Believe me, sir,
It carries a rare form.--But 'tis a spirit.
_The Tempest._
There was a short silence after the Bernese had concluded his singular
tale. Arthur Philipson's attention had been gradually and intensely
attracted by a story which was too much in unison with the received
ideas of the age to be encountered by the unhesitating incredulity
with which it must have been heard in later and more enlightened
times.
He was also considerably struck by the manner in which it had been
told by the narrator, whom he had hitherto only regarded in the light
of a rude huntsman or soldier; whereas he now allowed Donnerhugel
credit for a more extensive acquaintance with the general manners of
the world than he had previously anticipated. The Swiss rose in his
opinion as a man of talent, but without making the slightest progress
in his affections. "The swashbuckler," he said to himself, "has
brains, as well as brawn and bones, and is fitter for the office of
commanding others than I formerly thought him." Then, turning to his
companion, he thanked him for the tale, which had shortened the way in
so interesting a manner.
"And it is from this singular marriage," he continued, "that Anne of
Geierstein derives her origin?"
"Her mother," answered the Swiss, "was Sybilla of Arnheim, the infant
at whose christening the mother died--disappeared--or whatever you may
list to call it. The barony of Arnheim, being a male fief, reverted to
the Emperor. The castle has never been inhabited since the death of
the last lord, and has, as I have heard, become in some sort ruinous.
The occupations of its ancient proprietors, and, above all, the
catastrophe of its last inhabitant, have been thought to render it no
eligible place of residence."
"Did there appear anything preternatural," said the Englishman, "about
the young Baroness, who married the brother of the Landamman?"
"So far as I have heard," replied Rudolph, "there were strange
stories. It was said that the nurses, at the dead of night, have seen
Hermione, the last Baroness of Arnheim, stand weeping by the side of
the child's cradle, and other things to the same purpose. But here I
speak from less correct information than that from which I drew my
former narrative."
"And since the credibility of a story, not very probable in itself,
must needs be granted, or withheld, according to the evidence on which
it is given, may I ask you," said Arthur, "to tell me what is the
authority on which you have so much reliance?"
"Willingly," answered the Swiss. "Know that Theodore Donnerhugel, the
favourite page of the last Baron of Arnheim, was my father's brother.
Upon his master's death he retired to his native town of Berne, and
most of his time was employed in training me up to arms and martial
exercises, as well according to the fashion of Germany as of
Switzerland, for he was master of all. He witnessed with his own
eyes, and heard with his own ears, great part of the melancholy and
mysterious events which I have detailed to you. Should you ever visit
Berne, you may see the good old man."
"You think, then," said Arthur, "that the appearance which I have this
night seen is connected with the mysterious marriage of Anne of
Geierstein's grandfather?"
"Nay," replied Rudolph, "think not that I can lay down any positive
explanation of a thing so strange. I can only say, that unless I did
you the injustice to disbelieve your testimony respecting the
apparition of this evening, I know no way to account for it, except by
remembering that there is a portion of the young lady's blood which is
thought not to be derived from the race of Adam, but more or less
directly from one of those elementary spirits which have been talked
of both in ancient and modern times. But I may be mistaken. We will
see how she bears herself in the morning, and whether she carries in
her looks the weariness and paleness of a midnight watcher. If she
doth not, we may be authorised in thinking, either that your eyes have
strangely deceived you, or that they have been cheated by some
spectral appearance, which is not of this world."
To this the young Englishman attempted no reply. Nor was there time
for any, for they were immediately afterwards challenged by the
sentinel from the drawbridge.
The question, "Who goes there?" was twice satisfactorily answered,
before Sigismund would admit the patrol to cross the drawbridge.
"Ass and mule that thou art," said Rudolph, "what was the meaning of
thy delay?"
"Ass and mule thyself, Hauptman!" said the Swiss, in answer to this
objurgation. "I have been surprised by a goblin on my post once
to-night already, and I have got so much experience upon that matter
that I will not easily be caught a second time."
"What goblin, thou fool," said Donnerhugel, "would be idle enough to
play his gambols at the expense of so very poor an animal as thou
art?"
"Thou art as cross as my father, Hauptman," replied Sigismund, "who
cries fool and blockhead at every word I speak; and yet I have lips,
teeth, and tongue to speak with, just like other folk."
"We will not contest the matter, Sigismund," said Rudolph. "It is
clear, that if thou dost differ from other people, it is in a
particular which thou canst hardly be expected to find out or
acknowledge. But what, in the name of simplicity, is it which hath
alarmed thee on thy post?"
"Marry, thus it was, Hauptman," returned Sigismund Biederman. "I was
something tired, you see, with looking up at the broad moon, and
thinking what in the universe it could be made of, and how we came to
see it just as well here as at home, this place being so many miles
from Geierstein. I was tired, I say, of this and other perplexing
thoughts, so I drew my fur cap down over my ears, for I promise you
the wind blew shrill; and then I planted myself firm on my feet, with
one of my legs a little advanced, and both my hands resting on my
partisan, which I placed upright before me to rest upon; and so I shut
mine eyes."
"Shut thine eyes, Sigismund, and thou upon thy watch!" exclaimed
Donnerhugel.
"Care not thou for that," answered Sigismund; "I kept my ears open.
And yet it was to little purpose, for something came upon the bridge
with a step as stealthy as that of a mouse. I looked up with a start
at the moment it was opposite to me, and when I looked up--whom think
you I saw?"
"Some fool like thyself," said Rudolph, at the same time pressing
Philipson's foot to make him attend to the answer; a hint which was
little necessary, since he waited for it in the utmost agitation. Out
it came at last.
"By St. Mark, it was our own Anne of Geierstein!"
"It is impossible!" replied the Bernese.
"I should have said so too," quoth Sigismund, "for I had peeped into
her bedroom before she went thither, and it was so bedizened that a
queen or a princess might have slept in it; and why should the wench
get out of her good quarters, with all her friends about her to guard
her, and go out to wander in the forest?"
"May be," said Rudolph, "she only looked from the bridge to see how
the night waned."
"No," said Sigismund; "she was returning from the forest. I saw her
when she reached the end of the bridge, and thought of striking at
her, conceiving it to be the devil in her likeness. But I remembered
my halberd is no birch switch to chastise boys and girls with; and had
I done Anne any harm, you would all have been angry with me, and, to
speak truth, I should have been ill pleased with myself; for although
she doth make a jest of me now and then, yet it were a dull house ours
were we to lose Anne."
"Ass," answered the Bernese, "didst thou speak to this form, or goblin
as you call it?"
"Indeed I did not, Captain Wiseacre. My father is ever angry with me
when I speak without thinking, and I could not at that particular
moment think on anything to the purpose. Neither was there time to
think, for she passed me like a snow-flake upon a whirlwind. I marched
into the castle after her, however, calling on her by name; so the
sleepers were awakened, and men flew to their arms, and there was as
much confusion as if Archibald of Hagenbach had been among us with
sword and pike. And who should come out of her little bedroom, as much
startled and as much in a bustle as any of us, but Mrs. Anne herself!
And as she protested she had never left her room that night, why I,
Sigismund Biederman, was made to stand the whole blame, as if I could
prevent people's ghosts from walking. But I told her my mind when I
saw them all so set against me. 'And, Mistress Anne,' quoth I, 'it's
well known the kindred you come of; and, after this fair notice, if
you send any of your double-gangers[6] [_g_] to me, let them put iron
skull-caps on their heads, for I will give them the length and weight
of a Swiss halberd, come in what shape they list.' However, they all
cried 'Shame on me!' and my father drove me out again, with as little
remorse as if I had been the old house-dog, which had stolen in from
his watch to the fireside."
The Bernese replied, with an air of coldness approaching to contempt,
"You have slept on your watch, Sigismund--a high military offence,
and you have dreamed while you slept. You were in good luck that the
Landamman did not suspect your negligence, or, instead of being sent
back to your duty like a lazy watch-dog, you might have been scourged
back like a faithless one to your kennel at Geierstein, as chanced to
poor Ernest for a less matter."
"Ernest has not yet gone back, though," said Sigismund, "and I think
he may pass as far into Burgundy as we shall do in this journey. I
pray you, however, Hauptman, to treat me not dog-like, but as a man,
and send some one to relieve me, instead of prating here in the cold
night air. If there be anything to do to-morrow, as I well guess there
may, a mouthful of food, and a minute of sleep, will be but a fitting
preparative, and I have stood watch here these two mortal hours."
With that the young giant yawned portentously, as if to enforce the
reasons of his appeal.
"A mouthful and a minute?" said Rudolph,--"a roasted ox, and a
lethargy like that of the Seven Sleepers, would scarce restore you to
the use of your refreshed and waking senses. But I am your friend,
Sigismund, and you are secure in my favourable report; you shall be
instantly relieved, that you may sleep, if it be possible, without
disturbances from dreams.--Pass on, young men" (addressing the others,
who by this time had come up), "and go to your rest. Arthur of England
and I will report to the Landamman and the Banneret the account of our
patrol."
The patrol accordingly entered the castle, and were soon heard joining
their slumbering companions. Rudolph Donnerhugel seized Arthur's arm,
and, while they went towards the hall, whispered in his ear,--
"These are strange passages!--How think you we should report them to
the deputation?"
"That I must refer to yourself," said Arthur; "you are the captain of
our watch. I have done my duty in telling you what I saw--or thought I
saw--it is for you to judge how far it is fitting to communicate it to
the Landamman; only, as it concerns the honour of his family, to his
ear alone I think it should be confided."
"I see no occasion for that," said the Bernese, hastily; "it cannot
affect or interest our general safety. But I may take occasion
hereafter to speak with Anne on this subject."
This latter hint gave as much pain to Arthur as the general proposal
of silence on an affair so delicate had afforded him satisfaction. But
his uneasiness was of a kind which he felt it necessary to suppress,
and he therefore replied with as much composure as he could assume:--
"You will act, Sir Hauptman, as your sense of duty and delicacy shall
dictate. For me, I shall be silent on what you call the strange
passages of the night, rendered doubly wonderful by the report of
Sigismund Biederman."
"And also on what you have seen and heard concerning our auxiliaries
of Berne?" said Rudolph.
"On that I shall certainly be silent," said Arthur; "unless thus far,
that I mean to communicate to my father the risk of his baggage being
liable to examination and seizure at La Ferette."
"It is needless," said Rudolph; "I will answer with head and hand for
the safety of everything belonging to him."
"I thank you in his name," said Arthur; "but we are peaceful
travellers, to whom it must be much more desirable to avoid a broil
than to give occasion for one, even when secure of coming out of it
triumphantly."
"These are the sentiments of a merchant, but not of a soldier," said
Rudolph, in a cold and displeased tone; "but the matter is your own,
and you must act in it as you think best. Only remember, if you go to
La Ferette without our assistance, you hazard both goods and life."
They entered, as he spoke, the apartment of their fellow-travellers.
The companions of their patrol had already laid themselves down
amongst their sleeping comrades at the lower end of the room. The
Landamman and the Bannerman of Berne heard Donnerhugel make a report,
that his patrol, both before and after midnight, had been made in
safety, and without any encounter which expressed either danger or
suspicion. The Bernese then wrapped him in his cloak, and, lying down
on the straw, with that happy indifference to accommodation, and
promptitude to seize the moment of repose, which is acquired by a life
of vigilance and hardship, was in a few minutes fast asleep.
Arthur remained on foot but a little longer, to dart an earnest look
on the door of Anne of Geierstein's apartment, and to reflect on the
wonderful occurrences of the evening. But they formed a chaotic
mystery, for which he could see no clue, and the necessity of holding
instant communication with his father compelled him forcibly to turn
his thoughts in that direction. He was obliged to observe caution and
secrecy in accomplishing his purpose. For this he laid himself down
beside his parent, whose couch, with the hospitality which he had
experienced from the beginning of his intercourse with the
kind-hearted Swiss, had been arranged in what was thought the most
convenient place of the apartment, and somewhat apart from all others.
He slept sound, but awoke at the touch of his son, who whispered to
him in English, for the greater precaution, that he had important
tidings for his private ear.
"An attack on our post?" said the elder Philipson. "Must we take to
our weapons?"
"Not now," said Arthur; "and I pray of you not to rise or make
alarm--this matter concerns us alone."
"Tell it instantly, my son," replied his father; "you speak to one too
much used to danger to be startled at it."
"It is a case for your wisdom to consider," said Arthur. "I had
information, while upon the patrol, that the Governor of La Ferette
will unquestionably seize upon your baggage and merchandise, under
pretext of levying dues claimed by the Duke of Burgundy. I have also
been informed that our escort of Swiss youth are determined to resist
this exaction, and conceive themselves possessed of the numbers and
means sufficient to do so successfully."
"By St. George, that must not be!" said the elder Philipson. "It would
be an evil requital to the true-hearted Landamman, to give the fiery
Duke a pretext for that war which the excellent old man is so
anxiously desirous to avoid, if it be possible. Any exactions, however
unreasonable, I will gladly pay. But to have my papers seized on were
utter ruin. I partly feared this, and it made me unwilling to join
myself to the Landamman's party. We must now break off from it. This
rapacious governor will not surely lay hands on the deputation, which
seeks his master's court under protection of the law of nations; but I
can easily see how he might make our presence with them a pretext for
quarrel, which will equally suit his own avaricious spirit and the
humour of these fiery young men, who are seeking for matter of
offence. This shall not be taken for our sake. We will separate
ourselves from the deputies, and remain behind till they are passed
on. If this De Hagenbach be not the most unreasonable of men, I will
find a way to content him so far as we are individually concerned.
Meanwhile, I will instantly wake the Landamman," he said, "and
acquaint him with our purpose."
This was immediately done, for Philipson was not slow in the execution
of his resolutions. In a minute he was standing by the side of Arnold
Biederman, who, raised on his elbow, was listening to his
communication, while, over the shoulder of the Landamman, rose the
head and long beard of the deputy from Schwitz, his large clear blue
eyes gleaming from beneath a fur cap, bent on the Englishman's face,
but stealing a glance aside now and then to mark the impression which
what was said made upon his colleague.
"Good friend and host," said the elder Philipson, "we have heard for a
certainty that our poor merchandise will be subjected to taxation or
seizure on our passage through La Ferette, and I would gladly avoid
all cause of quarrel, for your sake as well as our own."
"You do not doubt that we can and will protect you?" replied the
Landamman. "I tell you, Englishman, that the guest of a Swiss is as
safe by his side as an eaglet under the wing of its dam; and to leave
us because danger approaches is but a poor compliment to our courage
or constancy. I am desirous of peace; but not the Duke of Burgundy
himself should wrong a guest of mine, so far as my power might prevent
it."
At this the deputy from Schwitz clenched a fist like a bull's
knuckles, and showed it above the shoulders of his friend.
"It is even to avoid this, my worthy host," replied Philipson, "that I
intend to separate from your friendly company sooner than I desire or
purposed. Bethink you, my brave and worthy host, you are an ambassador
seeking a national peace, I a trader seeking private gain. War, or
quarrels which may cause war, are alike ruinous to your purpose and
mine. I confess to you frankly, that I am willing and able to pay a
large ransom, and when you are departed I will negotiate for the
amount. I will abide in the town of Bâle till I have made fair terms
with Archibald de Hagenbach; and even if he is the avaricious
extortioner you describe him, he will be somewhat moderate with me
rather than run the risk of losing his booty entirely, by my turning
back or taking another route."
"You speak wisely, Sir Englishman," said the Landamman; "and I thank
you for recalling my duty to my remembrance. But you must not,
nevertheless, be exposed to danger. So soon as we move forward, the
country will be again open to the devastations of the Burgundian
Riders and Lanz-knechts, who will sweep the roads in every direction.
The people of Bâle are unhappily too timorous to protect you; they
would yield you up upon the Governor's first hint; and for justice or
lenity, you might as well expect it in hell as from Hagenbach."
"There are conjurations, it is said, that can make hell itself
tremble," said Philipson; "and I have means to propitiate even this De
Hagenbach, providing I can get to private speech with him. But I own I
can expect nothing from his wild riders, but to be put to death for
the value of my cloak."
"If that be the case," said the Landamman, "and if you must needs
separate from us, for which I deny not that you have alleged wise and
worthy reasons, wherefore should you not leave Graffs-lust two hours
before us? The roads will be safe, as our escort is expected; and you
will probably, if you travel early, find De Hagenbach sober, and as
capable as he ever is of hearing reason--that is, of perceiving his
own interest. But after his breakfast is washed down with Rhine-wine,
which he drinks every morning before he hears mass, his fury blinds
even his avarice."
"All I want, in order to execute this scheme," said Philipson, "is the
loan of a mule to carry my valise, which is packed up with your
baggage."
"Take the she-mule," said the Landamman; "she belongs to my brother
here from Schwitz; he will gladly bestow her on thee."
"If she were worth twenty crowns, and my comrade Arnold desired me to
do so," said the old whitebeard.
"I will accept her as a loan with gratitude," said the Englishman.
"But how can you dispense with the use of the creature? You have only
one left."
"We can easily supply our want from Bâle," said the Landamman. "Nay,
we can make this little delay serve your purpose, Sir Englishman. I
named for our time of departure the first hour after daybreak; we will
postpone it to the second hour, which will give us enough of time to
get a horse or mule, and you, Sir Philipson, space to reach La
Ferette, where I trust you will have achieved your business with De
Hagenbach to your contentment, and will join company again with us as
we travel through Burgundy."
"If our mutual objects will permit our travelling together, worthy
Landamman," answered the merchant, "I shall esteem myself most happy
in becoming the partner of your journey.--And now resume the repose
which I have interrupted."
"God bless you, wise and true-hearted man," said the Landamman, rising
and embracing the Englishman. "Should we never meet again, I will
still remember the merchant who neglected thoughts of gain, that he
might keep the path of wisdom and rectitude. I know not another who
would not have risked the shedding a lake of blood to save five ounces
of gold.--Farewell thou too, gallant young man. Thou hast learned
among us to keep thy foot firm while on the edge of a Helvetian crag,
but none can teach thee so well as thy father to keep an upright path
among the morasses and precipices of human life."
He then embraced and took a kind farewell of his friends, in which, as
usual, he was imitated by his friend of Schwitz, who swept with his
long beard the right and left cheeks of both the Englishmen, and
again made them heartily welcome to the use of his mule. All then once
more composed themselves to rest, for the space which remained before
the appearance of the autumnal dawn.
FOOTNOTE:
[6] Double-walkers, a name in Germany for those aërial duplicates of
humanity who represent the features and appearance of other living
persons.