第11章

Thecountdescendedthestairsforthefifthtime，whisperedtothehostler，whowasquiteengrossedcountinghismoney，handedthetrinkgeldtothepalefellowsbythedoor，andmountedhiscarriage，drivingawayamidthemerrypealsofthepost-horn。

“Julius，“murmuredthesteward，softly，“givemyhairagoodpulling，thatImayawakefromthishorribledream。”

“Icannot，“hewhimpered，“myhandsandfeetarelame。Icannotmove。”

“Iwill，“saidthehostler，courageouslystretchingforthhishand，andpullingitsovigorouslythatthestewardwasfullyconvincedoftherealityofthings。

Againthepost-hornsoundedthe“DreiReuter；“againthecarriagestoppedbeforethedoor，andthecountdescended，givingtoeveryoneagiftlikethe“MaedchenausderFremde，“andforthesixthtimerolledaway。

“Wearebewitched；itisaghostfromtheinfernalregions！“groanedthesteward。

“Icannotabideitanylonger——Ishalldie！“saidthesecondwaiter。

“Idonotmindit，“saidthehostler，ashejingledthemoney；“iftheyareghostsfromhell，theeightgroschendonotcomefromthere，fortheyarequitecool。Seehow——Ah，therecomesthecountagain！“

Fortheseventhtimehepasseddownthestairway，bytheservants，whoworenolongerstandingbutkneeling，whichthecountreceivedasaproofoftheirprofoundrespect，andslippedthemoneyintotheirhands。

“PraiseGod，allgoodspirits！“murmuredtheheadwaiter；butneitherthecountnorthemoneyseemedtobemovedbythepiousexhortation，forhequietlyenteredhiscarriage，andtheeightgroschenlayintheservant\'shand，atwhichthehostlerremarkedthathewouldstandthereallnightifthecountwouldonlycontinuallypassbywithgroschen。Itpleasedthecounttodescendthestairsyettwicemore，dividethetrinkgeld，andmounthiscarriage。Ashedroveawaytheninthtime，itappearedasiftheDreiReuterweredeterminedtodriveoutofthegateandforsakethehotel“KingofPortugal。”Thehostwaitedawhile，andtalkedwiththeneighbors，who，rousedbythecontinualblastofthepost-horn，werecurioustoknowhowithappenedthatsomanyguestsweredepartingbyextraposts。Whereuponthehost，inahollow，sepulchralvoice，hiseyesglaring，andshrugginghisshoulders，declaredthattherehadbeenbutonegentlemanatthehotel，butninetimeshehadseenhimdriveaway，andthedevilmusthaveahandinthematter！

Shakinghishead，hereturnedtothehotel，andfoundtheservantsbusilycountingtheirmoney，occasionallycastingcovetouslookstowardthestairs，asiftheyhopedthecountwouldagaindescend。

ExactlyasCagliostrohadforetold，MinisterHerzbergdidnotreturnfromSans-Souciuntillateintheevening，andthenfoundWilhelmine\'sletterinhiscabinet。

ImmediatelythepolicewereinstructedtoarrestCountSt。Julienatthehotel“KingofPortugal。”

Anhourlaterthechiefofthepolicecametosaythatthecounthadalreadybeengonetwohours。Herepeatedtheaccountofthehost，corroboratedbytheservants，ofninedifferentcountshavingdrivenawayfromthehotel。

Herzbergsmiled。“Wehavetodealwithaverycleverscoundrel，“

saidhe，“anditisnootherthantheso-calledCountCagliostro，whowaslatelyexposedasaboldtricksterinMittauandSt。

Petersburg，andaboutwhosearresttheEmpressCatharineisverymuchexercised。Itwouldbeveryagreeabletothekingtoshowthislittleattentiontoherimperialhighness，andtraptheadroitpickpocket。”

“Wemightsucceedincatchinghiminhisflight，“remarkedthechief。“Forthelastsixmonthsthekinghasgivenordersthateverypassportshouldbeexaminedatthegates，andtherouteofthetravellersnoteddown，whichisallregisteredandsenttotheking。

Itwouldbeveryeasytodiscoverbywhichgatehedeparted，andhisroute，andthenhavehimpursued。”

“Thatiswellthoughtof，director；hastentoputitintoexecution，andinformusoftheresult。”Hereturnedinanhourtotheminister\'scabinet，shakinghisheadgravely。“Yourexcellency，itisverystrange，butheisawizard。Thismanhasdrivenoutoftheninegatesatthesamehourandminute。”

Herzberglaughed。“Thisisoneofhistricks，andbyitIrecognizethegreatnecromancer。”

“Yourexcellency，thisisnotrickery，butwitchery。Itisimpossibleforanyonemantodriveoutoftheninegatesatthesamehour，inthesamecarriage，withtwolargeblacktrunksandapostilionblowingthesamemelody，andprovidedwithacorrectpassport，whichheshowsandisrecognizedasCountSt。Julien，whoisgoingtoParisbyHamburg。Herearethenineregistersfromthedifferentgates，allthesame，ifIamnotbewitchedanddonotreadstraight。”

“Thistrickdoeshonortothecount，“saidHerzberg，smiling。“To-

morrowyoushallaccompanymetoSans-Souciandreadaloudtheregisterstotheking。Doyouthinkitwillbeimpossibletopursuethecountnow?“

“Ishouldbeveryhappytofollowyourexcellency\'sjudgmentinthismatter，andarresttherascalinanywaythatyoucouldpointout，“

saidthedirector。

“Iamconvincedthatheisinthecity；anddrivingputoftheninegatesatthesametimewasthebestmannertoescapebeingdiscovered，“saidHerzberg。“Heisconcealedinsomeoneofthehousesofthebrothers，andweshallbeobligedtolethimescapethistime。”

InorderthemoresecurelytocarryouttheinitiationofPrinceFrederickWilliam，incompanywithBischofswerderandWoellner，Cagliostrohadarrangedhispretendeddeparture。Foralongtimetheprincehadexpressedanextremedesiretobereceivedintothemysteriesofthemiraculousandholyorder，ofwhichhehadheardhisfriendsspeakwithsomuchreverence。Buthehadbeenputofffromtimetotimewithregretsandshrugsoftheshoulders，andexpressionsoftheimpossibilityofgrantingtherequest。

“Thespiritsdonotalwaysappeareventotheconsecrated，“saidBischofswerder。“Theymakethemselvesknownaftermanyferventprayersandimplorings，andwhenwehavewithdrawnfromeveryonewhocouldenticeustodoubtordisbelief。Ifearthatitwouldbeimpossibletoconjurethespiritsofthedeparted，solongasyourhighnesshonorsacertainladywithyourparticularfavor，whoridiculesthesublimeorderandmingleswithitsenemies。HowcantheyappeartothosewhohavejustbeeninthecompanyofafriendoftheIlluminatiandunbelievers?“

“Thespirit-worldonlyrevealsitselftothevirtuousandpure，“

saidWoellner，inaharsh，dryvoice。“Itsinhabitantscannotapproachthosewhoarenotchasteandinnocent，forsinandvicesurroundthemwithathickfog，whichkeepsthematadistancefromtheclearatmosphereofthesublime。Ifyouwouldcallupthespirits，youmustremovethiswomanwhoenticesyoufromthepathofvirtue，andrendersthesphereimpurearoundyou。”

Despitethewarningsandthegreatwishtheprincehadtobereceivedintothespirit-world，andbecomeamemberofthehighestgradeoftheRosicrucians，hecouldnotresolvetoforsakeherwhohadbeenhisfriendfortenyears，andwhohadborneshameanddegradationonhisaccount，refusingeligibleandrichmenratherthanleavehimandbecomealegitimatewife。Wilhelminewasthebelovedofhisyouth，themotherofhistwodearchildren，andshealoneknewhowtodriveawaytheennuiwhichpursuedtheprince，withheramiable，subtlewit。Nay，hecouldnotbesoungrateful，soheartless，astorejectherwhohadsotenderlylovedhimwhenyoungandbeautiful，nowthatthefirstbloomofyouthandbeautyhadfaded！

BischofswerderandWoellnerrecognizedthisdifficulty，andappliedthemselvesthemoreenergeticallyforitsremoval。TheysupposedthattheunexpectedarrivalofCagliostrowouldverynaturallyappeartotheprinceasaspecialmessenger，sent，withoutdoubt，fromthefathers，toaccomplishhisconversion。TheyannouncedtotheprincethattheInvisibleshadtakenpityuponhisdesireforknowledge，andhadconsentedtopermithimtogazeintotheregionsoftheblest，althoughhewanderedinthepathofvice，andthathemustholdhimselfinreadinesstoaccompanythemessengerwheneverheshouldbesenttocallhim。

ForthisreasonthecrownprincehadwrittentoWilhelminethatsheshouldnotexpecthimuntilthefollowingmorning，andhedidnotquithisroomtheentireday，withexcitedexpectationawaitingthesummons。Aseveningsetintheprincewascastdown，andquiteoftheopinionthattheInvisiblesdidnotdeemhimworthytoentertheirpurepresence，andthoughtthatWilhelminemustbethehinderance。Whilsthewasreflectingwhethertosacrificehisbelovedtothesalvationofhissoul，thesecretdoorgentlyopened，andtwomen，maskedandwrappedinblackcloaks，enteredandplacedthemselvesnearthedoor。Theprincedidnotremarktheirentrance，andwasquitefrightenedashechancedtoturn，andsawthesetwoimmovablefigures。

Withquiveringvoicehedemandedtheirmission。

Inthesametone，asifonewereanechooftheother，theyanswered，“Wedesirenothing，butyoudemandknowledgeofthespirit-world，andwouldhaveitsmysteriesrevealedtoyou，whichtheInvisibleswillnowgrantyou。Followus，therefore！“Theyreopenedthesecretdoor；oneofthemaskedprecededtheprince，andtheotherfollowedhim。

Theprinceshudderedatthethoughtthathemightberushingintosomeunknowndanger，andintrustinghimselftothosewhowouldmisusehisconfidence。Hedemandedtoseetheirfaces，declaringhimselfpreparedtofollow，whenacquaintedwithhisguides。

“Itwouldthenbebettertoremain，“repliedoneofthemasked。“Hewholacksconfidenceisnotworthyofit，andhewhotrustsonlytheVisibles，theInvisiblesflee。”

TheprincerecognizedthevoiceofBischofswerder，andsmiled，butheknewnotthatitwaspermittedhimtohearittoinspirehimwithcourage。

“Well，soletitbe；thefathersshallseethatIamabeliever，“

criedtheprince。

Immediatelyoneofthebrothersputhisowncloak，three-corneredhat，andmaskuponhishighness，stillremainingcloakedandmaskedhimself，muchtotheastonishmentofthepassiveprince。“Come，now，theInvisiblesawaityou，“saidoneofthemasked。Theprincesteppedcourageouslyintothelittlecorridorwhichledtothesecretstairway，onebrotherprecedinghim，causingasoftlighttoilluminetheirpath，theotherfollowinghim。

Insilencetheyreachedtheside-doorofthepalace，whereaclosecarriageawaitedthem。

“Whereareyoutakingme?“askedFrederickWilliam，asheentered，followedbythetwobrothers。

“TotheInvisibles，“answeredastrangevoice。

Againtheprinceessayedtobeginaconversation，hisonlyresponsebeing，“Purifyyourheartandpray。”Silentlytheygallopedoverpavedandunpavedstreets，theprinceheartilyrepentinghavingbeendrawnintothisadventure。HethoughtofhischarmingandbelovedWilhelmine，andhalfdeterminedtogivethecommandtodrivetoCharlottenburg。ThefactofBischofswerderbeingwithhim，andfearfulofappearingweakandwantingincourageintheeyesofhisfriendandfavorite，preventedhim。

Afterseveralhours\'drive，theystoppedatthemarblepalaceofPotsdam，neartheonewhichtheprincewasaccustomedtooccupy。Hishighnesslookedcautiouslyaround，andbreathedmorefreely，ashefeltthathewasnowsurelyamongfriends。

Thewhitepalacestoodsilentanddesertedinthedarkness，thispalaceatPotsdambeingonlyusedfortheguestsoftheking。Thecarriagestoppedattheside-door，wheretherewasnosentinel，andtheyalighted，enteringthepalace，windingalongthecorridorsinthesameorderasbefore，guidedbytheglimmeringlightoftheonepreceding。Solemnmusic，strangeringingsounds，fellupontheearastheyadvanced。Sometimestheyweresharpandcuttingasglass，thenthreateningandpenetratingasthewind，shriekingandmoaning，causingonetobeverynervousifnotterrified。

Thefarthertheyproceededtheloudergrewthesounds，andatintervalsgroans，moansandwailingswereheard，asofthosewaitingandimploringformercy。

Oneofthebrothersnowopenedadoor，andthenplacingthemselvesuponeachside，theunknownvoiceannouncedtotheprincethattheyhadarrivedatthelong-sought-forgoal。

“Whathavewecomeherefor?“askedtheprince。

“Tobeholdthatwhichyouhavemanytimespetitionedtobepermittedtosee，“repliedBischofswerder，gentlyencouragingandinspiringFrederickWilliam。“TheInvisibleshaveatlastyieldedtoyourwishes，andthespiritswhichyousummonwillappear。Ifyourcouragefailsyou，andyoudreadthepresenceofthedeparted，commandtobereconductedtoyourpalace，andwewillobey；butrenounceforeverthesublimehappinessofbeholdingtheInvisiblesandofholdingcommunionwiththespirit-world！“

“Ifearnot，butwishtobeinthecompanyofthespirits，“answeredtheprince，proudly。

“Kneel，“theycommanded，permittinghimtoenter，“andthricesummoninaloudvoicethenamesofthreedeparted，whowillansweryourquestions。Bewareofapproachingthem，fortheirglanceisdeathandtheirbreathdestruction！Thereforeremainkneeling，asitbecomesamortalinthepresenceofanimmortal。Hopeandpray，brother！“

Asthedoorclosedupontheprince，andhefoundhimselfinsuchimpenetrabledarkness，hesankuponhisknees，forhedarednotadvance，andretreatwasimpossible，inspiteofheart-quakings。

Theshrill，penetratingmusicceased，andavoicefromadistancecalled:“Summonthricethosethatthoudesiresttosee。”

“MarcusAurelius，Leibnitz，andthedistinguishedelector，“calledtheprinceinaloudvoice。

“Whosummonedme?“wasrespondedinhollow，sepulchraltones，anddirectlyoverthecrownprinceablue，vaporouslightwasvisible——

atfirstonlyacloud，thenbydegreesincreasingandcondensingitselfintoahumanshape，untilittooktheformofaRomanwarrioroftheoldentime；nootherthanMarcusAurelius，inhelmetandcoat-of-mail，withapale，earth-coloredfaceandglaringeyes。

“Whosummonedme?“repeatedthefigure。Theprince\'slipsrefusedtorespond，andshudderinghegazeduponthecorpse-likeface，soexactinfeaturetotheoldRomanemperor。

“Youanswermenot！“thunderedthevoice，“butIwilltellyouwhoyouare——onelostinsinandanapostate！——thecrownprinceofPrussia，afutureking，whowillbecalledtogovernapeople，andknowsnotself-government！Turnfromthepathofvicewhileitisyettime；risefromthedust，thattheashesofretributiondonotburyyouinalivingtomb，likethesinfulPompeians。Nomonumentmarkstheplaceofthesinful；hesinksintothenightofoblivion，orheiscursedbysucceedinggenerations。Thereforeturnfromtheerrorsofsin。Risetovirtue，thattheblessedmayapproachyou。I

shudderinyourpresence。Woetoyou！woe！woe！“

Thecloud-portraitvanished，anddarknessreignedforamoment。Theprincecriedinanguish:“Iwillhearnomore；thisairoppressesme——openthedoor——Irenouncecommunionwiththespirits；Iwillgoout！“

Thelightreappearedinthedarkroomandanotherformhoveredovertheprince——ofgrave，obscureface，withagreatperuke，staringathim。HerecognizedthedistinguishedphilosopherLeibnitz，whomhehaddesiredtosee，butwhonowfilledhimwithunspeakableterror。

Liketheformerspirit，healso，whenunanswered，reproachedtheerringprince，conjuringhimtoreturntovirtue。

Asthemenacingghostdisappeared，theprincefeltforthedoor，andshookitwiththepowerwhichterrorlends，crying，“Open，open！“Itopenednot，andthethirdsummoned，thegreatelector，FrederickWilliam，appeared，withhigh，up-liftedarm，glitteringeyes，advancingwithangrymien，shakinghislion\'smaneagainsttheerringsonofhishouse，whomhemenacedwithcursesandrevenge，ifhedidnotrenouncethecourtesanwhohadseducedhimtoviceandunchastity。

“Iwillbecomebetter，“groanedtheprince。“Iwillperformthewishofthespirits。Onlyhavemercyonme——freeme。Help！help！Openthedoor，Bischofswerder，Iwilldobetter。Openthedoor！“

Thistimeitreallyopened，andalongtrainofdark，maskedformsenteredtheduskyroomsurroundingtheprince，wringingtheirhands，imploringhimtoturnfromsin，andforsaketheunholywoman。

Theywhimpered，theyimplored，sinkingupontheirknees，beatingtheirclinchedhands，andweeping:“Turn，belovedelect！RenounceWilhelmineEnke；renouncevice！Repulsetheseductress，andturnyourcountenancetoVirtuewhichyouhaveseeninallherbeauty！“

“Iwillperformthatwhichyoudemand，“wepttheprince，asthedeathlyterrorandnervousexcitementmadehimyielding。

“Swear！“criedthechorusofmasks。

“IswearthatWilhelmineEnkeshallnolongerbemymistress。I

swearbyallthatisholythatIwillrenounceher！I——“

Voicefailedhim；therewasaringingandbuzzinginhisears；everythingswambeforehiseyes，andhesankfainting。Theprinceawokeafterlongunconsciousness，andfoundhimselfuponhisbedinthenewpalaceatPotsdam，Bischofswerderathisside，watchinghimwiththetenderestsympathy。Hebentoverhimandpressedhishandtohislipswithacryofdelight。“Heavenbepraised；mydearprince，youhaveawakedtocommenceanewlife！Younowbelongtothevirtuousandhonorable，whomtheInvisibleFathersbless！“

“Isittrue，Bischofswerder，“saidtheprince，languidly，“thatI

havesworntorenounceWilhelmineEnke，andnevertolovehermore?“

“Youhaveswornitbyallthatisholy，andallinheavenandonearthhaveheardyouroath，andthereisjoythereat。”

Theprinceturnedhishead，thatBischofswerdermightnotseethetearsstreamingdownhischeeks。

CHAPTERXXXIII。

THERETURNHOME。

ThebeautifulhousewhichHerrEbenstreitvonLeuthenpossesseduponthefineststreetinBerlin，“UnterdenLinden，“hadbeennewlyarrangedandsplendidlyornamentedsincehismarriageandelevationtoatitle，andnowawaitedhisarrival。Formanyweeksmechanicsandartistshadbeenbusilyemployed；andthegoodhousekeeper，oldTrude，sawwithbewilderingastonishmentthedailyincreasingsplendorofgildedfurniture，costlymirrorsandchandeliers，softcarpets，tapestries，andgold-embroideredcurtains，exquisitepaintingsandstatuary，whichthepossessorhadforwardedfromItaly，andmanyotherobjectsofartstandingupongiltandmarbletables。

Everythingwascompleted。Thebustleofthebusyworkmenhadceased，andTrudeslowlywanderedthroughthesolitaryrooms，examiningeveryarticle。Herfacebespokedissatisfaction，andasmileofcontemptwasvisiblethere。

“Miserabletrash，forwhichtheyhavesoldmypoorchild！“murmuredtheoldwoman。“Fortheseworthless，glitteringtoyshavetheyruinedthehappinessofthedearinnocentheart，andonthemtheguiltwillfallifhersoulislost！Iremarkhowsheischangedinherletterssincehershameful，mercenarymarriage。Shewritesofnothingbutthearrangementofherhouse，andspeaksasifthebeautyandcostlinessofthingswereonlytobethoughtof，andthereisnotevenaconfidential，heart-feltwordforheroldTrude。

Itwouldseemasifshehadforgottenallformerobjectsofinterest。Oh，whattroubleandsorrowstherichhave！Thatgood-for-

nothingmoneyhardenstheirheartsandmakesthemevilandselfish。”

Theloudringingofabellsoundedthroughthesolitarydrawing-

rooms。

“Thatis，undoubtedly，thegeneral\'swife，“saidTrude，shakingherhead。“Sheringsasifshewouldannouncetheking，withhernoseturnedupsohigh，orasifshewerethemoney-sacksofherson-in-

law！“

Trudewasright；hershrillvoicewasheardorderingthesteward，whohadbutjustarrived。“Itisabominable，itisunheardof！“shecried，aswithaheavypushsheburstopenthedoor；“thismanpresumestocontradictme，and——ah，thereyouare，Trude！“

“HereIam，“sheanswered；“wereyoulookingforme?“

“Yes，andIwouldaskyouifmyordersarenotthesameasifgivenbyHerrEbenstreitvonLeuthenorhiswife，orhaveyouinstructedthenewstewardotherwise，which，itislaughabletosay，youhaveengaged?“

“No，Ihavenotinstructedhimthus。DearMariehasnotordereditinherletter。”

“DearMarie，“repeatedFrauvonWerrig。“HowcanyoupermityourselftospeaksointimatelyoftherichBaronessvonEbenstreit?“

“Verytrue，itisnotright，“sighedTrude；“Ibegpardon。”

“Icameheretoseeifeverythingwasinreadiness，andorderedthestewardtoornamentthedoorsandcorridorswithgarlandsofflowers；hehashadtheboldnesstotellmehedaresnotdoit！“

“Heisright，FrauvonLeuthen。BaronessEbenstreitvonLeuthen(haveIgotthetitleright?)wroteandexpresslyforbadeanyfestivitytogreetherarrival。Hereistheletter——Icarryitaroundwithme；Iwillreadittoyou:\'Iexpresslyforbidanymanifestationwhatevertobemadeatourreturn，whetherofgarlandsorflowers，astheyareonlyhypocrisyandfalsehood。Iwishnoonetheretoreceiveme——remember，Trude，noone！Informmyfamilythat，assoonasIhaverecoveredfromthefatigueofthejourney，Iwillmakethemthevisitofdutywiththebaron。\'“

“Whatcold，heartlesswordsarethese！Onecouldhardlybelievethatadaughterwaswritingofherparents。”

“Onherwedding-daysheperhapsforgotthatshehadany，“saidTrude，shrugginghershoulders，“andsheshouldnotbeatonceremindedofthattryingoccasiononherreturn。Iexpecthereverymoment，asthecourierhasalreadyarrivedanhourago，anditwouldbebetter——“

“Youcannotbesoimpudentastotellmetoleave?Indeed，IwillnotbepreventedfromwaitingtoreceivemyonlychildthatIhavenotseenforthreeyears。Onecanwellbelievethatamotherwouldbeimpatienttoembraceherdeardaughter！Ihavenootherhappinessbutmybelovedchild，andIlong，unspeakably，topresshertomyheartandtellhermysorrow。”

“Sorrow！isitpossiblethatFrauvonWerrighasanygriefs?I

supposedtherewasnothingintheworldtroubledher。”

“AndyetIamverymuchtormented。Icanwelltellyou，Trude，asyouarefamiliarwithourcircumstances，“sighedthecountess。“Youknowthegeneralistolerablywell；thejourneystoWiesbadenandTeplitzhavecuredhimofthegoutunfortunately，sothathecangoabout。”

“Areyousorryforthat，FrauvonWerrig?“

“CertainlyIam，Trude，ashehasreturnedtohisformerhabits，frequentingthesocietyofdrinking-housesandgamblers。Imaginethegeneralplayedyesterday，lostallhisreadymoney，andthatwasnotenough，butsignedawaytheyear\'spensionfromHerrvonEbenstreit，duringwhichtimewehavenothingbutthemiserablearmyannuitytoliveupon。”

“Thenyourincomewillbelesstoliveuponthanformerly，fordearMarieearnedsomethingwithherflowersandlessonswhichshegavetoyou，althoughshewasneverthankedforit。ShewasthenmydeargoodMarie，soindustriousandpatient，andworkeduntiringlyforherparents！Thensheforgotthemnot，andtoiledearlyandlate，and，oh，itbreaksmyhearttothinkofit，andImustcryinyourpresence！

Sheraisedthecornerofherdark-blueapronanddriedhereyes，holdingitthereasshecontinuedtoweep。

“Whatanuglyapron！“criedthecountess，“andhowmeanlyyouaredressedaltogether！Isthatthewayyouintendtogolookingasthehousekeeperofarichandgenteelfamily?Go，Trude，quickly，andputsomethingbetteron，thatyoumayreceiveyourmasterandmistressinasuitabledress。”

“IshallremainasIam，forIamveryproperlydressed。Itmaynotbesuitableforahousekeeper，butitbecomesoldTrude，anditismySundayfrock，whichIalwaysworewhenIwasmaid-of-all-worktoyou。Youmaynotrememberit，butdearMarie(IshouldsayBaronessvonEbenstreit)will，perhaps，anditmayrecallherlittleroominthegarret，andthen——“

“Andthenshewillatlastthink，Trude，howwetookcareofher，andhowthankfulsheoughttobetoherparentsthattheymarriedhertoarichman。IfMarieseesitatlast——“

“Youforgetwithwhomyouspeak，FrauvonWerrig，“Trudeinterruptedher，scornfully，“andthatitdoesnotbecomeyoutospeakofMarietooldTrude，butyoushouldrememberhertitle。”

“Well，then，whenBaronessvonEbenstreitentersthiscostlyhouse，shemustunderstandthathermotherwasmindfulofherbestinterests，andthatsheowesallthistoher；andyou，Trude，mustremindherofit，andtellheraboutmydreadfultrialwithherfather，andthatitismydaughter\'sdutytoreleasemefromit，andbegherhusbandnottodeductthegambling-debtfromthepension，butpayitthisonce。Foritwouldbeadreadfulinjusticetomakemesufferforthegeneral\'srageforplay，andshowbutlittlegratitudeforthericheswhichIbroughther。Youwilltellmydaughterallthis，Trude，and——“

“Iwillnottellheranythingatall，FrauvonWerrig，“

interrupted。Trude，warmly。“Maymygoodgeniuskeepmefromthat，andburdeningmyconsciencewithsuchfalsehoods——Hark！Acarriageiscoming，andapost-hornsounded。Theyhavearrived！“

OldTrudehurriedoutjustastheydroveuptothedoor。Thestewardandtwoservantsinliveryrusheddownthestepstoassistthemtoalight，andTrudealsotogreetherfavorite，whowasnowsopale，grave，andchillinginherappearance。

Thelargeeyesoftheladyrestedwithcoldindifferenceupontheoldwoman，whoseeyeswereturnedtoherwiththetenderestexpression。“Ithankyou，“shesaid，coldly。“Husband！Ibegyoutogivemeyourarm。”Proudlyshepassedthestatuary，andoverthesoftcarpetswithoutcomment，orevenawordforoldTrude。

Thestewardandhousekeeperfollowedthesilentcouple。

“ShallItakeyoutoyourroomfirst?“askedEbenstreit，“orwillyoudomethepleasuretolookatthenewly-arrangeddrawing-rooms?“

“Certainly，“shereplied，withindifference。“Wewillfirstlookatthedrawing-rooms，asweshallprobablyreceivemuchcompanythiswinter，andtheyareofthefirstimportance。YouknowthatI

dislikesolitude。”

“Indeed，Irecallthatweareveryseldomalone！“sighedherhusband。

“Itwouldbefearfulifwewere，“repliedhiswife，withmarkedindifference。

Thestewardjustnowopenedthelittledooroftheante-room，sparklingwithchandeliersandmirrors。“Ah！thisisreallybeautiful，andwellchosen，“criedEbenstreit，lookingaboutwithanairofgreatprideandsatisfaction。“Tellme，Marie，isitnotworthyofyou?“

Glancingcoldlyaround，shereplied:“Itdoesnotpleaseatall。Thefurnitureisverycostly，andremindsoneoftheparvenu。Everythingrecallstherichesofthenewly-titledbanker。”

Herhusband\'sbrowcontracted，buthedidnottrusthimselftocontesthisdissatisfactionwithhiscold，proudwife，butsoughtanotherventforit。

“Youareveryunkind，Marie。Havethegoodnesstotellmehowyou，withthesesevereideas，cansufferthatTrudeforamomentshouldappearbeforeusinthispoor-lookingdresswhich，indeed，doesnotrecallanywealth！“

FrauvonEbenstreit\'seyesglancedquicklyovertheoldwho，shesaid，wastheonlyobjectwhichdidnotbespeakthegaudinessofnewly-acquiredwealth，butsheappearedastherespectableservantofanoldandnoblefamilyinfittingdress。“Remainasyouare，Trude，anddonotletyourselfbemisledbyourfollies！I——butwhatisthatIsee?“shecriedasthestewardopenedthenextdooratthesilentnodofherhusband。

“Oh，mybelovedchildren，thereyouareatlast；afterthreeyears\'

absenceIhavethehappinesstoembraceyou，myonlydaughter，“

criedFrauvonWerrig，assheapproachedthemwithoutstretchedarmsandanaffectionatesmile，essayingtothrowherarmsaroundMarie\'sneck，whowavedherback。

“Mychild，mychild，“whimperedthemother，“isitpossiblethatmydaughtercanreceivemethusaftersolongaseparation?“

TurningtoTrude，Marieaskedher，withareprovinglookandtone，ifshehadreceivedherletter，orifshehadforgottenherexpresscommandsthatnoonebuttheservantsshouldbeinthehousetoreceivethem。”

“Ididnotforgetit，mylady，andIhavereadtheorderstoFrauvonWerrig，butshe——“

“Knewthatthiswishhadnoreferencetoher，assheishermother——

Tellme，mybelovedson，isitnotverynaturalandfittingthatI

shouldbeheretoreceiveyou?\'

“Ifinditamatterofcourse，“answeredVonEbenstreit，towhomitappearedarelieftofindanallyinthemotheragainsthisproudandbeautifulwife。“Irejoicetoseeourdearmotherhere，andI

begMariewilljoinme。”

Mariecastanangryglancetowardherhusband，whichsoconfusedandperplexedhim，thathelookeddown。Thenadvancingtowardthedrawing-room，withherusualcolddemeanor，withoutfurthercommentupontheostentatiousfurniture，shecommandedherhusbandtofollow，whoobeyed，givinghisarmtohismother-in-law。

“Oh，thisisglorious！“hecried，smiling。“Whatsplendor，whatluxury！Tellme，mydearmother，isnotthisbeautifulreception-

roomveryaristocraticallyandappropriatelyfittedup?“

“Ishouldthinkaprincessoraqueenmightbesatisfiedwithit，“

shecried，withenthusiasm。“Eveninroyalpalacesthereisnothingofthekindtocomparetothisgold-embroideredtapestry。”

“Baron，“saidMarie，commandingly，“havethekindnesstodismissthesteward。IwishtospeakwithyouandFrauvonWerrig。”

Thestewardslippedoutwithoutwaitingtobesent，andTrudestoodnearthedoor，turningtotheyoungbaroness，asiftoaskifshemightremain。

“Didyounothear，Trude?“criedthemother，impatiently。“Tellhertogo！“

“Remain，Trude，“saidMarie，quietly。“Youarefamiliarwiththepast。Ihavenothingtodenytoyou；shutthedoorandstayhere——

Andnow，“shecontinued，ashervoicelostitsgentleness，whensheaddressedhermother，“ifitisagreeabletoyou，Ishouldliketohaveanunderstandingwithyou！“

“But，mychild，“sighedthemother，“howstrangelyalteredyouare！

Youaddressme，yourmother，asFrauvonWerrig，andyouspeaktoEbenstreitinaveryformalmanner，whohasbeenyourdear，faithfulhusbandforthreeyears。Oh，mydarlingson，whatdoesthisceremoniousmannermean?“

“Theveryfirsthour，afterourmarriage，thatwewerealonemydearMarieseverelyreprovedmeforhavingaddressedherinanintimate，affectionatemanner，likethecommonclass，asshecalledit，andI

haveneverdonesosince。”

“YoumustbeconvincedthatIamright，“saidMarie，calmly，“andthatitdoesnotbecometwobeings，whoneitherlovenoresteemeachother，andwholiveinthemostceremoniousmanner，toaddressoneanotherwithendearingepithets。Atanyratewearenotaccountabletoanyone，andFrauvonLeuthenmustknowtherelationswebeartoeachotherintheso-calledmarriage，asitisherarrangementforthemostpart。”

“AndIpridemyselfuponit，“shecried，withanimation。“Ihavebroughtaboutthismarriage，whichisgoodfortunetous，andIhopemydaughterwillprovehergratitude，andmysonwillshowmetheaffectionhehassooftensworntome。”

“Idonotknowwhatmyhusbandmayhavesworntoyou，butpermitmetosay，Idonotunderstandwhomyou，FrauvonWerrig，addressasdaughterhere；ifyouaccidentallyrefertome，youareinerror；I

haveneverpossessedamothertoloveme，althoughformerly，duringlongyearsIendeavoredwithtenderassiduitytowinaparent\'sheart。Thatislongpast，however。TheverydaythatImarriedHerrvonEbenstreitIrenouncedallfamilyties，andresolvedtobeself-

reliant。Myhusbandwillwitnessthathehasneverknownmetoyield，andthatIhavealwaysbeenfirmandresoluteinmydecision。”

“Noonewoulddoubtit，“repliedEbenstreit，timidly。“Wehadaverystrangemarriage，whichscarcedeservesthename。Weresemblemoretwocompanionswhohavejoinedinbusiness，theonesidereluctantly，andtheotherjoyfully。Ilongforahappymarriedlife，whichhasbeenquiteimpossiblethusfar。”

“Andwillbetotheend，whichyouwillyetlearn；andFranvonWerrigshouldunderstandit，asshebroughtabouttheunion，andshouldnotbeindoubtastotheconclusion。”

“IacknowledgethatIamalmostspeechlessandquiteparalyzedwiththatwhichIseeandhear。Ishoulddoubtthatthiscold，proudwomanbeforemeweremydaughter，ifitwerenotforthenameshebears，andherfeatures。”

“Thatwhichyouandmyhusbandhavecausedmetobecome。HeknewthatIneitherlovednoresteemedhim，andthataunionwithhimseemedsounendurablethatIwouldhavesoughtrefugeindeath，ifI

hadnotvowedtosupportlifetoattaintheaimwhichIimposeduponmyself。Thatisallpast；itisthefuturewhichwemustarrange。I

amgladthatyouarehere，FrauvonWerrig，thatwemayunderstandeachotheronceforall；butyoucameagainstmywishes。”

“Youmustexcuseit，dearMarie。Itwasthelongingofmother\'sheartwhichledmehither；thelove——“

Acold，contemptuousglanceofthelargeeyescausedthemothertocease，andquailbeforeherdaughter。

AfterashortpauseMariecontinued:“Iwishtoexercisealoneandunhinderedtheexecutiverightsofaladyinherownhouse。Doyouacknowledgethejusticeofthis，myhusband?“

“Perfectlyandunconditionally，dearMarie。YouknowthatIhavenootherwillbutyours，whichismyhighesthappinesstosubmitmyselftoinallthings，alwayshopingtogainyourloveandwinyourheart；that——“

“Thatthiswomanhaschangedtostone，“saidMarie，coldly，pointingtohermother。“Asyouthenrecognizemeasthemistressofthishouse，Ishallavailmyselfofmyjustright，andnoonecanpreventme，forIstandalone，absolvedfromallfamilyties。Bymybirthandyourriches，Ishalloccupythepositionofawomanoftheworld，andassuchIshalllive。”

“Iamdelightedtohearit，Marie，“criedherhusband。“ForthisreasonIhavehadthedrawing-roomsfurnishedinthemostcostlymanner，andIshallbeproudtoreceivethearistocraticsocietywhowillcometorenderhomagetomywife，astheyhavedoneeverywhereinParis，London，Rome，Madrid，andSt。Petersburg。Wehavefrequentedthehighestcircleinallthesecities，andtheyhavecrowdedourdrawing-rooms，charmedwiththebeauty，distinguishedmanners，toneoftheworld，ofyourdaughter。”

“Ibegofyoutomakebutonesubjectthesoleobjectofconversation，“saidMarie，harshly。“IhavesaidthatIwillavailmyselfoftheprivilege，asmistressofthishouse，ofreceivingnoonewhomIdonotwishtosee，andnoonecanenterwithoutconsent。

Isitclearlyunderstood，husband?“

“Yes，“heanswered，somewhatagitated；“itistherightofeveryhousekeeper——Iunderstandyou。”

“Itisalsocleartome，“criedFrauvonWerrig，withdifficultysuppressingherwrath。“ButIwillawaitthedecisiveword，andseewhetheritispossibleforadaughtertohavetheinsolentpresumptiontodrivehemotherfromherhouse！“

“IhavealreadyinformedyouthatIhavenomother，andthatnoonehastherighttocallmedaughter。Ifyouawaitmydecision，youshallnowhearit；youarenotincludedamongthosethatIwishtoreceiveinmyhouse！“

“Ah，dearMarie，youarecruel！“criedherhusband，quitefrightened。

“Sheisadegenerate，good-for-nothingcreature！“criedthemother。

“IfIamso，whohascauseditbutyou，bothofyou?Whobrokemyheart，andcrusheditunderfootuntilitceasedtofeel，andturnedtostone?Beartheconsequencesofyourcrueltyandheartlessness！I

cannotchangeit，andIrepeat，FrauvonWerrighasnottherighttoenterthishouse，ortoremainhereanylonger！“

Scaldingtearsfellfromthemother\'seyesassheshrieked，“Shedrivesmefromherhouse！“

“Iamonlytreatingyouasyoubehavedtooneofthenoblestandbestofmen，“repliedMarie，voiceandlookbetrayingherdeepfeeling。“Youthrustfromyourdoor，withscornandcontempt，amanworthyofyouresteemandrecognition，althoughyouknewthatmyheartwasbreaking。Iamonlyfollowingyourexampleandexercisingmyjustrights，andamlessguiltythanyouare，asneitherofushasneedoftherespectoresteemoftheother。”

“Canyousufferthis，myson?Doyouallowanyoneinyourpresencetotreatmesoshamefully?Afterall，itisyourhouse；dospeakandexerciseyourrightasmasterhere:tellyourwifethatIamhermother，andyou，myadoptedson，whobearsmyname，andthatIhavethejustrighttocomehereasoftenasitpleasesme。”

“SpeakyourmindtoFrauvonWerrig，“saidMarie，asEbenstreitremainedsilent。“Decidewhichshallremain，asoneortheotherofusmustleave；youareperfectlyfreetochoose。”

“Then，naturally，thereisnochoiceleftme，“repliedEbenstreit，despondingly。“Ideclaremyselfformywife，ofcourse，whoisthenoblestandproudestbeautyinBerlin，andwillmakemyhousethecentreofattractiontothearistocracy，nobility，andwealth。Thisismygreatestpride，andtosecurethisIwooedmybeautifulbride，andhavesubmittedtoallthesorrowandhumiliationwhichhavebeenmyportion。IfImustchoosebetweenthemotheranddaughter，I

naturallypreferthelatter。”

“Heabandonsmealso！“criedthemother。“Youareanungrateful，wretchedman！Youforgetthatyouoweeverythingtome，andthatwithoutmeyouwereamiserablemercenary，whosestupidityandtediousnessweretheridiculeofeveryone，andyouhadnevergainedtheentrancetoagenteelhouse。Whathaveyounowbecome?Ahigh-

bornman，whosehouseeveryonewillcrowd，andwhocouldevenappearatcourt，ashebearsournobleanddistinguishedname。Towhomdoyouoweallthis，buttomealone?“

“Godinheaven，Thouhearestit！“criedMarie，solemnly，withupliftedarms。“Sheacknowledgesthatshealonehasbroughtthismisfortuneuponme，andinthishourIstandjustified。”

“Pardon，FrauvonWerrig，“saidEbenstreit，haughtily；“youaregoingtoofar。Aftermyfortune，Ithankyouformyposition。Iamcertainlyofinsignificantbirth，butIamambitiousandrich。I

saidtomyself，\'MoneycanbringaboutallthatIwish，\'andyouseeithasaccomplishedit。Mywealthprocuredmeatitle，asplendidhouse，abeautifulwife，andapositioninsociety。Iacknowledgethatyouaidedmeinthecarryingoutofmyplans，butyouwouldnothavedoneit，ifIhadnotbeeninapositiontopayyou。Youreceiveaveryconsiderableannuityfromme，thereforeyoucannotaccusemeofingratitude，butmustconfessthatyouhavedrivenaverygoodbargain。YoumustforgivemeifIbegofyoutoendthispainfulscene。”

“ThatmeansthatImustleave，“saidFrauvonWerrig，mildly，rememberingthegamblingdebtandtheannuity。“Verywell，Iwillgo，andpromiseyounevertoreturn，upontwoconditions。”

“Havethegoodnesstocommunicatethem，“saidEbenstreit。

“Thefirstis，paythegambling-debtofmyhusband，whohasplayedawaytheentiresumyouallowusyearly，anddonotdeductitfromourincome。Thesecondis，increaseyourallowancefivehundredthalers，withoutlettingthegeneralknowit，andpayittome。”

“Itisimpossible，“criedEbenstreit，terrified。“YoumistakemeforaCroesus，whosewealthisinexhaustible。Ifthisexpenditureanddemandincrease，mycolossalfortunewillbeentirelywasted，and——“

“Youexaggerate，“interruptedMarie，withapeculiarbrilliancyinhereyes。“Suchwealthasyoursisnever-ending，andthebankingbusiness，whichyouarestillengagedinunderanothername，isaninexhaustiblesourceofwealth。Ibegyoutoaccepttheseconditions，thatwemayatlastbeatpeace。”

“Verywell，“saidEbenstreit，towhomthewordsofMariesoundedasthesweetestmusic。“Iwillthenaccordyourwishes，andyoushallhavethefivehundredthalersforyourself。”

“Formealone?“

“Yes，foryourselfalone，FrauvonWerrig。”

“Whovouchesforthefulfilmentofyourpromise?“

“Myword，FrauvonWerrig。”

“Ihavenoconfidencebutinawrittenpromise。”

“ThenIwillhaveitmadeout，andbringyouthedocumentto-morrowmorning。”

“Thenourbusinessisfinished，andIcango——Farewell，baroness；

thisismylastwordtoyou。Icursedyoufromthemomentyoucameintobeing。Ifyouhadbeenason，therichestateintrustofmyfamilywouldhavepassedtoyou，ofwhichIwasthenaturalheir。Asitwas，itwenttoadistantrelative，andwereceivednothing。

Thereforeyourparentscouldnotrejoiceatyourbirth，andweonlypardonedyouwhenyoumarriedarichman，whocouldfreeusfromwant，andnowtheseparationisnogrieftous。Youhavealwaysbeenadisagreeableburden，andIamonlyquitofadiscomfort，andrenounceforeverthesightofyou——Givemeyourarm，myson，andaccompanymeatleasttothethresholdofyourhouse，thatyoumaybeabletosaytothiscold-heartedviper，thatsheisforeverridofthesightofhermother，whowillneverthinkofherbutwithchillingcontempt。”SheseizedEbenstreitbythearm，whohadnotthecouragetoresisther，anddrewhimalongwithher，castingalookofsupremedisgustatoldTrude，whostoodpaleandsadnearthedoor。

CHAPTERXXXIV。

BEHINDTHEMASK。

Asthedoorclosed，andMariefoundherselfalonewithheroldfriendandnurse，apeculiarchangewasvisibleinhersadface；

somethingofitsformersunnyradiancebrighteneditsusuallysorrowfulexpression，andsheturnedtogreetTrudewiththesmileofearlier，happierdays，thoughitwastingedwithsadnessandgrief。Impulsivelyshethrewherarmsaroundherfaithfulnurse，kissingher，and，withquiveringlip，whispering:“Agreetingandablessingforyou，dearmother！Takemetoyourkind，disinterestedheart，andletmetherefindreposefromallthistortureandlovethepoorlostone，who——“

Shedrewsuddenlyback，herfaceassumingitsusuallycold，lookassheheardherhusbandenter。

“Sheisgone，dearMarie。Ihopethatyouaregratifiedwithmydecision，andperceivethereinaproofofmyexcessiveloveandesteemforyou，“saidEbenstreit，drawingalongbreath。

“Ididnotdesirethispoliteevidenceofit，“shecoldlyresponded。

“Wehavesolemnizedourentranceintothishouseinafittingmanner，andtheimportantmatterremainingforusistomakeknownourarrivaltothesocietyofBerlin。ThehorsespurchasedinAlexandria，andthenewcarriagefromLondon，havealreadyarrived——

havetheynot?“

“Mybook-keepersoinformedmeafortnightsince，whenwewereinParis，andcomplainedoftheenormoussumwhichhehadtodisburse。”

“Youmustforbidhimsuchalibertyonceforall，“saidshe，andthestrangeblendingofjoyandscornwasvisibleinherface。“Itisinadmissibleforasubordinatetopresumetocomplaintohismaster，oradvisehim。Hehasonlytolistenandobey。Thisallyourinferiorsmustunderstand，andknowthattheywillbedismissedwhomurmuroradvise！“

“Iwillinstructthemaccordingly，“hesighed，“thoughImustconfessmyhead-manwellunderstandsfinancialoperations，andduringthemanyyearsthathehasbeenwithmehaswontherighttobeconsultedandadvisedwith。”

“Thenproveyourgratitudeasitbecomesatruecavalierandanobleman，“dictatedMarie。“Settlehissalaryasanannuityuponhim，andreplacehim。”

“Buthereceivesverygreatwages，andisstillveryactive，thoughadvanced。”

“Themorethereasontopensionhim，thathemayreposehisremainingyearsandenjoythefruitofhislabors。Butdoasyoulike。Ihaveonlytoldyouhowanoblecavalierwouldact；ifyouchoosetobargainandhaggle，itisyourownaffair。”

“Heavenkeepmefromactingotherwisethanasanobleman！“criedEbenstreit。

Marienoddedassent，desiringthatthecarriagemightbeordered，withtheArabhorses。“Wewillmakeourvisitsatonce，asIwill，forthefirsttime，openourlargehouseforasoireeto-morrowevening，“sheadded。

“Ah，thatischarming！“saidEbenstreit，delighted。“IshallatlasthavetheopportunityofseeingthearistocraticBerlinsociety，andenterupontherankofmynewtitle。”

“Yes，“shereplied，withanexpressionofirrepressiblescorn，“youwillhavethisenjoyment。Sendmethesteward，Iwishtogivehimalistoftheinvitedguests。Youcanaddtoitatyourpleasure。”

“Ihavenoonetoinvite，“criedherhusband。

“Nomatter！Makethenecessarypreparations。Iwillgotomyroomtomakemytoilet。”

“Willyounotallowmetoaccompanyyou?Youarenotyetfamiliarwiththehouse。”

“Trudewillshowittome，andyoucanatthesametimegivetheorders。”

NoddingproudlytoEbenstreit，shetoldTrudetoprecedeher，followingtheoldwomanthroughthesuiteofbrilliantrooms。

“Hereismylady\'sdressing-room，“saidTrude，enteringoneornamentedwithmirrors，laces，andgauzes。

TheFrenchwaiting-maidwasbusywithin，unpackingthelargetrunksfilledwithsilkandsatindresseswhichhadbeenpurchasedbythedozensinParis。

“Layoutanelegantvisitingtoilet；Iwillreturndirectly，afterTrudehasshownmethehouse，“Theyenteredtheadjoiningchamber，Marie\'ssleeping-roomandfoundtheGermanmaidarrangingthelaceandsilkcoveringsforhermistresstoreposeherselfafterthelongjourney。Mariebetrayednoinclinationforrepose，butquestionedTrudeastowhithertheotherdoorledto。

“Intothelittlecorridor，baroness。”

“DidInotorderthatthereshouldbebutoneentrancetomysleeping-room，andthatfromthedressing-room?“

“Yourcommandshavebeenstrictlyobeyed，“repliedTrude。“Theonlydoorfromthecorridorleadstomytworooms，andthereisbutoneentrancetothemupontheotherside，whichcanbesecurelyfastened。”

Intothesimple，quietroom，atthebaroness\'srequest，Trudeopenedthedoor，saying，“Herewecanbealone。”

Mariepointedsilentlytotheseconddoor，andtheoldwomannodded:

“Thatisit，“saidshe。“Ihavedoneeverythingasyoudirected。

Afteryouleft，theysentmethefurnitureofyourlittlegarret-

room，whichIhavearrangedexactlyasitstoodthere。”

AsMarieopenedthedoorandfoundherselfinthesmallroom，soliketheonewhereshehadmadeflowers，givenlessons，consoledbyheronlyfriend，Trude，herprideandreservevanished。Sinkinguponherknees，asifcrushed，shegavewaytoherlong-pent-upgriefinonecryofanguish，clingingtoTrude，andweepingbitterly。

“HereIam，myfaithfulnurse，returnedtoyoumorewretchedandmiserablethanwhenIleft:then，IfeltthatIcouldscorntheworld，andnowIdespisemyself。Oh，Trude，theyhavecausedmywretchedness，theyhavemademeselfishandunkind。Iwascontenteduntilnow，andrejoicedinmymisery，andtriumphantlythoughtofthetimewhenIwaswonttobewailmybrokenheartandlostsoul。

Oncemorewithyou，andsurroundedwiththesouvenirsofmygirlhood，Ifeelahorrorofmyself，andcouldsinkinshameandcontrition。Ihavebecomeasbadastheyare。Canyouforgivethehard-hearteddaughterwhobanishedherownmotherfromherhouse?I

feltthatIcouldnotendureherpresence，andfearedthataninveteraterancorandhatewouldoverpowerme，andthatIshouldcurseher。”

“Shedeservesit，mypoorchild，“whisperedTrude，thetearsstreamingdownhercheeks。“Shehasjusttoldyouthatsheneverlovedyou，andinthispainfulsceneshethoughtonlyofbargainingandmakingmoney。GodhasheardherandforgivenyouasIdo，andI

begandimploreHimtopunishthosewhohavemadeyousowretched，andthatHewillhavenomercyuponthem，astheyhaveshownnonetoyou。Itbreaksmyhearttoseeyousochanged，andIcanhardlybelievethiscold，haughtyladyismyMarie。InyourtearsI

recognizeyou，andIblessGodthatyoucanweep；yourgriefprovestomethatyouareyetthechildofmyheart。”

“OhTrude，youknownothowIhavelongedtoseeyou；itwasmyonlyconsolationinthesepainfulyears。WhenIdoubtedeveryhumanbeing，thenIthoughtofyou，andwascomfortedandsustained。”

“Andwastherenooneelsetothinkof，mychild?“

“Yes，“shegentlymurmured，“Ithoughtofhim。Tellmeallyouknowabouthim，andhidenothingfrommeinthishour。”

“Ithoughtyouwouldaskme，andIwenttoDirectorGedickeyesterday，toinformmyself。”

“Whatdidyouhear?Tellmethemostimportant。Doeshelive?Isherestoredtohealth?“

“Helives，but，foroneyear，hewassowretchedthathecouldnotteach；nowheisbetter。HerrGedickewenthimselftoSpandau，immediatelyafterthewedding，andbroughthimbackwithhim，relatingasforbearinglyandcarefullyaspossiblethecircumstancesofyourmarriage，andofyoursacrificingyourselfforhimalone。”

“Howdidhereceiveit?Whatdidhesay?“

“Nothing。Hiseyeswerefixed，andhislipsutterednotasound。

Thislastedforweeks，andsuddenlyhebecameexcited，enraged，andtheywereobligedtobindhimtokeephimfrominjuringhimself。”

“Tellmenomore，criedMarie，shuddering。“Ithoughtmyselfstronger，nay，heartless，andyetitseemsasifahandofironweretearing，rendingmysoul！“

“Thatiswell，“saidTrude，gently；“youmustawakenfromthishardenedindifference；givingwaytoyourgriefintearswillsoftenyourheart，anditwillagainbepenetratedwiththeloveofGodandmankind。Iwilltellyoueverything；yououghttoknowhowpoor，dearMoritzsuffered。Afterheventedhisragehebecamemelancholy，andwithdrewtoHalleinsolitude，livinginahay-loft。Hisfavoritebooksandanoldpianowerehisonlycompanions；noonepresumedtointrudehim，andtheyevenconveyedhisfoodsecretlytohim，shovingitthroughadoor。Hetalkedaloudtohimselfforhourslong，andatnightsangsotouchingly，accompanyinghimselfuponthepiano，thatthosewholistenedwept。”

Marieweptalso——scaldingtearstrickledthroughherfingersasshelayuponthefloor。

Trudecontinued:“Moritzlivedinthiswayoneyear；hisfriendsknewhowhewassuffering，andtheyprovedintheirdeedshowmuchtheylovedandesteemedhim。TheteachersattheGymnasiumdividedhishoursofinstructionamongthem，thatheshouldnotforfeithisplaceandlosehissalary。Eventhekingshowedgreatsympathyforhim，sendingtoinquireforhim。HerrGedickevisitedhimfrequentlyatHalle；andoncewhenabouttomounttheladdertothehay-lofthemetMoritzdescending，carefullydressed，inareasonable，gentlemood，andthenhereturnedwithhimtoBerlin。Therewasgreatrejoicinginthecollegeoverhisreturn，andtheyfetedhim，witnessingsomuchloveforhimthatitwasreallytouching。Hehasbeenpromotedtoprofessor，andattheexpresscommandofthekingheteachestheyoungPrinceFrederickWilliaminLatinandGreek。

Oh，heissomuchesteemedand——“

“AndismarriedIhope，“murmuredMarie。“Ishenothappilymarried，Trude?“

“No。HerrGedickesayshecouldmarryawealthygirl，forheisagreatfavorite，andisinvitedintothemostdistinguishedsociety。

Herepelseveryone，andhasbecomeawoman-hater。”

“Hehatesthem——doesthatmeanthathehatesme?“

“Yes，hethoroughlyscornsanddespisesyou；somuchsothatHerrGedickesaysyoushouldknowofit，andkeepoutofhisway。Hehassworntopubliclyshowhiscontemptforyou，andthereforehisfriendswishyoutobeapprisedofit，andnotencounterhiminsociety。”

“Itiswell，Ithankyou，“saidMarie，rising；“Iwillactaccordingly。Kissmeoncemore，mydearmother，andletmereposemywearyheaduponyourbosom。Ah，Trude，whatasorrowlifeis！“

“Youwillyetlearntoloveitagain，Marie。”

“IfIthoughtthatIcouldsinksolow，Iwouldkillmyselfthisveryhour。Iknowmyselfbetter，andonlyforrevengedoIlive。

Hush！saynothingmore。Lookatme！Iamcursed，andthereinthosegaudyroomsinmypurgatory；hereismyparadise，andherethewickeddemonmaydaretochangeintothesad，wretchedwife，whomournsthehappydaysalreadyflown，andweepstheinconsolablefuture。OftwillIcomehereinthenightwhenthosesleepwhothinkmesoproudandhappy，andyoualoneshallbeholdmeasIam。NowI

mustbacktopurgatory——Farewell！“

AhalfhourlaterasplendidcarriagedrovefromthehouseofHerrEbenstreitvonLeuthen。ThepeopleuponthestreetstoodinwonderingadmirationofthebeautifulArabhorseswiththecostlysilver-mountedharness，andsoughttocatchaglimpseoftheoccupantsofthecarriage，aninsignificant，meagre，blond-hairedman，whoappearedlikeaservantbesidethelovelypalewife，thoughproudandindifferent，whokepthereyesfixedsteadilybeforeher。

Thechasseur，withhiswavingplumes，satupontheboxbesidetherich-liveriedcoachman。

Asthemarriedcouplereturnedfromtheirdrive，havinglefttheircardsatthemostdistinguishedhousesinBerlin，thebaronesshandedthelistofgueststoheinvitedtothebarontoexamine。Heglancedhastilyoverit，assuringherthateverythingshouldbedirectedasshedesired，deferringalltohersuperiorknowledge。

Suddenlyheseemedconfused，evenfrightened。“Whatisthematter?

Whatwereyouabouttoremark?“askedMarie，indifferently。

“Iwasinerror。Ihave，withoutdoubt，readitwrong。Ibegpardonforafoolishblunder，butwillyoutellmethisname?“

Mariebentforwardtolookatthepaperwhichherhusbandhandedher，and，pointingwithherfinger，read“ProfessorPhilipMoritz。”

“Doyouintendtoinvitehim?“askedEbenstreit，quitealarmed。

“WhyshouldInot?Hebelongstothecircleoffriendsandacquaintances，anditisnaturalthatIshouldincludehim。

Moreover，thereisnotalittlegossip，anditisnecessarytosilenceit。Ifyouarenotofmyopinion，strikeoutthename。”

“Notatall，dearest。Onthecontrary，youareperfectlyright，andIadmireyouforit。”

“Thengivethelisttothebutler，foritisquitetimethattheinvitationsweregivenout。”

CHAPTERXXXV。

THECURSE。

Theeveningofthesoireehadarrived。InquicksuccessiondrovethecarriagesupthebroadentrancetothemansionofHerrEbenstreit，Thecuriousstreetpublicpressedincompactmassesnearthegatetopeepin，oratleastcatchafugitiveglanceoftheladiesalightingfromtheircarriages，whowerereceivedbythebutleratthefootofthecarpetedsteps。Ahostofgold-bespangledfootmenlinedtheentranceuponeachside，whichwasornamentedwiththemostexquisitehot-houseplants，fillingtheairwithperfume。

Twotall，statelyfootmen，withbroadgoldshoulder-bandsandlargegiltbatons，stoodatthedooroftheanteroom，whichwasbrilliantlyilluminatedwithchandeliersandside-lights，reflectedinthenumerousmirrors。Theanteroomledintothereception-roombywidefolding-doors，wherethenamesweregiventotheusher，whoannouncedtheminastentorianvoiceinthedrawing-room。TherestoodtheBaronvonEbenstreittoreceivetheguests，allsmiles，andwithbustlingassiduityaccompanythemtotheadjoiningdrawing-

roomtopresentthemtothebaroness。

Amongtheselectcompanywereconspicuousthemostdistinguishednamesofthearistocracy。Generalsandstaff-officers，countessesandbaronesseswerecrowdedtogether，withtheladiesofthefinancialworld，nearministersandcounsellorsinthisgorgeoussaloon，whichwasthedelightandadmirationoftheenvious，andexcitedthetonguesoftheslanderous。Thoseacquaintedgatheredinthewindow-nichesandcosycorners，maliciouslycriticisingthemotleycrowd，andeminentlyconsoledwiththesureprospectoftheruinofthelatebanker，surroundinghimselfwithsuchunbecomingsplendorandluxury，thebadtasteofhisarrogant，overdressed，andextravagantwife。

“Haveyounoticedherparureofdiamonds?“whisperedtheCountessMoltketoFranvonMorien。“Iftheyarereal，thenshewearsanestateuponhershoulders。”

“ThefamilyestateofVonLeuthen，“laughinglyrepliedFrauvonMorien。“Youknow，Isuppose，thatthefatherofGeneralvonLeuthenwasabrick-burner，andhemayhavesucceededinchangingafewbricksintodiamonds。”

“Youarewicked，sweetone，“repliedthecountess，smiling。“Onemustacknowledgethathertoiletischarming。Ihaveneverseenitsequal。Thegoldlaceovertherose-coloredsatinissuperb，“

“Yes，andtheminglingofstrawfeathers，diamonds，flowers，lace，andbirdsistrulyridiculousinherhead-dress。”

“ItmusthavebeencopiedexactlyfromtheonewhichtheQueenMarieAntoinetteworeattheballatVersaillesafortnightsince。Thebaronesswaspresentatthiscourtballwithhergreyhoundofahusband，andcreatedquiteasensationwithhercostlyrechercheetoilet，astheFrenchambassadortoldusyesterday。”

“Certainlynotbyhermanner，“saidFrauvonMorien。“Sheisinsupportablyarrogantandself-sufficient。Whatdoyouthinkofthispretentiousmannerofannouncingournamesasifwewereatanauctionwheretheysoldtitles?“

“ItisaverygoodFrenchcustom，“remarkedthecountess。“Butitdoesnotbecomealadyofdoubtfulnobilityanduncertainposition，tointroduceforeigncustomshere。Sheshouldleavethistoothers，andmodestlyacceptthosealreadyinusebyus。”

“Oneremarksthepuffed-upparvenue，“whisperedFrauvonMorien。

“Everythingsmellsofthevarnishuponthenewly-paintedcoat-of-

arms。”

“Hush，myfriend！ItherecomesthebaronessleaninguponthearmoftheFrenchambassador。Sheisindeedimposinginappearance，andonecouldmistakeherforaqueen。”

“Couldanyoneeversupposethatthisqueenoncemadeflowerstosell?Come，countess，Ihavejustthoughtofacharmingscenetorevengemyselfuponthisarrogantpersonage。”

Givingherarmtothecountess，sheapproachedherhostessleaninguponthearmoftheMarquisdeTreves，theFrenchambassador，astheywerestandingbeneaththeimmensechandelierofrockcrystal，whichsparkledabovethemlikeacrownofstars，causingherdiamondstolookasifinoneblazeofdifferenthues。

“Oh，permitustosunourselvesinyourrays，matoutebelle，“saidtheCountessMoltke。“Onecouldwellfancythemselvesinafairypalace，soenchantingiseverythinghere。”

“Andthebaroness\'sappearanceconfirmsthisimpression，“remarkedthegallantFrenchman。“Fancycouldnotwellpaintamorelovelyfairyinone\'shappiestdreams。”

“Yes，trulyIwanderaroundasifinanenchantedscene。IfeelasifImustseizemyselfbytheheadandbewellshaken，toconvincemyselfthatIamreallyawakeandnotdreamingachapterfromAladdin。Imadetheeffort，butfeltthewreathofrosesinmyhair，and——“

“Andthatconvincedyouofyourwakefulness，“saidthebaroness，alittlehaughtily。Turningtotheambassador，sheadded:“Doyouobserve，monsieurlemarquis，whatadelicateattentionthisladyshowsmeinwearingawreathofflowerswhichImanufactured?“

“Comment！Thebaronessistrulyafairy！Shecausesflowerstogrowatherpleasure，andvieswithNature。Itseemsimpossible。Icanscarcelybelieveit。”

“Andyetitistrue，“saidFrauvonMorien。“Thebaroness，indeed，fabricatedtheserosesthreeyearssince，whenshehadthekindnesstoworkforme。YouwillacknowledgethatIhavekeptthemwell?“

“Itwasnokindnessofmine，butanecessity，“saidthebaroness，“andImustconfessthatIwouldnothaveundertakensotroublesomeapieceofworkfrompuregoodnessorpleasure。YouwillrememberthatIwasverypoorbeforemymarriage，andasFrauvonMorienwasoneofmycustomers，itisverynaturalthatshepossessesmyflowers。Shegavememanyorders，andpaidmeaverysmallprice，forsheisverypracticalandprudent，andunderstandsbargainingandcheapening，andwhenoneispoortheyareobligedtoyieldtotheshamelessparsimonyoftherich。Ithankyou，mydearbenefactress，forthehonoryouhaveshownmeinwearingmyflowers，forithasbeenapleasantoccasiontoexplainourselvesandrecognizeeachother。Havethekindnesstorecallotherremembrancesofthepast。”

“Idonotrememberpossessinganyothersouvenirs，“repliedthecountess，confused。

HaveyouforgottenthatIgaveFrenchlessonstoyourniece，thepresentFrauvonHohenthal?Shecametomethreetimesweekly，becausethelessonswereafewgroschencheaperatthehouse。”