第12章

Atthisinstanttheusherannouncedinaloudvoice，“ProfessorPhilipMoritz。”

Agentlemanofslightproportions，inanelegantfashionabledress，appearedandremainedstandinginthedoorway，hislargeblackeyeswanderingsearchinglythroughthedrawing-room。HerrvonEbenstreitapproached，extendinghimhishand，utteringafewunintelligiblewords，whichhisguestappearednottonotice，but，slightlyinclining，askedifhewouldpresenthimtotheladyofthehouse。

“Havethekindnesstofollowme，“saidEbenstreit，leadingMoritzthroughthecircleofjesting，slanderingladiesandgentlemen，tothecentreoftheroom，whereMariewasstillstandingwiththeFrenchambassadorandthetwoladies。

“Mydear，“saidherhusband，“Ihavebroughtyouanoldacquaintance，ProfessorMoritz。”

AsEbenstreitwouldretreat，Moritzcommandedhimtoremain，placinghiswhite-glovedhanduponhisarm，andholdinghimfast。“IwouldaskyouonequestionbeforeIspeakwiththebaroness。”

Moritzspokesoloud，andinsuchastrange，harsh，andrepulsivemanner，thateveryoneturnedastonished，askinghimselfwhatitmeant。Conversationwashushed，andthecuriouspressedtowardthepeculiargroupinthecentretothebaroness，whoregardedherhusbandperfectlycomposed，andthepaleman，withtheflashingeyes，theglanceofwhichpiercedherlikedaggers。

Abreathlesssilencereigned，brokenonlybyEbenstreit\'stremblingvoice。“Whatisit，professor?HowcanIserveyou?“

“Tellmewhoyouare?“repliedMoritz，withagrufflaugh。

“IamtheBaronEbenstreitvonLeuthen！“

“Andthescarwhichyoubearuponyourface，isitnotthemarkofawhip，withwhichIlashedacertainHerrEbenstreitthreeyearssince，whopreventedmyelopingwithmybetrothed?Ichallengedhimtofightaduel，butthecowardrefusedmesatisfaction，andthenI

struckhimintheface，causingthebloodtoflow。Answerme——areyouthisgentleman?“

Notasoundinterruptedthefearfullylongpausewhichfollowed。

EveryoneturnedastonishedtoEbenstreit，who，paleasdeath，waspowerlesstoutteraword，butstoodstaringathisopponent。

“Whydoyounotanswerme?“criedMoritz，stampinghisfoot。“Areyouthecoward?Wasthisredscarcausedbythewhip-lash?“

Anotherlongpauseensued，andadistinctlyaudiblevoicewasheard，saying，“Yes，itishe！“

“Whorepliedtome?“askedMoritz，turninghisangryglanceawayfromEbenstreit。

“I，“saidMarie。“Ireplyformyhusband！“

“You?Areyouthewifeofthisman?“thunderedMoritz。

“Iam，“Marieanswered。

“Isthisinvitationdirectedtomefromyou?“hecontinued，drawingapaperfromhispocket。“Didyoupermityourselftoinvitemetoyourhouse?“

“Yes，Idid，“shecalmlyanswered。

“Andbywhatright，madame?ThisisthequestionIwishanswered，andIcamehereforthatpurpose。”

“IinvitedyoubecauseIdesiredtoseeyou。”

“Shamelessone！“criedMoritz，furious。

“Sir，“criedtheambassador，placinghimselfbeforeMoritz，defyinghisanger，“youforgetthatyouarespeakingtoalady。Asherhusbandissilent，Ideclaremyselfherknight，andIwillnotsufferhertobeinjuredbywordorlook。

“Howcanyouhinderme?“criedMoritz，withscorn。“WhatwillyoudoifIdashthispaperatherfeet，andforbidhertoeverwritemynameagain?“Makingaballofit，hesuitedtheactiontotheword，castingadefiantlookatthemarquis。

“Ishallorderthefootmentothrustyououtofthehouse。Here，servants，removethisman；heisanescapedlunatic，undoubtedly。”

TwofootmenpressedforwardthroughthecirclewhichcrowdedaroundMoritz。

“Whoevertouchesme，deathtohim！“thunderedMoritz，layinghishanduponasmallswordathisside。

“Letnoonedarelayahandonthisgentleman，“criedMarie，withacommandingwaveofherhandtothelackeys。“Ibeseechyou，marquis，andyou，honoredguests，toquietlyawaittheconclusionofthisscene，andtopermitHerrMoritztofinishspeaking。”

“Doyoumeantodefyme，madame?“mutteredMoritz，gnashinghisteeth。“Youperhapscountuponmymagnanimitytokeepsilent，andnotdisclosethesecretsofthepasttothisaristocraticassembly。

Istandhereasitsaccusingspirit，andcondemnyouasashamelessperjurer——Iwillaskyouwhoarehererenderinghomagetothiswoman，ifyouknowwhosheis，andofwhatshehasbeenguilty?Asayounggirlshewasassweetandinnocentasanangel，andseemedmorelikeadivinerevelation。Tothinkofher，inspiredandelevatedone\'sthoughts，andheavenwasmirroredinhereyes。Shewaspoor，andyetsoinfinitelyrich，thatifakinghadlaidallhistreasuresatherfeet，asthegiftofhislove，hewouldreceivemorethanhegave，forinherheartreposedthewealthofthewholehumanrace。Oh！Icouldweeptearsofbloodinreflectinguponwhatshewas，andwhatshehasbecome。Smileandmock，ladiesandgentlemen；mybrainiscrazed，andIweepformylostangel。”

Moritzdashedhishandstohisface，andstoodswayingbackwardandforward，sobbing。

Sighsandregretswereheardintheroom。Theladiespressedtheirhandkerchiefstotheireyes；othersregardedwithlivelysympathythehandsomeyoungman，whodeeplyinterestedthem，andgazedreproachfullyattheyoungbaroness，expectinghertobecrushedwiththesereproachesandtears，butwho，onthecontrary，stoodwithproudcomposure，herfacebeamingwithjoy，gazingatMoritz。

“Itispast——mylasttearisshed，andmylastwailhasbeenuttered，“criedPhilip，uncoveringhisface。“Myangelhaschangedintoadespicablewoman。Ilovedherasthewretched，disconsolatebeingadorestheonewhorevealsparadisetohim；andshefooledmeintothebeliefthatshelovedme。Weexchangedvowsofeternalconstancyandaffection，andpromisedeachothertobearjoyfullyeveryillinlife，andneverseparateuntildeath。Ishouldhavedoubtedmyself，ratherthanshewhostoodaboveme，likeadivinerevelation。Iwishedtowinherbytoilandindustry，bymyintellect，andthefamebywhichIcouldrendermynameillustrious。

Itwas，indeed，nothingintheeyesofhergraspingparents；theyrepulsedmewithscornandpride，butMarieencouragedmetoperfectconfidenceinheraffection。WhilstIwanderedonfoottoSilesia，likeapoorpilgrimtowardhappiness，tohumblemyselfbeforetheking，tobegandcombatformyangel，therecametemptation，sin，andvulgarity，intheformofthispale，cowed-downman，whostandsbesidemybetrothedgaspingwithrage。Thetemptationofricheschangedmyangelintoademon，amiserablewomanbarteredforgold！

Shebetrayedherlove，yieldingitupforfilthylucre，crushinghernoblernatureinthedust，anddrivingoverit，asdidTulliathedeadbodyofherfather。Shesoldherselfforriches，beforewhichyouallkneel，asifworshippingthegoldencalf！Aftersellinghersoultoamanwhomshedespised，evenifhewerenotrich，shehashadtheboldnesstosummonme，thedown-troddenandhalf-crazedvictim，tohergildedpalace，asifIwereaslavetobeattachedtohertriumphalcar。Iamafreeman，andhavecomehereonlytohurlcontemptinherface，tobrandherbeforeyouallasaperjurerandatraitress，whomIneverwillpardon，butwillcursewithmylatestbreath！NowIhaverelievedmyheartofitsburden，IcommandthiswomantodenywhatIhavesaid，ifshecan。”

Withadictatorialwaveofthehand，hepointedexcitedlyMarie。A

deathlikestillnessreigned。Eventhelightsseemedtogrowdim，andeveryonewasoppressedasifbyexcessivesultriness。

AgainMoritzcommandedMarietoacknowledgethetruthofhisaccusationsbeforethehonoredassembly。

Sheencounteredhisangryglancewithcalmness，andasmilewasperceptibleuponherlip。Yes，saidshe，IacknowledgethatIamaperjurerandatraitor。Ihavesoldmyselfforriches，andyieldedmypeaceofsoulandmyloveformammon。Imightjustifymyself，butIrefrainfromit，andwillonlysaythatyouhavetoldthetruth！

Onedayyouwillceasetocurseme，and，perhapsatearofpitywillglistenintheeyenowflashingwithscornandanger。Thepoorwifewholiesinthedustimploresforthelastblessingofyourlove！“

“Marie！“hecried，withheart-rendinganguish，“oh，Marie！“andrushedtowardher，kneelingbeforeher，andclingingtoher，pressingakissuponherhandandweepingaloud。Onlyforamomentdidhegiveway，andthensprangupwildly，rushingthroughthecrowd，outoftheroom。

Afearfulsilenceensued。Noonehadthecouragetobreakit。EveryonehopedthatMarie，throughasimulatedfainting，wouldendthepainfulscene，andgivetheguestsanopportunitytowithdraw。Nosuchthoughtfulnessforherfriendsoccurredtoher。

SheturnedtotheMarquisdeTreves，whostoodpaleanddeeplyagitatedbehindher，andburstintoaloudlaugh。

“Howpaleyouare！Haveyoutakenthiscomedyfortruth?Didyouthinkthistheatricalperformancewasareality?YouhaveforgottenwhatItoldyouamonthsinceinParis，thatIhadanativetalentforacting。Youwouldcontestthematterwithme，andIbetyouthatIcouldintroduceanimpromptusceneinmyhouse，withsuchartisticskill，thatyouwouldbequitedeceived。”

“IndeedIdorecallit；howcouldIhaveforgottenit?“repliedthemarquis，withthereadytactofthediplomat。

“HaveIwon?“askedMarie，smiling。

“Youhaveplayedyourrole，baroness，likeanartisteofconsummatetalent，andto-morrowIshallhavethehonortocancelthedebtinyourfavor。”

“Now，then，givemeyourarm，marquis，andconductmetothedancing-room，andyou，worthyguests，followus，“said。Marie，leadingtheway。

Themerrymusicevenwasnotsufficienttodissipatetheawkwardoppression，andbymidnighttheguestshadtakenleave，andMariestoodunderthechandelier，paleandrigid，oppositeherhusband。Hehadsummonedcouragetobewailtheterriblescene，weepingandmourningoverhercrueltyandhisshame。Marie，withchillingindifference，regardedhimwithoutonevisibletraceofpity。

“Yourealizedwhatyouweredoingwhenyouimposedthescornofthismarriageuponme，“shesaid。“Ihaveneverdeceivedyouwithvainhopes！Youhavesowndragons\'teeth，andwarriorshavesprunguptorevengemeuponyou。Serveyourselfofyourrichestofightthecombatants。Seeifyoucanbargainforaquietconscienceaseasilyasyoupurchasedme！Mysoulisfreethough，andithoversoveryouasthespiritofrevenge——Beware！“

Sheslowlyturnedandquittedtheroom。Herdiamondssparkledandblazedinthemyriadsoflights。Thelargemirrorsreflectedtheimageofahaughtywoman，whosweptproudlypastlikeagoddessofrevenge！

Ebenstreitstoodgazingafterher。Hehadahorrorofthelonelystillroom，sogorgeousandbrilliantlyilluminated——ashuddercreptoverhim，andhesank，weepingbitterly。

Inthelittleroom，theburiedhappinessofthepast，Marieknelt，withoutstretchedarms，imploringheavenformercy。“IthankThee，HeavenlyFather，thatIhavebeenpermittedtoseehimagain！Mysacrificewasnotinvain——helives！Heisfree，andhismindisclearandbright。IthankTheethathestilllovesme。Hisangerisbutlove！“

CHAPTERXXXVI。

THEKINGANDTHEROSICRUCIANS。

ThejoywhichBischofswerdersaid，reignedinheavenanduponearthoverthereturnofthecrownprincetothepathofvirtue，inhavingforsakenWilhelmineEnke，wasofbutshortduration。

TheInvisiblesandthepiousRosicrucianssoonlearnedthatsagaciousandcunningwomandefiedthespiritsandabjuredtheoaths。

Sincethenightofhiscommunionwiththedeparted，FrederickWilliamhadnevervisitedCharlottenburg——neverseenthehousewhichcontainedallthatheheldmostdear；hehadreturnedWilhelmine\'slettersunopened，andhadevenhadthecouragetorefusehimselftothechildren，whocametoseehim。

Ifhehadbeenlefttoconsulthisownheart，hewouldnotprobablyhavehadsufficientresolutiontohavedonethis；BischofswerderandWoellnerneverlefthimforamoment，astheysaidtheInvisibleFathershadcommandedthemtotarrywiththemuch-lovedbrotherinthesefirstdaysoftrialandtemptation，andtoelevateandgladdenhimwithedifyingconversationsandscientificinvestigations。

TheprayersandexhortationswerethedutyofWoellner，who，besidesthis，continuedhisdailydiscoursesupontheadministrationofgovernment，preparingtheprincefortheimportantcommandoftheroyalregiments，whichtheyhopedfavorabledestinywouldsoongranthim。

ThescientificresearcheswerethepartofBischofswerder，andheentereduponhisdutieswiththezealandpleasureofaninquiringmind，itselfhopefulandbelieving。

InthecabinetarrangedinthenewpalaceatPotsdam，theprinceandhisdearBischofswerderworkeddaily，manyhours，todiscoverthegreathopeofthealchemist——thephilosopher\'sstone。Notfindingit，unfortunately，theybrewedallsortsofmiraculousdrinks，whichwerewelcometotheprinceastheelixirofeternalyouthandconstantlove。Intheeveningstheycommunedwiththespiritsofthedistinguisheddeparted，which，movedattheearnestprayersofWoellner，andtheferventexhortationofthecrownprince，alwayshadthegoodnesstoappear，andwitnesstheirsatisfactionfortheirmuch-lovedson，astheycalledhim，forcontinuingbraveandfaithful，andnotfallingintotheunholysnaresoftheseductress。

Thecrownprince，however，experiencednottheleastself-

contentment。Eachdayrenewedtheyearningforthebelovedofhisyouthandforhischildren，forwhichthoseofhiswifewerenocompensation——neitherthesilent，awkwardPrinceFrederickWilliam，norhiscryinglittlebrother。InhisdreamshesawWilhelminedissolvedintears，callinguponhiminmosttenderaccents，andwhenheawoke，itwastoaninconsolablegrief。Heweptwithheart-

feltsorrow；hisoathalonekepthimfromhasteningtoher；itboundhim，andfetteredhisearnestwishtoseeher，makinghimsadandmelancholy。

Thespiritshadnopitynormercyuponhim。Histwoconfidantsencouragedhisvirtueandpietyfrommorningtillnight，exaltinghisexcitedfancywiththeirmarvellousrelationsandapparitions。

OnedayastheywereonthepointofcommencingthemorningprayerstotheInvisibles，aroyalfootmanappeared，withthecommandtobetakethemselvestoSans-Souci，wherethekingawaitedthem。

Aroyalcarriagewasinattendancetoconveythem。Therewasnoalternativebutobedience。

“PerhapsFatedestinesustobecomemartyrstotheholycause，“saidWoellner，devoutlyfoldinghishands。

“Wemayneverenjoythehappinessofseeingourdearbrothersoftheconfederacyagain，“sighedBischofswerder。“Ourspiritswillalwaysbewithyou，myprince，andtheInvisibleFatherswillprotectyouinallyourways。”

Thecrownprince，deeplymoved，separatedfromhisfriendswithtearsinhiseyes；butasthecarriagerolledawayhefeltrelievedasofanoppressiveburden，andbreathedmorefreely。

Atthesametimeafootmanentered，bearinguponagoldensalveraletterfortheprince。Unobservedandfreetoact，hereadit，andashesatmusinglythinkingoveritscontents，sotenderandaffectionate，here-readit，andrising，madeaboldresolve，hisfacebeamingwithhappiness，toorderhiscarriage，whichhedid，andinafewmomentsmoredroveatfullspeedawayfromthepalace。

BischofswerderandWoellner，inthemeantime，arrivedatSans-

Souci。Thefootmanawaitingthemconductedthematoncethroughthepicture-gallery，intothelittlecorridorleadingtotheking\'scabinet，andthereleftthemtoannouncethemtohismajesty。Bothgentlemenheardtheirnamescalledinaloudvoice，andtheresponseoftheking:“LetthemwaitinthelittlecorridoruntilIpermitthemtoenter。”

Thefootmanreturnedandwithsubduedvoicemadeknowntheroyalcommand，anddeparted，carefullyclosingthedoor。

Therewasnoseatinthenarrow，littlecorridor，andtheairwascloseandoppressive。

Theycouldhearvoicesinmingledconversation；sometimesitseemedasifthekingwerecommunicatingcommands；again，asifhedictatedinasuppressedvoice。TheRosicruciansknewverywellitwasthehourofthecabinetcouncil，andtheywaitedpatientlyandsteadfastly，butastheirwatchesrevealedthefactthatthreehourshadpassed，andeverynoisewashushed，theyconcludedtheywereforgotten，andresolvedtoremindthelackeyoftheirpresence。

“Indeed，thisstandingisquiteinsupportable，“whisperedWoellner。

Theybothslippedtotheentranceandtriedthebronzeknob，butalthoughitturned，thedooropenednot，andwasevidentlyfastenedupontheoutside。Theylookedalarmedateachother，askingwhatitcouldmean。“Canitbeintentional?Areweimprisonedhere?Wemustberesigned，althoughitisasevereexperience。”Atlast，patienceexhausted，theyresolvedtobearitnolonger，andtappedgentlyatthedooroftheking。Theloudbarkofadogwastheironlyresponse，andagainallwasstill。

“Evidentlythereisnoonethere，“sighedBischofswerder。“Itisthehourofdiningoftheking。”

“Iwishitwereoursalso，“whinedWoellner。“IconfessIyearnforbodilynourishment，andmylegssinkunderme。”

“Iamfearfullyhungry，“groanedBischofswerder；“besides，theairissuffocating。Iamresolvedtogotoextremes，andmakeanoise。”

Herushedlikeacagedboarfromonedoortotheother，shriekingforthelackeytoopenthedoor；butasbefore，aloudbarkwastheonlyresponse。

“TheLordhasforsakenus，“whimperedWoellner。“ThesublimeFathershaveturnedtheirfacesawayfromus。Wewillprayformercyandbegforarelease！“andhesankuponhisknees。

“Whatwillthatavailushere，whereneitherprayersnordevotionareheeded?OnlyenergyanddeterminationwillaidusatSans-Souci。

Come，letusthumpandbanguntiltheysetusfree！“criedBischofswerder，peevishly。

Theirhandswerelame，andtheirvoiceshoarsewiththeirexertions；

andnolongerabletostand，theysankdownuponthefloorhungryandexhausted，almostweepingwithrageanddespair。

Atlast，afterlonghoursofmisery，theyheardanoiseintheadjoiningroom。Thekinghadagainenteredhiscabinet。Thedooropened，andthelackeymotionedtothetwogentlementoenter。Theyrosewithdifficultyandstaggeredintotheroom，thedoorbeingclosedbehindthem。

Hismajestywasseatedinhisarm-chair，withhisthree-corneredhaton，leaninghischinuponhishands，crosseduponhisstaff。Hefixedhisgreatblueeyes，withasearchingglance，uponthetwoRosicrucians；thenturnedtohisminister，Herzberg，whowasseatedatthetablecoveredwithdocuments。

“Theseare，then，thetwogreatpropsoftheRosicrucians?“askedFrederick——“thetwocharlatanswhomtheyhavetoldmemakehellhotforthecrownprince，continuallylightingitupwiththeirprayersandlitanies。”

“Yourmajesty，answeredHerzberg，smiling，“thesegentlemenareColonelBischofswerderandthecouncilloroftheexchequer，Woellner，whomyourmajestyhascommandedtoappearbeforeyou。”

“Youarethetwogentlemenwhoworkmiracles，andhavetheeffronterytosummonthespiritofourancestor，thegreatelector，andtheEmperorMarcusAurelius?“

“Sire，“stammeredBischofswerder，“wehavetriedtosummonspirits。”

“AndItoo，“criedtheking，“onlytheywillnotcome；thereforeI

wishedtoseetheenchanters，andwouldliketopurchasethesecret。”

“Pardonme，mostgracioussire，“saidWoellner，humbly，“youmustfirstbereceivedintheholyorderoftheRosicrucians。”

“Thanks，“criedtheking，“Iamnotreadyforthelikefollies，andwhilstIlivetheInvisiblesmusttakeheednottobecometoovisible，ortheywillbetakencareof。IwillnotpermitPrussiatoretrograde。Ithascosttoomuchtroubleto“enlightenthepeople，bringthemtoreason，andbanishhypocrisy。SaytotheRosicruciansthattheyshallleavethecrownprinceinpeace，orIwillchasethemtothedevil，whowillreceivethemwithopenarms！Itcoulddonoharmtoappealtotheprince\'sconsciencetoleadanhonorablelife，anddirecthisthoughtsmoretostudythantolove，butyoushallnotmakeahypocriteofhimandmisusehisnaturalgood-

nature。IftheRosicrucianstrytoforcetheprinceandrulehim，I

willshowthemthatIammaster，andwillnolongersuffertheirabsurdities，butwillbreakupthewholenestofthem！Ihavebeenmuch，annoyedatthedeepdespondencyofthecrownprince。Youshallnotrepresenttohimthatbasenessandvirtuearethesame，andthatheisthelatterwhenhebetraysthosetowhomhehasswornfidelityandaffection。Anhonorablemanmust，aboveall，hecognizantofbenefits，andnotforsakethosewhohavesacrificedtheirhonorandlovetohim，andhaveprovedtheirfidelity。Haveyouunderstoodme，gentlemen?“

“Itwillbemyholydutytofollowstrictlyyourmajesty\'scommands，“saidBischofswerder。

“AndIalsowillstrivetopromotethewillofmyking，“assertedWoellner。

“Itwillbenecessarytodoso，oryoutwogentlemenmayfindyourselvesatSpandau。Iwouldsaytoyouonceforall，Iwillnotsufferanysects；everyonecanworshipGodinhisownway。Nooneshallhavethearrogantpresumptiontodeclarehimselfoneoftheelect。Weareallsinners。TheRosicruciansarenotbetterthantheIlluminatiorFreemasons，andnonearemoreworthythanthetailorandcobblerwhodoeshisduty。Adieu！“

Thekingnoddedquicklyandpointedtothedooroutofwhichthetwobrotherswereabouttodisappear，whenhecalledthemback。

“Iftheprinceisnotatthepalaceonyourreturn，Iadviseyounottopursuehim，butreflectthattheInvisiblesmayhavesummonedhimtoacommunionofspirits；Ibelieve，too，thatIkeptyouwaiting；

butwithoutdoubtyouwerecomfortedbytheFathers，whoboreyouawayupontheirwings，andgaveyoufoodanddrink！Thosewhoareprotectedbythespirits，andcansummonthematpleasure，canneverwant。Ifyouarehungry，callupthedepartedLucullus，thathemayprovideforyoutoeat；andifyouhavenoearthlyseat，summonSemiramisthatshemaysendyouherhanginggardensforthequietreposeoftheelect！Iamrejoicedthatyouhaveenjoyedsuchcelestialrefreshmentsinthecorridor。Adieu！“

Thekinggazedsadlyafterthem。ApproachingHerzberg，hesaid:“I

felt，asIlookedatthetworogues，thatitwasapitytogrowold。

DidyouthinkthatIwouldletthemoffsoeasily?“

“Sire，Ireallydonotunderstandyou，“repliedHerzberg，shrugginghisshoulders。“Iknownot，inyourmostactiveyouthfuldays，howyoucouldhavedoneotherwise。”

“Iwilltellyouthat，ifIwerenotanoldman，voidofdecisionandenergy，IwouldhavehadthesefellowstakentoSpandauforlife！“saidtheking，strikingthetablewithhisstaff。

“Yourmajestydoesyourselfinjustice，“saidHerzberg，smiling。“Youwereeverajustmonarchinyourmostardentyouth，andneversetasidethelaw。Thesemenwerenotguiltyofanypositivecrime。”

“Theyaredailyandhourlyguiltyofenticingawayfrommethecrownprince，andmakingthefuturerulerofmycountryanobscurer，anecromancer，andatthesametimealibertine！IwasobligedtooverlookhisyouthfulpreferenceforWilhelmineEnke，andwinkatthisamour，forIknowthatcrownprinceishuman，andhisaffectionsaretobeconsulted。Ifhecannotlovethewifewhichdiplomacychoosesforhim，thenhemustbepermittedthechosenoneofhishearttoconsolehimfortheforcedmarriage。Atthesametimethispersonwaspassable，andwithouttheusualfaultofsuchcreatures，adesiretoruleandmingleinpolitics。Sheseemstobeunambitiousandunpretentious。TheseRosicrucianswouldbanishherbyincreasingthenumberoffavorites，thattheymayrulehim，andmakethefutureKingofPrussiaacompletetoolintheirhands。Theyexcitehismind，whichisnottoowellbalanced，androbhimbytheirwitchcraftoftheintellectthathehas。Theypromisehimtofindthephilosopher\'sstone，andmakeafoolofhim。AmInotright?“

“Imustacknowledgethatyouare，“sighedHerzberg。

“Andadmitalsothatitwouldbejusttosendthesein，famousfellowsascriminalstoSpandau。”

“Sire，unfortunately，therearecrimesandoffenceswhichthelawdoesnotreach，andwhichcannotbejudged。”

“WhenIwasyoung，“saidtheking，“ItoreupandstampeduponeveryweedthatIfoundinmygarden。ShallInowletthesetwogrowandinfecttheair，becausethelawgivesmenorighttocrushthem?

FormerlyIwouldhavetornthemleaffromleaf，butnowIamoldanduseless，myhandisweak，andlacksthestrengthtouprootthem，thereforeIsufferthemtostand，andalltheotherabominablethingswhichtheseroguesbringtopass。Acloudisrising，fromwhichastormwillonedayburstoverPrussia；butIcannotdissipateit，forthelittlestrengthandbreaththatremainsIhaveneedofforthegovernment；and，moreover，Ihavenosuperfluoustimeforthefuture，butmustliveandworkonlyforthepresent。”

“Buttheblessingofyourexertionswillbefeltinthefuture。Thedeedsofagreatmanarenotextinguishedwithhisdeath，butshinelikeastar，disseminatinglightbeyondhisgrave！“

“ThislightisjustwhattheRosicrucianswilltakecaretoextinguishlikeatallowcandlewithtoolongawick，anditisgoodfortunethattheastronomershaveawardedmealittleglorificationintheheavens，andaccordedmeastar，fortheRosicrucianswouldnotletitshineherebelow。Imustconsolemyselfwiththis，andrecallthatwhenitisdarkandloweringhere，Ihaveastaraboveinthesky！“

“ThisstarisFrederick\'shonor，“criedHerzberg。“Itwillbeamuponfuturegenerations，andbecometheguidinglightofthesonsandnephewsofyourhouse，andtheywilllearntobeassagaciousandwiseastheGreatFrederick。”

“Thereyouhavemadeagreaterror，Herzberg，“repliedtheking，quickly。“Futuregenerationsarenewertaughtbythepast——

grandchildrenthinkthemselveswiserthantheirgrandparents。Thegreatestofheroesisforgotten，andhisdeedsburiedinthedustofages。Youhavegivenmeaglorioustitleofhonor，andIknowhowlittleIdeserveit。”

“Atitlewhichwillbeconfirmedincenturiestocome，foreveryhistorywillspeakofFredericktheSecondasFrederickGreat。”

“Inhistoryitmaybe，butthepeoplewillspeakofmeas\'OldFritz\'——thatwillbeonthelipsofthosewholoveme，andexpressionofendearment；onthelipsofthosewhohateme，oneofdisaffection。Iam，indeed，\'OldFritz，\'whichtheBischofswerdersandWoellnersalsocallme，andtrytomakethecrownprincebelievethatIhaveoutlivedmyperiod，anddonotunderstandoresteemthemoderntime。IntheireyesIamadismantledshipofstate，whichthestormsoflifehaverenderedunseaworthy。Theywouldrefitthevessel，andgiveitanewflag，sendingOldFritz，thehelmsman，tothedevil！Thedayofmydeaththeywillhoistthisflag，with\'ModernTime\'inscribeduponitinlargeletters。IshallthenbeunitedinElysiumwithVoltaire，Jordan，Suhm，andallmyotherfriends，aswewerewonttobeatSans-Souci，andlookdownwithapityingsmileupontheModernTimeandOldFolly！——Vale！“

CHAPTERXXXVII。

THEESPOUSALS。

BothBischofswerderandWoellnerhastenedtoavailthemselvesofthecommanding“adieu，“andquittheroyalpresence。Without，thecarriagewasreadytoreconveythemtothenewpalace。Theyweresoexhaustedthatneitherofthemutteredaword，thelastinjunctionsofthekingringingintheirears。

Silentlytheyalighteduponarriving，butasthefootmancameouttomeetthemtheyasked，simultaneously，ifhisroyalhighnesshaddined。

“Hishighnessisnothere，havingdepartedimmediatelyafterthetwogentlemen，andisnotyetreturned，“heanswered。

“Youmayserveussomethingtoeatasquicklyaspossibleinthelittledining-room。Letitbereadyinaquarterofanhour，“

commandedBischofswerder。

“Nowthatwearealone，whatdoyouthinkofthisaffair?“askedWoellner。

“IcannotvouchsafeareplyuntilIhaveeatenapheasant\'swing，anddrunkenmychampagne，“repliedBischofswerder。

Hekepthisword，preservingasolemnsilenceuntilagoodhalfofthebirdhaddisappeared，andmanyglassesoficedchampagne。

ThenBischofswerderleanedbackinhiscomfortablearmchairwithinfiniteease，whilsthisfriendoccupiedhimselfwiththemostpiouszealwiththepheasant，rejoicingatthisrevelationoftheInvisibles。Bischofswerderlethimenjoyit，andorderedthefootmantoservethedessertandwithdraw。

“NowIampreparedtoreplytoyou，mydearfriend，thatwearealone。IbelievethekingwouldhavesentustoSpandauatonceifwehadopposedhisfree-thinkingopinions。”

“Iamconvincedofit，“sighedWoellner，eyeingtheremainsofthebirdwithamelancholyglance。“Weshallhavemuchtoendurefortheholycausewhichweserve。”

“Thatistosay，wewillhavemuchtosufferifwe，infanaticalindiscretion，donotsubmittocircumstances，“saidBischofswerder。

“YoucannottraducethesublimeFathers！“criedWoellner；——“forthebody\'ssecurity，wecannotendangerthesalvationofoursouls，and，likePeter，denyourmaster。”

“No，mymuch-lovedandnoblefriend。Butwemustbewiseasserpents，andourdutytotheholyorderistopreserveitsusefultoolsthattheymaynotbelost。Youwillagreewithmeinthis?“

“Indeed，Idoadmitit，“repliedWollner，pathetically。

“Further，youwillacknowledgethatweareveryuseful，andImightsayindispensabletoolsoftheSublimeOrderoftheRosicruciansandtheInvisibleFathersoftheOrderofJesus?Itisourtasktosecureanabiding-placetotheproscribedand，cursed，toploughandsowthefield，whichwillyieldgoodfruitforhumanityentire，andparticularlyourorder，whenthecrownprinceascendsthethrone。Wewillhereerectakingdomofthefuture，anditisall-importanttolaysosecureacorner-stoneintheheartofhishighnessthatnothingcanshakeordislodgeit。Whocouldperfectthisworkifwewerenothere?Whowoulddaretoundertakethedifficulttaskifweshouldfail?Whowouldcarryonasecretandcontinuedwarfarewiththisartfulandpowerfulseductressifwewereconquered?“

“Noonewoulddoit，“sighedWoellner，“noonewouldsacrificethemselveslikeSamsonforthisDelilah。”

“WewilltogetherbetheSamson，“repliedBischofswerder，drawingaglassofsparklingchampagne。“WewillbetheSamsonwhichthePhilistinesdroveout，butthiswomanshallnotpractisetheartsofDelilahuponusinputtingoureyesoutorcuttingoffourhair。

AgainsttwoSamsonsthemostartfulandbeautifulDelilahisnotwaryenough；andifwecannotconquerher，wemustresorttoothermeans。”

“Whatmaytheybe，dearbrother?“

“Wemustcompromisethematter。”

Woellnersprangup，andaflushofangerorfromchampagneoverspreadhisface“Compromisewiththesinfulcreature！“hecried，impetuously。“Makepeacewiththeseductress，wholeadstheprincefromthepathofvirtue！“

“Yes，wemustbeonfriendlytermswiththiswoman，whocouldgreatlyinjureusasanenemy，andaidusinfinitelyasafriend。

Thisismyintention，andIamthemoreconvincedthatwemustacceptthismiddlecourse，assheisprotectedbytheking。”

“BecauseheknowsfromhisspiesthatshemingleswiththeIlluminatiandtheFreemasons，andthatsheisouropponent，“saidWoellner。

“Themorethereason，mynoblezealot，towinherfriendship，whowillhavevalidityandpoweruntilthecrownprincereigns，andthisoldgodlessfreethinkerofakingisinhisgravelThenPrussiawillcommenceanewera，andweshallbelords，andguidethemachineofstate。ForsuchloftyaimsoneoughttobereadytocompromisewithhisSatanicmajestyeven。Thenwhynotwiththislittleshe-devil，whosepowerisfadingeveryyearwithheryouthandbeauty?“

“Itisquitetrue，weshouldbemindfulofthedeviceofourInvisibleFathers。Theendsanctifiesthemeans，“sighedWoellner。

“Ibelieveittobeindispensable，andyouwillgrantthatIamright。Doyounotseethattheprincehasavailedhimselfofourabsencetogothere，andhasnotyetreturned?“

“What！“shriekedWoellner，claspinghishands——“youdonotmeanthat——“

“ThatRinaldohasreturnedtotheenchantedgardenofArmida。”

“Oh，letushastentoreleasehimatonce，andrevuehissoulfromperdition！“criedWoellner，springingup。

“Onthecontrary，letusawaithimherewithoutawordofreproachuponhisreturn。Thiswilltouchhistenderheartwhichwemustworkupon，ifwewouldgethimintoourpower，fortoushemustbelong。

Fillourglasseswiththesparklingwine，anddrinktothecontractwithWilhelmineEnke。”

Justasmerrilytheyquaffedthechampagneinthelittlecosydining-roomatCharlottenburg，wheretheprinceandWilhelminewererejoicingoverareconciliation，noonebeingpresentbutthetwochildren。Theirjoyouslaughandinnocentjestsdelightedthefather，andthebeamingeyes，sweetsmile，andwittyconversationofhisfavorite，filledhisheartwithpleasure。

Notawordofreproachescapedher，butexultantandjoyousshehastenedwithoutstretchedarmstomeethim，kissingawayallhisattemptstoimplorepardon，andthankinghimthathehadreturnedtoher。

AtfirsttheprincegavehimselfuptothejoyofthereunionwithhisbelovedWilhelminesadchildren；butnow，asthefirstoutbursthadpassed，thequiet，happydinnerbeingfinished，andtheyhadreturnedtothesitting-room，atingeofmelancholyearnestnessovershadowedhisamiableface。

Wilhelminethrewherarmsgentlyaroundhisneckasshesatbesidehimuponthedivan，andlookeduptohimwithatenderquestioningglance。“Yourthoughtsareveiled，dearest；willyounotconfidetomethatwhichliesconcealedthere?“

“Ah，Wilhelmine，itisamourningveil，andhidesthesorrowofrenunciation。”

“Idonotunderstandyou，Frederick，“shesmilinglyreplied。“Whocouldcompelyoutoanabnegationwhichwouldcauseyougrief?“

“Listentome，Wilhelmine，andunderstandthatIamsufferingfromcircumstances——anoathtakeninthepressureofthemoment。Trytocomprehendme，mydearchild。”

Drawingherclosertohim，hefaithfullyrelatedtoherthenightofthecommunionofthespirits，andhisconsequentoath。

“Isthatall，mydear?“shereplied，smiling，ashefinished。

“Whatdoyoumean?“heasked，astonished。

“NothingmorethanIwouldknowifyouhaveonlysworntorenounceWilhelmineEnke！“

“WhatcouldIhavedonemoreprejudicialtoyou?“hecried，notalittleirritated。

“Surelyyoucouldnotinjureorgrievememore，andthereforeIamnotalittlesurprisedthatthepiousFatherscouldsocarelesslywordtheiroaths。YouhavesworntorenounceyouraffectiontoandseparatefromWilhelmineEnke；soitfollowsthattheInvisiblesonlydemandthatyougiveupmyname，notmyself，andthatiseasilychanged，andmydearprincewillnotbecomeaperjurer。”

“Idonotquiteunderstandyou；butIperceivebythearchexpressionofyourfacethatyouhaveconceivedaluckyescapeforyourunhappyFrederickWilliam。Explaintome，dearest，yourmeaning。”

“Imustchangemynamebymarryingsomeone！“shewhispered。

“Marry！andIgiveyoutoanother?Iwillneverconsenttothat，“hecried，alarmed。

“Nottoahusband，onlyaname，“saidshe。“TheseRosicruciansaresuchextraordinarilyvirtuousandpurebeings，lovingyousoinfinitelyanddisinterestedly，thatitgrievesthemthatmyloveforyoudoesnotshunthelight，andthrowoveritselfthemantleofhypocriticalvirtue！WewillyieldtothezealouspurityoftheRosicrucians，“continuedWilhelmine，hereyessparkling，“andwrapthisWilhelmineEnkeinamantleofvirtuebygivingherahusband；

andthen，whenshewalksoutwithherchildrenthepassers-bywillnothavetoblushwithshame，andcry，\'Theregoesthemisswithherchildren！\'Ihaveconceivedandplannedduringthislongandpainfulseparation，andIamresolvedtosubmithumblytothepiousFathers，whoaresozealouslywatchfulforthesalvationofyoursoulandmygoodfame。”

“Thatistosay，youaredeterminedtosnapyourfingersatthem！

Yourplanisagoodone，butyouwillfindnoonetoaidyouinashammarriage！“

“Ihavealreadyfoundone，“whisperedWilhelmine，smiling。“YourvaletdechambreRietziswillingtostandwithmeinashammarriage。”

“Mybody-servant！“

“Yes，FrederickWilliam！YouwillconfessthatIamnotambitious，andonlyconsenttoittosecureourhappinessfromthepersecutionofthesevirtuousmen。Hereisthecontract，“saidshe，drawingfromherdress-pocketapaper，whichsheunfolded。“Hepromisestogivemehisname，andregardmeasastrangeralways，forthesumoffourhundredthalersannually，withthepromiseofpromotiontoconfidentialservantwhenthenoblecrownprinceshallascendthethrone。[Footnote:Historical——SeeFForster，“LatestPrussianHistory，“vol。1。，p。74]Willyousignit?“

“Iwilldoanythingthatwillgrantmeyouraffection，inspiteofmyunhappyoath。Givemethepaper。Iwillsignit。Whenisthewedding?“

“Themomentthatyou，mydearlordandmaster，haveinscribedyourname，“saidWilhelmine，handinghimthepen，andpointingtothepaper。

Theprincewrotethedesiredsignature，quicklythrowingthepenacrosstheroom，shouting，“LongliveWilhelmineRietz，whohasrescuedmefromperjuryandsin！Cometomyarms，outstretchedtopresstomyheartthemostbeautiful，mostintelligent，andmostdiplomaticofwomen！“

TwodayslateritwasrelatedinBerlinthatWilhelmineEnkehadmarriedtheprincelyvaletdechambreRietz，thecrownprincebeingpresentattheceremony，whichtookplaceatasmallvillagenearPotsdam。

Undertheheadofmarriages，theBerlinnewspapersannounced“WilhelmineEnketoCarlRietz。”

“Ah，myRosicrucians，“criedWilhelmine，laughingly，asshereadthisnotice，amischievoustriumphsparklinginhereyes；“ah，myheroesinvirtue，foronceyouareoutwitted，andIamvictorious！I

wouldliketowitnesstheirsurprise。Howtheywilllaughandswearoverit！Thefavoriteofaprincemarriedtoavaletdechambre！

Waituntiltheprincebecomesaking，thenWilhelmineRietzwilldevelopintoabeautifulbutterfly，andthewifeofthevaletdechambrewillbecomeacountess——nay，aprincess。TheGreatKophtahaspromisedit，andheshallkeephisword。Iwearhisring，whichsparklesandglistens，althoughthejewellerdeclaresthediamondhasbeenexchangedforafalsestone。Nomatter，ifitonlyshinesliketherealone。Everythingearthlyisdeception，falsehood，andglitter。Everyoneisstormingandpressingoninsavageeagernesstowardfortune，honor，andfame！Iwillhavemypartinit。Thestormandpressureoftheworldrageinmyownheart。Thefireofambitionislightedinmysoul，andtheinsatiablethirstforfortuneconsumesme。BlazeandburnuntilthedaythatFrederickWilliamascendsthethrone；thenthelow-borndaughterofthetrumpeterwillbecomethehigh-borncountess。ThefalsestonewillchangetothesparklingdiamondandCagliostroshallthenserveme。”

CHAPTERXXXVIII。

REVENGEFULFILLED。

Sincethesoireeatthehouseoftherichbanker，Ebenstreit，anentirewinterhadpassedinpleasuresandfetes。ThepositionofBaronEbenstreitvonLeuthenhadbeenrecognizedinaristocraticsociety，thankstohisdinners，soirees，balls，fetes，andparticularlytohislovely，spirited，andproudwife。HerrEbenstreitvonLeuthenhadreachedtheacmeofhisambition；hishousewastheresortofthemostdistinguishedsociety；theextravaganceandsuperbarrangementsofhisdinnersandfeteswerethethemeofeverytongue。Thisexcessiveadmirationflatteredthevain，ambitiousparvenuextremely，anditwasthehappiestdayofhislifewhenPrinceHenryofPrussia，brotherofFredericktheGreat，didhimtheunspeakablehonortodinewithhim。Thisgratifyingdayheowedtohiswife，and，ashesaid，itoughttobekeptasthegreatesttriumphofmoneyoverprejudiceandetiquette——

thedayuponwhicharoyalprincerecognizedtherichandnewly-

creatednobleashisequal。Ebenstreit\'sentranceintothehighestcircleofaristocracywasduetothemanagementandtoneoftheworldofhiswife，whounderstoodtheeleganciesoflife，passingasanexampleandidealofanelegantwoman，ofwhichherhusbandwasveryproud。Helaudedhisoriginalandcraftyideaofdevotinghismoneytosuchasatisfactorypurchaseasasensibleandladylikewife，althoughtheunionwasnotahappyone，and，intheproperacceptationoftheword，nomarriageatall。

Whilstallwereentertainedatthefetes，andenviedthesplendorandwealthofBaronvonEbenstreit，thereweremanysinisterremarksastothepossibilityofsustainingthisexpenditureuponsuchagrandscale。Itwaswhisperedaboutthatthebanking-house，conductedunderanothername，hadlostinextensivespeculations，andthatthebaronliveduponhisprincipalinsteadofhisinterest。

Thebusinesscommunitydeclaredthatthefirmenteredintothemostdaringandsenselessundertakings，andthatitmustgotoruin。Theoldbook-keeper，Splittgerber，whohadformanyyearsconductedthebusiness，hadbeenpensionedbythebaron，andcommencedforhimself。Hissuccessorhadonceventuredtowarnthenobleman，andrepresenttohimthedangerwhichthreatenedhim，forwhichhewasimmediatelydismissed，andthefactcommunicatedtotheentirehouse，ataspecialassemblageoftheclerksforthepurpose，withthewarningofalikefateforeverysubordinatewhoshouldpresumetocriticisetheactsoftheprincipals，orprofferadvicetothem。

Sincethisnoonehadventuredtorepeattheoffence，buteverymemberofthehouseoccupiedhimselfindrawingaprofitfromthegeneralanddailyincreasingconfusion，andsavesomethingfromthewreckwhichwouldinevitablyensue。Thebaron，withpretentiousunconcern，dazzledbyhisunusualhonors，permittedhisbusinessaffairstotaketheircoursewithsmilingunconcern，andwhenunsuccessful，tohidethemistakesofthebankerunderthepompofthebaron。

Marie，indulginginthestyleofagreatlady，appearednottonoticeortroubleherselfatallaboutthesethings。Sheentertainedmostluxuriantly，andspentenormoussumsuponhertoilet，changedthecostlyliveryofhernumerousretinueofservantseverymonth，aswellasthefurnitureofthedrawing-rooms；andpresentedwithgenerousliberalityhersuperfluousornaments，dresses，andfurnituretoherdearhigh-bornfriends，whogreedilyacceptedthem，andwereoverflowingintheirtenderprotestationsandgratitude，whilsttheyinsecretrevoltedatthepresumptionofthearrogantwoman，whopermittedherselftosendthemhercast-offthings。

Theyrejoicedtoreceivethem，however，andreappearedinhersplendiddrawing-rooms，enduringtheprideandneglectofthebaroness，andcallinghertheirdearfriend，whomtheyinsecretenviedandhated。

DidMarieknowthis，ordidsheletherselfbedeceivedbythesefriendlyprotestations?Occasionally，whenherfriendsembracedandkissedher，alanguidsmileflittedoverherhaughtyface；andonceasshewanderedthroughthesuiteofrooms，awaitingherguests，shecaughtthereflectionofabeautifulwomaninthecostlyVenetianmirrors，sparklingwithdiamondsandwearingasilver-embroidereddresswithatrain。Shegazedatthiswomanwithanexpressionofineffablescorn，andwhisperedtoher:“Sufferyetawhile，youshallsoonbereleased。Thismiserabletrashwilldisappear。Onlybefirm——

Ihearalreadythecrackingofthehousewhichwillsoonfallawreckatyourfeet！“

Othershearditalso。Aspreparationswerebeingmadeforagranddinner，withwhichtheBaronandBaronessvonEbenstreitwouldclosetheseason，theformerheadbookkeeperofthebaronappearedatthepalace，demanding，withanxiousmien，toseetheprincipal。

Justatthemomentthebaronandhiswifewereinthelargereception-room，whichthedecoratorwassplendidlyarranging，underthedirectionofthebaroness，withflowers，festoons，columns，andstatues。Ebenstreitwaswatchingadmiringlythetastefulandcostlydisplayasthefootmanannouncedtheformerbook-keeperandpresentbanker，Splittgerber。

“Hemustcomeatanothertime，“criedEbenstreit，impatiently，“Iambusynow；I——“

“Excuseme，baron，“repliedanearnest，gentlevoicebehindhim，“thatIhavefollowedthelackeyandenteredunbidden。Icomeonurgentbusiness，andImustindeedspeakwithyouinstantly！“

“Bebriefthen，atleast，“criedEbenstreit，peevishly。“Youseethatmywifeishere，andweareverybusyarrangingforagranddinnerto-day。”

HerrSplittgerber，insteadofreplying，castapeculiarlysad，searchingglancethroughthebeautifully-adornedroom，andatthetwolackeys，whostoodoneachsideofthewidefolding-doors。

“Permitthattheseservantswithdraw，andorderthemtoclosethedoors，“saidthebook-keeper，almostcommandingly。Ebenstreit，overruledbythesolemnearnestness，obeyedagainsthiswill。

“Wouldyoulikemetoleavealso，sir?“saidMarie，withacalm，haughtymanner。“Youhaveonlytoaskitandthebaronwill，undoubtedly，accordyourrequest。”

“Onthecontrary，Ibegyoutoremain，“quietlyrepliedSplittgerber，“forwhatIhavetosayconcernsyouandyourhusbandequally。”

“Now，then，Ibegyoutosayitquickly，“criedEbenstreit，impatiently；“Irepeat，thatweareverybusywithpreparingforto-

day\'sfestival。”

“Youwillnotgiveanyfeteto-day，“saidSplittgerber，solemnly。

Ebenstreit，cringingandfrightened，gazedattheoldmanwholookedsadlyathim。

Thebaronesslaughedaloud，sneeringly。“Mydearsir，yourtoneandmannerremindmeofthewickedspiritatthehorriblemomentinthestorywhenbecomestodemandthebarteredsoul，andtheenchantedcastlefallsawreck！“

“Yourcomparisonisanaptone，baroness，“sighedtheoldman——“I

cametoyou，baron，becauseIlovedyourfather。Ihaveservedyourhousethirtyyears，andamassedthelittleIhadtocommencebusinesswithinyourservice。Moreover，whenyousosuddenlydismissedme，younotonlygavememysalaryasapension，butyoufundedtheannuitywithaconsiderablesum，whichmakesme，throughyourhouse，independentinmeans。”

“Youmaythankmywifeforthat。Shedemanded，whenIdismissedyou，thatIshouldcompensateyouwiththeliberalityofatruenobleman。”

“Oh，wouldthatyouhadnotdoneit，baroness！“criedSplittgerber——

“wouldthatyouhadpermittedtheoldfaithfulpioneerinthebusinesstoremainbyyourhusband！Hemighthavewardedoffthismisfortuneandsavedyoubyhisexperienceandadvice。”

“ForthisveryreasonIdemandedyourremoval。YoupermittedyourselftoprofferadvicewhichIfeltdidnotbecomeyou，“repliedMarie，withastrangesmileoftriumph。

“And，Irepeat，wouldthatyouhadnotdoneit！“sighedtheoldman。

“Icametowarnyou，toconjureyou，tosaveyourselves——tofleewhilethereisyettime。”

“Oh，mercy！whathashappened?“criedEbenstreit，terrified。

“Thebanking-houseofEbenstreit，foundedunderthenameofLudwig，associatedwithEhlertofAmsterdam，fourmonthssince，tobuyandloadshipsfortheCalcuttamarket。HerrEbenstreitgatheredtogetherthelastwrecksofhisfortuneremainingfromhisruinousspeculations，towinenormouslyinthisinvestment。Besides，heindorsedthenotesoftheAmsterdamhouseforthesumofeightythousanddollars，whichhasbeendrawn，sothattheirnotesareprotestedthere。HerrEbenstreitwillhavetopaythissum！“

“Whatelse?“askedEbenstreit，almostbreathless。

“ThehouseofEhlert，inAmsterdam，hasfailed；theprincipalhasfledwiththecoffers；thenotesforeightythousanddollarswereprotested，andyou，baron，mustpaythissumto-day，ordeclareyourselfabankrupt，andgotoprisonfordebt。”

Instantaneouslyasuppressedcryandalaughwereheard。Ebenstreitsankuponaseat，concealinghispallidfacewithhishands，whileMariestoodathisside，herfacebeamingwithjoy。

“Iamlost，Idonotpossesstheeighthpartofthatsum！Icannotpayit。Imustsubmit，fortherearenofurthermeanstopreventit。”

“No，“repliedMarie，withhaughtytranquillity，“youhavenofurthermeanstopreventit。TherichbankerEbenstreitwillleavethishouse，nolongerhisown，toenterthedebtor\'sprisonpoorasabeggar——nay，worse，adefrauder！“

“Oh，howcruelyouare！“groanedEbenstreit。

“Didyousay，baroness，thatthishouseisnolongerhis?“askedSplittgerber，alarmed。

“No，“shetriumphantlycried。“Itbelongstome，andallthatisinit——thepictures，statues，silver，diamonds，andpearls。Oh，Iamstillarichwoman！“

“Anddoyoumeantoretainthiswealthifyourhusbandbecomesbankrupt?Doyounotpossessacommoninterest?“askedSplittgerber。

“No，thankHeaven，thecommunityofinterestwasgivenupayearsince，“criedEbenstreit，joyfully。“BaronessvonEbenstreitisthelawfulpossessorofthishouseandfurniture。Iwasnotsoindiscreetasyousupposed。Ihaveatleastsecuredthistomywife，andshewillbearichwomanevenifIfail，andwillnotletmestarve。Ishalldivideabouttenpercentwithmycreditors，butmywifewillberichenoughforusboth。”

“Thisgivesmetounderstandthatyouintendtomakeafraudulentbankruptcy。Youhavesettledeverythinguponyourwifetosaveyourselffromtheunhappyconsequencesofyourfailure。Youwillstillbearichmanifyourwifeshouldsellherhouse，worksofart，diamonds，goldandsilverservice，andequipages。”

“Yes，indeed，averyrichman，“saidMarie。“InthelastfewweeksI

havehadmypropertyestimated，anditwouldatleastbringthreehundredthousanddollars。”

“Ifthebarononlypossessedthis，hecouldpayhiscreditors，andhaveasmallamountover，sufficienttoliveuponeconomicallyandgenteelly。Butyouwouldratherenjoysplendor，andarenotparticularaboutlivinghonorably。Youwillundoubtedlysellyourproperty，andgotoParis，torevelinluxuryandpleasure，whileyourdefraudedcreditorsmay，throughyoucometopovertyandwant——

Baron，Inowseethatyourwifedidwelltobringaboutmyremoval。

Ishouldhave，aboveallthings，givenyoutheunwelcomeadvicetosustainyourhonorunblemished，anddisposeofyourcostlysurroundingsforthebenefitofyourcreditors，thatwhenyoudieitmaybewithaclearconscience。Youpreferalifeofluxuryandease，rockingyourconsciencetosleepuntilGodwillrouseittoafearfulawaking。Butdoasyoulike。Icameheretoofferyouassistance，thinkingthatyouwoulddisposeofthisproperty，andafterpayingyourcreditorshavesufficienttoliveupon。ThenI

couldbepermittedtoprovemyfidelitytoyou。InowseethatIwasafool。YetinpartingIwillstillbegofyoutoavoidtheunfavorableimpressionofthisdinner。Thebillofexchangewillbepresentedatfouro\'clock，andthebearerwillnotbesatisfiedwiththeexcuseofyournon-paymentonaccountofdinner-company。Youwillbeobligedtosettleatonceorbearrested。Ihavelearnedthisfromyourchiefcreditor，andIbeggedhimtohaveforbearanceforyou。Ishallnowjustifyhiminshowingyounone，asyoudonotdeserveit！——Farewell！“

Theoldbook-keeperturnedwithaslightnod，andstrodeawaythroughthedrawing-room。

“Haveyounothingtosaytohim?Willyoulethimgothus?“askedMarie，impetuously。

“Nothingatall。WhatshouldIsay?“hereplied，shrugginghisshoulders。

“ThenIwillspeakwithhim。”MariecalledloudlyafterSplittgerber，saying，“Ihaveawordtospeaktoyou。”

Thebook-keeperremainedstandingnearthedoor，andturningwithdowncastface，demandedofMariewhatshewished。

“Ihavesomethingtotellyou，“shereplied，withherusualtranquil，prouddemeanor，approachingSplittgerber，whoregardedherwithseverityandcontempt，whichshemetwithagentle，friendlyexpression，asweetsmilehoveringonherlips。

Mariecamecloseuptotheoldman，whoawaitedherwithhaughtydefiance，andneveradvancedonesteptomeether——aladysplendidlybedeckedwithdiamondsandgold-embroideredsatin。Shewhisperedafewwordsinhisear。Hestarted，and，astonished，lookedintoherface，asifquestioningwhatheheard。Shenodded，smiling，andbentagaintosayafewwords。

SuddenlySplittgerberseemedmetamorphosed。Hisgloomyfacebrightenedalittle，andhisinsolentglancewaschangedtooneofdeepemotion，Bowingprofoundlyasheheldthebaroness\'sprofferedhandtotakeleave，hepresseditmostrespectfullytohislips。

“Youwillreturninanhour?“Marieasked。

“Yes；Ishallseekthegentlemen，andbringthemwithme，“hegraciouslyreplied。

“Thanks；Iwillthenawaityou。”

Splittgerberdeparted，andMariereturnedtoEbenstreitwho，amazed，mutteredsomeunintelligiblewords，havinglistenedtohermysteriousconversationwiththeoldbook-keeper。

“Nowtoyou，sir！“saidshe，herwholetoneandmannerchangingtoharshcommand；“thehourforsettlingouraccountshasarrived——thehourthatIhaveawaited，purchasingitbyfouryearsoftorture，self-contempt，anddespair。Thiscomedyisatanend。Iwillbuyofyoumyfreedom。Doyouhearme?Iwillcastoffthesegalley-chains。

Iwillbefree！“

“Oh，Marie！“hecried，retreatinginterror，“withwhatfearfuldetestationyouregardme！“

“Doyouwonderatit?HaveIeverconcealedthishatefromyou，orevergivenyouhopetobelievethatareconciliationwouldbepossiblebetweenus?“

“No，trulyyouhavenot，butnowyouwillforgiveme，foryouknowhowIloveyou，andhaveprovidedforyourfuture。Youwillremainrich，andIshallbepoor。”

Marieregardedhimwithunspeakablecontempt。“YouaremoredespicablethanIthoughtyouwere。Youdonotdeserveforbearanceorpity，foryouareadishonorablebankrupt，whocaresnothowmuchothersmaysuffer，providedhisfutureissecured。Iwillnot，however，sufferthenamewhichIhaveborneagainstmywill，tobedefamedandbecomeamarkforscorn。Iwillcompelyoutoremainanhonestman，andbejusttoyourcreditors。Iproposetopaythebillsofexchange，whichwillbepresentedtoyouto-day，providedyouwillconsenttomyconditions。”

“Oh，Marie，youareanangel！“hecried，rushingtowardherandkneelingatherfeet，“Iwilldoallthatyouwish，andconsenttoeverythingyoupropose。”

“Willyouswearit?“shecoldlyreplied。

“IswearthatIacceptyourconditions。”

“Bringthewriting-materialsfromthewindow-niche，andseatyourselfbythistable。”

Ebenstreitbroughtthem，andseatedhimselfbytheFlorentinemosaictable，nearwhichMariewasstanding。

Shedrewfromherpocketapaper，whichsheunfoldedandplacedbeforehimtosign。“Signthiswithyourfullname，andadd，\'Withmyownfreewillandconsent，\'“shecommandinglyorderedhim。

“Butyouwillfirstmakeknowntomethecontents?“

“Youhavesworntosignit，“shesaid，“andunlessyouacceptmyconditions，youarewelcometobeincarceratedforlifeinthedebtor\'sprison。Youhaveonlytochoose。Ifyoudecideinthenegative，Iwillexertmyselfthatyourcreditorsdonotfreeyou。I

shouldtrustinthejusticeofGodhavingsentyouthere，andthatmaninmiserablepityshouldnotactagainstHiswillinfreeingyou。Nowdecide；willyousignthepaper，orgotoprisonasadishonorablebankrupt?“

Hehastilyseizedthepenandwrotehisname，handingthepapertoMarie，sighing。

“Youhaveforgottentoaddtheclause，\'Withmyownfreewillandconsent，\'“shereplied，hastilyglancingatit，lettingthepaperdroplikeawiltedleaf，andhereyesflashingwithscorn。

Ebenstreitsawit，andasheagainhandedherthepaper，heexclaimed，“Ireadinyoureyestheintensehateyoubearme。”

“Yes，“shereplied，composedly，“notonlyhate，butscorn。Hush！noresponse。YouknewitlongbeforeIwasforcedtostandatthealtarwithyou。Iwarnedyounottouniteyourselftome，andyouhadtheimpiousaudacitytodefymewithyourriches。Theseedofhatewhichyouthensowed，youmayto-dayreapthefruitsof。Youshallrecognizenowthatmoneyismiserabletrash，andthatwhendeprivedofityouwillneverwinsympathyfromyourso-calledfriends，buttheywillturnfromyouwithcontempt，whenyoucravetheirpityoraid。”

“Ithinkthatyouexaggerate，dearest，“saidEbenstreit，fawningly。

“Youhavemanydevotedfriendsamongtheladies，andIcanwellsaythatIhavefound，amongthedistinguishedgentlemenwhovisitourhouse，manynoble，excellentoneswhohavemetmewithawarmthoffriendship——“

“Becausetheywouldborrowmoneyoftherichman，“interruptedMarie。

“Ofcoursemycoffershavealwaysbeenaccessibletomydearfriends，andIprizedthehonorofprovingmyfriendshipbymydeeds。”

“Youwillrealizeto-dayhowtheyprovetheirgratitudetoyouforit。Go，receivethegoodfriendswhomyouhaveinvited。Itistimethattheywerehere，andIperceivethecarriagesareapproaching，“

Mariemotionedtothedoor，withadictatorialwaveofherhand，andEbenstreitbetookhimselftothereception-room。Justashecrossedthethreshold，theusherannounced“HerrGedicke！Ebenstreitgreetedhimhastilyinpassing，andtheoldmanwentontomeetthebaroness，whowashasteningtowardhim。

“Youhavemostgraciouslyinvitedmetoyourhouseto-day，andyouwillexcusemethatmyearnestwishtoseeyouhasbroughtmeearlierthananyotherguest。”

“Ibeggedyoutocomeaquarterofanhoursooner，forIwouldgladlyspeakwithyoualoneafewmoments，“

“Ithoughtso，andhasteneduphere。”

“DidnotmyoldTrudegotoseeyousomedayssince?“askedMarie，timidly。

“Shedid，andyoucanwellunderstandthatIwasmuchaffectedandsurprisedathervisit。Ithoughtthatyouhadforgottenme，baroness，andthateverysouvenirofthepasthadfledfromyourmemory。Inowseethatyournoble，faithfulheartcanneverforget，andthereforehasneverceasedtosuffer，whichIoughttoregret，foryoursake，butformyownitpleasedmetoreceiveyourkindgreeting。”

Mariepressedherhandtohereyesandsighedaudibly。“Praydonotspeaksogentlytome——itenervatesme，andIwouldforcemyselftoendureto-day。Onlytellme，didTrudecommunicatetoyoumywishes，andwillitbepossibleforyoutofulfilthem?“

“Yourbrave，goodfriendbroughtmeathousanddollars，prayingmetoconveythistoHerrMoritzinordertodefraytheexpensesofajourneytoItaly。”

“Haveyouaccomplishedit，andinsuchamannerthathedoesnotsuspectthesourcefromwhenceitcame?Hewouldnotreceiveitifhehadtheleastsuspicionofit。IhaveseenhimsecretlyseveraltimesashepassedtoandfrofromtheGymnasium，andheappearedtometogrowpalerandmorelanguideveryday。”

“Itistruethatsinceyouhavecomebackhehaschanged。Theoldmelancholyseemstohavereturned。”

“Heneedsdistraction；hemustgoawayandforgetme。IthasalwaysbeenhisearnestwishtotravelinItaly。Youmusttellhimthatyouhavesucceededingettingthemoneyforhim。”

“IbethoughtmyselfofMoritz\'spublisher，representedtohimhownecessaryitwasforthehealthofProfessorMoritztotravel，beggedofhimtoorderaworkuponItaly，andparticularlytheworksofartofRome，andproposetoMoritztheacceptanceofthemoneyforthatobject，ashewasquitetooproudtoreceiveitasapresent。”

“Thatwasanexcellentidea，“criedMarie。“Hasitbeenaccomplished?“

“Yes，asHerrMaurermadetheproposal，andMoritzreplied，sighing，thathehadnotthemeansforsuchajourney，thepublisherimmediatelyofferedhimhalfoftheremunerationinadvance；

consequentlyhestartsto-morrowforItaly，unknowingofthethousanddollarsbeingyourgift。”[Footnote:Thiswork，whichwaspublishedafterhisreturn，stillexcitesthehighestinterest，andisentitled“TravelsofaGermaninItalyduring1786and1787——

LettersofPhilipCarlMoritz，“8vols。，Berlin，publishedbyFrederickMaurer。]

“HowmuchIthankyou！“shejoyfullycried。“Moritzissaved；hewillnowrecover，andforgetallhisgriefinstudyingtheobjectsofinterestintheEternalCity。”

“Doyoureallybelievethat?“askedHerrGedicke。“WereyounotalsoinItaly?“

“Iwasindeedtheretwoyears，butitwasverydifferentwithme。Itisdifficulttoforgetyouareaslave，whenlisteningallthewhiletotheclankingofyourchains。”

“Mypoorchild，Ireadwithsorrowthehistoryofthepastyearsinyourgrief-strickenface。Itisthefirsttimewehavemetsinceyourmarriage。”

“Seewhattheseyearshavemadeofme！——amiserablewife，whomtheworldesteems，butwhorecoilsfromherself。Myhearthaschangedtostone，andIfeelmetamorphosed。Thesightofyourecallsthatfearfulhour，meltingmyheartandcausingthetearstoflow。Atthattimeyoublessedme，myfriendandfather。Oh，grantmeyourblessingagaininthishourofsorrow！Iimploreyouforit，beforeanimportantdecision！Ilongforthesympathyofanoblesoul！“

“Iknownot，mychild，withwhatgriefthishourmaybeladenforyou；butIlaymyhandagainuponyourhead，imploringGodinHisdivinemercytosustainyou！“

“CountessvonMoltkeandFrauvonMorien！“announcedtheusher。Inbrillianttoiletstheladiesrustledin，hasteningtowardthebaroness，whohadnowregainedherwontedcomposure，andreceivedtheminherusualstatelymanner。

“Howperfectlycharmingyoulookto-night！“criedCountessMoltke。

“Tomeyouareevertheimpersonationofthegoddessofwealthandbeautystrewingeverywherewithlavishgenerosityyourgifts，andturningeverythingtogoldwithyourtouch。”

“Butwhosehearthasremainedtenderandgentle，“addedFrauvonMorien——“Youareindeedagoddess，alwaysenhancingthepleasuresofothers。To-dayIwearthebeautifulbraceletwhichyousentmebecauseIadmiredit。”

“AndI，matoutebelle，“criedthecountess，“haveadornedmyselfwiththissuperbgoldbrocadewhichyousokindlyhadsentfromParisforme。”

“Youhaveforgotten，countess，thatyoubeggedofmetogivetheorderforyou。”

“Ah，thatistrue！ThenIamyourdebtor。”

“Ifyouarenottooproudtoreceiveitasapresent?“

“Oh，mostcertainlynot；onthecontrary，Ithankyou，mydear——

Tellme，mydearMorien，isnotthiswomananangel?“

AtthisinstanttheFrenchambassador，MarquisTreves，appearedamongthenumerousguests，whomthebaronesssteppedquicklyforwardtowelcome，withdrawingwithhimintothewindow-niche。

“Welcome，marquis，“shesaid，quickly，inalowvoice，“Haveyoubroughtmethepromisedpapers?“

Drawingasealedpacketfromhiscoat-pocket，hehandedittothebaronesswithalowbow，saying:“Iwoulddrawyourattentiontothefactoncemore，dearmadam，thatIhaveabidedbythepricenamedbyyourself，inmakingthissale，althoughIamstilloftheopinionthatitisbelowitsvalue。”

“Thesumissufficientformywants，andIrateditsvalueaccordingasitistaxed。”

“Thereareahundredthousanddollarsinbillsofexchange，payableattheFrenchembassyatanymoment，“saidthemarquis。

“Ithankyou，sir，forthisproofoffriendlyattention；andasitmaybethelasttimewemeet，IwouldassureyouthatIshallalwaysrememberyourmanyandthoughtfulkindnesses。”

“Youspeak，baroness，asifyouwouldforsakethecircleofwhichyouarethebrightestornament。”

“No，thefriendswillforsakeme，“shereplied，withapeculiarsmile。“Ereanhourshallpassnotoneofallthesenumerousguestswillremainhere——Ah，therecomesthedecision！Seethere，marquis！“

Theusherannounced“BankerSplittgerber。”Theoldmanenteredfollowedbytwomenofnotverypresentableappearance，andwhosetoiletwasbutlittleinkeepingwiththebrilliantly-decoratedroomandthearistocraticguests。

Neverheedingthesneersnorcontemptuoussmiles，thefaithfulbook-

keeperwoundhisway，throughthecrowdofelegantlydressedladiesandgentlemen，accompaniedbythetwomen，uptoEbenstreit，who，withinstinctivepoliteness，hadplacedhimselfnearMarie。

“Gentlemen，“saidSplittgerber，inaloudvoice，“thisisBaronEbenstreitvonLeuthen，principalofthebanking-houseLudwig。”

Thetwogentlemenapproached，oneofthemsaying，“Theysentusherefromyouroffice。”

“Thisisnottheplaceforbusiness，“repliedEbenstreit。“Followme！“

“No，gentlemen，remainhere，“criedMarie。“Ourguestspresentaresuchintimate，devotedfriendsthatwehavenothingtoconcealfromthem；butonthecontrary，Iamconvincedtheywillonlybetoohappyoftheoccasiontoprovetheirfriendship，ofwhichtheyhavesooftenassuredus——Thesegentlemendemandthepaymentofabillofexchangeforeightythousanddollars。Takemyportfolio，Ebenstreit；thereisapencilinit。Goaroundandmakeacollection；undoubtedlytheentiresumwillbesoonnoteddown。”

EbenstreitapproachedtheBaronvonFrankenstein，saying:“PardonmeifIrecalltoyourmemorythesumofonethousandlouisd\'ors，dueforfourblackhorsesthreemonthssince。”

“Mydearsir，“criedthebaron，“thisisastrangemannertocollectone\'sdebts。Wewereinvitedtoafeast，andapistolispointedatus，demandingourdebtstobecancelled！“

“Howstrange！Howridiculous！“heardonehereandthereamongtheguests，asthey，withoneaccord，pressedtowardthedoortomaketheirexit，whichtheyfoundfastened。

“Remain，“criedMarie，withstatelydignity。“Iwishyouhonoredgueststobewitnessofthissceneinthehourofjustification，asyouwerealsopresentattheonewhenoneofthenoblestandbestofmencursedme——BankerSplittgerber，takethesebillsofexchangeforonehundredthousanddollars。Paythesegentlemen，anddevotetheremaindertotheotherdebtsasfarasitwillgo。”

Asthethreemenwithdrewbyaside-drier，Marieexclaimed:“IwillnowexplaintoyouthatBaronvonLeuthenisruined——poorasabeggarwhenhewillnotwork。”

“Marie，“criedEbenstreit，terrified，rushingtowardher，andseizingherbythearm。“Marie——“

Shethrewoffhishandfromherinanger。“Donottouchme，sir，anddonotpresumeeithertoaddressmewithanyendearments。Youhaveyourselfsaidthatourmarriagewasnotaveritableone，butwasliketheunionofassociatesinbusiness，andnowIwouldinformyouitisdissolved:theoneisabankrupt；theotherawomanwhomyoucursed，andwhoreclaimsofyoufouryearsofshameanddegradation。

Youwonderatmyspeakingthus，butyoudonotknowthisman，myfriends。”

Asshespoke，adooropenedatthefartherendoftheroom，andTrudeenteredinhersimpledress，followedbyPhilipMoritz。

Unobservedthetwoglidedbehindthecharminggrottowhichhadbeenarrangedwithflowersandwreathsinoneoftheniches。Everyeyewasturneduponthepale，statelybeauty，erectinthecentreoftheroom。

“Stayhere，fornoonecanseeus，“whisperedTrude。“IcouldnotbeartohaveyouleaveBerlinwithouthearingthejustificationofmydearMarie，andmayGodpardonmeforlettingyoucomehereunbeknowntoher！Listen，andpraytoHimtoforgiveyouthegreatinjusticethatyouhavedoneher。Bequiet，thatnoonemayseeyou，andMariebeangrywithheroldTrude。”

“Yes，“continuedMarie，withchillingcontempt，“youshouldknowthismanbeforewhomyouhaveallbowed，pressedthehand，andcalledyourfriend，becausehewasrich，and，thankstohiswealthalone，becameatitledman——abaron，buyingthehandofapoorbutnoblemaiden，whomheknewdespisedhim，andpassionatelylovedanother，havingsworneternalconstancytohim。Iamthatyounggirl。Ibegged，nayimploredhim，nottopursueme，buthewasvoidofpity，mockedmytears，andsaidhecouldbuymylove，andmyheartwouldatlastbetouchedbytheinfluenceofhiswealth。I

shouldhavepreferredtodie，butFateorderedthattheoneIloved，bymyfault，shouldbyimprisonmentatoneourbriefdreamofbliss。

Icouldonlysavehimbyacceptingthisman；theseweretheconditions。Ibecamehiswifebeforetheworld，andtookmyoathinhispresencetorevengemyself，andafterfouryearsIshallaccomplishit。Ihavespenthismoney，andoftherichmanmadeabeggar。Godbepraised，Icannowrevengemyselfinfreeingmyself！“

“Freeyourself?Itisnottrue！Youaremywifestill，“repliedEbenstreit，alarmed。

AradiantsmileflittedoverMarie\'sfaceasshedefiedEbenstreitwiththelawoftheGreatFrederick，whohaddecidedthateveryunhappycouplewithoutoffspringcouldseparatebytheirownfreewillandconsent，havingsignedapapertothateffect。

“Isthatthepaperwhichyouhavemademesign?“criedEbenstreit，alarmed。

“Yes，drawnupbymynotary，andbothofournamesaresignedtoit。”

“Itisafraud！“criedEbenstreit。“Iwillprotestagainstit。”

“Doit，andyouwillfinditavaineffort。Ipromisedtopayyourdebtifyouwouldputyournametothedocumentthenplacedbeforeyou，whichyoudid。AsktheMarquisTreveshowIpaidyourdebts:hewillansweryouthathehasgivenmethemoney。”

“Ihadthehonortopaytothebaronessonehundredthousanddollars，assherightlyinformsyou。”

“Yes，“continuedMarie，“themarquisisthepresentpossessorofthishouseandallthatitcontains——furniture，statues，andpictures；alsotheequipagesandsilver。TomymotherIsentmydiamonds，costlylaces，anddresses，toindemnifyherfortheannuitywhichHerrvonEbenstreitsettleduponheraspurchase-moneywhichhecannotpay，nowthatheisruined。”

“Marquis，“criedEbenstreit，palewithanger，“haveyoureallyboughtthishouseanditscontents?“

“Ihavedoneso，andtheonehundredthousanddollarsthebaronesshaspaidovertoHerrSplittgerber。”

“Oh！Iamruined，“groanedEbenstreit——“Iamlost！“and，coveringhisfacewithhishands，herushedfromtheroom。

Mariegazedathimwithasadexpression，saying:“Ladiesandgentlemen，younowknowtowhomthishousebelongs。YoucannolongersaythatIamthedaughterwhomthelateGeneralvonLeuthensoldtoarichman。Iamfree！“

Atthismomentaside-dooropened，andFrauvonLeuthenwasheardsayingtooldTrude:“Letmein！itisinvaintoholdmeback。I

willhaveanexplanationfrommydaughter，andlearnwhatallthismeans。”Asshepushedherselfintotheroom，sheexclaimed:“Ah，itisafeteday！Thereisthebaronessinallhergloryandsplendor。

Sheisnotcrazed，asIfearedthismorning，whenshesentmeallherornamentsandfinedressesandlaces，withanote，sealedwithblack，inscribeduponit，\'WillOftheBaronessEbenstreitvonLeuthen。\'Iopenedit，andread:\'Igivetomymothermypreciousornaments，laces，anddresses，tosecuretoherthepensionwhichshehaslost——Marie。\'Icameheretolearnifmydaughterweredead，andwhattheconclusionofthislostpensionmaybe，andI

find——“

“YoufindtheconfirmationofallthatIwrotetoyou，“repliedMarie，coldly。“BaronEbenstreitvonLeuthenisruined。Ihavesecuredtoyou，inthesumwhichmyjewelsandlaceswillbringyou，theannuity，sothatyouhavenotlostthemoneypromisedyouforyourdaughter，andthemarriageyouhavearrangedhasatleastbornegoodfruittoyou。”

“Youareacruel，ungratefulchild，“criedthemother。“Ihavelongknownit，andrejectedyoufrommyheart，andfromallshameIwillyetprotectthenameyoubear。IhavejustseenasignintheFriedrich-strasse，\'FlowermanufactoryofMarievonLeuthen。\'Whatdoesthismean?Terrified，Istaredspeechlessatthesefearfulwords，andatthebusyworkmenpreparingthehouse。”

“Iwillexplainittoyou，“criedMarie，withradiantmien。“Ihaveagainbecometheflower-maker，andbegyourfavor，CountessvonMoltke，FrauvonMorien，andalltheotherladies。Iamfree，andnolongerthewifeofahatedhusband——nolongerthedistinguishedandwealthywoman。Alldelusionandmockeryhavevanished。ThecostlydressandjewelsthatInowwearIwillcastoffrommeasthelastsouvenirofthepast。”

Unclaspingthediamondnecklaceandbracelets，shehandedthemtohermother，saying:“Takethem，andalsothisdress，thelastfineryIpossess。”Sheunloosedtheband，andthelongwhitesatintrainfellatherfeet。Emergingfromitasfromasilverycloud，shestoodbeforetheminasimplewhitedress，asshewasclothedinhergirlhood。“Takethemall，“shejoyfullycried。“Takethem，mother，itisallpast。Iamnowmyselfagain。Farewell，witnessesofthisscene！Inowquityourcircle；andyou，mymother，Iforgiveyou；

maythethoughtsofyourunhappychildnevertroubleyou，wakingorsleeping；mayyouforgetthatyourdaughterlives，andiswretched。

Revengehasnotsoftenedmygrief，orremovedyourcursefrommyhead！“

“Iwillliftitoffyourbrow，Marie！“criedMoritz，suddenlyappearingfromthewindow-niche，withbeamingfaceandoutstretchedarms，approachingMarie，whomsurprisedandalarmed，retreated。“Oh，noble，courageouswoman，forgivemethatIhavebeenanunbiddenwitnesstothisscene，thoughbythismeansInowclearlyrecognizeyourstrengthofmind，andelevationofsoul，andthewrongthatI

havecommittedindoubtingandcursingyouduringthesefouryearsofgloomanddespair。Ibowbeforeyou，Marie，andimploreyou，uponmyknees，toforgivemeallthecruel，harshwordsthatIhaveuttered——thatIhavedaredasawretchedfooltodoubtyouinthislongnightofdespair。Thedayisdawningagainuponus；anewsunwillyetcheeruswithitsrays。Donotturnfromme，butlookatme，andgrantmeforgiveness——Mydearfriendandfather，speakforme，foryouknowwhatIhavesuffered。Begofhertoforgiveme。”

“Marie，“saidthevenerableoldman，approachingher，gentlyputtinghisarmaroundher，“Godhaswilledthatyou，mypoor，long-triedchild，shouldpassthroughaseasonofextremesorrow。Youarenowreleased，andallthatbelongedtoyouhasvanished！“

Ashespoke，hesignedtothegueststowithdraw。Manyhadalreadyescapedthepainfulscenebytheside-door。Mariewasnowaloneinthemagnificentapartment，withHerrGedickeandMoritz。Shestillstood，withconcealedface，inthecentreoftheroom。

“Oh，Marie，“imploredMoritz，“hidenotyourdearfacefromme！Readinminethedeepgriefofthepastandtheblissofthefuture。I

thankGodthatthisunnaturalunionissevered，andthatyouarefree。Becourageoustotheend！“Moritzimpetuouslydrewherhandaway，revealinghertearfulcountenance，asherheadsank。uponhisshoulder。“Canyounotforgiveme，Marie?“hecried，withdeepemotion。“Wehavebothwanderedthroughawasteofgrief，andnowapproachliferadiantwithhappiness。Oh，speaktome，Marie；canyounotlovemeandforgiveme?“

Shegazedintohiseyes，andintheirdepthsreadthatwhichgraduallysoftenedherhardenedfeatures，andcausedasmiletoplayuponherlip。“Iloveyoudearly，devotedly；letthisbeourpartingword。Goforthintotheworld，Moritz；myaffectionwillfollowyouwhithersoeveryouwander，andmysoulwillbetruetoyouthroughalleternity，thoughweareforeverseparated。Thepoorwife，withherdismalretrospections，mustnotcastashadowuponyourfuture。

Go，mybeloved——Italyawaitsyou，andartwillconsoleyou！“

“Followme，dearMarie；onlybyyoursideamIhappy。Youarefreeandindependent，“criedMoritz。

“Oh，father，“criedMarie，leaninguponthevenerableoldman，“explaintohimthatIamstillthewifeofthathatedman！“

“Sheisright，Philip；donoturgeherfurther。Shemustfirstbelegallyseparated，andthiswearyheartmusthavetimetorecoveritswontedcalm。GotoItaly，andconfideyourfutureandhappinesstomycare。Mariehaslostamother，butsheshallfindafatherinme。Iwillwatchoverheruntilyourreturn。”

Justthenthedooropened，andTrudeentered。“Everythingisready；

allthethingswhichusedtostandinthelittlegarret-roomarepackedandsenttothemanufactory。Shallwego，too，dearchild?“

“Yes，“shecried，embracingthefaithfuloldwoman。“Farewell，Philip——Italycallsyou！“

“Iwillgo，butwhenIreturnwillyounotbemywife?“

MariegazedatMoritz，radiantwithhappiness，saying:“Theanswerisengravenuponmyheart。Return，andthenIwilljoyfullyrespondtoyourlovebeforeGodandman！“

End