Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books.
Transcriber's Notes:
1. Page scan source:
http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA284&id=e94BAAAAQAAJ#v
2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
RIVEN BONDS.
A Novel,
IN TWO VOLUMES.
TRANSLATED BY
BERTHA NESS,
_FROM THE ORIGINAL OF E. WERNER_,
Author of "SUCCESS AND HOW HE WON IT,"
"UNDER A CHARM," &c.
* * * * *
VOL. I.
* * * * *
London:
REMINGTON AND CO.,
5, Arundel Street, Strand, W.C.
1877.
[_All Rights Reserved_.]
RIVEN BONDS.
CHAPTER I.
The curtain fell amid thunders of applause from the whole house. Boxes,
pit, and gallery unanimously demanded the reappearance of the singer,
who, in the finale of the act just concluded, had carried all away with
her. The whole audience became excited, and would not be calmed, until,
greeted with applause, which broke forth with renewed vigour,
overwhelmed with flowers, wreaths, and homage of all kinds, the object
of this ovation showed herself, in order to thank the public.
"This is quite like an evening in an Italian theatre," said an elderly
gentleman, entering one of the boxes in the first tier. "Signora
Biancona seems to understand the art of filling the otherwise quiet and
smoothly-flowing patrician blood of our noble Hanseatic town with the
fire of her Southern home. The infatuation for her begins to be quite
an epidemic. If it continue to increase in this way, we shall see the
Exchange voting her a torchlight procession, and the Senate of this
free town, appearing before her _in corpore_, to lay their homage at
her feet. Were I in your place, Herr Consul, I should make this
proposition to both these Corporations. I am sure it would meet with an
enthusiastic reception."
The gentleman to whom these words were addressed, and who was sitting
by a lady, apparently his wife, in the front of the box, seemed unable
to withdraw himself from the universal excitement. He had applauded
with an energy and perseverance worthy of a better cause, and turned
round now, half-laughing, half-annoyed.
"I was sure of it; the critic must place himself in opposition to the
general voice. Certainly, Herr Doctor, in your abominable morning
paper, you spare neither Exchange nor Senate; how, then, could Signora
Biancona hope to find mercy?"
The Doctor smiled a little maliciously, and drew near to the lady's
chair, when a young man, who had been sitting beside her, rose politely
to make way for him.
"Herr Almbach," said the lady, introducing them, "Herr Dr. Welding, the
editor of our morning paper, whose pen--"
"For Heaven's sake, my dear madam," interrupted Welding, "do not throw
discredit on me, at once, in the gentleman's eyes. One has only to be
introduced as critic to a young artist, and immediately one gains his
deepest antipathy."
"Possibly," laughed the Consul, "but this time your keenness has failed
you. Herr Almbach, thank goodness, can never be in a position to come
before your judgment seat. He is a merchant."
"Merchant!" a look of astonishment was turned towards the young man,
"then I certainly apologise for my mistake. I should have taken you for
an artist."
"There, you see, dear Almbach, your forehead and eyes do you a bad turn
again," said the Consul, playfully. "What would your people at home say
to the exchange? I almost fear they would look upon it as an insult."
"Perhaps. I do not consider it as such," said Almbach, bowing slightly
to Welding. The words were intended to carry on the joking tone that
was begun, but there lay in them a half-concealed bitterness, which did
not escape Dr. Welding. He fixed his eyes searchingly on the young
stranger's features; but just at that moment the lady turned towards
him, and resumed the interrupted topic.
"You must allow, Herr Doctor, that Biancona was quite ravishing
to-night. This young, dawning talent is indeed, a new star in our
theatrical firmament."
"Which will some time become a shining sun, if it carry out what to-day
it promises. Certainly, dear madam; I do not deny it at all, even
although this future sun shows a few spots and imperfections at
present, which naturally escape so enthusiastic a public."
"Well then, I advise you not to lay too much stress on these
imperfections," said the Consul, pointing to the pit. "There, below,
sits an army of knights, infatuated about the Signora. Take care, Herr
Doctor, or you will receive at least six challenges."
The malicious smile played round Welding's lips again, as he cast a
glance of irony towards young Almbach, who had listened silently, but
with darkly lowering brow, to the conversation.
"And perhaps a seventh, also! Herr Almbach, for instance, seems to look
upon the opinion which I have just expressed as a species of high
treason."
"I regret, sir, to be so much behind you as regards criticism," coolly
replied the one addressed. "I--" hereupon his eyes flashed almost
passionately, "I am accustomed to worship genius unconditionally."
"A very poetical style of criticism," sneered Welding. "If you were to
repeat that in person to our beautiful Signora, and in the same tone, I
could promise you her most complete favour. Besides, I am this time in
the pleasant position of being able to tell her in the article which
will appear to-morrow, that hers is indeed a talent of the first order,
that her faults and failings are only those of a beginner, and that it
lies in her power to become eventually, a musical celebrity. She is not
one at present."
"In the meanwhile, that is praise enough from your lips," said the
Consul; "but I think we must retire now; the brilliant part of Biancona
is over, the last act offers nothing for her _role_, she hardly appears
again upon the stage, and our duties as hosts call us to our reception
evening. May I offer you a seat in our carriage, Herr Doctor? Your
critic's duty is also about at an end; and you, dear Almbach, will you
accompany us, or shall you remain to the last?"
The young man had also risen. "If you and your gracious lady will allow
it--the opera is new to me--I should like--"
"Very well then, remain without ceremony," interrupted the other in a
friendly manner, "but be punctual to-night. We count positively upon
your coming."
He gave his arm to his wife, to lead her away. Dr. Welding followed
them.
"How could you think," scoffed he, when in the corridor, "that your
young guest would move from the spot so long as Biancona had only one
more note to sing, or that he would be debarred from helping to form a
guard to her carriage with the rest of our gentlemen? The beautiful
eyes of the Signora have done much harm already--he has caught fire
worse than the others."
"We must hope not," said the lady, with a touch of concern in her
voice. "What would his father and mother-in-law, and, above all, his
young wife say?"
"Is Herr Almbach married already?" asked Welding, astonished.
"Two years since," replied the Consul. "He is nephew and son-in-law of
my business correspondents. The firm is Almbach and Co., not a very
important, but a most substantial, respectable house. Besides, you do
the young man injustice with your suspicions; at his age one is easily
carried away, particularly when, as here, one so seldom enjoys a
musical treat. Between ourselves, Almbach has rather middle-class
views, and keeps his son-in-law tightly by the head. He will take care
that any harm which those eyes could do, shall be kept far from his
house. I know him well enough on that point."
"All the better for him," said the Doctor, laconically, as he seated
himself by the married pair in the carriage, which took the direction
of the harbour, where the palaces of the rich business men were
situated.
An hour later, a numerous company was assembled in the merchant's
drawing-rooms. Consul Erlau was one of the richest, most influential
men in this wealthy commercial town, and even although this
circumstance was sufficient to ensure him an undisputed position, he
made it, in addition, a point of honour, to hear his house called the
most brilliant and hospitable in H----. His reception evenings gathered
together every notability which the town had to offer. There was never
a celebrity who did not appear several times, and even the star of the
present season--_prima donna_ Biancona, who was here with the temporary
Italian Opera Company, had accepted the invitation which she had
received, and appeared after the end of the performance. The young
actress, after her evening's triumph in the theatre, was of course the
centre of attraction for all the company. Besieged by the gentlemen
with every species of homage, overwhelmed with compliments from the
ladies, distinguished by the host and his wife with most flattering
attentions, she was unable to escape from the stream of admiration
which flowed towards her from all sides, and which, perhaps, was due as
much to her beauty as her genius.
Both were indeed united here. Even without her highly-worshipped
talent, Signora Biancona was not likely ever to be overlooked. She was
one of those women, who, wherever they appear, know how to attract,
and, oft to a dangerous degree, retain eye and senses; whose entrancing
charms do not lie only in their beauty, but far more in the singular,
almost witch-like magic, which certain natures exercise, without any
one being able to account for its cause.
It seemed as if a breath of the glowing South, full of colour, lay upon
this apparition, who, with her dark hair and complexion, her large,
deep, black eyes, out of which shone such an ardent, full life,
contrasted go strangely with these Northern surroundings. Her manner of
speaking and moving was, perhaps livelier, less constrained than the
rules of '_convenance_' demanded, but the fire of a Southern nature,
which broke forth with every emotion, had an entrancing grace. Her
light ethereal-looking costume was not at all conformed to the reigning
fashion, but it appeared to be especially invented to display the
advantages of her figure in the best light, and held its own
triumphantly amongst the more magnificent toilets of the ladies around
her.
The Italian was a being who seemed to stand above all the forms and
trammels of everyday life, and there was no one in the company who did
not willingly accord her this distinction.
Almbach, too, had found his way here after the close of the theatre,
but he was quite a stranger to the circle, and evidently remained so,
notwithstanding the well-meant attempts of the Consul to make him
acquainted with one or another of the guests. All fell through, partly
on account of the young man's almost moody silence, partly on account
of the gentlemen's manners to whom he was introduced, and who,
belonging almost entirely to the circles of the Exchange and Finance,
did not think it worth while to take much trouble about the
representative of a small firm. He was standing quite isolated at the
lower end of the room, looking apparently indifferently at the
brilliant crowd, but his eyes always turned to one point, which
to-night was the magnet for all the assembled gentlemen.
"Now, Herr Almbach, you make no attempt to approach the circle of the
sun of the drawing-room," said Dr. Welding, coming up to him, "shall I
introduce you there?"
A slight uncomfortable blush, at his secret wish having been divined,
covered the young man's face.
"The Signora is so occupied on all sides that I did not venture to
trouble her also."
Welding laughed, "Yes, the gentlemen all seem to follow your method of
criticism, and equally to admire genius unconditionally. Well, art has
the privilege of inspiring all with enthusiasm. Come, I will present
you to the Signora."
They crossed to the other side of the drawing-room where, the young
Italian was, but it really gave them some trouble to penetrate the
circle of admirers surrounding the honoured guest, and to approach her.
The Doctor undertook the introduction; he named his companion, who,
to-day, had for the first time the pleasure of admiring the Signora on
the stage, and then left him to set himself at ease in the "sun's
circle." This designation was not so badly chosen; there really was
something of the scorching glow of this planet, at its midday height,
in the glance which she now turned upon Almbach.
"Then you were also in the theatre this evening?" asked the Signora,
lightly.
"Yes, Signora."
Tie answer sounded curt and gloomy; no other word, none of those
compliments which the actress had heard so plentifully to-day, but the
look in the young man's eyes must have made up for his monosyllabic
reply. It is true that he only met Signora Biancona's for a moment, but
their lighting-up was seen and understood; it said much more than all
spoken flatteries.
The other gentlemen might receive no high opinion of the new arrival's
social talents; who did not even understand how to make a pretty speech
to a lady. They ignored him thoroughly. The conversation, in which the
Consul now took part, became more general; they spoke of music, of a
known composer and his new work, just now causing great sensation, as
to whose conception Signora Biancona and Dr. Welding had a difference
of opinion. The former was full of enthusiasm for it, while the latter
accorded it very little value. The Signora defended her opinion with
Southern vivacity and was supported therein by all the gentlemen, who
took her side from the commencement, while the Doctor persisted coolly
in his own. The battle grew more determined, until at last the Signora
became somewhat annoyed, and turned away from her opponent.
"I regret very much that our Conductor was prevented from accepting
to-day's invitation. He plays this composition perfectly, and I fear it
requires a performance to enable the company to judge which of us two
is right."
The guests were of the same opinion, and regretted the Conductor
exceedingly, none offered to replace him. The playing of this music did
not appear to keep pace with the very remarkable enthusiasm for it,
until Almbach came forward suddenly and said, "I am at your disposal,
Signora."
She turned quickly towards him and said with evident appreciation, "You
are musical, Signor?"
"If you and the rest of the company will bear with the attempt of an
'amateur,'" he made a gesture of enquiry to the master of the house,
and as the latter agreed eagerly, he went to the piano.
The composition under discussion, a modern show-piece in the fullest
sense of the word, owed its general popularity less to its real
worth--of which it had indeed very little--than to its great difficulty
of execution. Even the simple possibility of playing it at all,
required a masterly power over the instrument. People were accustomed
only to hear it performed by high-standing professionals, and therefore
looked half-astonished, half-contemptuously at the young man who
volunteered his services with so little concern. He had certainly
apologised for being an amateur, but still it was presumptuous to
attempt this in Consul Erlau's house, where the playing of so many
celebrities had been heard and admired.
The guests were so much the more astonished that Almbach showed himself
perfectly equal to all these difficulties, as, without even a note of
music before him, he overcame them by playing at once, with an ease and
certainty which would have done honour to a regular artist. At the same
time he understood to put such fire into his performance as carried
away even the older and more expectant hearers. The piece of music
under his hands seemed to acquire quite a different form; he gave it a
meaning, which no one, perhaps not even the composer himself, had
attached to it, and especially the finale, rendered in a somewhat
stormy _tempo_, brought him most plenteous applause from all sides.
"Bravo, bravissimo, Herr Almbach!" cried the Consul, who was the first
to come up, and who shook him heartily by the hand, "we must really be
grateful to the Signora and Doctor, whose musical dispute assisted us
to the discovery of such a talent. You modestly announce an attempt,
and give us a performance of which the most finished artist need not be
ashamed. You have helped our Signora to a brilliant victory; she is
right--unconditionally right, and the Doctor this time remains, with
his attack, decidedly in the minority."
The singer had also approached the piano.
"I, too, am grateful to you for having responded to my wish in so
knightly a manner," she said, smiling; now lowering her voice, "but
take care; I fear my critical enemy will still fight with you as to the
mode in which you proved my opinion. Was the playing, above all the
finale, quite correct?"
A treacherous gleam shot across the young man's countenance, but he
also smiled.
"It accorded with your views, and received your applause, Signora--that
is enough for me."
"We will speak of it later," whispered the Signora quickly, as now the
lady of the house drew near to pay some civilities to her young guest,
and the greater part of the company followed her example. A stream of
phrases and compliments swept over Almbach, his playing was charming;
his execution--where had he studied music? The less he had been noticed
before--the less he was known to them, the more he had astonished all
by suddenly coming forward, added to the young man's modesty, which
hardly permitted him to reply to all the questions addressed to him;
every one present felt himself involuntarily to be a sort of Mecaenas,
and was prepared to give the young genius his complete protection. Was
it really modesty that closed Almbach's lips? Sometimes a species of
mockery flashed in his eyes, as again and again this exquisite
performance was extolled; and it was declared that this composition had
never been heard in perfection before. He seized the first opportunity
to escape from the attention paid him, and in this attempt was taken
possession of by Dr. Welding.
"Is it possible to reach you at last? You are regularly besieged with
compliments. Just one word, Herr Almbach; shall we go in here?"
He pointed to an adjoining room, into which both had scarcely entered,
before the Doctor continued in a somewhat sharp tone--
"Signora Biancona was right: that is, according to your performance. My
attack was directed against the composition as it exists in the
original. May I ask where you found this very peculiar arrangement of
it? Until this moment it was quite unknown to me."
"How do you mean, Herr Doctor?" asked the young man, coolly. "I only
know the piece of music in that form."
Welding looked him up and down, an expression of annoyance struggled
with one of undisguised interest in his face, as he replied--
"You appear to gauge the musical knowledge of your audience quite
correctly, if you venture to offer them such things. They hear the air,
and are contented; but sometimes there are exceptions. For instance, it
would interest me very much to know from whom certain variations
emanate, which utterly change the character of the whole; and as
regards the finale, entirely; was this daring improvisation, perhaps,
the attempt of an amateur also?"
Almbach raised his head somewhat defiantly, "And if it were, what
should you say to it?"
"That it was a great mistake of your people to make you a merchant."
"Herr Doctor, we are in a merchant's house."
"Certainly," answered Welding, calmly, "and I am the last to depreciate
that class, especially when, like our host, it begins with earnest,
ceaseless work, and ends in reposing on millions; but it does not suit
all. Above everything, it requires a clear, cool head, and yours does
not appear to me to be quite made to devote itself to the grasping
debit and credit. Excuse me, Herr Almbach! that is only my candid
opinion; besides, I do not blame you at all for your daring. What would
one not do to make a beautiful woman's obstinacy appear right! In this
case, the man[oe]uvre was even _most agreeable_, any other person with
the best will could not have carried it out; I congratulate you upon
it."
He made a half-ironical bow, and left the room; it adjoined the
drawing-room, but the half-closed _portieres_ divided it from the
former; quite lonely and dimly-lighted, it offered a momentary solitude
to whomsoever desired it. The young man had thrown himself upon a seat,
and gazed dreamily before him. Of what he was thinking, perhaps he did
not dare to confess to himself, and yet it was betrayed by his starting
up at the sound of a voice, which said in a tone of slight
astonishment--
"Ah, Signor Almbach, you here!"
It was Signora Biancona; whether, on entering, she had really not
perceived who was already there, could not be decided, as she continued
with perfect ease--
"I was seeking relief for a moment from the heat and whirl of the
drawing-room. You, too, have soon withdrawn from the company after your
triumph."
Almbach had risen, quickly. "If it is a question of triumph, there is
certainly no doubt who gained it to-day. My improvised performance
cannot be compared, in ever so slight a degree, with that which you
offered to the public."
The Signora smiled. "I only produced sounds, like you, but I confess,
candidly, it has surprised me, never, until to-night, and here, to meet
an artist who surely long since--"
"Excuse me, Signora," interrupted the young man, coldly, "I have
already declared in the drawing-room that I only lay claim to being a
_dilettante_. I belong to the commercial world."
The same look of astonishment which he had seen on Welding's
countenance in the theatre, was turned towards Almbach's face for the
second time.
"Impossible! you are joking."
"Why impossible, Signora? Because I could play a difficult _bravura_
piece with facility?"
"Because you could play it so, and because--" she looked at him fixedly
for a moment, and then added, with great decision--"because your face
bears the stamp one always imagines genius must carry on its brow."
"You see how deceptive appearances sometimes are."
Signora Biancona did not seem to agree with this; she sat down on the
couch, her pale-coloured dress lay airily and lightly, as a cloud, on
the dark velvet.
"I admire you," she began again, "that you are able, with such artistic
qualities, to devote yourself to an every-day calling. It would be
impossible for me; I have grown up in a world of sounds and tones, and
cannot understand how there is room in it for any other duties."
This time there lay an undisguised bitterness in the young man's voice
as he answered----"Also, your home is Italy; mine, a North-German
business town! In our every-day life, poetry is a rare, fleeting guest,
to whom a place is often refused. Work, striving after gain, stands
ever in the foreground."
"With you, also, Signor?"
"It should, at least, stand there; that it is not always the case, my
musical attempt will have shown you."
The singer shook her head doubtfully. "Your attempt! I should like to
become acquainted with your finished work. But surely it cannot be your
intention to withdraw this talent entirely from the public, and only
exercise it in your home circle?"
"In my home circle!" repeated Almbach, with singular emphasis, "I do
not touch a note there--least of all in my wife's presence."
"You are married already?" asked the Italian quickly, as a momentary
pallor spread over her face.
"Yes, Signora."
This "yes," sounded dull and cold, and the half-mocking expression
which played for a moment on the singer's lips, as she looked at the
man of barely four-and-twenty years, disappeared at this tone.
"People marry very young in Germany, it appears," she remarked,
quietly.
"Sometimes."
The young Italian seemed to find the pause which followed these words
somewhat painful; she changed rapidly to another topic--
"I fear you have already been subjected to the examination of which I
warned you. All the same, the company was charmed with your
performance."
"Perhaps!" said the young man, half-contemptuously, "and yet it
certainly was not intended for the company."
"Not! and for whom, then?" asked Signora Biancona, directing her glance
firmly towards him. And he looked at her; there seemed to be something
alike in both pairs of eyes which now met one another--both large,
dark, and mysterious. In Almbach's glance, too, shone the same light as
in the actress'; here also burned an ardent, passionate soul; also
here, in the depths, slumbered the demonlike spark which is so often
the heritage of genial natures, and becomes their curse when no
protecting hand restrains it, and when it is fanned into flame, then no
more brings light, but only destruction.
He came a step nearer and lowered his voice; its great excitement,
however, still betrayed itself.
"Only for her, who, for me and for us all, a few hours since, embodied
the highest beauty and the highest poetry, borne by the notes of an
undying master-work. You have been worshipped a thousand-fold to-day,
Signora. All that enthusiasm could offer was laid at your feet. The
stranger, the unknown, also wished to tell you how much he admired you,
and he did it in the language which alone is worthy of you. It is not
quite strange to me either."
In his admiration there lay something that raised it above all
flattery, the tone of real true enthusiasm, and Signora Biancona was
actress enough to recognise this tone, woman enough to suspect what was
hidden beneath it; she smiled with enchanting grace.
"I have seen, indeed, how very fluent you are in this language. Shall I
not often hear it from you?"
"Hardly," said the young man, gloomily. "You return, as I hear, to
Italy shortly, I--remain here in the North. Who knows if we shall ever
meet again."
"Our manager intends to remain here until May," interrupted the
Signora, quickly. "So our meeting to-day will surely not be our last?
Certainly not--I count positively on seeing you again."
"Signora!" This passionate outbreak of Almbach's lasted only for a
second. Suddenly a recollection or warning seemed to shoot through him;
he drew back and bowed low and distantly.
"I fear it must be the last--farewell, Signora."
He was gone before it was possible for the singer to utter one word
regarding this strange adieu, and he seemed to be in earnest about it,
as not once during the whole evening did he approach the dangerous
"circle of the sun."