Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books.
Transcriber's Notes:
1. Page scan source:
http://books.google.com/books?pg=PP7&id=h90BAAAAQAAJ#v
2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
3. Compare this to the American edition: "Vineta, The Phantom City,"
by E. Werner and translated by Frances A. Shaw.
UNDER A CHARM.
UNDER A CHARM.
A Novel.
FROM THE GERMAN OF E. WERNER,
By CHRISTINA TYRRELL.
_IN THREE VOLUMES_.
VOL. III.
LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON,
NEW BURLINGTON STREET.
1877.
(_All rights reserved_.)
PART THE SECOND.
(_Continued_.)
UNDER A CHARM.
CHAPTER XI.
The border-station lay, as has already been mentioned, only half a
league distant from the frontier, in the midst of some of the thickest
plantations on the Wilicza land. The building, which was large and even
handsome, had been erected by the late Herr Nordeck at no
inconsiderable cost; but there was a desolate, decayed look about the
place, nothing whatever having been done towards its preservation or
repair, either by master or tenant, for the last twenty years. The
present forester owed his position solely to the Princess Baratowska's
favour, that lady having taken advantage of the vacancy caused by his
predecessor's death to advance one of her own supporters to the post.
Osiecki had now filled it for three years. His frequent encroachments
and somewhat negligent performance of his duties were altogether
overlooked by his mistress, because she knew that the forester was
devoted to her personally, and that she could count on him in any
circumstances. Hitherto, Osiecki had but rarely been brought in contact
with his master, and, on the whole, had followed with fair exactness
the instructions received from him. Waldemar himself came but very
rarely to the lonely, outlying station. It was only during the last few
weeks that the perpetual conflicts between the foresters and the
military stationed on the frontier had obliged him to interfere.
It was still to all appearances midwinter. The house and forest stood
laden with snow in the dim light which fell from a heavy overcast sky.
The ranger had assembled all his troop--five or six foresters under his
orders, and some woodmen. They were all standing with their guns thrown
over their shoulders, evidently waiting for the master's coming; but it
certainly did not look as though they were ready to obey and peaceably
to quit the station, as Waldemar had commanded. The dark defiant faces
of the men augured nothing good, and the ranger's appearance fully
justified the assertion that he was 'capable of anything.' These
people, who lived from year's end to year's end in the solitude of the
woods, were not very punctilious in their notions of duty, cared little
for either law or order; and Osiecki especially was notorious for the
liberty of action he allowed himself, following generally the
promptings of his own arbitrary will.
Nevertheless, they as yet preserved a respectful attitude, for before
them stood the young Countess Morynska. She had thrown back her mantle.
Her beautiful face betrayed nothing of the struggle and torture she had
gone through but an hour or two ago; it was only very grave now, and
coldly severe.
"You have brought us to an evil pass, Osiecki," she said. "You should
have been careful not to attract suspicion or attention to the station,
instead of which you quarrel with the patrols, and imperil everything
by your indiscreet conduct. The Princess is extremely displeased with
you. I come in her name once more emphatically to forbid any acts of
violence whatever, no matter against whom. This time you must make up
your mind to obey. Your ill-judged proceedings have done harm enough."
The reproach made an evident impression on the forester. He looked
down, and there was something almost apologetic in his voice as he
answered with mingled defiance and contrition--
"Well, it is done now. I could not hold back my men this time--nor
myself either, for that matter. If the Princess, or you, my lady, knew
what it is for us to lie here quiet day by day, while the fighting is
going on out yonder, to look on at the doings of those soldier fellows
and not to be allowed to stir a finger, though we have our loaded
rifles in our hands! It would wear out any man's patience, and ours
broke down the day before yesterday. If I did not know that we are
wanted here, we should all have been over yonder with our own people
long ago. Prince Baratowski is only a couple of hours from the
frontier; it would not be hard to find the way to him."
"You will stop here!" replied Wanda, with decision. "You know my
father's orders. The station is to be held, come what may, and for that
reason you are more necessary to us here than out yonder at the seat of
war. Prince Baratowski has men enough at his disposal. But now to the
main point. Herr Nordeck is coming here to-day."
"Yes, yes," said the ranger, with a sneer. "He means to make us obey,
he says. We are to go over to Wilicza, where he will have us constantly
under his eye, where we cannot lift a hand without having him behind
us, looking over our shoulders. Yes, he is a good one to command, is
Nordeck; but the question is whether just at this time he will find any
one to obey him. He had better bring a whole regiment of soldiers with
him, if he wants to drive us out of the station--else it is not certain
but the thing may take a bad turn."
"What do you mean by that?" asked the young Countess, slowly. "Are you
forgetting that Waldemar Nordeck is your mistress's son?"
"Prince Baratowski is her son and our master," the forester broke
forth; "and it is a shame that she and all of us should have to obey
this German, just because his father forced his way in among us twenty
years ago, and got possession of the Morynski estates and of a Countess
Morynska for his wife. It was bad enough that she should have to put up
with that man for years; but now the son gives her still more bitter
bread to eat--we know well enough what terms they are on. If she were
to lose him, she would not grieve much more than she did for his
father, and it would be the best thing that could happen to the whole
family. Then the orders from the Castle need not be given in secret;
the Princess would reign, and our young Prince would be the heir and
the master of Wilicza, as he should be of right."
Wanda turned pale. The unhappy position in which mother and son stood
to each other had already so made its baneful influence felt that their
subordinates could calculate in cold blood what advantages Waldemar's
death would bring to his nearest relatives, that they reckoned on the
Princess's forgiveness, to whatever extremity they might resort. There
was here something more to check and subdue than an outbreak of
momentary fury and irritation. Wanda saw her worst fears confirmed; but
she knew that by no word, no look must she betray her inward anxiety.
She was held in respect only as Count Morynski's daughter, as the
Princess's niece, and no doubt was felt that she spoke in the name of
the latter. If once the motive were guessed which had really brought
her hither, there would be an end to her authority, and she would lose
all chance of protecting Waldemar.
"Do not venture to lay hands on your master," she said, imperiously,
but as calmly as though she were actually fulfilling her mission.
"Happen what may, the Princess desires that her son may be spared, his
safety ensured at any cost. Let the man who dares to attack him look to
himself! You will obey, Osiecki--obey unconditionally. Once already you
have angered her with your disobedience. Do not attempt it a second
time."
The forester struck his gun impatiently on the floor, and there was an
uneasy movement among the bystanders who had hitherto listened to the
conversation in silence; yet no one ventured to offer opposition--no
one even murmured. The command had been sent to them by the Princess,
who was the one authority they recognised. Wanda would have gained her
end, if more time had been granted her in which to work on the men's
minds; but, hasten hither as she might, she had only been able to
obtain an advance of a few minutes on Waldemar. At this moment his
sledge drove up outside. All eyes were turned to the window. The young
Countess started.
"Already? Open the side door quickly for me, Osiecki. Say no syllable
to betray my presence here. I will go as soon as Herr Nordeck has
left."
The forester obeyed with all haste. He knew that Countess Morynska must
on no account be seen here by the master--else all their secrets would
be betrayed. Wanda stepped quickly into a small and dimly lighted
chamber, and the door was at once closed upon her.
It was high time. Two minutes later Waldemar appeared in the room she
had just left. He stopped on the threshold and took a steady look at
the circle of foresters who had grouped themselves around the ranger,
their rifles in their hands. The sight was not an encouraging one for
the young master, who came thus alone among them with the view of
reducing the rebels to submission; but his face was quite unmoved, and
his voice rang out firm and clear as he said, turning to the ranger--
"I did not announce my coming to you, Osiecki; but you seem to be
prepared for it."
"Yes, Herr Nordeck, we were expecting you," was the laconic reply.
"Armed? in such an attitude? What are you doing with your rifles? Lay
them down."
Countess Morynska's warning must have had some effect, for they obeyed.
The ranger was the first to put down his weapon; but he placed it well
within reach of his hand, and the others followed his example. Waldemar
now advanced into the middle of the room.
"I have come to ask for an explanation of a mistake which occurred
yesterday, Osiecki," he said. "My orders could not be misunderstood, I
sent them in writing; but the messenger who brought your reply cannot
have understood his errand. What did you really commission him to say
to me?"
This was going straight to the root of the matter. The short, precise
question was not to be evaded; it demanded an answer equally precise.
Yet the forester hesitated. He had not the courage to repeat to his
master's face that which he had yesterday charged his messenger to
declare.
"I am the border-ranger," said he, at last, "and I mean to remain so
while I am in your service, Herr Nordeck. I am responsible for my
station, therefore I must have the management of it, and no one else."
"But you have shown that you are not capable of managing it," replied
Waldemar, gravely. "You either cannot, or will not, hold your men in
check. I warned you repeatedly on two former occasions when excesses
had been committed. That affair of the day before yesterday was the
third, and it will be the last."
"I can't keep my men quiet when they fall in with the patrols at such a
time as this," declared the ranger, with a flash of defiance. "I have
no authority over them now."
"For that very reason you must be removed to Wilicza--there _I_ shall
be able to furnish the necessary authority, if yours falls short."
"And my station?"
"Will remain for the present under the supervision of Inspector
Fellner, until the arrival of the new ranger whom I had destined for
Wilicza. He must make up his mind to take your post for a while. You
yourself will stay at the Castle-station until there is peace again in
the land out yonder."
Osiecki laughed ironically. "It may be a long time first."
"Perhaps not so long as you think. At any rate, you will have to leave
this house to-morrow."
A somewhat significant movement was noticeable among the men as he
repeated his order in most decided tones, and the forester's passion
blazed up fiercely.
"Herr Nordeck!" he exclaimed.
"Well?"
"I declared yesterday ..."
"I hope you have taken counsel since then, and that to-day you are
ready to declare it was through a misunderstanding your messenger
brought me such an incredible answer. Take care what you are about,
Osiecki. I should think you must know me sufficiently by this time."
"Yes, indeed, you have taken good care that all Wilicza should know
you," muttered the ranger between his set teeth.
"Then you know, too, that I brook no disobedience, and that I never
take back an order once given. The forester's house at Wilicza is empty
at present. You will either move into it before noon tomorrow with all
your staff, or you may consider yourself dismissed from my service."
A threatening murmur rose among the men. They crowded more closely
together, their looks and attitude showing plainly that it was only by
an effort they still restrained themselves from any overt act of
violence. Osiecki stepped up to his employer, and stood close before
him.
"Oh, oh, the thing is not so easily settled," he cried. "I am no common
day labourer to be hired to-day and discharged to-morrow. You can give
me warning if you like; but I have a right to stay here till the
autumn, and so have the men I have engaged. My district lies among the
border-forests. I want no other, and I'll take no other, and the man
who tries to oust me will fare but badly."
"You mistake," replied Waldemar. "The station is my property, and the
ranger is bound to conform to my instructions. Do not insist on a right
which you have forfeited through your own misconduct. The act committed
by your men under your leadership the other day deserves a far severer
punishment than a mere removal to another post. You have insulted the
patrols; you have now gone so far as to attack them--there were even
shots fired. If you were not arrested on the spot, you may thank the
consideration in which I am held in L---- for it. It is well known
there that I have the will and, if need be, the power to keep the peace
on my estates, and that I do not care to have strangers coming between
me and those whom I employ; but some serious interference on my part is
now expected of me, and I shall respond to that expectation without
delay. You will at once comply with the arrangement I have determined
on, or before the day is over I shall offer the station to the officer
in command to serve as a post of observation on the frontier, and
to-morrow the house will be garrisoned."
Osiecki hastily stretched out his hand towards his rifle; but bethought
himself and stopped.
"You will not do that, Herr Nordeck," said he, in a low meaning voice.
"I shall do it, if there is any question of insubordination or
resistance. Decide--you have the choice. Shall you be at Wilicza
to-morrow or not?"
"No, a thousand times no," shouted Osiecki, roused now to violent
excitement. "I have orders not to stir from the station, and I shall
yield to nothing but actual force."
Waldemar started. "Orders? From whom?"
The forester bit his lips; but the unguarded word had escaped him, it
could not be recalled.
"From whom have you received orders which are in direct opposition to
mine?" repeated his employer. "From the Princess Baratowska, perhaps?"
"Well, suppose it were?" asked Osiecki, defiantly. "The Princess has
commanded us for years, why should she leave off all at once?"
"Because the master is on the spot himself now, and it is not good that
two should rule at one and the same time," said Waldemar, coldly. "My
mother lives at the Castle as my guest; but on all matters concerning
Wilicza and its management I alone decide. So you have instructions to
retain possession of the station at any price, even to resort to force
in order to hold it! There appears to be something more here than a
mere reckless act of aggression on the part of your men."
The ranger maintained a moody silence. His own imprudence had betrayed
him into what the Princess, in speaking to her niece, had stigmatised
as 'treason'--had wrought the very evil which Wanda had striven to
avert by hurrying to the spot herself. That one hasty word had
disclosed to Waldemar that the resistance, to which he had hitherto
attached no special importance, was one planned and executed under
orders; and he knew his mother too well not to feel sure that, if she
had given orders for the station to be held at all hazards--even for
the use of force in its defence in case of need--this must be the point
where the many threads conjoined which, spite of recent difficulties,
she had never let slip from her experienced hands.
"No matter," he began again. "We will not discuss the past. To-morrow
the border-station will be in other hands. We can settle all that
remains to be settled between us at Wilicza. Till to-morrow, then."
He moved as though to go; but Osiecki barred his way. The forester had
snatched up his rifle, and now held it in an apparently negligent
fashion which was yet significant enough.
"I think we had better settle our accounts on the spot, Herr Nordeck.
Once for all, I shall not leave my station to move to Wilicza or
anywhere else, and you yourself don't stir from this room until you
have recalled your words--not one step."
He would have signed to his confederates, but no sign was needed. As at
a word of command, each man had grasped his rifle, and in an instant
the young master was surrounded. Dark, threatening faces glowered at
him on all sides, faces which said plainly that the men who owned them
would recoil before no act of violence, and the whole man[oe]uvre was
so neatly, so promptly executed, it must necessarily have been
concerted beforehand. Perhaps at this moment Waldemar may have
regretted coming alone; but he preserved all his coolness and presence
of mind.
"What does this mean?" he asked. "Am I to take this for a menace?"
"Take it for what you will," cried the forester, fiercely; "but you
will not stir from this spot without first revoking your orders. It is
for us now to say 'Take your choice.' Beware what you do. You are not
bullet proof."
"Perhaps you have already put that to the test?" Waldemar turned a
searching look on the speaker. "Who despatched that ball after me the
last time I rode home from this place?"
A glance of deadly hatred darting from Osiecki's eyes was his only
answer.
"I have another ball here in the barrel, and each of my men is provided
in like manner"--he grasped the weapon more firmly. "If you care to
make the experiment, you will find us ready. Now, short and sweet. Give
us your word that we shall remain at the station unmolested, that no
soldier shall set foot in it--your word of honour, which is generally
thought by such as you to be more binding than any written promise,
or ..."
"Or?"
"You do not leave this place alive," concluded the forester, trembling
with fury and excitement.
Promptly, almost tumultuously, the others ratified the threat. They
crowded nearer. Six barrels, ominously raised, lent weight to Osiecki's
words--but in vain. Not a muscle of Waldemar's face moved as he turned
slowly, and looked round the circle. He stood in the midst of the
rebellious band, cool and collected, as though he were holding the most
peaceful conference with his subordinates. He only knitted his brow
more closely, and folded his arms with imperturbable and superior calm.
"You are fools!" he returned, in a half-contemptuous voice. "You
altogether forget what consequences you would draw down on yourselves.
You are lost if you lay hands on me. Discovery would be inevitable."
"Supposing we waited for it," sneered the forester. "What do you think
we are so near the frontier for? In half an hour we should be over it
and out yonder in the thick of the fight, where no one would ask what
game we might have brought down here with our rifles. Any way, we are
sick of lying here on the quiet, without ever striking a blow for the
cause; so, for the last time, will you give us your word of honour?"
"No," said the young man, neither moving nor averting his eyes from the
speaker.
"Reflect, Herr Nordeck." Osiecki's voice was almost choked with rage.
"Reflect, while there is yet time."
With two rapid strides Waldemar gained the wall, where, at least, he
would be covered in the rear.
"No, I say; and since we have gone so far"--he drew a revolver from his
breast-pocket, and pointed it at his assailants--"reflect yourselves
before you show fight. A couple of you will pay for the murderous
attack with their lives. My aim is as sure as yours."
At this the long pent-up storm broke loose. A wild tumult arose;
execrations, curses, threats burst from the infuriated men. More than
one among them laid his finger on the trigger, and Osiecki had raised
his hand to give the signal for a general assault when the side door
was hastily pushed open, and next instant Wanda stood by the side of
him they already looked on as their prey.
Her unexpected appearance warded off the worst--for a short space, at
least. The foresters paused on seeing Countess Morynska by their
master's side, so near to him that any attack on their enemy must
endanger her also. Waldemar, for his part, stood for one moment utterly
perplexed and amazed. Her sudden advent was inexplicable to him; then,
in an instant, the truth flashed through his mind. Wanda's death-like
pallor, the expression of desperate energy with which she took her
place at his side, told him that she had been aware of his danger, and
that she was there for his sake.
The peril was too imminent to leave them time for any explanation, for
the exchange of a single word. Wanda had at once turned to the
aggressors and was addressing them imperiously, passionately. Waldemar,
who knew but little Polish, who was but just beginning to familiarise
himself with the language, understood only that she was issuing orders,
resorting to dire threats against his adversaries--all to no avail. She
had reached the limits of her power. Their answers came back fierce and
menacing, and the ranger stamped with his foot on the ground--he
evidently refused obedience. The short and hasty parley lasted but a
minute or two. Not an inch of ground had been given up, not a man had
lowered his weapon. The rebels, exasperated to blindest fury, were past
paying deference, or recognising authority.
"Back, Wanda," said Waldemar, in a low voice, as he tried to put her
gently from him. "There will be a fight, you cannot prevent it. Give me
room to defend myself."
Wanda did not comply. On the contrary, she stood her ground more
steadfastly than ever. She knew that he must succumb to the force of
numbers, that his one chance of safety lay in her close neighbourhood.
As yet they had not ventured to touch her--as yet no one had dared to
drag her from his side; but the moment was drawing nigh when any such
lingering scruples would give way.
"Move aside, Countess Morynska," the forester's voice, harsh and full
of evil presage, resounded through the tumult. "Aside, or I shall shoot
you too."
He raised his rifle. Wanda saw him lay his finger on the trigger, saw
the man's features distorted with rage and hatred; and, seeing this,
all hesitation, all reflection vanished from her mind. One single clear
thought remained, definite, all-absorbing, that of Waldemar's deadly
peril; and, grasping at the last resource left her, she threw herself
on his breast, shielding him with her own body.
It was too late. The report crashed through the room, and next instant
Waldemar's piece responded. With a low cry the forester fell to the
ground, where he lay motionless. Waldemar had aimed with terrible
precision. He himself stood upright and unhurt, and Wanda with him. The
rapid movement, by which she had sought to shield him, had caused him
to swerve aside from the sure direction of the deadly weapon, and had
saved both him and herself.
It had all happened with such lightning-like speed that none of the
others had had time to take part in the fray. In one and the same
moment they saw Countess Morynska throw herself between the combatants,
saw the forester stretched on the ground, and the master facing them
with uplifted revolver, ready to fire his second shot. There was a
pause of death-like stillness. For one second no one stirred.
The smoke had not cleared from his barrel before Waldemar had forced
Wanda into his own partially sheltered position, and placed himself
before her. With one glance he took in the whole situation. He was
surrounded; the way out was barred. Six loaded rifles were opposed to
his single weapon. If it came to a struggle he felt he was lost and
Wanda with him, should she again attempt to come between him and the
danger. An effectual defence was not to be thought of. Here boldness
alone could save. The boldness might prove mad, rash audacity; but no
matter, it must be tried.
He drew himself up erect, threw back with an energetic gesture the hair
which had fallen over his forehead, and, pushing up the two barrels
nearest him with his hand, stepped out into the midst of his
assailants. His stately figure towered high above them all, and his
eyes blazed down on his rebellious subjects, as though by their fire
alone he could annihilate them.
"Down with your arms!" he thundered, with all the might of his powerful
voice. "I will have no rebellion on my land. There lies the first man
who has attempted it. He who dares to imitate him will share his fate.
Down with your rifles, I say!"
The men stood as though paralysed with astonishment, and stared at
their master speechless. They hated him; they were in open revolt
against him, and he had just shot down their leader. The first, the
most natural impulse would have been to take revenge, now that
vengeance was in their hands. No doubt their intention had been to rush
upon and close with Waldemar; but when he stepped out among them,
thrusting aside their weapons with his hand, as though he did in truth
wear a charmed life--when he demanded submission with the look and tone
of an absolute and despotic ruler, the old habit of subjection made
itself felt, the old spirit of blind obedience which, without question
or demur, bows to the voice of command. With the instinctive docility
of lower natures they yielded to the force of a superior mind. They
recoiled timidly before those flashing eyes which they had long learned
to fear, before that threatening brow with its strange swollen blue
vein. And Waldemar stood before them unscathed! Osiecki's ball, which
had never before been known to miss its aim, had glanced harmlessly by
him, while the forester lay dead on the ground, shot to the heart!
There was something of superstitious awe in the movement with which
those nearest him shrank back from their enemy. Gradually the menacing
barrels were lowered; the circle round the master grew wider and wider;
the venture with which he, one man alone, had braved a sixfold danger,
had succeeded.
Waldemar turned and, grasping Wanda's arm, drew her to him. "Now clear
a path," he ordered, in the same imperious tone; "make way!"
Some of the men kept their places; but the two foremost fell back
hesitatingly and, by so doing, left free the space between them and the
door. None of the others offered opposition--in silence they let their
employer and Countess Morynska pass. Waldemar did not hasten his steps
in the least. He knew that he had only quelled the danger for a moment,
that it would return with redoubled force so soon as the insurgents had
time to reflect, to recover a consciousness of their superior strength;
but he also felt that the least sign of fear would be fatal. The power
of his eye and of his voice still held that riotous, unruly band in
check; all now depended on their getting clear of their foes before the
spell ceased to work, which might happen any moment.
He stepped out with Wanda into the open air. The sledge was waiting
outside, and the driver hurried up to them with a face blanched by
fear. The sound of shots had attracted him to the window, where he had
witnessed part of the scene which had just taken place. Waldemar
quickly lifted his companion into the sledge, and got in himself.
"Drive off," he said, briefly and hastily. "At a foot-pace as far as
the trees yonder, then give the horses the rein, and into the forest
for your life."
The coachman obeyed. He was probably not without apprehensions on his
own account. In a few minutes they had reached the friendly trees, and
now they dashed onward in mad haste. Waldemar still held his revolver
ready cocked in his right hand; but with his left he clasped Wanda's
slender fingers tightly, as though he would never again relax his hold.
Not until they had placed such a distance between the forester's
station and themselves that all fear of murderous bullets despatched in
their rear was over, did he relinquish his attitude of defence and turn
to his companion. Now for the first time he saw that the hand he held
in his was covered with blood. Some heavy drops were trickling down
from the sleeve of her dress, and the man who had faced the late danger
with a brow of adamant, grew white to the very lips.
"It is nothing," said Wanda, hastily forestalling his question.
"Osiecki's ball must have grazed my arm. I did not feel the wound until
now."
Waldemar tore out his handkerchief and helped her to bind up the
injured arm with it. He was about to speak; but the young Countess
raised her white face to him. She neither bade nor forbade him; but in
her countenance there was such an expression of mute anguish and
entreaty that Waldemar was silenced. He felt he must spare her, for the
present, at least. He only spoke her name; but that one word said more
than the most impassioned burst of eloquence. "Wanda!"
His look sought hers; but in vain. She did not raise her eyes again,
and her hand lay inert and icy cold in his.
"Hope nothing!" she said, in so low a tone that her words hardly
reached his ear. "You are the enemy of my people, and I am Leo
Baratowski's affianced wife!"