AN HOUR IN MISTRESS ULRICA'S CHAMBER.
Throughout the entire fall, Mr. Fabian had been his "sweet Ulgenie's"
humblest slave, and therefore had been trod deeper into the dust. Since
he had learned of the return of Ragnar Lonner, he had suffered a
feverish anxiety. Even his easy chair no longer afforded him rest, for
sleeping or waking, one object alone was constantly before his eyes:
Ragnar Lonner's wrathful countenance peering through the door.
He was suddenly seized with as strong a desire for active life, as he
formerly possessed for easy rest, and he felt himself in no safety
except when at a distance from the mansion, for he knew that Ragnar
possessed too much honor to entrap him in an ambuscade.
One morning, when he, as had been his custom for the previous week, went
to his wife with the information that he was compelled to take a short
journey, she sharply accosted him:
"Man, what does all this restlessness mean? Are you insane? Am I always
to be left at home alone?"
"Ah, my dear," replied Mr. Fabian, "you are aware that I must attend to
my business."
"I know that not long since you found it difficult to take care of
yourself. This sudden change in your disposition will never do."
"Dear Ulgenie, I acknowledge your superior judgment; but to-day I really
must attend the auction at Rorby, there is to be a sale of some genuine
Spanish sheep."
"Ah! as that is really some business, you may go; but come home early."
"I hope to return before eleven o'clock."
Mrs. Ulrica presented him her hand to kiss, and after he had pressed it
to his lips with all the gallantry which was still left him, he quickly
turned away from her.
Mrs. Ulrica during the entire day was filled with wonder at the sudden
change that had taken place in her husband, and if she could have for a
moment entertained such a thought, she would have believed that her
husband had become acquainted with some intriguing female.
But among her female acquaintances in the neighborhood, there was not
one whom Fabian had not seen at least twenty times, and he had undergone
each new ordeal with a firmness which proved that he was out of all
danger.
This point once settled, Mistress Ulrica was more composed, and after
having spent the day in attending to her domestic duties, she retired to
her bed at an early hour, for she always felt weary and ill-humored when
her Fabian, whom she really loved, was not at home to hear her tender
words and reproaches.
About an hour had elapsed after Mrs. Ulrica had fallen asleep. The
servant also slept soundly, for, although she had been told to wait for
her master, she had satisfied her conscience by leaving the hall door
unlocked--contrary to her mistress' strict command--and then retired to
her bed.
As before said, Mrs. Ulrica had been asleep about an hour, when she was
disturbed by a singular noise which resembled the shuffling of feet near
the bed. She opened one eye that she might warn her husband that one of
his first duties should be not to disturb his wife's slumbers. But the
warning produced no effect. This being the case, Mistress Ulrica found
it necessary to open the other eye, that by the aid of the night light
she might discover Fabian's true condition.
She first glanced towards the sofa; it was empty. Then she looked
towards the easy chair; but as this stood partially in the shadow of the
large bed curtains, she was able only to perceive a pair of feet, and it
was these very feet that had the impertinence to shuffle in her room,
without asking her permission.
"Fabian," she exclaimed, "are you not ashamed of yourself? What are you
doing?"
But Fabian did not reply.
"Ah, you foolish man, I see now that you have been made drunk, you could
not withstand their entreaties, poor man; please prepare for bed."
And yet no answer.
"He is as drunk as possible. Go to your own room, Fabian; be careful, do
not take a light with you, and do not fall down stairs and hurt
yourself. Are you going to move to-night? Shall I ring the bell for the
servants, that they may carry you to bed?"
Not receiving a reply, Mrs. Ulrica tore aside the bed curtains, and
extending her hand, placed it upon a strange head of hair.
"Heavens!" she exclaimed, "that is not my husband!"
"What of that, it is the husband of another," replied a calm voice.
Terror prevented Mrs. Ulrica from crying aloud. "A thief!" she gasped.
"I do not think so," replied the voice.
"Who are you then?" stammered she.
"Sleep quietly, you shall not be disturbed."
Mistress Ulrica continued to feel for the bell cord. "I believe," said
she, "he wishes to murder me when I am asleep."
"Sleep quietly, I neither wish to steal nor to murder. I only wish to--"
The unfortunate cramp, which at her first terror had attacked Mrs.
Ulrica's throat, now suddenly disappeared, and she emitted a long and
loud scream; but no sooner had this been accomplished, than a large
brawny hand was placed roughly over her mouth.
"Please do that no more," said the voice, "or I shall be forced to be
troublesome, and do not look for the bell-rope, it would only be
disagreeable for you if the servants should enter the room now."
"What do you want then, fearful man?"
"To remain where I am. At present I want nothing further."
Suddenly a new light dawned in Mrs. Ulrica's brain. What if he should be
an unfortunate suitor for her love.
"How?" said she, forcing all her pride and dignity into her words, "how?
remain here? Sir, this is my bed-room."
"I am aware of the fact."
"And here no man has a right to enter except my husband."
"And myself," added the voice.
At this unexpected reply, the lady summoned courage to examine the
unabashed visitor more closely. He was an elegantly formed man, and as
he gazed at her with his expressive eyes, interest and repugnance were
both created within her heart. The repugnance was caused by the fact
that the man wore a blue frieze coat, which unfortunate garment at once
dispelled her romantic dreams.
"Will you explain the cause of this unheard of impertinence?"
"That cause will very soon arrive."
"Very soon? You did not seek me then?"
"Not precisely."
"Then probably you wish to see my husband?"
"Yes."
"Am I at all concerned, then?"
"Slightly."
"Ah!" exclaimed Mrs. Ulrica, who now remembered her strange visitor's
first observation, "there must be a mystery about this which I do not
understand. You remarked that you were the husband of another."
"True."
"And furthermore you said you had a right to seek my husband in this
room?"
"You certainly know your alphabet."
"Then you have--O, what will become of us!--you have--a demand to make
of my husband."
"No, he has a claim on me, and this I will pay back, principal and
interest."
"O, the monster! The crocodile! He has been untrue to me."
"Yes, both in heart and desire; but my wife is not one who cries out, or
attempts to pull the bell-rope. She commands respect without so much
trouble."
"And do I not, also?"
"I do not know what you would do, if you should see a man, at this time
of night, crawl through your window, and attempt to bring you to
disgrace by the promise that he would release an old father from prison;
but I do know you have nothing to fear at present."
"You are then Mr. Ragnar Lonner?"
"I am."
"And for such a miserable reward--that woman--"
"What! Miserable reward!--that woman!--Well, that night lamp is not very
brilliant, but I can easily perceive that I have before me an old dutch
galleon, so badly rigged and managed, that I would prefer to crowd sail
and make my escape rather than to take her in tow. And you call my wife
that woman! Miserable reward!"
"I do not understand your gibberish, my good man: but that you are
unrefined and uneducated I can easily see, and I command you to quit my
room immediately."
"You would then force me to retreat, as my Magde drove back your
husband. Please try the experiment."
"Monster! Unfeeling wretch!" exclaimed she, "is this the manner to speak
to a lady, to an injured wife who is obliged to bemoan the infidelity of
her husband. O, the villain! I will overpower him with my wrath!"
"My turn comes first," interrupted Ragnar.
"Ah, ha, I understand. My cup is filled to the brim--blood must
flow--Lonner do you wish to kill my husband, then?"
"To fight with him. God forbid. Such things I leave to people of rank. I
have another method of doing my business."
"And what is that?"
"O, it is very simple. I thought that nothing would be more unpleasant
to him than to be placed in a disgraceful position before his wife, and
perhaps a greater punishment for such a miserable man could not be
devised than to--but no matter, your husband knows why he leaves his
house every day."
Mrs. Ulrica clapped her hands together violently. Now the riddle was
solved. She now knew the cause of the sudden change in her husband's
conduct.
"And, as it has been impossible to find him at home in the daytime,"
continued Ragnar, "I have come this evening to settle with him in this
place, and at this hour."
Ragnar had scarcely ceased speaking, when heavy and slow footsteps were
heard ascending the stairs.
Like an infuriated tigress waiting for her prey, Mrs. Ulrica, enveloped
in her crimson shawl, sat up in her bed; her eyes flashing with rage,
and her face flushed to a redness which outvied the crimson of her
shawl. She was awaiting the approach of her husband.
Ragnar arose, and as silent and unmoved as a statue awaited the entrance
of Mr. Fabian. Ragnar had not produced a dagger or sword; but he drew
forth from under his loose jacket a cow-hide of the greatest elasticity,
and the best quality.
Without dreaming of the terrible storm that had gathered, and was about
to pour down upon his devoted head, Mr. Fabian entered the apartment.
But the moment his eyes fell upon the forms of his wife, the doom
pronouncer, and Lonner the genius of revenge, he staggered back towards
the door, and had not his legs refused their office he would have sought
safety in flight; but at two stern glances, one from Lonner, the other
from his wife, he sank powerless to the floor.
And yet, if ever, this was the time for him to assume the character of
Brutus. And what better cause had he to arouse himself from his stupor,
than that Lucretia had received a male visitor in her bed-chamber. True,
Mrs. Ulrica had not received an insult, neither did she appear prepared
sacrifice herself, like Lucretia, as an atonement for the outrage. All
in all, present appearances were well calculated to arouse sterner
sentiments within Mr. Fabian's heart; but he was so frightened that he
would have forgiven everything if he could have assured himself that the
horrible spectacle was but a dream which would vanish at the coming of
the morning.
"Perjured traitor!" screamed Mrs. Ulrica, "you hide yourself like Adam
after his fall. But come forth, this Lucifer will teach you that you no
longer dwell in paradise."
"Mr. Lonner," stammered Mr. Fabian, "I am an innocent, unhappy man, and
I swear to you that Mrs. Magde has never--"
As he heard these words Ragnar trembled violently.
"Silence, reprobate," said he, "the name of my virtuous wife shall not
pass your lips. She needs none of your recommendations; but _your_ wife,
you pitiful coward, she shall learn from me, now, what your true
character is."
Thus saying Lonner with one hand seized the unlucky Fabian by the
coat-collar, and brandished the horse-whip over his head with the other.
But as Mr. Fabian made no resistance, but wept and begged for mercy in
loud and wailing tones, Ragnar released him, and, confused at the
singularity of his own sentiments, he glanced towards Mrs. Ulrica, and
said:
"He is so cowardly, that it seems almost as bad to whip him, as it
would be to beat a hare. In giving him over to you I am fully revenged."
The cow-hide disappeared beneath his coat, and Lonner departed.
But Ragnar Lonner had made a miscalculation, when he thought that Mr.
Fabian would fall into the hands of the Medusa within the bed-curtains.
The very thought of the humiliation he had undergone, and the fear of
what was yet in store for him, inspired Mr. Fabian with an unusual
degree of courage or rather drove him to desperation.
Brutus aroused himself. He could see no other method of escape than by
crushing the tigress before she pounced upon him. He therefore at once
attacked her with passionate actions and wild expressions.
"O, you miserable woman! You faithless wife! Do you think that I shall
allow myself to be blinded by the farce you have just played with your
lover? I will leave you alone in your house. I cast you from my heart.
The whole world shall know you as I know you now."
"Fabian! Fabian! are you mad?"
Mistress Ulrica was both frightened and pleased. This was a scene she
had long desired.
"If I am mad, who has driven me to madness?" shouted Mr. Fabian,
determined to retain the advantage he had already won. Then assuming an
imposing position he gazed sternly into the face of his trembling wife.
"How long I have closed my eyes to your little indiscretions! How many
bitter tears I have shed, when I observed how you encouraged that shark
who made love to my wife while he feasted at my table."
Mistress Ulrica, who was suddenly changed from a tigress into a lamb,
assured her husband that she was innocent; that she had not even
entertained a guilty thought. But as she humbled herself, Mr. Fabian's
wrath increased, and astonished that he had not long before discovered
this method of taming his wife, he played the tyrant _con amore_. He
accused his wife of so many things, that she, humiliated and crushed,
fell on her knees before him, and entreated him to restrain his rage
until he had ample proofs of her guilt. This boon Mr. Fabian H----
finally condescendingly granted, and like an indulgent pascha, entreated
by his favorite slave, he at length permitted her to slumber at his
side.
This entire change of government was effected in the short space of one
hour.
The sun was high in the heavens when Mistress Ulrica awoke. At first she
could not distinctly remember the drama which had been performed the
preceding night; but when all the events were brought clear to her mind,
she sighed deeply. Her destiny was entirely changed; but after a few
moments' reflection, she determined to submit to her fate, and become
the one who should obey, not command.
While she was meditating in what manner she should refute the charges
brought against her by her husband, she was interrupted by a truly soft
and persuasive voice, which said:--
"Sweet Ulgenie, dearest wife, can your heart be touched? I dreamed last
night that I might dare approach it."
"Oh, so you have noticed me," said Mrs. Ulrica, immediately assuming her
former authority, when she found herself thus entreated. "Have you slept
out your debauch?"
"Was I--is it possible that I was inebriated? I have quite forgotten
what happened last night."
"You fool, when were you able to remember anything unless _I_ reminded
you?"
The perusal of a continuance of this scene will scarcely repay our
readers. Suffice it to say that Mr. Fabian's reign of one hour remained
thereafter a legend only. Like all other unsuccessful revolutions, it
was followed by a government still more exacting and severe.