in the +carriage. It was not till they were driving away that his looks happened +to fall directly on me, whereupon his features immediately assumed an +expression of wonder and perplexity. As the carriage receded, his eyes +still remained intently gazing on me. + +"Mark you," said the forester, "how strangely he watches you. I do +believe that your presence in the dining-room contributed very much to +his frenzy; for even in his lucid intervals he has always been timid, +and has cherished the suspicion that a stranger was to come who would +put him to death, of which he always entertains an unbounded horror. +Being aware of this, I have often, when in the wildest of his paroxysms, +by threatening to shoot him, produced perfect calmness and submission." + +I now felt lightened and relieved by the consciousness that this monk, +who seemed to present a horrible and distorted shadow of myself, was +effectually removed from my presence. I rejoiced, too, in my +anticipation of the _residenz_, believing that the load of that gloomy +and obscure fate by which I had been oppressed, would at last be taken +from my shoulders,--that I should be gifted with new energies, and +acquire strength to tear myself from the grasp of that malicious demon, +to whom I had hitherto been subjected. + +After breakfast, the handsome travelling equipage of the forester drove +up to the door; I could not prevail on his wife to accept of a little +money in requital for the hospitality that she had shewn to me; but to +his daughters I was luckily able to give some articles of _bijouterie_ +which I found in my portmanteau, having purchased them at the fair in +Frankenburg. The whole family took leave of me as affectionately as if I +had been for a long time resident among them; but the old man did not +let me go without some farther jokes upon my peculiar genius and success +as a sportsman. Under the bright golden gleams of a fine autumnal day, +we at last drove off. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + +The _residenz_ of the Prince presented a complete contrast to the +trading town which I had left. In extent, it was much smaller, but was +more regularly and handsomely built. Several broad streets, planted with +double rows of flourishing trees, seemed more to belong to the laying +out of a park, or English garden, than to a town. There was here no +bustle of trade; all was, on the contrary, still and solemn--an +impression perhaps deepened by the kind of atmosphere peculiar to that +season of the year (the decline of autumn) when I arrived at the +capital. The quiet was only now and then interrupted by the rattling +course of some coroneted carriage. In the dress and demeanour even of +the lower ranks, there was an attempt at the polite and ornamental, yet +without vain ostentation; while, as I walked through the streets, +although a perfect stranger, yet my appearance probably being approved +of, I was saluted with a respectful bow, and wave of the hat, from every +passenger. + +The palace of the Prince was by no means large, nor even built in a +grand style; yet, with regard to elegance and just proportions, it was +one of the finest buildings that I had ever seen. Around it was a very +beautiful park, which, by the possessor's liberality, was thrown open to +all the world, while, as usual in Germany, not a single flower was +plucked, nor an ornament displaced or disfigured, not even a blade of +grass injured by passengers quitting the gravel walks. + +At the hotel where I had put up, I was told that the Prince frequently +enjoyed an evening promenade with his family through the park; and that +many inhabitants of the town watched that opportunity of paying their +respects to, or seeing, _en passant_, their respected sovereign. + +Accordingly, at the proper hour, I hastened to the grounds, and observed +the Prince, with his consort and a small train of attendants, step out +from the _vestibule_ of the palace. Very soon, as they drew nearer, my +whole attention was directed to the Princess, whom I should have +instantly recognised, only by her resemblance to the Abbess, which was +striking and extraordinary. The same height and dignity; the same grace +in every gesture; the same intellectual gleam of the eyes, and the free, +unclouded forehead and fascinating smile. Only she appeared younger in +years, and in shape fuller and rounder than the Abbess. She came close +past me, so that I heard also the tone of her voice, as she spoke with +some ladies who happened to be in the _allee_, while the Prince walked +behind, seemingly absorbed in deep discussion with a grave, +formal-looking man. + +The looks and behaviour of this noble family, and the simplicity of +dress, the total absence of display evinced both by them and their +immediate train, were all in harmony. One could easily perceive that the +good manners and spirit of respectful order which prevailed through the +town, had their origin in the example of the court. By chance I had my +station near a lively little man, who gave me answers readily to all the +questions that I was inclined to put to him, adding spontaneously many +remarks of his own, which to me were very opportune and interesting. + +When the Prince and Princess had passed by, he proposed to me, as a +stranger, to take a walk through the park, and to point out to me the +various objects which, as works of art, were there most to be admired. + +This was an offer precisely such as I had wished for, and I gladly +availed myself of his politeness. As we proceeded through the grounds, +beneath dark shadowy rows of beeches, elms, and poplars, I expressed +with great sincerity my admiration of the delightful soil and climate of +the _residenz_, and the luxuriant growth of the noble trees. + +But as to the numberless buildings in imitation of ancient temples, +where pillars, that should have been of gigantic height, could be +measured at an arm-length from the ground;--Gothic chapels, for example, +where the attention of the builder had been concentrated on trifling +ornaments, instead of the construction of a grand and intellectual +_whole_;--of all _these_ I expressed freely my decided disapprobation; +consequently, he endeavoured to defend these erections by the usual +argument, that they were in a park _indispensable_, if it were no more +than to guard against the inconvenience of a sudden shower. To this I +replied, that simple buildings, such as romantic cottages, root-houses, +etc. would be equally useful, and free from that blame of bad taste which +I attached to the now existing temples, mosques, and chapels. + +"To say the truth, I am quite of your opinion," said the stranger; "but, +meanwhile, you must know, that the design of all these buildings, and of +the whole park, proceeds from our Prince himself; and this circumstance, +of course, softens down, at least to us, who are under his dominion, all +tendency to severe criticism or censure. + +"The Prince is, in truth, one of the best of men. He has acted always on +that admirable principle, that his subjects are not there to serve and +minister to him, but that he is appointed guardian over them, and is +responsible for their comfort and welfare. The liberty of speaking +freely and aloud whatever one thinks; the low rate of taxes and +consequent cheapness of provisions; the extreme lenity, nay, +invisibility, of the police, (who, though always watchful, never make +their appearance except on occasion of some flagrant misdemeanour,) the +removal of all troublesome and superfluous soldiery, the calm regularity +with which affairs of business and merchandize are carried on; all +these circumstances must make a residence in our capital very agreeable +to a stranger. + +"I would lay any bet, that you have never yet been asked after your name +and rank; nor has the innkeeper at your hotel, as it happens in other +places, marched in with a great book under his arm, in which one is +obliged, _nolens volens_, with an abominable stump of a pen, and ink +made of soot and water, to enter his name and condition in the world. + +"In short, the whole economy and arrangements of our small kingdom, in +which there prevail a real prudence and wisdom, proceed directly from +our excellent Prince; whereas, _formerly_, at this very town, people +were tormented by the pedantic formality of a court, whose only aim was +to represent the expenses and parade of a neighbouring government of far +greater power and wealth, in a _pocket-edition_. + +"Our Prince is a sincere and unaffected lover of the arts and sciences. +Therefore, every good artist, and every man of real learning, is welcome +to him; for, as to rank in life, he lays on that no stress whatever. He +considers only the degree of intellectual acquirements which a stranger +actually does or does not possess; and accordingly shews or withdraws +his favourable countenance. + +"But even in the accomplishments of our Prince, it is impossible to +deny, that something of an alloy of pedantry has crept in, which is +partly owing to errors in his early education, and which expresses +itself in his improvements, by an overstrained and slavish adherence to +this or that particular school or fashion. He himself drew out, with the +most laborious minuteness, the plans for every building in the park; and +even the slightest departure of the workmen from the given models, which +he had searched out and put together from an hundred antiquarian +repositories, vexed him in the highest degree. Every pillar, portico, +tower, and cupola, must have its representative, however ludicrous the +imitation in point of height and dimensions must of necessity be. + +"By the same disposition to carry one or other favourite system to an +_extreme_, our theatre now suffers, where the principles that he has +once laid down, must on no account be departed from, although, in order +to retain them, sometimes the most heterogeneous incongruities are +forced together. In short, the Prince has a boundless variety of +_hobbies_, which (to keep up the metaphor) he rides alternately; yet not +one of them is of a description calculated to give offence, or do any +real injury to his subjects. When this park was laid out, then he was +architect and gardener _a la folie_. After that, some new fantasies +about music wholly absorbed his attention; to which inspiration, +however, we owe the fitting up of a most admirable and unrivalled choir +and opera. Then painting took the _pas_, and occupied him so entirely, +that, as an artist, he is no mean proficient. + +"Even in the daily amusements of the Court, he shews the same +disposition to extremes, and the same variability. Formerly, dancing was +kept up almost every evening; _now_, there is on company-days a +Pharo-Bank, and the Prince, without being in the least what is properly +called a gamester, delights in watching and calculating all the +intricacies of chance. But the pharo-table has continued already long +enough; and there is wanting only some very trifling occurrence or +impulse to bring something altogether new again on the carpet. + +"This versatility has sometimes drawn upon our good Prince the reproach +of a weak understanding. There are people who insist, that the mind of +a wise man should always be like a still and waveless lake, reflecting +the same images with calm and unchangeable fidelity. But, in my opinion, +injustice is done him; for it is merely from an extraordinary vivacity +of spirit, that he thus gives the reins at all times to some favourite +and passionate impulse. Hence no expense is spared on establishments +contributing to the amusement and intellectual improvement of his +subjects. These grounds, for example, whatever may be their defects, are +always kept in the nicest order; our opera, chapel choir, and theatre, +are munificently endowed; and our collection of pictures is at every +opportunity augmented. As to the court amusements of gaming, etc. these +are recreations, which, considering the Prince's sedulous application at +other times to business, surely cannot be refused to him." + +During this conversation, we passed by many very beautiful and +picturesque masses and groups of trees, of which I renewed my +expressions of admiration, praising also the fine varieties, which, from +rising grounds, the eye commanded in the landscape. + +"I ought not to forget," said my companion, "that although the Prince +designed every architectural ornament, and had generally the +superintendance of the park, yet he was indebted for the position of +every thicket, group, or _allee_ of trees, to the taste of our admirable +Princess. She is indeed a complete landscape painter, after which, +natural history, especially botany, is her favourite study. Hence you +will find the rarest and most curious foreign plants and flowers, not +arranged as if merely brought hither for show, but growing in artificial +parterres as if on their native soil. The Princess, however, expressed +an especial disgust to the awkwardly cut gods and goddesses in +freestone, naiads and dryads, with which the park, in former days, was +filled. These statues have therefore vanished; and you find only a few +copies after the antique, which the Prince, on account of certain +cherished remembrances, would not part with." + + * * * * * + +It was now late in the evening, and we left the park. My companion +readily accepted an invitation which I gave him to my hotel, where he +at last announced himself as the _Inspector_ of the Prince's +picture-gallery. + +After supper, and a bottle of excellent wine, when we had become better +acquainted, I mentioned to him my earnest wish to obtain an introduction +at court; whereupon he assured me, that nothing could be more easy than +this, as every well-educated stranger was welcomed in the circle of his +sovereign. I had only to make a visit to the Court-Marshal, and beg of +him to present me to the Prince. + +This diplomatic mode of introduction, however, by no means suited me, as +I could scarcely hope to escape certain troublesome questions of whence +I had come--what was my rank and profession, etc. I therefore resolved to +trust to chance, which would soon throw a favourable opportunity in my +way; and, accordingly, this soon after occurred. + +One morning, as I was taking an early walk in the yet solitary park, the +Prince, dressed in a simple blue surtout, and quite alone, came along an +_allee_, directly meeting me. I saluted him _en passant_, as if he had +been some one of whom I had no previous knowledge. Hereupon he stood +still, and began a conversation with the question, "Whether I was a +stranger here?" I answered in the affirmative, adding, "that I had +arrived only a few days before, with the intention of passing directly +through; but that the charms of the situation, with the tranquillity, +good order, and spirit of calm enjoyment, which everywhere seemed to +prevail, had induced me to stay longer. Quite independent, and living +merely for literature and the arts, I had now resolved to make this +place my residence for some time, as everything by which I was +surrounded had become to me more and more delightful and attractive." + +By these expressions the Prince seemed obviously flattered, and he even +offered himself as my _cicerone_, to explore the beauties of the park. I +took special care not to betray that I had already seen everything, but +availed myself of my previous knowledge, in order to throw in apt +remarks and exclamations. I allowed myself to be led through all the +temples, grottos, chapels, and pavilions, patiently listening to the +Prince's long lectures about every building. He regularly named the +ancient models after which every structure had been imitated; made me +attend particularly to their minutest details; then referred, ever and +anon, to the grand _morale_, the intellectual system which prevailed +through the whole plan of the park; that harmony in confusion, "where +all things differ, and yet all agree," which he thought should be +adopted as the leading principle in laying out grounds of this sort. + +The Prince then desired my opinion. I approved very cordially the +natural charms of the place, and the luxuriant vegetation also of the +well-disposed masses and groups of wood, with the shadowy _berceaux_; +but as to the buildings, I expressed myself just as freely as I had +before done to the gallery inspector. He listened to me attentively; +seemed not altogether to reject my remarks, but at last cut all +discussion short, by saying, that my notions were very good in theory, +but that as to the actual practice, it was a different affair, of which +I seemed to have but very little notion. + +The conversation then turned upon the arts. I soon proved that I was a +tolerable _connoisseur_ of painting; and, as a practical musician, I +ventured many observations, in opposition to his ideas, which, though +ingeniously and precisely delivered, only served to shew that he was far +more studied than persons of his rank generally are; but, at the same +time, that of the _real attributes_ of musical genius he had no +comprehension whatever. On the other hand, my objections only proved to +the Prince that I was a _dilletante_, one of a class who are generally +not much enlightened by the actual practice of their theories. He +instructed me, however, in the proper characteristics (or what, +according to him, ought to be the proper characteristics) of a sublime +picture, and a perfect opera. + +I heard much about colouring, drapery, pyramidal groups; of serious and +of comic music; of scenes for the _prima donna_; of choruses; of effect, +_chiaro oscuro_, light and shade, etc. etc.; to all which medley I +listened quietly, for I perceived that the Prince took a pleasure in his +own discourse. + +At last he abruptly cut short his own eloquence with the question, "Do +you play pharo?" to which I answered in the negative.--"Well, sir," said +he, "that is a most admirable game. In its lofty simplicity, it is the +true and proper pastime for a man of genius. One is thereby carried out +of himself; or, to speak better, if he is possessed of due powers of +mind, he is lifted up to a station from which he can contemplate all the +strange complications and entanglements which are (otherwise invisibly) +spun by the mysterious power which we call Chance. Loss and gain are the +two points on which, like pivots, the grand machine is moved; and by +this machine we are irresistibly carried onward, while it is impelled +ceaselessly by its own internal springs. This game, sir, you must +absolutely learn. I will myself be your teacher." + +I assured him that I had hitherto felt no particular turn for gaming, +and that I had always understood the inclination for it to be highly +pernicious and destructive. The Prince smiled, and fixing on me his +bright, penetrating eyes, resumed; "Ay, there are indeed childish +superficial minds, who maintain that argument; and, consequently, you +will suppose that I am a gamester, who wishes to draw you into his nets; +know, then, that I am the Prince! If you are pleased with your residence +at my capital, then remain here, and visit at my palace, where you will +find that we sometimes play pharo. Yet I by no means allow that any one +under my roof shall subject himself to loss, though the stake must of +necessity be high in order to excite interest; for fortune herself is +lazy and stupid as long as nothing but what is insignificant is offered +to her arbitration." + +Already on the point of leaving me, the Prince turned round, and asked, +"With whom have I been speaking?"--I answered that my name was Leonard; +that I lived as a literary man, _particulier_; for the rest, I was by no +means a _nobile_, nor a man of rank; and, therefore, perhaps did not +dare to make use of the advantages which his highness had thus offered +to me. + +"What the devil," said he, "has nobility to do with it? You are, as I +have clearly convinced myself, a very ingenious and well-informed man. +Literature, science, and the arts, confer on you nobility, and render +you fully qualified to appear in our circles. Adieu, Mr Leonard!--_Au +revoir!_" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + +Thus my wishes were far more readily, and more early than I could have +expected, fulfilled. For the first time in my life I should appear as a +courtier. All the absurd stories, therefore, which I had read in +romances, of cabals, quarrels, intrigues, and conspiracies, floated +through my brain. According to the most received authorities among novel +writers, the Prince must be surrounded and blindly led by all sorts of +impostors; especially, too, the Court-Marshal must be an insipid, proud, +high-born coxcomb; the Prime Minister a malicious, miserly villain; the +lords in waiting gay and unprincipled libertines. Every countenance must +artificially wear the most agreeable expression, while in the heart all +is selfishness and deception. In society they (the courtiers) must +profess to each other the most unbounded friendship and attachment. They +must bend to the very earth in apparent humility, while every one +endeavours to trip up his neighbour's heels in the dark, so that he may +fall unpitied, and his pretended friend come into his place, which he +may keep only till some one else plays off the same manoeuvre against +him. Finally, the court ladies must be ugly, proud, revengeful; +glistening with diamonds, nodding with feathers, painted up to the eyes, +but withal, amorous, constantly engaged in venal intrigues, and laying +snares for the unwary stranger, which he must fly from as he would from +the devil. + +Such was the absurd picture which, from the books I had read at college, +had remained vividly on my recollection. The conversation of the Prior, +indeed, might have afforded me more rational ideas; still it seemed to +me that a court must be the sphere, of all others, where the Arch-Enemy +of mankind exerted his pre-eminent and unresisted dominion. Hence it was +not without timidity that I looked forward to my promised introduction; +but an inward conviction, that _here_ my lot in life was finally to be +decided, and the veil of mystery withdrawn, drove me still onwards, so +that, at the appointed hour, with a palpitating heart, but struggling +as manfully as I could with my disquietude, I found myself in the outer +hall of the palace. + +My residence at the commercial town of Frankenburg had done much to rub +off the rust of my conventual habits. Being by nature gifted with a +graceful and prepossessing exterior, I soon accustomed myself to that +free and unembarrassed demeanour, which is proper to the man of the +world. That paleness, which generally disfigures even handsome features +among the inhabitants of the cloister, had now vanished from my +countenance. I was at that time of life when our mental and bodily +energies are generally in their zenith. Conscious power, therefore, gave +colour to my cheeks and lustre to my eyes, while my luxuriant dark hair +completely concealed all remains of the _tonsure_. Besides all this, I +wore a handsome full dress suit of black, a chef-d'oeuvre of Damon, +which I had brought with me from Frankenburg. + +Thus it was not to be wondered at that I made a favourable impression on +those who were already assembled in the outer hall, and this they did +not fail to prove, by their polite advances and courteous expressions. +As, according to my romantic authorities, the Prince, when he revealed +his rank to me in the park, should have thrown back his _surtout_, and +discovered to my sight a brilliant star, (which he had failed to do,) so +I had expected that every one whom I should meet in the palace should be +clad in the richest silks and embroidery. How much was I surprised, +therefore, to find that, with the exception of ribbons and orders, their +dresses were all as plain as that in which I myself appeared. + +By the time, therefore, that we were summoned to the audience-chamber, +my prejudices and embarrassment had worn off; and the manners of the +Prince himself, who came up to me, with the words, "Ha! there is Mr +Leonard," completely restored my courage. His highness continued for +some time in conversation with me, and seemed particularly diverted by +the freedom and severity with which I had criticised his buildings in +the park. + +The folding doors were now opened, and the Princess, accompanied by some +of her ladies, came into the room. Immediately on her appearance, as the +glare of the lustres fell on her features, I recognised, more forcibly +than ever, her exact likeness to the Abbess. The ladies of the assembly +surrounded her for some time, but at last I was summoned, and +introduced, after which ceremony her eyes followed me, with a gaze +obviously betraying astonishment and inward emotion. Then turning to an +old lady who stood near her, she said a few words in a whisper, at which +the latter also seemed disquieted, and looked on me with a scrutinizing +aspect. + +All this was over in a moment, for other presentations took place; after +which the assembly divided into groups, and engaged in lively +conversation. One recollected, indeed, that he was in the circle of a +court, and under the eye of the sovereign, yet without feeling on that +account constrained or embarrassed.--I scarcely recognised a single +figure that would have been in keeping with the caricatures that I had +previously drawn. The Court-Marshal was a lively and happy-looking old +man, without any particular attributes, either of pride or formality. +The lords in waiting were sprightly youths, who, by no one symptom, +betrayed that their characters were depraved and vicious. Two ladies, +who immediately waited on the Princess, seemed to be sisters. They were +uninteresting, insignificant, and, as luck would have it, dressed with +extraordinary plainness. + +There was, however, one little man in the room, with a comical visage, +long nose, and sparkling eyes, who irresistibly engaged my attention. He +was dressed in black, with a long steel-mounted sword, and wound +himself, with incredible dexterity, like a serpent through the crowd, +appearing now here, now there, but resting never, and apparently raising +laughter (whether with him, or at him, I knew not) wherever he went. +This person (having ventured an inquiry) I understood was the Prince's +physician. + +The old lady with whom the Princess had spoken had kept her eyes on me, +and contrived to manoeuvre so skilfully, that, before I was aware of +her plans, I found myself alone with her in a window recess. She began a +conversation with me, in which, guardedly as it was managed, I perceived +very clearly that her only object was to gain a knowledge of my +situation and circumstances in life. I was prepared for some occurrence +of this kind, and being convinced that the simplest story was always the +safest, I told her that I had formerly studied theology, but that +having received from my father a competent fortune, I now travelled +about for my own pleasure and improvement. + +My birth-place, I said, was on the Polish frontiers of Prussia; and I +gave it by the way such a horrible unpronounceable name, that the old +lady made no attempt to repeat it after me. "Well, sir," said she, "you +have a countenance which might here raise many, and not altogether +pleasant recollections; and you are, perhaps, as to rank, more than you +wish to appear, for your demeanour by no means resembles that of a +student of theology." + + * * * * * + +After refreshments had been handed round, we went into another room, +where the pharo-table was in readiness. The Court-Marshal was the +banker; but I understood afterwards that his agreement with the Prince +allowed him to retain all his winnings, while the latter indemnified him +against every loss, so that the bank remained always in the same state. + +The gentlemen now assembled themselves round the table, with the +exception of the physician, who never played, but remained with the +ladies, who took no interest in the game. The Prince desired that I +would station myself next to him, while, in a few words, he very clearly +explained to me the rules and principles of pharo, at the same time +selecting my cards, as I was here completely a novice. + +But there was not a single card chosen by the Prince for himself, that +was not attended by the worst possible luck; and as long as I followed +his counsel, the same fate attended mine. Besides, I was suffering +considerable losses. A louis d'or was the very lowest point; my limited +exchequer was fast ebbing away, and this painfully brought back on me +the question that had often occurred, "What was I to do in the world, +when my last ducat was expended?" + +A new _taille_ was begun, and I begged of the Prince that he would now +leave me to myself, as it seemed that I was born to be unlucky, and was +drawing him into the same fatality. The Prince agreed, with a smile of +perfect good humour. He said, that the best way to recover my loss +would, in his opinion, have been, to follow the lead of an experienced +player; however, that he was very curious to learn how I would behave +when alone, having in myself such confidence. + +I had not said that I had any such confidence; and now blindfold and at +random, I drew out a card from my hand; it was the Queen. It may seem +absurd, but is nevertheless true, that I thought the caricature features +on this card had a resemblance to Aurelia! I stared at it accordingly, +and became so lost in my own reflections, that it was only the call of +the banker, "All's ready," that awoke me from my reverie. + +Then, without a moment's hesitation, I drew out the five louis d'ors, +all that I had left, and staked them on the Queen. Beyond my +expectations this succeeded! Then I always staked more and more on the +Queen always higher as my gains increased, and I never lost a single +round. + +At every new stake my antagonists and the by-standers cried out--"No; it +is impossible! This time she must prove unfaithful!" But, on the +contrary, I won, and the cards of every other player turned against +him--"Now, this is unheard of--this is miraculous!" resounded from all +quarters, while, completely reserved, and wrapt up within myself, with +my whole thoughts fixed only on Aurelia, I scarcely noticed the +_rouleaux_ of gold, which the banker shoved one after another over to +me. + +In short, the Queen had, in the four last _tailles_, invariably gained, +and I had my pockets full of gold. I had won about two thousand louis +d'ors; and though I thus found myself suddenly freed from all pecuniary +embarrassment, yet I could not repress a strange feeling of perplexity, +and inward self-condemnation. + +Of course, I perceived an exact coincidence between my success at pharo, +and my good fortune in shooting, with eyes closed and at random, the two +partridges when in company with the forester. It was obvious that the +result on both occasions was not owing to any superior skill or +management of mine, but to some higher power to which I was wholly +subservient. This constant recurrence too, and reflection of Aurelia's +form and features, could be nothing but an abominable scheme of the +devil to draw me into wickedness, and the misuse which I had now made of +that truly sacred and beloved image filled me with horror and aversion! + +In the most gloomy mood of mind, and utterly at variance with myself, I +was gliding about in the morning through the park, when the Prince, who +was accustomed to take a walk at the same hour, joined me. + +"Well, Mr Leonard," said he, "how do you like my game of pharo? What +think you of the humours and caprices of Fortune, who kindly excused +your absurd conduct, and flung the gold into your hands?" I was not +ready with an answer, and the Prince therefore resumed--"You had luckily +stumbled on the _carte favorite_, but you must not trust to your luck +again in this manner. You might carry the principle too far." + +His highness now went into a long discussion, founded on this idea of +the _carte favorite_, imparted to me various rules as to the doctrine of +chances, and concluded by expressing his conviction that I would no +doubt follow up zealously this commencement of my _bonne fortune_ at +play. + +On the contrary, I assured his highness, "that it was my firm resolution +never more to touch a card!" The Prince looked at me with surprise. +"Even my yesterday's wonderful luck," said I, "has been the natural +cause of this resolution; for all that I had formerly conceived of the +pernicious and ruinous tendency of this game, has truly been realized +and confirmed. In truth, there was in my very success something +repugnant, and even horrible to my feelings. I drew out a card, +blindfold, and unawares. That card awoke in my mind painful, though +cherished remembrances, of which I could not resist the influences. I +went on accordingly, venturing stake after stake, as if some demon had +placed it in my power to _command_ fortune, though I had no real and +moral right to the gain which thus fell to my share." + +"I understand perfectly," said the Prince, "what you mean by painful and +cherished remembrances. You have been an unfortunate lover, and the card +brought to your recollection the image of the lost fair one; though, +begging your pardon, Mr Leonard, when I think of the pale complexion and +flat features of your favourite Queen, this seems not a little +capricious. However, you thought on your lost mistress, and in that game +of pharo, she was perhaps more true and faithful than she had been in +real life. But what you are able to discover in all this that is +horrible and frightful, I cannot possibly conceive. On the contrary, +you should rejoice that Fortune, even on any grounds, is so much +inclined to favour you. Besides, if you are really vexed, this is not to +be imputed to the pharo-table, but to the individual moods, the +idiosyncrasies of your own mind." + +"All that your highness has stated," said I, "may be perfectly correct; +but I feel deeply that it is not merely the fear of loss on which my +present dislike to gaming is founded. Gain itself, which only brings us +more and more under a state of slavery to a mysterious fate, which would +one day lead us to destruction, is equally dangerous. Yet, sire, I +confess that I was yesterday on the point of seeing my travelling +exchequer completely drained, which, considering my present distance +from home, would have been to me no slight misfortune." + +"Nay," said the Prince, "I should have infallibly learned this +occurrence, and would have taken care that the loss should have been to +you threefold repaid, for I certainly do not choose that any one should +be ruined, in order to contribute to my amusement. Besides, any real +evil of this kind cannot happen under my roof, for I know my players, +and do not trust them out of my own sight." + +"Yet, with submission," said I, "may not these very precautions take +away all that freedom from the player, and thereby annihilate those fine +involvements of chance, in which your highness takes delight? Or may not +some individual, on whom the passion for play has violently seized, +break out of such trammels, and rush on, unobserved, to his own +destruction? Forgive my candour, sire. I believe also, that those very +methods which your highness would adopt to prevent evil consequences, +would, from the perverse nature of mankind, be looked upon by many as a +disgusting and intolerable restraint." + +"Say no more, Mr Leonard," said the Prince, "it is obvious, that from +every opinion or idea of mine you are resolved to dissent." With these +words he hastily retired, adding only an unceremonious and careless +"adieu." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + +I knew not myself how I had been led to speak so freely on the subject, +never having till now thought of gaming or its consequences; but the +words, as on former occasions, seemed to be prompted for me by some +invisible power, after whom I only repeated them. However this might be, +I believed that I had now lost the favour of the Prince, and with it, +the right of appearing on any future occasion within the walls of his +palace. + +In this belief, however, I was mistaken, for, on the same day, I +received a card inviting me to a concert; and the Prince, whom I once +more met in the park, said, _en passant_, with much politeness, "Good +evening, Mr Leonard! You are to be with us to-night, and it is to be +hoped that my _capelle_ may gain some credit, and please you better than +my park and my pharo-table have done." + +The music was indeed very commendable. All was performed with great +accuracy; but, at the same time, the pieces appeared to me not well +chosen; for one destroyed, by contrast, the effect of the other; and, +especially, there was one long act, which seemed to have been got up +with particular care, and which, nevertheless, produced in me a hearty +fit of _ennui_. + +I took good care not to express my opinion audibly; and in this respect +acted, for once, with prudence, as I was afterwards informed that this +same long act, or scene, was one of the Prince's own composition. + +When the music had concluded, I found myself unawares in the innermost +circles of the court, and would have been willing even to take a hand at +pharo, in order to reconcile myself wholly with the Prince. But, on +entering the room where pharo had been played, I was not a little +surprised to find no preparations for that game. On the contrary, small +parties were seated at ordinary tables, over hands of Boston-whist, +while the rest of the company kept up lively conversation. Even a +regular course of story-telling was introduced. Old bon-mots were +revived, and fresh anecdotes attentively listened to, provided they +were agreeably delivered, even though not intrinsically of much +importance. + +Here my old gifts of loquacity and eloquence came opportunely to my aid; +and, under the guise of romantic and poetical legends, I contrived to +narrate many events out of my own life. + +Thus I attracted attention and won applause from many listeners. The +Prince, however, liked best whatever was cheerful and humorous; in which +respects, the physician was not to be equalled. He was indeed +inexhaustible. + +This kind of pastime was at last carried so far, that individuals were +chosen to read from their own MS. compositions, whatever they considered +best suited for the present society. A kind of regular _esthetical_ club +was thus formed, where the Prince presided, and every one contributed as +he best could. Among the rest, there was a certain professor from the +_gymnasium_, who chose to read a very long paper on some new +discoveries; and precisely in proportion as the few who knew anything +about his science were interested and delighted, the others were +_ennuyes_ and restless. Among this majority was the Prince, who was +evidently rejoiced when the physician very judiciously seized this time +to introduce one of his stories, which, if not very original and witty +in themselves, yet, from the drollery of his manner, were irresistible, +and had at least a _naivete_ and facility which were highly acceptable, +after the tiresome lecture of the professor. + +"Your highness knows," said the physician, turning to the Prince, "that +I never failed, when on my travels, to enter into my memorandum-book, +portraits (in writing I mean) of all the strange characters and odd +adventurers that fell in my way; and from this journal I am now about to +repeat some notices to which I have hitherto not alluded, on account of +their being perhaps too common-place, yet they seem to me not altogether +undiverting. + +"On my way home, about a year ago, I came to a large handsome village, +about four German miles from Berlin; and being much fatigued, resolved +to rest there, instead of going on to the capital. The landlord directly +shewed me to a good room, where, after supper, I threw myself into bed, +and directly fell asleep. About one in the morning, however, I was +suddenly awoke by a noise, which, assimilating with a fearful dream +with which I had just then been haunted, I imagined to be either the +shrieking of an owl at the window, or the cries of a person in distress, +for I had dreamed of both. + +"It was, however, the sound of a German flute, which proceeded from a +room very near me; but in my whole life, before or since, I have never +heard such an attempt at music. The man must have had monstrous and +gigantic powers of lungs; for in one loud shrill cutting key, he went on +without mercy, so that the character of the instrument was perfectly +annihilated. What added, if possible, to this enormity, was, that he +blew everlastingly the same identical passage over and over, not +granting me the slightest relief, by an endeavour at a tune, so that +nothing could be conceived more abominable. + +"I raved at, cursed, and abused this infernal musician, who so cruelly +deprived me of needful rest, and by whom my ears were so barbarously +outraged; but, like a wound-up piece of clock-work, the diabolical flute +continued to utter the same notes over and over, until I thought the +devil himself must be the player, for no one else could have had +physical strength to hold out so long. At last I heard something thrown +with great violence, and a loud crack, against the wainscot; after which +there was dead silence, and I could for the rest of the night sleep in +peace. + +"In the morning I heard a great noise of quarrelling and scolding in the +lower floor of the house. In the _row_ I could now and then distinguish +the voice of mine host, who was scarcely allowed, however, to throw in a +word, by a man who roared without ceasing, in broken German--'May your +house be damned! Would that I had never been so unlucky as to cross the +threshold! The devil himself must have brought me hither, where one can +neither drink, eat, nor enjoy himself--where everything is infamously +bad, and dog dear. There, sir, you have your money; and as for your +rascally gin-shop, you shall never more see me again within its walls!' + +"Having just then finished my toilet, I was in time to behold the author +of all this disturbance. He was a little, withered man, in a +coffee-brown coat, and a round _fox-red_ wig, on which, with a martial +air of defiance, he stuck a little grey hat; then ran out of the house +towards the stable, from which I soon afterwards saw him re-appear, with +a horse fully as odd-looking as himself, on which he mounted, and, at a +heavy, awkward gallop, rode off the field. + +"Of course I supposed he was like myself, an entire stranger, who had +quarrelled with the landlord, and had now taken his final departure. I +dismissed him, therefore, from my thoughts; but, at dinner-time, (having +been induced to remain another day at the village,) how I was surprised, +on taking my place at the _table d'Hote_, to perceive the same absurd +coffee-brown figure, with the fox-red wig, who, without ceremony, drew +in his chair opposite to mine! + +"He had one of the ugliest, and most laughable visages that I had ever +beheld. In his whole demeanour, there was a kind of grave and solemn +absurdity that was irresistible. During dinner, I kept up a monosyllabic +dialogue with my host, while the stranger continued to eat voraciously, +and took no notice whatever of any one. + +"At last, the innkeeper, with a sly wink at me, led the discourse to +national peculiarities, and asked me, whether I had ever been +acquainted with an Irishman, or knew what was meant by Irish bulls, for +which that country was celebrated? 'Unquestionably,' said I; 'I have +heard many such;' and a whole string of these blunders came at once into +my head. I then told the story of the Irishman, who, when asked why he +wore stockings with the wrong side out, answered, 'Because there was a +hole in the other side;'--of the still better anecdote of another +disciple of St Patrick, who was sleeping in the same bed with a choleric +Scotch Highlander. An English wag, who was lodged in the same room, by +way of a practical joke, took one of the Irishman's spurs, and, +perceiving that he wast fast asleep, buckled it on his heel. Soon after, +the Irishman happening to turn round, tore the Scotchman's legs with his +spur; whereupon the latter, in great wrath, gave his companion a violent +box on the ear, and the Englishman had the satisfaction of hearing +betwixt them the following ingenious discourse:-- + +"'What devil,' said the Irishman, 'has got possession of you? and why +are you beating me?'--'Because,' said the other, 'you have torn me with +your spurs.'--'How is that possible? I took off my clothes.'--'And yet +it is so--see only here.'--'Damnation!--you are in the right. The +rascally waiter has pulled off my boots, but left on the spurs!' + +"The story, however old, was new to the innkeeper, who broke out into +immoderate laughter; but the stranger, who had now wound up his dinner +with a great draught of beer from a glass as high as a church tower, +looked at me gravely, and said--'You have spoken well, sir. The Irishmen +certainly do make these bulls; but this by no means depends on the +character of the people, who are ingenious and witty, but on the cursed +air of that damp country, which infects one with them, as with coughs +and catarrhs. I myself, sir, am an Englishman, though born and bred in +Ireland, and therefore am, on that account, subjected to the vile +propensity of making bulls.' + +"Hereupon the innkeeper laughed more and more, and I was obliged to join +him heartily, for it was delightful that the Irishman, gravely lecturing +on bulls, should _unconsciously_ give us one of the very best as a +specimen. + +"The stranger seemed not in the least offended by our laughing. 'In +England,' said he, with his finger on his nose, and dilating _his_ +eyes--'in England, the Irishmen are like strong spices added to society +to render it tasteful. I am myself, in one respect, like Falstaff; I am +not only witty in myself, but the cause of wit in others, which, in +these times, is no slight accomplishment. Could you suppose it possible, +that in the empty leathern brain of this innkeeper, wit, generated by +me, is now and then roused? But mine host is, in this respect, a prudent +man. He takes care not to draw on the small capital that he possesses of +his own, but lends out a thought now and then at interest, when he finds +himself in the society of the rich!' + +"With these words, the little original rose and left us. I immediately +begged the innkeeper to give me something of his history. + +"'This Irishman,' said mine host, 'whose name is Ewson, and who, on that +account, will have himself to be an Englishman, has now been here for +the short period of twenty-two years! As a young man, I had just set up +in the world, purchased a lease of this inn, and it happened to be on my +wedding-day when Mr Ewson first arrived among us. He was then a youth, +but wore his fox-red wig, his grey hat, and coffee-brown coat, exactly +as you saw him to-day. He then seemed to be travelling in great haste, +and said that he was on his return to his own country; however, hearing +the band of music which played at my wedding feast, he was so much +delighted with it, that he came into the house and insisted on making +one of the party. + +"'Hereupon, though he approved our music, yet he swore that it was only +on board an English war ship that people knew how to dance; and to prove +his assertion, gave us a hornpipe, whistling to it all the while most +horribly through his teeth, fell down, dislocated his ancle, and was, of +course, obliged to remain with us till it was cured. + +"'Since that time he has never left my house, though I have had enough +to do with his peculiarities. Every day through these twenty-two years, +he has quarrelled with me. He despises my mode of life, complains that +my bills are over-charged; that he cannot live any longer without +roast-beef and porter; packs up his portmanteau, with his three red wigs +one above the other, mounts an old broken-winded horse, and rides away. + +"'This, however, turns out nothing more than a ride for exercise; for at +dinner-time he comes in at the other end of the town, and in due time +makes his appearance at my table, eating as much of the despised dishes +as might serve for any three men! + +"'Once every year he receives from his own country a valuable bank-bill. +Then, with an air of the deepest melancholy, he bids me farewell, calls +me his best friend, and sheds tears, which I do also; but with me they +are tears of laughter. After having, by his own account, made his will, +and provided a fortune for my eldest daughter, he rides away slowly and +pensively, so that the first time I believed he certainly was gone for +good and all. + +"'His journey, however, is only four German miles, viz. into the +_residenz_, from whence he never fails to return on the third or fourth +day, bringing with him two new coffee-brown coats, six new shirts, three +wigs, all of the same staring and frightful red, a new grey hat, and +other requisites for his wardrobe; finally, to my eldest daughter, +though she is now eighteen, a paper of sugar-plums. + +"'He then thinks no more either of residing in the capital, nor of his +homeward journey. His afternoon expenses are paid every night, and his +money for breakfast is thrown angrily at my head every morning. + +"'At other times, however, he is the best-tempered man in the world. He +gives presents every holiday to all my children, and in the village has +done much real good among the poor; only, he cannot bear the priest, +because he learned from the schoolmaster that the former had changed a +gold piece that Mr Ewson had put into the box, and given it out in +copper pennies! Since that time, he avoids him on all occasions, and +never goes to church, and the priest calls him an atheist. + +"'As before said, however, I have often trouble enough with his temper. +On coming home just yesterday, I heard a great noise in the house, and a +voice in furious wrath, which I knew to be Ewson's. Accordingly I found +him in vehement altercation with the house-maid. He had, as usual with +him, thrown away his wig, and was standing bald-pated in his +shirt-sleeves before her, and holding a great book under her nose, +wherein he obstinately pointed at something with his finger. The maid +stuck her hands in her sides, told him he might get somebody else to +play his tricks upon, that he was a bad wicked man, who believed in +nothing, etc. etc. etc. + +"'With considerable difficulty I succeeded in parting the disputants, +and bringing the matter under arbitration. Mr Ewson had desired the maid +to bring him a wafer to seal a letter. The girl never having written or +sealed a letter in her life, at first did not in the least understand +him. At last it occurred to her that the wafers he spoke of were those +used at mass, and thought Mr E. wanted to mock at religion, because the +priest had said he was an atheist. She therefore refused to obey him. +Hereupon he had recourse to the dictionary, and at last got into such a +rage, that he spoke nothing but English, which she imagined was +gibberish of the devil's own inspiration. Only my coming in prevented a +personal encounter, in which probably Mr Ewson would have come off with +the worst.' + +"I here interrupted mine host with the question, 'Whether it was Mr +Ewson also who tormented me so much in the night with his +flute-playing?' 'Alas! sir,' said he, 'that is another of his +eccentricities, by which he frightens away all my night-lodgers. Three +years ago one of my sons came on a visit here from the _residenz_. He +plays well on the flute, and practises a good deal. Then, by evil +chance, it occurred to Mr Ewson that he had also in former days learned +to blow the flute, and never gave over till he prevailed on my son to +sell him his instrument for a good round sum, and also a difficult +concerto which he had brought with him from town. + +"'Thereafter Mr Ewson, who has not the slightest pretensions to a +musical ear, began with furious zeal to blow at this concerto. He came, +however, only to the second solo of the first allegro. There he met with +a passage which he could by no possible means bring out; and this one +passage he has now blown at, through these three years, about a hundred +times per day, till at last, in the utmost rage, he throws his flute and +wig together against the wall. + +"'As few instruments can long hold out against such treatment, he +therefore frequently gets a new one, and has indeed three or four in use +at the same time. If any of them exhibits the smallest flaw in one of +the keys or joinings, then, with a 'God d--n me, it is only in England +that musical instruments can be made!' he throws it out of the window. + +"'What is worst of all, however, is, that this passion for blowing the +flute of his, seizes him in the night, and he then never fails to diddle +all my guests out of their first sleep. + +"'Could you believe it, however, that there is in our town another +foreigner, an Englishman, by name Doctor Green, who has been in the +house of the _Amtmann_ about as long as Mr Ewson has lived with me, and +that the one is just as absurd an original as the other? These two are +constantly quarrelling, and yet without each other could not live. It +has just now occurred to me that Mr Ewson has, for this evening, ordered +a bowl of punch at my house, to which he has invited Doctor Green. If, +sir, you choose to stay here till to-morrow, you will see the most +absurd trio that this whole world could afford.' + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + +"Your highness will readily conclude," continued the physician, "that I +was very willing on this account to delay my journey, as I had thereby +an opportunity of seeing Mr Ewson in his glory. As soon as the morning +drew on, he came into my room, and was so good as to invite me to his +bowl of punch, although he regretted that he could only give me that +contemptible drink which, in this country, bore the honoured name of a +far different liquor. It was only in England where good punch could be +drunk, and if ever I came to see him in his own country, he would +convince me that he knew how to prepare, in its best fashion, that +divine panacea. + +"Not long afterwards, the two other guests whom he had invited, made +their appearance. The _Amtmann_ was, like Ewson, a little figure, but +round as a ball, happy and contented, with a red snub nose, and large +sparkling eyes. Dr Green, on the contrary, was a tall, powerful, and +middle-aged man, with a countenance strikingly national, carelessly, yet +fashionably dressed, spectacles on his nose, and a round white hat on +his head. + +"'Give me sack, that mine eyes may be red,' cried this hero, (marching +up to the innkeeper, whom he seized by the breast, shaking him +heartily,) 'Speak, thou rascally Cambyses, where are the princesses? +There is here a base odour of coffee and Bremen cigars, but no +fumigation yet floats on the air from the ambrosial drink of the gods.' + +"'Have mercy, oh champion! Away with thy hands--relax thy potent grasp,' +answered the host, coughing; 'otherwise, in thine ire, thou might'st +crush my ribs like an eggshell." + +"'Not till thy duties are fulfilled,' replied Dr Green; 'not before the +sweet vapour of punch, ambrosial punch, delights our nostrils. Why are +thy functions thus delayed? Not till then shall I let thee go, thou most +unrighteous host!' + +"Now, however, Ewson darted out ferociously against the Doctor, crying, +'Green, thou brute, thou rascal!--Green shalt thou be, beneath the +eyes,--nay, thou shalt be green and yellow with grief, if thou dost not +immediately desist from thy shameful deeds.' + +"Accordingly, I expected a violent quarrel, and prepared myself for +departure; but I was for once mistaken. 'In contempt, then, of his +cowardly impotence, I shall desist,' said the Doctor, 'and wait +patiently for the divine drink which thou, Ewson, shalt prepare for us.' + +"With these words he let go the innkeeper, (who instantly ran out of the +room,) seated himself, with the demeanour of a Cato, at the table, +lighted his pipe, which was ready filled, and blew out great volumes of +smoke. + +"'Is not all this as if one were at the play?' said the good-humoured +_Amtmann_, addressing himself to me. 'The Doctor, who generally never +reads a German book, borrowed from us a volume of Schlegel's +Shakespeare, and since that time he has, according to his own +expression, never ceased playing old well-known tunes upon a strange +instrument. You must have observed, that even the innkeeper speaks in +measured verse, the Doctor having drilled him for that purpose.' + +"He was interrupted by the appearance of the landlord with his +punch-bowl, ready filled with liquor, smoking hot; and although Green +and Ewson both swore that it was scarcely drinkable, yet they did not +fail to swallow glass after glass with the greatest expedition. + +"We kept up a tolerable conversation. Green, however, remained very +silent, only now and then falling in with most comical contradictions of +what other people had said. Thus, for example, the _Amtmann_ spoke of +the theatre at Berlin, and I assured him that the tragedy hero played +admirably. 'That I cannot admit,' said Dr Green. 'Do you not think if +the actor had performed six times better, that he might have been +tolerable?' Of necessity I could not but answer in the affirmative, but +was of opinion, that to play six times better would cost him a deal of +unnecessary trouble, as he had already played the part of Lear (in which +I had already seen him) most movingly. 'This,' said Green, 'quite passes +the bounds of my perceptions. The man, indeed, gives us all that he has +to give. Can he help it, if he is by nature and destiny inclined to be +stupid? However, in his own way, he has brought the art to tolerable +perfection; therefore one must bear with him.' + +"The _Amtmann_ sat between the two originals, exerting his own +particular talent, which was, like that of a demon, to excite them to +all sorts of folly; and thus the night wore on, till the powerful +ambrosia began to operate. + +"At last Ewson became extravagantly merry. With a hoarse, croaking +voice, he sung divers national songs, of which I did not understand a +word; but if the words were like the music, they must have been every +way detestable. Moreover, he threw his periwig and coat through the +window into the court, and began to dance a hornpipe, with such +unutterable grimaces, and in a style so supernaturally grotesque, that I +had almost split my sides with laughing. + +"The Doctor, meanwhile, remained obstinately solemn, but it was obvious +that the strangest visions were passing through his brain. He looked +upon the punch-bowl as a bass fiddle, and would not give over playing +upon it with the spoon, to accompany Ewson's songs, though the innkeeper +earnestly entreated of him to desist. + +"As for the _Amtmann_, he had always become more and more quiet; at last +he tottered away into a corner of the room, where he took a chair, and +began to weep bitterly. I understood a signal of the innkeeper, and +inquired of this dignitary the cause of his deep sorrow. 'Alas! alas!' +said he, 'the Prince Eugene was a great, very great general, and yet +even he, that heroic prince, was under the necessity to die!' Thereupon +he wept more vehemently, so that the tears ran down his cheeks. + +"I endeavoured as well as I could to console him for the loss of this +brave hero of the last century, but in vain. + +"Dr Green, meanwhile, had seized a great pair of snuffers, and with all +his might drove and laboured with them towards the open window. He had +nothing less in view than to clip the moon, which he had mistaken for a +candle. + +"Ewson, meanwhile, danced and yelled as if he were possessed by a +thousand devils, till at last the under-waiter came, with a great +lantern, notwithstanding the clear moonlight shone into the apartment, +and cried out, 'Here I am, gentlemen. Now you can march.' + +"The Doctor arose, lighted his pipe, (which he had laid aside while the +enjoyments of the punch-bowl lasted,) and now placed himself right +opposite to the waiter, blowing great clouds into his face. + +"'Welcome, friend,' cried he; 'Art thou Peter Quince, who bearest about +moonshine, and dog, and thorn-bush? 'Tis I that have trimmed your light +for you, you lubber, and therefore you shine so brightly! + +"'Good night then! Much have I quaffed of the contemptible juice here +denominated ambrosial punch. Good night, mine honest host--Good night, +mine Pylades!' + +"Ewson swore that he would instantly break the head of any one who +should offer to go home, but no one heeded him. On the contrary, the +waiter took the Doctor under one arm, and the _Amtmann_, still weeping +for Prince Eugene, under the other; and thus they reeled along through +the streets, towards the _Amthaus_. + +"With considerable difficulty, we carried the delirious Ewson to his own +room, where he raged and blew for half the night on his flute, so that I +could not possibly obtain any rest; nor did I recover from the +influences of the mad evening, until I found myself once more in my +travelling carriage." + +The physician's story was (more, perhaps, from the _naive_ quaintness of +his delivery, than the _materiel_ of his narrative,) interrupted +frequently by peals of laughter, louder and longer than are usually to +be heard in a court circle. The Prince himself appeared particularly +delighted. + +"There is only one figure," said his highness, "which, in the punch-bowl +scene, you have kept too much in the back-ground, and that is your +own--for I am fully persuaded, that you must have been the means of +leading the Doctor and Ewson to a thousand extravagancies, and that you +were, in truth, the exciting principle of mischief, for which you would +have us take the poor devil of an _Amtmann_." + +"I assure your highness," said the Doctor, "that the club was, on the +contrary, so rounded and complete in itself, that every addition would +have been both discordant and superfluous. The three originals were +tuned up, and adapted, one to the other, each on his proper key, so as +to produce a most perfect trio. The host added thereto what we musicians +call a _septime_." + +In this manner the conversations and the readings were kept up till the +hour when the Prince's family retired to their private apartments, +after which the numerous assembly all separated in the greatest good +humour. + + * * * * * + +I now found myself, day after day, moving happily and cheerfully in a +world entirely new. But the more that I learned to accommodate myself to +the quiet pleasant mode of life in the town, and at the court, the less +I thought of the past, or troubled myself with reflections that my +situation here was held by a very frail tenure. A place was gradually +opened for me, which I could hold with honour and credit. The Prince +seemed to take particular pleasure in my society, and from various +hints, I could very easily perceive that he thought of retaining me +permanently at his court. + +It was not to be denied, that to many individuals the restraint imposed +by the constant presence of the sovereign, and the necessity of +accommodating one's pursuits and opinions to those which prevailed at +court, might have been very disagreeable. But here I possessed the +peculiar advantage of having been already accustomed to the formal +restrained life of the convent; so that I suffered less than any other +stranger would have done. + +One circumstance, however, was exceedingly irksome to me. I perceived +that, although the Prince always distinguished me by the most +unequivocal tokens of his favour, yet the Princess invariably remained, +in her manner towards me, cold, haughty, and reserved. Nay, my presence +seemed often to disquiet her in an extraordinary degree, and it seemed +to cost her a great effort to bestow on me now and then, for form's +sake, a few words of ordinary politeness. + +With the ladies, however, by whom she was surrounded, I had better +fortune. My appearance seemed to have made on them a favourable +impression; and as I was often with them, I succeeded at last in +acquiring the arts of gallantry, that is to say, of accommodating myself +to the notions of the ladies, whoever they were, among whom I happened +to be thrown, and of talking on subjects, in themselves trifling and +contemptible, as if they were of some importance. + +Is not this oftentimes a key to the female heart? It is not difficult to +possess one's self of the ideas that usually prevail there, and if +these ideas, commonly not very deep nor sublime, are repeated and +embellished by the eloquence of a handsome lover, is not this far better +than downright flattery? It sounds, indeed, to female ears, like a hymn +of self-adoration. The beauty, hearing her own slender ideas thus +improved, is as delighted as if she beheld herself (dressed with +elegance and splendour) in a mirror. + +I was satisfied that my transformation was complete. Who could now have +recognised in me the monk Medardus? The only dangerous place for me now +was the church, where I could scarcely avoid mechanically betraying the +force of old habits. + +Among the constant hangers-on of the court, the physician was almost the +only one, except myself, who seemed to have any decided character of his +own. He was, therefore, partial to me, and approved highly the boldness +of my expressions, by which I had strangely succeeded in banishing from +the Prince's parties, the pleasures of the pharo-table. + +It thus happened that we were often together, and spoke now of +literature and the arts--now of the goings on of those that were around +us. For the Princess, the physician had, like myself, a high veneration; +and assured me, that it was only through her influence that the Prince +was restrained from many other follies. It was this only that could +charm away that kind of restless _ennui_ by which he was tormented; and +it seemed often as if she were obliged to treat him as a child, and put +into his hands some harmless plaything. + +I did not lose this opportunity of lamenting that I seemed to be out of +favour with the Princess, without being able to explain to myself any +cause for it. + +The Doctor immediately rose, and, as we happened to be in his room, +brought a small miniature picture from his writing-desk, desiring me to +examine it with great care. I did so--but how was I confounded when I +perceived that the features of the male figure whom it represented were +precisely my own! It was only the old fashion of hair-dressing and of +garb in the portrait, and the luxuriant whiskers (Belcampo's +chef-d'oeuvre) on my part, that presented any difference. + +Without hesitation I imparted my astonishment to the physician. "Well, +sir," said he, "it is neither more nor less than this resemblance which +now terrifies and disquiets the Princess as often as you come into her +presence; for your appearance never fails to bring to her mind the +recollection of a tremendous adventure, which formerly happened at this +court, and which I knew not whether I ought to relate. + +"My precursor in the duties of physician, who has been some years dead, +and of whom I was a pupil, entrusted me with the particulars of that +event, and at the same time gave me this picture, which represents a +former favourite in the Prince's family, known here by the name of +Francesco. You perceive, by the way, that the miniature itself is a +masterpiece of art. + +"It is one of the numerous works of that celebrated foreign painter who +was then at our court, and became a principal actor in the tragedy to +which I have alluded." + +On contemplating the picture, my mind was overpowered by confused and +stupifying apprehensions, which I vainly endeavoured to arrange into +some definite shape. This only was certain, that some mystery, in which +I was myself involved, would now be cleared up; and I entreated the +physician to wave his scruples, and acquaint me with the adventure to +which he had alluded, as it probably might account to me for the +extraordinary likeness between my features and those of Francesco. + +"Truly," said the physician, "I cannot wonder at your curiosity being +thus awakened; and though I speak very unwillingly of these +circumstances, on which, to this day, there lies a veil of mystery which +I have never been able to lift up, yet you shall now hear all that I +know of the matter. Many years have now passed since that occurrence, +and the principal actors have retired altogether from the stage; yet the +mere recollection of them is here so hazardous, that I must beg of you +not to repeat to any one what I may now communicate." + +Of course I promised secrecy, and the physician went on as follows:-- + +"It happened just at the time of our Prince's marriage, that his brother +the Duke of Neuenburg returned from his travels in the society of a man +whom he called Francesco, though it was known that he was not an +Italian, but by birth a German. They brought with him also a painter, +said to have acquired, as an artist, the highest celebrity. + +"The Duke of Neuenburg was one of the handsomest men that have ever +lived; and, on this account alone, would have outshone our sovereign, +even if he had not also excelled him both in vivacity and energy of +mind. + +"On the young and newly-married Princess, therefore, who was then very +lively, and for whose disposition her consort was not very well suited, +the Duke made an extraordinary impression. Without the slightest shade +of criminal intentions, of any premeditated crime, the parties were +gradually and almost unconsciously involved in an attachment, at first +more distinguishable to by-standers than to themselves, and from which +they would, on _timely_ reflection, have fled with terror. + +"It was the stranger Francesco alone, who, both in talents and in +personal beauty, could be compared to the Duke; and as the Duke +interested our reigning Princess, so Francesco completely acquired the +affections of her elder sister, who was then an inmate of our court. + +"Francesco soon became aware of his good fortune, and did not fail to +lay the craftiest plans for profiting by the advantages then put within +his power. Meanwhile, although our sovereign was perfectly convinced of +his wife's virtue, yet the overstrained attentions of his brother, and +the satisfaction with which they were received, gave him considerable +vexation, and Francesco alone, who was become a great favourite, was +able at certain times to keep him in good humour. On this man he wished +to confer some distinguished situation; but the foreigner was contented +with the advantages derived from the system of favouritism, and the +affection of the Princess's unmarried sister. + +"Such was the situation of affairs for some time. No particular event +occurred to disturb the family; but it was easy to perceive that some +among them were in no enviable state of mind. At this very juncture, by +the invitation probably of the Duke, there appeared with great splendour +at our court a certain Italian Countess, to whom, it was said, that, in +the course of his travels, he had at one time been greatly attached, and +who had even been spoken of as his betrothed bride. + +"Be this as it may, she is said to have been wonderfully beautiful, to +have concentrated in her person and manners the very _belle ideal_ of +grace and elegance. Indeed these attributes speak for themselves in her +portrait, which you may see in the gallery. Her presence at first +greatly enlivened the court, where a kind of languor had begun to +predominate. She outshone every lady, even the Royal Princesses not +excepted. + +"Francesco, however, after the arrival of this Italian beauty, became +most unfavourably changed. It seemed as if he were preyed upon by some +inward grief, which wore away the fresh bloom that had been formerly on +his features. Moreover, he became peevish, reserved, and melancholy. He +neglected even the society of his noble mistress, to whom he had before +shewn such obsequious attention. + +"After some time, too, the Duke became morose and meditative, seemingly +carried away by some new passion, which he was unable to resist. But, +above all, it was on Francesco's mistress, the unmarried Princess, that +the strange lady's arrival had the most painful influence. Being +naturally inclined to enthusiasm, and to feel in extremes, it seemed to +her, that with the loss of Francesco's love, all the hopes and joys of +this life were, for her, withered for ever. + +"Amid these dark clouds of disappointment and melancholy, by which all +were more or less affected, the Duke was the first to recover an outward +show of cheerfulness. That his attentions formerly to the reigning +Princess had been perfectly innocent, there can be no doubt; but these +were now changed for a vehement revival of his old attachment to the +Italian Countess, so that he lay once more under the same fetters, +which, but a short time before he came hither, he had successfully +broken! + +"The more that the Duke gave himself to this passion, the more +remarkable for gloom and discontent was the behaviour of Francesco, who +now scarcely ever made his appearance at court, but wandered about +through the country alone, and was often for weeks together absent from +the _residenz_. + +"On the other hand, the painter, who, as I have mentioned before, had +also accompanied the Duke from Italy, and who at first had been so shy +and reserved, that he was almost invisible, now made his appearance very +frequently in society, and laboured with great success and industry in +a large room, which the Italian Countess had fitted up for him in her +house, and where he took many portraits of her and of others, with +matchless fidelity and strength of expression. + +"To the reigning Princess, meanwhile, he seemed to cherish a decided +aversion. He absolutely refused to paint her portrait, while, at the +same time, of her unmarried sister he took a most perfect likeness, +without her having allowed him a single sitting. Many other strange +stories are told of this painter's capricious and unaccountable conduct, +which I do not think it necessary to detail. Suffice it to say, that +though for the most part employed sedulously in his own profession, he +seemed to be utterly careless of what others said or thought of his +productions. One day, however, when the Duke had made some remarks which +did not suit with the stranger's particular humour, an irreconcilable +and violent quarrel took place betwixt them; and the artist only +requested, that, before retiring from the court, he might be allowed to +bestow some finishing touches on a favourite picture of the Italian +lady, which he was then painting for his patron. This being agreed to, +by two or three masterly strokes of his pencil, he converted in a few +seconds the countenance which had been so beautiful, into the most +hideous monster of deformity, on which no one could bear to look. Then, +with the words, 'Now art thou for ever lost,' he slowly and solemnly +left the apartment. + +"This happened when the Italian Princess was already become the +betrothed bride of the Duke, and the marriage was appointed to take +place in a few days. As to the painter's strange conduct, less notice +was taken of it, as he was, by prevalent report, liable frequently to +madness. He returned, as it was said, to his own small and confined +apartments, where he sat staring at a great piece of stretched canvass, +without, as the by-standers believed, making any progress, though he +himself said that he was engaged on magnificent works. So he completely +forgot his attendance at court, and was himself forgotten. + +"The marriage of the Duke with the Italian lady, was solemnly celebrated +in the palace. The reigning Princess had, of course, accommodated +herself to circumstances, and if she really loved her brother-in-law, +had renounced a passion which was without legitimate object, and which +never could have been gratified. + +"Her unmarried sister once more seemed in high spirits, for her lover, +Francesco, now re-appeared at court, more blooming and joyous than ever. + +"The Duke, with his consent, was to inhabit a wing of the palace, which +our Sovereign had ordered to be prepared for them. The Prince was, +indeed, at that time, quite in his element. He was never visible, +without a crowd of architects, painters, and upholsterers around him, +turning over great books, and spreading out on the table plans, +sketches, and outlines, which he partly devised himself; and which, +among them all, turned out sufficiently incommodious and absurd. + +"Neither the Duke nor his bride was allowed to see any of these +arrangements, till on the eve of their marriage-day, when they were led +by the Prince, in a long solemn procession, into the rooms, which were +really decorated with great splendour; and on the evening of that day, +the festivities were concluded by a ball, given in the great banquet +_salle_, which was made to resemble a blooming garden. + +"The nuptials were regularly solemnized on the following day; and all +was conducted as usual on such occasions; till about midnight, when, +from the Duke's wing of the house, there was heard a strange +disturbance, of which the noise became always louder and louder, till it +reached our Sovereign's ears, who, in great alarm, started from his bed. + +"Having dressed himself hastily, and attended by his guards, he reached +the distant corridor of his brother's apartments, just as the servants +were lifting up the dead body of the Duke, who had been found murdered, +and lying at the door of the bridal chamber! + +"I make the narrative as short as possible. It is easier to conceive +than describe the horror of the sovereign, the affliction of his +consort, and the whole court. + +"Of course, the first inquiries of the Prince were, how and by whom the +murder had been committed? Watches were placed in all the corridors. +How, therefore, was it possible, that an assassin could have got +admittance, or how could he escape if he had once got in? All the +private passages were searched, but in vain! + +"The page who usually waited on the Duke, related that he had assisted +his master to undress, who was for a long while agitated by fearful and +undefinable apprehensions, and had walked up and down, greatly +disquieted, in his dressing-room, then, carrying a large wax candle, he +had accompanied him to the anti-room of the bridal chamber. The Duke had +there taken the light out of his hand, and sent him away. + +"Scarcely was he out of the anti-room, when he heard a hollow stifled +cry, the noise of a heavy fall, and the rattling of the overthrown +candlestick. He then ran directly back, and, by the gleam of a lamp, +which still burned, beheld the Duke stretched, dying or dead, before the +door of the bridal chamber, and near him he saw lying a small bloody +stiletto. Thereupon he directly gave the alarm. + +"On the other hand, the Italian Duchess gave a totally different, and +quite inexplicable account. She said, that directly after her maids had +left her, the Duke had hastily come into her room without a light, and +had directly put out the other lights, so that the apartment was left in +darkness. He had remained with her a good half-hour, and had then risen +and departed. According to her statement, it must have been only a few +minutes after this that the murder was perpetrated. + +"In short, people wore themselves out with conjectures as to who could +have been the murderer, while not a single trace of him was to be +obtained. But at this juncture, there stepped forward a certain +waiting-maid of the Princess's unmarried sister, who had been +accidentally and privately a witness of the scene between the Duke and +the painter, when the portrait was destroyed. After hearing her opinion +and evidence, no one doubted that the painter was the man who had found +his way secretly into the palace, and become the murderer. + +"Orders were of course given to arrest this man; but ere the +waiting-maid's evidence was given, he had found time to escape, and not +the slightest tidings of him were to be found. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + +"After this horrible tragedy," continued the physician, "the court +remained sunk in the profoundest melancholy, which was shared by all the +inhabitants of the town; and it was only Francesco, (whose attachment +continued unabated to the unmarried Princess,) who still seemed +cheerful, and, by sympathy, spread a gleam of satisfaction through the +otherwise melancholy circles. + +"I have stated only such facts as I can vouch for on my own knowledge. +As to the conjectures and rumours that were now abroad, they were, of +course, many and various, and, especially, a strange story was told of +some individual, who, on the marriage night, had played, in the dark, +the part of the bridegroom. + +"Be that as it may, the Italian Countess afterwards retired to a distant +castle belonging to our Prince; and as to her mode of life there, it +was kept entirely secret, all that was made known being that her +extreme grief had disgusted her with the world. + +"Notwithstanding the influence of this horrible misfortune, Francesco's +intercourse with the sister of our reigning Princess became always more +and more intimate, and the friendship of this Sovereign towards him more +publicly confirmed. The mystery, whatever it was, that hung over this +man's birth and fortunes, had now been fully explained to him; and at +last, after many consultations and entreaties, he agreed to a private +marriage between Francesco and his sister-in-law. The former was to be +raised to a high rank in the army, under another government, where our +Prince had influence; and not till that event took place, was his +marriage to be made public. + +"The day of the solemnization arrived. The Prince and Princess, with two +other confidential witnesses, of whom my predecessor was one, were the +only persons present at this occasion. One page, who was also in the +secret, kept watch at the chapel-door. + +"The couple were kneeling before the altar. The Prince's confessor, a +venerable old man, after an appropriate prayer and lecture, began the +ceremony, when, to the astonishment of every one, Francesco grew +suddenly pale as marble, staring at some object which as yet none but +himself beheld. 'What would'st thou have?' cried he, in a deep hollow +voice, and letting go his bride's hand. + +"Following the direction of his looks, they now observed, leaning +against a pillar of the church, in his Italian dress, with a dark +violet-coloured mantle drawn closely round him--the painter! He +continued to fix his dark glaring eyes on Francesco, who seemed +transfixed with some inexplicable apprehension. + +"The Princess nearly fainted, and every one but the priest was too much +astonished to speak--'Why should the figure of this man affright you?' +said he, to Francesco. 'It is true that his presence here was +unexpected; but if your own conscience is at rest, wherefore should you +tremble before him?' + +"Then Francesco, who had till now kept this kneeling posture at the +altar, started up, and, with a small stiletto in his hand, rushed +towards the painter. But before he reached him, he himself fell, with a +frightful cry, to the ground, and in the same moment the painter +vanished behind the pillar. + +"The marriage ceremony, of course, was thought of no more. All started +up as from a dream, and ran to the help of Francesco, who had fainted, +and lay on the ground as if dead. To avoid risk of publicity, the two +witnesses, with the page's help, carried him into the Prince's +apartments. When he recovered from his faint, he demanded vehemently +that he should be conveyed to his own lodgings, and left there alone. To +the Prince's questions as to his strange conduct in the church, he would +make no answer whatever. + +"On the following morning, Francesco had fled from the _residenz_, +taking with him all the valuables which the favour of the late Duke, and +of our Sovereign, had bestowed upon him. The latter used every possible +means to unravel these mysteries, and, above all, to explain the ghostly +apparition of the painter. The chapel had only two entrances, of which +one led from the rooms of the palace to the seats near the high altar; +the other, from the great corridor into the aisle of the chapel. This +last entrance had been watched by the page, in order that no prying +observer should gain admittance. The other had been carefully closed, so +that it remained inexplicable both how the painter appeared in, and +vanished from, the chapel. + +"Another circumstance very remarkable was noticed by the page. This +person had been the confidential attendant of the late Duke, and he +declared himself convinced, that the stiletto which Francesco had +continued to grasp convulsively during his faint, was the same which he +had seen lying by the body of his master on that fatal evening, and +which had soon afterwards been unaccountably lost. + +"Not long after Francesco's flight, news came of the Italian Duchess. On +the very day when the former should have been married, she had been +delivered of a son, and soon after her accouchement had died. The Prince +deplored her untimely fate, though the circumstances of the bridal-night +had weighed so heavily on her, that her future life must, of necessity, +have been unhappy. Nor were there wanting individuals malicious enough +to raise against her evil rumours and suspicions. Her son never appeared +here, but was educated in distant countries, under the Italian title of +Count Victorin. + +"The Princess--I mean the sister-in-law of our Sovereign--being reduced +to utter despair by these horrid events following like links of a chain +so closely on one another, determined on devoting the rest of her life +to the cloister. She is, as you already know, Abbess of the Cistertian +Convent at Kreuzberg. + +"But, between these adventures which happened in our court, there has +lately been traced a wonderful, and almost supernatural coincidence, +with others which occurred very lately at the castle of the Baron von +F----, in the Thuringian mountains, and by which his house was thrown +precisely into the same state of distraction and misery under which ours +had suffered. You must know that the Abbess, who had been moved with the +distress of a poor woman with a child in her arms, who came to her from +a pilgrimage to the Convent of the Lime-Tree"-- + +Here the entrance of a visitor put an end to the physician's narrative; +and hastily taking my leave, I succeeded tolerably well in concealing +the tempest of emotions which now raged within me. + +Scarcely a doubt remained on my mind that Francesco had been my father. +He had murdered the Duke with the identical stiletto with which, in +self-defence, I had afterwards killed Hermogen! Here, then, was the +origin of that hereditary guilt, of which the darkening clouds hung like +a curse upon my existence, and which it should have been my earnest +endeavour to expiate, by a life of voluntary suffering, of penance, and +exemplary piety. + +Hence, therefore, I resolved instantly to follow the Prior's +injunctions, and betake myself to Italy; thus breaking out at once from +that dangerous circle into which I had been seduced by the malicious +powers of darkness. + +On that very evening, however, I had been engaged to a party at court, +and went accordingly. The assembly was as numerous and varied as that +which I have described on a former occasion; but, through them all, +there prevailed _one only_ subject of conversation, viz. the +extraordinary beauty of a young lady who had arrived only the day +preceding at our court, and had been appointed one of the maids of +honour to the Princess. + +At last the folding-doors were thrown open, the Princess, as usual, +stepped in, but not with her usual attendant. The stranger was with her, +and in that stranger I recognized at once--AURELIA!! + + +END OF VOLUME FIRST. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Devil's Elixir, by E. T. A. 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