I HAD just been taking my morning’s walk; it was the 7th of August.
Oroboni’s dungeon door was standing open; Schiller was in it, and he was
not sensible of my approach. My guards pressed forward in order to close
my friend’s door, but I was too quick for them; I darted into the room,
and the next moment found myself in the arms of Count Oroboni.
Schiller was in dismay, and cried out “_Der Teufel_! _der Teufel_!” most
vigorously, at the same time raising his finger in a threatening
attitude. It was in vain, for his eyes filled with tears, and he cried
out, sobbing, “Oh, my God! take pity on these poor young men and me; on
all the unhappy like them, my God, who knows what it is to be so very
unhappy upon earth!” The guards, also, both wept; the sentinel on duty
in the gallery ran to the spot, and even he caught the infection.
“Silvio! Silvio!” exclaimed the Count, “this is the most delightful day
of my life!” I know not how I answered him; I was nearly distracted with
joy and affection.
When Schiller at length beseeched us to separate, and it was necessary we
should obey, Oroboni burst into a flood of tears. “Are we never to see
each other again upon earth?” he exclaimed, in a wild, prophetic tone.
Alas! I never saw him more! A very few months after this parting, his
dungeon was empty, and Oroboni lay at rest in the cemetery, on which I
looked out from my window!
From the moment we had met, it seemed as if the tie which bound us were
drawn closer round our hearts; and we were become still more necessary to
each other.
He was a fine young man, with a noble countenance, but pale, and in poor
health. Still, his eyes retained all their lustre. My affection for him
was increased by a knowledge of his extreme weakness and sufferings. He
felt for me in the same manner; we saw by how frail a tenure hung the
lives of both, and that one must speedily be the survivor.
In a few days he became worse; I could only grieve and pray for him.
After several feverish attacks, he recovered a little, and was even
enabled to resume our conversations. What ineffable pleasure I
experienced on hearing once more the sound of his voice! “You seem
glad,” he said, “but do not deceive yourself; it is but for a short time.
Have the courage to prepare for my departure, and your virtuous
resolution will inspire me also with courage!”
At this period the walls of our prison were about to be whitewashed, and
meantime we were to take up our abode in the caverns below.
Unfortunately they placed us in dungeons apart from each other. But
Schiller told me that the Count was well; though I had my doubts, and
dreaded lest his health should receive a last blow from the effects of
his subterranean abode. If I had only had the good fortune, thought I,
to be near my friend Maroncelli; I could distinguish his voice, however,
as he sung. We spoke to each other, spite of the shouts and conversation
of the guards. At the same period, the head physician of Brünn paid us a
visit. He was sent in consequence of the report made by the
superintendent in regard to the extreme ill health of the prisoners from
the scanty allowance of food. A scorbutic epidemic was already fast
emptying the dungeons. Not aware of the cause of his visit, I imagined
that he came to see Oroboni, and my anxiety was inexpressible; I was
bowed down with sorrow, and I too wished to die. The thought of suicide
again tormented me. I struggled, indeed; but I felt like the weary
traveller, who though compelled to press forward, feels an almost
irresistible desire to throw himself upon the ground and rest.
I had been just informed that in one of those subterranean dens an aged
Bohemian gentleman had recently destroyed himself by beating his head
against the walls. I wish I had not heard it; for I could not, do what I
would, banish the temptation to imitate him. It was a sort of delirium,
and would most probably have ended in suicide, had not a violent gush of
blood from my chest, which made me think that death was close at hand,
relieved me. I was thankful to God that it should happen in this manner,
and spare me an act of desperation, which my reason so strongly
condemned. But Providence ordered it otherwise; I found myself
considerably better after the discharge of blood from my lungs.
Meantime, I was removed to the prison above, and the additional light,
with the vicinity of my friend Oroboni, reconciled me to life.