"Nevertheless," thought I, "there is the likeness. It is not chance. What
is chance? There is no such thing; it is nonsense to talk of chance. It
must be something higher!"
I was following my friend Sperver, deep in thought, who had now resumed
his walk down the corridor. The portrait of Hedwige, in all its artless
simplicity, mingled in my mind with the face of Odile.
Suddenly Gideon stopped, and, raising my eyes, I saw that we were
standing before the count's door.
"Come in, Fritz," he said, "and I will give the dogs a feed. When the
master's away the servants neglect their duty; I will come for you
by-and-by."
I entered, more desirous of seeing the young lady than the count her
father; I was blaming myself for my remissness, but there is no
controlling one's interest and affections. I was much surprised to
see in the half-light of the alcove the reclining figure of the count
leaning upon his elbow and observing me with profound attention. I was
so little prepared for this examination that I stood rather dispossessed
of self-command.
"Come nearer, monsieur le docteur," he said in a weak but firm voice,
holding out his hand. "My faithful Sperver has often mentioned your name
to me; and I was anxious to make your acquaintance."
"Let us hope, my lord, that it will be continued under more favourable
circumstances. A little patience, and we shall avert this attack."
"I think not," he replied. "I feel my time drawing near."
"You are mistaken, my lord."
"No; Nature grants us, as a last favour, to have a presentiment of our
approaching end."
"How often I have seen such presentiments falsified!" I said with a
smile.
He fixed his eyes searchingly upon me, as is usual with patients
expressing anxiety about their prospects. It is a difficult moment for
the doctor. The moral strength of his patient depends upon the expression
of the firmness of his convictions; the eye of the sufferer penetrates
into the innermost soul of his consciousness; if he believes that he can
discover any hint or shade of doubt, his fate is sealed; depression sets
in; the secret springs that maintain the elasticity of the spirit give
way, and the disorder has it all its own way.
I stood my examination firmly and successfully, and the count seemed to
regain confidence; he again pressed my hand, and resigned himself calmly
and confidently to my treatment.
Not until then did I perceive Mademoiselle Odile and an old lady, no
doubt her governess, seated by her bedside at the other end of the
alcove.
They silently saluted me, and suddenly the picture in the library
reappeared before me.
"It is she," I said, "Hugh's first wife. There is the fair and noble
brow, there are the long lashes, and that sad, unfathomable smile. Oh,
how much past telling lies in a woman's smile! Seek not, then, for
unmixed joy and pleasure! Her smile serves but to veil untold sorrows,
anxiety for the future, even heartrending cares. The maid, the wife, the
mother, smile and smile, even when the heart is breaking and the abyss is
opening. O woman! this is thy part in the mortal struggle of human life!"
I was pursuing these reflections when the lord of Nideck began to speak--
"If my dear child Odile would but consult my wishes I believe my health
would return."
I looked towards the young countess; she fixed her eyes on the floor, and
seemed to be praying silently.
"Yes," the sick man went on, "I should then return to life; the prospect
of seeing myself surrounded by a young family, and of pressing
grandchildren to my heart, and beholding the succession to my house,
would revive me."
At the mild and gentle tone of entreaty in which this was said I felt
deeply moved with compassion; but the young lady made no reply.
In a minute or two the count, who kept his watchful eyes upon her, went
on--
"Odile, you refuse to make your father a happy man? I only ask for a
faint hope. I fix no time. I won't limit your choice. We will go to
court. There you will have a hundred opportunities of marrying with
distinction and with honour. Who would not be proud to win my daughter's
hand? You shall be perfectly free to decide for yourself."
He paused.
There is nothing more painful to a stranger than these family quarrels.
There are such contending interests, so many private motives, at work,
that mere modesty should make it our duty to place ourselves out of
hearing of such discussions. I felt pained, and would gladly have
retired. But the circumstances of the case forbade this.
"My dear father," said Odile, as if to evade any further discussion, "you
will get better. Heaven will not take you from those who love you. If you
but knew the fervour with which I pray for you!"
"That is not an answer," said the count drily. "What objection can you
make to my proposal? Is it not fair and natural? Am I to be deprived of
the consolations vouchsafed to the neediest and most wretched? You know
I have acted towards you openly and frankly."
"You have, my father."
"Then give me your reason for your refusal."
"My resolution is formed--I have consecrated myself to God."
So much firmness in so frail a being made me tremble. She stood like the
sculptured Madonna in Hugh's tower, calm and immovable, however weak in
appearance.
The eyes of the count kindled with an ominous fire. I tried to make the
young countess understand by signs how gladly I would hear her give the
least hope, and calm his rising passion; but she seemed not to see me.
"So," he cried in a smothered tone, as if he were strangling--"so you
will look on and see your father perish? A word would restore him to
life, and you refuse to speak that one word?"
"Life is not in the hand of man, for it is God's gift; my word can be
of no avail."
"Those are nothing but pious maxims," answered the count scornfully, "to
release you from your plain duty. But has not God said, 'Honour thy
father and thy mother?'"
"I do honour you," she replied gently. "But it is my duty not to marry."
I could hear the grinding and gnashing of the man's teeth. He lay
apparently calm, but presently turned abruptly and cried--
"Leave me; the sight of you is offensive to me!"
And addressing me as I stood by agitated with conflicting feelings--
"Doctor," he cried with a savage grin, "have you any violent malignant
poison about you to give me--something that will destroy me like a
thunderbolt? It would be a mercy to poison me like a dog, rather than
let me suffer as I am doing."
His features writhed convulsively, his colour became livid.
Odile rose and advanced to the door.
"Stay!" he howled furiously--"stay till I have cursed you!"
So far I had stood by without speaking, not venturing to interfere
between Father and Daughter, but now I could refrain no longer.
"Monseigneur," I cried, "for the sake of your own health, for the sake
of mere justice and fairness, do calm yourself; your life is at stake."
"What matters my life? what matters the future? Is there a knife here to
put an end to me? Let me die!"
His excitement rose every minute. I seemed to dread lest in some frenzied
moment he should spring from the bed and destroy his child's life. But
she, calm though deadly pale, knelt at the door, which was standing open,
and outside I could see Sperver, whose features betrayed the deepest
anxiety. He drew near without noise, and bending towards Odile--
"Oh, mademoiselle!" he whispered--"mademoiselle, the count is such a
worthy, good man. If you would but just say only, 'Perhaps--by-and-by--we
will see.'"
She made no reply, and did not change her attitude.
At this moment I persuaded the Lord of Nideck to take a few drops of
Laudanum; he sank back with a sigh, and soon his panting and irregular
breathing became more measured under the influence of a deep and heavy
slumber.
Odile arose, and her aged friend, who had not opened her lips, went out
with her. Sperver and I watched their slowly retreating figures. There
was a calm grandeur in the step of the young countess which seemed to
express a consciousness of duty fulfilled.
When she had disappeared down the long corridor Gideon turned towards me.
"Well, Fritz," he said gravely, "what is your opinion?"
I bent my head down without answering. This girl's incredible firmness
astonished and bewildered me.