"Two weeks to spend in hobbling from the bed to the sofa, and from the
sofa to the bed! it is insufferable!" Herwarth exclaimed when he was
again alone with Paul, after Dr. Putzer had left his room.
In his vexation he did not meet with much sympathy from his friend.
"You are wrong, noble knight," Paul replied, mockingly. "You will not
only suffer it, but after a while you will admit that this enforced
rest is highly beneficial for both of us. I at least am always
delighted to have a good excuse for luxurious idleness. With what
ecstasy shall I now survey from a distance the blue ice-rifts in the
glaciers, in the consciousness that I am not called upon to ascend them
in the sweat of my brow! I verily believe, my dear Herwarth, that you
divined my secret wishes, and in heroic self-sacrifice sprained your
knightly ankle to do me pleasure, that I might lounge and dawdle here
for two weeks. It was true magnanimity on your part, my noble friend.
We shall have some delightful days together. I will send for piles
of books from Innspruck and Bozen, and I have any quantity of good
cigars,--that is, as good as can be had in this confounded Austria. Oh,
we will idle away the time gloriously!"
"Do you think I shall allow you to sit still here in the inn on my
account while such delightful excursions are to be made all round the
country?"
"On your account? You know perfectly well that you have nothing to do
with it, noble knight. I act to please myself. I follow my inclination
for the _dolce far niente_--for a season of repose after all these
nonsensical, tiresome mountain-ascents, of which I have had in the last
week enough to last me my lifetime. I have a horror of your delightful
excursions, where your only gain is an unquenchable thirst. The view of
the mountains from below is far finer than that of the valleys from
above. I will have none of your mountain-excursions."
"But, Delmar, you are the most indefatigable mountain-climber. You have
been the chief instigator of our boldest efforts."
"Have I? Very likely. I sometimes am a prey to whims. I suppose it is
because I have done so much of it that I feel such an unconquerable
repugnance now to any mountain ascent."
"You cannot convince me. I will never consent to have you tied to the
house on my account."
"You will never consent? You do not consider the significance of the
words so calmly uttered, noble knight. You have not the slightest idea
of all to which you will consent. As I said just now, a patient is not
an individual but a case. You will therefore consent to whatever I see
fit; for example, to let me put a fresh wet bandage upon your foot at
this moment. Let me advise you not to irritate me by opposition. Do not
force me to cool your head also with a wet bandage."
"But, Delmar, let us speak seriously."
"You are not to speak at all," Paul replied with a laugh; "but to keep
quiet while I bandage your foot." He proceeded to do this with a firm
and gentle hand, and then continued: "And now, noble knight, let me
beseech you not to fatigue yourself with representations and remarks
which will be of no avail against my obstinacy."
"But, Delmar, I myself cannot bear being shut up in this room for two
weeks, and how can I allow you----"
"As I said before, you will not be consulted upon the subject. Besides,
the doctor spoke of a balcony whither I might take you, with a lovely
view of the castle and the distant mountains. I will immediately
proceed to discover where this balcony is, and whether I can arrange a
comfortable seat there for you. If I can, we will stay in the open air
all day long, and all the evening too if you desire it."
He left his friend, and summoned Hansel in stentorian tones to show him
the way to the balcony. This balcony was the worthy postmaster's pride.
He had himself added it to his inn, and it flattered him not a little
that every stranger who visited Tausens declared it to be a charming
place to enjoy the prospect.
And in truth there could be no more delightful abiding-place for any
one unable to walk than this spacious balcony at the back of the house.
It was protected from sun and rain by a stout roof, and from the blasts
of wind by the house itself, and it was large enough to accommodate
easily more than thirty people. The view from it was glorious,
comprehending a distant prospect of the densely-wooded mountainside of
the valley of the Schwarzenbach, with Castle Reifenstein proudly
crowning the rocky wall at its entrance, and also the glaciers in the
background with the three peaks the Maidelspitz, the Weisshorn, and the
Schiechjoch.
"Wonderful!" Paul exclaimed. "Here let us build our cots." And he
straightway proceeded to make every arrangement for Herwarth's
establishment in ease and comfort, being most cordially assisted in his
task by the good-humoured innkeeper.
When all was ready he returned to Kuno's room for his friend, whom he
supported in triumph to the comfortable easy-chair provided for him.
The injured foot was placed upon another cushioned chair, and a plaid
thrown over it that the noble knight, as Paul said with a laugh, might
present a respectable appearance in case any ladies should visit the
balcony.
"And I think they will not be long in coming," he added. "I remarked
Fraeulein von Schlicht's expression as she looked down at you. A wounded
warrior of this description has the same attraction for the fair sex as
a candle has for moths."
Kuno would have resented this unseemly comparison, but how could he
resent anything from so kind a nurse? And besides, Delmar's words were
almost immediately confirmed, for before Herwarth could reply Eva
Schommer and Aline von Schlicht appeared upon the balcony.
"Was I not right?" Paul whispered. "Here come the moths already."
Kuno would have sprung up from his arm-chair to receive the ladies, but
Delmar detained him with a firm hand. "Sit still, my noble knight," he
said; "a patient has no right to be chivalric. Pray take the will for
the deed, ladies," he went on, turning to Eva and Aline. "You see that
this wounded warrior, in his joy at this unexpected meeting in a
strange land, would fain arise to do you reverence, but my strong grasp
detains him. The doctor has forbidden him to stand, and I am an
incorruptible nurse. As his present natural guardian, and in his stead,
I salute you with my most profound obeisance." And he bowed low, still
keeping his hand upon Kuno's shoulder.
The latter still made efforts to rise, until Aline von Schlicht said in
a gentle tone of entreaty, "Do not drive us away from this charming
balcony, Herr von Herwarth. We must go if you are not perfectly quiet.
I hope the injury to your foot is not grave?"
"Nothing of any consequence, Fraeulein von Schlicht," Paul answered in
Kuno's stead; "nothing that will prevent his waltzing as gracefully as
ever next winter, if he will only keep quiet for two weeks and obey
orders, which now that I have so charming an ally in my efforts to that
end I have good hopes of his doing. One word from your lips, fair lady,
will be of more effect than whole sermons from mine."
Paul spoke to Aline, but as he spoke he looked at Eva, and scarcely
noticed that Aline approached Kuno's arm-chair and frankly extended to
him a hand, which the lieutenant kissed with more warmth than the
occasion seemed to require.
Delmar's attention was absorbed by Eva, who did not follow her friend's
example, but leaning against the balustrade of the balcony had taken no
part in the short conversation.
Hitherto Paul had seen Eva only in full dress at balls or in brilliant
assemblages, or driving in her carriage. He had always thought her
beautiful, but he regarded her as a purse-proud woman of fashion, and
as such he had a prejudice against her,--a prejudice strengthened by
the marked friendliness of her manner towards himself, the wealthiest
man of her acquaintance, in contrast with the cold reserve she
maintained towards all the other men about her, with the exception
perhaps of Count Waldheim.
Money was of so little value in his eyes, he so detested pride of
purse, that he had intentionally kept aloof from the beautiful heiress;
he would not add another to the crowd of her adorers, and the sweet
smile with which Eva replied to his bow, instead of acknowledging it by
the haughty bend of her head which she accorded to others, increased
his dislike of her, for he thought this smile was given to his money
and not to himself.
By her betrothal to the man for whom Delmar had so thorough a contempt
Eva had lost every claim to his regard. That she had made an apology to
Leo the condition of her betrothal caused him to waver for a moment in
his judgment of her. Only for a moment, however; he had not thought it
worth while to inquire into her reasons for so doing; very likely she
acted from fear lest her precious lover should be wounded, or perhaps
from mere whim. What did he care about the motives actuating the
purse-proud heiress?
His prejudice against her was in full force when she appeared upon the
balcony with Aline, and yet he could not help regarding her with a
degree of interest. She had never looked as lovely, he thought, as in
her simple travelling-dress. The brilliant lady of fashion receiving,
in diamonds and lace, the homage of her ball-room adorers as her right,
with a haughty, disdainful air, was scarcely to be recognized in the
simple lovely girl who stood leaning against the balustrade of the
balcony contemplating Herwarth's reception of her friend, with a look
full of loving sympathy. The dark eyes, wont to flash with disdain,
were full of gentle tenderness, while a charming smile transfigured her
face for an instant as Kuno bestowed his eager kiss upon Aline's hand.
It vanished immediately however to give place to an expression of
profound melancholy, while the dark eyes sought the ground. It would
almost seem that the girl whom Delmar had always thought heartless was
a prey to some deep-seated grief.
Paul was no sentimental enthusiast. When he found himself, after
observing the melancholy in Eva's face, upon the high-road towards
sympathy for the sorrow that brought it there, he started off in the
opposite direction. He was vexed with himself that a pretty face could
have such an influence upon him; his old aversion for Eva stirred
within him, and awakened a desire to prove to the purse-proud girl that
she could not drag every man at her chariot-wheels; that there was one
at least who saw through her and was dazzled neither by her beauty nor
her wealth.
With the scornful smile which so often hovered upon his lips and did
not at all add to his attractions, Paul bowed low to Eva as he
approached, and addressed her in a low tone, "'Tis an unexpected
pleasure, Fraeulein Schommer, to meet you here in this retired corner of
the world. I am the more delighted, as it gives me an opportunity to
offer you my congratulations upon your betrothal; congratulations as
sincere as is my admiration for Herr von Bertram, who certainly, as far
as manliness and nobility of disposition are concerned, is worthy of
his lovely betrothed."
As Delmar approached her Eva had raised her eyes to his for a moment,
but at sight of his scornful smile she instantly averted them. A
burning blush crimsoned her cheek and tears rushed to her eyes as she
listened to his words.
With an effort to control herself, she replied, "What have I done, Herr
Delmar,--how have I ever offended you? How given you the right thus to
wound me?"
Paul was prepared for a sharp reply, to which he would have made as
sharp a rejoinder; but tears, and this gentle reproof! He had never
been so nonplussed; he felt ashamed and confused, and hardly knowing
what he said, he stammered, "Indeed, Fraeulein Schommer--you are
mistaken--I did not mean to wound you."
"You did mean to wound me, and you succeeded excellently well," Eva
rejoined, still mastering her emotion, and looking directly at Delmar
with eyes before which his own sought the ground. "I know how
unfavourable is your opinion of Herr von Bertram. Your sarcastic
congratulation was an intentional offence which I have not deserved at
your hands."
Delmar felt precisely like some school-boy caught in a particularly
disgraceful trick and forced to listen without a word of reply to a
severe reprimand, the justice of which he could not but acknowledge.
The quiet dignity and the feminine gentleness of Eva's reply to his
ironical address completely disarmed him. His wonted skill in repartee
forsook him, and he could only say simply, in excuse, "Forgive me!"
From the altered expression of his face Eva saw clearly that these
words were prompted by sincere regret for his late attack. The sneer
had entirely vanished, and there was such genuine entreaty for
forgiveness in his eyes that she could not but accord it to him.
"I am not angry," she said, not unkindly; "but it pains me that even
you, whom I have never offended, can take pleasure in wounding me. I
will forget the words in which you couched your congratulations just
now if you will frankly tell me in what way I have provoked your
hostility."
"You subject me to painful embarrassment. I assure you that I entertain
not the slightest hostility towards you."
"You evade me, but I cannot let you escape. I have a right to know of
what you accuse me, what you think gives you the right to speak
slighting words to a poor, defenceless girl. You are Herr von Heydeck's
friend, perhaps you accuse me, as he did publicly, of arrogance,
self-conceit, and despicable pride of purse, and therefore feel
yourself justified in humiliating me? You need not answer, I see in
your face that if you spoke honestly you would be obliged to say 'Yes;'
but I solemnly declare that you do me bitter injustice! You, who know
the misery of being rich, will believe me when I tell you how I detest
and despise this wretched wealth that poisons every enjoyment of life
for me. I purse-proud! I who am forced to feel with shame and pain
every hour of the day that I myself am nothing, that with the exception
of two or three friends every human being who comes near me values me
for my money! And never was I so painfully conscious of this as at the
present moment. For you, with your millions, my wealth is valueless. In
your eyes I am simply an insignificant girl whom you regard with
contempt, and whom you feel yourself justified in humiliating by
offensive words of reproof. But I promised to forget what you said, and
I will keep my word. Let us speak of something else.
"I came out upon this balcony with my friend Aline with a purpose in
view. I knew you were here, and I wished to speak with you. Chance has
brought me to Tausens. I wished to avoid the stream of tourists, and if
possible to spend a few quiet weeks in some retired corner of the
Tyrol. I hoped to find this asylum in Tausens, and my kind uncle
consented to accompany me hither, although he knew that he should be
obliged to forego here many of his daily luxuries and even comforts.
Upon arriving at noon to-day we learned that three gentlemen were
already lodging at the 'Post.' Your name was mentioned, and also that
of Herr von Heydeck, whereupon my uncle and Herr von Bertram would have
left Tausens immediately. But I refused to do so. I am quite sure of
never having given Herr von Heydeck the slightest reason for the
offensive expressions which were the cause of his quarrel with Herr von
Bertram. I can therefore meet him frankly and fearlessly. There is no
reason why I should run away from him, and I shall certainly not do so.
This is why I stayed."
Eva's long explanation had given Paul time to recover from his
embarrassment, and the change in her manner helped him to overcome his
confusion; but he had lost all desire for a war of words. He no longer
regarded Eva with his late dislike. Her frankness and candour inspired
him with esteem and interest; her lament over the misery of wealth
aroused his sympathy. Had he not often felt thus while he despised
those who flattered and cringed to him? He had known that their homage
was paid only to his money, and he could easily conceive how a like
knowledge should embitter Eva's very soul. Her determination, so boldly
expressed, to meet Leo frankly and fearlessly pleased him, and he could
not but say, "I admire your courage, Fraeulein Schommer, and I expressed
this admiration to your betrothed when he told me of your resolve."
Eva blushed as Delmar uttered the word 'betrothed.' It sounded
strangely in her ears from his lips. True, there was not a shade of
sarcasm now in his tone, and yet it offended her to hear of Bertram as
her betrothed. She knew that she had no right to object, that any
objection would be extremely unbecoming, and yet when she asked, "You
have already spoken with Herr von Bertram?" she laid a sharp emphasis
upon the 'Herr von.'
Delmar noticed this; it was not the way in which a true-hearted girl
would speak of her lover, and he called to mind Bertram's uneasy
anxiety in the conversation they had had shortly before. Paul was now
convinced that love had hardly tied the knot of this engagement, and he
wondered what inducement could have led the lovely heiress to bestow
her hand upon such a suitor. This wonder so occupied his thoughts that
it was not until Eva had repeated her question that he replied.
"Yes, I have had a conversation with him."
"By your own desire?"
"Why do you ask?"
"From certain expressions of Herr von Bertram's I am led to suspect
that you are no friend of his, nor does he regard you with friendly
sentiments. He feared a meeting with you and with Herr von Heydeck, and
so urged me to leave Tausens that I am surprised to hear of a
conversation between you. Therefore I asked. I wished to know whether
you had sought an opportunity to express the same congratulations to
him that you offered to me."
"He accosted me, and begged me to grant him an interview.
"Was it of a peaceful character?"
"Yes."
"You parted friends?"
"You must excuse me from replying to that question, Fraeulein Schommer.
I do not wish to offend you again, and therefore we will say no more
with regard to your betrothed; my opinion of whom must be a matter of
entire indifference to you. Since chance has brought us together here,
and as we shall probably often meet in the next few weeks upon this
balcony, let us avoid all allusion to disagreeable topics. Let us
follow the example of my friend Kuno, and of yours Fraeulein von
Schlicht, who, to judge from their cheerful countenances, are certainly
not discussing anything disagreeable, but conversing together most
amicably. I think we can do so, too, if we only consent to forget the
past, and to consider ourselves merely as a couple of travellers
meeting in a retired and beautiful part of the Tyrol, where in the
beauty around us, and in our daily experiences, we can surely find
matter enough for pleasant talk."
"You are right; I will follow your advice; only answer me one question.
I do not see Herr von Heydeck, but only Herr von Herwarth, who I did
not know was your travelling companion; has Herr von Heydeck gone
away?"
"Not very far; he is staying up there in the fine old Castle of
Reifenstein, which belongs to his uncle, a Herr von Heydeck. He will
probably visit us down here but rarely, since he is held in magic
thrall by the soft spells of a lovely fairy, his beautiful cousin
Hilda."
"Hilda von Heydeck?" Eva exclaimed. "An exquisitely beautiful young
girl with lustrous blue eyes and magnificent golden hair. A merry,
frank, charming creature! Hilda von Heydeck a near relative of your
friend's?"
"You know Fraeulein von Heydeck?"
"I met her at an evening party two years ago, in Vienna, where I with
my uncle Balthasar stayed a few weeks, and I was so delighted with her
loveliness and gayety that I talked with her almost the entire evening.
How strange that I should find myself so near to her now without having
intended it!"
"She is the cause of our presence in the Tyrol. Leo came to Tausens to
make acquaintance with his charming cousin, whom his father wishes him
to marry, and Herwarth and I accompanied him."
Eva did not reply, she gazed up at the castle on the rocks with eyes
full of a dreamy melancholy; the image of the lovely Hilda arose in her
mind side by side with that of Leo von Heydeck. How often had she
thought of him lately!--not in hatred, but in profound sadness. She
could not hate him, although he had insulted her; she could not but
feel that by her own cold reserve she had given him some reason for his
harsh words. She had thought of him almost as of a departed spirit. Was
he not dead to her,--the betrothed of his mortal enemy? And yet now a
sharp pain, inexplicable to herself, stirred within her at the thought
of the happy hours he was passing in the old castle with his lovely
cousin, who was one day to be his wife. But she knew that such vague,
unjustifiable emotion was unworthy of her; that it was her duty to
endeavour to conquer it; and she did so, forcing herself to say with
apparent calm, "I thank you, Herr Delmar, I trust any disagreeable
meeting with Herr von Heydeck may be spared myself or Herr von Bertram.
Although I do not fear it I would rather avoid it, and I think this may
be quite possible, since Herr von Heydeck must find the castle with its
fairy most attractive. And now let us join our friends, who have a
right to take it amiss that we have held ourselves aloof from them so
long."
It was doubtful whether Eva really entertained the fear lest Aline and
Herwarth should take her _tete-a-tete_ with Delmar amiss. Had she done
so, one glance at the pair would have reassured her; they evidently
needed no other companionship.
Aline stood beside Kuno's arm-chair, and had asked about the manner of
his accident with such tender sympathy, that the happy lieutenant
inwardly declared that such gentle, kindly words from such lovely lips
were cheaply bought by a sprained ankle. He told her how devoted and
kind was Delmar, whom he had only lately learned really to know; and
although Paul had never before particularly interested Aline, she
suddenly found him extremely amiable and agreeable.
Kuno also told of Leo, and of his visit to Castle Reifenstein, finding
a most attentive listener. So absorbed were they that they never
thought of finding Eva's conversation with Delmar too long. Now, when
Eva made kindly inquiries of Kuno as to his suffering, he thanked her
courteously, and all took part in a conversation inaugurated by Delmar
about Tausens and the wonders of scenery in its neighbourhood.
Paul was in the best of humours; he brought chairs for the ladies,
placing them where they could have the finest view of the Schwarzenbach
valley, and then gave a humorous account of all the friends had gone
through on their walk from the Zillerthal. His talent for conversation
was undeniable, and Eva felt the charm of it for the first time.
Meeting him only at balls and large assemblies in K----, she had always
regarded him as a _blase_ man of the world, probably because his
dislike of the haughty heiress had never permitted him to think it
worth the trouble to let his light shine in her presence. To-day,
however, resigning himself entirely to his natural mood, he soon
overcame the prejudices of his listeners. His dry humour even provoked
the grave Eva's frequent laughter, and she soon almost forgot how
unpleasant had been the first few moments of their meeting. Aline too
was much interested in Herr Delmar's talk, but what provoked her
special admiration was his constant care and consideration for Herr von
Herwarth, and the conscientious fulfilment of his duties as nurse.
The appearance of Uncle Balthasar on the balcony was no interruption to
the pleasant conversation. He greeted Delmar and Herwarth with his
usual kindly good humour, and they returned his salutation in kind. Eva
was especially pleased to see that Delmar, who was generally so ready
with the sharp arrows of his sarcasm in view of any silliness or
weakness, had neither sneering word nor look for Uncle Balthasar.
And yet the young man might well have thought Uncle Balthasar fair
game, as he came tripping out upon the balcony in his trim elegance of
costume, in one hand his fine straw hat, and in the other a delicate
cane, addressing Delmar in the richest Saxon patois: "Aha, my good Herr
Delmar, monstrous glad to see you in the Tyrol, I'm _suah_."
But Delmar never seemed to hear Uncle Balthasar's mistakes either of
grammar or pronunciation; he treated him with all the respectful
courtesy due from a young man to one much older, thereby taking the
kindly old man's heart by storm.
A couple of hours flew swiftly by; the sun had long set behind the
mountains, the valley of the Schwarzenbach lay in dim shadow, from
which only the distant peaks of the Weisshorn emerged, glowing in
crimson light; soon it, too, faded, and a dull ashen gray followed upon
the last shimmer of departed day. The increasing darkness warned Eva
that it was time to leave the balcony, and she arose. "We must not
leave Aunt Minni alone any longer," she said. "She will certainly be
waiting for us at her tea-table."
Uncle Balthasar was enjoying himself hugely,--he would have liked to
spend another hour upon the balcony,--but he followed Eva's lead
immediately, and took leave of Delmar and Herwarth, assuring Paul that
it was _too_ delightful to find such entertaining society in Tausens,
and that he only regretted that "the dear Guido"--it was thus he spoke
of Herr von Bertram--was prevented by headache from taking part in the
delightful conversation.
The name of Guido again provoked on Delmar's face the sarcastic smile
which had vanished from it during the last two hours. "Do you share
this regret, Fraeulein Schommer?" he asked hardily.
"No! Good-night," was the brief reply, as, taking her uncle's arm and
followed by Aline, Eva left the balcony.
After the ladies had left, Paul walked to the balustrade and, leaning
upon it, gazed thoughtfully abroad upon the landscape now fading
quickly into the gloom of night.
Kuno, occupied in reflecting upon the last few hours, and upon many a
gentle word of Aline's, did not disturb his revery, which had been
prolonged for nearly half an hour, when suddenly Delmar turned to the
lieutenant and said, "Do you know, noble knight, that I have just made
a discovery which will not be half as new to you as it is humiliating
to me?"
"What have you discovered?" Kuno asked.
"That I have been a confounded ass, a stupid, addled ass! And it is all
the more humiliating to find this out just when I thought myself so
very wise."
"Confessions of a fair soul!" Kuno laughed. "May I ask what has led you
to so unflattering a discovery with regard to yourself?"
"Yes, you may ask, and it is my duty to answer, because it is to you
also that I have so often and so conceitedly displayed my superhuman
wisdom. I must confess to you, and in especial to Leo, the terrible
grief to which I am come with my boasted knowledge of human nature. I
deserve to have my ears boxed,--if there were only some one to do it
for me.
"You make me curious."
"You have often heard me speak of Fraeulein Schommer; do you remember
what opinion of her I expressed?"
"Not a very flattering one."
"It was brutal, thick-headed, idiotic! I called her purse-proud, vain,
arrogant, cold, heartless, and I have no doubt I used a great many more
adjectives equally stupid. It is not sufficient that I inwardly confess
and regret the wrong I have done her. I must apologize to you and to
Leo, with whom I have often spoken of her. She is a charming and lovely
girl, noble in disposition, and of great sensibility,--incapable of an
unworthy thought. Faults she may have,--I cannot say,--but pride of
purse is not among them, that I'll swear to."
Kuno laughed. "Take care, take care!" he said. "You seem to me to have
been gazing too deeply into the lovely Eva's dreamy dark eyes. I have
never heard you speak of a girl thus. Keep fast hold of your heart or
you will lose it here on the balcony."
"Do you think so?" Paul asked mockingly. "Your wisdom is profound,
noble knight, almost as profound as my own. One cannot lose what one
does not possess; my admiration for the fair Eva has nothing to do with
my heart. I should hardly have spoken of her so frankly to you had I
been in love with her; reassure yourself on that score. I am only
filled with remorse for having so misjudged her, and perhaps thereby
strengthened others--our Leo for example--in their false estimate of
her. Do you know what I have been pondering for the last half-hour?"
"How should I?"
"I will tell you; I have been dreaming of a happy future for our
friend. It is particularly stupid to indulge in waking dreams, but it
is a habit of mine, and I cannot get rid of it. I saw Leo with a
charming young wife,--saw him wealthy and happy, valued by every one as
a true artist and scholar, and beloved as a friend by all who stand in
need of aid or counsel. I saw him thus, and his lovely young wife gave
me a bewitching glance from her dreamy dark eyes, and smiled the
gentle, kindly smile which I saw to-day for the first time. It was a
dream, Herwarth, but a delightful dream, and I wish I could make it a
reality. Leo and Eva! What a charming couple they would make!"
"You forget that Fraeulein Schommer is betrothed."
"To that scoundrel Bertram! That is what vexes me, and what I cannot
understand. This betrothal was a puzzle to me when I thought Fraeulein
Schommer a cold, heartless, vain, purse-proud creature; even then I did
not see how she could throw herself away upon the fellow, and the only
explanation I could find was that she had fallen in love with his
smooth, handsome face. But she does not love him; I know it now, and I
know more than that,--I read in her face to-day that this engagement is
a disgrace in her eyes, and that she despises Bertram. And yet she is
betrothed to him! She shrinks when he is spoken of as her lover; she
never speaks of him except as _Herr von Bertram_; she confesses that
his presence wearies her, and yet she is his betrothed! I cannot
understand these contradictions; I must discover what they mean; and if
I find that this Herr von Bertram has played false with Fraeulein Eva,
and perhaps with me, let him look to himself. He has not yet reached
the goal of his hopes,--an engagement may be broken,--and I do not
relinquish the hope that my dream may be fulfilled,--that Leo and Eva
may come together at last!"
"But you quite forget Leo's profound aversion for Fraeulein
Schommer,--an aversion which was the cause of that wretched scene at
Buechner's. You have indeed been dreaming, my friend; your fancy has run
away with your understanding. Eva and Leo! The strangest combination
imaginable! I find it much easier, after your glowing description of
the beauty and loveliness of his charming cousin, to believe that Leo
will find a balm for all his woes up there at the castle, and that he
will return to K---- happily betrothed to the 'Fair one with the golden
locks.'"
"That he never will!" Paul cried angrily. "I tell you---- But no, I had
better tell you nothing, but change the bandage on your foot; it will
be pleasanter both for you and for myself."
He did so, and then walked again to the balustrade to look out once
more over the valley, now shrouded in black darkness. Nannerl brought a
lamp with a screen, which she placed upon a table beside Kuno. Paul
never noticed it; she asked what the gentlemen would have for supper;
he did not hear her, and Kuno, contrary to custom, gave orders in his
stead. Paul dreamed on, resigning himself to the unrestrained play of
his fancy, although he had just denounced all waking dreams as folly.
A coarse, rough voice saying loudly, "Good-evening, Herr Delmar!"
recalled him to earth from the realms of imagination, and turning, he
saw before him the bloated, purple face of Dr. Putzer, who had just
come with an uncertain step from the house out upon the balcony, and
who thus greeted him with repulsive friendliness.
One look into the doctor's eyes sufficed to tell Paul that he was
intoxicated, and the good impression he had produced upon his first
visit to his patient was entirely obliterated by his present air and
manner. With positive disgust Delmar withdrew the hand that Putzer
would have grasped.
The doctor was in too exalted a frame of mind with the wine he had
taken to notice this repulse; he staggered to the table, dropped into a
chair, and drummed with his fingers upon the table-top. "A can of red,
Nannerl!" he bawled hoarsely, "and be quick! My throat is as dry as
dust with my long walk! Do you know where I have been?" he continued,
turning to Delmar, after Nannerl had brought him the wine and he had
tossed off a glass. "Guess where!"
"I think, Herwarth, we had better go to our rooms," Paul said, paying
no heed to the doctor's question; he did not want to enter into
conversation with the man in his present state, and he thought it best
to vacate the field.
"What are you talking about?" the doctor interposed. "Nonsense! We are
just beginning to enjoy ourselves. Here comes your supper. A measure of
wine for the gentlemen, Nannerl! We'll show you how we drink in the
Tyrol!"
Nannerl, who had just brought the supper ordered by Herwarth, looked
from the doctor to Delmar, and the latter was about to give orders that
the supper should be carried to his room, when Kuno whispered, "Stay,
Delmar; the fellow is tipsy, and may be off his guard in speaking of
the castle and Heydeck. Stay for Leo's sake."
Paul nodded assent and stayed. He could not bring himself to take a
seat beside Putzer, so great was his disgust at the man, but he pushed
his plate and napkin over to the other side, and took his place just
where he could look directly into the doctor's face.
"Now where have I come from?" the doctor repeated after Paul had seated
himself. "Guess! You won't guess? Aha, I see you're a sly one! You know
well enough where I have been. With the old man up there of course.
You've put him in a deuce of a worry. Yes, you're a sly one, but you
can't fool me, and I am not afraid of you as that old coward is. He
thinks his castle and his property are all gone. Such a fright as he is
in! You should have seen him shaking! Ha, ha, ha!"
The doctor leaned back in his chair and laughed, or rather roared,
until it took him some moments to recover his breath.
What did these tipsy sentences mean? Delmar would have attached no
significance to them, coming from such a source, had he not remembered
the strange manner in which Herr von Heydeck had received him, and the
disconnected words he had then uttered. The doctor now spoke of the old
man's dread of losing his castle and his property. Had Herr von Heydeck
in former years had money transactions with Paul's father, the deceased
banker? Was there any bond or note of hand hidden away somewhere? The
name of Delmar had evidently not been unknown to Herr von Heydeck. He
had muttered 'Paul Delmar' without having heard the name of Paul from
its owner.
Delmar's curiosity was excited. He was anxious to learn what was the
mystery at the foundation of Herr von Heydeck's terror of him, and
surely no better opportunity than the present could be found for
gaining this knowledge. The doctor's tipsy garrulity was driving him to
tell all that he knew. By taking care not to awaken any suspicion in
him that he was under examination, Paul might easily learn as much as
he wished.
In an instant he had decided what course to pursue. He went on
carefully cutting the loaf which Nannerl had brought, and, without
looking at Putzer, he casually remarked, "The old man is afraid, eh?
Well, perhaps he has reason to be so."
"Found out! found out!" the doctor roared, with another coarse laugh.
"I told you you couldn't fool me. That's what you've come for, then!
Well, the old miser deserves it. But if you think you can force him to
acknowledge you as his son and give you his name, you're mistaken
indeed. If you can bring proof you can take from him his castle and all
he owns, but not his name and rank. You can never be a Herr von Heydeck
unless he chooses, I tell you that; I, Dr. Putzer!"
With all Paul's self-control he could not quite suppress some
expression of the measureless astonishment which he felt at these
words. The doctor observed this, and laughed more uproariously than
ever, ascribing the look of startled amazement upon Delmar's face to
the young man's dismay at finding his schemes discovered,--a view in
which he was confirmed by Paul's laconic "Do you think so?"
"Do I think so!" he exclaimed, amid peals of stentorian laughter. "Do I
think so! I don't think so at all, I know it; I know everything. You're
a sly one, and so is the old fellow up there, but Dr. Putzer is slyer
than the pair of you together. You can't fool me; I know more than you
think. You may look as mild as milk, but I know what I know! The old
fellow is rich enough, to be sure, but you won't go to law with him for
that. If a man has millions, what does he care for a paltry couple of
hundred thousand guilders? You want to be a Herr von Heydeck, a
nobleman with an ancient name; that's all you need. Ha, ha, ha!"
And he laughed until he brought on a coughing-fit, from which it took
him some time to recover.
Paul's desire to know more was now aroused to the utmost, but he forced
himself to appear quite calm. Replying to Kuno's whispered "Is the
fellow only drunk, or is he insane?" by a sign to remain quiet, he went
on eating his supper with an air of perfect indifference until the
doctor had ceased laughing, and then asked, with a contemptuous shrug,
"Can you prevent my getting it, doctor?"
"I? On the contrary, I'll help you to it!" exclaimed the doctor,
emphasizing his declaration by a blow of his fist upon the table. "The
old man will struggle and resist. You will never be able to do anything
with him, as I know well enough. But leave him to me; I know how to
work upon his fears. If you don't mind a matter of ten thousand
guilders or so, I am yours; but if you are such an infernal miser as
the old fellow up there, you'll never be a Herr von Heydeck as long as
you live. There's nothing to be done with the old man by violence;
cunning must be used, and I have more of that than both of you
together."
"You ask ten thousand guilders? That is a very large sum."
"Are you not a millionaire? And you can do nothing without me,
nothing!"
Paul was prevented from replying by the arrival upon the balcony of
several of the village dignitaries.
The circuit judge, who had been stationed for about half a year at
Tausens, the forester, and the collector, having just returned from a
walk, had come to the inn to enjoy the pleasant breeze upon the balcony
after the sultry day. They were regular evening guests at the Post, and
were a little later to-night than usual on account of the aforesaid
walk.
They saluted the two strangers with great courtesy, nodding to the
doctor with a degree of contemptuous familiarity that testified to the
estimation in which he was held by them. With kindly sympathy they
inquired about the injury to Kuno's foot, adding the soothing assurance
that however grave it might be he could rely upon the skill of the
doctor, who, the circuit judge remarked without any regard for any one
present, although a confirmed drunkard, was an admirable physician.
Just at present, to be sure, he was in an entirely irresponsible
condition, but on the following day, when sober, he would be all they
could desire in a medical man.
The doctor was not in the least offended by this explanation on the
part of the judge; he laughed, and declared that the judge was a little
tipsy himself or he would not accuse others of being so. To show how
thoroughly sober he was he swallowed several more glasses of wine, and
shortly became so uproarious in his merriment that the Tausens
gentlemen, mortified by such a disgraceful scene in the presence of
strangers, called the postmaster and had the drunkard led home to his
house.
Delmar and Herwarth spent another hour in most agreeable conversation
with the three gentlemen upon the various points of interest in the
neighbourhood, after which they bade them good-night, and Paul
conducted Kuno to his room.
Delmar passed a restless and sleepless night after a long discussion
with Kuno as to the meaning of the doctor's mysterious talk,--a
discussion in which neither of the young men arrived at any conclusion.
They could not divine what could induce the man to suppose that Delmar
intended to deprive Herr von Heydeck of his estate and to lay claim to
his name. The account of Paul's reception at the castle threw no light
upon the subject; no one but the doctor could do this, and to him Paul
determined to appeal the next day. Perhaps Leo had in the mean time
received some intelligence from his uncle which would make any such
appeal unnecessary. At all events, Delmar felt it his duty to see his
friend and talk frankly with him before taking any steps which might be
regarded with suspicion by his uncle.
Hitherto Paul's existence had pursued a smooth, commonplace track; he
had always seen clearly the duty that lay nearest him, and even in the
only troubled time he could remember, the years he had devoted to
business before his father's death, he had never doubted what path to
follow. The large accession of wealth that had been the consequence of
the enlargement of his business had never moved him; it was of value to
him only as a source of content to his father, and thus the success
that crowned his efforts left him cold.
Nor had his father's odd will made any great impression upon him; he
regarded it as the result of the morbid desire of the sick man to
atone, by some special acknowledgment of love and esteem, for any
neglect of his son in past years. But now, as he tossed restlessly upon
his bed, this will recurred to his mind, and he racked his brain to
discover any connection that it might have with the doctor's words. In
vain; and the more he pondered the more confused became his thoughts;
his head throbbed: he could not stay in bed; he arose, dressed, and
lighting a candle took a book and began to read. It was long before he
could command his thoughts sufficiently to understand as he read; but
at last his mind became more composed, and before morning he was able
to throw himself upon his bed once more and snatch an hour's refreshing
slumber before he was roused by the early noises in the awakening
village.
Herwarth did not awake until eight o'clock from his long night's rest,
which he declared had so strengthened him that he was eager after he
was dressed to repair again to the balcony. This Paul positively
forbade until his patient had received the doctor, who upon his
professional visit of the day before had promised to come early in the
morning.
Kuno was too grateful a patient to rebel; but the time seemed long
until, shortly after the clock of the village church had struck ten,
the heavy tread of Dr. Putzer was heard outside the door of their
sitting-room.
Upon entering the doctor looked very much as if he too had passed but a
sorry night, his red, bloated face had a weary, dragged expression, his
watery, lack-lustre eyes were dimmer than ever and his step was
unsteady. Still, he was certainly no longer intoxicated, although the
flush upon his cheeks betokened that he had possibly indulged in a
morning glass.
Putzer saluted the two gentlemen with the same quiet affability that
had distinguished him upon his first professional visit, asked
intelligently about the injured foot, and was in his whole bearing so
entirely the educated man of the world, the benevolent physician, that
no one could have recognized in him the brutal drunkard who had been
led from the inn by the stable-boy on the previous evening.
He examined Kuno's foot, expressing great satisfaction at the
improvement produced in it by the wet applications, and he then
proceeded to bandage it more firmly than before, with such gentleness
and dexterity that Delmar was really amazed, and almost wondered
whether this could be the same man who had left them on the previous
evening.
"In two weeks," said Putzer, rubbing his hands after he had finished,
"we shall remove all bandages, and I will go surety that you shall walk
as well as ever if you will remember not to use the foot in the mean
time, except to hobble out upon the balcony, where you must sit with it
up in a chair."
Kuno promised obedience.
"You have no further need of my aid," the doctor rejoined upon this
promise, "unless you should feel any pain again, when I beg you to send
for me. Nevertheless, I hope to see you frequently on the balcony. I
come to the Post every evening and drink my glass of wine, either there
or in the inn parlour. I have the honour to bid you good-morning."
With a more graceful obeisance than would have been thought possible
for his clumsy figure he took his leave, without having made the
faintest allusion to the previous evening. He had reached the door when
he turned once more. "I shall surely have the pleasure of seeing the
gentlemen on the balcony to-night?" he asked.
"Certainly, Herr Doctor," Delmar replied. "Why should you not?"
"Why not, indeed? Still, let me confess frankly that I rather feared I
might have offended the gentlemen yesterday evening. For several days
past I have had a tightness about my head,--a rush of blood to the
brain,--which was of course aggravated by the intense heat and the
unwonted exertion of my ascent to the castle. I may also have taken a
glass or two more of wine than usual. I was, I am ashamed to confess,
but it cannot be denied, stupidly intoxicated, not from excess, but
from feeble health. At this very moment I fear a recurrence of the same
rush of blood to the head. I must have talked all sorts of nonsense
yesterday evening, and perhaps I offended you. Whether this be so or
not I cannot say, for I have not the slightest remembrance of what
occurred. In any case I pray you to excuse me, and not to avoid the
balcony for fear of similar scenes. It shall not occur again."
"You did not offend us, Herr Doctor," Paul declared.
"I did not? That reassures me, and I may then hope to see you again
this evening."
He bowed once more; and as he did so his face grew purple, and when he
would have grasped the handle of the door he had to feel for it twice,
like a blind man. His step too as he went out was strangely unsteady.
"Can he be intoxicated again so early in the morning?" Kuno whispered.
"I think not, he spoke so quietly and sensibly. Remember how
differently he behaved last evening. No, I think he really is ill now."
Paul walked to the window whence he could overlook the path the doctor
must take to the village. Several minutes passed before he came out of
the Post, but then he turned directly into the road to his house,
walking very slowly, and staggering at every step.
A peasant meeting him nodded familiarly, and then looked after him with
a laugh.
"He must be drunk after all," said Paul, "or he is still feeling the
effects of yesterday's debauch. Can he really have forgotten all he
talked about last evening?"
"It would certainly seem so."
"At all events, I had better see Leo as soon as possible. Therefore,
noble knight, when I have settled you comfortably on the balcony I will
leave you to your fate,--not a very hard one in this instance, since I
heard Fraeulein Schommer not half an hour ago order her breakfast to be
served upon the balcony,--and I will take my way to the castle to have
a talk with Leo."