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diff --git a/42426.txt b/42426.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 916beb4..0000000 --- a/42426.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11555 +0,0 @@ - GOLD ELSIE - - - - -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 http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - - -Title: Gold Elsie -Author: E. Marlitt -Release Date: March 28, 2013 [EBook #42426] -Language: English -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOLD ELSIE *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - GOLD ELSIE - - - FROM THE GERMAN - OF - - - E. MARLITT - - AUTHOR OF "THE OLD MAM'SELLE'S SECRET." - - - - BY - MRS. A. L. WISTER. - - - - PHILADELPHIA: - J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. - 1868. - - - - - Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by - J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., - -In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States in and - for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. - - - - - GOLD ELSIE - - - - CHAPTER I. - - -It had been snowing all day long,--so steadily that the roofs and -window-sills were covered deep with spotless white cushions. And now -the early twilight fell, bringing with it a wild gust of wind that raged -among the falling snow-flakes like some bird of prey among a flock of -peaceful doves. - -Although the weather was such that the comfort-loving inhabitants of any -small town would hardly have sent their dogs out of doors, not to -mention venturing their own worthy persons, yet there was little -difference to be seen in the size of the crowd that usually frequents -the streets of the large Capital, B----, between the hours of six and -seven in the evening. The gas lamps were an excellent substitute for -those heavenly lights which would not make their appearance. Carriages -were whirling around corners in such tempestuous haste that many a -pedestrian rescued life and limb only by a sudden leap aside, while -curses both loud and deep were hurled after the coachmen enveloped in -their comfortable furs, and the elegant coaches which contained behind -their glass doors charmingly dressed women, whose lovely flower-crowned -heads, as they peeped from among masses of muslin and tulle, certainly -had no suspicion of the fire and brimstone called down upon them. In -the warm atmosphere, behind the huge shop windows, elaborately curled -and frizzed wax heads, surrounded by blond and black scalps, stared out -upon the passers-by. Smiling shopmen displayed their fascinating -merchandise, and withered old flower-sellers stood among their -fresh-blooming bouquets, which exhaled beauty and fragrance beneath the -light of the lamps that shed a brilliant glare upon the slippery -pavement and upon the flood of human life streaming by, revealing the -pinched, blue features and the desperately uncomfortable movements of -all, old and young. - -But stay,--not of all! A female figure has just entered one of the -principal streets from a narrow by-way. A small threadbare cloak -closely envelopes her slender form, and a worn old muff is pressed -against her breast, confining the ends of a black lace veil, behind -which two girlish eyes are glowing with the sunlight of early youth. -They look out joyously into the whistling snow-storm, rest lovingly upon -the half-open rosebuds and dark purple violets behind the glass panes of -the shop windows, and only veil their light beneath their long dark -lashes when sharp hail-stones mingle with the driving snow-flakes. - -Whoever has listened while childish fingers, or sometimes fingers no -longer childish, confidently begin upon the piano a well-known melody, -which goes bravely on for a few bars, then is arrested by a frightful -discord followed by a wild grasping after every key on the instrument -except the correct ones, while the patient teacher sits by, ceasing to -attempt to evoke order out of chaos by the usual steady marking of the -time, wearily waiting until the panting melody is seized again and -carried on with lightning rapidity through several easy bars as over -some level plain,--whoever has thus had his ears stretched upon the -rack, can understand the delight with which this young girl, who has -just given two music lessons in a large school, offers her hot cheek to -the wind as to an energetic comrade, whose mighty roar can breathe -wondrous melodies through the pipes of an organ or over the strings of -an AEolian harp. - -Thus she passes lightly and swiftly through the storm and crowd; and I -do not for an instant doubt that if I should present her now upon this -slippery pavement to the gentle reader as Fraeulein Elizabeth Ferber, -she would with a lovely smile make him as graceful a courtesy as though -they both stood in a ball-room. But this introduction cannot take -place,--and we really do not need it, for I forthwith intend to relate -to the reader my heroine's antecedents. - -Baron Wolf von Gnadewitz was the last scion of a famous house whose -remote ancestry could be traced back into the dubious twilight which -even preceded that golden age when the travelling merchant, journeying -through some sequestered pass, was forced to surrender his costly stuffs -and wares to a knightly banner and shining steel-clad troup of retainers -as often as to the buff-coated highway adventurer. From those -illustrious times there had been handed down, in the crest of the -Gnadewitzes a wheel, upon which one of these same noble ancestors had -breathed out his knightly soul in consequence of having spilt rather too -much ignoble trading-blood in one of the above-mentioned assaults upon -his merchant prey. - -Baron von Gnadewitz, the last of his race, was chamberlain in the -service of the Prince Royal of X----, and possessor of various orders -and large estates, as well as of those peculiarities of character and -disposition which were, in his estimation, befitting the high-born, and -which he was accustomed to designate as "distinguished," because all -common men, bound by work-a-day moral considerations, and compelled by -the stern necessities of life, lose all taste for the inimitable grace -and elegance of vice. - -Baron Wolf von Gnadewitz was as fond of pomp and show as his -grandfather, who had forsaken the old castle Gnadeck upon a mountain in -Thuringia, the cradle of his line, and had built him in the valley below -a perfect fairy palace in the Italian style. The grandson allowed the -old castle to fall into decay, while he enlarged and improved the modern -mansion considerably. Yes, it seemed as though he entertained not the -smallest doubt but that his latest descendant would be found occupying -this favourite palace at the day of judgment, for the old castle was -quite dismantled in order that the vast chambers of the new abode might -be thoroughly furnished. But he reckoned without his host. Wolf von -Gnadewitz had a son, 'tis true,--a son who, at twenty years of age, was -so complete and thorough a Gnadewitz that the illustrious image of his -ancestor who had perished upon the wheel paled before him. This -promising youth one day, upon the occasion of the great autumn hunt in -the forest, struck one of his whippers-in a fearful blow upon the head -with the loaded handle of his hunting-whip--a fearful blow, but a -perfectly just punishment, as every one of the guests invited to the -hunt declared, for the man had stepped upon the paw of a favourite hound -so clumsily as to render the animal entirely useless for a whole day. -And thus it happened that, a short time afterward, Hans von Gnadewitz -was to be found not only upon the boughs of the genealogical tree in the -hall of the new castle, but suspended by a rope around his neck to a -bough of one of the actual trees in the forest. The beaten whipper-in -expiated the deed upon the scaffold, but that could not bring the last -of the Gnadewitzes to life again, for he was dead,--irrevocably dead, -the physicians said; and the long tale of robber-knights, wild excesses, -hunting orgies, and horse-racing came to an end. - -After this terrible catastrophe, Wolf von Gnadewitz left the castle in -the valley, and indeed that part of the country, and dwelt upon one of -his many estates in Silesia. He took into his house to nurse him a -young female relative, the last survivor of one of the collateral -branches of his house. This young relative proved to be a girl of -angelic beauty, at sight of whom the old baron entirely forgot the -object for which he had invited her beneath his roof, and at last -determined to clothe his sixty years in a wedding-garment. To his -exceeding indignation, however, he now learned that there might come a -time, even to a Gnadewitz, when he could no longer be regarded as a -desirable _parti_, and he fell into a violent rage when his young -relative confessed that, in utter forgetfulness of her lofty lineage, -she had given her heart to a bourgeois officer, the son of one of his -foresters. - -The young man possessed no worldly gear, only his sword and a remarkably -fine manly person; but he was rich in mind, accomplished, amiable in -disposition, and of stainless character. When Wolf von Gnadewitz, in -consequence of Marie's confession, turned her from his doors, young -Ferber carried her home with delight as his wife, and for the first ten -years of their married life would not have exchanged his lot with that -of any king on earth. Still less would he have made such an exchange in -the eleventh year, for that was the eventful 1848; but with it came -fierce struggles for him, and an entire alteration in his circumstances. -He was obliged to decide between two duties. One had been inculcated -while he was in his cradle by his father, and ran thus: "Love your -neighbour, and especially your German brother, as yourself;" the other, -which he had in later years imposed upon himself, commanded him to draw -the sword in his master's interest. In this strife the teachings of his -childhood conquered entirely. Ferber refused to draw the sword upon his -brethren; but his refusal cost him his commission, and with it all -assured means of subsistence. He retired from the army, and soon -afterward, in consequence of a severe cold, was stretched upon a -sick-bed, which he left only after years of disheartening weakness. He -then moved with his family to B----, where he obtained quite a lucrative -situation as bookkeeper in an extensive mercantile establishment. It -was high time, for his wife's small property had been lost shortly -before by the failure of a bank, and the remittances of money which came -to the distressed family from time to time from Ferber's elder and only -brother, a forester in Thuringia, were all that kept them from extreme -poverty. - -Unluckily this good fortune was of short duration. Ferber's chief was a -pietist of the most severe description, and spared no one in his zeal -for proselytism. His efforts to convert Ferber to his own narrow dogmas -were met by such quiet but decided resistance, that the pious spirit of -the saintly Herr Hagen was seized with holy horror. Remorse at the -thought of affording protection and subsistence to such an avowed -free-thinker, gave him no peace by night or by day, until he had freed -himself from such a burden of guilt, by a note of dismissal, which -banished the tainted sheep from his fold. - -About the same time Wolf von Gnadewitz went home to his ancestors, and -as during his earthly career he had strictly conformed to the Gnadewitz -custom of leaving no insult, fancied or otherwise: unavenged, no -worthier conclusion to his life could be found than the will which he -drew up with his own hands shortly before he descended into the narrow -chamber of lead which was to contain for all futurity his noble bones. - -This manly document, which constituted sole heir to his large estates a -distant relative of his wife's, concluded with the following codicil: - -"In consideration of the undeniable claim which she has upon my -property, I bequeath to Anna Marie Ferber, born von Gnadewitz, the -castle of Gnadeck in the mountains in Thuringia. Anna Marie Ferber will -understand my benevolent intention in her behalf in leaving to her a -mansion crowded with memories of the noble race to which she once -belonged. In full remembrance and consideration of the good fortune and -many blessings which have always hovered above this ancient pile, I hold -it entirely superfluous to increase my legacy further. But if Anna Marie -Ferber, blind to the value of my gift, should wish to sell or exchange -it in any way, her right to it must be abdicated in favour of the orphan -asylum of L----." - -And thus, with the utterance of a biting satire, Wolf von Gnadewitz -betook himself to his funeral bed of state. Ferber and his wife had -indeed never seen the old castle, but it was notoriously a crumbling -heap of ruins, which the hand of improvement had not touched for fifty -years, and which, when the modern abode in the valley was completed, had -been stripped of furniture, tapestries, and, in the case of the main -building, even of the metallic roofing. - -Since that time the ponderous oaken door of the principal entrance had -remained closed, and the dusty, rusty bolts and bars had never once been -withdrawn. The huge forest trees which were growing before it spread -abroad their mighty branches, and drooped them among the thick brushwood -at their feet, so that the deserted castle lay behind the green -impenetrable wall like a coffined mummy. - -The lucky heir, who was greatly annoyed by seeing so large a part of his -woodland possessions in stranger hands, would gladly have purchased the -old castle at a high price, but the cunning clause at the conclusion of -the codicil forbade any such transaction. - -Frau Ferber laid the copy of the will which had been sent her, and upon -which there dropped from her eyes a few tears of regret, upon her -husband's desk, and then took up her work,--some delicate -embroidery,--with redoubled, almost feverish industry. In spite of his -exertions Ferber had been unable to procure another situation, and was -now doing his best to maintain his family by translating, a labour but -poorly paid, and even by copying law papers, while his wife eked out -their scanty means by the proceeds of her needle, which she plied night -and day. - -But dark as were the heavens above the struggling pair, one star rose -quietly among the black clouds and seemed not unlikely to indemnify them -by its radiance for all the storms with which fickle fortune had -overwhelmed them. A presentiment of this gentle light which was to beam -upon his gloomy path possessed Ferber when he stood for the first time -beside the cradle of his first-born, a daughter, and gazed into the -lovely eyes which smiled upon him from the baby face. All Frau Ferber's -friends had been unanimously of opinion that the little girl was a -charming creature, a wonderfully gifted child; indeed, they had declared -it did not look in the least like an ordinary baby, did not appear to -belong to the class of miserable little wretches, who, red as lobsters, -seem determined to scream their way through the world; but,--here they -had broken off; and it was intimated that were it not for fear of the -sneers of their liege lords, and the utterly prosaic tendencies of the -nineteenth century, they should certainly suspect that some benevolent -fairy had been at work in this case. - -They contended as to who should be so far favoured as to hold the little -creature at the baptismal font, and should show the deepest tenderness -for the little god-daughter, declaring that the day of her baptism could -never be effaced from their remembrance; but this demand upon their -memories was altogether too great, for when Ferber fell into -difficulties, selfishness passed its finger over the recorded day, and -no trace of it remained in their minds. - -This change, which little Elizabeth experienced in the ninth year of her -existence, disturbed her not at all. Her probable fairy protectress -had, in addition to other rich gifts, endowed her in her cradle with an -invincible joyousness of temperament and great force of will; so she -took from her mother's hand her scanty evening meal as gratefully and -gaily as she had once received the inexhaustible delicacies presented to -her by admiring god-parents; and when on Christmas-eve the room was -adorned only by a poor little Christmas-tree hung with a few apples and -gilded nuts, the child did not seem to remember the time when friends -had crowded around to deck its boughs with all imaginable toys. - -Ferber educated his daughter himself. She never attended a school of -any kind, an omission in her training which cannot, unfortunately, in -the present age, be regarded as anything but an advantage, when we see -how many young girls leave school with far more knowledge upon some -subjects than is at all desirable or pleasing to the anxious mother, who -strives at home to preserve unsoiled her child's purity of mind and -heart, and often does not dream how her tender care is made of no avail -by the taint which one impure nature in the school will communicate, and -which may perhaps colour an entire after-life. - -Elizabeth's pliant mind was finely developed beneath the control of her -gifted parents. Thoroughly to understand the study which occupied her, -and to appropriate its results in such a manner as to make them -inalienably her own were duties which she most conscientiously -fulfilled. But she gave herself to the study of music with an ardor -that inspires a human being only when engaged in a pursuit felt to be -especially his own. She soon far outstripped her mother, who was her -instructress, and as when a child she would often leave her playthings -if she saw a cloud upon her father's brow, to sit on his knee and divert -him with some tale of wonder, thus, as a girl, she would charm away the -demon of gloom from her father's mind by strange and delicious melodies -which lay like pearls in the depths of her soul, until she brought them -to light for the first time for his relief and enjoyment. And this was -not the only blessing springing from her rare talent for music. The -exquisite touch upon the piano, in the garret in which the family lived, -attracted the attention of several of the more aristocratic inhabitants -of the house, and Elizabeth soon had two or three pupils in music, and -had lately been employed in a large school as teacher of the piano, thus -sensibly increasing the means of subsistence of the family. - -Here let us resume the thread of our story, and we shall not shrink, I -hope, from the trouble that we must take in following our heroine -through the wet streets upon this stormy evening to her home and her -parents. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - -Even during the long walk through the streets, alternately straight and -crooked, gloomy and bright, Elizabeth enjoyed in imagination the -delicious sensation of comfort that the sight of the cosey room at home -always caused her. There sat her father at his writing-table with its -little study-lamp, ready to raise his pale face with a smile when -Elizabeth entered. He would take his pen, which had been travelling so -busily over the paper for hours, in his left hand, and with his right -draw his daughter down beside him to kiss her forehead. Her mother, -who, with her work-basket at her feet, usually sat close beside her -husband that she might share the light of his study-lamp, would welcome -her with tender loving eyes, and point to Elizabeth's slippers, which -her care had placed by the stove to warm. Upon the stove apples would -be roasting with a cheering hiss, and in the warm corner beside it was -the sofa-table, where the tea-kettle would be singing merrily above its -spirit-lamp, whose weak, blue light illumined the regiment of tin -soldiers, which her only brother, Ernst, a child six years of age, was -busily drilling. - -Elizabeth mounted to the fourth story before she reached the dark, -narrow passage which led to her father's rooms. Here she hastily took -off her bonnet and placed upon her lovely fair hair a boy's cap, trimmed -with fur, which she drew from under her cloak. Then she entered the -room, where little Ernst ran toward her with a shout of joy. - -But this evening the light shone from the sofa-table in the usually dark -corner by the stove, while the writing-table was left neglected in the -gloom. Her father sat upon the sofa, with his arm around her mother's -waist; there was a joyous light upon the countenances of both, and, -although her mother had evidently been weeping, Elizabeth instantly -perceived that her tears had been tears of joy. She stood still upon -the threshold of the door in great astonishment, and must have presented -a most comical appearance with the child's cap surmounting her amazed -countenance, for both father and mother laughed aloud. Elizabeth gaily -joined in their laughter, and placed the fur cap upon her little -brother's dark curls. - -"There, my darling," she said, tenderly taking his rosy face between her -hands and kissing it, "that is yours; and there is still something left -to help on your housekeeping, mother dear," she continued, with a happy -smile, as she handed her mother four shining thalers. "They gave me my -first five thalers of salary at school to-day." - -"But, Elsbeth," said her mother, with the tears in her eyes, as she drew -her down to kiss her, "Ernst's last year's cap is still quite -respectable, and you needed a pair of warm winter gloves much more." - -"I, mother? just feel my hands; although I have been in the street for -an hour almost, they are as warm as if I had been holding them before -the fire. No; new gloves would be a most superfluous luxury. Our boy -is growing taller and stouter, and his cap has not kept pace with him; -so I consider the cap a necessary expense." - -"Ah, you good sister!" cried the child with delight; "even the little -baron on the first story has not such a charming cap as this. How fine -it will look when I go hunting, hey, papa?" - -"Hunting!" laughed Elizabeth; "are you going to shoot the unfortunate -sparrows in the Thiergarten?" - -"Oh, what a miserable guesser you are, Madam Elsie!" the boy rejoined, -gleefully. "In the Thiergarten, indeed!" he added, more seriously; -"that would be pretty sport. No, in the forest,--the real forest,--where -the deer and hares are so thick that you don't even have to take aim -when you want to shoot them." - -"I should like to hear what your uncle would say to this view of the -noble chase," said his father with a smile, taking up a letter from the -table and handing it to Elizabeth. - -"Read this, my child," said he; "it is from your 'forester uncle,' as -you call him, in Thuringia." - -Elizabeth glanced over the first few lines, and then read aloud: - -"The prince, who sometimes prefers a dish of bacon and sauerkraut at my -table to the best efforts of his French cook in the castle of L----, -passed several hours with me at my lodge yesterday. He was very -condescending, and informed me that he purposed employing an assistant -forester, or rather forester's clerk, for he saw that my duties were too -onerous. I seized upon my opportunity,--the game was within shot, and -if I missed I had nothing to lose but a couple of charges fired into the -air; now was my time. - -"So I told him how the jade, fortune, had played the very devil with you -for this many a year, and how, in spite of your fine talents and -acquirements, poverty had knocked at your door. My old master knew well -what I was driving at, for I spoke, as I always do, in good German. Thus -far in my life every one has understood what I had to say. It is only -the fops and fools of his court who fawn around him, who would persuade -him that good, honest German is too coarse for royal ears, and that he -must always be addressed in French. Well, my old master said that he -would like to offer you this situation as forester's clerk, because he -thought that with regard to myself,--and here he said a couple of things -that you need not hear, but which delighted me,--old fellow as I -am,--quite as much as when in old times, upon examination-day, the -schoolmaster used to say, 'Carl, you have done yourself credit to-day.' -Well, his highness has commissioned me to write to you, and he will -arrange matters. Three hundred and fifty thalers salary, and your fuel. -Now think it over; it is not so poor an offer, and the green forest is a -thousand times pleasanter than your confounded attics, where the -neighbours' cats are forever squalling, and where your eyes are blinded -by the smoke of a million chimneys. - -"You must not think that I am one of those wheedling, parasitical -fellows who use their master's favour to benefit all their own kith and -kin. No; I can tell you that if you were not what you are, that is, if -you were not really talented and well educated, I would bite my tongue -out before I would recommend you to my master; and, on the other side, I -should always try to secure in his service such an honest, capable -fellow as yourself. No offence; you know I always like a plain statement -of a plain case. - -"But there is another matter to be considered. You ought to live with -me, and it could be very easily arranged if you were a bachelor, whom -four walls would content, with a chest for his solitary wardrobe. But, -unfortunately, there is no possible room in my lonely old rat's-hole of -a forest-lodge for an entire family. It is in rather a tumble-down -condition, and has needed a doctor for some time, but I suppose the -authorities will do nothing for it until the old balconies come -crumbling about my ears. The nearest village is half a league, and the -nearest town a league from the lodge; you cannot possibly walk these -distances every day, in the miserable weather that we have here -sometimes. - -"Now old Sabina, my housekeeper, who was born in the nearest village, -has made a wild suggestion which I herewith impart to you. Old castle -Gnadeck, the deceased Baron Gnadewitz's brilliant legacy to you, is, as -I have told you, situated at about a rifle's shot distance from the -lodge. Well, Sabina says that when she was a strong hearty -girl,--which, by the way, must have been something beyond a quarter of a -century ago,--she was a chambermaid in the Gnadewitz household. Then -the new castle was not entirely furnished, and did not suffice to -contain the crowd of guests yearly invited to the great hunt. And so -part of the building connecting the two principal wings of the old -castle was somewhat repaired and furnished. Sabina had to make and air -the beds and attend to the rooms, to her great terror, and no -wonder,--her old brain is perfectly crammed with all sorts of witch and -ghost stories,--for the rest she is a most respectable person, and rules -my household with a steady rein. - -"She maintains most firmly that this part of the castle cannot be in a -crumbling condition, for it was then in an excellent state of -preservation, and would, she is sure, afford a capital shelter for you -and yours. May be she is right; but are your children bold enough to -brave the ghostly inhabitants that are said to haunt those old walls? - -"You know how vexed I was about your worthless legacy, and that I have -never once been able, since the death of the sainted Wolf von Gnadewitz, -to induce myself to visit the old ruin. But after hearing Sabina's tale -yesterday afternoon, I made one of my men climb a tree which stood upon -the only spot which could give you a glimpse into the robber's nest, and -he declared that everything had fallen into decay there. And this -morning I have been to the authorities in the town, but they would not -give me the keys of the castle without special permission from your -wife, and made, besides, as much fuss about it as if the treasures of -Golconda lay hid in the mouldy old rooms. None of those who placed the -seals upon the doors could tell me what sort of a place it was, for they -never entered it, under the impression that the ceiling might fall and -dash out their prudent brains, but contented themselves with placing a -dozen official seals as large as your hand upon the principal entrance -door. I should very much like to investigate matters with you, so pray -decide quickly and start with your family as soon as possible." - -Here Elizabeth dropped the letter and looked with sparkling eyes at her -father. - -"Well, how have you decided, father dear?" she asked hastily. - -"Ah," he replied gravely, "it is quite a hard task to tell you our -resolution, for I see by your face that you would not for the world -exchange this gay populous city for the loneliness and quiet of the -Thuringian forest. Still, you must know that my application to the -Prince of L---- for the place in question lies sealed in that envelope. -However, it is only reasonable that your wishes should be consulted in -some degree, and we can be induced to leave you here in case----" - -"Ah, no; if Elizabeth will not go I would rather stay here, too," -interrupted the little boy, clinging anxiously to his sister. - -"Never fear, my darling," she said to him with a laugh; "I shall find a -place in the carriage, and if I could not, you know I am as bold as a -soldier, and can run like a hare. My longing for the greenwood, which -has been the fairy-land of my imagination ever since I was a very little -child, shall be my compass, and I shall get along bravely. What will -papa do when, some evening, a weary way-worn traveller, with ragged -shoes and empty pockets, prays for admission at the gate of the old -castle?" - -"Ah, then, indeed, we must admit you," said her father, smiling, "if we -would not draw down upon our crumbling roof the hostility of all good -spirits who protect courage and innocence. But you will have to pass by -the old castle if you wish to find us, and knock at some modest peasant -hut in the valley, for the ruined old pile will scarcely afford us an -asylum." - -"I am afraid not, indeed," said his wife. "We shall work our way -laboriously through wild hedges and thick underbrush, like the -unfortunate suitors of the Sleeping Beauty, to find at last----" - -"Poetry itself!" cried Elizabeth. "Why, the first delicious bloom will -be brushed from our woodland life if we cannot live in the old castle! -Certainly there must be four sound walls and a whole roof in some one of -its old towers, and with heads to plan and strong willing hands to -execute, the rest can be very easily arranged. We will stop up cracks -with moss, nail boards over doorways that have lost their doors, and -paper our four walls ourselves; we can cover the worm-eaten floors with -homemade straw mats; declare war to the death upon the gray-coated, -four-footed little thieves who would invade our larder, and soon banish -all cobwebs by a good broom skilfully wielded." - -With glowing looks, quite carried away by her dreams of the future home -in the fresh green forest, she went to the piano and opened it. It was -an old, worn-out instrument, whose hoarse, weak tones harmonized -perfectly with its shabby exterior; but, nevertheless, beneath -Elizabeth's fingers Mendelssohn's song, "Through the dark green Forest," -rang deliciously through the little room. - -Her parents sat quietly listening. Little Ernst dropped asleep. -Without, the howling of the storm was lulled, but the snow was driving -noiselessly past the uncurtained window in huge flakes. The opposite -chimneys, no longer smoking, had put on thick white night-caps, and -looked stiffly and coldly, like peevish old age, into the little attic -room, which enclosed, in the midst of the snow-storm, a perfect spring -of joy and gaiety within its four walls. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - -Whitsuntide! A word that will thrill with its magic the human soul as -long as trees burst into leaf, larks soar trilling aloft, and clear -spring skies laugh above us. A word which can awaken an echo of spring -in hearts encrusted with selfishness and greed of gain, chilled by the -snows of age, or deadened by grief and care. - -Whitsuntide is at hand. A gentle breeze flutters over the Thuringian -mountains, and brushes from their brows the last remains of the snow -which whirls mistily into the air and leaves its old abiding-place in -the guise of luminous spring clouds. Freed from their wintry garments, -the mountains deck their rugged brows with wreaths of young strawberry -vines and bilberries. In the valley below, the rippling trout-stream is -flowing forth from the dark forest directly across the flower-strewn -meadow. - -The lonely saw-mill is clacking merrily, while its low thatched roof -shines white with the fallen blossoms of the sheltering fruit trees. - -Before the windows of the scattered huts of the wood-cutters and of the -villagers many an accomplished bullfinch was singing in his little cage -the airs which were the fruits of a course of instruction in high art, -daring the winter in the hot, close room of his master. And his -brothers in the forest were trilling wilder but far sweeter lays, for -their little throats inhaled the clear air of freedom. - -Where, a few weeks before, the melted snow had foamed down from the -mountain tops in a bed created by its own torrent, beautiful moss was -now weaving a soft carpet, that would soon quite conceal the scarred -breast of the mountain, while here and there, through the thick green -the silver thread of some little stream glittered in the sunlight. - -Upon the highway running through a charming valley of the Thuringian -forest the Ferbers were travelling, in a well-packed carriage, toward -their new home. It was very early in the morning; the bell from a -distant church-tower had just tolled the hour of three, wherefore only -the shabby old sign-post by the roadside and a herd of stately stags -were permitted the sight of a happy face that looked upon this lovely -forest for the first time. - -Elizabeth leaned far out of the window of the dark carriage, and inhaled -deep draughts of the invigorating air, which she maintained had already -cleared away from her eyes and lungs all the dust of the city. Ferber -sat opposite, sunk in thought. He too was refreshed by the beauty and -tender grace of the forest; but he was more deeply moved by the delight -in the eyes of his child, who was so susceptible to the charms of nature -and so unspeakably grateful for the change in their circumstances. How -busy her hands had been since the Royal answer to Ferber's application -for the new office had been received! There had been much to do. She -had shared faithfully in all the cares which their departure from the -city brought upon her parents. It is true the prince had sent his new -official a considerable sum of money for travelling expenses, and the -forester uncle, too, had shown his usual generosity; but with the -greatest economy it did not suffice, and therefore Elizabeth had -employed every hour which she usually had for recreation in sewing for a -large ready-made linen establishment,--occupying herself thus with her -needle for many a night, after her unsuspecting parents were sleeping -soundly. - -There had been one bitter experience amid all the busy hurry, which had -cost the young girl many tears. She had seen her dear piano borne off -upon the shoulders of two strong men to its new possessor. It had to be -sold for a few thalers, because it was old and frail,--too frail to be -transported to the new home. Ah, it had been so true a friend to the -family! Its thin, quavering voice had sounded in Elizabeth's ears -tender and dear as the voice of her mother. And now, probably, -unfeeling children would thrum upon its venerable keys, and tease the -old instrument to speak more strongly, until it should be mute forever. -But this sorrow was past, and lay behind her, with much beside which she -had sacrificed and endured silently; and as she sat looking out into the -morning twilight, with eyes sparkling with delight,--eyes that seemed to -read behind the misty veil of the dawn all kinds of brilliant prophecies -for the future,--who could have discerned in that figure, glowing with -the elasticity of youth, one trace of the fatigue of the last busy -weeks? - -For another half hour the travellers drove along the smooth, level -highway, and then turned aside into the thick forest by a well-kept -carriage-road. The sun was just rising in the eastern sky, and shot his -rays upon the earth in splendid amazement at the diamonds with which she -had adorned herself during his absence. In the night a heavy shower had -come up, much rain had fallen, and the large drops were still hanging -upon twig and leaf, falling pattering upon the roof of the carriage -whenever the postillion touched one of the overarching boughs with his -whip. What a glorious forest! From the thick underbrush at their feet -the trees reared their colossal trunks, and above, their boughs -intertwined in a fraternal embrace as though determined to defend their -peaceful, quiet home from light and air as from two deadly enemies. Only -here and there a slender, green-tinted sunbeam would slip from bough to -bough down upon the feathery grass and the little strawberry-blossoms, -sprinkled everywhere like snow-flakes, even laying their little white -heads impertinently upon the road. - -After a short drive the wood grew less dense, and soon the retired Lodge -appeared in the midst of a meadow in the heart of the forest. The -postillion sounded his horn. A tremendous barking of dogs was heard; and -with a loud whirr a large flock of doves soared, terrified, into the air -from the pointed gable of the house. - -A man in a hunting uniform was standing at the open door,--a gigantic -figure, with a huge beard that almost covered his breast. He shaded his -eyes with his hands as he looked keenly at the approaching carriage, but -suddenly running down the steps, he tore open the door, and threw his -arms around Ferber, as the latter sprang out. For one instant the -brothers stood in a close embrace; then the forester gently released the -slender figure of the younger, and, holding him by the shoulder at arm's -length, gazed searchingly into his pale worn countenance. - -"Poor Adolph!" he said at last, and his deep voice trembled with -emotion. "Has fate brought you to this? But wait awhile, we will have -you sound and well again; it is not too late. A thousand welcomes to -you! And now let us stick together until the last great trumpet call, -when we shall not be asked whether we will stay together or not." - -He tried to master his emotion, and helped his sister-in-law and little -Ernst, whom he embraced and kissed, to descend from the carriage. - -"Well," said he, "you must have been knocked up at an early hour, I must -say, and that's hardly the thing for women." - -"What can you be thinking of, uncle?" cried Elizabeth. "We are no -slug-a-beds, and know exactly how the sun looks when he says good -morning to the world." - -"Halloa!" cried the forester with a laugh of surprise. "Who is that -quarrelling with me in the corner of the carriage? Come out instantly, -little one." - -"I, little? Well, sir, you will be finely surprised when I do get out -and you see what a tall, stately maiden I am!" - -With these words Elizabeth sprang down from the high carriage and stood -on tiptoe, drawing herself up to her full height beside him. But -although her slender, graceful figure was something above middle size, -she seemed at this moment like a pretty king-bird measuring itself with -an eagle. - -"Look," she said, in a rather disappointed tone, "I am nearly up to your -shoulder, and that is more than tall enough for a respectable girl." - -Her uncle, holding himself as erect as possible, looked down upon her -with a roguish smile of great self-satisfaction for a moment, then -suddenly picked her up in his arms as though she had been a feather, and -amid the laughter of the others carried her into the house, calling in a -voice of thunder-- - -"Sabina, Sabina, come here, and I will show you how the wrens look in -B----." - -He put his terrified burden down in the hall as gently and carefully as -though he were handling some brittle plaything, took her head tenderly -between his large hands, kissed her forehead again and again, and said, -"That such a queen of Liliput, such a moonshine elf, should dream of -being as large as her tall uncle! But, forest fairy as you are, you -know all about the sun, for your head is covered with its beams." - -As she was carried into the house upon her uncle's arm the girl's hat -had fallen from her head, revealing a mass of fair hair, the golden -colour of which was all the more remarkable as her delicately pencilled -eyebrows and long lashes were coal black. - -In the mean while an old woman entered from a side door, and at the head -of the first flight of stairs several boyish faces appeared, which, -however, vanished as soon as they found themselves perceived by the -forester. "Oh, you need not run away," he cried, laughing. "I have -seen you peeping. They are my assistants," he turned to his brother; -"the fellows are as curious as sparrows, and to-day I really cannot -blame them," and he glanced archly at Elizabeth, who, standing aside, -was binding her loosened braids around her head. Then he took the old -woman by the hand and presented her, with an air of comical solemnity: -"Fraeulein Sabina Holzin, Minister of the Interior to the Forest Lodge, -High Constable in all stable and farm affairs, and to every one therein -concerned, and, lastly, absolute monarch in the kitchen department. -While she is putting the dinner on the table do just as she tells you, -and all will go well with you; but, if she begins with her stock of old -proverbs and ghost stories, get out of her way as quickly as possible, -for there is no end to them. And now,"--he turned to the smiling old -woman, who was a miracle of ugliness, and who yet prepossessed all in -her favour by her honest eyes, by an expression of roguery and fun that -lighted up her face, and especially by the spotless cleanliness of her -attire,--"now bring us as quickly as you can whatever pantry and cellar -will afford: I know you baked our Whitsuntide cakes earlier than usual, -that our travellers might have something to refresh them after their -fatigue." - -With these words he opened the door opposite to the one from the kitchen -through which the old woman disappeared, and showed his guests into a -large apartment with bow-windows. But Elizabeth lingered behind, -looking through the door which led into the court-yard, for, between the -white picket fences which shut in the feathered tribes on each side of -the enclosure, she saw gay beds of flowers, while three or four -late-blossoming apple trees stretched their rosy bloom-laden branches -over one corner of the space. The garden was large, climbing a short -distance up the mountain side by terraces, and even enclosing within its -realm a beautiful group of old beeches, outlying members of the forest. -While Elizabeth, entranced, stood thus in the hall, the door of a side -wing of the house opened and a young girl stepped out into the -court-yard. She was strikingly beautiful, although her figure was -rather diminutive, a defect for which nature had seemed to wish to -indemnify her by gifting her with a pair of large eyes that glowed like -dazzling black suns. Her abundant dark hair was arranged evidently with -an eye to coquettish effect, and several charmingly curled locks had -escaped just above the pale forehead. Her dress, too, although of -simple material, betrayed in its arrangement the greatest care, and the -observer could not but suspect that the skirt was so artistically looped -not merely that the hem might be kept from the dust, but also with an -eye to the neat little boot which it revealed, and which certainly was -not made to be hidden beneath the heavy woollen stuff of the dress. - -She had in her hand a bowl full of grain, and threw a handful upon the -stones at her feet. A great noise ensued; the doves fluttered down from -the roof, the fowls left their roosts and nests with loud cacklings, and -the watch-dog felt it his duty to assist in the universal clamour by -barking loudly. - -Elizabeth was astonished. It is true, her uncle had been married, but -he never had any children, as she knew; who then was this young girl, of -whom no mention had been made in his letter? She descended the steps -that led to the court-yard, and approached the stranger: "Do you live at -the Lodge?" she asked, kindly. - -The black eyes were riveted searchingly upon her for one moment, with a -look of unmistakable surprise, then an expression of annoyance flitted -across her delicate lips, which closed more tightly than before; the -eyelids fell over the glittering eyes, and she turned silently away, as -though entirely unconscious of the presence or address of any one, and -continued feeding the fowls with the grain. - -Just then Sabina passed through the hall with the coffee-tray. She -beckoned confidentially to Elizabeth, who stood amazed, and, when she -drew near, bade her follow her into the house, saying: "Come, child, you -can do nothing with her." - -In the sitting-room, Elizabeth found all as comfortable and happy as if -they had lived together for years. Her mother was sitting in a large -arm-chair, which the forester had pushed near a window that commanded a -lovely view down one of the vistas of the forest. A large striped cat -had sprung confidingly into her lap, where it was purring with -satisfaction beneath the small hand that was gently stroking it. And -for little Ernst, the four walls of the room were a perfect museum of -all imaginable curiosities. He had climbed into one chair after -another, and was then standing in speechless admiration before a glass -case containing a gorgeous collection of butterflies. The two men were -seated, side by side, upon the lounge, in deep consultation concerning -the future abode of the family, and, as Elizabeth entered, she heard her -uncle say, "Well, if the old ruin on the mountain cannot afford you -shelter, you must stay here with me. I can move my writing-table and -all my other matters out of your way for awhile, and then I will besiege -the authorities in the town until they consent to add another story to -the right wing of my old house." - -Elizabeth took off her travelling cloak, and assisted old Sabina to set -the table. The first shadow had fallen upon the enjoyment that had -filled her soul. Never before had any advance of hers been met with -unkindness. That she owed this exemption from the ill humour of others -to her beauty, the charm of her manner, and the childlike purity of her -nature, which exercised an unconscious influence upon all around her, -had never occurred to her. She had taken it for granted that she should -experience only kindness from all, since she was conscious of meaning -well by all the world. Her disappointment at the repulse was all the -greater, because the sight of a young girl of about her own age had -caused her such surprise and joy; and the beautiful face of the stranger -had interested her deeply. The studied arrangement of the girl's dress -had not struck her, as she herself had never yet known the desire of -heightening her attractions by the aids of the toilet. Her father and -mother had always assured her that no time spent in the cultivation of -mind and heart was lost, and that if they were what they should be, her -exterior could never be unattractive, whatever might be the form with -which nature had endowed her. - -The thoughtful expression of Elizabeth's face did not escape her -mother's notice. She called her to her, and her daughter began an -account of the meeting; but at the first words the forester turned -towards her. A deep wrinkle appeared between his bushy eyebrows, and -made his face dark and gloomy. - -"Indeed," he said, "have you seen her already? Well, then, let me tell -you who and what she is. I took her into my house some years ago, that -she might assist Sabina in her housekeeping. She is a distant relative -of my deceased wife, and has no parents, brothers nor sisters. I wished -to do good, but I have provided myself with a perpetual -scourge,--although I do not deserve it. She had not been here a month -before I discovered that she had not a single healthy thought in her -entire composition; she is a mass of exaggerated ideas and inconceivable -arrogance. I had half a mind to send her back to the place she came -from, but Sabina, who has still less cause than I to love her, entreated -me not to do it. Why, I cannot tell, for the girl gave her a great deal -of trouble, and was insolent. I did all I could to tame her haughty -spirit by giving her regular duties to perform, and for awhile matters -went on pretty well. But about a year ago a certain Baroness Lessen -came to live over at Lindhof,--that is the name of the former Gnadewitz -property, which the heir-at-law sold to a Herr von Walde. The possessor -himself, who has neither wife nor child, is a kind of antiquary, travels -a great deal, and leaves his only sister under the charge of the -aforesaid baroness, more's the pity, for she turns everything upside -down. Years ago, when I used to hear great piety spoken of, all my -veneration was excited, and I wished at least to take my cap off; but -now, when I hear of such things, I clench my fist and pull my hat down -over my eyes, for the world has greatly changed. The Baroness Lessen -belongs to those pious souls who grow cruel, hard, and narrow-minded out -of what they call pure fear of the Lord; who persecute a fellow-creature -who does not cast his eyes down hypocritically, but lifts them to heaven -where God dwells, as persistently as a hound hunts down game. This is -the herd to which my excellent niece belongs; there could not be a -better soil for all the weeds that her brain generates, and all sorts of -annoyances are the consequence. She made acquaintance with a -lady's-maid over there, and spent all her leisure time with her. At -first I was content enough, until all at once she began with her -plans,--for our conversion, as she calls it. Sabina was a miserable -sinner, because she would not leave off work, at least ten times a day, -to pray; the poor old thing, who never misses church every Sunday at -Lindhof, even through wind and rain, and often with rheumatism racking -her old bones, and who has lived a faithful, laborious life, infinitely -more religious than sixty years of idleness spent upon her knees. And -then my fine moralist attacked me; but there she found her match, and -contented herself with a single effort. Then I forbade all intercourse -with Lindhof; but my prohibition was of little use, for whenever my back -is turned she takes occasion to slip over there. Of course, there can -be no question of any gratitude towards me; I have no bond of union with -her as her guardian, and that makes my task of guiding and guarding her -doubly difficult. God only knows what insane idea has taken possession -of her now, but for two months she has been perfectly dumb, not only -here at home, but everywhere. For that space of time not a single word -has passed her lips. Neither sternness nor gentle entreaty produces the -slightest effect upon her. She attends to her duties just as she used -to do, eats and drinks like every one else, and is not one whit less -vain or wise in her own conceit. But because she grew pale, and did not -look very well, I consulted a physician, who had formerly known her, -with regard to her health. He assured me that her physical health was -excellent, and advised that she should be treated with gentle firmness, -as the minds of several of her family had previously been somewhat -affected. He said, too, that she would grow tired of her entire -silence, and would begin talking some fine day like a magpie. I am -content to wait; but in the mean time it is a sore trial to me. All my -life I have longed to have happy faces around me, and would rather eat -bread and salt with cheerful people than the costliest dainties with -morose companions. Come, my Fair one with the golden locks," he -concluded, stroking Elizabeth's head with his huge hand, "push your -mother's arm-chair up to the table, tie a napkin round the neck of that -little rogue who is staring his eyes out at my case of rifles, and let -us breakfast together, for you all need repose, and must rest your weary -limbs after your long journey. After dinner we must begin to think of -Castle Gnadeck; but first strengthen your eyes with a little sleep, lest -they should be dazzled by the splendour which will flash upon them up -there." - -After breakfast, while her father and mother were asleep and little -Ernst was dreaming in a large bed of the wonders of the forest-lodge, -Elizabeth unpacked in the upper room, which her uncle had resigned to -her, all that was necessary for the coming night. She would not for the -world have gone to sleep. She went repeatedly to the window and looked -across to the wooded mountain which arose behind the lodge. There, -above the tops of the trees, she could see a black streak, which stood -out distinctly against the clear blue sky. That was, as old Sabina -said, an ancient iron flag-staff upon the roof of Castle Gnadeck, from -which in times long gone by the proud banner of the Gnadewitzes had -flouted the air. Was there behind those trees the asylum for which she -longed, where her parents might rest their feet, weary with long -wandering upon foreign soil? - -And then her eyes sought the court-yard below, but the dumb girl did not -appear again. She had not come to breakfast, and seemed to wish to -avoid all intercourse with the guests at the lodge. For this Elizabeth -was very sorry. Although her uncle's account had not been promising, a -youthful spirit is not quick to resign its illusions, and would rather -be undeceived by the bursting of its gay bubble than admonished by the -experience of age. The beautiful girl, who could so determinedly -conceal her secret behind closed lips, became doubly interesting to her, -and she exhausted herself in conjectures as to the cause of this -silence. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - -After a most cheerful dinner, Sabina brought from the cupboard a pipe, -which she filled and handed with a match to the forester. - -"What are you thinking of, Sabina?" he said, rejecting it with a comical -air of displeased surprise. "Do you think I could find it in my heart -to sit here and smoke a quiet pipe while Elsie's little feet are dancing -with impatience to run up the mountain, and she is longing to poke her -little nose into the magic castle? No, I think we had better start at -once upon our voyage of discovery." - -All were soon ready. The forester gave his arm to his sister-in-law, -and they started off through the court and garden. After they had gone -a little way, they were joined by a mason from the neighbouring village, -whom the forester had sent for that he might be at hand if necessary. - -They walked up the mountain by a tolerably steep and narrow path through -the thick forest, but this path gradually broadened, and at last led to -a small open space, on one side of which arose what seemed like a tall -gray rock. - -"Here I have the pleasure," said the forester to his brother, with a -sarcastic smile, "of revealing to you the estate of the lamented Baron -von Gnadewitz in all its grandeur." - -They were standing before a lofty wall, which looked like one solid -block of granite. They could see nothing of any buildings that might be -behind it, because the surrounding forest was too thick and close to -allow of a sufficiently distant point of observation. The forester led -the way along the wall, at the base of which thick underbrush was -growing, until he reached a large oaken door with an iron grating in the -upper half of it. Here he had had the matted growth of underbrush -cleared away, and he now produced a bunch of large keys which had been -handed over to Frau Ferber as she had passed through L---- the day -before. - -The utmost exertions of the three men were necessary before the rusty -locks and bars would move, but at last the door creaked, or rather -crashed upon its hinges, and a thick cloud of dust floated up into the -air. The explorers entered and found themselves in a court-yard bounded -on three sides by buildings. Opposite them was the imposing front of -the castle, with a flight of broad stone steps, and a clumsy iron -balustrade, leading to the entrance door upon the first story. Running -from each side of the main building were gloomy colonnades, whose -granite pillars and arches seemed to defy the tooth of time. In the -centre of the court-yard a group of old chestnut trees stretched their -aged boughs above a huge basin, in the midst of which couched four stone -lions with wide open jaws. Formerly four powerful streams of water must -have poured through them from the bowels of the earth, filling the -entire basin; but now there was only a small stream trickling through -the threatening teeth of one of the monsters, sufficing to sprinkle with -moisture the grass and weeds growing in the cracks of the stone basin, -and, by its low, mournful ripple, giving a faint suggestion of life in -this wilderness. The outer walls of the structure and the colonnades -were all that could be regarded without terror in this space. The -window frames, from which every pane of glass had been broken, showed -the sad desolation within. In some rooms the ceilings had already -fallen in; in others, the joists were bent as though the lightest touch -might send them crashing down. Even the stone steps seemed half hanging -in the air,--some mossy fragments had already become detached from them, -and had rolled into the centre of the court-yard. - -"We can do nothing here," said Ferber. "Let us go on." - -Through a deep, dark portal they entered another court-yard, which, -although much larger than the first, by its striking irregularity -produced an impression of far greater desolation. Here, a dreary, -crumbling pile of masonry projected far out, and formed a dark corner -never visited by a sunbeam; there, a clumsy tower shot into the air, -throwing a deep shadow upon the wing at its back. An old elder bush, -leading a straggling existence in one corner, with its leaves covered -with fallen crumbs of mortar, and some dry grasses between the stones of -the pavement, made the scene yet more desolate. No noise disturbed the -deathlike silence reigning here. Even the jackdaws soaring in the air -above ceased their chatter, and the echoes of the footsteps upon the -stone pavement had a ghostly sound. - -"Yes, those old knights," said Ferber, almost appalled at the sight of -the desolation around him, "have heaped up these piles of granite, and -thought that this cradle of their race would proclaim the splendour of -their name through all coming centuries. Each has altered and arranged -his inheritance after his own taste and convenience, as we see from -these different kinds of architecture, and lived as if there were no end -to it all." - -"And yet each lodged here but for a little space," interrupted the -forester, "and paid his landlord, the earth, for his lodging with his -own crumbling bones,--now turned to dust. But let us go on. -Brr--rr!--it makes me shiver. Death everywhere,--nothing but death!" - -"Do you call that death, uncle?" suddenly exclaimed Elizabeth, who had -hitherto been awed and silent, pointing, as she spoke, through a door -which was half concealed by an interposing column. There, behind a -grating, fresh sunny green was shining, and young climbing roses leaned -their blossoms against the iron bars. - -Elizabeth ran towards the door, and, exerting all her strength, pushed -it open. The space upon which she entered had probably been the former -flower-garden, but such a name could scarcely be applied to the tangled -wilderness of green, where not even the narrowest vestige of a path -could be discerned, and where here and there only the mutilated remains -of a statue appeared among the mass of shrubs, bushes, and parasitical -plants. A wild grape-vine had climbed to the upper story of the -building, and taken firm hold there of the window-sills,--its green -branches and wreaths falling thence like a shower upon the wild roses -and lilac bushes beneath. And in this secluded, blooming spot of -ground, a buzzing and humming were heard, as if Spring had assembled -here her entire host of winged insects. Countless butterflies fluttered -over the flowers, and golden beetles were running glittering across the -broad fern leaves at Elizabeth's feet. And above this little world of -bloom and busy life several fruit trees and magnificent lindens waved -their leafy crests, while upon a slight elevation were seen the remains -of what had once been a pavilion. - -The garden was surrounded upon three sides by buildings; the square was -completed by a high, green wall, which had been constructed of earth, -like a dam, and above which the trees of the forest waved a greeting to -their neighbours within. Here were also the same signs of -decay,--tolerably well preserved outer walls,--complete ruin within. -Only one building of two stories, connecting two high wings, attracted -attention from its closed appearance. The light did not shine through -it, as through its doorless and windowless companions; its flat roof, -finished in front and at the back by a heavy stone balustrade, must have -bidden defiance to time and tempest, as had also the gray window-panes -which peeped out here and there from the tangled growth of vines that -covered everything. The forester measured it with a keen glance, and -declared that this must be Sabina's famous building,--possibly the -interior might not be in as crumbling a condition as the rest of the -castle,--only he could not understand how they were to get into the old -swallow's nest. Certainly, the rank growth around the base of the walls -would have obscured all trace of steps or door, even were there any such -entrance. They determined, therefore, to venture up into one of the -large side wings by a worn but tolerably secure flight of stone steps, -and thus attempt to arrive at the interior of the connecting building. -They succeeded in gaining ingress to the tall wing, although they could -keep their footing only by clinging to the uneven walls. They first -entered a large saloon which had the blue sky for a ceiling, and whose -only decoration was a few green bushes growing through its walls. -Remnants of galleries, worm-eaten joists, and various fragments of -frescoed ceiling were heaped up in piles, over which the explorers had -to scramble as best they might. Then followed a long suite of rooms in -the same utterly desolate condition. Upon some of the walls fragments -of family portraits were still hanging, upon which, strangely and -comically enough, only an eye, or, perhaps, a pair of delicate folded -hands, or a mail-clad, theatrically-posed leg, was yet distinctly to be -traced. At length they reached the last apartment, and stood before a -high-arched doorway which had evidently been bricked up. - -"Aha!" said Ferber, "here they intended to cut off this building from -the universal desolation. I think that before we venture any further -upon this break-neck expedition it would be well to knock out these -stones." - -His proposal was at once favourably received, and the mason began his -task; he soon penetrated into a recess in the wall, which he assured -them was double at this spot. The other two men lent their assistance, -and a thick oaken door was revealed behind the masonry that they cleared -away. This door was not locked, and yielded readily to the mason's -strong arm. They entered an entirely dark, close room. One slender -sunbeam, straying through a crack showed them where to find a window; -the bolt of the shutter, rusty from long disuse, resisted for some time -the strength of the forester, and the trees upon the outside opposed an -additional obstacle to their exertions. At last the shutter yielded -with a crash; the golden-green sunlight streamed in through a high -bow-window and disclosed an apartment not broad, but very deep, the -walls of which were hung with Gobelin tapestry. Upon each of the four -corners of the ceiling were painted the arms of the Gnadewitzes. To the -surprise of all, this room was entirely furnished as a sleeping -apartment. Two canopied beds, with hangings dingy with age, that -occupied the two long walls of the room, were all made up; the pillows -were covered with fine linen cases, and the silken coverlid still -preserved its colour and texture. Everything that could conduce to the -comfort of an aristocratic occupant was here, buried, indeed, beneath a -mass of dust, but in a state of excellent preservation. Beyond this -apartment, and opening into it, was another much larger, with two -windows; it was also completely furnished, although in antique style, -and evidently with furniture hunted up from various other rooms for the -purpose. An antique writing-table, its top most artistically inlaid and -resting upon strangely carved claw feet, harmonized but poorly with the -more modern form of the crimson sofa; and the gilt frames, in which hung -several well-painted hunting pictures, did not accord with the silver -mountings of the huge mirror. Nevertheless, nothing was wanting that -could complete the solid comfort of the room. A thick, though somewhat -faded carpet was laid upon the floor, and a large antique timepiece -stood beneath the mirror. A small boudoir, also furnished, and from -which a door led to a vestibule and a flight of steps, opened from the -larger apartment. Behind these rooms were three others of a similar -size, with windows looking upon the garden; one of these, containing two -beds and pine furniture, was evidently intended for the servants. - -"Well done!" cried the forester with a smile of satisfaction; "here is -an establishment that exceeds the wildest flights of our modest fancy. -If the sainted Gnadewitz could see us now he would turn in his leaden -coffin. All this we owe, I suppose, to the neglect of a housekeeper or -to the forgetfulness of some childish, old steward." - -"But do you think we ought to keep these things?" asked, in a breath, -Frau Ferber and Elizabeth, who had been silent hitherto from wonder. - -"Most certainly, my love," said Ferber; "your uncle left you the castle -with everything which it contained." - -"And little enough it was," growled the forester. - -"But in comparison with our expectations a perfect mine of wealth," said -Frau Ferber, as she opened a beautiful glass cabinet containing -different kinds of china; "and if my uncle had actually endowed me with -an estate in my young days, when I was full of hope and enthusiasm, I -doubt whether it would have made as much impression upon me as does this -unexpected discovery, which relieves us all of so much anxiety." - -In the mean time Elizabeth had gone to the window of the first room -which they had entered, and was trying to part the boughs and vines -which grew so thick and strong all along this side of the building that -they formed a barrier through which only a greenish twilight penetrated. -"It is a pity," she said, as she found that her efforts were vain; "I -should have liked some glimpse of the forest outside." - -"Why, do you think," said her uncle, "that I shall allow you to live -behind this green screen, which shuts out air as well as light? Rely -upon me to take that matter in charge, my little Elsie." - -They next descended the stairs. These, too, were in perfect -preservation, and led to a large hall with a huge oaken table in the -centre, surrounded by spindled-legged, straight-backed chairs. The -floor was of red tiles, and the panels on walls and ceiling were covered -with beautiful carving. This large apartment was provided with four -windows and two doors opposite to each other; one of these led into the -garden, and the other, which was opened with difficulty, into a narrow -open court-yard lying between the building-and the outer wall. Here the -syringas and hazel bushes were growing everywhere, making an absolute -thicket, through which, however, the three men penetrated, and reached a -little gate in the outside wall which communicated with the forest -without. - -"Now," said Ferber, delighted, "every obstacle to our living here is -removed. This entrance is most valuable. We shall never have to pass -through the older court-yards, which are really dangerous places, -surrounded as they are by crumbling ruins." - -They made one more tour through their newly found home with an eye to -its future arrangement, and the mason was ordered to be upon the spot -the next day that he might convert one of the back rooms into a kitchen. -Then, after the oaken door leading into the large, ruinous wing had been -well bolted and secured, they took their way through the gate in the -wall, an undertaking difficult indeed, on account of the thick bushes -which opposed their progress, but infinitely preferable to the perilous -path by which they had entered. - -As the returning party entered the garden of the forest lodge, Sabina -came towards them, in great anxiety to learn the results of their -expedition, accompanied by little Ernst, who had been entrusted to her -care while his mother and sister were away. She had prepared the table -with its snowy cloth and shining coffee-service upon a shady knoll under -the beech trees, and now clapped her hands with delight upon hearing of -all they had found. - -"Ah! gracious Powers," she cried, "I hope the Herr Forester understands -now that I knew what I was talking about. Yes, yes, all those things -were left there and forgotten, and no wonder. As soon as the young lord -was buried, old Gnadewitz packed off as quick as he could, and took -every servant with him except the old house-steward Silber, and he was -childish with age, and besides had enough to do to take care of all that -was left in the new castle; it was crowded with furniture and plate, and -he had a hard time to keep it all right; so everything was left in the -old rooms, and no one knew anything about them. Ah, I've dusted and -cleaned everything there often enough, and frightened indeed I was -whenever I came to that old clock, for it plays such mournful music when -it strikes, it used to sound like something unearthly, when I was all -alone at work in the old place. Ah, how time flies, I was young then!" - -Then came an hour of rest and comfortable discussion, while they drank -their coffee. As Elizabeth had decided that nothing could be more -charming than to awaken in their own rooms upon Whit-Sunday -morning,--when the ringing of the church-bells in the surrounding -villages would come softly echoing through the forest glades,--a view of -the matter in which her mother sympathized, they determined to undertake -all the necessary repairs and cleaning immediately, that they might -occupy the rooms upon the eve of Whit-Sunday, and the forester placed -all his men at their disposal. - -Sabina had taken up her position upon a grassy bank at a short distance -from the table, that she might be at hand if wanted; and that she might -not be idle, she had pulled up a couple of handfuls of carrots from the -garden and was busily scraping and trimming them. Elizabeth sat down -beside her. The old woman gave a sly glance at the delicate white -fingers, that contrasted so with her own brown, horny hands, as they -picked some carrots up from her lap. - -"Don't touch," she said, "that is no work for you,--you will make your -fingers yellow." - -"What matter for that?" laughed Elizabeth. "I will help you a little, -and you shall tell me a story. You were born here, and must know many a -tale about the old castle." - -"You may be sure of that," replied the old housekeeper. "The village of -Lindhof, where I was born, belonged to the Lords von Gnadewitz time out -of mind, and you see in such a little place as that every one talks and -thinks of the great people who rule over it. Nothing happens of any -account in the castle that is not described and handed down from father -to son in the village, and, long after the lords and ladies are dust, -their stories are told by the village girls and boys. - -"Now there was my great-grandmother, whom I remember perfectly, she knew -many a thing that would make your hair stand on end; but she had a -monstrous respect for every one at Gnadeck, and used to bob down my head -with her trembling hands whenever a Gnadewitz drove by our cottage,--for -I was but a little thing then, and did not know how to make a -respectable courtesy. She knew about all the lords who had lived at the -old castle for hundreds of years; yes, many a thing that had happened -there, that must have outraged God and man. - -"Afterwards, when I lived at the new castle, and had to sweep the long -gallery where their pictures were all hanging upon the wall,--pictures -of people whose very bones had mouldered away,--I often used to stand -still before them and wonder to see them looking so like everybody else, -when they used to make such a fuss about themselves, as if God Almighty -had brought them down to the earth with his own hands. There were not -many beauties among the women. I often thought, in my stupid way, that -if pretty Lieschen, the most beautiful girl in the village, could only -have been painted and hung in such a rich gold frame, with a silken -scarf and such quantities of jewels upon her neck and in her hair, and -the blackamoor with his silver waiter standing just behind her lovely -face and neck, she would have looked a thousand times prettier than the -lady who was so ugly, and frowned so with pride and arrogance that two -great wrinkles went up to the very roots of her hair. And yet she was -the very one that the family was proudest of. She had been a very -wealthy countess, but hard and unfeeling as a stone. - -"Among the men, there was only one whom I liked to look at. He had a -frank, kind, honest face, and a pair of eyes black as sloes; but he had -shown how true it is that the good always get the worst of it in this -world. All the others had a fine time of it as long as they lived. Many -of them had done harm enough in their time, and yet their death-beds -were as calm and peaceful as if they had always been just and true; but -poor Jost von Gnadewitz had a sad fate. My great-grandmother's -grandmother had known him when she was a very little girl. Then they -always called him the wild huntsman, because he never left the forest, -but would hunt there from morning until night. In the picture he had on -a green coat and a long white feather in his cap, that was most -beautiful to see dangling among his coal-black curls. He was -kind-hearted, and never harmed a child. While he lived all the -villagers prospered, and they wished he might live forever. - -"But all of a sudden he left this part of the country, and no one knew, -for some time, where he had gone, until one night in a dreadful storm he -came back as quietly as he had gone away. But always after that he was -a changed man. The people of Lindhof prospered as before, but they saw -no more of their master. He dismissed all his servants, and lived alone -in his old castle with only one favourite attendant. - -"And at last it began to be whispered that he was busy with magic and -the black art up there, and no one dared to go near the castle even at -high noon, let alone the dark night. But my old great-grandmother was a -bold, saucy girl, and used sometimes to pasture her goats right under -the walls of the castle court-yard. Well,--once as she was leaning -against a tree there, gazing at the high walls, and lost in thoughts -concerning all that might be going on behind them, suddenly an arm -appeared above them white as snow, and then a face fairer than sun, -moon, and stars, my grandmother said, and at last with a sudden spring a -young maiden stood upon the top of the broad wall, and, stretching her -arms up into the air, cried out something in a strange tongue that my -grandmother could not understand, and was just about to leap down into -the deep ditch full of water that then entirely surrounded the castle, -when Jost appeared behind her, and, putting his arms around her, begged -and implored her so that a stone would have melted at such entreaties -wrung from a heart full of terror and anguish. And finally he took her -up in his arms like a child, and they both disappeared from the wall. -But the veil became loosened from the maiden's head and floated away -across the ditch to where my grandmother was standing. It was -exquisitely fine, and she carried it home in great glee to her father; -but he declared it was woven by the devil, and threw it into the fire, -forbidding my grandmother ever to go up the mountain near the castle -again. - -"Some time after,--certainly a whole year after Jost first shut himself -up so closely at Gnadeck,--he came down the mountain very early one -morning on horseback; but you would hardly have known him, his face was -so haggard and pale, all the paler for the full suit of black that he -wore. He rode very slowly, and nodded sadly to every one whom he met; -he never came back to this place again; he was slain in battle, and his -old servant with him--'twas at the time of the thirty years' war." - -"And the beautiful girl?" asked Elizabeth. - -"Ah, no one ever heard tale or tidings of her again. Jost left a large -sealed packet in the town-house at L----, and said that it was his last -will, and must be opened whenever news of his death should be received. -But a short time after his departure, there was a terrible fire in -L----; a great many houses, and even the church and the town-house, were -burned to the ground with everything which they contained, and of course -the packet was destroyed. - -"Before Jost left, the pastor from Lindhof went to see him several -times; but the reverend gentleman kept as quiet as a mouse, and, as he -was already very old, he soon departed this life, and everything that he -knew was buried with him. So no living being knows anything about the -strange maiden, nor ever will know till the day of judgment." - -"Oh, never trouble yourself to keep the matter quiet, Sabina," called -the forester to her from the table, as he shook the ashes out of his -pipe. "Elsie had better get used as soon as possible to the terrible -conclusions to your stories. Tell her at once--for you know all about -it--how the beautiful maiden one fine day flew up the chimney and away -upon a broomstick." - -"No, I don't believe that, sir, although I know----" - -"That the whole country is swarming with such creatures, all ripe for -the gallows," interrupted her master. "Yes, yes," he continued, turning -to the others, "Sabina is one of the old Thuringian stock. She has -sense enough, and her heart is in the right place; but when there is any -question about witchcraft she loses one and forgets the other, and is -nearly ready to turn any poor old woman away from the door, just because -she has red eyes, without giving her a morsel of food." - -"No, indeed, sir, I'm not quite so bad as that," the old woman declared -with some irritation. "I give her something to eat; but I always stick -my thumbs in the palms of my hands, and never answer one of her -questions,--there's no harm in that!" - -Every one laughed at this charm against witches and witchcraft, which -the old servant told with the utmost gravity as she arose and emptied -the carrot-tops from her apron, that she might prepare the afternoon -meal, which was to be eaten earlier than usual, as there was much to do -in the old castle before nightfall. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - -As Elizabeth opened her eyes the next morning, the tall clock in the -room below was striking eight, and she started up with the provoking -consciousness that she had overslept herself; and it was all owing to a -vivid and terrible dream. The golden atmosphere of poetry, which had -yesterday hovered around Sabina's narrative, had become a gloomy cloud -in the night, the shadow of which embittered and burdened the first -moments of her awakening. She had been flying in deadly terror through -the spacious, dreary halls of the old castle, always pursued by Jost. -Thick curls were waving wildly above his pale forehead, beneath which -his black eyes gleamed upon her, and she had just stretched out her arms -in greater terror than she had ever experienced in her life before, to -defend herself from him, when she awoke. Her heart was still beating -violently, and she thought with a shudder of the wretched girl upon the -castle wall, who, pursued, perhaps, as she had been, had sought relief -in death, when she was again captured by her tormentor. - -She sprang up and bathed her face in cold water; then she opened her -window and looked out into the courtyard. There sat Sabina under a pear -tree, busy with her churn. All the feathered crowd of the place stood -around, looking impatiently for the crumbs that she threw to them from -time to time from a bowl upon the table by her side, while she improved -the occasion to rebuke the arrogant and greedy, and to console the -oppressed and down-trodden. - -When she saw the young girl, she nodded kindly, and called up to her to -say that every one in the lodge had been busy up there in the old castle -since six o'clock. When Elizabeth reproached her for letting her sleep -so long, she assured her that she had done so by the express desire of -her mother, who thought that her daughter had overtasked her strength in -the last few weeks of excitement and exertion. - -Sabina's kind, placid face, and the fresh air of the morning soothed -Elizabeth's nerves at once, and brought back her thoughts to the world -of reality which was just now opening so brightly before her. She took -herself seriously to task that, despite her uncle's fatherly admonition, -she had leaned out of the open window until midnight upon the previous -night, gazing across the moonlit meadow into the silent forest. But -common sense often plays a poor part when opposed to excited fancy. -Where it should conduct a rigid examination and discriminate wisely, it -suddenly finds itself deserted in the judgment-seat, and must retire in -confusion, while the varied and motley spectacle which fancy conjures up -proceeds without interruption. Thus Elizabeth's self-reproaches soon -vanished before the picture which presented itself to her memory, and -still threw around her all the magic of a moonlit night in the forest. - -As soon as she had dressed, and drank a tumbler of fresh milk, she -hastened up to the castle. The sky was overcast, but only with those -light, thin clouds which foretell a fresh although not a sunny, spring -day. Therefore the birds' morning concert was of longer duration than -usual, and the dew-drops lay as large and full in the cups of the -flowers as if their existence for the day were not threatened. - -As Elizabeth entered the large gate of the castle, which stood wide -open, a huge green mound, piled up by the fountain, met her eye. It was -formed of thistle stalks, ferns, and bramble bushes, which had been torn -from their home in the garden, and were here bidding farewell to their -long, merry life. The path through the arched gateway of the second -court-yard to the grating was strewn with green boughs and leaves, as -though a joyous marriage train had been passing through the old ruins; -and even on the sill of a high window, that showed the remains of -coloured glass in the lacework of the stone rosette of its pointed arch, -some boughs had been caught as they were carried past, and the trailing -end of a wild vine was coiling its living green lovingly around the -stone trefoil of the Holy Trinity, which betrayed unmistakably that the -dark, dreary hall within had once been the chapel of the castle. - -The garden, where it had yesterday been impossible to take two steps, -seemed to Elizabeth entirely changed. A considerable part of it had been -cleared, and showed distinct traces of having been tastefully laid out. -She could easily proceed along a partially cleared path, across which -timid hares and squirrels ran fleetly now and then, until she reached -the green rampart which had only been seen from a distance yesterday. -At each end of the long, grassy embankment, broad, worn, stone steps led -up to a low breastwork, over which one could look out into the forest, -and there, where the trees were somewhat thin, through a green vista -down into the valley, where the forest lodge, with the white doves -dotting its blue-slated roof, was nestling cosily. At the foot of the -embankment, just where the broad path terminated, was a little stone -basin, into which a strong stream of crystal water flowed through the -mouth of a mossy little marble gnome. Two lindens arched their boughs -above this gurgling brook, and threw their grateful shade upon the -tender forget-me-nots, which grew here in masses in the damp earth and -wreathed the little basin with their heavenly blue. - -Directly opposite the embankment lay her future habitation, which, with -its window-shutters thrown back and the large door on the ground-floor -wide open, looked so bright and hospitable to-day that Elizabeth -welcomed with joy the thought that she was looking upon her home. Her -gaze wandered over the garden, and she thought upon those moments of her -childhood when, her little heart full of unconquerable longing, she had -lingered behind her parents during some pleasant walk, and, with her -face pressed close against the iron grating, had gazed into some strange -garden. There she had seen happy children playing carelessly upon the -greensward; they could bend down the lovely roses that hung in such -clusters, and inhale their fragrance as long as they liked. And what a -pleasure it must be to creep under the flower-laden boughs and sit there -in the green, just like grown-up people in an arbour! But there was -nothing for her then but the look and the longing. No one had ever -opened the barred door to the child with the wistful eyes, who would -have been only too happy if they would have thrust a few flowers through -the grating into her little hands. - -While Elizabeth was standing upon the embankment, the forester appeared -at one of the upper windows of the dwelling. When he saw her graceful -figure leaning against the low breastwork, as, with her beautiful head -half turned towards the garden, she seemed sunk in a reverie, his -features were illumined by an expression of pleasure and quiet delight. - -And Elsie soon found him out, and nodding to him gaily, bounded down the -steps towards the house. Little Ernst ran to her in the hall, and she -took him up in her arms. - -The assistance which the little boy had afforded had been, according to -his own enthusiastic account, invaluable indeed. He had carried bricks -for the mason who had been mending the hearth, had helped his mother to -shake out the beds, and declared with pride that the lords and ladies -upon the woollen hangings looked far handsomer since he had brushed off -their dusty faces. He threw his arms around his sister's neck as she -carried him up-stairs, assuring her all the way that he liked it a -thousand times better here than in B----. - -The forester received Elizabeth in the antechamber above. He scarcely -gave her time to say good morning to her parents, but conducted her -instantly into the gobelin-hung apartment. Ah, what a transformation! -The green lattice-work that had obscured the window had vanished. -Without, beyond the outer wall, the forest retreated like side-scenes on -either side, opening a full view of a distant valley that was to -Elizabeth a perfect paradise. - -"There is Lindhof," said the forester, pointing to a large building in -the Italian style, which lay tolerably near to the foot of the mountain -upon which Gnadeck stood. "I have brought you something that will show -you every tree upon the mountains over there, and every blade of grass -in the meadows of the valley," he continued, as he held an excellent -spy-glass before her eyes. - -And then the grand, solemn mountain domes seemed to approach, their -granite peaks, sometimes crowned by a solitary fir, breaking through the -forest here and there. Behind these nearest summits towered countless -ranges in the blue misty light, and from a distant, dim valley which -separated two giant mountains, arose two slender, shadowy gothic towers. -A little river, a highway bordered by poplars, and several gay villages -enlivened the background of the valley. In front lay Castle Lindhof, -surrounded by a park laid out in princely style. Beneath the windows of -the castle extended a closely shaven lawn, beset with small, -quaintly-shaped beds glowing with all the colours of the rainbow. -Thence Elizabeth's eyes soon wandered, and rested delightedly upon the -mysterious gloom of an avenue of magnificent lindens, their heavy -foliage interlacing above their brown trunks, while here and there -drooping boughs swept the ground beneath with their broad leaves. They -bordered a little crystal lake, which just now looked melancholy enough -amid all its flowery surroundings, for its depths mirrored a cloudy sky. -Now and then a swan stretched its white neck curiously among the -low-hanging linden boughs, and sent a shower of feathery spray from its -wings to sprinkle their old trunks. - -Hitherto Elizabeth had allowed the glass to range restlessly hither and -thither, but now she attempted to hold it steadily, for she had made a -discovery which excited her interest most powerfully. - -Under the last trees of the avenue stood a couch. A young lady lay upon -it, her charming head thrown back so that a part of her chestnut curls -fell down across the pillow. Beneath the hem of her long white muslin -dress, which enveloped her form to the throat, peeped out two tiny feet -encased in gold-embroidered satin slippers. She held in her delicate -almost transparent hands some auriculas, which she was thoughtlessly -twisting and waving to and fro. Her lips alone showed any colouring; -the rest of her face was lily-pale; one would almost have doubted its -being informed with life had not the blue eyes gleamed so wondrously. -But these eyes with their depth of expression were riveted upon the -countenance of a man who, sitting opposite, appeared to be reading aloud -to her. Elizabeth could not see his face, for his back was turned -toward her. He seemed young, tall, and well made, and had a profusion -of light-brown hair. - -"Is that lovely lady over there the Baroness Lessen?" asked Elizabeth, -eagerly. - -The forester took the spy-glass. "No," said he, "that is Fraeulein von -Walde, the sister of the proprietor of Lindhof. You call her charming, -and certainly her head is lovely, but she is a cripple; she walks upon -crutches." - -At this moment Frau Ferber joined them. She too looked through the -glass, and thought the countenance of the young lady most beautiful. -She was particularly struck with the expression of gentle kindness -which, as she said, "transfigured the features." - -"Yes," said the forester, "she is kind and benevolent. When I first came -here the whole country around was full of her praises. But matters are -changed indeed, since the Baroness Lessen has had the control of affairs -over there. No more alms are distributed among the poor, unless they -are earned by hypocrisy. Woe to the wretch who asks any assistance -there! He will be turned away without a penny, if he ventures to hint -that he would rather listen to the pastor in the village church on -Sundays than go to the castle chapel, where the chaplain of the baroness -every week calls down fire and brimstone, and every imaginable pain of -hell, upon the heads of the ungodly." - -"Certainly such violent measures are poorly fitted to win souls to -heaven and inspire people with Christian love," said Frau Ferber. - -"They destroy all good, and foster hypocrisy, I tell you!" cried the -forester, angrily. "Do they not set an example of it themselves? They -are always reading in the Bible of Christian humility, yet every day -they grow haughtier and more supercilious. Why, they would actually -persuade us that their high-born bodies are moulded of a different clay -from those of their poor brothers in Christ. It stands written, 'When -thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand -doeth;' but no hen ever makes more to-do over her newly-laid egg than -these people over their charities. There are perpetual collections, -fairs, and lotteries for the poor, and the whole neighbourhood is -black-mailed, but when it comes to taking the money from, where it is -plentiest, their own purses,--oh, that's carrying the joke too far, as -the saying goes. I know people who have been for twenty years -collecting subscriptions from others to found a poor-house. These very -people have a yearly income of six thousand thalers, but of course it -never occurs to them to add one penny from their own store in aid of -their charitable project. They must purchase a reputation for -benevolence and Christian self-sacrifice more cheaply than that. Zounds! -how it enrages me to see people wearing their piety so pinned upon their -sleeves! Over there in the castle a bell is set ringing just so many -times a day, that every one in the country around may say, when they -hear it, 'They are having prayers at the castle.' The closet, where God -has commanded us to shut to the door and kneel in prayer, is altogether -too small to suit their taste. And it is not only this trumpet-blowing -that outrages me. I hold it to be actually wicked to make such a mere -everyday form of the worship of the Holiest. Do you suppose that the -maid-servant, with a hot smoothing-iron in her hand, or the cook, who is -just putting her roast to the fire, can rejoice in the sound of that -bell?" - -"It is most certainly a dubious kind of piety," said Frau Ferber, -smiling. - -"Or even the gracious ladies themselves, who are busy with the last -novel or a piquante bit of court scandal--for an interest in all such -things is quite consistent with the loftiest piety--do you suppose they -are able to divert their thoughts in one instant from worldly affairs -and turn them all heavenwards? But these people run in and out of the -kingdom of heaven without any thought or preparation, and congratulate -themselves upon the honour that they are doing to the Creator." - -"And does Herr von Walde sympathize with these reforms of the baroness?" -asked Frau Ferber. - -"From everything that I can gather from the villagers, I should judge -not; but how does that mend the matter? He is probably at this moment -prying into the pyramids that he may throw light upon antiquity; how -should he know that his cousin here is zealously doing her best to blow -out the advancing light of the present? Besides, I dare say he has a -crack in his own brain. The prince of L----, who knows him well, wished -some years ago to make a match between him and a young person of quality -at court, but, as I hear, my gentleman refused the alliance because the -fair one's pedigree was not sufficiently long." - -"Why, perhaps then he may install as mistress of Lindhof some fair -daughter of a fellah, whose ancestors lie among the mummies at Memphis," -said Elizabeth, laughing. - -"I don't believe he will marry at all," rejoined the forester. "He is -no longer young, is too fond of a wandering life, and has never shown -any love for women's society. I'll wager my little finger that that -fellow there with the book in his hand thinks just as I do, and already -in his inmost soul regards Lindhof and all the other charming estates in -Saxony, and God only knows where else, as his own." - -"Has he any claims to them?" asked Frau Ferber. - -"Most certainly. He is the son of the Baroness Lessen, whose family is -the only one in the world related to the brother and sister von Walde. -The baroness was first married to a certain Herr von Hollfeld; that -young man is the fruit of that marriage, and by the death of his father -he came into possession of Odenberg, a large estate on the other side of -L----. The fair widow was fully conscious that her freedom must be made -available to assist her up at least one step in the ladder of human -happiness and perfection, and naturally this could only be attained by a -marriage with high rank, wherefore Frau von Hollfeld one day became -Baroness Lessen. 'Tis true the baron's name had been made somewhat -notorious by several acts on his part which people of common, low-born -ideas might call dishonourable; but what matter for that? Was he not a -lord chamberlain, and did not the keys of his office unlock many a door -for him where St. Peter's would have availed nothing, in spite of the -power given to them? However, the baron died after two years of -marriage, leaving his widow a little daughter and an enormous amount of -debts. I have no doubt she is glad enough to queen it at Lindhof, for I -hear that she has no part or parcel in her son's property." - -Here a maid from the lodge interrupted them with bucket and broom, -giving unmistakable signs that she was about to begin the duties of her -office in this apartment. The spy-glass was hastily closed, and while -the forester went into the garden to renew his labours there in clearing -away the luxuriant green from the lower window-sills, Frau Ferber and -Elizabeth busied themselves with dust-cloths and brushes in restoring -the furniture of the room to something of its original appearance. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - -Whitsuntide was over. The brazen bells had retired into private life, -and looked black and silent through the loopholes in the bell-towers, -that seemed like the coffins of the melodious life which had so lately -streamed forth from them during the holidays. But the bright -flower-bells in the forest, hanging loosely on their stalks, could not -forget the festival. They had joined in bravely when the air had -quivered with the brazen clang, and still rang gently with every breeze -that swept through the underbrush. What did they care that the -wood-cutter, his holiday clothes and face all laid aside, tramped past -them in his heavy boots, whistling some rude melody! The forest heeded -not, but kept up the same mysterious murmur amid its branches like a -thousand-voiced whisper of prayer, and the little birds sang as before -their matin and vesper hymns in God's praise. - -Up in old Castle Gnadeck, as in the forest, the festal spirit of the -holidays still reigned, although Ferber had already entered upon the -duties of his office, often making unavoidable visits to L----, while -Frau Ferber and Elizabeth had, through Sabina, received several large -orders from a ready-made linen establishment in L----, and were besides -busy every day for some hours in the garden which even in this first -year gave promise of abundant fruit and flowers. Notwithstanding this -constant industry, there was a holiday air pervading the whole place, -arising from the consciousness in the minds of each one of the family -that there had come a happy turn in their affairs; they were continually -comparing their present with their former situation, and the new and -unaccustomed life of the forest had an almost intoxicating effect upon -their spirits. - -Her parents had given Elizabeth the gobelin room, because there was the -finest prospect from its windows, and because the girl when she had -first entered it had declared that she liked it best of all. The gloomy -door which led into the huge old wing Had been walled up and gave no -sign that such a dreary waste lay beyond it. The further end of the -room was filled by one of the renovated canopied bedsteads, and by the -window stood the antique writing-table, with its quaint inkstand and -writing utensils of porcelain, and two vases filled with lovely flowers; -while just outside the window, embowered in the topmost branches of a -syringa bush, was the canary's cage; its occupant vying with the forest -songsters in its shrill trilling with all the envy of some spoiled -bravura singer. - -While they were arranging the room, and Frau Ferber was every moment -bringing in some new piece of furniture to add to it a greater air of -comfort and luxury, her husband went to the longest wall, and, -stretching his arms across it, banished to the anteroom the lounge that -had just been placed there. - -"Stay,--this space I appropriate," he said with a smile. Then he -brought a large bracket of dark wood and nailed it upon the wall, which -was wainscoted neatly to the ceiling on this side. "Here," he -continued, as he placed upon the bracket a bust of Beethoven, "this -mightiest mortal shall be enthroned alone." - -"But that looks so blank and bare," said Frau Ferber. - -"Only wait until to-morrow or the day after, and you will, I am sure, -admit that my arrangements are not to be despised, and that Elizabeth -will have both pleasure and profit from them." - -And on the next day, which had been Whitsun-eve, he went to town with -the forester. They returned toward evening, but did not enter through -the gate in the garden wall. The great gate was flung wide open, and -four strong men bore in a large and shining object through the ruins. -Elizabeth was standing near the kitchen window, engaged, for the first -time in her new home, in preparing the evening meal, when the men -entered the garden with their burden. - -She cried out, for it was a piano--a large, square piano, which was -immediately borne up stairs and placed in the gobelin room under -Beethoven's bust. Elizabeth laughed and wept at the same moment, as she -rapturously embraced her father, who had expended his little capital, -the proceeds of the sale of their furniture in B----, that he might -provide her again with what had been the delight of her life. And then -she opened the instrument and a flood of rich melody filled the rooms -where the silence of death had reigned for so many years. - -The forester had come with her father to enjoy Elizabeth's surprise and -delight. He now leaned silently against the wall, as the wondrous -sounds flowed forth from beneath the girl's touch. For the first time -he heard the true speech of the glowing life that animated the delicate -young frame. How thoughtful and inspired was the air of the -finely-shaped head which crowned her graceful form, so suggestive of -earnest maidenhood! Hitherto only jests and merry repartee had been -exchanged between uncle and niece. He often called her his butterfly, -because of the airy grace of her motions and her quickness of mind, -which never left her at a loss for a reply to his merry attacks; but his -favourite name for her was "Gold Elsie," for he maintained that her hair -was such perfect gold that he could see it shining and shimmering in the -darkest parts of the forest as she approached, and that it heralded her -coming to him as the jewel in the giant's shield had once announced his -approach to Childe Roland. - -When Elizabeth had finished she spread her arms above the instrument as -if to embrace it, and, leaning her head upon it, smiled the happiest -smile; but her uncle approached her softly, gave her a silent kiss upon -the forehead, and departed without a word. - -From this time he came up every evening to the old castle. As soon as -the last rays of the setting sun had faded from the tree-tops, Elizabeth -sat down at the piano. The little family took their places in the large -low window-seat, and lost themselves in the fairy world, which was -opened to them by the great master whose image looked down from the wall -upon the inspired young performer. And then Ferber would think of how -Elizabeth had portrayed the free life in the forest when the letter from -her uncle had first arrived in B----. 'Tis true no elves or gnomes -appeared, but the spirits which the mightiest of the masters of music -had imprisoned in sound floated forth from their prison-house on a flood -of melody, breathing into the solemn silence around a mysterious life--a -life of whose joys and sorrows every sympathetic human soul is -conscious, although to genius alone is granted power to embody and -reveal them. - -One afternoon they were all sitting together at their coffee. The -forester had brought his pipe and newspaper, and begged of Elizabeth a -cup of the refreshing beverage. He was just about to read aloud an -interesting article in his paper, when the bell at the garden gate -sounded. To the astonishment of every one, when little Ernst ran to -open it, a servant in livery entered and handed Elizabeth a note. It -was from the Baroness Lessen. She began by saying much that was -flattering with regard to the young girl's masterly performance upon the -piano, to which she had listened for the two or three previous evenings -while walking in the forest, and concluded by preferring a request that -Elizabeth would consent, of course for a stipulated consideration, to -come to Castle Lindhof every week and play duets with Fraeulein von -Walde. - -The style of the letter was extremely courteous; nevertheless the -forester, after a second perusal of it, threw it angrily upon the table, -and said, looking steadily at Elizabeth,-- - -"I hope you will not consent?" - -"And why not, my dear Carl?" asked Ferber in her stead. - -"Because Elizabeth is, and always will be, far too good for those people -down there!" cried the forester, with some irritation. "But if you -choose to see what you have carefully planted, choked up and ruined by -poisonous weeds and mildew--why, do it." - -"It is certainly true," replied Ferber quietly, "that my child has known -until now none other than a parent's care. We have endeavoured most -conscientiously, as was our duty, to cherish every germ of good, to -foster every plant of tender growth. But we have had no idea of -producing a mere hot house flower, and alas for us and for her, if all -that we have unweariedly tended and nourished for eighteen years is so -loosely planted in the soil that it can be torn thence by the first -blast of life! I have educated my daughter to live in the world; she -must battle her way among its storms, as we all must. If I should be -taken from her to-day, she must herself guide the helm which I have -hitherto held for her. If the people in the castle below are not fit -associates for her, matters will soon arrange themselves. Either both -parties will feel their unsuitability to each other and all intercourse -will cease, or everything that offends Elizabeth's principles will pass -by her like idle wind, leaving no impression. Why, you yourself never -avoid a danger, but rather prove your strength by meeting it bravely." - -"But, zounds! I am a man, and can take care of myself!" - -"And how do you know that Elizabeth hereafter will possess any support -except what she finds in herself, or have any sharer in the -responsibility of her actions?" - -The forester cast a keen glance at his niece, whose earnest eyes were -riveted upon her father's face. He who was to her the embodiment of -wisdom and tenderness was echoing her own ideas, and the expression of -her beautiful face showed what she felt. - -"Father," she said, "you shall see that you have not been mistaken--that -I am not weak. I never could endure the trite image of the ivy and the -oak, and shall most certainly not illustrate it in my own person. Be -comforted, uncle dear, and let me go down to the castle," she said, -smiling archly at the forester, whose forehead showed a deep frown of -decided irritation. "If the people there are heartless, don't suppose -for one moment that they will make a cannibal of me, and that I shall -eat my own heart up. If they try to crush me with supercilious -arrogance, my own inner standard of action shall be so high that I can -look down in pity upon the harmless arrows of their scorn; and if they -are hypocrites, I shall turn with all the more delight to gaze into the -sunny face of truth, and be more deeply convinced of the ugliness of -their black masks." - -"Fairly spoken, oh incomparable Elsie, and incontestably true,--if only -these same people would kindly hand you their masks to examine. But you -will awake some day to find that what you have believed to be gold is -only the merest tinsel." - -"No indeed, dear uncle; I will not foolishly allow myself to be imposed -upon. Remember, we have had many trials since my childhood; they have -not been borne without teaching me some good lessons. Certainly we must -all trust somewhat in our own strength, and I shall not despair for a -long time, even if upon my first experience of the world I plunge into -an abyss of Egyptian darkness, full of frightful monsters. But look, -uncle dear, to what your zeal for my soul's welfare has brought -you,--your coffee looks as though it could be skated upon, and your -meerschaum is at its last gasp." - -The forester laughed, although the laugh was not from his heart. And -while Elizabeth refilled his cup for him and handed him a lighted match, -he said to her: "You must not suppose that my ammunition is exhausted -because I say to you, 'Well, well, go and try it.' I look forward to -the satisfaction of seeing the courageous chicken come flying back again -some day, only too thankful to creep under the sheltering wing of home." - -"Aha!" laughed Frau Ferber, "you have no idea of the stern determination -in that little head. But let us decide. I advise Elizabeth to pay her -respects to the ladies to-morrow." - -The next afternoon at about five o'clock Elizabeth descended the -mountain. A broad, well-kept path led through the forest, which melted -imperceptibly into the park. No gateway separated its carefully-tended -grounds, with their clumps of trees and feathery grass, from the wild -woods beyond. - -Elizabeth had put on a fresh light muslin dress, and a small, white, -round straw hat. Her father walked with her as far as the first meadow, -and then she went bravely on alone. No human being crossed her path -during her long walk; it even seemed as though the trees rustled more -softly here in the leafy avenues and arcades than in the forest beyond, -and as if the birds modulated their notes more gently. She started at -the noise of the crunching gravel beneath her tread as she approached -the castle, and wondered to find how timid the intense quiet had made -her. - -At last she reached the principal entrance, and caught sight of a human -face. It was a servant, who was busy in an imposing vestibule, but who -moved as noiselessly as possible. Upon her request that he would -announce her to the baroness, he slipped up the broad staircase fronting -the hall door, at the foot of which stood two lofty statues, their white -limbs half concealed by the orange trees placed at their bases. He soon -returned, and assuring her that she was expected, led the way quickly up -the stairs, scarcely touching the steps with the tips of his toes. - -Elizabeth followed him with a beating heart. It was not the grandeur -around her that oppressed her, it was the sensation of standing all -alone in this new untried sphere. The servant conducted her through a -long corridor, past the open doors of several apartments, which, -furnished with extraordinary splendour, were heaped with such a -profusion of elegant trifles that a simple child, unused to such luxury, -would have supposed herself in a fancy-shop. - -Her guide at last carefully opened a folding-door, and the young girl -entered. - -Near the windows, opposite Elizabeth, upon a couch lay a lady in -apparently great suffering. Her head was resting upon a white pillow, -and warm coverings were spread over her entire figure, which, in spite -of its wrappings, betrayed decided embonpoint. In her hand was a -vinaigrette. - -She raised her head slightly, so that Elizabeth could see her face -distinctly; it was round and pale, and at first sight by no means -unprepossessing. Upon a closer view, the large blue eyes, that -glittered beneath light eyelashes and elevated eyebrows as light, looked -cold as ice, an expression in nowise softened by the supercilious lines -about her mouth and nostrils, and by a broad, rather projecting chin. - -"Oh, Fraeulein, it is very kind of you to come!" cried the baroness in a -weak voice, which nevertheless sounded harsh and cold, as she pointed to -a lounge near her, and motioned to Elizabeth, who courtesied politely, -to sit down. "I have begged my cousin," she continued, "to arrange -matters with you in my room, as I am really too ill to take you to -hers." - -This reception was certainly courteous, although there was a -considerable amount of condescension in the lady's tone and manner. - -Elizabeth sat down, and was just about to reply to the question how she -liked Thuringia, when the door was suddenly flung open, and a little -girl of about eight years of age ran in, holding in her arms a pretty -little dog, struggling and whining piteously. - -"Ali is so naughty, mamma, he will not stay with me!" cried the child, -breathlessly, as she threw the dog upon the carpet. - -"You have probably been teasing the little thing again, my child," said -her mother. "But I cannot have you here, Bella; you make so much noise, -and I have a headache. Go away to your room." - -"Oh, it's so stupid there! Miss Mertens has forbidden me to play with -Ali, and gives me those tiresome old fables to learn; I cannot bear -them." - -"Well, then, stay here; but be perfectly quiet." - -The child passed close to Elizabeth with a stare and an examination of -her dress from top to toe, and mounted upon an embroidered footstool -before the mirror in order the easier to reach a vase of fresh flowers. -In a moment the tastefully arranged bouquet was thrown into the wildest -disorder by the little fingers, which busied themselves with sticking -single flowers into the delicately embroidered eyelet-holes of the -muslin curtain. During this operation large drops of the water, in -which the flowers had been placed, dropped from the stems upon -Elizabeth's dress, and she was obliged to move her chair, as there -seemed no likelihood that any stop would be put to the proceeding, -either by the little Vandal herself or by her mother's prohibition. - -Elizabeth had only had time to move, and to reply to the reiterated -question of the baroness, that she already felt very happy and, quite at -home in Thuringia, when the lady hastily arose from her reclining -posture, and, with an amiable smile upon her lips, nodded towards a -large portiere, which was drawn noiselessly aside and on the threshold -of the door appeared the two young people whom Elizabeth had lately seen -through the spy-glass; but how strangely ill-assorted they now seemed to -be, as she saw them thus standing together. Herr von Hollfeld, a -slender figure of great height, was obliged to bend very much on one -side to afford any support to the little hand that rested upon his arm. -The sylph-like little figure, which had lain upon the couch in the park, -was no taller than a child's. The exquisitely lovely head was sunk -between the shoulders, and the crutch in her left hand showed how -helpless was her crippled condition. - -"Forgive me, dearest Helene," cried the baroness, as the pair entered, -"for troubling you to come to me; but, as you see, I am again the poor -wretched creature upon whom you are so ready to bestow your angelic pity -and kindness. Fraeulein Ferber," here she motioned towards Elizabeth, -as if presenting her, and the young girl rose, blushing, "has had the -kindness to come, in compliance with my note of yesterday." - -"And, indeed, I am very grateful to you fordoing so!" said the little -lady, turning towards Elizabeth with a smile of great sweetness, and -holding out her hand. Her glance measured the blushing girl before her -with an expression of surprise, and then rested upon the heavy golden -braids that appeared below the hat. "Oh, yes," she said, "I have -already seen your lovely golden hair; yesterday as I was walking in the -forest you were leaning over a wall up there at the old castle." - -Elizabeth blushed yet more deeply. - -"But because you were there," continued the little lady, "I lost the -pleasure for which I had clambered up the height, the pleasure of -hearing you play, which I had enjoyed on the previous evening. So young -and child-like, and yet with such a thorough appreciation of classic -music! it seems impossible! You will make me very happy if you will -play often with me." - -Something like a shade of displeasure flitted across the features of the -baroness, and a close observer might have noticed a scornful contraction -of her lips, but it was lost upon Elizabeth, whose attention was -entirely absorbed by interest in the unfortunate little lady whose -delicate silvery voice seemed to come fresh from the depths of her -heart. - -In the mean time, Herr von Hollfeld pushed a chair for Fraeulein von -Walde close to the lounge, and left the room without uttering a word. -But as he went out by the door directly opposite to Elizabeth, she could -not help noticing that he directed a last long look at her before slowly -closing it after him. It disturbed her, for his expression was of so -strange a kind that she hurriedly glanced over her dress to see if -anything there could have struck him as odd or unsuitable. - -For the last few moments Bella had been sitting upon the carpet, playing -with the dog. It would have been a charming picture, if the whinings -and uneasy movements of the little animal had not betrayed that the -child was teasing it. At each loud cry from the dog, Fraeulein von -Walde started nervously, and the baroness said, mechanically, "Don't -tease him so, Bella!" At last, however, when the animal uttered a most -piteous howl, the mother raised her forefinger threateningly, and said, -"I must call Miss Mertens." - -"Oh," replied the child contemptuously, "I don't care for her! She -doesn't dare to punish me, for you told her she mustn't." - -At this moment, the portiere was gently drawn aside, and a pale, faded -gentlewoman appeared. She courtesied to the ladies, and said, timidly: -"The chaplain is waiting for Bella." - -"But I won't have a lesson to-day!" the little girl cried, taking a ball -of worsted from the table and throwing it at the speaker. - -"Yes, my child, you must," said the baroness. "Go with Miss Mertens, -and be a good little girl, Bella." - -Bella, as though the matter affected her no more than it did Ali, who -had retreated behind the sofa, threw herself into an arm-chair and drew -her feet up under her. The governess was about to approach her, but at -an angry look from the baroness she retired to the door again. - -This disgraceful scene would probably have lasted much longer if the -baroness had not brought up a _corps de reserve_ to her assistance in -the shape of a box of bonbons. The child, after she had crammed her -mouth and pockets full, left her seat, and, pushing aside the hand which -her governess held out to her, ran out of the room. - -Elizabeth sat petrified with astonishment. The delicate features of -Fraeulein von Walde also showed evident disapproval; but she said -nothing. - -The baroness sank back among her pillows. "These governesses will be my -death," she sighed. "If Miss Mertens could only learn how to treat, -judiciously, a child of Bella's sensitive, nervous temperament! She -never takes into account social position, temperament, and physical -constitution. She would model all after the same pattern--the daughter -of a grocer or a peer; a finely-strung, sensitive nature, or a robust, -rude, day-labourer physique--'tis all the same thing to her. Miss -Mertens is a disagreeable, pedantic schoolmistress; her English, too, is -detestable. Heaven only knows in what mean little English county she -learned her native tongue!" - -"But really, dear Amalie," said Fraeulein von Walde, "I do not find her -English impure," and her voice sounded exquisitely kind and soothing. - -"There you come with your never-failing angelic amiability; but, -although I do not understand English, I can always hear, in one instant, -how much more high-bred your accent is, my dear, when you are talking -with her." - -Elizabeth inwardly doubted the value of this estimate, and Fraeulein von -Walde blushed with a deprecating gesture. - -But the baroness continued: "And Bella hears it, too; she will not open -her lips when her governess speaks English to her, and I cannot blame -her in the least; it provokes me excessively when this person blames the -child for obstinacy." - -Under the influence of her irritation the voice of the baroness, which -had at first been very weak and suffering, had grown perceptibly -stronger. She suddenly seemed to become aware of this herself, and -closed her eyes with an expression of great weariness. "Oh heavens!" -she sighed, "my unfortunate nerves are too much for me. I grow excited -instead of being kept quiet; these vexations are poison both to my mind -and body." - -"I would advise you, Amalie, when you are as nervous and weak as you are -to-day, to leave Bella without a fear to Miss Mertens' care. I am -convinced that nothing can be better for her. While I fully understand -your touching anxiety on the child's account, I can confidently assure -you that Miss Mertens is far too gentle and cultivated a person to do -anything that would not conduce to her welfare. You look quite worn -out," she continued, sympathizingly. "We had better leave you alone; -Fraeulein Ferber will certainly have the kindness to accompany me to my -room." - -So saying she arose, and leaning over the baroness imprinted a gentle -kiss upon her cheek. Then she laid her hand upon the arm of Elizabeth, -whom the baroness dismissed with a gracious nod, and left the apartment. - -As they slowly walked through the various corridors, she told Elizabeth -that it would be a special delight to her brother, who was so far from -her, if she should resume her music. He used to sit alone with her -listening to her playing for hours, until a nervous malady that had -attacked her had forced her to give up her beloved music for a long -time. Now she felt much stronger, and her physician had also given his -consent; she would be very diligent, that she might surprise her brother -upon his return home. Elizabeth then took leave. - -She hastened with winged speed through the park, and along the path -which ascended the mountain. In the forest glade just before the open -garden gate her parents were awaiting her return, and little Ernst ran -lovingly to meet her. What an air of home breathed all around her here! -The greeting that she received showed how she had been missed; the -canary was singing merrily in his green embowered cage, the garden -laughed in beauty, and in the background, under the group of lindens -above the cool spring, the snowy table was spread for supper. - -The Italian castle with all its splendour, its aristocratic air, and its -oppressive silence, only broken by the clamour of a spoiled child, faded -behind her like a dream of the night; and when she had imparted her -impressions of all that she had seen and heard to her parents, she -concluded with the words: "You have taught me, father dear, never to -form any settled judgment of others upon a slight acquaintance with -them, for such judgment runs a fair chance of being unjust, but what can -I do with my unruly fancy? Whenever I think of the two ladies, I see in -imagination a lovely young weeping willow, whose elastic graceful -branches are the constant sport of a furious tempest." - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - -From this time Elizabeth went regularly to Lindhof twice a week. The -day following her first visit Baroness Lessen had arranged the hours for -the lessons in a very courteous note, and had insisted upon a most -generous compensation for Elizabeth's time. These lessons soon proved a -source of much enjoyment. Helene von Walde, owing to the absence of all -practice for many years, was very deficient in technical knowledge and -capacity, and could not be compared at all with Elizabeth; but she -played with much feeling, her taste was refined and cultivated, and she -was entirely free from the wretched habit, common to most dilettanti, of -depreciating whatever lay beyond her reach. Baroness Lessen was never -present during the music lessons, and therefore the moments of rest -gradually became especially delightful to Elizabeth. At such times a -servant usually brought in some light refreshments. Helene leaned back -in her armchair, and Elizabeth seated herself upon a cushion at her -feet, and listened enchanted to the flute-like silvery voice of the -unfortunate lady as she recounted many an experience of the past. The -image of the absent brother here played a principal part. She was never -weary of telling of his care and thoughtfulness for her, of how, -although he was many years her senior, he was continually studying how -to gratify and humour her childish whims and peculiarities. She related -how he had purchased Lindhof only because, upon a visit which she had -formerly made in Thuringia, she had experienced great benefits from the -pure Thuringian air; everything showed how dearly he loved her. - -One afternoon, when they had been practising unusually long, a servant -entering announced a visitor. - -"Stay and drink tea with me this afternoon," said Fraeulein von Walde to -Elizabeth. "My physician is here from L----, and several ladies from -the neighbourhood have just arrived; I will send some one up to the -castle that your mother may not be anxious about you. My tete-a-tete -with the doctor will not last long, and I shall soon be with you again." - -And so saying she left the room. Scarcely ten minutes had elapsed -before the door opened and Fraeulein von Walde entered, leaning upon the -arm of a gentleman whom she presented to Elizabeth as Doctor Fels, from -L----. He was tall, with an intellectual countenance, and as soon as he -heard Elizabeth's name he entered into a lively conversation with her, -comically assuring her that his own surprise and horror, as well as that -of the entire respectable population of L----, had really known no -bounds when it was reported that old Castle Gnadeck had received within -its crumbling walls inhabitants of flesh and blood. - -Suddenly there was a rustling in the antechamber, and upon the threshold -of the door appeared two figures of rather singular exterior. Their -great resemblance of feature plainly revealed their relationship as -mother and daughter. Both wore dark dresses, which, contrary to the -prevailing mode, fell limp and close around them, large scarfs of black -woollen stuff, and brown, round straw hats, tied, in the case of the -mother, with black ribbon, while the daughter had a lilac bow beneath -her chin. - -Helene von Walde received the ladies courteously, presenting them as -Frau and Fraeulein Lehr, and Elizabeth afterwards learned that, residing -in L----, they spent their summers in lodgings in the village of -Lindhof. - -Immediately after their entrance the Baroness Lessen appeared, leaning -upon her son's arm, and accompanied by a gentleman who was addressed by -those present as Herr Moehring, the chaplain. - -The baroness was dressed in dark silk, but with the greatest elegance, -and made a most imposing appearance. She paused for an instant upon the -threshold of the door, and seemed to be disagreeably surprised at -Elizabeth's presence. She measured her with a haughty look of inquiry, -and replied to her courtesy by a scarcely perceptible inclination of the -head. - -Helene noticed the look, and approaching her said in a soothing whisper, -"I kept my little favourite with me to-day--I had already detained her -so long." - -This excuse did not escape Elizabeth's ear. It offended her, and she -would willingly have flown away through the window near which she was -standing, had not pride induced her to stay and brave the arrogance of -the baroness. The great lady seemed entirely pacified by the -explanation of what had occurred without her consent. She put her arm -around Helene, stroked her curls tenderly, and said a hundred caressing -things to her. Then she requested those present to follow her to the -adjoining room, where tea was prepared. She did the honours of the -tea-table, and discovered a talent, by no means to be despised, for -leading and carrying on the conversation. With admirable tact, she -contrived always to make Helene the centre of attention without in the -least wounding the self-love of the others. - -Elizabeth sat silent between the doctor and Fraeulein Lehr. The -conversation possessed little interest for her, inasmuch as it related -to people and circumstances entirely strange to her. Frau von Lehr had -much to say, and seemed perfectly instructed in every matter, private or -public, that had taken place during the last few weeks among the people -living around Lindhof. She spoke in a peculiarly mournful, suppressed -tone of voice, and at the conclusion of the rehearsal of each exciting -piece of news cast down her eyes and inclined her head with great -apparent humility and resignation, as though she were a lamb suffering -for the sins of the world. Now and then she drew forth from a huge -reticule which she carried a small bottle of rose-water, with which she -moistened her eyes, as they seemed weak with perpetual casting towards -heaven. - -What a contrast between her and Helene's madonna face, as it leaned -against the dark plush of the lounge, reminding Elizabeth more than ever -of the water-lily lying dreamily with its snow-white leaves upon the -dark surface of the lake! To-day there was a strange glow upon the -delicate features. It was not that all traces of suffering had -vanished, but there was a peaceful light of content in her eyes, and a -happy smile wreathed the pale lips as often as she took up from her lap -the bouquet of rosebuds which Herr von Hollfeld had presented to her -when he entered. He sat beside her, and sometimes joined in the -conversation. As soon as he opened his lips the ladies were silent, -listening with the greatest attention, although his talk was anything -but fluent, and, as Elizabeth soon discovered, betrayed not the -slightest originality of mind. - -He was a very handsome man, of about four and twenty. There was great -repose in the finely-cut features, which at first seemed to indicate -manliness and strength of character; but any such impression which their -regularity might have produced was effaced by a searching glance into -his eyes. Those eyes, although they were large and faultless in shape, -had no depth whatever, and never lighted up with that meteoric flash -which so often reveals the man of intellect, even when he does not -speak. Its want can be atoned for by that mild glow which speaks of -deep sensibility, and which, although it does not instantly impress us, -gradually attracts and enchains us. But there was nothing of this to be -discovered in Herr von Hollfeld's fine blue orbs. - -This sentence, however, would have been echoed by but few, for it was -the present fashion, especially at the court of L----, to regard Herr -von Hollfeld as a prodigy, whose silence gave warrant of unfathomable -depths of intellect and sensibility,--in which opinion the ladies in and -around Lindhof most cordially joined, as was illustrated by the conduct -of Frau von Lehr's very stout daughter, who leaned forward, directly -across the modestly shrinking Elizabeth, and listened, as if to the -enunciation of a new gospel, whenever Herr von Hollfeld opened his lips. -And she, too, appeared quite willing to allow her light to shine. - -"Were you not charmed with the lovely sermons with which Herr Moehring -edified us during the holidays?" she asked, turning to Elizabeth. - -"I regret not having heard them," she answered. - -"Then you did not attend divine service?" - -"Oh, yes! I went with my parents to the village church at Lindhof." - -"Indeed!" said the Baroness Lessen, turning for the first time toward -Elizabeth, and smiling sarcastically. "And were you greatly edified at -the village church at Lindhof?" - -"Most truly was I, gracious lady," Elizabeth quietly replied, looking -calmly into the contemptuous eyes that were turned upon her. "I was -deeply affected by the simple, earnest words of the preacher. His -discourse was not delivered in the church, but under the trees outside. -When the service was about to begin it was evident that the little -church could not contain the crowd of worshippers, and an altar was -constructed under God's free sky. Such altars might often be erected." - -"Unfortunately, they often are," said Herr Moehring, who until then had -spoken little, contenting himself with confirming all Frau von Lehr's -remarks by an amiable smile or an assenting nod. Now, however, his -broad, shiny face grew purple, and, turning to the baroness, he -continued, contemptuously: "Yes, most gracious lady, it is only too -true; the old idols are being replaced in the sacred groves, and we -shall have druids sacrificing to them beneath the oaken shades." - -"Really, that never occurred to me. With the aid of my wildest -imagination I should never have dreamed at the time that I was assisting -at a heathen sacrifice," rejoined Elizabeth. She smiled, but continued -with serious warmth: "It seemed to me, on that glorious spring morning, -as the tones of the organ streamed forth from the open doors and windows -of the church, and that reverend old man spoke in such devout tones, as -it did when I entered the temple of God for the first time in my life." - -"You seem to have an excellent memory, Fraeulein," Frau von Lehr here -remarked: "How old were you at that time, if I may ask?" - -"Eleven years old." - -"Eleven years old! Oh, heavens! how can such a thing be possible?" -cried the lady in holy horror. "How possible with Christian parents! -Why, my children were familiar with the house of God from their earliest -years, as you can testify, my dear doctor." - -"Yes indeed, madame," he replied with great gravity. "I remember that -you ascribed the attack of croup, by which you lost your little son at -two years of age, to a couple of hours in the cold church." - -Elizabeth looked up quite terrified at her neighbour. The doctor had -joined in the conversation hitherto only by throwing in a sarcastic word -here and there very drily, which amused Elizabeth greatly, inasmuch as -he was always met by a reproving glance from the baroness. When the -young girl began to speak she had not noticed him any more than had the -others, whose entire attention had been occupied with the wretched -heathen child, so that no one had observed how he was bursting with -inward laughter at the daring replies of the young stranger, and their -effect upon those present. His answer appeared thoughtless and cruel to -Elizabeth; but he must have known his companions well, for Frau von Lehr -was not at all offended, but replied with great unction: "Yes, the Lord -took the pious little angel to himself; he was too good for this world;" -then, turning to Elizabeth, she said: "And so you were shut out from the -Lord's kingdom for the first eleven years of your life?" - -"Only from His temple, gracious lady. As a little child I was -instructed in the history of Christianity, and with my first thoughts -were blended ideas of God's wisdom and love. I cannot remember the time -when I did not hear of them from my father; but it is a firm principle -of his never to allow very young children to go to church; he says they -are entirely incapable of appreciating the importance and meaning of -what they see and hear there; the sermon, which must be entirely beyond -their comprehension, wearies them, and they conceive a dislike to the -place. My little brother Ernst is seven years old, and has never yet -been to church." - -"Oh, happy father, who has the courage to frame and execute such plans -for his children's culture!" exclaimed Doctor Fels. - -"Well, what hinders you from letting your children grow up without care, -like mushrooms?" asked the baroness with malice. - -"That I can readily tell you in a very few words, most gracious lady. I -have six children, and cannot afford to have masters for them at home. -My profession prevents me from teaching them myself, and, therefore, I -am obliged to send them to the public school and subject them to its -laws, which require them to attend church regularly. Just as little can -I carry out my views with regard to another subject,--the putting of the -Bible into the hands of young children. The Sacred Book, which contains -the holy principles that should regulate all our thoughts and actions, -and, as such, should be regarded with veneration by the young,--does not -belong in their hands at a time when childhood, with rare exceptions, -seeks amusement instead of instruction, and is always curious to -investigate whatever is forbidden and mysterious. And, therefore, I -know,--and any observant teacher will admit,--that children who devote -themselves constantly to the perusal of the Bible, for which they are -commended by thoughtless parents, do not always search for the text of -the last sermon,--but read much else beside,--often meeting with words -and expressions which a careful mother would guard them from hearing at -home, but whose significance is often made only too clear by their -intercourse with other children not so carefully educated, left to the -charge of ignorant and vulgar servants. And suppose, even, that they -seek explanation of certain words and phrases from their mothers only; -an intelligent mother will always know, 'tis true, how to reply to their -queries, but she must, most certainly, forbid them the use of many -expressions which they find in the Bible,--let us recall to mind the -Song of Solomon,--and so the first seeds of doubt and unbelief are sown -in the childish mind, which is wanting in the strength that only moral -culture and riper understanding can give." - -Here the Baroness Lessen arose with a gesture of impatience. Upon her -full cheeks, usually so pale, two round, crimson spots had appeared, a -sign to all who knew her, of great irritation. Fraeulein von Walde, who -had been a passive listener to the conversation, also arose, took her -cousin's arm, and, leading her to the window, asked whether she would -not like to hear a little music from Elizabeth and herself. - -This propitiatory proposal was received with a gracious inclination of -the head,--the more especially as the baroness did not feel herself -quite equal to the doctor in a war of words; and, as everyone must have -seen her indignation, she was quite willing to have it supposed that the -beautiful, soothing music was the cause of her refraining from -annihilating the impious defamer of her holy zeal, for she was -perpetually presenting Bibles to poor children. - -She took her seat in a windowed recess, and looked out upon the -landscape, upon which the first shadows of approaching evening were -falling. Her look was cold and cruel,--an expression often seen in a -certain kind of light-blue eye, shaded by white eyelashes. The corners -of her mouth were drawn down, a sign of great displeasure, which did not -vanish even when Schubert's Erlking, arranged for four hands, was -performed in a masterly manner by Helene and Elizabeth. The waves of -melody broke against that breast unfelt, as the waves of the ocean upon -a rocky shore. - -When the last chord died away, the ladies arose from the instrument, and -the doctor, who had stood immovably, listening, hastened towards them. -His eyes sparkled as he thanked them for a treat which, as he assured -them, was richer than any he had enjoyed for years. Here Fraeulein von -Lehr's face grew scarlet, and her mother cast a malicious glance at the -unlucky enthusiast. Had not her daughter the preceding winter played -several times in public in L----, for the benefit of some charitable -association, and had he not attended every concert? However, the doctor -did not appear to notice the storms that he was calling down upon his -head. He discussed Schubert's compositions in a manner that manifested -refined perception and a thorough knowledge of his subject. - -Suddenly there was a harsh clash of chords upon the piano; it seemed as -though fingers of bone were belabouring the keys. They looked round -with a start. The chaplain was seated at the instrument, with head -thrown back and inflated nostrils. He raised his hands for a second -attack, and began a beautiful choral, which his horrible playing -converted into torture for sensitive ears. Still it might have been -endured, when, to Elizabeth's horror, he began to sing in a nasal, -snuffling tone;--that was too much. The doctor seized his hat, and -bowed to Helene and the baroness, the latter only vouchsafing him a -slight wave of the hand in token of dismissal, without turning her face -from the window. - -An incomparable expression of humour hovered upon the doctor's features. -He pressed Elizabeth's hand cordially as he departed, and took leave of -the rest with a courteous bow. - -As soon as the door closed behind him, the baroness arose with -excitement and approached Helene, who was sitting in a corner of the -sofa. - -"It is intolerable!" she cried, and her sharp voice sounded muffled, as -if suppressed anger were choking her, while her searching gaze rested -full upon the little lady, who looked up to her almost timidly. "How -can you, Helene, here in your own house, hear our rank, our dignity as -women,--yes, even our holy of holies, which we are bound so faithfully -to defend,--assailed so grossly without one word of reply?" - -"But, dear Amalie, I cannot see." - -"You will not see, child, in your inexhaustible patience and -long-suffering, that this doctor insults me whenever he can. Well, I -must submit to that, for this is not my house, and besides, as a -Christian, I would rather endure wrong than resort to retaliation. But -this submission must cease when the sacred claims of the Lord are -assailed. Here we should strive and struggle, and not grow weary. Is -it not actually blasphemous for this man to seize his hat, and, _sans -facon_, take his departure from the room while our hearts are being -stirred and elevated by the lofty thoughts which the truest form of -music, the choral, can alone express?" - -She had spoken louder and louder, until she did not perceive that her -voice was entirely destroying the effect of a touching phrase, just -delivered by the unwearied chaplain, whose efforts had not been -intermitted for an instant. - -"Ah, you must not blame the doctor for that," said Fraeulein von Walde. -"His time is precious; most likely he has a patient to see in L----; he -was about to leave just before we began to play." - -"While that heathenish Erlking was going on, the worthy man entirely -forgot his patients," the baroness interrupted contemptuously. "Well, I -must submit. Unfortunately, in our degenerate days, the scoffers of our -faith have gained the upper hand." - -"But, for heaven's sake, Amalie, what do you want me to do? You know -only too well that Fels is indispensable to me. He is the only -physician who knows how to relieve me when I am in great suffering," -cried Helene, and her eyes filled with tears, while her cheeks were -suffused with a blush of irritation. - -"I thought, Fraeulein Helene,"--began Frau von Lehr, who had hitherto -sat in her corner silently, and on the watch, like a spider in its -web,--"I thought that the welfare of our souls should be our first -consideration; care for our poor bodies should, in my estimation, rank -second in our view. There are many other skilful physicians in L----, -with as great a reputation for learning as Dr. Fels enjoys. Believe me, -my dear, it often gives great pain to our Christian friends in L---- to -know that a scoffer, an infidel, is admitted to your confidence as your -friend and adviser." - -"Even if I consented to sacrifice myself so far," replied Helene, "as to -employ another physician, I dare not take such a step without first -obtaining my brother's consent; and I know that I should meet with -determined opposition there, for Rudolph is warmly attached to the -doctor, and puts entire confidence in him." - -"Yes, more's the pity!" cried the baroness. "I have never been able to -comprehend that weakness in Rudolph's character. Doctor Fels imposes -upon him utterly with his seeming frankness, which might better be -called insolence. Well, I wash my hands of the affair, only for the -future I must decline any visits from the doctor, and entreat you, my -dear Helene, to excuse me when he is with you." - -Fraeulein von Walde made no reply. She arose and looked sadly around -the room for an instant, as if missing something. It seemed to -Elizabeth that her eyes sought Herr von Hollfeld, who had left the room -unperceived a short time before. - -The baroness took up her lace shawl, and Frau von Lehr and her daughter -prepared for departure. Both paid several compliments to the chaplain, -who had finished his performance, and was standing at the piano rubbing -his hands with embarrassment; and then all took leave of Helene, who -replied to their good-nights in a tone of great exhaustion. - -As Elizabeth descended the stairs she saw Herr von Hollfeld standing in -a retired, dimly-lighted corridor. During his mother's outbreak of anger -he had sat quietly turning over the leaves of a book, never joining in -the conversation by word or look. His conduct had disgusted Elizabeth, -who had hoped that he would have stood by Helene and silenced his mother -by a few serious words. She was still more displeased when she noticed -that he was steadily regarding herself while he was apparently occupied -with his book. He might easily have seen her displeasure in her face, -but he continued to stare most insultingly. She felt herself at last -blush deeply beneath his gaze, and she was the more provoked at feeling -this, as the same thing had occurred against her will several times -before. It was remarkable that she never went home from Castle Lindhof -without chancing to meet Herr von Hollfeld either in the hall, upon the -stairs, or stepping suddenly from behind a tree in the park. Why these -meetings at last became painfully embarrassing to her she could not have -explained to herself. She thought no more about it, and usually forgot -him entirely before she reached her home. - -He was standing now in the dark passage. A black slouched hat was -pulled down over his face, and his summer coat had been exchanged for a -light cloak. He seemed to be waiting for some one, and as soon as -Elizabeth had reached the last stair approached her hastily, as though -about to address her. - -At the same moment Frau von Lehr and her daughter appeared on the -landing above. - -"Aha, Herr von Hollfeld," cried the elder lady, "are you going to walk?" - -The young man's features, which had seemed to Elizabeth strikingly -animated, instantly assumed a quiet expression of entire indifference. - -"I have just come in from the garden," he said negligently, "where I -have been refreshing myself in the soft night air. Attend Fraeulein -Ferber home," he said authoritatively to a servant who issued from the -servants' room with a lantern, and then with an obeisance to the ladies, -he retired. - -"How glad I am," said Elizabeth, as an hour later she was sitting at her -mother's bedside relating the events of the afternoon, "that to-morrow -will be Sunday. In our dear little simple village church I shall forget -all the disagreeable impressions which the last few hours have left upon -my mind. I never could have believed that I could have listened to a -choral without being moved to aspiration and devotion. But to-day I was -really angry, when, amid the clatter of the teacups, and after an hour -passed in talk certainly not inspired by love of our neighbour, I -suddenly heard those tones which have always been sacred to hours of -meditation and serious thought. Behind all this religious zeal there -lies hidden boundless arrogance,--that I saw clearly to-day; but if -others feel as I do, these people will scarcely make many proselytes. -Acknowledge, mother dear, that I am not naturally antagonistic, and yet -to-day I felt for the first time in my life an irresistible desire to -defy and contradict." - -And then she spoke of Herr von Hollfeld and his strange behaviour in the -hall, adding that she could not understand what he could possibly have -wished to say to her. - -"Never mind, we will not puzzle ourselves about that," said Frau Ferber. -"If he should ever propose to accompany you on your way home, do not -fail to reject such an offer peremptorily. Do you hear, Elizabeth?" - -"But, dearest mother, what are you thinking of?" cried the girl with a -laugh. "The skies will fall before such a thing happens. If he could -allow Frau Lehr and her daughter, who consider themselves persons of -distinction, to go home without an escort, he will hardly condescend to -notice my insignificant self." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - -About a week after the arrival of his relatives the forester had -published an edict in his domicile, which, as he said, had been hailed -with joy by his prime minister, and in accordance with which the duty of -taking their mid-day meal every Sunday at the Lodge was imposed upon the -Ferber family. Those were joyous days for Elizabeth. - -Long before the first sound of the church bell they usually set out for -church. In her fluttering white dress, her soul filled with the -consciousness of youth and happiness, convinced that such a clear, -lovely day, must bring joy with it, Elizabeth walked beside her parents, -and looked eagerly for the moment when the round gilt ball upon the -village church tower at Lindhof emerged from the waves of green in the -valley below them; then from the dark and silent forest paths to the -right and left, groups of church-goers from the different hamlets around -would appear and join them with kindly greetings, until, while the bells -were ringing, the whole assembly arrived in the meadow just before the -church, where the forester was usually awaiting them. He welcomed them -from a distance with sparkling eyes and a flourish of his hat in the -air. In every movement of his tall figure, in his whole bearing, might -be read that inflexible integrity which never bowed to the mighty ones -of the earth, that expression of manly power and force of character from -which we expect to see quick resolve and bold action result, but which -never suggests the tender emotions of a sensitive nature. Elizabeth -declared that it was always a touching surprise when a single gentle -star beamed forth at night from a sky covered with clouds, and that the -sudden look of melting tenderness that occasionally illumined her -uncle's frank, determined countenance, affected her in like manner. And -she had many an opportunity of observing this change of expression, for -she had grown to be the apple of his eye. He had never had any -children, and now poured forth all the paternal affection of which his -large, warm heart was capable, upon his brother's lovely child, who, he -felt with pride, resembled himself in many points of character, although -in her they were transfigured by the charm of feminine delicacy and -refinement. - -And she repaid his affection with the clinging love and filial care of a -daughter. She soon discovered how to make many an addition to his -domestic comfort, and where Sabina's penetration or capacity were at -fault, she effected many an improvement, with so much tact that the old -servant was never offended, whilst a new life opened upon her uncle, -surrounded by Elizabeth's tender care. - -On the return from church, her uncle led Elizabeth by the hand, "just -like a little school-girl," as she said, and, indeed, it looked like it. -The excellent sermon which they had just heard, furnished matter for -abundant conversation and exchange of newly-developed thoughts and -sentiments; while the birds twittered and sang as though determined to -vindicate their right to speak here, and the golden-green sunshine came -quivering through the tops of the trees, flecking their heads as they -passed with its transfiguring light. - -At the farthest end of the long dim forest aisle, for it was a very -narrow path which led from the Lodge to the village of Lindhof, a little -point of light indicated the meadow, in the middle of which stood the -old house. With every step the picture grew more distinct, until at last -they could distinguish Sabina waiting for them at the door, shading her -eyes with the corner of her white apron, and retreating into the house -when she saw them, that she might take her stand behind the soup tureen, -which was smoking upon the table beneath the beeches, where she -fulfilled her duty with the air of a general upon a rampart. - -But to-day Sabina had prepared a particularly delicious repast, for in -the centre of the table was piled a huge crimson pyramid, the first -wood-strawberries of the year, hailed with delight by little Ernst, and -by full-grown Elizabeth too. The forester laughed at the enthusiasm of -the big and little child, and declared that he had a surprise to offer -as well as Sabina,--he would have the horse harnessed and take Elizabeth -to L----, where he had a little business to attend to,--a long-promised -pleasure. The young girl accepted his proposal with delight. - -At table Elizabeth related the occurrences of the previous evening. Her -uncle shook with laughter. - -"The doctor's a bold fellow," he said, still laughing; "but 'tis of no -use, he has drunk his last cup of tea at Lindhof." - -"Impossible, uncle,--it would be outrageous!" cried Elizabeth, -earnestly. "Fraeulein von Walde would never permit such a thing, she -will resist with all her might." - -"Well," he said, "I wish we could question the little lady to-day with -regard to her sentiments towards the doctor, and you would see. How can -a strong will inhabit such a frail dwelling? That imperious woman will -soon influence her, and there is none to resist, for 'Heaven is high, -and the Czar afar,' as the Russians say. We know, Sabina, that many a -strange thing has happened since the rule of the baroness began, eh?" - -"Ah, yes indeed, Herr Forester!" replied the old woman, who was just -putting a dish upon the table. "When I think of poor Schneider,--she is -the widow of a day-labourer in the village," she said, turning to the -others; "she always worked hard to make both ends meet, and no one could -say a word against her, but she had four children to feed, and lived -from hand to mouth. And matters went badly with her last harvest, and -she had nothing to give her children to eat, so she was driven to do -what was wrong, and took an apron full of potatoes from a splendid field -belonging to the castle. But the overseer, Linke, who happened to be -standing behind a tree not far off, saw her, sprang out upon her -instantly, and knocked her down. Even if he had stopped there 'twould -not have been so bad, but he kicked her brutally as she lay upon the -ground. I had been to Lindhof, and as I was passing beneath the cherry -trees near the village, on my way home, I saw some one lying upon the -ground,--it was the poor woman, bleeding profusely, and with not a soul -near her. She could not move, so I called some people, who helped me to -carry her home. The Herr Forester was absent, but I was sure of his -permission, and so I nursed and tended her as well as I could. The -people in the village were furious at the overseer,--but what could they -do? There was some talk of arresting him, but it all came to nothing. -Linke is one of the saints, he is the baroness' right-hand man, turns up -his eyes, and does everything in the name of the Lord. It must never -get abroad that such a pious man could behave so inhumanly, and so the -baroness drove to town every day, and was wonderfully condescending, -and, in short, the story was hushed up, and the poor woman, who has -never entirely recovered, had to get along as best she might, for -neither she nor her children ever had a bite or a drop from the castle -all the while that she was sick. Ah! yes, the overseer and the -baroness' old waiting-maid make a hard time of it for the poor people, -they keep a close watch to see who misses prayers or chapel over there, -and they have been the means of depriving many an honest man of work at -the castle." - -"Don't say any more about it," said the forester. "I cannot relish my -food when I think of these things, and our pleasant Sunday, to which I -look forward all the week, must have no other shadows upon it than those -cast by the white, fleecy clouds up there." - -As soon as the meal was concluded the forester's modest little equipage -made its appearance. He handed in Elizabeth, and seated himself by her -side. As she nodded a farewell to the others, she glanced up at the -house, and started with actual terror at the eyes which were gazing down -upon her from a window in the upper story. 'Tis true, the head -disappeared instantly, but Elizabeth had time to recognize the mute -Bertha, and to convince herself that she was the object of that look of -rage and hate, although she could not divine its cause. Until now -Bertha had withdrawn herself entirely from all intercourse with the -Ferber family. She never appeared when Elizabeth was at the Lodge. She -took her Sunday dinner alone in her own room, and the forester allowed -her to please herself in the matter. He had no desire to establish any -relation between the two girls. - -Frau Ferber had once made an attempt to address the unfortunate girl. -Her gentle feminine nature could not believe that mere wilfulness was -the spring of Bertha's extraordinary behaviour. She suspected the -existence of some deeper cause, perhaps of some secret grief, which made -her indifferent to her surroundings, or rendered her so irritable that -she chose to remain silent rather than be engaged in perpetual strife. -A gentle word from her, a kindly advance on her side, would, she hoped, -unseal Bertha's lips; but she succeeded no better than Elizabeth had -done. She was even so outraged by the girl's manner that she strictly -forbade all further attempt at intercourse with her upon Elizabeth's -part. - -After a charming drive, Elizabeth and her uncle reached their -destination. - -L---- was certainly a small town, and bore the unmistakable impress of a -small town, although the court resided there from the appearance of the -first primrose to the fall of the last autumn leaf, and its inhabitants -took the greatest pains to adapt themselves, in their social life, to -the manners and customs of a large Capital. But the loud, uneasy -creaking of the machinery of a most complicated domestic economy could -not be drowned by the rustle of the most flowing and elegant crinoline. -The honest townsfolk, who left their dwellings, with doors wide open, in -perfect safety, to earn their daily bread in the little uneven streets, -or in the strips of meadow land between their houses, fell as far short -of being peacocks as did the ducks, that daily delighted to swim in the -little brook running directly through the town, of becoming stately -swans. - -The situation of the place was undeniably delightful. In the centre of a -not very spacious valley, nestled at the foot of an eminence whose -summit was crowned by the royal castle and domain, it lay buried in the -dark, rich green of avenues of lindens, and surrounded in spring by the -lovely blossoms of countless orchards. - -The forester took Elizabeth to the house of an assessor, one of his -friends. She was to wait for him there until he had concluded his -business. Although made cordially welcome by the lady of the house, she -would gladly have turned round and followed her retreating uncle,--for -she found herself, to her vexation, in the midst of a large assemblage -of ladies. Her hostess informed her that, in honour of her husband's -birthday, she had gotten up a set of tableaux from mythology, to -rehearse which was the cause of the present gathering. At the -coffee-table, in a pleasantly-furnished apartment, eight or ten ladies -were seated, already dressed in mythological costume, and upon the -arrival of the stranger, they measured her with glances that seemed to -penetrate every plait and fold of her simple attire. - -All the goddesses, without exception, had submitted themselves, in their -costume, to the sceptre of the royal fair of France, and wore their -white robes over abundant crinoline, which was then the fashion, "For," -said Ceres, a trig little blonde, upon whose flushed brow a whole -harvest was waving, "one looks so forlorn without crinoline;" and how -else could her dress have supported the huge bunches of wheat ears and -red poppies with which it was adorned? How Dame Ceres had managed this -difficulty in her days of splendour was a problem which no one took the -pains to solve. - -Perhaps the artificial light of the evening would be favourable to the -remarkable arrangement of some of the toilets, but now the bright -sunlight illuminated and revealed with cruel sincerity every pasted bit -of gold-paper, every paper-muslin scarf that should have represented -satin, and every basting stitch in the improvised tunics. Several -old-fashioned paste shoe-buckles glittered in the girdle of Venus; and -the silver crescent upon the forehead of Diana showed the blotting-paper -behind it at every movement of the head which it adorned. - -The hostess went from one to the other of her guests, exerting herself -for the entertainment of all. - -"What a shame!" she said, entering the room after a short absence, "Frau -Raethin Wolf has sent to say that her Adolph cannot come to-night; he is -in bed with a fever. As soon as the note came, I ran across myself to -Doctor Fels; but there is no doing anything with that man upon the -subject of his children's education. He repeated his former refusal, -and so ungraciously, that I am quite outraged. He says that he -considers any part in such entertainments with grown-up people entirely -unfit for half-grown boys like his Moritz, who get their heads filled -with a sense of their own importance, their minds distracted from their -lessons,--and Heaven knows what besides. He told me, most insolently, -that he thinks I should have done better this evening to have provided -my suffering husband--suffering, indeed, he is as lively as a fish in -the sea, except for a touch of rheumatism--with a supper that he liked, -than to have worried him with such buffoonery, which will only deprive -him of his usual comfort and night's rest, and do no living creature any -earthly good." - -"How coarse! how rude! He is always pretending to be a connoisseur of -art, and doesn't understand it one whit better than my little finger," -was heard from one and the other of the ladies. - -"Let my experience console you, dear Adele," said Ceres. "Were it not -that my husband cannot dispense with his services as a physician, Fels -should never darken my doors again. When I had that children's -fancy-ball last winter, which was acknowledged to be a great success, he -refused my invitation to his children; and what do you think he said to -me, when I begged him to allow his little girls to come,--'Does it -really give you pleasure to see such monkey-tricks?' I never will -forgive him!" - -Elizabeth suddenly seemed to see the doctor's intellectual face, with -its searching glance, sarcastic smile, and the slightly contemptuous -play of its finely-formed lips. She laughed inwardly at his rude -replies; but she was struck at the same time by the depressing thought, -how hard it is for a man to live up to his convictions. - -"But what would you have, Frau Director?" broke in Flora, a delicate, -languishing figure with a pretty but very pale face, who had hitherto -been entirely occupied in smiling upon her flower-decked reflection in -an opposite glass. "He has treated us no better. Two years ago he told -my father and mother to their faces, that it was not only folly but want -of principle--just think of such a thing!--to allow me to go into -society so young, with my constitution. Papa and mamma were -furious,--as if they did not know best about their own children! It was -well that we all knew what prompted such tender care on his part. His -youngest sister was then still unmarried, and, naturally enough, she was -by no means pleased to see young girls usurping her place in society. -Papa would have dismissed the doctor upon the spot, but mamma depends -upon his prescriptions. Well, they paid no attention to his advice, -and, as you see, I still live." - -The silence of the assemblage confirmed Elizabeth's conviction that the -triumph which Flora spoke of was a very doubtful one, and that this -delicate creature, with her narrow chest and pallid face, would still -have to atone severely for the physician's neglected counsel. - -Suddenly a barouche slowly passing down the street attracted the ladies -to the window. Where she was sitting Elizabeth could plainly see the -object of the universal curiosity. In the elegant vehicle sat the -Baroness Lessen and Fraeulein von Walde. The latter had her face turned -towards the assessor's house, and she looked as if she were diligently -counting the windows of the lower stories. Her cheeks were slightly -flushed, always a sign in her of inward agitation. The baroness, on the -contrary, was leaning back negligently among the cushions, and appeared -to be entirely unconscious of everything around. - -"The Lindhof ladies," said Ceres. "But, Heavens! what is the meaning of -that? They are entirely ignoring Doctor Fels' windows. There stands -the doctor's wife. Ha, ha! what a long face; she tried to bow, but the -ladies have no eyes in the backs of their heads." - -Elizabeth looked across at the opposite house. A very beautiful woman, -with a lovely fair-haired child in her arms, was standing at the window. -There certainly was a puzzled look in her pleasant blue eyes, but the -delicate oval of her face was not in the least lengthened. Attracted by -the movements of the child, who stretched out his little arms towards -the fantastic heads at the windows of the assessor's house, she looked -across, and, archly smiling, nodded to the ladies, who kissed their -hands, and replied to her salutation by all sorts of tender pantomime. - -"Strange!" said the hostess; "what could the ladies mean by passing by -her house without nodding to her? They never went by without stopping -before to-day. Frau Fels would stand on the carriage-step for ever so -long, and Fraeulein von Walde seemed to like her so much--the baroness, -'tis true, often made a wry face. It certainly is very strange; but we -must wait and see what the future will bring forth." - -"Herr von Hollfeld must have stayed at Odenberg. He was with the ladies -this morning when the carriage passed," said Diana. - -"How will Fraeulein von Walde endure the separation?" asked Flora, with -a sneer. - -"Why, is there anything in that quarter?" asked the hostess. - -"Don't you know that, child?" cried Ceres. "We can't tell yet what his -sentiments are, but beyond all doubt she loves him passionately. In -fact, it is almost certain that the love is all on one side; for how can -such an unfortunate cripple inspire affection,--and in such a cold -nature as Hollfeld's, which has been unmoved by the greatest beauties?" - -"Yes, true enough," said Venus, with a glance at the mirror, which -Flora, in spite of her emaciation, had entirely monopolized. "But -Fraeulein von Walde is enormously rich!" - -"Oh, he can have the wealth at a cheaper rate," said Flora. "He is said -to be heir to the sister and brother too." - -"Oh, the brother!" rejoined Venus. "He had better not rely upon his -chances there. Herr von Walde is a man in the prime of life, and may -marry at any time." - -"Nonsense!" cried Ceres, excitedly. "The woman is yet to be born, or -rather sent down from heaven, who can touch him. He is haughtiness -itself, and has less heart than his cousin. How provoked I used to be -at the court-balls, to see him standing in the doorway with his arms -crossed as if they were glued together, and looking down so arrogantly -upon the crowd. Only when the princess, or one of the royal family, -requested him to dance did he stir from the spot, and then he was at no -pains to conceal that he cared not a bit for the honour. Well, we know -well enough what his requisitions are for the woman at whose feet he -will lay the proud name of von Walde--Ancestors! ancestors she must -have, and her pedigree must date from Noah's ark." - -All laughed, except Elizabeth, who remained very grave. Fraeulein von -Walde's behaviour had made a deep impression upon her. She was annoyed, -and felt that her views of human nature had been lowered. Was such a -change possible in the course of a few short hours? The fact just -stated by the ladies, that Helene von Walde loved the son of the -Baroness Lessen, would have fully explained the influence exercised by -the latter to any one of a practical, matter-of-fact nature,--but not to -Elizabeth. - -The elevating sentiment, described by the poets of all ages and all -climes as the truest and most ennobling of which human nature is -capable, could not possibly be an incentive to unworthy conduct; and it -was equally hard to imagine how Herr von Hollfeld could inspire that -sentiment. Here she judged from the one-sided, personal point of view -from which we are prone to pass sentence on others; but whether from the -instinct of her true womanly nature, or whether she really possessed the -clear insight that sees in the lines of the face the clear indications -of the soul within and traces them to their source, we cannot -say,--certainly, in this case, her judgment of a man with whom she had -had scarcely any intercourse was entirely correct. - -Herr von Hollfeld was certainly not calculated to personate the ideal of -a refined feminine nature. He neither possessed intelligence nor wit, -was inordinately vain, and by no means content with the interest excited -by his fine person. He was fully aware that most women will forgive -defects of person sooner than defects of mind; and therefore he adopted -the mask of silence and reserve, behind which the world is so ready to -see great intelligence, originality, and strength of character. There -was no man living who could boast of being upon intimate terms with Herr -von Hollfeld; he was cunning enough to elude every attempt to test the -quality of his mind, and avoided all earnest conversation with men, -while women, as soon as they perceived the rough shell of his repellant -behaviour, were only too ready to cry, "the sweeter the kernel." Herr -von Hollfeld understood his part,--he was moved by secret desires and -hopes, which were strengthened by the difficulty attending their -attainment. Animated by no lofty aspirations, he was the slave of -avarice and sensuality. To make his position a brilliant one from a -worldly point of view, he disdained no petty intrigue, and his office as -chamberlain at the court of L---- opened the way to many such. He -deceived and lied, and was all the more dangerous on account of the -frank honest seeming behind which men never suspected the low schemer, -or women the vulgar sensualist. - -Elizabeth was glad when she saw her uncle turn the corner and approach -the house. With a sigh of relief she took her place in the carriage at -his side. She took off her hat, and bathed her hot forehead in the -fresh, delicious evening breeze that swept gently by. The last rays of -the sun were just gilding the trembling leaves of the poplars by the -roadside, and there was a rosy light upon the fields of blooming grain; -but the forest that enclosed in its bosom Elizabeth's home lay dark and -gloomy beyond, as if it had already forgotten the sunny life which had -penetrated its inmost recesses so short a time before. - -The forester glanced several times at the silent young girl at his side. -Suddenly he transferred both reins and whip to one hand, took hold of -Elizabeth's chin, and turned her face up to him. - -"Come, let me see, Elsie!" he said. "What! why, zounds! you have got -two wrinkles there in your forehead as deep as old Sabina's furrows. -What has happened? Come, out with it! Something has vexed you, hey?" - -"No, uncle, I am not vexed, but pained that you were so right in your -estimate of Fraeulein von Walde," replied Elizabeth, while a deep blush -of emotion covered her face. - -"Pained because I was right, or because Fraeulein von Walde has acted -unworthily?" - -"Well, because what you prophesied was evil, and----" - -"And therefore it follows that you should be angry with me. He is -always the criminal who tells the truth in such a matter. And pray, -which of the utterances of my worldly wisdom has been justified by -time?" - -She told him of Helene's conduct, and of what the ladies had said. The -forester smiled meaningly. - -"Oh women, women, and those women in especial! They prophesy an -immediate marriage if two people only say good morning to each other. -But perhaps they are right in this case,--it clears up much to my mind -that has hitherto seemed inexplicable to me." - -"But, uncle, you cannot believe that any one would sacrifice the best -feelings of our nature to such a preference?" - -"Many other things have happened, my child, for the sake of such a -preference, and although I do not for one moment defend Fraeulein von -Walde's weakness and submission; still, I shall henceforth judge her -more leniently. She succumbs to the power which leads us to forget -father and mother for another's sake." - -"Ah! that is just what I cannot understand," said Elizabeth, earnestly. -"How can any one love a stranger better than father or mother?" - -"Hm!" rejoined the forester, touching the horses lightly with his whip, -to accelerate their speed. This "hm" was followed by a clearing of his -throat, and he changed the subject, for he justly thought, "If that be -so, she will never understand my definition of love, although I should -speak with the tongues of angels." And he himself?--Far, far in the -past lay the time when he had carved the dear name upon the trees, and -trained his deep voice to sing love songs; when he had walked miles for -a single smile, and had hated as his bitterest enemy the man who dared -to regard with favour the object of his adoration. He looked back and -rejoiced in that wonderful time, but to paint it with its tempests of -excited feeling,--its tears and laughter, its hopes and fears,--was more -than he could do. - -"Do you see that perpendicular black streak just above the forest -there?" he asked, after a long silence, pointing with his whip to the -mountain which they were approaching. - -"Yes, indeed, it is the flag-staff upon Castle Gnadeck. I saw it a few -moments ago, and am now rejoicing unspeakably in the thought that there -lies a spot of earth that we may call our own,--a place from which no -one has the right to drive us. Thank God, we have a home!" - -"And such a home!" said the forester, as his beaming eyes looked around -the horizon. "When I was quite a little child, how I longed for the -Thuringian forest! It was all because of my grandfather's stories. In -his youth he had lived in Thuringia, and had the tales and legends of -his home at his tongue's end; and when I had reached man's estate, I -came hither. Then all the forest which we see before us belonged to the -Gnadewitzes, but I would not enter their service,--my father had told me -too much about them. I was the first Ferber from time immemorial who -had renounced their service. I applied to the Prince of L----. The -last of the Gnadewitzes divided his forests because the Prince of L---- -was willing to pay an immense sum of money that he might enlarge his own -woodland possessions. And thus it happened that the most ardent desire -of my youth was gratified, for I live now in the house that may be -called the cradle of the Ferbers. You know that we came at first from -Thuringia?" - -"Oh yes, I have known that from my childhood." - -"And do you know the story of our origin?" - -"No." - -"Well, it was long ago, and perhaps I am the only one who now knows -anything about it, but it shall not be lost, for remembrance is all the -gratitude that posterity can show for a brave action,--so now you shall -hear the story, and then you can tell it again. - -"About two hundred years ago,--you see we can trace back a considerable -pedigree,--the only pity is that we have no idea who the mother of our -race was,--if you should ever be asked any questions concerning her by -the Baroness Lessen, or others, you can answer with confidence that we -suspect her to have been either Augusta von Blasewitz,--for the story -dates from the thirty years' war,--or a vivandiere: perhaps she was a -good, honest woman, who clung to her husband through all the hardships -of the war, although I cannot forgive her for forsaking her -child,--well, then, about two hundred years ago, as the wife of the -huntsman Ferber opened her door in the morning--the very door that now -shuts upon my home--she saw a little child lying upon the threshold. She -clapped the door to again in a great hurry, for the forest was then -swarming with gypsies, and she thought it would prove to be one of their -dirty brats. But her husband was more of a Christian, and took the -child in. It was scarcely a day old. A paper was pinned upon its -breast, stating that the child was born in holy wedlock, that he had -been baptized by the name of Hans, and that whoever would take care of -him should receive further revelations concerning him at some future -day. Hidden in the child's dress was found a purse containing some -money. The huntsman's wife was a good woman, and when she heard the -child was born of Christian parents, and was probably the son of some -honest soldier who had left it here that it might not be exposed to the -dangers of the war, she took it to her heart and brought it up with her -own little girl as if they had been brother and sister. It was well for -him that she did so, for no one ever heard another word about his -relatives. His foster-father afterwards adopted him, and, to make his -happiness complete, he married his foster-sister. He, as well as his -son and grandson, lived where I live now, as foresters to the -Gnadewitzes, and they all died there. My grandfather was the first who -left this place with his master for one of the estates in Silesia. As a -boy, I was much disappointed that some countess mother did not turn up -in the end who should recognize the foundling as her son, stolen from -her by the malice of an enemy, and bear him home in triumph to her -castle. Later in life I learned to endure the want of this romantic -termination to the story with a good grace, as I considered that in such -case my own appearance here would have been very dubious, and my honest -name pleased me too much to wish it changed for any other; but imagine -my sensations when I stood for the first time upon the threshold where -the little foundling had passed the most helpless moment of his life, -when, deserted by his natural parents, sympathy had not yet supplied -their place. The worn stone is undoubtedly the same upon which the -child lay, and as long as I live here or have anything to do with the -place, it shall never be removed." - -Suddenly the forester leaned forward and pointed through the boughs, for -they had entered the wood. - -"Do you see that white spot?" he asked. - -The white spot was the cap of Sabina, who was sitting at the door of the -Lodge waiting for them. When she saw the carriage, she rose quickly, -shook the contents of her apron, which proved to be a quantity of -forget-me-nots, into a basket, and came to assist Elizabeth to alight. - -The horse trotted, neighing, behind the house, where he was awaited and -received with a caressing pat. Hector laid himself down upon the -ground, wagging his tail contentedly, and the doves and sparrows, which -the noise of the arrival had frightened away, returned and hopped -fearlessly about upon the green painted bench and table under the -linden, where, as the little rogues well knew, the forester was in the -habit of taking his morning and evening meals. He went into the house -for a moment that he might exchange his uniform for the more comfortable -garment worn at home, and soon returned, pipe and newspaper in hand, to -the linden, where Sabina soon began to lay the table. - -"'Tis a fact, it's a silly piece of Sunday work for such an old woman as -I am," said the housekeeper, laughing, as she passed Elizabeth, who, -sitting upon the stone step which now possessed such an interest for -her, continued the weaving of the wreath which Sabina had begun. "But I -have been used to such work from my youth. I have two little black -pictures up in my room, likenesses of my blessed father and mother; they -certainly deserve that I should honour them and hold them in loving -remembrance, so I hang fresh flowers around them every Sunday, as long -as there is a blossom to be had. A couple of children from Lindhof bring -me fresh ones every Sunday, and to-day they brought me so many that -there is enough for a wreath for Gold Elsie; if she puts it in a dish of -water it will keep fresh all through the week." - -Elizabeth sat a long time this evening with her uncle. A flood of -memories came rushing over his mind, called forth by his narration of -the old story of two hundred years before. He recalled many a wish, -plan, and aspiration of his youth, which now provoked only a smiling -sigh of sympathetic pity,--they had all vanished before the actual, like -dust before the wind. He talked them over now, as one who, standing -upon the land, hears the dash of the breakers afar that cannot reach -him. Sometimes he would make some witty attack, in the midst of his -recollections, upon Elizabeth, who would parry his thrusts and retort -merrily. - -Meanwhile a light arose behind the trees, which had blended -undistinguishably with the dark heavens, but which now stood out in -strong relief against the bright background. Single rays shot like -silver arrows between interlacing boughs, and lay motionless like oases -of light upon the dim meadow, until at last the moon arose, large and -victorious, above the tops of the trees, and its full lustre flooded the -landscape. The gentle breeze of evening had long since folded its -wings,--you could have counted the shadows of the linden leaves upon the -moonlit earth, so distinct and motionless they lay. All the clearer was -heard the gurgle of the little fountain in the court-yard of the Lodge, -and the low, indefinite murmur from the woods, which Elizabeth called -"the sleepy rain" of the forest. - -"There," said Sabina, crowning Elizabeth's head lightly with the -forget-me-not wreath, which she had just completed. "Carry it home so, -and you'll not crush it." - -"Then it may stay there," said she, laughing, as she arose. "Many -thanks for my ride! Good-night, uncle, good-night, Sabina!" - -And then she hastened through the house and garden, and was soon outside -the gate, which she closed behind her, and flew along up the narrow -moonlit forest path. In the dwelling-room above, the lamp was burning; -in spite of the bright moonlight, its beams were distinctly visible, for -the front of her home lay in deep shade. - -As she reached the little clearing, a remarkable shadow fell across her -path. It was neither a tree nor a post, but the figure of a man, a -stranger, who had been standing upon one side of the path, and now, to -her terror, approached her. The apparition courteously removed its hat, -and Elizabeth's terror vanished on the instant, for she saw before her -the smiling, good-humoured countenance of a well dressed, rather elderly -man. - -"I pray your pardon, Fraeulein, if I have frightened you," he said, as -he looked kindly over the large, shining glasses of his spectacles into -her face. "I assure you, I have no designs either upon your life or -your purse, and am simply a peaceful traveller, returning to his home, -who greatly desires to know what the light in the ruins yonder may -betoken; and yet this moment convinces me that my question is quite -superfluous. Fairies and elves are holding their revels there, while -the fairest among them keeps guard in the forest around, that none may -invade their charmed circle with impunity." - -This gallant comparison, trite as it may appear, was not ill applied at -this moment, for the slight girlish figure in white robes, with the blue -wreath crowning her angelic countenance, and bathed in moonlight, might -well have been mistaken for a fairy vision, as it glided so lightly -among the trees of the wood. - -She herself laughed inwardly at the quaint compliment, but with a little -pique at the thought of resembling such a mercurial elfish being, and -she replied to the old gentleman with maidenly dignity. - -"I am really sorry," she said, "to be forced to lead you back to -realities, but I fail to see anything in the light yonder, except a -commonplace lamp in the dwelling-room of a forester's clerk in the -service of the Prince of L----." - -"Ah!" laughed the gentleman, "and does the man live all alone in those -uncanny old walls?" - -"He might do so with a quiet mind, for over those whose consciences are -pure nothing uncanny can have any power. Nevertheless some loving -creatures bear him company, among the rest, two well-fed goats and a -canary bird, not to mention the owls, who have retired into private life -in great indignation, since the frivolous conduct of human beings does -not assort at all well with the solemn views of life entertained by -their grave worships." - -"Or perhaps because they shun the light and cannot endure----" - -"That the new arrival should adore the truth?" - -"Perhaps that, too; but I was about to suggest that they fly from the -two suns that have suddenly arisen in the old ruins." - -"Two suns at once? That would be a terrible experience for their poor -owls' eyes, and might even prove too much for a fire-worshipper," -replied Elizabeth, laughing, as she passed him with a slight -inclination, for her parents had just emerged from the gate in the wall, -and were advancing towards her. They had come out with some anxiety -when they heard Elizabeth's voice and that of a stranger, and they -gently reproved her, after she had related her little adventure, for -entering so thoughtlessly into conversation with strangers. - -"Your badinage might have had unpleasant consequences for you, my -child," said her mother. "Fortunately, they were gentlemen." - -"Gentlemen?" interrupted her daughter, with surprise. "There was only -one." - -"Look around," said her father; "you can see for yourself." - -And certainly just where the path began to descend into the valley, two -hats were plainly to be seen. - -"So you see, mother dear," said Elizabeth, "what an entirely harmless -encounter it was. One never stepped out from behind the bushes, and -there was certainly not an atom of the brigand to be seen in the kind -old face of the other." - -When she went to her room she carefully took the wreath from her head, -laid it in fresh water, and placed it before the bust of Beethoven, then -she kissed the forehead of the sleeping Ernst, and said good-night to -her father and mother. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - -"Hallo, Elsie, do not run so!" shouted the forester, the next day at -three o'clock in the afternoon, as he came out of the forest with his -rifle on his shoulder and crossed the meadow towards the Lodge. - -Elizabeth was running down the mountain, her round hat hanging upon her -arm instead of resting upon the braids that glanced in the sunlight, and -as she reached the house she flew laughing into her uncle's arms, which -he extended to receive her. - -She put her hand into her pocket, and stepped back a few paces. "Guess -what I have in my pocket, uncle," she said, smiling. - -"Well, what can it be? No need to puzzle one's brains long about it. -Probably a little sentimental hay,--a few dried flowers, kept for the -sake of the melancholy associations that they recall,--or some printed -sighs over the woes of the world, bound in gilt pasteboard?" - -"Wrong, indeed; twice wrong, Herr Forester, for, in the first place, -your wit glances harmlessly aside from me, and in the next--look here!" - -She drew a little box from her pocket, and lifted the cover. There, -upon green leaves, was comfortably lying a large lemon-coloured -caterpillar, with black spots, broad bluish-green stripes upon its back, -and a crooked horn upon its tail. - -"By all that is wonderful, Sphinx Atropos!" cried the delighted -forester. "Ah, my sunbeam, where did you find that exquisite specimen?" - -"Over at Lindhof, in a potato-field. Isn't it beautiful? There, let us -shut the box carefully, and put it back in my pocket." - -"What! am I not to have it?" - -"Oh yes; you can have it,--that is if you are inclined to pay for it." - -"Zounds! What a girl you have become! Come, give it to me,--here are -four groschen." - -"Not for the world. You can't have it for one farthing less than -twelve. When many a ragged, yellow old bit of parchment,--that one can -hardly bear to touch,--is paid for with its weight in gold, certainly -such a perfect piece of Nature's workmanship is worth twelve groschen." - -"Yellow old parchment! never breathe such a word into scientific ears, -if you value your reputation." - -"Ah, there are none such to be breathed into here in the forest." - -"Take care; Herr von Walde----" - -"Is hiding in the Pyramids." - -"But he might suddenly return and take a certain self-conceited young -person to strict account. He is cock-of-the-walk among learned men." - -"Well, for aught I care, they may raise monuments in his honour, and -strew laurels in his path, as much as they choose. I cannot forgive him -for forgetting, in the midst of all that dead lumber, the claims that -the living have upon him. While he is engaged in an enthusiastic -search, perhaps, for some wonderfully preserved receipt by Lucullus, or -lost in investigations as to whether the Romans did actually feed their -fish upon the flesh of slaves, the poor employed upon his estate starve -under the baroness' rule--actually crushed beneath the yoke of modern -slavery." - -"Hallo! how his left ear must burn! What a pity that he cannot hear -this confession of faith! Here are your twelve groschen, if you must -have them. You want to buy some trinket or other, a feather, or ribbons -for your hat, hey?" he said, smiling. - -She held her hat out at arm's length before her, and contemplated with -admiration the two fresh roses which she had stuck into the simple band -of black velvet that encircled it. "Does not that look lovely?" she -asked. "Do you think I would voluntarily hide my head beneath nodding -plumes when I can have roses, fresh roses? And there is your -caterpillar, and now you shall know why I want to black-mail you. This -morning the poor widow of a weaver in Lindhof came to my mother, begging -a little assistance. Her husband had had a fall, which injured his arm -and his foot, so that he has not been able to earn anything for weeks. -My mother gave her some old linen and a large loaf of bread. She could -do nothing more, as you know. See, here I have fifteen groschen,--from -my money-box,--there is not another farthing in it just now, and three -from little Ernst, who would gladly have sold his tin soldiers to help -the poor woman, and with the price for the caterpillar I shall have a -whole thaler, which I shall carry to the poor thing immediately." - -"Let me see. Here is another thaler; and, Sabina," he called into the -house, "bring out a piece of meat from your pickling-tub, and wrap it up -in green leaves. You shall take that too," he said, turning again to -Elizabeth. - -"Oh, you dearest of splendid uncles!" cried the girl, taking his large -hand between her slender palms and pressing it tenderly. - -"But take care," he continued, "that the piece of good salt meat does -not turn into roses. It would be a sad change for the poor weaver's -wife. You seem to be following in the steps of your saintly namesake." - -"Yes; but fortunately I have here no cruel Landgrave to fear. And if I -had, I would tell the truth in spite of him." - -"Gracious gods, what a heroic soul it is!" - -"But I think the courage to tell a lie would be far greater, even though -it were a pious one." - -"True, true, my daughter. I think I could hardly have done it either. -Ah, here comes Sabina!" - -The old housekeeper issued from the door, and whilst she wrapped up the -meat for Elizabeth, in accordance with the forester's directions, she -whispered to him that Herr von Walde, who had yesterday arrived from -abroad, had been waiting for him for some time. - -"Where?" he asked. - -"Here in the dwelling-room." - -Now they had been standing directly beneath the open windows of this -room. Elizabeth turned quickly round, blushing scarlet, but could see -no one. Her uncle, without turning, shrugged his shoulders with an -infinitely comical gesture, stroked his long moustache, and whispered, -with a suppressed laugh: "Here's a nice state of things! You have -settled matters finely,--he has heard every word.7" - -"So much the better," replied his niece, throwing her head back with an -air of defiance. "He does not hear the truth very often, perhaps." -Then bidding farewell to her uncle and Sabina, she walked slowly away -through the forest in the direction of Lindhof. - -At first she was annoyed at the thought that Herr von Walde had been -obliged, entirely against his will, to listen to the judgment which had -been passed upon him. Then she was sure that she should have told him -just the same truth to his face. And as it was scarcely to be supposed -that he would ever trouble himself about her estimate of him, it -certainly could do him no harm that he had been involuntarily the -auditor of a frank, impartial sentence passed upon him, even although -such sentence came from the lips of a young girl. But how had it -happened that he had returned so suddenly and unexpectedly? Fraeulein -von Walde had always spoken of her brother's absence as likely to -continue for several years, and the day before she had had not the -slightest expectation of his return. And then her encounter of the -previous evening flashed into her mind. The old gentleman had said that -he was a traveller returning home; but it was impossible that he, with -his smiling, good-humoured face, could be the grave, haughty proprietor -of Lindhof, who, perhaps, was the person that had remained concealed -beneath the trees while his companion was getting an answer to his -inquiries. But what could Herr von Walde want with her uncle, who, as -she knew, had never stood in any relation to him whatever? - -These and similar thoughts occupied her mind upon her way to the -weaver's. Husband and wife were delighted by the unhoped-for -assistance, and heaped Elizabeth with profuse professions of gratitude -as she left the house. - -She passed through the village, and directed her steps to Lindhof, where -she had promised to practice as usual. The lesson had not been -postponed, notwithstanding the return of Herr von Walde. The -proprietor's return had worked a great change in the whole look of the -castle. All the windows of the lower story on the south side, which had -so long been dark and closed behind their white shutters, now reflected -the sunlight in a long, shining row. The apartments within were -undergoing a thorough airing and dusting. A glass door stood wide open, -revealing the interior of a large saloon. Upon one of the steps which -led down to the garden at the back lay a snow-white greyhound, with his -slender body stretched out upon the hot stone and his head resting upon -his forepaws; he blinked at Elizabeth as though she had been an old -acquaintance. At an open window the gardener was arranging a stand of -flowers, and the old steward Lorenz was walking through the rooms, -superintending everything. - -It was remarkable that all the people whom the young girl met had, as if -by magic, entirely altered their whole expression. Had a tempest swept -through the sultry atmosphere and a fresh breeze filled all the rooms, -so that voices sounded clearer, and bent forms grew straight and -elastic? Even old Lorenz, whose face had always worn so grim and -depressed a look, as though there were a weight of lead upon his -shoulders, shot real sunshine from his eyes, although he was scolding -one of the maids; Elizabeth looked on in surprise. She had only seen -him before gliding about upon the tips of his toes, and in low, -suppressed tones announcing guests to the ladies in the drawing-room. - -In amazement at this sudden bursting into bloom of new life and -activity, Elizabeth turned towards the wing appropriated to the ladies. -Here the deepest silence still reigned. In the apartments of the -baroness the curtains were closely drawn. No noise penetrated through -the doors by which Elizabeth passed. The air of the passages was heavy -with the odour of valerian, and when at the lower end of one of the -halls, Elizabeth saw through an open door one human face, what a change -met her eye! It was the baroness' old waiting-maid who looked out, -probably to see who was so bold as to invade the solemn repose of the -corridor. Her cap was set upon her false curls all awry, and the curls -themselves were but loosely put on. Her countenance wore a troubled -expression, and a round, red spot on each cheek, betokened either high -fever or some violent, mental agitation. She returned Elizabeth's -salute shortly and sullenly, and disappeared into the room, closing the -door noiselessly behind her. - -When Elizabeth reached Fraeulein von Walde's apartment, she thought that -she had arrived at the last act in the mysterious drama which had begun -in the baroness' rooms, for no "come in" answered her repeated knock. -Not only were the curtains here drawn, but the shutters also were closed -as she saw when she gently opened the door. The profound quiet and the -darkness deterred her from entering, and she was about to shut the door -again when Helene, in a weak voice, called to her to enter. The little -lady lay on a couch at the farther end of the room, her head resting on -a white pillow, and Elizabeth could hear that her teeth were chattering -as if with cold. - -"Ah, dear child," she said, and laid her cold, damp hand upon her young -friend's arm, "I have had a nervous attack. None of my people have -observed that I am lying here so ill, and it has been terribly lonely in -this dark room. Pray open the windows wide,--I need air, the warm air -of heaven." - -Elizabeth immediately did as she desired, and when the daylight streamed -in upon the pale face of the invalid, it revealed traces of violent -weeping. - -The sunshine aroused more life and motion in the room than Elizabeth had -anticipated; she was startled by a loud scream which proceeded from one -corner. There she discovered a cockatoo, with snow-white plumage and a -brilliant yellow crest, swinging to and fro upon a ring. - -"Heavens! what a fearful noise!" sighed Helene, pressing her little -hands upon her ears. "That terrible bird will tear my nerves to -pieces!" - -Elizabeth's glance rested amazed upon the little stranger, and then -explored the rest of the apartment, which looked like a bazaar. Upon -tables and chairs were lying costly stuffs, shawls, richly-bound books, -and all kinds of toilet articles. Fraeulein von Walde noticed -Elizabeth's look, and said briefly, with averted face: "All presents -from my brother, who returned home quite unexpectedly yesterday." - -How cold her voice was as she said it! And there was not the slightest -hint of pleasure to be discovered in her features, swollen with weeping; -the large eyes, usually so soft and gentle, expressed only vexation and -annoyance. - -Elizabeth stooped silently and picked up a gorgeous bouquet of -camellias, that was lying half faded upon the floor. - -"Oh yes," said Helene, sitting up, while a slight flush appeared on her -cheeks, "that is my brother's good-morning to me; it fell down from the -table, and I forgot it. Pray put it in that vase there." - -"Poor flowers," said Elizabeth, half aloud, as she looked at the brown -edges of the white petals, "they never dreamed when they opened their -tender buds, that they were to bloom in such a cold atmosphere!" - -Helene looked up into her friend's face with a searching, troubled -glance, and for an instant her eyes expressed regret. "Put the flowers -on the sill of the open window," she whispered quickly, "the air there -will do them good. Oh, heavens!" she cried, sinking back among her -cushions. "He is certainly a most excellent man, but his sudden return -has destroyed the harmony of our delightful home life." - -Elizabeth looked almost incredulously at the little lady who lay there, -her clasped hands raised, and her eyes lifted to heaven, as if fate had -decreed her a most bitter trial. If she had failed yesterday to find -the key to Helene's conduct, she was certainly more puzzled than ever -to-day by this incomprehensible character. What had become of all those -sentiments of fervent gratitude that had breathed from every word -whenever Helene had spoken of her absent brother? Had all the sisterly -tenderness which had seemed to fill her heart vanished in a single -moment, so that she now lamented what, according to her own words, she -had so lately regarded as the most delightful thing that could happen? -Even supposing that the returned brother did not sympathize with the -circle in which alone she felt happy, if he should oppose her dearest -wishes, was it possible that coldness and anger could exist between two -beings whom fate had bound together by so close a tie, a tie which must -bring them all the nearer to each other, since one was so helpless, and -the other so alone in the world? Elizabeth suddenly felt profound pity -for the man who had sailed on distant seas and wandered through strange -lands so long, only to be greeted as a disturbing element when he once -more appeared at his own fireside. Apparently there was one tender spot -in his proud heart, love for his sister; how deeply wounded he must be -that she had no loving welcome for him, and that her heart was cold and -hard towards him! - -Occupied with these thoughts, Elizabeth arranged the flowers in the -vase. She returned not a syllable to Helene's outbreak, which had so -maligned her brother to stranger ears. And Helene herself, shamed -probably by Elizabeth's silence, seemed to be conscious that she had -lost her self-control, for she suddenly, in an altered voice, begged her -to take a chair and stay with her for awhile. - -At this moment the door was violently flung open, and a female figure -appeared upon the threshold. Elizabeth was at some trouble to recognize -in this apparition in its neglected, careless dress, betraying every -sign of great agitation, the Baroness Lessen. Her scanty locks, usually -so carefully arranged, were streaming from under a morning-cap across -her forehead, no longer white and smooth as ivory, but flushing scarlet. -The stereotyped self-satisfaction had vanished from her eyes, and she -presented a most insignificant appearance as she looked shyly into the -room! - -"Ah, Helene!" she cried anxiously, without noticing Elizabeth, and her -corpulent figure advanced with unwonted rapidity. "Rudolph has just -sent for the unfortunate Linke to come to his room, and he abused the -poor man so violently and loudly that I heard him in my bed-room on the -other side of the court--Heavens! how wretched I am! The morning has -agitated me so that I can scarcely stand, but I could not listen to such -injustice any longer, and sought refuge here. And those servile -wretches, the other servants, who, while Rudolph was away, scarcely -dared to wink their eyes,--there they stand now boldly beneath the -windows, taking a malicious pleasure in the misfortunes that are -befalling a faithful servant. Everything is destroyed that I had -arranged so carefully and with such pains for the salvation of this -household. And Emil is at Odenberg! How miserable and forlorn we are, -dearest Helene!" - -She threw her arms around the neck of the little lady, who started up -pale as ashes. Elizabeth took advantage of this moment to slip out of -the room. - -As she passed along the corridor leading to the vestibule she heard some -one speaking loudly. It was a deep, sonorous, manly voice, which grew -louder now and then under the influence of excitement, but there was no -sharpness in its tones even when they were loudest. Although she could -not distinguish a word, the tone thrilled through her,--there was -something inexorable in the intonation of the emphasized sentences. - -The echo in the long corridor was deceptive. Elizabeth did not know -whence the voice proceeded, and she therefore ran forwards quickly that -she might the sooner reach the open air. But after a few steps she -heard, as though the speaker were directly beside her, the words, -"To-morrow evening you will leave Lindhof." - -"But, most gracious Herr!"--was the answer. - -"I have nothing else to say to you! now go!" was uttered in a commanding -tone; and just then Elizabeth, to her terror, found herself opposite a -wide-open folding door. The tall figure of a man stood in the middle of -the room, his left hand behind him, and his right pointing to the door. -A pair of flashing, dark eyes met her own as she passed hastily through -the vestibule and into the garden. It seemed as if that look, in which -there glowed an indignant soul, pursued her and drove her onward. - -As the Ferber family were sitting at supper, her father told with -expressions of pleasure how he had made the acquaintance of Herr von -Walde that day at the Lodge. - -"Well, and how does he please you?" asked his wife. - -"That is a question, dear child, that I might be able to answer if I -should happen to have daily intercourse with him for a year or so, -although even then I cannot tell whether I should be able to give a -satisfactory reply. The man is very interesting to me--as one is -continually tempted to try to discover whether he really is what he -appears,--a perfectly cold, passionless nature. He came to my brother to -learn the particulars concerning the affair between his superintendent -and the poor labourer's widow, because he had been informed that Sabina -had been an eye-witness of the ill treatment she had received. Sabina -was obliged to tell how she discovered the poor woman. He asked about -everything, even the smallest circumstance, but in a very short, decided -manner. What impression Sabina's account made upon him no one could -tell; his looks were utterly impenetrable, not the smallest change of -countenance betrayed his thoughts. He comes directly from Spain. From -the few remarks that he let fall, I judge that his sudden return to -Thuringia is owing to a letter from some one of his friends here, -telling him of the mismanagement of affairs upon his estate and the -unhappiness among his tenantry." - -"And his exterior?" asked Frau Ferber. - -"Is pleasing, although I have never seen so much reserve and -inaccessibility expressed in a man's bearing I entirely understand how -he has the reputation of boundless haughtiness; and yet I cannot, on the -other hand, convince myself that such exceeding folly can lurk behind -such remarkably intellectual features. His face always wears the look -of cold repose of which I have spoken; but, between the eyebrows, there -is what I might call an involuntary, unguarded expression of what a -superficial observer might think sternness; to me it seems settled -melancholy." - -Elizabeth listened thoughtfully to this description. She had already -learned how that cold repose could be entirely laid aside for a time, -and she told her father of the scene which she had witnessed. - -"Then sentence has been passed sooner than I anticipated," said Ferber. -"Possibly your uncle may have done his part towards this end by his -strong language,--he does not hesitate when asked for an opinion. He -was so frank with Herr von Walde, that he felt quite relieved and -retained not an iota in his heart of all that had been vexing him in the -course of the past year." - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - -Scarcely a week had passed since the evening mentioned in the last -chapter, but these few days had brought about great changes in the -household at the castle of Lindhof. The dismissed superintendent had -already been replaced by a new man, whose power, however, was very -limited, as Herr von Walde had undertaken the chief oversight of affairs -himself. Several day-labourers who had been summarily dismissed, either -because they were warm adherents of the village pastor, and had, on -account of their work, been frequently absent from prayers at the -castle, or because they did not care to listen to the chaplain's -sermons, were again working on the estate. - -The day before, Sunday, Herr von Walde, accompanied by the Baroness -Lessen and little Bella, had attended service in the village church at -Lindhof. To the surprise of all, the chaplain, Herr Moehring, had -appeared in the organ-loft as one of the audience, and at noon the -worthy pastor had taken dinner with the family at Castle Lindhof. Doctor -Fels paid daily visits there, for Fraeulein von Walde was sick. That -was the reason why Elizabeth had not been requested to give her another -lesson, and also, as the forester said, why the Baroness Lessen "had not -been banished to Siberia, for," said he, "Herr von Walde would not be -such a savage as to make his ailing sister still more ailing, by -depriving her of the society which was dearest to her. He knew that if -his mother left, Herr von Hollfeld's visits would also cease." It was -malicious to say so, but, as he added, "incontrovertibly just." - -In the village it was well known that it had required several terrible -tempests to clear the air at Castle Lindhof. For the first three days -after his arrival Herr von Walde had taken his meals alone in his -private apartments, and the letters which the baroness' waiting-maid had -delivered to him, at all times of the day, from her mistress, were -returned unopened, until at last the violent illness of his sister had -brought about a meeting between her brother and her cousin by her -bedside. Since that day intercourse had again been apparently -established between the two, although the servants declared that they -exchanged scarcely a word at table. Herr von Hollfeld had been over once -to greet the returned traveller, but it was observed that he rode away -with a perceptibly lengthened face, after a very short stay. - -On a melancholy, rainy day in August, Elizabeth was again requested by -Fraeulein von Walde to spend half an hour with her at the castle. The -lady was not alone when she entered the room. Herr von Walde sat in the -recess by the window. His tall figure was leaning back on a couch, his -head nearly touching the light-coloured wall behind him, so that his -dark-brown hair stood out in strong relief against it. His right hand, -which carelessly held a cigar, was resting upon the window-sill, while -his left was raised as if he had just been speaking. His neighbour, the -Baroness Lessen, was bending towards him, and, with a most winning smile -upon her face, seemed to be listening intently to his words, although, -as it appeared, they were not addressed to her, but to Helene. She was -sitting tolerably near him, and had some crochet work in her hand. -Fraeulein von Walde was lying upon a lounge. A full dressing-gown -entirely enveloped her small figure, and her beautiful brown curls -escaped from beneath a morning-cap, trimmed with pink ribbons, which -heightened, by force of contrast, the pallor of her countenance. The -cockatoo was perched upon her hand, and from time to time she held him -caressingly to her cheek. "The terrible bird" was now called "darling," -and might scream as loud as it liked,--it was only soothed by a tender -"What's the matter with my pet?" Here, then, all was peace and -reconciliation. - -Upon Elizabeth's entrance Helene beckoned to her kindly, but it did not -escape her that there was a slight embarrassment in the little lady's -manner. - -"Dear Rudolph," she said, as she took Elizabeth's hand, "let me present -you to the delightful artiste to whom I owe so many pleasant -hours,--Fraeulein Ferber, called by her uncle, and in all the country -around, Gold Elsie. She plays so deliciously that I entreat her to make -us forget the gray and gloomy skies above us this afternoon. You see, -dear child," she continued, turning to Elizabeth, "that I am still too -weak to assist you at the piano; will you have the great kindness to -play something alone for us?" - -"With all my heart," replied Elizabeth. "But I shall play timidly, for -there are two formidable powers to oppose me,--the gloomy heavens, and -the favourable expectations that you have awakened of my performance." - -"Pray allow me to excuse myself for an hour," said the baroness, as she -collected her working materials and arose; "I should like to drive out -with Bella,--it is so long since the poor child has taken the air." - -"Really, I should suppose that she could easily take it here at any -time, by simply putting her head out of the window," said Herr von Walde -dryly, knocking the ashes from his cigar as he spoke. - -"Heavens! are you unwilling, Rudolph, that I should take a drive? I -will instantly remain at home, if----" - -"I can conceive of no reason why I should be unwilling. Drive as often -and as much as you like," was the indifferent reply. - -The baroness compressed her lips, and turned to Helene: "We have -decided, then, to take coffee in my room. I shall not stay out long, on -account of the mist. I shall be back punctually in an hour, and shall -depend upon the pleasure of conducting you to my room myself, dearest -Helene." - -"That pleasure you must resign," said Herr von Walde. "It has been my -office for many years, and I hope my sister does not think me grown too -awkward during my absence to discharge it." - -"Most certainly not, dear Rudolph; I shall be greatly obliged, if you -will be so kind," cried Helene, quickly, looking anxiously from one to -the other. - -The baroness conquered her vexation bravely. She held out her hand to -Herr von Walde, with a smile of great sweetness, kissed Helene upon the -cheek, and rustled out of the room with an "au revoir." - -During this conversation, Elizabeth observed more closely the features -of the man, whose glance and voice had impressed her so profoundly. It -is true, her terror, for really the emotion caused by her first meeting -with him was nothing less, had been renewed for a moment, as on entering -she caught sight of Herr von Walde. How quiet the eyes were now, which -had seemed before to flash fire; his look, as it rested upon the -baroness, was icy cold. With this expression in his eyes, the upper -part of his face, which bore the stamp of great sternness, grew to iron. -A carefully arranged chestnut-brown moustache covered his upper lip, and -his beard; which was unusually fine and silky, fell in soft waves upon -his chest. Herr von Walde did not look young, and although his -well-knit figure had preserved all its elasticity, there was that -indescribable composure and self-possession in his whole manner and -heaping peculiar to the man of riper age, and which inspires involuntary -respect. - -When the baroness had left the room, Elizabeth opened the piano. - -"No, no! no notes!" Helene cried to her, as she saw her turning over the -music-sheets. "We want to hear your own fancies; pray extemporize." - -Elizabeth seated herself immediately, and soon the outer world was all -forgotten by her. A wealth of melody welled up in her soul, which -carried it far aloft. At such moments she knew that she was gifted -beyond thousands of her fellow-mortals, for she had the power of giving -expression to the most hidden emotions of her heart. The purity of her -whole inner world was mirrored in sound; she had never been obliged to -seek for a melody which should embody her feeling, it lay ready in her -soul,--ready as the feeling itself. But to-day there was something -blended with the tones that she could not herself comprehend; she could -not possibly pursue and analyze it, for it breathed almost imperceptibly -across the waves of sound. It seemed as though joy and woe no longer -moved side by side, but melted together into one. As she was herself -impressed by this strange presence, she penetrated still deeper into her -world of feeling,--gradually the clear depths of her pure, maidenly soul -were revealed to the listeners; they stood, as it were, by some -transparent, magic fountain, and saw within its quiet waters the lovely -form of the young girl reflected, with twofold distinctness, for there -was a perfect harmony between her exterior and her interior being. - -The last faint chord died away. Large tear-drops hung from Helene's -lashes, and her pallor was almost supernatural. She glanced towards her -brother, but he had turned his face away, and was gazing out into the -garden. When at last he looked towards her, his features were as calm -as ever, only a slight flush coloured his brow; the cigar had dropped -from his fingers and lay upon the ground. He said not one word -concerning her playing to Elizabeth, as she rose from the piano. -Helene, whom this silence distressed, exhausted herself in flattering -expressions, that she might induce her young friend to forget, or, at -least, not to notice the coldness and indifference which her brother -displayed. - -"Was it not delicious?" she cried. "The people in B---- could have had -no idea of the golden fountain of music bubbling up in Elsie's heart, or -they would never have allowed her to wander into the Thuringian forest." - -"Have you lived until now in B----?" asked Herr von Walde, fixing his -eyes upon Elizabeth. She met his gaze for an instant; the ice had all -melted, and was replaced by a wondrous radiance. - -"Yes," she answered, simply. - -"It was a sad experience to come suddenly from a large beautiful city, -which offers every imaginable diversion and enjoyment, to the silent -forest, and live upon a lonely mountain. You were, of coarse, -inconsolable at the exchange?" - -"I regarded it as a piece of undeserved good fortune," was the -unembarrassed reply. - -"Indeed? Most strange! It seems to me that one would hardly choose the -thistle when the rose might be had." - -"Of course, I cannot presume to pass judgment upon your opinions." - -"True, because you do not know me; but my idea is almost universal." - -"Yet surely it is very one-sided." - -"Well, then, I will not combat further your peculiar taste, with which -you would scarcely find any one to sympathize among companions of your -own age. I will rather believe, for your credit, that it was not so -easy to leave your friends." - -"But it was very easy, for I had none." - -"Is that possible?" cried Fraeulein von Walde. "Did you have no -intercourse with any one?" - -"Oh, yes, with the people who paid me." - -"You gave lessons?" asked Herr von Walde. - -"Yes." - -"But did you never feel the want of a female friend?" cried Helene -quickly. - -"Never, for I have a mother," replied Elizabeth in a tone of deep -feeling. - -"Happy child!" she murmured, and drooped her head. - -Elizabeth felt that she had unwittingly touched a sore place in Helene's -heart. She was sorry, and longed to efface the impression. Herr von -Walde seemed to read her thoughts in her face, for, without noticing -Helene's emotion, he asked: "And did you desire to live in the -Thuringian forest especially?" - -"Yes." - -"And why?" - -"Because I had been told from my earliest childhood that my family had -its origin in the Thuringian forest." - -"Ah, yes, you belong to the Gnadewitzes." - -"My mother's name was Gnadewitz. I am a Ferber," answered Elizabeth, -with decision. - -"You say that as if you were thankful that you did not bear the name of -Gnadewitz." - -"I am thankful for it." - -"Hm!--in its time it has made a fine noise in the world." - -"None pleasant to hear." - -"Why, what would you have? At every court it was pure gold, for it was -very old, and the last of those who bore it were heaped with dignities -and honours, on account of the antiquity of their name." - -"Pardon me, but I cannot possibly understand how--" she blushed, and was -silent. - -"Go on; you have begun the sentence, and I depend upon hearing the end." - -"Well, then, how sin can be honoured, because it is old," she rejoined, -with hesitation. - -"Softly! they say that several of the Gnadewitz lineage were brave and -true." - -"That may be; but is there not great injustice in the idea of rewarding -their merit, centuries after, by honouring those who are neither good -nor true?" - -"Should not noble deeds live forever?" - -"Most certainly; but, if we refuse to emulate them, we certainly are not -worthy to share in their rewards," was Elizabeth's prompt answer. - -A carriage rolled up the avenue. Herr von Walde frowned, and passed his -hand across his eyes as if he had been rudely awakened from a dream. In -a moment the door opened, and the baroness entered. She, as well as -Bella, who was walking by her mother's side to-day with quite an air of -grown-up dignity, had not yet laid aside her bonnet and mantle. - -"I am glad to be at home again," she cried. "The air to-day is -horrible. I repented a hundred times having left the house, and shall -probably atone for my maternal solicitude by a heavy cold. Bella was so -anxious to see for herself how you are, dear Helene, that I allowed her -to come in with me." - -The child went directly up to the lounge. She did not appear to notice -Elizabeth, who was sitting close by, and brushed past her so rudely, as -she bent to kiss Helene's hand, that a button upon her sack caught in -the delicate trimming of Elizabeth's dress and tore it. Bella lifted -her head and glanced at the mischief she had done; then she turned and -went across to Herr von Walde to give him her hand. - -"Well," said he, withholding his hand, "have you no apology to make for -your awkwardness?" - -She made no reply, and retired to the side of her mother, upon whose -cheeks the ominous red spots appeared. The look which she cast upon -Elizabeth showed that her daughter was not the cause of her irritation. - -"Well, child, can't you speak?" asked Herr von Walde, rising. - -"Fraeulein Ferber sat so close," said the baroness in a tone of excuse, -as Bella continued obstinately silent. - -"Indeed, I should have moved aside. There is no great harm done," said -Elizabeth, and she held out her hand to Bella with an enchanting smile. -But the child took no notice of it, and hid both her hands in her dress. - -Without a word, Herr von Walde approached her, took her by the arm, and -led her directly to the door, which he opened. "Go instantly to your -room," he said, "and do not come where I am again unless I particularly -desire you to do so." - -The baroness was raging inwardly. Her countenance worked for a moment, -but what could she do? She was powerless to contend with the violence -and barbarism of this man, who was master here, and who now took his -seat again with a composure that betrayed an utter unconsciousness of -the cruelty of his behaviour. Her prudence obtained the upper hand. - -"I hope, dear Rudolph," said she, and her voice trembled a little, "that -you will not reckon this slight misdemeanour against Bella. Pray, make -some allowance,--it is all the fault of her governess." - -"Miss Mertens? Indeed, it must have cost her, with her innate -gentleness and refinement, infinite pains to train Bella to conduct -herself as she has just done." - -The baroness blushed scarlet; but she controlled herself. "Heavens!" -she cried, determined to change the subject; "this stupid circumstance -has made me forget to tell you that Emil has ridden over from Odenberg. -He got wet through on horseback, and is just changing his dress. May he -pay his respects?" - -Helene's cheeks glowed, and a ray of happiness shot from her eyes; but -she said not a word, only drooping her face so as to conceal every sign -of her inward agitation. - -"Certainly," replied Herr von Walde. "Does he intend to make some stay -here?" - -"He will be here for a few days, with your permission." - -"By all means. Then we shall see him in your room when we come to take -coffee." - -"He will be most happy. Will you not come immediately? My maid tells me -that all is in readiness there to receive you." - -Elizabeth arose, and prepared to take her leave. Herr von Walde, as -soon as he saw this, looked inquiringly at the baroness. Doubtless he -expected that she would extend an invitation to the young girl, but just -at this moment the lady discovered that the gardener's arrangement of -the flower-stand in the window was "too charming," and in enraptured -contemplation of a bunch of azaleas she turned her back upon Elizabeth. - -Fraeulein Ferber courtesied profoundly and left the room, after Helene -had repeated, in a trembling voice, her expressions of gratitude. -Without, in the corridor, she met Herr von Hollfeld. At sight of her he -quickened his pace, casting a lightning glance around to assure himself -that no listener was near. Before she was aware of it, he had seized -Elizabeth's hand, imprinted a glowing kiss upon it, and whispered: "How -rejoiced I am to see you once more!" - -Her astonishment was so great that she could not at first find a word to -say. She drew back her hand as though she had been stung, and he -accepted her repulse, because at that very moment the door of Helene's -room opened, and Herr von Walde appeared. Hollfeld raised his hat to -Elizabeth as if he had just seen her, and his features subsided -instantly into an expression of utter indifference as he walked towards -his relative. - -Elizabeth was disgusted with his farce,--first, at the insulting -familiarity, which made her blood boil with indignation, and then, at -the denial of any acquaintance before a third person. Her maidenly -pride was deeply wounded. She reproached herself that she had not -rebuked his impertinence boldly upon the spot. A crimson flush glowed -in her cheeks with shame that she should have been treated so by any -man; it seemed as if the spot upon her hand, where his hot lips had -rested, still burned, and she hastily held it beneath the stream of a -fountain in the park, that the imaginary stain might be washed away. - -Much agitated, she reached her home, and complained with tears to her -mother of the insult that she had received. Frau Ferber was a sensible -woman, possessed of clear, calm insight. She was convinced by -Elizabeth's resentment that her child's heart was not in the least -danger, and her fears were laid to rest. It was easy to defend her from -attacks from without; but who could guard her from the grief that a -misplaced attachment would entail upon her? - -"You know now what manner of man Herr von Hollfeld is," she said. "It -will not be difficult strictly to avoid all future contact with him, and -if he should presume in spite of your efforts, he must be sternly -repulsed. His conduct seems to be the result of aristocratic conceit and -cowardice, two qualities which will probably deter him from any further -advances, when he discovers how disagreeable they are to you. But at -all events, familiarize yourself with the thought that your behaviour -towards him must of necessity create an enemy who will, at some future -day, put a stop to your intercourse with Fraeulein von Walde. Of course -such a consideration cannot for one instant lead you to hesitate as to -your line of conduct. Go on your way then, my child, quietly and with -self-possession. I should certainly not advise you to give up your -visits to Castle Lindhof." - -"Assuredly not! no, that I will not do!" cried Elizabeth, quickly. -"What would my uncle say if the chicken should actually come flying back -to creep beneath the shelter of home?" she added, smiling through her -tears. "It would be wretched indeed, if with all the strength of which -I have boasted, I am not strong enough to repulse an impertinent man so -effectually that he shall desist from all future advances." - -She recalled her conversation with Herr von Walde, and found, to her -great satisfaction, that she must certainly be exceedingly brave, for -assuredly it had required no small exercise of courage, while -confronting that stern countenance, to declare her own convictions, -which attacked so decidedly the proud edifice of his ancestral pride. -She had expected every moment to see his glance sheathe itself in ice -again, as it had done in conversation with the baroness; but the -singular glow and expression which had so struck her when first he -addressed her, had not faded from his eyes,--she could almost, in fact, -believe that she detected beneath his moustache a smile lurking around -the corners of his mouth. Perhaps he had determined to-day to enact the -part of the lion towards the mouse. He had magnanimously permitted a -little girl to pour out her naive ideas at his feet, where they might -remain lying, since to bend his aristocratic back to pick them up and -examine them was not to be thought of,--they probably amused him as -exemplifying the saying of the dog "baying the moon." She repeated all -this continually to herself, that she might stamp afresh upon her -treacherous memory his general reputation for boundless arrogance. - -She could not tell how she became conscious of it, but she was now -perfectly aware that she should suffer unspeakably if Herr von Walde's -arrogance was ever exercised towards her; so she must be doubly on her -guard and not allow herself to be misled by his observance of the usual -forms of common politeness, of his high regard for which the next day -brought her a most convincing proof. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - -She had just gotten ready, the next afternoon, to go into the garden -with her work-basket, when the bell rang at the gate in the wall. In -consideration of the scene of the day before, her surprise was certainly -justifiable, when, as the gate was opened, she saw Bella standing before -her. Behind the child stood Miss Mertens and the elderly gentleman with -whom Elizabeth had lately had an evening encounter. As she entered Bella -extended her hand, but looked shy and confused and said not a word. -Elizabeth, much amazed, at once guessed the reason of her coming, and -tried to help her in her embarrassment by saying how glad she was to -have a visit from a little girl, and by asking her to come into the -garden. But Miss Mertens stepped forward. - -"Do not make it all so pleasant for Bella, Fraeulein Ferber," said she, -"she has been expressly ordered to make an apology to you for her -misconduct yesterday. I must insist upon her speaking." - -These words, spoken with much firmness, and still more, perhaps, the -sheltering darkness of the hall through which Elizabeth was leading her -by the hand, at last loosened Bella's tongue, and she softly begged -pardon for her fault, and promised never to be so naughty again. - -"And now that is happily settled," cried the gentleman, as he advanced -to Miss Mertens' side, and with an arch smile made a low bow to -Elizabeth. - -"It may, perhaps, strike you as very odd," he said, "that I should -attach myself to this reconciliation deputation, with which I have no -concern; but I have an idea that on such occasions people are rather -inclined to overlook all slight transgressions, and so,--there can be no -more favourable moment for the smuggling in of a stranger. - -"My name is Ernst Reinhard; I am the secretary and travelling companion -of Herr von Walde, and I have had no more earnest desire for a week past -than to become acquainted with the interesting family at Castle -Gnadeck." - -Elizabeth kindly extended her hand. "These old walls have witnessed so -many of the misdeeds of the robber knights of old, that we have no right -to condemn smuggling; you will be cordially welcomed by my parents." - -She led the way, and opened the huge oaken door leading into the garden. - -Her parents and uncle, who, with little Ernst, were sitting under the -lindens, arose as the strangers entered, and came towards them. -Elizabeth introduced them all round, and then, at a sign from her -mother, returned to the house to order some refreshments for the guests. -When she came back again, Bella had already laid aside her sack and -parasol, and with a joyous face was sitting in a swing, which had been -hung between two trees. Ernst was swinging her, and seemed not a little -proud of his new playmate. - -"Indeed," said Reinhard, pointing to Bella as she flew up in the swing, -shouting with delight, "no one who had seen that child this morning and -her sullen bearing, as she went into Herr von Walde's apartment to ask -forgiveness for yesterday's misconduct, or her defiant and angry -expression, when he told her that he could not receive her again until -she had personally begged pardon of Fraeulein Ferber,"--here Elizabeth -reddened, and became absorbed in the preparation of some bread and honey -for the two children,--"would recognize her for the same being, whose -face is now beaming with the innocent joy of childhood." - -The hour passed very pleasantly. Miss Mertens was both refined and -cultivated, and Reinhard told many delightful stories of his travels and -researches. - -"Probably we should not have thought of returning home for some time," -he said in concluding an interesting account of adventures in Spain, -"had we not received unfavourable accounts from Thuringia, which, -following fast upon each other, induced Herr von Walde to give up new -plans for travel. The ambition of power often makes its possessor -blind. The incautious request from a feminine pen that Herr von Walde -would pension off the good old village pastor at Lindhof, because he had -grown prosy and was incapable of training the souls under his care, -capped the climax of our unwelcome hews, and we set out for home -immediately. - -"When, late in the evening, as we approached Lindhof, we left the -highroad and our carriage, that we might go the rest of the way on foot, -we met with a most charming adventure. How odd! look, Reinhard, what -do you suppose is the meaning of that light in the ruins of Castle -Gnadeck?' asked Herr von Walde. 'It means that there is a lamp there,' -was my reply. 'We must investigate this,' said he, and we ascended the -hill. The light grew brighter, and at last, to our astonishment, we saw -that it streamed from two high illuminated windows. And then, light -steps were heard behind us, something white fluttered among the bushes, -and suddenly, what I took for a being of ethereal mould hovered before -us upon the moonlit sward. I took heart and approached, expecting every -moment that the airy form would vanish before the breath of my lips; but -alas! its own lips opened, and told of two well-trained goats and a -canary bird." - -All laughed at this account. - -"While we were descending the mountain," Reinhard continued, "my master -said not a word; but from certain signs I judged that he was quite as -ready to laugh at me as you were; it would have been a fine thing if you -could have accompanied us as a good fairy, for we left all the moonlight -and beauty behind us upon the mountain, and had to walk on through the -dim valley, where the mists were rising, and where there was nothing, -not even a wandering zephyr to bid us welcome home. At Castle Lindhof -numberless lights were flitting to and fro like will-o'-the-wisps. The -carriage, with our luggage, had already arrived, and seemed to have -produced the same effect by the sound of its rolling wheels, as that -ascribed to the thunder at the day of judgment, for there was such -hurry, confusion, and disorder reigning there when we arrived, that, for -my part, I should have been thankful to retrace my steps, and lay my -weary head upon the first quiet, mossy spot that I could find in the -forest. The only person who, in the midst of the universal agitation, -presented an appearance of placid self possession was the chaplain, -Moehring. He had put on a white cravat with great despatch, and -welcomed the master of the house at the foot of the grand staircase in a -speech full of unction." - -"The reign of that stern gentleman is at an end now, is it not?" asked -the forester. - -"Yes, indeed, thank God!" replied Miss Mertens. "He will leave Lindhof -in a short time. Baroness Lessen's influence has procured him a good -parish. He could not endure to sink back into insignificance where he -had so lately held sway. I can readily understand it, for he had ruled -with all the persecuting zeal of a tyrant who seeks to tread every one -beneath his feet. He would not allow a thought in his kingdom without -his permission, and even the baroness, his mistress, upon whom he smiled -so servilely, felt his iron rule. Every one in the household, without -exception, was obliged to write down, in the evening, the thoughts and -sentiments that had occurred to them during the avocations of the day. I -can see before me now the poor housemaids, to whom even a short letter -to their friends at home is a greater task than a long ironing-day, -sitting in that cold room on the winter evenings, holding the pen in -their tired clumsy fingers, and beating their poor brains for something -to say. - -"'Yes, if the chaplain had worked as hard as I have done the whole day,' -one would whisper softly but angrily to another, 'he would not relish -writing much.'" - -"Indeed, I think so," cried the forester. "What a shameful system of -torture and oppression has been carried on there under the cloak of -service to the Lord!" - -"The worst of it all is," said Ferber, "that unless a man is possessed -of great culture, or of a special fund of good humour, he ends by -detesting not only his tormentors but the whole subject of religion that -causes him such suffering. Thus, he is led more and more astray from -all faith, while his outward observance of forms must be stricter than -ever, his subsistence depending upon his wearing the mask well. All -this gives the death-blow to true religion among the people." - -"Well, we are fortunate in at least having one among us who has force of -character enough and sufficient strength of will, to say, 'Thus far -shalt thou go and no farther!' Zounds! it came upon us like a second -deluge!" said the forester. - -"True, Herr von Walde is possessed of an energy and force of character -such as falls to the lot of but few," replied Miss Mertens, quickly. -"His mouth is closed, but his eyes are wide open, and servility, malice, -and hypocrisy quail before them and drop their masks." - -In the mean while Reinhard had been attentively examining the walls of -the ruinous wing of the old castle which bounded the garden on the -south. Three large, pointed, arched windows, faultless in shape, -extended upward to the height of the second story from about six feet -from the ground. Close beside them a curious jutty projected far into -the garden, forming a deep corner, where grew a giant oak, which -stretched some of its boughs through the two nearest sashless windows -far into the airy, cool apartment within, which must once have been the -chapel of the castle, intended to accommodate a large number of -worshippers, for it extended through the entire depth of the wing. -Opposite these windows were three others of like dimensions; they had -been less exposed to wind and weather, and had preserved some fragments -of coloured glass in their delicately carved stone rosettes. Through -them could be seen the dark court-yard, with its crumbling, ghostly -walls like a picture painted in gray. The garden side of this wing -looked gay and odd enough. The most extravagant caprice had here heaped -together all styles of windows and decorations; judging by the exterior, -the old building must have been a perfect labyrinth of rooms, passages, -and staircases. The jutty alone seemed to be in a most dangerous state -of decay. It inclined perceptibly to one side, and appeared to be -awaiting the moment when it should bury the blooming life of the oak -beneath its masses of stone. It had thrown a green mantle coquettishly -over its falling form,--an impenetrable garment of ivy wreathed it all -over from the ground to the ruinous roof, and effectually concealed -every crack and aperture in the masonry. Some sprays of the ivy had -crept across the oak and climbed up to the sculptured arms on the -principal front of the chapel, which looked forth grimly enough from -beneath its intrusive decoration. - -"I attempted," said Ferber, "to explore this wing as far as I could, -shortly after my arrival here, for its peculiar style of architecture -interests me greatly; but I could not get farther than the chapel, -where, indeed, it seemed dangerous to stay long. You see the whole -upper story has fallen in, and the weight of the ruins has caused the -ceiling of the chapel to sink considerably, so that it seems ready to -tumble at the slightest breath of wind. The jutty has only lately looked -so threatening in consequence of several severe storms. It must be -taken away, for it makes a part of the garden inaccessible to us. If I -could have engaged any workmen, it should have been pulled down before -now." - -After this explanation, Reinhard had no further relish, as he expressed -it, for wandering about in the old ruins. But he was all the more -interested in the connecting building, and Ferber arose to show his -guests his dwelling. And first, they ascended the rampart behind them. -Ferber was very capable and skilful, and employed every moment of his -leisure in improving his new possession. With his own hands he had -mended the steps which led to the top of the rampart, and they arose now -smooth and white from the close-shaven turf which clothed its sloping -side. On top, the tolerably wide plateau was strewn with fresh gravel, -and in the centre of it, embowered in the linden boughs which -overshadowed the basin below, stood a group of home-made garden chairs -and a table. While they leaned against the breastwork and enjoyed the -confined but lovely view from the steep mountain over the valley -beneath, Elizabeth told the story of Sabina's ancestress, for doubtless -this rampart had been the scene of her narrative. - -"Br-rr!" said Reinhard, shuddering. "What a leap it would have been! -The wall is high, and when I imagine below there, instead of that mossy -carpet, the sluggish, slimy waters of a castle-ditch full of frogs and -lizards, I cannot possibly understand the resolution required to throw -one's self over." - -"But," said Miss Mertens, "despair has led many a one to seek a death -even more horrible." - -At this moment Elizabeth saw with her mind's eye the glowing, passionate -expression with which Hollfeld had hastened towards her on the preceding -evening. She remembered the disgust that she had experienced at his -touch, and she thought to herself that it was not very difficult to -imagine the position of the persecuted girl. - -"Come in, child," said her uncle, rousing her from her reverie. "Are -you listening to hear the grass grow that you stand there so silent?" - -Beneath his clear gaze, and at the sound of his strong, honest voice, -the terrible vision vanished in an instant. "No, uncle," she replied, -laughing, "that I shall not attempt, even though I do boast that I have -wonderfully keen eyes and ears for the processes of nature." - -He took her hand, and led her after the others, who were just entering -the house. At the top of the steps, Bella came running to Miss Mertens. -She had several picture-books in one hand, and with the other she drew -her governess into Elizabeth's room. - -"Only think, Miss Mertens, you can see our castle from here!" she cried. -That they were the owners of Lindhof she seemed firmly to believe, and -no wonder. The way in which the baroness had, until now, wielded her -sceptre, had left no doubt in the child's mind that her mother was the -indisputable mistress of Lindhof. "Look," she continued gaily, "do you -see the path down there? Uncle Rudolph has just ridden past. He saw -me, and waved his hand to me. Mamma will be glad that he is kind to me -again." - -Miss Mertens admonished her to be a good little girl, and get her hat -and sack, for it was time to go. - -Elizabeth and Ernst accompanied them out into the park. - -"We have stayed too long," said Miss Mertens anxiously, as she took -leave of the Ferbers and stepped out into the forest-clearing. "I must -be prepared for a tempest this evening." - -"You think the baroness will be vexed at your remaining here so long?" - -"Without doubt." - -"Never mind,--you must not repent it. We have spent such a delightful -afternoon," said Reinhard. - -The children had wandered on before them, hand in hand, and disappeared -now and then among the trees on either side of the path, plucking -flowers. Hector, who had forsaken his master to accompany them, leaped -joyously hither and thither, never forgetting to return now and then to -be stroked and patted by the gentle hand of Elizabeth, the lady of his -love, as her uncle said. - -Suddenly he stopped, and stood still in the centre of the path. They -had nearly reached the borders of the park. Through the forest they -could see the vivid green of the lawn, and the plashing of the nearest -fountain was audible. Hector had discovered a female figure hastily -approaching. Elizabeth recognized her instantly as silent Bertha, -although her whole appearance seemed strangely altered. - -She could have had no idea that any one was near, for, as she walked, -she gesticulated violently with her arms. Her cheeks were crimson, her -eyebrows contracted as though in the greatest agony of mind, and her -lips moved as though she were talking to herself. Her white hat, which -she had decked with flowers, had slipped from her dark braids, and was -hanging upon her neck by its loose red strings, which, as her motions -grew still more earnest, became wholly untied, and the hat fell on the -ground without the knowledge of its owner. - -She came rapidly forward, and did not raise her eyes until just as she -stood close to Elizabeth. Then she started as though stung by an adder. -In a moment the expression of anguish upon her countenance was changed -to one of the bitterest anger. Hate flashed from her eyes, her hands -clenched convulsively, and while something like a low hiss escaped her -lips, she seemed as if about to spring, raging, upon the young girl. -Reinhard instantly placed himself by Elizabeth's side, and drew her -slightly back. When Bertha saw him, she uttered a low cry, and rushed -madly into the thicket, through which she forced a path, although her -clothes were torn by the thorns, and she struck her forehead against the -drooping boughs. In a few moments she was lost to sight. - -"That was Bertha, from the Lodge!" cried Miss Mertens, with surprise. -"What can have happened to her?" - -"Yes,--what can have happened?" repeated Reinhard. "The young creature -was in a state of terrible excitement, and seemed to grow actually -furious at sight of you," turning to Elizabeth. "Is she related to -you?" - -"No indeed," she replied. "She is only distantly connected with my -uncle, and I do not even know her. She has avoided me from the beginning -most resolutely, although I wished much to be on friendly terms with -her. It is clear that she hates me, but I cannot tell why. Of course -it troubles me, but her character is not sufficiently pleasing to induce -me to attach much importance to her dislike." - -"Good Heavens, my child, there is no question of dislike here! The -little fury would have gladly torn you to pieces with her teeth." - -"I am not afraid of her," replied Elizabeth, smiling. - -"But I would advise you to be careful," said Miss Mertens. "There was -something actually demoniac in her looks. Where could she have been?" - -"Probably at the castle," remarked Elizabeth, as she picked up Bertha's -hat, and brushed the moss and dried leaves from it. - -"I think not," rejoined Miss Mertens. "Since she has been dumb she has, -very strangely, ceased visiting Lindhof. Before then she came every -day, attended the Bible Class, and was a great protegee of the baroness, -but suddenly it all came to an end, to the surprise of all. Only now -and then, in my solitary rambles in the park, I have seen her gliding -through the bushes like a snake,--indeed she seems to me to bear an -affinity to that reptile." - -They had already reached one of the gravelled paths leading through the -park, and it was time to take leave of each other. They separated with -mutual cordiality. - -"Now, Elsie," said Ernst, as the other three vanished behind a group of -trees, "we'll see which of us will reach the corner first." The corner -was the entrance to a narrow forest-path which led directly to the foot -of the mountain. - -"Agreed, my darling," laughed Elizabeth, and began to run. At first she -kept even step with the little boy who was beside her; but just before -the goal was reached, she flew forward lightly as a feather, and stood -in the entrance of the path, and, to her terror, close to the head of a -horse which snorted violently. Hector, who was by her side, barked -loudly. The horse leaped aside and stood erect upon his hind legs. - -"Back!" cried a powerful voice. Elizabeth snatched op the little boy -and sprang with him out of the way, while the horse rushed out of the -forest, and, scarcely touching the ground with his hoofs, galloped madly -across the meadow. Herr von Walde was seated upon the frightened -animal, which did its best to throw its rider. He, however, sat firm as -a rock; only once he leaned from his saddle and struck with his -riding-whip at Hector, who was leaping and barking about the horse, -greatly increasing its fright. For awhile it bounded wildly over the -meadow, then suddenly turned away and disappeared into the forest. - -Elizabeth's teeth fairly chattered with fright at the horrible accident -which she had no doubt would shortly occur. She took Ernst by the hand -and was about to run to the castle for assistance, when, before she had -gone many steps, she saw the horseman returning. The animal was much -more quiet, his bit was covered with foam, and his legs trembled. Herr -von Walde patted his neck caressingly, sprang off, tied him to a tree, -and then approached Elizabeth. - -"Pray forgive me," she said in a trembling voice, as soon as he stood -beside her. - -"What for, my child?" he rejoined gently. "You have done nothing. -Come, sit down upon this bank, you are deadly pale." - -He moved as if to take her hand and lead her to the spot which he had -designated, but his arm dropped instantly by his side. Elizabeth -mechanically obeyed him, and without another word he seated himself -beside her. Little Ernst leaned against his sister and fixed his large -beautiful full eyes upon Herr von Walde's face. The boy had been -frightened for one moment when the horse had first appeared, but the -gallop around the meadow had amused him, for he had no suspicion of -danger. - -"What did you intend to do when you came running so hastily into the -forest?" Herr von Walde asked Elizabeth after a short silence. - -An arch smile played about the still pale lips of the young girl. "I -was pursued," she replied. - -"By whom?" - -"By this boy," pointing to Ernst, "We were running a race." - -"Is the little one your brother?" - -"Yes;" she looked lovingly in the boy's face and passed her hand over -his dark curls. - -"And she is my only sister," said the little fellow with great emphasis. - -"Indeed! Well, you seem quite fond of this only sister," said Herr von -Walde. - -"Oh yes; I love her dearly. She plays with me just like a boy." - -"Is it possible?" - -"Oh yes; if I want to play soldiers she puts on just the same kind of -paper hat that she makes for me, and marches, drumming up and down the -garden, just as long as I choose. And before I go to bed she tells me -lovely stories while I am eating my supper." - -A bright smile broke over Herr von Walde's face. Elizabeth had never -seen it before, and she found that it gave an indescribable charm to -features which she had thought immovably stern; it seemed to her like a -clear sunbeam breaking through a thick, cloudy sky. - -"You are quite right, my boy," he said, drawing the child towards him; -"those are most valuable talents to possess; but is she never angry?" he -asked, pointing to Elizabeth, who was enjoying like a child, Ernst's -revelations, which seemed comical enough to her. - -"No, never angry," replied the boy, "only serious sometimes, and then -she always plays on the piano." - -"But, Ernst----" - -"Oh yes, Elsie," he interrupted her eagerly; "don't you remember when we -were so poor in B----?" - -"Ah, there you are right," she replied with composure; "but it was only -when papa and mamma had to work so hard that we might have bread to eat; -it was much better afterwards." - -"But you still play on the piano?" - -"Yes," answered Elizabeth laughing, "but no longer for the reason which -Ernst gives. My father and mother are now provided for." - -"And you?" Herr von Walde persisted. - -"Oh, I? I am quite brave enough to fight life's battle and win my own -independence in the struggle?" - -"How do you propose to do it?" - -"Next year I shall go somewhere as a governess." - -"Does not Miss Mertens' example deter you?" - -"Not at all. I am not so weak as to wish for a luxurious life while so -many others in my circumstances take upon themselves so bravely the yoke -of service." - -"But here there is question not only of service but of endurance. You -are proud. It is not only your look at this moment which tells me so, -but every sentiment which you uttered yesterday." - -"Indeed, it may, perhaps, be pride that induces me to rank real dignity -of character far above any mere exterior advantages which egotism has -invented and maintains, and for that very reason I believe that one -human being can humble another only by setting before him an example of -moral and intellectual greatness which it is impossible for him to -imitate,--never by insulting treatment." - -"And you think that these views will steel you against all the -mortifications great and little which a heartless, capricious mistress -might heap upon you?" - -"Oh no, but I need never bow before her." - -A short pause ensued, during which Ernst approached the horse, examining -him attentively. - -"From what you said yesterday, I gathered that you are attached to your -present home," Herr von Walde began again. - -"Yes, more than I can tell." - -"Ah! I can understand that, for this is the loveliest spot in -Thuringia. How then can you so easily endure the thought of leaving it -again?" - -"On the contrary, I shall not find it at all easy; but my father has -taught me that our pleasures must yield to our necessities, and I -understand perfectly that it must be so. I confess that I cannot easily -comprehend how one can give up what is so pleasant except at the command -of necessity." - -"Ah! that was aimed at me. You cannot conceive how a man can -voluntarily hide himself in the pyramids when he might breathe the cool, -sunny air of Thuringia." - -Elizabeth felt a burning blush suffuse her cheeks. Herr von Walde had -humourously alluded here to the jesting conversation that she had had -with her uncle, to which he had been an involuntary listener. - -"If I should attempt to explain this to you I should fail, for you seem -to me to find all that you look for in your home circle," he said after -a moment's silence. He had leaned forward and was mechanically drawing -figures with his riding-whip upon the ground at his feet. He spoke in -those deep tones which always appealed powerfully to Elizabeth's mind. -"But there is a time for some of us," he continued, "when we rush out -into the world, to forget in its whirl and novelty that we cannot find -happiness at home. If a man cannot fill up a painful void in his -existence, he can at least ignore it by devoting himself to science." - -This, then, was the sore spot in his heart. He had not found the -affection in his own home that he longed for, and that he had a right to -claim and expect from a sister for whom he manifested always the purest -and most self-sacrificing tenderness. - -Elizabeth had comprehended this pain, even before she had seen Herr von -Walde, and, at this moment, when he alluded to it so openly, she longed -most fervently to console him. Words of sympathy hovered upon her lips, -but she was possessed suddenly by an unconquerable shyness which -prevented her from speaking; and as she glanced up at him and marked the -firm lines of his profile and his brow which was so proud and -commanding, while his voice sounded so gentle and melancholy, the -embarrassing suspicion flashed upon her that he had forgotten for a -moment who was sitting beside him; his aristocratic ideas would cause -him bitterly to repent the moment when, under the influence of a sudden -self-forgetfulness, he had revealed a glimpse of his sternly guarded -consciousness to an insignificant girl. This thought dyed her cheeks -again; she arose quickly and called Ernst. Herr von Walde turned in -surprise, and for an instant his eyes rested searchingly upon her face; -then he also arose, and, as if to confirm her suspicion, stood at once -proudly calm and composed before her,--but she noticed for the first -time that sad, gloomy expression between the eyebrows, which her father -had spoken of, and which impressed her just as his voice had done. - -"You are usually very quick to think,"--he said, evidently trying to -give the conversation a gayer turn, and slowly walking along by -Elizabeth's side,--she was going for Ernst who had not heard her call. -"Before one has quite finished a sentence the answer is plainly ready on -your lips. Your silence, therefore, at this moment, tells me that I was -quite right when I said that you would not understand me, because you -have found all the happiness that you look for." - -"The idea of happiness is so different with different people, that -indeed I hardly know." - -"We all have the same idea," he interrupted her; "it may still slumber -in you." - -"Oh, no!" she cried, forgetting her reserve and with enthusiasm,--"I -love my friends with my whole heart, and am most happily conscious that -I am loved in return!" - -"Ah, then you did not quite misunderstand me! Well,--and your -friends,--there must be a large circle to whom you open your heart?" - -"No," she cried, laughing,--"their tale is soon told! My parents, my -uncle, and this little fellow here," and she took Ernst by the hand as -he came running to her, "who grows larger and makes more demands upon me -every year. But now we must go, my darling," she said to the child, "or -mamma will be anxious." - -She bowed courteously to Herr von Walde,--it seemed to her that the -shade upon his brow had disappeared. He raised his hat to her and shook -hands with Ernst,--then he walked slowly towards the horse that was -pawing impatiently, untied it, and led it away by the bridle. - -"Do you know, Elsie," said Ernst, as they were ascending the mountain, -"whom Herr von Walde looks like?" - -"Whom?" - -"The brave knight of St. George, just when he has killed the dragon." - -"Aha!" she laughed. "But you have never seen any picture of the brave -knight." - -"I know that. Still I think he looks like him." - -And she too had thought of the resemblance when she had seen him -controlling his unruly steed. At this moment she remembered the pang -she had suffered at the thought of a probable accident, and her -unspeakable delight at seeing him return from the thicket unharmed. She -stood still, and with a smile of wonder laid her hand upon her throbbing -heart. - -"Now see," said Ernst, "you have been running too quickly up the -mountain. I could not keep up with you. What would uncle say if he knew -it?" - -She walked slowly on, like one in a dream. She scarcely heard the -child's reproof. What then was this strange half-consciousness which -had yesterday mingled itself with her melodies, causing them to mourn -and to rejoice at the same moment? Again she felt it take possession of -her soul more mightily and intoxicatingly than before, but it was just -as mysterious and incomprehensible. - -"But, Elsie," cried Ernst, impatiently, "what is the matter with you? -You are walking so slowly that it will be dark before we reach home." - -He took hold of her dress, and tried to pull her on. This call from the -outer world was too energetic to be any longer withstood,--Elizabeth -roused herself and walked on quickly, to the child's entire content. - -When they reached the castle Elizabeth laid Bertha's hat, which was -still hanging upon her arm, upon the table. She was unwilling to mention -her meeting with the girl to her parents, for she rightly judged that it -would make them anxious, and that they would relate the occurrence to -her uncle, who had been so angry and bitter of late whenever Bertha was -alluded to, that Elizabeth feared that if he heard of the meeting in the -wood he would put a stop to the annoyance by immediately dismissing the -cause of it from the Lodge. Ernst had noticed neither the hat nor her -desire to conceal it, so there was no danger that he would betray her. - -After supper Elizabeth walked down to the Lodge. She met Sabina in the -garden, and heard to her satisfaction that her uncle had gone to -Lindhof. She gave the hat to the old housekeeper, and told her of -Bertha's extraordinary behaviour, asking in conclusion whether she were -at home yet. Sabina was indignant. - -"Indeed I think, child, that if you had been alone she would have -scratched your eyes out. I don't know what will become of her. These -last few days she has been worse than ever. She does not sleep at -nights, but walks up and down in her room, talking again--but only to -herself. If I had but the courage to open her door just when she is at -the worst,--but I could not do it though you would give me heaps of -gold. You will laugh at me, I know; but she's not right. Look at her -eyes--they sparkle and glow as though all the fire of the Blocksberg -were burning in them. No, I shall hold my tongue; the Herr Forester -sleeps soundly, and so do the rest,--but I wake at the slightest noise, -and I know perfectly well that Bertha is up and away many a night, and -when she goes the great watch-dog is gone too from his kennel. He is -the only one in the house that loves her; and, fierce as he is, he never -touches her." - -"Does my uncle know this?" asked Elizabeth with surprise. - -"Not for the world! I wouldn't for my life tell him, for who knows what -mischief would come of it?" - -"But, Sabina, only think. You may do great harm to my uncle by -remaining silent. The house is so lonely if there is no dog in the -yard----" - -"But I stand at the window of my room and watch until she comes from the -mountain and chains up the dog again." - -"What a tremendous sacrifice to make to your superstition! Why not tell -Bertha----" - -"Hush! not so loud, there she sits!" Sabina pointed through the fence -to the pear tree in the court-yard. Upon the stone bench under the tree -Bertha was sitting, apparently quite composed, trimming carrots. The -crimson of excitement had passed away from cheek and brow, and given -place to a livid pallor. Elizabeth could see now that the girl had -lately grown much thinner. Her delicate nose looked pinched, and her -cheeks had lost their lovely oval. There were dark ridges around her -eyes, and between her eyebrows there were two deep wrinkles in the -delicate skin which gave a sullen expression to the face, but, in -connection with certain lines around the mouth, lent an air of deep -melancholy to her look. The sight cut Elizabeth to the heart. Some -misery was burdening the soul of that lonely creature, misery all the -harder to endure because it was borne in silence. She forgot all the -dislike of her which Bertha had always shown, and took several quick -steps towards her, that she might lay that weary head upon her breast -and say, "Rest here, poor child! Tell me of the grief that you are -struggling with in such loneliness, and I promise to aid you to -endure----" but Sabina seized her arm and detained her. - -"You must not go," she whispered in terror; "I will not let you. She is -just in a condition to stick that knife into you." - -"But she is so terribly unhappy. Perhaps I can convince her that only -the kindliest sympathy moves me." - -"No, no! I'll soon show you whether anything can be done with her." - -Sabina descended the steps into the court-yard. Bertha let her approach -without raising her eyes. - -"Fraeulein, Elizabeth found it," said Sabina, holding the hat towards -her; then she laid her hand upon the girl's shoulder, and continued -kindly: "She would like to say a few words to you." - -Bertha started up as if she had received a deadly insult. She angrily -shook off Sabina's hand, and darted a furious glance towards the spot -where Elizabeth was standing,--a proof that she had known before that -she was there. She threw her knife upon the table, and by a hasty -gesture overset the basket at her feet, so that the carrots were -scattered around upon the pavement. She ran into the house. They heard -her through the open window shut the door of her own room and bolt it -behind her. - -Elizabeth was stupefied with surprise mingled with much pain. She would -have so liked to console the wretched girl, but she now perceived that -it was not to be thought of. - -For a week past she had been daily to the castle. Fraeulein von Walde -had been steadily improving in health since the afternoon when, as the -baroness tenderly expressed it, she had found a cure in the coffee which -she herself had prepared, and in Herr von Hollfeld's arrival. She was -diligently practising several duets, and at last confided to Elizabeth -that she wished to celebrate her brother's birthday fete the last of -August. It was to be a very splendid celebration, for she intended to -make it also a welcome home to the long absent traveller. On that day -he should first hear her play again after so many years, and she knew -what a pleasant surprise it would be to him. - -Elizabeth always looked forward with a mixture of pleasure and dread to -these practisings. She did not know why herself; but the castle and -park had suddenly become dear and attractive to her; she even had a kind -of tender regard for the bank where she had sat with Herr von Walde, as -if it were an old friend; she made a little circuit in order to pass by -it. Herr von Hollfeld's behaviour inspired her, on the contrary, with -very different feelings. After she had several times foiled his -attempts to meet her by a hasty avoidance of him, he came to Fraeulein -von Walde's room, one day, and begged permission to remain there during -the lesson. To Elizabeth's terror, Helene, with delight beaming in her -eyes, assured him that he was doubly welcome as a convert who had -hitherto had no taste whatever for music. He now made his appearance -regularly, silently laying some fresh flowers upon the piano before -Helene as he entered, in consequence of which she invariably struck -several false chords. Then he retired to a deep window-seat whence he -could look the players directly in the face. As long as the practising -continued he covered his eyes with his hand, as if he wished to shut out -the world that he might resign himself entirely to the charms of music. -But, to Elizabeth's vexation, she soon observed that he only covered his -face so as to conceal it from Helene; from behind his hand he stared the -whole time fixedly at Elizabeth, following her every motion. She -shuddered beneath those eyes which, usually so dull and expressionless, -always burned with a peculiar fire when he looked at her. Under this -hateful ordeal she often had to exercise great self-control in order to -play correctly. - -Helene apparently had no suspicion of the cunning which Hollfeld had -employed to attain his end. She often stopped playing for awhile and -conversed with him, that is, she talked herself, and, usually, very -well. She listened to his monosyllabic replies,--which were empty and -foolish enough,--as if they were the words of an oracle wherein more -meaning than met the ear was to be found. - -He always departed a few minutes before the end of the lesson. The -first time that he did so, Elizabeth discovered him from one of the hall -windows that commanded an extensive view of the park, standing waiting -at the entrance of the forest-path, by which she must pass. She defeated -his intention, not without secret self-gratulation, by paying a visit of -an hour to Miss Mertens, who received her with open arms; and she grew -so fond of the governess that she never passed the door of her room -without entering for an hour's quiet talk. - -Miss Mertens was almost always depressed and sad. She saw that her stay -at Lindhof was becoming impossible. The baroness, suddenly deprived of -her sovereign authority and its consequent manifold occupations, was -often bored nearly to death. She was obliged to wear her mask of -gentleness and content while she was with her relatives, which was hard -enough, and therefore all her ill humour had to be pent up within the -locked doors of her own apartment. But she never vented it upon Bella, -for, looking upon her child more as a born baroness than as a daughter, -she restrained herself; nor upon her old waiting-maid, for whom she had, -no one knew why, what the old steward Lorenz called "an ungodly sort of -respect." Nor could she scold the lower servants without offending the -master of the house, and therefore all her malice was wreaked upon the -unfortunate and defenceless governess. - -In order to torment her victim most thoroughly, the lady ordered the -lessons to be daily conducted beneath her own most illustrious eyes. In -presence of the pupil, the methods of the teacher were perpetually -analyzed and criticised. It was no wonder that Bella did not improve -under such instructions, and her nerves, too, were sure to be ruined, -for Miss Mertens had the most disagreeable voice in teaching in the -world,--how, too, could the child be expected to be graceful while she -had constantly before her eyes the angular, clumsy manner in which her -governess held her book and turned over the leaves, etc.? In history, -Miss Mertens' reflections were quite too sentimental, or too plebeian, -and, besides, she was so outrageously impertinent "as to have opinions -of her own." In some cases the lesson was deliberately interrupted; the -baroness placed herself in the teacher's chair, and the governess was -obliged to listen reverentially to a lecture full of supercilious scorn -and aristocratic arrogance. If the lady needed support, the chaplain, -Herr Moehring, was sent for. And then, the nettle-stings of her -discourse vanished into insignificance by the side of the cruelty with -which the unappreciated martyr invoked upon the head of the wretched -governess all the gall of his suppressed sermons. The baroness must -have known that the chaplain's French was execrable,--but she requested -him to be present during the French hour that he might correct Miss -Mertens' accent. Bella's improvement was forgotten in the overflow of -her mother's petty malice. - -Sometimes Miss Mertens would declare, with tears, that only love for her -mother, who looked to her for support, induced her to submit to this -martyrdom. The old lady was almost entirely dependent upon the -exertions of her daughter, and therefore any change of situation was -very undesirable in view of the pecuniary loss which must attend it But -however depressed her spirits might be, her gentle face brightened -whenever Elizabeth knocked at the door, and asked, in her sweet, fresh -accents, if she might come in. At sight of the young girl all her care -and anxiety took flight, and as they sat together on the little sofa by -the window they had many a happy hour, and the poor governess seemed to -live over again her own youthful days, and Elizabeth gained not a little -from the fund of knowledge and riper experience of her more mature -friend. - -These brief afternoon visits had also a secret charm for Elizabeth, -which she would not for the world have confessed, and which, -nevertheless, caused her heart to throb quickly, and an undefined -sensation of mingled joy and anxiety to possess her as she knocked at -the door. - -The windows of Miss Mertens' room looked out upon a large court-yard, -which Elizabeth used to call the convent garden,--it lay so retired and -quiet, encircled by its four high walls. Some spreading lindens cast -their green shade upon the rich grassy soil, only intersected here and -there by narrow paved paths. In the centre of the space was a fountain, -which supplied the house with delicious water, and upon the edge of the -large basin several marble figures were reposing their white limbs, -bathed in the green light that broke through the overhanging trees. When -the sun poured his fierce rays, like melted lead, upon the open parts of -the park and garden, this spot was always refreshingly cool. A door -upon the ground-floor, leading from the court-yard directly into Herr -von Walde's library, almost always stood open. Now and then he himself -would issue from it, and pace to and fro with folded arms. What -thoughts lay hidden behind that fine white forehead, when, after walking -thus for awhile, with his head sunk upon his breast, he suddenly raised -it, as if roused from some delightful dream! Miss Mertens often -remarked that he seemed to have returned from his travels much altered. - -Before his departure, she said, Herr von Walde's face had seemed to her -like that of a statue, so serious and immovable; and although she had -always known him to be a man of genuine nobility of character, she had -been oppressed when near him by the icy coldness of his manner. Now it -seemed to her as if some revivifying hand had passed over his nature; -even his step was lighter and more elastic, and she would maintain that, -in his pacings to and fro in the court yard, a smile frequently broke -over his face, as if he saw, in imagination, some vision that delighted -him. While she talked thus, Miss Mertens would smile and declare -mysteriously that he must certainly have brought home some very -agreeable memories with him, and that she could not refrain from -suspecting that matters at Lindhof would soon wear a different aspect. -She never noticed the involuntary start of her young friend when she -arrived at this conclusion, and Elizabeth was equally unaware of it, for -the pang that she felt at such an idea, made her utterly incapable of -controlling her external behaviour. - -The quiet pacing to and fro beneath the lindens was, however, often -interrupted, not only by Herr von Walde's workmen and men upon business, -but by the needy and unfortunate, who would come timidly down the steps, -ushered by a servant, and stand with bowed heads before the commanding -figure that confronted them, until they were encouraged by the gentle -tones of his voice to speak, as he kindly bent down to catch their -whispered words. They always left him greatly cheered, for those who -were not worthy of his assistance did not dare to present themselves -before him. - -One day Elizabeth set out for Castle Lindhof a half hour earlier than -usual. The fact was that her father, in returning at noon from the -Lodge, had met Miss Mertens in the forest. She had evidently been -weeping, and was unable to speak at the moment; she had merely bowed and -passed hurriedly on. This intelligence made Elizabeth very anxious. -She would not for the world have postponed her visit to the governess -until the end of her lesson,--the lonely woman was certainly in need of -love and friendly sympathy. - -Just across the large meadow which bordered upon the forest was a -charming pavilion. A dark grove surrounded the graceful structure upon -three sides, so that its white front stood out in shining contrast with -the green shade. It had hitherto been kept closed, although the outside -shutters to the windows were thrown back and Elizabeth had seen that the -room within was furnished most luxuriously. But to-day, as she issued -from the forest, she saw that the doors of the pavilion were wide open. -A servant, with a waiter in his hand, stepped out and requested her to -enter. As she approached she could see that Fraeulein von Walde, the -baroness, and Hollfeld were drinking coffee in the pretty room which -constituted the whole interior of the building. - -"You are a little too early to-day, my child," said Helene, as her young -friend appeared upon the threshold. Elizabeth replied that she wished to -pay a visit to Miss Mertens before the practising. - -"Ah! pray let that go to-day," said Helene, quickly, but evidently -confused, while the baroness looked up from her crotchet-work with a -malicious smile. "Do you know that a large package of new music has -just come from Leipzig?" continued Fraeulein von Walde; "I have looked -over it slightly, the pieces are beautiful. Perhaps we can find among -them just the thing that we want for our concert. Sit down, we will go -to the castle together." - -She offered Elizabeth a basket of cake, and put a magnificent pear upon -her plate. - -At this moment, Herr von Walde's dog came bounding into the room; -instantly both ladies were on the alert and expectant; Helene looked -towards the door with a manifest effort to seem quiet and unconstrained, -but the baroness threw her work into a basket, examined the coffee-pot -to see whether the coffee was still hot, placed a cup near the sugar -basin, and drew a chair up to the table. The malicious smile was -replaced by an air of grave reserve, and she was apparently resolved to -make as dignified and imposing an appearance as possible. At sight of -the dog, Hollfeld hastened into the garden, and came back in a few -moments with Herr von Walde, who had evidently just returned from a -drive, for he wore a gray dust coat and a round felt hat. - -"We were afraid, dear Rudolph," Helene cried out to him as soon as he -appeared, while she half arose and held out her hand,--"that we should -not see you at all to day." - -"I found more business awaiting me at L---- than I had anticipated," he -replied, seating himself, not upon the chair which had been placed for -him, but upon the sofa by the side of his sister, so that when Elizabeth -raised her eyes she looked him full in the face, for he sat directly -opposite to her. "Besides," he continued, "I have been at home full -half an hour, but Reinhard wished to speak with me upon private business -which required immediate action, and so I nearly lost the pleasure of -taking coffee with you, my dear Helene." - -"That miserable Reinhard!" and Fraeulein von Walde pouted a little; "he -might have waited awhile,--the world would still have turned around." - -"Ah! dear child," sighed the baroness, "we cannot alter these things. -We are condemned all our lives long to be the slaves of our inferiors." - -Herr von Walde quietly turned towards her, and his glance measured her -slowly from head to foot. - -"Well, why do you look at me so, my dear Rudolph?" she asked, not -without a tinge of uneasiness in her tone. - -"I looked to see whether you really seemed fitted to play one of those -sad parts in Uncle Tom's Cabin." - -"Always ridicule when I look for sympathy," rejoined the lady, -endeavouring to lend a gentle, melancholy tone to her harsh voice. "I -might have known it, but----" She sighed again. "We do not all possess -your enviable equanimity, which is never affected by the petty -annoyances and necessary evils of this life. We poor women have our -miserable nerves, which make us doubly sensitive to everything that jars -upon our minds. If you had seen me this morning, in what a wretched -condition I was----" - -"Indeed!" - -"I have been tried inconceivably. Well, Miss Mertens must answer for -it." - -"Has she injured you?" - -"What an expression! My dear Rudolph, how could a person in her -situation injure me? She has vexed me,--made me exceedingly angry!" - -"I am greatly pleased to see that you do not bend without a struggle to -the yoke of bondage." - -"I have lately had to endure more than I can tell with that stupid -creature," the baroness continued, without heeding her cousin's comment. -"My maternal duties are sacred in my eyes, and therefore I have been -obliged to superintend my child's instruction. It is, of course, a -matter of great moment to me that her youthful mind should be rightly -trained. Unfortunately, I have become more and more convinced that Miss -Mertens' knowledge is very limited and her views and principles not -those which I should wish adopted by a young girl of Bella's rank in -life. This morning I heard the silly woman telling the child that -nobility of soul was far superior to nobility of birth--as though the -one could be separated from the other,--and that she ranked a beggar -with a clear conscience above a crowned head whose conscience was not -pure; and a quantity more of the same stuff. When I tell you that -Bella, the Lord willing, will live at court,--I have all but secured the -post of maid of honour at the court of B---- for her,--you will readily -conclude that I interrupted such teaching upon the spot. You must -admit, my dear Rudolph, that, with such views, Bella would play a poor -part at court--nay, even her stay there would be quite impossible." - -"Certainly, there is no doubt of that." - -"Thank Heaven!" cried the baroness, breathing freely. "I was really in a -little doubt as to how you would receive Miss Mertens' dismissal. You -know you always valued her far above her deserts. She was so -impertinent when I interfered with her lessons that there was nothing -for me to do but to send her away." - -"I have no right to lay down laws to you with regard to your people," -replied Herr von Walde, coldly. - -"But I always try to please you as far as I can, my good Rudolph. I -cannot tell you how rejoiced I am that I shall see no more of that -repulsive English face." - -"I am sorry that you will not be able entirely to avoid it, since she -will still remain under the same roof,--my secretary Reinhard was -betrothed to her about half an hour ago." - -The work dropped from the baroness' fingers. This time not only her -cheek but also her brow was suffused with crimson. - -"Has the man lost his senses?" she cried at last, recovering from her -stupefaction. - -"I think not, since he has just given such proof of being in full -possession of them," said Herr von Walde, with composure. - -"Well, I must say that he plays his part of antiquary well. Such a -lovely, blooming, young bride!" cried the lady contemptuously, -endeavouring to laugh heartily. Hollfeld joined in her laughter, thus -giving the first sign of his having heard the conversation. Helene cast -a troubled glance at him; but this mirth cut Elizabeth to the soul,--she -felt the greatest indignation stirring within her. - -"I hope," the baroness began again, "that you will not take it ill of -me----" - -"What now?" - -"That I cannot consent to associate with that person any longer." - -"I cannot force you to anything, Amalie, any more than I can forbid my -secretary to marry." - -"But you can dismiss him if he chooses a wife who makes his residence -beneath your roof disagreeable to your nearest relatives." - -"That I cannot do either; he has been engaged by me for life, and I have -just secured to his future wife a pension in case of his death. -Besides, you make a slight mistake, my good cousin, if you suppose that -anything in the world could induce me to allow a man to leave me whom I -have always found faithful. I am much pleased with Reinhard's choice, -and have allotted him the use of the apartments upon the ground-floor of -the north wing during his life. His mother-in-law will reside with -him." - -"Well, I congratulate him upon that valuable acquisition," replied the -baroness, and her sharp voice trembled with anger. "I will, however, -make one remark: as I cannot bring myself to endure the presence of that -person in my apartments for a day longer, she must provide herself with -some place where she can stay until her marriage. Probably even you -will see, my dear Rudolph, that there is a manifest impropriety in the -interesting pair's still living, under present circumstances, beneath -the same roof." - -"Permit me," said Elizabeth, here turning to Helene, "I am very sure -that my parents would extend a warm welcome to Miss Mertens,--we have -quite room enough." - -"Ah, thank you!--matters could not be better arranged," answered -Fraeulein von Walde,--extending her hand to her young friend. The -baroness shot an angry glance at Elizabeth. - -"The affair will thus be settled very satisfactorily," she said, -preserving her composure with difficulty. "I will contain myself, and -hope in all humility that the future Frau Reinhard will vouchsafe me a -spot where I shall be relieved from the sight of her disagreeable -countenance. Apropos, Fraeulein Ferber," she continued after awhile, in -a careless tone, "I have just remembered that the money for your lessons -has been for several days in the hands of my maid; just knock at her -door as you go by, and she will give it to you with a receipt, which you -will please sign." - -"But, Amalie!" exclaimed Helene. - -"I will do as you desire, madame," replied Elizabeth, quietly. She had -noticed that while the baroness was speaking a lightning flash of rage -shot from Herr von Walde's eyes, a thunder-cloud seemed to pass over his -countenance, but in a moment these witnesses to his agitation gave place -to a look of withering sarcasm. - -"If I might offer a little advice, Fraeulein," he said, turning to -Elizabeth,--"I should counsel you not to venture rashly into the -baroness' apartments,--they are uncanny. Evil spirits are seen there in -broad daylight, and they have often worked mischief. Do not give -yourself the slightest trouble in the matter,--my steward shall attend -to it; he is thoroughly trustworthy, and manages such affairs with so -much delicacy that he would really shame even a lady." - -The baroness hastily folded her work together and arose. - -"It would be better for me to pass the rest of the day in my solitary -room," and she turned to Helene, and her lips quivered; "there are times -when our most harmless words and actions are misunderstood and resented. -I pray you, therefore, to excuse me from appearing at tea." - -She made a ceremonious courtesy to the brother and sister, took the arm -of her son, who looked much confused, and rustled out of the room. - -Helene arose with tears in her eyes, and was about to follow her, but -her brother took her hand with kindly gravity, and drew her down again -upon the Sofia beside him. - -"Will you not give me the pleasure of your company while I drink my -coffee?" he said gently, and as quietly as if nothing had occurred. - -"Oh, yes, if you wish it," she replied hesitatingly and without looking -at him; "but I am sorry to tell you that you must hurry a little, for -Fraeulein Ferber has come to practise with me, and she has already been -kept waiting an unconscionable time." - -"Well, let us go to the piano immediately,--but upon one condition, -Helene." - -"And that is?" - -"That you allow me to listen." - -"No, no, that I cannot permit,--I am not far enough advanced,--your ears -could not endure my bungling. - -"Poor Emil! He does not dream that he owes the delight of listening to -you to his uncultivated ear!" - -Helene blushed. She had hitherto never mentioned Hollfeld's visits to -her brother for reasons that may easily be imagined. Besides, she -supposed that they would have been a matter of entire indifference to -him, and now it appeared that he really attached importance to them. -She seemed to herself to be a detected deceiver, and for a few moments -she could not speak. Elizabeth suspected what her sensations were; she -too grew confused, and felt her face flush painfully. Just at this -moment Herr von Walde turned towards her, his keen, searching glance -scanned her countenance, and the gloomy wrinkle appeared between his -eyebrows. - -"Does Fraeulein Ferber improvise during these hours for practice as they -are called?" he asked his sister, speaking more quickly than was his -wont. - -"Oh no," she answered, glad to recover her composure,--"had she done so -I should not have spoken of bungling. I admitted Emil because I think -that where there is a budding taste for music, it should be encouraged." - -Herr von Walde smiled slightly, but it was not the smile which had -lately possessed such a peculiar charm for Elizabeth. The dark lines in -his brow did not disappear, and his look was gloomy as he still observed -Elizabeth keenly. - -"You are right, Helene," he said at last, not without a tinge of irony. -"But what magnetism there must be in these musical practisings that they -have worked such miracles! A very short time ago Emil would much rather -have listened to his Diana's baying, than to Beethoven's sonatas." - -Helene was silent, and cast down her eyes. - -"But we have forgotten Miss Mertens," said her brother suddenly, in a -different tone. "Would it not be advisable for Fraeulein Ferber to -settle that matter as soon as possible?" - -"Yes, indeed," replied Helene, quickly, seizing upon any pretext to -divert the conversation from its present painful direction. "We had -better omit the lesson for to-day,--while you, dear child," and she -turned to Elizabeth, "take the necessary steps,--pray go now, then, to -your parents, and ask them in my name to offer an asylum to the poor -lady." - -Elizabeth arose, and Helene also stood up. When her brother saw that -she wished to leave the pavilion, he put his arm about her little form, -raised her from the ground like a feather, and carried her to the -wheeled chair that stood outside the door. After he had arranged the -cushions at her back, and covered her little feet carefully with a -shawl, he raised his hat to Elizabeth, who saw that the wrinkle between -his eyebrows was not yet gone, and pushed the chair along the nearest -path leading to the castle. - -"She quite fills his heart," thought Elizabeth, as she ascended the -mountain, "and Miss Mertens must be wrong if she imagines that he will -ever give to another a higher, or even a like place in his affections. -He is jealous of his cousin, and rightly so. How can it be--" and here -she stood still for a minute as two masculine figures arose to her -mind's eye,--"that such a man as Hollfeld can have any charms for Helene -by the side of Herr von Walde? The one retreats behind an appearance of -wise silence because he has nothing to say, while the other, through -whose noble external repose breaks such fire, possesses a world of power -trained and restrained by force of character. Hence his seeming great -reserve, which commonplace people cannot possibly understand." - -She suddenly remembered the look that Herr von Walde had fixed upon her. -Did he think her an accomplice,--his sister's confidante,--and was he -vexed with her when, in fact, she had, at this present moment, no more -earnest desire than that Herr von Hollfeld's passion for music might -subside as quickly as it had been aroused? Of course, she could not say -so to any one,--least of all to Herr von Walde,--and, therefore, she -must silently pay the penalty for those painful blushes that had -suffused her cheeks just at the wrong moment, and when there was no -earthly reason for them. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - -Her father and mother instantly acceded to Elizabeth's request; and she -hastened back to the castle to carry to Miss Mertens their cordial -invitation. The governess, when Elizabeth entered her room, was leaning -with folded hands against the wall. At her feet stood a trunk half -packed, closets and wardrobes were wide open, and the chairs were heaped -with books, dresses, and linen. The young girl hastened to her friend, -threw her arms around her, and looked into her face, which, while it -bore traces of tears, was beaming with happiness. - -"I am so astounded by the sudden change in my lot," said Miss Mertens, -after Elizabeth had offered her congratulations, "that I am obliged to -close my eyes how and then and collect my senses. Only this morning -everything seemed so dark before me,--I actually could not tell where to -go,--the ground seemed slipping from under my feet. And just in the -midst of my anxiety a home is suddenly provided for me. A man whom I -esteem thoroughly, but whose regard for the poor governess I had never -suspected, will be forever faithful to me, and I can fulfill the warmest -desire of my heart and have my dear good mother to live with me! What -will she say when she receives the news,--she, who has suffered so much -in thinking that I must battle with the storms of life alone, and that -she could not recall me to her loving heart!" - -She told Elizabeth that in a few weeks Reinhard would go to England for -her mother. His employer had himself proposed the journey, and insisted -upon defraying all the expenses. Whenever Miss Mertens mentioned Herr -von Walde the tears filled her eyes,--she declared that all the wrong -done her by the baroness was more than overbalanced by his kindness and -generosity; he could not endure to have any one beneath his roof suffer -injustice. Elizabeth completed the measure of her happiness by the -invitation which she brought. Miss Mertens had intended to go to the -little village inn until she could find lodgings. - -"But now we will go to your house together as soon as possible," she -said, her face beaming with joy. "The baroness, a short time ago, sent -me my salary, requesting that I would not again enter her presence, and -Bella passed through my room without even looking at me,--that grieves -me, grieves me very deeply, for I have cherished her like the apple of -my eye. Her health used to be very delicate, and while her mother has -been absent, attending the court balls, I have sat by her bedside and -watched her feverish slumbers night after night. Now it is all -forgotten,--but I only meant to let you know that I need not take leave -of either of them." - -While Miss Mertens went to bid good-by to Fraeulein von Walde and a few -others in the house who were fond of her, Elizabeth packed up a -travelling bag for her. The new inmate of Gnadeck only took a few -necessary articles with her; the rest of her possessions were sent to -the future apartments of the betrothed pair. - -It was an amusement for Elizabeth to arrange Miss Mertens' books in a -bookcase in one of these apartments. Herr von Walde had allowed all the -furniture in the rooms to remain for the use of their new inhabitants. -Many of these books were most interesting; she not only glanced at their -title pages, but, as she stood there, ran over several pages. Miss -Mertens and her affairs were all forgotten for the moment as if they had -never existed. While she was buried in Goethe's appearance in the crowd -at the coronation of Joseph II., a fresh rose fell over her shoulder -upon the pages of the book Elizabeth started, but instantly smiled, -shook off the rose, and went on reading. Miss Mertens, who was -doubtless standing behind her, should not exult in any effect of her -teasing. But she suddenly uttered a low cry,--a white, well-formed man's -hand appeared and was gently laid upon hers. She turned round,--not -Miss Mertens, but Hollfeld, was standing behind her and spreading out -his arms with a smile, as if to seize the startled girl. - -Instantly her alarm was converted into indignation; but before she could -breathe a word, a harsh commanding voice cried out: "Emil, everybody is -looking for you. Your superintendent from Odenberg is here to see you -upon business of importance. Pray go to him instantly!" - -Beside Elizabeth was an open window. Outside of it stood Herr von -Walde, with his arms leaning upon the broad sill looking in. It was his -voice which banished Hollfeld on the instant in great embarrassment. -What an angry expression there was upon the uncovered forehead, in the -compressed lips, and in the eyes that flashed upon Hollfeld's retreating -figure as it vanished through the opposite door! - -At last his glance returned to Elizabeth, who had hitherto stood still, -but who now, recovering from her two-fold fright, was about to retreat -into the recesses of the apartment. - -"What are you doing here?" he asked, brusquely; his voice had not lost -its former harsh tone. Elizabeth, deeply wounded by the manner and -style of his address, was about to return a defiant answer, when she -suddenly recollected that she was in his house, and therefore she simply -answered: - -"I am arranging Miss Mertens' books." - -"There was another answer upon your lips,--I saw it, and I wish to know -what it was." - -"Well, then,--I was about to say that I do not reply to questions asked -in such a manner." - -"And why did you suppress this reproof?" - -"Because it occurred to me that you have the right to command here." - -"I am glad,--it is well that you think thus,--for I should like just at -this moment to exercise this obvious right of mine: tread upon that rose -which lies languishing there at your feet." - -"That I shall not do,--it has done no wrong." She picked up the rose, a -beautiful half-open centifolia, and laid it upon the window-sill. Herr -von Walde took the flower, and without more ado tossed it away over the -lawn. - -"There let it die a poetic death," he said with a sneer, "let the -grasses bend above it, and the evening dews shed sympathetic tears over -the poor victim." - -The rigid expression had passed away from his features, but there was -still the same inquisitorial look in his eyes, and his voice was not -much gentler, as he asked: - -"What were you reading when it was my misfortune to interrupt you?" - -"Goethe's 'Wahrheit und Dichtung.'" - -"Do you know the book?" - -"Only selections from it." - -"Well, how do you like the touching story of Gretchen?" - -"I do not know it." - -"You have it open in your hands." - -"No, I was reading the coronation of Joseph II., at Frankfort." - -"Let me see it." - -She handed him the open book. - -"It is even so! But look how ugly that is! Just where Goethe describes -the emperor ascending the throne, there is an ugly green spot. -Doubtless you pressed the green rose leaves too tenderly upon the leaf -of the book; the Emperor, Goethe, and Miss Mertens will hardly forgive -you for it." - -"That spot is old--I did not touch the rose." - -"But you smiled at sight of it." - -"Because I thought it came from Miss Mertens." - -"Ah, there is something touching in this friendship! It must have been a -great disappointment when, instead of your friend, you saw my cousin's -handsome face behind you." - -"Yes." - -"'Yes.' How that sounds! I like laconic brevity, but it must not be -ambiguous. What does that 'yes' mean? It sounds neither sweet nor -bitter; and then your face!--why is that defiant frown there between -your eyebrows?" - -"Because I think that there are limits to every right." - -"I did not know that I was making use of my right just at present." - -"But you will know it if you will ask yourself whether you would address -me thus harshly in my father's house." - -Herr von Walde grew pale. He compressed his lips, and retreated a few -paces. Elizabeth took the book which he had laid upon the window-sill, -and went to the bookcase to close it. - -"Under the same circumstances, I should have spoken exactly so in your -father's house," he said, after awhile, somewhat more gently, as he -again approached the window. "You make me impatient. Why do you answer -so ambiguously? How could I tell from that simple syllable whether the -disappointment of which you spoke were a disagreeable or a pleasant one? -Well?" - -He leaned far across the window-sill, and looked full into her face, as -though to read the answer upon her lips; but she turned away with -irritation. Hateful thought! How could any one suppose that Hollfeld -could ever be agreeable to her? Did not her face, her whole bearing -towards the man, show how thoroughly disagreeable she thought him? - -At this moment Miss Mertens entered the room to seek Elizabeth. She had -completed all her preparations, and was quite ready to leave the house. -With a sigh of relief, Elizabeth hastened to her, while Herr von Walde -left the window and paced to and fro several times on the lawn. When he -again approached, Miss Mertens went towards him, and courtesied -profoundly. She told him that she had in vain endeavoured to obtain -access to him several times that day, and that she rejoiced to have an -opportunity to thank him for his kindness and thoughtfulness. - -He made a deprecating gesture, and offered his congratulations upon her -betrothal. He spoke very calmly. Again his whole presence breathed an -atmosphere of dignity and reserve, so that Elizabeth could not -understand how she had ever found the courage to remind this man of the -laws of common politeness. The eyes that had flashed so passionately -now looked serenely into Miss Mertens' face. The deep, gentle tones of -his voice obliterated all remembrance of the cutting irony that had -rendered it so sharp a few moments before, when it had given to his -words such an accent of irritation, and had sounded as if designed only -to wound and avenge. - -That Herr von Walde was filled with bitterness towards his cousin, -Elizabeth had already noticed once before that day. But why should she -be made to suffer whenever he encountered him? Was not Hollfeld's -continual intrusiveness sufficient annoyance to her? Why should she be -made the victim of an irritation for which Helene alone was to blame? A -sharp pang shot through her as she remembered how tenderly and -forgivingly Herr von Walde had taken his sister in his arms, never -casting a single look of reproach upon her when Hollfeld's visits had -been alluded to. She, the poor piano-player, who was of necessity -forced to endure Hollfeld's presence, must be the scapegoat. Or had he -perhaps seen how Hollfeld had thrown the rose upon her book, and was his -aristocratic pride wounded that his cousin should pay such homage to an -untitled maiden? This thought flashed upon Elizabeth as an explanation -of everything. Yes, thus only could his conduct be explained. She was -to crush the poor flower, that all proof might be destroyed that Herr -von Hollfeld had for one moment forgotten his aristocratic descent. -That was the reason why he had suddenly spoken in such a harsh tone of -command,--a tone which only those heard from him who had committed some -fault, and why she was called upon to explain the impression which -Hollfeld's sudden appearance had made upon her. At this moment she -would have liked to confront him, and tell him frankly how odious his -high-born cousin was to her,--that so far from feeling honoured by his -attentions, she looked upon them as nothing less than insults. But it -was too late. Herr von Walde was discussing Reinhard's journey to -England with Miss Mertens so calmly and kindly that it would have been -ridiculous, in the midst of such a discussion, suddenly to resume the -thread of the previous stormy conversation. Besides, he did not once -look at her again, although she stood tolerably near to Miss Mertens. - -"I am really half persuaded to go with him," he said in conclusion to -the governess. "Reinhard shall return with your mother, for I intend to -give him the entire charge of Lindhof here, and I will pass the winter -in London, and go to Scotland in the spring." - -"And not return for years?" Miss Mertens interrupted him, anxiously. -"Has Thuringia, then, no attraction for you?" - -"Oh, yes; but I suffer here, and you know that prompt and active -treatment will often cure where cautious, cowardly delay might bring -danger. I hope much from the air of Scotland." - -The last words were spoken in a tone meant to be gay, but the lines -between his brows were stronger than ever, and caused Elizabeth to doubt -much whether his cheerfulness were genuine. - -He shook hands with Miss Mertens, and walked slowly away, soon -disappearing behind a clump of trees. - -"There it is," said the governess, sadly; "instead of bringing a lovely -young wife home to Lindhof, as I hoped he would, he is going away again, -and perhaps will not return for years. He is restless, and no wonder, -when one thinks of the comfortless home that he has. Baroness Lessen he -cannot endure, and yet he is forced to see her daily at his fireside, -for his sister, whom he loves so tenderly, has declared to him, that in -the society of this woman she is able to forget the bitter trials of her -life. And his cousin, too, is an unbidden guest. Herr von Walde's -nature is too frank and open to allow him to conceal his dislikes; but -these people are made of iron and steel,--the indifference of the master -of the house never affects them in the least; they have neither eyes nor -ears when he hints at their leaving. And as for Herr von Hollfeld, he -seems to me a very insignificant creature, and very repulsive. I cannot -conceive how he could have won Fraeulein von Walde's heart." - -"Do you know that too?" asked Elizabeth. - -"Ah, child, that has been a secret known to everybody for a long time. -She loves him as truly and deeply as only a woman can love. But this -unfortunate attachment, on which she now lives and breathes as in -sunlight, will one of these days cast the darkest shadow that has yet -fallen upon her sorrowful existence. All this Herr von Walde -comprehends; but he cannot open the eyes of his sister without -inflicting a mortal wound, and so he sacrifices everything to his -fraternal tenderness, and leaves the home where he is made so unhappy." - -During this conversation, Miss Mertens and Elizabeth had left the -castle, and were now ascending the mountain path. Reinhard, who had -been to the village, soon joined them. Miss Mertens told him of her -interview with Herr von Walde, and all that he had said about going to -England. - -"He has not yet mentioned it to me," said Reinhard; "but he often looks -as if he longed to leave Lindhof. Such a household! The master of the -house is considered by his relatives in the light of a fifth wheel to a -coach,--he maintains them, and they show their gratitude by estranging -his sister's heart from him. Good Heavens! if I could only take his -place for two days, I would soon exorcise the evil spirit and not a -trace of it should ever appear again. However, I hope that Herr von -Hollfeld will at least soon return to Odenberg for a few days. His -superintendent has just arrived with the intelligence that the -housekeeper has left,--no one stays there long--my gentleman is too -stingy. And several other matters are in disorder there." - -When they reached Castle Gnadeck, the guest was most cordially welcomed -by the Ferbers. How comfortable and homelike did Miss Mertens' room -seem to its new inmate! It shone with neatness; the counterpane and -table-covers were spotless, a beautiful Schwarzwald clock was ticking -softly just above the prettily arrayed writing-table, and a vase of -roses and mignonette upon the window-sill filled the air with fragrance. -Through the open door could be seen the dwelling-room of the family. -There the table was already laid, and Elizabeth lighted the spirit-lamp -beneath the tea-kettle, while Miss Mertens was arranging in drawers and -wardrobe the few articles that she had brought with her. - -In the mean while the forester, with his long pipe and Hector, had -arrived, and Reinhard also stayed, so that a merry circle was soon -assembled. The forester was in a particularly happy humour. Elizabeth -sat beside him, and did her best to join in his gaiety; but it had never -seemed so difficult to her before, and he, who had an acute perception -of the most delicate modulations of her voice, soon perceived it. - -"Holla, Gold Elsie, what is the matter with you?" he cried, suddenly. -"All is not right here." He took her by the chin and looked into her -eyes. "I see,--there is a veil over your eyes, and over your heart, -too! Zounds! what a sudden change! And what does this sad nun's face -mean?" - -Elizabeth blushed deeply beneath his scrutinizing gaze. She did all that -she could to parry his questions by jest and laughter, but she did not -succeed very well, and at last there was nothing for her but to seat -herself at the piano, where he never teased nor laughed at her. - -How much good it did her heavy heart to give it voice in full rolling -chords, as the sound floated sadly out into the gathering -twilight,--telling of the gloom that had fallen upon her at the thought -of Herr von Walde's again leaving Thuringia! Where now were all her -dreamings and all her endeavours to read the meaning of that mysterious -warning that had of late breathed through her melodies? It rung out -clearly now in mighty tones, at the sound of which all the former gentle -breathings of her inward emotions died away in an inaudible whisper. A -fairy land, full of golden promise, was revealed before her; her -enchanted eyes gazed rapturously upon the fair landscape,--but never, -never might she tread that magic ground, for nothing could bridge the -abyss at her feet. The veil beneath which her heart had hitherto lain in -blissful self-ignorance was rent, and with joy and pain unspeakable she -knew--that she loved. - -She did not know how long she had been playing. But she was suddenly -aroused from her utter forgetfulness of the world without by a bright -gleam of light falling directly on the pale bust of Beethoven. Her -mother had just lighted the large lamp, and Elizabeth saw her uncle -sitting near her on the broad window-seat. He must have entered -noiselessly. As her hands dropped from the keys, he gently smoothed her -hair with his hand. - -"Do you know, child," he said, after the last faint sound had died away, -and his voice trembled with emotion, "if I had not already seen that -something was the matter, I should soon have learned it from your -playing,--it was tears, nothing but tears!" - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - -Miss Mertens' presence lent an additional charm to the circle at -Gnadeck. For the first time for long, dreary years the governess found -herself an object of interest and affection, and at home. Her gentle -nature, so long chilled and repressed, now showed itself, and, combined -with her varied culture, made her a most attractive addition to the -household. She longed to be of use whenever she could, and took great -pains with little Ernst, who had a lesson every day in French and -English; while Elizabeth, too, gathered all the advantage that she could -from her visitor, and studied diligently, knowing that it was the best -resource to ward off sad reveries. - -In the mean while, the practisings at Castle Lindhof went on as before. -Hollfeld, who had only been absent at Odenberg for one day, was still an -enthusiastic auditor, trying by every means in his power to obtain a -private interview with Elizabeth. Once or twice he had cunningly -contrived that, in the intervals of rest, Helene should leave the room -to find something that he wanted, but he gained nothing by these -manoeuvres, for Elizabeth always left the room at the same time to -procure a glass of water. His attempts to meet her upon her return to -her home she frustrated also, for Miss Mertens and little Ernst were -always awaiting her at the borders of the park. This perpetual -frustration of his endeavours at last made him impatient and less -cautious. He no longer held his hand before his face. His looks were -entirely unguarded, and it was only owing to her near-sightedness that -Helene was spared a most painful discovery. Thus Elizabeth's visits to -the castle grew more and more annoying, and she was thankful that the -fete day was at last close at hand, since with that celebration the -daily practisings would, at all events, be discontinued. - -The day before Herr von Walde's birthday, Reinhard announced at Gnadeck -that a guest had already arrived at Castle Lindhof. - -"That scatter-brain completes our misery," he said, with vexation. - -"Who is she?" said Miss Mertens and Frau Ferber, laughing at the same -moment. - -"Oh, she is said to be a friend of Fraeulein von Walde,--a lady from -court at L----. She is to assist in the ordering of the fete. Heaven -help us all, for she turns everything upside down." - -"Ah, it must be Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf," cried Miss Mertens, still -laughing. "Yes, indeed, there is quicksilver in her veins. She is -terribly frivolous, but she is not really bad at heart." - -Later in the afternoon Reinhard accompanied Elizabeth to Lindhof. As -she approached the castle, Herr von Walde's horse was led up to the -great entrance on the southern front of it. He himself immediately -issued from the glass door, riding-whip in hand, and descended the -steps. Elizabeth had not seen him since the afternoon when he had -treated her with such harsh want of consideration. She thought he -looked very pale and stern. - -Just as he was mounting, a young lady, dressed in white, came out upon -the steps. She was extremely pretty, and with much grace she hastened -down to pat the horse upon the neck and give him a lump of sugar. - -Fraeulein von Walde, who also appeared leaning upon Hollfeld's arm, -stood at the top of the steps, and kissed her hand in token of farewell -to her brother. - -"Is not that young lady Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf?" asked Elizabeth. - -Reinhard assented, with a wry face. - -"She is certainly very pretty," said the young girl. "Herr von Walde -seems much interested," she added, in a lower tone, as the rider leaned -from his saddle, and appeared to be listening intently to what the young -lady was saying. - -"Oh, he does not wish to be rude, and therefore gives her a moment's -attention. She would talk the moon out of the sky, and, I verily -believe, would seize and hang upon the horse's bridle if she saw any -danger of his leaving before she had finished what she had to say." - -In the mean time they had reached the vestibule. Here Elizabeth took -leave of Reinhard, and betook herself to the music-room, where she found -Fraeulein von Walde and Hollfeld. The former retired for a moment to -her dressing-room, to arrange her curls, that were somewhat out of -order, and Hollfeld took advantage of this moment to approach Elizabeth, -who had retired to the recess of a window, and was turning over the -leaves of a music-book. - -"We were provokingly disturbed the other day," he whispered. - -"We?" she asked, with emphasis, retreating a step or two. "I, indeed, -had reason to complain of being disturbed. I was much provoked, I -assure you, by the interruption of my reading." - -"Oh, every inch a queen!" he cried jestingly, but in a low tone of -voice. "I certainly did not intend to offend you,--on the contrary, do -you not know what that rose meant?" - -"It would most certainly say that it would a thousand times rather be -left to perish upon its stalk than be plucked for such idle purposes." - -"Cruel girl! You are hard as marble. Can you not guess, then, what -lures me hither daily?" - -"Admiration, doubtless, for our great composers." - -"You are wrong." - -"Then the hope of improving your musical taste." - -"Oh, no! That would not bring me a step hither. For me, music is only a -bridge----" - -"From which you might easily fall into cold water." - -"And would you allow me to drown?" - -"Most certainly--yes. I am not ambitious of a medal from the Humane -Society," replied Elizabeth, dryly. - -Fraeulein von Walde returned. She seemed surprised to find the pair -conversing, for until this moment there had never been a word exchanged -between them. She looked keenly at Hollfeld, who could not control his -feeling of annoyance, and then seating herself at the piano, began to -prelude, while Elizabeth arranged the notes. Hollfeld took his usual -place, and leaned his head upon his hand with a melancholy air. But -never had his gaze rested upon Elizabeth with such glowing and -passionate intentness. She repented having entered into conversation -with him. Her endeavour to repulse him by coldness and severity -appeared to have had quite a contrary effect. Repugnance and fear -overcame her at sight of him, and, notwithstanding the thought of her -uncle's probable smile of triumph, the determination rather to resign -the practisings entirely than to subject herself any longer to these -insolent glances, gained ground in her mind. - -The hour was nearly ended, when Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf entered in -haste. In her arms she carried a little creature in a long, white, -infant's cloak, pressing its head down upon her shoulder with one hand. - -"Frau Oberhofmeisterin von Falkenberg sends her compliments," she said -with formality,--"regrets excessively that a cold will prevent her -presence to-morrow, but she takes the liberty of sending her lovely, -blooming grandchild----" - -Here the creature in her arms made desperate exertions, and, with a loud -howl, jumped down upon the ground, and ran under a chair, dragging the -long robe after it. - -"Ah, Cornelie, you are too childish," cried Fraeulein von Walde, with a -laugh of amusement and vexation, as Ali's distressed face, surrounded by -a baby's cap, peeped out from beneath the chair. "If our good -Falkenberg could hear of this, you would play no more tricks at the -court of L----." - -Bella, who had also just entered, shrieked with laughter, only -endeavouring to control herself when her mother, amazed at the noise, -appeared and represented to her how unbecoming such loud merriment was. -The baroness, smiling, shook a threatening forefinger at Fraeulein von -Quittelsdorf when Helene told her what had happened, and then approached -Elizabeth. - -"Perhaps Fraeulein von Walde has not told you," she said rather -graciously, "that all invited to the fete to-morrow will assemble at -four o'clock in the large saloon. Pray be punctual. The concert will -not be over until near six. I tell you this that your parents may not -expect you at home before that time." - -At these words, Helene looked down upon the keys of the piano in great -confusion, while Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf took her stand beside the -baroness, and stared Elizabeth impertinently in the face. Beautiful as -were the black eyes that were fastened upon her, Elizabeth was annoyed -by their steady stare. She bowed to the baroness, assuring her that she -would be punctual, and then looked full and gravely at the fair -impertinent. The effect was instantaneous. Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf -looked away, and, in some confusion, turned upon her heel like a spoiled -child. Just then she discovered Herr von Hollfeld in the recess of the -window. - -"How, Hollfeld," she cried, "are you here, or is it your spirit? What -are you doing here?" - -"I am listening, as you see." - -"You are listening? Ha, ha, ha! And of coarse enjoying such -indigestible food as Mozart and Beethoven! Don't you remember telling -me, four weeks ago, at the last court concert, that you always suffered -from dyspepsia after listening to classical music?" - -She laughed boisterously. - -"Ah, pray let nonsense go now, dearest Cornelie," said the baroness, -"and aid me in this programme for the fete with your inventive genius. -And you, dear Emil, would do me a great favour if you would come too. -You know that I am obliged now to enforce my authority by the presence -of a masculine supporter." - -Hollfeld arose with visible reluctance. - -"Oh, take me too, pray! Would you be so cruel as to leave me here alone -until tea-time?" cried Helene, reproachfully, as she stood up. She -looked displeased, and it seemed to Elizabeth that she noticed, for the -first time, an envious expression in the lovely blue eyes as they looked -at the tripping feet of Cornelie, who, without another word, had taken -Hollfeld's arm, and was leaving the room. Elizabeth closed the piano, -and took a hasty leave. - -In all the passages of the castle through which she went there was hurry -and bustle. The servants were carrying baskets of china, glass, and -silver to the rooms adjoining the grand saloon. From the subterranean -regions of the kitchens there streamed a fragrant odour, and through the -open door of one of the servants' rooms were seen heaps of green -garlands and wreaths. - -And he in whose honour all were exerting themselves to-day was riding -alone in the forest, gloomily devising ways and means for fleeing from -the joyless, unquiet life in his home. - -Elizabeth went down to the village to execute a commission for her -father. A few days before, a violent storm in the night had so shaken -the ruinous jutty in the corner of the garden that there was danger that -the slightest jar might send it toppling down upon the garden, burying -beneath its fragments the beds and paths which had just been so -laboriously arranged. Two Lindhof masons had promised to take down the -ruin the following Monday, but as the forester had declared that he knew -from experience that small reliance was to be placed upon their -promises, Elizabeth was to remind them of their engagement, and impress -upon them the urgent necessity for keeping it. - -The result of her expedition was favourable. One of the workmen swore -by all that was Holy that he would be upon the spot, and she was now -wandering through the quiet, lonely path towards her home. About midway -upon the path leading from the village to the forest Lodge, a much -narrower path branched off, and ascended the mountain to Castle Gnadeck. -It was seldom used, and might have escaped stranger eyes, for in some -places it was overgrown with low bushes, and fallen leaves lay so thick -among the gnarled roots of the trees that it seemed never to have been -trodden by the foot of man. Elizabeth loved the path, and now chose it -for her return home. - -She had never encountered a human being here, but to-day she had not -penetrated far into the green twilight before she observed, about twenty -paces in front of her, towards the right, just by the trunk of an -enormous beech tree, something like an arm slowly projected and then -dropped. She could distinctly perceive this movement, as just at that -spot the trees separated, and encircled a light spot of grass which -shone like an oasis in the dark forest. Elizabeth advanced noiselessly -and slowly, but as she arrived opposite to the beech tree she suddenly -stood still in terror. - -A man was leaning against the tree. His back was turned towards her; -his head was uncovered save by masses of coarse, uncombed hair. For one -moment he stood motionless, apparently listening, then advanced a step, -raised his right arm, and pointed the barrel of a pistol towards the -light spot in the forest, after awhile letting his arm fall again by his -side. - -"He is practising at a mark," thought Elizabeth, but she only thought so -to compose herself, for an indescribable terror had at once taken -possession of her; she did not know whether to run backward or forward -in order to escape observation, and so she stood still, rooted to the -spot. - -Suddenly the noise of a horse's hoofs struck upon her ear. The man -started and stood erect as though electrified. A few moments afterwards -a horseman appeared where the forest was more open. The horse walked -slowly over the soft turf; its rider, lost in thought, had dropped the -bridle upon its neck. The man with the pistol rapidly advanced a couple -of paces; raised his arm in the direction of the horseman, and at the -same moment turned his head so that Elizabeth instantly recognized the -former superintendent, Linke, his features deadly pale and distorted -with rage and hate, while the horseman, who was slowly coming within -range of the deadly weapon, was Herr von Walde. An instantaneous -transformation took place in Elizabeth. The girlish terror that had -caused her to tremble at sight of the villain, gave place to a wondrous -courage and an incomprehensible calmness and self-control at the thought -that she was destined to come to the rescue here. She glided -noiselessly through the trees and stood suddenly, as if she had risen -from the earth, beside Linke, who, his eyes riveted upon his victim, had -no suspicion of her approach. With all the strength of which she was -mistress she seized his arm and threw it up. The pistol was discharged -with a loud report, and the ball whistled through the air and lodged in -the trunk of a tree; as the startled wretch fell upon the ground, a -woman's loud scream for help rang through the forest. The assassin -tottered to his feet and plunged into the thicket. In the mean time the -horse had reared and plunged with fright, but, speedily controlled by -its rider, came galloping across the clearing to the spot where -Elizabeth was leaning against a beech tree, pale as death. The danger -was past, and her feminine nature was reasserting itself. She trembled -in every limb, but a happy smile illuminated her countenance when she -saw Herr von Walde coming towards her safe and unharmed. - -At sight of her he leaped from his horse; but she, who had just -manifested such extraordinary self-possession, screamed with fright and -turned suddenly as she felt two hands laid upon her shoulders from -behind,--Miss Mertens' agitated face was close to her own. - -"Good God! Elizabeth," cried the governess, breathlessly, "what have -you done! he might have killed you!" - -Herr von Walde pushed through the underbrush that separated them from -him. - -"Are you wounded?" he asked Elizabeth, hurriedly and earnestly. - -She shook her head. Without another word he raised her from the ground -and carried her to the fallen trunk of a tree, where he gently placed -her. Miss Mertens sat down beside her and leaned the girl's head upon -her shoulder. - -"Now pray tell me what has happened," said Herr von Walde to the -governess. - -"No, no," cried Elizabeth in terror; "not here, let us go,--the murderer -has escaped,--perhaps he is lurking among the bushes, and may yet -accomplish his design." - -"Linke was about to murder you, Herr von Walde," said Miss Mertens, in a -trembling voice. - -"Miserable wretch! that shot then was for me," he calmly observed. He -turned and went into the thicket where Linke had disappeared. Elizabeth -almost lost her self control, and was on the point of following him when -he returned. - -"Reassure yourself," he said to her; "there are no traces of him to be -seen; he will not shoot again to-day. Come, I beg you, Miss Mertens, -tell me all about it." - -It appeared that knowing that Elizabeth was going to the village, the -governess had gone to meet her in the narrow forest path. As she was -slowly descending the mountain she saw all that Elizabeth had seen. The -villain's intentions were plain, but she had been so paralyzed by fright -that she had not been able to move nor cry out. She stood fastened to -the spot with deadly terror, when suddenly Elizabeth, whom she had not -seen, stood behind the assassin. In her horror at her friend's danger, -the cry for help escaped her which had been heard simultaneously with -the report of the pistol. She related all this hurriedly, and in -conclusion added: "Where did you get the courage, Elizabeth, to seize -the man? I shudder at the mere thought of touching him, and should have -screamed loudly instead." - -"If I had screamed," replied Elizabeth, simply, "Linke might have -accomplished his purpose, in his involuntary start of alarm." - -Herr von Walde listened quietly but intently to Miss Mertens' account. -Only when she described how Elizabeth had seized the murderer's arm, did -his face lose colour for an instant, as he riveted a keen, anxious -glance upon the girl, to assure himself that she had actually escaped -the danger unhurt. He leaned over her, took her right hand and pressed -it to his lips, and Elizabeth plainly perceived that his hand trembled. - -Miss Mertens, who observed how this expression of gratitude confused -Elizabeth and called up a burning blush in her cheeks, left her seat, -and picking up the pistol Linke had thrown from him in his flight, -handed it to Herr von Walde. - -"Horrible!" he murmured. "The wretch would have murdered me with one of -my own weapons." - -Elizabeth now arose, and assured Miss Mertens that all traces of her -fright had vanished, and that she was quite able to resume her walk -towards Gnadeck. They would both have taken leave of Herr von Walde, -but he tied his horse to the terrible beech tree, and said, lightly: - -"We know well that Linke's nature is most revengeful; he may perhaps -hate her to whom I owe my life even more than he hates me. I cannot -permit you to proceed without a protector." - -They ascended the mountain. Miss Mertens hastened on, that she might -incite Herr von Walde to greater speed, in order to take steps for the -apprehension of the criminal as quickly as possible; but her exertions -were all in vain. He walked slowly by the side of Elizabeth, who, after -a few moments of conflict with herself, begged him, in a gentle, timid -tone, not to go back alone to his horse, but to send for him from Castle -Lindhof. - -He smiled. "Belisarius is wild and obstinate; you know him already," he -said. "He obeys no one but myself, and would never allow any one but -his master to take him home. Besides, I assure you, that cowardly -wretch will attempt nothing further to-day. And if he should, I bear a -charmed life. Has not my happy star risen to-day in my heavens?" - -He stood still. "What do you think," he asked, suddenly, in a low tone, -and his eyes flashed as he looked at her, "shall I listen to the -delicious hope that it may shine upon me for the rest of my life?" - -"If it is to tempt you to run repeated risks, it were certainly better -not to place such unconditional faith in your star." - -"And yet I run the greatest risk of all in trusting such a hope," he -murmured, half to himself, as his face darkened. - -"I do not understand you," said Elizabeth, surprised. - -"It is quite natural that you should not," he replied, bitterly. "Your -wishes and hopes lie in quite another direction. Notwithstanding all -our stern self-discipline, we are sometimes overmastered by a beautiful -dream. No, no, say nothing more! I am punished already, for I am -awaking." - -He quickened his pace, and walked by Miss Mertens' side, while Elizabeth -followed more slowly, lost in wonder at the harsh tone which he had -suddenly assumed, and which so wounded her. He spoke not another word; -and when at last the walls of the old castle appeared through the trees, -he took his leave, coldly and shortly, and descended the mountain. - -Miss Mertens looked after him in surprise. "Incomprehensible man!" she -said at last, and shook her head. "Even though he attaches but little -value to his life, as would seem to be the case, surely a word or two of -gratitude at parting from you would not be superfluous, when he knows -that you have risked your life for his sake." - -"I see no necessity for anything of the kind," rejoined Elizabeth. "You -attach altogether too much importance to what I have done. I simply -fulfilled my duty to my neighbour; and would," she added, with a strange -defiance in her tone and manner, "have done the same if the case had -been reversed, and Linke's had been the threatened life. I hope -sincerely that Herr von Walde understands this, for to his haughty -nature the feeling of obligation to another must be intensely painful, -and I would not for the world be that other." - -At this moment anxiety and anger were striving within her for the -mastery. In thought she followed Herr von Walde, and shuddered with -horror as she remembered that perhaps he was just passing some spot -where the assassin was lying in wait for him; then she reminded herself, -as she quickened her steps, of what utter folly it was to waste so much -thought and feeling upon a man who persistently turned the roughest side -of his nature towards her. Even in intercourse with the baroness, who -was so utterly distasteful to him, he preserved his repose of manner, -never for one moment forgetting the laws of common courtesy, although he -invariably maintained his convictions with the greatest decision. He -had never been seen by those about him except when surrounded by an -atmosphere of the serenest dignity. It was only when talking with her -that he did not appear to consider it worth his while to control -himself. How violent and bitter he could be then! How his eyes flashed -as he waited impatiently for her replies, when they were not prompt and -decided! And he required besides that she should understand him almost -before he spoke, and yet was often utterly incomprehensible even when he -did speak. Perhaps every one else was cleverer than she, and could more -easily comprehend his manner of speaking, which was such a riddle to -her. Was it unwise to determine to avoid all intercourse with him for -the future? Certainly not. Well, fortunately, his departure was at -hand. Fortunately? The structure of self-deception, which her pride and -defiance had erected, crumbled to ruins at this thought; yes, it so -utterly vanished, that, to Miss Mertens' surprise, she turned and walked -quickly down the path that led to Castle Lindhof. She must satisfy -herself that he reached his home in safety. Miss Mertens followed her -to a grove whence they could see the door where he usually dismounted, -and they were greatly relieved when he shortly emerged from the forest. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - -In the evening the Ferber family were sitting in the shade of the -lindens at the spring. Frau Ferber and Miss Mertens were busied in -making a rug which was to lie upon the floor under the piano in winter -time. - -Frau Ferber had lost for awhile that dignified composure that so well -became her still beautiful face. She could not forget the afternoon's -occurrence; for, although she saw her child before her safe and sound, -she had been very much agitated by Miss Mertens' account. She looked -frequently at Elizabeth, fearing, as she remarked her slightest change -of colour, that some illness would ensue from the excitement that she -had passed through. The father's views were different. "That's my -brave daughter!" he said with sparkling eyes, "determine coolly and -execute quickly,--thus I would have you do." - -To Frau Ferber, her husband had always seemed the ideal of what a man -should be. Even now, after so many years of married life, she followed -blindly where he led; and in her estimation his opinions admitted of no -question. But to-day, as she listened to his paternal praises, a sigh -escaped her as she remarked that a mother loved her children infinitely -more than a father possibly could. - -"Certainly not more, only differently," was Ferber's quiet rejoinder. -"It is because I love them that I educate them to be full-grown, -responsible beings, capable of thinking and acting courageously and -independently, that they may never belong to the miserable class whom -want of all force of character condemns to constant suffering." - -Elizabeth had also brought her work-basket into the garden, but little -Ernst looked greatly disappointed as he saw her take out her sewing. - -"Very well, then, Elsie," he said petulantly. "Herr von Walde may ask -me a dozen times if I love you,--I shall not say yes again. You never -play with me any more; and, I suppose, you think you are as big a girl -as Miss Mertens! But you needn't think that,--you won't be for a long -while yet." - -They all laughed at this odd confounding of age with size. But -Elizabeth rose immediately to amuse the little boy, tucked up her long -dress, and drew lots which should chase and which run from the other; -and then they were both off like a flash, up and down the rampart, -hither and thither through the garden. - -In the mean time there was a ring at the gate in the wall. Herr Ferber -opened it, and Dr. Fels, Reinhard, and the forester appeared upon the -threshold. Elizabeth was just running along the principal walk, and did -not immediately see the visitors. - -"Well, I must say," laughed Dr. Fels, standing still, "this is a -wonderful transformation. In the afternoon Valkyria, and in the evening -a butterfly!" - -But the forester advanced, threw his arm around his niece, and then held -her off at arm's length, that he might scan her delicate figure. "My -fine darling!" he cried with sparkling eyes, "she looks as fragile and -delicate as though she were made of ivory, and yet she has the force of -a man in her heart and hands; 'tis an immense pity you are not a boy. I -would clap you into a green hunting-coat in spite of all that your -father could say." - -In the mean while Dr. Fels also drew near, and held out his hand to -Elizabeth. "Herr von Walde rode to town to-night," he said, "and -requested me to come hither. He is very anxious to know that your -fright and terror have produced no evil consequences." - -"None whatever," she replied, blushing deeply. "As you see," she added, -laughing, "I am perfectly well able to perform my sisterly duties, and -Ernst has just assured me that I am very hard to catch." - -"Well, I will carry Herr von Walde this message, word for word," said -the doctor with an arch smile. "Let him decide whether it is a -comforting one, or the contrary." - -Ferber now invited the gentlemen to join the circle beneath the lindens. -The doctor lighted a cigar and seemed most content. They discussed -Linke's attempt very fully. After his dismissal from Lindhof, many of -the underhand dealings by which he had taken advantage of his master's -absence, had come to light. Although Herr von Walde had taken no steps -to bring the offender to justice, the knowledge of his dishonesty spread -abroad, and was the means of preventing the superintendent from -procuring another situation. Undoubtedly this had filled the measure of -his desire for revenge, and had excited him to to-day's deed. Every -means had been tried for the apprehension of the assassin; the forester -with his men had searched the forest, but their exertions had been -followed by no result. Reinhard said that every one at Castle Lindhof -had been forbidden to mention the matter to Fraeulein von Walde, lest -the fright should injure her. And the baroness, Hollfeld, and the old -waiting-maid were to know nothing of it. - -"Herr von Walde has also requested," he continued, "that the matter -should be kept as secret as possible in L----, for he knows that half -the town is invited for to-morrow's fete." - -"That is, everything that creeps or flies upon a golden, silver, or -coloured field," interrupted the doctor sarcastically; "every coat of -arms that can be found, and all the court-councillors, and officials. -Oh, the selection has been made upon the strictest principles of court -etiquette, I assure you. So I have enjoined it upon my wife to conduct -herself with becoming humility, like a crow among soaring falcons. To -our surprise the baroness,--for she manages the whole affair,--has sent -us an invitation." - -"Apropos, my dear doctor!" cried Reinhard laughing, "they told me in -L---- to-day that the old Princess Catharine wished to install you as -her physician, but you declined the honour,--is that true? All L---- is -actually standing on its head with surprise." - -"Ah, that is nothing new; the dear little town passes half its time in -that posture, and the consequence is that the light of intelligence -shines upon the tough soles of its feet. But you have heard correctly. -I was sufficiently bold to decline that honour." - -"But why?" - -"First, because I have no time to be coddling the hysterical whims of -her aristocratic head every day; and then my sacred respect for court -etiquette is too great." - -"Yes, yes," cried the forester, laughing, "that is the reason why I -always cross myself three times when I leave the royal castle behind me. -The prince and princess,--our good princess especially troubles no -one,--they shut their eyes when mere matters of ceremony are not -according to stiff, prescribed rules; but that court mob, that lisps and -crawls and wags its tail about them,--heaven help us! it absolutely -shrieks murder if a man walks boldly and uprightly, and goes into fits -at the sound of a voice that comes clear and full from the chest just as -God meant it should." - -It had grown very dark. The family and Miss Mertens accompanied the -visitors to the gate in the wall; and, as they all stepped forth upon -the open sward, they heard sweet sounds floating up from the valley -through the forest, which lay steeped in the silence of night, and where -the birds had ceased to flit among the boughs, and even the breeze had -fallen asleep in the tree-tops in the midst of the strange tales from -distant lands that it whispered to them every evening. The band from -the town was serenading Herr von Walde. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - -The next morning at five o'clock the inmates of Gnadeck were awakened by -a discharge of artillery. "Aha!" said Ferber to his wife, "the -celebration is beginning." But Elizabeth was startled from a fearful -dream, in which the misfortune which she had yesterday averted seemed -actually to take place. She had just seen Herr von Walde fall dying to -the ground, when the cannon in the valley awoke her. It was some time -before she could collect herself. For one moment she suffered -fearfully. It seemed as if heaven and earth were vanishing from her as -that noble figure fell; and even now, when she saw the golden light of -morning falling upon the familiar objects in her room and not upon the -blood-stained sward, her agitated nerves still quivered; she had never, -not even the day before, when she had so fearlessly risked her life for -his, felt so deeply that his death would be hers also. - -Again and again the cannon thundered up from the valley. The -window-panes shook slightly, and the little canary fluttered in terror -from side to side in his cage. At each report Elizabeth shuddered; and -when her anxious mother, who could not quite allay her fears for the -result of the previous day's occurrence, although her child had seemed -unharmed and well, came to her bedside to ask how she had slept, the -girl threw her arms around her neck and burst into an uncontrollable fit -of tears. - -"Good heavens, my child!" cried Frau Ferber, much frightened, "you are -ill. I knew that you would suffer from yesterday's shock, and there is -that terrible shooting going on in the valley." - -Elizabeth had some trouble in convincing her mother that she felt -perfectly well, and that she could not be induced to lie in bed, but was -resolved to take her breakfast with the family. And to put a stop to -all further remonstrance, she immediately arose, bathed and dressed, and -assisted her mother in preparing the simple breakfast. - -The sound of the cannon suddenly ceased, and before long all traces of -tears vanished from Elizabeth's eyes. The world looked brighter to her; -for, although a life of renunciation lay before her, he still lived; -this thought had, in consequence of her fearful dream, a soothing effect -upon her restless heart. Even if he went away to distant lands, and she -was forced to live years without seeing him, a time must come when he -would return. And she could still love and think of him, for he belonged -to no one else. - -Later in the day she went with her family and Miss Mertens to the Lodge, -where they had been invited to dine. There was a dark cloud upon the -forester's brow as he came to meet them. Elizabeth soon discovered that -he was troubled about Bertha. - -"I cannot and will not bear it any longer!" he cried angrily. "Must I -turn spy in my old age, and constantly be upon the watch to prevent a -wayward, foolish child, who has no possible claim upon me, from making a -perpetual fool of herself?" - -"But remember, uncle, she is unhappy," said Elizabeth, somewhat alarmed. - -"Unhappy?--she is a deceitful fool!--I am no ogre, and when I thought -her really unhappy, that is, when she lost both her parents, I did all -that I could to protect and guide her. But that is not what is the -matter with her, for scarcely two months after her loss she went singing -about and chattering like a magpie, so that I was really grieved to see -such heartlessness and frivolity. What is she unhappy about, eh? But I -don't want to know her state secret if she has no confidence in me;--let -it alone. For all I care she may wear that die-away look upon her face -for the next year; but to pretend to be dumb, to run about in the forest -at night like a maniac, and perhaps one of these fine days burn down my -house about my ears, it is more than I can bear, and I must have a word -or two to say about the matter." - -"Did you not heed the warning that I gave you?" asked Ferber. - -"Certainly I did; I put her into another room; she sleeps now just above -me, so that I can hear her lightest step. At night both the house doors -are not only bolted, as they have always been at night, but locked too, -and I take the key into my room. And oh! the cunning of women,--but -that's an old story. At any rate my precautions ensured us some rest. -But last night I could not get to sleep; the affair with Linke was -running through my brain, and I heard steps above me, cautious steps, -soft as a cat's. Aha! I thought, she is at her nightly promenades -again, and I rose, but when I went up-stairs the nest was already empty. -On a table at the open window a light was burning, and as I opened the -door the curtain flew into the flame. Zounds! if I had not been quick -as a flash we should have had a blaze that would have been well fed by -those old balconies. And how did she get out? Through the kitchen -window. I would rather take care of a swarm of ants than of such a sly, -deceitful creature." - -"I am convinced that some love affair is at the bottom of the girl's -conduct," said Frau Ferber. - -"Yes, you told me so once before, sister-in-law," replied the forester -with irritation, "and if you would be kind enough to tell me with whom, -I should be infinitely obliged to you. Look around us and see if there -is any one here to turn a girl's brain. My assistants,--they are not -half good enough for her; she never would have a word to say to them; it -cannot be the rogue Linke, with his crooked legs and carroty wig, and -there is no one else here." - -"You have forgotten one," said Frau Ferber significantly, with a glance -towards Elizabeth, who had lingered behind to cut a whip for Ernst. - -"Well?" asked the forester. - -"Herr von Hollfeld." - -The forester remained silent for awhile. "Hm!" he muttered at last, "I -should never in the world have thought of him. No, no," he continued -quickly, "I do not believe it, for in the first place the girl cannot -possibly be such a fool as to believe that he would make her my lady von -Odenberg, and----" - -"Perhaps she hoped that he would, and finds herself mistaken," -interrupted Frau Ferber. - -"She is vain and arrogant enough for it, but he,--he cares nothing for -women,--he is a cold, heartless egotist," said the forester. - -"An egotist, I grant you," said Frau Ferber, "and that explains Bertha's -conduct and manner." - -"That would be a fine affair," cried the forester angrily, "to think -that I should have been hoodwinked like any old fool in a comedy! I -will sift the matter now to the bottom, and woe to the girl if she has -really dared to bring disgrace upon herself and me!" - -The dinner was a very quiet one. The forester was out of sorts, and -would have extorted a confession from Bertha upon the spot had not Frau -Ferber prayed him to wait for a few days. After coffee the guests left -the Lodge; the forester threw his rifle across his shoulder, and plunged -into the forest, which, as he said, always soothed and brought him to -reason. - -Elizabeth dressed herself for the concert, that is, she put on a simple, -white muslin dress, whose only decoration was a bouquet of fresh wild -flowers. Her mother tied around her neck a little locket attached to a -very narrow black velvet ribbon, and this was her toilet, which would -certainly have seemed most embarrassingly simple to most young girls -going for the first time among a large assemblage of brilliantly-dressed -people; but Elizabeth, if she thought of it at all, congratulated -herself upon the delicate neatness of her muslin, and would rather not -have worn her mother's little ornament on this occasion, as she -considered that she was to appear only as a musician and not as one of -the guests, and that her fingers were all that she need be anxious -about. She was rather annoyed that the arms above these same fingers -were bare, and that her dress was low-necked. She had hitherto never -worn a dress that did not cover her neck to her chin, and could not see -why the fashionable world had decided that women should be _decollete_ -in large assemblies. She thought as little of the exquisite form and -dazzling whiteness of her shoulders and arms as of the beauty and grace -of her head, which, with its heavy braids of golden hair, was set so -exquisitely upon her finely-moulded neck. Her mother herself had -arranged her hair to-day, and it clustered in short shining curls above -her forehead, contrasting wondrously with the delicately pencilled but -decided arch of the dark eyebrows. And Frau Ferber could not but agree -with Miss Mertens, who, as she watched Elizabeth disappear upon the -forest path, declared with enthusiasm that she was supernaturally -lovely. The mother had just acknowledged to herself that her child's -beauty had unfolded in a most striking degree. - -When Elizabeth entered the vestibule of Castle Lindhof she encountered -Dr. Fels, who, with his wife upon his arm, was just turning down one of -the corridors. She hastened towards him, and accosted him gaily, for -her heart had been beating anxiously as she approached the castle, at -the thought that she should be obliged to enter entirely alone the -spacious saloon, where the greater part of the company were doubtless -already assembled. The doctor received her most cordially, and -presented her to his wife, in an undertone, as "yesterday's heroine." -Both gladly took her under their protection. The large folding-doors -were flung open, and Elizabeth was grateful for the lucky star that had -allowed her to take shelter behind the tall, commanding figure of the -doctor's wife, for she was at first rather overcome at sight of the -large, richly-decorated apartment, over whose highly-polished floor -glided the costly dresses of the ladies and the polished boots of the -gentlemen. In the centre of the saloon stood the Baroness Lessen, -arrayed in magnificent dark-blue moire-antique, and receiving the -guests. She returned the salutations of the doctor and his wife very -politely, but very coolly, and replied to the doctor's question, "Where -is Herr von Walde?" by pointing to a knot of men standing near a window, -whence issued a murmur like the Babylonish confusion of tongues. - -While Fels and his wife walked towards the spot, Elizabeth gladly and -gratefully obeyed a gesture from Helene, who, sitting at another window, -hurriedly and agitatedly informed her that she had suddenly had an -attack of what is called "stage fright;" that she was in overwhelming -terror at playing before so many people, and would rather creep into a -mouse-hole. And then she begged Elizabeth, instead of the four-handed -composition with which the concert was to open, to play a sonata of -Beethoven's, a wish with which Elizabeth immediately complied. Her -embarrassment vanished. She stepped up to the table where the music was -lying, and selected the sonata which she was to play. Meanwhile, -carriage after carriage rolled into the court-yard. The folding-doors -opened and closed incessantly upon such quantities of tulle and velvet -and lace, which were crowded into the saloon, that Elizabeth smiled -pityingly at the thought of her simple white muslin, so soon to loose -its unwrinkled smoothness in such a crush of crinoline. - -She could very easily decide, from the manner of the baroness, upon the -social rank of the guests. One gracious wave of the feather-crowned -head of the great lady answered every social requirement whenever she -received untitled guests, and these untitled guests did their part well -in acknowledging and respecting this aristocratic reserve. All, in -obedience to a gesture from the baroness, first made their way towards -the window where stood Herr von Walde,--who, however, remained entirely -invisible to Elizabeth,--and then scattered into single groups, either -awaiting the opening of the concert, or engaged in conversation among -themselves. - -Suddenly the doors flew open again, and a corpulent old lady hobbled in -upon the arm of an equally aged gentleman, whose coat glittered with -orders,--and with them came Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf. The baroness -hastened toward these guests, and Fraeulein von Walde also arose with -difficulty, and, taking Hollfeld's arm, went to meet the aged pair, -while all the ladies standing around her followed like the tail of a -comet. The crowd of men at the window divided suddenly as by magic, and -Herr von Walde's lofty figure appeared. - -"We must come to you, if we wish to see you, naughty man!" cried the old -lady, shaking her forefinger at him, as she hobbled towards him. "You -see, in spite of my poor feet, and although you have neglected me -shamefully, I am here to-day to offer you my congratulations." - -He bowed, and said a few words to her, to which she replied by -laughingly tapping him upon the shoulder with her fan. Then he -conducted her to an arm-chair, where she seated herself with much -majesty. - -"The Countess of Falkenberg, chief lady in waiting at the court of -L----," was the reply of the doctor's wife when Elizabeth asked who the -old lady was. Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf looked exquisitely beautiful -to-day in her white crape dress, with a wreath of scarlet euphorbia in -her dark hair, as she busied herself about the noble lady, while she did -not forget to cast a roguish glance now and then at Fraeulein von Walde. - -The arrival of the guests from the court was the signal for the -beginning of the concert. Elizabeth could almost hear her own heart -beat. She was standing behind the doctor's wife, and was hidden from -all the eyes which would in one moment be directed towards her, -following every one of her movements. Suddenly she was overcome with -timidity, and she repented bitterly having consented to play first -alone. She trembled when Fraeulein von Walde motioned to her to begin, -but there was no time to withdraw. She took a long breath, and walked -slowly, with downcast eyes, to the piano, where she courtesied timidly. - -At first there was a breathless silence; then a whisper ran from mouth -to mouth, which was instantly hushed when the young girl struck the -keys. Elizabeth's fear and embarrassment all vanished at the sound of -the first chords. She was no longer alone. He with whom she had so -often wandered along meadow paths in brilliant sunshine, and past gloomy -abysses in storm and rain, was with her,--the one who had so often -aroused within her joyous presentiments, and who had expressed in -immortal harmonies all the loftiest and most sacred aspirations of her -nature,--who was as dear and familiar to her as her mother's face, -although her gaze fell dazzled by the fiery glories which wreathed his -majestic head. The flower-crowned heads ranged against the walls, the -lorgnettes and spectacles which, glittering in the sunlight, shot their -lightning directly upon the lonely performer in the midst of the saloon, -all vanished. She was alone with the great master, following with -rapture every manifestation of his creative spirit. - -An actual storm of applause startled her when she had finished. She -courtesied, and then almost flew to her protectress, Frau Fels, who, -speechless with emotion, held out both hands to her. The concert did -not last very long. Four young gentlemen from L---- sang a delightful -quartette, and then there was a performance by a famous violin player. -Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf sang two songs in a charming voice, but -without any ear, so that at every high note the guests either moved -involuntarily and nervously upon their chairs, or cast their eyes down -in confusion. And then came one of the well-practised duets. Fraeulein -von Walde had recovered her composure, and played excellently well with -Elizabeth. - -When the concert was over, Elizabeth went towards the door of an -anteroom, where she had left her shawl. She was closely followed by an -elderly gentleman, who had been sitting opposite her, and had regarded -her attentively. At his request, Frau Fels presented him to the young -girl as the Military Inspector-general Busch. He said many flattering -things about Elizabeth's performance, and added that he was much pleased -to become acquainted with the heroic preserver of the life of the lord -of the castle; he had accepted to-day's invitation with all the greater -pleasure, since within the last few hours he had been deprived of all -hope of claiming her assistance in the investigation of the murderous -attempt. - -He laughed heartily at Elizabeth's sudden alarm. - -"No, no, I pray you not to look so horror-stricken, Fraeulein," he said -at last. "As I have just told you, we shall have no occasion to subject -you to a cross-examination. Linke has himself put a stop to our -proceedings by a single blow. His dead body was taken from the lake in -the park this afternoon," he added, in a low tone. "They informed me of -it at the inn, where I alighted. I proceeded, accompanied by the -Waldheim physician, who happened to be at the inn, to the scene of the -suicide, and convinced myself that that hand will never again be raised -against the life of another. The condition of the body shows that Linke -must have sought death immediately after the failure of his murderous -purpose." - -Elizabeth shuddered. "Does Herr von Walde know of his fearful end?" she -asked in a trembling voice. - -"No; I have had no opportunity to speak with him alone." - -"None of the company present appear to have any suspicion of yesterday's -occurrence," said Frau Fels. - -"Fortunately they have not, thanks to our foresight and reserve," -replied the inspector-general, ironically. "As it is, poor Herr von -Walde has been quite overwhelmed with congratulations upon being born -into the world. What would his friends have done to him had they known -how fortunately his life has been preserved?" - -The butler, Lorenz, at this moment approached Elizabeth and held out to -her a little silver waiter, upon which lay several folded slips of -paper. She looked up in questioning surprise, and he said respectfully: - -"Will you have the kindness to take one of the papers?" - -Elizabeth hesitated. - -"This is probably part of our entertainment," said Frau Fels. "Take it -quickly, that the butler may not be detained." - -Almost mechanically she took up one of the slips of paper, but started -in alarm as the Baroness Lessen suddenly appeared at the door, and -looked searchingly around the room. - -"Come, Lorenz," she said hastily, stepping towards the servant, "what -are you doing here?" - -"I have just handed Fraeulein Ferber the salver, gracious lady," replied -the old man. - -The baroness gave him an angry look, and then measured Elizabeth from -head to foot. "How, Fraeulein Ferber," she said sharply, "are you still -here? I thought you were at home long ago, resting upon your laurels." - -Without waiting for a reply, she turned to leave the room; but just upon -the threshold she looked back at the old butler with a frown and -shrugged her shoulders. - -"What can you be thinking of, Lorenz? You grow very thoughtless. This -infirmity has grown upon you of late." - -With these words, she bustled out, and the old man quietly followed. He -replied not one word to her harsh reproof,--only contracted his bushy, -gray eyebrows, so that his honest eyes almost disappeared. - -The others remained looking at each other in astonishment, when the -doctor entered. He made a profound, comical obeisance to his wife, and -said solemnly: - -"In consideration of the fact that Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf has just -had the clemency to unite us again as closely as by the priestly -blessing fifteen years ago, I am content still further to endure the -conjugal yoke, and particularly on this day to enjoy by your side, and, -cherished by your tender care, O true and faithful spouse, all the -delights prepared for us!" - -"My dear husband, what do you mean?" cried his wife, laughing. - -"Pardon me,--I mean nothing at all. Ah, I see you have not heard -Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf's directions. What a pity! I am then -compelled to inform you that every married couple here present, whether -now upon a war footing or otherwise, must repair, within the next -quarter of an hour, to the convent tower in the forest, where a rural -festival will be held. There it will be your duty to provide me with as -much to eat and drink as my soul may desire, and in every way to attend -upon my wishes, after the pattern of the famous Penelope. But that the -unmarried men who are present in large numbers may have no reason to -complain,--that their mouths also may be filled,--a sort of lottery has -been ingeniously devised. Every unmarried lady is provided with a slip -of paper, upon which stands written the name of some unmarried man, and -it is left to Cupid and Fate either to unite or to separate faithful -hearts." - -At these words Elizabeth was seized with actual terror. She had never -thought of other entertainments following upon the concert; but now she -clearly understood why the baroness, on the previous day, had so -distinctly alluded to her return home after the conclusion of the music. -Her cheeks glowed with shame, for she had exposed herself to the charge -of being very assuming by taking from the butler's salver the little -slip of paper, which now burned like fire in her hand. Always quick to -decide, she went into the saloon where the opening of the mysterious -papers was going on amid the laughter of the ladies and their assigned -partners. - -"What a senseless idea this, of Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf's," a young -sprig of nobility was just exclaiming peevishly to his neighbour as -Elizabeth passed them. "Here I have that stout, pious Fraeulein Lehr -upon my hands. _Fi donc!_" - -Elizabeth had not long to look for the baroness. She was standing -apart, near a window, in lively, but, as it seemed, not entirely -agreeable conversation with Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf, the chief lady -in waiting, and Helene. The countess seemed to be remonstrating with -Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf, who did nothing but shrug her pretty -shoulders helplessly from time to time. Intense vexation was expressed -in the baroness' countenance,--there was no need of the round, red spot -on either cheek to show that she was angry. Not far from the group Herr -von Walde was leaning with folded arms against a pillar. He seemed to be -only half listening to the words of the be-ribboned old courtier who was -standing beside him,--his eyes were fixed upon the gesticulating ladies. - -Elizabeth hurriedly approached the baroness. It did not escape her -that, at sight of her, Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf gently nudged the -countess, whereupon the latter turned and regarded her with a malevolent -air. She saw that she was the subject of their discussion, and she -quickened her pace, that she might avert from herself as soon as -possible any unworthy suspicion. - -"Most gracious lady," she said, with a slight courtesy, "in consequence -of a misunderstanding, I have become possessed of this slip of paper, -and have just learned that it entails upon me duties which I cannot -possibly undertake, for my parents are expecting me at home." - -She handed the little slip to the baroness, who took it immediately, -while a ray of actual sunshine broke over her features. - -"I think you are in error, Fraeulein Ferber," Herr von Walde suddenly -interposed, in a clear, melodious voice. "It is incumbent upon you to -excuse yourself to the gentleman whose name the paper contains; it rests -with him whether he will release you or not." He scanned, with a -peculiar smile, the company, who were dividing into couples and making -ready for departure; even the old gentleman beside him approached the -countess, and offered her his arm. Herr von Walde continued, as he -slowly approached: "As master of the house, I cannot permit any want of -consideration of one of my guests, wherefore I must beg you, Fraeulein -Ferber, to open the paper." - -Elizabeth obeyed, and then handed him the open slip, with a crimson -blush. He glanced at it. - -"Ah!" he cried, "I have, as I see, defended my own rights. You must -admit that I am fully justified in either accepting or refusing to -accept your excuses. I prefer the latter course, and must entreat you -strictly to comply with the injunctions laid upon you by that paper." - -The baroness approached him, and laid her hand upon his arm. It looked -as if she were almost struggling to suppress her tears. - -"Forgive me, dear Rudolph," she said, "it is really not my fault." - -"I do not know to what fault you allude, Amalie," he replied, with icy -coldness; "but you certainly choose the right time in which to ask -forgiveness,---just at this moment I could easily forgive an injury." - -He took his hat which a servant handed to him, and made the signal for -departure. - -"But my parents!" stammered Elizabeth. - -"Are they ill, or about to leave Gnadeck immediately?" he asked, -standing still. - -"Neither." - -"Well, pray then let me see to it that they receive intelligence of the -cause of your delay." - -He called a servant, and despatched a message to Gnadeck. - -While the saloon was gradually emptied, the group of ladies which had -been joined by the aged cavalier and Hollfeld, who looked much -chagrined, remained standing near the window. - -"It serves you quite right, Cornelie," said the countess. "You have set -the crown upon your folly to-day. What a silly idea this lottery is! -How often have I endeavoured to put a stop to your nonsense, to which, -unfortunately, our gracious princess lends only too willing an ear? How -should the butler know any better, when you gave him no instructions? -You consider yourself to belong naturally to the court, and yet do not -know that that sort of person has not an idea of his own. I should not -for an instant grudge you this lesson, if only poor von Walde were not -the victim of your frivolity. There he goes with that little white -goose upon his arm; he who, with his haughty, aristocratic -self-consciousness, has many a time been regardless of the wishes of -some high-born lady, who would have been charmed to take his arm. What -must he suffer to be tied for several hours to that little piano-player, -the daughter of a--forester's clerk?" - -"Why does he sacrifice himself so very readily?" rejoined Fraeulein von -Quittelsdorf. "It was quite unnecessary for him to meddle at all in the -matter. The girl had made up her mind to go, when suddenly he steps -forth like a knight without fear or fault, and takes up the burden -voluntarily." - -"At all events the burden is dazzlingly beautiful," said the old -cavalier with a conceited smile. - -"What are you thinking of, count?" cried the countess. "That is just -like you, who rave about every round-faced peasant girl that you meet. -I do not deny that the girl is pretty; but was not poor Rosa von Bergen -an actual angel of beauty? Hundreds were languishing at her feet; but -von Walde, whom she really preferred, was like a glacier to her. No, he -has not the smallest sensibility to feminine beauty and loveliness. I -long ago erased his name from my list of eligibles for my young -protegees. He has just declared, most distinctly, his reason for -sacrificing himself to-day. He is evidently much pleased and delighted -with the attentions that we have lavished upon him, and wishes to see -every one happy and contented about him,--even the little thing who -played the piano. I advise my dearest Lessen for the future not to -trust implicitly to the tact and ingenuity of our charming -Quittelsdorf." - -The maid of honour bit her lips, and dragged her lace shawl over her -lovely shoulders. The carriage now drew up in which the countess and -Helene, accompanied by the baroness and the count, were to be driven to -the place of rendezvous. - -"The old cat!" cried Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf, after she had assisted -the countess into the carriage. "She is furious because she was not -asked to assist in the arrangements for to-day. Did not you see, -Hollfeld, how very nearly that false front of hers slipped down upon her -nose when she was waggling her head in such agitation? I should have -laughed for two weeks without intermission if her bald head had suddenly -made its appearance underneath that flower garden on top!" - -She was convulsed with laughter at the idea. Her companion walked, -without a word, and with accelerated pace, by her side, as though he -heard nothing of her chatter. His whole bearing manifested hurry and -disquiet. He seemed most desirous to overtake the rest of the -assemblage as quickly as possible. He cast searching glances through -the bushes on either side of the way, and, whenever he caught a glimpse -of a white dress, stopped for a moment, as though to identify the -wearer. - -"Indeed, you are too tiresome, Hollfeld; you weary me to death!" cried -the lady peevishly. "To be sure it is your privilege to be as mute as a -fish and yet enjoy the reputation of a clever man. Where your wits are -now I am sure I cannot imagine. What, in Heaven's name, are you running -so fast for? Allow me to entreat you to have some regard for my crape -dress, which will be torn to rags by these bushes through which you are -hurrying me, with such speed." - -The convent tower,--the only uninjured remnant of a former nunnery,--was -situated in the depths of a grove of oaks and beeches in a part of the -forest domain appertaining to the Lindhof estate, which here extended -far towards the east. - -A certain lady of Gnadewitz, a sister of the ancestor of the wheel, had -built the nunnery, whither she, with twelve other young maidens, retired -to pray for the soul of her brother, cut off so ignominiously in the -flower of his days. Year after year the giant boughs of the oaks had -tapped at the windows of the cells and leaned above the high wall over -the small garden of the convent. They had seen many a fresh young -creature pass hurriedly along the dim narrow forest path to ring the -bell at the convent portal with feverish impatience, as though unable to -wait one instant longer for the promised peace abiding within those -walls. They had seen how, behind those irrevocable bolts and bars, the -mute lips of the nun grew white,--how convulsively her waxen hands -clutched the crucifix, while her agonized looks would seek the ground; -for the sight of the clear, blue heavens, arching above the gay children -of the outer world, awakened joyous memories within her, and breathed a -keen desire for pleasure and life into the soul and heart muffled -forever in the folds of the sackcloth of her order. - -The Reformation, which overthrew the convents like card houses, had -stridden through this still forest also, and had passed its mighty hand -over the walls of this gloomy pile, which had, in expiation of the -misery and crime that had cursed its origin, been the perpetual abode of -unhappiness. And even the hollow mockery of existence within its walls -had vanished to the four winds. One stone after another had tumbled to -the feet of the lofty oaks, whose branches had brushed against it while -it formed part of some carved arch or window-frame, and which now -strewed leaves upon it till it sank away far more softly bedded than the -poor bodies of the nuns, which were, so said the legend, all sleeping -together in a subterranean dungeon. - -The tower was square, clumsy, and ugly. On the flat roof above, that -was surrounded by a stone balustrade, the stairs were capped by a very -small, square apartment, from which egress upon the roof was obtained -through a massive oaken door. Here there was a magnificent prospect and -distant view of L----. For the sake of this prospect the tower had been -rebuilt and kept in constant repair. Immense iron clamps bound the -walls together at the corners, and numberless lines of fresh mortar -meandered across its blackened surface, so that the old building looked -at a distance like a gigantic piece of agate. - -But to-day the old pile was decked out like some old fellow dressed for -a wooing. Fresh flowers,--that is to say, four gigantic fir trees--were -sticking in his hat; and from their tops gay banners were floating, like -large birds above the green waves beneath. The old fellow, who, until -to-day, had only whispered nightly and daily confidences to his comrades -the oaks but had never made an advance towards them from his dignified -position, was now clutching them with green wide-spread arms; huge -garlands were draped from his topmost walls, and were lost among the -boughs of the surrounding forest; while from one side a white sail-cloth -was extended and attached to the trunks of two tall hemlocks. Beneath -the shade of this tent were several refreshing-looking casks, a whole -battery of dusty red-sealed flasks and countless silver-capped bottles -in ice-buckets,--all presided over by a very pretty girl in the dress of -a vivandiere. - -Elizabeth had silently and passively left the large hall upon Herr von -Walde's arm. In spite of her determination to go home, she had not had -the courage to gainsay him, or to tell him of her desire,--he had spoken -in a tone of such authority; and, what had influenced her still more, -had entered the lists, as it were, for her, and sought to help her out -of her embarrassment. Any opposition on her part would have seemed like -obstinate defiance of him, and would have served only to increase her -painful apprehension of drawing to herself general attention. - -The silken garments of the ladies rustled along the walls of the -corridor behind her. Laughing and chattering, the gay crowd followed -Herr von Walde in a long train until it issued from the chief entrance -door, and then it scattered hither and thither, taking the various -forest paths which led to the convent tower. Those whose elaborate -toilets required special care took the broad, well-kept path. Herr von -Walde certainly never dreamed that his companion's simple, snowy muslin -could be as precious in her eyes as were the rich dresses of the other -ladies in theirs, or he certainly would not have selected the narrow, -lonely pathway into which he suddenly turned. - -"It is usually very damp here," Elizabeth broke silence -timidly,--hitherto no words had passed between them. Her feet trembled -as though they would far rather retreat than advance, and yet it is -possible that her thoughts were not of her dress nor her thin shoes, but -rather of the long, narrow, leafy way before them, through which she -must pass alone by his side, and of the voice that would suddenly sound -in her ears with that harsh, authoritative tone almost always adopted by -him when alone with her. - -"It has not rained for a long time,--see how dry the ground is," he -quietly replied, as he walked slowly on and broke off a twig which -threatened to brush Elizabeth's cheek. "This path is the shortest, and -we can for a quarter of an hour at least escape from the buzz and -clatter with which my friends and relatives are celebrating the -completion of my thirty-seventh year. But perhaps you are afraid of -meeting Linke in this sequestered spot?" - -A shudder passed through the young girl's frame. She thought upon the -criminal's desperate end, but she could not control herself sufficiently -to impart her knowledge to Herr von Walde. - -"I do not fear him any longer," she said gravely. - -"He has probably left the country, and if not, he would hardly be so -discourteous as to intrude upon the pleasures of people who are seeking -to indemnify themselves for the pains they have taken with their formal -congratulations. By-the-way, you cannot have failed to observe that -every member of the company to-day has honoured me with a few moments of -special attention, even the youngest slip of a girl in white muslin has -made me her courtesy and uttered her studied desire for my health and -happiness. You, perhaps, do not think me old enough yet to need the -wishes of others for a prolongation of my life?" - -"I should suppose that such wishes were as appropriate to youth or the -prime of life as to advanced age; the one possesses as little as the -other a monopoly of existence." - -"Well, then, why did you not come to me? Yesterday you saved my life, -and to-day you care so little about it that you do not even take the -trouble to open your lips and say 'God protect it for the future.'" - -"You have just said yourself 'every one of the company.' I did not -belong to the company, and therefore could not intrude myself among -those who offered their congratulations." She spoke quickly, for there -was discontent in his tone, and the arm upon which her hand rested moved -impatiently. - -"But you were invited----" - -"To entertain your guests." - -"Was that modest view of the case the only reason why you did not wish -to come with me?" - -"Yes; most certainly my refusal could not have had anything to do with -the gentleman who had fallen to my lot, whose name I could not possibly -know." - -"You can hardly persuade me of that; you must have seen at the first -glance that all the gentlemen present, with the exception of myself, -were already appropriated; you must have known that my sister, without -drawing a paper, had requested Hollfeld to accompany her, as she can -walk more easily leaning upon his arm than upon any other. Confess----" - -"I knew and saw nothing. I was far too much troubled when I entered the -ball-room to return the paper, for the hour at which I was expected to -return home had been particularly mentioned to me yesterday. I had no -idea that any special festivity was to follow the concert, and in taking -the folded slip of paper I committed an indiscretion, for which I cannot -forgive myself." - -He suddenly stood still. - -"I pray you look at me," he said, in a tone of command. - -She raised her eyes, and although she felt her cheeks glow, she -sustained unflinchingly the gaze which at first rested sternly upon her -and then became indescribably gentle. - -"No, no," he muttered softly, as if to himself, "it were a crime to -suspect deceit here. Yes, double-dyed," he continued in an altered, -sarcastic tone; it sounded as though he wished to sneer away some -momentary weakness,--"was I not the involuntary auditor of your -declaration: 'It needs more courage to tell a lie boldly than to confess -a fault?'" - -"That is my conviction, I repeat it." - -"Ah, what a splendid thing strength of character is! But I should -suppose that if one were too upright to soil the lips with deceit, a -strict watch should be kept upon the eyes also, lest they lie. I know -one moment in your life when you appeared what you were not." - -Elizabeth, wounded, attempted to withdraw her hand from his arm. - -"Oh, no--you do not escape me so easily!" he cried, retaining it. "You -must either deny or acknowledge it. You looked indifferent lately, when -I threw away my cousin's tender token, the rose." - -"Should I have flown after it?" - -"Certainly, if you had been true." - -Elizabeth knew now why he had entered this lonely path with her,--she -was to confess her feelings towards Hollfeld. She was confirmed in her -former suspicions,--Herr von Walde was evidently most anxious lest she -should prize his cousin's homage too highly and perhaps imagine that he -could forget her social position. The moment had come when she could -declare her sentiments. By a hasty movement she released her hand from -his arm, and stepped a little aside. - -"I grant you," she said, "that if my face that day expressed -indifference, it was not in harmony with my thoughts." - -"I thought so!" he cried, but there was no triumph in the exclamation. - -"I was in fact indignant." - -"At my interference?" - -"At the unauthorized levity of Herr von Hollfeld." - -"He startled you greatly; but----" - -"No, he insulted me! How dared he intrude upon me? I abhor him!" - -She must have been right in her solution of his manner; but she had -never dreamed that her declaration would be so highly prized by him. A -weight seemed to fall from his heart. A ray of purest joy broke from -the eyes which had gazed at her with a mixture of mistrust, contempt, -and sarcasm. He drew a deep breath, and half extended his arms. -Elizabeth involuntarily looked round to discover what it was that caused -his eyes to flash and glow so. She saw nothing, but she felt his hand -tremble as he laid hers once more upon his arm. They walked on a few -paces without a word. Suddenly he stood still again. - -"Now we are entirely alone," he said, in the gentlest possible tone. -"See, only one small eye of heavenly blue looks down upon us,--no prying -faces are near to come between us,--I cannot,--I will not be deprived of -a birthday greeting from you. Give it to me now, when no one can hear -it but myself alone." - -She was silent and confused. - -"Well, do you not know how it is done?" he asked. - -"Oh, yes," she replied, and an arch smile hovered upon her lips. "I am -well practised in such things. My parents, my uncle, Ernst----" - -"All have birthdays," he interrupted her, smiling. "But you cannot -wonder that I want a birthday greeting all to myself,--that I desire -that it may sound quite different from any that you have hitherto -uttered,--for I am neither your father, nor your bluff forester uncle, -and certainly I cannot lay claim to the rights of the brother with whom -you play. Come, speak!" - -Still she said nothing. What should she say? Her eyes were cast down, -for she could no longer endure that searching glance, that seemed to -penetrate her very soul with its troubled expression of entreaty. - -"Then come," he cried abruptly, drawing her forward, after waiting in -vain for some moments for one word from her lips. "It was a foolish -wish of mine. I know that your tongue, which is always ready to say -what is kind and gentle to others, is dumb for me, or only ready with -some rebuke." - -At these words she grew pale, and involuntarily stood still. - -"You will, then?" he asked more gently, "and cannot find the words?" he -continued, shaking his head, as she was silent but looked up at him -beseechingly. "Well, then, I have a plan. Let me say what I should -like to hear from your lips, and you will repeat it after me word for -word." - -Again the smile played around Elizabeth's mouth, and she murmured -assent. - -"In the first place, you give your friend your hand," he began, and took -her hand in his,--she trembled, but did not withdraw it,--"and then you -say, 'You have hitherto been a wretched wanderer upon the face of the -earth,--it is high time that the clouds above you should break, and be -penetrated by the pure ray of light which has transformed your whole -existence. It is my true and earnest wish that this light may never -forsake you. Here is my hand, as the pledge of a happiness so -inconceivable----" - -So far she had repeated this strangely-worded greeting after him, but at -the last words she hesitated. He seized her other hand also, and urged -passionately, "Go on, go on!" - -"Here is my----" she began at last. - -"Oh, Herr von Walde," suddenly cried Cornelie's voice from the thicket, -"what a delightful meeting! Now I shall enjoy in company with you the -triumph of being received with a flourish of trumpets!" - -Never in her life had Elizabeth seen such a sudden change take place in -a human countenance as now transformed Herr von Walde's features. One -strong blue vein stood out upon his pale forehead, his eyes flashed, and -he involuntarily stamped his foot. It really seemed as if he would have -liked to hurl back into the thicket the unwelcome intruder, who, holding -up her crape skirt, came hurrying through the bushes towards them. He -could not command his emotion as quickly as usual; perhaps he did not -wish to do so, for he frowned angrily as Hollfeld made his appearance -behind the lady. As he came in sight, Herr von Walde drew Elizabeth's -hand through his arm with gentle violence, as if he feared lest she -should be snatched from him. - -"Why, how you look, Herr von Walde," cried Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf, -stepping into the middle of the path; "actually as if we were bandits, -with designs upon your life; or, at all events, upon your property!" - -Without replying a word to this attack, he turned to his cousin and -asked, "Where is my sister?" - -"She was afraid of the long rough path," the latter replied, "and -preferred to drive." - -"Well, I suppose you will hardly leave Helene to be lifted out of the -carriage by the old Count Wildenau; I cannot understand how, as her -faithful knight, you could leave the principal path. A few, quick steps -will enable you to rejoin her. I will not prevent you from doing so," -said Herr von Walde sharply, while a sarcastic smile quivered around the -corners of his mouth. He stepped aside with Elizabeth to allow the pair -to pass. - -"And pray, if one may ask, why did you leave the principal path -yourself?" asked Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf flippantly, much more like a -pert chamber-maid than a maid of honour. - -"That you can easily learn; simply because I hoped, by coming along this -lonely path, to escape the eloquent tongues of certain ladies," replied -Herr von Walde drily. - -"Ah, how cross you are! Heaven shield us from such an irritable -birthday hero!" cried the lady, shuddering, and retreating a few paces -with a comical assumption of terror. "It was a mistake that we did not -come to you to-day with funereal faces, and muffled to the eyes in black -crape!" - -She pouted, and, taking Hollfeld's arm, would have dragged him forward; -but he, strangely enough, seemed inclined, for the first time in his -life, to set his cousin's wishes at defiance. He walked on slowly, and -as if weary of existence, peering right and left into the bushes, -apparently intensely interested in every stone in the pathway, every -squirrel that ran swiftly past. Then he began a conversation with his -companion, whose answers absorbed his attention so entirely that he -paused and stood still to listen to them. - -Herr von Walde muttered something between his teeth; Elizabeth could not -understand it; but the hostile glance that he cast after his cousin -showed how the behaviour of the latter incensed him. He said not -another word to her. He turned slowly towards her, and she felt that he -continued to regard her steadfastly, but she was unable to lift her eyes -to his. Had she done so he must have discovered on the spot how greatly -she was moved by the strange words that he had just whispered to her -with so much emotion in his voice. One look would have betrayed the -conflict within her, and then,--she could not pursue the thought,--he -would doubtless have repented the simple wish that he had expressed. -Thus deeply agitated, it was natural enough that the young girl's -eyelids fell low over her eyes, and that she failed to observe the -inaudible sigh that escaped her companion, or mark how all signs of -irritation vanished from his features to give place to the shade of -melancholy that was so wont to rest upon his brow. - -A faint and dying trumpet note, which was doubtless the result of the -impatience of the musicians who were waiting upon the roof of the tower, -betrayed the close vicinity of the scene of festivity. And soon a buzz -and noise, as of some neighbouring gypsy encampment, broke upon their -ears; the path grew broader, gay throngs were seen fluttering through -the bushes, and suddenly a loud flourish of bugles and trumpets sounded -over their heads. Elizabeth availed herself of the opportunity to slip -her hand from the arm of her conductor and to lose herself in the crowd -that gathered around the lord of the feast; while a young girl, habited -as a Dryad, and accompanied by four other wood-nymphs, approached, and, -in limping hexameters, welcomed him to the forest. - -"Well, von Walde has gotten rid of his Dulcinea at the right moment. I -don't see the girl at all, now," the Countess Falkenberg whispered -smilingly to Count Wildenau, who was sitting beside her upon a kind of -raised dais, beneath the shade of a group of oaks. "He will never -forgive the baroness and our flippant Cornelia for so stupidly forcing -him into playing the knight, even for a few moments, to such a creature. -My child," and she turned to Helene; seated at her right, who was -anxiously searching the crowd with troubled eyes, "when those people -release him we must take him in here among us, and do everything in our -power to make him forget the provoking beginning of the festival." - -Helene nodded mechanically. Apparently she had only heard half of what -the lady had whispered in her ear. Her poor little figure, enveloped in -a heavy, light-blue silk, leaned helplessly and wearily back in her huge -armchair, and her cheeks were whiter than the lily-wreath that crowned -her brow.' - -Meanwhile Elizabeth had encountered in the throng Dr. Fels and his wife. -The latter immediately took the young girl under her care, that they -might not be separated again. - -"Only stay until the dancing begins," she replied to Elizabeth's remark -that the moment seemed to have arrived when she could slip away -unnoticed, and go home. "I do not wonder that you wish to leave as soon -as possible," she added, with a smile. "We, too, shall not stay long. -I am anxious about my children at home. I made a great sacrifice to my -husband's position in coming at all. Herr von Walde, to whom you are -assigned for the day by lot, does not dance. So never fear, you will be -released." - -Suddenly the crowd separated. From the top of the tower sounded a grand -march, and while the gentlemen sought the shade of the trees, the -ladies, according to the rules of the feast, hastened to provide them -with refreshments from the tent. - -Herr von Walde walked slowly across the sward, his hands clasped behind -him, talking with the military-inspector Busch, by his side. - -"My dear Herr von Walde, now pray come to us!" the Countess Falkenberg -cried out to him, extending her hand with an air almost caressing. "I -have kept such a charming place here for you. Come, rest upon your -well-earned laurels. 'Tis true, all the young ladies present are -disposed of by lot, but here are our fair and lovely wood-nymphs all -ready to wreathe your goblet, and furnish you from the tent with all -that your heart can desire." - -"I am deeply touched by your kindness and care for me, gracious lady," -the gentleman replied, "but I cannot think that Fraeulein Ferber will -leave me to appeal to the general sympathy." - -He spoke loudly, and turned to Elizabeth, who was standing quite near. -She had heard every word, and instantly walked quietly towards him, -placing herself at his side, as though she were by no means inclined to -delegate to others one jot of her duty. As he saw her approach him -thus, something of a joyful surprise lit up his countenance. He cast an -answering glance at the face that, unembarrassed now by those around, -looked smilingly up at him. Strangely enough, he seemed entirely to -forget the charming place that the countess had reserved for him, for, -after a slight obeisance to her stately ladyship and her court of young -ladies, he offered his arm to Elizabeth, and conducted her to the shade -of a giant oak, where Doctor Fels had just provided comfortable places -for his wife and himself. - -"Now, that is carrying his revenge a little too far," said the great -lady, with irritation, turning for sympathy to Count Wildenau and the -five disconcerted Dryads. "He really throws scorn upon the entire fete -by taking so much notice of that young person. I begin to be really -vexed with him. No one is more ready than I to grant that he is -entirely right to be angry, but I really think that he should not allow -himself to be so carried away by his indignation as to forget those of -his guests who have had no share in the absurdities of the baroness or -of von Quittelsdorf. I'll wager that that little fool there attributes -his attentions to the influence of her beautiful eyes." - -The small band of amiable Dryads shot annihilating looks at Elizabeth, -who was quietly proceeding to the refreshment tent, whence she presently -issued with a flask of champagne and four glasses, which she placed upon -the table beneath the oak, where Herr von Walde was sitting with the -doctor and his wife. - -"Our young ladies to-day are wearing perfect flower gardens upon their -heads," said Frau Fels, as the young girl approached the table. -"Fraeulein Ferber alone is as destitute of ornament as Cinderella. I -cannot have it so." - -She took two roses from the large bouquet which she held in her hand, -and stood up to place them in Elizabeth's hair. - -"Stop, I pray you," cried Herr von Walde, detaining her hand, "nothing -should adorn that hair but orange blossoms." - -"But they are only worn by brides," said the doctor's wife naively. - -"I know that well," he replied quietly; and as if he had said the most -natural thing in the world, he filled the glasses, and turned to Dr. -Fels. "Clink glasses with me, doctor," he said; "I drink to the welfare -of the saviour of my life--of Gold Elsie of Castle Gnadeck!" - -The doctor smiled, and the glasses clinked with a loud ring. At this -signal, a group of gentlemen approached, glasses in hand. - -"You come at the right moment, gentlemen," the lord of the feast cried -out to them. "Drink with me to the fulfilment of my dearest wish!" - -A loud "vivat" resounded through the air, and the glasses clinked -merrily. - -"Scandalous!" cried the old court lady, and dropped her fork, with its -choice morsel, upon her plate; "really, they are conducting themselves -over there like students at a carouse! I am positively shocked! What -an unseemly noise! Actually the mob in the street is better behaved -when they shout 'vivats' to our gracious Prince. Apropos, my love," she -continued, turning to Helene, "I observe that your brother seems quite -intimate with Doctor Fels." - -"He esteems him highly as a thoroughly upright man of great scientific -attainments," replied Helene. - -"That is all very well,--but he certainly cannot be aware that the man -just now is in very bad odour at court. Only imagine, he has had the -inconceivable insolence to refuse our beloved Princess Catharine----" - -"Yes; I know that story," said Fraeulein von Walde, interrupting the -irritated lady; "my brother related the circumstance to me himself a few -days ago." - -"How!--is it possible that the facts are known to him, and that he has -so little regard for the sentiments of the court,--which has always -distinguished him so highly! Incredible! I assure you, dear child, my -conscience pricks me sorely; I shall scarcely be able to lift my eyes in -the presence of their Serene Highnesses, when they arrive in L----, at -the thought of having been in the society here of that impertinent -creature." - -Helene shrugged her shoulders, and left the lady to her qualms of -conscience and a brimming glass of champagne, with which she probably -intended to fortify herself in anticipation of the dreaded arrival. - -In the society of this lady Fraeulein von Walde suffered all the galling -annoyance that conventionalities inflict;--she was obliged to listen, -with an amiable and interested smile, to a thousand wretched trifles, -while her heart was tortured with pain; indeed, only just such a person -as the Countess Falkenberg, who sought and found her highest earthly -happiness in a gracious glance from a Princely eye, a person whose whole -intellectual capacity was exercised in standing sentinel before the -domain of etiquette and in guarding religiously the hardly-won prestige -of her social position,--only such a one could have been blind to the -signs of the deepest suffering in the countenance of the younger lady. - -Hollfeld had not only been so inattentive as to leave Helene, upon her -arrival at this spot, to the care of Count Wildenau, he had even, upon -his tardy appearance, omitted all explanation or apology for his delay, -and had finally seated himself beside her in a sullen and abstracted -mood. She thought him strangely altered, and she racked her restless -heart and brain with vain surmises. At first her suspicions rested upon -Cornelie, who, true to her mercurial temperament, fluttered hither and -thither like a will-o'-the-wisp, talking and laughing incessantly. But -she was soon reassured upon this point, for she could not catch a single -glance of Hollfeld's directed towards the coquettish and graceful court -beauty. The anxious inquiries that she made of him were answered in -monosyllables. She beckoned to one of the servants who was bearing past -a tray of delicacies, and herself placed them before Hollfeld,--but he -did not eat a morsel, and only swallowed in quick succession several -glasses of fiery wine which he procured for himself at the refreshment -tent. This careless conduct, which she now observed for the first time, -caused her unspeakable pain. At last she was silent, and closed her -eyes as though fatigued; no one noticed the crystal drops trembling on -their lashes. - -Suddenly a shadow was cast upon the universal merriment, which had been -all the more unrestrained from the fact that the lord of the feast, -usually so grave and serious, had joined in it so cordially,--at least -Elizabeth felt convinced that the face of the butler, Lorenz, who now -appeared in the distance, boded no good. The old man took the greatest -pains to attract his master's attention without being seen by the other -guests. At last he succeeded. Herr von Walde arose, and stepped aside -with him into the thicket, while the group of gentlemen around him -dispersed. He soon returned, with marks of dismay in his countenance. - -"I have just received sad news, which will compel me to leave you -immediately," he said, in a low voice, to the doctor. "Herr von -Hartwig, in Thalleben, one of my oldest friends, has met with a terrible -accident; the injury is fatal; they write me that he cannot live a day -longer. He summons me to him that he may entrust his young children to -my care. I pray you inform the Baroness Lessen of my departure, and its -cause; she will see that the festivities are not interrupted. Let my -sister and my guests suppose that I am called away for a few minutes by -some trifling matter of business, and will return hither shortly. I -shall not be missed after the dancing begins." - -The doctor went instantly to find the baroness. His wife had strayed -away from the spot a few moments before, so Elizabeth was left alone -with Herr von Walde. He turned to her quickly: - -"I thought we should not part from each other to-day without the -conclusion of my birthday greeting," he said, while striving to meet her -eyes, which shyly avoided his, "but I seem to be one of those -unfortunate ones whose unlucky stars snatch from them the prize when it -seems almost within their grasp." He endeavoured to give an air of -humour to his words, but they only sounded the more bitter. "However, I -submit," he continued, in a determined tone; "I must go. It cannot be -helped, but my duty may be made easier and sweeter for me by a promise -from you. Do you remember the words which you lately repeated after -me?" - -"I do not forget so quickly." - -"Ah, that encourages me greatly! There is a fairy tale which tells of a -realm of inexhaustible riches and endless delights, revealed by a single -word. Such a word the conclusion of your greeting can be to me. Will -you aid me in having it uttered?" - -"How can I help you to the attainment of riches and delights?" - -"That is my affair. I do most earnestly entreat you at this moment to -make no further attempt at evasion, for time presses. Let me ask -you,--will you endeavour to retain in your memory, during my absence, -the beginning of that birthday greeting?" - -"Yes." - -"And will you be ready, when I return, to hear the conclusion?" - -"Yes." - -"Good; in the midst of the sorrow and gloom to which I am summoned there -will be a glimpse of clear blue sky above me, and for you----may my good -angel whisper in your ear the word that will unlock that fairy realm for -me. Farewell!" - -He gave her his hand, and disappeared upon the path leading directly to -the castle. - -Elizabeth stood still for a few moments in a state of delicious -stupefaction, from which she was roused by the surprise of the doctor's -wife at finding the gentlemen gone. Elizabeth told her what had -happened, and the doctor shortly returned and related that the baroness -had been greatly piqued that her cousin had not considered it worth his -while to inform her in person of the cause of his departure. The -unlucky doctor had been obliged to bear the brunt of the lady's ill -humour, which had vented itself in several biting remarks, but he had -been so discourteous as to allow them to pass him by without in the -least disturbing his serenity. He seated himself at the table and began -to eat with an excellent appetite. - -Meanwhile Elizabeth went to take leave of Fraeulein von Walde. There -was nothing now to detain her any longer. She longed to be alone with -her thoughts, to recall undisturbed every word that he had spoken, and -to ponder upon its meaning. - -"Are you going?" asked Helene, as Elizabeth stood behind her chair and -bade her farewell. "What does my brother say to that?" - -"Rudolph has been summoned to the castle upon some business matter," the -baroness, who just now appeared, answered in Elizabeth's stead. -"Fraeulein Ferber is released from all necessity of remaining any -longer." - -Helene cast a glance of displeasure at the speaker. "I cannot see why," -she said. "His business cannot detain him long, he will certainly -return." - -"Probably," rejoined the baroness; "but he may be delayed quite late. -Fraeulein Ferber, meanwhile, will be very much fatigued in a circle -where she is such an utter stranger." - -"Has my brother released you?" Helene turned to Elizabeth, hardly -allowing the baroness to complete her sentence. - -"Yes," answered she, "and I pray you to allow me to take my departure." - -During this short dialogue the Countess Falkenberg leaned back and -measured Elizabeth from head to foot with her cold, piercing eyes; but -Hollfeld arose and departed without saying a word. Fraeulein von Walde -looked after him with an air of anxious discontent, and at first did not -reply to Elizabeth's request; but at last, with evident absence of mind, -she held out her hand and said, "Well, then, go, dear child, and a -thousand thanks for your kind assistance to-day." - -Elizabeth took a hasty leave of Doctor Fels and his wife, and then -entered the forest with a light heart. - -She breathed more freely as the throng was left behind her, and as a few -sounding chords concluded the waltz whose bewildering notes had for a -short distance accompanied her. She could now yield herself up -undisturbed to the magic that had laid so sweet a spell upon her entire -mind and being, and forced her to listen still to the tones of that -voice which had died upon her ear, ensnaring her heart with its -thrilling melody, and at the sound of which all the suggestions of -maidenly reserve, all the arguments of her understanding, vanished. She -called to mind how passively she had followed him, although her deeply -offended pride had prompted her instantly to leave the circle where she -seemed to be so unwelcome a guest; she still experienced the delight -with which she had hastened to his side when he had so emphatically -declared, before all present, that he belonged to her for the day, and -would accept of no substitute in her place. He might have conducted her -to the end of the world,--she would have followed him blindly with -unhesitating reliance and the most entire abandonment of herself to his -guidance. And her parents? She understood now how a daughter could -forsake father and mother to follow a man whose path in life had been -widely separated from her own, leading, perhaps, in directly an opposite -direction,--a man who had known nothing of the inclinations, influences, -occurrences great and small, by which every fibre of her life had been -previously intertwined with the life of her family. Two months before, -all this would have been an inexplicable riddle to her. - -She turned into a path which she had often trodden with Miss Mertens. -It led, by many a narrow winding, through the thicket, out upon the -broad path which traversed the forest, and for some distance formed the -boundary line between the Prince's domain and the estate of Herr von -Walde. On the other side of this broad path opened the wide road which -led through the forest to her uncle's Lodge. - -Lost in her day-dreams, Elizabeth did not hear the sound of hasty -footsteps approaching; she therefore started in alarm when she heard her -name pronounced, close to her, by a man's voice. Hollfeld stood just -behind her. She suspected why he had followed her, and she felt her -heart beat quickly, but she collected herself, and, standing aside, made -room for him to pass her in the narrow pathway. - -"No, that was not what I wished, Fraeulein Ferber," he said smiling, and -in a tone of such familiarity as deeply offended her. "I wished to have -the pleasure of accompanying you." - -"I thank you," she coldly replied, "it would be giving you needless -trouble; I always greatly prefer walking alone in the forest." - -"And have you no fear?" he asked, stepping so close to her that she felt -his hot breath upon her cheek. - -"Only of unwelcome companionship," she replied, retaining her -self-possession by an effort. - -"Ah! here is the same dignified reserve again in which you always -entrench yourself with me; and wherefore? I shall soon put an end to it, -however. To-day, at least, I shall not respect it as I have hitherto -been forced to do,--I must speak to you." - -"Is what you have to say of such consequence as to require you to absent -yourself from your friends and the fete?" - -"Yes; it is a wish upon which my life depends; it pursues me day and -night; I have been ill and wretched at the idea that it may never be -gratified--I----" - -In the mean time Elizabeth had accelerated her pace. It was hateful to -her,--the presence of this man, in whose eyes glowed all the passion -which he had hitherto partly repressed and which had already inspired -her with such deep aversion and disgust; but she was perfectly conscious -that absolute self-possession was her only weapon, and therefore she -interrupted him, while her lips quivered with the sickly semblance of a -smile. - -"Ah!" she said, "our practisings, then, have had most desirable results; -you wish my assistance in music, if I understand you rightly?" - -"You misunderstand me intentionally," he exclaimed. - -"Accept the misunderstanding as an act of forbearance on my part," said -Elizabeth seriously; "I should else be obliged to say much to you which -it might please you still less to hear." - -"Go on, I pray. I know your sex sufficiently well to be quite aware -that they delight in wearing the mask of coldness and reserve for -awhile,--their favours are all the more welcome. I do not grudge you -the pleasure of this innocent coquetry, but then----" - -Elizabeth stood for one moment dumb and stupefied at his insolence; such -hateful words had never before shocked her ears. Shame and indignation -drove the blood to her face, and she sought in vain for terms in which -to punish such unexampled temerity. He interpreted her silence -otherwise. - -"I knew it," he cried triumphantly. "I see through you; the blush of -detection becomes you incomparably! You are beautiful as an angel! -Never have I seen so perfect a form as yours! Ah! you know well enough -that you made me your slave the first time I saw you; since then, I have -languished at your feet. What shoulders and what arms! Why have you -hitherto veiled them so enviously?" - -An indignant exclamation broke from Elizabeth's lips: - -"How dare you," she cried loudly and violently, "offer me these insults! -If you have not understood me hitherto, let me tell you now, clearly and -distinctly, that your society, which you force upon me thus, is hateful -to me, and that I wish to be alone." - -"Bravo! that authoritative tone becomes you excellently well," he said, -with a sneer; "the noble blood that you inherit from your mother shows -itself now. What have I done to make you suddenly play this indignant -part? I have told you that you are beautiful, but your mirror must tell -you the same thing fifty times a day, and I do not believe that you -break it for the telling." - -Elizabeth turned her back upon him contemptuously, and walked quickly -onward. He kept pace with her, and seemed quite sure of a final -victory. She had just reached the broad forest-road when a carriage -dashed past. A man's head appeared at the window, but at sight of her -was drawn back quickly, as though surprised. He looked out once more, as -if to convince himself that he had seen correctly, and then the carriage -vanished around a sharp turn in the road. - -Elizabeth involuntarily extended her arms after the retreating carriage. -Its inmate well knew how she detested Hollfeld; after the declaration -that she had made to him a few hours before, how could he doubt that she -was most unwillingly in the society of this man? Could he not delay his -journey for one moment, to free her from such odious importunity? - -Hollfeld observed her action. - -"Aha!" he cried, with a malicious laugh, "that looked almost tender. If -it were not for my cousin's seven and thirty years, I might actually be -jealous! Perhaps you supposed that he would immediately descend from -his vehicle and gallantly offer you his arm to escort you to your home! -You see he is too conscientious; he denies himself that indulgence, and -prefers to fulfil a sacred duty. He is an iceberg, for whom no woman -possesses a single charm. You owe his behaviour to you to-day, which -was so very courteous, not to your enchanting eyes, O bewitching Gold -Elsie, but to his desire to provoke my honoured mamma." - -"And does nothing deter you from ascribing such mean motives to the man -whose hospitality you enjoy so freely?" cried Elizabeth, provoked. She -had determined not to reply to him again by a single syllable, in hopes -that she might thus weary out his pertinacity; but the manner in which -he spoke of Herr von Walde overcame her self-control. - -"Mean?" he repeated. "You express yourself strongly. I only call it a -little revenge which he was fully justified in taking. And as for his -hospitality,--I am only using now what will be all my own at some future -period; I cannot see that it should alter my opinion of my cousin. -Besides, I am the one to sacrifice myself, I deserve all the gratitude. -Is my devotion and attention to Fraeulein von Walde to go for nothing?" - -"It must be a hard task to pluck a few flowers and carry them to a poor -invalid!" said Elizabeth ironically. - -"Aha! you are, as I am happy to observe, jealous of these little -attentions of mine," he cried triumphantly. "Did you seriously suppose -for one moment that I could really be in love with her, while my sense -of beauty was so perpetually outraged? I esteem my cousin, but I never -forget for one instant that she is a year older than I, that she limps, -is crooked, and----" - -"Detestable!" Elizabeth interrupted him, beside herself with the -abhorrence he inspired; she hastily crossed the broad forest-road. He -followed her. - -"Detestable, say I, too," he continued, endeavouring to keep pace with -her; "especially when I see your Hebeform by her side. And now I beg -you, do not run so fast; let there be the peace between us of which I -dream day and night." - -He suddenly passed his arm around her waist and forced her to stand -still, while his glowing face, with eyes sparkling with unholy fire, -approached her own. At first she gazed at him speechless and stupefied, -then a shudder convulsed her frame, and with a gesture of utter aversion -she pushed him from her. - -"Don't dare to touch me again!" she cried in a clear ringing voice,--and -at the same moment she heard the loud barking of a dog near her. She -turned her head in joyful surprise towards the spot whence the noise -proceeded. - -"Hector! Hector! here, good dog!" she called; and the forester's huge -hound burst through the thicket and fawned upon her. - -"My uncle is not far off," she turned coldly and quietly to her -discomfited companion; "he will be here in a moment. As you can hardly -desire that I should request him to rid me of your society, I advise you -to return immediately to the castle." - -And, in fact, he stood still like a coward, while she, accompanied by -the dog, proceeded towards her home. Hollfeld stamped his feet in his -rage, and cursed the blind passion that had robbed him of all prudence. -He did not for one instant imagine that he could really be disagreeable -to Elizabeth,--he, the pet of society, whose slightest word, were it -only an invitation to dance, made such a sensation in the little world -of L----, and was so often an occasion of envy and discord among the -ladies! The idea was absurd. It was far more likely that the daughter -of the forester's clerk was a coquette, who intended to make conquest as -difficult as possible for him. He had no faith in the existence of that -virgin purity of soul which made Elizabeth thus insensible, and the -magic of which affected even him most powerfully, although he did not -understand its influence. He had no faith in the sacred reserve of a -young girl's inner life, and therefore could not possibly conceive of -the instinctive aversion which his selfish, unprincipled nature -inspired. He reproached himself angrily for having been too sudden and -violent, thus defeating his own ends, and deferring indefinitely the -accomplishment of his hopes. He wandered about in the forest for an -hour before he could master his emotions; for the guests, who were still -dancing on the green before the convent tower whence the gay music -reached his ears, must not suspect the volcano seething beneath that -cold and interesting exterior. - -Elizabeth had apparently walked away with a firm, decided step, but she -took care to look neither to the right nor the left, lest she should -suddenly see his hated face beside her. At last she ventured to stand -still and look around her. He had disappeared. With a sigh of relief, -she leaned against the trunk of a tree to collect her thoughts, while -Hector stood beside her sagely wagging his tail, seeming thoroughly to -understand that he was playing the part of her protector. Doubtless he -had been taking a forest walk for his own amusement, for there were no -signs of his master. Elizabeth felt her knees tremble beneath her. Her -terror, when Hollfeld had clasped her waist, had been extreme. In her -innocence she had never imagined such rudeness, and hence his sudden -touch had made her for one moment rigid with horror. She shed bitter -tears of shame as she recalled Herr von Walde's image, not clothed in -the gentleness of the last few hours, but stern and reserved. She -thought she should scarcely dare ever to look up at him again since that -wretch had touched her. All her happy visions lay shattered at her -feet. This unhappy encounter with Hollfeld had ruthlessly brought her -back to reality. What he had said of Herr von Walde, coarse and -slanderous as it was, had revived much in her mind which she had once -believed, and considered as a bar to her growing interest in him. She -thought of his invincible pride of descent, of his self-renouncing love -for his sister, and of the universal opinion that his heart was cold as -ice where women were concerned. All the gay brilliant dreams which had -hovered around her path through the forest now folded their wings and -vanished beneath the searching gaze of her awakened consciousness. She -could hardly tell what it was that formerly made her so happy. Was it -not most likely that only a strong sense of justice had induced him to -show her such gentle kindness and consideration to-day,--to protect her -from the insolent annoyance of his relatives? Had he not in like manner -protected Miss Mertens, and endeavoured to indemnify her for the -injustice that she had encountered beneath his roof? And the birthday -greeting! Ah, she must not think of that, or its unfinished conclusion, -for then all her dead visions would instantly celebrate a blissful -resurrection! - -As she entered the Lodge Sabina came towards her, pale as ashes, in -great distress. She pointed mutely to the door of the dwelling-room. -Within the apartment her uncle was speaking loudly, while he was pacing -heavily to and fro. - -"Oh dear! oh dear!" whispered Sabina, "everything is going wrong in -there. Bertha has kept out of your uncle's way most carefully for the -last few weeks, but a little while ago she was standing at the great -door and did not see that he was coming into the yard. He gave her no -time to run off, but took her by the hand and led her instantly into the -room there. She was as white as the wall, in her fear of him,--but that -didn't help her,--go she must. Ah, Lord have mercy upon me! I should -not like to have the Herr Forester for a father confessor----" - -A loud burst of sobbing, that sounded almost like a stifled shriek, -interrupted Sabina's whispering. - -"Better so!" they now heard the forester say in a far gentler tone of -voice; "at least that is a sign that you are not quite hardened. And -now speak out! Remember that I stand here in place of your good -parents. If you have a sorrow confide it to me; be sure that if it has -befallen you without fault on your part, I will faithfully assist you to -bear it." - -Only stifled sobs ensued. - -"You cannot speak?" asked the forester after a short pause. "I know of -a certainty that there is no physical obstacle in the way of your -speaking, for you talk to yourself continually when you believe yourself -unobserved; you must be putting some force upon yourself,--have you made -a vow against the use of your tongue?" - -Probably an assenting nod must have confirmed him in this supposition, -for he continued, with great irritation, "What an insane idea! Do you -suppose that you can do your Heavenly Father good service by renouncing -one of his best gifts, the power of speech? And are you going to be -silent all your life long? No! You will speak, then, if that which you -hope to effect by means of your vow fails to come to pass? Very well, I -cannot force you to speak,--then endure alone what depresses you and -makes you so unhappy, for that you are unhappy any one can read in your -face. But let me tell you that you will find an inexorable judge in me, -if it should ever appear that you have done anything that shuns the -light and should not be told to honest men; for in your boundless -arrogance you have hitherto rejected every well-meant piece of advice, -every attempt to guide and direct you, making it impossible for me to -care for you as it is my duty and desire, standing as I do in the place -of your parents. I will bear with you a little longer; but should I -find you once leaving the house after nightfall, this is your home no -longer,--you must go. And let me tell you also, to-morrow I shall send -for the doctor to tell me whether you are really ailing; you have looked -wretchedly for the last few weeks. Now go!" - -The door opened, and Bertha staggered out. She did not notice Sabina -and Elizabeth, and when she heard the door close behind her, she -suddenly wrung her hands above her head in the speechless agony of -despair, and rushed up the stairs as though hunted by the furies. - -"That girl has something on her conscience, whatever it may be," said -Sabina, shaking her head. Elizabeth went in to her uncle. He was -leaning against the window, and drumming upon one of the panes with his -fingers, a common habit with him when irritated. He looked very gloomy, -but his features lighted up as Elizabeth entered. - -"I'm glad you are come, Gold Elsie!" he exclaimed; "I need to see some -true, pure face beside me; I shudder at the black eyes of that girl who -has just gone out. Never mind, I have taken up my domestic cross again, -and shall bear it on for awhile; I cannot see the child cry, even though -I were sure that the effect of every tear was exactly calculated." - -Elizabeth was heartily glad that the dreaded encounter between Bertha -and her uncle was well over. She hastened to divert his thoughts -entirely from the unfortunate girl by describing to him the festivities -she had just witnessed, telling him cursorily of Herr von Walde's sudden -departure. She informed him also of Linke's dreadful end, at which, -however, he was not greatly surprised, as he had expected some such -termination to the affair. - -He accompanied Elizabeth to the garden gate. - -"Be very careful not to ring too loudly at the gate in the wall," he -warned her as she left him. "Your mother had an attack of headache -to-day, and has gone to bed. I was up there a little while ago." - -Elizabeth ran up the mountain in some anxiety, but Miss Mertens, leading -little Ernst by the hand, came to meet her on the sward before the -castle, and soothed her fears. The attack was over, and her mother was -enjoying a refreshing sleep when Elizabeth softly went to her bedside. - -It was already twilight; the most profound quiet reigned throughout the -house,--the striking clocks had been stopped,--the window shutters were -closed that the rustling of the leaves without might not be heard,--not -even a fly buzzed,--for Ferber had tenderly taken care that nothing -should disturb the stillness that surrounded the sleeper. - -If her mother had been sitting in her arm-chair in the window recess of -the dwelling-room behind the protecting curtains, looking upon the green -domain without, above which stretched the calm evening skies,--the dear -familiar corner would have become a confessional, where Elizabeth, -kneeling upon the cushion at her mother's feet, would have poured out -her overcharged mind and heart. But now she thrust back her precious -secret into the inmost recesses of her soul: and who knows whether she -will ever find courage to reveal what must fill her mother's heart with -the keenest anxiety? - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - -The ruins of Gnadeck might well listen in amazement to the strange noise -which had resounded through their crumbling walls from the first peep of -dawn. It was not the familiar sound of destruction caused by furious -storms, or the melting of the snow when spring appeared. Then the water -softly excavated little gutters between the stones, and lifted from its -niche, without any other warning, one block of granite after another, -that, the instant before its final downfall, looked proudly and -threateningly down upon the world; for its overthrow had been planned -more secretly than that of a royal favourite or an unpopular ministry. -And then a violent storm would arise some midnight,--a mighty crash -would come, and the rays of the rising sun would wander for the first -time over walls and floors that they had never touched before. There -would be a huge pile of masonry heaped upon the pavement, and all -through the day, with every gentle breeze, broken bits of mortar and -little rills of sand would trickle down from the wound; but before long, -tender grass would sprout from the jagged edges, and years, long years, -would again ensue before the mischievous water beneath the green garment -would prepare a new victim for the tempest. It was a slow, scarcely -perceptible decline. The ruins might be as easy as the invalid whose -disease, though incurable, may permit him to rival the Old Testament -patriarchs in length of days. - -It was human hands to-day that were effecting the work of destruction. -With incredible speed and activity they dislodged stone after stone. -The old jutty, which had advanced so boldly for years, like a valiant -sentinel keeping watch before this wing of the castle, presented a most -deplorable appearance. It had already been shorn of much of its height; -its ivy mantle was torn, and dark window niches and mossy masonry came -to light, which, perhaps, once were rich in stone carving. The workmen -were very diligent. It interested them greatly, hazardous as was their -task, to obtain a glimpse down into the dark nooks and corners of the -old pile, that popular superstition had peopled with countless ghastly -apparitions. - -In the afternoon, Frau Ferber was sitting upon the shady rampart with -Miss Mertens and Elizabeth, when Reinhard, who, always made his -appearance at a certain hour of the day, interrupted their reading. He -announced that Linke's body had been committed to the earth as privately -as possible that morning, and that Fraeulein von Walde had learned, -through the carelessness of a servant, of the attempt upon her brother's -life. But he remarked, with some bitterness, that Herr von Walde's -anxiety, lest his sister's fright upon hearing of the assault should -have disastrous consequences, had been wholly unnecessary, since the -lady had heard of it with entire composure, and even the terrible -accident that had befallen Herr von Hartwig, whose wife was one of her -friends, had apparently produced very little impression upon her. "But -if the life of her fair-haired favourite had been in danger," he -declared angrily, "she would most certainly have torn her chestnut -curls. That Herr von Hollfeld is utterly odious to me! He has been -walking about the house to-day, looking as if he would like to poison us -all. I'll wager that this charming mood of his is the cause of -Fraeulein von Walde's red and swollen eyes, which she tried to conceal -from me when I met her in the garden just now." - -At the mention of the hated name, Elizabeth bent low over her work. The -blood rushed to her face at the thought of Hollfeld's insolence the day -before, of which she had not yet told her mother, for fear that it might -cause a return of her headache; and perhaps there were other reasons for -her silence; but she would not acknowledge to herself how much she -dreaded lest her parents, upon learning of Hollfeld's rudeness, should -prohibit her from going to Lindhof again, in which case all chance of -seeing Herr von Walde would be at an end. - -In the mean time, the destruction of the jutty was going on -uninterruptedly. After awhile Ferber entered the garden. He had been -to the Lodge, and had brought the forester home with him to take coffee. -Ernst came running to them in a great state of excitement. The child -had obediently forborne to transgress the bounds which his father had -set for him, that he might not be exposed to danger; but he had been -looking on from his post of observation, following the progress of the -workmen with the greatest interest. - -"Papa! papa!" he cried, "the mason wants to speak to you,--come right -away; he says he has found something!" - -And in fact one of the workmen made signs to the brothers to come -nearer. - -"We have come to what seems to be a small chamber," the man called down -to them, "and, as well as I can see, there is a coffin in it. Will you -not examine into the matter, Herr Ferber, before we proceed? You can -come up here with entire safety; we have firm foothold." - -Reinhard had heard the call and came hastily down the terrace steps. A -concealed apartment, containing a coffin!--the words were music to his -antiquarian ears. - -The three men cautiously ascended the ladder. - -The workmen were standing just where the huge jutty sprang forth from -the main building, and they pointed down to a tolerably large opening at -their feet. Until now they had come upon no room that had been closed; -the roof of the main building was partly gone, and standing upon this -spot, you could look in all directions through a labyrinth of open -rooms, half ruinous passages, and through great gaps in the floors down -into the castle chapel. The old ruins did not seem half so desolate -from within as from without; the blue heavens peeped in everywhere, and -the fresh breeze swept through as often as it would. But now a space -suddenly appeared at their feet surrounded by firm walls, and covered by -a tolerably well-preserved ceiling. As well as they could judge from -where they stood, the room lay like a wedge between the chapel and the -space behind. At all events, there must be a window somewhere at the -extreme corner formed by the wall of the jutty and that of the main -building, for from that direction a weak reflection streamed in through -coloured glass, and flickered upon the object which was dimly visible, -and which the masons took for a coffin. - -Immediately a ladder of greater length was procured, as the room was -quite a high one, and one by one all went down in a state of -highly-wrought expectation. In descending, there was within reach a -wainscoted wall almost black with age. The profusion of strange, rich -carving that adorned it startled the eye. Close to the ceiling a plain -strip of wood, of much more modern date, had been nailed, upon which -were still hanging some rags of black cloth; while the rest of what had -once been the mourning drapery of the apartment lay in mouldering, -shapeless heaps upon the floor. - -Doubtless concealment had been the purpose of the room from the -beginning, for there had been no heed paid to symmetry of form in its -construction. It represented an irregular triangle, and in one somewhat -rounded corner was the very small window whose existence they had -suspected. It lay so close to the chapel that Reinhard's supposition -that in old Catholic times the church treasures had been secreted here -seemed most probable; all the more so as on one side five or six worn -stone steps led down to a door in the chapel wall, which had been walled -up from within. The window was just behind the evergreen oak, which -pressed its thick branches against it, and the ivy had twined a tender -lattice-work across the panes; but nevertheless the sun stole through -the coloured glass in the graceful, delicate stone rosette, which was in -a state of perfect preservation. - -It was in fact a coffin,--a small, narrow, leaden coffin,--standing out -in strong contrast with the black velvet covering of its pedestal, which -was thus found lonely and forgotten within these three walls. At its -head was a huge candelabrum, in the branches of which were still to be -seen the remains of wax candles; but at its foot was a footstool, upon -which lay a mandolin, its strings all broken. It had been an old -instrument in the hands of its last possessor, for the black colour of -its neck was worn away in spots, and the sounding-board was slightly -hollowed where the player had pressed her little fingers. At the -approach of the intruders the last fragments of the withered heap of -flowers fluttered down from the coffin, upon whose lid in gilt letters -was inscribed the name "Lila." - -Set in the thick wall of the most extensive side of the apartment was a -kind of press, of dark oak, which Reinhard at first supposed had been -appropriated to the safe-keeping of the priestly robes and ornaments. -He opened the doors, which stood ajar; as they shook in opening there -was a rustle within, and little clouds of dust flew forth from a -quantity of female garments hanging inside. They formed a strange, -fantastic wardrobe,--gay, and most coquettish in fashion, they -contrasted oddly enough with the grave solemnity of their surroundings. - -She who had worn these garments must have been a wonderfully small and -delicate creature, for the silk skirts,--most of them bordered with -embroidery in gold thread,--were as short as though made for a child; -and the shape of the black and violet velvet bodices, with their silken -ribbons and tinsel trimmings, must have fitted an exquisite, pliant, -maiden waist. Many, many years must have elapsed since a human being -had breathed within these walls,--since any hand warm with life had -touched these hidden objects. The hooks in the press had, in some -cases, pierced the mouldering stuffs; and the threads, which had once -confined the pearls and spangles of the trimming, hung loose and broken. - -Against one wall was placed a little table with a stone top. Its legs, -grown weak with age, appeared scarcely able to sustain it, and it leaned -forward, endangering the safety of a casket that stood upon it. This -casket was a master-piece of workmanship in ivory and gold. The cover -did not seem to be locked; it looked rather as if it had been lightly -closed, in order to preserve a broad parchment which projected from the -box and had obviously been arranged with the view of attracting -attention. It was yellow with age and covered deep,--as was all -else,--with dust; but the large, stiff, black characters upon it were -distinctly visible, and the name, "Jost von Gnadewitz," was perfectly -legible. - -"Good Heavens! what have we here?" cried the forester, whose speech -almost failed him with amazement "Jost von Gnadewitz!--the hero of -Sabina's tale of her great-grandmother!" - -Ferber approached the table, and carefully raised the cover of the -casket. Within, upon a dark velvet cushion, lay ornaments of antique -workmanship, bracelets, brooches, a necklace of gold coins, and several -strings of costly pearls. - -The parchment had fallen to the ground. Reinhard picked it up, and -offered to read the contents aloud. It was, even for the time when it -had been composed,--about two hundred years before,--very clumsily -written, and very badly spelled. The writer had evidently understood -how to wield the hunting-spear better than the pen,--nevertheless an air -of poesy breathed through the lines. They ran thus: - -"Whoever you may be who are the first to enter this room, by all that is -sacred to you, by everything that you love or that has a home in your -heart, do not disturb her repose. She lies there sleeping like a child. -The sweet face beneath the dark curls smiles again now that death has -touched it. Once more, whoever you are, whether noble or beggar, -descendant of hers or not, let my eyes be the last to rest upon her! - -"I could not lay her in the dark, cold ground. Here the golden light -will play around her, and birds will alight upon the branches of the -tree outside with the breath of the forest ruffling their feathers, -while the songs that hushed her in her cradle gush from their throats. - -"The golden sunlight was quivering in the forest, and the birds were -singing in the trees, when the graceful roe parted the bushes, and gazed -with shy, startled eyes at the young huntsman who was lying in the -shade. His heart beat quickly and wildly at sight of her; he threw his -weapons from him, and pursued the maiden-form that fled before him. -She, the child of the forest, a daughter of that people which the curse -of God pursues making them wanderers upon the face of the earth, with no -home for their weary feet, not a foot of land that they can call their -own whereon to lay their dying heads,--she had vanquished the heart of -the proud, fierce huntsman. Suing for her love, he haunted the camp of -her tribe, day and night; he followed her footsteps like a dog, and -entreated her passionately until she was touched, to leave her people -and fly with him in secret. In the silence of night he bore her away to -his castle, and, alas! became her murderer. He did not heed her -prayers, when she was suddenly seized by the uncontrollable longing for -her forest liberty. As the prisoned bird flutters wildly about its -cage, beating its delicate wings against the confining wires, so she -wandered in despair through the halls which had once resounded to her -intoxicating song and the delicious music of her lute, but which now -only echoed to her sighs and complaints. He saw her cheeks grow pale, -saw her eyes averted from him in hate; his heart died a thousand deaths -when she thrust him from her, and shuddered at his touch; despair -possessed him, but he doubly bolted every door, and guarded them in -deadly terror, for he knew that she was lost to him forever if once -again her foot should press the woodland turf. And then there came a -time when she grew less restless,--'tis true she glided past him as -though he were a shadow, a nothing,--she never lifted her eyes when he -approached her and addressed her in the tenderest tones of entreaty,--it -was long since she had spoken to him, and still no words passed her -lips; but she no longer beat her tiny hands against the window-bars, -tearing her hair, and calling with shrill shrieks upon those who passed -through the forest without, enjoying all the sweets of liberty. She no -longer fled madly, like some hunted thing, through halls and corridors, -nor mounted the castle wall to throw her fair body into the gloomy -waters of the moat. She sat beneath the evergreen oak with a sad, -patient look upon her lily-white face; she knew of the life within her -own,--she was about to become a mother. And when night came, and the -huntsman bore her up the broad stairway in his arms,--she did not -resist, but she turned her face from him, that his breath might not -touch her cheek, that no glance of his loving eyes might fall upon her. - -"And one day the pastor of Lindhof came to the castle. The people -declared that Jost, a lamb of his flock, had dealings with the devil, -and he came to rescue the lost soul. He was admitted, and saw the -creature for whose sake the wild huntsman had renounced his merry life -in the forest, and heaven itself. Her beauty and purity touched him. -He spoke to her in gentle tones, and her heart, paralyzed with -suffering, melted at his addresses. For the sake of the child that was -to come, she was baptized, and the unholy tie that had bound her to her -lover was hallowed by the sanction of the church. And when her dark -hour of pain had passed, she pressed her cold lips upon the brow of her -child, and, with that kiss, her spirit burst its bonds,--she was free, -free! The triumph of that moment transfigured the earthly tenement from -which the soul had departed. The wretched man saw those glorious eyes -darken in death; he writhed at her feet in an agony of remorse and -despair, and implored her in vain for only one last glance of love. - -"The boy was christened, and received his father's name,--my baptismal -name. I gazed with a shudder into his eyes,--they are my eyes. -Together we have murdered her. My old servant, Simon, has taken the boy -away. I cannot live for him. Simon says, and the pastor also, that no -woman can be found willing to nourish my child at her breast, for, in -the eyes of the people I am lost,--doomed eternally to hell-torments. -The wife of my forester, Ferber, has adopted the child without knowing -whence it comes----" - -Here the reader paused, and looked up over the parchment at the -brothers. The forester, who, until now, had been leaning against the -opposite wall listening with the greatest attention, suddenly stood by -his side, and clutched his arm convulsively. The colour left his -sun-burnt cheeks for one moment. It seemed as if his heart ceased to -beat, so great was his agitation. And Ferber also drew near, testifying -in his face and gestures extreme surprise. - -"Go on, go on!" cried the forester at last, in stifled accents. - -"Simon laid him upon the threshold of the forest lodge," Reinhard read -further, "and to-day he saw Ferber's wife kissing and tending him like -her own little girl. By the laws of my family, he has no claim upon the -Gnadewitz estate, but my maternal inheritance will preserve him from -want. My directions I have confided, in a sealed packet, deposited in -the town-house at L----, to the public authorities. They will -substantiate his claim to be my son and heir. May he, as Hans Jost von -Gnadewitz, found a new race. The Almighty will provide kind hearts to -protect his youth,--I cannot. - -"Everything which adorned that lovely form in happier days shall -surround it in death, and yield to the same decay. Her child has a -claim upon her jewels, but my heart revolts at the thought that what has -rested upon her dazzling brow, her pure neck, may perhaps be torn -asunder and desecrated by faithless hands. Better to leave all here to -fade and fall to ruin. - -"Once more I implore you, whom chance may lead to this sanctuary, after -the lapse of centuries perhaps,--honour the dead, and pray for me, - -"JOST VON GNADEWITZ." - - -The two brothers clasped each other's hands, and, without a word, -approached the coffin. In their veins flowed the blood of that strange -being who had once kindled to a flame the heart of the fierce, proud -lord of the castle,--of that woman whose ardent soul, thirsting for -freedom, exultingly fled from the idolized body which had crumbled to a -little heap of ashes here in its narrow leaden tomb. Two tall figures -stood there, descendants of him who, with his dying mother's -consecrating kiss upon his brow, was borne out into the forest, and laid -upon the low threshold of a servant, while his nobly-born father, -despair in his heart, rushed madly to death. - -"She was the mother of our race," Ferber said at last, with much -emotion, to Reinhard. "We are the descendants of the foundling whose -parentage has been a mystery until this hour, for the papers which would -have established him in his rights were destroyed when the townhouse at -L---- was burned down. We must suspend work here for a few days," he -said, turning to one of the masons, who, prompted by a pardonable -curiosity, had descended the ladder half way, and, from this post of -observation, had listened in speechless amazement to the unfolding of a -tale which would afford a subject for winter evenings in the large, -peasant spinning-rooms, for a long time to come. - -"Instead, you must prepare a grave to-morrow in the church-yard at -Lindhof," the forester called up to him; "I will speak to the pastor -about it afterwards." - -He went again to the press, and looked at the garments that had once -enveloped the delicate limbs of the gypsy maiden, and had evidently been -adjusted with great care, that they might recall the times when they had -been seen upon the beautiful Lila by the enraptured eyes of her lover. -Upon the floor of the press were ranged shoes. The forester took up a -pair of them; they were scarcely longer than the width of his broad -hand,--only Cinderella's feet could ever have worn them. - -"I will take these to Elsie," he said, smiling, holding them carefully -between his forefinger and thumb, "she will be surprised to find what a -Liliputian her ancestress was." - -Meanwhile Ferber, after brushing the dust from the mandolin, took it -carefully under his arm, while Reinhard closed the jewel-box and lifted -it from the table by the exquisitely wrought handle on the lid. Thus -the three men ascended the ladder again. Arrived at the top, all the -boards that they could procure were placed over the opening, so as to -afford a temporary protection from wind and rain, and then they -descended from their perilous position upon the summit of the ruin. - -Below, the ladies had been awaiting them for some time, in a state of -great expectation, and were not a little surprised at the strange -procession that descended the ladder. But not one word did they learn -of what had been seen or heard, until the whole party were once more -seated beneath the linden. Then Reinhard placed the casket upon the -table, described minutely the hidden apartment and its contents, and, at -last producing the parchment, read again what we have already learned; -of course with far greater fluency than before. - -In breathless silence the ladies listened to these outpourings of a -passionate, burning heart. Elizabeth sat pale and still; but when -Reinhard came to the words that suddenly threw such a glare of light -upon the dim past of her family, she started up, and her eyes rested in -speechless surprise upon the smiling face of her uncle, who was -observing her narrowly. Even Frau Ferber sat for awhile after the -reader had finished, fairly dumb with amazement. To her clear, calm -mind, accustomed to reason carefully, this romantic solution of family -questions, which had been unanswered for centuries, was almost -incomprehensible. But Miss Mertens, to whom the whole bearing of the -discovery was explained by Ferber, as she did not even know the story of -the foundling, clapped her hands above her head at such a revelation. - -"And does not this parchment give you a claim to your inheritance?" she -asked quickly and eagerly. - -"Undoubtedly," replied Ferber, "but how can we tell in what that -maternal inheritance consisted? The family has died out, the very name -of Gnadewitz is extinct. Everything has passed into strange hands; who -can tell to what we may lay claim?" - -"No, let all that rest," said the forester with decision; "such matters -cost money, and in the end we might come into possession of only a few -thalers. Oh no! let it go! We have not starved yet." - -Elizabeth musingly took up the shoes which her uncle had placed before -her. The faded silk of which they were made was torn here and there, -and showed perfectly the shape of the foot. They had been much worn, -but not apparently upon the soil of the forest; the soles showed no -traces of such contact; probably they had covered the restless feet at -the time of her imprisonment, "when she fled madly through halls and -corridors like some hunted thing." - -"Aha! Elsie, now we know where you got your slender waist and those -feet that trip over the sward, scarcely bending the blades of grass," -said her uncle. "You are just such a forest-butterfly as your -ancestress, and would flutter just so against the bars of your cage if -you were shut up within locked doors; there is gypsy blood in your veins -were you ten times Gold Elsie and though your skin is like a snowdrift. -There, put on those things, you will find that you can dance in them -easily." - -"Oh no, uncle," cried Elizabeth deprecatingly, "they seem to me like -sacred relics; I could not put them on without fearing that Jost's fiery -black eyes might suddenly glare out at me." - -Frau Ferber and Miss Mertens agreed with her, and the former declared -that in her opinion the press, with all that it contained, ought to be -carefully removed to some quiet, dry place, where it might be preserved -untouched as a family relic until it fulfilled its destiny, which was to -decay with all else that is mortal. - -"Well, with regard to the press, let it be as you say," Reinhard here -interposed; "but it seems to me that a different fate should await these -articles." - -He opened the casket. The sunlight penetrating, its interior came -flashing back in a thousand sparkling rays, dazzling the eyes that -looked on. Reinhard took out a necklace,--it was very broad, and of -admirable design. - -"These are brilliants of the purest water," he explained to the -rest,--the necklace was set thick with precious stones,--"and these -rubies here must have gleamed magnificently from the dark curls of the -beautiful gypsy girl," he continued, as he took two pins from their -velvet cushion with heads formed like lily-cups of red stones, from -which chains, set thick with rubies, fell like a glittering little -shower. - -Elizabeth, smiling, held a costly agraffe above her forehead. - -"And so you think, Herr Reinhard," she said, "that we should let all -reverence for the past go, and recklessly adorn ourselves with these -jewels? What would my white muslin dress say if I should some day -introduce it into such distinguished society?" - -"The brilliants are exquisitely becoming to you," replied Reinhard, -smiling; "but to my mind a nosegay of fresh flowers would be far more -suitable with the white muslin; and therefore I should advise that these -precious stones be transformed at the jeweller's into shining coin." - -Ferber nodded assentingly. - -"What! Reinhard," cried Miss Mertens, "do you think these family jewels -should be sold?" - -"Certainly," he replied; "it would be both foolish and sinful to let -such capital lie idle. The stones alone must be worth full seven -thousand thalers, and then there are these very fine pearls, and this -wrought gold, which will bring a very clever little sum besides." - -"Zounds!" exclaimed the forester; "let them go then on the spot,----See, -Adolph," he continued more gently, and rested his arm upon his brother's -shoulder, "Heaven has been kind to you here. Did I not tell you that -all would go smoothly with you in Thuringia, although I never dreamed -that eight thousand thalers were waiting for you?" - -"For me?" cried Ferber with surprise. "Does it not all belong to you as -the elder?" - -"None of that! What, in Heaven's name, should I do with the trash? Am -I to begin to invest capital in my old days? I think I see myself at -such work! I have neither chick nor child in the world, hold an -excellent office,--and when my old bones fail me, there is a pension for -me, which, try as I may, I shall never be able to spend. Therefore I -resign my birthright in favour of the girl with the golden hair and -Ernst, the rogue, who shall perpetuate our stock; I will not even have a -mess of lentil pottage in exchange, for Sabina says it is not good with -venison. Don't touch me!" he cried, with a comic gesture of refusal, -clasping his hands behind him, as Frau Ferber, with tears in her eyes, -came to him with outstretched arms, and his brother would have -remonstrated with him. "It would be much better for you, sister-in-law, -to go and see about our coffee. It is really past hearing! four o'clock -and not a drop of the usual refreshments, for the sake of which I -dragged myself up here." - -He accomplished his aim in diverting from himself all grateful -acknowledgments. Frau Ferber hastened into the house, accompanied by -Elizabeth, and the others laughed. The whole party were soon seated -upon the terrace, busy with the brown, fragrant beverage. - -"Yes, yes," said the forester, leaning comfortably back in his chair; "I -never thought, when I awoke this morning, that I should lie down at -night a Herr von Gnadewitz. I shall gain a step in my profession, of -course, instantly; that yellow parchment, with its crooked letters, has -done for me in an instant what thirty years of hard service have failed -to accomplish. As soon as his Highness arrives in L---- I shall make my -best bow, and introduce myself by my new name. Zounds! how those people -will stare!" - -A peculiar side glance was directed, as these words were spoken, towards -Elizabeth, and at the same moment the speaker puffed away at his pipe so -vigorously that his face was quite concealed by a thick cloud of smoke. - -"Uncle," cried his niece, "say what you will, I know that you can never -intend to patch up again the shattered crest of the Gnadewitzes." - -"I can't see why not, 'tis a beautiful coat of arms, with chevrons, -stars----" - -"And a wheel covered with blood," interrupted Elizabeth. "God forbid -that we should swell the number of those who revive the sins of their -ancestors to prove the antiquity of their race, and thus make nobility -ignoble,--nothing in the world seems to me more detestable. I should -think that all those who have been tortured and hunted down in life by -that pitiless, haughty race, would arise, like accusing ghosts, from -their graves, if the name should ever be revived, beneath whose shelter -such oppression and tyranny existed for centuries. When I compare the -two fathers,--one seeking death like a coward, never considering for an -instant that his poor child had the most sacred claims upon him; the -other, a poor servant, taking the outcast compassionately to his heart, -and bestowing upon it his own honest name,--then I know well which was -the noble, which name deserves to be perpetuated. And think what sorrow -that haughty race has caused my poor, dear mother." - -"True enough, true enough," Frau Ferber declared with a sigh--"in the -first place, I owe to it a stormy, unhappy childhood, for my mother was -a beautiful, amiable girl, whom my father married against the will of -his relatives, who could not forgive her ignoble extraction. This -misalliance was a source of endless suffering and annoyance to my poor -mother, for my father had not sufficient strength of character to break -with the chief of the Gnadewitz family, and live only for his wife. -This weakness on his part was the cause of constant strife between my -parents, which I could not but be cognizant of. And we"--here she held -out her hand across the table to her husband--"we can never forget all -we had to contend with before we could belong to each other. I would -not for the world return to the class who so often ruthlessly stifle -every warm, humane sentiment, that outward rank and show may be -preserved." - -"And you never shall return, Marie," said her husband, with a smile, as -he pressed her hand. He glanced mischievously at his brother, who was -still puffing forth immense clouds of smoke, while he was doing his -best, most unsuccessfully, to keep up the frown upon his brow. - -"Ah! my fine plans," he sighed at last, with a comical look of -disappointment. "Elsie, you are a cruel, foolish creature. You forget -what a fine life we should lead, if I had a position at court, and you -were a fine lady. There, does not that tempt you?" - -Elizabeth shook her head, smilingly, but most decidedly - -"And who knows," added Miss Mertens, "but that, before we could turn -round, some noble knight, of stainless lineage, would bear away from old -Gnadeck our high-born Elsie as his wife!" - -"Do you think I would go with him?" cried Elizabeth, indignantly, her -cheeks aglow. - -"And why not?--if you loved him." - -"No, never," replied the girl in a suppressed voice, "not even if I -loved him,--for I should then be all the more wretched in the -consciousness that the prestige of my name had weighed heavier in the -balance than my heart, that in the eyes of that man all aspiration after -spiritual elevation and moral excellence was worthless in comparison -with a phantom, which the miserable prejudices of men had tricked out -with tinsel." - -Frau Ferber gazed with surprise at her daughter, whose face showed -evident signs of deep emotion. The forester, on the other hand, held -his pipe firmly between his teeth, and clapped his hands loudly. - -"Elsie, child of gold!" he cried at last, "give me your hand! that's my -brave girl! true metal, through and through! Yes, I say, too, God keep -me from swelling the number of those who give up an honest name for the -sake of their own personal advantage. No, Adolph, we will not cast -scorn upon the parish register of the little Silesian village where we -were christened; we will go on writing our names as they are written -there." - -"And as they have faithfully clung to us in joy and sorrow for half a -century," added Ferber with his quiet smile, "I will keep this document -for this fellow," and he laid his hand upon little Ernst's curly head, -"until his judgment is clear and ripe. I cannot and must not decide for -him, but I trust I shall train him so that he will prefer to carve out a -path for himself by his own energy, rather than to lie idly in the -hot-bed of old traditions and wrongs enjoying privileges which should be -the reward only of lofty endeavour. The Gnadewitzes in their long -career added nothing to the world, but took much from it; let them -moulder in their graves, and their high-sounding, undeserved titles with -them!" - -"Selah!" cried the forester, knocking the ashes from his pipe. "And now -let us go," he said to his brother, "and advise with the Lindhof pastor. -A spot beneath the beautiful lindens in our village church-yard seems to -me infinitely preferable to those three gloomy walls, within which the -mother of our line has lain for so long; and that the 'dark, cold -ground' may not touch her coffin, let us have a grave built in the earth -and closed with a tombstone." - -He departed, accompanied by Ferber and Reinhard, and, whilst her mother -and Miss Mertens were putting the jewel-box away in a place of security, -Elizabeth climbed the ladder placed against the ruined jutty, pushed -aside the boards, and descended into the secret chamber. A slender ray -of the setting sun touched a ruby pane in the little window and threw a -bloody stain upon the name "Lila," on the lid of the coffin. Elizabeth, -with head bowed and hands clasped, stood for a long while beside the -lonely bier, whereon that burning heart had slept undisturbed since the -moment when death had stilled its wild beating and ended its sorrow. -Centuries had flown by, effacing, as if they had never existed, all the -transporting charm of that short life,--all the stormy emotion which had -worked its ruin,--and yet the young heart that was throbbing restlessly -in that chamber of death beside that bier, fancied that the emotions -causing it to throb so wildly could never die. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - -The news of the occurrence at Gnadeck had reached Lindhof Castle even -before Reinhard returned thither. The masons on their way home to the -village had related the wonderful story to a servant whom they met in -the park, and the tale had flashed like lightning from mouth to mouth -until it reached the boudoir of the ladies of the castle, where it -produced the effect almost of a bombshell. - -One of the favourite themes of the baroness had always been her own -infallibility with regard to blue blood. She maintained that by means -of a very delicate and sensitive organization she could recognize the -existence of this life-giving stream even in people whose names she did -not know. It was thus only natural that she should be able to detect -immediately every noble drop happening to flow in plebeian veins. She -always had admitted that "the little Ferber" had something distinguished -in her appearance in right of the noble descent of her mother. But with -regard to the forester, that delicate perception of hers had been so -much at fault that she had never dreamed of acknowledging his bow except -by an almost imperceptible inclination of the head, which was all she -deigned to bestow upon people of so low a rank in life. Why, in her -noble rage at the rude blasphemer, who could forbid his ward, Bertha, to -attend the Bible-class at the castle, she had often gone so far as to -declare that she could detect his low origin a hundred paces off. And -this was the man to bring to nought her reputation for this keen -perception of aristocracy! He was the descendant of a lofty line,--the -possessor of a name which, centuries back, had glowed in all the light -of feudal splendour! - -To be sure, there was great consolation for her in the thought that two -centuries of ignoble marriages had rendered the noble blood very -difficult to recognize. She declared as much very earnestly to -Fraeulein von Walde, who, reclining upon her lounge, was observing the -baroness' agitation with a slight, rather contemptuous, smile. Personal -interest in Fraeulein Ferber, or the more unprejudiced mind of the -younger lady, may have prompted some little reproof to her cousin; at -all events she lifted her head and said quickly, not without a slight -appearance of irritation: "Pardon me, Amalie, but that is a mistake. I -know for a certainty that the wife of the forester's clerk is not the -only nobly-born person who has married into the Ferber family. They -have always been a fine, remarkably intellectual race, whose personal -advantages have often conquered the prejudices of birth. I really do -not believe that there have been more plebeian marriages in their family -than can be found in the pedigree of the Lessens, and you would hardly -maintain that there is not a drop of genuine noble blood in Bella's -veins." - -A delicate colour flickered over the elder lady's faded cheek, and the -glance which she directed towards her companion from beneath her -half-closed eyelids, was anything but gentle or amiable. A sickly smile -still hovered upon her lips. Since the previous day she had, to her -horror, frequently felt the ground tremble beneath her feet. It was -actually terrifying suddenly to meet with contradiction in a quarter -where for years she had found only complete adherence and blind -submission. - -She was, however, quite right in attributing the change in Helene's -demeanour not only to the "unhappy" influence exercised upon her by her -brother, but far more to her own son, who had conducted himself so -strangely during the last few days. Helene's was, in reality, a noble -nature, capable of appreciating all that was lofty and honourable, and -animated by the purest desire for the good and true; but she had been -accustomed from childhood to consider herself as the centre of the -loving care and attention of all around her. Notwithstanding her -physical infirmity, she had never known the bitterness of being -slighted. That she might forget her weakness, every one around her made -her the object of marked attention. While she knew that she could never -occupy a wife's position, her heart, overflowing with tenderness, had -joyously welcomed a first love; and although, when alone, she might -bewail with tears the neglect of nature, which had denied her the -crowning joys of life, still she possessed the blissful conviction that -her love was returned. Hollfeld's constant attentions, his frequent -sojourn at Lindhof, his continual expressions of tenderness, were well -calculated to plant this conviction ineradicably in her mind. - -Suddenly he had appeared altered and constrained in her presence, and -neglected her in the most unaccountable manner. She suffered greatly; -her inner self revolted; insulted feminine dignity, an irritation -hitherto unknown, and devoted affection, were all at war within her; she -was yet far from that height to which, early or late, every noble nature -attains: resignation and forgiveness. She grew bitter and violent, and -she manifested this change less towards him who had caused her suffering -than, by way of indemnifying herself, towards those whose tyranny she -had endured for the sake of her love. - -Hollfeld had been reading aloud to the ladies, when the old waiting-maid -of the baroness entered the room upon some errand, and, before leaving, -glibly narrated the remarkable discovery at Gnadeck. If Helene's eyes -had not been riveted upon the lips of the speaker, the change in her -cousin's features could not have escaped her. He listened breathlessly, -with an expression of the intensest delight. In passing from mouth to -mouth, the discovered jewels had come to be of "priceless value," and -the beautiful Lila's coffin was now pure silver. - -The baroness also had not observed the striking change in her son's -sullen aspect; and in consequence of Helene's reproof, very naturally -darted at him an angry glance, which was not seen by Fraeulein von -Walde. She was greatly amazed to see him suddenly approach his cousin. -He smoothed the embroidered cushion beneath her head, and pushed the -bouquet of flowers in the vase nearer to her, that she might more easily -inhale their fragrance. - -"Helene is quite right, mother," he said with a kindly glance at his -cousin, who replied by a happy smile. "You should be the last to bring -in question the nobility of that family." - -Although the baroness was tortured by the thought that those who had -been so far beneath her, might now be her equals,--nay, even rank -considerably above her in wealth; still she wisely suppressed the bitter -retort that rose to her lips, and contented herself with observing that -the whole story at present had altogether too much the air of a legend -or fable to be implicitly believed. For her part, she should require -the testimony of more competent eye-witnesses than the two masons, -before she could consider it worthy of credit. - -A competent eye-witness was just passing beneath the windows. It was -Reinhard, who was returning from the mountain. He smiled as his -attendance upon Fraeulein von Walde was immediately required; for, from -the curious looks of the servant, he guessed that the story of the -discovery at Gnadeck had reached the castle, and that information from -him upon the subject was what the ladies desired. - -At his entrance he was immediately assailed by Helene with questions. -He answered them in his usual calm manner, and took a malicious pleasure -in detecting the keenest curiosity and the greatest irritation behind -the apparently careless and indifferent remarks and questions of the -baroness. - -"And will the Ferbers venture to lay claim to the old name on the -strength of that scrap of parchment?" she asked; taking a large dahlia -from the vase of flowers, and smelling it. - -"I should like to know who could dispute their claim," replied Reinhard. -"It only remains to be proved that they are the descendants of Jost von -Gnadewitz, and that can be done at any moment." - -The lady leaned back in her large arm-chair, and dropped her eyelids, as -if she were weary or bored. - -"Indeed! and those treasures of Golconda, are they really as priceless -as Dame Rumour reports them to be?" The tone of voice was meant to be -contemptuous, but Reinhard's practised ear detected with great -satisfaction that it betrayed great eagerness, and something like secret -anxiety. - -He smiled. - -"Priceless?" he repeated. "Well, in such cases so much depends upon the -estimation in which such things are held by their possessors, that I can -hardly judge." - -He might, we know, have told their value, but he thought, rather -ungallantly, that a little uncertainty would prove a healthy excitement -for the lady. - -The examination would probably not have concluded here, if Bella had not -suddenly burst into the room with her usual violence. - -"Mamma, the new governess has come," she cried, out of breath, shaking -back, with a toss of her head, the sandy locks that had fallen over her -forehead; "why, she is uglier than Miss Mertens!" she went on, without -taking the least notice of Reinhard's presence. "She has a bright red -ribbon on her bonnet, and her mantilla is even more old-fashioned than -Frau von Lehr's. I won't go to walk with her, you need not tell me to, -mamma!" - -The baroness put both hands to her ears. - -"My child, I pray you, for Heaven's sake, do not speak so loud," she -gasped; "your voice goes through and through me; and what nonsense you -talk! you will have to walk out with Mademoiselle Jamin whenever I bid -you." - -This reproof, uttered with considerable emphasis, causing Bella to pout -angrily while she secretly tore a piece of the fringe from one of her -mother's cushions, was the result of what might have been called the -period of martyrdom that had followed Miss Mertens' departure. The -baroness had been forced to take upon herself the care of Bella, and it -was, as she declared, death to her nerves. To Fraeulein von Walde she -always maintained that all her trouble was in consequence of the defects -of Miss Mertens' educational system; but in the depths of her soul she -acknowledged, that her daughter strikingly resembled in disposition the -deceased Lessen,--among whose characteristics an indomitable obstinacy -and a determined proclivity to a perpetual _dolce far niente_, were the -most prominent. She was, however, far from admitting that any injustice -had been done to Miss Mertens; that person had been paid to educate her -daughter, and consequently should have known, without ever acting in -opposition to the mother's views, or reproving the child, how to correct -all her faults. Therefore, the glimpse that she had just had perforce -of Bella's character, was of no advantage for the new governess; the -unfortunate French woman, with the gay ribbons on her bonnet, had no -presentiment of the joyless days that awaited her. Just now, her arrival -removed a weight from the mind of the baroness, to whom nothing could -have been less desirable than a dispute at present between teacher and -pupil, and hence her rebuke of Bella's impertinent remarks. - -The baroness arose and went to her apartments, accompanied by her sullen -daughter, to receive the stranger. At the same time, Reinhard departed. - -"Do you wish me to go on reading, Helene?" asked Hollfeld, after the -three had left the room. As he took up the newspaper his manner was -almost caressing. - -"By and by," she replied with hesitation, looking at him searchingly, -with a kind of timid anxiety in her eyes. "I should like to ask you, now -that we are once more alone together, to tell me what has changed you so -during these last few days. You know, Emil, that it pains me deeply -when you refuse to let me share in what delights or troubles you. You -know that it is not idle curiosity which leads me to pry into your -affairs, but a sincere and heartfelt interest in your weal or woe. You -see how I suffer from your reserve. Tell me frankly if I have done -anything to make you think me unworthy of your confidence." - -She stretched out her hands towards him as if in entreaty. The gentle -melancholy in the tones of her voice would have melted a stone. - -Hollfeld crushed and twisted the rustling newspaper uneasily in his -hands. He held down his head, and avoided meeting the pure, frank gaze -of the poor girl. Any one with any knowledge of the world could not have -failed to perceive in his attitude, and in the restless eyes that sought -the ground, the crafty plotter endeavouring to hit upon some device by -which to deceive. To Helene's innocent, loving eyes, the lofty figure, -slightly leaning forward, the face beneath the thick, light curls, -rather suggested a thoughtful Apollo. - -"You will always have my confidence, Helene," he broke silence at last. -"You are indeed the only being in the world in whom I can -confide,"--Helene's eyes sparkled at these words, the poor child was so -proud of the distinction,--"but there are obligations in life whose -existence we can hardly acknowledge to ourselves, far less have the -courage to confess to others." - -Fraeulein von Walde sat upright, in eager expectation. - -"I am forced," Hollfeld continued, with a stammer, "to adopt a certain -resolution, and it has been weighing heavily upon me for days." - -He looked up to see what impression his words had made. - -Helene seemed to have no suspicion of what he was about to say, for she -never changed her attitude, and looked as if she would have read the -words upon his lips. He was therefore compelled to proceed without any -assistance from her. - -"You know, Helene," he slowly continued, "that for the last year I have -had constant trouble with my housekeepers. They are continually leaving -me, often without warning even, and I have no way of ordering my -domestic affairs. The day before yesterday, the last one, who only -entered my house two weeks ago, declared she would not stay. I cannot -tell what to do about it; my house is nothing but an annoyance to me -under these circumstances--" - -"Ah, you want to sell Odenberg?" Helene interrupted him eagerly. - -"No, that would be folly, for it is one of the finest estates in -Thuringia; but I am forced to find some other way out of my troubles, -and nothing is left for me but--to marry." - -If some unseen and mysterious agency had suddenly opened a yawning abyss -at Helene's feet, her face certainly could not have expressed more -horror and amazement than at this moment. She opened her white, -quivering lips, but no sound issued from them, and, entirely incapable -of concealing her pain, she covered her face with her hands, and sank -back among the cushions with a low cry. - -Hollfeld hastened to her side, and took both her hands in his. - -"Helene," he whispered, in a low, tender tone,--his manner was -perfect,--"will you let me speak and show you how sore my heart is? You -know only too well that I love, and that this love will be my first and -only one as long as I live." - -His tongue did not stammer over this odious lie; on the contrary, it -aided his plans with such insinuating tones that the poor girl's heart -was torn by a wild conflict of emotions. If some good angel would only -have whispered to her to lift her eyes for one moment, she could not but -have been undeceived, for the look that accompanied his protestations -was utterly contemptuous as it glanced at her crippled figure; and -perhaps, in the first moments of her indignation, she might have found -strength enough to have extricated herself from the snares of the wily -egotist. But her eyes were closed as if she would shut out all the -world, and revel only in the sound of the voice which for the first time -spoke of love to her. - -"Would to Heaven," he continued, "that I might follow the dictates of my -heart, and live for this love only, for I desire nothing beyond the -pleasure of constant intercourse with you, Helene. But you know I am -the last of the Hollfelds and must marry. My sacrifice can be lessened -only in one way,--I must choose a wife who knows you, and----" - -"O tell me quickly!" cried Helene, giving way to her grief, while the -tears burst from her eyes. "Your choice is already made! I know -it,--it is Cornelie!" - -"The Quittelsdorf?" he cried, with a laugh. "That will-o'-the-wisp? -No, I would far rather leave the administration of my domestic affairs -to the most repulsive of housekeepers! What should I do without an -enormous income with such an extravagant, frivolous wife! Besides, let -me tell you most emphatically, my sweet Helene, my choice is not yet -made,--hear me, and do not weep so violently, you break my heart; I must -have a wife who knows and loves you; a simple-hearted woman, of genuine -understanding, to whom I can say: my heart belongs to another who never -can be mine, be my friend and here." - -"And do you imagine that any one could understand you?" - -"Most certainly, if she loved me." - -"No, I could not,--never, never!" She buried her face in the cushions, -sobbing convulsively. - -And now an ugly frown appeared on Hollfeld's smooth forehead. His lips -were compressed, and for an instant the colour left his cheeks. He was -evidently very angry. An expression of hatred lighted up the eyes that -rested upon the young creature who was unexpectedly rendering his part -so difficult to play. But he controlled himself, and lifted her face -with a light, caressing touch. The poor thing trembled beneath his -hypocritical contact, and let her delicate head rest passively upon his -hand. - -"And would you then forsake me, Helene," he asked sadly, "if I were -compelled to fulfil so hard a duty? Would you turn away and leave me -lonely, with a wife whom I did not love?" - -She raised her swollen eyelids, and from beneath them broke a ray of -inexpressible love. He had played his part admirably, and that glance -told him that the game was in his own hands. - -"You are now fighting the same battle," he continued, "which I have -struggled through during the last few days, before I could arrive at any -fixed determination. At first the thought that any third person may -interfere with our relations to each other may well appall you, but I -give you my word that shall not be. Think, Helene, how much more I can -do for you; how much more truly I can live for you then than now. You -can come to me at Odenberg. I will guard your every footstep, and -cherish you as the apple of my eye." - -Hollfeld possessed very little intellect, but he had a vast amount of -cunning, which, as we see, served his turn better than intellect could -have done. His poor victim flew into the net, her heart torn and -bleeding, her force of will utterly annihilated. - -"I will try to endure the thought," Helene at last whispered almost -inaudibly. "But what a being that woman must be who could bear with me, -and whom I might at last learn to love like a sister! Do you know any -such lofty-minded, self-sacrificing creature?" - -"I have an idea,--it occurred to me just now quite suddenly,--at present -it is vague and unformed. After due consideration I shall certainly -unfold it to you. But you must first be more composed, dear Helene. -Think for a moment. I place the choice of my future wife solely and -entirely in your hands. It depends upon you to approve or condemn what -I propose." - -"And are you strong enough to pass your life with a woman to whom you -cannot give your love?" - -He suppressed a contemptuous smile, for Helene's eyes were riveted upon -his lips. - -"I can do all that I resolve to do," he answered; "and to have you near -me will give me strength.--But let me entreat one favour of you,--say -nothing as yet to my mother of this important matter, as you know she -wishes to control everything and everybody, and I could not now endure -her interference. She will learn all soon enough when I present my -future wife to her." - -At any other time, this heartless, unfilial speech would have disgusted -Helene; but, at this moment, she scarcely heard it, for every thought -and feeling had been thrown into the wildest uproar by the words, -"future wife," which suggested, in spite of the multitude of unhappy -wives, the idea of supreme contentment and bliss. - -"Oh, my God!" she cried, wringing in an agony of grief the little hands -that lay in her lap. "I always hoped to die before this; I was not, -indeed I was not so selfish as to think you could lead a lonely life for -my sake; but I hoped that the necessarily short period of my life might -induce you to let this cup pass from me,--to wait until my eyes should -be closed upon my misery." - -"But, Helene, what do you mean?" cried Hollfeld, still controlling his -temper with difficulty. "At your age, who would think of dying? We -will live--live, and in time be, as I confidently hope, happy indeed. -Think of the matter, and you will see it all as I do." - -He pressed her hand affectionately to his lips, imprinted a kiss upon -her brow, for the first time,--took his hat, and left the room. - -Outside, as the door closed upon the suffering girl, he gave full play -to the expression of contempt that he had so long suppressed, and which -gave place only to a look of self-satisfaction still more detestable. -One hour before, his heart had been filled with rage. His passion for -Elizabeth, fanned into a flame by her rejection of his advances, had -been a consuming fire, and had robbed him of all his boasted -self-control. But the idea of marriage with the daughter of the -forester's clerk had never occurred to him,--such a thought would have -seemed to him insane. He had exhausted his ingenuity in contriving -plans to procure a return of affection from the object of his passion. -The late occurrence at Gnadeck had given his thoughts another direction. -Elizabeth was now a most desirable match, noble and wealthy. No wonder, -then, that he exulted at the news, and immediately formed the -magnanimous resolution of honouring the fair flower of Castle Gnadeck -with an offer of marriage. There was, of course, no doubt that she -would accept the offer, for although coquetry had led her to reject his -advances hitherto, she could not possibly pursue such a line of conduct, -in view of the brilliant prospect of becoming the envied wife of Herr -von Hollfeld. He was so secure upon this point that not a cloud of -distrust darkened the horizon of his future. It was not only his -intense desire to possess Elizabeth that urged him on to act as quickly -as possible,--the thought, that as soon as the discovery in the ruins -became known, other suitors would present themselves for the hand of -Gold Elsie, already so famous for her beauty,--this thought made his -blood boil in his veins. - -Only one obstacle stood between him and the fulfilment of his -determination, and that was Helene. It was not that he hesitated, -through sympathy, at the thought of how the fondly-loving girl would -suffer,--he knew no pity with regard to her,--but he was in dread lest -too hasty a marriage might cost him the inheritance which he looked for -from her. It was a case for prudence and forethought. We have seen -how, in cold blood, he made use of the unhappy girl's deep and blind -affection, and, while pretending to submit to her decision the -weightiest questions concerning his future life, riveted the chain that -bound her to him. - -As soon as he had left the room Helene tottered to the door, and bolted -it after him. And then she resigned herself to utter despair. - -They who have never known the hours of torture that ensue upon the -sudden hearing of some unexpected misfortune,--hours when we would fain -shriek out our misery into the ears of the universe, and when, needing -the sympathy and support of others as never before, we are driven, as by -some evil spirit, to darkness and loneliness, as though light and sound -were deadly poison to our wound,--they, we say, who have never known the -pangs that threaten to efface all the landmarks of a previously -harmonious inner life, will scarcely be able to conceive that Helene -sank down upon the floor, with her little hands plucking wildly at her -fair curls, and her frail, diminutive form shivering as from a fever -fit. She had lived and breathed only in her absorbing affection for -this man. If a few gloomy looks, some slight neglect of his, had -sufficed to plunge her into the deepest melancholy, and make her utterly -careless of an event that would once have wrung her sisterly affection -to the very soul, how much greater must her agony now be in the -conviction that she was about to lose him forever! - -In the wild chaos of thought filling her brain, she was entirely -incapable of one clear, decided conclusion. The humiliating -consciousness of her physical infirmities, which caused her to be thrust -out of an earthly paradise; Hollfeld's confession of love to which she -had just listened, and which brought such infinite joy and woe; a -frantic jealousy of the woman, whoever she might be, who was to stand -beside him as a wife,--all these emotions were seething in her mind, -threatening to sever the frail thread that bound together soul and body. - -It was late, and night had already fallen, when she admitted her anxious -maid, and yielded to her entreaties to retire to rest. She emphatically -refused to see the physician, sent word to the baroness, who asked to -come in to say good-night, that she could not be disturbed, her need of -rest was so great,--and then passed the most wretched night of her life. - -She grew a little more quiet, that is, the fearful tension of her nerves -relaxed somewhat, when the first beam of morning light pierced the -curtains of her room. The thin golden ray seemed to glide into her -darkened soul, and illumine thoughts which had hitherto been hidden in -the wild tumult of her mind. She began to believe that Hollfeld's -course was one of the purest self-sacrifice. She had never been able to -disguise or thrust from her the haunting conviction that his marriage -might one day become an imperative necessity, and she could not fail to -be conscious that her idea of his waiting until she should be no more -had never occurred to him. Was not his sacrifice great? Loving her, -and her only, he must belong to another; ought she to make the -performance of a sacred duty difficult for him by her grief? He had -asked her to tread a thorny path with him. Should she draw back like a -coward when he set her such an example of strength and endurance? And -if another woman could be found content with friendship instead of love, -should she allow herself to be outdone in self-renunciation? - -In feverish haste she rang the bell by her bedside, and summoned her -maid. Yes, she would be strong; but she was conscious that only entire -certainty could give her courage and the power of endurance; she must -know, as soon as possible, the name of the woman whom Hollfeld thought -capable of undertaking so hard a part in life. She had passed before -her, in review, every unmarried woman of her acquaintance, but had -rejected on the instant each and all. - -The hour had not yet arrived at which she was accustomed to take -breakfast with the baroness and Hollfeld; her brother always avoided -this early meeting of his household, but she could not remain in her -lonely room, and, as she was greatly exhausted, was pushed in her -wheeled chair into the dining-room. To her surprise, she heard from one -of the servants that the baroness had gone to walk half an hour -previously,--a very strange piece of news, but one that she was most -glad to learn, for just as she was wheeled into a recess of one of the -windows she discovered Hollfeld pacing to and fro upon the lawn without. -He seemed to have no suspicion that he was observed. His fine, manly -figure moved with elastic grace. Now and then he put a cigar to his -lips with evident enjoyment, and the delicate aroma floating through the -air reached Helene at her window. At first the little lady was -painfully impressed by his unusually gay and cheerful expression; she -could not but confess to herself that youthful exuberance of spirits, -love of life, and an unwonted exhilaration of mind were manifest in his -every look and motion, even in the half-unconscious smile that now and -then parted his lips, discovering his wonderfully white teeth. There -was no trace there of those struggles which she had passed through -during the night; he certainly did not look much like the victim of an -inexorable combination of circumstances. But was not his -self-possession the result of great mental force and a strong manly -will? He must have reached a height almost too lofty for human nature -to attain. - -The little lady's brow contracted in a frown. - -"Emil!" she cried loudly, almost harshly. - -Hollfeld was evidently startled, but in a second he stood beneath her -window, and waved a "good-morning" to her. - -"What!" he cried, "are you there already? May I come up?" - -"Yes," she replied more gently. - -And in a few moments he entered the room. Helene had reason to be -better pleased with his present air and manner; there was an expression -of great gravity upon his countenance as he threw his hat upon the table -and pushed a chair close to her side. Taking both her hands tenderly -within his own, he gazed into her face, and really seemed struck by her -ashy cheeks and the lustreless eyes that met his. - -"You look ill, Helene," he said pityingly. - -"Do you wonder at it?" she asked, with a bitterness that she was unable -to conceal. "Unfortunately I am denied the gift of such perfect self -control as could enable me in a few hours after a crushing experience to -look forward with content and gaiety to the future. I envy you." - -"You are unjust, Helene," he replied quickly, "if you judge me from my -exterior. Is it the part of a man to whine and cry when he submits to -the inevitable?" - -"You certainly do not seem inclined to any such course." - -He was provoked beyond measure. The puny, little creature at his side, -who, with her crippled figure, ought to be thankful to God if a man -could so far control himself as not to treat her with absolute rudeness -and aversion, and who had previously been so grateful for the smallest -attention, had suddenly taken upon herself to reprove him! Although he -had done all he could to inspire her with faith in his ardent love for -her, in his soul he thought it showed a measureless vanity in the child -to imagine herself capable of inspiring any man with such a passion, and -with great irritation he acknowledged to himself that in her case he had -to contend with most determined obstinacy and disgusting sentimentality. -It cost him great pains to control himself, but he even accomplished a -melancholy smile, which became him infinitely. - -"When I tell you of the cause of my cheerful looks you will repent your -reproaches," he said. "I was just picturing to myself the moment when I -could go to your brother and say, 'Helene has decided to live in my -family for the future,' and I cannot deny that the thought gave me -satisfaction, for he has always regarded my love for you with an eye of -disfavour." - -They say Love is blind, but in most cases he closes his eyes -voluntarily; knowing that perfect vision would kill him, he fights -desperately against annihilation. - -Helene did her best to reconcile what he said with his previous -appearance, and succeeded excellently. With a deep sigh she held out -her hand to him. - -"I believe and have faith in you," she said fervently. "The loss of this -faith would be my death-blow. Ah, Emil, you must never, never deceive -me, not even although you think it would be for my good. I would rather -learn the harshest truth than harbour the faintest suspicion that you -were not perfectly true to me. I have had a terrible night, but now I -am composed, and I beg you to tell me more of what you spoke of -yesterday. I am but too sure that I shall not regain entire self-command -until I know with certainty who it is that is to stand between us. At -present she is a phantom, and in her unreality lies the cause of the -tormenting anxiety that is consuming me. Tell me the name, Emil, I -entreat you." - -Hollfeld's eyes sought the ground. Affairs just then did not look very -promising. - -"Do you know, Helene," he began at last, "that I hesitate to discuss -this subject with you to-day? You are greatly agitated. I am afraid -that such a conversation will make you ill. And, as I must say that the -project which I spoke of yesterday seems more and more feasible to me -the more I ponder it, I fear much lest in your agitation you should -overlook its great advantages." - -"Indeed I will not!" cried Helene, as, sitting upright she riveted her -unnaturally bright eyes full upon him. "I have overcome myself, and am -ready to submit to the inevitable. I promise you I will be thoroughly -impartial; as impartial as if I--did not love." She blushed as the -confession escaped her for the first time. - -"Well, then," said Hollfeld, with hesitation,--he could not quite master -his emotion,--"what do you think of the young girl of Castle Gnadeck?" - -"Elizabeth Ferber?" cried Helene, in the greatest astonishment. - -"Elizabeth von Gnadewitz," he hastily corrected her. "The sudden change -in her social position first suggested the girl to me. Hitherto I have -scarcely noticed her, except that her modest demeanour and the repose of -her countenance impressed me favourably." - -"What! did you see nothing to admire in that lovely, wondrously-gifted -creature, except repose and a modest demeanour?" - -"Well, yes," he replied, with an air of indifference, "I remember that -several times, when you were provoked at some mistake that you had made, -she never altered a muscle, but patiently went over the passage with you -again and again, until you were perfect in it. That pleased me. I -believe her to possess great equanimity of mind, and that is the -characteristic that my wife will need above all others. I know, too, -that she fairly adores you, and that is the chief consideration. -Besides, she has been educated in the strictest economy, her -requirements will be few, and she will readily assume her right position -with regard to you and me. I believe that she has a certain amount of -tact, and she has been notably brought up,--a great advantage to----" - -Helene had sunk back upon her pillows, and covered her eyes with her -hand. - -"No, no," she cried, sitting up once more, and interrupting his eager -flow of panegyric,--"not that poor, darling child! Elizabeth deserves -to be truly loved." - -A loud and sudden howl here caused her to give a little cry of fright. -Hollfeld had just stepped upon the paw of his pointer, Diana, who had -accompanied him into the room, and was lying stretched out at her -master's feet. The interruption was most welcome to him,--for Helene's -last words sounded to him so comical, in connection with his own -vehement desires, that he could hardly restrain his laughter. He opened -the door and sent the limping brute from the room. When he returned to -the young girl he was all grave composure again. - -"Well, we will both love the girl, Helene," he said with apparent -indifference, as he resumed his seat. Helene was in a state of too -great excitement to notice the flippancy of his tone and manner. "Let -her only leave you the first place in my affections. She must do that. -She certainly has enough coolness and presence of mind; she testified -those qualities abundantly the day she saved Rudolph's life." - -"Oh, how?" cried Helene, opening wide her eyes in amazement. - -The servant, who had on the previous day involuntarily let slip some -mention of the occurrence in the forest, had, in terror at his -oversight, instantly refrained from all further particulars relating to -it, simply asserting that the bullet intended for Herr von Walde had -fortunately fallen wide of its mark. Hollfeld had heard the exact -account of the murderous attempt only an hour before from the gardener. -Elizabeth's fearless conduct naturally lent her a new charm in his eyes, -and goaded afresh his desire to win her as soon as possible. He related -the story, which he had just heard, to Helene, concluding his account by -saying: "You now have one more reason to love the girl, and her conduct -strengthens my conviction that she is the only one whom I should -select." - -This was his last round of ammunition. He stroked back the hair from -his brow with his delicate white hand, and from beneath it narrowly and -eagerly watched the little lady, whose head was so sunk amid the pillows -that only her profile was visible. The tears were gushing from her -closed eyelids; she said not a word; perhaps she was struggling with -herself for the last time. - -But why did it never occur to her that Elizabeth might fail to accede to -Hollfeld's wishes? Any loving woman can answer this question for -herself, if she will only reflect that the loving heart believes the -object of its passion irresistible, and learns with difficulty that all -the world does not share its conviction. - -The silence, which began to be painful, was interrupted by the return of -the baroness from her walk. Helene started, and quickly dried her -tears. With evident impatience she submitted to the caresses with which -the lady overwhelmed her, replying in monosyllables to the tender -inquiries with regard to her health. - -"Ah!" cried the baroness, as she shook the scarf from her shoulders and -left it in her son's hands, while she sank clumsily into an arm-chair. -"How very warm I am! That path up the mountain is terrible! No power -upon earth shall take me over it again!" - -"Did you go up the mountain, mother?" asked Hollfeld incredulously. - -"Why, yes; you know the physician prescribed an early morning walk for -me." - -"Oh yes; but that was so many years ago, and I thought you always -maintained that the trouble with your heart made any such exercise -impossible." - -"Still, everything ought to have a fair trial," replied his mother, a -little embarrassed, "and as I could not sleep last night, I determined -to try once more; but it will do no good,--I have just had fresh cause -for vexation. Only think, Helene, just outside in the gravel walk I met -Bella with her new governess,--would you believe it, the woman had the -impertinence to let the child walk by her left side! And she looks, -too, like a perfect simpleton. I was really angry, and defined her -position to her as clearly as I could. But tell me yourself, is it not -hard that I cannot even attempt to refresh myself with a walk without -encountering what makes me miserable and ill?" - -Just as she leaned her forehead in a melancholy manner upon her hand, -she discovered that the false curls upon her temples had been pushed -considerably awry by her bonnet. She arose hastily, and begged for a -little time before breakfast that she might arrange her dress. - -"By the way," she said carelessly, turning round to her son and cousin -as she reached the door, while she set her bonnet firmly upon the -rebellious front, "that fellow, Reinhard, imposed upon us finely -yesterday. I accidentally encountered the forester's clerk, Ferber, up -there near the ruins,--I congratulated him----" - -"Ah! now I understand the ascent of the mountain!" Hollfeld interrupted -his mother ironically. "And you actually spoke to the man, mother?" - -"Oh! now there is no reason why I should not. The jewels principally -interested me." - -"Did you wish to buy them?" asked her son contemptuously, remembering -the constant ebb in her finances. - -"Hardly," she replied with an angry glance; "but I have always had a -perfect passion for precious stones; and if your father had not died so -suddenly, I should now have had a charming set of diamonds, which he had -promised me, and you would have been six thousand thalers the poorer. -But to return to the discovered jewels. Ferber told me just what they -were, and, when I asked him, frankly replied that they would bring about -eight thousand thalers,--that is what that fellow, Reinhard, calls -inestimable wealth. Once more adieu for a few minutes." - -The contemptuous smile disappeared from Hollfeld's face, as he listened -to his mother's words, and gave place to a decided expression of -disappointment; he had suddenly experienced a sensation like the shock -of a shower-bath. - -Scarcely was the door closed behind the baroness, when Helene aroused -herself from her apparent apathy, and stretched out both hands to -Hollfeld. - -"Emil," she said quickly, in a low voice, with trembling lips, "if you -succeed in gaining Elizabeth's love, and I cannot doubt that you will, I -agree to your plan, but I must always live with you at Odenberg." - -"Of course," he replied, although with some hesitation; his voice had -lost its former decision of tone, "but let me warn you that you will -have to resign many luxuries. My income is not large, and as you have -just heard, Elizabeth has nothing." - -"She shall not come to you poor, Emil,--rely upon that," the little lady -rejoined in a tender voice, and with eyes unnaturally bright. "From the -moment she promises to be yours I regard her in the light of a sister; I -will share faithfully with her, and will instantly make over to her the -rents of my estate of Neuborn, in Saxony; I will talk to Rudolph about -it as soon as he returns, and when death closes my eyes, all that I -possess will be hers and yours. Are you content with me?" - -"You are an angel, Helene," he cried; "you shall never repent your -magnanimity,--your generous devotion." - -And this time there was no dissimulation in his delight, for the rents -of Neuborn made Elizabeth a very wealthy bride. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - -Two days had passed since the morning upon which Helene had, as she -thought, won such a victory over herself, and had been convinced that -the conflict within her would be quieted by absolute certainty. But she -had been far from fathoming the depths of her sentiments; she had -snatched at a straw in the whirling flood, and it had afforded her not -one instant's support. Only two days!--but they outweighed in suffering -her whole previous life. She constantly repeated to herself that the -long desired repose that she had dreamed of was close at hand, and yet -she shuddered at the thought of the time that must intervene before -death should bring her release, with the same horror with which the -sceptic looks forward to the moment of dissolution. She became -distinctly aware that her promise to pass her days at Odenberg converted -her remaining years into a period of superhuman self-sacrifice, and yet, -for worlds, she would not have retracted one iota of all that she had -vowed to Hollfeld. She would be worthy of his love. No sacrifice was -too great that was rewarded by his esteem. Poor dupe! - -Her nerves suffered intensely during this protracted mental conflict. -She had constant fever, and could scarcely sleep at all. The subject -that occupied her whole mind was constantly hovering upon her lips, but -she refrained from all mention of it in accordance with Hollfeld's -request. He had also entreated her to forego Elizabeth's society for a -few days; he feared that, in her agitation, she might stand in the way -of his wishes. He himself had already taken the first steps towards a -continuation of his pursuit of Elizabeth. He had twice presented -himself at Gnadeck at the gate in the wall, to make inquiries after the -health of the "von Gnadewitzes," but although he had nearly pulled off -the bell-handle the door had not been opened. The first time no one had -been in the house, and upon the last occasion Elizabeth had observed him -coming. Her parents had gone with little Ernst to the Lodge, and Miss -Mertens had agreed to Elizabeth's idea of not admitting the unwelcome -visitor. They sat together in the dwelling-room, laughing, while the -little bell rang till it was quite hoarse. Of the conspiracy against -his admission the visitor of course had no suspicion. - -It was seven o'clock in the morning; Helene was already lying dressed -upon her lounge, she had passed a restless, sleepless night. The -baroness was still in bed, and Hollfeld had not yet made his appearance; -but the little lady could not be alone, and therefore her maid was -sitting sewing in the room. Her replies to Helena's remarks were -unheard by the poor sufferer, but there was something soothing in the -mere sound of a human voice after her wretched, lonely night. - -The noise of an approaching carriage was heard. Helene opened the window -and leaned out. Her brother's travelling carriage was just driving up -the sweep, its wheels sinking deep in the smooth gravel; but it was -empty. - -"Where is your master?" Helene cried out to the coachman, as the vehicle -passed beneath her window. - -"My master got out at the entrance of the park road," the old man -replied, taking off his hat, "and is coming home on foot over the -mountain, past Castle Gnadeck." - -The little lady shut the window, and shivered as though she were cold; -the single word "Gnadeck" had acted upon her nerves like an electric -shock. Every word that brought Elizabeth to her mind produced the same -effect upon her that one's imagination would experience from some sudden -apparition. - -She arose, and leaning upon the arm of her maid, went down to her -brother's apartments. She ordered breakfast to be served in the room -opening with glass doors upon the grand staircase, and seated herself in -an armchair to await the traveller's return. She took up one of the -gorgeously bound books that were lying about, and mechanically turned -over the leaves; but, although her eyes rested upon the engravings that -filled its pages, she could not have told whether it were portrait or -landscape that lay open before her. - -After she had waited half an hour, her brother's tall form appeared -behind the glass door. The book slipped from her lap as she held out -her hands to welcome him. He seemed surprised at this reception; but he -was evidently much pleased at finding his sister alone and glad to see -him. He hurried towards her, but started in alarm at a nearer view of -her face. - -"Do you feel worse, Helene?" he asked with anxious tenderness, as he -seated himself beside her. He put his arm around her and raised her -head a little, that he might see her face more closely. There was so -much kindness and caressing sympathy in his accent and manner that -suddenly it was as if the warm air of spring breathed over her heart, -that had been as it were congealed with pain. Two large tears rolled -down her cheeks as she leaned her head upon her brother's shoulder. - -"Has not Fels been to see you while I have been away?" he asked -anxiously. The little lady's aspect evidently caused him great alarm. - -"No. I gave express orders that he should not be sent for. I am taking -the drops that he prescribed for my nervous attacks, and he can do -nothing more for me. Don't be concerned, Rudolph, I shall be better -soon. You have had a sad time at Thalleben?" - -"Yes," he answered, but his eyes still rested anxiously upon his -sister's altered features. "Poor Hartwig died before I arrived; he -suffered fearfully. He was buried yesterday afternoon. You would -scarcely know his unfortunate wife, Helene; this blow has added twenty -years to her life!" - -He imparted to her some further particulars concerning the sad event, -and then passed his hand across his eyes, as though desirous of -banishing from his mind all the trouble and sorrow that he had witnessed -during the last few days. - -"Well, and is all going on here as usual?" he asked after a short pause. - -"Not quite," Helene replied with some hesitation. "Moehring left us -yesterday." - -"Ah, Heaven speed him! I am glad that I escaped a final interview with -him. Well, I have one more enemy in the world, but I cannot help it; he -belongs to a class of men whom I despise." - -"And at Gnadeck a piece of good fortune has befallen the Ferbers," -Helene continued in an unnaturally quiet voice, averting her face. - -The arm-chair in which she was sitting was suddenly pushed aside by the -arm upon which her brother had been leaning. She did not look up, and -therefore could not see the livid pallor that overspread his face for a -moment, while his quivering lips essayed twice to frame the simple -monosyllable "Well?" - -Helene related the story of the ruins, to which her brother listened -breathlessly. Every word that she spoke seemed to lift a weight from -his heart, but he never dreamed how it cut into the very soul of the -narrator like a two-edged sword, and that all this was only the prelude -to her announcement of the terrible sacrifice that she was about to -make. - -"This is, indeed, a most wonderful solution of an old riddle," he said, -when Helene had finished. "But I question whether the family will think -it great good fortune to belong to the von Gnadewitz race." - -"Ah! you think so," Helene interrupted him quickly, "because Elizabeth -has always spoken so slightingly of the name. I cannot help, however, -in such cases, thinking of the fable of the fox and the grapes." She -spoke these last words with cutting severity. Her passionate excitement -and agitation had brought her to the point of denying her nobler nature -and of attributing mean motives to one who had never injured her, and -whom, in cooler moments, she knew to be all purity and honour. - -An expression of intense amazement appeared upon Herr von Walde's -countenance. He stooped and looked keenly into his sister's averted -face, as if to convince himself that her lips had actually spoken such -harsh words. - -Just at this moment Hollfeld's large hound rushed up the staircase and -into the room, where he made two or three playful bounds, and then -vanished again at the sound of a shrill whistle from the lawn without. -His master was passing by, who apparently did not know of Herr von -Walde's return, or he would certainly have appeared to welcome him. He -walked on quickly, and turned into the path that led up the mountain to -Gnadeck. Helene's gaze followed the retreating form until it was lost -to sight, and then, clasping her hands convulsively, she sank back in -her chair. It seemed as if for a moment all strength failed her. - -Herr von Waldo poured a little wine into a glass, and held it to her -lips. She looked up gratefully, and tried to smile. - -"I am not yet at the end of all I have to tell," she began again, rising -from her half-reclining position. "I am like all novelists,--I reserve -my most interesting facts until the last." She could not hide her -struggle for firmness and composure beneath the mask of playfulness -which she attempted to assume in these words. Her gaze was riveted upon -the trees outside the window, as she said: "A happy event is about to -take place among us,--Emil's betrothal." - -She had certainly expected some instant expression of astonishment from -her auditor, for, after a moment's silence, she turned around to him in -surprise. His brow and eyes were covered by his hand, and the uncovered -portion of his face was deadly pale. At Helene's touch he dropped his -hand, arose hastily, and went to the open window, as if for a breath of -fresh air. - -"Are you ill, Rudolph?" she cried, with anxiety. - -"A passing faintness, nothing more," he replied, again approaching her. -His face looked strangely altered as he walked several times up and down -the room, and then resumed his seat. - -"I told you of Emil's approaching betrothal, Rudolph," Helene began -again, emphasizing each word. - -"I heard you," he replied mechanically. - -"Do you approve this step on his part?" - -"It is no affair of mine. Hollfeld is his own master, and can do as he -pleases." - -"I believe his choice is made. If I dared, I would tell you the young -girl's name." - -"There is no need to do so. It will be time enough to hear it when the -banns are published in church." - -His expression was icy; the tone of his voice sounded rough and harsh; -the blood seemed to have forsaken his cheeks. - -"Rudolph, I implore you not to be so rough," Helene begged, in a tone of -entreaty; "I know that you are no friend to much speaking, and I am -accustomed to your laconic replies; but now you are too cold and silent, -just, too, when I have a request to make of you." - -"Tell me what it is; am I to have the honour of playing the part of -groomsman to Herr von Hollfeld?" - -Helene recoiled at the bitter contempt expressed in these words. - -"You do not like poor Emil, it is more evident to-day than ever before," -she said reproachfully, after a little pause, during which Herr von -Walde had arisen and traversed the room with hasty steps; "I entreat you -earnestly, dear Rudolph, listen to me patiently; I must talk over this -matter with you to-day." - -He folded his arms and stood still, leaning against a window-frame, -whilst he said briefly: "You see I am ready to listen." - -"The young girl," she began, with a hesitation which was the result less -of her own internal agitation than of her brother's icy demeanour, "the -young girl whom Emil has selected is poor." - -"Very disinterested on his part; proceed." - -"Emil's income is not large." - -"The poor man has only ten thousand a year; starvation in his case seems -unavoidable." - -She paused, evidently surprised. Her brother never exaggerated; the -sum, then, which he had mentioned, must be correct to a farthing. - -"Well, he may be wealthier than I thought," she went on after a short -pause; "that is not the question at present; his choice is a girl who is -very dear to me, very dear." What effort this cost her! "She has done -what must forever fill my sisterly heart with gratitude." Herr von -Walde unfolded his arms, and drummed with such force upon the -window-pane with the fingers of his left hand, that Helene thought the -glass would be broken. - -"She will be as a sister to me," she continued, "and I do not wish that -she should come into Hollfeld's house without a dowry. I desire to make -over to her the rents of Neuborn. May I?" - -"The estate belongs to you,--you are of age. I have no right either to -consent or refuse." - -"Oh yes, Rudolph, you are my next of kin, and should inherit all that I -have. Then I may be sure of your consent?" - -"Perfectly so, if you really think it necessary----" - -"Oh, thank you, thank you!" she interrupted him, extending to him her -hand. But he did not seem to notice it, although he was looking fixedly -at her. "You are not angry with me for this?" she asked, anxiously, -after a few moments. - -"I am never angry when you are striving to make others happy. You must -remember how I have always encouraged and assisted you in such efforts. -But here I do think you are in too great haste. You seem to me very -ready to plunge that young creature into misery." - -She started up as though a viper had stung her. "That is a cruel -accusation!" she cried. "Your prejudice against poor Emil, which is -founded, Heaven only knows upon what, leads you beyond all bounds. You -know the man far too slightly." - -"I know him far too well to wish to know him any better. He is a -dishonourable villain, a miserable fellow of no character, by whose side -a woman, let her claims for honour and uprightness in a man be ever so -small, must be wretched. Woe to the poor creature when she finds him -out!" His voice trembled with suppressed pain; but Helene heard in it -only anger and violence. - -"Oh Heavens! how unjust!" she cried, raising her tearful eyes to the -ceiling. "Rudolph, you are committing a great sin. What has poor Emil -done to you, that you should persecute him so unrelentingly?" - -"Must a man be personally aggrieved in order to estimate correctly -another's character?" he asked, angrily. "My child, you have been -grossly deceived; but your eyes are blinded. The time will come when -you will acknowledge it with shame. If I should try to remove this cup -of suffering from your lips, it would avail nothing; you would repulse -me, seeing in me only a barbarian treading under foot all your holiest -affections. You force me to leave you to pursue your path alone, until -the moment when you will fly to me for consolation and succour. My heart -will always be open to you; but what will become of that other, bound -irrevocably to her dreadful fate?" - -He went into the next room, and locked the door after him. For awhile -Helene sat as if paralyzed,--then she arose with difficulty, and -supporting herself by the walls and the furniture, left the apartment. - -Her soul was filled with bitterness, almost with hatred, towards her -brother, who had to-day roughly and ruthlessly handled all that she had -tenderly encircled with the most delicate fibres of her heart. That -heart was well nigh broken as she called vividly to mind the -self-sacrifice which her lover proposed. She seemed to herself to have -already wronged him deeply in allowing such terrible abuse of him to -fall upon her ears. He should never, never learn how her brother's -prejudices had carried him away. No sacrifice, not the greatest, would -now be sufficient to atone for the injustice which he was forced -unconsciously to endure. And since her brother had so openly declared -his opinion of Hollfeld, she would not allow that he should longer share -the hospitality of Lindhof. She would herself request him to return to -Odenberg, of course suppressing her reason for such a request. But -first his engagement to Elizabeth should be concluded. - -Occupied with these thoughts, she entered the dining-room, and when -Hollfeld appeared shortly afterward, she received him with a quiet -smile, and announced to him that her brother, without even hearing the -name of the future bride, had approved of her resolution with regard to -her dowry. She desired to see Elizabeth now as soon as possible, and -Hollfeld, greatly rejoiced to observe her repose of manner, assented. -It was agreed that the interview should take place at four o'clock that -afternoon, in the pavilion. Hollfeld left the room to despatch a -servant to Gnadeck with a request, in Helene's name, to that effect. -How surprised the little lady would have been, could she have heard it -expressly enjoined upon the servant to name three, as the appointed -hour, while the butler was ordered to have everything arranged in the -pavilion at that time! - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - -When the servant from Lindhof rang the bell at the gate in the wall, -Elizabeth was sitting in the hall. She was weaving a long garland of -evergreens and ivy, and Miss Mertens, sitting beside her, had in her -hand a half-finished wreath of asters. The grave had been made ready in -the Lindhof church-yard, and in the afternoon, between five and six -o'clock, the leaden coffin containing the mortal remains of the -beautiful Lila was to be consigned to the earth. If Jost's dreaded eyes -could have gazed upon his lovely descendant, they would certainly have -beamed with a mild and tender light to see her engaged in preparing an -offering of fresh flowers and green vines with which to adorn the bier -of his idolized love. - -After consulting her mother, Elizabeth accepted the invitation, all the -more willingly as it referred only to "an hour's talk." Soon after the -servant's departure, Reinhard appeared. He looked very grave, and told -Miss Mertens that his master had returned from Thalleben in the -strangest state of mind. - -"He must have been greatly shocked by the misery that he witnessed in -the desolate home," he remarked, "for I really do not recognize my kind -master. I had several unavoidable communications to make to him, but I -saw that I spoke in vain; he did not listen, but sat opposite me, -looking utterly crushed, evidently lost in the most painful reflections. -He started up hastily when I began at last to tell him of our discovery -up here in the ruins, and interrupted me angrily with 'I have heard all -about that matter already; I pray you leave me alone.'" - -Miss Mertens plainly perceived that Reinhard was really wounded by Herr -von Walde's manner towards him. - -"Dear friend," she said soothingly, "in moments of great mental -suffering we either are not aware of the external world, or the -consciousness of it increases our pain; we cannot endure that all around -us should pursue its customary course while all within has received such -a shock, a shock that we cannot recover from. Herr von Walde was -doubtless warmly attached to his unfortunate friend, and--but, good -Heavens! Elizabeth, what are you doing?" she interrupted herself, "do -you really think that looks well?" - -She pointed to the garland. In fact, whilst Reinhard had been speaking -Elizabeth had, with trembling hands, picked up two or three large -dahlias and woven them into her graceful green wreath. She now looked -down, and was aware for the first time of what she had been doing. The -poor flowers were instantly torn from the soft green pillow where they -had laid their heavy heads so comfortably, and treated with as much -severity as if they had insisted on going where they were not wanted. - -Three o'clock had long since struck in the Lindhof church-tower when -Elizabeth hurried down the mountain. Her uncle had detained her in -conversation; he was provoked that she had accepted the invitation. -"For," he said, and with some justice, "surely the poor creature whom we -consign to her resting-place to-day deserves that we should consecrate -at least one day to her memory." He had no idea of what was passing in -the heart of his niece. He did not dream that for the last few days his -darling had counted the hours which must pass before she could think, -"He is at home again;" and, to his vexation, his usually obedient child -slipped from him and vanished through the garden gate. - -Her feet scarcely touched the ground. She hoped by walking quickly to -overtake the time which she had lost, and could have cried, when her -thin dress caught upon a bramble, and could only be extricated by -patience and skill. At last, almost out of breath, she reached the -pavilion. Both of the folding-doors were open; the room was still -empty. Upon the table stood a salver of refreshments, and Helene's -corner of the sofa was arranged for her. - -Much relieved, Elizabeth entered, and was leaning against one of the -opposite windows which looked out upon some tall shrubbery, when she -heard, a slight noise behind her. Hollfeld had hitherto been concealed -by one of the open folding-doors, and he now approached her. She turned -to leave the apartment without even honouring the object of her aversion -by a look; but he placed himself in her path, although his manner was no -longer insolent,--on the contrary, it was respectful and even -submissive, as he assured her that the ladies would appear directly. -Elizabeth looked up surprised; there was not in his voice the faintest -trace of that impertinent tone that had so irritated and outraged her. - -"I give you my word that Fraeulein von Walde will be here in one -moment!" he repeated, as she again attempted to reach the door. "Is my -presence, then, so disagreeable to you?" he added more gently, with a -tinge of sadness. - -"Most assuredly it is," Elizabeth replied coldly and decidedly; "if you -will remember your late conduct towards me, you will know that to be -left one moment alone with you must be odious to me." - -"How stern and implacable that sounds! Must, then, my punishment for my -thoughtless jest be so severe?" - -"I advise you, in future, to be more prudent in your choice of those -with whom you wish to jest." - -"Good Heavens! I see now that it was a mistake; I regret my -impetuosity, but how could I dream----" - -"That any respect was due to me?" Elizabeth interrupted him, with -flashing eyes. - -"No, no!----, I never doubted that!--Heavens! how angry you can be! But -I could not possibly know that you possessed the right to claim more, -far more, than mere respect." - -Elizabeth looked at him inquiringly; she evidently did not understand -him. - -"Can I do more than sue on my knees for pardon?" he continued. - -"It shall be granted upon condition that you leave me instantly." - -"What cruel obstinacy! I should be a fool indeed to lose this precious -moment. Elizabeth, I have told you already that I love you -ardently,--that I am dying of love for you!" - -"And I am quite aware of having distinctly told you that it is a matter -of utter indifference to me." She began to tremble, but her glance was, -nevertheless, firm and composed. - -"Elizabeth, do not drive me to extremities!" he cried in great -agitation. - -"I would especially request you to remember the common rules of -politeness, which require us not to address strangers by their Christian -names." - -"You are a very imp of coldness and malice!" he cried, now trembling -with rage. "Well, I grant that there is some show of reason for your -irritation with me," he added, controlling himself by an effort; "my -conduct towards you has not been what it should be, but I will atone for -it abundantly. Listen to me quietly for one moment, and you will relax -your severity. I offer you my hand. You must know that I can give a -brilliant position, as far as rank and wealth are concerned, to my -future wife." - -He looked down at her with a smile of triumph. It was so natural that -his lovely opponent should be paralyzed with joyful surprise at this -unexpected disclosure of his intentions; yet, strange to say, the result -that he anticipated did not ensue. Elizabeth stood proudly erect, and -retreated a pace or two. - -"I regret this, Herr von Hollfeld," she said with quiet dignity. "You -might have spared yourself this humiliating moment. After all that I -have hitherto said to you, I scarcely comprehend what you have just -declared. Since you force me to it, I must tell you most emphatically -that our paths in life lie in opposite directions; and----" - -"What!" - -"And that nothing could induce me to connect my lot with yours." - -He stared at her for a moment vaguely, as though perfectly incapable of -understanding her words. His face grew livid, and his white teeth were -buried in his underlip. - -"And would you really carry the farce so far as to give me such an -answer?" he asked at last in a hoarse voice. - -Elizabeth smiled contemptuously, and turned away. Her behaviour -transported him with rage. - -"Your reasons? I will know your reasons!" he ejaculated, stepping -between Elizabeth and the door which she was trying to reach. He caught -at her dress to detain her. She shrunk from him, and retired a few -steps farther into the room. - -"Leave me!" she cried, gasping for breath. Terror almost choked her -utterance; hut, nevertheless, she once more took courage, and raised her -head proudly, with an air of command. "If there is no spark of honour -in you to which I can appeal, you force me to use the only weapons at my -command, by declaring to you that I thoroughly despise you; I detest the -sight of you; the hiss of a poisonous viper could not inspire me with -the aversion and disgust with which I listen to the words by which you -would awaken my affection. I have never harboured one sentiment of -regard for you; but, if I had, it must have been instantly annihilated -by your despicable conduct towards me. Let me go now in peace, and----" - -He did not allow her to finish her sentence. "That I shall certainly -not do," he hissed between his teeth; his face that had hitherto been so -pale, flushed crimson, and his eyes flashed as he darted towards her, -like some raging wild beast. She fled to the window, as she saw it was -impossible to reach the door, and tried to lift the sash, hoping to be -able to leap from the low sill to the ground without. But she stood -still, transfixed with horror. A terrible face was looking into the -room from the shrubbery outside. The features were deadly pale, and -distorted by a fiendish grin, while the fire of madness gleamed in the -eyes that were riveted upon Elizabeth's face. She hardly recognized in -the dreadful apparition dumb Bertha; shivering with terror, she -recoiled; Hollfeld's extended arms encircled her form,--blinded by -passion, he did not perceive the ghastly face at the window. Elizabeth -pressed her ice-cold fingers upon her closed eyes to shut out the -horrible sight; she felt her persecutor's hot breath upon her hands; his -hair brushed her cheek; she shuddered, but her physical force failed -her; she succumbed beneath the twofold horror,--no sound escaped her -lips. At sight of Hollfeld, Bertha raised her clenched fists as though -to dash them through the window panes,--then, suddenly she paused as if -listening to some noise near, dropped her hands, and with a shrill -laugh, vanished among the shrubbery. - -All this was the work of a few seconds. The sound of the shrill -laughter startled Hollfeld, and he looked up. For one moment, his gaze -sought to penetrate the bushes, behind which Bertha had disappeared, and -then it returned to the form which lay in his arms, and which he clasped -to his heart. His cunning foresight, his prudent hypocrisy, that had -always enabled him to conceal his baseness from the eyes of the world, -were all forgotten. He did not remember that the time that Helene had -appointed had arrived,--that through the wide open door the gardener, or -any of the servants, might enter the room; his passion had mastered him, -and he never observed that, in fact, Fraeulein von Walde was standing -upon the threshold of the door, leaning on her brother's arm, while, -behind them, the baroness was stretching out her long neck, with an -unmistakable air of great displeasure. - -"Emil!" she cried, her voice vibrating with anger. He started, and -looked wildly around; involuntarily he opened his arms; Elizabeth's -hands dropped from her eyes, and she staggered towards the nearest -couch. The harsh, rude voice of the baroness sounded like sweet music -in her ears, for it brought her succour. There too stood the tall, -manly form, at sight of which her failing pulses throbbed wildly again. -She could have thrown herself at his feet, and prayed him,--"Save me -from that man, whom I detest and flee from, as I would from sin itself." -But what a look met hers! Did that annihilating glance really come from -the same eyes that a few days previously had so tenderly sought her own? -Was this man, with the stern, erect head, and the pale, cold brow, the -same who had bent over her, saying with such unutterable -gentleness,--"may my good angel whisper in your ear the word that will -unlock that fairy realm for me?" He stood there now like an evil angel, -whose mission is to avenge and to crush to the dust some poor, -quivering, human heart. - -Helene, who had stood as though lifeless or rooted to the ground during -the scene in the interior of the apartment, now withdrew her arm from -her brother's and approached Elizabeth; she did not for one instant -doubt that Hollfeld had prospered in his wooing, and that the matter had -been happily concluded. - -"A thousand welcomes to you, dearest Elizabeth!" she cried in great -agitation, and, while tears broke from her eyes, she took the young -girl's trembling hands between her own. "Emil brings me a dear -sister,--love me as a sister, and I shall be grateful to you as long as -I live. Do not look so stern, Amalie," she turned beseechingly to the -baroness, who was standing like a pillar of stone just outside the -pavilion; "Emil's future happiness is at stake. Look at Elizabeth! -Does she not satisfy every desire that you can have with regard to the -one who will occupy such a close relation to you? Young, richly endowed -by nature, of an ancient family and distinguished name." - -She stopped, startled. At last the life seemed to return to Elizabeth's -stiffened limbs, and she was capable of understanding what was said. By -a hasty movement she released her hands from Helene's, and stood erect -before her. - -"You are mistaken, gracious lady," she said in a clear ringing voice; "I -have no claim to such distinction." - -"What! have you not an undeniable claim to the name of von Gnadewitz?" - -"Doubtless; but that claim will never be asserted." - -"Would you really reject such happiness?" - -"I cannot see that true happiness has anything to do with an empty -sound." Her endeavour to lend firmness to her faithless voice was -distinctly perceptible. - -Meanwhile the baroness had drawn near. She was inwardly furious that -her son had made his choice without in the faintest degree consulting -her, or asking her maternal consent; besides, the object of his choice -was detestable to her. But she knew well that her interference would -accomplish nothing,--her son would shrug his shoulders, perhaps smile -contemptuously, and be confirmed in his resolve. It was most fortunate, -too, for her and her interests, that Helene had taken up the matter as -she had, determined, as it seemed, to carry it through with an -enthusiastic degree of self-sacrifice. Although she was thoroughly in -the dark as to the little lady's motives for such a line of conduct, she -could not fail to perceive that she was in earnest, and therefore, -however discontented at heart, she resolved to put a good face upon the -matter, and to play the part of a forgiving and blessing parent. -Elizabeth's replies suddenly closed her lips. She conceived a hope that -Elizabeth might put a stop to the matter by her own obstinacy; if so, -she would pour oil on the flames. - -"We have to contend here with a plebeian prejudice, my love," she said -to Helene, who had listened in amazement to Elizabeth's answers. "You -may, however, have most excellent reasons for shunning the light of -loftier realms," the lady continued, in a cutting tone, turning to -Elizabeth. - -"I have no reason to shun that light," the young girl replied, "even -should it suddenly reveal faults hitherto unsuspected, as it sheds a -brilliant glare on the stains upon the crest of the Gnadewitzes. But we -love our name because it is true and honest, and we would not exchange -this stainless inheritance for a title made famous by the tears and toil -of others!" - -"Heavens, what exalted sentiments!" cried the baroness with a sneer. - -"You cannot be serious, Elizabeth," said Helene. "Do not forget that -the earthly happiness of two human beings hangs upon your decision." -She cast a meaning glance at Elizabeth, which of course was utterly -incomprehensible to her. "You must bring a noble name with you into the -sphere to which you will now belong, and you certainly would not destroy -your own hopes and those of others?" - -"I am utterly at a loss to understand you,"' said Elizabeth with some -irritation. "It never occurred to me to connect the name of von -Gnadewitz with any hopes whatever; least of all can I conceive how the -wishes or happiness of others can depend upon the resolution of such a -poor, insignificant girl as I." - -"You are not poor, dear child," rejoined Helene. "Come," she continued, -with emotion, "let us from to-day be sisters indeed! You too, dear -Rudolph," and she turned with some embarrassment to her brother; "you -will welcome Emil's bride into our family, and permit me to share -everything with her like a sister?" - -"Yes," was the reply, spoken sternly, but firmly. - -Elizabeth put her hand to her forehead; what she had heard sounded so -incredible. "Emil's bride" was what Fraeulein von Walde had said; was -she speaking of her?--impossible! Had these people conspired to terrify -her thus? And he,--he who knew how she detested Hollfeld, had sided -with them; he was standing there with folded arms, the perfect image of -implacable sternness and reserve. He had been, hitherto, quite silent, -and had opened his lips only to utter the "yes," which had so crushed -her. Had he not, previously, endeavoured almost rudely to prevent his -cousin's advances? At thought of that, it suddenly flashed upon her -that she was now of noble rank,--that explained everything. Hollfeld's -nobility could not be dishonoured now by an alliance with her; his -relatives were, therefore, all quite willing to accede to his suit, and -Helene's surprise at her announcement that she despised the name which -they thought noble, was perfectly natural; still, how they could -possibly imagine an understanding, upon her part, with the man whom she -detested, was utterly beyond her comprehension, for her brain reeled -with the wild uproar of her thoughts. One thing only was quite clear, -she must immediately convince them of their error. - -"I find myself the object of a misunderstanding, the origin of which I -cannot possibly comprehend," she said hastily. "It is Herr von -Hollfeld's duty to make an explanation here; but as he prefers to be -silent, I am forced to declare that he has had no encouragement whatever -from me." - -"But, dear child," said Helene, in great confusion, "did we not see with -our own eyes as we entered that----" she did not proceed. - -These words sounded like a thunder clap in Elizabeth's ears. The idea -that that moment of helpless terror could be misunderstood by any one, -had never entered her pure and innocent mind. And now she found, to her -unutterable pain, that it had placed her in a hatefully false light. She -turned, for an instant, toward Hollfeld, but one glance convinced her -that she had no satisfaction,--no concern for her honour, to look for -from him. With his back turned to the rest, he was standing at the -window like a detected school-boy. If the ladies only had been present, -he would doubtless have extricated himself by some bold and cunning lie; -but Herr von Walde was there, and he was utterly at a loss. He -contented himself by preserving an ambiguous silence, which gave -unlimited scope for conjecture. - -"God in heaven, how terrible!" cried the young girl, wringing her hands. -"As you entered you saw," she continued, averting her face, and drawing -a deep breath, "a defenceless girl striving vainly to repel the -insolence of a man lost to all sense of honour. The reiterated -declaration on my part that I thoroughly despise and utterly detest him -was of no avail in freeing me from his presence. I have never concealed -these sentiments from Herr von Hollfeld,--on the contrary----" - -Here she was interrupted by a loud noise. Helene had sunk back upon the -couch, and her right hand clutched the table near her, shaking it so -that the china and glass upon it rattled. The little lady's face was -ashy-pale,--her despairing glance sought Hollfeld. In vain she -endeavoured to conquer her agitation. The light that suddenly revealed -such a hateful web of intrigue was too lurid,--its glare had the -annihilating effect upon her hitherto unsuspicious mind of a flash of -lightning. - -Elizabeth, although she was herself much agitated, and prepared to give -further expression to her indignation, felt her heart melt with sympathy -at sight of the little lady. In vindicating her own honour she had torn -the bandage from Helene's eyes, and she was filled with sorrow for her, -although she knew that she must have been undeceived sooner or later. -She hastily approached her, and took the icy little hands, which had -dropped from the table, between her own. - -"Forgive me if I have terrified you by my hasty words," she said -beseechingly, but firmly. "You can readily understand my position. A -few explanatory words from Herr von Hollfeld would have sufficed to -clear me from every degrading suspicion. I should not then have been -forced to declare so emphatically what I thought of his character and -conduct. I regret what has happened, but I cannot retract one word that -I have said." - -She kissed Helene's hand, and silently left the pavilion. She fancied -that Herr von Walde extended his hand to her as she passed him, but she -did not look up. - -Outside, she followed the narrow, winding way that led through a grove -to the pond. She passed by the castle, along the broad gravel-walk, and -entered the little forest-path leading to the convent tower, without -knowing whither she was going, or remembering that every step took her -farther from her home. - -She was in a state of fearful excitement. A wild chaos was seething in -her brain. Hollfeld's offer of marriage,--his insolent -passion,--Bertha's sudden appearance at the window of the pavilion,--the -inconceivable fact that Helene had received her with joy as the bride of -the man whom she herself loved,--all these things passed through her -mind, and in the midst of the confusion she distinctly heard Herr von -Walde's "yes." He too, then, would have welcomed her as Herr von -Hollfeld's bride! It would have cost him nothing to see her his -cousin's wife. This marriage had doubtless been decided upon in family -conclave. Herr von Walde had weighed the for and against with his usual -cool judgment, and had finally agreed with Helene that Emil's choice -would not prove a blot upon the von Hollfeld escutcheon. She could be -graciously received, and they would themselves provide the dowry which -the bride was deficient in. - -At these thoughts Elizabeth set her teeth, as if she were enduring -physical agony. She was filled with unutterable bitterness; her sincere -and ardent sentiments had been misunderstood and crushed under foot by -that cold-blooded, calculating aristocrat. How could she ever have -imagined that he could sympathize in the least with a young, earnest -heart, enamoured of freedom, and giving no heed to the belittling, often -ridiculous institutions of the world,--he who found the pride and glory -of woman only in the ruins and ashes of a long ancestral line? - -Several times she paused, lost in thought, and then she walked on -quickly, heedless that she was traversing the same path along which she -had gone in such confusion by his side a few days before. The -overhanging boughs and branches brushed her forehead; she forgot how he -had bent them aside, lest they should annoy her. The underbrush was -still trodden down, and the stripped leaves were not quite withered upon -the spot where Fraeulein von Quittelsdorf and Hollfeld had broken -through the bushes to reach the two lonely wanderers. Here was the -place where the unfinished birthday greeting had been whispered; -Elizabeth passed unheeding by, and it was well that she did so, for -there were no tears in her burning eyes; here where she could have wept -her very heart out. - -At last she looked around her with surprise. She stood before the -convent tower. Hers was perhaps the first human foot that had pressed -this turf since the place had been deserted by the latest guests or the -weary servants on the night of the fete. - -It looked sadly out of order; the grass had been trodden down by the -dancers, whose tread had not been fairy-like. The two hemlocks, which -had sustained the refreshment tent, lay prostrate upon the ground in the -midst of fragments of broken bottles and the remains of the fireworks. -Above, the shrivelled garlands were still hanging between the tower and -the oaks, while a gentle breeze swept whispering among the poor flowers, -which hung crushed together in the air, their short season of triumph -long since ended. - -It was already twilight beneath the oaks, although a golden light -illumined their topmost boughs, and played upon the gray roof of the -tower. - -It was with a slight shudder that Elizabeth became aware of her -loneliness in the heart of the dim, silent forest; nevertheless she was -irresistibly drawn towards the spot where Herr von Walde had taken leave -of her. She stepped across the trampled sward,--then stood for an -instant as if rooted to the earth,--for the evening breeze brought to -her ear single broken tones of a human voice. At first she seemed to -hear something like a distant ejaculatory cry for help; then gradually -the sounds grew more connected, and rapidly drew near. It was a shrill, -piercing, female voice, shouting, rather than singing, a hymn. -Elizabeth could hear that the singer, whoever she might be, was running -quickly as she sang. - -All at once the melody ceased, or rather it was interrupted by a burst -of horrid laughter, and then by a shriek, which ran through a perfect -scale of scorn, triumph, and bitter agony. - -A foreboding of evil filled Elizabeth's mind. She looked anxiously in -the direction, in the dark wood, whence the noise was approaching. It -was hushed for a moment, and then the hymn began again, while the singer -came rushing on like the wind. - -Elizabeth stepped within the open door of the tower, for she did not -wish to encounter the strange singer; scarcely had she crossed the -threshold, when the laughter was repeated close at hand. - -On the opposite side of the open sward Bertha rushed out of the thicket, -and by her side ran Wolf, the forester's savage watch-dog. - -"Wolf, seize her!" she shrieked, pointing with both hands to Elizabeth. -The animal came tearing, barking, across the open space. - -Elizabeth shut the door behind her, and ran up the tower stairs. She -thus gained a moment's advantage; but before she had reached the roof of -the tower the door below was opened. The growling dog rushed up the -stairs followed by the maniac cheering him on. - -The terrified and hunted girl reached the topmost stair,--she heard the -growl of the savage brute behind her,--he was just at her heels,--with -one last effort she stepped out upon the roof, closed the oaken door, -and leaned her whole weight against it. - -For a few moments Bertha rattled at the latch upon the other side,--it -did not yield. She raved, and threw herself against the oaken panels, -while Wolf, barking and growling, scratched at the threshold. - -"Amber witch out there!" she shrieked. "I'll throttle you! I'll drag -you through the thicket by your long, yellow hair! You have stolen his -heart from me, with your moonshine face,--vile hypocrite that you are! -Seize her, Wolf, seize her!" - -The dog whined, and tore at the door with his paws. - -"Tear her in pieces, Wolf; bury your teeth in her white fingers that -have bewitched him with their devilish music! curse her! cursed be the -tones that come from her fingers! may they turn to poisonous arrows, and -bury themselves in her own heart and destroy it!" - -Again she threw herself against the door; the old oaken planks creaked -and groaned, but it did not yield to the little powerless feet. - -Elizabeth meanwhile leaned against the door on the other side, with lips -tightly closed and a face pale as death. She had seized a piece of wood -that lay at her feet that she might defend herself, if need should be, -against the dog. Her whole frame shuddered at the curses which Bertha -shrieked out, but she nerved herself with new resolution. - -Had she only glanced at the latch of the door, she would have seen that -any effort upon her part to keep it closed was wholly needless,--a huge -bolt had slipped forward, against which the maniac's utmost strength -could avail nothing. - -"Open the door!" Bertha shouted again. "Transparent, brittle creature! -Ha! ha! Old Bruin, whom I hate, calls her Gold Elsie. The old fellow -despises heaven, and may go to hell for all I care, for I shall be -blessed, eternally blessed. He calls her Gold Elsie because she has -hair of amber. Fie! how ugly you are! my hair is black as the raven's -wing. I am a thousand times the fairer. Do you hear me, moonlight -face?" - -She paused exhausted, and Wolf, too, ceased his whining and scratching -at the threshold. - -At the same moment the tolling of a distant bell broke the evening -silence of the forest. Elizabeth well knew what it signified,--a -funeral train was descending the mountain from the ruins of old Castle -Gnadeck. Lila's mortal remains were leaving the walls which had once -echoed the sighs and groans of the lovely gypsy girl. She was borne -through the forest, in longing for which her heart had broken two -centuries before. - -Bertha, too, seemed to listen to the sound of the bell; for a moment she -did not stir. - -"They are ringing," she cried suddenly; "come, Wolf, let us go to -church; let her stay up here with the clouds that will fall upon her in -the night,--the tempest will tear her hair, and the ravens will come and -pick out her eyes, for she is accursed, accursed!" - -And then she began the hymn again. Her terrible voice echoed eerily -against the narrow walls of the tower. She ran down and out of the door -below, then rushed singing across the open space, and disappeared in the -thicket whence she had issued at first,--the dog following her. She -never once turned round towards the tower. As soon as she turned her -back upon it she seemed to forget entirely that the object of her hatred -was standing up there upon the gray stone platform. Elizabeth caught a -last glimpse of her scarlet jacket among the dark bushes, and then, with -her savage companion, she was seen no more. Gradually her song died -away, and soon the gentle breeze wafted only the tolling of the bell to -the ears of the lonely girl upon the roof of the tower. - -With a deep-drawn breath of relief she relinquished her constrained -position, which she had until now retained mechanically, and tried to -lift the latch of the door. It was rusty and resisted her efforts as it -had Bertha's. She now discovered with alarm that the bolt had -sprung,--it had, indeed, defended and protected her, but it was also her -jailer,--for she could not possibly stir it; worn out at last with her -fruitless attempts to withdraw it, she dropped her hands at her sides. - -What was to be done? She thought with distress of her parents who had -probably been made anxious by her prolonged absence,--for they knew that -she fully intended to be present at the interment of her ancestress. - -Around her were grouped the mighty monarchs of the forest, their topmost -boughs still tipped here and there by the fading western light. Far in -the distance gleamed a strip of light,--there lay L---- with its lofty -castle, whose long rows of windows glittered for a few moments, and then -disappeared in gloom. And there towered the mountain crowned by the -ruin of Gnadeck; but the forest hid from her her dear home, she could -not even see the lofty flagstaff. - -Elizabeth soon relinquished all hope of being seen by passers-by,--and -she knew that her feeble cry for help must die away unheard, for the -tower lay hidden in the depths of the forest; no frequented road passed -near it; and who would be likely to be walking at nightfall in the quiet -path which led nowhere except to the convent tower? - -Nevertheless she made one attempt, and uttered a loud cry. But how weak -it sounded! It seemed to her that the boughs of the nearest tree -absorbed it entirely; it only startled some ravens in the vicinity, and -they flew croaking away overhead; then all was still again,--fearfully -still. The Lindhof church bells were silent. A faint red yet glimmered -in the west, tinging a few little floating clouds,--the forest lay in -deep shadow. - -Utterly at a loss, Elizabeth walked to and fro upon the flat roof. -Sometimes she stood still at the corner looking toward Castle Lindhof, -which was the nearest inhabited mansion, and raised her voice in a vain -cry for help. At last she ceased all such efforts, and seated herself -upon the bench which was set into the outer wall of the small landing, -at the top of the stairs, and which was tolerably protected by the -projecting roof from wind and weather. - -She was not afraid of passing the night here, for she did not doubt that -search would be made for her in the forest; but how many anxious hours -her friends must pass before she could be found! - -This thought troubled her greatly and increased her nervous agitation. -She had passed through so much during the day, and had had no -assistance, nothing but her own force of character to sustain her. She -was still trembling from the terror of the last shock. What could have -caused poor Bertha's outbreak of insanity? She had spoken of a heart -which Elizabeth had stolen from her,--was it possible that Hollfeld had -played some part in this sad story, as Frau Ferber had lately so often -insisted? - -Such a suspicion revived all the painful sensations that had before -possessed her. But now, sitting motionless against the old wall, while -the darkening heavens seemed to draw near her, and nothing spoke of life -around save the damp night air that swept soothingly across her hot -cheek,--now her moistened eyes bore witness that the stern stoicism with -which her crushed heart had armed itself, had vanished. All, all was -over; she had broken with the inmates of Lindhof forever. She had -shattered Helene's ideal, and she had thrown back to Herr von Walde the -gift of his consent to her marriage which he had offered her; doubtless -his pride had been mortally wounded. Most probably she should never see -him again. He would soon set out upon his travels, glad to efface the -impression made upon him by the ingratitude of the poor music-teacher. - -She covered her face with her hands, and the tears trickled through the -slender white fingers. - -In the mean time the night had fallen, still it was not quite dark. The -crescent moon was reigning in the skies, where all the other shining -wanderers appeared and went their way, never heeding that their sister -planet, the earth, careering in space with them, contained millions of -little worlds, each inclosing in its sphere heights and depths, tossing -waves with their ebb and flow, mighty storms, and only too rarely a -sacred repose. - -And now life began to stir in the old tower. There was a low murmur and -moaning upon the stairs; slight blows were struck from within upon the -oaken door, and wings brushed the inner wall; the owls and bats were -longing to be abroad, and could not find their accustomed place of -egress. And in the forest below there arose a rustling and -crackling,--the deer broke through the thicket and roamed about in -entire security. From the distant east, where the forest almost in its -primeval luxuriance descended into the valley and then again climbed an -opposing range of mountains, a faint shot was occasionally heard. Every -time Elizabeth heard the sound she nestled closer against the wall -beneath the protecting roof, as if in fear lest she should be discerned -by some unfriendly eye gazing thence;--those hunting there were outlaws. - -Still no succour came. Her fear, then, lest her parents should be -anxious, had been unfounded. Of course, they supposed her to be yet at -the castle,--perhaps they were displeased at her long absence from home; -but they would possibly wait until ten o'clock for her return. It might -be midnight before she was released. - -It grew quite cold. With a shiver, she drew her thin shawl close about -her, and tied a handkerchief around her throat. She was obliged to -leave her seat, and walk to and fro on the roof, to prevent herself from -becoming chilled. Occasionally she leaned over the balustrade and -looked down. - -White cloud-like phantoms were hovering hither and thither over the open -space beneath,--the mists rising from the damp ground. Elizabeth no -longer thought of the motley spectacle,--the ostentation and vanity that -had filled this place a few days before. She forgot the countless idle -words that had filled the air, causing such a confusion of tongues that -the old tower, instead of standing upon honest Thuringian soil, might -have challenged the skies upon the banks of the Euphrates. Forth from -the billows of mist floated the shadowy forms of the nuns buried under -these walls, their features pale and passionless, their desolate hearts -stilled within their long-flowing robes, and their waxen brows, beneath -their white bands, haunted no longer by restless doubts and longings. -They would fain have trodden the path leading from the world to heaven, -had they not been so often dragged down to earth again. - -Elizabeth thought of those dark times, when these gloomy walls were -erected in expiation of the crime of a knightly assassin,--cold stone -walls to appease Him from whom has come the Word made life,--who is the -source of Eternal Love. Could all the prayers, breathed by the inmates -of that living tomb,--all the masses,--the organs rolling thunder, blot -out the stain of blood which the criminal carried to the foot of the -eternal throne? No, a thousand times no! He heeds no incense wafted -before the shrine of Baal. His eternal edicts are not reversed by the -creatures whom He has made. - -What a terrible episode in the family history of the Gnadewitzes those -crumbling ruins commemorated! And could it be possible that a being, -conscious of a fervent desire for moral elevation and spiritual growth, -should be duly respected only when permitted to bear that name? Must -she learn that a spotless life was nought, laid in the balance with a -human device, which was, in fact, a phantom of the brain,--an absolute -nothing? - -Was the superstition that committed witches to the flames darker than -this delusion of the privileges of birth, by which many a true and -richly-gifted human life is as ruthlessly destroyed as by the faggot of -the executioner,--the delusion, that flatly contradicts the Almighty -decree, which declares all God's children to come alike from His -creating hand,--alike in outward form, in physical structure, in the -possession of senses, whereby both king and beggar enjoy and suffer, -alike in the possession of that vital spark that animates these outward -shapes? Where is there a soul, even although it has attained the summit -of human perfection, that is not conscious of some weakness, or a human -being so depraved, that one good quality at least does not glimmer forth -from the slough of vice into which he has sunk?--And can he be -influenced by such narrow prejudice,--he, whose brow bears the impress -of high intelligence, whose glance and voice can melt with a tenderness -that reveals a soul alive to the best and deepest emotions of our -nature? Could he rank the hollow form above the immortal rights of -humanity, which accord freedom of thought and action to all? Did not -that false system continually crush out the highest and holiest -sentiment of the human heart, love? If Elizabeth had loved Hollfeld, -what would her lot have been without the discovery in the ruins? And -if,--here a sarcastic smile hovered upon her quivering lips,--if one -thought of affection for her had ever stirred Herr von Walde's heart, -and he should come now and offer his hand?----Never, never would she -consent to give herself to him, with the consciousness that her -unutterable love had only been returned when such return was no longer -forbidden by the old worn-out laws of society. The pain of renunciation -lost much of its torture, contrasted with the torment that would be the -result of such a life. - -With looks full of gloom, Elizabeth once more walked to the corner of -the balustrade looking towards Castle Lindhof, and stood gazing in that -direction. One and the same star rose above that graceful pile and the -poorest hut in the neighbouring village, casting its mild light -impartially upon each,--or was there really a stronger gleam upon the -spot where the park opened into the forest? No; that light came from -below, and penetrating quickly farther and farther into the forest, -faintly tinged the boughs above with its rays. It was most certainly a -torch borne along the narrow path by which Elizabeth had reached the -convent tower. - -Once the light was, for an instant, immovable, and a faint shout reached -her ears. She felt convinced now that help was at hand,--that search -was made for her,--and she raised her voice in reply, although she knew -that the faint sound could not reach the bearer of the torch. The light -hesitated but for a moment, and then quickly came nearer and nearer. -She could soon plainly distinguish the flame of the torch, and see the -shower of sparks that fell from it to the ground. - -"Elizabeth!" suddenly resounded through the forest. - -The voice thrilled through her every nerve,--for it was his voice. Herr -von Walde was calling her in tones of unutterable anxiety. - -"Here," she called down to him; "I am here, upon the convent tower." - -The torch-bearer plunged through the thickets and hurried across the -open sward. In a few moments he stood upon the landing without, shaking -the door with a powerful hand. Several stout blows followed, and the -old planks were burst open. - -Herr von Walde stepped out upon the roof. In his left hand he held the -torch, while with his right he drew Elizabeth within the circle of its -light. His head was uncovered, his dark hair lay in dishevelled locks -upon his forehead, and his face was very pale. He hastily scanned her -figure, as if to convince himself that she was unhurt. He was evidently -in a state of great agitation, the hand which grasped her arm trembled -violently, and for a moment he could not speak. - -"Elizabeth, poor child!" he ejaculated at last, with a gasping sigh, -"did the insult that you received in my house to-day drive you hither to -this dreary ruin, and the gloomy night?" - -Elizabeth explained to him that her stay here had not been voluntary on -her part, as the bolted door testified, and related in a few words, as -she descended the stairs, all that had occurred. He went before and -offered her his hand to support her, but she took hold of the rope which -served for a hand-rail, and turned away her eyes that she might ignore -his proffered aid. - -At this moment a strong draught of air extinguished the torch, which had -burnt only dimly, and all was enveloped in darkness. - -"Now give me your hand!" he said, in the tone of command which she knew -so well. - -"I can take hold of the rope, I need no other support," she replied. - -The last word had scarcely left her lips when she felt herself lifted -from the ground like a feather by two strong arms and carried down the -steps. - -"Foolish child!" he said, as he set her down upon the grass outside. "I -will not have you dashed to pieces upon the stone pavement of that -dreary tower." - -She entered the path which led directly to Castle Lindhof,--it was the -shortest. Herr von Walde walked silently by her side. - -"Do you intend to leave me to-night without saying one kind word to me?" -he suddenly asked, standing still. Pain and suppressed auger strove in -his voice for the mastery. "Have I had the misfortune to offend you?" - -"Yes, you have wounded me grievously." - -"Because I did not instantly chastise my cousin?" - -"You could not,--his suit had your entire approbation. You, as well as -the others, would have forced me to accept Herr von Hollfeld." - -"I force you? Oh, child, how little you understand a man's heart? I -was the victim of a terrible error when I uttered that 'yes.' I longed -to try if it were a delusion, and to free myself from it. Now you shall -learn that I will banish everything that can remind you of to-day's -terror. You like Lindhof?" - -"Yes." - -"The Baroness Lessen is about to leave the castle. Let me entreat you to -be my sister's stay and support when I leave her again, when I begin my -wanderings anew. Will you consent?" - -"I cannot promise to do so." - -"And why not?" - -"Fraeulein von Walde will not desire my society, and even if----. I -have already declared once to-day that I shall not bear the new name." - -"What a strange reply! What has that to do with the matter? Ah, now I -understand. At last I begin to see clearly. Then you think that I -agreed to Hollfeld's suit because you suddenly had a right to an ancient -name? Speak, is not this the fact?" - -"Yes, I believe this to be the fact." - -"And you suppose further, that the same reason leads me to desire your -companionship for my sister. You are convinced that aristocratic pride -prompts all my thoughts and actions?" - -"Yes, yes." - -"Pray let me inquire of you what name you bore when I asked you for a -birthday greeting, when we last walked together here in this path?" - -"Then we did not know of the secret hidden in the ruins," said -Elizabeth, in an almost inaudible tone. - -"Have you forgotten the words which I dictated to you that afternoon?" - -"No,--I remember every syllable of them with the greatest distinctness," -she replied quickly. - -"And do you think it possible that such words can end with, 'I hope the -coming year will prove a happy one,' or the like?" - -The girl did not speak, but looked up at him with a crimson blush. - -"Listen to me quietly for one moment, Elizabeth," he continued, but he -himself was so far from quiet that his voice sounded faint and -faltering, as though half stifled by the throbbing of his heart, "a man -who might have been regarded as fortune's favourite, so richly did she -endow him in his cradle with rank and wealth, mistrusted these -advantages when he arrived at years of discretion. He feared that they -would stand in the way of what he considered the true happiness of his -life. He had created for himself an ideal of her by whose side alone he -could find real peace,--not that he required extraordinary physical -beauty or intellectual power,--he sought a pure, true heart, that should -be influenced by no consideration of worldly advantages, but should give -herself to him for his own sake alone. He gradually arrived at the -conviction that his ideal must remain an ideal, for in his search for -its realization, he came to be thirty-seven years old. When hope has -folded her wings, and night is falling around us, there is something -overpowering in the sudden flushing of a morning light, at the eleventh -hour. The mind is unhinged, the long, weary waiting has rendered it -almost incapable of believing in great, unexpected happiness. At last, -Elizabeth, he found the heart he had sought,--a heart accompanied by a -clear, well-balanced intellect that was infinitely superior to all -narrow, sordid considerations,--but this heart throbbed in a youthful -form adorned with every imaginable grace. Was it to be wondered at that -the man of riper years, possessing, as he knew, no personal advantages, -regarded with mistrust another who could lay in the balance youth and a -fine person? Was it to be wondered at that he allowed himself to be -carried away one moment, inspired by the boldest hopes, by some word, -some act on the young girl's part, only to be cast down utterly the -next, when he saw that other in her society? Was it not natural that he -should fear that youth only could attract youth? Never did heart of man -long more wildly than his for the accomplishment of his desire,--never -was there a man more possessed, in moments of despair, by a cowardly -doubt as to its fulfilment. And when they told him that his little -idolized darling belonged to that other, he emptied the bitter cup to -the dregs, and said 'yes' because he imagined that she had already said -it. Elizabeth, I stood on the threshold of the pavilion to-day in a -state of utter despair. You do not know what it is, when a merchant -heaps all his treasure, every jewel that he possesses, in a single ship, -and sees it sink before his eyes. Shall I try to tell you what I felt -when you so decidedly rejected the rank which you might have claimed, -and so made an alliance with Hollfeld impossible? Shall I tell you that -my sister's condition, and consideration for you yourself, alone -prevented me from chastising that scoundrel upon the spot? He has -already left Lindhof, and will never cross your path again. Will you -forget the insult that you received in my house to-day?" - -He had taken her hands in his, and held them pressed close to his -breast. Without withdrawing them she assented to his question with -trembling lips. - -"And shall we not forget everything, my darling little Gold Elsie, that -has occurred between the beginning and the conclusion of the birthday -wish? My golden darling, the delight of my eyes, my own Elizabeth -Ferber stands again before me, and will repeat after me what I say, will -she not? The last sentence which was so cruelly interrupted--tell me -what it was." - -"Here is my hand as the pledge of an unutterable bliss," faltered -Elizabeth. - -"In life, in death, and for all eternity, I will be your own." - -But she opened her lips in vain to repeat after him the words which he -uttered so solemnly, with the most profound emotion. She burst into -tears and threw her arms around the neck of her lover, who clasped her -to his heart. - -"This divine dream must not fade," he said with a sigh, as Elizabeth -gently extricated herself from his embrace. "Leave me your hand at -least, Elizabeth, I must learn to believe in my bliss. If you leave me -now, I shall be crushed by doubt again to-night. You are thoroughly -conscious that you are irrevocably mine? Do you know that you must -leave father and mother, and the dear home upon the mountain, for my -sake?" - -"I know it, and will do so gladly, Rudolph," she said smiling, but firm. - -"God bless you, my darling, for those words! But you must know the -depths of my doubt. Is it not pity for my boundless love that induces -you to yield your consent to my suit?" - -"No, Rudolph, it is love,--a love which first awoke in my heart,--does -not this sound strangely,--when I saw in your angry eyes, and heard in -the tones of your voice, how you detested cruelty and injustice! And -since that moment it has never left me; on the contrary, it has -increased and grown stronger, in spite of all my efforts to destroy it, -notwithstanding all the harsh words that have so often wounded it -sorely." - -"Who spoke such words?" - -"You, yourself; you were harsh and unkind to me." - -"Oh, child, those were the outbreaks of insane jealousy! I have -struggled for and exercised self-control all my life long, but I could -not conceal how I was tortured then. And would you, on that account, -have closed upon me the heaven that is opening before me?" - -"Not on that account,--for one kind look from you made me happy again; -but another obstinate opponent entered the lists,--my reason. It had -grown well aware of everything that report declared concerning your -incredible aristocratic arrogance, and, at every wild throb of my heart, -dinned into my ears your reasons for refusing the alliance which the -prince proposed to you." - -"Ah! those sixteen quarterings!" cried Herr von Walde, smiling, "But -see, my little Gold Elsie, what a Nemesis that was!" he continued more -gravely. "To avoid annoyance, I seized upon the first means at hand, -and, as I now know, it almost cost me the happiness of my life. I like -the Prince of L----, but any residence at his court was rendered, for a -time, utterly odious to me, by the matrimonial alliances proposed for -me, principally by the Princess Catharine. She had taken it into her -head that I must marry one of the ladies of her court. No one could -believe that the girl was entirely indifferent to me, for she passed for -a brilliant beauty, and had broken many a heart. All that I could say -was of no avail; they continued to plot and intrigue, and so one day I -cut the whole matter short by declaring to her Highness that her plan -for me would cost me one of my estates, since, as is true, by my uncle's -will it was devised to the State if I should marry a wife who could not -show sixteen quarterings in her escutcheon. This declaration put an end -to my torment; no such person was to be found in the length and breadth -of the little kingdom, and all thought it natural that I should wish to -retain my estate." - -"And will you suffer this loss for my sake?" cried Elizabeth, in -surprise. - -"It is no loss, Elizabeth; it is an exchange,--an exchange by which I -gain a priceless treasure,--the happiness of an entire existence." - -A torch glimmered through the thicket. - -"Halt! this way!" cried Herr von Walde. - -In a few moments one of the servants appeared, and was ordered to hasten -as quickly as possible to Gnadeck and announce Fraeulein Ferber's -safety. - -The servant hurried away. - -"I have been very selfish, Elizabeth," said Herr von Walde, putting her -hand within his arm, and no longer loitering. "I knew that your family -was most anxious about you; that your father and uncle were ranging the -forest in search of you, while my people, and many of the Lindhof -peasants, were traversing the country in all directions upon the same -errand, and yet I forgot everything when I found you." - -"My poor father and mother!" sighed Elizabeth, not without a slight -twinge of conscience; the whole world had ceased to exist for her when -he appeared. - -"Friedrich runs quickly," von Walde said, soothingly; "he will reach the -summit of the mountain long before us, and tell them you are safe." - -They entered the park and passed by the castle. It lay in darkness and -silence. Only from Helena's chamber window gleamed a faint light. - -"There is a life-and-death struggle going on there," murmured Herr von -Walde, looking up. "She loved that wretch devotedly; how fearful her -awakening must be!" - -"Go and comfort her," begged Elizabeth. - -"Comfort her? At such a moment? My child, who could have come to me -with comfort when I thought I had lost you? Helene shut herself in her -room when I ordered Herr von Hollfeld's horse to be brought to the door; -her maid is near her. A long time must elapse before she wishes to see -me; when we have been grossly deceived we do not immediately turn to -those who warned us of the deceit. Besides, I will not enter my house -again until I am sure that your parents will not snatch you from me." - -The path branched aside to the well-known bank in the forest. - -"Do you remember?" asked Elizabeth, smiling, as she pointed to it. - -"Yes, yes. There you told me so bravely of your determination to go out -into the world as a governess, and I took the liberty of declaring to -myself that I never would permit it. I had to exert all my self-control -to prevent myself from then and there clasping my little bird in my arms -and pressing its golden head, filled with such bold resolve, to my -breast. And there I drew from you the unconscious naive confession that -your parents still held the first place in your heart. But you adopted -a cold, repellant demeanour, as soon as I attempted to be confidential." - -"It was shyness,--and I am not yet quite sure that to-morrow, when I see -your stern face by daylight, I shall not fall into the same -embarrassment." - -"It will never be stern again, my child; joy has touched it with its -gentle finger." - -Soon afterwards, the old beeches which look in at the windows of the -Ferber's dwelling-room saw a strange sight. A man of fine presence, his -face pale with profound emotion, conducted the daughter to her parents, -and then asked them to give her back to him as his future wife,--his -other self. The old beeches saw him take his young love in his arms, -and receive the blessing of her agitated parents. They saw the mother's -face, smiling through tears, raised gratefully to Heaven, and little -Ernst shaking the canary's cage, that he might awaken that sleepy -songster and announce to him, with great solemnity, that Elsie was -betrothed. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - -While happiness was reigning in the home upon old Gnadeck, a sad event -occurred in the valley. - -Two peasants from Lindhof, who, provided with torches, had been looking -for Elizabeth, heard, as they were proceeding from their village to the -forest, a loud growling at a little distance,--it sounded like an angry -dog. Not far from them lay stretched across the road a human form, -while a large dog lying beside it, as if to defend it, had placed both -his forepaws upon its breast. The animal became infuriated at the -approach of the men, and, gnashing its teeth, threatened to fly at them. -They were afraid, and ran back to the village, where they met a party -bearing torches, and among them the forester, who had just heard from -Herr von Walde's servant of Elizabeth's safety. - -Instantly all hastened to the spot which the frightened peasants -described. This time the dog did not growl. He whined, and crept to the -forester's feet; it was Wolf, his watch-dog, and there lay Bertha, -apparently lifeless. She was bleeding profusely from a wound in her -head, and her face was as pale as death. - -The forester did not speak, he shunned the sympathetic glances of the -by-standers; anger and pain strove for the mastery in his features. He -raised Bertha from the ground, and carried her into the first house in -the village; it was the poor weaver's. Then he sent a messenger for -Sabina. Fortunately, the Waldheim physician was with one of his -patients in the village. He was sent for, and soon brought the poor -girl to herself. She recognized him, and asked for water. Her wound -was not dangerous, but the physician shook his head and looked meaningly -at the forester, who was anxiously watching him. - -The doctor was a blunt man, with rather rude manners. He suddenly -approached the forester, and said a few words to him in a slight -undertone. The old man staggered back as though from a mortal blow, -stared absently at the doctor without replying a word,--and then left -the house without looking at the sick girl. - -"Uncle, uncle, forgive me!" she cried after him in heart-breaking tones, -but he had already vanished into the dark night. - -And now Sabina made her appearance in the doorway. A maid followed her, -bearing a huge bundle of linen upon her head, and a basket upon her arm, -containing bandages, provisions, and all manner of necessary articles. - -"Gracious Powers! what have you been doing with yourself, Bertha?" cried -the old woman with tears in her eyes, as she saw the pale face, and the -bandaged head lying upon the pillow. "And to-day, too, when I thought -you went out looking so much better,--you had such beautiful red -cheeks!" - -The girl buried her face in the bedclothes, and began to sob -convulsively. - -The physician told Sabina what was to be done, and strictly forbade the -invalid to converse or even to speak. - -"Must I be silent?" cried Bertha, raising herself in bed. "Ah! silence -may be easy for such an old man, whose blood runs cool and calm in his -veins. But I must speak, Sabina, and if it kills me,--so much the -better!" - -She drew the old housekeeper towards her upon the bed, and, weeping -bitterly, confessed all to her. - -She had had a love affair with Hollfeld, who had promised to marry her, -and had induced her to swear solemnly that she would keep silent -concerning their relations to each other, and not claim her rights until -he should authorize her to do so; for, as he told her, he must first -influence his mother and his relatives at Lindhof to accede to his -wishes. The unthinking girl promised all that he asked,--and in -addition vowed solemnly that no human being should hear one word from -her lips until she could proclaim her proud secret to the world. The -meetings of the pair usually took place in the convent-tower or in the -pavilion in the park. No one discovered them. The baroness' suspicions -were aroused by some slight circumstance,--she fell into a violent rage, -and forbade Bertha ever to show her face at Lindhof Castle. - -Still Bertha's lofty hopes were unshaken, for Hollfeld consoled her, and -referred to the future. But then came Elizabeth Ferber, and he was an -altered man from that moment. He avoided Bertha, and when she compelled -him by threats to an interview, he treated her with a coldness and -contempt that excited the girl's passionate nature to frenzy. - -When at last she became convinced that she had to do with a man utterly -devoid of honour, the whole horror of her situation was laid bare before -her. She fell into a state of the wildest despair, and then began her -nightly escapades. Sleep scarcely visited her eyes, and she grew more -composed only when she could shriek out her agony and woe in the lonely -forest. - -At last came the end to the tragedy,--the same end that has befallen -such tragedies hundreds of times before, and that will continue to -befall them,--for the warning example convinces the understanding but -never touches an unsuspecting, loving heart. Hollfeld offered the poor -girl a sum of money if she would relinquish her claims and leave that -part of the country. He pretended that his mother and his Lindhof -relatives forced him to marry the newly-made Fraeulein von Gnadewitz. -Bertha denounced him as an unprincipled liar, and rushed from his -presence. In a frenzy of rage she presented herself before his mother -and told her all. - -Thus far Bertha continued her sad tale connectedly, only interrupted by -her violent gestures, sobs, and tears. She paused for a moment, and an -expression of inextinguishable hatred distorted her countenance. - -"That horrible woman," she cried at last, gasping for breath, "has the -Bible always upon her lips. She knits and sews night and day for -missionaries, who are to carry the word of God to the heathen, that they -may be converted; but they cannot in their ignorance be more inhuman and -cruel than this Christian in her pride. She wishes to root out -idol-worship, and sets up herself for an idol, surrounding herself by a -crowd of fawning, flattering hypocrites, who declare that she is one of -the elect,--not as other people are. Woe to the upright, honest man who -refuses to consider her as such,--his crime is blasphemy! She thrust me -from her doors, and threatened to have the dogs hunt me from the park, -if I ever showed my face there again. From that time I do not know what -became of me," she said, sinking back exhausted among the pillows, and -pressing her hands upon her aching forehead. "I only know that I awaked -and saw the doctor's face bending over me. He told my uncle of my -disgrace,--I heard him. What will become of me!" - -Sabina had listened to this confession with horror and grief. She had -always advocated the strictest purity and decorum, and had been, as -Bertha well knew, a stern and inflexible judge in such unhappy cases as -that of the wretched girl. But her heart was full of love and pity. -She looked down upon the crushed sinner before her with tears of -compassion, and soothed the weary head upon her kind old breast. She -was rewarded by seeing the poor girl fall asleep in her arms, like a -child worn out with weeping. - -Soon nothing was heard in the little room but the quiet breathing of the -sick girl and the ticking of the clock. Sabina put on her spectacles, -drew an old worn copy of the New Testament from her basket, and watched -faithfully by the bedside until the bright dawn looked in at the -windows. - -Bertha did not die, as she had hoped to do in consequence of her -agitating confession. On the contrary, she recovered very quickly, -nursed and tended by Sabina and Frau Ferber. There was no return of her -insanity. The wound in her head, which had been caused by a fall upon a -sharp stone, had produced a most beneficial result in the copious loss -of blood which had ensued. - -The forester was beside himself at the disgrace which Bertha had brought -beneath his honest roof. For some days he would not even listen to his -brother's calm, soothing words. After Sabina had communicated to him -Bertha's confession, he rode to Odenberg to call "the worthless -scoundrel to account;" but the servants there informed him, shrugging -their shoulders, that their master had started upon a journey; they -could not tell whither, or when he would return. Herr von Walde's -search for him was also without result. - -Bertha herself declared that she would never again hear of her betrayer, -whom she now regarded with a hate as fervent as had been her love. A -few weeks after her recovery she left the weaver's hut,--she never again -entered the Lodge,--to go to America. But she did not go alone. One of -her uncle's assistants, a fine young fellow, begged for his dismissal, -because he had always loved Bertha in silence, and could not find it in -his heart to let her go alone into the wide world. She had promised to -be his. They were to be married in Bremen, and sail thence for the New -World, where he would lead a farmer's life. Herr von Walde provided the -pair with a considerable sum of money; and, at Frau Ferber's and -Elizabeth's request, the forester silently consented that Sabina should -rob the overflowing store of linen that his deceased wife had -accumulated, to furnish the household of the emigrants. - - * * * * * - -Upon a gloomy autumn day a well-packed travelling carriage left Castle -Lindhof and slowly rolled towards L----. Her haughty arrogance all -vanished, the baroness sat huddled together in one corner of it. Her -brilliant part at Lindhof was played; she was reluctantly returning to -her small rooms and reduced circumstances. - -"Mamma," said Bella, in her shrill, childish accents, as she opened and -shut the carriage window and drummed against the seat with her feet, -"does the castle belong now to Elizabeth Ferber? Will she drive in our -beautiful carriage with the white damask cushions? Can she go into your -room whenever she pleases and sit in the embroidered arm-chairs? Old -Lorenz says that she will be the mistress there now, and that all her -orders must be obeyed." - -"Child, do not torment me so with your chatter," groaned the baroness, -burying her face in her pocket-handkerchief. - -"It is very unkind of Uncle Rudolph to send us away," the child -continued, without heeding what her mother said. "You know we have no -silver dishes to eat from in B----, have we, mamma? Shall we dine at a -restaurant, mamma? and will you dress your own hair while Caroline -washes and irons? Why----" - -"Silence!" her mother interrupted the flood of speech that so tormented -her. - -Bella cowered terrified in a corner, and did not look up until the -carriage was rolling over the stone pavement of L----. The baroness -cast a hasty glance at the Princely castle, then drew her veil over her -face and burst into tears. - -In consequence of Bertha's confession there had been a stormy interview -between Herr von Walde and the baroness, which had ended in the -departure of the latter. Helene repulsed her with aversion when she -appealed to her, and she was forced to enter the travelling carriage, -which appeared punctually before the castle at the hour appointed by its -master. There was one consoling drop in her cup of misfortune,--Herr -von Walde had provided the means for Bella's education, upon condition -that it should be more sensibly conducted than heretofore. - -Almost at the same hour in which the Baroness Lessen was leaving Lindhof -forever, the Countess von Falkenberg presented herself in the boudoir of -the princess, who had returned with her husband a few days before from -the baths. - -The countess made as profound an obeisance as her uncertain limbs would -permit, but showed a degree of haste that she would have stigmatized in -another as contrary to all rules of etiquette. She held an open letter -in her hand, which had been somewhat crushed by her trembling fingers. - -"I am most unhappy," she began in an unnatural tone of voice, "to be -obliged to impart to your highnesses a most scandalous piece of news. -Oh, mon Dieu, who would have thought it! Well, if even in our own -sphere all sense of shame, all dignified self-consciousness, is at an -end,--if every one is to heed the dictates of low and vulgar -impulses,--no wonder that the halo surrounding us is dimmed, and the mob -ventures to attack the throne itself!" - -"Calm yourself, my dear Falkenberg," said the prince, who was present, -with evident amusement. "Your preface is somewhat after the magnificent -style of a Cassandra. But as yet I see no signs of earthquake; and to my -great satisfaction I observe,"--and he glanced out of the window at the -quiet market-square with a smile,--"that my faithful subjects are quite -composed. What have you to tell us?" - -She looked up surprised,--his sarcastic tone made her falter. - -"Oh, if your highness only knew!" she cried at last. "That man, upon -whose pride of birth I so relied, Herr von Walde, informs me that he is -betrothed. And to whom? to whom?" - -"To Fraeulein Ferber, the niece of my brave, old forester," the prince, -smiling, replied. "Yes, yes, I have heard something of this; Walde -knows what he is about, I see. The little girl is a miracle of beauty -and loveliness they say. Well, I hope he will not keep us waiting long -to make her acquaintance, but will present her to us soon." - -"Your highness," cried the paralyzed countess, "she is the daughter of -your highness' forester's clerk!" - -"Yes, yes, my good Falkenberg," chimed in the princess, "we know that. -But be calm; she is I assure you of noble rank." - -"Will your highness graciously permit me," rejoined the old lady, her -face crimson, as she pointed to the crumpled letter, "here it stands in -black and white,--his betrothal with a person of low birth,--here is the -name, Ferber, and no other, and just so it will be written upon von -Walde's genealogical tree forever. It actually seems as if the man -paraded it with a sort of ostentation. The inconceivable indifference -of these people in refusing to assume the name of von Gnadewitz shows -plainly enough that they have nothing in common with that aristocratic -family. Their noble blood has utterly degenerated in the course of -years, and, according to my notions of nobility, the girl is and always -will be of low birth. I sincerely pity poor Hollfeld, who is, as your -highness knows, of stainless descent; by this misalliance he will lose -at least half a million,--and the poor Lessen, too, from whom I have -just had a few sad lines,--she leaves Lindhof to-day, of course to -escape from such scandalous proceedings." - -"Those are matters affecting your own personal feeling, and of course I -say nothing with regard to them," rejoined the prince, not without -severity. "But I herewith request you to announce to the princess and -myself the fact, as soon as Herr von Walde wishes to present his bride -to us." - -In the next room, the door of which was open, Cornelie was merrily -turning upon her heels and snapping her fingers. - -"Aha! and that was why Sir Bruin wished to escape the tongues of certain -eloquent ladies!" she cried, with a stifled laugh. "Cornelie, where was -your usual penetration with regard to the masculine heart? Oh, the -thing delights me for old Falkenberg's sake," she said, in a whisper, to -another young lady who sat at the window embroidering. "Now for at -least two weeks we shall have the pleasure of seeing how the loyal -creature will look daggers at their highnesses whenever their backs are -turned, while all the honey of the promised land will overflow her -withered lips as soon as the sun of their royal smile shines upon her. -I could wish that every man whom we know would follow Herr von Walde's -silly example!" - -"Good Heavens! Cornelie, are you insane?" cried her companion at the -window, dropping her needle from her fingers. - -At the same time that every drop of blood in the Falkenberg's -aristocratic veins was so outraged, Doctor Fels returned to his home, -and went to the nursery, where his wife was bathing her baby and -superintending the knitting fingers of her two little daughters. - -"Rejoice with me, dear love!" he cried, with sparkling eyes, as he stood -upon the threshold of the door. "Lindhof will have a mistress, and such -a mistress! Gold Elsie, our beautiful Gold Elsie! Do you hear, my -darling? Now the sun will shine brightly there. The healthy atmosphere -has conquered, and the evil spirit that actually dropped mildew upon -poor human souls has fled. I have just seen it drive past in Herr von -Walde's travelling carriage. The announcement of the betrothal has -fallen upon our worthy town like a bomb-shell. I tell you it is -wonderful to see the long, incredulous faces! But the news has not -surprised me at all. I have known what must happen ever since Linke's -murderous attempt. Since I drove that evening to Lindhof by Herr von -Walde's side, to see whether the excitement had produced no ill effects -upon the brave child, I have known well that his hour had struck, that -he had a heart indeed, a heart full of fervent, passionate love." - - * * * * * - -Let us pass over a space of two years, and once more enter the old -Gnadeck ruins. We shall ascend the mountain by a broad well-kept road, -leading to the castle gate, which has exchanged its rusty bolts and bars -for more convenient fastenings. - -We remember with a shiver the cold, damp court-yard behind this gate, -shut in by gloomy colonnades on three sides, while the crumbling -buildings threatened to bury us beneath their ruins. We remember the -lonely basin in the centre, that, surrounded by the lions of stone, has -waited in vain during so many years for the silver stream that should -fill it. - -Remembering all this, we ring the bell. At its clear sound, a fresh, -trim maiden opens the massive gate, and invites us to enter. But we -start back almost dazzled, for from the open gate what a flood of light -and colour greets us! The ruins have vanished, the high wall that -surrounded them alone remains, and we are for the first time aware how -extensive is the space which it encloses. - -We do not tread upon the echoing pavement of a courtyard, a smooth -gravel-walk is beneath our feet; before us stretches a level, well-kept -lawn. In its centre stands the granite basin, and from the threatening -jaws of the lions are pouring four powerful streams of water. The -chestnuts still remain the faithful guardians of the fountain, but since -their boughs have been bathed in heaven's air and light they have grown -strong and young again, and are now covered with a wealth of fan-like -blossoms. We wind among the gravel paths that intersect the lawn, -delight our eyes with the groups of shrubbery, still very young, that -are so tastefully scattered here and there, and with the gay beds of -carefully tended flowers. - -Before us lies the home. Its four walls are free now to the air and -light, and have put on a fresh bright garment; but its front is far more -stately than it used to be. New windows are seen on every side. Ferber -has had four rooms added to it; for when the forester retires to private -life, he and Sabina are to live there also. In the family -dwelling-room,--from whose two high windows can now be seen the same -view formerly seen only from Elizabeth's room above,--Herr von Walde has -had the trees thinned so that her parents might always have the home of -their darling before their eyes,--stands the young Frau von Walde. She -has been kept in the house for several weeks, and her first expedition -has been to carry her first-born to her parents' home. There he lies in -her arms. Miss Mertens, or rather the happily married Frau Reinhard, -has just removed the veil from the little thing. The minute, plump, red -face shows, in the eyes of the mother, an unmistakable resemblance to -Herr von Walde. Ernst is laughing loudly at the vague movements of the -fat little fists, which are stretching out in all directions. But the -forester stands with his own powerful hands behind him, and an -expression of great anxiety, as if he feared that if he moved he might -do the frail atom an injury. He is no less delighted with his -grand-nephew than are Elizabeth's parents with their grandchild. He has -outlived his distress concerning Bertha, and basks in Elizabeth's -happiness, which was a great surprise to him at first, and which he -maintained he was obliged to become accustomed to anew every morning. -Not, indeed, that he thought such good fortune one whit too great for -his darling,--he would have thought the richest of earthly crowns well -placed upon Elizabeth's head; but it was so strange to him to see his -sunny Gold Elsie by the side of her grave, thoughtful husband. - -Elizabeth is happy in the fullest sense of the word. Her husband adores -her, and his words have proved true,--the expression of stern melancholy -has faded forever from his brow. - -Just now the young wife is looking tenderly at the little creature in -her arms, and then down into the valley, whence Herr von Walde will soon -appear to conduct her to her home. Her glance grows sad for a moment, -and tears fill her eyes, as they rest upon a lofty gilded cross, -glimmering among the trees upon the shore of the lake,--beneath those -rustling boughs Helene has slept for a year. She died in Elizabeth's -arms, praying God to bless the dear sister who had so helped her to bear -her burden of woe until her spirit could soar away from its frail mortal -tenement. - -Hollfeld has sold Odenberg, and no one knows in what corner of the earth -he hides his discontent at the overthrow of all his plots. - - - - - THE END. - - - - - * * * * * * * * - - - - - *ENTERTAINING NEW BOOKS* - - - Published by J. B. 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